OPINION FEATURE: Is Rishi Sunak's time in office a threat to members of the LGBTQ+ community?

In recent months, Britain has seen cosmic shifts in the leadership of the Conservative party, with the most recent being the ascension of Rishi Sunak – the UK’s third Prime Minister of the year.

Whilst most Brits cry out for stability in the government and want the Prime Minister title to remain in one place for a while, others fear that Sunak’s reign throws their rights into jeopardy.

Whilst Sunak’s opinions on LGBTQ+ rights have not been confirmed, as he has consistently been absent for votes on bills of rights, Sunak did alert the transgender community with transphobic comments. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Sunak said he ‘would not support the language of sex being eroded in legislation or the public sector.’ This was an alarming reference to the usage of gender-neutral terms becoming the norms in schools and other public sectors.

He also declared his desire to reform sex education within schools to ensure pupils are ‘shielded from inappropriate material’. Many members of the LGBTQ+ community have deemed this to be a declaration of erasing homosexual education within school as this has recently been established within curriculums.

Unfortunately, it is not just Sunak that the LGBTQ+ community are weary of, other members of the Prime Minister’s new established cabinet do not have the best track record with LGBTQ+ rights.

Firstly, Suella Braverman, Home Secretary, called for teachers to misgender trans pupils and force them to use a third, segregating bathroom. She also supported the idea of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda, an idea that LGBTQ+ charities have determined to be a great threat to queer asylum seekers more so than any others. Braverman’s blatant disregard for LGBTQ+ people, particularly children, throws their rights and laws into jeopardy, particularly due to her power within the party.

Therese Coffey, Environment Secretary, was one of 136 conservative MPs to vote against same-sex marriage in 2013. After being outvoted, she called for the House of Lords to step in a prevent the passing of the law. She has since said in an interview with Sky News, that her opinions haven’t shifted and that she still holds the views now that she did then. During her time as Health Secretary, she posed a larger threat to the community as she allegedly refused to act on illnesses, such as money pox, that disproportionately affected gay and bisexual men. This allegation reaffirms that she allows her personal beliefs to infiltrate her efficacy when fulfilling her governmental role.

Much like Therese Coffey, Ben Wallace, Defence Secretary, also voted against gay marriage in 2013 and made it clear that his view has also not changed by tweeting that ‘not agreeing with same-sex marriage is not homophobic.’ He also declared that allowing gay men in the army will create a ‘sexual friction’ and said only female soldiers should be allowed to wear makeup. This makes a step back in gay rights feel imminent as he could remove the right for gay people to serve in the military –a right the community was afforded more than 22 years ago.

James Cleverly, Foreign Secretary, was met with criticism just 24 hours after he was appointed to his new role. He stated that LGBTQ+ football fans at the world cup should ‘compromise’ on Qatar’s law that gay men should be imprisoned or even killed due to their sexual orientation. He told gay fans not to protest against the law and to ‘respect’ the laws of the host country. Many people are disgusted that the foreign secretary has not declared his objection to the homophobic stance from this middle Eastern country, and fear that his concession is a manifestation of agreement.

Kemi Badenoch has been appointed the minister of women and equalities alongside her role as international trade secretary. This has frightened many trans people as Badenoch has previously been heard calling trans women, ‘men using women’s bathrooms’, and has expressed a feeling of ‘empowerment’ at her ability to push back against trans rights. As equalities minister, she has a large sway over LGBTQ+ rights. This is obviously terrifying for members of the transgender community as the minister that is supposed to fight for their equality is actually fighting against it.

Nadhim Zawahi has succeeded as the Conservative Party Chairman. However, during his leadership bid, Zawahi stated he wanted to protect young people from ‘damaging and inappropriate nonsense’, arousing fears that, if he won, he would reinstate Section 28 – a law brought in by Thatcher’s government prohibiting the promotion of LGBTQ+ laws and rights within schools and local authorities.

There is overwhelming evidence that the newest Conservative cabinet is infiltrated with

homophobic and transphobic members. Worryingly, those with the most power appear to be the most discriminatory.

As people celebrate the diversified culture of Parliament, due to Sunak being the first non-white Prime Minister, we have to re-evaluate the true definition of diversity and question is Rishi Sunak’s cabinet really diverse? Or is it just multi-cultural?

Edited by Caitlin Hart