09/09/2010
News Sent - 8th September 2010
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: Recognising Relationships; EveryoneIN: Making ervices More Inclusive For ME/LGBT Peoplel; Forums News: Human Rights: 10 Years On; Equality Act 2010: The Public Sector Equality Duty: a Consultation; Apply Now To "Show Racism the Red Card"; Reshaping Care for Older People; Best practice in mental health services; Are you affected by funding cuts?; Linguistics is a vital battlefield; Talk Scotland Events: Edinburgh: Different Strokes; Edinburgh: Herstory fundraiser quiz; Inverness: Pink Castle Philosophy Club meeting; Scottish Women's Aid Annual Conference: Building A New Path; Iona: Lesbian Belonging - Loving From The Inside Out; Edinburgh: T time Extra; Celebrate Bisexuality Day; Edinburgh: The BIG Event; Free Bank Training Day; UK News: Archbishop to meet Pope protesters; Stonewall Cymru Workplace Conference 2010; Sheffield: Sex and the Law; What have the 2012 Games got to do with me?; International: ILGA launches a world Directory of LGBTI and allied organisations; US: Rick Santorum's Anal Sex Problem; Australia: MP Bob Katter commits to a long walk backwards; Working for All: HIV Scotland: Development Officer & Trustees; Strathclyde: Volunteer with Lesbian & Gay Switchboard; John Wheatley College: Workshop Assistant; Energy Saving Scotland: Community Projects Co-ordinator; NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board: Chair; LGBT Families: Ireland: Standing up for LGBT parents; Europe:discrimination against same-sex couples; Australia: One more state for two-parent adoption; US: 30 days not enough to change homophobia;
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Equality Network
Recognising Relationships
Saturday 23rd October, Glasgow. The Equality Network's annual conferencce this year has the theme: Equal Families, Many Cultures, Better Lives. Organised in association with Glasgay!: Recognising Relationships is a conference for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality in Scotland.
You can book online at:
www.equality-network.org/conference2010
In association with
Glasgay!, 14 October – 13 November.
EveryoneIN: Making Services More Inclusive For ME/LGBT People
10 September, 9am - 2pm. EveryoneIN training on making services more inclusive for minority ethnic people who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender. EveryoneIn is a partnership project between
BEMIS and the Equality Network. This event is fully booked.
Forums News
Human Rights: 10 Years On
Prior to devolution, Human Rights had an influence on both campaigners and lawyers. Sometimes, even politicians took notice! The last 10 years have however seen a transformation of our consciousness. Dispute resolution in many major organisations and processes have been modernised. No area of law remains untouched. Human rights remain an inspiration, but one that now has some "litigation teeth". Those teeth have had a major impact on every area of our law and have produced no small amount of political controversy. The 2nd October 2010 is the 10th Anniversary of the Human Rights Act. The 4th November 2010 is the 60th Anniversary of the signing in Rome of the European Convention on Human Rights. These anniversaries could hardly be more important for human rights activists, lawyers and those advising and operating within this fundamentally important code. The
LSA Conference is major event for everyone: judges, advocates, solicitors, trainees, activists, advisers, welfare rights officers, money advisers, policy makers or managers with strategic responsibilities as well as students.
Equality Act 2010: The Public Sector Equality Duty: a Consultation
The GEO has launched a consultation, Promoting equality through transparency, on proposals for draft regulations for the specific duties and the list of public bodies that will be subject to the general and specific duties. More information including the consultation document, an easy-read version, and the response form can be found at the
equalities.gov website.
Apply Now To "Show Racism the Red Card"
The 7th annual
Fortnight of Action takes place from 15th - 31st October 2010. This period of concerted action encourages participation from all sections of Scotland’s communities to celebrate diversity and tackle racism. The aim of the Fortnight of Action is to encourage innovative grassroots projects around the country that will raise awareness of the Fortnight of Action and to highlight issues of racism, diversity and inclusion. The projects should be community-based grassroots initiatives. Written proposals to be sent in by 13th September 2010. SRtRC are keen to encourage all sectors of society to participate in the game without fear or discrimination: they want to actively encourage the participation of girls/women’s football teams, LGBT groups and disability groups to actively participate in this year’s Fortnight of Action. Besides grants, you can apply for free and low cost resources such as "Red Card" packs, posters, and stickers.
Reshaping Care for Older People
The Scottish Government has
questions about how care for older people should be delivered in Scotland in order to inform their work on Reshaping Care for older people. The Government is interested to see how you rate the current care system and what ideas, comments and suggestions you have to improve it in future.
Best practice in mental health services
Principles into Practice Network works to promote best practice in mental health services and is trying to get a picture of how the principles of good mental health care are being put into practice. How far have we come? Have principles made a difference to the services you provide/receive? How far is there to go? What challenges might we face in as financial belts tighten?
The survey is confidential and should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Results will be used to help raise the profile of the principles and to develop the Network's programme in Scotland.
www.principlesintopractice.net
Are you affected by funding cuts?
If so, the
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) wants to hear about it. Please email fundingcuts@scvo.org.uk and tell SCVO about reductions in grant funding, projects shut down or funds that have dried up. This helps SCVO build an accurate picture of the funding climate across the country.
Linguistics is a vital battlefield
Roz Kaveney in the Guardian: "The trans community's internal debates about language, and our preparedness to be fussy about what people call us in public, have grown ever more intense, even acrimonious. One way of looking at this is to say that when trans people are being murdered all over the planet, arguing about words is staggeringly trivial-minded. Another way is to say that when people are dying, you can't let any slur go unremarked. Trans people's battle for language is no different from the struggle against other sexist language; we're not just being picky."
Talk Scotland Events
Edinburgh: Different Strokes
11th September, 4-6pm at Glenogle Swim Centre, Stockbridge. Trans exclusive swimming sessions, to swim, exercise and socialise in a safe and supportive environment regardless of your physical gender. The sessions are free and no booking is required, so just turn up on the day and enjoy your swim. The LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing has some scope to help with travel expenses for those coming from further afield. For more information, email emma@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 652 3281.
Edinburgh: Herstory fundraiser quiz
11th September, 7.30-10pm, Cannon's Gait pub. Test your knowledge of radical women from herstory with this multi disciplinary feminist pub quiz! Come with your own team of 4 – 5 people or join a team when you arrive. Fancy Dress - Coming dressed up is optional, but there will be a prize for the best dressed. Cake - Home backed treats will be availble at a small cost/donation. Also a raffle. The venue is licensed. This event is helping Lady Fest Edinburgh & The Anarcha-Feminist Kollektive to raise money to help put on Soapbox: a weekend of feminists workshops, discussions and entertainments taking place on September 25th & 26th.
www.ladyfestedinburgh.com
Inverness: Pink Castle Philosophy Club meeting
14th September, 7:30-9pm. Riverside Lounge (Glen Mhor Hotel), Ness Bank, Inverness. An opportunity to get together with like minded people to discuss issues that affect everyone in an atmosphere which is both fun and intellectually stimulating.
Scottish Women's Aid Annual Conference: Building A New Path
15th September, 9.45-4pm. Justice system responses to women, children and young people who experience domestic abuse. The Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing, will be giving a keynote address on domestic abuse and the progress that has been made in the past decade.
www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk
Iona: Lesbian Belonging - Loving From The Inside Out
Seven days from
18th September at the
Findhorn Foundation. "A space for women who love women to look deeply at what keeps us from realising our deepest longings. Come and connect with yourself, other women and Mother Earth, as we heal and celebrate all of who we are."
Edinburgh: T time Extra
Sat 25th September, 6-9pm at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing. "Join us at the Centre for T time Extra, a new social evening for the trans community, supporters, friends and family from 6-9pm. Whether you want to come along after the swimming or just fancy turning up in the evening, you will be made to feel welcome. You may want to learn some belly dancing moves, chat over a cup of tea or watch a film with some popcorn. Whatever you decide to do, you are sure to have a fun and relaxing time in a safe and supportive environment. For further details, email emma@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 652 3281.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Celebrate Bisexuality Day
23rd September
Edinburgh:
Bi Scotland meets on Wednesday 15th September at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing on Howe Street, and on Saturday 25th September 1-4pm, celebrates bisexuality and launches the start of their brand new Sept-Dec programme. Live music, a bisexual quiz, food and soft drinks, and the chance to read, see, hear, and share personal accounts and experiences of bisexuality. Anyone who wishes to share their experiences (anonymously or otherwise) can send their perceptions or personal perspectives on bisexuality, in advance, to be displayed or shared on the day. Please send written contributions to jules@lgbthealth.org.uk or contact Jules on 0131 523 1104 should you wish to take part in person or for more information. Everybody welcome!
Edinburgh: The BIG Event
29th September 2010, The Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh. The
CSPP All-Party-No-Party Conference.
Free Bank Training Day
Friday 8th October: How do you make a successful finance application in the current climate? The
FSB and SCVO have joined together to bring you the opportunity to get answers to all your banking questions from some of the country's most experienced bankers and business experts at an exclusive FREE event at the RBS Conference Suite in Gogarburn. Places are limited, so to reserve your ticket, please contact the FSB's Scottish Press and Parliamentary Office (scotland.policy@fsb.org.uk, subject line Bank training day, or call 0141 221 0775)
UK News
Archbishop to meet Pope protesters
Protest the Pope spokespeople met with the Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Smith Wednesday morning. The meeting was called at the Archbishop's request and with the approval of the Catholic hierarchy and Papal visit organisers. The Archbishop met a delegation of Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association and Marco Tranchino and Peter Tatchell of the Protest the Pope campaign.
The Archbishop has promised to "pass on" calls by the Protest the Pope campaign for Benedict XVI to "open the Vatican's secret sex abuse files and hand them over the relevant police authorities worldwide." To date, the Pope has always refused to do so. He insists on "Papal Secrecy". (
Pink Paper,
Channel 4)
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, claimed that a “radically secular and socially liberal outlook” is tainting the BBC's news and current affairs outlook. The cardinal claimed that the BBC documentary
Benedict – Trials of a Pope, to be broadcast 15th September, the day before the Pope arrives in the UK at Edinburgh Airport, will be a 'hatchet job', 'intended to humiliate' the Pontiff. The programme will cover Catholic abuse scandals.(
Pink Paper)
Organisers of
Catholic Voices for Reform said they wanted to see an ''open discussion'' on issues within the church such as women's ordination, sexual orientation and clerical celibacy. (
Telegraph)
Protest the Pope opposes Benedict XVI being honoured with a State Visit and the public funding of large parts of his visit.
Details of the Protest the Pope march and rally on 18 September:
If you were invited to address Benedict XVI during his UK visit, what would you say to him? (
New Humanist)
Stonewall Cymru Workplace Conference 2010
Monday 27th September 2010. Novotel, Cardiff, CF10 4RT. Stonewall Cymru are pleased to announce that Peter Havelock, partner at IBM (Stonewall’s Top Employer 2010), will be providing a keynote address at the upcoming workplace conference. Deadline for all bookings is 13th September. To download a conference brochure or to book contact dean.lloyd@stonewallcymru.org.uk or call 029 20 237744 or visit the website:
www.stonewallcymru.org.uk
Last weekend 40,000 revellers packed Cardiff city centre park for the annual Mardi Gras – now in its eleventh year. (
Pink Paper,
Wales Online)
Sheffield: Sex and the Law
23rd September 2010, Sex and the Law is a one-day conference exploring issues surrounding sex and the law, providing information and a forum for debate. The day will be chaired by Professor Roger Ingham from the Centre for Sexual Health Research, University of Southampton and we are very pleased to welcome our keynote speakers which include Peter Tatchell, prominent human rights campaigner talking about Human Rights, Sex and the Law, with Yusef Azad from the National Aids Trust who will talk about The Criminalisation of HIV , and Kim Stevenson from Plymouth University whose speech is entitled
"Real Rape?
Real Consent?"
www.sexualhealthsheffield.nhs.uk
What have the 2012 Games got to do with me?
Tuesday 5th October 2010, 10:45 - 15:30. Eland House, Bressenden Place, Victoria, London, SW1E 5DU, On the priority theme of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 2011: Access and participation of women and girls to education, training and employment. The event serves as an opportunity to review the
Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) goal on education more broadly and address issues such as encouraging girls and women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The outcomes of this event will help to inform the Women's National Commission's CSW55 written statement which will be submitted in late Autumn. The outcomes will also inform WNC ‘side event’ for NGOs at the next CSW session in New York 2011.
www.thewnc.org.uk
International
ILGA launches a world Directory of LGBTI and allied organisations
This service which lists ILGA member groups as well as non members also includes trade unions, women’s or human rights organizations in an attempt to create bridges with NGOs which are not working specifically on LGBTI rights but include or support this agenda. The
unique world directory is free and open to all. It aims at capturing the diversity and richness of the many groups and people of good will in the world campaigning for the equal rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex people. ILGA is a network of over 600 groups from 111 countries fighting since 1978 for equal human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex and transgender people. The work of ILGA is supported by the Dutch organizations HIVOS and NOVIB, by IBM, by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and by the ARCUS Foundation
www.ilga.org
US: Rick Santorum's Anal Sex Problem
Rick Santorum wants to be President of the US, but "You see, Santorum has what you might call a Google problem. For voters who decide to look him up online, one of the top three search results is usually the site SpreadingSantorum.com, which explains that Santorum's last name is a sexual neologism for a messy byproduct of anal sex." Among the
Santorum Letters (published 19 April 2004) is a note describing how the neologism reached Scotland. (
Mother Jones)
Australia: MP Bob Katter commits to a long walk backwards
It's sadly common for politicians, challenged on the lack of services or civil rights for LGBT people in their region, to respond that there are no LGBT people in the area they represent. Bob Katter, Member for Kennedy in Australia's Federal Parliament, pledged to "walk backwards from Bourke if the poof population of North Queensland is any more than 0.001 per cent". The total electorate in North Queensland in 2007 was about 175000, making the 0.001% less than two individuals. But one of his constituents, Murray Eales, has pointed out in the
Sydney Morning Herald that not only do he and his partner live in Bob Katter's constitutency, they run a cafe just a short walk from Mr Katter's electorate office in Innisfail. According to
Google Maps, the distance from Bourke, NSW, to Innisfail, Queensland, is 1,686 km and will take approximately 14 days 2 hours to walk, possibly longer if you walk backwards. (Google advises: use caution – this route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths.)
Working for All
HIV Scotland: Development Officer & Trustees
Edinburgh, 35 hours pw, £26,331 - £28,680. HIV Scotland – helping to build a society which is well informed about HIV, devoid of HIV related stigma and discrimination, and where everyone living with HIV has access to and helps shape excellent services. Deadline Monday 20th September. Interviews provisionally set for week beginning 18th October.
HIV Scotland are recruiting Trustees to the Board, to help shape the organisation's strategic direction & governance. Voluntary & unremunerated. Travel & out of pocket expenses payable. Meetings held every 2 months plus sub-groups. Induction and charity training opportunities offered. If you believe you can contribute to their work, especially if you are also someone living with HIV, HIV Scotland would welcome your interest. Deadline 30th October.
Information packs for both roles available at their website:
www.hivscotland.com
Strathclyde: Volunteer with Lesbian & Gay Switchboard
New friends, Full training & support, Valuable experience for your CV/career/personal development. No experience needed – just an ability to listen - Just one 3 hour shift per week for roughly one year. "We really need you now: Switchboard can make a difference in peoples’ lives. We are looking for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender Telephone volunteers to keep this service going. Our aim is to be open seven nights a week and you can help us achieve that." Deadline: Monday 20th September 2010. Informal Intake Interviews Evening on: Thursday 23rd September 2010. Compulsory & comprehensive training on the following weekend days: 2nd & 3rd, 10th & 16th October 2010 in Central Glasgow. Training places are very limited, SLGS can take on only those for whom they have existing volunteers to support: if this sounds like something you could commit to but want to chat first, contact SGLS at the number below to talk over volunteering at Switchboard. 0141-847-0447 7 till 10 pm. Application Pack available to download on
www.sgls.co.uk under the “Volunteer” button: or e-mail info@sgls.co.uk with full name, address, postcode and telephone number to request a posted application pack.
John Wheatley College: Workshop Assistant
Three months at £15,623-£16,353 p.r.. John Wheatley College is a highly innovative community college serving the local residents and the business community in East Glasgow. You will have a basic working knowledge of health and safety practice, be able to work on your own initiative and have experience of working on a building site or similar environment. Experience in woodwork machining and manual lifting and handling would be desirable but appropriate training will be provided. Recruitment pack available by quoting SS/01/09/10 from: The Human Resources Section – Tel: 0141 588 1576, Fax: 0141 588 - 1556 or by email: r@jwheatley.ac.uk. Deadline: Friday 17 September 2010
www.jwheatley.ac.uk
Energy Saving Scotland: Community Projects Co-ordinator
The Energy Saving Scotland advice network is an initiative funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust. In Strathclyde and Central Scotland, the advice centre services are delivered by the Wise Group from its offices in Glasgow. The co-ordinator will work closely with colleagues in the advice centre and with the support of the Energy Saving Trust. Based in Glasgow, Salary: £18.5-£28.2K. To apply for this post request a job application pack quoting CPC/ESSac/HR by e-mail humanresources@thewisegroup.co.uk, or from
www.thewisegroup.co.uk or calling 0141 314 1470. Please mention the Equality Network/LGBT News. Deadline for application: Friday 17th September 2010.
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board: Chair
The NHS National Waiting Times Centre (NWTC) Board is a Special Health Board made up of two distinct parts – the Golden Jubilee National Hospital and the Beardmore Hotel and Conference Centre. The NWTC Board is responsible for ensuring proper management and accountability for the performance of the organisation as a whole. You must live or work in Scotland. Remuneration: £24,960 per annum (non-pensionable). Reimbursement for all reasonable travel and subsistence costs and any reasonable receipted dependant-carer expenses incurred whilst undertaking Board duties. Time commitment: This role will take up around 3 days per week. Interviews: 11 November 2010 in Edinburgh. Deadline: Friday 1 October 2010.
Public Appointments - Chair, National Waiting Times Centre Board
LGBT Families
Ireland: Standing up for LGBT parents
This week a groundbreaking report from the organisation Marriage Equality, called
Voices of Children, documents for the first time the experiences of children growing up in Ireland with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) parents. The often complex social and legal issues raised in the report will be discussed at a one-day conference being held as part of the launch.
Marriage Equality developed recommendations based on the what the adult children had to say themselves, and what they asked for, one being a call on the Irish Government to establish legal recognition of children in LGBT families, through appropriate amendment of adoption and guardianship laws and by the introduction of civil marriage rights for gay and lesbian parents. (
Irish Times)
Europe:discrimination against same-sex couples
On Tuesday 7th September, the European Parliament debated the issues of discrimination against married and/or registered same-sex couples. Many EU countries have introduced legislation making marriage accessible also to same-sex partners or introducing other legal systems to officially register same-sex relationships. However, married and/or registered same-sex couples face a number of obstacles and are being discriminated against when they move around the European Union. This is because not all EU countries recognise each other’s laws which regulate marriage and registered partnerships for same-sex couples. This way one of the fundamental basic principles upon which the EU was built – freedom of movement – is being seriously undermined.
The verbatim report of proceedings of each sitting is published at the
European Parliament website.
Australia: One more state for two-parent adoption
The Legislative Assembly of the Australian state of New South Wales, where Sydney is located, passed a bill to legalise adoption by same-sex couples, this week. The measure permits church-affiliated adoption agencies to deny same-sex couples assessment as adoptive parents. The upper house has agreed to the bill in principle and is now discussing the amendments. Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) already allow same-sex couples to adopt together. (
Pink Paper,
Pink News,
Herald Sun)
US: 30 days not enough to change homophobia
In the American reality TV show
30 Days, a person spends 30 days immersed in a lifestyle that’s completely new to them. Often, people who are politically opposed spend 30 days together learning about each other’s beliefs, and often change their minds. "A religious woman who was opposed to gay adoption moved in with a gay couple and their adopted children. During the 30 days, she grew to see that the fathers were loving, responsible parents. She was exposed to the foster care situation, and was upset that so many kids weren’t being adopted. She got close to the family and saw that the couple’s four kids, who were adopted out of the foster care system, were doing well. Yet, she left with her mind unchanged. At the end of the 30 days, she was just as adamantly against gay adoption as she was before." (
Change.org)
Kirsty Logan writes: "Gay marriage is legal in California (again) and conservative Christian groups are trying to make it illegal (again). Sex toys are banned in Alabama, while Texas only legalised them in 2008. Why is the USA – which supposedly prides itself on 'liberty and justice for all' – so un-libertarian about sexuality?" (
The Skinny)
The Equality Network’s website for information on all aspects of LGBT family law – including civil partnership, cohabitation, having children, breaking up – is
www.lgbtfamilies.org
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