Councillor Karl Love says he is ‘delighted and humbled’ to be elected the Isle of Wight Council’s new chairman. He is the first person to hold the role who is in a same-sex relationship and believes his election represents a leap forward for inclusion and diversity within the council. As he begins his new ceremonial role, taking over the reins from Councillor Claire Critchison, he says he hopes his extraordinary life journey might inspire others to reach seemingly impossible dreams. The chairman is the civic figurehead of the Council and, as well as presiding over Full Council meetings, they also officiate at civic functions and welcome distinguished visitors on behalf of the Island. Councillor Vanessa Churchman was elected vice-chairman. While there has been a positive shift in attitudes towards equality, diversity and inclusion on the Island, Karl said:
“I hope my appointment will, in part, support those whose voice is stifled or hidden.”
Karl was the Island’s first Detached Youth Worker and later became the first gay men’s outreach worker on the South Coast, focusing on HIV prevention and hard-to-reach communities in the early 1990s. When he arrived on the Island with his partner, David Hill, he admitted it had a ‘reputation for being closed-minded and backward’, and he found a gay community that was ‘largely hidden and very frightened’. As chairman, Karl says he will champion inclusivity while opposing grandstanding or electioneering during council meetings. Karl says:
“While I support healthy debate, it is important that we focus on solutions for the big issues affecting the Island, such as poverty, housing, health services and, of course, coastal erosion. “There is no quick fix, however I hope in this role I’m able to make a positive difference to the quality of people’s lives. “As councillors, I believe we are here to serve and inspire.”
Congratulations Karl. Keep up the good work and positivity.
Another pointless position,and complete waste of money!
As chairman, Karl says he will champion inclusivity
so, you will be putting the letter H for Heterosexual in the current letter line up of LGBTQ will you karl – after all, you cannot talk of inclusivity whilst excluding the over 90% of islanders who are heterosexual.
Yes I agree he should do that, there is no need for him to say ~ He is the first person to hold the role who is in a same-sex relationship.
Why is that even needed.?
I do not go around at every opportunity saying I am the first person with 9 fingers to use the self service checkout while shopping in the new Tesco store in Freshwater. It is irrelevant that my thumb is missing and no need to bring it into the conversation.
If gay is your way then that is fine, there is no need to announce it every 30 seconds. We all know and it is nothing to do with us where you hide the sausage, no need to mention it. Just get on with your job but do not overdo the LG HGTV part because 90% of islanders will get fed up of it
Except you don’t get persecuted as a man with nine fingers and a thumb missing. There is a history of gay people being bullied and frightened in this community
Why does it matter,so long as does a good job. People’s sexualty is not problem, it’s crime, drug’s and alcohol along with dangerous driving. 99% in jail are Heterosexuals and paedophiles .
its actually 97% of prisoners are heterosexual – however, you need to take that into the context of the fact that well over 90% of the Uk population is heterosexual – so it goes without saying, more in jail are likely to be straight.
90% of islanders who are normal
Normal is a stretch. Most islanders are anything but in my experience.
Really ?. Use to be lovely here until governed turned up.
So here is the problem that you refer to heterosexuals as normal so everyone else in the community isn’t? A very juxtaposed opinion. Assuming that everybody else is subverse in some way, is very worrying, dangerous and discriminatory
Discriminatory to state facts? What a strange and worrying view to take Jude. If the great majority of people are straight then straight is simply the norm. If the great majority of people are white, that’s the norm. Nothing
‘ juxtaposed’ ( whatever you may mean by that) to it, just fact. Are you perchance looking to be offended.?
These people are to old and have outdated views. The council needs an age limit or forced mixed age joint leaders
Well that’s a job a straight hard working married family man will ever get now!!
So no one else deserves a chance at it then who isn’t straight a man or working?? Very odd opinion you have and a little worrying that people like you were out there in the community saying such things
Seems no one agrees with you!! But unfortunately due to all the do gooders we can’t just congratulate someone, they have to say they are gay of of race!!! I am up for people doing things but for the love of hod I don’t have to say I am a straight hardworking man who’s married and has kid and we all eat meat!!! Way to many people want a label and it’s embarrassing, bring on Ryde straight normal no vegan non gay non want a label day!!
People on here won’t agree. I’m not here for favours but the fact gay people can now hold public positions is fantastic as we have come a long way in gay rights so it must be celebrated.
.
What has he achieved on both the town council and the IOW council? Absolutely nothing, that’s what. He will no doubt achieve absolutely nothing in this role too. All hot air and no substance.
If it walks/quacks like a freemason…etc.
They all ride the donkey backwards while kissing a skull of a sheep with the left nipple out and holding a London brick!!
And… a cucumber round their necks.
Karl do you really need to tell us you’re gay??? I once won first prize at my sons school sports day in the dads and sons race got an award and all but not once did I say I am a straight dad of two who’s happily married!!! Might be monkey town but for the love of god (yes I go to church every Sunday and have never watched broke back mountain) just do your job and stop flying a flag or jog on and let someone else do it!!! Even that East Cowes Green would do better. One last thing I will never vote for you again and probably vote Green… while eating meat and with my V8 Land Rover ticking over outside!!!
I think it’s wierd that he is a Northerner championing the most Southerly part of Britain !!
Watch out, you can’t criticise him or he’ll be calling the feds.
Hopefully he was voted in coz they thought he had half a chance of doing a half decent job.
Not coz he’s gay and in a same sex relationship.