Commenting on the Equalities Bill announced in today's Queen's Speech, Liberal Democrat Youth and Equalities Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to add some real vigour to the stalled equalities agenda.
Stephen Williams MP has welcomed news that the Office of National Statistics, who compile the UK census and similar surveys, will now be including a question on sexual orientation in most of their work - though not in the 2011 census itself. "I think it is a welcome step forward that they will be asking these questions," he said. "It's important we understand the pattern of gay life in modern Britain."
London's Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford has welcomed Islington Council's win in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, overturning an earlier ruling that Christian registrar Lilian Ladele was discriminated against when disciplined for refusing to carry out gay civil partnership ceremonies.
The Federal Policy Committee would like to invite Liberal Democrat party members to put their name forward to serve on Policy Working Groups. As part of an annual exercise to recruit new members into the working groups, they will put together a panel of potential working group members from which to draw when setting up individual groups.
Has your MP signed EDM 360? The President of DELGA has tabled this Early Day Motion in Parliament pressing the government to continue international work tackling discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity following the recent votes at the General Assembly of the United Nations. Evan Harris, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, put forward the motion on December 17th and it is already attracting cross-party support.
Warm best wishes from DELGA to Brian Paddick and Petter Belsvik on their wedding in Oslo this weekend. Brian, who was Lib Dem candidate for London Mayor last year, also came runner-up in the Pink Paper Readers' Awards which have just been announced - pipped to the title of "Hero of the year" by Barack Obama.