SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR GAY MEN AND LESBIANS

Early day motion 243, tabled 14 July 1997 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House believes that, in the interests of social justice, the Government should order a wide-ranging review of the law as it affects gay men and lesbians; calls for particular attention to be paid to the age of consent, immigration rights, employment in the armed forces and pension rights for couples; is concerned that differential rights to consensual sexual activity puts gay men convicted of gross indecency in the same category as paedophiles and rapists; further calls for the repeal of Clause 28, which implies that homosexuality is a negative trait not to be tolerated, and that gay couples can only, unacceptably, create 'a pretended family relationship'; and believes that a family is any unit of adults and children whose aim is to provide a loving stable and nurturing environment for the positive development of the individuals which comprise it.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.