LGBT+ Conservatives
{{Short description|LGBT+ wing of the British Conservative Party}}
{{about|the LGBT wing of the British Conservative Party|the conservative socio-political movement|LGBT conservatism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{independent sources|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox LGBT party wing
| logo = LGBT+ Conservatives logo.svg
| president =
| chairman = Luke Robert Black
| colorcode = {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| founded = 2006
| preceded by = *Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality
| national = Conservative Party
| wing1_title =
| wing1 =
| international =
| european =
| slogan = "The LGBT Conservative Group"
| ideology = LGBT conservatism
Economic liberalism
British unionism
| position = Centre-right
| headquarters = Conservative Campaign HQ
{{mf-adr |street=4 Matthew Parker Street |city=London |pocode=SW1H 9HQ |nation=England}}
| website = [https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/ lgbtconservatives.org.uk]
}}
{{LGBT rights in the United Kingdom sidebar|support groups}}
LGBT+ Conservatives is an organisation for LGBT conservatism in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/about-us|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174402/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/about-us|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}} It 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{{cite web|title=LGBTory - Proposed change of name|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/lgbtory-proposed-change-name|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174458/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/lgbtory-proposed-change-name|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}} to LGBT+ Conservatives.
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,{{cite web|title=Campaign Day for Stuart Andrew|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/campaign-day-stuart-andrew-mp|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174254/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/campaign-day-stuart-andrew-mp|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Campaigning for Mike Freer MP in Finchley|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/campaigning-mike-freer-mp-finchley|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174256/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/campaigning-mike-freer-mp-finchley|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=LGBTory Autumn Newsletter 2014|url=http://www.lgbtory.co.uk/sites/www.lgbtory.co.uk/files/autumn_2014.pdf|website=LGBTory|access-date=2015-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222140513/http://www.lgbtory.co.uk/sites/www.lgbtory.co.uk/files/autumn_2014.pdf#|archive-date=2015-02-22|url-status=dead}} including through its Candidates' Fund{{cite web|title=LGBTory launches Candidates' Fund|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/lgbtory-launches-candidates-fund|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117095817/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/lgbtory-launches-candidates-fund|archive-date=17 November 2016|url-status=live}} and attends Pride events across the country.{{cite news|last1=Blackhurst|first1=Rob|title=A Rhapsody in Blue|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca7e8a2c-5d0a-11dd-8d38-000077b07658.html|access-date=22 February 2015|work=Financial Times|date=1 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924143731/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca7e8a2c-5d0a-11dd-8d38-000077b07658.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=LGBTory at Pride in London|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/lgbtory-pride-london|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174604/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/lgbtory-pride-london|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Reading Pride|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/reading-pride-0|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174227/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/reading-pride-0|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}} It also organises events related to LGBT rights{{cite web|title=Conservative responses to the persecution of LGBTI people around the World|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/conservative-responses-persecution-lgbti-people-around-world|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174434/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/conservative-responses-persecution-lgbti-people-around-world|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=What should the next government's agenda for international LGBT rights be?|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/what-should-next-governments-agenda-international-lgbt-rights-be|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174429/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/what-should-next-governments-agenda-international-lgbt-rights-be|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}} including an annual event with Stonewall at Conservative Party Conference.{{cite web|title=What Matters to LGBT Voters|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/what-matters-lgbt-voters|website=LGBTory|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411174229/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/what-matters-lgbt-voters|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Conservative Party Conference Fringe Meeting|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/conservative-party-conference-fringe-meeting|website=LGBTory|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817121146/http://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/events/conservative-party-conference-fringe-meeting|archive-date=2017-08-17|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=The 'T' in LGBTory represents Trans AND Tory|url=http://www.lgbtory.ca/2016/05/15/the-t-in-lgbtory-represents-trans-and-tory/|website=Policies|publisher=LGBTory|access-date=November 15, 2017|date=May 15, 2016|quote=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.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115083819/http://www.lgbtory.ca/2016/05/15/the-t-in-lgbtory-represents-trans-and-tory/|archive-date=November 15, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pride |first=Liberal |title=Liberal Pride |url=https://liberalpride.net.au/about |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Liberal Pride |language=en-AU}}
Activity
File:Pride London 2011 - 045.jpg
File:The LGBT+ Conservatives meet with Susan Hall AM, Emma Best AM and Moz Hossain KC.jpg, 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13860.html/ |title=Conservative gay group launched at Manchester Pride |publisher=PinkNews |date=2009-09-01 |access-date=2010-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111103544/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-13860.html |archive-date=2010-01-11 |url-status=live }} 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.
= 2010s =
In 2016, LGBT+ Conservatives' officers also represented the organisation at the then-Prime Minister Theresa May's LGBT Downing Street garden reception.{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2016/07/matthew-green-our-new-prime-minister-will-build-a-better-britain-for-lgbt-people.html|title=Matthew Green: Our new Prime Minister will build a better Britain for LGBT people|website=Conservative Home|date=24 July 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412160015/https://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2016/07/matthew-green-our-new-prime-minister-will-build-a-better-britain-for-lgbt-people.html|archive-date=2019-04-12|url-status=live}}
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".{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-lgbt-dup-gay-rights-ruth-davidson-scottish-tory-leader-activists-record-a7783306.html|title=Conservative LGBT activists raise fears over DUP's 'appalling' record on gay rights|work=The Independent|date=10 June 2017|access-date=14 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626050438/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/conservative-lgbt-dup-gay-rights-ruth-davidson-scottish-tory-leader-activists-record-a7783306.html|archive-date=26 June 2017|url-status=live}} 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 transgender people. It later apologised for the tone of the tweet.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-42858698|title=Tory LGBT group sorry over tweet to David Davies|work=BBC News|date=29 January 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181030130819/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-42858698|archive-date=30 October 2018|url-status=live}}
= 2020s =
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.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/carrie-johnson-lgbt-speech-conservatives-b1930433.html |title=Carrie Johnson to give speech on LGBT+ rights at Conservative Party conference |work=The Independent |date=1 October 2021 |access-date=6 September 2023 }} Described by Chairwoman Elena Bunbury as a "longstanding ally" and "a good sport to LGBT+ Conservatives", 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/10/05/carrie-johnson-says-boris-looking-extending-gay-rights/ |title=Carrie Johnson says Boris is looking at 'extending' gay rights |work=The Telegraph |date=5 October 2021 |access-date=6 September 2023 }} 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.
In 2023, the group celebrated ten years since the passing of the Conservative Party's Same-Sex Marriage Act, by hosting a drinks reception{{cite news |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/cameron-shines-at-gay-marriage-reception/ |title=David Cameron shines at gay marriage reception |work=The Spectator |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}} with former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron who has cited it several times as one of his proudest achievements in office.{{cite news |url=https://www.itv.com/news/2019-09-14/introducing-gay-marriage-one-of-my-proudest-moments-former-pm-david-cameron |title=Introducing gay marriage one of my proudest moments: former PM David Cameron|work=ITV News |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/david-cameron-gay-pride-same-sex-marriage-b2352303|title=Gay pride? Of course I have gay pride!|work=The Independent |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/david-cameron-gay-pride-same-sex-marriage-b2352303|title=Introducing gay marriage one of my 'proudest moments'|work=PinkNews|date=25 August 2023|access-date=25 August 2023}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/baroness-stowell-introduces-equal-marriage-bill-lords |title=Baroness Stowell introduces Equal Marriage Bill to the Lords |work=The LGBT+ Conservatives |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=13 September 2023 }} Famed for opening the debate with a joke about her love for George Clooney,{{cite news |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2013/06/03/tory-baroness-stowell-opens-equal-marriage-debate-with-a-joke-about-her-love-of-george-clooney |title=Tory Baroness Stowell opens equal marriage debate with a joke about her love of George Clooney |work=PinkNews |date=3 June 2013 |access-date=13 September 2023 }} 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,{{cite news |url=https://www.whitetinyfox.com |title=White Tiny Fox, a UK-based media company|work=White Tiny Fox |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}} 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.{{cite news |url=https://twitter.com/LGBTCons/status/1694967819312484555?s=20 |title=The LGBT+ Conservatives announce their new podcast, Never Kissed a Tory |work=Twitter |date=25 August 2023 |access-date=25 August 2023}} The podcast also hosts Conservative MPs, AMs and Peers, including Emma Best AM, Andrew Boff AM, Maria Caulfield MP, Susan Hall AM and Alicia Kearns MP.
In December 2023, the group hosted its first ever reception at 10 Downing Street in which the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended and met with its members.{{cite news |url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/news/chairmans-speech-10-downing-street-18th-december-2023 |title=Chairman's speech at 10 Downing Street, 18th December 2023 |work=LGBT+ Conservatives |date=22 December 2023 |access-date=11 March 2024}} In the reception, the organisation celebrated the success of its joint campaign with the Terrence Higgins Trust to expand HIV Opt-Out testing{{cite news |url=https://www.tht.org.uk/news/prime-minister-hails-highly-successful-opt-out-hiv-testing?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3e6A_MzshAMVHQYGAB3TnQhhEAAYASAAEgLy7fD_BwE |title=Prime Minister hails ‘highly successful’ opt-out HIV testing |work=Terrence Higgins Trust |date=15 September 2023 |access-date=11 March 2024}} in English A&Es, which was announced the previous month by the Conservative Health Secretary Victoria Atkins at a parliamentary reception with Sir Elton John.{{cite news |url=https://www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org/elton-john-welcomes-uks-expansion-of-opt-out-hiv-testing/ |title=ELTON JOHN WELCOMES UK’S EXPANSION OF OPT-OUT HIV TESTING |work=Elton John AIDS Foundation |date=29 November 2023 |access-date=11 March 2024}}
Fund
LGBT+ Conservatives group disburse campaign funds in support of LGBT+ candidates.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/yorkshire-tory-wrongly-described-as-openly-gay-after-mistaken-application-to-lgbt-fund-1-10160961 |title=Yorkshire Tory wrongly described as 'openly gay' after mistaken application to LGBT+ fund |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=18 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219132724/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/yorkshire-tory-wrongly-described-as-openly-gay-after-mistaken-application-to-lgbt-fund-1-10160961 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |url-status=live }}
Chairpersonship
- 2007–2008: Anastasia Beaumont–Bott{{cite news|last1=Blackhurst|first1=Rob|title=A Rhapsody in Blue|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ca7e8a2c–5d0a–11dd–8d38–000077b07658.html|access-date=22 February 2015|work=Financial Times|date=1 August 2008}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- 2008–2009: Edward Butler–Ellis
- 2009–2013: Matthew Sephton{{cite news |author= |date=27 January 2014 |title=LGBTory Chairman Matthew Sephton steps down from post |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2014/01/27/lgbtory-chairman-matthew-sephton-steps-down-from-post/ |work=PinkNews |location= |access-date=20 July 2023 }}
- 2013–2017: Colm Howard–Lloyd{{Cite web|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/people/colm-howard-lloyd|title=Colm Howard-Lloyd|website=LGBT+ Conservatives|language=en|access-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412160016/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/people/colm-howard-lloyd|archive-date=2019-04-12|url-status=live}}
- 2017–2018: Matthew Green{{Cite web|url=https://www.stonewall.org.uk/events/stonewall-conservative-party-conference-1|title=Stonewall at the Conservative Party Conference|date=2017-08-23|website=Stonewall|language=en|access-date=2019-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412160026/https://www.stonewall.org.uk/events/stonewall-conservative-party-conference-1|archive-date=2019-04-12|url-status=dead}} - Resigned 14 May 2018{{Cite web|url=https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=e578a7f50e99af0296b073522&id=76e5b577c0&e=%5BUNIQID%5D|title=Appointment of an Interim Chairman|website=us5.campaign-archive.com|access-date=2020-01-08|archive-date=2020-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028161751/https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?u=e578a7f50e99af0296b073522&id=76e5b577c0&e=%5BUNIQID%5D|url-status=live}}
- 2018–2019: John Cope
- 2019–2020: Colm Howard-Lloyd{{Cite web |url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/chairman |title=Meet Our New Chairman |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501194231/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/chairman |archive-date=2019-05-01 |url-status=live }}
- 2020–2023: Elena Bunbury{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/lgbtcons/status/1246383718329188352 |title=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" |access-date=2020-04-04 |archive-date=2020-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028161824/https://twitter.com/lgbtcons/status/1246383718329188352 |url-status=live }}
- 2023–present: Luke Robert Black{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LGBTCons/status/1658064778680492033 |title=LGBT+ Conservatives Election 2023 Results|access-date=2023-05-15 }}
Patrons
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Commons:{{cite web|title=LGBT+ Conservative Patrons|url=https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/people/type/Patrons|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022084831/https://www.lgbtconservatives.org.uk/people/type/Patrons|archive-date=22 October 2016|access-date=21 August 2016|website=LGBT+ Conservatives}}
- Rt. Hon. Stuart Andrew MP
- Dehenna Davison MP
- Sir Michael Fabricant MP
- Paul Holmes MP
- Kieran Mullan MP
- Crispin Blunt MP
- Peter Gibson MP
- Nigel Evans MP
- Mike Freer MP
- Iain Stewart MP
- Gary Sambrook MP
- William Wragg MP
- Rt Hon. David Mundell MP
- Elliot Colburn MP
- Mark Fletcher MP
- Daniel Kawczynski MP
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Lords:
- Lord Black of Brentwood
- Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links
- Lord Duncan of Springbank
- Lord Hayward
- Lord Barker of Battle
- Lord Herbert of South Downs
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in Holyrood:
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the London Assembly:
- Andrew Boff AM
- Emma Best AM
- Nick Rodgers AM
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.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LGBTCons/status/1567799458296913922 |title=LGBT+ Conservatives Awards 2022|work=Twitter |access-date=2023-06-13 }}
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.
See also
{{Portal|LGBTQ|Conservatism|Politics|United Kingdom}}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{UK Conservative Party}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:LGBT Conservatives}}
Category:LGBTQ political advocacy groups in the United Kingdom
Category:Organisations associated with the Conservative Party (UK)
Category:2006 establishments in the United Kingdom
Category:LGBTQ affiliate organizations of political parties