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PinkNews Awards 2019: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn admit UK has 'long way to go' to reach LGBT+ equality

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn spoke in rare agreement to admit Britain still has "a long way to go" to improve the lives of the LGBT+ community.

The Prime Minister and Labour leader’s comments came in separate speeches at the PinkNews Awards, which celebrates the "best and brightest in LGBT+ equality".

To loud applause from guests at the central London ceremony, Mr Corbyn said that confirmation of equal marriage being made lawful in Northern Ireland should come through on Monday.

He said: "It is something that we should all be proud of.

"We will have equal marriage across the whole of the UK.

"It is a long way that we have come, but we still have a long way to go."

Jeremy Corbyn attends the PinkNews Awards 2019 in London. The Labour leader said the UK has a long way to go to achieve LGBT+ equality (Getty Images)
Jeremy Corbyn attends the PinkNews Awards 2019 in London. The Labour leader said the UK has a long way to go to achieve LGBT+ equality (Getty Images)

Mr Corbyn also spoke out against the 37 per cent rise in reported hate crimes against transgender people. He said: "We have to come together to defeat this hatred that is perpetuated by ill-informed people and aggressive people, by fundamentally nasty people on the streets of our cities."

His words were echoed by Mr Johnson, who in a recorded message noted that the UK is co-chair of the equal rights coalition and London will host an international conference on LGBT equality next May.

The PM said: "Of course you don't need me to tell you that there is still a long, long way to go. And there's still a painfully large gap between what the law says should happen and the lived experience of LGBT people across the UK.

"That has to change and it is changing and the fact that it's changing is thanks in no small part to the people here tonight."

PinkNews Awards winners 2019

Special award - John Bercow

Lifetime achievement award - Russell T Davies

Third sector award - Frontline, a charity for vulnerable children

Community group award - Intercom Trust, a small community group for LGBT people in Cornwall, Devon

Role model award - Andrew Moffat (the assistant head at the centre of the Birmingham schools row)

Public sector equality award - Welsh Assembly jointly with Northumbria Police

Drama award - EastEnders

Broadcast award - ITV News' investigation on gay cure therapy by Paul Brand

Business equality award - Manchester Airports Group

Campaigner of the year - Ruth Hunt, former chief executive of Stonewall

Politician of the year - Jess Phillips and Penny Mordaunt

Ad campaign of the year - TfL's £EveryStoryMatters campaign

Mr Johnson described Britain as "one of the most liberal countries in the world as far as LGBT equality is concerned".

He also said it is "not afraid to stand up to homophobic bullies around the world."

John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, collected the Special Award.

John Bercow, Commons Speaker, won the Special Award at the ceremony on Wednesday night (Getty Images)
John Bercow, Commons Speaker, won the Special Award at the ceremony on Wednesday night (Getty Images)

He said of the equal marriage changes: "It is the most civilised piece of legislation that has been brought by Parliament. It has brought no ill and has brought great happiness."

Primary school teacher Andrew Moffat, who has been the target of protests by parents concerned about teachings on LGBT rights, won the newly-introduced Role Model Award.

The award aims to recognise someone who has made an "indelible difference in the fight for LGBT+ equality around the world in the last year".

Mr Moffat is the assistant head at Parkfield Community School in Alum Rock, Birmingham, and is also gay. He described a 300-person protest outside his school earlier this year as "a really difficult" time in his 25-year teaching career.