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Commons Speaker launches “Kaleidoscope”

More than 120 people, including senior ministers, the leader of the opposition and supporters from Britain, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and elsewhere attended a reception last night (Tuesday) to mark the launch of Kaleidoscope, a new international organisation to support gay men and lesbians around the world who face prejudice and discrimination.

Photo credit: Joseph Penn

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, hosted the event as Honorary President of Kaleidoscope. He said there had been “great legislative and cultural progress” in the UK in recent years but added:

“There is still a global challenge. Other people in other parts of the world don’t enjoy anything like that equality. Discrimination, abuse, threats, incarceration, violence, torture and death are still very much part of the daily diet that is meted out to a large number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in countries across the world.”

Photo credit: Joseph Penn

The leader of the opposition, Ed Miliband, said:

“If I think of the way Britain has transformed for the better in the past twenty years, I can think of no more important area than in the area of equality for lesbian and gay people…Consensus here at home makes us much more powerful advocates for change internationally….(Kaleidoscope) is an incredibly important initiative and I know it has cross party support and we wish you well.”

Photo credit: Joseph Penn

Bisi Alimi, a refugee from Kenya where he was threatened with death because of his sexuality, said:

“I am tired of international organisations coming to Africa to tell us what to do. Kaleidoscope is coming to Africa to say, ‘What do you want us to do?’, and that is the most important thing. Please support Kaleidoscope. We have a mission, we have a vision, but without you we might not be able to get it.”

Lance Price, the director of Kaleidoscope, said:

“The task we face is daunting and we don’t underestimate it. But we draw strength from the fact where there has been change in the past the process always starts with brave individuals who are prepared to stand up and be counted, prepared to start to challenge the society which they see around them which has made them feel isolated and scared. The purpose of Kaleidoscope is to help them. It is as simple as that.”

Photo credit: Joseph Penn

Others attending the reception included:

• Andrew Mitchell MP, Secretary of State for International Development
• Lynne Featherstone MP, Equalities Minister
• Angus Robertson MP, leader of SNP at Westminster
• Hilary Benn, shadow leader of the House of Commons
• Paul Gambaccini
• Amy Lamé