23/06/2010
News sent - 23rd June 2010
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: Pride Scotia 2010: Saturday 26th June; Ten years since Section 28; Forums News: Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month: June 2010; British Council: Active Citizens; World Cup LGBT News; Waste to Want - Linking Business Surplus to People in Need; Halt Hate Crime; Talk Scotland Events: Inverness: No more Salsa Ness?; Edinburgh: Listening Group; Aberdeen: Rainbow Glow; Inverness: Highland Rainbow Folk; Edinburgh: Enviromental Photo Walk; Glasgow: Tackling Poverty for a Fairer World; Edinburgh: Halt Hate Crime; Elgin LGBT Group; Edinburgh: LGBT Film Club; Glasgow: Discrimination Legislation: The Equality Act 2010; BildwechselGlasgow event: Rae Spoon; Glasgow: An Overview of Mental Health Law; Scottish Learning Festival 2010; UK News: Questions about Tory LGBT-friendly credentials; Gloucester Supports Moscow Pride; Nottingham: City Council split on gay blood ban; Outrage! Celebrity Blind Date Said Fred; International: Sweden: Pink Or Blue Shouldn't Matter; Sri Lanka: Rainbow Runway; Iraq: Stepping up a witch-hunt?; Pride in Eastern Europe; Working for All: Press for Change: Part Time PA / Legal Assistant; National Museums of Scotland New Trustees; Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council - new members; Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland - Chair; CLD Standards Council, Secondment Opportunities; LGBT Families: Documentary on LGBT Families; US: DOMA against families

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Equality Network News

Pride Scotia 2010: Saturday 26th June
We hope to see you at Pride Scotia this Saturday. The march assembles East Market Street, 12:30 for a 1:30 start. Look out for our Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance banners! More information about the route here:
http://www.pride-scotia.org
If you are interested in getting involved on the day, please let us know! We welcome volunteers to help carry our banners on the march or to help staff our stalls in the Health and Community Fair on Picardy Place after the march. We will be holding our traditional bakesale and also welcome donations of cakes, cookies, pastries – all vegan/vegetarian! Please stop by and say hello.

Ten years since Section 28
On 21st June 2000, the Scottish Parliament repealed the infamous "Section 28" of the Local Government Act, that banned the "promotion of homosexuality". The Equality Network has produced rainbow flag posters commemorating this and other notable events in Scotland's progress towards LGBT equality, which will be available at Pride Scotia and Pride Glasgow.
"Join us to make Scotland even better tomorrow."


Forums News

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month: June 2010
Gypsy Boy: One Boy's Struggle to Escape from a Secret World
"Mikey Walsh first decided he wanted to write a book about his life more than 10 years ago. There were a few obstacles in his way — one being that he couldn’t read or write. Born into a Romany gypsy family in the 1980s, he barely went to school and, when he fled home at 16, had the reading ability of the average six-year-old. “I could spell c-a-t, d-o-g,” he recalls. “I learnt more from Sesame Street than I did at school. I read comics and graphic novels, like Batman, but that was about it.” * (Times)
Garri Davies reviews: "Having been totally immersed in the story of Mikey Walsh and his gypsy upbringing for several days now whilst I was reading the book, I found the writing style very effective ... the book would also be an inspirational read for fellow gay people, especially those struggling with the idea of ‘coming out’. Although the book is not really about Mikey’s sexuality, it does come into it quite strongly in places, and I think that it shows that above everything else, and despite inherent prejudices or fears of abandonment, things can work out much better than you’d expect."
Stephen Fry said of the book that "It was a revelation. Moving, terrifying, funny and brilliant. I shall never forget it - an amazing achievement"; adding on Twitter: "All in pieces after reading this book. The bravery, charm and wit of the author are astonishing."

British Council: Active Citizens
Are you running a voluntary or community sector organisation, or a network working to promote active participation and social justice (such as tackling poverty and inequality) in your community? Are you interested in sharing and learning from others worldwide? If so, you may want to apply for a grant of up to £7,500 to be a UK local delivery partner on the British Council Active Citizens programme. Deadline extended till 9th July.

World Cup LGBT News
Football's stand against sexual violence and homophobia
The Justin Campaign
John Cross says football has “created a dangerous taboo” around being gay and that there is “no chance” an English footballer will come out. (Pink Paper)
Jennifer Doyle in the Guardian "if Fifa and the global sports media have failed to make a connection between Simelane's story, homophobia, violence against women and the World Cup, it is because neither institution sees women – and especially black women, let alone black lesbians – as members of the global sports community. Eudy Simelane, was a part of that community, and we should use this World Cup as a chance to remember her and embrace her legacy." In April 2008, Eudy Simelane, a former midfielder for South Africa's women's national team, was raped, beaten, stabbed and left to die in a creek 200m from her home.

Edinburgh: Women's Football @ Gracemount
Wednesdays, 7-8pm. If you want to get fit, active and generally kick a ball around, this is a great opportunity for women of any age and any ability to play football in a welcoming and friendly environment. They are currently looking for members. Contact Kirsten at kirstensinclair@netscape.net to sign up.

Edinburgh: HotScots
More than just a football team - looking for new players, supporters, friends, helpers. Get in touch! - We will respond within two days. SMS: Text FOOTBALL to 80800 for more info (Texts cost 25p) Email: mail@hotscotsfc.com
hotscotsfc.com/join.html

Aberdeen: Granite City Stormers
A straight-friendly gay football club, founded and organised by volunteers. Weekly pre-match training sessions on Thursday evenings for members and friendly kickabouts on Sunday evenings where everyone is welcome. Email: info@stormersfc.co.uk
www.stormersfc.co.uk

Waste to Want - Linking Business Surplus to People in Need
Giving World Online is a not for profit, free and simple scheme, offering organisations the chance to pass on surplus goods to people in need. Charities can register for free to access quality goods free of charge; search for what your beneficiaries need; maximise your charity’s resources.
www.givingworldonline.com

Halt Hate Crime
The new joint Equality Network/Stonewall Scotland/EHRC publication, Halt Hate Crime, will be launched at Pride Scotia on 26th June. Although the cover is EHRC-branded, the content was jointly written and approved by the Equality Network and Stonewall Scotland. Look for it on any of the three organisation’s stalls.
A young woman who was homophobically abused by a group of young men on an Arriva bus says the driver did nothing to assist her. “As soon as I sat down they started shouting at me. I’ve got short hair so they were shouting things like ‘are you a guy?’ and ‘you’re a big dyke’" and throwing coins and spitting. The driver was asked why he had not stopped the harassers but he apparently replied that he “did not understand” what had been happening. The woman has demanded answers from Arriva bosses. She said: “I couldn’t believe it. Two passengers went up and told him what was happening but the driver did nothing." Arriva’s Commercial Development manager Murray Rogers has promised to investigate the matter. (Paisley Daily Express)


Talk Scotland Events

Inverness: No more Salsa Ness?
6pm - 8pm, 24th June. Salsa Ness now offers LGBT-friendly dancing at the James Cameron Centre (Dalneigh) on Thursdays. Costs £6 per or £10 per fortnight. But "Due to lack of people coming, this Thursday may be my last SalsaClass," Thomas Close, founder of Salsa Ness and the Pink Picnics, said today. "Still doesn't mean I've given up, I still salsa on Wednesdays at Salsa North 7pm-10pm at the Raigmore Recreation center. But it's a bit of a downer." If you're interested in learning how to do Salsa and Rueda dancing in an LGBT-friendly environment, contact Thomas P. Close - mobile 07733 758 309 or email salsaness@yahoo.co.uk.

Edinburgh: Listening Group
6:30-7:30pm, Monday 28th June, LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. The Listening Group is a group for people who have things they want to talk about in a safe space. It is led by a trained counselor and is free to go along to.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Aberdeen: Rainbow Glow
10pm-2am, Tues 29th June 2010. Liquid Nightclub, Bridge Place, Aberdeen, £4 ENTRY. "Rainbow Glow is the place to be for the LGBT scene in Aberdeen.Something a little different to what you've seen before, hosted in Aberdeen's Biggest Nightclub.With Drag Acts, Live Music and a Thrilling Theme, Rainbow Glow is gonna knock your socks off! So roll up, roll up and get ready to party!" A fundraiser for THT Grampian, organised by Dionysus Events.
www.tht.org.uk

Inverness: Highland Rainbow Folk
7pm, Thursday 1st July. Meeting of Highland Rainbow Folk group organised by Age Scotland / THT, at the Dunbar Centre (Church Street, Inverness).

Edinburgh: Enviromental Photo Walk
1-4pm, Sat 3rd July. Aly Wight takes a second tour of Edinburgh, this time concentrating on nature's influence on the city. Expand on what you learnt on the walk in May, or come along for the first time to get professional guidance on getting the most out of your camera and taking the best pictures you can! The event is free but booking is essential. For further information please contact the centre on 0131 5231100 or admin@lgbthealth.org.uk
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Glasgow: Tackling Poverty for a Fairer World
1-5:30pm, Sunday 4th July, free event. Keynote speech by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank, Bangladesh. Please register by Friday, 25 June 2010: email cfdscotland@hotmail.com to reserve a place by furnishing your name, organisation, mailing address and contact tel.

Edinburgh: Halt Hate Crime
6.30-7.30pm, Monday 5th July. The LGBT police surgery is relaxed and informal. It takes place at the Health and Wellebing Centre at 9 Howe Street on the first Monday of the month during the Hub drop-in session. The aim of the surgery is to give you a chance to seek advice, raise concerns around safety issues, report incidents, or make any comments on policing in your area. You can also pick up your free copy of the joint Equality Network / Stonewall Scotland / EHRC booklet, Halt Hate Crime.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Elgin LGBT Group
7:30pm, Tuesday 6th July. Meeting of the new Elgin LGBT group, Elgin Public Library, 7:30 pm.

Edinburgh: LGBT Film Club
6:30-9:30pm, Friday 25th June & 9th July. The club will meet every other Friday, 6:30-9:30pm, at the Health and Wellbeing Centre at 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. The club is open to anyone with a keen interest in films who wants to meet in a safe, welcoming environment. All screenings are subject to a small donation.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Glasgow: Discrimination Legislation: The Equality Act 2010
10am-1pm, Thursday 22nd July. The Equality Act 2010 finally received Royal Assent on 24th April 2010 with the main provisions due to come into force in October 2010. The legislation was heralded by the Labour Government as having the dual purpose of harmonising current discrimination law and strengthening the law to support progress on equality. This course will provide an insight into the key aspects of the Act and what it will mean for employers and employees. The speaker is Chris McDowall, Anderson Strathern LLP, Solicitors, Glasgow. Cost: £90 full price/£80.00 LSA members/£60 Concessionary places.
www.lsa.org.uk

Bildwechsel Glasgow event: Rae Spoon
7:30-10: Sunday, 25 July 2010, Stereo, 22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, United Kingdom. "Rae Spoon continues to navigate through uncharted terrain, blurring musical genres, lyrical lines and electro-infused beats. His latest album 'love is a hunter' is a pop-infused exploration of identity, contradiction and longing." £5 on the door, £4 in advance from ticketweb
Bildwechsel Glasgow

Glasgow: An Overview of Mental Health Law
10-1pm, Thursday 26th August, Greenock. The objective of this seminar is to provide a basic overview of the law relevant to those with mental health problems or dementia, their relatives and their carers. Free event. The speaker is Ronald A. Franks, LSA.
www.lsa.org.uk

Scottish Learning Festival 2010
22-23 September 2010, SECC, Glasgow. Register now for free entry. "Curriculum for Excellence: Enhancing Experiences, Raising Standards". The Scottish Learning Festival is about teaching and learning and offers a number of opportunities to enhance the education profession by providing:inspiration and new ideas; an opportunity to network with peers; a range of options to enhance the learning and teaching experience for all.

UK News

Questions about Tory LGBT-friendly credentials
A Conservative Prime Minister has hosted a LGBT Pride Festival reception at Number 10 Downing Street, only seven years after he voted against the repeal of Section 28 in England and Wales. (Number10.gov)
David Cameron, side by side with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, jokingly referred to Clegg as his civil partner before making a keynote speech which promised solutions to homophobic bullying and some inequality issues. (Pink Paper, Pink News)
The interview where Johann Hari grilled David Cameron over gay rights, The Independent. February 2010.
Jerome Taylor in the Independent: "But despite their role in the Government, the Lib Dems seem to have had little luck persuading their coalition partners to embrace their approach to gay equality."
Michael White in the Guardian: "Less than a decade after Tory MPs and peers, including David Cameron, blocked repeal of section 28, the new prime minister is hosting a Gay Pride reception at No 10. Having apologised in 2009 for his own past errors he also purged flagrant evidence of homophobia among the party's election candidates this year and voted for Labour's new Equality Act."
Patrick Strudwick in U.TV: "As Cameron and May stand in the pulpit delivering gay people from evil, Boris Johnson lurks in the pews scrapping the mayoral reception at gay pride next month and Ian Duncan Smith appoints as his special adviser Philippa Stroud, the woman who was accused of exorcising demons from gay people in her church – accusations she has denied."
Marjorie Smith writes to the Guardian: "I have two gay sons who went through our education system during the years of section 28, and I stood by helplessly as they encountered problem after problem. Until there is some real change in what we teach our children about homosexuality, I will regard that apology as mere window dressing."

Gloucester Supports Moscow Pride
Gloucestershire Gay Pride has sent a letter of solidarity to the organisers of banned St. Petersburg Pride. Both Prides are scheduled for Saturday, June 26, with the LGBT activists in the second city of Russia vowing to march whatever the outcome of the appeals to the ban. (UK Gay News)

Nottingham: City Council split on gay blood ban
A motion debated by the Nottingham City Council called on the council to write to the National Blood Service asking it to scrap its "discriminatory and outdated policy towards gay and bisexual men". The NHS National Blood Service does not allow "men who have ever had sex with men" to give blood because, it claims, there is a greater risk of infections being passed to patients who need the blood. Campaigners argue the lifetime ban is unnecessary and that accepting donations from gay men who are HIV negative or from those who have had protected sex, would boost vital blood supplies. (ThisIsNottingham)

Outrage! Celebrity Blind Date Said Fred
Richard Fairbrass (singer and TV presenter) goes on a blind date with Peter Tatchell (human rights campaigner, OutRage! founder member). "We obviously had a good time, because our dinner lasted over four hours; conversing about his music and my human rights work, the election and the new government, the state of gay rights and the downsides of the gay scene and culture." (Guardian)


International

Sweden: Pink Or Blue Shouldn't Matter
A couple of Swedish parents have stirred up debate in the country by refusing to reveal whether their two-and-a-half-year-old child is a boy or a girl. Pop’s parents made a decision when their baby was born to keep Pop’s sex a secret. If anyone enquires, Pop’s parents simply say they don’t disclose this information. They were quoted In an interview with newspaper Svenska Dagbladet in March, saying their decision was rooted in the feminist philosophy that gender is a social construction. “We want Pop to grow up more freely and avoid being forced into a specific gender mould from the outset,” Pop’s mother said. “It's cruel to bring a child into the world with a blue or pink stamp on their forehead.” (SE Local)
Their principled opposition to prevent others gender-stereotyping their child could prove a support to a campaign led by Swiss intersex activist Daniela Truffer, to stop genital surgery and hormone treatment on children born with indeterminate sexual organs. Truffer argues that affected individuals should be given the time to grow up and decide for themselves whether they wish to become male or female or remain in-between. Truffer says that "Doctors and parents are acting under the cultural imperative that when elements of both sexes are present in a child, one sex has to be chosen over the other without delay." (Swiss News) STA - Intersex
On buying gendered toys for small children: Things that are pink and blue / Click to Gender
Pinkstinks is a campaign and social enterprise that challenges the culture of pink which invades every aspect of girls' lives.

Sri Lanka: Rainbow Runway
Closets are for clothes. That was the thinking behind the “Rainbow Runway’’ fashion show where members of the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities — along with heterosexual models — participated in a fashion parade on Sunday in Colombo, a rare event of its kind. (Spirit of Colombo, Hindustan Times)

Iraq: Stepping up a witch-hunt?
The London-based Iraqi LGBT group said at the weekend that a police raid on a Karbala safe house for lesbians and gay men in Iraq could mean that the Iraqi government is stepping up the witch-hunt against gays and lesbians in the country. (UK Gay News)
Taylor Asen and Zach Strassburger write in the US Huffington Post: "We do not need to tolerate death or torture for LGBT Iraqis: the State Department can immediately begin allowing these persecuted Iraqis into the U.S. through a program that expedites relocating at-risk Iraqi minority groups into America."

Pride in Eastern Europe
The British Ambassador to Bulgaria, Steve Williams, has made an official statement in support of the Pride Parade in Sofia this Saturday. "Respect for human rights is one of the core democratic values on which the European Union is based. Those human rights apply equally to all people, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, belief, or sexual orientation. Many excuses - such as respect for religious doctrine or traditional values - are given to justify homophobia. Let us be clear: in today's European Union there can be no excuse and no justification for homophobia, on any grounds." (NoviNite, PinkNews)
The Holy Synod of Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church and twenty-five Bulgarian civil organizations have declared against the third annual LGBT pride parade in Sofia, claiming it to be “another purposeful attempt to try and wash away the conventional borders of the society and erode its perceptions in regard to the Bulgarian family". (NoviNite)
Budapest Gay Pride Day, which opens the LGBT film and cultural festival from 4 to 11 July, will be followed two months later by a "hetero pride march" which will follow the same route. (NoviNite, Budapest Times)
Two Belarusian gay activists revealed this week that they have submitted an “individual complaint” against Belarus for breaching their right to freedom of assembly last December, to the United Nations Human Rights Secretariat in Geneva. The activists were arrested and detained after picketing the Iranian Embassy in Minsk. The demonstration, on December 16, was in solidarity with in solidarity with Iranian gays. (UK Gay News)


Working for All

Press for Change: Part Time PA / Legal Assistant
Professor Stephen Whittle, OBE, PhD, MA, LLB, BA, Professor of Equalities Law at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Head of Legal Services for Press for Change http://www.pfc.org.uk is seeking a Personal Assistant for up to 10 hours a week over 2 to 3 days. Days and times can vary to suit people with caring responsibilities and other work. However, hours would normally be between 9.30am and 3.00pm. Occasionally there will be some exciting travel opportunities, which would require more flexibility, but these would not be compulsory.
Further details can be found at www.transequality.org.uk/jobs.

National Museums of Scotland New Trustees
National Museums Scotland is looking for up to three new Trustees who can help lead and inspire the organisation, work enthusiastically and effectively as part of a team, and contribute to strategic decision making and the dynamic potential of the Museums. The minimum time commitment is ten days per year. The posts are not remunerated but reasonable travel and subsistence costs will be met. Full details about what’s involved/apply online at the dedicated public appointments website. www.appointed-for-scotland.org or by e-mailing: paapplicationsmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to the Scottish Government, HR Public Appointments, Saughton House (E1 Spur), Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD. You should provide your name, address and the appointment that you are interested in.Deadline:16 July 2010.
www.nms.ac.uk

Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council - new members
The Scottish Committee assists the full Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council in the discharge of its responsibilities in respect of the administrative justice system in Scotland Each member shares responsibility with the Chair and the four other members’ for the discharge of these responsibilities.
For further details and an application pack: please contact Steven Day, Scottish Government, Legal Services Team, Second Floor West, St Andrews House, Edinburgh EH1 3DG, telephone 0131 244 2691 or email steven.day@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
www.ajtc.gov.uk

Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland - Chair
The Chair and Board are expected to be committed to protecting the rights and welfare of people with mental disorder, including learning disability, and to pursue the collective aims of the Commission in a manner that is both consistent with its duty to protect and which also enhances the Commission’s reputation. Application requests and returns should be e-mailed to: paapplicationsmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Deadline: Friday 16 July 2010
www.appointed-for-scotland.org/Current-positions/Chair---Mental-Welfare-Commission-for-Scotland/
www.mwcscot.org.uk

CLD Standards Council, Secondment Opportunities
Communications Officer and Development Officer An excellent opportunity for highly motivated and self-reliant individuals to play key roles in the delivery of a new national strategy statement and operational framework for CPD for the CLD workforce in Scotland in partnership with national training and
learning agencies. Application form: http://www.LTScoltand.org.uk/aboutLTS/workforus/vacancies. Alternatively, please contact
Louise Allen on 0141 282 5179, or email at L.Allen@LTScotland.org.uk. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY. Deadline: 2nd July 2010


LGBT Families

Documentary on LGBT Families
A new kind of documentary seeks video entries by LGBT families. Submission deadline: September 1, 2010. Lisa Marie Evans, filmmaker and activist, currently working on a documentary, Gayby Boom, exploring LGBT families and values. We are seeking home videos by LGBT parents and families from around the globe to compile this feature documentary: "Gayby Boom". (National LGBT Forum)

US: DOMA against families
Among President Obama's campaign promises to LGBT Americans, was a pledge to fully repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Obama has continued to say it's still his intent to do so, but the only action from the US government has been a brief from their Justice Department, filed a year ago, defending a constitutional challenge to DOMA. (Huffington Post)
How US immigration law and DOMA is working to split up partners with no legal means of immigrating to the US. "U.S. immigration law prioritizes family unity. Marrying a citizen is still the most common way to get residency, and everyone knows there are more than a few scam marriages squeaking through. Yet for gays, it's a very different story. Since federal law only recognizes marriages between men and women, gay partners are left with no way to sponsor each other to stay in the country." (SF Weekly)
Laura Bush, wife of former US President George W. Bush, recently said publicly "There are a lot of people who have trouble coming to terms with that because they see marriage as traditionally between a man and a woman," the former first lady said. "But I also know that, you know, when couples are committed to each other and love each other, that they ought to have, I think, the same sort of rights that everyone has." (Dallas Morning News)
Emily Douglas asks: "Are children who grow up in families headed by lesbian couples not only psychologically on par with, but in fact less anxious and depressed, less aggressive and doing better in school than their counterparts in straight families?" (The Nation)

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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