Harriet Harman: We must always challenge homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse
Labour’s acting leader Harriet Harman writes her first article for PinkNews, to reflect on last Sunday’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia commemorations.
Labour has always been at the forefront of the fight against inequality and the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia is an excellent opportunity to celebrate this.
As a Member of Parliament of 33 years standing, and now as Interim Leader of the Labour Party, I’m proud of the role that my party has played in furthering equality issues – for example outlawing Section 28, equalising the age of consent, introducing civil partnerships, enabling LGBT couples to adopt and on introducing equal marriage.
While a lot of progress has been made, the fight for equality is far from being won. Attacks on the LGBT community still happen on our streets, and discrimination at work is still too common.
Same-sex couples still face prejudice, and children are still subject to homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying at school. And around the world LGBT rights are under threat.
Labour will continue the fight for LGBT rights at home and abroad because British politics and society still has a long way to go before fair representation is secured.
We will hold the government to account on equality issues in Parliament, and outside Parliament we will continue to champion LGBT equality in day-to-day life.
Harriet Harman is acting leader of the Labour Party, and MP for Camberwell and Peckham.
