Search

Same Sex Marriage: 10 Years On

As the UK celebrates the 10-year anniversary of legalizing same sex marriage, Chamber hosted a special episode of our ‘Political Sandbox’, reflecting on this anniversary, the progress we have seen over the last ten years, and the progress we are still hoping to see. Chamber was delighted to welcome, Lynne Featherstone, the Minister for Equalities who was critical in pushing this legislation through and Paul Martin OBE, veteran LGBT+ rights campaigner and CEO of the LGBT Foundation.

Same sex marriage: looking back

Reflecting on her role in pushing for same sex marriage legislation, Lynne Featherstone acknowledged that she was standing on the shoulders of giants, including Paul Martin and the LGBTQ+ campaigners who came before her. Featherstone also recognizes the important groundwork that was laid by the previous Labour government, particularly in regards to civil partnerships.

“Labour were brilliant with civil partnerships. They were a major step forward, and I could never have done what I did, if labour hadn’t done what they did.”

Featherstone revealed her impetus for pushing ahead on same-sex marriage with such vigour: “The decision that I made to push ahead with same sex marriage was about three days into the coalition in 2010. When I decided, basically because of Michael Heseltine and Andrew Adonis and the advice they gave me, that if you want to do something when you’re a minister… then you need to drive it forward and trust your civil servants.”

Reflecting on this time, Paul Martin acknowledged that, just as there was a political split, there was a split that existed among LGBT+ rights organisations at the time: “some of the LGBT organisations were not necessarily in favour, and I remember being in some very difficult meetings where some organisations who you would assume would be pro and would be for same-sex marriage, were actually against or at best ambivalent… so it took some time for the LGBT+ community to coalesce around a specific forward strategy.”

Lynne Featherstone, Paul Martin and Ben Howlett discuss same-sex marriage
Left to Right: Baroness Lynne Featherstone, Paul Martin OBE, Ben Howlett

LGBT+ rights today

Martin was keen to note however, a key difference between the cross-party support for same-sex marriage ten years ago, and the current political climate.

“The difference between then and now is that actually, you had a Minister for Equalities that stood up and faced off the bullies… you had some conviction politics there, we built up a broader coalition… but also, we had cross-party support in the main… what we don’t have now, is any leader of any political party, apart from Nicola Sturgeon… that is standing up and unequivocally saying pro-trans statements… Could I name any member of the cabinet who would be standing up and playing the role that Lynne and Theresa May did? And I can’t,” says Martin.

Final Thought

As we end LGBT+ history month it is important that advocates and activists in the UK look back and reflect on the lessons learnt in the gradual move towards greater LGBT+ equality. The same sex marriage example has a lot to teach us, and as many in the sector feel LGBT+ rights have been backsliding in recent years, Paul Martin was keen to stress the key takeaways from ten years ago:

“The reality is, that it does get better. So some of the debates around the age of consent, some of the horrific bile that was put out about LGBT+ people being parents and being able to foster and adopt, to operate in the armed forces, actually, every single one of those steps forward have been really hard fought and won. And they’ve only been won by building together coalitions, and having people that are senior enough in the establishment, speaking out. That’s the big thing that is missing, is having somebody who stands up and goes, ‘I am prepared to be counted on this issue’.”

These calls for true leadership in government on LGBT+ issues are not new, however they have in recent years been falling on deaf ears, with the abandonment of the LGBT Action Plan when Liz Truss was Minister for Equalities, and the continued delays to a ban on conversion therapy. However, with a potential change of government coming in the next 18 months, now is not the time to let up.

Share

Related Topics

Latest

Trump’s Ukraine Deal: What It Means for the UK

Donald Trump’s latest diplomatic manoeuvres have sent shockwaves through Europe. With plans for direct peace talks with Vladimir Putin, the former US president appears willing to push Ukraine into territorial concessions. But what does this mean for the UK? From military strategy to diplomatic alliances, Britain now faces a critical test of its role in European security. With NATO unity at stake and Ukraine’s sovereignty hanging by a thread, the UK must decide whether to step up or risk being sidelined.

Labour’s £350 Million Housing Boost: Will It Solve the Crisis?

Labour has announced a £350 million investment to boost affordable housing and tackle rogue landlords. Sir Keir Starmer, in Buckinghamshire, unveiled plans for 100 new towns, calling it the largest housebuilding drive since the post-war era. While welcomed, concerns remain over planning and labour shortages. Will this be a true housing revolution or just a temporary fix?

Video Features

Health and Social Care Reforms: Facing the Challenges, Building the Future

Revolutionising Healthcare Diagnostics: A Call to Arms

NHS & Life Sciences: Harnessing Innovation For Global Health

Screening and Diagnostics: Advancing the Frontiers of Healthcare

Subscribe to our newsletter for your free digital copy of the journal!

Receive our latest insights, future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Never miss an issue by subcribing to our newsletter!

Receive our latest insights and all future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Never miss an issue by subcribing to our newsletter!

Receive our latest insights and all future journals as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Newsletter Signup

Receive our latest insights as soon as they are published and get invited to our exclusive events and webinars.

Newsletter Signups
?
?

We respect your privacy and will not share your email address with any third party. Your personal data will be collected and handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.