LGBT Labour celebrate Michael Cashman’s work as he steps down as an MEP

This evening an event hosted by LGBT Labour will celebrate Michael Cashman’s (CBE) lifetime of work as he retires as a Labour MEP.

Cashman – formerly an actor on EastEnders who with Colin Russell performed the first kiss between two male characters in a British soap opera – has been a member of the Labour Party since 1975. After his television career, he became an MEP for the West Midlands in 1999, campaigning in particular for human rights and international development. He also served as Co-President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights.

As well as pursuing both a television and a political career, Cashman, along withIan McKellen, Simon Fanshawe, Lisa Power and others, founded the lesbian, gay, and bisexual rights charity,  Stonewall, partly in response to Section 28.

Next week’s event will celebrate the breadth of Cashman’s word – as Tom Burke, Co-chair of LGBT Labour has said:

“It’s time to say #ThanksMichael on behalf of all those who have benefited from his commitment to LGBT equality and human rights around the world. That’s why LGBT Labour is delighted to be hosting this event for Michael Cashman.”

Lisa Power, close friend and campaigner, has also praised Cashman’s achievements, explaining:

“Although Michael was a TV soap star when I first met him, he has always been an activist in my eyes, never too grand whether as an actor or a politician to get stuck in and personally confront injustice.

He’s an inspiration not just to me but to many others – to follow your dreams, to stand up for justice, to expect the same rights for all. He was key to the founding of Stonewall and our first Chair, driving us forward when few outside our core expected we could achieve much. He is the embodiment of my personal motto – ‘history is for interfering with’.”