February is LGBT+ History Month. As Plymouth’s first out MP, I try to use my platform to speak up about LGBT+ issues.

Equality matters to me. Folks who don’t like LGBT+ equality are finding allies in the public space and building cases in plain English about why bigotry and hate should continue, or laws restricting it opposed.

Just look at the arguments against LGBT+ conversion therapy and you’ll see all the discrimination not too far under the surface.

In Parliament, I’m proud to speak up about LGBT+ issues.

I’ve been vocal about the need to ban LGBT+ conversion therapy, and make sure that ban is trans-inclusive. I’ve spoken about the need to reform the Gender Recognition Act while still protecting same sex spaces and I’ve spoken about LGBT+ role models including the brilliant case of Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper.’

We have a long way to go until every young LGBT+ person can be themselves. That’s why LGBT+ History Month matters, because telling our story, both nationally and locally, matters.

Let’s keep visibility up and remember that the way we win against hate is with love and compassion not a big stick.