Ed Miliband: LGBT rights abroad a ‘big priority’ for Labour
By Will Stroude
Ed Miliband has told Attitude that promoting LGBT rights abroad would be a “big priority” under a future Labour government.
Speaking to Attitude ahead of the general election, the Labour Party leader says he is “proud” of appointing former Eastenders actor and Labour peer Michael Cashman as an international LGBT rights envoy in shadow, calling him a “great hero” of his.
“Yes I’m really proud that Michael Cashman got that role,” Mr Miliband says. “You know, I think just as we’ve seen progress at home in relation to gay rights, I think actually if anything we’ve seen things go backwards in some other countries ,and we’ve got to turn that round.
“There’s a lot of things you can do: working with the Commonwealth, in the European Union, and in relation to the United Nations. Working through international institutions he can make a real difference.
“This going to be a big priority for me, because standing up for our values isn’t just about what we do at home, it’s about what we do abroad as well.”
Asked whether that pressure would apply to our allies, Miliband adds: “I think we have to be without fear or favour. I think we’ve got to speak up on these issues without fear or favour. We believe in equality and we should be incredibly proud of what we’ve done as a country and be proud to stand up for it internationally – to whichever country around the world we need to engage with.”
Mr Miliband discusses wide range of LGBT topics in the full interview in this month’s edition of Attitude, including the party’s plans to tackle homophobic bullying and implement better sex and relationship education, and why mental health services have suffered under the Tories.
We also speak to David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Nigel Farage, Natalie Bennett and Nicola Sturgeon ahead of May’s vote in the new issue, which also includes interviews with Adam Lambert, David Beckham and Westlife’s Mark Feehily. The May issue is available to download to your mobile, iPad or tablet device now, at Pocketmags.com/Attitude.
It will be out in shops from next Wednesday (April 1), and you can also have it delivered directly to your door at newsstand.co.uk.
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