Labour politician who agreed LGBT people aren’t ‘normal’ is defended by a gay man
By Darren Mew
Sharon Thompson, Labour Councillor for Soho Ward on Birmingham City Council, was accused of endorsing homophobia and islamophobia and is now being defended by a gay man.
The Labour Councillor has had some backlash this past week as it has come to light that she liked comments back in 2013 showing homophobic and islamophobic attitudes.
One post that Thompson liked on Facebook suggested that people who were LGBT were not ‘normal’, it reads: “Adam and Eve were put on the planet from a higher authority for a reason. As parents, we have to do our best to explain normality.”
Another comment that the Birmingham Councillor liked said that the Muslim MPs had “sold their souls” by voting for same-sex marriage.
However, in an exclusive interview with Pink News Thompson said: “I am not homophobic and refute any claims that suggest otherwise.
“I proudly uphold the aims and values of the Labour Party for equality and fighting prejudice.
“It’s a serious allegation against me and I hope it is investigated accordingly.”
In a more recent twist a friend of the Councillor, 20 year-old Jaymaal Butt, spoke to the Birmingham Mail in defence of her.
He said that she helped him come out: “In 2015 I came out as gay to my family, and being a young gay Muslim it wasn’t well accepted.
“But Sharon stood by me and played mediator between me and my family.”
To add to this, Darren Kelly also spoke out in defence of Thompson as she acted as a referee for him and his same-sex partner when they wanted to adopt.