In a move that arouses interest across the EU in the interpretation of EU anti-discrimination law, Islington Council has decided to appeal against a tribunal judgment that they discriminated against registrar Lillian Ladele by requiring her to officiate at gay civil partnerships despite her Christian beliefs.
DELGA Chair Jen Yockney has welcomed news that the US Senate has voted to remove the ban on people who have HIV entering the USA. This does not repeal the ban of itself but opens the door to the US Department of Health doing so. The policy dates back to the time of Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980's, when understanding about HIV transmission was far less advanced.
The US senate has voted in favour of ending the effective ban on travel to the US for HIV-positive persons. This decision enables US authorities to lift the restrictions although it is clear whether action will be taken under the Bush or the next presidency. Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has led a campaign to include the abolition of HIV/Aids discrimination as a principal goal in EU visa negotiations with the US. This culminated in EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot writing to US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff challenging the justification for the US policy.
Following the DELGA AGM, Kelvin Meyrick has been elected as Chair of the organisation for 2006.
A senior Islington Labour councillor has been accused by local Liberal Democrats of supporting a councillor who was kicked out of office for making a false statement about an opponent's personal character and conduct for electoral advantage.
Lib Dem LGBT group DELGA today paid tribute to former MP Leo Abse, who passed away last night aged 91.