On Bi Visibility Day, our exec member Holly writes:

Our culture presumes everyone is either heterosexual or homosexual. But like most binaries, this misses out a lot of people (as Lib Dems, we're probably all sick of being treated like we're either "Tories really" or "Labour really"). This is one reason 23 September is celebrated as Bi Visibility Day.

During the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth, members of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrat Executive met with Dr Phillip Lee MP, Equalities Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP, and Chief Whip Alistair Carmichael MP. Also present in a personal capacity was our former Chair, Jennie Rigg.

We raised our concerns, those of LGBT+ communities and the party membership on how the events of the last few weeks were dealt with by the parliamentary party. We expressed the hurt felt by LGBT+ communities about the alienating history of experience with the medical and political establishments. The use of appropriate language was also discussed.

LGBT+ Lib Dems will be at Federal Autumn Conference 2019. Here are the events we are organising:

Panel Discussion: LGBT+? Are you getting the services you need?

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is the party's constitutionally recognised, democratically elected body for LGBT+ people. Our first aim as an organisation is "to ensure that the policies of the party and the actions of its members are compatible with the needs of sexual and gender minorities".

Over the years, "Plus" has kept the Lib Dems at the forefront of the fight for LGBT+ liberation. During my time on the Executive alone, we've made sure the party has the right policy on blood donations based on Science not Stigma; on supporting LGBT+ asylum seekers from countries which would imprison, torture or kill them; on reform of the Gender Recognition Act to remove bureaucratic gatekeeping; to make HIV prevention drugs available on the NHS; and of course on Same-Sex Marriage. We've helped local parties run presences at Pride events around the UK, supported candidates in General Elections, and engaged with the LGBT+ press.

Unfortunately, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats were not informed of Phillip Lee's defection before it had happened. Given our party both welcomes immigrants and supports making PrEP available on the NHS throughout the UK, we are very troubled by his previous public voting record and views on same-sex marriage, HIV and providing drugs for conditions he views as lifestyle choices.

The Liberal Democrats Autumn Conference is to debate delivering equal marriage - five years after same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales thanks to Liberal Democrats in the coalition government.

The policy motion calls for the repeal of the 'spousal veto' and for same-sex marriage to be introduced in Northern Ireland.

Liberal Democrats have celebrated the announcement that computer pioneer and code-breaker Alan Turing will feature on the new design of the Bank of England's £50 note.

It was the campaign by the Liberal Democrats, led by John Leech, the former MP for Manchester Withington, which eventually led to Alan Turing's posthumous pardon.

Following the announcement, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Vince Cable said:

"Alan Turing made an immeasurable contribution to our country.

"Not only is he the father of modern computing, but the work that was done at Bletchley Park in cracking the German Enigma Machine saved countless lives in bringing the war to an end.

"He was for an important period of time also a resident in my Twickenham constituency when he worked at the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington.

"Today's announcement is monumental in recognising the invaluable work he did. It is also an important reminder of a part of our history where prejudice and blatant bigotry were enshrined in law.

"In honouring him today, we must also remember that bigotry and discrimination leads to a terrible waste of talent for society as a whole."

Welcoming today's news, Turing pardon architect John Leech said:

"It is almost impossible to put into words the difference that Alan Turing made to society, but perhaps the most poignant example is that his work is estimated to have shortened the war by four years and saved up to 21 million lives.

"I'm absolutely delighted that Turing will be the face of the new £50 note and I hope it will go some way to acknowledging his unprecedented contribution to society and science.

"But more importantly I hope it will serve as a stark and rightfully painful reminder of what we lost in Turing, and what we risk when we allow that kind of hateful ideology to win."

Voting has opened for the Liberal Democrats' leadership election. Ed Davey and Jo Swinson are standing as candidates to replace Vince Cable as Leader of the party.

LGBT+ Lib Dems asked our members to suggest questions to the candidates on LGBT+ topics, and their replies are in our latest members' magazine, which started hitting doorsteps this morning. We're publishing them here too, to allow all Lib Dem members to make an informed choice in the leadership election.

On the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), the Liberal Democrats have called for concrete action to tackle discrimination, including reform of the Gender Recognition Act, an end to media hostility and international action against oppressive regimes.

Jennie Rigg, Chair of LGBT+ Lib Dems, said "Incidents of LGBT+ phobic speech and incitement seem to be on the rise in 2019, threatening the progress the Liberal Democrats have spearheaded for decades. While Westminster is paralysed by the Tories and Labour arguing over whose Brexit is better, Parliament is passing up opportunities to improve the lives of LGBT+ people.

Today on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Liberal Democrats have demanded that the Government legislate for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Responding to reports that the Conservative Government, propped up by the anti-equal-marriage party the DUP, is considering legislating to allow longer licensing hours for the Open Golf Championship taking place in Northern Ireland this July, Alistair Carmichael said: