PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
We are delighted to announce that the LGBT+ Conservatives are partnering with the Coalition for Global Prosperity at the 2025 Conservative Party Conference. This is the first time we have partnered with the Coalition.
“No One Left Behind: Funding the Final Fight to End HIV by 2030”, will be a new international and UK-themed panel event – and the first of its kind run by the LGBT+ Conservatives.
It will look at England’s impressive world-leading legacy on ending HIV cases and the example it has set for other countries. It will also look at the UK’s place within the global HIV context.
As the UK continues to work towards the goal of ending all new cases of HIV by 2030, challenges remain at ensuring all four nations of the UK end cases at the same time. Challenges are also increasing beyond our shores – especially in countries such as Uganda where LGBT+ people are increasingly at risk from their own nation’s laws, and where HIV is still seen as a ‘gay disease’.
Uganda is not alone, and some nation states across East Africa and beyond legislating for increasingly punitive laws against LGBT+ people – including state sanctioned violence, murder and imprisonment of LGBT+ people. The impact that this has on the global fight against HIV cannot be understated.
These themes will also be discussed alongside the context of a reduction in funding to PEPFAR, a world-leading HIV/AIDS fund set up by the former Republican President George W. Bush.
Alongside these events, the LGBT+ Conservatives will also host its other yearly events, including but not limited to: the Closing Party, the Annual Curry and the Terrence Higgins Trust Reception set up by former Chairman Elena Bunbury – one of the organisation’s most popular events now entering its fourth year. We will also be announcing more partnerships, and a corporate sponsor.
In a statement sent to members today, the Chairman of the LGBT+ Conservatives Luke Robert Black welcomed this new partnership:
“Chaired by long-term supporter and friend to the LGBT+ Conservatives, the Rt. Hon. Dame Penny Mordaunt DBE, the Coalition for Global Prosperity does excellent work in supporting politicians in developing their understanding of diplomatic, defence and trade policies around the world with insights from policy-makers, and faith, business and military leaders”.
“Its Future Leaders Programme is also highly prestigious, bringing together future leaders from both the Conservatives and Labour – including several influential LGBT+ Conservatives such as Jed Dwight, former LGBT+ Conservatives Chairman John Cope and our very own General Council Owen Meredith”.
“Therefore, we are excited to partner with the Coalition for the first time. This panel will also look at how we ensure that we get the UK over the line, the final push to ending all new cases of HIV, as well as ensuring we maintain a future net-zero HIV case United Kingdom in an era of global challenges to global HIV funding, rapidly deteriorating LGBT+ rights in areas of HIV prevalence and immigration”.
Responding to the announcement, Ryan Henson, CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity said: “We are proud to be partnering with the LGBT+ Conservatives at this year’s Conservative Party Conference to shine a light on the global fight to end HIV by 2030. Britain has a proud record of leadership in tackling HIV at home and abroad, but there is still more to do – particularly as funding pressures grow and LGBT+ communities face increasing persecution in parts of the world. By working together, we can help ensure that no one is left behind in the final push to end new cases of HIV for good."
Responding to the announcement, the Deputy Chairman of the LGBT+ Conservatives Jamie Mulhall said: “This marks a new chapter for our movement where LGBT+ Conservatives are not just present, but leading the conversation on global health, human rights, and international cooperation. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that’s driving real, lasting change and delighted to partner with the Coalition for Global Prosperity.”
Responding to the announcement, the Vice-Chair for Outreach Alex Clarkson said: “This is an important debate to have and one I am proud LGBT+ Conservatives are engaging with. Why? Because members of our worldwide community are increasingly stigmatised for being gay. Freedoms are being rolled back, especially in Russia and in East African countries like Uganda. The challenge is in working through these risks, which need to be addressed if we are to make sure that no-one is left behind as the United Kingdom leads from the front in a volatile and dangerous world with our aim to end HIV by 2030”.
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