‘The UK has made huge strides with LGBT+ equality’
A STAFFORDSHIRE Moorlands councillor believes the UK still has “an awful lot to do” in terms of equality and inclusivity for the LGBT+ community.
Joe Porter, (pictured), councillor for Brown Edge & Endon and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s cabinet member for climate change and biodiversity, was speaking to the Local Government Association magazine as part of their feature on ‘Pride in local politics’ to coincide with LGBT+ History Month.
Councillor Porter praised the work of previous prime ministers, and said his Conservative Party had helped him to be himself after coming out six years ago.
He said: “The UK has made huge strides with LGBT+ equality, particularly since 2000, but we’ve got an awful lot to do. For example, health services need to be more inclusive for LGBT+ residents.
“I’m not the biggest fan of Tony Blair, but he did lots of great things – enabling gay people to adopt, allowing civil partnerships, and legalising entry to the military.
“Under David Cameron we got marriage equality, under Theresa May we got the world’s first ever LGBT+ Action Plan and tackled workplace discrimination, and Boris Johnson has committed to banning conversion therapy – something really important in respect of the mental health of LGBT+ people.”
Councillor Porter believes the Conservative Party have moved on from the days of Section 28 - brought in by Tory PM Margaret Thatcher to “prohibit the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities”.
He added: “I came out in October 2016, and it was the party that gave me the confidence to be my true and authentic self.
“I regret and disagree with Section 28, but the Conservative Party now stands for equality of opportunity, regardless of background, and that’s so important.”
Now, Joe hopes he can become a role model in the future, as others were for him.
He said: “Role models are absolutely vital. Justine Greening really inspired me (and she knows, because I told her!) as the first openly gay woman in a Conservative cabinet. She was a fantastic equalities minister.
“I’m also a massive fan of [actor and musician] Olly Alexander, who starred in ‘It’s a Sin,’ which was such an important TV series for people understanding the LGBT+ community.
“Role models are essential in every sector, and I hope I can inspire other young people, and especially LGBT+ young people, to get involved in politics. (I’m 25 and have wanted to be a councillor since I was 12 years old.)
“Councils and political groups need to do better on reaching out to young people, particularly LGBT+ young people, who have a lot to offer in terms of public service and changing things for the better.
“We need to have open, frank conversations about how we work. A lot of councils are geared towards older and retired people, with meetings during the day. If you haven’t got a job with a boss prepared to offer you maximum flexibility, then you will struggle to do what’s required as a local councillor to serve your local community.”