I was incredibly proud to co-sign the debate application to mark Pride month and wish everyone in Carshalton and Wallington, in the UK and around the world a very happy Pride.
We are now more than 50 years on from the Stonewall riots in the United States and next year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first ever Pride rally in the UK, in London. Since being elected as MP, it has been my privilege to work with colleagues, campaigners and survivors to bring about a ban on Conversion Therapy and I am delighted that plans to do so were in the Queen's Speech. I am keen to receive an update of when we can expect legislation to be brought forward and will continue to work with Ministers on this.
Another area we need to make much greater strides in is LGBT+ healthcare. We are now in a position to end new transmissions by 2030, however the HIV Action Plan must be worthy of its name and I would appreciate any update of the publication will be very welcome.
Pride is more than just a four-week period of parties, festivals and parades. Pride is a shared experience, but also a deeply individual one. To me, Pride is about exactly what it says on the tin: it is about pride; about being proud.