The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has warmly welcomed the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights on lesbians and gays in the UK Armed Forces, but strongly criticised the Labour Government for refusing to act before the ruling. GALHA, whose members have lobbied MPs on the issue, has sent a message of congratulation to Duncan Lustig-Prean and the other three protagonists who brought the case before the Court.
George Broadhead of GALHA said “The European Court’s ruling goes against the Labour Government’s stubborn and irrational refusal to concede the justice of the case. It shows that the much vaunted support for gay rights of this Government is a sham. It has slavishly taken its cue from reactionary brass hats in the military and refused to recognise the issue as one of human rights as so many other European governments have done. Whilst rightly celebrating the victory in which it played a part, it is a great pity that Stonewall will not come out and publicly criticise the Government for its deplorable stance on this issue.”