Wes Streeting reveals ‘unbelievable volume’ of online homophobia since becoming defence secretary
Wes Streeting says he has faced an “unbelievable volume” of online homophobia since becoming Defence Secretary three weeks ago. He said the abuse, largely absent from mainstream media coverage of his appointment, reflects hostility towards having a gay man in the role, but added that he intends to use the post to challenge persistent stereotypes.
Streeting highlighted the change from previous restrictions on gay military personnel: homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967, but service members could still be dismissed for being gay until 2000. He said his appointment had particular significance for LGBTQ+ staff at the Ministry of Defence, while also confirming he chose not to contest the Labour leadership against Andy Burnham because he saw too few fundamental differences between them.
In short
- Streeting reports extensive online homophobia after becoming Defence Secretary.
- He sees his appointment as symbolically significant for LGBTQ+ military personnel.
- He backed Andy Burnham rather than enter the Labour leadership contest.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The volume of homophobic abuse Streeting has encountered publicly demonstrates that prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals persists significantly, even at the highest levels of government. Speaking about this discrimination brings necessary visibility to ongoing social problems and validates the experiences of countless others facing similar hostility; such testimony is important for cultural change and for understanding that legal progress must be accompanied by broader social acceptance.
The case against
Online abuse is ubiquitous across the internet and directed at public figures of all backgrounds, making it difficult to characterise homophobic attacks as uniquely representative of broader societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people. Streeting's elevation to Defence Secretary itself demonstrates substantial progress in acceptance and inclusion, and emphasising abuse from vocal internet minorities risks overstating the extent of real-world discrimination whilst giving disproportionate attention to bad-faith actors rather than focusing on substantive policy work.
Explained simply
The defence secretary is the senior government minister responsible for the UK’s armed forces and defence policy. Wes Streeting is a Labour politician and the first openly gay person to hold the post.
Gay people could serve in the British armed forces, but until 2000 personnel could be dismissed for being gay. That history is relevant to the Ministry of Defence, which oversees the armed forces and employs civilian staff as well as military personnel.
Streeting has also been mentioned as a possible Labour leadership candidate. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is another senior Labour figure; leadership contests determine who leads the party and may become prime minister if it wins a general election.