THEGAYUK

Tag: Tim Farron

The latest from Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

  • Tim Farron condemns the “horrifying” Chechen treatment of gay men

    Tim Farron has commented on the detention and torture of gay men in Chechnya.

    Commenting on reports that Chechnya has opened concentration camps for gay men, Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said:

    “These reports from Chechnya are truly horrifying, and represent an extreme manifestation of increasing homophobic brutality and intolerance in Putin’s Russia.

    “The UK government must strongly condemn this disgusting violence, and use every possibly opportunity to raise this with the Russian government, as well as in the UN and other international bodies.

    “The UK must work with those who share our values to stop the mindless targeting of the LGBT community, which is still prevalent in too many countries across the world. Only through defending universal human rights will we ever hope to achieve a world in which every person can live, work and flourish without discrimination.

    “It is disappointing that Boris Johnson has failed to stand up for these people by not visiting Russia after Trump told him to stay at home.”

  • Tim Farron: I Joined Liberals Because Of My Gay Friends

    Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron has revealed that one of the reasons he joined the party was because of the way his gay and lesbian friends were being treated and bullied.

    Speaking to GQ, Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats revealed that one of the reasons he joined the party was because of the way he saw his gay and lesbian friends being treated.

    He said,

    One of the reasons I joined the liberals was because of lesbian and gay rights. Friends of mine were gay and I saw how they were treated and bullied. I want a society where people are valued for who they are.”

    Farron has repeatedly had his stance on gay relationships questioned after abstaining on the UK’s same-sex marriage vote in 2013.

    During a Channel 4 interview last year Farron was asked no less than 3 times if gay sex was a sin.

    In 2007 Tim Farron voted against the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations in 2007, a law which protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services.

    When asked by GQ if gay sex was a sin, Farron answered,

    “I’m not a religious leader; I’m a political leader. I think that everybody is utterly equal. People should be free to love who they want and marry who they want. But I don’t go making theological pronouncements…

     

  • Tim Farron Asked Three Times If Gay Sex Is A Sin

    The newly elected leader of the Liberal Democrats has failed to quash fears about his moral views on homosexuality after failing to answer whether he thought gay sex was a sin or not.

    During an interview on Channel 4 news earlier this week, Cathy Newman asked the new leader “Personally, do you think as a Christian, that homosexual sex is a sin?”

    Christians “do not go around forcing their views on other people” he answered and failed to answer the question. Cathy Newman then quoted a Leviticus quote, to which he responded: “My faith is based upon my belief that Jesus Christ is who he said he is”

    So evasive was he over the question she asked three times.
    The Brian Paddick backed Tim Farron was elected the new leader of the Liberal Democrats after former Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg stood down.

    Tim Farron has come under pressure after abstaining on the gay marriage vote.

    Stewart McDonald MP for Glasgow South Tweeted,

    “Sorry Tim, but it’ll take a lot more than sound bites to convince anyone that you’re serious about LGBT equality.”

     

    Guardian columnist Giles Fraser suggested that if Tim Farron thought that gay sex was sinful that the future of the party was in trouble and that he was “utterly lost as a LibDem leader”.

     

    In 2007 Tim Farron voted against the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations in 2007, a law which protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services. The law was used to bring Asher’s Bakery in Northern Ireland to account for refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan on it.

  • Tim Farron Wins Liberal Democrat Leadership Race

    A new leader has been announced for the Lib Dems.

    The Brian Paddick backed candidate, Tim Farron has won the leadership battle to front the Liberal Democrats. Tim Farron is the party’s former president.

    Speaking about Farron’s record on equality issues Paddick remarked,

    “Tim Farron has come under a lot of criticism from people who either deliberately or simply misread Tim’s position when it came to votes in the House of Commons on equal marriage,

    “He did ask for a change in the timetable to allow more discussion over complex issues around people who have honestly held beliefs who are currently employed as registrars, for example, who would feel very uncomfortable because it conflicts with their faith to conduct an equal marriage ceremony. He felt not enough time had been allowed in the parliamentary time belt to discuss those issues.”

     

    Tim Farrow had been up against Norman Lamb who said,

    “This leadership election has energised and united our party. Tim Farron will be a passionate leader of our party, championing social justice and leading from the front in our campaign to rebuild the liberal voice in our country. I will give him my full backing.”

     

    A statement released by the Lib Dems said:

    “We are delighted to announce that Tim Farron has been elected as Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

    “In an all-member ballot for the leadership, 56% of members voted with the result revealed this afternoon.

    “Tim Farron received 56.5% of the votes and in second place Norman Lamb received the backing of 43.5%.”

  • EXCLUSIVE: Brian Paddick Backs Tim Farron For Lib Dem Party Leader

    Britain’s highest profile out Liberal Democrat member, Lord Brian Paddick has officially backed MP Tim Farron in the race for party leader.

    • Tim Farron “100% Behind LGBTI Rights”
    • Both Tim Farron and Norman Lamb have been nominated, now the party’s 61,000 members will decide who will be leader
    • Brian Paddick confident in Farron’s grassroots approach to politics

    Liberal Democrat peer Brian Paddick has revealed exclusively to the THEGAYUK that he is officially backing ex-Lib Dem party chairman Tim Farron, for leader, after it was revealed that both Tim Farron and Norman Lamb were successful in their nomination for the role that will undoubtedly be a tough struggle to rebuild the Liberal Democrats after a shattering defeat in the General Election.

    The contest for the party’s leadership was sparked by the resignation of Nick Clegg last month after the party lost 49 seats.

    Brian Paddick who was elevated to the House of Lords in 2013, has thrown his weight behind the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, by championing his leadership and campaigning skills, which have enlivened grassroots activists and the Lib Dem membership.

    “I have to be honest here and say that I didn’t think I would ever come to say this, being a supporter of Nick Clegg when he was leader, and bearing in mind on a couple occasions Tim Farron didn’t make some particularly helpful interventions, but I am supporting Tim Farron for leader of the Liberal Democrats, because I think he is exactly the person that the party needs when you consider the position that the party is in at the moment.

    “Tim Farron has shown himself in being a master of connecting with activists and with ordinary members; he did a fantastic job as President of the party.

    “He developed links with all parts of the country, got to know people in practically every corner of the UK, coupled with the fact that he’s very enthusiastic and has loads of energy.

    “If we had been in a different situation and maintained the numbers of MPs that we had, then maybe it would be a different story, but I believe Tim Farron is the leader the Liberal Democrats need at this time.”

    “We’ve got to build the party from the ground up and there’s one thing that Tim Farron is excellent at, and that is ground level politics.”

    When asked if Tim Farron had the right showmanship for leadership and whether in future Leaders’ debates he would turn people on, Brian laughs and says,

    “He’s not my type to be honest, but he is a very effective communicator.”

    Tim Farron has attracted some criticism after he abstained from voting on same-sex marriage. He also voted to delay passage of the same-sex marriage bill, arguing that more time was needed to analyse the impact on religious groups.

    Speaking about Farron’s record on voting Paddick remarked,

    “Tim Farron has come under a lot of criticism from people who either deliberately or simply misread Tim’s position when it came to votes in the House of Commons on equal marriage,

    “He did ask for a change in the timetable to allow more discussion over complex issues around people who have honestly held beliefs who are currently employed as registrars, for example, who would feel very uncomfortable because it conflicts with their faith to conduct an equal marriage ceremony. He felt not enough time had been allowed in the parliamentary time belt to discuss those issues.

    “He has made it absolutely clear subsequently, he was specifically asked by a group of Christians, if there was a equal marriage repeal act or bill to reverse the decision he would absolutely not support that in any way shape or form.

    “As the Liberal Democrats’ gayest highest profile member I am absolutely confident that I can vote for Tim Farron and that he is absolutely 100% behind LGBTI rights.”

    The Liberal Democrats’ 61,000 members will now be able to cast their vote for the person they’d like to see as leader. Ballot papers will be sent on the 24th June, with results announced on the 16th July.