The Coalition Agreement published today has the following on Equality for LGBT people:

• We will stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.
• We will use our relationships with other countries to push for unequivocal support for gay rights and for UK civil partnerships to be recognised internationally.

Coalition Agreement, p.18, can be downloaded here (slowly it seems).

Portugal joins a handful of other countries (the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Canada, Norway, Argentina, Columbia (?), Sweden and some US states) in introducing same-sex marriage.

Read the full story here.

The UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group invites LAGLA members to their annual Fundraising Party, which will take place on Friday 11 June 2010 from 6:00 to 11:30 pm at the Penthouse, New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket, London SW1. 

Since moving to website-only membership administration and free membership, we have increased our membership by 50% with 45 new members in the last month.

We welcome all new members and hope to see old and new members at future events. If you want to get involved more, please contact a member of the committee.

This is not a LAGLA event, but we are happy to announce it here, not least because it is a good course and the delegates' fees are very reasonable with an extremely low student fee (£30). Book early for lower fees.

Many members of LAGLA may be aware that over half the countries in the world outlaw homosexuality and seven nations still impose the death penalty for consenting sexual acts between men.  In some African countries legislation is being introduced to increase penalties for homosexuality. The UK does consider applications for asylum on the basis of sexual orientation, but also has a policy that people can go home and be discreet.  A recent piece of research commissioned by Refugee Support found that LGBT asylum seekers face severe difficulties in this country as they are often isolated from the community organisations and faith groups that provide support to asylum seekers and that they often experience homophobic harassment in government accommodation. 

At the University of Greenwich, we are organising the conference, LGBTI Asylum Seekers and Refugees: a Case of Double Jeopardy, to promote research into this little known area, and to act as a forum of knowledge transfer between academics, private practitioners, the voluntary sector and public service providers.  We also aim to develop an agenda for reform and make a long-term impact on social policy and international human rights.  We are working closely with a number of groups to ensure that the conference is more than just an academic talking shop and to make sure that the voices of asylum seekers and refugees are heard.  We have applied to the Bar Council and Law Society for CPD accreditation.  The conference will be held at the University of Greenwich on 6^th and 7^th July, full details of booking available at http://www.lgbtiasr-doublejeopardy.org/Conference/ABOUT.html

The Legal Services Commission would like someone from LAGLA to participate in this workshop. If you are interested, please register with them and let us know. Of course you cannot speak on behalf of LAGLA as a whole at the workshop, although that is, it seems, not their aim.

There was a navy H&M jumper left at the Edge last night. The owner should telephone the Edge on 020 7439 1313 as soon as possible to collect it.

Our members directory – visible only to other members – is a great way to make sure you find those again you have talked to at the last do etc. Remember, to be included you will need to:

• choose a profile name (which should really be your full name unless you want to stay anonymous – only this will be shown);
• tick the box to show your profile (see below);
• preferably upload a photograph (so others can recognise you.

Here is how to do it:

• Click “View Profile” on the top right;
• Click “My directory profile” then the “Edit profile” button and then “Privacy”
• You can now tick the box so that your profile is shown at all other members. You can also you can change individual settings. 

Individual profiles will never be shown on the public part of our website (other than for Committee members), but please note that since membership is free, anyone can sign up.

We have been able to work with WildApricot this week and tweaked the website further. Amongst other things you can now find a Help/FAQs page in the Members-only section of the website.

We have also trialled various event sign-ups. Some further trials are necessary and we then hope we will be able to go live with the WildApricot website next week.