THE LABOUR PARTY National Executive Committee last month opposed the proposal in the party's draft programme to reduce the age of consent for homosexuals from 21 to 18. Instead the NEC, which was debating gay rights for the first time, fudged the issue by calling for 18 to be the age of consent for gays, as opposed to 16 for heterosex..nls. The Labour Party has done little or nothirry to ad. vocate and campaign for gay rights, although certain leading figures on the left, such as Tony Benn, Joan Lestor and Ken Livingstone, have spoken out in favour of labour moveBut many Labour councils openly discriminate against gay people. In June 1981 Susan Shell was sacked by Barking council because she was a lesbian. Several unions have adopted gay rights policies and defended gay members who have been victimised. However, in many unions, espcially the main industrial ones, the gay issue has scarcely So it was a step foward last year, when the NEC of the Labour Party produced a discussion document, The Rights of Gay Men and Women as a first step to taking a position on this issue. JAMIE GOUGH discusses the issues raised by this document and argues that still more needs to be done to campaign for gay rights in the labour moveaspect of the document is that it recognises the extent of direct discrimina• tion against gay people. It OSCOES by employers. This is parclusively areas of working ed oi any 'misconduct'.
this, even the cases the case of teacher John Saunders, Employment Tribunal found for he basis ay person on commonly cudoves document for the amendment OI the Protection the sexual orientation.
• discrimination in housing. There is direct discrimination by landlords and But, as the document points obstacle is that out, "the housing Iliall.
policies are geared towards the needs of married peoDIe; a bias which stems ADOl marriage and the family.
Being single is viewed as being a brief stage between living at home with parents and getting married. Consequently the long term needs of unmarried and Socialist Challengo 9 July, 1982 page 14 cluding are ig nored. document excluding group people housing waiting lists.
schools. discus gay As a result the of gay distorted view media.
mative, exception token and ' coverage of to be a joke.
and corrupters Pro coutstant harassmens constant harassment The central conclusion document the for a law outlawing grounds of sexual orientaThis should be the paign around gay rights in the labour movement. The Discrimination Act shows have little effect. But the fight for such a law, and a continuing struggle to implement it, can have a real The major weakness of nothing to say about other equally important ways in gay people are the gay issue is connected Conceris and legal women's sexual Lesbian separable.
une attitude to particular. It a lowering the male equality consent. therefore trol their sexuality.
the exploitation.
Sexual of resign refused to resign she was sacked.
Pickwick Court, London SE9 4SA.
facilities and housing, and tensel autonomous about 'the protection of a tight the strength to come out as without which there in the JUDITH WILLIAMS was sacked from her job as residential care assistant because she is a lesbian. The head of the agency she worked was 'temperamentally unsuitable' for the job. She adolescents, was liked by the other staff and residents and had just been recommended for promotion by her group leader. When Judith her fight against such blatant discrimination. ty/trade union: 'This (Branch etc) recognises take up the rights of gay workers. We condemn the sacking of Judith Williams by Care Concern for being a lesbian and call for her immediate and unconditional reinstatement.' • Send a letter of protest to Care Concern, ment will need to be taker The Party and the trade unions NECTUSION Party manifesto of a commatrucut to mauroauce gays. But to be successful, Manchester I. The LCGR naconference.
vonnenam. Challenge Scotland steps 4.30-5.30; Sat 11.30-2pm End, Princes St. Also available fron do the M.
available at Barretts, Byres Rd: Clyde Books, High ALTON: B all ne Hope HAMILTON sale every sa Hamiton Wales 10.30-12. Also available 1-0-8 Books, NE 12.30FT.: every Sat in town centr PONTYPRIDD: sales every Sa PORT TAO Sat SWANSEA: SC sales outside Co-op. Oxford St, 11am-Ipm, Saturdays. England • sale t OLDHAM outsid the Yorkshir Bank, High St; at BURY in the shop BOLTON in the town i centre and in Droylesden markets 11am-12.30 Sa ther into Bookshops BANGOR: Holyhead Fourth BRIGHTON: The Public House, LitRISTO L: Fullmarks, 110 Chelten BIRMINGHAM: Other Bookshop City Co-op ILFORD. South Essex Bookshop, 335 MY SON KEYNES Lo it el, Liverpool Chere. LONDON: Central Books, 37 Gray C2; Paperback Books. Bon haring Cross What's Left MANSFIELD Hien Stre SHEFFIELD: SC 00 Thursday Saturday Oam-12 noon at Above Bar Post ( · 483800 SWINDON: on sale 11-1 every It St (Brunel Centre). re, Limore Road.
Land burside Rod id.
WOLVERHAMPTON: SC sales or Thur/Fri at Poly London BRENT: SC sold Willesden Junction ray SCe, solo Thur, Baling ENFIELD: SC at Nelsons newsagents, in Liar Sales and ura Sense aub per St, N1; Reading Matters, Wooc PORT TALBOT McConville's WTINGHAM ation Road Mushroom Books SOUTHAMPTON: October Books Onslow Roac YORK: Community Books, Walm Order from SC, PO Box 50, London NI 2XP.
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Sacked for being gay
OMrA ALTE CLUB
sange and Thur one outside Nor Went iS to 3am are