The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Working Group in the Green Party(1) today welcomes the introduction of the Goods, Services and Facilities regulations in April.
"Of course, The Green Party welcomes all moves to smash homophobia and end discrimination against the LGB communities." Comments Phelim Mac Cafferty of the LGBT Group.
"However, we must not forget that the campaign against these regulations has been relentless," maintains Mac Cafferty, "From the Prime Minister down, New Labour's real colours have come out in this wash.
"Serious opposition to the regulations has foamed from the mouth of Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly- a woman who has waged war on the regulations.
"From the delay of the regulations after apparently being 'inundated' through the consultation process in early October, Ruth Kelly designed a political gap which permitted the religious right to mobilise against the regulations. When the delay was officially over, a row blew up when the Communities Secretary decided to offer exemptions for religious organisations. This was only made worse by the fact that the government has refused outright to protect transgendered people with similar regulations.
"The fact that the regulations were delayed from October's Common Commencement date till April speaks volumes of the contempt that the Communities Secretary has for the LGB communities. As a member of the secretive rightwing Catholic Sect, Opus Dei, Ruth Kelly has proven again that her government can not meaningfully deliver on equality.
"Ruth Kelly has been a liability in Government and has allowed her religious affiliations to deeply affect the way that her job is conducted. The fact that to their credit, some of Blair's Cabinet came out publicly against the hurdles put up to challenge the regulations certifies just how out of touch Ruth Kelly is.
"Like thousands who've signed a petition on the Prime Minister's website I want Kelly to resign and to resign now.
"How can the Communities Secretary continue in post when she clearly has so much contempt for the LGBT communities?
"She has proven that the dignity and respect due to us should be denied because of our sexuality- whether that's having the right to a respectful and supportive process for adopting and fostering kids or being 'out' at school without facing expulsion, booking into a hotel with your partner or simply being guaranteed the same access to the NHS.
"Her contempt for us is exposed in the numerous attempts she and the religious right made to destroy these critical regulations which are the cornerstone of legislative equality in this country."
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