MP: A GOOD DAY TO SAY I’M GAY
Greening comes out on Twitter during London Pride
A TORY MP revealed she is a lesbian as tens of thousands of people marched in the London Pride parade yesterday.
Justine Greening, who is Secretary of State for International Development, came out on Twitter as the capital hosted the annual LGBT celebration.
The 47-year-old said: “Today’s a good day to say I’m happy in a same- sex relationship. I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you’re better off out #Pride2016.”
Ms Greening – who represents Putney, Roehampton and Southfields in South West London – became the youngest Tory MP in the House of Commons when she was elected in 2005, aged 36.
She was born in Rotherham, South Yorks, and attended a comprehensive school before studying economics at Southampton University. She then built a career as an accountant and finance manager before entering politics.
Ms Greening’s comingg out was hailed on social media. But she is not the first Tory Cabinet Ministerster to reveal they are gay.
Scottish Secretaryry David Mundell admitted in January nuary that the only way he could be “truly happy” was by coming out.
He tweeted yesterday:ay: “@ JustineGreening So pleasedleased for you! You won’t regret gret it.
“Coming out was the best thing I ever did id #Pride2016.”
Oliver Mott tweeted: “Well played Justine Greening. Congrats and great timing – we all needed something a bit more positive.” And Holly Brodie said: “Congratulations Justine Greening and anyone else who seize seized the day!” Last night, a moved Ms G Greening tweeted: “Amazed and overwhelmed by your messages of support, really v very much appreciated!” There are now 35 openly gay M MPs in Parliament – the most in a any parliament in the world. G Greening has been seen as a risin rising star in the Conservative Par Party since winning her Putney se seat. She was appointed a vicec chair, with responsibility for youth, of the Conservative Party in December 2005. Earlier that year she was appointed a member of the Work and Pensions Committee.
In July 2007, following a shadow cabinet reshuffle, she was promoted to be a Junior Shadow Minister for the Treasury. And in 2009, after another reshuffle, Ms Greening was made Shadow Minister for London, in the Communities and Local Government Team, with responsibility for local government finance.
Within this brief, she focused on transport and local community benefits and in March 2010 she was put in charge of co- ordinating the Conservative campaign for the 2010 general election in London.