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| LGBT+ Conservatives | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chairman | Luke Robert Black |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Preceded by | |
| Headquarters | Conservative Campaign HQ 4 Matthew Parker Street, London, SW1H 9HQ, England |
| Ideology | LGBTQ conservatism Economic liberalism British unionism |
| Position | Centre-right |
| National affiliation | Conservative Party |
| Slogan | "The LGBT Conservative Group" |
| Website | lgbtconservatives.org.uk |
LGBT+ Conservatives is an organisation forLGBTQ conservatism in theUnited Kingdom.[1] It is the official LGBTQ wing of theConservative Party. The current advocacy group can trace its roots back to theConservative Group for Homosexual Equality which was later renamed theTory Campaign for Homosexual Equality. The group was eventually disbanded and the newLGBTory group was formed, changing its name in 2016[2] to LGBT+ Conservatives.
The group campaigns forLGBTQ rights alongside the main political beliefs and policies of the Conservative Party, which it promotes within the Party,LGBTQ community, and wider public. Besides this LGBT+ Conservatives campaigns for LGBTQ candidates,[3][4][5] including through its Candidates' Fund[6] and attendsPride events across the country.[7][8][9] It also organises events related to LGBTQ rights[10][11] including an annual event withStonewall atConservative Party Conference.[12][13] Since its early formation, the organisation has had an impact nationally, withinEurope and globally becoming the model and inspiration forLGBTory and alike groups inAustralia andCanada.[14][15]
LGBT+ Conservatives has been present at social meet ups, meals and drinks andPride events across the country.[16] LGBT+ Conservatives host many fundraising events across the UK, and Parliamentary receptions inThe Palace of Westminster for members of both theHouse of Lords and House of Commons.
In 2016, LGBT+ Conservatives' officers also represented the organisation at the then-Prime MinisterTheresa May's LGBTDowning Street garden reception.[17]After the 2017 general election, the group's then-chair Matthew Green was critical of theDemocratic Unionist Party, describing the DUP's record on LGBT issues as "appalling".[18] This followed May's announcement that she intended to form aminority government with the DUP. As a result of thehung Parliament arising from the election, May's Conservatives did not have an overall majority, so were reliant on DUP support to govern. TheConservative-DUP agreement was finalised several weeks later, and lasted until Parliament was dissolved in November 2019.
In 2018, the official LGBT+ Conservative account posted a tweet denouncing the views of Conservative MPDavid Davies on transgender people. It later apologised for the tone of the tweet.[19]
In 2021, the Conservative Prime MinisterBoris Johnson's wifeCarrie Johnson spoke at the group's yearly Pride Reception in a rare public intervention.[20] Described by Chairwoman Elena Bunbury as a "longstanding ally"[20] and "a good sport to LGBT+ Conservatives",[20]Mrs Johnson's speech was widely reported in both UK and international press. This was the first intervention at a party conference by the spouse of a Prime Minister sinceGordon Brown's wifeSarah Brown spoke at theLabour party conference.[21]Mrs Johnson told a 100-strong audience including the Prime MinisterBoris, his sisterRachel Johnson, his fatherStanley Johnson and the Foreign SecretaryLiz Truss, that the Prime Minister was committed to LGBT rights.[21]
In 2023, the group celebrated ten years since the passing of theConservative Party'sSame-Sex Marriage Act, by hosting a drinks reception[22] with former Conservative Prime MinisterDavid Cameron; Cameron has noted it as one of his proudest achievements in office several times.[23][24][25] The event was also attended byBaroness Stowell, who was theLeader of the House of Lords at the time and responsible for seeing the Same-Sex Marriage Act's passage through theHouse of Lords.[26] Famed for opening the debate with a joke about her love forGeorge Clooney,[27]Baroness Stowell is cited by many within the LGBT+ Conservatives as a key force behind getting the bill through theHouse of Lords.
In 2023, the group partnered with a UK media company, Tiny White Fox,[28] to develop a new weekly podcast on LGBT+ current affairs calledNever Kissed A Tory hosted by Joe Wilmot, Albie Amankona and Luke Robert Black.[29] The podcast also hosts Conservative MPs, AMs and Peers, includingEmma Best AM,Andrew Boff AM,Maria Caulfield MP,Susan Hall AM andAlicia Kearns MP.
In December 2023, the group hosted its first ever reception at10 Downing Street in which the Prime MinisterRishi Sunak attended and met with its members.[30] In the reception, the organisation celebrated the success of its joint campaign with theTerrence Higgins Trust to expandHIV Opt-Out testing[31] in English A&Es, which was announced the previous month by the Conservative Health SecretaryVictoria Atkins at a parliamentary reception withSir Elton John.[32]
LGBT+ Conservatives group disburse campaign funds in support of LGBT+ candidates.[33]
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Commons:[42]
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the House of Lords:[42]
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in Holyrood:[42]
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons in the London Assembly:[42]
LGBT+ Conservatives patrons who are regional metro mayors:[42]
The LGBT+ Conservatives started giving out awards to UK parliamentarians and LGBT+ Conservatives' Executive and council members in 2022.
Prospective candidates for an award are shortlisted by the LGBT+ Conservatives' Executive. Once shortlisted, the members of the LGBT+ Conservatives vote for their preferred winner.[43]
Traditionally, the Awards are announced at the Pride Reception, which the LGBT+ Conservatives has held jointly with the UK LGBT charityStonewall atConservative Party Conference.
| Year | Patron of the Year | Ally of the Year | Council Member of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Baroness Davidson of Lundin Links[44] | Penny Mordaunt MP[45] | Luke Robert Black[46] |
| 2023 | Stuart Andrew MP[47] | Penny Mordaunt MP[48] | Albie Amankona[49] |
| 2024 | To be confirmed | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
LGBTory was founded in 2015 by a group of Toronto Conservatives who wanted to be a presence at the Toronto Pride parade... When casting about for a name for our new group, we found a similar organization in the UK called LGBTory.
