Gay Tory MP says no young person should have to fear coming out the way he did
Daniel Kawczynski came out in 2013 and says he never wants young people to experience “the reservations, concerns or fears” that he did (Twitter/@DKShrewsbury)
The Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski has spoken of his fear at coming out in his 40s and being “scared to tell” his local Conservative Association.
The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, who at 6 feet 81⁄2 inches is the tallest MP in history, published the moving account in The House ahead of a Westminster debate on LGBT+ acceptance.
He remembers “quietly praying” that the train he was on would break down so he would not have to tell colleagues he was in a same-sex relationship, but says his “confidence was restored” by the positive reaction he received.
“Almost immediately, a gentleman in the front row stood up and said, ‘I think that’s marvellous news, well done’ and began clapping,” he wrote.
Kawczynski speaks at a Polish event honouring those who saved Jews during the Holocaust (WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP/Getty)
“He was soon followed by the rest of the room who afterwards came up to me with hugs, well-wishes, and offers of drinks at the bar.”
He added: “The kindness and humanity of people on occasions like this restore your confidence in our society and the warmth I felt from my Association members that night will stay with me forever.”
No child should feel that they are sinful or wrong for being gay.
Having come out later in life, he said he never wants young people to have any of “the reservations, concerns or fears” that he experienced.
“I want them to be proud and open with their families and friends about who they are. No child should feel that they are sinful or wrong for being gay.”
Parents and protestors demonstrate against the ‘No Outsiders’ programme, which teaches children about LGBT+ rights (Christopher Furlong/Getty)
The debate, which is planned for Wednesday, September 4, aims to “showcase both parliament’s view and that of the wider country”.
Daniel Kawczynski said: “It will demonstrate that we are staunch defenders of LGBT rights and will work diligently to create a Britain where telling someone you are LGBT is no more of a surprise than telling them you are left handed.”
To those protesting outside Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham, he had the following message: “I would appeal to their humanity, and ask them to try to understand the importance of giving young people confidence, of making them feel accepted, and allowing people to be free to be who they are, regardless of their sexuality.
“Britain is a nation of tolerance, of respect, of freedom, and we must hold these values high as a beacon for the rest of the world to follow.”
