Green Party perspective on LGBT issues

Employment Protection
The Government was required by Europe to introduce employment protection for LGB people. Rather than implement this universally, the government seem to have caved in to pressure from the religious right, and have made some religious employers exempt. Lack of clarity has led to many workers fearing for their job security. The Greens would not only give universal protection, but also legislate for equality in the provision of goods and services and extend this to include discrimination because of gender identity/expression (post operative transsexuals are already covered by sex discrimination regulations).

Partnership Rights
Greens have been calling for equality in partnership rights for many years. Darren Johnson, out gay leader of the Greens on the GLA, instigated the London register in his very first speech. While we welcome current proposals, we feel the government has missed an opportunity for a much more inclusive model of partnerships.

Education
Our commitment to young people goes far beyond the repeal of Section 28 - we would positively require schools to educate for respect and understanding. Section 28 has finally been repealed, but New Labour's Learning & Skills Act 2000 talks, in language as ambiguous as Section 28, about inappropriate teaching materials and the importance of marriage.

We call on Local Education Authorities to issue all education workers with clear guidance on their responsibilities to provide a safe, inclusive learning environment, to challenge all forms of prejudice and bullying, and to support LGBT staff and students in coming out.

Policing
Our Green MEPs are calling for a Europe-wide survey of best practice in policing LGBT communities, with a view to developing a Charter For Gay-friendly Policing.

Lesbian and Gay Museum
Peter Tatchell (now a Green Party member) proposed the setting up of a Lesbian and Gay Museum in London to celebrate our heritage and contribution to society. Following Darren Johnson's championing of this project, the other parties soon began to pledge their support.

Older LGBT people
Older people are often dismissed as asexual beings. This is particularly offensive to older LGBT people who may have suffered a lifetime of prejudice and discrimination.

Raising the profile of the needs of older LGBT people would also benefit the whole LGBT community, through developing community belief in our own future.

PrideLeaflet2006.doc 162KB

Green Party policies leaflet for the LGBT community 2006 (PDF 187KB)