Matt Irish to stand in Goldsmid ward for the Labour Party in next years Council elections.
Matt blogs about being an LGBT candidate and what he has experienced so far when meeting residents.
He says: “Since being selected to represent Labour as a candidate in the council elections next year, I’ve been asked several times what being an LGBT candidate means to me.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m standing on the shoulders of many inspirational people who have put themselves on the line (and sometimes at considerable physical risk) to stand up for the right to be treated as equals.
“I grew up in the 1980s and 90s when times were less tolerant – particularly in the rural community that I left for university. Had I grown up in a more tolerant time, I might never have migrated to Brighton & Hove in 1997 – a place I now call home after being accepted by the community. Back then Brighton and Hove were run as two separate council areas – we are now one city under one administration. An administration I would very much like to see return to the Labour party.
He continues: “I’ve decided to stand for Brighton & Hove City Council to give something back to the city I’ve called home for over 18 years by serving as a local councillor.
“I’ve already done a fair bit of community work – supporting the worthwhile work of the THT which helps people in the city living with HIV, working with Stonewall in my role as a workplace equalities representative with Unite the Union and various other community projects in which I have had the pleasure to be involved over the years.
“It’s a little daunting to step out from relative anonymity to stand for an elected position – but when I saw the fantastic team of people who (subject to election!) are hoping to look after the interests of everyone who lives and works in our city, my concerns melted away.
“I’m standing for election because, like many other residents in our city, I’m also a little sad at how things have turned out with our Green led council. I feel sad when I see great achievements eroded.
“Brighton & Hove City Council once ranked in the Top 10 of Stonewall’s annual equality index of employers. Now it has dropped out of the index altogether. How embarrassing for a city that prides itself on its commitment to diversity. I’m also sad when I think of the hope voters had in the Green party to deliver something different in the 2011 election.
“Unlike many other places in the UK, our residents were open-minded enough to try something that they felt broke from the usual mould of councils led by mainstream parties and elected a minority Green administration.
“Back in 2011 there was an expectation the Greens would deliver something new – now all I hear on the doorstep is disappointment in their failure to deliver anything of significance and a belief that getting even this basics right is something that has proved a little too difficult in many areas.
“So what does being an LGBT candidate mean for me? Simple. Not being defined as an LGBT candidate but instead for what I believe in and stand for.
“Society had made massive leaps in accepting LGBT people as being equal, with sexual orientation not being the defining point of difference. Much of this step change happened under a Labour government and I remain convinced that had Labour not made bold but important changes to many areas of legislation covering LGBT rights, the coalition would not have taken their recent steps to push equal marriage into law.
“In the next year I hope to convince the people of Goldsmid that a vote for me and my fellow Labour candidates is one that will help get the city back on its feet.”
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