This is the Forum for lesbian, gay and bisexual Councillors of every party to meet, discuss, advise and support each other.
We’re working together to advocate for LGB people in local authorities, whether they are Councillors like us or they are staff, residents or stakeholders. We aim to be a trusted source of advice on matters affecting lesbian, gay and bi people.
We challenge the influence of gender ideology which has become widespread across local government to the detriment of those who do not believe that same sex sexual orientation (LGB) is synonymous with gender identity (QT+).
If you’re a Councillor you can join us here.
Hear why a cross-party consensus on issues facing lesbians, gay men and bisexuals is important and how Councillors working together can drive meaningful change right across the country.
Who we are
The LGB Councillors Forum is run by the Councillors Charlotte Kenyon and Laurie Burton.
Charlotte Kenyon
I am the West Sussex County Councillor for Pulborough division, a rural division in the middle of the county, about 42 miles (68 km) south west of London. I represent about 11,000 residents across four parishes. I was elected in May 2021.
I sit on the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee, Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee and Standards Committee and am a ‘substitute’ on others, including the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee. I have participated in various Executive Task and Finish Groups and am a regular contributor in Council debates. In March 2025 I proposed a Notice of Motion regarding safeguarding, in support of the recommendations of the Cass Review. The Motion was carried.
I believe that those of us who can speak, must, in order to give voice to those who feel they can’t and to embolden those who would like to speak but who lack the confidence to do so. At its heart, I think that’s what a lot of politics is about.
I’m a Conservative but this is a cross-party issue and we must link arms with those who agree with us on important matters of principle, even though we might happily engage in spirited debate on any number of other issues.
I’ve worked in Education throughout my life, teaching Maths, Philosophy and Economics at Sixth Form Colleges and schools. I’m currently lead practitioner of Maths at a school in Essex.
Since University I’ve been a member of the Labour Party and in 2018 decided to get more involved. I ran for Councillor in a 2018 in a safe Tory ward and won for Labour for the first time since 1963, much to many people’s surprise, not least my own.
Since then we moved into administration in Southend and for the last three years I have been Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Inclusion. This is a wide ranging portfolio covering fostering, adoption, safeguarding, SEND, schools and early years.
It is through this role that I first became concerned about the number of looked after children adopting trans identities and the unquestioning approach of CAHMS and other organization. I began researching the issues more, especially around the deleterious effects on gay kids that the affirmation pathway represents.
In 2020 I began speaking more publicly about these issues, and haven’t let repeated cancellation attempts blunt my resolve.
Laurie Burton
Who we are
The LGB Councillors Forum is run by the Councillors Charlotte Kenyon and Laurie Burton.
Charlotte Kenyon
I am the West Sussex County Councillor for Pulborough division, a rural division in the middle of the county, about 42 miles (68 km) south west of London. I represent about 11,000 residents across four parishes. I was elected in May 2021.
I sit on the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee, Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee and Standards Committee and am a ‘substitute’ on others, including the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee. I have participated in various Executive Task and Finish Groups and am a regular contributor in Council debates. In March 2025 I proposed a Notice of Motion regarding safeguarding, in support of the recommendations of the Cass Review. The Motion was carried.
I believe that those of us who can speak, must, in order to give voice to those who feel they can’t and to embolden those who would like to speak but who lack the confidence to do so. At its heart, I think that’s what a lot of politics is about.
I’m a Conservative but this is a cross-party issue and we must link arms with those who agree with us on important matters of principle, even though we might happily engage in spirited debate on any number of other issues.
Laurie Burton
I’ve worked in Education throughout my life, teaching Maths, Philosophy and Economics at Sixth Form Colleges and schools. I’m currently lead practitioner of Maths at a school in Essex.
Since University I’ve been a member of the Labour Party and in 2018 decided to get more involved. I ran for Councillor in a 2018 in a safe Tory ward and won for Labour for the first time since 1963, much to many people’s surprise, not least my own.
Since then we moved into administration in Southend and for the last three years I have been Cabinet Member for Children, Learning and Inclusion. This is a wide ranging portfolio covering fostering, adoption, safeguarding, SEND, schools and early years.
It is through this role that I first became concerned about the number of looked after children adopting trans identities and the unquestioning approach of CAHMS and other organization. I began researching the issues more, especially around the deleterious effects on gay kids that the affirmation pathway represents.
In 2020 I began speaking more publicly about these issues, and haven’t let repeated cancellation attempts blunt my resolve.