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Punch Taverns must call time on Homophobia

*UPDATE 8th June: David Cairns MP and 23 other MPs signed an early day motion (EDM 166) "Calling Time on Homophobia"

*UPDATE 7th June: James Asser, Richard Angell and Richard Lane went to meet Punch Taverns on Monday to discuss a solution. "We've agreed a number of measures & hope to have a statement tomorrow."

*UPDATE 6th June: Labour Labour Co-Chair James Asser and Campaigns Officer, Richard Angell had a positive initial discussion with Punch Taverns on Sunday. LGBT Labour has welcomed their 'unreserved apology' for what happened yesterday and will be meeting senior managers from Punch Taverns this week to seek a resolution & positive outcome to yesterday's incident.

Following an event at the Greencoat Boy pub last night LGBT Labour is calling on Punch Taverns chain to apologise and promote LGBT equality to staff and customers.  The event ended with LGBT Labour members being the victim of a homophobic abuse and the organisation's event ended and members evicted because our banner caused "offense to customers".

During discussions the manager revealed that the event would have never gone ahead if he's had know in advance if was for a gay organisation.

The police arrived at 6.30 and statements were taken from three of the organisers leaders. David Cairns, MP for Inverclyde and LGBT Labour patron, visited the police station to show support and ensure police compliance. As the evening unfolded Sarah Brown, John Prescott, Sally Bercow and others sent message of support through the social media site Twitter.

James Asser, the newly Elected Co-chair of LGBT Labour, said:

"Thanks to 13 years of a Labour government it is now illegal to be turned away from a bar because of your sexuality. The fact that our members were on the receiving end of homophobia is just wrong.

"We were surprised by the shocking action of the Greencoat Boy public house management. Turning people away for being gay is outrageous - he should have been defending his customers from homophobia."

LGBT Labour is looking for the company to treat the event with the up most seriousness and take action to remedy the situation. We look forward to their suggestions on how they make amends and take a stand. We have some starting ideas of our own:

* An apology to LGBT Labour from Greencoat Boy Manager and Punch Taverns Chief Executive.
* An apology to the other staff working in the Greencoat Boy for being asked to not serve gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people
* Investigate the Greencoat Boy Manager under internal discipline procedures
* Company training for managers of the chain of pubs on equality issues that includes the information on the Equally Bill (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 and good practice on dealing with lgbt customers and homophobic issues.
* A refund
* A rainbow flag put up outside the pub on Pride Day, a "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people welcome here" sign displayed prominently on arrive for at least 28 days and a complementary event with an LGBT group of their choice.

We look forward to a meeting with senior people in the company and a speedy resolution to this issue.

Katie Hanson, Co-chair of LGBT Labour:
"While the law may have changed with must win hearts and minds and change a culture of homophobia in society."

Harriet Harman, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party launched Labour LGBT Domestic Manifesto.

The Manifesto promises to remove the Waddington Amendment on Incitement to homophobic hatred, bring in compulsary sex education and a renewed focus on homophobic bullying - all of which is featured in the main manifesto.

More...

Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, will launch Labour's International LGBT Manifesto.

Speaking about the manifesto, David Miliband said:

"Since Labour has been in government Britain has led EU and international efforts to tackle discrimination and promote equal rights for LGBT people. A Labour government will build on its massive development of LGBT Rights in the UK since 1997 and will look to expand this abroad. Labour will use Britain’s unique strength in the world and of our international alliances to fight for our values, to challenge homophobia, promote equality and ensure other governments deliver LGBT equality. Under Labour the UK will continue to be a beacon of hope for LGBT people."

The manifesto promises:

• Be a relentless champion at the UN, on the world stage and in the European
  Union and Commonwealth for LGBT rights
• Campaign to extend Labour's equality measures in Europe and across the globe, especially establishing civil partnerships in every EU state
• Push for the UK's Civil Partnerships to be recognised in the European Union
  with equal status to marriage
• Ensure every British Embassy licensed to hold Civil Partnerships
• Equalise the age of consent in Gibraltar
• Ban homophobia from our shores                          More...

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