THEGAYUK

Tag: Conservatives

Read the latest news and analysis of the Conservative party in the UK. Browse THEGAYUK’s entire archive on news about the Tories.

  • Tories fail to renew bullying projects aimed at ending homophobic bullying which makes classrooms toxic for LGBT+ students

    Tories fail to renew bullying projects aimed at ending homophobic bullying which makes classrooms toxic for LGBT+ students

    Funding aimed at reducing homophobic bullying of LGBT+ students in England has been apparently pulled by the Government, as new research shows that just 27% of students think that their school is a safe space for classmates to be themselves.

    A report by the BBC has discovered that funding for programmes targetting homophobic and transphobic bullying in English schools has ended, with no signs of renewal by the Conservative government.

    The funding which added up to around £4 million, was specifically set aside to help with anti-LGBT+ bullying, but according to the government, the funding was always due to end in March 2020. The programme began back in 2014, under one of the most progressive Conservative governments when it came to LGBT+ rights, under the leadership of David Cameron.

    According to the BBC, funding was “quietly” pulled in March, while the world’s attention was focused on the Coronavirus pandemic and schools began to close across the UK.

    The funding has not been reinstated.

    The Government Equalities Office said to the BBC “The anti-bullying grant fund, which provided 2,250 schools across the country with materials and training, was always due to end in March 2020.”

    Majority of students do not believe that it’s safe to come out as LGBT+

    Bullying of LGBT+ students is rife in the UK.
    Wokandapix / Pixabay

    New research by the Diversity Role Models (DRM), which received funding between January 2019 and March 2020 found that just 27% of students reported that they thought their school would be a safe environment for classmates to come out as gay, lesbian, bi or transgender.

    DRM undertook a survey of nearly 12,000 students, parents and governors of secondary and primary schools.

    It found that homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language was reported as common by 42% of year five and six primary school students and by 54% of secondary school students.

    Seventy-one per cent of teachers say that they have witnessed homophobic bullying and was it was found to be much more common than bullying related to other characteristics such as religion.

    Education works

    The survey also showed that the levels of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying decreased when schools educated their pupils about LGBT+ identities and relationships, however as it stands only 20 per cent of secondary school students report learning about LGBT+ identities.

    Chief executive of Diversity Role Models, Adam McCann comments, “These findings show how dangerous any further delays to LGBT+ inclusive RSE will be for students. Our report shows a clear correlation between learning about LGBT+ identities and lower levels of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic language and bullying.” 

    “Staff, parents and carers and governors underestimate the level of discrimination in schools compared to students. It is no exaggeration to talk about the safety of these students. Action must be taken immediately to create safer, more inclusive learning environments. Bullying has an undisputed negative impact on attendance, attainment, life chances and mental health.”

    THEGAYUK understands that as it stands there has been no renewal of any of the projects.

  • Government slashes the budget for PrEP roll-out in England

    Government slashes the budget for PrEP roll-out in England

    The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has slashed the budget earmarked for the HIV Prevention Pill, PrEP even before the roll out across England begins.

    It was announced earlier this year that the DHSC had set aside a budget for local authorities in England to deliver PrEP to those “who need it most”.

    The initial budget was set at £16 million.

    The rollout has been set back, largely by Coronavirus, and the budget has now been slashed by £5 million to £11 million.

    Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust and PrEPster released a joint statement outlining that sexual health services are already overstretched calling the budget cut “hugely concerning” and accused the Government of “rolling back” on what was promised

    “We welcome the Department of Health’s work to begin the roll-out of uncapped access to PrEP in England but this significant cut to the PrEP budget for local authorities is hugely concerning.

    “Sexual health services are already on their knees and slashing the budget by almost a third will undoubtedly limit local authorities’ ability to deliver PrEP to those who need it. The Health Secretary promised proper PrEP access as part of the commitment to end HIV transmissions within the next decade but is now rolling back on what was promised. 

    “England’s sexual health services are already over stretched and under funded, which is why proper resourcing for the delivery of PrEP is crucial to its success. While those currently accessing PrEP are unlikely to be affected the roll out is supposed to ensure significantly more people can benefit from it for HIV prevention over the coming months. This cut to the first year’s budget before that’s even started means PrEP will not be fully utilised.  

    “PrEP is highly effective at stopping HIV and extremely cost-effective when compared with a lifetime of HIV treatment. It’s disappointing that we are once again fighting for its potential to be maximised in England.’ 

    “Funding has been adjusted”

    (C) THEGAYUK

    A spokesperson for the DHSC told THEGAYUK

    “Now we are past the peak of the pandemic, the NHS and local government are re-opening services and we are pleased to be rolling out PrEP across the country as part of our work to tackle HIV and the stigma around it.

    “This will benefit tens of thousands of people and take us closer to our ambition of zero HIV transmissions by 2030.

    “In light of covid-19 pressures during the first quarter of the year, PrEP was not immediately available for individuals via routine commissioning.

    “The modest change in allocated funding accounts for the fact that the rollout of the routine commissioning of PrEP was paused during the pandemic.”

    This story was updated to reflect a quote from the DHSC.

    Further reading: What is PrEP?

  • House of Commons faces huge backlash after asking whether “Gay Cure” should be made illegal

    House of Commons faces huge backlash after asking whether “Gay Cure” should be made illegal

    The House of Common’s official Twitter account has been blasted by users after asking if conversion therapy or “gay cures” as it is more commonly known should be made illegal in the UK, despite the government already admitting that the practice was “wrong”.

    As it stands gay cure therapy or conversion therapy is still legal in the UK, it has been debated and defeated in the Commons numerous times, in 2015 and then again in 2017.

    Back in 2018 the Conservative UK government, under Theresa May, said that conversion therapy was something it would address in its “LGBT Action Plan”.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    However, two years on, not much progress has been made on any of the points made in the plan. Now a recent Tweet by the official House of Commons Twitter account has been slammed for asking a question that many have said is not open to debate.

    The tweet was heavily ratio’d after asking users “How does #conversiontherapy affect the #LGBTQ community? Should it be made illegal? What would that mean to you? @HoCpetitions is investigating a petition calling for the practice to be made illegal”

    https://twitter.com/HouseofCommons/status/1279000022189817857

    The response was swift with condemnation of the way in which the question had been posed with many people taking issue that was necessary of debate.

    Conversion therapy is seen by many doctors has deeply ineffective and LGBT+ advocates say that therapy of this nature is entirely problematic.

    Alison Camps, the co-chair of Pride in London replied to the Tweet,

    “Is this some kind of joke? The Government pledged to do this two years ago. It’s inhuman that you continue to make us BEG for something that is so obviously barbaric.”

    https://twitter.com/AliCamps/status/1279043812850106369

    MP Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Melton also replied to the Tweet adding,

    “Of course it should be made illegal, it’s abusive and fraudulent. The Government has committed to ban it already, and legislative options will be put up for consultation to determine the best legislation to protect the LGBTQ+ community.”

    “Our intention was to provide a platform for people to share their opinions”

    A House of Commons’ spokesperson said,

    “A Petition calling on the Government to make LGBT conversion therapy illegal in the UK has reached almost 200,000 signatures. In its response to the Petition, the Government did not make a specific commitment to making conversion therapy illegal. Given the strength of interest in this issue, the Petitions Committee decided to further the conversation by gathering evidence from the public on the subject.

    “The questions posed on the House of Commons social media feeds were intended to encourage people to submit their experiences. This information will then be presented to the Government. A petition with over 100,000 signatures would usually be considered for a Westminster Hall debate, however, given restrictions placed on Parliament as a result of COVID 19, Westminster Hall debates are currently suspended.


    “We apologise. Our intention was to provide a platform for people to share their opinions on this subject with the Petitions Committee, and inform its case to the Government. Clearly we misjudged this and have now deleted the tweet.”

    Why is homosexual still seen as something that can be cured?

    Homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness in 1973, however, it is still possible to obtain treatment via the NHS, by referral,  to “cure” you of your homosexuality. As it stands the psychotherapy industry in the UK is not regulated by the state – and therefore some therapists still offer “gay cures”.

    In October 2019 it was revealed that 10 per cent of the UK’s population could be cured.

    This is coupled with the horrifying revelation that around 20 per cent of people (one in five) said that being LGBT+ was immoral or went against their beliefs.

    Does conversion therapy actually work?

    There are a number of therapists and organisations in the UK and in the USA that make the claim that conversion therapy can help LGB people to become heterosexual. However, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, there is no evidence that such change is possible.

  • Michael Gove, blasted for ‘homophobic tirade’ in clip first broadcast in the early 90s

    Michael Gove, blasted for ‘homophobic tirade’ in clip first broadcast in the early 90s

    Cabinet member, Michael Gove has been blasted for a TV clip first broadcast in the early 90s for its “disgusting” homophobia and

    In the clip, which was first broadcast on a Channel 4 programme called, Stab In The Dark Mr Gove, who had hoped to become the UK’s Prime Minister, before ultimately losing out to Boris Johnson, is filmed in front of a live studio audience delivering a supposedly satirical speech about the ending of a ban on gay people in the armed forces.

    https://twitter.com/TheLabourLeftie/status/1224994103601115143

    In the clip, Gove trots out worn cliches about gay men, including the clothes they wear, having no families and attracting other men through their hairstyles and moustaches.

    The clip which was unearthed by a Twitter user, @TheLabourLeftie, was apparently filmed in 1992 for a Channel 4 show called Stab In The Dark.

    @TheLaboutLeftie, blasted the top Tory saying,

    “I spend a lot of time calling out the Tories but this clip is unacceptable.

    “Top Conservative toff Gove embarks on a tirade of homophobic slurs.

    “This is not funny. This is not satire This isn’t, nor ever was, okay.

    “Let’s hold him to account”.

    In the clip, which it’s fair to say gets a luke-warm reception from the audience, Gove says,

    “Everything about the army is designed to attract gays.

    “Gays attract each other by dressing in a certain way. Cropped hair, moustache and a peaked cap. Put them together and what have you got? Lord Kitchener.

    The only other place they encourage men to dress up in uniform and discipline each other, apart from the army, is Larry’s Leather Bar on a Tuesday Night”.

    “If you want to discourage homosexuality, you do not force 30 young men to sleep in the same room, encourage their aggressive instincts and deny them contact with the opposite sex”

    Some users on Twitter found the clip to be funny and called it satirical. One user, who identified himself as gay said, “It is funny. It is satire. It is OK, and I’m saying this as a gay person. Get over yourself.”

    https://twitter.com/ta3iig/status/1225055592022183943

    Another suggested that it was “definitely satire” stating that Gove was “mocking the army”.

    Others called on Michael Gove to make a comment on the clip.

    How has Michael Gove voted on gay rights issues in the past?

    Embed from Getty Images

    Key voting record:

    2007: Voted YES for Equality Act (Sexual Orientation)

    2013: Voted YES on same-sex marriage

    2013: Was Absent on enabling the courts to deal with proceedings for the divorce of, or annulment of the marriage of, a same-sex couple.

    2014: Was Absent on making same-sex marriage available to armed forces personnel outside the UK.

  • Conservatives release “delusional” merch to celebrate getting Brexit done

    Conservatives release “delusional” merch to celebrate getting Brexit done

    In a move which has left many people on social media baffled, the Conservatives have released an official tea towel feature a picture of PM Boris Johnson with the slogan, “Got Brexit Done”, despite the fact that the UK doesn’t officially leave the EU until the 31st January 2020.

    The move has left many on social media questioning whether the account had been hacked or was even a parody account.

    Proudly made in the UK

    The tea towel, which is “proudly made in the UK” is selling on the Conservative’s website for £12.99 and apparently is the perfect way to “Show your pride in Britain and celebrate Brexit in your kitchen”.

    Delivery of the towel won’t happen until the 10th Feb 2020.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Twitter users were quick to slam the product and the Conservatives as “delusional” while another added that they thought the tea-towel would be sold in car boot sales for 50p within a year.

    Matthew Hodson commented, “I predict these will age like a fine yogurt.”

    You could always team the tea towel with a mug, with the slogan “I got Brexit done” for £15.00.

    In a poll by THEGAYUK in April 2016, 82 per cent of our readers thought that the UK was better off in the EU, while only 18 per cent thought that we would be better off out.

  • Nearly one-quarter of the UK’s gay community are undecided on who to vote for

    Nearly one-quarter of the UK’s gay community are undecided on who to vote for

    10 Downing Street
    Who will win the race to 10 Downing Street – will Boris keep his premiership or can Corbyn or even Swinson knock him from the top spot?
    CREDIT: TheGayUK/Jake Hook

    With just days before our 3rd General Election in 4 years just around the corner, THEGAYUK.com undertook a flash poll to find out whether its readers had made a decision on who they were going to vote on the 12th December.

    THEGAYUK.com asked its readers a binary question of whether they were decided or undecided on who to vote for.

    In total, nearly 400 people took part in the survey, at the time of publication.

    One quarter are still undecided

    In a previous poll, about which way they were planning to vote, THEGAYUK’s readership said that Labour, led by Jeremy Corbyn, was their first choice with 38 per cent of the vote but was closely followed by the Liberal Democrats, headed by Jo Swinson.

    The Conservatives, with the incumbent Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, managed to grab hold of 15 per cent of the vote, while “other” which would you include parties such as the Greens, UKIP, The Independent Group For Change, Brexit Party, Plaid Cymru.

    However, there is just under one-quarter of people who are still undecided on who to vote for.

    At the time of publication, 23 per cent they were undecided, seventy-seven said they had made up their minds.

    One commentator, Jay, summed up their feelings by saying, “You look at the conservatives how many lies they have told and with the leader they have got with Boris Johnson is embarrassing. And you have Labour with the likes of Diane Abbott and a leader like Jeremy Corbyn. You have the Lib Dems who look like competition winners. I don’t know who to vote for.”

  • New survey indicates how the UK’s gay community might vote in the General Election 2019

    New survey indicates how the UK’s gay community might vote in the General Election 2019

    10 Downing Street
    Who will win the race to 10 Downing Street – will Boris keep his premiership or can Corbyn or even Swinson knock him from the top spot?
    CREDIT: TheGayUK/Jake Hook

    With our 3rd General Election in 4 years just around the corner, THEGAYUK.com undertook a flash poll to understand where its readers were thinking about putting their “X” when they visit the voting booth in December.

    THEGAYUK.com asked its readers which way they planned to vote with the choices being Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem or “Other” which could include Nationalist parties like the SNP or single-issue parties like the Brexit Party.

    There were only four options permitted – this the maximum number of choices Twitter allows its users for polls.

    In total, nearly 360 people took part in the survey, which lasted just over two days via a Twitter poll.

    Labour comes out on top – but only just

    Overall Labour, led by Jeremy Corbyn, came out on top with 38 per cent of the vote but was closely followed by the Liberal Democrats, headed by Jo Swinson. The Conservatives, with the incumbent Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, managed to grab hold of 15 per cent of the vote, while “other” which would you include parties such as the Greens, UKIP, The Independent Group For Change, Brexit Party, Plaid Cymru

    How will you vote?

    While the survey is in no way scientific or wholly representational of the LGBT+ community in the UK, it does give some insights into which way THEGAYUK’s Twitter followers are planning to vote come December 12th. Discuss politics and more in our politics forum.

  • The UK’s porn block has been cancelled

    ©-lofilolo-Depositphotos

    The government’s plan to block porn UK users who hadn’t signed up to an age verifying database has been scrapped.

    According to the Digital Secretary, Nicky Morgan, the controversial policy will not be commencing.

    The confirmation comes after the policy had been blocked a number of times.

    The original policy would have required users to register on porn sites with official documents such as a driver’s license, passport or an age verification card.

    The policy had raised concerned by privacy activists who warned that any database that contained personal information or that tracked people’s browsing online could be hacked or used by the government to track people’s most private moments.

    Advocates of the policy said that it would protect children from accessing porn online.

    In a written statement to parliament, Morgan said that the government would heighten its focus on its new “online harms” regulation to address issues caused by minors accessing porn sites.

    She wrote, “The government’s commitment to protecting children online is unwavering. Adult content is too easily accessed online and more needs to be done to protect children from harm”.

  • Is Drag Race UK Baga Chipz a Conservative?

    Is Drag Race UK Baga Chipz a Conservative?

    People are wondering if one of Drag Race UK‘s stars is a Conservative!

    We’re three weeks and we’re starting to see in our analytics, here at TGUK central what people are wondering about the Drag Queens of Drag Race UK and one of the most highly asked questions is whether Baga Chipz – one of the competition’s favourites to win, is a Conservative. If you’re in the US, the Conservatives are like a Republican Lite. Think a centre-right party without the guns.

    Recently Baga Chipz, was forced to defend a pro-Conservative op-ed she wrote for a magazine back in 2017, during the General Election.

    In the piece, she wrote, that former Prime Minister Theresa May had “proved to be a capable politician, always on the ball and never at risk of having a ‘Diane Abbott’ moment”.

    The piece was unearthed by fans of the show, some of whom were quick to condemn Chipz as a “Tory Queen”.

    However, Baga Chipz was quick to confirm that she was actually a “life-long labour supporter” but wrote the piece because she wasn’t a fan of Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

    She pointed out his “record on antisemitism, his support for the IRA and homophobic terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, his support for brutal dictatorships in Venezuela and Cuba”.

    In the piece, titled “Why Vote Conservative” for scene magazine Boyz, she wrote,

    “As a member of the LGBTQI community, I often get asked about Theresa May’s voting record on gay rights, and I understand the concerns,

    “But just as Hillary Clinton changed her stance, so has Mrs May. Not only has she voted for every LGBT reform in parliament in the last decade but she was instrumental in pushing marriage equality.”

    “I am not a Tory”

    Defending her 2017 stance, Chipz took to Twitter to write,  “I am not a Tory. I’m actually a lifelong labour supporter. I supported Theresa May in the last election as I’m not a fan of Jeremy Corbyn.. was 4 years ago hun.. one is allowed to change ones views.

    — Baga Chipz MBE (@ChipShopBird) August 21, 2019

    How does Theresa May’s Voting Record on LGBT+ issues stand?

    Although more recently Theresa May’s voting record has leaned to pro-LGBT+ rights here past actions saw her vote in favour of Section 28,  in a GAYUK analysis May only achieved a 29.6% LGBT+ friendly rating. We noted, “Ms May is what we’d call an evolved Minister on LGBT+ and gay rights. Prior to 2004 she systematically voted against the rights of gay people in the UK. Then we see a 180-degree change in her voting pattern, although she did have a blip in 2007 when she failed to vote on the Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality law. Since the beginning of this decade, she has voted positively for the LGBT+ community.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Chipz has now said that she’d vote Liberal Democrat.

    So no, she isn’t a Conservative, but a Lib Demmer – a party that is pro-EU and has a great track record when it comes to LGBT+ rights.

  • Drag Race UK contestant, Baga Chipz forced to defend political stance

    Drag Race UK contestant, Baga Chipz forced to defend political stance

    One of Drag Race UK‘s queens has been forced to defend her political stance.

    Baga Chipz, who is one of the contestants for very first RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has been forced to defend a pro-Conservative op-ed she wrote for a magazine back in 2017, during the General Election.

    In the piece, she wrote, that former Prime Minister Theresa May had “proved to be a capable politician, always on the ball and never at risk of having a ‘Diane Abbott’ moment”.

    The piece was unearthed by fans of the show, some of whom were quick to condemn Chipz as a “Tory Queen”.

    However, Baga Chipz was quick to confirm that she was actually a “life-long labour supporter” but wrote the piece because she wasn’t a fan of Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn.

    She pointed out his “record on antisemitism, his support for the IRA and homophobic terror groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, his support for brutal dictatorships in Venezuela and Cuba”.

    In the piece, titled “Why Vote Conservative” for scene magazine Boyz, she wrote,

    “As a member of the LGBTQI community, I often get asked about Theresa May’s voting record on gay rights, and I understand the concerns,

    “But just as Hillary Clinton changed her stance, so has Mrs May. Not only has she voted for every LGBT reform in parliament in the last decade but she was instrumental in pushing marriage equality.”

    “I am not a Tory”

    Defending her 2017 stance, Chipz took to Twitter to write,  “I am not a Tory. I’m actually a lifelong labour supporter. I supported Theresa May in the last election as I’m not a fan of Jeremy Corbyn.. was 4 years ago hun.. one is allowed to change ones views.

    — Baga Chipz MBE (@ChipShopBird) August 21, 2019

    How does Theresa May’s Voting Record on LGBT+ issues stand?

    Although more recently Theresa May’s voting record has leaned to pro-LGBT+ rights here past actions saw her vote in favour of Section 28,  in a GAYUK analysis May only achieved a 29.6% LGBT+ friendly rating. We noted, “Ms May is what we’d call an evolved Minister on LGBT+ and gay rights. Prior to 2004 she systematically voted against the rights of gay people in the UK. Then we see a 180-degree change in her voting pattern, although she did have a blip in 2007 when she failed to vote on the Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality law. Since the beginning of this decade, she has voted positively for the LGBT+ community.”

    Theresa May

    8 votes for, 10 votes against, 9 absences, between 2002–2014

    MAJOR YES VOTES: 5

    2003: Civil partnerships.

    2013: Same-sex marriage. (Feb)

    2013: Same-sex marriage. (May)

    2014:  Enabling the courts to deal with proceedings for the divorce of, or annulment of the marriage of, a same-sex couple.

    2014: Making same-sex marriage available to armed forces personnel outside the UK.

    MAJOR NO VOTES: 2

    1998: Equalising the age of consent.

    2002: Allowing gay couples to adopt children.

    MAJOR ABSENT VOTES: 3

    2003: Repeal a ban on the promotion of homosexuality in schools. Section 28.

    2004: Allow Marriages to Remain Valid If They Become a Same-Sex Marriage.

    2007: Discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.

    Rating: 29.6%

     

    Chipz has now said that she’d vote Liberal Democrat.

     

  • Here are the 21 MPs who voted against adding LGBT+ inclusive relationship education for schools

    Here are the 21 MPs who voted against adding LGBT+ inclusive relationship education for schools

    There are 21 MPs who voted against adding LGBT+ relationship education in schools.

    MPs recently, overwhelmingly voted on new guidance that would mean that British schools would have to provide compulsory relationship and sex education that includes LGBT+ relationships for all children in state schools. It’s the first time the guidance has been updated since 2000.

    There were 21 MPs who voted against the measure. Of the 21 MPs, who voted against introducing LGBT+ relationship inclusivity 12 were Conservative, 7 were DUP, 1 Labour and 1 Independent.

    The 12 Tory MPs are: Bob Blackman (Harrow East), Charlie Elphicke (Dover), Sir Christopher Chope (Christchurch), Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough), James Gray (North Wiltshire), Julian Lewis (New Forest East) Matthew Offord (Hendon), Marcus Fysh (Yeovil), Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes), Philip Davies (Shipley), Philip Hollobone (Kettering) and Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire).

    All 10 of these MPs also voted against gay marriage in 2013. Some, who have been in office long enough also voted in favour of Section 28 back in 1988, including, Chope and Leigh.

    The 7 DUP MPs were Gavin Robinson (Belfast East), Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry), Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (Lagan Valley), Jim Shannon (Strangford), Nigel Dodds (Belfast North), Paul Girvan (South Antrim), and Sammy Wilson (East Antrim).

    The Labour MP was John Spellar (Warley).

    The independent MP was Fiona Onasanya, who was formerly a Labour MP but was expelled from the party after she served a prison sentence for perverting the course of justice, in January.