Who are the villains and heroes of LGBT history? How did England end up with its anti-LGBT laws? How did they spread across the Empire and what are the ongoing consequences overseas? Join us for this LGBT History Month event as we look at the history of LGBT rights in the UK and hear the personal stories of those who have been affected by the UK's anti-LGBT laws.

Panellists include Caroline Paige, the first officer to transition gender in the British Armed Forces; Patrick Lyster-Todd, Director of Community Engagement at Pride in London; and human rights lawyers Peter Laverack and Jonathan Cooper.

Doors: 6pm

Panel discussion and Q&A: 6.30-8pm

Drinks reception: 8-8.30pm

Panellists

Peter Laverack is a barrister, solicitor and human rights lawyer. He started his legal career at Hogan Lovells. He has since worked for the United Nations in Cambodia and the Human Dignity Trust in London (a charity focused on the decriminalisation of homosexuality around the world). He has advised various governments on LGBT rights and he is the author of ‘Criminalising Homosexuality – Irreconcilable with Good Governance’. Peter is currently a pupil barrister at Landmark Chambers in London.

Caroline Paige became the first officer to transition gender in the British Armed Forces in 1999. She received awards for exceptional service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for trailblazing transgender inclusivity, before retiring from the RAF in Nov 2014. Caroline now teaches battlefield tactics to European military helicopter crews. She contributes her story to raise awareness, as a Stonewall School Role Model and a Public Speaker. Her autobiography True Colours is released 23 February 17.

Patrick Lyster-Todd has a diverse background including 20 years as an officer in the Royal Navy, management positions in the television and hospitality sectors and more recently, in fundraising and welfare support for Veterans. He played a lead role in the ‘Gays in the Military’ campaign in the 90’s and has since been chair, trustee or director for several charities and voluntary groups. Currently he is the Director of Community Engagement for Pride in London and Head of Fundraising and Communications for the charity Haig Housing.

Jonathan Cooper OBE is a human rights specialist with particular expertise in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and human rights and equality in the EU. Jonathan has been involved in a number of important human rights cases before the English courts, the European Court of Human Rights and other international courts and tribunals. These include the UK’s gay personnel in the Armed Forces case, ex parte Smith & Grady. He has also represented a number of trans clients before the English and European Courts. In 2007, Jonathan was awarded an OBE for services to human rights.