Labour’s gay and bisexual MPs call on Theresa May to drop deal with anti-LGBT DUP
Labour’s gay and bisexual MPs are calling on Theresa May to drop a deal with the DUP.
The out politicians want the PM to oppose a deal with the Northern Irish party due to their “terrible record on equality”.
Theresa May is said to be in the final stages of confirming a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party after she failed to win a majority in the June 8 General Election.
The DUP opposes a raft of LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, freedom from discrimination and same-sex adoption.
Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffiths, who came out during the last parliament, told PinkNews: “I am very shocked, because it’s very ill-advised from the broader perspective of getting an agreement in Northern Ireland.
“Theresa May thinks she’s more important than anybody else, and she’s shown disdain for people across the UK.”
She added: “We want to see proper LGBT rights across the UK, and here we have a party that has consistently opposed LGBT equality deciding the government.”
Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, told the gathering of politicians: “We’re here today standing up as out LGBT MPs and parliamentarians to speak up for the equality and rights of all LGBT citizens across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland.
“It is deeply deeply dismaying that Theresa May is trying to cobble together a deal with the DUP, who have such a terrible record when it comes to equality, when it comes to the rights of LGBT people.”
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Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the newly elected MP for Brighton Kemptown, told PinkNews May “needs to go”.
He said: “I’m incredibly concerned – not just as a gay MP – but as a representative of one of the most LGBT areas of the country.
“Many of my residents are totally aghast that these repugnant views will be in power.
“We had a march through the city at the weekend with about a thousand people turn up.
“I can imagine our diplomats will be censored now to promoting LGBT equality abroad because we will have a government propped up by people who don’t believe in equality.”
The stinging attack followed Jeremy Corbyn exclusively telling PinkNews that May must not make LGBT people pay the price for her staying at 10 Downing Street.
He said: “LGBT rights are human rights.
“They must not be sold out by Theresa May and the Conservatives as they try to cling to power with the DUP.”
A Labour source last week castigated the decision to appoint David Lidington as justice secretary during DUP negotiations.
“It is clear the nasty party is back with a vengeance,” the senior source told PinkNews.
