Stonewall Cymru

Written Evidence from Stonewall Cymru

Stonewall Cymru is the all-Wales lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity. We are responding to this consultation as a representative of sexual orientation issues in Wales.

Stonewall Cymru understands the issues concerning timing of a referendum on using the alternative vote system at UK general elections and that such decisions are both difficult and complicated. However Stonewall Cymru feels that if the referendum is held on the same day as the elections to the Welsh Assembly there is a danger that the split focus to campaigns and the concurrence of two different campaigns could lead to minority issues being overlooked. We are concerned that issues such as sexual orientation and engaging with lesbian, gay and bisexual voters could be overlooked when politicians, stakeholders and the public are having to focus on two very different campaigns. This could lead to a situation where less time and development work is dedicated to equality issues, including sexual orientation.

September 2010