Under-fire councillor ‘not homophobic’, say friends
FRIENDS and supporters of Sharon Thompson, the Birmingham councillor facing an inquiry for apparently “liking” homophobic comments on Facebook, have contacted our sister paper the Birmingham Mail to say that she is not homophobic.
One young gay man said she supported him after he came out as gay to his family. Another friend said she was a referee when he adopted a child with his same-sex partner.
It followed our report that Labour is investigating claims that Coun Thompson, a councillor for Soho ward, backed homophobic comments suggesting gays and lesbians are not “normal”.
She “liked” a Facebook comment which said: “Adam and Eve were put on the planet from a higher authority for a reason. As parents, we have to do our best to explain normality.”
But Birmingham student Jaymaal Butt, aged 20, said Coun Thompson supported him after he came out as gay to his family – and helped him find accommodation when he was made homeless.
“As an individual who has known Sharon for ten years both personally and politically, I am as well informed of her beliefs as anyone else.
“In 2015 I came out as gay to my family and being a young gay Muslim it wasn’t well accepted.
“But Sharon stood by me and played mediator between me and my family. Why would a woman who was homophobic support me in my time of need?
“If she was homophobic, when I decided enough was enough, why would she have driven me around at midnight on a Sunday night to find me somewhere to live because I had been made homeless?
“I think it is ridiculous and ludicrous that she has been branded as homophobic. Sharon has a long history of working with the LGBT community.”
Darren Kelly, previously from Birmingham and now living in Sheffield, said Coun Thompson had been a referee when he and his partner in a same-sex relationship adopted a child.
Mr Kelly, aged 45, said: “I have been Sharon’s best friend now for about 15 years.
“She is not homophobic. I know that. She has been to many a Pride with myself.
“She was a referee for our samesex adoption.”
He said he believed that Coun Thompson had been expressing her opposition to proposals to change the law to allow same-sex marriage, but this did not mean she was homophobic.
“I have known her for a long time. Under no way has Sharon ever used anyone’s difference as a reason to
I think it is ridiculous and ludicrous that she has been branded as homophobic. Sharon has a long history of working with the LGBT community
have a go at them. That’s just not in her nature.”
Coun Thompson has also had support from political figures.
Birmingham councillor Shafique Shah, who represents Bordesley Green and is a former lord mayor of the city, said on Twitter: “I am proud to have Coun Sharon Thompson as a colleague. A role model and inspiration to us all.”
As we reported previously, Coun Thompson issued a statement after the complaint was made denying that she was homophobic.
She said: “I am not homophobic and refute any claims that suggest otherwise.
“I proudly uphold the aims and values of the Labour Party for equality and fighting prejudice. It’s a serious allegation against me and I hope it is investigated accordingly.”
Jaymaal Butt