DELGA, the Liberal Democrats' LGBT campaign group have started 2009 on a high note, with their second national policy & strategy conference. Guests included Simon Hughes MP and leading London Euro-PPC Jonathan Fryer at the day conference held in London on Sunday, which drew attendees from as far afield as Yorkshire and the North West.
The Liberal Democrat Leader of Cardiff Council, Rodney Berman, has welcomed the success of a pilot programme aimed at challenging and raising awareness of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Cardiff schools.
London Lib Dem MEP Sarah Ludford has welcomed news that the European Commission has affirmed persecution on grounds of sexual orientation is a legitimate justification for an asylum claim. The question had been put to the Commission by Sarah and other MEPs, prompted by an initial rejection in Cyprus of a claim by a gay Iranian asylum seeker - a rejection which was later overturned and the claim granted. Sarah, who is Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman, said: "I strongly welcome this robust statement by the Commission on the responsibility of Member States to uphold their international commitments to refugees and recognise persecution on all legitimate grounds including sexual orientation. Such persecution is very much a reality for gay and lesbian people from countries such as Iran."
DELGA are already looking forward to the Lib Dem Spring Conference 2009, to be held in Harrogate. As usual there will be a DELGA stall in the exhibition area of the conference, and work towards it has already begun.
A High Court judge has found that the UK Border Agency have illegally deported a gay asylum seeker. The man comes from a country where discrimination against homosexuals is rife, and claims that he fears persecution and violence. Sir George Newman has ordered the Home Secretary to "use her best efforts" to bring him back to the UK so he can make an effective asylum claim. However, the Home Secretary's legal team claim it is pointless to return him as he will lose his claim.
DELGA's warmest congratulations to Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP and his partner Miriam Durantez on the news today of the birth of their third child, Miguel.