At the height of Pride month, join the team at the Bylines Network podcast, as we discuss the history and state of LGBTQ+ rights in the UK and across the world. Hosts Chris Davis and Connor Lamb open the discussion with a look at what Pride has become in 2021, the commercialisation of Pride and the ‘Pride-washing’ that many companies do, making statements supportive of LGBTQ+ rights while acting against queer interests around the world.
Chris and Connor share their personal experiences of growing up queer – in Connor’s case, both queer and autistic – and talk candidly about how much they feel things have changed for the better (and not!) in the past few years. Connor, who’s a second year sociology student and is passionate about education reform, also speaks a little about founding a new charitable organisation, Schools Matter UK.
Pride month: LGBTQ+ rights in the UK
Together, they reflect on how far the UK has come in its discussion of sexuality, but also the problems that still exist. Many of our current politicians have failed to apologise for homophobic votes and comments across the years, and over the last decade the UK has slipped in the league-table of best European countries for LGBTQ+ rights, from 1st to 10th.
Recently, the government has been at the heart of controversy regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Three of the government’s main LGBTQ+ advisers resigned in March, claiming that equalities ministers Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch had expressed ignorance around LGBTQ+ rights, and that reform of the Gender Recognition Act and banning of conversion therapy were being undertaken poorly.
Bylines Network podcast meets Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP
Connor and Chris also interview the Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, who is only the second British MP to be open about living with HIV. Connor and Chris discuss with him what Pride means to him, in addition to the government’s plan for reforming the Gender Recognition Act.
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