Exclusive: As the UK progresses, other countries are going back on LGBT rights by Ed Miliband
Writing exclusively for PinkNews on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, Labour leader Ed Miliband says his party “will be at forefront of continuing the fight for equality.”
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the major strides that we’ve taken in LGBT equality over recent years.
I remember growing up in the 1980s and being appalled at the discrimination that members of the LGBT community faced. As someone who got into politics because of my belief in equality, it is something I felt strongly about and campaigned to change.
As Leader of the Labour Party, I’m incredibly proud of the role my party played in outlawing Section 28, equalising the age of consent, introducing civil partnerships, enabling LGBT couples to adopt and, last year, introducing equal marriage.
But on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we must also remember that the fight for equality is far from won. We might have taken big strides towards equality in Britain, but we need always to aim higher.
That’s why we must not stop campaigning for equality while kids are still subject to homophobic bullying at school; while people are discriminated against at work because of their sexuality; and while there is still prejudice in our culture against same-sex couples.
We must also remember that in many parts of the world LGBT rights are moving in a worrying direction. That’s why a Labour government will appoint an international envoy to tackle discrimination against gay people across the world.
I’m determined that the Labour Party under my leadership will be at forefront of continuing the fight for equality.
Ed Miliband is the Leader of the Labour Party.
