Allister challenges DUP on why it is planning more gay rights
19 August 2011
On foot of an Assembly answer confirming that Robinson and McGuinness are pushing ahead next year with a ‘Sexual Orientation Strategy’, TUV Leader Jim Allister has challenged the DUP as to why they are now committed to this charter for more gay rights in circumstances where the existing law is more than adequate.
In a statement Mr Allister said:-
“10 weeks after I tabled an Assembly Question to OFMDFM, asking why the First Ministers want and think we need a Sexual Orientation Strategy, they have cobbled together what they call an ‘answer’. Questions are meant to be answered within 10 days; the fact it took 10 weeks suggests difficulty in agreeing what to say.
“The answer does not say why we need a Sexual Orientation Strategy, rather it seems to suggest that because the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual sector demand it, they will have it. It is utterly fatuous to suggest Section 75 of 1998 Act requires it. It says no such thing; rather it imposes an obligation to promote equality of opportunity, something which our existing surfeit of equality legislation already does: employment, provision of services, general discrimination, they are all covered.
“There is no statutory justification or need for this intended sexual orientation strategy. It first appeared within the Sinn Fein driven CSI strategy after the DUP rolled over on the issue. So, why does the DUP now think we need more gay rights and wish to impose them through a special charter? It’s time they told us.”
Below are the Question tabled and the Answer provided:
Question:
To ask the First Minister 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.
Answer:
The Sexual Orientation Strategy is primarily designed to consider and address the full range of statutory duties, including the duty outlined in S75(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual (LGB) sector made its views known during the consultations on the Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy, and this has undoubtedly contributed to a greater understanding of the issues by all concerned. The process of developing and publishing an anti-discrimination and equality of opportunity strategy on sexual orientation will look across the full spectrum of all issues raised.
Officials are to meet with stakeholders, organisations from the sector and other departments, and they expect to deliver draft proposals to develop the Strategy by the autumn. This will then be made available to the OFMDFM Committee. The final consultation process will take place during early 2012 with a view to publishing a Sexual Orientation Strategy later that year.
