The first openly gay MP has recounted how he faced abuse in the street in the 1980s and how Nelson Mandela inspired him to tackle HIV stigma.
Over the years, Chris, who served in Tony’s Blair’s government, has continued to fight against dangerous prejudice and became the first MP to announce he was living with HIV in 2005.
The right moment ‘had never presented itself’ – and the fear homophobia would lose him votes lingered uncomfortably in the back of his mind.Former Prime Minister Tony Blair appointed Chris as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport ‘The wonderful thing though was that the audience got to their feet and gave me a five-minute standing ovation on the spot. It made me rather proud.’
A few years after Chris came out, he was diagnosed with HIV, a virus haunted by misunderstanding and homophobia. ‘He made a very moving speech saying “we mustn’t hide it. We will only tackle this if we are open about it”. I just thought, perhaps now is the time to say something’, says Chris, who announced his diagnosis in a front-page Sunday Times spread.
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