Tory politician refuses to fund Salisbury Pride saying LGBTQ people were ‘misguided’

Words: Steve Brown

A Conservative politician refused to help fund a Pride parade in Salisbury saying LGBTQ people were ‘misguided by a powerful ideology’.

The Salisbury Pride UK applied for a grant of £1,000 from the Salisbury Area Board to help towards its £18,000 total cost to hold a Pride festival and parade next year.

However, Tory councillor Mary Douglas – who represents the Salisbury St Francis and Stratford constituency on Wiltshire Council – rejected the motion and said she ‘cannot support this’.

According to Salisbury Journal, the councillor – who once said trans people are ‘deeply troubled’ and mentally ill – said: “I am not saying I do not accept or respect or love people who identify as LGBTQ+ because I do.

“I support completely their right to make choices, however I do not support those choices themselves, nor the ideology and world view they represent.

“These are wonderful people, well-meaning and sincere, but misguided by a powerful ideology.

“I do not want to be a part of promoting this, and I want to be clear this is not just my view, I represent a large number of people, some who are afraid to say something.”

Douglas was outvoted by the rest of the council members and Salisbury Pride were granted the money they required, and the parade will take place next year on June 13.

Salisbury City Council member Caroline Corbin wrote on Twitter: “Great to see we have some councillor support. There is no place for homophobia in Salisbury and no excuse to air personal views on a public platform.

“Mary Douglas has again proved she is no longer fit for office. Shame on her.”

Great to see we have some councillor support. There is no place for homophobia in Salisbury and no excuse to air personal views on a public platform. Mary Douglas has again proved she is no longer fit for office. Shame on her.

— Caroline Corbin (@Caroline_Corbin) November 5, 2019