Allister Questions First Minister's Silence on his plan for more Gay Rights
29 July 2011
Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“During First Minister’s Question Time in June I had occasion to ask OFMdFM just why the DUP thought it was necessary to introduce a sexual orientation strategy, particularly given the previous stand of that party when it came to campaign such as “Save Ulster from Sodomy”.
“Junior Minister Jonathan Bell failed to even attempt an answer. So I tabled the following as a written question back on 9th June:
To ask the First and deputy First Minister why they are to introduce a Sexual Orientation Strategy given that a number of statutory protections for the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender communities are already in place.
"Standing Order 20B places a mandatory duty on Ministers to answer Written Questions within 10 days. Yet seven weeks after this question was tabled I still await a reply.
“Why? Is it because Mr Robinson and co-equal First Minister McGuinness cannot agree a reply? Or is it because they cannot think of a genuine reason for the proposed Strategy because, as highlighted in my question, a plethora of legislation already exists?
“There is little point in the DUP playing to the gallery by boycotting the Belfast Pride event at Stormont when all the time civil servants in the Department they jointly head are working on additional “gay rights” legislation.”
