PM praises Tory LGBT record, and pledges to do more

Same-sex marriage is evidence of the ‘progress’ the UK has made on LGBT rights, but “more must be done”, the Prime Minister has declared.

In her wide-ranging remarks, Theresa May suggested the Church of England should embrace gay marriage, backed introducing it in Northern Ireland and also said changes on transsexualism laws were imminent.

She praised David Cameron for ‘delivering same-sex marriage’ in England and Wales and expressed pride in her own LGBT record.

Rejected

Discussing the Conservatives’ parliamentary arrangement with the DUP, she maintained that the position “does nothing to weaken” her Party’s support for the LGBT agenda.

“We will continue to push forward, to enhance LGBT rights and we’re pleased with what we’ve been able to do so far, and we want to do more”, she said.

Although the PM conceded that marriage law was “a matter for the devolved government of Northern Ireland”, she also said same-sex marriage ought to be introduced.

Stormont has debated the issue five times in recent years, on each occasion the proposal was stopped.

‘Reflect’

The Prime Minister also suggested that the Church of England should support same-sex marriage.

Currently all C of E marriages are between one man and one woman, and while Mrs May said it was a “matter for the Church”, she said, “obviously they will want to reflect as attitudes will generally change as society changes”.

On transsexualism, the Prime Minister spoke of an upcoming announcement on changes to the Gender Recognition Act – something which Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke of favourably earlier this week.

‘Self-identify’

Mr Corbyn said transsexuals should be able to simply “self-identify their gender” rather than discussing their condition with a doctor.

But The Christian Institute said: “Gender dysphoria is a psychological condition. People who believe they are trapped in the wrong body need patient help to come to terms with reality.”