Michael Cashman

Background

Michael Maurice Cashman was born on December 14, 1950, in the East End of London, England. Cashman began his acting career when he was 14. In 1964, he made his acting debut in the 14th episode of the I.T.C. series “Gideon’s Way,” which was aired in 1965. Two years later, Cashman appeared in “Zigger Zagger” at the Strand Theatre in the West End. In 1980, he landed a more permanent role in ITV’s “The Sandbaggers.”

In 1986, Cashman joined the B.B.C. television series “EastEnders.” He made history when his character became the first to have a gay mouth-to-mouth kiss in a British soap. The scene generated controversy in the British press.

In the 1990s, Cashman became actively involved in politics. He became a member of the European Parliament for West Midlands on June 10, 1999 — a position he held until May 26, 2014. He led cross-party coalitions and committees to tackle homophobia in Europe and promote the rights of the L.G.B.T. community. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Staffordshire University for his efforts and was elected M.E.P. of the Year for Justice and Fundamental Rights. In 2013, Cashman was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) in the Queen’s New Year honors list for political services and equalities. The following year, he became one of the 22 new life peers announced by the government. He was elevated to the House of Lords and took the title “Baron Cashman of Limehouse.” On May 22, 2019, he resigned from the Labour Party on account of its stance on Brexit but later returned on January 11, 2022. Cashman’s memoir titled “One of Them: From Albert Square to Parliament Square” was released in February 2020. He is a founder and founding member of several gay organizations, including Stonewall and L.G.B.T. Labour. He was the President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on gay and lesbian issues and Labour Party’s L.G.B.T. Global Envoy.