UK:- LibDem leader says schools must teach that being gay is "normal and harmless"

Yes, it's election year in the UK, and all parties are making promises and raising fears about their rivals in an attempt to woo voters. Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has made a clear statement about what he would do on LGBT issues, should his party be returned to power when Britain goes to the polls.

- Force all schools – including faith schools – to implement anti-homophobia bullying policies and teach that homosexuality is "normal and harmless".

- Change the law to allow gay men and women the same marital rights as straight couples, including the symbolic right to use the word "marriage" rather than civil partnerships.

- Reverse the ban on gay men being allowed to give blood.

- Guarantee any refugees genuinely fleeing a country because of persecution over their sexual orientation asylum in the UK.

- Review Uganda's membership of the Commonwealth if its government was to bring in the death penalty for practicing gays. (more at independent.co.uk)

Though the Liberal Democrats often do well in local elections in the UK, they've not been in power at a national level in living memory; nonetheless, some political commentators have suggested there's a chance they might hold the balance of power following the forthcoming general election. In any event, it's not a bad set of points to put to local candidates in your area, should you get the opportunity to grill them....