LGBT+ Conservatives

LGBT+ Conservatives is an organisation for LGBT conservatism in the United Kingdom.[1] It is affiliated and is the official LGBT wing of the Conservative Party. The current advocacy group can trace its roots back to the Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality which was later renamed the Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality. The group was eventually disbanded and the new LGBTory group was formed, changing its name in 2016[2] to LGBT+ Conservatives.

This article is about the LGBT wing of the British Conservative Party. For the conservative socio-political movement, see LGBT conservatism.

LGBT+ Conservatives
ChairmanLuke Robert Black
Founded2006
Preceded by
HeadquartersConservative Campaign HQ
4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9HQ, England
IdeologyLGBT conservatism
Economic liberalism
British unionism
PositionCentre-right
National affiliationConservative Party
Slogan"The LGBT Conservative Group"
Websitelgbtconservatives.org.uk
Part of a series on
LGBT rights
in the United Kingdom
The Union Flag
By location
United Kingdom
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Crown dependencies
Guernsey
Jersey
Isle of Man
Overseas Territories
Anguilla
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Montserrat
Pitcairn Islands
Saint Helena, Ascension and
Tristan da Cunha
Turks and Caicos Islands
Same-sex marriage by territory
United Kingdom
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Guernsey
Jersey
Isle of Man
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Bermuda
British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory
Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Pitcairn Islands
Saint Helena, Ascension and
Tristan da Cunha
South Georgia and the
South Sandwich Islands
Policy aspects
Sexual orientation
Gender identity, sex and intersex
Legislation
Criminality
Protection and recognition
Litigation
Culture
By city
Gay villages
Gay male
Organisations
LGBT advocacy & support
Pride events
Former groups
History
Topics
Timeline
342 MSM activity made illegal
1533 Death penalty introduced for MSM activity
1543 Buggery Act extended to Wales
1828 Offences Against the Person Act 1828
1835 James Pratt and John Smith executed
1861 Death penalty for buggery abolished
1885 Labouchere Amendment introduced
1889 Cleveland Street scandal
1895 Oscar Wilde found guilty of gross indecency
1912 The Cave of the Golden Calf opens
1921 Plans to make lesbian activity illegal defeated
1936 Mark Weston transitions
1952 John Nott-Bower begins crackdown
1954 Pitt-Rivers, Montagu, Wildeblood imprisoned
1954 Alan Turing commits suicide
1957 Wolfenden report released
1967 MSM activity made legal (England & Wales)
1972 First British Gay Pride Rally
1976 Jeremy Thorpe resigns as Liberal leader
1981 MSM activity made legal (Scotland)
1981 First case of AIDS reported in the UK
1982 MSM activity made legal (NI)
1983 Gay men barred from donating blood
1984 Chris Smith elected as first openly gay MP
1987 Operation Spanner begins
1988 Section 28 comes into force
1989 Stonewall UK forms
1994 Age of consent for MSM becomes 18
1997 Angela Eagle becomes first openly lesbian MP
1998 Bolton 7 found guilty
1998 Lord Alli becomes first openly gay Lord
1999 Admiral Duncan bombing
2000 Gay men allowed in HM Armed Forces
2001 Age of consent equalised to 16
2001 MSM activity involving multiple men legal
2002 Same sex couples granted equal rights to adopt
2003 Section 28 repealed
2004 Civil partnerships introduced
2004 Gender Recognition Act 2004
2006 Discrimination made illegal
2008 Equalised access to IVF for lesbian couples
2008 Incitement to homophobic hatred made a crime
2009 Public apology to Alan Turing
2010 Equality Act 2010
2011 Gay men allowed to donate blood (1 yr deferral)
2013 Nikki Sinclaire becomes first openly trans MEP
2013 Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013
2014 First same-sex marriages take place
2016 MSM activity not grounds for military discharge
2017 Turing law implemented
2017 Blood donation deferral 3 months (excl. NI)
2019 MPs legislate for gay marriage in NI
2020 Gay marriage legal across UK, incl. NI
2020 Blood donation deferral 3 months (incl. NI)
2021 Blood donation deferral equalised
 LGBT portal

The group campaigns for LGBT rights alongside the main political beliefs and policies of the Conservative Party, which it promotes within the Party, LGBT community, and wider public. Besides this LGBT+ Conservatives campaigns for LGBT candidates,[3][4][5] including through its Candidates' Fund[6] and attends Pride events across the country.[7][8][9] It also organises events related to LGBT rights[10][11] including an annual event with Stonewall at Conservative Party Conference.[12][13] Since its early formation, the organisation has had an impact nationally, within Europe and globally becoming the model and inspiration for LGBTory and alike groups in Australia and Canada.[14][15]

Activity
LGBT+ Conservative members at Pride London
The LGBT+ Conservatives' after a hustings event with Susan Hall AM, Emma Best AM and Mozammel Hossain KC.

LGBT+ Conservatives has been present at social meet ups, meals and drinks and Pride events across the country.[16] LGBT+ Conservatives host many fundraising events across the UK, and Parliamentary receptions in The Palace of Westminster for members of both the House of Lords and House of Commons. LGBT+ Conservatives' officers also represented the organisation at the then-Prime Minister Theresa May's LGBT Downing Street garden reception.[17]

After the 2017 general election, the group's then-chair Matthew Green was critical of the Democratic Unionist Party, describing the DUP's record on LGBT issues as "appalling".[18] This followed May's announcement that she intended to form a minority government with the DUP. As a result of the hung Parliament arising from the election, May's Conservatives did not have an overall majority, so were reliant on DUP support to govern. The Conservative-DUP agreement was finalised several weeks later, and lasted until Parliament was dissolved in November 2019.

In 2018, the official LGBT+ Conservative account posted a tweet denouncing the views of Conservative MP David Davies on trans people. It later apologised for the tone of the tweet.[19]

In 2021, the Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson's wife Carrie Johnson spoke at the group's yearly Pride Reception in a rare public intervention.[20] Described by Chairwoman Elena Bunbury as a "longstanding ally"[21] and "a good sport to LGBT+ Conservatives",[22] Mrs Johnson's speech was widely reported in both UK and international press. This was the first intervention at a party conference by the spouse of a Prime Minister since Gordon Brown's wife Sarah Brown spoke at the Labour party conference.[23] Mrs Johnson told a 100-strong audience including the Prime Minister Boris, his sister Rachel Johnson, his father Stanley Johnson and the Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, that the Prime Minister was committed to LGBT rights.[24]

In 2023, the group celebrated ten years since the passing of the Conservative Party's Same-Sex Marriage Act, by hosting a drinks reception[25] with former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron who has cited it several times as one of his proudest achievements in office.[26][27][28] The event was also attended by Baroness Stowell, who was the Leader of the House of Lords at the time and responsible for seeing the Same-Sex Marriage Act's passage through the House of Lords.[29] Famed for opening the debate with a joke about her love for George Clooney,[30] Baroness Stowell is cited by many within the LGBT+ Conservatives as a key force behind getting the bill through the House of Lords.

In 2023, the group partnered with a UK media company, Tiny White Fox,[31] to develop a new weekly podcast on LGBT+ current affairs called Never Kissed A Tory hosted by Joe Wilmot, Albie Amankona and Luke Robert Black.[32]

Fund

LGBT+ Conservatives group disburse campaign funds in support of LGBT+ candidates.[33]

Chairmanship
  • 2007–2008: Anastasia Beaumont–Bott[34]
  • 2008–2009: Edward Butler–Ellis
  • 2009–2013: Matthew Sephton[35]
  • 2013–2017: Colm Howard–Lloyd[36]
  • 2017–2018: Matthew Green[37] - Resigned 14 May 2018[38]
  • 2018–2019: John Cope [38]
  • 2019–2020: Colm Howard-Lloyd[39]
  • 2020–2023: Elena Bunbury[40]
  • 2023-present: Luke Robert Black[41]

Patrons

LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Commons:[42]

LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Lords:[43]

LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in Holyrood:[44]

LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the London Assembly:[45]

LGBT+ Conservatives patrons who are regional metro mayors:[46]

Awards

The LGBT+ Conservatives started giving out awards to UK parliamentarians and LGBT+ Conservatives' Executive and council members in 2022.

Prospective candidates for an award are shortlisted by the LGBT+ Conservatives' Executive. Once shortlisted, the members of the LGBT+ Conservatives vote for their preferred winner.[47]

Traditionally, the Awards are announced at the Pride Reception, which the LGBT+ Conservatives has held jointly with the UK LGBT charity Stonewall at Conservative Party Conference.

YearPatron of the YearAlly of the YearCouncil Member of the Year
2022Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links[48]Penny Mordaunt MP[49]Luke Robert Black[50]
2023Stuart Andrew MP[51]Penny Mordaunt MP[52]Albie Amankona[53]
2024To be confirmedTo be confirmedTo be confirmed

See also

References
  1. "About Us". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  2. "LGBTory - Proposed change of name". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  3. "Campaign Day for Stuart Andrew". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  4. "Campaigning for Mike Freer MP in Finchley". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  5. "LGBTory Autumn Newsletter 2014" (PDF). LGBTory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  6. "LGBTory launches Candidates' Fund". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  7. Blackhurst, Rob (1 August 2008). "A Rhapsody in Blue". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  8. "LGBTory at Pride in London". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  9. "Reading Pride". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  10. "Conservative responses to the persecution of LGBTI people around the World". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  11. "What should the next government's agenda for international LGBT rights be?". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  12. "What Matters to LGBT Voters". LGBTory. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  13. "Conservative Party Conference Fringe Meeting". LGBTory. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  14. "The 'T' in LGBTory represents Trans AND Tory". Policies. LGBTory. 15 May 2016. Archived from the original on 15 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2017. LGBTory was founded in 2015 by a group of Toronto Conservatives who wanted to be a presence at the Toronto Pride parade... When casting about for a name for our new group, we found a similar organization in the UK called LGBTory.
  15. Pride, Liberal. "Liberal Pride". Liberal Pride. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  16. "Conservative gay group launched at Manchester Pride". Pink News. 1 September 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
  17. "Matthew Green: Our new Prime Minister will build a better Britain for LGBT people". Conservative Home. 24 July 2016. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  18. "Conservative LGBT activists raise fears over DUP's 'appalling' record on gay rights". The Independent. 10 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  19. "Tory LGBT group sorry over tweet to David Davies". BBC News. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  20. "Carrie Johnson to give speech on LGBT+ rights at Conservative Party conference". The Independent. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  21. "Carrie Johnson to give speech on LGBT+ rights at Conservative Party conference". The Independent. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  22. "Carrie Johnson to give speech on LGBT+ rights at Conservative Party conference". The Independent. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  23. "Carrie Johnson says Boris is looking at 'extending' gay rights". The Telegraph. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  24. "Carrie Johnson says Boris is looking at 'extending' gay rights". The Telegraph. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
  25. "David Cameron shines at gay marriage reception". The Spectator. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  26. "Introducing gay marriage one of my proudest moments: former PM David Cameron". ITV News. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  27. "Gay pride? Of course I have gay pride!". The Independent. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  28. "Introducing gay marriage one of my 'proudest moments'". Pink News. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  29. "Baroness Stowell introduces Equal Marriage Bill to the Lords". The LGBT+ Conservatives. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  30. "Tory Baroness Stowell opens equal marriage debate with a joke about her love of George Clooney". Pink News. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  31. "White Tiny Fox, a UK-based media company". White Tiny Fox. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  32. "The LGBT+ Conservatives announce their new podcast, Never Kissed a Tory". Twitter. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  33. "Yorkshire Tory wrongly described as 'openly gay' after mistaken application to LGBT+ fund". The Yorkshire Post. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  34. Blackhurst, Rob (1 August 2008). "A Rhapsody in Blue". Financial Times. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  35. "LGBTory Chairman Matthew Sephton steps down from post". Pink News. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  36. "Colm Howard-Lloyd". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  37. "Stonewall at the Conservative Party Conference". Stonewall. 23 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  38. "Appointment of an Interim Chairman". us5.campaign-archive.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  39. "Meet Our New Chairman". Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  40. "LGBT+ Conservatives on Twitter: "Congratulations and thanks to everyone that took part in our elections. Your team for 2020/21 are: Chair - @elena_bunbury Deputy Chair - @john_cope Hon Treasurer - @seananstee VC Membership - @mcdooglies VC Outreach - @JoePorterUK VC Candidates' Fund - Scott Seaman-Digby"". Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  41. "LGBT+ Conservatives Election 2023 Results". Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  42. "LGBT+ Conservative Patrons". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  43. "LGBT+ Conservative Patrons". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  44. "LGBT+ Conservative Patrons". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  45. "LGBT+ Conservative Patrons". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  46. "LGBT+ Conservative Patrons". LGBT+ Conservatives. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  47. "LGBT+ Conservatives Awards 2022". Twitter. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  48. "LGBT+ Conservatives Awards 2022". Twitter. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  49. "Penny Mordaunt MP announces her award on her official Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  50. "LGBT+ Conservatives Awards 2022". Twitter. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  51. "Press Release: the Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP wins the LGBT+ Conservatives 'Patron of the Year 2023'". Twitter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  52. "Press Release: the Rt. Hon. Penny Mordaunt MP wins the LGBT+ Conservatives 'Ally of the Year 2023'". Twitter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  53. "Press Release: Albie Amankona wins the LGBT+ Conservatives 'Council Member of the Year 2023'". Twitter. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
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