Stockport councillor Jamie Hirst has revealed he suffered broken bones after being physically assaulted multiple times and told 'to go to hell' because of his sexuality. Despite progress, the Liberal Democrat councillor said discrimination was getting worse in recent years as people targeted his family.
Council motion on rising hostility
A motion brought forward by Stockport Council's Liberal Democrat leadership said they had concerns LGBTQ+ people locally 'are facing increasing hostility' and wanted to issue a clear statement of support. The motion also called for a number of actions to be taken to support members of the community.
Ahead of a meeting on July 9, Stephen Bowyer, the chairperson at Stockport Pride, told the Manchester Evening News many members of the community continued to face hostility as the debate around LGBTQ+ rights became 'increasingly polarised' and they 'regularly see abusive comments' below their posts.
Impact on daily lives
Bowyer added: 'These include slurs, insults, harassment, stereotyping, misinformation and threats – creating an unwelcoming environment for many people.' He noted that through their work with local LGBTQ+ residents, they hear about the impact discrimination has on people's everyday lives. 'Many are reluctant to hold their partner's hand in public because they fear harassment. Others avoid using public toilets because they do not feel safe. Too many people still feel unable to be open about their sexuality or gender identity with friends, family, at work or at school.'
He added: 'In the current climate, the support of Stockport Council means a great deal to our community. It sends a clear message that Stockport is a welcoming place for everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, and demonstrates the council's commitment to inclusion, equality and respect.'
Council debate and personal testimony
At a full council meeting on July 9, the motion was overwhelmingly endorsed by Stockport Council. During the debate, Liberal Democrat councillor Jamie Hirst said the motion was 'about making sure families like mine never have to justify their existence again'. The councillor revealed he had broken bones after being physically assaulted in the past and was told he was 'sick, depraved, and going to hell' by homophobic strangers.
However, due to progress with marriage equality and in a number of other areas, he is now a granddad and able to live a life he never imagined. He said: 'It isn't about special treatment. It's about protecting the progress that people fought for, and making sure we do not step backwards.'
He added: 'Over the last few years and particularly over the last few months people have felt perfectly entitled once again to tell me I should go to hell, gay people shouldn't have children, that children would be better off without parents like me.'
Political reactions
Stockport council leader Coun Mark Roberts said he hoped every councillor would send 'a very clear message' that Stockport remained open and inclusive where other councils had 'chosen to attack the very existence of some of their residents'. Reform-led St Helens Council faced controversy earlier this year after support was pulled for the borough's local Pride event.
Reform group leader Coun Brian Battle said he wanted to support the motion but could not. He said discrimination needed to be eradicated across the borough and accused the Liberal Democrats of putting forward a 'complex and badly worded motion'. He accused the ruling party of being discriminatory by not including everyone and seeking to carry out a 'targeted attack on legitimate opposition'.
Referring to his party, he added: 'I thank him for his support for those sections of the community who face verbal and physical abuse on a daily basis, whose lives and the lives of their families are disrupted and unfairly scrutinised.' He said some of Reform's members 'have also faced intimidation, not on a generalised scale but in person, up close' and 'face this discrimination on a daily basis'. The councillor did criticise historic discrimination against LGBTQ+ members of the armed forces but also raised concerns about the council 'actively encouraging' hate crime reports.
Further criticism
However, Reform's comments were later criticised by Coun James Frizzell who said the comments have 'got no place in this council chamber' while Coun Laura Clingan said ongoing discrimination was deeply troubling. A member of the community, she added: 'Maybe Councillor Battle needs to understand not everyone is marginalised and the LGBTQ+ community are targeted purely because of who they are.'
