‘ There’s work to be done on transphobia in Parliament’

As Pride celebrations kick off around the UK, Conservative MP for Putney Justine Greening talks about coming out – and why she’s fighting for the Government to lead by example on LGBTQ+ rights…

This week is always a special one for me, because London Pride was at the weekend and this year’s marks three years since I tweeted to say I was in a same-sex relationship. Coming out was the best thing I ever did. It’s exhausting keeping a massive part of yourself hidden away; no one should have to do that. That’s why Pride matters so much. I agonised for so long about whether to come out because I was stupidly worried about what people would say. But I’d tell anyone in that position it’s best to be honest.

I was shocked by recent homophobic attacks, one of which was towards a lesbian couple, Melanie and Chris, who were beaten up on a London bus. As someone who lives in London and often takes the bus with my partner, it gave me pause for thought. When I’m out with her, I have to constantly second-guess what other people might be thinking about us. I generally feel safe holding hands, but then I bet Melanie and Chris did before they were assaulted.

We’re updating the Gender Recognition Act to look at how to make the approach less intrusive and bureaucratic for trans people. Some critics have said it risks endangering women’s rights, but it is vital that changes are dealt with sensitively. We’ve had this act since 2004 and it needs updating. I’m pushing for the Government to continue to challenge and change attitudes so LGBTQ+ people can lead a normal life; that’s all we ever want. The Government should show leadership and call out homophobia and transphobia when it sees it. On transphobia, there’s still a lot of work to be done and progress to be made in Parliament. There’s a lack of understanding about what being transgender is about and transgender rights are. Westminster is further behind with this than they are with lesbian and gay rights.

I’m fighting to ensure LGBTQ+ awareness and teaching is done properly in schools. One of the biggest challenges we face is that attitudes in Britain still need to change in many communities, and that starts at school. By pushing for mandatory sex and relationship education and schemes that combat homophobic bullying, I want to make sure children know it’s absolutely fine if they end up in a same-sex relationship.

We need to focus on equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community in Northern Ireland, where same-sex marriage still isn’t legally recognised. We mustn’t accept that there are parts of the UK where this community has fewer rights than the rest of the UK.

‘ Attitudes need to change – that starts at school’