On International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has given her support to young LGBT people suffering from bullying or discrimination at school.

Sarah has taken part in a video message from European leaders to gay and lesbian youngsters, telling them how they are working to 'make things better.' She commented:

"Growing up is difficult enough, but for those coming to terms with being lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender it is made much harder by bullying or isolation at school. Many are at greater risk from mental and physical health problems and some even attempt suicide.

"Liberal Democrats scored a significant success by getting our 2010 manifesto commitment to tackle homophobic bullying included in the Coalition Agreement. The Government has made anti-bullying guidelines clearer and stronger, and is involving LGBT organisations such as Stonewall in promoting equality and diversity in schools. The more children can be educated about difference, the fewer victims there will be."

LGBT+ Lib Dems are delighted to support a new web campaign "Out4Marriage".

In a similar way to the 'It Gets Better' viral video campaign to give hope to bullied LGBT+ teens, Out4Marriage is encouraging people to record short YouTube videos about why they support equal marriage - in particular right now the Coalition Government's plans to open civil marriage up to same-sex couples.

Following misleading press reports about what will or will not be in the upcoming Queen's Speech, LGBT equality minister Lynne Featherstone has blogged reassuring readers that the plans for same-sex civil marriage are still going ahead.

She writes:

In the aftermath of a tough set of election results for both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats - I couldn't help but notice a few naysayers popping up in the media and uttering dire warnings about a government that needs to concentrate on core issues rather than same sex civil marriage.

For goodness sake - it's not either / or.

The economy is clearly the No 1 priority - but the Coalition can multi-task!

There will be no u-turn on equal marriage - we are committed as a government to legislate by 2015

Commenting on the Protection of Freedoms Act receiving Royal Assent, Chair of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats, Adrian Trett said:

"The Protection of Freedoms Act is a major win for the LGBT rights. Gay and bisexual men who were convicted for acts that are now perfectly legal will finally be able to get them deleted from their criminal records. It marks the end of the overhang from a bygone era when being gay was still criminalised.

"It shows the determination of the Liberal Democrats and the Coalition Government to do the right thing. The march for equal rights is not over yet but with today's news and the consultation on how to introduce equal marriage, we're steadily chipping away at the final hurdles."

On Wednesday night, Southwark Council became the first in England to debate a motion relating to Equal Marriage - and to give it overwhelming support.

The motion, tabled with cross-party backing, stated Southwark's support to the Government's ongoing consultation on allowing civil marriage between same-sex couples in England and Wales.

The Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors agreed to hold the first un-whipped vote of this council, which was carried with no councillors voting against.

Liberal Democrat Councillor David Noakes, who proposed the motion, commented: "Southwark has a proud history of leading the way towards equality. The introduction of civil marriage between same sex couples will do the one thing that civil-partnerships could not: it will give full equality to the gay and lesbian community here in Southwark and across the country.

"I was born in the same year that consensual sex between two men became legal in this country and I am proud that we have come far since that time - lifting the ban on gay men and lesbians in the military, allowing same-sex couples to adopt, the repeal of section 28, the introduction of civil partnerships and, most recently, the Equality Act. But there is still further to go.

"This vote is a reaffirmation that Southwark Council is on the side of equality and that the council will stand up and be counted in protecting the rights of all our residents.

"I am proud to be a gay man, I am proud to be a Southwark Councillor and I hope to soon be proud to be a member of a political party which has delivered equal marriage in Government."



You can help the equal marriage campaign: find out more at AboutTime.org.uk

The European Parliament has adopted its latest annual report on implementation of rights for European citizens under EU law. One of the issues highlighted was the barriers that still exist for same-sex couples. The report demands full freedom of movement with recognition of legal rights for same-sex couples and an end to Member States' obstruction of a 2004 EU law meant to achieve this.
Sarah Ludford, London MEP and Vice President of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats commented: "Due to disarray in the ranks of the European Socialist and Democratic group (S&D) to which the Labour party belong, the key relevant paragraph got deleted at committee stage due to the voting power of the right-wing parties." "Due to Liberal leadership, this has now been reinserted into the report by a plenary vote. We refused to let the discrimination that many same- sex couples still face when moving or travelling to some EU states be swept under the carpet. Once again the Liberal (ALDE) group has shown that it is the most dependable champion of LGBT rights both domestically and in the EU."

London borough of Southwark Councillors will debate Same-sex Marriage at Wednesday's meeting of the Council Assembly. Southwark are the first council in England to hold such a debate. The motion is being tabled with cross-party support and will be proposed by Liberal Democrat Cllr David Noakes and seconded by Labour Cllr Abdul Mohamed.

Over 20 million working people will be better off next year after Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government delivered the biggest ever increase in the income tax personal allowance in the Budget.

The massive £3.5bn tax cut for working people delivers:

• The biggest ever single uplift in the tax threshold
• A personal allowance of £9,205 in April 2013
• 21 million working people getting an extra £220 tax cut
• Brings the total tax cut for basic rate tax payers to £550
• Brings the total number of people lifted out of tax to 2 million.

A new campaign has been launched today at http://www.abouttime.org.uk/ to encourage the public to support the Government's consultation into equal civil marriage.

Using the slogan "About Time for Equal Marriage", the campaign calls on people to respond positively to the consultation, and offers guidelines for response. The campaign will be distributing flyers this evening in Manchester, London and Brighton, and is working with volunteers to raise awareness in other towns around the UK.

One of our fundamental values as a party is our firm belief in equality. This is why I am member of our party and why I am so proud to be your President. We have always stood for individual liberty and the right to choose how we lead our lives. That's why we came into being in the 19th century to protect the rights of religious minorities, its why we led the support for equality for women and why we decided before any other major party that civil marriage should be open to same-sex couples equally. The Liberal Democrats in Government are now delivering on that, with today's consultation on how best to deliver equal civil marriage, which will lead to new legislation in this Parliament.