Green Party leader to speak out against ‘spousal veto’ at PinkNews Debate panel
Green Party leader Natalie Bennett is confirmed as a panellist for the PinkNews Debate 2015, which will take place later this month ahead of the general election.
The debate, which will take place on 19 March at 6pm at a central London venue, will be hosted by Newsnight anchor Evan Davis.
Speaking ahead of the event, Natalie Bennett said: “I’m really looking forward to the PinkNews Debate. The Green Party has consistently been at the forefront of pushing for LGBTIQ rights and continues to do so. We were the first English party to support marriage equality and in Parliament Caroline Lucas has pushed to scrap the discriminatory gay blood ban, garner wider provision of gender identity clinics and scrap the transphobic spousal veto.
“Homophobia and Transphobia remain too common in our society. Only when we address discrimination can we live a truly egalitarian society.”
Other panellists including ministers and shadow ministers will be announced soon.
While LGBT issues will be addressed by questions in the debate, they will be considered as part of wider policy debate within themes including education, health, foreign and home affairs.
Questions will be asked to the panel by audience members, as well as by viewers on Google Hangouts and via YouTube clips, as the event will be broadcast in collaboration with YouTube. To apply to attend, click here.
The debate is generously supported by KPMG. Other sponsors are to be announced soon.
Speaking ahead of the event, Evan Davis said: “This is obviously the most interesting, unpredictable and open election in my lifetime and contrary to the naysayers who think the whole nation is turned off by politics, I suspect people will really engage with the campaign this time.
“So I’m pleased to be chairing this debate and I’m delighted the parties are treating it as an important event in the run up to the election”.
PinkNews Chief Executive Benjamin Cohen said: “For too long events such as this have been reserved to those who live in London. We recognise that our readers span the length and breadth of the UK, and many more overseas. That is why we are so excited that our debate will be streamed live on YouTube, and that thanks to Google Hangouts, readers will be able to participate from the comfort of their own home or office.”
Click here and fill in the form to register an interest in attending the debate.
Tickets will be allocated nearer the time, and those successful will be notified by email.
The debate is generously supported by KPMG.
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