IDAHOBIT: Politicians who treat homophobia as a joke are putting people at risk
On this year's International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the Scottish Greens are warning that LGBTQIA+ people are being endangered by politicians who treat prejudice as a joke.
IDAHOBIT is marked across the world every year on 17 May. This year’s theme is “At the heart of democracy.”
Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman said:
“IDAHOBIT is a day of solidarity, resistance and love. It is a day when we stand with LGBTQIA+ people in Scotland and around the world, and when we recommit ourselves to fighting the hatred, discrimination and violence that too many still face.
“But solidarity means nothing if politicians are prepared to laugh along with homophobia, excuse it, or dismiss it as a joke when it suits them.
“We have seen senior figures in Reform treat vile homophobic remarks as if they are just part of the banter. They are not. They are a warning about the kind of politics they want to normalise.
“Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia are not punchlines, nor should they be culture war pawns. They are forms of hatred that make people less safe in their schools, workplaces, homes and communities.
“When party leaders like Malcolm Offord MSP minimise that hatred, they send a message to every bigot that their prejudice is acceptable. That is dangerous, cowardly and makes them completely unfit for public life.”
Maggie added:
“We have also seen the appalling treatment of Scotland’s first trans and non-binary MSPs, including Q Manivannan MSP.
“At the very moment our Parliament should be celebrating a historic step forward for representation, too many people have chosen to respond with racism, transphobia and abuse. I commend the charities that have come out in support for the way the media in particular, has treated Q.
“Every political figure should offer respect and compassion to the citizens that they represent, including Scotland’s LGBTQIA+ communities who deserve better than politicians who will punch down, sneer and then hide behind claims that it was all a joke, or simply their own beliefs about LGBTQIA+ identity or existence.
“The Scottish Greens will always stand with LGBTQIA+ people. We will oppose the far right, challenge hatred wherever it appears, and fight for a Scotland where everyone can live with dignity, safety and pride.