UK Political Leaders Support Gay Students

The UK’s Prime Minister, Mr Gordon Brown, has shown again his support for the LGBT community in the UK by sending a message to all the young people attending National Student Pride in Brighton, this weekend.

The PM sent a personal letter of support to the leaders of the Pride event, wishing everyone has a “a fantastic weekend” and pledging his support of gay students. “we’ve done a lot – but we can never be complacent and must always be vigilant to see that progress isn’t reversed.” he wrote.

Gordon Brown isn’t the only politician showing support of the student pride event, Conservative Party leader, David Cameron recorded a video message that is due to be shown this evening (Saturday) at the kick off of the Pride weekend in a local nightclub.

Liberal Democrat party leader Nick Clegg, also showed his support to what is the biggest gay pride event especially for students in the country. “I’m delighted to be able to offer my support, and that of my party, to National Student Pride 2010. Despite the repeal of Section 28, the equalisation on the age of consent and same sex adoption, homophobia is still capable of rearing its ugly head in playgrounds, workplaces and even in the home. This is why the Liberal Democrats remain steadfast in our commitment to LGBT rights.

“Liberal Democrats believe it is an individual’s right to live their lives as they see fit, without discrimination, with personal privacy, with equal rights in front of the law. No one should be shackled by conformity, ignorance or intolerance. This applies to a person’s sexuality in the same way it does to their race, gender, religion or beliefs. I know how important student pride is to students up and down the country as a chance to celebrate the LGBT community, mark the progress which has already been made and focus on the challenges of the future”

You’d be forgiven for thinking after the political messages for the UK’s three main political parties that the National Student Pride event was all about seriousness. It’s not, it’s about celebrating diversity, enjoying music, having fun and coming together to fight homophobia. The seaside town is awash with Students from all over the country, all looking for a good time in what is arguably the UK’s gayest town. Various events include a pub crawl through the gay bars of Brighton’s main gay village area of Kemp Town before heading off to Coalition nightclub. Live appearances from Girls Can’t Catch and Erik Hassle and The Feeling will help keep the expected 8000 students entertained.

Jason Shaw, Brighton, England.

GayAgenda.com’s UK Correspondent.

Jason’s mixing it with the students – the oldest swinger in town! www.seafrontdiary.com

Church Ban On Gay Ceremonies Lifted

Jason Shaw,  Brighton,  England.
GayAgenda.com’s UK Correspondent.



Jason blogs on The Seafront Diaries,  a personal account of facing the forties with a smile and a joke,  and just a smattering of grey and memory loss!

Jason blogs on The Seafront Diaries,  a personal account of facing the forties with a smile and a joke,  and just a smattering of grey and memory loss!

Gay UK Minister to Marry in Parliament

UK’s Prime Minister Supports Gay Rights!

The United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday praised Britain’s gay armed forces,  and his support of ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.


Last night at his official home,  Number 10 Downing Street,  a reception was held to celebrate February’s lesbian gay bisexual and transgender  history month.  Gordon  Brown singled out those lesbians, gays and bisexuals from the Army, Navy and Air Force who attended the event in uniform.       “You are the pride of our country and we thank you very much. We know this debate continues in America today. I would say to people who still favour ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’, look at our experience in Britain.” He told them.

The PM also spoke of  James Parks, a police officer who was injured in Liverpool last year in an unprovoked  homophobic attach and has spent a great deal of time recovering from the attack.    “We all went into shock and morning as a spate of homophobic and transphobic attacks  happened and as James Parks was hospitalised our thoughts were with him.”    James Parks was at the reception along with his newly-wed civil partner, Tom.

Gordon Brown has on many occasions supported gay groups, gay rights and has stood up for equality.   Last night,   he reaffirmed that support –   “I will not give up on the fight for justice until justice is achieved.”




For more information on Gordon Brown,  read a transcript in The Times of his interview with Piers Morgan here.




Jason Shaw,  Brighton, England.
GayAgenda.com’s United Kingdom Correspondent.






Jason’s blog,  The Seafront Diaries,  the true life tales of growing older,  though not necessarily wiser! www.seafrontdiary.com

UK’s Gay Marriage Church Ban At An End?

The current ban on church weddings for gay couples could soon come to an end. In a switch from previous viewpoints, a group of Anglican bishops and other clergy have pledged support to a relaxation of the ban, that will effectively allow same sex civil partnerships be carried out in church.

Some  senior bishops in the House Of Lords have told The Times Newspaper that they are going to support an amendment to the Equality Bill when it comes up for review next month that will lift the ban on civil partnership ceremonies in religious premises.  This amendment to the bill  would remove the legislative ban on blessings of gay couples and open the door to the registration of civil partnerships in churches, synagogues, mosques and all other such religious premises.

In the letter in The Times a group of Church of England clerics yesterday said that religious denominations should be allowed to register civil partnerships on their premises if they so wish.  It would be up to individual denominations whether to offer civil partnership ceremonies,  but allowing them the freedom to do so.

The Church of England, is now and has always been  divided over gay ordinations and same-sex blessings,  will maintain its official ban. However, if the legislative ban on gay blessings and ceremonies is lifted, as is looking likely under the new amendment , the Church’s own ban is almost certainly going to be ignored by some clergy.

The House Of Lords, is expected to be debate the amendment to the law during this week when openly gay Lord Alli will introduce the motion or amendment. sometime this week. Supporters of this new amendment, include the Bishop of Leicester and the Right Rev Timothy Stevens, who convenes the 26 bishops in the House of Lords.

The Quakers have called for the law to be changed to give same-sex partners the same status in their ceremonies as heterosexual couples. They joined forces with Liberal Judaism and the Unitarians to support an amendment to the Equality Bill giving religious organisations the freedom to register civil partnerships.

Stonewall, the gay rights campaign group, who constantly fight for equality for gays and lesbians, said in a statement “We know this is a matter of importance to only a small number of people, but it is important nonetheless. And the amendment makes clear that the celebration of civil partnerships is permissible, not mandatory.”

This amendment shows the change of attitude and opinion in the British population over the last few years, less than than a third of the population believe homosexuality is wrong, compared to more than two thirds who did during the 1980s, according to the latest survey of British Social Attitudes. Last year The Times carried out a poll marking the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, found that the British public desired to see greater liberalisation in the law. Almost 61% wanted gay couples to be able to marry, just like the rest of the population, not just have civil partnerships, while 68% of the public back “full equal rights” for gay men and lesbians.

More details on the letter from the bishops can be found in The Times.

Jason Shaw, Brighton, England

GayAgenda.com’s UK correspondent.

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