London:
UK Prime Minister David Cameron today called out to the world’s LGBT community to live “freely and openly”. In his first message since he announced his impending resignation outside Downing Street yesterday over Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (EU) in the Brexit referendum, the British premier hailed the Pride in London event this weekend, which is an annual gay pride celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
“Sadly, many people in the LGBT community feel the need to filter their behaviour, or hide who they are. But Pride says to Londoners, Britain and the world: be yourself. Live freely and openly,” he said.
“Treat others with respect and tolerance, and expect that same treatment yourself. And in the wake of Orlando as we come together in solidarity with one another today, what better message could there possibly be,” he added.
Praising the #NoFilter theme for this year’s Pride in London, he urged, “Let’s not change who we are. Let’s not hide who we are. Let’s live life with no filter”.
He also highlighted the achievements of his government in the form of the Same-Sex Couples Act, so that “people in this country can celebrate their love for one another, regardless of their sexual orientation. One of the strongest legislative frameworks to tackle discrimination. And a zero-tolerance approach to homophobic bullying everywhere”.
“Now there is, of course, more that needs to be done. Especially on issues such as the availability of Pre Exposure Prophylaxis; mental health in the LGBT community; and on the vital task of working internationally to change laws and attitudes,” he noted.
Describing the recent attack at a gay nightclub in the US as a “direct attack on the LGBT community”, he said, “So we stand with the people of Orlando, and we send our deepest condolences to the families and friends who are grieving today. As we remember those who were lost, we should also resolve to never allow this attack, this terror attack, to change who we are or how we go about our lives”.
