News
Page last updated at 12:46 GMT, Sunday, 4 April 2010 13:46 UK
A key Conservative has been recorded suggesting people who run bed and breakfasts in their homes should have the right to reject homosexual guests.
But shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said hotels should not be allowed to discriminate in that way.
Labour and the Lib Dems said the Tories would allow discrimination "to thrive".
Mr Grayling later said he was looking at being "sensitive to the genuinely held principles of faith groups" but was not seeking a change in the law.
The secret recording has been published on the Observer newspaper's website.
The BBC's political correspondent Norman Smith said the stance taken by Mr Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, "put him at odds with the law".
'Right to decide'
Mr Grayling, MP for Epsom and Ewell, made his comments after a speech at the Centre for Policy Studies in London on Wednesday.
He was at the think tank to talk on the subject of "A Conservative Home Office."
During the recording, Mr Grayling is heard responding to a question from the audience about civil liberties.
He said: "I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences.
"I personally always took the view that... if you look at the case of 'Should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from their hotel?'
"I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home.
"If they are running a hotel on the High Street, I really don't think that it is right in this day and age that a gay couple should walk into a hotel and be turned away because they are a gay couple, and I think that is where the dividing line comes."
'Awkward and embarrassing'
Under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 no-one should be refused goods or services on the grounds of their sexuality.
However in March, Cambridgeshire gay couple Michael Black and John Morgan were turned away from a guest house in Berkshire because the owner said it was against her policy to accommodate same-sex couples.
Mr Black told the BBC that it "wasn't just a question of feeling angry on our own behalf.
"It was the fact that [it] was an example of illegal discrimination. It happened to be against a gay couple, it could be against people because they're Muslim, or black, or for any other reason."
The BBC's Norman Smith said it was "awkward and embarrassing" for the shadow home secretary, who would have to enforce equality legislation should the Conservatives win the election.
In a statement, Mr Grayling said: "Any suggestion that I am against gay rights is wholly wrong - it is a matter of record that I voted for civil partnerships.
"I also voted in favour of the legislation that prohibited bed and breakfast owners from discriminating against gay people.
"However, this is a difficult area and on Wednesday I made comments which reflected my view that we must be sensitive to the genuinely held principles of faith groups in this country.
"But the law is now clear on this issue, I am happy with it and would not wish to see it changed."
'Private views'
Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights group Stonewall, told the BBC he was "deeply saddened" by the comments, which would give voters "pause for thought".
He said people were not forced to open their homes as commercial premises and they should abide by the law.
"I don't think anyone, including the Tories, wants to go back to the days where there is a sign outside saying: 'No gays, no blacks, no Irish'," he said.
What was more worrying, he added, was that Mr Grayling said these sorts of things in private but not in public.
Conservative leader David Cameron has apologised for Section 28 - the controversial law brought in by his party in 1988 banning local authorities from portraying homosexuality in a positive light.
And in February, openly gay Tory frontbencher Nick Herbert said there had been a "self-evident" change in his party's attitude to gay people.
But the culture secretary Ben Bradshaw, who is openly gay, told the BBC: "Not only is this displaying the fact that the Conservatives have not really changed on this and many other issues, but here you have the shadow home secretary advocating that people break the law."
Chris Huhne, the Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said "Chris Grayling's plan would allow discrimination to thrive".
guardian.co.uk, Monday 15 March 2010 11.30 GMT
Article:
Without an amendment to the Single Equality Act, many of us will continue to live in fear and discomfort
In 2006 my employer circulated a staff questionnaire on diversity. Struggling with my gender identity, I found the courage to complete it and declare that no, I did not feel able to present at work in my preferred gender. But so terrified was I of the possibility of exposure that I put the completed survey in a postbox so that it would arrive from outside the campus and nothing, short of fingerprinting, could connect it to me.
Two years later I began to transition and the protections of the Gender Recognition Act folded around me. My employer suddenly had obligations to treat me fairly and to protect my privacy. In fact, it has done much more than the minimum transition at work has been a hugely positive experience for me. Job done, you might say, but I still remember the frightened person I was, and I know that there are many others in similar positions, and not all employers are so understanding. The real problem with the current legislation, about to be rolled into the Single Equality Act, is that it requires individuals to be certain about their situation and to fall into categories that the law feels happy to define.
Transgenderism is a spectrum condition. It may, or may not, be linked to intersex conditions, which sometimes show clear physical evidence of gender variation. Causality is unclear, but it is evident that it affects people in a variety of ways, and people's responses to being trans are much more varied than the law allows for. The Gender Recognition Act built on earlier legislation to provide better employment conditions and an obligation to respect an individual's privacy. It does not depend on surgery as "proof", an important change that recognizes the requirement to live in the preferred gender role to gain access to treatment, and also that not everyone who seeks to make a permanent role change will want surgery. The problem is that the Act assumes certainty. Back in 2006 I had not yet accepted my need to transition, so I was not protected. Any expression of my gender variance felt incredibly risky, so much so that I operated a self- and family-imposed exclusion zone on myself, and would travel 120 miles to London before I dared put on a skirt.
The fear of exposure, of loss of job or family, of ridicule was one factor that maintained my closeted status, a painful state that I lived with for decades. Arguably the lack of protection for those uncertain about their gender helped keep me in that state for longer than would otherwise have been the case. I found my answer, but the problem is that the law insists that in order to offer you protection you must be clear about who you are, and that "who" must fall into certain categories.
Some people may not need to transition, or at least not permanently. They may, for their own comfort and wellbeing, wish to present as a different gender on an occasional basis, partly or fully. That may be a prelude to determining a sense of self that leads to transition, or it may not. Trans people need to be able to determine their own path, but the pressures to conform are so huge that it is hard to be able to explore our sense of self publicly. Instead we restrict ourselves to ghettos made up of support groups, a handful of nightclubs and specialist services that offer a chance (particularly for trans women) to dress and experiment with makeup. These organisations do good work, but we are still in ghettos, because society says we should be.
If you were to decide, for your own comfort and wellbeing, that you wanted to present at work as one gender two days a week, and another for the rest of the week, the law does not provide for you, and only the most enlightened of employers are likely to support you. But why shouldn't someone be able to do that, if they feel comfortable enough with themselves to want to be visible? If the individual is happier and feels supported they will be a better employee, so why should that be a problem? What about school or college students?
Imagine yourself as a 10-year-old with a growing sense of uncertainty about your gender, deeply aware of the playground taunts you might face if you let slip the truth, and so having to hide your true self completely. I don't have to imagine it I lived it. Trans people are also the last minority it's OK to ridicule, because many people think it's about clothes, and that (particularly) men dressed as women will look ridiculous. It's so embedded in our culture that gender tourists such as David Walliams can make good money out of demeaning us. That makes it harder for us to speak with one voice, particularly as we are smaller than the gay community.
Trans individuals and organisations have lobbied MPs and peers to debate an amendment to the Equality Act. We failed in the Commons and in the Lords, so the legislation is likely to go through as it is. The government has done a lot for us the Gender Recognition Act has improved things for a significant part of our community. But the principle of equality of treatment is still applied unevenly to the trans community. Because of this many of us live in fear and discomfort for much of our lives. This situation needs to end.
Former Wales and Lions captain Gareth Thomas has broken one of the major taboos that surround sport by revealing he is gay.
The 35-year-old joins stars like basketball's John Amaechi and hurling's Donal Og Cusack who have come out.
"Just because you are gay, it doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet," Thomas told the Daily Mail.
"I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man."
Cardiff Blues utility back Thomas said he had been through "all sorts of emotions" over the issue, since first knowing he was gay in his late teens.
He revealed that he was "anxious about people's reactions" to him being gay and that he felt he could not have come out earlier in his rugby career.
"It is the toughest, most macho of male sports, and with that comes an image," Thomas said.
"In many ways, it is barbaric, and I could never have come out without first establishing myself and earning respect as a player.
'Time is right'
"Rugby was my passion, my whole life, and I wasn't prepared to risk losing everything I loved."
Thomas went on to win 100 caps for Wales and three for the Lions, and has played for Bridgend and Cardiff and spent three years in France with Toulouse, before returning to south Wales in 2007.
He feels attitudes have changed and the time is right for sport to start accepting openly gay people in the same way other professions have in recent years.
"I just happen to be gay," he added. "It's irrelevant.
"What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby.
"It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo.
"Statistically I can't be the only one, but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game.
"I'd love for it, in 10 years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: 'So what?'"
Thomas retired from international duty after captaining Wales' exit from the 2007 World Cup.
But he admitted it was on Wales duty at an earlier time when he first broke the news to former Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson over his sexuality and the break-up of his marriage to his wife Jemma.
"My life seemed to be falling apart," he added. "Jemma and I were splitting up, and I was scared of the future and being single again as a gay man.
"Somehow, the coach had guessed," said Thomas. "He took me out of the team room to the medical room, locked the door and I told him everything.
"After keeping it secret for so long, I felt a huge rush of relief.
"Scott said: 'Right, I've got to speak now to three or four players in the Welsh team because you need the boys to surround you and support you. You can't cope with this on your own,' and he was right.
"He told two of my team-mates, Stephen Jones and Martyn Williams, and as I sat in the bar waiting for them, I was absolutely terrified, wondering what they were going to say.
There's still a bit of stigma from some people but as far as the rugby community goes as a whole, I'm sure he'll be very pleasantly surprised like I was
"But they came in, patted me on the back and said: 'We don't care. Why didn't you tell us before?'
"Two of my best mates in rugby didn't even blink an eyelid."
But Thomas said one of his lowest points was cheating on Jemma, which drove him to the edge.
"Sometimes I felt so alone and depressed," he added.
"I used to go to the cliffs overlooking the beach near our cottage in St Brides Major and just think about jumping off and ending it all."
Welsh rugby referee Nigel Owens, who came out in 2007, told BBC Radio 5 live that he thought Thomas would receive a positive reaction from the public.
"There's still a bit of stigma from some people but as far as the rugby community goes as a whole, I'm sure he'll be very pleasantly surprised like I was," he said.
"You'll get some issues from some individuals but that's the same across society as a whole.
"I think people will respect him as a person and as a player - he's a person just like anybody else, who just happens to be one of the great players Wales have had over the years and who just happens to be gay."
The Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive, Roger Lewis, said: "Gareth Thomas is one of Welsh rugby's outstanding players, a former captain, he holds the national appearance record (100 caps) and has scored 40 tries for his country.
"He was at the helm for the 2005 RBS Six Nations Grand Slam, Wales' first clean sweep in the annual competition since 1978, and also captained the British and Irish Lions during their summer tour of New Zealand earlier that year.
"Gareth is a rugby leader and also a man of great humour. He is most probably one of the most popular players amongst his peers.
"He has been an inspiration to generations of rugby followers and continues to play at the top level of the game with the Cardiff Blues.
"Just as we support Gareth at this time that stance will remain consistent for any player.
"Whilst Gareth's private life is entirely irrelevant to his career as an international sportsman it would be remiss of the WRU not to remind him of the high esteem in which he is held in the game in Wales at a time when he has decided to bring such personal reflections to public notice."
Cardiff Blues chief executive Robert Norster added: "Gareth Thomas is a credit to Cardiff Blues who has truly brought honour to the jersey as a formidable player and a strong leader.
"His private life is his own concern and we will continue to acknowledge him for the qualities he brings to the squad as a player and an individual who exemplifies the values of commitment, determination and fair play we expect from our team.
"Gareth will always be revered for his achievements as a player and he deserves his place of honour in Welsh rugby history.
"Our teams are selected on merit and we will always choose players with the talent and ability to achieve the demanding standards we now set."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/8421956.stm
The most HOPEFUL monthly event since payday!
Last Saturday of every month
Saturday 26th September 2009
A Day In Hand announces the first ever international Same-sex hand holding (Sshh!) Saturday on September 26th 2009. On this day, same-sex couples and friends all over the world are encouraged to hold hands in public to support the visibility of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans (LGBT) people. Sshh! Saturdays will occur on the last Saturday of every month, publicised by A Day In Hand. This is a revolutionary way of encouraging and inspiring LGBT people to take responsibility for their equality and live their lives without fear or restraint. Sshh! Saturdays in major Western cities will eventually become regarded as an important time when numerous same-sex couples can feel confident in holding hands and being themselves.
Where? Anywhere outside. Your area of the world.
When? The first international Same-sex hand holding (Sshh) Saturday will be Saturday September 26th 2009.
What? On Saturday September 26th we are asking people to find someone of the same gender, and hold their hand in public. It may be for only 1 min or for the whole day! We would love people to have their photo taken holding hands and upload it to our website by sending to yourstories@adayinhand.com.
Who? The population (gay or straight, all faiths, genders, races, abilities, single or in a relationship). Celebrities Brian Paddick and Boy George, author Paul Burston, MEP Michael Cashman, Mayor Boris Johnson and activists Peter Tatchell & Cleve Jones (Harvey Milk's aide) have already endorsed the A Day In Hand campaign and many more will be holding hands on the first Sshh! Saturday. Please email info@adayinhand.com if you would like to be a part of it.
Why? A Day In Hand founder, David Watkins says, Sshh! Saturdays aim to ultimately create safer spaces for LGBT people. As the idea of Sshh! Saturdays grow in popularity and spread across the world, the last Saturday of every month will become a day of support for LGBT people who want to show their commitment in public. Many years ago in the UK, LGBT people knew that the last carriage of every train would be populated by members of the queer community. Today, A Day In Hand wants people to feel the same sense of support in public spaces on the last Saturday of every month.
Sshh! Saturdays are easily conducted wherever you are. They are not prides or rallies. It only requires 2 people of the same sex to hold hands to make a Sshh! Saturday. The images sent to yourstories@adayinhand.com will be spread throughout the world via our website www.adayinhand.com. Visibility of same-sex love is particularly important so that LGBT people become part of the cultural fabric of people's lives.
Watkins adds Same-sex hand holding (Sshh!) is a silent revolution for LGBT people, because nothing needs to be said: no bold speeches, no reactive arguments, no war of words. Each LGBT person has the power to change the hearts and minds of people in their local community quietly, subtly, by simply holding hands publicly and owning their space. However, hand holding is a simple powerful gesture that can happen anywhere, at any time.
In areas of the world where it is impossible for LGBT to hold hands publicly, we call on people to send messages of support to our website on Sshh! Saturdays, and send in their photos of them holding hands, in public or private to yourstories@adayinhand.com
'Sshh! Saturday 26th Sept' will be in memoriam of the recent Tel Aviv shootings at a Gay & Lesbian centre and the ongoing atrocities being committed to LGBT people in Iraq.
On the same weekend as celebratory Pride events in Brighton, Hull & Nottingham, we are reminded why they are so important when the homophobic murder of gay teenagers and LGBT counsellors takes place even in a modern liberal city like Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv, in Israel, has a thriving gay community and the centre that was targeted was a counseling and support centre popular with LGBT teenagers "coming out".
BBC news reportNorfolk County Council are conducting an online survey to find out what it's like to be gay, lesbian or bisexual in Norfolk today. Our views will be crucial to informing an action plan to tackle issues we say are important and improve equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the county. To complete the survey go to www.yournorfolkyoursay.org or contact Jo Richardson, Corporate Equality and Diversity Manager at jo.richardson@norfolk.gov.uk, tel 01603 223816, minicom 03448008011
There was a colourful and carnival atmosphere as around half-a-million people attended London Pride today. Although a few right wing and church groups protested without incident and Peter Tatchell used the opportunity to call for full marital rights for gay couples, the day was generally calm, welcoming, with a party atmosphere. National Front protesters did not react when two men provocatively kissed in front of them and another guy in knee high boots danced under the statue of Eros.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8134323.stmHM Revenue & Customs has been criticised for printing a booklet aimed at "our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers" as a waste of taxpayers' money.
"The 20-page document, complete with glossy photos of gay couples, primarily gives advice to people in civil partnerships about their tax allowances and inheritance tax thresholds.
It also gives advice to transgender people about whether they can claim pensions under their new or old gender"
The HMRC leaflet will be given out at London Pride, July 2009.
Link to the Telegraph article
