Green Party LGBT News

Lib Dems let down LGBT community in model 'gay friendly' council	8 February 2007
Summary Lib Dem and Conservative-run Southwark Borough Council in south London - recently voted one of the most supportive councils in England for the LGBT communities - is letting down its lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents, say London Green Party activists.

Main Body

Lib Dem and Conservative-run Southwark Borough Council in south London - recently voted one of the most supportive councils in England for the LGBT communities - is letting down its lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents, say London Green Party activists.

Linda Bellos, veteran LGBT activist and black lesbian, who is the chair of the Southwark LGBT Network told the Network that she withdrew from the council's main equality body because they are refusing to take account of LGBT residents in their monitoring statistics.

Despite regularly monitoring all residents using council services for ethnicity, disability, gender and other minority identity, the Council has refused to include LGBT people in its statistics, Linda Bellos was so infuriated at this that she withdrew from Southwark's equality committee in protest.

Dr Joseph Healy (pictured), a Southwark resident and the Green Party's LGBT Group International Officer, commented:

"It's incredible that so soon after winning this award for being a gay friendly borough, Southwark should refuse to implement proper monitoring of the needs of its LGBT population. Recent events suggest that this may constitute more spin than substance.

"At a time when the government is introducing legislation around equality for goods and services for the LGBT community, all local authorities should be carrying out proper monitoring of who uses their services.

"I totally support Linda Bellos's actions in withdrawing from Southwark Council's equality committee, and share her anger with Southwark for not treating the LGBT community in the same way when it comes to monitoring, as it does all other communities.

"Once again, we have an example of the Lib Dems positioning themselves as the 'gay friendly' party but when 'push comes to shove', always finding an excuse not to deliver. I sincerely hope that Southwark will introduce proper monitoring of who uses its services and will be obliged to do so soon under legislation."

ends

Subscribe to the news