Liberal Democrat News 20th April 2012
Cyhoeddwyd yn wreiddiol gan UK Liberal Democrats
Lib Dems push for equal marriage
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone and Party President Tim Farron are urging members to get involved in the government consultation on how best to deliver equal civil marriage. The consultation will lead to new legislation enacted in this Parliament.
The party Conference agreed that the best way to do that is in the context of full equality of marriage and civil partnerships.
"This party has always stood for individual liberty and the right to choose how we lead our lives,"
said Tim.
"That's why we came into being in the 19th Century to protect the rights of religious minorities, it's why we led the support for equality for women and why we decided before any other major party that civil marriage should be open to same-sex couples equally.
"The Liberal Democrats in government are now delivering on that. But it's important that as many people as possible respond to this consultation now.
"We've waited to get clarification from the Home Office on some ambiguously-worded questions, which we've now received. Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transexual Plus (LGBT+) Liberal Democrats have prepared a guide to the consultation, what it means, and how to respond to support the Liberal Democrat policy of equality.
More information is at www.abouttime.org.uk.
Local parties can also order leaflets from LGBT+ Lib Dems to distribute around local venues - not just ones specific to the LGBT+ communities, since equal marriage affects everyone. For more detail on our LGBT+ campaigning, please see http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk or follow @lgbtld on Twitter.