| Two weeks ago, just a few minutes
away from where we stand today, David Morley was savagely beaten to death
in an entirely unprovoked attack. He was targeted, it appears, because he
was gay. This horrific murder reminds us in the most terrible of ways that
we still have a long way to go in achieving equality and dignity for all
people. It shows us that we need to increase our respect and awareness of
each other’s differences, in order to eradicate, for good, the mindless
hatred that can lead to such tragic consequences.
Breaking down barriers that divide people is one
of the keys to creating greater understanding between people. The findings
of the “Understanding Prejudice” report show us that friendship with a gay
or disabled person, for example, is likely to reduce prejudice and
encourage respect elsewhere. That prejudiced remarks should be challenged
and questioned when they occur, as such remarks are so often a result of a
lack of knowledge or understanding of those seen as “different” to
ourselves.
I was heartened to read in the report that in
Britain, there is a culture of respect and tolerance. It is this culture
that we need to harness and build on to create a fair and more inclusive
society.
I am delighted, therefore, to be here today, with
colleagues and friends from the equality field, at the launch of such an
important report. “Understanding Prejudice” looks at the links between
different types of prejudice, and how often, the common thread of
discrimination – whether racial, homophobic, or otherwise – ties all these
prejudices together. The report shows us, for example, that someone who
holds racist views is twice as likely to hold homophobic views.
Being able to explore the common threads of
discrimination and prejudice will be an important contribution that the
new Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be able to play. This
body will have a remit to promote human rights, champion equality of
opportunity and challenge discrimination wherever it rears it’s ugly head.
A single and powerful Commission for Equality and Human Rights can create
the place where every community comes equally to the table, where the
experience and impact of different forms of discrimination are understood
and acted upon, but where we leave behind the victim culture and empower
all of us to become agents in shaping our own destiny. This is a
strengthening of our ability to drive change and to build a fairer and
more inclusive society.
I hope that the Government, through these
proposals, as well as through the Civil Partnership Bill, our work to
tackle homophobia in schools, legal protections regarding employment
equality and on the passage of the Gender Recognition Act will help to
create a Britain where we will no longer hear of individuals being
targeted by hatred.
Tolerance and respect for all our communities must
be a fundamental part of our everyday lives, where we value every member
of our society, celebrate difference, and respect each other’s right to
live in safety and with dignity. We all have a responsibility to make this
happen. And I look forward to working with you all to make the British
culture of respect and tolerance a reality for all our people and for all
our communities.
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