Results 1-11 of 11 for gay speaker:Ann Keen

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (10 Feb 2000)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...to say, but on previous occasions and in another place—encourages and gives licence to people who feel that they can condone hatred, homophobia and even worse. People have been beaten and gay men have been murdered; they have been under attack and they are still under attack. When offensive language is used in a place like this, it gives licence to such behaviour. I have no intention...

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (10 Feb 2000)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...in the minority and different from the norm. We are talking about human beings. We must value all human life equally. Life was going on that night in Old Compton street. Friends and family—gay and straight—were out for the evening. Some were celebrating a wedding and, sadly, one of the deceased was celebrating the expected birth of a child. They were all enjoying the...

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (10 Feb 2000)

Mrs Ann Keen: .... I agree with her when she comments: If that's the case, then why are we a nation of people who can't add or spell when teachers expound the benefits of these every day for 16 … years?And if 'gay lessons' have some special magic power to stick in the young mind, then for heaven's sake let's make the whole syllabus gay! Gay physics, gay geography, gay maths. We'll all be geniuses. I...

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill: Exceptions (10 Feb 1999)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...the debate. Families involved with all young people in our community are equally important. Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers of lesbian and gay young people. In addition to coming to the House, they have also put their case to the wider media—on television and radio and in the newspapers—and for the first time they are...

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (25 Jan 1999)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...law. I am extremely pleased that the Government have returned to the issue in a Government Bill, and that it is so strongly supported by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. Many, many young gay men and women look to Parliament to make it possible for them to be accepted and respected in our society. There continues to be so much damage to our young people. Persecution, discrimination...

Orders of the Day — Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill (25 Jan 1999)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...The message that the House can send out today is that all young people are to be valued. Some people suggest that the involvement and enforcement of the law can discourage young people from being gay. Do they seriously suggest that close family members and friends should report young people to the police? If a son informs his mother about his sexuality, should she tell him in an emotional...

Orders of the Day — Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]: Reduction in Age at Which Certain Sexual Acts are Lawful (22 Jun 1998)

Mrs Ann Keen: .... It is fundamental in any democracy that the rights and responsibilities of all citizens are protected equally under the law. The question is whether that principle of equality should extend to gay men. We are one of the last nations in the European Union yet to legislate for equality on the age of consent. Just over a week ago, the Finnish Parliament passed a similar law, on a unanimous...

Orders of the Day — Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]: Reduction in Age at Which Certain Sexual Acts are Lawful (22 Jun 1998)

Mrs Ann Keen: My hon. Friend's point is incorrect. The purpose of the new clause is to make everyone equal under the law. New clause 1 is not only for gay people but for their parents. The current law provides no support to the parents of young people trying to come out to their parents. The law brands their children as not only different but criminal in its eyes. I have received many letters from gay men...

Orders of the Day — Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]: Reduction in Age at Which Certain Sexual Acts are Lawful (22 Jun 1998)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...professions, I have been able to consider very carefully matters relating to health risks and the age of consent. I am convinced that the law as it stands is a serious threat to the health of young gay men. We should send one clear message to all young people. We need to say that we value the health of all our young people equally, and we will treat everyone equally. I pay tribute to...

Orders of the Day — Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]: Reduction in Age at Which Certain Sexual Acts are Lawful (22 Jun 1998)

Mrs Ann Keen: ...brings. However, many hon. Members represent rural areas, smaller towns and communities that are less obviously diverse, and, in such areas, Members of Parliament are less likely to be contacted by gay men. That is because of the feeling of isolation experienced by those regarded as different by their neighbours. It is even more important that they, the silent minority, are represented,...

Orders of the Day — Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]: Reduction in Age at Which Certain Sexual Acts are Lawful (22 Jun 1998)

Mrs Ann Keen: .... Members wish to speak, and I have given way to hon. Members on both sides equally—that is equality. Families—mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters—who love and respect their gay family member are pained and angered when prejudice and criminal law discriminate against their loved one. It is about time that families were all equal. Those principles represent the...