Tory peer Baron Duncan blasts government for failing trans people
Baron Duncan speaks during the PinkNews Awards 2022. (PinkNews Awards)
House of Lords deputy speaker Baron Ian Duncan called out the government for failing to “stand up” for trans people during the PinkNews Awards 2022.
The PinkNews Awards 2022 is supported by joint headline sponsors Lloyds Banking Group and United Airlines.
The Conservative peer told event attendees that the government “can still make a difference” to LGBTQ+ rights while announcing the nominees for the Business Equality Award.
“This government has not offered the leadership that the trans community deserve,” Duncan said. “But there is still time.
“When the government fails to stand up in its leadership, businesses must fill in the gaps, and the nominees tonight have done that very thing.”
Trans people ‘part of our community’
Nominees for the Business Equality Award included Channel 4, Virgin Media O2, Latham & Watkins, Procter and Gamble, and Gilead Sciences.
Before announcing the winner, Duncan reminded the government that trans people don’t “live in a hill far away.”
“[They] are part of our community,” he continued to rapturous applause. “They are our children, they are our sisters, and they are our brothers.”
“In truth, language matters, and you need to communicate exactly what’s going on to help make people safe,” he continued.
“If a government can’t do that, it doesn’t deserve to be a government.”
After an ovation from the audience at the PinkNews Awards – which included trans writer Juno Dawson and drag artist Aida H Dee – Duncan urged the government to “make a difference.”
“Let’s make sure they do make that difference because, by god, they’ve not done it so far.”
Ian Duncan told audience members that the government needs to “step up” for LGBTQ+ rights. (PinkNews Awards 2022)
Duncan announced Procter and Gamble as the winner of the award
