Maygay

Now we've all heard of the Damascus and Deathbed versions but this week saw the introduction of something entirely new - the Question Time Conversion. With Dimbleby Uno, Ming the Elder and Saint Shami of Liberty in attendance, the unlovely Theresa of Maidenhead came up against a gloriously awkward question: "How can this country move forward when the new Minister for Equality is against gays adopting and transsexuals changing their gender." After an initial attempt to suggest that her opposition was a thing of the distant past, this particular Tory lady proved that, post-coalition, she's well and truly up for turning and dumped a dozen years of official support for anti-gay legislation and a lifetime of anti-gay sentiment with almost unseemly haste. She did, of course, couch her new homophilic tendencies in terms of stable relationships and the primacy of family (i.e. no sex please unless you're Straight) but it was an outstanding moment. However - and I don't know about you - it did all appear to be a teensy weensy bit sudden. A bit awkward. Dare one suggest, a little bit convenient in the Age of Coalition and Hiding Your True Light under a pink or purple tie. Or, as Shami and Caroline Flint suggested, should we all shout "Yay!" at the repentance of a long time sinner?