Jack Coleman, Witham West Braintree District council candidate for the labour party and LGBT Spokesperson has spoken out on the Tone Deaf remarks from Foreign secretary James Cleverly regarding LGBT Football fans attending the world cup this winter in Qatar
LGBT football fans who attend the World Cup in Qatar should show "a little bit of flex and compromise", Braintree Conservative MP Foreign Secretary James Cleverly
Mr Cleverly’s remarks are entirely tone-deaf and are not representative of the values of this nation in regard to inclusivity in sport, or Britain’s track record of being a champion for LGBT rights.
The Foreign Secretary should represent the values of our nation. No one in Britain should have to compromise on their identity. Freedom of expression and inclusivity are British values, which are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised.
LGBT individuals should not have to compromise for who they are. Qatar has taken on the international commitment to host a global sporting event welcoming nations from around the world. A world in which LGBT people exist. Perhaps the Foreign Secretary could promote another British value of tolerance, something that the Qatari officials could note in regards to showing respect to LGBT fans. Respect is a two-way process if Qatar is expecting fans to be respectful then perhaps showing respect to all fans of football would be a positive start.
The foreign secretary should be championing LGBT rights globally as LGBT rights are British rights.
No one in Britain should have to compromise on their identity. Freedom of expression and inclusivity are British values, which are non-negotiable and cannot be compromised.LGBT individuals should not have to compromise for who they are. Jack Coleman Labour LGBT Spokesperson & Witham West Council Candidate
As an openly gay council candidate in the upcoming local elections, I promise to represent the community and values of Britain and will not compromise on who I am or what my community stands for.
Championing our nation’s treasured sport of football and promoting it globally for all to love the sport. That is the message our Foreign Secretary should promote leading up to the games.
I call on the foreign secretary to retract his remarks and to consider wearing a symbol that represents Britain’s commitment to LGBT rights and access to sport, just as our national team will be doing in Qatar. When we win in Qatar this year and bring football home, let’s show all gay players both professionally and on community pitches globally that Britain’s football community is here for them and we have clubs up and down the country, for them to be out and proud.
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