In what’s being described as setting a “clear distance” between itself and the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party is launching its LGBT+ manifesto in a church.
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The Green party has said it will commit to supporting LGBT+ asylum seekers.
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Co-leader of the Greens Jonathan Bartley, said they were the party to ‘always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people’
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The party has the only openly trans spokesperson in UK politics.
The Green party is vying for LGBT+ support today after it revealed that it would set out its LGBT+ manifesto in a London Church, a move it says which separates it from the Liberal Democrats. The launch is to take place at The Trinity United Reform Church in Camden, well-known for its progressive views and inclusivity.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, said,
“The Green Party has a proud history of leading the way when it comes to LGBTIQA+ rights. While other political parties struggle to say what they believe, Greens are clear – we will always stand up for LGBTIQA+ people.
“We believe in a fairer world, a more equal economy, human rights protected by law, recognition and representation for all gender identities and education and health services which care for and include everyone.”
Last week, the Liberal Democrat leader, Tim Farron was criticised after initially failing to answer questions on whether he thought, as a committed Christian, if “gay sex” was a sin. He was asked numerous times by Channel 4’s Cathy Newman, 11 times by an LBC reporter and once in the House of Commons. He finally revealed that he didn’t think it was a sin by saying in a BBC interview,
“I don’t believe that gay sex is a sin.
“I take the view though, that as a political leader, my job is not to pontificate on theological matters.
Aimee Challenor, Green Party LGBTIQA+ spokesperson, who is the only openly trans spokesperson of a UK Political Party, said,
“Let’s be clear, LGBTIQA+ rights are under threat. From Gay and Bi men being tortured and killed in Chechnya, to Donald Trump weakening protections in the US and the UK’s threat to repeal the Human Rights Act, 2017 has already been a concerning year for everyone who cares about LGBTIQA+ people.
“The Green Party is proud to stand against the erosion of LGBITQA+ rights and launch a manifesto which proudly fights for bodily autonomy for intersex people, legal recognition for trans and non-binary people, for PrEP for all that need it, and for greater protection for LGBTIQA+ asylum seekers – and more.”
