Dear Prime Minister
We are delighted that you have welcomed the clarification of the Supreme Court judgment and we appreciate the guidance provided by the NEC on the definition of ‘woman’.
However, the Supreme Court ruling went further than this and made it clear that Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual people have a right of association under the protected characteristic of sexual orientation, which is entirely separate to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment. This legal right of association protects the autonomy of lesbian, gay and bisexuals and recognises that we as LGB people have our own unique rights, needs and concerns which are different to TQIA+. Our voice needs to be included at the table where decisions and policy that affects us is being discussed.
It has become clear to our members within the Party, that since the forced-teaming with TQIA+ our voices have been silenced. Many have experienced compelled conformity to go along with the broad grouping LGBTQIA+ because there is no alternative. We would urge you to read the excellent report produced by LGB Alliance entitled ‘Compelled Conformity’ (see attached) which sheds a light on the negative effects of this forced-teaming. We are very concerned that we are assumed to have representation when LGBTQIA+ groups are consulted.
Unfortunately this is not the case. We note your recent Pride Reception in Downing Street to which no LGB organisation was invited.
We are writing to you both as Prime Minister and as Leader of the Labour Party, to remind you that if Labour cares about representing LGB voices then we must be consulted as an autonomous LGB group under sexual orientation, and given the same credibility as the other protected characteristics of the Equality Act. Currently we are only represented by Labour LGB and Lesbian Labour, both with members, activists and officials within the Labour Party. We would also point you towards LGB Alliance – the only registered charity for LGB people in the whole of the UK, which over the years since their inception has been wrongfully ignored, vilified and discredited because of their remit to represent only LGB people.
As always, we are loyal Labour Party members and we thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Labour LGB and Lesbian Labour very much look forward to a seat at the table as the only Labour Party groups with true autonomy regarding Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual members.
Kind Regards
