‘Out’ lesbian’s ousting from top job undermines Labour

Published: 12 May, 2011

• I WAS shocked to read about the loss of deputy leader, Angela Mason, CBE, from Camden’s Town Hall Cabinet for no apparent reason, and to be replaced by a relatively unknown person (Mason loses her role as deputy, May 5). 

I clearly recall the fanfare by Camden a year ago when Angela Mason joined the council as a former Equality and Human Rights Commissioner and an “out” lesbian woman to take up the sustainability portfolio for the cabinet. Camden continues to boast one of the largest populations of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) residents in the UK, and it has been a long, hard struggle to ensure that LGBTs are being fairly represented in their local government. 

The much-hailed appointment of Cllr Mason, a “recognised champion of equality and human rights, with a varied career within government roles”, along with the appointment of Cllr Jonathan Simpson as an “out” mayor last year had sent a powerful message to the LGBT community that Camden’s Labour group was truly committed to equality and diversity for our borough. 

But, within a very short period of time, Camden not only recently scrapped its long-standing LGBT Hate Crime Advisory Group but has now, after some mysterious “private group meeting”, also sent these two key members of the LGBT community to the back benches. 

Homophobia is manifested in many forms. Sometimes blatant, sometimes subtle. Sometimes political. As a long-term gay resident of Camden, my confidence about Camden’s transparency and commitment to LGBT residents is now very shaken.

BRAD HEPBURN
Waxham
Mansfield Road, NW3