Since the 2019 General Election the UK parliament now claims the largest number of openly LGBTQ+ members than any other national legislature – but is there enough representation of this community and who paved the way?
With the 2021 census revealing that 3.1% of the UK population identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or ‘Other’ it stands to reason that we should have an equal amount of politicians representing the LGBTQ+ community in parliament.
As MerseyNewsLive celebrates the LGBTQ+ community for our ‘Loud and Proud’ themed news day, we have been looking in to some of Liverpool’s own openly LGBTQ+ politicians and their experiences throughout their political careers.
Steve Radford, Liberal party leader and Tuebrook councillor, was the first openly gay councillor in Liverpool and has been a politician for over 40 years.
Over his political career Cllr Radford has experienced backlash due to his sexuality – however, it was not always from voters but on occasion his colleagues and opposition candidates.
Cllr Radford explained that the first time he stood for re-election that his opposition from the Labour Party told people: “Remember you’re working class – don’t vote for the queers.”
I met a lot of prejudice from the very people you should least expect it from
Although the Liberal Party leader has supported LGBTQ+ causes such as establishing a pride parade in Liverpool, he makes it clear that he does not want his sexuality to define him and his career.
He said: “I met a lot of prejudice from the very people you should least expect it from.
“I’m just a gay person who happens to be a councillor, I try to avoid being pigeonholed as the gay spokesperson.”
Data released in 2017 showed that after 50 years since parliament first voted to partially decriminalise male homosexuality, 45 members of parliament openly identified as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual with LGBTQ+ members making up 6.9% of the House of Commons. More recently, after the 2019 elections that number rose to 56.
Cllr Radford added: “You could argue that we are now over-represented!”
Featured image (c) Jessica McGillivray
