As part of Labour’s pledge to create a more equal society, we will continue to protect and extend the rights and freedoms of the LGBT community.

While celebrating hard-fought gains championed by Labour, we understand there is work still to be done. We continue to fight to ensure that no LGBT young person or adult is held back or discriminated against because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Three key areas have been identified by Labour, each of which impact on the LGBT community in Basingstoke: Education, Health & Wellbeing and Justice.

Education to drive LGBT equality

Labour will focus on education to drive acceptance and understanding. Initiatives must start in our schools – where too many of our LGBT youth are still subjected to bullying. This will involve inclusive age-appropriate Sex & Relationship education in all state-funded schools. In addition, Labour will support and equip teachers in the difficult task of tackling LGBT-related bullying.

Health & Wellbeing

Every individual has a right to have their healthcare needs met within our NHS, and for the wellbeing of all groups to be considered equally. There are still some areas that impact on our

LGBT community more than any other, where improvements could be made, including the reduction of waiting times for access to hormone treatment. As with our teachers, Labour will champion and support health professionals to develop best practice surrounding gender identity treatments, and attitudes towards LGBT people generally.  England is lagging behind Scotland in the provision of the anti-HIV drug PrEP. Labour will work towards the universal provision of the drug to those who need it across the UK.

Justice

Labour will improve justice for the LGBT community in three important ways:

• Firstly, we will include gender identity as a protected characteristic within the Equality Act, increasing and broadening current protection.
• Secondly, Labour will extend the anti-discriminatory law to make LGBT hate-crime an aggravated offence, in line with other hate crimes.
• Finally, Labour will support our police forces in tackling LGBT hate crime, by putting in place mandatory training.

Importantly, Labour will not limit its championing of LGBT rights to the UK. Many of us are increasingly concerned by the terrible treatment of the LGBT communities in places like Chechnya.  Labour will create an international LGBT envoy to promote and encourage equality across the world, and to speak out against violence and discrimination.

Basingstoke Labour Party and all Labour Councillors support the Pride 245 Organisation and their aims to promote equality and celebrate the best of LGBT+ across the borough of Basingstoke and Deane.

More information on what Labour will do for equality and LGBT rights can be found in the Manifesto.