英：自由民主党初のゲイ国会議員、党のセクシュアリティについての姿勢を批判

First gay MP criticises Lib Dems
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Thursday 22 September, 2005 12:27

The Liberal Democrats’ first gay MP has criticised the party for not being more open about his sexuality.

Stephen Williams won the Bristol West seat from Labour in May and became the party’s first out MP to be elected.

At a fringe meeting held at the party’s Blackpool conference, he said he was “disgruntled” by the fact more people were not made aware of his sexuality, according to the Bristol Evening Post newspaper.

He said he was still facing questions about his family situation from other MPs, and would have preferred more people to have been told on his election.

“It has been a little embarrassing for me from the election onwards,” the newspaper quotes him as saying.

"I still find in the members' dining room colleagues asking me if I am married or have any children.

"And there are some of my more curmudgeonly colleagues with whom I have not discussed it yet."

Before the election, gay charity Stonewall called for more lesbian and gay representatives in the House of Commons and urged all parties to field more out candidates.

The organisation says more gay MPs would help LGB communities feel better represented in the political world.

At present, there are still less than 10 out MPs.

In May’s election, the Conservatives also elected their first out MP, Nick Herbet. Alan Duncan, the party’s only other gay politician came out after being elected.

Williams also told the meeting that he faced homophobia from his constituents during the campaign trail for previous elections.

"Four years ago I got quite a lot of personal abuse - some quite hurtful letters and abusive emails. People would come up to me and say 'I am not voting for a queer'," he reportedly said.

Liberal Democrats UK