The snap General Election is taking place across the UK on Thursday 12th December 2019.
This is a pivotal election (yes this gets said every time but this time it really is!) and we are keen to ensure LGBT+ people have their say. In order for this to happen, firstly we need to ensure every LGBT+ eligible to vote is registered. In 2017, 11 million people who were eligible to vote didn't and we think this is shocking.

We teamed up with the LGBT Foundation and Stonewall to encourage LGBT+ organisations across the country to do a Voter Registration Drive to ensure that as many LGBT+ people can have their say in the election.

LGBT+ Voices

Given the political differences across the UK, with many key issues devolved, rather than produce a manifesto of our own we have decided to promote those of our Members. We are working closely across the UK to ensure as much synergy as possible, whilst also ensuring organisations in their localities can drill down into issues which matter most to them. Below you will find details of resources that have been shared with us.

The Chief Officers of the LGBT Foundation, Stonewall, Equality Network, Rainbow Project and Consortium are keeping in close contact with each other throughout the campaign so at a national level we are ready to come together when needed and ensure our communities aren't used as a target for any political effort. We are all agreed that we want to use this election not only as an opportunity to highlight the important needs of our diverse communities but to also focus on two key messages of: Unity in/with our communities; and Rejecting the division so many are trying to reinforce.

We really are stronger together and Consortium is proud to be working with Members to be as coordinated as possible.

LGBT+ Election Resources

 

Stonewall have launched their election manifesto, which can be downloaded here.

They are focusing on five key messages:

1. Create strong communities, where all LGBT people are safe and accepted
2. Protect and extend LGBT Rights
3. Ensure that every LGBT child and young person can flourish
4. Improve health and social care services for LGBT people
5. Ensure that the UK actively supports LGBT right around the world

The LGBT Foundation have also launched their own manifesto, which can be downloaded here.

There are 10 key points to their manifesto:

1. Commit to the full implementation of the current LGBT Action Plan
2. Fully implement sexual orientation monitoring and trans status monitoring across all government bodies
3. Commit to the roll-out of timely, local and appropriate Trans Health Services nationally
4. Support the national roll-out of Pride in Practice, LGBT Foundation's quality assurance and social prescribing programme
5. Reform the Gender Recognition Act, including the introduction of legal recognition for non-binary people
6. Fully support, and fund, schools to implement LGBT inclusive sex and relationshops education
7. Legislate for tougher action on LGBT phobic hate crime
8. Take action on the health inequalities faced by LGBT people
9. Address the poor treatment of LGBT people seeking asylum and refuge

Ireland, UK and The Islands LGBT+ Youth Work Network

IUKI LGBT+ Youth Workers Network have launched their manifesto providing candidates with a succinct set of 12 commitments to unite in the fight against LGBTphobia across our Islands.

1. Reinvestment in youth service provision, and specifically in LGBT+ youth work provision
2. Invest in LGBT+ led Non-Governmental Organisations
3. Support LGBT+ quality assurance framework that ensures inclusive schools
4. Commit to strong and clear guidance for all English schools to actively implement inclusive RSE
5. In Northern Ireland, implement mandatory LGBT+ affirming RSE curriculum
6. Commit to mandatory LGBT+ inclusion training for all CAMHS staff, mental health support staff in schools, social workers and all front-line NHS staff
7. Fund training for public facing British Transport staff to support and sensitively take reports of hate crimes
8. Review of hate crime legislation to ensure it is fit for purpose
9. Introduce legislation to recognise non-binary identities, and reform the GRA
10. Invest in current Gender Identity Services to reduce waiting times
11. Commit to produce LGBT+ inclusive best practice guidance for Government Departments and commissioners
12. Fully incorporate the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and strengthened implementation of the Equality Act 2010

We will signpost to other resources as we become aware of them.