Gay rights campaigners meeting ministers today

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Ministers are meeting with gay rights campaigners today about the same-sex marriage debate and whether the Discrimination Law is doing enough to protect gay and transgender people from unfair treatment.

The campaigners from Liberation – a Channel Island equality charity – are meeting Chief Minister Ian Gorst and Social Security Minister Francis Le Gresley this afternoon to talk about whether politicians are doing enough to promote fair treatment for gay and transgender people.

The meetings follow the decision by the States this month to delay a proposition to introduce same-sex marriage, in favour of a further round of public consultation.

An estimated 1,000 people turned out to support a rally demonstrating public support for the gay marriage proposition that was organised in conjunction with Reform Jersey, the political party who took the gay marriage proposition to the States.

Chair of Liberate Martin Gavet said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet with both Senator Francis Le Gresley and Chief Minister Senator Ian Gorst, on these important matters. 

“For far too long lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in all our Channel Islands have been treated as second class citizens and we see these meetings as a sign that Jersey is committed to ensuring that it becomes a fair and equal society. 

“These are issues that transcend politics. Politics has a vital role to play in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.

“Legislation will help to enshrine those values of a caring and compassionate society.  Values that acknowledge that everyone is born free and equal in both dignity and rights.”