THEGAYUK

Tag: Politics

The latest news, interviews, and views from the world of LGBT politics in the UK and internationally.

  • ANALYSIS | How has Jo Swinson voted on gay and LGBT+ rights

    ANALYSIS | How has Jo Swinson voted on gay and LGBT+ rights

    Just how gay-friendly is the Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson?

    We looked into Jo Swinson‘s voting record on gay issues to see how LGBT friendly she is.

    Since entering the House of Commons as an MP for East Dunbartonshire in 2005, Jo Swinson has consistently voted pro-LGBT+ in laws relating to equality.

    During her time as an MP, she has voted positively for marriage between same-sex couples.

    Overall Jo has voted on 9 issues relating to the LGBT community. On every major piece of legislation, Jo Swinson voted in favour or positively for equality. 

    Embed from Getty Images

    However, in 2014 she was absent for three votes, specifically, “Same Sex Marriage — Enabling Courts to Deal with Divorce or Annulment Proceedings“, “Make Same Sex Marriage Available to Armed Forces Personnel Outside the United Kingdom” and “Amendments to Acts of Parliament in Light of the Introduction of Same Sex Marriage in Parts of the UK”.

  • LGBT RESEARCH | What percentage of LGBT+ people are registered to vote?

    LGBT RESEARCH | What percentage of LGBT+ people are registered to vote?

    ulleo / Pixabay

    THEGAYUK conducted a flash poll via its Facebook page to discover what percentage say they have registered to vote in the forthcoming UK General Election on the 12th December 2019.

    In total 111 people cast their vote, with 93 per cent saying that they had registered to vote, while seven per cent said that they hadn’t yet registered.

    The cut off for registration is the 26th November 2019.

  • This guy is using Grindr to get you to vote

    This guy is using Grindr to get you to vote

    More like Registr

    A Grindr guy has found one of the most engaging ways to get people to register to vote in this forthcoming General Election, before the registration deadline on the 26th November.

    As the election in the UK looms ever closer, people of all political persuasions are imploring people to register to vote and one guy has taken to Grindr to get that message out there.

    It may seem a little one-to-one, but hey, every registration counts if the country is to have a meaningful voter turn out on December 12th.

    Writer and LGBT+ rights activist, Tom Knight, has it seems, stumbled upon the perfect way to get a hookup and someone to register to vote at the same time. Win-Win.

    He’s using Grindr to spread the message that it’s important to register to vote before the cut off on the 26th November 2019.

    Want a drink? Get registered

    In a recent exchange on the hookup app, he questioned a potential hookup whether he had “registered to vote”. When the potential beau answered in the negative, Tom simply replied, “come back to me when you are”.

    When asked if he was “serious” Tom simply answered “Yep”

    Speaking to THEGAYUK.com, Tom told us, “anything that can engage others is a good thing.”

    Are you registered yet? If not, visit https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before the 26th November 2019.

    Are you decided?

    In a recent flash poll on Twitter by THEGAYUK, 62 per cent of those who took part said that they had decided on who they’d vote for, while 38% said they had yet to decide on which political party they’d vote for.

  • Around a third of LGBT+ people could support Boris Johnson to become the UK’s next Prime Minister

    Around a third of LGBT+ people could support Boris Johnson to become the UK’s next Prime Minister

    U.S. Embassy photographer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

    THEGAYUK conducted a flash poll of its Facebook audience to find that over a third of people, who follow THEGAYUK on that platform, said they’d vote for Boris Johnson on the back of his debate alongside Jeremy Corbyn.

    Although Jeremy Corbyn was the overall preferred candidate for LGBT+ readers of THEGAYUK, over a third said that they’d vote for Conservative leader, Boris Johnson in the next general election.

    Over 430 people took part in the flash poll, which offered readers just two options. Johnson Vs Corbyn.

    When given a choice between just the two leaders and asked to base their decision solely on the candidate’s performance on the ITV leaders’ debate earlier this week, 66 per cent of people voted for Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, while 34 per cent would trump for Boris Johnson.

    This is despite Boris Johnson’s rather chequered past on LGBT+ issues and Jeremy Corbyn’s near-perfect score on LGBT+ issues during his time as an MP.

    Who makes up THEGAYUK’s Facebook readership?

    Around 88 per cent of THEGAYUK‘s Facebook followers identify as male, with 40 per cent of those being in the 25-34-year-old bracket. The majority of its audience lives in the nation’s capital, London, with Manchester as the next most popular city.

  • 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.

  • There’s a big gay rally happening tomorrow to try and get a people’s vote on BREXIT

    There’s a big gay rally happening tomorrow to try and get a people’s vote on BREXIT

    The march is to take place tomorrow in London.

    On the 19th October, there will be a march against a no-deal Brexit, as organisers of the LGBT+ for People’s Vote believe that the Brexit plans currently offered by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, “poses risks to the LGBT+ community”. The LGBT+ for PV rally is in conjunction with the People’s Vote campaign.

    A spokesperson for the LGBT+ for PV said, “LGBT+ people need to join the march because LGBT+ people are one of the communities that will be most impacted by Boris’ Brexit.

    “The voting records and views towards the LGBT+ community from Johnson and his cabinet give no reassurance that Brexit will protect the LGBT+ community.

    “That’s why it’s important to support a People’s Vote and make your voice heard tomorrow.” Lauren Pemberton-Nelson, Campaign Manager, LGBT+ for a People’s Vote. 

    Tomorrow from 10:30 AM

    The LGBT+ rally, which will set off from in front of the Bomber Command Memorial in London, 10:30 AM, is due to take place just 12 days before Brexit is set to happen.

    According to the group around 72 percent of LGBT+ people back a people’s vote.

    THEGAYUK‘s own research from 2016 revealed that 82 per cent of its readers believed the UK to be better off remaining in the EU.

  • 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.

  • Has Jeremy Corbyn always supported LGBT+ rights?

    Has Jeremy Corbyn always supported LGBT+ rights?

    With a General Election looming, we looked at just how gay-friendly Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is.

    (IMAGE CC / FLICKR by garryknight) https://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/26392896430/sizes/l

    We looked into Jeremy Corbyn‘s voting record on gay issues to see how LGBT friendly he is.

    Since entering the House of Commons as an MP for Islington North in 1983, Jeremy Corbyn has consistently voted pro-gay in laws relating to equality.

    During his time as an MP he has voted to reduce and equalise the age of consent for gay men, he voted to allow gay people to become adoptive parents, he voted positively for civil partnerships and for same-sex marriage. He was absent on the vote to repeal Section 28.

    Overall Jeremy has voted on 27 issues relating to the LGBT community. On every major piece of legislation Jeremy Corbyn voted in favour or positively for equality.

    However, in 2003 he was absent for the vote on repealing Section 28 “Local Government Bill — Maintain Prohibition on Promotion of Homosexuality (Section 28)”

    Overall in the opinion of THEGAYUK.com editorial team, Jeremy Corbyn, politically has been an ally to LGBT+ people.

    This article was updated on the 28th May, 2019 – to reflect Jeremy Corbin’s absent vote on Section 28.

     

  • 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.

     

  • MPs to debate make online homophobia a specific criminal offence

    MPs to debate make online homophobia a specific criminal offence

    On Monday 1 July MPs will debate a petition urging the Government make online homophobia a specific criminal offence. Daniel Zeichner MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, will open the debate.

    Houses of parliament
    CREDIT: Jake Hook

    The petition, which has more than 152,000 signatures was started by TV personality Bobby Norris.

    Bobby Norris states: “As a gay man I find it devastating how members of the LGBT community are still subjected to homophobic abuse online.

    “Just because I am on TV I don’t think that makes it acceptable to be sent homophobic messages and comments on social media platforms.

    “Nobody should have to receive these comments.”

    Mr Norris adds, “I won’t go into detail as to the various names I have been called, but this should not be acceptable and can have an impact on people’s mental health and has certainly helped in making my anxiety and low self-esteem worse by receiving them.”

    In response to the petition, the Government said, “The Government recognises the harm that homophobic online messages can cause. We are working cross-Government to challenge inequality and make the UK’s online environment a safer place for everyone.”

    Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a Government Minister directly on this topic.

    In January, the Petitions Committee published its report into online abuse and the experience of disabled people. The inquiry found that the current laws around online abuse are not fit for purpose. The report can be read here

  • Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Boris Johnson: Kids need to be taught to reflect society

    Speaking on LBC today, Boris Johnson said that pupils across the UK should be taught “about the world as it is”.

    Tory leader and Prime Minister hopeful, Boris Johnson fielded a call today, while on LBC with Nick Ferrari, from an organiser of Shetland LGBTQ, who asked the candidate whether children should be taught about LGBT+ relationships and acceptance in schools across the entire UK.

    The line of question comes after hundreds of mostly Muslim parents in Birmingham protested LGBT+ acceptance and relationship lessons being taught in schools through the No Outsiders‘ campaign.

    Answering the question, Mr Johnson said that he believed that, “People should be able to love whomever they chose” and said that the country was “all the greater” for that right.

    He told Nick Ferrari, “People should be able to love whomever they chose and that’s the way we live our lives in the UK. Our country is all the greater for it. I do think it’s important that kids are taught about the world as it is.

    He added that he believed that teachers and schools have “a responsibility to teach kids about the world as it is”.

    Hundreds of parents removed their children from the Parkfield Primary school in April in protest of the ‘No Outsiders’ lessons.

    When pushed further about whether the parents were right or wrong to take their children out of classes in schools in Birmingham, Mr Johnson continued, “I don’t think kids should unreasonably be taken out of school”