10 years celebrating love

Ten years ago today, the UK’s first same-sex marriages took place.

As we celebrate ten years of recognising love as equal in all its forms, this is a proud moment for our country.

But it is also a proud moment for our party. The tireless efforts of Liberal Democrat ministers like Baroness Lynne Featherstone were instrumental in getting the Same Sex Marriage Act passed. I am so grateful for the hard work of people like Lynne and the countless heroes from the LGBT+ community who made this a reality.

There is so much to be celebrating today.

Marriage for same-sex couples was a crucial step towards equality, and one that has touched so many lives for the better. The joys of getting to marry the person you love, surrounded by family and friends, is something that everyone deserves the chance to experience.

At the same time, we must acknowledge there is still a long way to go in achieving true equality for all LGBT+ people.

In the years to come, I know that Liberal Democrats will keep doing everything we can to help deliver that change.

Our party has done it before - from moving the clause to repeal Section 28, to legalising same-sex marriage. Just months ago, Baroness Lorely Burt made great strides in holding the Conservatives to account on their promise to ban conversion therapy with her private members’ bill.

I know that we can keep delivering the change the LGBT+ community deserves. And today serves as a reminder of what we can achieve when we work together in the name of love.