Results 1-14 of 14 for gay speaker:Tony Blair

Prime Minister: Engagements (13 Jun 2007)

Tony Blair: ...May I give the House an update on the married couples allowance? Members will remember where we left it: the Tory policy was that married couples without children should receive the allowance, but gay couples would have to have kids. However, the Tory leader has now clarified the position: he says of the married couples allowance that "it could be something to do with married couples".

Written Ministerial Statements — Prime Minister: Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (24 May 2007)

Tony Blair: ...applications from same sex couples to refer them to another agency. I am pleased that both Houses approved these Regulations, which provide a massive step forward in ending discrimination against gay people, and that the Regulations have now come into force. In my announcement on 29 January 2007, I said that I would commission a regular independent assessment from adoption and child...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (21 Mar 2007)

Tony Blair: ...exactly the procedure that we said we would follow in relation to the regulations. I am afraid that in the end there is a basic choice; he takes the view that there should be discrimination against gay people in respect of this—

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (21 Mar 2007)

Tony Blair: Well, it is no use him shaking his head; that is the impact of voting against the regulations. I happen to think that we can, if we are sensible, find a way of preventing discrimination against gay people, while allowing Catholic adoption agencies to carry on doing the excellent work that they do. It is a difficult balance to strike, but I believe that we have struck the right balance, and I...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (7 Mar 2007)

Tony Blair: ...is that it is...still being worked out." Then a couple of days ago the shadow Chancellor says that he is not sure whether it will apply to married couples without children, but for it to apply to gay couples in a civil partnership, they have to have children. We have this Chancellor with 10 years of a strong economy, and we have that shadow Chancellor with his policy making; perhaps the...

Written Answers — Prime Minister: Honours (26 Nov 2002)

Mr Tony Blair: ...Gazette and are usually fully described in the media. The Ceremonial Secretariat incorporates both the Honours Unit and the Nominations Unit. The Secretariat is headed by a senior civil servant, Gay Catto, who is supported by a team of civil servants within the Cabinet Office.

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (26 Jul 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: A lot of the public concern on this was based on the belief that somehow, as a result of repealing clause 28, schools would be forced or allowed to teach gay sex education in schools. That is simply not true. As a result of the amendments tabled to the Learning and Skills Bill, as the right hon. Gentleman well knows now, it is made absolutely clear that sex education is for schools, parents...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (26 Jul 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: ...think that they will gain support in certain quarters, but I genuinely believe that this country is a tolerant country. We are sufficiently mature, in the 21st century, to say that people who are gay are entitled to the same treatment and rights as other people in our society.

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (29 Mar 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: ...had. As I say, since 1994, it has not even applied to schools. The truth of the matter is that the campaign is based on people who do not want to come out and say that they are prejudiced against gay people. They do not want—[Interruption.]

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (29 Mar 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: They do not want to say that they are prejudiced against gay people, so they hide behind the issue of child protection. No child will be forced to take part in gay sex lessons in schools. No child will engage in school sex lessons that are wrong. Sex lessons in schools will carry on being the prerogative of teachers, parents and governors. Parents will carry on having the right to withdraw...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (9 Feb 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: ...however, let me point out that the previous Government decided in 1994 guidance that section 28 did not apply to schools. The idea that has been put about in parts of the press that repeal is about gay sex lessons in schools and all the rest of it is nonsense. Section 28 is being repealed because of the information given to us and the pleas made to us by such organisations as the National...

Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister: Engagements (9 Feb 2000)

Mr Tony Blair: ...of State for Education has indicated that he will introduce guidance that will address those sensible, legitimate concerns. Another aspect of the opposition has to do with exploiting anti-gay feelings. Let us be quite open about that. Those are the opponents I intend to take on.

New clause 3: Amendment of Law Relating to (21 Feb 1994)

Mr Tony Blair: ...is whether the criminal law should discriminate between heterosexual and homosexual sex. It is therefore an issue not of age, but of equality. By supporting equality, no one is advocating or urging gay sex at 16 any more than those who would maintain the age of consent for heterosexual sex advocate that girls or boys of 16 should have sex. It is simply a question whether there are grounds...

New clause 3: Amendment of Law Relating to (21 Feb 1994)

Mr Tony Blair: ...indeed merely experience of life—suggests that being homosexual is not something that people catch, are taught or persuaded into, but something that they are. It is not against the nature of gay people to be gay; it is in fact their nature. It is what they are; it is different, but that is not a ground for discrimination. The vast bulk of evidence suggests that, at 16, boys and...