Results 1-20 of 46 for gay speaker:John Bercow

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions: Equality Bill (11 May 2009)

John Bercow: ...committed to securing greater representation in this House from women, members of the ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and, as far as I am concerned, people from the LGBT—lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender—community, which has historically been hugely unrepresented in this House. I should also say at the outset, for the avoidance of doubt, that I strongly support...

Christianity in Public Life (11 Mar 2009)

John Bercow: ...have expressed about the obstacles that are sometimes put in the way of faith-based groups that seek not to proselytise but to deliver results. However, does he accept that whatever his views about gay sexual practice, for example, it is a bit much for people to say, "As Christians, we are being discriminated by comparison with others"? All that people such as me and the hon. Member for...

Coroners and Justice Bill (26 Jan 2009) has video

John Bercow: ...very sound, and commanded widespread support. It was designed to catch, among other things, despicable homophobic lyrics in reggae songs, such as "Hang lesbians with a long piece of rope" and "All gay men should die". May I put it to the right hon. Gentleman that the so-called free speech amendment was at best superfluous, and at worst deeply objectionable? Some—although not...

Modernisation of the House of Commons (Standing Orders): Speaker's Conference (12 Nov 2008) has video

John Bercow: ...and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) that it would be a useful addition to the robust terms of reference that have been established to consider how we might ratchet-up the representation of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in this representative House of Commons? I want briefly to make two points, as I am conscious that other Members wish to speak and they should have the opportunity to do so....

[Mr. Martin Caton in the Chair] — Children and Young People with Autism (8 Oct 2008)

John Bercow: ...to kick in. I politely suggest two things to the Minister. First, let us have a theme of anti-bullying, segmented during different parts of the year—bullying of the disabled, bullying of gay, lesbian or bisexual pupils, bullying on grounds of race—that underlines the evil, stresses the strategies available to deal with it, incentivises improved performance and offers arrays of...

Orders of the Day: Clause 14 — Conditions of licences for treatment (20 May 2008) has video

John Bercow: ...(Mrs. Robinson) has passionate views, and I respect her integrity on the matter, but I happen to disagree with her. I put it to the Minister that the hon. Lady's argument is not simply against gay couples having access to IVF treatment but against gay adoption, the legal age of consent and gay equality per se.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Homophobia (19 May 2008)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of the level of violence and persecution aimed at gay men in (a) Iraq and (b) Iran.

Oral Answers to Questions — Children, Schools and Families: Employment Choices (17 Mar 2008) has video

John Bercow: Given the finding of the Stonewall school report that no less than two thirds of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people have suffered bullying, will the Under-Secretary of State join me in congratulating Stonewall on the magnificent campaign that it is waging across the whole country, working through no fewer than 5,000 secondary schools, on the theme, "Some people are gay. Get over it!"? It...

Opposition Day — [20th Allotted Day — First Part]: Bullying in Schools (17 Oct 2007) has video

John Bercow: According to the evidence, 41 per cent. of gay children in schools are beaten up and no fewer than 17 per cent. of them receive death threats. Will the Minister tell us how the revised and strengthened guidance will promote action to counter that phenomenon, especially in the light of the growth of faith schools in which there is often a very strong and traditionalist ethos in regard to...

Business of the House (15 Mar 2007)

John Bercow: ...Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale)? As one of the Members of the House who has consistently argued that the Government's sexual orientation regulations will be a liberating force for millions of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in this country, I implore the Leader of the House, even at this late stage, to arrange for a debate on the Floor of the House on the matter next week, both because...

Business of the House (25 Jan 2007)

John Bercow: ...we have a statement next week to confirm that the Cabinet majority has asserted itself in favour of that proposition, to be followed by the speediest possible passage of the regulations, so that gay, lesbian and bisexual people can enjoy equality before the law in the provision of goods, services and facilities, which they have been too long denied?

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq: Human Rights (13 Dec 2006)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on the observance of the human rights of gay men in Iraq.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Gay Rights (18 Oct 2006)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts about promoting gay rights.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Iraq (18 Oct 2006)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that fundamentalist militias are operating in Iraq and are persecuting gay Iraqis.

[Mr. Joe Benton in the Chair] — Democratic People's Republic of Korea (Human Rights) (22 Jun 2006)

John Bercow: ...the denial of women's rights be a matter of concern to men, the denial of the rights of ethnic minorities be a matter of concern to those who do not belong to one, and the denial of the rights of gays be a matter of concern those who are not gay? On precisely the same principle, the denial of the rights of Christians should properly preoccupy us all. It is not a minority concern.

Written Answers — Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs: Jamaica (18 May 2006)

John Bercow: ...Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the authorities in Jamaica on (a) tackling homophobia and (b) police attitudes to and treatment of gay people.

Orders of the Day — Equality Bill [Lords]: Clause 10 — Groups (16 Jan 2006)

John Bercow: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving me such a candid and straightforward answer. Further to that answer, would he on the same basis argue that because the gay population is by general consent thought to be approximately 10 per cent. of the adult population, it would logically follow that if the body were to consist of 10 people, there should be one guaranteed place for the gay...

Orders of the Day — Equality Bill [Lords]: New Clause 9 — Discrimination on grounds of gender reassignment (16 Jan 2006)

John Bercow: ...now is no more compelling than the rationale that they offered in the other place in the first instance in respect of the similar problem of goods and services discrimination against lesbians and gay men. In fairness to Ministers, I may say that on that occasion, not least under pressure from the noble Lord Alli, the Government saw sense and conceded the need to act. Should they not do so...

Orders of the Day — Equality Bill [Lords] — Order for Second Reading read. (21 Nov 2005)

John Bercow: ...but I happen to have the advantage of being in the right, which is not something that my right hon. Friend can boast. May I simply tell the Minister that, in introducing the regulations to protect gay people from discrimination in the provision of services, facilities and goods, it is important that they be introduced soon, that they be comprehensive and that they do not contain get-out...