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Following the launch of the Liberal Democrat party’s 2010 election manifesto, Stonewall has welcomed election pledges that impact directly on lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain.

Fair treatment at work for everyone

‘Liberal Democrats want to build a society where everyone has the opportunity to get on in life. Most businesses do a great job of supporting their employees, but there is more to do to tackle discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexuality, age, race, religion or disability.’ (Page 30)

The best chance for every child

‘We will… Confront bullying, including homophobic bullying, and include bullying prevention in teacher training.’ (Page 35)

Read more: Stonewall response to Liberal Democrat Manifesto 2010

Following the launch of the Labour party’s 2010 election manifesto, Stonewall today welcomed three election pledges that impact directly on lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain.

Fairness at work

‘New legislation and the Equality and Human Rights Commission will ensure that people are not held back at work because of their gender, age, disability, race and religious or sexual orientation. The new Equality Act will be enforced, promoting fairness across our society. The public duty to promote equality of opportunity is being extended.’ (Page 2:4)

Education

‘More will be invested in anti-bullying interventions including tackling homophobic bullying.’ (Page 3:5)

Read more: Response to Labour Party Manifesto 2010

David Cameron has answered questions from The Catholic Herald about sex education in faith schools and other topics.

He was asked if he would allow Catholic schools complete freedom over the teaching of sex education, including on abortion and contraception. His worrying answer would allow faith schools to teach sex education in line with their often homophobic values.

Cameron says, "Schools should be allowed to teach it in a way that’s consistent with their beliefs, and parents should be free to decide whether or not their children should take part in these lessons. That’s why we back the amendment to the Bill to allow faith schools the freedom to teach these issues in line with their own values. I think parents who have chosen a faith-based education for their children should have that decision respected. I’m a big supporter of faith schools and I think it’s really important that their rights are protected in this way."

Read more: Cameron's Worrying Answer to Faith School Sex Ed

A personalised outgoing voicemail message from a tennis legend, a decadent afternoon tea at the emporium of a celebrity cake maker and an intimate backstage meet and greet with one half of Australian duo Kath & Kim after a performance of her latest show are just three of the of the lots up for grabs in this year’s Stonewall silent auction.

The silent auction – which raises funds for Stonewall’s Education for All programme that tackles anti-gay bullying in Britain’s schools – is open to bids from everyone.

Read more: Don’t delay…. It’s Stonewall’s Silent Auction!

With the election called for 6 May, Stonewall kick starts its campaign to encourage all supporters of equality to use their vote with brand new election materials at www.stonewall.org.uk/election2010.

Stonewall’s voting records will help voters decide how to cast their vote in four weeks’ time. All current MPs are included alongside their party and constituency in the easy-to-use research tool.

‘We know that lesbian, gay and bisexual people decide who to vote for based on a wide range of factors,’ said Derek Munn, Stonewall’s Director of Public Affairs. ‘The economy, public spending and job losses are at the forefront of everyone’s mind. But in the countdown to 6 May, we’ve launched a new campaign to encourage not just gay people but anyone who supports equality to use their vote - and to reflect on what the candidates in their area would do for gay equality if they got into Parliament.’

Read more: How gay friendly is your MP?

B&B's should be allowed to turn away gay couples because of their sexuality, a leading Conservative has said.

Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said large hotels should not be allowed to discriminate against homosexuals, but he suggested family run B&B's should have the right to decide who stays in their home and not accept gay couples.

His outrageous comments were recorded in a meeting of the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank. Such a change would be a step backwards from the Equality Act 2006 that outlaws discrimination on goods and services on the grounds of sexual orientation.

"I think we need to allow people to have their own consciences. I personally always took the view that, if you look at the case of should a Christian hotel owner have the right to exclude a gay couple from a hotel, I took the view that if it's a question of somebody who's doing a B&B in their own home, that individual should have the right to decide who does and who doesn't come into their own home.", he said in a recording of the meeting.

Read more: Conservatives say B&B's Should Be Allowed to Ban Gays