Not enough credit is given to former Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone who was the architect of the UK’s same sex marriage law with the help of the LGBT community. This may have been the most significant change to British society in 20 years which is why the Tories keep trying to lay claim to it.
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They did the absolute minimum they were forced to, and now claim they were trailblazers
*we comprised with a marriage but with no mention of being husbands
In summary, I don’t feel that grateful for finally being allowed some equality.
Would have been a different matter if Labour had done it.
Imagine Alison Pearson's OUTRAGE!!!
Thanks to activists like Sandy Toksvig.🏳️🌈(Sadly isn't she now attacked by anti-trans bigots?) Tom also spoke to @helenbelcherobe.bsky.social👏🏼 🏳️⚧️
#GayMarriage #EqualRights
She deserves an MBE or similar. #Hero
She spoke in great detail on Iain Dale podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-the-many/id1307053842?i=1000673077326
Perhaps significant that it finally hit the equality button for marriage. In terms of impact, not so much.
Arguable whether this had more or less or equal impact to equalising age of consent.
When you can’t have something you sometimes condition yourself to that. I know gay men who still actively dislike children.
I don’t credit Cameron at all. Alex probably has more insight than me though.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/default/files/2023-12/same-sex-marriage-case-study.pdf
I grew up in south Lincolnshire in the 80s. Thatcher. AIDS in its scariest period. The time leading up to clause 28. Pretty much expected to be queer bashed just for combing your hair.
But it’s not climbing your way to the top of a magnificent peak. It’s climbing out of a dark, uncomfortable, dangerous pit.
Your joy at each step is tempered by the relief and by looking up to the next step.
Would also have happened in a Labour Coalition.
It was Ed Davey of The #LibDems who was responsible.
The Liberal Democrats opposed Section 28 from the start. Labour didn't!
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-collection/stories/section-28-impact-fightback-repeal/
I need to re-read them all, it's been a while.