Ahead of the seminar of the CoR PES Group on Promoting LGBTI rights in the EU (29 November), Manchester Councillor Kevin Peel explains why access to public services is a challenge for LGBT people, how local and regional authorities can play a decisive role and what it means to be a member of a council which has been fighting for LGBT equality since the 1980s…
One of the key themes to be addressed at the seminar of the PES Group is equality of civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the EU. To what extent is access to public services an issue?
Access to public services for LGBT people is a really important issue. Research shows that LGBT people are more likely to have health issues, be victims of crime, and be discriminated against when accessing services such as housing or family support. In a report by UK-based LGBT charity Stonewall, over 80% of LGBT people said they would expect a child with known gay parents to be bullied in high school. A quarter would expect discrimination when reporting a hate crime. In the last five years, 24% of health service staff have heard a colleague make negative remarks about LGBT patients. 1/5 LGBT people expect to be treated worse when applying for social housing. When it comes to LGBT people putting themselves forward for public positions, the figures are depressing. Many would expect significant barriers in standing to be a political representative from one of the major parties and over three quarters believe that LGBT politicians face greater scrutiny in the media. 70% say they would anticipate discrimination if they stood to be a governor at their local school. All of this is in the UK, which is ranked top in Europe for LGBT equality in the ILGA rainbow index. How much worse must it be elsewhere?
What part can local and regional authorities play?
On this issue the role of local and regional authorities is absolutely paramount. It is LRAs which run or have significant control over local housing services, health services, schools and policing. Therefore, progressive political leadership at the local / regional level can make a huge difference to the lives of LGBT people living in a municipality. Even simple things such as supporting a Pride event send a powerful message to the local LGBT community that their representatives are on their side. Contrast this with mayors who have blocked permission for Pride events to take place.
Do you have any examples from your own area?
I'm proud to be a member of a council which has been fighting for LGBT equality since before I was born. Manchester really led the way in the 1980s against the then Conservative government and homophobic policies such as the introduction of Section 28 by Margaret Thatcher, which prohibited teachers from talking about homosexuality in schools and created a culture of fear in the education system, which still exists even today long after a Labour government abolished the law. On our city council, about 10% of the members are lesbian, gay or bisexual, although we don't yet have any trans representation. The city council has good relationships with local LGBT charities and community organisations, we provide funding for important services and hold regular social dialogues. And we support financially and practically the annual Pride celebration which sees 100,000 people take to the streets to watch the parade.
