Peter Tatchell: ‘Let’s elect the gayest government in history’
By Nick Bond
With just 100 days until the next UK general election, it’s time to ask yourself: Am I registered to vote?
Last week, we launched a new campaign in partnership with Bite the Ballot, encouraging our readers – particularly younger readers, for whom this may be the first opportunity to have their say – to register to vote.
Kicking off the campaign, Attitude editor Matthew Todd wrote of his own realisation about the importance of voting, back in the early ’90s:
“When I was a teenager I didn’t really understand politics…the entertainment coverage in the papers seemed a whole lot more interesting that the political content,” he said.
“It was only when Stonewall started campaigning for an equal age of consent and asked people to write to their MPs to find out where they stood on the issue and to encourage them to vote for equality that things changed for me. I realised that my local MP did not believe I or people like me deserved the same rights as my straight friends, just because I was gay.”
Today, respected LGBTI and human rights activist Peter Tatchell lends his voice to Attitude’s campaign with some inspiring words:
“Gay people have made great progress but there is still homophobia that needs to be overcome. That’s why it’s important to register and use your vote. Help ensure that we elect a government that will stamp out homophobic bullying and make all schools gay-friendly: with LGBT issues included in lessons on health and HIV, sex and relationships and equality and diversity.
“Lots of homophobes will be voting. Let’s make sure we outvote them and elect the gayest government in history.”
We like the sound of that. Just click the picture below to head over to Bite the Ballot and register to vote – it’s quick and easy. Register now and #TakePower.
