Strasbourg, 27 March 2012 - UK Equalities Minister Lynn Featherstone joins Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg and Sir Nicolas Bratza, President of the European Court of Human Rights, to launch a landmark conference on LGBT rights at the Palais de l’Europe on Tuesday 27 March 2012.

The conference, “Combating discrimination on the grounds of sexual   orientation or gender identity across Europe:  sharing knowledge and moving forward” brings together gay rights activists and politicians, including ministers.
 

It will look at how to transform the Council of Europe’s existing gay rights recommendation into reality, focussing on protection from hate crime and bullying, education and employment, family life and transgender equality.
 

LGBT rights are a priority for the UK chairmanship of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’.