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Narjas Zatat
Jun 26, 2019
Labour MP Angela Eagle is being praised for a passionate speech she delivered at the House of Commons defending the right of children to learn about LGBT+ rights.
Eagles became visibly tearful as she explained why it was so important to allow young people to learn, and accused those protesting such lessons of being “extremist and reactionary.”
“We know that the motivations of some of those involved in this are reactionary and they are to return us to an era where LGBT people should get back in the closet and hide and be ashamed of the way they are,” she began.
We aren’t going to get back in the closet, or hide, or be ashamed of the way we are.
And nor are we going to allow a generation of pupils that are now in school to go through what the pupils in the 80s had to go through because this chamber let them down.
“And nor are we going to allow this to happen in the name of religion,” she added.
Eagle spoke out against protests over LGBT+ teaching in Birmingham, and goes on to say that “it’s only on the far, extremist, fundamentalist fringes that we get the kind of hostility that is being shown on some of the Facebook groups of these campaigners.”
I’d like to know a lot more about the network that is behind causing this, because it’s a deliberate reactionary attempt to take back progressive advance and decency for children.
Her speech was met with digital applause online
@angelaeagle that was a beautiful and empowering speech. I truly admire your candor and your emotion, and it hearte… https://t.co/eK66uLh8Ss— Kathleen Beedles (@Kathleen Beedles) 1561494835
Amazing, moving speech on LGBT education in schools from @angelaeagle today. All love should be celebrated and ch… https://t.co/3e90pICCGx— Mary Creagh CBE (@Mary Creagh CBE) 1561495339
Very well said Angela Eagle, @angelaeagle I may not agree with your Politics but I fully support and admire your co… https://t.co/pEjjnvIbIP— Susan Hall AM (@Susan Hall AM) 1561490370
Fellow Labour MP Chris Elmore said he'd "never been prouder"
Never been prouder to know the brilliant @angelaeagle today. Brave, compassionate and honest. We must stand proudl… https://t.co/t7rRQ1TqZ7— Chris Elmore MP (@Chris Elmore MP) 1561500072
"This woman is one of my bloody heroes"
This woman. This woman is one of my bloody heroes and this shows you why. Fearless, compassionate and determined no… https://t.co/JStcAL5PGL— stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) 1561490755
If anyone was in any doubt about the pain experienced by LGBT people following the demonstrations outside schools o… https://t.co/bCN3xvbHPQ— Wes Streeting MP (@Wes Streeting MP) 1561493438
And LGBT+ people thanked her for representing them
Thank you so much for your words @angelaeagle 💛💚💙❤️🧡 https://t.co/AE8sK98kfZ— Olly Pike (@Olly Pike) 1561497398
Thank you @angelaeagle for amplifying the voices of #LGBT people and families - mums, dads, brothers, sisters - whi… https://t.co/yg8Gry2GPn— Jon Holmes (@Jon Holmes) 1561493063
Her speech showed the crucial importance of representation in political spaces
This powerful speech by @angelaeagle shows why representation matters so much in positions of power. Whether parlia… https://t.co/Be5A3Bhaep— James Morris (@James Morris) 1561491726
Angela Eagle, Labour MP for Wallasey will be part of a panel discussion for The Independent, Independent Minds Event: Pride on 2019.
Eagle will join other speakers including Peter Tatchell, the human rights campaigner, Crispin Blunt, the Conservative MP for Reigate and trans activist Asifa Lahore, who was Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen.
You can buy tickets for the event, here.
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