CALL TIME ON HOMOPHOBIA CAMPAIGN

That this House notes that the LBGTLabour event on 5 June 2010 ended prematurely due to homophobia from first a customer and then the management of the Greencoat Boy pub, Westminster; expresses concern that the LBGT group was told its booking would not have been taken if the management had known it was a gay organisation; is appalled that all members of the group were denied service at the venue following a complaint from someone who had made homophobic comments; reaffirms the provisions of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulation 2007 and especially the provision that no person be subject to discrimination in the delivery of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation; congratulates the Metropolitan Police for dealing with the matter with the appropriate importance; supports the request from LGBTLabour for an apology from the Greencoat Boy Manager and Punch Taverns Chief Executive, an apology to the other staff working in the venue for being asked not to serve LGBT people, company training for managers of pubs on equality issues, a rainbow flag displayed for London Pride, a prominent Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-gender People Welcome Here sign and a complimentary event at a Punch Taverns venue of the group's choice; welcomes the statement by Punch Taverns, its unreserved apology, and the news that an investigation into the incident is taking place and a meeting with LGBTLabour has taken place; reaffirms that homophobia has no place in modern Britain; and thanks the thousands of people who have sent supporting messages to the LGBT group.