Television writer Russell T Davies has claimed that gay rights are deteriorating at an alarming pace, citing increasing support for Reform UK as a reason for the supposedly threatening state of affairs.
In his blistering assessment, Davies urged the LGBT community to prepare for confrontation and fight against the forces he deems to be against gay rights.
The 62-year-old screenwriter claimed to the Big Issue that circumstances have become "rapidly and urgently" worse.
"When Queer As Folk came out in 1999, if you'd said, 'What will gay rights be like in 2025?', we'd have said, 'Oh, it will all be marvellous – it'll be sunshine and skipping down the street, hand in hand – gays, queers, lesbians, everyone'," Davies said.
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Russell T Davies claimed that gay rights are 'rapidly and urgently getting worse'
| PA"And look at where we are. Things got better but now things are rapidly and urgently getting worse."
Davies attributes this decline to increasing support for Reform UK as well as American political developments affecting Britain.
"What happens in America always happens here (the UK) – and as we look down the barrel of a Reform government, we, the gay community, queer community, should be revolting in terror and anger and action," he stated.
Davies's opposition to Reform UK comes after Farage and co committed to prohibiting what it terms "transgender ideology" in schools within its first 100 days in office.
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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage | PAThe party's manifesto outlines additional measures including replacing the Equality Act and eliminating diversity, equality and inclusion regulations.
Davies expressed particular concern about the US President, saying: "The President of America is literally out to get us, is discounting us."
Davies challenged younger LGBT people to mobilise against emerging threats, despite acknowledging they shouldn't bear this burden.
"I hope they're prepared to fight, that younger generation that has no idea how they got there. And neither should they – they're busy living their lives," he remarked.
"I didn't spend my youth looking back at World War II, but I do think, 'Are you prepared to fight, because a fight is coming?'"
The writer, who is 61, alleged that he had observed changes in how he was addressed as a gay man since the November election.
Russell T Davies has urged the gay community to revolt
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"I'm not being alarmist. I'm 61 years old. I know gay society very, very well, and I think we're in the greatest danger I have ever seen," he said.
Reform UK is yet to publicly respond to Davies's remarks. However, it's safe to say his comments haven't been unanimously met with agreement from members of the public.
Reacting to Davies's quotes and the publication of articles about his remarks, one X user hit back: "Curious claim, since the law [Equality Act 2010] remains unchanged for the rights of LGB people and for gender reassignment."
"Delusions continue," another replied before a third similarly hit out at an article about the quotes: "Could the Guardian give an actual example of how gay rights have declined? Not just vague claims."
Nigel Farage is yet to respond to the claims
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"What rights have gay people lost? None," a fourth weighed in.
However, there were some allies who felt Davies didn't go far enough in his warning.
"No offense to Russell, but when haven’t they been after us? Please, someone, point out to me that one millisecond in time. Because I missed it," one person argued.
And another praised: "@russelldavies63 is spot on here. We need people like him to highlight these issues." (sic)