SPECIAL Gay Tory supporters at Conference Pride in1 Manchester’s Spirit bar bulletin REPORT Blue boyz get their Party invite The Conservative Party has embraced its gay supporters in unexpected ways. David Bridle reports from last week’s Tory conference in Manchester. wonks, students and just ordinary party he transvestite at the Conference the party who disagreed with David members. Pride event in Manchester’s Spirit Cameron’s hand of friendship to his gay This year’s Conference Pride was Tbar was in high heels and a short supporters. Some of the members ar- the idea of a senior party HQ worker dress revealing a long smooth pair of gued that the party was doing it just for who received the express support of legs. I guessed he was in his late 20s. votes, but many of those traditional true David and Samantha Cameron for the ‘Have you been at the conference?’ blue ladies and gentlemen genuinely night to go ahead. It was heavily pub- I asked, thinking he might be a local welcomed the overtures. licised in the conference programme Mancunian trannie who had just come ‘We all love Matthew Parris,’ one and as delegates walked through the to see the Tory boys. lady said to me, as though the Times entrance foyer, young party workers backbencher and Labour and Liberal ‘Yes, of course,’ he said, ‘but not journalist’s years of openness about his invited them to buy tickets – alongside MP to undo the equality legislation. No dressed like this. I don’t think they’re sexuality had mellowed the blue-rinse the more traditional events. minister, frontbencher or government ready for that yet.’ Then he paused, brigade. ‘Times have changed and Matthew Sephton, chairman of LG- member would support such action, he as though he was trying to work out if we’ve become a lot more tolerant as a BTory, said the night was as ‘successful told me. he could actually have walked around party,’ another elderly gentleman told as it could have been’ with four shadow Iain Dale, the out gay Tory blogger Manchester Central conference hall me. cabinet ministers present, 12 prospec- and candidate for a Tory ‘open primary’ dressed as a woman in David Cam- It’s a view tive parliamen- in Bracknell, agreed: ‘Let’s say Ian eron’s new Conservative Party. ‘Oh, I sustained by lead- tary candidates Paisley brought in a bill in the House of don’t know, maybe…?’ he added. ing gay figures and nearly 700 Commons to abolish civil partnerships. It seems the inclusive new Tory in the party like tickets sold. I reckon you’d struggle to get five Tory party might indeed know no bounds if Nick Herbert, the Despite the MPs to sign it. I’d like to think none of a cross-dressing Conservative activist party’s environ- night’s success them would,’ Dale said. In support of from can comfortably be himself ment spokesman. for the gay this view, David Cameron mentioned at a Tory social. ‘Gay people are Tories, it was civil partnerships twice in his confer- But outside the bar, a sizeable not the property a controversial ence speech last week adding ‘these contingent of demonstrators from of the Left and week with the are good things that we will keep’. groups like Outrage and Queer Youth the Labour Party,’ party’s links Ben Summerskill of , at Network carried banners like ‘Your he declared to Margot James, lesbian Tory vice-chair and out with the right- a fringe meeting on ‘Why gay people Party Hates You’ and ‘Queer Rights Are cheers at Tuesday gay blogger Iain Dale address the crowds wing Polish Law should vote Conservative’ said that he Not For Sale’. Later the group held ‘Tory night’s party. and Justice expected more gay and lesbian MPs to Shame’, a night at the Alter Ego club ‘We have supported equality legis- Party, in its new European Parliament be elected for the Conservatives after ‘to highlight the shame of the Tories lation, we have supported the offence grouping, coming under scrutiny. the election than for the Labour and historical intolerance to the lesbian and of incitement against gay hatred, the Ben Summerskill, head of Stone- Liberal parties combined. This is mainly gay community.’ record now speaks for itself,’ Herbert wall, stayed away from the Conference because the Tories have placed openly The protestors argued the Con- added. Pride event, citing senior members of gay people like Nick Boles and Margot servative Party hasn’t changed and is Margot James, an out lesbian and the party sharing a platform with people James in safe, winnable Conservative still as homophobic as ever. I spent my Tory vice-chair told the event: ‘I’m very ‘of such extreme and offensive views’ as seats. week at the conference trying to find proud that earlier this year our party his reason. The latest poll by Pink News Sitting in a conference fringe meet- out who was right and, more specifical- - and David Cameron in particular - has seen a dramatic fall in support for ing, I saw a young man brush a speck ly, whether the Tory party has embraced apologised for Clause 28. I think that the Tories amongst gay voters since the of fluff off his partner’s dark suit jacket. its gay supporters. was a great move and to be welcomed.’ controversy. It was a gentle gesture of affection and As I wandered around the coffee As Angie Brown sang ‘Back, Back, Whilst visiting the conference, the care between two gay men. I don’t bars and fringe meetings, I asked every Back David Cameron!’ at the Spirit bar, leader of the new bloc, Polish MEP think his boyfriend even noticed. They traditional grassroot activist I could find: I was struck by what a young crowd of Michal Kaminski, told Total Politics were both about 20. Yet this poignant ‘Was the party really welcoming its gay gay Tories were there. I’d say they were magazine’s Iain Dale that he was ‘very moment brought home graphically to members or was it just for show?’ predominantly in their mid to late twen- proud’ that Poland had been one of the me how a new generation of young gay What I found was surprising; I ties; a mix of councillors, prospective first countries in Europe to decriminal- men who share their politics and their couldn’t find a single activist from parliamentary candidates, think-tank ise homosexuality in 1928 - 39 years bedrooms had finally been welcomed before the British Labour govern- into their natural political home. Those ment acted. He added that he would two men can work together delivering consider voting for civil partnerships leaflets, fundraising and maybe even and even said, if invited, he would have standing as councillors for the Conserv- attended and addressed the Confer- ative Party without living a secret life. ence Pride event. Whether the wider gay community Many of the younger gay Tories I will embrace David Cameron is still in spoke to, whilst keeping a watching eye the balance, but there’s no doubt the on the debate, thought the party had a Tory party of today is more welcoming role to play in helping such countries to its gay members than it’s ever been. develop improved attitudes towards gay I would even suggest it puts the people and equality through the Euro- Labour and Liberal parties to shame in pean alliance. ‘We are concerned with placing so many gay candidates into the future not the past,’ said Matthew safe seats for the 2010 election. Iain Sephton of LGBTory. Dale who has researched the party’s Many gay party members are angry candidates for a new book thinks at Labour claims that the Tories would there is going to between 20 and 30 go back on its equality legislation. One out lesbian and gay Tories in winnable senior gay figure, who works for the seats. Perhaps the other parties need party, told me that should the Conserva- to wake up to that fact before attacking

Photographs © Ben Brougham Angie Brown sang ‘Back, Back, Back David Cameron!’. tives win, it would take the vote of every the Tories too much. 60 thursday 15 october 2009