Ahead of the UK General Election we are hosting an LGBTQ Election hustings on November 27th. The G-Scene News Team has written to all candidates, in all three Brighton & Hove constituencies, asking them all the same question.
We shall share their answers with you as we get them.
Today we hear from Alex Phillips, Green Party, Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
“What do you see as the challenges faced by our LGBTQ+ communities in Brighton&Hove, and how would you address them in Parliament if we elect you to represent us?”
Before becoming an MEP, I worked for Terrance Higgins Trust, lobbying Governments across the UK to implement not only comprehensive, LGBT-inclusive Relationships and Sex Education (RSE), but also for PrEP to be available on the NHS, for boys to have HPV vaccinations in schools, and for there to be ongoing review into who can and can’t donate blood.
As a member of the LGBT+ community, who chose to make Kemptown my home, where I’ve started my family, I know just how important the fostering of an inclusive community is.
In the European Parliament (EP), I sit on the LGBTI intergroup, and have worked with politicians from across the political spectrum, from across Europe. Just last week, I spoke in the EP, calling on the Polish Government to reject legislation brought before it that would criminalise the teaching of RSE. I believe passionately that RSE is essential for the creation of a positive and respectful approach towards sexuality, sexual relationships and other relationships. It empowers children and teenagers, and is a crucial and indispensable tool to transform harmful gender norms, and fight against gender-based violence, transphobia, homophobia, gender stereotypes and sexism.
In Westminster, I would continue to champion this work by working to ensure that RSE is timetabled, monitored and that schools and teachers have enough money for resources and training. This would help towards eliminating hate crimes which are rising, especially amongst the trans community, even in our so-called ´open’ city. No one should have to hide who they are.
The GScene LGBTQ+ Election Hustings. Wednesday 27th November 7 – 9pm. Dorset Gardens Methodist Church
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