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:

Jo Swinson, Deputy Leader and Foreign Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, has today condemned new anti-LGBT laws in Brunei and warned the UK Government must no longer "cosy up to the Brunei regime."

The new laws, that will come into force on Wednesday, also cover a range of crimes from making sex between men punishable by stoning to death, to punishment for theft by amputation.

The House of Commons has today voted to update sex education in schools to Relationships & Sex Education, with more age-appropriate education about issues like gender, sexuality and consent.

The bill passed third reading by an overwhelming majority - 538 votes to 21.

Ed Davey MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston & Surbiton, celebrated the news on twitter writing:

Calling Lib Dem local parties nationwide!

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We, along with other parties' LGBT+ groups, have signed the following joint statement with the Terrence Higgins Trust:

"We believe the number of places on the PrEP Impact Trial should be doubled in London and across the country as a matter of urgency. With every delay, more and more people are needlessly contracting HIV. We are calling on all councils who are part of the PrEP Impact Trial in England to accept the extra trial places and make them available to those who need them. We will not end new HIV transmissions in England without access to PrEP. Action is urgently needed to make this a reality."