30 LGBT MPs call for Britain to stay in the EU to protect gay rights

30 LGBT MPs and members of the House of Lords have signed a cross-party letter calling for Britain to vote and stay in the EU in order to protect the rights of the LGBT community.

The letter was published to coincide with yesterday’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17), and highlights few examples of how the LGBT community has benefited from Britain’s membership with the EU.

“LGBTI people are more secure in our jobs – Europe introduced laws preventing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We’re safer travelling across Europe and the world – the EU protects and promotes human rights, and it prioritizes action to end discrimination against the LGBTI community,” a statement from Britain’s ‘Stronger In’ campaign says.

The letter also states that the membership promotes recognition of same-sex marriage and says that there is still “more to be done.”

“This year the EU hopes to secure agreement on the advancement of LGBTI equality covering education, employment, healthy, asylum across all 28 member states.”

Wes Streeting MP, who signed the letter, said: “Being a part of the European Union has been fundamental in the progression of LGBT rights in the UK by helping to fight discrimination in the workplace and across society more generally. Leaving the EU would be a backwards step for the LGBT community and is a move that we must resist. That is made clear by the overwhelming supper for today’s letter.”

You can find a list of all 30 MPs who signed the letter below:

Angela Crawley MP
Angela Eagle MP
Ben Howlett MP
Ben Bradshaw MP
Chris Bryant MP
David Mundell MP
Gerald Jones MP
Gordon Marsden MP
Hannah Bardell MP
Joanna Cherry MP
John Nicolson MP
Margot James MP
Martin Docherty – Hughes MP
Mike Freer MP
Nia Griffith MP
Nick Boles MP
Nick Herbert MP
Stephen Doughty MP
Steve Reed MP
Stephen Twigg MP
Stewart McDonald MP
Peter Kyle MP
Wes Streeting MP
Baroness Elizabeth Barker
Lord Guy Black
Lord Michael Cashman
Lord Ray Collins
Baroness Jenny Hilton
Lord Jonathan Oates
Lord Brian Paddick

The referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU is on June 23.

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