“Gay rights, like all minority rights, should by now have become unquestionable. But in practice they are still too often treated like privileges, falling in Unlike our political opponents, the Lib Dems cannot and out of favour with politicians. David Cameron’s rely on regular injections of cash from big businesses, recent apology over Section 28 is a prime example. unions or fat-cat millionaires. We rely on donations Leadership is about speaking out on issues when from people like you, and spend every pound wisely to they matter, not simply when you judge public bring about a free and equal society. opinion has moved.” To support our work, join the Liberal Democrats and Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg MP our LGBT wing for a year from just £25 (£11 concs). “We believe strongly in an individual's right to live However, please consider £60 - only a fiver a month! their lives as they see fit, without discrimination, Please make cheques to “LGBT Lib Dems” and return to with personal privacy, with equal rights in front of DELGA, 4 Cowley St, London SW1P 3NB. the law and the opportunities to make the best of Join DELGA and the Liberal Democrats their talents. This applies to a person's sexuality and gender identity in the same way it does to Name: their race, gender, or religion.” Lib Dem LGBT Election Manifesto 2005 Address: “As leaders in the communities we serve, Liberal Democrats must act to challenge and to change systems that are inherently unfair - whether it’s the schools we govern, the registrar offices we control, or the laws we can influence.” Postcode: Lib Dem Equality Spokesperson Phone: Lynne Featherstone MP Email address: “If Liberal Democrats are about anything, we're about giving people control over their own lives, to live them as they see fit, not as others might ‘approve’. Our commitment to equality of opportunity for all existed long before it was Full-time student, unwaged, under 26 (£11 min) fashionable, and we see the LGBT communities not Studying at ______________ Graduating _______ as a ‘client group’ but as individuals, with their own St 3NB SW1P Democrats Cowley and 4 on behalf Liberal of by and promoted Published Washway Road, Sale 7QY. 24 M33 Prontaprint, by Printed Join LGBT wing only (party members, £15 min / needs, desires and ambitions.” £5 concs) Party m/ship number ___________ Lib Dem President Ros Scott National Action Local Action The Liberals were the first party to speak up on gay With over 4,000 councillors, we are in power in town rights. Gay equality was policy from 1963, and an halls right across the country - and where we are in election commitment in the 1970s - when LGBT power Lib Dem councils lead the way in delivering on Liberal Democrats equality was far from a popular cause! LGBT issues. The Lib Dems were the only party to oppose Section Lib Dem-run Cardiff council carried out a pilot exist to build and safe- 28 from the outset, and the first to move in programme to reduce homophobic bullying, by Parliament for its repeal. In 1994 we voted to lower educating children about sexual orientation and guard a fair, free and gay consent from 21 to 16, defeated by Tory and gender identity. The successful scheme has since been Labour MPs. We led on the military ban, adoption adopted by other local authorities open society where we rights, and civil partnerships. Lib Dem-run Islington has published a charter for In 1998 the Lib Dems adopted policies to allow trans LGBT people, requiring council employees to act in a seek to balance people to change the gender on their birth non-discriminatory manner when discharging their certificates, 6 years before it was finally legislated by duties, and ensuring that care homes respect elderly liberty, equality and the Government. LGBT people and same-gender relationships. community and where no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, Nick Clegg says The Future of Equality “I am determined that the Liberal Democrats will While the Tory-Labour consensus pay lip-service to ignorance or remain outspoken and steadfast in our defence of gay LGBT equality in search of “pink votes”, the Liberal rights, from backing same sex marriage to stopping Democrats continue to lead on equality. conformity the deportation of gay asylum seekers to countries The Lib Dems recently clarified our position that Preamble to the Lib Dem constitution were homosexuality is punishable by death. There has people facing murder or persecution over their sexu- been much progress in recent years, and much to ality or gender identity should be allowed to claim celebrate. asylum - in stark opposition to the Government line “But as long as homophobia still rears its ugly head in that they should stay where they risk being killed, workplaces, in classrooms, and even in the home – and “be discreet”. Liberal politicians must continue to speak out in favour of The Welsh Liberal Democrats oppose the discrimina- Democrats the values of gay rights. For me, it is quite simply one tory blood donation ban on gay and bisexual men and of the touchstones of what a liberal society should the people who sleep with them. be: open, tolerant and free of prejudice.” Support us as we lead the way on LGBT rights!.