PinkNews Q&A: Submit your questions for Green Party leaders Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley
Green Party leaders Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley will answer PinkNews readers’ questions in a Q&A before the snap General Election.
They join the previously-announced Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron and UKIP leader Paul Nuttall in facing your questions ahead of the June 8 poll.
The Green Party of England and Wales have already published an extensive LGBTQIA+ manifesto ahead of the General Election, titled LGBTQIA+ Rights Are Human Rights.
You can submit your questions for Mrs Lucas and Mr Bartley below:
“The Green Party have long been at the forefront of advancing the rights of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary, intersex, queer, asexual and aromantic, as well as other sex, sexuality and gender diversities (LGBTIQA+),” their manifesto reads.
“We stand up for acceptance, a more equal economy, and a fairer society. We’re proudly fighting for bodily autonomy for intersex people, for legal recognition for trans and non-binary people, for PrEP for all that need it, and for greater protection for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers.”
Following the row over Lib Dem leader Tim Farron’s views on gay sex, Jonathan Bartley wrote exclusively on the issue for PinkNews.
“I’m a Christian – and my politics is of course affected by my faith – that’s why I will not hesitate in saying that I believe that gay sex is no sin,” he said.
“These are troubling times for those fighting for LGBTIQA+ equality. From Trump’s election across the Atlantic, to Theresa May’s threat to repeal the Human Rights Act – we’re at risk of going backwards after years of progress.”
He added: “While some parties want LGBTIQA+ issues off the political agenda, we want them to be front and centre.
“In politics today a narrow vision for our country has taken root. The talk is of hard borders and traitors – and some are trying to label those offering an alternative to business as usual as some kind of enemy of the state.
“The Green Party will never hesitate in defending equality – and we’ll always put the rights of LGBTIQA+ people at the core of everything we do.”
Natalie Bennett stood down as leader of the Green Party in the summer of 2016.
Lucas and Bartley were later elected leaders in a job-sharing agreement.
Lucas was elected as the party’s first MP in since 2010 and has represented the constituency of Brighton Pavilion since then.
