Labour Party mayoral candidate Diane Abbott MP reveals policy proposals targeting London’s LGBT communities.
Ms. Abbott is critical of Boris Johnson, saying he has consistently let down the LGBT communities in London and has missed the opportunity to play a key role in positively shaping policy affecting LGBT Londoners.
She believes that London should remain proud to be a city associated with personal freedom where every individual can live their lives with dignity and respect, but warned against backward steps in recent years.
As Mayor she would take the immediate step of appointing an LGBT adviser to City Hall and commence work on tackling issues ranging from LGBT homelessness, the continued closure of LGBT community institutions, to issues associated with LGBT health on a pan-London level.
Ms Abbott, said: “Over half of the UK’s LGBT population lives in London and Brighton and this inclusivity is part of what makes our city great. But Boris Johnson has let down LGBT Londoners down by ignoring their issues and failing to establish a good relationship with the community. I believe that the Mayor has an opportunity play an essential role in standing up for LGBT Londoners against all forms of discrimination, against the closure of venues, and in tackling the scandal of LGBT homelessness. I plan to be the Mayor for each and every Londoner.”
Here is the policy proposal in full:
♦ Housing and homelessness: I will build more affordable homes, cap rents and take action against exploitative social landlords; I will also work to tackle the scandal of LGBT youth homelessness and support LGBT & LGBT – inclusive housing options e.g. supported and sheltered housing and co-operatives
♦ Travel and transport: I will freeze London tube, rail and bus fares for four years. I will also review safety at night for London tube and rail stations, with a focus on LGBT people, women, disabled and young people. Wherever possible, I will then work with partners to make changes to stations that fall short.
♦ World-class Pride celebrations: I will continue to support for diverse Pride celebrations across the capital, including ongoing funding for the main Pride event in the capital.
♦ LGBT community institutions: I will do everything within my power to keep historic LGBT venues like the RVT, Joiners Arms and The Black Cap open and to support LGBT businesses across London.
♦ Zero tolerance of anti-LGBT hate crime: Unlike Boris, I will work closely with the Met to deliver joined-up, pan-London work that implements best practice in responding to, monitoring, reporting and publishing data on anti-LGBT hate crime and domestic violence. I will also work to tackle low-level harassment and abuse, which can lead to more violent attacks.
♦ Zero tolerance of bullying in schools: I will work with partners to tackle homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in London’s primary and secondary schools; campaign for sex and relationships education to include LGBT people and support counsellors with LGBT expertise working in schools.
Leadership on LGBT Health:
♦ HIV and sexual health: I will defend the pan-London HIV Prevention programme and HIV support services; commit London to becoming a HIV stigma-free city; sign London up to the UNAIDS Fast-Track Cities programme; lobby local authorities to commission HIV testing outside sexual health clinics in areas of high prevalence and campaign for quick introduction of PrEP to those who need and want it in the capital.
♦ LGBT mental health: I will campaign for greater counseling and therapy provision across London for LGBT people.
♦ Supporting older LGBT people: I will develop a training package for older peoples’ services including sheltered housing and residential care, about the needs of older LGBT people.
♦ LGBT arts and culture: I will support and promote LGBT-specific events and festivals such as Flare: London’s LGBT Film Festival, LGBT History Month and GFEST. I will also encourage cultural institutions and museums to increase integration of LGBT work and content.
♦ LGBT tourism: I will explore partnerships with other European cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona, which celebrate their LGBT communities, to share good practice and encourage tourism and investment.
♦ City Hall and the GLA as a model for LGBT equality: I will appoint an LGBT adviser; appoint an LGBT Advisory Group; re-establish an LGBT Pride Reception; establish an annual event to celebrate London’s trans community; make all GLA services more accessible for trans people and put the GLA back into the Stonewall Employer’s Index. I will not allow any advertising on Transport for London sites that discriminates against LGBT people.
♦ A Mayor Office/GLA-wide apprenticeship scheme: that specifically targets London’s diverse communities in terms of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity to give young people a helping hand and encourage businesses to do the same. It may be specifically about reviewing numbers and equalities figures for the existing schemes across the GLA family.
Training on LGBT and especially trans issues – including non-binary identified people and trans children – for frontline GLA staff: and work with local authorities to develop a good practice model for use with public sector staff across the capital (police, social workers, teachers, medical staff etc.) working with key partners.
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