Peter Tatchell

With the advent of civil partnerships, have all the debates now been won when it comes to same-sex rights? Or are there still political, social and religious obstacles en route to equality?

These are the questions that will be highlighted in a lively panel discussion featuring gay rights activist Peter Tatchell and campaigner Simon Fanshawe at Brighton Dome on Wednesday (15 June) - and there's a chance for the audience to join in with questions and opinions of their own.

Entitled 'What difference have civil partnerships made?', the debate is the third in the highly popular Sussex Salon series, organised by the School of Law, Politics and Sociology, in association with Brighton Dome.

The expert panel, which includes University academics who are leaders in the fields of law, politics and sociology, will discuss same-sex issues, from partners and parenting to UK policy. 

• Gay rights activist, campaigner and writer Peter Tatchell has been campaigning for human rights for over 40 years, on issues of democracy, civil liberties, social equality, environmental protection, peace and global justice. Sussex made Mr Tatchell an honorary Doctor of Letters in July 2010.
• Writer, broadcaster and campaigner Simon Fanshawe was a law student at Sussex from 1975-78 and is now chairman of Council - the University's governing body. He writes for a number of national papers and magazines, is a leading champion of diversity and has been active in gay rights for 30 years.
• Dr Ben Fincham is a Lecturer in Sociology and an academic in the Centre for Gender Studies, whose principal research areas include the relationship between work and mental health and gender, suicide and death.
• Craig Lind is a Senior Lecturer in Law and a member of the Centre for the Study of Sexual Dissidence. Research interests include family law, sexual identity in different cultures and fatherhood, particularly in the context of the regulation of assisted reproduction.
• The research interests of Dr Katherine Johnson, lecturer in Psychology at the University of Brighton, include gender issues and sexuality.

You can book tickets online for £6 each (£4 concession) or by calling the Dome box office on 01273 709709. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.