LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats are urging all supporters of equal marriage to write to their MP, asking them to support the second reading of the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill. This is the first Parliamentary vote on the new legislation.

Executive member Dave Page said, "Opponents of equal marriage have organised write-in campaigns, often involving false information about the proposals. Even supportive MPs are receiving letters and emails which might make them think that there's popular opposition rather than the vocal minority demonstrated by recent YouGov polling. We need to show MPs and their hard-working staff that we're out there and we want them to support us on Tuesday. No matter what their party, or what position they've declared on the issue, please write and let them know your thoughts."

The Coalition Government has formally announced in Parliament the Same-Sex Marriage bill to be introduced in the House of Commons. This is a great day for LGBT+ Liberal Democrats who set the ball rolling on this campaign in September 2010, where at their Autumn Conference, local party representatives voted overwhelmingly for Equal Marriage policy, becoming the first major party and first party of Government to support marriage equality.

Our new LGBT+ Lib Dems executive for 2013 take office today, having been elected at our AGM in September.

Adrian Trett continues as Chair for a third year, while Holly Matthies and Jen Yockney are also re-elected as our national Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Other executive members are Ed Fordham, Dave Page, Paul Trollope, Sarah Brown, Zoe O'Connell, Don Harrison, Gina Dungworth , Lee Dargue and Jake Basford.

The last twelve months have been lit up by moments that will stay with us forever. When Mo Farah approached the final stretch of the 10,000m final, who wasn't up on their feet, screaming at the TV?

When Nicola Adams beamed at the crowd after winning the first ever women's Olympic boxing, who didn't smile back? I was lucky enough to be there, and that's one I'll never forget.

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Government's response to the equal marriage consultation, as the next step towards delivering equal marriage in the United Kingdom.

Chair Adrian Trett said, "The Liberal Democrats were the first major party to adopt marriage equality as policy, and it's great to now see support across the political spectrum for the Government delivering this. We are particularly pleased that the Government is allowing willing faith organisations to conduct same-sex marriages - this is a decision which should not be taken by Government."

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats have expressed concerns, however, over the lack of plans to extend civil partnerships to mixed-sex couples. We point out this will lead to couples in civil partnership being forced to dissolve the relationship if one partner undergoes legal gender change, which will not be the case for married couples.

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats have briefed the party's MPs and will be examining the full legislation carefully to see where it differs from the party's equal marriage policy, in order to consider legislative amendments.

Nick Clegg MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister, has recorded a video for World AIDS Day on Saturday 1st December. In it, he calls for support for people with HIV/AIDS and an end to discrimination, along with a future free from AIDS. You can watch the video below or on YouTube:

Liberal Youth, the youth and students body of the Liberal Democrats, had LGBT+ issues prominently on the agenda at their recent conference in Manchester. Delegates resolved to support LGBT+ communities in Russia against recent Pride bans, and laws against LGBT+ expression, working with international youth bodies like IFLRY. The conference also reaffirmed the party's policy on equal civil partnerships.

Commenting on the All Out-Invisible Parent campaign and its petition to the European Union calling for mutual recognition of same-sex families and their parental ties to their children across the EU, Lib Dem European justice & human rights spokeswoman Sarah Ludford said:

"I am very pleased to support this campaign. For thousands of children in the EU who have parents of the same sex, crossing borders can mean the trauma and distress of one parent becoming 'invisible'. Whilst many countries allow same sex couples to marry or enter into civil partnerships, they don't necessarily recognise these families."

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the Liberal Democrats, has issued a statement of support for the Act of Remembrance at St Paul's Cathedral this evening, which marks the first National Hate Crime Awareness week, 13th-19th October:

"To all victims of hate crime,

"Everyone has the right to live without fear or persecution. Whatever the colour of your skin, the religion or faith you follow, the disability you live with, or the person you fall in love with, you should be able to live without prejudice.

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has condemned the banning of Belgrade Pride for the second year running. Serbia's Interior Ministry announced today that they would ban this year's Pride, claiming concerns over public safety following threats of violence and intimidation from some groups. The move has sparked condemnation from UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay who has urged Serbia to facilitate the rescheduling of Pride rather than preventing its members from exercising their fundamental freedoms.