International Day Against Homophobia 2009
Chris Ward - one of the youngest openly gay councillors in the country
Lib Dem councillor Chris Ward will be guest speaker at Gay Surrey's celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia in Weybridge this Sunday, 17th May - one of a whole host of events marking the date, which is the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.
Chris Ward says, ""IDAHO is a day for celebration, reminding ourselves how far the LGBT community has come with regards to equality, but also remembering and acknowledging those who helped us get here. It is also a day to look at where we still have to go. Many countries around the world still torture and execute civilians purely on the basis of their sexual orientation.
"I am delighted to support this great celebration organised by Gay Surrey, both as a former university LGBT President and now as one of the youngest openly gay councillors in the country. The Liberal Democrats as a party have always been consistent in their support of LGBT rights and will continue to fight for the LGBT community both in Parliament and in their local communities."