LGBTQ+ History Month 2023 - Liberal Democrats are proud to celebrate Medway's diversity

February is LGBT+ History Month and this year's theme is BehindTheLens celebrating LGBT+ peoples' contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.

Locally, it's a month to promote equality and diversity and raise awareness about matters that affect the LGBT+ community. 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.

Alan Wells, spokesperson 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.

Last August, Medway Liberal Democrats stood side by side with other organisations totake part in Medway's second Pride event and helped to help us to highlight our campaign to ban conversion therapy. While it is wonderful to be out at Medway Pride, we in the Medway Lib Dems are mindful that Pride has its roots in protest against oppression. We asked attendees at Pride to support our national campaign to end the morally-bankrupt practice of conversion therapy.

We cautiously welcome the latest Conservative U-Turn over Conversion Therapy, with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Michelle Donelan MP announcing last month that the ban on conversion therapy promised in 2018 will be brought forward.

Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Wera Hobhouse said "A u-turn on a u-turn on a u-turn, but welcome so long as the Government doesn't change their mind again. The intolerable practice of conversion therapy must be banned and must be trans inclusive. No more delay - get on with it!" - Wera Hobhouse MP January 17, 2023

Conversion therapy is a blight on people's lives. It is offensive, abusive, and dangerous, preying on vulnerable people who all too often are young. Being LGBT+ is nothing to be ashamed of, and no-one should be made to feel they are other, or lesser, or somehow less worthy than the rest of us because of that. We had a tremendous response to our petition at our stand at Pride and at our stall in Rochester. Clearly this sends the message that conversion therapy has no place in Medway, or the United Kingdom. Our party has always been there for LGBT+ people and we always will be.

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."

ENDS
Notes to Editors:

lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk

In 2023, the theme is 'Behind the Lens'. The theme for 2023 has been chosen to shine a light on all people who are instrumental in creating TV and film; highlighting the work of LGBTQ+ people in this field, both in the past and present. The theme is also linked to how LGBTQ+ lives are portrayed in the media versus the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people

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.