Guardian - 22 January 2018, 14:05 (+ 2297 days 2 hours and 19 minutes) International
Historically, we’ve never been able to rely on Westminster for protection. With the loss of the EU charter, we’ll be vulnerable once again• Jonathan Cooper OBE is a lawyer and human rights specialistThe House of Commons has voted to reject the only treaty binding on the UK that expressly protects against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. If the EU withdrawal bill is unamended in the Lords, the EU charter will cease to have effect in UK law after Brexit. Article 21 of the charter, inter alia, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation.The LGBT community in the UK remains vulnerable and marginalised. Some still despise us. In the past decade or so, exponentially our rights have been recognised in law. It’s been extraordinary to witness, as well as experience. But as is well documented, meaningful equality eludes LGBT people. The type of everyday normalcy that heterosexual people can take for granted is still not an option for countless LGBT people. Does that lack of equality result in harm? Sometimes it can. Other stuff we just put up with. That’s why we need as much protection as possible. Continue reading...