Hollow words
KESIENA BOOM EXPLAINS WHY THERESA MAY AND JUSTINE GREENING AREN’T ENOUGH FOR LGBT WOMEN
* VOTING RECORDS AVAILABLE AT THEYWORKFORYOU.COM. ILLUSTRATION FERNANDO SAFONT
Out of the still smouldering ashes of the British political status quo, Theresa May has emerged as our new prime minister and has appointed out lesbian MP Justine Greening to the posts of education and women/equalities minister. Greening is the first person in a same-sex relationship to hold the latter role.
On the surface, May’s premiership could be seen as a victory for progressive values. As a woman who supports same-sex marriage and “social justice” – as foregrounded in her first speech as PM – she is seen as the harbinger of a new, less masculinist politics that will raise LGBT women onwards and upwards. As the second woman ever to hold the office of prime minister in the UK, May shoulders an immense burden of expectation from women who are longing for change within our political system.