Simon Hughes explains his gay admission
No surprise there, then. Except for the fact that the media seem to be regarding it as 'News', when I thought it was widely known anyway.
In the twenty first century it really shouldn't be a problem being gay or bisexual; this has been demonstrated by the number of out gay MPs and former MPs. And certainly for Simon Hughes who, to my knowledge isn't marrried and doesn't flaunt a false heterosexuality in campaigning, it really should be a non-issue.
Except for the fact that some of us have extremely long memories and regard the Bermondsey byelection of 1983 as one of the most shameful episodes in British Politics. It has been explained to me that Simon Hughes was not directly responsible for the horrendous homophobia against Peter Tatchell in that campaign. However, Hughes did absolutely nothing to counter it, and was more than willing to take advantage of it to win that seat which had previously been Labour held for generations, and which he still holds now (with a few boundary changes).
The irony of him coming out to the Sun hasn't escaped me. And, ordinarily, I do not think a politician's sexual orientation should be of any consequence. Indeed, it would be no bad thing for the Leader of a major party, or, failing that, the Lib Dems, to be gay or bisexual.
But it would also be delicious if Simon Hughes' leadership attempts were thwarted as a result of The Sun and homophobia.
It seems that Peter Tatchell is more forgiving than I am.
Update: I refuse even to link to the Sun front page that uses the phrase 'Limp-Dem'. I find that offensive.
