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David Jones' comments on gay parents are hate speech David Jones' comments on gay parents are hate speech
(7 months later)
Today was a pretty average day in the life of my family: I was at home, playing with my son. My daughter was upstairs, having a nap, giving me some peace. My partner, Cameron, was out and about. Between bouts of trying to stop my son eating his toy I glanced at Twitter to see reports of cabinet minister David Jones claiming families like mine "clearly" could not provide a "warm and safe environment" to raise children.Today was a pretty average day in the life of my family: I was at home, playing with my son. My daughter was upstairs, having a nap, giving me some peace. My partner, Cameron, was out and about. Between bouts of trying to stop my son eating his toy I glanced at Twitter to see reports of cabinet minister David Jones claiming families like mine "clearly" could not provide a "warm and safe environment" to raise children.
Hang on a second. We have our ups and downs. We have tantrums and tears as well as a lot of fun and some amazing moments. But not "warm and safe"? I was astounded.Hang on a second. We have our ups and downs. We have tantrums and tears as well as a lot of fun and some amazing moments. But not "warm and safe"? I was astounded.
What David Jones has said makes me sad and angry. It's particularly upsetting so soon after the vote on equal marriage, which I judged to be a turning point for a Conservative party many gay people still regard as "nasty". He's attempted some damage limitation – saying that he isn't "in any sense opposed to stable and committed same-sex partnerships". But sometimes it feels like acceptance of equal rights takes a step forward only to then take two steps back.What David Jones has said makes me sad and angry. It's particularly upsetting so soon after the vote on equal marriage, which I judged to be a turning point for a Conservative party many gay people still regard as "nasty". He's attempted some damage limitation – saying that he isn't "in any sense opposed to stable and committed same-sex partnerships". But sometimes it feels like acceptance of equal rights takes a step forward only to then take two steps back.
I would like to know just what David Jones is basing his remarks on. There has been so much evidence that same sex couples are able to provide a warm and caring environment for children – I've seen it with my own eyes, and adoption agencies, whose first responsibility is to the child, agree. And if there is an extra burden on non-traditional families like mine, it's exactly comments like this that make it harder. Overt, sweary homophobia is one thing, but a disparaging of our ability to behave like normal, loving people is just as bad. We should be giving non-traditional families extra support, not demonising them.I would like to know just what David Jones is basing his remarks on. There has been so much evidence that same sex couples are able to provide a warm and caring environment for children – I've seen it with my own eyes, and adoption agencies, whose first responsibility is to the child, agree. And if there is an extra burden on non-traditional families like mine, it's exactly comments like this that make it harder. Overt, sweary homophobia is one thing, but a disparaging of our ability to behave like normal, loving people is just as bad. We should be giving non-traditional families extra support, not demonising them.
It's outrageous that there's someone at a senior level of government who can say such things. To my mind it's hate speech. If David Cameron wants to prove that the right wing has abandoned its nasty side, he needs to react strongly to this. I can't see how David Jones can remain in a senior position and I don't think he should. Whether the prime minister has the resolve to do anything about it remains to be seen.It's outrageous that there's someone at a senior level of government who can say such things. To my mind it's hate speech. If David Cameron wants to prove that the right wing has abandoned its nasty side, he needs to react strongly to this. I can't see how David Jones can remain in a senior position and I don't think he should. Whether the prime minister has the resolve to do anything about it remains to be seen.
The irony is that same-sex couples think really hard about having kids. They go over every possible scenario for a long time, weighing up whether it's the right time and the right thing to do. Partly for this reason, they can be among the most committed and responsible parents.The irony is that same-sex couples think really hard about having kids. They go over every possible scenario for a long time, weighing up whether it's the right time and the right thing to do. Partly for this reason, they can be among the most committed and responsible parents.
Part of me doesn't really care about what pundits or politicians say, of course. While I'm here with my kids trying to stop them falling of the sofa and making sure they're fed, I don't have time to worry about what Tory MPs think. I'm too busy trying to be a parent and produce happy, content members of society. But I'm also outraged that a voice like this has to be heard, particularly as it may put off same-sex parents considering having children.Part of me doesn't really care about what pundits or politicians say, of course. While I'm here with my kids trying to stop them falling of the sofa and making sure they're fed, I don't have time to worry about what Tory MPs think. I'm too busy trying to be a parent and produce happy, content members of society. But I'm also outraged that a voice like this has to be heard, particularly as it may put off same-sex parents considering having children.
In any case I don't think David Jones' remarks reflect what most sensible people think. The attitudes we've encountered at school gates have been overwhelmingly positive. We've had no trouble arranging playdates and getting on with other parents on an equal footing. Society has changed for the better, it seems. As for David Jones – he seems only to be looking backwards. Well Mr Jones, my family and I are going to keep looking forward. For the sake of our children.In any case I don't think David Jones' remarks reflect what most sensible people think. The attitudes we've encountered at school gates have been overwhelmingly positive. We've had no trouble arranging playdates and getting on with other parents on an equal footing. Society has changed for the better, it seems. As for David Jones – he seems only to be looking backwards. Well Mr Jones, my family and I are going to keep looking forward. For the sake of our children.
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