16Jun 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hungary: Anti-LGBT+ law is “disgusting” human rights violation

Hungary: Anti-LGBT+ law is “disgusting” human rights violation

Parliamentary news
Responding to the passing of legislation by the Hungarian Parliament that bans materials in schools deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Layla Moran MP said: "Quite simply this is a disgusting piece of legislation which violates human rights and will lead to lasting harm to LGBT+ individuals. Homophobic persecution of this sort is something we are used to seeing in Vladmir Putin’s Russia, not in an EU member state. It is appalling. “But this is only the latest repressive step from Viktor Orban, whose record on antisemitism, Islamophobia, LGBT+ and women’s rights, and so much more besides is utterly abysmal. Despite this, Boris Johnson still thought Viktor Orban was worthy of rolling out the Downing Street red carpet last month. What signal does that…
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21May 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Councillor disappointed by lack of support for IDAHOBIT

Borough news
Crompton Liberal Democrat Councillor Louie Hamblett was very dismayed this week to see that Oldham Council’s media pages both on Twitter and Facebook did not mention nor promote the fact May 17th was IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) Day was made at all in spite of the a flag was flown above the civic centre in celebration on the day. This also included what information they sent out to elected and staff members. Cllr Hamblett said: “As one of the few elected openly LGBT+ elected members the Council at times can feel cold and unwelcoming towards the LGBT+ community, and any efforts made towards our community is done in a very half-hearted way. "I hope that the Council does learn and takes this on board so that…
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10Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
LGBT advisor resignation exposes ignorant Government

LGBT advisor resignation exposes ignorant Government

Parliamentary news
Responding to Jayne Ozanne’s resignation from the Government's LGBT Advisory Panel, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: "This resignation highlights how badly this Conservative Government is letting down the LGBT+ community in our country. "LGBT+ people still face far too much discrimination, and the Government must do far more to tackle it. It is clear that Boris Johnson and the Conservatives are not up to the job of tackling prejudice in our society. "Ministers’ failure to ban conversion therapy has exposed just how little they care about the issues facing the LGBT+ community. Boris Johnson has been far too slow and his inaction now disturbs even his own advisors. "Liberal Democrats are continuing our fight to ban conversion therapy. The Government must act now to end this awful practice."
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16Feb 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
LGBT+ veteran medals returned: Symbolic gesture not enough

LGBT+ veteran medals returned: Symbolic gesture not enough

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that LGBT+ military veterans who were stripped of their medals can apply to have them returned, Jamie Stone MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Defence, said: “This symbolic gesture is a positive first step towards righting the gross wrongs done to our LGBTQ+ personnel. But, the Government must not stop at symbolism. "Along with medals being returned, veterans and their families should receive any financial compensation they have lost after these wrongful convictions, including their full pensions. “A number of veterans were not only discharged from service on the basis of their sexuality but were also convicted, resulting in criminal records, and also lost pension rights. The veterans who were affected by these terrible injustices must be properly compensated."
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13Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on anyone "with the privilege of a public platform – including Government Ministers" to "condemn the irresponsible and divisive rhetoric that inflames hatred", as new official figures show hate crimes have risen to a new record high. The Home Office figures, released today, show that: 105,090 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2019-20 – a new record high.There was a particularly big increase in hate crimes against LGBT+ people, with a 19% year-on-year increase in sexual orientation-based hate crimes and an 18% increase in transphobic hate crimes.There was a big spike in the number of racially- and religiously-motivated hate crimes in June and July 2020. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “Far too many…
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15Jun 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Lib Dems condemn Government decision to scrap GRA reform

Parliamentary news
Responding to reports that the Government will ban conversion therapy, but has dropped plans to simplify the gender recognition process, Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “We have fought long and hard to ban conversion therapy, but if the Conservatives think the fight for LGBT+ rights ends there, they are very wrong. “The Liberal Democrats will always stand up for equality and human rights for all, and that includes reforming the Gender Recognition Act to make it easier for people to gain legal recognition of their gender identity. “With trans people continuing to face discrimination, harassment, and experience lower wellbeing, shelving reform of the Gender Recognition Act will continue the suffering of far too many across the UK. “It is time the Government stopped preventing trans people from living freely,…
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