Video: Green MP Caroline Lucas comes @Out4Marriage and trans inclusion at Parliament
After casting her vote in favour of equal marriage at last Tuesday’s vote on it in the House of Commons, Green MP Caroline Lucas gave an impassioned speech to LGBT rights advocates, emphasising the need for “real equality”, and to push for trans rights in terms of marriage.
In this exclusive video taken by Out4Marriage, Ms Lucas is met by loud applause as she makes her points, before returning to the chamber to hear the result of the vote on the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill, which passed 400 votes to 175.
She said: “One of the issues I spoke about very briefly outside was the fact that there has been lots of discussion about discrimination today, and rightly so, but one group I’m vey concerned about who are very much discriminated against, is the trans community.
“And I am really pleaed that these proposals do look as if they are now going in the right direction so that trans people will not be forced to make a decision as to whether or not they want to change their identity or end their marriage to do it, that seems to be crazy.”
She goes on to say that there is a need for “real equality”, in the form of civil partnerships being offered to opposite sex couples, as well as marriage for same sex couples.
She said: “I want to say, as well, there is a lot of space for us to have real equality here, and I think we’re going to be pressing for civil partnerships to be open to opposite sex couples as well as same sex couples.
“And finally I guess just to say that, at the bottom of all of this is justice and human rights…
She joked: “I am really just so excited that tonight, I think I’m going to be on the side that are winning.”
Caroline Lucas, the MP for Brighton Pavilion and former leader of the Green Party, described the debate and vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples Bill) as a historic occasion, prior to the it commencing.
