This is a GALHA FREE public event. No tickets: first come, first served until we reach capacity. Recent events have attracted 60 - 80 interested people from all sorts of backgrounds. This has become the main LGBT hustings of the European Elections: we expect this event to be oversubscribed. Get there early!

A highlight of the GALHA events calendar this year, a very special meeting to mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

We'll focus on human rights and LGBT rights in Europe at a time when there is great concern that these are under threat from religious dogma and far right politics.

A panel of prominent politicians and campaigners will answer questions on issues relating to the European Elections, to be held on June 4th.

Jonathan Fryer - Guardian writer and broadcaster
Number two on the Lib Dem Euro candidate list for London. An academic at SOAS and an expert on international affairs, he writes for the Guardian and is a broadcaster on “From our own Correspondent”. He is also an out gay man, and a biographer of Oscar Wilde.

Mary Honeyball - Labour MEP
Labour member of the European Parliament for London since 2000. Staunch supporter of human rights, particularly women’s rights in Europe. Campaigns for a separation of religion and politics and is a prominent supporter of the British Humanist Association.

Jean Lambert- Green Party MEP
Jean has worked on many campaigns and has a strong record in relation to LGBT Rights and Human Rights. She is also a prominent member of the Lesbian and Gay Intergroup. We welcome her back after being one of our key speakers at our 2006 IDAHO event.

Warwick Lightfoot - Conservative candidate
The Conservative party member of our panel has acquired an outstanding CV that includes stints as Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea, Special Advisor to the then Chancellor of the Exchequer and 20 years experience as a councillor. He is one of the Conservatives prospective European parliamentary candidates for London.

The European Elections which are being held in the UK on June 4th will be the most important yet for gay men, lesbians and transgender people. Apart from the vital economic issues that the EU has to address, Europe has become a battleground in the war of ideas between the supporters and the opponents of gay equality. Key issues voted on by the European Parliament recently have included:

• The principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation
  
• Calling for more persistent implementation of equality legislation across the EU
  
• Expressing concern at the rise of extremist parties motivated by hatred and prejudices, including homophobia
  
• Call for greater action against racist and homophobic violence
  

Each of these was passed against substantial opposition from MEPs hostile to gay rights

At the same time there are specific threats to gay people, and other minorities.

• Far right parties, traditionally anti-gay, stand to gain ground. In particular if there is the usual pitiful turnout in the UK then there is a high risk that the BNP could win seats for the first time, including in London
  
• The Catholic Church, and other religious organisations with a homophobic record have been lobbying to increase their influence
  
• The situation for gay people remains bleak in many of the Eastern European EU countries. Pressure from the EU is playing a vital role in encourage these countries to improve their poor record in protecting gay rights
  

What to expect

Our events normally run in the Library at Conway Hall, home to freethinking since 1929.

Events generally feature up to 45 minutes with the main speaker(s) then 20+ minutes of audience questions. Come along and get involved! This is followed by wine (donation requested, fruit juice available) and a friendly, informal reception until they chuck us out.