Liberal Democrat MP and Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone, has said that the government was entitled to introduce same-sex marriages, and has asserted that the Church does not "own" marriage nor have the exclusive right to say who can marry.
This year's Liberal Democrat Spring Conference will see a joint fringe meeting organised by HSLD and Liberal Democrat Christian Forum.
The Westminster Government has changed the rules for 'free schools', in order to prevent "the teaching, as an evidence-based view or theory, of any view or theory that is contrary to established scientific and/or historical evidence and explanations." This change has been made in order to ban creationism and so-called 'intelligent design' from being taught in Free Schools, and prevent creationist groups from opening schools. This follows a campaign from the BHA and leading scientists and science educators including Sir David Attenborough, Professor Richard Dawkins and Professor Michael Reiss. Cambridge Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert was among the original signatories to the 'Teach Evolution not creationism' campaign. In 2010 Julian had proposed an Eary Day Motion (EDM 243) - Science Education in Schools.
HSLD's petition against bishops in the House of Lords has been delivered to key LibDem MPs and Peers.
Lib Dem MP, Julian Huppert, has called for reform of the Public Order Act. Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 criminalises all those who use "threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour" within the hearing or sight of a person "likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress". This has resulted in the suppression of free speech, particularly in cases involving the differences of opinion over religion - the return of blasphemy laws by the back door. Liberal Democrat MP Dr to remove the use of the word 'insulting'. Read his thoughts on the need for the change here: http://www.libdemvoice.org/julian-huppert-mp-writes-the-public-order-act-more-than-a-little-insulting-25695.html
Three amendments were moved by Liberal Democrat Lord Avebury during the Report Stage of the Education Bill last week.