Abstract

THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THE PATH TO SUCCESS IS STRAIGHT : The Gay Debate Cambridge Union Society in partnership wih LGBT History Month

Thursday 24th February 2011

7.30pm, doors open at approximately 6.00pm. To ensure a seat arrival is suggested before 7.00pm

The Cambridge Union Society,9a Bridge Street, CB2 1UB

OPEN TO ALL - a rare chance to attend a Union debate if not a member!

The debate will be followed by an LGBT bar night in the Union bar.

Proposition:

CRAIG JONES MBE : Head of Diversity for Barclays Wealth, ex Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy and was the most senior openly gay member of HM Armed Forces. Campaigned to drive change in US Legislation.

REVEREND SCOTT RENNIE : Openly gay minister from Aberdeen, caused many complaints as his lifestyle was said to constitute “public scandal”. Stonewall’s Hero of the Year 2009.

FEMI OTITOJU : Managing director of Challenge, one of the leading providers for diversity and equalities training in the UK. Femi has been campaigning for LGBT equality for many years, as a leading black lesbian activist.

Opposition:

LORD CHRIS SMITH : Chairman of the Environment Agency and a life peer, Lord Smith is former Labour MP and cabinet minister. The UK’s first openly gay MP, Lord Smith is the only British politician to acknowledge that he is HIV positive.

ANDREW PIERCE : An accalaimed journalist, columnist and consultative editor for The Daily Mail. In 2007, ranked the 6th most powerful gay person in British Politice by Pink News.

LT CDR MANDY MCBAIN : Joining the Royal Navy in 1986, Mandy is an Equality and Diversity Policy Officer and chairs the Naval Service LGBT Forum. She recently represented the Armed Services at the NATO LGBT Working Group.