PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

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PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Blakesley »

Is now the right time to repeal Section 28?
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Alex Cardigan »

Tony Benn, in the parliamentary debate on Section 28 back in 1988, one I remember well, albeit from the rafters rather than the benches, said that "if the sense of the word "promote" can be read across from "describe", every murder play promotes murder, every war play promotes war, every drama involving the eternal triangle promotes adultery". He was one of few progressives to put his head above the parapet and make such an eloquent and accurate criticism. That speech holds up, against the innate absurdity of the legislation being nodded through by Thatcher's government, and shames those who weak-wristedly opposed the introduction of Section 28, when more political courage was required from liberally-minded parliamentarians.

That shame is something we must carry. Ultimately, though, our failure then allowed the grass shoots of a mainstream gay rights movement to form. We now have a far more welcoming and tolerant society. To have been an MP in 1988 and spoken out on behalf of gay rights would have provoked some real outrage. Nowadays, right-wing tabloids may lazily moan, and one may get some angry letters from a radical minority of constituents, but we are a better society for being more accepting.

So yes, now is the right time to repeal Section 28. But there was never a right time to have such a barbaric law on the books.
The Rt Hon. Alexander Simon "Alex" Cardigan MP
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Andy Edwards »

It's absolutely the right time to repeal Section 28. It was a poorly written legislative position and it was one that unfairly targeted a group of people in this country who did nothing but try to exist and try to love. And it's been used as a legal shield and cudgel in order to target and attack homosexuals as predators.

There is no promoting homosexuality, just as there is no promoting heterosexuality. All Section 28 does is allow those who want to attack people who are different free reign to do so. It makes those who are homosexual feel lesser, and it diminishes the rights of those who we live and work with each and every day. There's no valid argument to diminishing the civil rights of teachers who wish to teach the truth- or to those who want to help and provide support to homosexuals who just want to live and love along with the rest of us.

The Leader of the Opposition gave a speech in defense of civil liberties and the right to speak. The repeal of Section 28 is very much needed to free up speech and to promote civil liberties. There's no other way to have this, and I look forward to speaking in favor of and voting for this Government proposal that will rightfully undo a very bad law.
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Sir Jack Anderson »

I understand that this move may be concerning for some parents out there. I think we need to make this discussion one that focuses on the safety of children first, and we know Section 28 has long been an ineffective and outdated law that has, at times, compromised that. It has prevented teachers from effectively tackling bullying and from discussing health related topics that may be beneficial for some children.

Britain's brilliant teachers aren't just there to teach, but they are often crucial mentors who provide guidance. As difficult as some sensitive topics are, I trust teachers to navigate sensitive topics in a way that is helpful for children without being morally offensive. The Leader of the Opposition said it best: when it comes to a child's education, there's no better expert than a teacher. It is time we respect that, and get rid of this onerous legislation.
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by CWard »

It is shameful for us to have discriminatory laws on our books. While Thatcher and Major governments were content and pushed this law through, it will be this government to end it. I think when it comes to this it’s actually the Leader of
The Opposition who should get the credit with the quote,”People should be free to do what they please, insofar as they're not hurting other people or society at large.” May I suggest the Tories follow the leader and declare that under the law, every citizen should have equal treatment.
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Ege »

It shall never be the time to allowing parliament to pass pervert's charter and let immorality seep into our children. We have to protect our children. I do not care what sort of immorality goes in the bedroom of adults but this immorality has no place in public life and it never shall. Repealing Section 28 is gateway drug to homosexuality and immorality in our children.
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Fred Sackville-Bagg »

There is, and never, will be a right time to repeal Section 28. Over the last ten or twenty years, society may have become more accepting of homosexuals - but only when this is behind closed doors, so to speak. We know that, no matter what laws are put in place, we will not prevent homosexuals from fornicating, however we can prevent our children from being corrupted.

Section 28 is the last bastion against moral degeneracy in our children. Without it we will have morally corrupt children who think it is fine to be "gay". That will only be the start. Once Section 28 is repealed - a deluge of moral disorder will ensue. The Labour Party are like greyhounds, straining in the slips - ready to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of immorality.

Once Section 28 is gone, Labour will move to attack the traditional family. One minute it will be repealing Section 28, the next they will want homosexual marriages to take place, and for homosexuals to adopt children and raise a family - we must prevent this from becoming a reality!
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Andy Edwards »

This legislation isn't about homosexual marriages or about letting them adopt families- this is absurdist talk from a silly Conservative backbencher who needs to have a meeting with his leader who just said, in New York City, that we should allow for free speech and not stifle those who want to be honest about homosexuality. The Leader of the Opposition mentioned that free speech was under threat. But it's clear from their desire to enforce a code of silence on homosexuality that the greatest threat is from the Conservatives.

Repealing Section 28 allows for us to have open, honest dialogues about homosexuality. It allows teachers and community leaders to offer support to those who might be struggling with their identity and just need help rather than to be silenced and bullied. That's what this legislation is here for- not to promote homosexuality or try to convert children. The Government's proposal on Section 28 repeal aims just to have an open conversation- and it's Tory backbenchers who are trying to silence and stifle this conversation. Mr. Croft better heed his own words in New York and make sure his party understands he means what he says.
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Clarice Ashbridge »

Section 28 is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by those who are seeking to push their own agenda in the face of opposition from the vast majority of people who want only the best for their children. It does not prevent teachers in schools in any way from discussing homosexuality. It is possible to discuss a homosexuality, to discuss the AIDS crisis and the ramifications of a homosexual lifestyle in a way that is not promoting it. After all, is it not possible for English teachers to teach "The Great Gatsby" without endorsing the decadence of Mr Gatsby? For history teachers to discuss the Golden Twenties in Berlin without promoting prostitution and transvestism? Section 28 exists to allow children to learn about homosexuality in a balanced way, and to prevent situations like we saw in the 1980s, where titles like "The Playbook for Kids about Sex" were promoted in councils infiltrated by militant activists.

Ultimately, the most important thing here for the families that this will affect is the protection of their children. This government has often claimed that they pride themselves on consulting those involved when making decisions, that they will talk to all stakeholders involved. This cannot be the case in this instance. From the 88% of Scots who voted against repeal last year in a nationwide poll, to the 65% of Brits who oppose repeal, to the 16% swing the Scottish Conservatives took in Ayr at the height of the campaign in Scotland: it is clear that parents do not want the likes of Peter Tatchell teaching their kids the ins and outs of homosexuality. That is why the Conservatives will always stand up for the rights of parents to decide what their children are taught, rather than having an anti-family agenda imposed on them by a government that has left our children behind.
The Hon. Clarice Ashbridge MP, Lady Ashbridge
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Re: PC 8: Section 28 Repeal

Post by Rebecca Flair »

I find it distinctly ironic that the party that literally had MPs killed by unsafe sex and extramarital affairs less than a decade ago would lecture anyone about morality in the 21st Century. The Leader of the Opposition literally travelled to America to discuss the importance of freedom of speech and then in his next breath upon returning to the United Kingdom seeks to forbid any discussion on the subject of homosexuality. Personal prejudice is no way to dictate government policy so I support the Government in seeking to overturn the bigoted and extreme Section 28 from our statute books.
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MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale 2010 - Present

Leader of the Liberal Democrats 2015 - Present
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