Biggs tries to continue Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s equalities stance on LGBT rights

Mayor Lutfur Rahman made a point of standing up for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) residents. He was the first Mayor of Tower Hamlets to mention LGBT residents in his inauguration speech, and his Administration backed a number of pro-LGBT initiatives as well as ensuring that LGBT residents had their own voice, Rainbow East. Mayor Rahman was always adamant that a true commitment to equality had to encompass every disadvantaged group. It was an attitude which led to the famous photograph of a Christian vicar striding along on the September 2011 East London Gay Pride demonstration carrying a banner proclaiming “Gays and Muslims unite, Fight all hate.”

Now John Biggs has made an early start in the task of following in Mayor Rahman’s footsteps. Last month the Council launched Tower Hamlets #LGBTHeroes, a campaign to celebrate the work that is being done for and by the borough’s LGBT+ communities.  It is asking local residents and workers to nominate their Tower Hamlets #LGBTHero in the categories below:
•Outstanding contribution to LGBT community life or culture
•Exceptional service (paid or otherwise) to the community
•Exceptional role model (LGBT+ people and allies)
•Young people’s award (Roles models and accomplishments Under 25s).
Winners from each category will be presented with an award for their achievements.

Although some residents may be surprised that John Biggs’s first act in LGBT policy is to set up a competition – which seems to be in contrast with Labour’s more traditional egalitarian character, he has stood by the new approach, saying, “Tower Hamlets benefits from a plethora of unsung community heroes who work tirelessly for others. I would urge residents to celebrate the work of the borough’s LGBT champions by taking part in the LGBT Heroes campaign.”

There’s just a week to go before nominations close. It would be very sad if there were no Muslims nominated for the award as it would be a shame to lose that “we’re all in this together” feeling that Mayor Lutfur Rahman did so much to promote.

To nominate a hero:
•go to www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hero
•or ring Leo Nicholas on 020-7364 4548 to ask for a paper form
•or write to Tower Hamlets Council, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, 6 Floor, E14 2BG.
Return your form by Monday, 3rd August!

•Follow the campaign on Twitter @TowerHamletsNow #LGBTHero.

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