International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Today is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.

It gives us an important opportunity to acknowledge the violence and discrimination that too many LGBT+ people face, and reflect on what we can do to help change it.

I’m proud of the role Liberal Democrats have played in delivering that change over the years. From being the first party to openly oppose the abhorrent Section 28, to our tireless efforts in getting the Same Sex Marriage Act passed. 

Milestones like these are not only important policies that take us closer to achieving equal rights. They help shift social attitudes, too. People are becoming more accepting of the LGBT+ community – which is vital for stamping out homophobia, transphobia and biphobia in all its forms.

My message to the LGBT+ community is clear. I support you. I stand with you.

Ed Davey

But we cannot get complacent.

Discrimination against LGBT+ people is still far too commonplace in the UK – particularly against the trans community. We’re even seeing this at the hands of the Conservative Government, who have dithered and delayed on important progress like gender recognition reform and banning conversion therapy. 

And with trans hate crimes on the rise, we are seeing too clearly the harmful effects this rhetoric can have on our society.

LGBT+ rights mustn’t be taken for granted. The fight for equality must go on.

So today, my message to the LGBT+ community is clear. I support you. I stand with you. And I will keep fighting for the rights of the entire LGBT+ community, until true equality is achieved. 

Go to Source
Author:



Green Party reaction to Rishi Sunak’s food and farming summit

16 May 2023

Responding to today’s food and farming summit at Downing Street, co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay, said:

“A food and farming summit is welcome at a time when food prices continue to soar [1]. Such a summit is something the Green Party called for over a year ago [2].   

“However, with the emphasis on supermarkets and major food manufacturers, it feels like this summit is lacking the transformative vision that we need. The door to Number 10 seems blocked to many UK small scale farmers and food producers who have creative ideas on supplying healthy and affordable food while at the same time showing how agriculture can help tackle the climate and ecological emergency. 

“The Green Party has long supported regenerative agriculture, farming that works with nature rather than against it. A major focus here should be building farming systems that capture carbon, whether through organic farming or agroforestry, as well as the restoration of peatlands.

“There is a growing public trend towards more plant-based diets which provide new opportunities for UK farmers as well as easing the climate pressure from meat and dairy production. We need a horticulture plan to replace the plan withdrawn last month, but focused on local production for local markets rather than the mechanised vegetable factories favoured by the supermarkets [3].

“We should be seizing this opportunity to look at the successful farming methods which capture carbon, improve soil quality and increase biodiversity.”

Notes

1. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65596502

2. https://www.greenparty.org.uk/news/2022/03/11/greens-call-for-emergency-food-security-summit/

3. https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fruit-and-veg/horticulture-alliance-resigns-from-government-roundtable-ahead-of-sunak-summit/679218.article    

Adblock test (Why?)



Head of the Civil Service encourages families of civil servants killed during Troubles/Conflict to help create a memorial

The Head of the Civil Service (HOCS), Jayne Brady, has today encouraged the families of civil servants killed during the Troubles/Conflict to help create a suitable memorial for their loved ones.



Extension to the Term Of Appointment of a Non-Executive Director To The Belfast Health And Social Care Trust

The Department of Health has announced the extension to the term of appointment of a Non-Executive (Lay) Director to the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT).



Essential tree safety works to commence on Crumlin Road, Antrim

Essential public safety works to remove or reduce the size of a number of trees on Crumlin Road, Antrim will commence on Monday 15 May 2023.