Dear
Tori,
Thank you for writing to me about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGB&T) equality and marriage of same-sex couples.
Let me
reassure you that I fully support LGB&T equality and will work hard to
continue the Government’s strong track record of tackling inequalities.
I
recognise that the way in which I voted on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill
has raised some concerns that I do not support equality or equal
marriage.
I
want to make clear that my vote on this issue was one over which I deliberated
very carefully. As you will know, I inherited a constituency bruised by
the expenses scandal meaning that many of my constituents had lost faith in
MPs. I was therefore conscious of the need to be directly accountable to
them. I received correspondence requesting me to vote against the
Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill at a ratio of 100:1 in comparison to those in
favour. I therefore made the difficult decision to vote against the Bill
– and my conscience – and instead represent the views of the many hundreds of
constituents who had contacted me.
Marriage
of same-sex couples is now law, and I fully support this as an important step
forward in the rights of LGB&T people.
I
hope I will be judged on my record in office rather than the past. I am
honoured to have been appointed as Minister for Equalities and look forward to
building on the Government’s excellent track record in tackling inequalities
and discrimination. The UK has just been named the most progressive country
in Europe for LGB&T rights for the fifth year running, which is a testament
to the achievements that have been made. But I recognise there is no room
for complacency and I am committed to taking further action to support
LGB&T equality, in particular, continuing the Government’s work on tackling
homophobic bullying in schools and supporting LGB&T rights around the
world.
I
look forward to working with LGB&T organisations to understand the
challenges that remain and to discuss this Government’s priorities for this
Parliament. Please be assured that I am absolutely committed to tackling
discrimination in all its forms and to creating a fairer society for everyone,
regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
I
hope this information is reassuring and thank you again for taking the time to write to me.
Kind
regards
Caroline
And this was her colleague's response:
Dear Tori,Thank you for your email of 13 May to Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for
Women and Equalities and Family Justice, about lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGB&T) equality and marriage of same-sex couples.
I have been asked to reply on the Minister’s behalf.
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to write to set out your concerns. Let
me reassure you that the Government fully supports LGB&T equality. It
has a strong track record of tackling inequalities and remains committed
to doing so. The UK has just been named the most progressive country
in Europe for LGB&T rights for the fifth year running, which is a testament
to the achievements that have been made.
The debate about marriage of same-sex couples was one about which
many MPs received a great deal of representations from their
constituents and which they will each have considered carefully before
voting on the legislation. The Minister received correspondence
requesting her to vote against the Bill at a ratio of 100:1 in comparison to
those in favour. She therefore made the difficult decision to vote against
the Bill, and represent the views of many of her constituents. As you
know, the Bill was passed by Parliament and is now law, and the Minister
fully supports this.
Despite the progress that has been made in advancing LGB&T equality,
the Minister recognises there is no room for complacency. She is
committed to taking further action to support LGB&T equality, in
particular, continuing the Government’s work on tackling homophobic
bullying in schools and supporting LGB&T rights around the world.
The Minister looks forward to working with LGB&T organisations to
understand the challenges that remain and to discuss this Government’s
priorities for this Parliament. Please be assured that the Minister is
absolutely committed to tackling discrimination in all its forms and to
creating a fairer society for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or
gender identity.
Yours sincerely
Alan Chapman
Government Equalities Office
