New chair of LGBT+, Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett has set out 4 priorities for the organisation in the coming year in his New Year message. They are:

Mental health

We know that suicides amongst LGBT+ people are at their highest, and that bullying and harassment leads to a myriad issues, from drug, sex and alcohol addiction, chemsex, lack of happiness, isolation and body image expectations. Where there are potential solutions like the use of PReP, or new Hep C drugs available, especially when HIV diagnoses are increasing, we need to lobby governments to tell pharmaceutical companies to make these medications available to those who are at risk and need that support.

International aid and asylum

 I’m proud to say that the Lib Dems set out our policy against the deportation of LGBT+ asylum seekers way back in 2008, and this policy made it to our 2010 manifesto and the Coalition Agreement. However, when the Tories took over the Home Office from Labour, they continued to send people back to countries where they may be persecuted, prisoned or killed. Our asylum system still sees it fit to probe people’s personal lives to try and determine whether their sexuality is genuine. I still find that hard to stomach; essentially you are asking someone to prove they are LGBT+ when in those countries the public knowledge of this may lead to perilous circumstances. Would we like our personal stories to be forensically detailed just to prove we love someone of the same sex?

Transgender, intersex and agender issues

We must continue to make progress on trans, intersex, non-binary and agender issues. Our party’s policy is that where gender markers are required, they should include an “X” option as well as “M” or “F” for people who feel that better describes their gender. We have called for better access to transition services as the waiting lists spiral. And the slow, obstructive gatekeeping process demanded by the Gender Recognition Act must be made simpler, faster and cheaper. These steps will help protect trans, intersex, nonbinary and agender people, reduce the demand on other health services, and enable these people to reach their full potential.

Education

The Lib Dems support LGBT+ inclusive, age-appropriate, substantive Sex and Relationship Education. This must exist across all schools, with no exceptions for free schools, academies or religious institutions. This is basic understanding, explaining same-sex relationships, HIV and STI knowledge which leads to better understanding, less homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying and violence, and in the long run more acceptance across all areas of life – school, workplace, on the sports field and in the boardroom. Stonewall still highlights in recent surveys the amount of ignorance, bullying and misinformation in all these places. and with LGBT+ role models coming out across the spectrum of politics, sport, music and drama, there needs to be a concerted efforts to crush the stereotypes. We need role models across society to engender love and respect, unlike Tyson Fury; he may have apologised (too late in my view) but his misogynistic and homophobic remarks are something which in 2016 have to stop. People in the public eye have to take responsibility for their comments and and the impact they can have, and respond respectfully and meaningfully to sincere criticism – take note Katie Hopkins!

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