PM pledges to stand with gay people

Gordon Brown pledged to stand with gay people until justice was achieved
12 April 2012

Gordon Brown has pledged to stand with gay people until justice was achieved.

The prime minister said progress had been made because the Government had "fought together" with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual community. But he promised not to give up on the campaign.

"Tonight we reaffirm our commitment, my commitment, the commitment of the Government to standing with you all until the full range of gay rights are achieved," he said.

"When we started as a Government on this journey, people said the dreams that we had together were impossible."

Speaking at a reception at 10 Downing Street to celebrate LGBT history month, Mr Brown singled out steps taken in the last decade, including lifting the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the armed forces, allowing same sex couples to have civil partnerships and to adopt.

He said: "We did all these things and more because we stood and fought together.

"Let me promise you tonight I will not give up on the fight for justice until justice is achieved. The road to equality is always long and it's always hard and it's always tough.

"But as long as Harriet (Harman) and I and other ministers are able to work with you, I promise you that nobody ever need walk the road to equality alone."

A number of members of the armed forces attended, in honour of the 10-year anniversary of the ban being lifted, along with celebrities including comedian Paul O'Grady, actor Antony Cotton and Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood.

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