EQUALITY and diversity on the Island were highlighted last week by the Isle of Wight Council, leading to a passionate and heartfelt speech from a senior councillor.

At the cabinet meeting last Thursday, which saw the approval of the authority's new dementia strategy, a question was asked by Cllr Geoff Brodie.

He stated in the new strategy, the Alliance says it celebrates equality and diversity in our communities but questioned how this 'celebration' fits with 'unapologised posting by the council leader [Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox] on her social media of a racially offensive image?'.

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Posing the question to Cllr Karl Love, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, Cllr Brodie asked about his refusal to consider its offensiveness at the February full council meeting.

Cllr Love was one of a handful of Alliance members who left the council chamber after a row broke out over the doll issue.

Cllr Brodie went on further to ask: "Would the cabinet member be as relaxed and unconcerned about social media postings by a leading public figure that were offensive to other people with different, protected characteristics?"

In response, Cllr Love read an impassioned speech, explaining the struggles he has faced not only being gay but with his dyslexia.

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Defending Cllr Peacey-Wilcox in his statement though, Cllr Love said he had known her for many years and that she was honest in her determination to celebrate and support diversity, inclusivity and equality.

Cllr Love's full response to Cllr Brodie's question: 

"I understand better than most ... I am someone who falls within two of the nine protected characteristics under the Equalities Act 2010. I have and continue, even today, to suffer horrendous hatred and I have had to fight all my life to be free of the chains of discrimination. Some of those chains still remain. I and many other LGBT+ are still not living without an occasional glance over one's shoulder, to see if we are in fact safe.

"I have been terrorised and traumatised by hatred over the years and I put my head above the parapet,  to support and represent the hidden, frightened and silenced voice of others. This has made me and my partner a target but we battle on in the face of it as there is no other way.

"Some of our friends have committed suicide, some too frightened to tell families of their love and life. Those who passed away who I called friends, some died in agony because of discrimination of HIV in the 1990s and I still carry their secrets and pain.  Today I still cannot bring myself to hold my partner's hand in public for fear of hatred and violence.

"That’s before I say anything about what it feels like to struggle and be treated as though I was worthless because of a lifelong struggle I have had with the written word.

"I truly know what bullying is, to be terrified and to consider suicide as a way out. I chose to be someone who would stand up, taking personal risks in doing so, laying down in the road to protest for equality, human rights and educate people about equality and diversity so we can all live a better happier life. And yes, my extended family is of mixed race.

"You take the opportunity within your question to challenge my commitment to equality and make no allowance to the fact, which you knew then and today, of my mother’s passing and how I returned to the Island early, leaving my family grieving when I should not have done so.  I returned to undertake my commitment to represent the people of my ward in that full council meeting. 

"I was emotional, as I am now and did not respond directly to the issues raised although it may seem so. I responded in my disappointment and grief, to the hostile situation, chaos and manipulation of politics for personal party political gain. Having made my comments, I then left to recover myself. 

"I resent bitterly this slur on my character today by someone I respect for being different in their political approach.  What I conclude is that these questions are nothing more than an attempt to hurt individuals, to create a narrative of racism that does not exist and damage the public confidence in people and our Island council.    

"I can also better understand when there are opportunities to celebrate equality and diversity on our Island such as in the opportunities both my partner and I, our hidden communities, our council and many others have worked hard to create, supporting and encouraging Island people. 

"I ensure, as does the adult social care director, who will confirm that equality and diversity are celebrated and engaged in all things and that I champion and ask questions on these matters during our meetings.

"My life experiences have taught me to try to judge people on the facts of a matter and their actions, to resist jumping to simplistic conclusions.

"I am totally confident having known Cllr Peacey Wilcox for many years she is honest in her determination to celebrate and support diversity, inclusivity and equality. Make no mistake, I would simply step away from this administration if I thought otherwise.

"Cllr Brodie has misplaced and burdened me with his anger while not offering any meaningful solutions for the positive engagement and better implementation of equality policy, diversity and inclusive practices.  What do you want to see changed to create a more positive inclusive future for island people?

"None of us are perfect, we make mistakes, and it is what we learn, how we deal and respond from that which truly matters.

"Anger will only create anger and that will resolve nothing and I will not be diverted away from this important Dementia Strategy which we bring forward today in an attempt to be more inclusive, transparent and creative."