(LCLGR) THE SUPPORT for lesbian and gay equality at Labour Party conference stirred the syrup of Blair's New Labour. Even the AEU, which has traditionally opposed resolutions from the Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights, did not vote against.
Despite opposing an equal age of consent in February, David Blunkett had to announce a 97.6% vote in favour. His words to the delegates - 'point well taken - put the seal on a massive victory.
Never in five LCLGR conference campaigns has backing come so easily. Lesbian and gay equality is no longer a problem for Labour Party and trade union activists. Support and understanding is well in advance of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Converting the win into practical politics will not be so easy.
Labour students put forward a far less controversial composite to that favoured by lesbian and gay activists. It concentrated attention on the age of consent above all other questions.
Yet an equal age of consent has been voted for no less than FIVE times before.
LCLGR wanted to widen the debate to address issues of family and social policy to highlight the inferior rights of lesbians and gay men compared to heterosexuals.
This is especially vital in the current climate of "back to basics" and the attacks on single parents.
The work of LCLRG must continue if we are to dent the enthusiasm for the muthical model family shown by both old-fashioned labourism and new-fash-. ioned Blairism.
But the near unanimous vote at conference shows how far we have come.