Read the latest powerful column from the new leader of North Herts District Council, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg.

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Ever since I was a child I've been interested in politics.

I grew up in Yorkshire with Margaret Thatcher's legacy.

The effects of Thatcher's Government, and the neglect of the Major years created massive inequality, and destroyed once great communities. I wanted change.

I wanted to see real progressive policies supporting those who are treated differently because of circumstances out of their control.

Each February we celebrate LGBT+ History Month which I am proud to support every year.

This month we reflect upon the history of the LGBTQ+ movement, overcoming the barriers to equality of the past, and the progressive work we still need to do. This year's theme is Politics in Art: The Arc is Long.

Check out @LGBTHM on Twitter where a different LGBT+ artist will be spotlighted everyday.

It's shocking it took until 2003, when I was at sixth form, for the extremely damaging Section 28 of the Local Government Act to be repealed.

This prohibited "the promotion of homosexuality by local authorities", including in schools.

Margret Thatcher in 1987 said: "Children who need to be taught to respect traditional moral values are being taught that they have an inalienable right to be gay…All of those children are being cheated of a sound start in life.".

This comment is barbaric. It says children have no right to be who they are. It is not a choice to be gay, lesbian, trans, non-binary, queer etc.

It is simply how we are born. It is with a sense of personal pride that this law was repealed by a Labour Government, but I'm equally disappointed it took so long.

I am also pleased that within Hitchin all our secondary schools (and North Herts College) offer support to members of the LGBTQ+ community in addition to Hertfordshire County Council, Services for Young People, North Herts team. For more information take a look at https://www.servicesforyoungpeoplelistings.org/Activity/Details/Services-for-Young-People-North-Herts-Lets-Get-By-Together-LGBT-Project

But despite the success of the LGBTQ+ movement, Black History Month, South Asian Heritage Month, Holocaust Memorial Day, International Women's Day to name a few of the many equality awareness events, to this day we still face inequality, locally, nationally and internationally.

The BBC reported in May 2021 69 countries that have laws that criminalise homosexuality. In 2017 Donald Trump tweeted no "Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military."

In our own military gay men and lesbian women were banned from serving until 2000.

Those "found guilty of homosexuality" were stripped of their medals (sometimes literally) and if convicted at a court martial faced imprisonment.

The US didn't end its infamous "don't ask, don't tell" policy until 2011. In Hitchin last summer two teenage girls were beaten and robbed in 'unprovoked homophobic hate crime'.

More needs to be done to bring about true equality.

Not only for the LGBT+ community but also for black, Asian, and other racial groups, women, persecuted faith groups, those from less affluent backgrounds, refugees, those with mental health conditions, disabled people or anyone else who finds they are treated differently because of circumstances out of their control.

While I do not believe we will ever live in a world with true equality, I believe we can take steps forward, getting closer to living in a fairer society for all. I see LGBT+ history month as a great place to start.

Through reflecting on the past, and listening to and understanding the concerns and challenges of the community we can move forward together towards a fairer and more equal future.

The North Herts Pride team will be sharing information on LGBT+ History Month on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthHertsPride

North Herts Museum also has an exhibition celebrating LGBT History Month.

I am, and will continue to stand up as, a champion for equality in politics, work, sport, and my personal life. If you need support in any of the matters raised above, please get in touch with me and I'll do everything I can to help.

[email protected]