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| Lib Dems' support for gay marriage 'cynical', says former Stonewall chief | Lib Dems' support for gay marriage 'cynical', says former Stonewall chief |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| The Liberal Democrats have been accused of acting in a "cynical and opportunistic" way when they decided to back gay marriage shortly after coming to power in May 2010. | The Liberal Democrats have been accused of acting in a "cynical and opportunistic" way when they decided to back gay marriage shortly after coming to power in May 2010. |
| Ben Summerskill, who stepped down last month as chief executive of Stonewall after running the gay rights charity for 11 years, said it was politically expedient for the Lib Dems to back a policy that put a distance between themselves and the Conservative party at a time when there was enormous disquiet about the two parties forming a coalition. | Ben Summerskill, who stepped down last month as chief executive of Stonewall after running the gay rights charity for 11 years, said it was politically expedient for the Lib Dems to back a policy that put a distance between themselves and the Conservative party at a time when there was enormous disquiet about the two parties forming a coalition. |
| He told the Observer that he stood by his remarks, made for a Radio 4 programme, and had been convinced of the Lib Dems' cynicism when former MP Evan Harris greeted the conference vote to adopt gay marriage by saying: "This is great because we put clear blue water between us and the Tories." | |
| "Note that he didn't say, 'hurrah – this is great news for gay couples or for equality'," said Summerskill. "He made it crystal clear that at that time it was politically opportunistic for the Lib Dems. It is certainly a less edifying view of the politicians involved, but it's a true view. All you have to do is look at the Lib Dem manifesto in May 2010, even their gay manifesto, and gay marriage doesn't appear. Suddenly, three months later, there they were quite cynically adopting the policy." | "Note that he didn't say, 'hurrah – this is great news for gay couples or for equality'," said Summerskill. "He made it crystal clear that at that time it was politically opportunistic for the Lib Dems. It is certainly a less edifying view of the politicians involved, but it's a true view. All you have to do is look at the Lib Dem manifesto in May 2010, even their gay manifesto, and gay marriage doesn't appear. Suddenly, three months later, there they were quite cynically adopting the policy." |
| His remarks have angered Lib Dem equality minister Lynne Featherstone. "Wow, I'm really upset by that, really upset," she said. "That's absolute rubbish. We are the party of equality and Ben knows that. It wasn't in the manifesto probably because no one thought it could be achieved – not because of any lack of desire to do it. | His remarks have angered Lib Dem equality minister Lynne Featherstone. "Wow, I'm really upset by that, really upset," she said. "That's absolute rubbish. We are the party of equality and Ben knows that. It wasn't in the manifesto probably because no one thought it could be achieved – not because of any lack of desire to do it. |
| "I wasn't going to raise this, but it has to be said that Stonewall wasn't in favour of equal marriage and they changed – and I'm very grateful they changed. It is somewhat upsetting to hear that that is his attitude. I thought we were all working together on this. I'm very surprised and disappointed to hear him say that. It's completely unnecessary." | "I wasn't going to raise this, but it has to be said that Stonewall wasn't in favour of equal marriage and they changed – and I'm very grateful they changed. It is somewhat upsetting to hear that that is his attitude. I thought we were all working together on this. I'm very surprised and disappointed to hear him say that. It's completely unnecessary." |
| Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell agreed, and added that Stonewall owed both the LGBT community and the Lib Dems an apology. | Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell agreed, and added that Stonewall owed both the LGBT community and the Lib Dems an apology. |
| "An apology would be appreciated. Stonewall does great work but the gay campaign for marriage equality faced an uphill struggle, which was made worse by Stonewall constantly undermining our efforts. Some of the arguments Ben and Stonewall put forward at the time [2010] were quoted by homophobes to justify their opposition to same-sex marriage and this was hugely damaging. | "An apology would be appreciated. Stonewall does great work but the gay campaign for marriage equality faced an uphill struggle, which was made worse by Stonewall constantly undermining our efforts. Some of the arguments Ben and Stonewall put forward at the time [2010] were quoted by homophobes to justify their opposition to same-sex marriage and this was hugely damaging. |
| "I am not a supporter of the Liberal Democrats, but on the issue of same-sex marriage the party took an early position, while Stonewall did all it could to sabotage that position. It is unbelievable really." | "I am not a supporter of the Liberal Democrats, but on the issue of same-sex marriage the party took an early position, while Stonewall did all it could to sabotage that position. It is unbelievable really." |
| Stonewall, concerned about the views of some within the LGBT community – especially some women – that marriage has long existed as a means to subjugate women, waited for some time before deciding to back gay marriage, Summerskill said. | Stonewall, concerned about the views of some within the LGBT community – especially some women – that marriage has long existed as a means to subjugate women, waited for some time before deciding to back gay marriage, Summerskill said. |
| Ruth Hunt, acting chief executive of Stonewall, said last week that it was "incredibly important" for same-sex couples in civil partnerships to "upgrade" to marriage. A legal framework to allow couples to take that step should be in place by the end of the year. | Ruth Hunt, acting chief executive of Stonewall, said last week that it was "incredibly important" for same-sex couples in civil partnerships to "upgrade" to marriage. A legal framework to allow couples to take that step should be in place by the end of the year. |
| Featherstone, who has said the introduction of gay marriage was the "happiest thing ever, both for me as a politician but also for those people who love each other and who weren't treated the same as everyone else", was the first government minister to take proposals for gay marriage in England to the Home Office – Scotland had already backed same-sex weddings. The first ceremonies will take place on 29 March . | Featherstone, who has said the introduction of gay marriage was the "happiest thing ever, both for me as a politician but also for those people who love each other and who weren't treated the same as everyone else", was the first government minister to take proposals for gay marriage in England to the Home Office – Scotland had already backed same-sex weddings. The first ceremonies will take place on 29 March . |
| People who are in civil partnerships – which has been possible since 2004 – can choose to convert their relationship to a marriage, but are under no obligation to do so. The procedure for such a conversion is expected to be in place by the end of the year. | People who are in civil partnerships – which has been possible since 2004 – can choose to convert their relationship to a marriage, but are under no obligation to do so. The procedure for such a conversion is expected to be in place by the end of the year. |
| Gay Rights: Tying the Knot? is on Radio 4 on Tuesday at 8pm |
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