Motion in the name of Councillor Kevin Clarke:
The month of June is traditionally recognised as LGBT+ Pride Month and on July 27th Nottingham will host its annual Nottinghamshire Pride event seeing thousands gather in the City Centre for a day-long celebration that includes a colourful parade around our city.
At a time when hate crimes directed at the LGBT+ community are on the increase nationally, (rising by 144% per capita since 2013/14 – with just under half of these being violent attacks) and with homophobic leaflets being distributed to Nottingham residents over the past month, it is important now more than ever that Nottingham City Council stands in solidarity with the LGBT+ community.
The Full Council meeting held on 20th May 2019 saw the adoption of the Labour Manifesto as the basis for Council policy until 2023. Whilst this document rightly celebrated the diversity of our City, it omitted to provide express support for Nottingham’s wider LGBT+ community and the challenges that they face.
This Council resolves to:
· support Nottingham’s LGBT+ community in the battle against hate and intolerance, by providing a strong and united voice against homophobia;
· ensure that the Council provides the LGBT+ community with facilities at a local level, enabling people to receive support where they need it;
· condemn recent protests held across the country that opposed the introduction of inclusive education programmes within schools, designed to teach equality;
· provide support to Nottingham schools that teach the inclusive education programme and work with them to ensure that this can be done in a safe and supporting environment free from the threat of intolerance.
Minutes:
Motion proposed by Councillor Kevin Clarke, seconded by Councillor Maria Watson:
The month of June is
traditionally recognised as LGBT+ Pride Month and on 27
July Nottingham will host its annual
Nottinghamshire Pride event seeing thousands gather in the City
Centre for a day-long celebration that includes a colourful parade
around our City.
At a time
when hate crimes directed at the LGBT+ community are on the
increase nationally, (rising by 144% per capita since 2013-14
– with just under half of these being violent attacks) and
with homophobic leaflets being distributed to Nottingham residents
over the past month, it is important now more than ever that
Nottingham City Council stands in solidarity with the LGBT+
community.
The Full Council meeting held on 20 May 2019 saw the adoption of the Labour Manifesto as the basis for Council policy until 2023. Whilst this document rightly celebrated the diversity of our City, it omitted to provide express support for Nottingham’s wider LGBT+ community and the challenges that they face.
This Council resolves to:
· support Nottingham’s LGBT+ community in the battle against hate and intolerance, by providing a strong and united voice against homophobia;
· ensure that the Council provides the LGBT+ community with facilities at a local level, enabling people to receive support where they need it;
· condemn recent protests held across the country that opposed the introduction of inclusive education programmes within schools, designed to teach equality;
· provide support to Nottingham schools that teach the inclusive education programme and work with them to ensure that this can be done in a safe and supporting environment free from the threat of intolerance.
The following amendment was moved by Councillor Angharad Roberts and seconded by Councillor Rebecca Langton:
(text struck through deleted and text in italics added)
The month of June is
traditionally recognised as LGBT+ Pride Month and on 27
July Nottingham will host its annual
Nottinghamshire Pride event seeing thousands gather in the City
Centre for a day long celebration that
includes a colourful parade around our City.
On 27 July we once again welcome Notts Pride Parade to Nottingham. It is its 10th anniversary and this year the parade will be led by under-represented groups from the BAME community. Pride shows us that a community can decide to fight for its future.
At a time when hate crimes
directed at the LGBT+ community are on an increase nationally,
(rising by 144% per capita since 2013/14 – with just under
half of those being violent attacks) and more recently and more
locally, with homophobic leaflets being distributed to
Nottingham residents over the past month, it is important
now more than ever that Nottingham City Council
stands recommits to standing in solidarity with the LGBT+
community.
The Full Council meeting
held on 20 May 2019 saw the adoption of the Labour Manifesto as the
basis for Council policy until 2023.
Whilst this document rightly celebrated the diversity of our City,
it omitted to provide express support for Nottingham’s wider
LGBT+ community and the challenges that they face.
Pride is about coming together in celebration, protest, unity and solidarity and Nottingham City Council is proud to be a partner with Notts Pride for the annual Pride Parade in the City Centre and, since 2018, Pride in Bulwell. Pride is a significant event in the City’s cultural life that brings thousands of people on to the streets of Nottingham to participate and watch the parade, and to enjoy a day of events and activities with their friends, families and fellow citizens.
However, whilst we will all come together for a celebration, it is also the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and the 20th anniversary of the Admiral Duncan bombing and we should remember the journey that Pride represents for the LGBT+ community.
In addition to partnering Nottinghamshire Pride, Nottingham City Council has a proud record of support for the LGBT+ community by:
· LGBT History Month events across the City;
· providing practical support, funding and resources to LGBT+ organisations and community support groups;
· working with partners to improve mental health services for the LGBT+ community;
· encouraging input into Council decision making through the LGBT+ scrutiny group, with participants from the public sector and community groups;
· being a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, with a Highly Commended staff network, supporting LGBT+ equality in the workplace and leading by example through inclusive policies and employment practices;
· leading the way in inclusive education, including city-wide celebrations of the first Relationships and Sex Education Day on 27 June
· from Pride to Sikhs on the Square, Black History Month, South Asian Cultural Festival, St Georges Day, International Women’s Day and International Day Against Homophobia, Biophobia and Transphobia this Council is committed to equality, inclusiveness and respect for all in all its services and functions.
This Council resolves
to:
·
support Nottingham’s LGBT+ community in the
battle against hate and intolerance, by providing a strong and
united voice against homophobia;
·
ensure that the Council provides the LGBT+
community with facilities at a local level, enabling people to
receive support where they need it;
·
condemn recent protests held across the country
that opposed the introduction of inclusive education programmes
within schools, designed to teach equality;
·
provide
support to Nottingham schools that teach the
inclusive education programme and work with them to ensure that
this can be done in a safe and supporting environment free from the
threat of intolerance.
Nottingham City Council acknowledges the challenges which remain for Nottingham’s LGBT+ community and resolves to continue to:
· support the No Bystander programme, empowering people to stand with each other in confronting hate and intolerance;
· develop local support for the LGBT+ community, including advice services, mental and general health provision and employment and education opportunities;
· lead the way nationally in inclusive teaching, especially of relationship and sex education, ensuring all children can feel safe, included and happy at school;
· strengthen engagement and interaction between communities through the Nottingham Together programme.
Councillors voted on the proposed amendment.
RESOLVED to carry the amendment.
Councillors voted on the amended motion.
RESOLVED to carry the motion as amended.