> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Out Gay MP Mike Freer named as new equalities minister
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/out-gay-mp-mike-freer-named-as-new-equalities-minister/
- Published: 2021-09-23T09:30:40.000Z
- Updated: 2021-09-22T20:15:24.000Z
- Description: Conservative MP Mike Freer has been announced as a new UK equalities minister and will working alongside Liz Truss and Kemi Badenoch.
- Author: Rachel Badham
- Tags: News, Politics, Queer Corner, Gender Recognition Act, Kemi Badenoch, LGBTQ, Liz Truss, UK

Conservative MP Mike Freer has been announced as a new UK equalities minister and will working alongside Liz Truss and [Kemi Badenoch](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/calls-for-equalities-minister-kemi-badenoch-to-resign-after-anti-lgbtq-comments/), who will be remaining in her position despite calls for her to resign amid controversy over her anti-LGBTQ+ comments. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights [announced the news](https://twitter.com/APPGLGBT/status/1440317295172014082?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1440317295172014082%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1%5F&ref%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinknews.co.uk%2F2021%2F09%2F21%2Fmike-freer-equalities-minister%2F&ref=scenemag.co.uk), describing Freer as *“a champion”* of LGBTQ+ people.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/kemi-badenoch.png)

Kemi Badenoch

However, some criticised the government for appointing Freer without removing Badenoch, with one social media user [saying](https://twitter.com/Fangs4Fantasy/status/1440407980977975300?ref=scenemag.co.uk): *“So, the Tories didn’t want to do anything about Kemi Badenoch’s unrestrained homophobia and transphobia so decided that throwing in a token junior minister would do as much.”* Badenoch has been the subject of criticism since a recording of her leaked where she could be heard saying: *“Well we’ve got gay marriage, and civil partnerships, so what are transsexuals looking for?”*

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/liz-truss-600-400.jpg)

Liz Truss

Women and equalities minister Liz Truss has also been accused of not understanding the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and [failing to reform the Gender Recognition Act](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/equalities-minister-liz-truss-sets-out-her-disturbing-plan-for-reforms-to-the-gender-recognition-act/) so as to make it more trans-inclusive. The government’s LGBTQ+ advisory panel also disbanded [earlier this year](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/uk-government-disbands-lgbtq-advisory-panel/), causing further concern among LGBTQ+ activists and advisory groups that national leaders are neglecting LGBTQ+ issues.