Page "Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury" Paragraph 3

In 1984 he became Britain's first openly gay MP.

There had been several gay MPs before this whose homosexuality had been common knowledge in some circles, including their constituents in some cases, but they had not been completely open about it.

During a rally in Rugby, Warwickshire against a possible ban on gay employees by the town council, he began his speech: " Good afternoon, I'm Chris Smith, I'm the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury.

I'm gay, and so for that matter are about a hundred other members of the House of Commons, but they won't tell you openly.

" He immediately received a standing ovation from most of the audience.