Last Thursday, Stockport Council agreed a resolution in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Amongst other measures, councillors committed the Council to continue and expand its work in ensuring that members of the LGBTQ+ community have access to adequate healthcare – whilst tackling hate crime in the borough both through education and continuing the work of the Safer Stockport partnership. The motion was supported by councillors from different parties across the chamber.
Moving the proposal was Offerton Lib Dem Councillor, Dan Oliver, who said
“With this motion we wanted to reaffirm our support for the LGBTQ+ community and to build on the ways in which we engage with and champion the communities members. We have therefore committed to expanding the number of organisations we work with, to improve education and understanding, and to strive for better access to healthcare.
When creating this motion, we have worked very closely with Forward Stockport, a leading organisation of the local LGBTQ+ community, who do amazing work in providing a safe space for the community alongside assisting members to access vital services.”
Between 2020 and 2024, hate crime as a result of an individual’s sexual orientation or being Transgender have almost doubled. Cllr Oliver himself spoke of the abuse he himself has faced when in public with his partner, while other members in the chamber also spoke on their experiences of discrimination.
Cllr Oliver added-
“It was very moving to hear the testimonies of fellow councillors from different parties as we shared our personal experiences of discrimination or abuse, simply for unashamedly being who we are. It was also uplifting to see others speaking of how they have strived to become more understanding of the community and have, over time, become allies themselves.
In Stockport we are committed to supporting all of our residents, this motion isn’t simply about exclusively supporting the LGBTQ+ community. It’s part of a wider strategy of actively looking for new ways in which we can improve the lives of all our of residents who are facing difficulty, and creating an environment of tolerance, community and understanding.”
