I apologise for my recent absence. I can assure you, it's for the right reasons. I am back in paid employment and making myself useful. Once I've got into the swing of things I'll be back ranting and raving about marriage equality, Tories and my (reserved) love of the Liberal Democrats. In the meantime we've had a rather interesting list of comments from various LGBT rights organisations on the issue of marriage equality published by Pink News. Interesting both in that all support marriage equality, and that Stonewall (one of my favourite groups to criticise) refused to give it's opinion. Stonewall have given their opinion to me and, out of fairness, I'll repeat what they said: They are not against marriage equality, they just don't think it's a priority. This is a position I find...

The short answer - I mean my short answer - is yes, but that is not what this post is about directly. What it's about is why rich people should be in favour of equality, and the question is prompted for me by a piece in yesterday's Guardian about the disappointment of Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett at the criticism their book The Spirit Level has received from the right. The reason they're disappointed? They had hoped that the argument of their book - as summed up by Robert Booth, author of the piece: that 'greater equality is not just better for the poor but for the middle classes and the rich too' - would take the case for equality out of 'the "leftwing ghetto" to transcend party politics'. Put another way, the case for eqaulity could now be made on the basis that...... all levels...

California and the United Kingdom are completely different in both social and legal terms. The fights for marriage equality in the two different jurisdictions may as well be held on different planets. In California it is organised and “militant” against powerful, organised opponents. Here in the United Kingdom it's disorganised and... well.. most gay men, lesbians and bisexuals don't really care, it's brutally honest I know but we must not deceive ourselves. Despite what the loony homophobes might say, the LGBT “community” in the UK is not “militant” and is quite happy to just get on with life. The hurt wounds have been bandaged over the last decade and few have much fight left in them. Our opponents are weaker than in the USA and, perhaps, more unready for any fight. Which...

Firstly, take a look at this analysis of why California's Proposition 8 was passed in 2008. Very interesting stuff, and worth bearing in mind should the marriage equality debate heat up further in our country. Today we have a result from a court case brought in an attempt to overturn Proposition 8 and the ban on marriage equality (to see the background to this see here and here). Here are some quotes from the trial from the pro-marriage equality group and the anti That result is that Prop 8 has been overturned. This is not the end of the journey. But it's a damn good day! If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist...

Commons vote could be overturned in the courts if MPs were not told that bulk of the £8bn cutbacks would target womenThe coalition government's emergency budget could be branded unlawful after a groundbreaking legal case was launched in the high court. Papers filed on Friday claim that Treasury officials broke the law by failing to carry out an assessment of whether the plans for heavy spending cuts would hit women hardest.The action is being taken by the country's leading women's rights group in what is believed to be the first ever legal challenge to a British government's budget. The Fawcett Society, which believes the plans "risk rolling back women's equality in the UK by a generation", is being represented by barristers from Matrix Chambers, which was co-founded by Cherie Booth,...

The final piece of the puzzle falls into place. Ed Miliband has, in a Twitter message to me, confirmed his support for marriage equality. "@JaeKay Got asked abt this today &made; clear I support principle of gay marriage. Need to consult on how to implement." That is now all five Labour leader candidates on board the marriage equality bus. If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist...

In between a sofa delivery and a nice cafe breakfast I've spent the morning reading the Civil Partnership Bill debates from 2004. This was a major mistake, leading me only to see the deceitful nature of Labour's claims to be a force fighting for LGBT equality. I shan't discuss it further as I am truly angry, but suggest you do take a look at the debates if you so wish. So let's focus on the positive, what have I personally done this month to advance the cause for equality. Sure, there's only so much one person can do but I think it illustrates what can be achieved if we all do a little to fight for it. Together we can make a difference. 1) Your Freedom submission. On the 1st of July I entered the first request on the new Government website announced by Nick Clegg in support of...

"Q (from Jae): Following Ed Balls and Diane Abbott announcing their support for marriage equality, will he retract his comments about there not being enough people calling for it and come out in support of LGBT equality? A. My position on this is pretty simple, which is that we did a consultation in the run up to the manifesto, and it wasn’t raised with me as an issue. But obviously if it’s something that is felt to be an important issue, I understand absolutely the reasons for that, and then it’s something we should definitely look at. And I’m very happy to say that and I completely understand and sympathise with the wish for equality in this area." This is what Ed Miliband says (in answer to a question I asked, yes I am the phantom marriage equality question asker) in a...

More on this tomorrow with links and comment... "Q (from Jae): Following Ed Balls and Diane Abbott announcing their support for marriage equality, will he retract his comments about there not being enough people calling for it and come out in support of LGBT equality? A. My position on this is pretty simple, which is that we did a consultation in the run up to the manifesto, and it wasn’t raised with me as an issue. But obviously if it’s something that is felt to be an important issue, I understand absolutely the reasons for that, and then it’s something we should definitely look at. And I’m very happy to say that and I completely understand and sympathise with the wish for equality in this area." If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates...

Simon Hughes MP (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats) has responded, via Youtube, to my Yoosk question on, you guessed it, marriage equality. Whilst it's a bit of muddle he does confirm that he understands the difference between civil partnerships and marriage an that he does want us to work towards marriage equality. Good times! If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist...

It's time for some positive marriage equality news! On the home front, two Labour leadership contenders, Ed Balls and Diane Abbott, have come out in support of marriage equality. Although Abbott clarified she has always supported marriage equality: "I have always supported gay marriage and made that case when civil partnerships were first discussed. Despite what may now be reported, it wasn’t New Labour that first proposed civil partnerships but Ken Livingstone in his first administration. I supported it then, way before New Labour had the bravery to put this issue into legislation." Given the rather offensive responses of the Miliband's on the issue, who managed to combine New Labour evasiveness with a politicians urge not to rock the boat quite neatly, it's good to see two...

Dear Ms. Featherstone, Yesterday it was reported that you would be beginning "consultations" about the status of equal marriage and civil partnerships sometime in the future (http://bit.ly/cemLBp). It also reports you'll be contacting both sides in this consultation, in effect suggesting equality is not an automatic right for all citizens but one that should be negotiated. I do wonder if the Government of the day consulted racists whilst creating the Race Relations Act. I also wonder who will be "representing" the LGBT community. I suspect Stonewall may well be consulted. This unrepresentative group doesn't represent the LGBT community in full nor support equality. I trust this will be kept in mind when listening to their "concerns". However, in the spirit of consultation, I thought...

I went to my first pride a few more years ago than I'd like to remember. This year, like last year, I won't be going. London Pride isn't about equality anymore. It's about a bunch of organisations slapping each other on the back and thinking themselves very worthy. Well, they aren't alone... On the 23rd of June, Lynne Featherstone answered a question in Parliament noting that the Government would be pursuing religious civil partnerships. On the 3rd of July just before Pride, the Telegraph decides to report it. I've already made my feelings clear here, but was rather more irked by one piece of the Telegraphs article. The proposals will delight equality campaigners who believe civil partnership is a “second-class” status, but they prompted fierce opposition from mainstream Christian...

I know, this blog has been in danger of becoming a marriage equality blog for the last few months. But the news just keeps on coming in. Mere days and weeks after two European countries (Iceland and Portugal respectively) legislated for marriage equality, Ireland decides not to follow suit. Instead, as if Ireland is somehow several years behind most other modern European countries, they have decided to follow the United Kingdom's backwards apartheid system and passed, through the Dail anyway, civil partnership legislation. This still needs to go through the Irish upper house, but certainly gives us a taste as to the state of Irish LGBT equality. Thankfully there are some people campaigning for full equality still in Ireland, although I'm somewhat confused by their marriage laws I...

From Speaking up for Women’s Equality « bWe Baptist Women for Equality's Blog.Do you know what the people around you are thinking about female equality?It seems to me that there is often a huge gap between what people immersed in a particular Church think other people believe (both people in other Churches and people outside Church).Somewhere, somehow we need to connect with people and hear their beliefs.It pains me that on many issues of justice and equality the Church gets left behind. That does not fit well with the gospel I read....

This week has seen three issues relevant to the fight for marriage equality. 1) The Good: Portugal has joined the 5 other European countries who have legislated for marriage equality. This is yet another supposedly "Catholic country" who has taken the brave step of granting equal rights to it's citizens in the face of religious opposition. Portugal... we salute you! 2) The Bad: The Coalition has presented it's programme for Government. Like this blog post it's a mixed bag of the good, the bad and the ugly. However with regards to LGBT rights it is yet another step (but just a step) forward. There is, unsurprisingly, no mention of marriage equality (it wasn't a manifesto commitment of either party which is a crying shame. If we'd managed to get this through conference last time we...

A glance at the make-up of the new cabinet does not make great reading for equality campaigners. 86% male, 97% white, 59% privately educated and 69% oxbridge educated – hardly a great advert for our diverse and multicultural society, or indeed a state education. In their defence the Lib-Dems and Tories can point to Labour’s final years in office which shows a broadly similar pattern, with the exception of eductional background, in which there has been a definite backward step. Nick Clegg and David Cameron yesterday talking about aspiring to a new way of doing politics – a noble statement in itself, but surely we should start by making sure that politics is reflective of our society, not just in terms of political parties but in race, gender and class? If you think this...

Just before the start of this general election I wrote "Gay marriage: The Dream That'll Never Be?". Have I changed my mind on the hopes for marriage equality following a month of politicians campaigning? I have to say... no I haven't. Thanks mainly to Pink News readers pushing the question with the party leaders, we now are clear on where they stand. Clegg: The number one question submitted by our readers was on whether Nick Clegg and his party support gay marriage. Mr Clegg said last month he supported civil partners calling themselves husband or wife but would he change the law to allow gay civil marriage? Yes, I support gay marriage. Love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution should be the same, too. All couples should be able to make that commitment to one...

Sometimes I hate being proven right. And I hate that the Tories, who moan about Nick Clegg "flip flopping" over what he'd do in a hung Parliament, start to flip flop over an issue themselves. In the first week of the election George Osborne said that a Tory Government would "consider" marriage equality. I gave him some kudos for this but also a warning: "I believe this Tory promise to be nothing but hot air. I give them credit for saying the right words, but we have no evidence, based on past form, that they will follow through. So for now I continue to say that the only vote in favour of marriage equality is a vote for the Liberal Democrats (or the Green Party but let's not get too carried away!)." Since then we've had plenty of Tory mishaps with regards to LGBT rights but even as...

Just got this leafet today, thought I would share it with youIt says The Labour Party is committed to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans equality, and has led the world in equality legislation. Since coming to power in 1997 Labour has done more for the advancement of LGBT equality than any other period in history!Since Labour became Government it has * Brought in an equal age of consent (16 years old for everyone)* Scrapped the Tories homophobic Section 28 (Clause 2a in Scotland)* Ended the ban on LGBT people serving in our armed forces* Created civil partnerships, allowing same-sex couples to have loving relationships recognised with the same rights as married couples* Ended discrimination against same-sex partners for immigration purposes* Enabled LGBT couples to be considered for...

As the wages at Birmingham City Council show, the need to highlight women’s equality is as strong as ever. New coordinator of Fawcett Devon Amelia Taylor-Watt got in touch about the society’s What About Women campaign. Take it away Amelia… I am the new coordinator of Fawcett Devon, having taken over from Moira McDonald. I am currently in the middle of my A-levels at 6th Form college. I am also a member of my local Labour Party. Being aged only 16 shows that women, irrespective of age, can join the fight for equality between the sexes. Our campaign coincides with the launch of our new-look website www.fawcettdevon.org Fawcett Devon is an affiliate of the Fawcett Society. We campaign on a wide range of issues surrounding equality for women and issues that affect women....

I suppose I should be celebrating. David Cameron has come out with some more GLBT friendly soundbites. But many of the answers there are a little... half hearted and can we really trust him? Personally I think the Tories have not shown they have changed and no amount of wheeling out gay supporters/candidates nor apologising for whatever their latest homophobic gaffe was is going to make up for that. The Tories are still too socially conservative at heart even if they say the right words. Here is David Cameron's take on the very important question of marriage equality (don't even get me started on the "patronising drivel" about tax breaks)... Mr Cameron, do you support marriage equality in this country? Civil partnerships were a great step forward and I admire your support for it but...

With days to spare, the Equality Bill has gone through the House of Commons and that means it will now become the Equality Act. Although the Lords knocked out the bit barring faith groups from refusing to employ LGBT people on the grounds of ethos, the rest remains intact. This includes the Economic Duty and Positive action, as well as giving same sex couples the right to celebrate their civil partnerships in religious premises.The Bill will begin to take effect in the autumn and will be implemented in full over the next three...

When you are a Parliamentary Candidate you get contacted not just by constituents with questions but by all sorts of organisations either asking for views or for support. Actually its a great chance to talk about some big issues and principles that sometimes get lost in the minutiae of campaigning.Over the last few weeks I've been in contact with some really great organisations and campaigns. It's impossible to talk about them all but I'll try to blog about some of the issues that are particularly important to me.I want today to highlight the Equality Pledge. There's lots of evidence to show that a society that is more equal means better mental health, higher overal quality of living and so on. So today I signed the Equality Pledge which is organised by this organisation. Hopefully...

Yes - of course - there are great sensitivities around how to give everyone religious freedom to believe their doctrines and live their lives according to that doctrine whilst at the same time ensuring equality and freedom from discrimination. That is one of the great challenges that we have to meet - and it reared its head constantly in the Equality Bill. However, in the end, the provision of goods and services must be provided on an equal basis to all. That is where Chris Grayling has failed to understand the real nature of equality. It will mean, for example, for those Christians who believe it is against their religion or belief to rent facilities to homosexuals - will not be able to exclude gay couples. That is a clear example of where the line is drawn. There are more complex ones -...

Dear Philip Hollobone, As a relatively low-profile MP in Kettering, it is easy to assume that you wouldn’t mind the odd newspaper headline mentioning your activities in Parliament.  On this occasion, however, I suspect you would have preferred not to have been mentioned at all.  You have been investigated by police for alleged racial hatred after criticising the burka for being “the religious equivalent of going around with a paper bag over your head with two holes for the eyes” during a Commons debate, which epitomises the extent to which our Government loathe free speech and emphasises the disastrous culture of political correctness and fear that Labour supporters promote in this country. It’s not like the burqa hasn’t been described as such many times...

Great post, with pictures :-) at We Mixed Our Drinks: This is why I believe in equality. Ends with:This is why equality is important. It's not something to do with wanting to wipe out men. It's not something it was okay to stand for in the 1970s, with no need to stand for it now. Hearing these women speak we were left in no doubt that equality and respect is not something we've achieved. It's something we have to keep on fighting...

Here’s your starter for ten as we experiment with a new Saturday slot posing a view for debate: Belief in equality is, as the preamble to the Lib Dems’ constitutions states, one of the fundamental values of the party. But, as with all values, equality can mean different things to different people. There has long been tension between liberals who believe the role of government is to aim for equality of opportunity for everyone, and liberals who believe government must promote equality of outcomes. The former will tend to stress the importance of education as the chief means by which individuals can better themselves and improve their lot; while the latter will argue that yes, education is vital, but ultimately life chances are determined by income – and the poorest in...

Paul Blomfield, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Sheffield Central, attended a demonstration yesterday outside the Town Hall to oppose the Lib Dem Council’s decision to withdraw funding from Sheffield Race Equality Council. Paul Blomfield sharply criticised the Council’s decision to withdraw funding from Sheffield Race Equality Council saying: “For 42 years Sheffield Race Equality Council has played an important role in challenging racism and supporting those facing discrimination. It’s completely wrong for the Council to pull the Race Equality’s Council funding and withdraw their support, particularly at a time when race relations have been put under strain after the election of a BNP MEP.”...

Pope Benedict XVI has attacked British society and in particular our equality legislation. In a letter addressed to the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, the pope criticised UK legislation for creating "limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs". Of course, what the Pope means is the law now prevents adoption agencies from discriminating against gay couples and the Equality Bill may mean the Catholic Church can no longer discriminate on grounds of sexuality or...