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Lesbian Visibility Week
24 April 2025
Lead MP
Kate Osborne
Jarrow and Gateshead East
Lab
Responding Minister
Dame Nia Griffith
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementHousing
Word Count: 9986
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Kate Osborne raised concerns about lesbian visibility week in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should ensure hate crime based on sexual orientation is classified as an aggravated offence and improve guidance following the Supreme Court verdict to protect trans individuals and cis women's rights.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Lesbian women face intersecting discrimination based on gender and sexuality. Hate crimes have increased, particularly lesbophobia. There are unnecessary financial and practical barriers for same-sex couples regarding IVF, creating a postcode lottery.
Antonia Bance
Unspecified Party
Constituency Unspecified
Discussed the challenges faced by lesbian mothers in the past due to homophobic judges and called for an apology. She also highlighted the importance of equalising fertility treatment on the NHS for lesbians. There are barriers for people forming second partnerships and existing children, especially with fertility issues. The existence of lesbian families should be celebrated. Raised cases of women whose children were taken from them due to prejudiced court judgments and highlighted the importance of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 in terms of lesbian recognition. Shared her status as a lesbian mother and commitment to equal IVF access, pointed out the postcode lottery in fertility treatments.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling on the Equality Act, which allows lesbian-only spaces to be free from intimidation and threats of cancellation. Called for guidance to be produced at pace by the Minister.
Kate Osborne
in the Chair
Noted the importance of respect and care in discussing LGBT+ rights, thanked Members for their contributions, highlighted local impacts of fertility treatment inequalities.
Mims Davies
Con
East Grinstead and Uckfield
Celebrated the role of lesbians in society and the contribution they can make. Highlighted visible role models like Justine Greening, Margot James, Ruth Davidson, and Clare Balding who have made significant impacts. Discussed the women’s health strategy and raised concerns about equality for lesbian women.
Billington
Party Unknown
Constituency Unknown
Asked if an apology should be given to lesbian mothers in their 70s and 80s who experienced institutional attacks on their right to family life.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Backs the IVF equality manifesto, emphasizes the importance of chosen family in the LGBTQ+ community, expresses concern about hate crimes and discrimination against trans women. Made an impassioned speech about the horrific, uncalled for prejudice against trans women and highlighted the violence experienced by women and trans women from cis men.
Olivia Bailey
Lab
Reading West and Mid Berkshire
Discussed the idea of a visibility week to counteract the erasure of lesbians from history books, emphasising the importance of visibility for all LGBT+ individuals.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Championed the work of Schools OUT, an organisation led by one of her constituents that educates young people about LGBT diversity.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
Joined the party due to campaigning against section 28. Concerned about rhetoric around trans people mirroring past harm to LGBT+ community. Emphasised the discrimination faced by families in starting a second family and the questioning and refusal of fertility treatment that ensued as a result.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Celebrated Jackie Forster's work for lesbian rights, highlighted the mental health challenges faced by lesbians due to minority stress, and stressed the importance of safe spaces for lesbians. Spoke about the challenges faced by lesbians in the past, including mental health issues and harmful portrayals online.
Government Response
Dame Nia Griffith
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales
Government Response
Welcomed Lesbian Visibility Week and thanked Kate Osborne for organising the debate. Paid tribute to colleagues raising issues such as fertility treatment, visibility in history books, discrimination faced by families starting a second family, and violence against women and trans women. Provided reassurance regarding legal clarity on single-sex spaces, mentioned plans to ban conversion practices, equalise hate crime protections, tackle LGBT+ homelessness, and improve healthcare access for lesbian women.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.