Bristol councillor denies homophobia
A demonstration will be held outside the Council House in Bristol tonight, urging councillor Richard Eddy to resign as group leader of the Tories.
The move follows his comments on Lottery funding to a charity that combats homophobic bullying as an "outrageous" waste of money.
-
Bristol councillor Richard Eddy has denied he is homophobic
Campaign organiser Darren Lewis said: "For some years now, Mr Eddy has made attacks on Bristol minority groups which anyone would understand was likely to cause offence."
"These views expressed are just not acceptable in the 21st century and should not go unchallenged.
The Lottery award of nearly £400,000 was made to a Clifton project called Each, which is working to set up youth groups for youngsters who are lesbian, gay or bisexual.
Mr Eddy said yesterday that he had always strongly opposed bullying and discrimination in any circumstances.
In a letter to Mr Lewis, he said his objection was based on how much money was given to Each, while other worthy causes in deprived areas of south Bristol went without.
He wrote: "The issue is not whether organisations such as EACH are deserving of support.
"Rather, the question posed by the Post's reporter was whether it was appropriate to award the lion's share of Big Lottery funding to EACH when there were many other worthwhile local causes, including some in deprived parts of south Bristol of which I am very aware, which were unsuccessful.
"Frankly, it is perverse to attribute reasoned, fair and legitimate criticism of the size of the grant to accusations of homophobia.
"One should be entitled to disagree with how publicly sourced money is allocated without this view generating a hysterical response. If not, I have serious concerns for the future of freedom of speech in this country.
"For your information, when originally elected in 1992, the very first ward casework I successfully dealt with concerned two homosexual gentlemen who were suffering harassment.
"In common with all Conservative Councillors, I pride myself in working to the best of my ability for all of my constituents and the people of Bristol, without fear or favour."
He said: "I find your base and ridiculous insinuation of homophobia utterly offensive and insulting."
21 Comments
View all
by Space Monster, Bristol
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 7:26AM
“Alex, it's your malicious and irrational assumptions(unfortunately mostly moderated) that lack decency. Why are you so bothered by what other people get up to in bed ?”
by alex, mangotsfield
Wednesday, September 16 2009, 6:41AM
“I can see that the infantile"spacemonster"has decided to come out it is so easy to see which bus he is on.I still maintain that MrEddy speaks up for decency a rare commodity these days”
by Darren, Clifton
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 7:11PM
“I also think Kerry McCarthy is a very poor MP trying to jump on an anti Tory bandwagon.”
by It'll Be Over By Christmas, Bristol
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 6:23PM
“I feel duty bound to say wouldn't it be better to share the money around to other causes as well,
Tony, Bristol
And of course it was Tony.
If the award was for a zillion pounds and he thought that was a waste would that make him or me homophobic too ? If the money was going to something specifically for heterosexuals and a gay person thought it was a waste of money would that make them heterophobic ? Ian Redland.
No to the first question, yes to the second. Have you a point to Mike Ian ?”
by Holly, Clifton
Tuesday, September 15 2009, 6:21PM
“the world is moving forward and i dont think this is a case of homophobia but there are no groups for young people to go and get advise about these things. Your saying that the money should be spent on a more worthwhile cause in a more run down area of bristol!?? So if your a Gay female asian who knows shes gay and has NO way of telling her family or friends and feels sick day after day with worry and dread and then turns to drugs so supress the feelings and mak her really life go away!?? then shes turns to crie and steals your car!?? if only she had somewhere to go to talk and then maybe just maybe her life wouldn't be destroyed. and the others around her. If you got to know a gay person then you'd know they are normal people who work the same jobs and do the same things as you! stop seeing the sterotypes and meet the real people. Funding is in my opinon long over due and from my experienance as a gay woman, something like this group would of changed my life!!”