LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
| LGBT+ Liberal Democrats | |
|---|---|
 Rainbow Bird of Liberty logo | |
| President | Layla Moran[1] |
| Chairperson | Charley Hasted (Jan 2023 – present) |
| Founded | 1988[2] |
| Ideology | |
| Position | Centretocentre-left |
| Mother party | Liberal Democrats |
| Website | http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/ |
| Part of a series on |
| LGBTQ rights in the United Kingdom |
|---|
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LGBT+ Liberal Democratsis a Britishlesbian,gay,bisexual,transgenderand other sexual minorities equality group of theLiberal Democratspolitical party. The organisation is one of severalSpecified Associated Organisations,giving it special status within the party, and has been referred to as one of the "most important" of such groups.[3][4]The group campaigns both within the party and UK-wide on LGBT+ issues, as well as mentoring and providing advice to the party's candidates.[5]
Formation and early years
[edit]Initially known asDemocrats for Lesbian & Gay Action,orDELGAfor short, the organisation was formed in 1988 from the groups "Liberal Lesbian & Gay Action" and "Social Democrats for Lesbian & Gay Action". The parent parties of those organisations, theLiberal PartyandSDP,had merged to form theSocial and Liberal Democrats,known generally as the Democrats.[6]The name was officially altered to beLiberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Actionin 1996, including bisexual and transgender people in the title and reflecting the renaming of the party to the Liberal Democrats. However, the shorthand DELGA remained in use until 2011, when the organisation renamed to "LGBT+ Liberal Democrats".[7]
One of the early campaigns by the group was "16 or bust". Started in 1991, it pushed to lower the age of consent for sex between gay men from 21 to 16, equal with heterosexual couples. This was in contrast to the approach of organisations such as Stonewall who were in favour of lowering the age to 18, seeing it as an achievable compromise.[2]Although the first round of votes in parliament only lowered the age of consent to 18, it was finally brought in line with opposite-sex couples in 2000.[8]
Policy successes
[edit]Because LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is recognised as a Specified Associated Organisation of the Liberal Democrat party it is able to put forward policy motions to the twice-yearly Federal Conference, the main democratic policy making forum of the party.
Motions accepted for debate and passed into party policy have included:
- 2011: "Science Not Stigma" motion on blood donation rules in the UK.[9]
- 2010: "Equal Marriage in the United Kingdom" motion on the introduction of same-sex marriage.[10]
- 2008: "Deportation to States which Persecute on the Grounds of Sexuality and Gender Identity" on treatment of LGBT asylum seekers.[11]
- 1988: Repeal of Section 28, Criminalisation of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, prohibition of legal and social discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.[12]
Fringe events
[edit]LGBT+ Liberal Democrats runs a series of fringe events discussing various topic issues at Liberal Democrat conference each year,[13]including regular joint fringes with LGBT+ campaigning organisationStonewall.[14]
Events at a joint 2011 fringe received widespread coverage after then Stonewall Chair,Ben Summerskillstated that his organisation did not support equal marriage and that he believed it would cost £5 billion to implement. The statement resulted in critical comments from prominent campaignerPeter Tatchell[15]and openly gay Liberal Democrat MPStephen Gilbert,who stated "it should not be up to me as a member of parliament to lobby Stonewall on equal rights. It should be Stonewall lobbying me".[16]The controversy later caused a split within Stonewall itself, following further criticism from founder membersIan McKellenandMichael Cashman.[17]
2013 apologies
[edit]In 2013, bothG4SandTalkTalkwere forced to apologise to the organisation, following separate incidents. In the first incident G4S, who provided conference security, had insisted on checking banners being carried by members of the group for "potentially offensive campaign material".[18]Three months later, TalkTalk issued an apology after their web filter classified the organisation's web site as pornographic.[19][20]
Views on MPs
[edit]Tim Farron
[edit]Many members of the group, while denying that former party leaderTim Farronis ahomophobe,[21]have been openly critical of his answers to questions about his views on the sinfulness of gay sex during the 2017 general election, viewing it as a distraction from the party's pro-LGBT record.[22]Former head of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Chris Cooke made unsubstantiated complaints to the party about Farron's personal conduct when "drunk", and admitted that he "made up a story to cause trouble" following his suspension over Twitter comments directed at Conservative MPAnna Soubry.[23]
Farron's continued fraternisation with evangelical anti-'gay lobby' groups has been seen by the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats as a lapse of judgement, with them asking him to apologise for a "lack of care" shown to the LGBT community.[24]
Phillip Lee
[edit]On 3 September 2019, Conservative MPPhillip Leejoined the Lib Dems in opposition to Brexit.[25]
Moments after he had defected, LGBT+ Liberal Democrat chair Jennie Rigg along with the vice chair, executive members and several other activists left the party in opposition to Lee's views on same-sex marriage and his previous campaign to bar people with HIV from being able to come to the UK.[26]
A subsequent meeting took place between Lee and the LGBT+ Lib Dems at their annual conference to discuss his views.[27]
Having previously said "Marriage should be left to the churches and the redefinition of marriage simply required more debate and consultation",[28]Lee later insisted that his views on LGBT+ rights and had been misrepresented, stating that he was right to abstain on the same-sex marriage vote because it was a "liberal" choice and part of a "nuanced argument".[29]
Executive committee
[edit]The oversight of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is managed by its Officers and Executive Members. The executive committee, consisting of members elected by the party's membership, individuals co-opted by the Executive, and representatives from otherLiberal Democrataffiliated organisations, is tasked with this responsibility. The present Executive assumed their roles on 1 January 2023.[30]
2023 Executive committee
[edit]Source:[30]
Executive Officers
[edit]- Chair: Charley Hasted
- Vice-Chair: Gareth Lewis Shelton
- Treasurer: Alan Collins Rosell
- Secretary: Charlie Campion
Executive Members
[edit]There are seven elected members and up to three co-opted members.
- Luke Allan
- Em Dean
- Andy Hinton
- Caron Lindsay
- Katharine Macy
- Rachel-lee Mackenzie
- Jennie Rigg
- Lucy Tonge
Previous chairs
[edit]- Charley Hasted (Jan 2023 – present)
- Gareth Lewis Shelton (Sept 2020 – Dec 2022)
- Dave Page (Sept 2019 – June 2020)[31]
- Jennie Rigg (Feb 2017 – Sept 2019)[32]
- Chris Cooke (Jan – Feb 2017)[33]
- Adrian Trett (2016)
- Dave Page (2015)[32]
- Ed Fordham (2014)[34]
- Adrian Trett (July 2010 – 2013)[35]
- Benji Starr (Jan – Jun 2010)
- Jen Yockney (2007–2009)[36]
- Kelvin Meyrick (2006)[37]
- Richard Porter (2005)[38]
- Alison Wheeler (2004)
- Denys Robinson (2003)
- Hannah Kaitlin-Boyer (2001–2002)
- Jonathan Simpson (1998–2000)
- Mark Baker (1998)
- Brian Stone (1989)
See also
[edit]
- List of LGBT-related organizations
- LGBT rights in the United Kingdom
- Equivalent organisations in the other major parties include
- Conservatives:LGBT+ Conservatives
- Labour:LGBT+ Labour
- UKIP:LGBT in UKIP
- Plaid Cymru:Plaid Pride
- SNP:Out For Independence
- Alliance:Alliance Party LGBT
- Sinn Féin:Sinn Fein LGBT
- Green Party of England and Wales:LGBTIQA+ Greens(website)
References
[edit]- ^"Honorary Positions".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats.Retrieved3 October2022.
- ^abRayside, David Morton (1998).On the Fringe: Gays and Lesbians in Politics.Cornell University Press.ISBN9780801483745.
- ^Russell, Andrew; Fieldhouse, Edward (2005).Neither Left Nor Right: The Liberal Democrats and the Electorate.Manchester University Press.ISBN9780719066016.
- ^Dawson, Heather (2003).Using the Internet for Political Research: Practical Tips and Hints.Elsevier.ISBN9781780630595.
- ^Deans, David (6 January 2015)."Openly gay Rhondda MP Chris Bryant expresses 'shock and surprise' at claims there are Assembly Members reluctant to come out".Wales Online.
- ^Pack, Mark (13 April 2009)."The Alliance: a chronology".
- ^"AGM outcome a plus".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 17 September 2011.
- ^"Q and A: The age of consent".BBC News. 29 November 2000.
- ^"Conference Daily 2011"(PDF).Liberal Democrats.Retrieved19 November2020.
- ^"Conference Agenda"(PDF).Liberal Democrats.Retrieved19 November2020.
- ^"Conference Agenda and Directory"(PDF).Liberal Democrats.Retrieved19 November2020.
- ^"Gay & Lesbian Rights".Archived fromthe originalon 9 November 1999.Retrieved19 November2020.
- ^"LGBT+ Lib Dems guide to Conference".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 17 September 2011.
- ^"Party Conferences 2014".Stonewall.
- ^"Stonewall undermines campaign for gay marriage".Peter Tatchell. 21 September 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2011.Retrieved9 January2015.
- ^Mulholland, Hélène (21 September 2010)."Liberal Democrats back same-sex marriage motion".Guardian.
- ^Milmo, Cahal (2 October 2010)."Stonewall is split by row about same-sex marriages".Independent.
- ^Wheeler, Brian (17 September 2013)."Lib Dem conference: G4S apology to gay rights activists".BBC News.
- ^"Official Lib Dem LGBT website blocked by TalkTalk's 'porn filter'".Pink News. 20 December 2013.
- ^Roberts, Scott (20 December 2013)."TalkTalk apologises for using 'porn filter' to block access to Lib Dem LGBT website".Pink News.
- ^Mason, Chris (18 July 2015)."Tim Farron's religious convictions leave some Lib Dems fretting".BBC News.Retrieved3 October2018.
- ^Braidwood, Ella (18 September 2018)."Lib Dems mock Tim Farron's views on gay sex in singalong".PinkNews.Retrieved3 October2018.
- ^Mortimer, Caroline (18 June 2017)."Tim Farron subject of false allegations by former Lib Dem LGBT activist".The Independent.Retrieved3 October2018.
- ^Duffy, Nick (10 May 2018)."Tim Farron faces Lib Dem anger over event criticising 'gay lobby'".PinkNews.Retrieved3 October2018.
- ^"The moment Tory MP defects to Lib Dems"– via bbc.
- ^"Lib Dem LGBT chair quits party after it lets Tory MP with poor gay rights record join".The Independent.3 September 2019.
- ^Ashton, Emily."New Lib Dem MP Phillip Lee Will Meet LGBT Members To Try To Head Off A Revolt".BuzzFeed.
- ^Miller, Laura (15 February 2013)."Dr Phillip Lee: Why I abstained from Gay Marriage Vote".BerkshireLive.
- ^"Lib Dem defector Phillip Lee really wants you to know he's not a homophobe".17 September 2019.
- ^ab"Executive - LGBT+ Liberal Democrats".lgbt.libdems.org.uk.Retrieved12 October2023.
- ^"Dr Phillip Lee: Why is the party's LGBT+ group angry?".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats.Retrieved1 December2020.
- ^abO'Connell, Zoe (4 December 2014)."LGBT+ Liberal Democrats elect new chair and executive".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats.
- ^"Liberator 384"(PDF).Liberator.
- ^"The votes are in – LGBT+ Lib Dems 2014".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 12 November 2013.
- ^"New Team for 2013".LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. 1 January 2013.
- ^"DELGA Newsletter"(PDF).DELGA. September 2007.
- ^"New DELGA committee for 2006".DELGA. 1 January 2006.
- ^"New chair for DELGA".DELGA. 3 January 2005.