MONITOR: AGE OF CONSENT

Friday 26 June 1998 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Following the vote to permit gay sex at age 16

The Pink Paper

There is a view that winning an equal age of consent has been an easy victory - that the Labour Government is making one concession to gay rights and there it will stick. There are no political short-cuts. We would be naive if we thought that presenting a list of demands to the Labour government, however, huge their majority, will guarantee change. The Labour Government will only move when they are convinced that society accepts the changes for which we are fighting.

u

Daily Telegraph

Sooner than Tony Blair thinks, most parents will view him with contempt for espousing family values while effectively voting for child abuse. Their children have been set free - but, before long, they will be everywhere in chains

u

Evening Standard

Teenagers are often confused about their own sexuality. There remain good reasons for suggesting that if the issue is in the balance, they are more likely to have happy and fulfilled lives as heterosexuals, because of sexual and reproductive realities which no law can change.

u

Birmingham Post

Because there are now some openly homosexual MPs does not mean the country as a whole takes the same liberal view of homosexuality.

Given that homosexuality is physically dangerous - some would say morally and psychologically dangerous as well - it is surely unwise of MPs to equate it legally with heterosexuality.

Taken to extremes, this legislation could condemn some vulnerable young men to death from Aids before they were mature enough to recognise the importance of warnings about "safe sex".

u

Richard Littlejohn

The Sun

Why is the Government so accommodating towards homosexuals with an appetite for ripe young chickens yet so hostile towards those of us who prefer our meat red-blooded, well hung and on the bone?

The Guardian

Bishops and legislators have quite separate roles. Indeed, even the bishops concede that "actions may be legal without being morally right". Precisely. Reform is long overdue. Equal treatment is a basic human right.

u

Daily Mail

By surrendering so enthusiastically and in such numbers to the gay lobby not only are politicians disregarding public opinion, they are also choosing to ignore the guidance of all the main religious communities in this country.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in