Pride 2018

 

This Saturday I will be joining many of my constituents to celebrate Norwich Pride’s tenth anniversary. Pride is a celebration of the LGBT+ community and the collective progress that has been made in advancing LGBT+ rights.

 

I have always been ally of LGBT+ friends and constituents, including as an early supporter of LGBT+ marriage which I was proud to vote for in Parliament.

 

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of campaigners, a lot of progress in improving the life for LGBT+ people in the UK has been made.

 

Of course, there is still more to do. The Government remains committed to improving the lives of LGBT+ people and this month has announced its LGBT+ action plan. Some of the initiatives in the LGBT+ Action Plan include the appointment of an LGBT health advisor, extending the current anti-homophobic bullying programme in schools, bringing forward proposals to end the abhorrent practice of conversion therapy and reforms to the 2004 Gender Recognition Act.

Despite the progress that is being made here in the UK, globally billions of people live under laws which punish gay, lesbian and bisexual people for being themselves. I believe we can all help create a world where everyone has the right to love, and the right to life.

The Pride movement provides hope for those around the world who currently are not free to be themselves. I pay tribute to those leaders in our communities, our workplaces, our schools who champion change and behave in a way that allows everyone to have pride in themselves.

 

That’s what Pride means to me, championing meaningful change, creating a community that everyone can be proud of who they are.

 

If you would like to join me this Pride, follow the below link address to find the necessary contact details.

 

I hope to see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1956401251076971/