News that Jeff Dudgeon has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours
List for services to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community in
Northern Ireland is extremely positive, significant and symbolic.
I feel a great sense of joy that Jeff will
soon become a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). Whilst
long overdue it’s a perfect end to 2011. Jeff will now be honoured by the state
after previously facing criminalisation simply due to his sexual orientation.
Jeff courageously and successfully brought a
case to European Court of Human Rights in 1981 and achieved decriminalisation
of male homosexuality in Northern Ireland. Until the UK Government changed the
law in 1982 (following Jeff’s successful case) gay men in Northern Ireland
faced arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.
It was only the highly-unusual move by the Attorney General in London of
vetoing the idea that these prosecutions did not take place.
Following his successful court case Jeff has
continued to diligently work for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community
on a wide range of issues. He remained involved with many organisations such as
Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association and Cara Friend and has campaigned on
issues such as, for example, equalisation of the Age of Consent and liaison with
the Police concerning treatment of LGBT people.
Jeff is also an accomplished author with
specialised interest in Roger Casement and remains involved in local politics
having previously worked for Robert McCartney QC MP.
Jeff often speaks about his case at events
across the globe with the ground breaking case law set by Jeff in Dudgeon v UK since
cited in other cases and jurisdictions including Lawrence v. Texas in the Supreme
Court of the United States of America.
This honour finally demonstrates recognition
by the state of the positive contribution Jeff has made which now allows people
to live in a more equal society where diversity is increasingly viewed as a strength rather
than a weakness or, even worse, criminalised.
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