The moment I met Chris, I realised he wasn’t like any politician I had met before. Within 30 seconds, he was asking me questions about the buildings and campus; even jokingly pointed to the roof of Robert Blackburn suggesting that it was some sort of Air Traffic Control tower. He instantly struck me as different but highly intelligent.
He was in Hull on a general visit but spent an hour with members of the Hull and East Riding Labour LGBT+ Network plus others to consider the question of whether Equal Marriage will bring equality.
In Chris Bryant style, he started off, half-jokingly stated he wasn’t going to really talk about the question. However the talk was captivating. Speaking about the fact he was initially a priest, it was an interesting insight into the attitudes of the church and the way the government should be dealing with the Equal Marriage issue. Furthermore his tour into the attitudes of politicians and the weird nature of opposition by some MPs was also particularly insightful.
But looking to the other half of the question, he touched on many issues, in particular that of homophobic bullying. An emotional issue, his words on that served as a reminder that the battle will go on and perhaps never be won in regards to discrimination; particularly because it is seen as an ‘invisible’ difference.
What followed was a very lively and engaging debate which in fact I was really impressed with. With only one question regarding the Progress wing of the party, to which he summed up nicely that there shouldn’t be any factions anyway, the debate ranged from whether the Equal Marriage Vote should be whipped, asylum requests for LGBT people facing discrimination to an interesting question from a German audience member asking why Britain is so liberal on these issues and whether the EU should be greater involved in anti-discrimination.
Pretty much running the show, Chris offered some interesting and at time amusing answers. Some, such as the asylum requests, which is an area in which he deals with professionally, he played out and debated. Others like the question on why Britain is so liberal, he mentioned his personal friendship with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his, to quote ‘gorgeous boyfriend’ Michael Mronz.
What I think was interesting to take away from this debate was that the conversation on LGBT rights does not finish at Equal Marriage. There is so much more that needs to be done. Equal Marriage is a step in the right direction but will it change attitudes completely. Something in particular I took from it is sometimes one cannot always convince everyone. Particularly with homosexuality as such an ‘invisible’ difference, the debate may rage on for many more years to come. A fantastic speaker and great discussion, it was much enjoyed.