We are lesbian, gay and bisexual Labour Party members who do not feel represented by LGBT+ Labour, a group that now works to undermine same-sex attraction and women’s rights. Labour LGB has members from across the country and across all political traditions of our Party.
We will be voting as individuals in this leadership election and we have chosen not to endorse one candidate. However, we want whoever wins this election to be mindful of their responsibilities and to be able to speak for lesbian, gay and bisexual party members. We urge both candidates to:
- Be proud of Labour’s record in tackling anti-gay discrimination. The 1997-2010 Labour governments carried out the most significant reforms for LGB people in history, removing all discriminatory legislation and creating legal protection against discrimination. However, while legal protections for adults loving adults of the same sex are established, social inclusion remains a problem, particularly for LGB people of low-income backgrounds and from certain religious families. Labour LGB is the only voice for LGB Labour members and would like to meet you when you become Deputy Leader.
- We know that Labour voters and potential Labour voters strongly believe that women’s spaces should not be open to trans-identifying men and that sports, prisons and women-only spaces should be protected. The Supreme Court judgement in For Women Scotland has given us a clear way to support this policy. As Deputy Leader, we would expect you to uphold the law and speak out against the excesses of gender identity ideology and the importance of policies and laws based on the two biological sexes.
- Remember that the public is increasingly alienated by the extremes of gender identity ideology. Learn the lesson from the Democrats in the USA. Their capture by gender identity ideologues is visibly pushing them out of mainstream politics and alienating their core voters. “Kamala is for they/them” should be a powerful warning to us in the UK Labour Party. If we support the excesses of gender identity ideology, we cannot win the next general and devolved elections.
Whoever wins, we look forward to working with you as our Deputy Leader.
Yours sincerely
