Hertsmere Borough Council has passed a landmark motion reaffirming its commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including explicit support for trans and non-binary residents.
The motion, proposed by Labour Councillor Chris Myers, was carried by a clear majority of councillors, with support from members across the chamber. While some Conservative and Reform councillors chose to abstain on certain aspects of the motion, the Council as a whole endorsed its core commitments to evidence-based equality practice, visible local leadership on inclusion, and continued partnership with trusted local organisations.
Speaking as he moved the motion, Cllr Chris Myers made clear that this was about everyday safety and dignity, not political point-scoring:
“At its heart this is about something very simple: whether everyone in our borough feels safe, respected, and able to live openly without fear.”
He challenged the idea that inclusion is ideological, grounding the motion firmly in the Council’s role as a public authority:
“This motion does not ask the Council to take sides in a culture war. It asks us to stand by our existing duties as a public authority: fairness, dignity, and evidence-based decision-making.”
Cllr Myers also emphasised why local leadership matters, particularly at a time when national debate has become increasingly hostile:
“At a time when some national institutions are stepping back from inclusion, local leadership matters more, not less.”
Supporting the motion, Labour Councillor Christian Gray spoke powerfully about the real-world impact of silence and hesitation on trans people, especially young people:
“For many people this is not an abstract debate, it is their lived reality.”
He warned that institutional inaction is not neutral:
“Silence is not neutral. It sends a message, whether we intend it or not.”
Cllr Gray welcomed the motion as a clear statement of values from the Council:
“This motion does not take away anyone’s rights… What it does is draw a clear line and say that fear, exclusion and dehumanisation are not values this council accepts.”
He closed by rooting today’s decision in the long history of LGBTQ+ activism and resilience:
“The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement was ignited at Stonewall… We stand here today because people like Marsha P. Johnson refused to be silent.”
Following a thoughtful and respectful debate, the motion was passed with broad cross-party support and will now be implemented.
As Cllr Myers concluded in his final remarks:
“This motion says clearly that Hertsmere is a place where LGBTQ+ residents, including trans residents, are seen, respected and supported.”
The debate was made more poignant by the presence of local LGBTQ+ residents in the public gallery, who attended to support the motion and witness the outcome.
The motion commits the Council to a series of practical actions to embed LGBTQ+ inclusion into its day-to-day work. These include reaffirming support for evidence-based equality monitoring so services understand who they serve, formally marking key LGBTQ+ awareness dates as part of the Council’s civic calendar, and continuing to work with trusted local organisations that support LGBTQ+ people, young people and families across the borough. Crucially, the motion makes clear that as the local government landscape changes, Hertsmere’s commitment to equality, dignity and inclusion will remain non-negotiable.
The full text of the motion, as debated and approved by councillors, can be read here:
👉 Cross-Party Motion in Support of LGBTQ+ Inclusion
For Hertsmere Labour, this vote represents practical, values-led local leadership: standing up for equality, backing evidence over fear, and making clear that everyone belongs in our borough.