"Being Gay And Being In Politics Is No Longer An Issue"

Is the North East region the most openly gay region in the UK? Well according to the Office for National Statistics the North East has the highest percentage of people who say their gay, lesbian or bisexual outside of London. But what happens if your in the public eye here in the North East? Does being gay effect the way your treated if you're a politician?

Steve Goldswain is a senior councillor in Redcar. He's been in civil partnership with his partner for two years and has been speaking to our reporter David Rhodes about his experiences.