The UK has made significant progress in recent
years to further equality for LGBT people. From the partial
decriminalisation of homosexuality 50 years ago to the introduction
of same-sex marriage in 2013, successive governments have made
remarkable progress in advancing equality for LGBT people.
In 2016, the Office for National Statistics
estimated that 2.5% of the UK population aged 16 or above
identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or ‘other’ (almost
1.3 million people). The Government Equalities Office estimates
that there are between 200,000 and 500,000 trans men and trans
women in the UK.
Being out and proud as a LGBT+ person is not a
life choice, being who you are is important to our overall health
and wellbeing especially our mental health, LGBT+ people
can’t help the way we were born, we can either be happy or we
can hide away and be unhappy and never reach our true potential in
life.
Representation of all communities in public
life is important for the successful delivery of balanced public
services as well as in society in general, this goes beyond gender
or from any particular ethnic background.
Equality is about people being equal and
having an equal opportunity in life. The human race is complex, how
we treat each other is not, respect and dignity should be given to
all, if you want respect you should give respect in return
regardless.
It is important that all people in a position
of influence and public office understand all the different
communities they represents & serve without which they are
unable to make informed decisions.
If your community is not represented, at all
levels in society then your community has no voice and is left
behind when it comes to commissioning public services and
legislation, as they say “nothing about us, without
us”. Its only when you are inclusive decisions and policies
work for the whole of society.
Cllr Anwen Muston
City of Wolverhampton Council