Model Munroe Bergdorf has been appointed LGBT advisor to Dawn Butler, Labour’s women and equality minister.
An event was held at Parliament on Monday (26 Feb) to announce the LGBT advisory panel. Joining Munroe is Linda Riley, publisher of Diva magazine, and entrepreneur Anthony Watson.
Absolutely delighted to have launched @UKLabour LGBTQ Advisory panel at Parliament yesterday Thanks to @DawnButlerBrent - with @jeremycorbyn @AnthonyWatson @MsLadyPhyll @Charliecondou @MunroeBergdorf #LGBTHM18 pic.twitter.com/Qombk8Qjww
— Linda Riley (@LindaRiley8) 27 February 2018
It’s understood the group will work closely with Butler, advising her on LGBT issues. She said she was “proud to stand with those challenging discrimination”.
Thrilled to announce that I've been asked to be part of an LGBT+ advisory board for The Labour Party - To advise Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, Dawn Butler MP, on issues affecting the LGBT+ community... pic.twitter.com/v7Be0YtLtE
— Munroe Bergdorf 🌹🌹 (@MunroeBergdorf) 26 February 2018
Tory MP Helen Grant has however, spoken up, voicing her concerns in a letter urging the Labour MP to reconsider the appointment. She believes the language used by the model “damages the campaign to promote equality”.
“The kind of language Bergdorf has used has no place in public life, and ought to be condemned by all those who are serious about promoting equality” says Grant.
Bergdorf was the first transgender model to front a campaign for L’Oreal, but was dropped in September after claims she posted racist comments online.
Bergdorf defended her position at the time that L’Oreal took action, arguing that she was angry after the scenes in Charlottesville and wanted to explain that racism was systematic. That being racist was not just about attacking people, but failing to take action against the system.
“Thrilled” to join the Labour team, Bergdorf has since defended her previous comments.
She said, “I believe that racism isn’t always conscious and that yes, society does unconsciously centre and prioritise whiteness, which leads to unconscious bias and ultimately racism.”We live in a deeply racist society, it should not come as a shock that due to slavery and colonialism, white supremacy played a large role in this country's history and our success as a nation. But also that the effects of this are still being felt today.
— Munroe Bergdorf 🌹🌹 (@MunroeBergdorf) 27 February 2018
