Analysis: How pro-gay is the new home secretary and minister for equality Theresa May?
Home Secretary Theresa May (Getty)
Theresa May has been appointed home secretary and minister for equality, replacing Chris Grayling who was dubbed ‘homophobic’ by gay rights groups after suggesting that bed and breakfast owners should be able to ban gay couples. But analysis by PinkNews.co.uk reveals that Mrs May has voted consistently against gay and transgendered rights.
Mrs May’s voting record on LGBT rights is mixed.
In 1998 she voted against equalising the age of consent and in 2000, she voted against the repeal of Section 28, legislation that banned the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality by local government and schools.
In 2001 and 2002 she voted against gay couples jointly adopting children.
In 2004, like much of the Conservative front bench, Mrs May did vote in favour of civil partnerships.
But in the same year, Mrs May didn’t attend Parliament for any of the four votes that led to the Gender Recognition Act.
In 2008 she voted in favour of a defeated bill which said that IVF rights should require a male role model- effectively discriminating against lesbian fertility rights.
Stonewall, the lesbian, gay and bisexual lobbying group, declined to comment on Mrs May’s voting record or her suitability as minister for equality.
Instead, a spokesman said: “Both coalition parties made a number of promises to lesbian and gay voters during the campaign. We look forward to working with Teresa May to see them fulfilled.”
But David Henry of gay rights group OutRage! claimed that Mrs May was “the wrong person for the job”.
He told PinkNews.co.uk: “She hasn’t really made a lot of comments on homosexuality in the past, although she is a strong advocate for family.
“She’s always been against gay rights since I can remember. I’m pretty sure she’s opposed almost every gay rights measure.”
