LGBT rights are diminished if they are merely treated as brand decontamination – they must be part of our broader argument for equality

By Jessica Asato

It’s easy to be complacent about gay rights after watching LGBT Labour’s film for the European elections. Such big legal steps have been taken since 1997 that many people might assume this means the job is done. But waking up this morning to hear on the Today Programme that a gay church minister has only narrowly won his right to lead his congregation in Scotland reminds those who campaign for greater equality that in reality the job has only really just started. Enshrining rights in law plays a huge part in shifting the attitude of the state to gay rights, but societal change takes far longer, as women can attest after 35 years of equal pay legislation. Progressives will only embed equal treatment for gay people, therefore, if we win the broader argument about the need for greater equality in society full stop.

Public attitudes towards LGBT rights often take the form of accepting them in the negative: ‘I don’t like what you do, but I will defend your right to be able to do it’. People commonly cite them as a ‘fringe issue’ or something to do with ‘what goes on in the privacy of your bedroom’. For me, LGBT rights, along with other group rights to equal treatment, couldn’t be more fundamental to Labour’s quest for true equality. But we need to work harder to convince the public to view rights in a positive way. I want to live in a society where we celebrate each other’s difference rather than merely tolerate it. I want to fight against homophobic bullying not merely because it is unfair or illegal, but because it destroys lives which could have been brilliant. I want to campaign for a society in which everyone has not just a legalistic equal opportunity to fulfil their potential, but active support to do so no matter what their sexuality or background.

LGBT rights are diminished if they are treated as brand decontamination or are begrudgingly adopted because it’s just the way things are going. I’m not saying we shouldn’t welcome David Cameron’s apology on Section 28, it’s important that we accept the progressive movements others make. But we must remain suspicious of his motives. One lesbian candidate and an admission of wrongdoing do not equate to a revolutionary sea change. Instead we need to ensure that the Tories at all levels of the party, not just in Parliament, are practising what they say they now preach. We also need to make more effort to understand why, as some polls seem to suggest, gay people are supporting the Conservatives. The point has been made before that voters don’t thank you for what you’ve achieved, but what you’re going to do for them next. Labour needs to recognise this and agitate more for societal change, particularly in relation to homophobic bullying which is often engrained and tolerated, particularly in schools.

But in the same way that women don’t only vote for parties on gender specific issues, neither do gay people only vote on LGBT issues. So the added support for the Conservatives is likely to reflect the wider public dissatisfaction with the government. This means Labour needs to continue its focus on getting the economy going again, recalibrate its arguments in favour of greater equality but in a language the public can understand, and keep the pressure on public service improvement. Warning the gay community about the dangers of a Tory government is important, but gay rights are more likely to be guaranteed if the government is able to turn its fortunes around and convince gay voters that we are fit to be elected for a fourth term.