MP under attack over LGBT issue
Kerr accused of failing to back campaigns
SNP activists were accused of “vacuous virtue signalling” in a row with Stirling’s Tory MP over Gay rights and equality.
Nationalists had called on Stephen Kerr to endorse the work of LGBT+ charities who has sought the support of MPs.
During last year’s General Election campaign the Scottish charity organisation, Equality Network, contacted all candidates, asking them to sign the Scottish LGBTI+ `equality pledge’.
It covers issues reserved to the Westminster Parliament and, for example, calls on MPs to amend equality law to cover all trans people, and recognise non-binary people on UK Government records including passports
It also urges Parliamentarians to consult with intersex people to introduce effective equality protection and end discrimination in pension payments for same-sex couples
All SNP candidates in the 2017 election signed the pledge, as did many Tory candidates but Mr Kerr did not.
According to the SNP, Mr Kerr has also not expressed support for the Time for Inclusive Education campaign which seeks to end homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools. Nats say Stirling’s SNP MSP Bruce Crawford wore the rainbow coloured Time for Inclusive Education tie in the Scottish Parliament during First Minister’s Questions, to show his support for the campaign.
SNP councillor for Stirling East, Alison Laurie said: “Despite having made massive progress as a society over the past twenty years, still too many LGBT+ people face daily discrimination, bullying and abuse. This has to stop.
“LGBT+ people need to see that these issues are at the top of the agenda of elected representatives, and campaign charities such as the Equality Network and the TIE campaign help to do exactly that.
“It is disappointing that Mr Kerr has not supported these important organisations – when the majority of Scottish MPs have.
“As high profile charitable organisations who regularly contact MPs and MSPs, it would be impossible for someone like Mr Kerr not to have heard from them.”
Councillor Laurie accused Mr Kerr of having a “dismissive attitude” to LGBT+ matters and called on him to immediately show support for the two campaigns.
But a Conservatives spokesperson hit back: “This is another vacuous piece of SNP virtue signalling. Stephen has made it crystal clear he believes everyone is equal.”
And referring to last month’s pro-Independence parade through Stirling, the spokesperson added: “If the SNP are really as inclusive as they like to appear, then their MSPs and councillors should think again before marching in the same parade as a `Tory Scum Out’ banner.”