Tories, Labour, Lib Dems to debate LGBT equality at LSBU
The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats will debate their parties' contribution to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality at LSBU in MarchThe Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats will debate their manifestos for the future of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality next month at an election year event being held at London South Bank University.
Representatives from party-affiliated groups LGBTory, LGBT Labour and LGBT+ Lib Dems will outline their record, plans and what they see as the key challenges for the LGBT community in the UK and abroad ahead of the 2015 general election.
The debate will include audience participation with questions being accepted in advance of the event via e-mail s.o.network@lsbu.ac.uk or by tweeting @SONET_LSBU with hashtag #LGBTDebate.
"We are delighted that the three parties have accepted our invitation to take part in an election year discussion on the future of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality," commented Terry Eastham, chair of LSBU's sexual orientation staff network SONET who are hosting the event.
"We hope this debate will continue our contribution to LGBT communities following a series of 2014 events hosted by SONET that have explored the changing social and political landscape, not only in the UK but internationally."
The event is free and ticketed, open to all London university students, staff and members of the education and research community who have an interest in LGBT matters. It will also be available to follow live on Twitter, @SONET_LSBU.
Meet the panel
Colm Howard-Lloyd is a political speechwriter and strategist, and was elected LGBTory chairman in 2014. He is also a member of the Conservative Party's LGBT advisory board, sits on the Pride in London community advisory board and is chair of trustees at a London-based HIV charity.
Tom Burke is national co-chair of LGBT Labour and a member of Labour's national policy forum. He has been involved in developing Labour's policy platform on LGBT issues in the run-up to the 2015 election and campaigning for their out candidates. Originally from Plymouth, he is currently based in Southwark and works for a youth-focussed international development charity.
Adrian Trett joined the Liberal Democrats in 2006, stood to be a local councillor in both 2010 and 2014 and is a prospective parliamentary candidate for Vauxhall in the 2015 election. He led the Liberal Democrat campaign for equal marriage as chair of LGBT+ Lib Dems and was the author of the same-sex marriage motion at the 2010 party conference.
The debate will be chaired by Mohsin Zaidi, general counsel of Pride in London and a dispute resolution solicitor. In 2014 he completed a year-long post as judicial assistant to Lord Wilson of Culworth and Lord Sumption at the Supreme Court and has also spent time working for the UN Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal.
| Date | Tuesday 24 March 2015 |
|---|---|
| Time | 6.15–7.30pm |
| Location | Events Theatre, Keyworth Centre, Southwark campus |
| RSVP | Register now (required) |