In just one tweet, Theresa May insulted the entire LGBTQI+ community

Rainbow flag


Support us and go ad-free

17 May is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The day challenges the “discriminatory laws, policies and practices against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex… people” (LGBTQI+) that still exist around the world.

Theresa May attempted to support the initiative. Instead, she managed to insult the UK’s entire LGBTQI+ community in just one tweet.

Peak hypocrisy

As the UN notes:

Raising our voices against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and intersexphobia on 17 May is a chance to reaffirm our commitment to respect human dignity and to champion human rights.

May seemed to think that her tweet supported this position:

But she got this oh so very wrong. And many people pointed out just how wrong.

Author James Felton noted May’s voting record. Because it demonstrates how little support she’s given LGBTQI+ people as both MP and Conservative Party leader:

And many other people explained that May’s agreement with the DUP totally undermines her faux support for the LGBTQI+ community.

“Now sashay away”

Since the 2017 general election, the DUP has worked hard to keep May in power. Yet the DUP’s track record on supporting  LGBTQI+ rights is appalling. For a start, it’s consistently blocked any opportunity for same-sex marriage. So many people shared their outrage on Twitter:

 

Many leading DUP politicians also continue to make offensive, homophobic comments. For example, in 2007, Ian Paisley Jr said: “I am pretty repulsed by gay and lesbianism. I think it is wrong”. In 2016, DUP leader Arlene Foster said of pro-marriage equality:

I could not care less what people get up to in terms of their sexuality, that’s not a matter for me – when it becomes a matter for me is when people try to redefine marriage.

So one person on Twitter gave the absolutely perfect response:

The game’s up, May. Spare your faux ‘support’ for LGBTQI+ people. Because as many people pointed out, working with the DUP means it really is time to “sashay away”.

Featured image via Benson Kua/Flickr

Support us and go ad-free

We need your help to keep speaking the truth

Every story that you have come to us with; each injustice you have asked us to investigate; every campaign we have fought; each of your unheard voices we amplified; we do this for you. We are making a difference on your behalf.

Our fight is your fight. You’ve supported our collective struggle every time you gave us a like; and every time you shared our work across social media. Now we need you to support us with a monthly donation.

We have published nearly 2,000 articles and over 50 films in 2021. And we want to do this and more in 2022 but we don’t have enough money to go on at this pace. So, if you value our work and want us to continue then please join us and be part of The Canary family.

In return, you get:

* Advert free reading experience
* Quarterly group video call with the Editor-in-Chief
* Behind the scenes monthly e-newsletter
* 20% discount in our shop

Almost all of our spending goes to the people who make The Canary’s content. So your contribution directly supports our writers and enables us to continue to do what we do: speaking truth, powered by you. We have weathered many attempts to shut us down and silence our vital opposition to an increasingly fascist government and right-wing mainstream media.

With your help we can continue:

* Holding political and state power to account
* Advocating for the people the system marginalises
* Being a media outlet that upholds the highest standards
* Campaigning on the issues others won’t
* Putting your lives central to everything we do

We are a drop of truth in an ocean of deceit. But we can’t do this without your support. So please, can you help us continue the fight?

The Canary Support us

Related articles