Wes Streeting Says He's Faced More Homophobia in Three Weeks as Defence Secretary Than His Entire Life

Wes Streeting, the UK's first openly gay Defence Secretary, says he has faced an 'unbelievable volume' of homophobic abuse online since taking up the post, with critics repeatedly using phrases such as 'you reap what you sow'.

Speaking at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, he said many people 'cannot cope with the idea' of a gay man leading the Ministry of Defence.

The backlash has been particularly visible on platforms including Reddit. Commentators have linked the abuse both to anti-gay prejudice and to anger over Streeting's decision as Health Secretary to end puberty blockers for trans minors.

Challenging Stereotypes in the Ministry of Defence

Streeting was brought back into the cabinet by Andy Burnham following a political transition that saw him resign from Keir Starmer's government.

He now suggests his departure forced choices that helped pave the way for Burnham to become Prime Minister.

He said that although mainstream media largely ignored his sexuality when he was appointed, it clearly matters to a vocal section of the online public.

He views his new appointment as an opportunity to challenge stereotypes that persist in what he called the 'dark corners of the internet.'

The history of the British armed forces adds context to his role. Although homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967, it remained a criminal offence for all military personnel until 1994. It continued to be classed as conduct 'prejudicial to good order and discipline' until 2000, meaning gay service members could still be administratively dismissed.

Streeting reflected on this generational shift, expressing pride that within his lifetime the country has moved from banning gay people in the military to appointing an openly gay Defence Secretary.

He shared an anecdote from his first week in the job, saying a veteran Ministry of Defence staff member had told him directly how much the appointment meant to those who remember the 'bad old days' of exclusion.

Political Resignations and Labour Leadership Talks

The Edinburgh Fringe appearance also offered insight into Labour's internal politics over the past year. Streeting suggested that his resignation under Starmer was a major catalyst for the current situation, remarking that Burnham 'probably' would not be Prime Minister today if that sudden departure had not happened.

He described how he dropped his own plans to run for the leadership after discussions with Burnham during the Makerfield by‑election campaign. The two men sat together over tea to examine what had gone wrong inside the party.

Streeting said that as they discussed different solutions, they began swapping ideas about how to fix the political landscape, and he realised he agreed with Burnham on almost every major policy issue.

Online Backlash and Past Policies

The current wave of abuse highlights deep divisions in online debate about the Defence Secretary. While Streeting has broken a significant barrier at the Ministry of Defence, his record as Health Secretary continues to shape some reactions.

His policy to restrict puberty blockers for trans minors last year alienated parts of the progressive movement, contributing to an environment in which critics now invoke phrases like 'you reap what you sow' in response to the homophobic harassment he faces.

The situation shows how a landmark cabinet appointment is intersecting with ongoing criticism of his earlier ministerial decisions.