■ David Lammy, MP:  “I passionately believe that whether in school, college, university or the workplace, people have the right to study and work without fear or prejudice – anything less not only fails and damages the individual but also puts at risk the loss of their talents to society as a whole.”

David Lammy, the Member of Parliament for Tottenham in London and Minister of Skills at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, was to have been the keynote speaker at the launch of the UK’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) last month.  He had to pull out of attending at the last moment because of family reasons.  No one was more disappointed than Mr. Lammy himself.  He has released the text of what he would have said at the event.

“Holding an event like this is especially timely because of the current media focus on these issues at home and abroad. I passionately believe that whether in school, college, university or the workplace, people have the right to study and work without fear or prejudice – anything less not only fails and damages the individual but also puts at risk the loss of their talents to society as a whole.

So in the UK we must kick homophobia out of our classrooms and places of work.  The use of language for instance where ‘gay’ is becoming the most common synonym for uncool or rubbish must be challenged, not swept under the carpet.  Tackling the growth of extremism on campus and in schools must also be a key objective if we are to ensure that future generations are not subjected to the prejudices of the past.  And there is the still tragic prevalence of suicide and self-harm especially amongst young LGBT people.

However, I believe we can succeed – over the past 11 years we have made great strides in the UK and I am proud to be a member of a party and Government which repealed section 28, equalised the age of consent, legislated to stop discrimination in goods and services, brought in the gender recognition bill, created civil partnerships and is now legislating on hate crime.

I am proud of this record, but not complacent. I strongly support the ideas behind IDAHO.  Having a day that focuses the mind on what is happening beyond our borders is vital and we must use this opportunity to be as ambitious on human and LGBT rights abroad, as we have been at home.

From the use of the death penalty in Iran, to homophobic attacks in the Caribbean and Africa, to the recent horrific killing in America of Lawrence King - the need for IDAHO and global action could not be clearer. Yet these headlines are only the tip of an ice berg, harassment continues around the world with same-sex relationships are still outlawed in over 70 countries and in many places punishable by long prison sentences, torture or death.

From Eastern Europe to Israel and even the US, politicians have targeted the gay community as moral scapegoats, and in recent weeks we have again seen the dangers of allowing homophobia to develop unchecked in schools, with the tragic shooting of Lawrence King. ‘Larry’ was a 15 year old boy brutally killed for expressing himself at school.

Let’s think about that for a moment, about the sort of society we want to live in and set a clear challenge to everyone, especially those who have opposing or more conservative views. King’s killer like all those who commit hate crimes had his views shaped by our society. If we create and tolerate a climate where hate, prejudice and bullying is acceptable, then sadly the chances of extremism taking root and leading to such tragic events increases.

Can it ever be right that someone is killed in school for the clothes they wear; put another way where does such violence end if we allow a climate of prejudice and fear to develop. LOGO a gay channel run by MTV has released a powerful celebrity endorsed video entitled ‘Be a voice against violence’ in an attempt to create a wider coalition against all violent prejudice and hate.

It is a powerful statement that should inspire us all to action. I’m glad we are now making this an issue in schools and we should be clear in all walks of life at home and abroad that violence directed against someone for who they are, what they wear or what they say is totally unacceptable.

It is clear we aren’t going to be able to shift deep seated cultural views over night; after all it took decades of pressure here to reach today’s equality in the UK. However, I think we can and do need to say more – especially where violence and torture are endemic.

I wanted to finish by reiterating the need to promote the universal values of tolerance and freedom, and why we should be proud and unashamed to extol them. For these are the same values that inspired the fight for gender equality, the same values that inspired the fight against segregation and apartheid and the same values that brought democracy to vast swaths of the post-colonial and communist world.

Yet to my mind this work is only half done if we don’t continue the fight for universal human rights. These rights are indivisible and we should say so, working alongside our colleagues in Europe and elsewhere we should keep banging the drum at the UN and in our bilateral relations with other countries reiterate that all human beings have a basic right to a private life free of harassment and a right to form relationships with fellow adults of their own choosing free from prejudice.

I hope that tonight’s event will continue this struggle, increase the profile of IDAHO and build the networks and coalition required to embed and inspire the fight against homophobia both at home and abroad. As the LOGO video concludes: "None of us are safe until all of us are safe”.

This message was sent as David was originally due to speak, but had to cancel for family reasons. By all accounts the evening was a fantastic success and David looks forward to taking part in future IDAHO events.

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Posted: 13 April 2008 at 22:30 (UK time)