Call for councillor to resign over ‘homophobic’ remarks
COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL FLY LGBT FLAG TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE COMMUNITY
COVENTRY Pride has issued an open letter calling for a councillor to resign over ‘homophobic’ comments - as the city council distanced itself from the remarks.
Councillor Glenn Williams, an Independent for Bablake, sparked a row after telling a full council meeting that Coventry schools should teach “traditional family values” and “not how to be promiscuous”.
He also described a video of two women kissing as “pornography”, and said he was “not very comfortable” when talking about children being given advice on how to come out as LGBT.
The leaders of Coventry City Council, which is flying the LGBT flag outside the Council House to show solidarity with the community, have said they wanted to make it clear that “his words in no way reflect the views of Coventry City Council”.
Cllr Williams defended his words on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire on Thursday (January 16).
He denied being homophobic and said his intention had been to speak of concerns about what material is being shown to children in school.
The interview on BBC Coventry and Warwickshire also saw him make further odd claims - including that he doesn’t have a television, that he can’t be homophobic because he has a gay friend and that pressure groups are “infiltrating” schools.
It’s not the first time that Cllr Williams has caused offence with controversial comments.
In 2016 he resigned from the Conservative Party after the Telegraph exposed a string of anti-immigration messages he sent to a colleague, including labelling Enoch Powell a “personal hero” and saying that people who can’t speak English should “go home”.
In a joint statement, Cllr George Duggins, Leader of Coventry City Council and Cllr Gary Ridley, Leader of the Opposition Conservative Group, said: “Following comments made by Cllr Glenn Williams at Full Council this week, for the avoidance of doubt we want to make it clear that his words in no way reflect the views of Coventry City Council.
“They are, in fact, totally against the beliefs of our Council and our city.
“Coventry is proud to be a welcoming and safe city that celebrates diversity in all its forms. It is one of our great strengths.
“We believe in equality for all and that everyone should be free to live the life they wish.
“As a city and as individuals, we must continue to promote inclusivity and oppose discrimination in all forms.
“We are pleased that many comments made on social media concerning Cllr Williams’ remarks reflect those beliefs, as have the comments made by both Labour and Conservative councillors at this week’s Full Council meeting.
“Coventry has always been - and will always be - a city that welcomes all people and protects their right to live a life free of discrimination.
“And we will work to inspire others to follow our example.
“As a mark of that commitment, the LGBT Flag is currently being flown outside the Council House to show our support and solidarity.”
The letter, from Coventry Pride’s vice chairman Nytasha Pitt, is addressed to the Coventry councillors of the Bablake Ward asking them to join in calling for him to step down from the council.
It reads: “Dear Councillor Jaswant Birdi and Councillor Tarlochan Singh Jandu.
“I hope that this letter finds you both well. I write to you today, weary, emotionally exhausted, with an extremely heavy heart but with the hope that you will demonstrate your support to myself, as vice-chair of Coventry Pride and as one of your constituents, as well as in solidarity with LGBT+ individuals and allies within Bablake and across Coventry.
“Further to Councillor Glenn William’s latest vile comments, we at Coventry Pride are calling for his immediate resignation as a Coventry Councillor. Cllr Glenn Williams has a history of racism, bigotry and homophobia. This is not reflective of the diverse community of Coventry, City of Peace & Reconciliation and City of Culture in 2021.
“His hatred towards marginalised groups is well-known and well-documented. And it can no longer be tolerated. Everything that he seems to stand for is in direct contradiction with the values, aspirations and ambitions of the average Coventrian. And as a resident of Coundon, I am particularly distressed that this individual is Councillor for Bablake Ward.
“I am sure that you share the same view and this open letter, which will be shared on all Coventry Pride channels, is my call for you to demonstrate your solidarity with the LGBT+ community and your morality and values as fellow human beings.”
The letter goes on to say: “As a Black LGBT+ woman, my intersectionalities already place me in a vulnerable position. To think that one of my political representatives has disgust, hatred and disdain for me because of my race, my gender or sexuality is beyond demoralising. It is deeply distressing, and I know that I am not alone in feeling this.
“And, I am sure, though you do not share all intersectionalities with me, as Men of Colour, you would not wish to see individuals who spread hate, continue to hold positions of power within your city either.
“And so, I call for you both, to lead from the front. To demonstrate the courage of your conviction.
“To stand with us against bigotry. Because enough is enough. Hate is hate. Love is love. Coventry Pride calls on Cllr Glenn Williams to resign. Will you join us?”