LGBT+ History Month - Liberal Democrats are proud to celebrate Medway's diversity

February is LGBT+ History Month and this year's theme 'Mind, Body and Spirit', highlights five faces representing LGBT+ History, Lily Parr - a footballer, Mark Ashton - a trade unionist, Maya Angelou - a poet, Michael Dillon - a Buddhist and Mark Weston - an athlete.

It's a month to promote equality and diversity and raise awareness about matters that affect the LGBT+ community. February also sees the start of Medway Pride Radio a new radio station to support Medway Pride, and LGBTQIA+ communities across all of Medway & Kent.

In these challenging times, Medway Liberal Democrats are proud to celebrate the activism, strength and spirit of our entire LGBT+ community across our towns. We have consistently been on the right side of history on LGBT+ issues, and have been unequivocal in our support for equality, championing diversity and strengthening efforts to give meaningful attention to LGBT+ history.

Key historical Liberal Democrats moments on LGBT+ issues:

• Opposing Section 28: We opposed Section 28 (a discriminatory law which prohibited the so-called promotion of homosexuality) right from the start.
• Trans Rights & the Gender Recognition Act: We were the first political party to support trans people changing their legal gender, today we are still campaigning to streamline the law to allow individuals to self-identify without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles
• Same sex marriage: We fought hard for the introduction of same sex marriage in coalition government. Because of our campaigning more thousands of same-sex couples have been able to get married.

Paul O'Neill, Diversity Officer for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "Significant strides have been made over the past 50 years, and we have progressed from a climate of illegality and fear to much more positive and open times. But must never forget we still have to defend those achievements as well as facing new challenges in our daily lives, today we are fighting campaigns for not just equal treatment but appropriate treatment, respecting the diversity within our LGBT+ communities.

For all the progress that has been made, there is still undoubtedly more to be done. Increases in hate crimes, worrying levels of transphobia in mainstream media and disparities in social and health care provisions are proof that the battle for equality is far from over. Liberal Democrats will continue to fight until everyone is able to live without fear of hate or discrimination."