Leading gay rights organisation, Stonewall, have today launched You’re Welcome!, a eight page guide for gay people visiting Britain. The guide, available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Polish, explains the legal protections enjoyed by gay people in Britain, and where they can go in case of any problems. You’re Welcome! will be distributed to every Tourist Information Office, Citizens Advice Bureau and police force in England, as well as many bars and clubs.
More than 1.5 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people visit Britain every year, contributing a billion pounds to the economy. Many come from countries that don’t offer the same sort of legal protections that gay people enjoy in Britain – and some might even have faced persecution by state authorities in their home countries, simply because they’re gay. You’re Welcome! will reassure visitors from those countries that they can be themselves and rely upon police and health services to help them if things go wrong.
Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: ‘Years of campaigning by Stonewall has made sure Britain’s 3.7 million gay people are legally protected from discrimination in every walk of life, but we know many of the gay people who visit Britain might not have the same protection at home. Despite gay tourists’ billion-pound boost to the economy, during this Jubilee and Olympic year little has been done to make sure they know their rights and feel safe. Stonewall is proud to offer millions of gay people a warm welcome and some helpful advice.’
The guides are available online from www.stonewall.org.uk/visitorsguide. English, French and Spanish guides will be distributed at WorldPride on 7 July, and German, Italian and Polish guides can be downloaded from 6 July.
