LGBTory

LGBTory
The LGBTory Logo
Motto	"The LGBT Conservative Group"
Formation	2006
Type	LGBT, Conservative
Purpose/focus	LGBT Rights and Conservative Principles
Location	United Kingdom
Region served	United Kingdom
National Chairman	Matthew Sephton
Main organ	National Officers Executive[1]
Affiliations	Conservative Party
Website	http://www.LGBTory.co.uk/

LGBTory is an LGBT and Conservative group linked to, but not run, directed or funded by the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom. The first LGBT Conservative group was called CGHE (Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality). It was founded in 1975 by Professor Peter Campbell of Reading University. That group was reconstituted at the Conservative Party Conference in 1991 and was renamed TORCHE (the Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality) under the chairmanship of David Starkey.^[2] This group was active until c.2003. and some years later LGBTory^[3] was formed. LGBTory has an active membership organised often organised using its Facebook Groups and pages and attends vigils and LGBT Pride events across the UK including Pride London,^[4] Pride Scotia, Leeds Pride,^[5][6] Manchester Pride,^[7] Doncaster Pride, Edinburgh Pride, Glasgow Pride, Liverpool Pride, Cardiff Pride, Reading Pride and Brighton Pride.^[8][9]

LGBTory campaigned in seats throughout the campaign for the 6th May 2010 General Election, there are now at least 14 openly Gay and Lesbian Conservative MP's in parliament,^[10][11] more than all the other parties in the House of Commons put together, this includes a former Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Party Margot James who is only the second openly lesbian in parliament.^[12]

LGBTory works to promote LGBT Equality within the Conservative Party^[13][14][15] and generally across the UK, actively campaigning against the Gay Blood Ban^[16] and for marriage equality, regardless of sexuality or gender identity.^[17]

Name

The name LGBTory came under scrutiny when members of the Trans community felt that it was missing the letter T and actually read LGB-Tory rather than the play on words and correct LGBT-ory. Chairman Matthew Sephton pointed out during an interview on a local Manchester BBC radio show that this was not the case and that the organisation does indeed have Trans members. He further claimed that the name of the Liberal Democrats' LGBT organisation, Delga,^[18] made no attempt to refer to the Trans community nor the bisexual community.

Chairmanship

The founder and first official chairman of LGBTory was Anastasia Beaumont-Bott^[19] and it was under her Chairmanship that Mayor of London Boris Johnson attended and led the London Pride March in 2008.^[20] Beaumont-Bott later defected to Labour following Chris Grayling's controversial comments about gay couples in B&Bs but subsequently quit politics.^[21]

The second chairman of LGBTory was Edward Butler-Ellis; under his chairmanship official membership was founded to the organisation, and this led to a massive understanding about the LGBT Community's part within the Conservative Party.

The current chairman of LGBTory is Matthew Sephton;^[22] under his leadership LGBTory has expanded with the organisation attending more pride events than ever. Sephton is often in the Pink Media^[23] as a voice for the Conservatives within the gay community.

LGBTory events

LGBTory is present at social meet ups, meals and drinks, Gay Pride events, and HIV vigils across the country.^[24] Each year LGBTory hold a drinks reception at Conservative Spring Forum and at Conservative Party Conference they host 'Conference Pride', hold a joint fringe event with Stonewall, have events for Parliamentarians and hold member exclusive events such as meals. In addition LGBTory host many fundraising events across the UK, Parliamentary receptions in The Palace of Westminster for members of both the House of Lords and House of Commons, and organise campaign days to support candidates. LGBTory officers also represent the organisation at David Cameron's LGBT Downing Street garden reception.

Conference Pride

Tuesday 6 October 2009 during Conservative Party Conference saw LGBTory host'Conference Pride'^[25][26] in Manchester. Conference Pride was held in SPIRIT nightclub on Manchester's Canal Street^[27] with a live performance from Angie Brown^[28] and a free cocktail on the door. Tickets at the cost of £15^[27] were available both on the internet and at the Party Conference ticket booth. The event started at 2130 and finished at 0300 the next morning. Conference Pride sold filled the capacity of the nightclub and was attended by several high profile Members of Parliament and Conservatives. The event also had extremist anti-gay Christian groups protesting outside as well as an anti-Conservative Party protest group which consisted of the Queer Youth Network and Reclaim the Scene as well as other anti-Tory individuals.^[29][30] Conference Pride has continued to be a prominent event ever since 2009, being held each year at LGBT locations across both Manchester and Birmingham.

LGBTory campaigns

LGBTory are continuously lobbying on LGBT issues and have contacted every single Conservative MP on several occasions since 2010 General Election. The organisation supports the governments plans for marriage equalisation and further supports the government on several policies that effect LGBT individuals. The organisation has a strong working relationship with several Minsters, MPs, Members of the House of Lords and government ministries.

Patrons

LGBTory has several high profile patrons.^[31] These are currently:

• Stuart Andrew MP
• Rt Hon Gregory Barker MP
• Cllr Richard Barnes
• Christopher Biggins
• Lord Black of Brentwood
• Crispin Blunt MP
• Conor Burns MP
• Ruth Davidson MSP
• Nigel Evans MP
• Mike Freer MP
• Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP
• Margot James MP
• Eric Ollerenshaw OBE MP
• Iain Stewart MP

Equal Marriage Bill

LGBTory has been at the heart of the organisation of the tabling and passage of the Marriage (same sex couples) Bill which passed its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 5 February 2013 and is due back on the floor of the Commons for report Stage and 3rd Reading in the week commencing 20 May 2013.

The debate was opened by Equalities Minister Maria Miller.^[32] The first LGBTory patron to take part in the debate was the Rt Hon Nick Herbert MP. In his speech he talked of same-sex couples wishing to show commitment to each other.^[33] Following in Nick's footsteps, another LGBTory patron, Margot James MP spoke on how far the Conservative Party has come to be putting forward such legislation as this.^[34] Next, Mike Freer MP pointed out that some of the contributions to debate against the Bill that day had been hurtful and that all LGBT people are asking for is equal treatment. When Stuart Andrew MP stood up to speak, he focused on wishing to protect religious freedom and expressed his view that same-sex marriage will strengthen, not diminish this institution.^[35] When Eric Ollerenshaw OBE MP got to his feet, he too was concerned about religious freedom and said that his support for the Bill came from a wish to see ALL religious freedom protected, not just that of the more powerful or established churches.^[36] Crispin Blunt MP then spoke about how, over time, barriers have been overcome for LGBT people and that this is just the latest.^[37] When Iain Stewart MP got up to speak, it had nearly all been said. Stewart is a former Deputy Chairman of LGBTory, and so his words mean a lot to the LGBTory group. When he spoke, he talked about his experience of coming out all those years ago and said that he would "go through the aye lobby with pride".^[38]

See also

• List of organisations associated with the British Conservative Party
• List of LGBT-related organisations
• LGBT rights in the United Kingdom
• Equivalent organisations in the UK's other major parties include:
  • LGBT Labour (Labour)
  • LGBT+ Liberal Democrats (Liberal Democrats)
• Equivalent organisations from major parties across the world holding similar views and principles include:
  • Log Cabin Republicans (United States)
  • GOProud (United States)
  • GayLib (France)

References

External links

LGBT Conservative groups

• LGBTory

Official party sites

• Conservative Party
• Conservatives.tv

Archives

• Catalogue of the papers of the Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality (later Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality) held at LSE Archives

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