Ed Davey's LGBT History Month Message 2023

Today marks the beginning of LGBT History Month - a time to discover the stories of the LGBT+ community, acknowledge the prejudice they have faced, and celebrate the progress that has been achieved.

I am proud of the steps we as a country have taken towards equality, and of the role Liberal Democrats have played in delivering that progress.

From being the first party to openly oppose Section 28 - an abhorrent law that prohibited the so-called ‘promotion of homosexuality’ - to the tireless work of Baroness Lynne Featherstone and other Liberal Democrat Ministers in getting ​​the Same Sex Marriage Act passed in 2013.

Last month, we even got the fantastic news that the Government is finally set to ban conversion therapy after years of Liberal Democrat campaigning. 

With each of these amazing strides, we get one step closer to equal rights. And as more rights are enshrined in law, we see a change in attitudes, too. People are becoming more accepting of the LGBT+ community - another important aspect of achieving equality.

But as we reflect on the successes of the past, we must also take stock of what still needs to be done. LGBT+ rights, and particularly the rights of trans people, mustn’t be taken for granted.

We got a sobering reminder of this in January when the UK Government blocked gender recognition reform in Scotland, despite cross-party consensus in the Scottish Parliament. Liberal Democrats will keep standing up for trans rights – whether it’s opposing Conservative assaults like this or ensuring they do ban conversion therapy as they promised, without further delay. 

It’s clear that the fight for equality goes on. As Liberal Democrats, we will continue our proud history of standing up for the rights of the entire LGBT+ community - and we will do so until true equality is achieved.