General Election 2017: Stonewall LGBT hustings sells out – but you can still join the waiting list
Stonewall has allocated all tickets for its LGBT hustings ahead of the 2017 General Election, in partnership with PinkNews and Pride in London.
The free places were snapped up in just a couple of hours, but you can add your name to the waiting list now to have a chance of attending the event.
The meeting will give representatives from all major political parties the opportunity to share with you what they’ll do to protect LGBT rights and extend LGBT equality over the next five years.
The hustings takes place on Thursday, May 26 at the London School of Economics from 6.30pm to 8pm.
They will be Chaired by Stonewall’s Chief Executive Ruth Hunt.
Tickets were free and limited to just 100 places, and UK residents can join the waiting list for a place now.
Stonewall has invited the Conservatives, Labour, SNP, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, Greens, UKIP and the Women’s Equality Party to take part.
Speakers for the event are to be confirmed in the coming days.
“LGBT rights and equality have progressed significantly in the last 25 years, but now we need the new UK government to make a commitment to protecting these rights,” Stonewall has said.
Related: Q&A: Prime Minister Theresa May answers all your LGBT questions ahead of the General Election
“It’s vital that we address the discrimination that continues to limit many lesbian, gay, bi and trans people from living a safe and prosperous life here in the UK and in other countries.
“We are seeking commitments from all parties and all candidates to help us achieve true equality, where everyone is accepted without exception, whoever they are, wherever they are.”
As well as encouraging members to attend the hustings later this month, Stonewall has offered a three-point plan for how the LGBT community and its allies can take action today.
It calls on people to spread the word of LGBT acceptance via social media and to friends, family and colleagues; ask their candidates to support Stonewall’s LGBT priorities; and of course, register to prior to the May 22 deadline.
Voters are also urged to use the Stonewall web tool to message their local candidate ahead of the General Election.
The General Election takes place on June 8, after Theresa May called for the snap vote in a shock announcement last month.
As the party manifestos have emerged in recent days, many have included specific sections on LGBT issues.
With thanks to the London School of Economics.
