In an unprecedented move, six UK prime ministers are writing for and on the 50th anniversary of Pride to praise activists who have changed attitudes towards the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.
The six leaders who write for and, who have occupied Downing Street for the past 32 years, affirm their commitment to equality laws.
His words come ahead of the London Pride March on Saturday, when more than a million people will take to the streets to celebrate LGBT equality, 50 years after the first official march.
Reacting to the historic statements of three decades of British leaders, Tom Daley, the Olympic gold medalist and LGBT activist, told me, “It’s amazing. If you remember 50 years and try to get six prime ministers to talk about it, no one would do.
“Advancing the conversation about LGBT inclusion starts from the top, and that could have an incredible impact.”
Haven Thorne of Pride in London said: “On Saturday 2 July, London will gather for the 50th anniversary of that first historic protest in the UK in 1972, to defend and commemorate those veterans who paved the way and left. forward for the continued progress of the LGBT + community “.
“There are still obstacles to overcome”
Sir John Major, Conservative from 1990 to 1997
Sir John says tolerance and understanding have grown since he was in power, but that “there are still obstacles to overcome” (Photo: AP)
Social progress in protecting minorities is often painfully slow, but I am grateful for the progress that has now been made, and continues to be made.
I remember being shocked by the bigotry and intolerance that followed a meeting I had with Sir Ian McKellen more than thirty years ago when, as Prime Minister, I sought to better understand the difficulties facing the gay community.
Sir Ian, whose brave defense I admired, was one of the reasons Parliament voted to reduce the age of consent in 1994.
Slowly but surely, tolerance and understanding have grown since then, although, unfortunately, there are still obstacles to overcome.
“It’s important to remember how we got here”
Sir Tony Blair, Labor 1997 to 2007
Sir Tony is proud of the progress that has been made in the UK over the last 50 years (Photo: Getty)
There may still be a way to go, from tackling hate crimes to challenging the outdated views of some communities, but after half a century, I am very proud of the progress our country has made.
One of the things that stands out most to me is the consensus that has now been established between the major political parties.
Advancing LGBT rights is considered important and right. It is in stark contrast to the prejudice that was too common when I was first elected to Parliament in 1983.
But it’s important to remember how we got here. The change only came about because people stood up and made it a reality, with progressive values leading the conversation.
Creating a consensus for change was the key priority. And it is these values that shaped the New Labor reform approach.
Section 28 is just one example of the terrible situation of the 1980s and 1990s. It embodied the bigotry that was too common among much of the political class of the time and repealing it was always a priority for my government.
With this and all the other reforms we were able to carry out, from equalizing the age of consent to introducing civil partnerships, showing strong leadership and bringing the country with us was key.
It is important to remember: our belief in a tolerant, open and egalitarian society means nothing if it cannot be translated into real tangible change.
Creating a Britain where everyone is treated equally was, is and will always be the right thing to do.
“I am proud that Labor has repealed the pernicious laws of Thatcher’s Section 28”
Gordon Brown, Labor 2007 to 2010
Gordon Brown said the changes would not have come without the courage, determination and activism of the LGBTQ + community (Photo: Getty)
The road to equality is long and never easy. It is often said that in Britain the first five hundred years of history of any institution are always the most difficult.
Therefore, we should all be proud that in just fifty years of Pride’s existence, its courageous and relentless campaign for human rights has managed to make the UK a more egalitarian and tolerant country today.
Horrified by the blatant discrimination against homosexuality legalized by Section 28 under Margaret Thatcher in 1988, I am proud that one of the first acts of labor in government was to repeal this pernicious legislation and create civil associations.
And from the Treasury, we made sure that these civil associations were also designed as equals, insisting on creating an equal right of civil partners to inherit and share pensions.
I was glad to have been able to eliminate another area of discrimination when, as Prime Minister, our government decided to extend these rights by removing the “need for a father” clause when considering whether to allow in vitro fertilization.
While there are few areas where my successor David Cameron and I found common ground, I salute his government for offering same-sex marriage to same-sex couples, despite fierce opposition from some to their own banks.
More about Pride
But I also know that the political changes made by Parliament would not have come without the courageous determination and activism of our LGBTQ + community out and proud.
Therefore, it is not only right to celebrate Pride at the age of 50, but also to celebrate your achievements: you have changed the laws, you have changed lives, you have changed the world.
“At first, I wasn’t a true believer in egalitarian marriage. My wife Sam convinced me.”
David Cameron, Conservative 2010 to 2016
David Cameron said legalizing same-sex marriage was a bitter struggle (Photo: Getty)
The wedding season is just around the corner, and after so many postponements during the pandemic it looks like there are a record number of weddings this summer: happy unions between men and women, men and men, and women and women.
One of the achievements of which I am most proud as Prime Minister was to change the law so that these same-sex couples could get married.
It’s something we take for granted now, only a few years later, but at that time there was a bitter fight. At first, he was not a true believer.
I supported the rights of homosexuals and civil associations, but they did not immediately sell me the case for an equal marriage. I needed time, a lot of thought and conversations with my wife, Sam and other friends to commit so much to politics that I was willing to fight for her.
And it was a fight. The opposition was fierce: voters, voters, religious organizations and many from my own party. There was a lot of pressure to drop him. But we kept fighting, and we were right. Equal marriage is absolutely necessary. People should be able to marry, whoever they are and who they love.
It’s easy to take these things for granted now and assume that society becomes more egalitarian as time goes on. The truth is that gay rights were never a fact.
They passed thanks to brave and dedicated men and women from the gay community and society at large. Pride has played an important role in this progress.
The year I was born, homosexuality was still illegal in Britain. Today I live in a country where people of all sexualities proudly wave the rainbow flag.
My children’s generation talks about their LGBT + friends and sexuality as something that is not at all remarkable.
Of course, there is still a long way to go to achieve total equality. But as we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Pride, I will take a moment to celebrate how far we have come.
“The debate over trans people has grown more, not less, division”
Theresa May, curator 2016 to 2019
Theresa May, as we acknowledge the progress that has been made, we must remember that there is still a long way to go (Photo: Getty)
Five decades ago, activists fought abuse and ridicule as they marched to raise awareness about the discrimination they faced in law, employment, and society at large.
Fifty years later, thanks to people like Peter Tatchell and the commitment of many other longtime activists, we can be proud of how much and profoundly attitudes have changed.
I get into this: looking back now, there are issues I would have voted on differently, if I had voted for them today.
But as we recognize the progress that has been made, we must remember that there is still a long way to go.
As Prime Minister, I was proud to launch the country’s first National LGBT Survey. More than 100,000 people responded.
Some of the results were encouraging. Most gay and lesbian people told us that they felt comfortable living in the UK and that most LGBT people, almost 60%, feel able to be open about their sexuality or gender identity at work. .
At the same time, however, two out of five LGBT people said they had been verbally or physically abused because of their sexuality or gender identity. And nearly two-thirds avoid holding hands with same-sex couples for fear of a negative reaction.
Few people, reading the stories of trans people in our survey, would disagree that they still face indignities and prejudices, when they deserve understanding and respect.
This survey was launched almost five years ago and in that time the debate over trans people has grown more, not less, division.
We must strive for a greater understanding of both sides of the debate. Just because a topic is controversial, doesn’t mean we can avoid addressing it.
To this end, the government must maintain its commitment to consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy. If he is not to be present at the next bill, the matter should not be allowed to slip.
Because, whatever our sexuality or gender identity, we all deserve to be accepted equally; LGBT rights are human rights. That was the lesson 50 years ago, and while we’ve come a long way, it’s something we still have to remember today.