date: 29 July 2008

embargo: For immediate release

TUC invites Brighton LGBT community to Religion and Homophobia meeting

When the annual Trades Union Congress comes to Brighton again in September, the TUC is inviting the local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) community to a fringe meeting to discuss Religion and Homophobia. The meeting will be held on Wednesday 10 September at 5.30pm in the Grand Hotel, Brighton.

The fringe meeting will examine the attitudes of groups who argue that their religious beliefs should allow them to discriminate against LGBT people, if they claim that their religion requires this.

One example is the recently reported tribunal case of the Islington registrar Lillian Ladele, who successfully argued that because of her religious beliefs she should not have to carry out civil partnerships.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The TUC is campaigning against any attempt to compromise the rights of LGBT people to legal equality.

'We would welcome members of the Brighton LGBT community to the meeting, so that they can share their views on this with us.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- Congress 2008 will be held at the Brighton Centre, Brighton from Monday 8 September to Thursday 11 September. All applications for media passes must be received no later than noon Tuesday 2 September. Any applications received after this date will be processed in Brighton and subject to a £50 administration fee. The form for media credentials, plus information on how to book wireless internet access and a phone line at the Brighton Centre can be accessed at www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 29 Jul 2008