Sunday 30 October, 1.45pm until 3.15pm, Courtyard Gallery
‘Gay people risk becoming the new McCarthyites,’ said Melanie Phillips in an article that sparked outrage among gay rights groups, and across Twitter and the internet. The warning was a response to the case of Christian B&B owners found guilty and fined for refusing to allow a gay couple to share a bedroom. Phillips joined other religious and conservative commentators in arguing that, despite having been victims of prejudice in the past, gay people, with the backing of the law, have now begun to persecute people for speaking and acting in accordance with their own personal beliefs. Gay rights have certainly improved vastly since the Stonewall Riots in 1969. Many countries allow ‘civil partnerships’ or even same-sex marriages; openly gay people serve in many countries’ militaries, and can be found at the highest levels of business and government. Social acceptance of homosexuality has never been wider, with many gay people choosing to ‘come out’ at a much younger age than ever before. Gay and bisexual characters are increasingly unremarkable in TV and film. And Twitterati storms of protest greet anti-gay comments by the likes of Jan Moir. ‘Homophobia is gay,’ as the ironic slogan has it.
So is gay now mainstream? There has perhaps always been a tension between campaigns for equality and acceptance by the ‘breeders’ in straight society, and radical ‘queer’ politics which sought to challenge social norms. The two strands were arguably represented in the UK by the mainstream Stonewall and Peter Tatchell’s Outrage! – which led controversial outing campaigns of public figures. In recent years, however, legal discrimination against and persecution of gay people has largely been defeated. Moreover, society is increasingly accepting of gay subcultural norms (with arch media references to Today presenter Evan ‘Tinseltits’ Davis or even the gay hook-up application Grindr). So is there any truth in the argument that the shoe is on the other foot, and triumphant gays are now using equality legislation and political correctness to impose their values on society, leading to the persecution of moral conservatives?
With the formal battles seemingly won, is it time to call time on the gay – or LGBT, or LGBTQIA - movement? Or would this be complacent when gay-bashing is still a real threat for some? With the debate around sexuality increasingly dominated by claims of biological determinism - that some are simply ‘born this way’ - does society need to reclaim the right to choose - or reject - the ‘gay lifestyle’? Can the protection of vulnerable or minority groups ever be reconciled with freedom of belief or speech for all, no matter how disagreeable or repellent some views may be?
Listen to session audio:
Andrew Copson chief executive, British Humanist Association | |
Jane Czyzselska editor, DIVA, Europe's best-selling magazine for lesbian and bi-sexual women | |
Douglas Slater writer; critic; political strategist and policy advisor; co-founder, Stonewall | |
Jason Smith associate fellow, Academy of Ideas | |
Chair: | |
Craig Fairnington
associate fellow, Academy of Ideas; university finance and accommodation officer |
The cultural elite’s support for gay marriage is more about distinguishing themselves from homophobic plebs than fighting for equal rights.
Frank Furedi, spiked, 28 June 2011