LGBT+ Liberal Democrats

Initially known as Democrats for Lesbian & Gay Action, or DELGA for short, the organisation was formed in 1988 from the groups "Liberal Lesbian & Gay Action" and "Social Democrats for Lesbian & Gay Action". The parent parties of those organisations, the Liberal Party and SDP, had merged to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, known generally as the Democrats.{{cite web|url=http://www.markpack.org.uk/1274/sdp-liberal-alliance-chronology/|title=The Alliance: a chronology|last=Pack|first=Mark|date=13 April 2009}} The name was officially altered to be Liberal Democrats for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Action in 1996, including bisexual and transgender people in the title and reflecting the renaming of the party to the Liberal Democrats. However, the shorthand DELGA remained in use until 2011, when the organisation renamed to "LGBT+ Liberal Democrats".{{cite web|url=http://delga.org.uk/en/article/2011/523192/agm-outcome-a-plus|title=AGM outcome a plus|date=17 September 2011|publisher=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats}}

One of the early campaigns by the group was "16 or bust". Started in 1991, it pushed to lower the age of consent for sex between gay men from 21 to 16, equal with heterosexual couples. This was in contrast to the approach of organisations such as Stonewall who were in favour of lowering the age to 18, seeing it as an achievable compromise. Although the first round of votes in parliament only lowered the age of consent to 18, it was finally brought in line with opposite-sex couples in 2000.{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1045383.stm|title=Q and A: The age of consent|publisher=BBC News|date=29 November 2000}}

Because LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is recognised as a Specified Associated Organisation of the Liberal Democrat party it is able to put forward policy motions to the twice-yearly Federal Conference, the main democratic policy making forum of the party.

Motions accepted for debate and passed into party policy have included:

• 2011: "Science Not Stigma" motion on blood donation rules in the UK.{{cite web |title=Conference Daily 2011 |url=http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/2008/attachments/original/1390839658/CD_tuesday.pdf?1390839658 |publisher=Liberal Democrats |access-date=19 November 2020}}
• 2010: "Equal Marriage in the United Kingdom" motion on the introduction of same-sex marriage.{{cite web |title=Conference Agenda |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/2006/attachments/original/1390836042/Aut10_agenda_book_rev.pdf?1390836042 |publisher=Liberal Democrats |access-date=19 November 2020}}
• 2008: "Deportation to States which Persecute on the Grounds of Sexuality and Gender Identity" on treatment of LGBT asylum seekers.{{cite web |title=Conference Agenda and Directory |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/libdems/pages/2000/attachments/original/1390830137/A08agendafull.pdf?1390830137 |publisher=Liberal Democrats |access-date=19 November 2020}}
• 1988: Repeal of Section 28, Criminalisation of incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation, prohibition of legal and social discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.{{cite web |title=Gay & Lesbian Rights |url=http://www.delga.libdems.org/delga/track.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991109094822/http://www.delga.libdems.org/delga/track.htm |access-date=19 November 2020|archive-date=1999-11-09 }}

LGBT+ Liberal Democrats runs a series of fringe events discussing various topic issues at Liberal Democrat conference each year,{{cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2011/512973/lgbt-lib-dems-guide-to-conference|title=LGBT+ Lib Dems guide to Conference|date=17 September 2011|publisher=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats}} including regular joint fringes with LGBT+ campaigning organisation Stonewall.{{cite web|url=http://www.stonewall.org.uk/what_we_do/parliamentary/10010.asp|title=Party Conferences 2014|publisher=Stonewall}}

Events at a joint 2011 fringe received widespread coverage after then Stonewall Chair, Ben Summerskill stated that his organisation did not support equal marriage and that he believed it would cost £5 billion to implement. The statement resulted in critical comments from prominent campaigner Peter Tatchell{{cite web|title=Stonewall undermines campaign for gay marriage|url=http://www.petertatchell.net/lgbt_rights/partnerships/stonewall-undermines-campaign-for-gay-marriage.htm|publisher=Peter Tatchell|date=21 September 2010|access-date=9 January 2015|archive-date=4 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104055323/http://petertatchell.net/lgbt_rights/partnerships/stonewall-undermines-campaign-for-gay-marriage.htm|url-status=dead}} and openly gay Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert, who stated "it should not be up to me as a member of parliament to lobby Stonewall on equal rights. It should be Stonewall lobbying me".{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/21/liberal-democrats-same-sex-marriage|title=Liberal Democrats back same-sex marriage motion|newspaper=Guardian|date=21 September 2010|first=Hélène|last=Mulholland}} The controversy later caused a split within Stonewall itself, following further criticism from founder members Ian McKellen and Michael Cashman.{{cite news|title=Stonewall is split by row about same-sex marriages|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/stonewall-is-split-by-row-about-samesex-marriages-2095468.html|date=2 October 2010|first=Cahal|last=Milmo|newspaper=Independent}}

In 2013, both G4S and TalkTalk were forced to apologise to the organisation, following separate incidents. In the first incident G4S, who provided conference security, had insisted on checking banners being carried by members of the group for "potentially offensive campaign material".{{cite web|title=Lib Dem conference: G4S apology to gay rights activists|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24132680|date=17 September 2013|first=Brian|last=Wheeler|publisher=BBC News}} Three months later, TalkTalk issued an apology after their web filter classified the organisation's web site as pornographic.{{cite web|title=Official Lib Dem LGBT website blocked by TalkTalk's 'porn filter'|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/20/official-lib-dem-lgbt-website-blocked-by-talktalks-porn-filter/|publisher=Pink News|date=20 December 2013}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/12/20/talktalk-apologises-for-using-porn-filter-to-block-access-to-lib-dem-lgbt-website/|date=20 December 2013|title=TalkTalk apologises for using 'porn filter' to block access to Lib Dem LGBT website|first=Scott|last=Roberts|publisher=Pink News}}

Many members of the group, while denying that former party leader Tim Farron is a homophobe,{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Chris |title=Tim Farron's religious convictions leave some Lib Dems fretting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33580567 |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=BBC News |date=18 July 2015}} have been openly critical of his answers to questions about his views on the sinfulness of gay sex during the 2017 general election, viewing it as a distraction from the party's pro-LGBT record.{{cite news |last1=Braidwood |first1=Ella |title=Lib Dems mock Tim Farron's views on gay sex in singalong |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/09/18/lib-dem-conference-tim-farron-glee-club/ |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=PinkNews |date=18 September 2018}} Former head of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Chris Cooke made unsubstantiated complaints to the party about Farron's personal conduct when "drunk", and admitted that he "made up a story to cause trouble" following his suspension over Twitter comments directed at Conservative MP Anna Soubry.{{cite news |last1=Mortimer |first1=Caroline |title=Tim Farron subject of false allegations by former Lib Dem LGBT activist |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tim-farron-resigns-liberal-democrat-gay-rights-lgbt-chris-cooke-tension-lord-paddick-a7796321.html |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=The Independent |date=18 June 2017}}

Farron's continued fraternisation with evangelical anti-'gay lobby' groups has been seen by the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats as a lapse of judgement, with them asking him to apologise for a "lack of care" shown to the LGBT community.{{cite news |last1=Duffy |first1=Nick |title=Tim Farron faces Lib Dem anger over event criticising 'gay lobby' |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/05/10/tim-farron-set-to-attend-event-criticising-gay-lobby/ |access-date=3 October 2018 |work=PinkNews |date=10 May 2018}}

On 3 September 2019, Conservative MP Phillip Lee joined the Lib Dems in opposition to Brexit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-politics-49571687|title=The moment Tory MP defects to Lib Dems|via=www.bbc.com}}

Moments after he had defected, LGBT+ Liberal Democrat chair Jennie Rigg along with the vice chair, executive members and several other activists left the party in opposition to Lee's views on same-sex marriage and his previous campaign to bar people with HIV from being able to come to the UK.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/liberal-democrats-lgbt-phillip-lee-brexit-boris-johnson-gay-rights-a9090831.html|title=Lib Dem LGBT chair quits party after it lets Tory MP with poor gay rights record join|date=September 3, 2019|website=The Independent}}

A subsequent meeting took place between Lee and the LGBT+ Lib Dems at their annual conference to discuss his views.{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/philip-lee-lgbt-lib-dems|title=New Lib Dem MP Phillip Lee Will Meet LGBT Members To Try To Head Off A Revolt|first=Emily|last=Ashton|website=BuzzFeed}}

Having previously said "Marriage should be left to the churches and the redefinition of marriage simply required more debate and consultation",{{Cite web|url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/dr-phillip-lee-abstained-gay-4192595|title=Dr Phillip Lee: Why I abstained from Gay Marriage Vote|first=Laura|last=Miller|date=February 15, 2013|website=BerkshireLive}} Lee later insisted that his views on LGBT+ rights and had been misrepresented, stating that he was right to abstain on the same-sex marriage vote because it was a "liberal" choice and part of a "nuanced argument".{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/09/17/phillip-lee-liberal-democrats-conservative-party-defector-anti-gay-homophobic/|title=Lib Dem defector Phillip Lee really wants you to know he's not a homophobe|date=September 17, 2019}} Jennie Rigg later rejoined the Liberal Democrats, after Lee lost his seat in the following general election.

The oversight of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats is managed by its Officers and Executive Members. The executive committee, consisting of members elected by the party's membership, individuals co-opted by the Executive, and representatives from other Liberal Democrat affiliated organisations, is tasked with this responsibility. The present Executive assumed their roles on 1 January 2025.{{Cite web |title=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats Announce 2025 Executive Committee |url=https://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/news/article/2025-executive-committee-announced |access-date=2025-03-30 |website=lgbt.libdems.org.uk}}

Source:

{{Columns-list|* Co-Chairs: Charley Hasted and Luke Allan

• Vice-Chair: Vacant
• Treasurer: Lucas North
• Secretary: John Grout
• Membership Officer: Rachel-Lee Mackenzie
• Policy Officer: Em Dean}}

There are eight elected members and up to three co-opted members.

{{Columns-list|

• Ed Fordham
• Caron Lindsay
• Stuart Oxbrow
• Jennie Rigg
• Onyx Rist
• Christine Whelan
• Aaron Williams
• Vacant
• Vacant
• Vacant

}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|* Charley Hasted (Jan 2023 – present)

• Gareth Lewis Shelton (Sept 2020 – Dec 2022)
• Dave Page (Sept 2019 – June 2020){{Cite web|title=Dr Phillip Lee: Why is the party's LGBT+ group angry?|url=https://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2019/1322934/dr-phillip-lee-why-is-the-party-s-lgbt-group-angry|access-date=2020-12-01|website=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats|language=en}}
• Jennie Rigg (Feb 2017 – Sept 2019){{cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2014/972550/lgbt-liberal-democrats-elect-new-chair-and-executive|title=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats elect new chair and executive|publisher=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats|date=4 December 2014|first=Zoe|last=O'Connell}}
• Chris Cooke (Jan – Feb 2017){{cite web|url=https://liberatormagazine.org.uk/en/document/liberator-issues-2017/liberator-384.pdf|title=Liberator 384|website=Liberator}}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett (2016)
• Dave Page (2015)
• Ed Fordham (2014){{cite web|title=The votes are in – LGBT+ Lib Dems 2014|date=12 November 2013|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2013/744080/the-votes-are-in-lgbt-lib-dems-2014|publisher=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats}}
• Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett (July 2010 – 2013){{cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2013/683502/new-team-for-2013|title=New Team for 2013|publisher=LGBT+ Liberal Democrats|date=1 January 2013}}
• Benji Starr (Jan – Jun 2010)
• Jen Yockney (2007–2009){{cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/document/newsletters/delga-newsletter-2007-september-issue.pdf|title=DELGA Newsletter|date=September 2007|publisher=DELGA}}
• Kelvin Meyrick (2006){{Cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2006/085457/new-delga-committee-for-2006|title=New DELGA committee for 2006|date=1 January 2006|publisher=DELGA}}
• Richard Porter (2005){{cite web|url=http://lgbt.libdems.org.uk/en/article/2005/085433/new-chair-for-delga|title=New chair for DELGA|date=3 January 2005|publisher=DELGA}}
• Alison Wheeler (2004)
• Denys Robinson (2003)
• Hannah Kaitlin-Boyer (2001–2002)
• Jonathan Simpson (1998–2000)
• Mark Baker (1998)
• Brian Stone (1989)

}}

{{Portal|LGBTQ|Liberalism}}

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Category:1988 establishments in the United Kingdom