Government must show "genuine commitment" to LGBT people

Speaking at the TUC's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) conference in London yesterday, TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady welcomed the coalition's early commitment to LGBT equality, but warned this must be backed up with “a real change of heart within Government”.

Frances O'Grady said: “Much has been achieved over the past decade but some hugely difficult challenges remain for LGBT people in Britain and across the world.

“Thankfully the new coalition Government is not hostile to LGBT people in the way the 1980s Tory Government was - and we warmly welcome the public commitment the Prime Minister made two weeks ago to tackle some of the outstanding issues on the LGBT equality agenda. In the light of our continuing work in education, we particularly welcome education minister Nick Gibb's commitment to combat homophobic bullying in schools and colleges.

“But scratch beneath the surface, and it's not quite so rosy. Ministers have already signalled the new public duty in the Equality Act will be pretty toothless - a case of light-touch implementation.

“And while some Conservatives may pay lip service to tolerance and diversity, earlier in the year we witnessed the squalid spectacle of Conservative frontbencher Chris Grayling defending B & Bs which refuse to accommodate gay and lesbian couples.

“But the sad truth this is just the tip of a pretty reactionary iceberg, because as we know the Conservatives have aligned themselves with some of the most regressive political parties in Europe.

“And this matters enormously because while we may have made real legal advances in the UK, we have yet to see a parallel shift in social attitudes. If the biggest party in our Parliament is prepared to form an alliance with Europe's far right fringe, then what kind of message does that send out to the British people?

“Britain may be a more diverse, more tolerant place than a generation ago, but discrimination, prejudice and hate continue to disfigure the lives of LGBT people. As with racism and sexism, the public sector must take the lead in challenging prejudice and hate towards LGBT people. If the new duty fails to deliver, then we must put pressure on both Government and employers to raise their game.

“LGBT people worldwide need our support and our solidarity and it's our responsibility, our duty, to respond accordingly - to lead from the front and to show our movement is a champion of all working people, regardless of creed, colour or sexuality."

The the two-day conference debated topical issues such as homophobic violence and hate crime, tackling prejudice against LGBT sportsmen and women, and the current Equality Bill.

Speakers included TUC President Dougie Rooney, Lynne Featherstone MP, journalist Johann Hari and Chair of the TUC LGBT Committee Maria Exall,