Comments on: Degrees of HOMOPHOBIA in the UK vs. Malawi

By: Morag

Morag — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:54:36 +0000

I don't agree, Jane. The gay issue is definitely a sideline cover and not the real problem. As Adam says, he broke the rules and claimed money he was not only not entitled to, which was made even worse by the fact that he is a rich man. To say nothing and claim nothing would have been the wisest course of action. And yet, even through the expenses furore, he carried on claiming.

For a man who was supposed to be in charge of our finances, that is absolutely horrifying. Even now, his comments suggest that he did nothing wrong in his own eyes, only in the eyes of others.

I can't believe that David Cameron didn't ask every potential Cabinet member to examine whether there was anything hiding in their cupboards before confirming any appointments.

Of course, it also tells you a lot about the Daily Telegraph, who had the story but kept it for when it would most benefit their sales. Not much interest in turning around the country there, was there?

By: idahorner

idahorner — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:36:42 +0000

Jane, you may find this article interesting
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/ma...

By: idahorner

idahorner — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:09:35 +0000

I can't claim to be an expert on these matters and as such the purpose of my blog so that those in the know can enlighten me.

In Africa people argue that we in Britain are being hypocrites and that we are just as homophobic as they are. Is that so? I would say not to the extent of putting people in jail.

By: Jane Hatton

Jane Hatton — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 04:22:19 +0000

Well, he actually spent less than he would have done otherwise – where he “broke the rules” was by not declaring his relationship with his partner. The tax payer didn't lose out – in fact we gained – but he didn't play it by the book because he didn't want the whole world knowing his private relationships.

But even leaving his case out of it, homophobia is still rampant in Britain, albeit not at the point where gay men are automatically detained for being gay.
Twitter: evenbreak

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:18:06 +0000

He hasn't been hounded out because he's gay, he's been hounded out because he was cheating the system. The fact he was gay is neither here nor there and I find it disgusting that he thinks it is appropriate to use it as an excuse to diddle his expenses. He's done the right thing albeit too late.

Comparing Law's voluntarily standing down and two people who were sentenced for being themselves seems like a waste of time for me.

By: idahorner

idahorner — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:55:45 +0000

It is very sad to note that on the one hand we are very liberal and tolerant as a society but appear choosy when it comes to what we can tolerate.

The debate about Mr Laws continues and was a subject of today's a Week in Westminster http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00slc2k#synopsis

But as you say it could be worse if like Malawi and else where in Africa people were routinely imprisoned for being Gay

By: Jane Hatton

Jane Hatton — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:33:20 +0000

Fascinating blog, Ida – thanks!

Homophobia is wrong in any of its guises, but it is a question of degree. In this country gay couples won't be automatically imprisoned by the government for being gay, but they still face institutional racism across many areas, meaning their life opportunities are much more restricted than heterosexual people.

And gay people here still can't take for granted many of the parts of life that heterosexual people do. They can't marry in their chosen place of worship, they face the risk of bullying, discrimination or constructive dismissal (making their life unbearable) if they come out in the workplace, they face the risk of losing friends, family, respect, housing rights, equal health care, safety walking the streets, fair treatment by the justice system etc if they come out at all. Children in schools who are gay, or think they may be gay, or who other people think may be gay still face homophobic bullying in schools (mainly, surprisingly, by teachers).

So we can celebrate not living in a place where gay people are routinely imprisoned, but we still have a very long way to go.
Twitter: evenbreak