Tags: LGBTQ rights
‘No Outsiders’ offers a vision of tolerance and equality
Posted: Wed, 31 Jul 2019 by Megan Manson
The current wave of religious protests outside schools began with objections to the No Outsiders scheme of work. As its author prepares to give the NSS's Bradlaugh Lecture, Megan Manson asks what the fuss was about. Read More »
The new education secretary must resist the reactionary campaign against RSE
Posted: Thu, 25 Jul 2019 by Alastair Lichten
The campaign against inclusive relationships and sex education risks spreading from the school gates to sympathetic faith school authorities. Alastair Lichten argues the government must act now to save the subject. Read More »
Sexual freedom and secularism have always gone hand in hand
Posted: Fri, 07 Jun 2019 by Stephen Evans
Stephen Evans says religious concerns weren't a good reason to restrict understanding of birth control in Victorian England and they aren't a good reason to undermine relationships and sex education today. Read More »
A message to anti-LGBT campaigners: There is no hierarchy of equality
Posted: Thu, 06 Jun 2019 by Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett
In modern Britain equality is protected and one person's protected characteristics can't be used to subjugate another. The sooner people from all faiths and none realise this the better, argues Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett. Read More »
Weaponised unreasonableness: father claims school standards violate his rights
Posted: Mon, 07 Jan 2019 by Alastair Lichten
After a father threatens the government with legal action over a requirement to teach about LGBT people in independent schools, Alastair Lichten argues the focus should remain on protecting pupils' rights. Read More »
Why we must reclaim religious freedom
Posted: Wed, 12 Sep 2018 by National Secular Society
There is an urgent case for resisting those who claim the mantle of 'religious freedom' without regard for others' rights and freedoms. Here's why our Secularism 2019 conference will be held under the tagline 'reclaiming religious freedom'.
"Everyone has the... Read More »
Section 28 was a shameful piece of legislation prompted by fake news
Posted: Wed, 23 May 2018 by Terry Sanderson
Thirty years after the government banned local authorities from 'promoting' homosexuality, Terry Sanderson reflects on the hysteria that prompted Section 28, the fear it caused and the backing religious fanatics gave it.
The struggle for gay rights in this... Read More »
Seven women who refused to be silenced by religious bullies
Posted: Thu, 08 Mar 2018 by Megan Manson
On International Women's Day, Megan Manson celebrates the stories of seven brave and determined women in the UK who religious hardliners have tried – and failed miserably – to bully over the past year.
Religion is one of the key obstructions to... Read More »
The greater the religious fervency, the greater the homophobia
Posted: Fri, 07 Jul 2017 by Keith Porteous Wood
On Pride weekend, NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood highlights the interconnectedness between the fight for secularism and equality for LGBTQ people.
Homosexuality, or at least homosexual activity, especially by men, has been a long-standing subject... Read More »
Why the Ashers Bakery 'gay cake' ruling was reasonable
Posted: Tue, 01 Nov 2016 by Stephen Evans
Despite the hyperbole, the decision in the Ashers Baker case is both reasonable and straightforward, opening the door neither to a denigration of religious freedom or equality laws. Had the case gone the other way it would have undermined both.
Invisible power: how the Catholic Church influences Italian politics
Posted: Thu, 26 May 2016 by Stefano Bonino
Italy's bill on civil unions is an important landmark in the history of successful and unsuccessful attempts by the Vatican to influence Italian politics, writes Stefano Bonino.
The last country in the European Union to recognise civil unions for same sex-couples,... Read More »
The gay community should recognise and oppose its chief oppressor
Posted: Tue, 17 May 2016 by Terry Sanderson
While people of all faiths and none have campaigned for and against LGBTQ rights, the merger of religious and state power has always been the greatest threat to LGBTQ rights around the world and turns bigotry into discrimination, argues NSS president Terry... Read More »
Children in Scotland awaiting adoption - who puts their best interests first?
Posted: Thu, 28 Feb 2013 by Alistair McBay
Imagine for a moment a secular public service, let's say an adoption charity, refusing to consider applications from prospective adopters who are Catholic purely on the grounds of their religion (equality law notwithstanding) and deliberately restricting the... Read More »
Edward Leigh’s Bill to put religious conscience opt-out into Equality Act is doomed
Posted: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 by Keith Porteous Wood
By Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society
A ten-minute rule Bill — the Equality (Marriage) (Amendment) Bill — was introduced in the House of Commons on 29 January 2013. Its aim is to amend the Equality Act to add... Read More »
Acceptance of gay rights is an indication that USA is secularising
Posted: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 by Adrian Tippetts
By Adrian Tippetts
This weekend the US media pundits have been asking to what extent LGBT people swung the vote for Obama in the 2012 elections. It's a difficult call to say any one particular social group might be responsible for stopping the Republicans,... Read More »
Stonewall is right – the Cardinal is a bigot
Posted: Fri, 02 Nov 2012 by Terry Sanderson
By Terry Sanderson, NSS President
The LGBT rights group Stonewall is under mounting attack for nominating Cardinal Keith O'Brien as "Bigot of the Year" at its awards ceremony this week.
Politicians – such as Alec Salmond – who are petrified of upsetting... Read More »
