Suella Braverman’s announcement that the Home Office is cutting all association with the LGBTQ+ campaign group Stonewall joins a seemingly endless stream of homophobic and transphobic rants by the government.
Her claim that the police are paid to “fight crime” and “keep people safe” rather than to “wave flags at parades” seems especially ironic in her bid to “rebuild confidence” between the public and the force. Maybe the boys in blue could do with dancing with a few more drag queens to soften the mood, make themselves seem more approachable? Apparently, their engagement in politics is a big no for the home secretary, with issues like gender-based violence and racism seemingly too ‘political’ for them to handle. Someone call Louise Casey.
The statement came in response to Tory MP Nick Fletcher’s grumble that they are spending too much time promoting “unscientific ideology”, and provided Braverman with the perfect platform to announce her culling of Stonewall. So what does this mean? Clearly, a categoric separation between the government and LGBTQ+ rights groups sets a distinct tone, and precedent, for Braverman’s position on this issue, something certainly seen in following actions by the party.
Her assertion that discrimination for being a woman, or LGBTQ+ is not grounds for seeking asylum in a campaign to ‘tighten’ the definition of those that qualify for protection joins a wider narrative around LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. Elton John joined the backlash against the home secretary, pointing out the 64 countries that criminalise homosexuality, including the 11 where it is punishable by death. To the more astute amongst us, this would seem a sufficient grounds to flee your country, but to Cruella Suella, it would seem not.
But it did not stop there, this week’s Conservative Party conference giving the party centre stage yet again to voice their opinions on the subject, in particular in regards to transgender issues. Steve Barclay glossed over the reality of a crumbling NHS to focus on a proposed ban of trans women from female wards, Braverman spoke out again labelling “gender ideology” as “highly controversial”, with Rishi Sunak too saying that “a man is a man and a woman is a woman”. As Braverman raised her fears that the “liberal woke” would persecute non-conformists, Conservative member Andrew Boff who heckled against the speech was swiftly removed. I wonder which ‘non-conformists’ she is referring to – those that agree or disagree with her? Non-conformity has always been a key principle amongst the Tory party too, of course: conservatism, tradition…
It is no doubt that these statements by those at the heart of the government will have long-lasting, harmful impacts to the communities they aim to discredit. Speeches like these contribute to the alarming process of homophobic and transphobic narratives, already ever too present within society, becoming proposed in policy. The redefinition of ‘sex’ within the 2010 Equality Act would make it harder for trans-folk to access spaces such as bathrooms and hospital wards, while it comes as no surprise that transgender hate crimes increased by 11% in the year ending March 2023. Maybe the waving of some pride flags by the police would go a long way after all. Or has the damage already been done? The government are certainly showing little signs of tolerance or acceptance, the implications of their rhetoric and policy proposals already coming to the fore.
“Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Secretary of State for the Home Department Suella Braverman” by UK Government is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Suella Braverman’s Stonewall stance does far more harm than good
Suella Braverman’s announcement that the Home Office is cutting all association with the LGBTQ+ campaign group Stonewall joins a seemingly endless stream of homophobic and transphobic rants by the government.
Her claim that the police are paid to “fight crime” and “keep people safe” rather than to “wave flags at parades” seems especially ironic in her bid to “rebuild confidence” between the public and the force. Maybe the boys in blue could do with dancing with a few more drag queens to soften the mood, make themselves seem more approachable? Apparently, their engagement in politics is a big no for the home secretary, with issues like gender-based violence and racism seemingly too ‘political’ for them to handle. Someone call Louise Casey.
The statement came in response to Tory MP Nick Fletcher’s grumble that they are spending too much time promoting “unscientific ideology”, and provided Braverman with the perfect platform to announce her culling of Stonewall. So what does this mean? Clearly, a categoric separation between the government and LGBTQ+ rights groups sets a distinct tone, and precedent, for Braverman’s position on this issue, something certainly seen in following actions by the party.
Her assertion that discrimination for being a woman, or LGBTQ+ is not grounds for seeking asylum in a campaign to ‘tighten’ the definition of those that qualify for protection joins a wider narrative around LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. Elton John joined the backlash against the home secretary, pointing out the 64 countries that criminalise homosexuality, including the 11 where it is punishable by death. To the more astute amongst us, this would seem a sufficient grounds to flee your country, but to Cruella Suella, it would seem not.
But it did not stop there, this week’s Conservative Party conference giving the party centre stage yet again to voice their opinions on the subject, in particular in regards to transgender issues. Steve Barclay glossed over the reality of a crumbling NHS to focus on a proposed ban of trans women from female wards, Braverman spoke out again labelling “gender ideology” as “highly controversial”, with Rishi Sunak too saying that “a man is a man and a woman is a woman”. As Braverman raised her fears that the “liberal woke” would persecute non-conformists, Conservative member Andrew Boff who heckled against the speech was swiftly removed. I wonder which ‘non-conformists’ she is referring to – those that agree or disagree with her? Non-conformity has always been a key principle amongst the Tory party too, of course: conservatism, tradition…
It is no doubt that these statements by those at the heart of the government will have long-lasting, harmful impacts to the communities they aim to discredit. Speeches like these contribute to the alarming process of homophobic and transphobic narratives, already ever too present within society, becoming proposed in policy. The redefinition of ‘sex’ within the 2010 Equality Act would make it harder for trans-folk to access spaces such as bathrooms and hospital wards, while it comes as no surprise that transgender hate crimes increased by 11% in the year ending March 2023. Maybe the waving of some pride flags by the police would go a long way after all. Or has the damage already been done? The government are certainly showing little signs of tolerance or acceptance, the implications of their rhetoric and policy proposals already coming to the fore.
“Prime Minister Rishi Sunak meets Secretary of State for the Home Department Suella Braverman” by UK Government is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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