GDA celebrates passing of discrimination law
A CELEBRATION party was thrown for members of the Guernsey Disability Alliance yesterday, as they marked the passing of the discrimination ordinance.
More than 40 people gathered at Beau Sejour to celebrate.
It comes after a tense three-day States debate last week, when deputies thrashed out last-minute amendments to the long-awaited legislation.
Phase one of the legislation will cover discrimination on the grounds of race, disability, carer status, religious belief and sexual orientation.
Grow Ltd supports people with learning and other disabilities.
Employee Jolyon Morton said it was a very happy moment when the milestone legislation was passed.
‘It was a good moment and it is great to get together and celebrate and party,’ he said.
Go Mobility Organiser Mel Edwards said it felt great for everyone to be together in one place.
‘Things have finally come together for all of us, it was very much needed.’
GDA partnership director Karen Blanchford, who will soon be leaving her post, coordinated a Mexican wave with all of the members who attended.
She called for members to cheer for Deputy John Gollop, and former deputy Michelle Le Clerc, who was Employment & Social Security president in the last term.
Mrs Le Clerc said that while she was not on-island at the time of the debate to offer her support in person, she was pleased to see years of hard work finally pay off.
‘It was always going to be a tough task,’ she said.
‘There are so many people on this journey and without their enthusiasm this would never have been possible.’
She said that had she still been a States member she would not have voted in favour of the controversial eighth amendment, which had aimed to exclude smaller businesses from some part of the new rules. It was ultimately rejected.
Stakeholders and key representatives of disability groups in Guernsey got together for a drink following the passing of the legislation, but yesterday marked the first time that up to 40 of the GDA’s members collectively celebrated.
Phase two of the legislation will require further policy work and will aim to look at age, sex, marriage and gender reassignment reviewed and possibly incorporated into the prevention of discrimination ordinance.
