‘Lesbian style icon’ Keir Starmer says UK parliament is ‘gayest’ in the world
Keir Starmer (Instagram/keirstarmer)
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has said that the country’s parliament is the “gayest” in the world at a recent LGBTQ+ Pride reception.
Starmer, who has an up-and-down track record when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, was introduced to the podium at a Pride event at 10 Downing Street on 30 June as a “lesbian style icon”. A video shared to the prime minister’s official social channels shows him responding to the comparison.
“Lesbian style icon, I like that,” he says, laughing.
“I’m really proud that we’ve got the gayest parliament,” he continues in the video. “I don’t think, just of all time, anywhere in the world, I don’t think there’s any parliament that is gayer than this parliament. That’s fantastic.”
He then goes on to speak about the Labour government’s recent record on LGBTQ+ rights, including the HIV action plan, which he says is “really good to end transmissions by 2030.”
“We’ve legislated to equalise all existing strands of hate crime and make them aggravated,” he says, before mentioning the “full trans-inclusive ban on abusive conversion practices.”
“Again, not before time,” he continues. “We’ve put an end to those practices.”
Starmer also shared words for the LGBTQ+ community via an Instagram post about the Pride event.
“Everyone should feel safe, respected and free to be who they are,” the caption reads. “That’s what Pride is about. We’re backing that with action through banning abusive conversion practices. At a time when some seek to divide, we stand with the LGBT+ community in choosing inclusion, dignity and respect.”
However, not everyone in the comments section was as celabratory.
Trans author Juno Dawson said: “I’m sorry but if you attended this as an LGBTQ+ person you are guilty of pinkwashing a government doing active harms to the trans community.”
Gay journalist Owen Jones said: “All LGBTQ+ people involved in this should be ashamed. We’re now the worst for trans rights in Europe apart from a tiny number of countries, such as Russia. Throwing your community under a buss for political advancement – there’s no words to describe how nauseating that is.”
Queer writer Jamie Windust said: “Is that why he banned trans people from accessing gender affirming healthcare?”
Conversion therapy ban in the UK
Last week, it was revealed in the UK Government’s draft bill to ban the so-called conversion therapy that penalties for those found to be carrying out conversion therapy include up to five years in prison and unlimited fines.
The new trans-inclusive bill would criminalise “abusive acts” aimed at changing someone’s sexual orientation or transgender identity. The Cabinet Office said the legislation will ensure LGBTQ+ people are “protected from physical and psychological abuse to change who they are”.
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