Two prominent Lib Dem MPs will address a meeting tonight at the party conference in Brighton to focus on the way ahead for LGBT equality and liberation. Jo Swinson MP, equalities spokesperson, and Stephen Williams, who in 2005 was elected as the Lib Dems' first out-gay MP, will set out the way ahead as they see it in what promises to be a stimulating evening's debate.
The Lib Dems believe every school should have a 'Bullying Mentor', a trained member of staff to counsel children who are the victims of bullying. The proposal was part of a package of measures aimed at tackling bullying in schools, including homophobic bullying, proposed by Bristol West MP Stephen Williams and passed by the Liberal Democrat Autumn conference today.
In today's Leader's speech to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Brighton, Ming Campbell highlighted the party's commitment to equality and liberation as cornerstone values of the party, saying, "If a person is bullied because they're gay - then I stand with them." He underlined this point, "Discrimination and intimidation have no place in a liberal society."
Liberal Democrat MP and spokesperson on education Stephen Williams has welcomed new Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) guidelines on the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. "These guidelines are welcome and long overdue," he told PinkNews.co.uk today. "It is essential that they are taken on board by every school and as long as they are followed to the letter they will make a huge difference to the lives of thousand of young gay men and women."
Days ago it was Bristol MP Stephen Williams - now it's the turn of North East Fife MSP Iain Smith! Iain has been shortlisted for Stonewall's "Politician of the Year" award, to be presented on 1st November, thanks to his key role in furthering the cause of equality in the Scottish Parliament.
Over 100 people took the streets of Bromley on Saturday to protest at the council's decision to ban Civil Partnership ceremonies in all their municipal buildings, including the register office.