20/01/2010
News Sent - 20th January 2010
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network: What do you think of us?, National LGBT Forum; Race, Religion and Belief, SPEAKOUT Highlands and Islands; Forums News: Holocaust Memorial Day: Wed 27th January, Against the SDL, Wishart: Fundamentalist Glasgow cries “blasphemy”, and Gay Glasgow cries “censorship", Scottish Sexual Attitudes Survey 2009/10, Glasgow Women's Library: Making Spaces project, Scottish Government Equality Duty Consultation in BSL, Breathing Space launches British Sign Language service; Talk Scotland Events: LGBT History Month 2010 - 1-28th February, Picturing OurSelves, LGBT Youth Scotland's AGM, Violence is Preventable Accredited Training Programme, Free Criminal Injuries Compensation training, Free Criminal Injuries Compensation training, Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group, 2010: European Year For Combating Poverty And Social Exclusion, Fighting Poverty in Scotland, Green Light Project Residential, Edinburgh Sociable Badminton, Childrens Rights Looking Ahead with 2020 Vision, Edinburgh: The Queer Ball, NHRI Forum: Business and Human Rights; UK News: Nominations open for Pink Paper readers awards, Rise in conviction rate for hate crime, Million Women Rise March And Rally 2010, Press Complaints Commission finds "tranny" pejorative, Reforming democracy in the UK; International: Lithuania: stop "Section 28" law, Respect for human rights in European neighbourhood; Working for All: VAF: Communication and External Relations Officer, LGBT Youth Scotland Volunteers, Volunteer: Rowan Alba Activities Coordinator, Commissioner for Scotland for the EHRC; LGBT Families: US: District of Columbia rules marriage is a human rights issue, Mexico: capital city lifts gay marriage ban
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Equality Network News
What do you think of us?
We'd like to know what you think about LGBT News and other information resources that the Equality Network is responsible for. To help us and make our resources better for you:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/whatdoyouthinkofus
National LGBT Forum; Race, Religion and Belief
5:30-8:30pm, 11th February 2010, Perth. This meeting of the forum will look at the topic of race, religion and belief. As well as a panel of speakers from ethnic minority, religious and LGBT communities, part of the forum will be a roundtable discussion on the topic. We’re looking for your ideas and suggestions on what areas you would like to see on the table for discussion.
Speak Out Highlands and Islands
29th-31st January. The Equality Network has developed a training course for LGBT community members and allies which will develop skills as an leader on LGBT equality and inclusion. The course is residential and free to attend.
www.equality-network.org/speakout
Forums News
Holocaust Memorial Day
Wednesday 27th January
Against the SDL
UAF Scotland has initiated a
Unity Statement against the "Scottish Defence League" and its plans to hold an anti-Muslim march in Edinburgh on 20 February 2010.
Campaigners ask capital’s pubs to ban far-right group
Wishart: Fundamentalist Glasgow cries “blasphemy”, and Gay Glasgow cries “censorship”.
Ruth Wishart in the Herald on the stramash over sh[OUT] and Jesus Queen Of Heaven: "Maybe some of us are bound for the bad fire. Or maybe some of us are just bemused at the latest outbreak of fundamentalist fury in the ranks of the unco’ guid."
GOMA and SH[OUT]
Scottish Sexual Attitudes Survey 2009/10
Funded by the Centre for Research in Families and Relationships, organised through the University of Edinburgh, carried out by Fiona McQueen as part of her PhD research. This survey contains some sensitive questions related to sexual feelings and relationships.
Click here to take part.
Glasgow Women's Library: Making Spaces project
Glasgow Women’s Library are looking for anything in Scotland’s civic landscape that
commemorates the role of a woman. Do you know of any statues of women or even streets named after a woman? With funding from the Scottish Arts Council, the Library are researching for a new public artwork which acknowledges a woman or women’s achievements. The co-ordinator, Fiona Dean, is working with artists, GWL staff, volunteers, library users.
Scottish Government Equality Duty Consultation in BSL
BSL:UPTAKE (the BSL Knowledge Exchange hosted by Heriot-Watt University) has translated the summary and questions for the Scottish Government consultation on the Equality Duty: Putting it into Practice. The BSL version is on the
BSL:UPTAKE website.
Responses can be made by post, email or in BSL, either on the BSL:UPTAKE site or by sending in a CD/DVD. The closing date for responses from Deaf BSL users is 29th January 2010.
Breathing Space launches British Sign Language service
Anyone can feel down or depressed from time to time. It helps to get some Breathing Space. You are not alone and talking about how you feel is a positive first step in getting help. So don't let problems get out of hand, phone Breathing Space where experienced advisors will listen and provide information and advice.
Deaf people can now communicate directly with a BSL adviser rather than having to relay their worries through a third party such as a sign language interpreter.
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk
BSL users can now take a
free tour of Holyrood while viewing an audio/visual guide.
Talk Scotland Events
LGBT History Month 2010
1st-28th February
www.lgbthistory.org.uk
Glasgow: Picturing OurSelves
12 - 4pm, 6th Feb. A storytelling event run by OurStory Scotland, a Scottish charity that collects, archives and presents stories from the LGBT community in Scotland. This event is free. Just come along 12 - 4pm. For further information contact via their website:
www.ourstoryscotland.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland's AGM
LGBT Youth Scotland will be holding their
Annual General Meeting on Saturday 23rd January 2010 in Edinburgh. Come along and find out more about their work including what has been happening over the past year. To find out more including directions and RSVP information, please visit:
Dundee: Violence is Preventable Accredited Training Programme
2nd-4th February, Dundee. VIP (Violence Is Preventable) is a multi award winning personal safety and abuse prevention programme for children, young people, senior citizens and other vulnerable adults. Anyone interested in becoming trained and approved to deliver VIP sessions should contact
18 and Under: for further information phone 01382 206222 or e-mail lormac1053@aol.com.
Free Criminal Injuries Compensation training
To promote claims for criminal injuries compensation, particularly for women and children and those suffering from domestic abuse Castlemilk Law Centre's Criminal Injuries Compensation Project has commissioned Paul Brown of
Legal Services Agency to offer free education/training events aimed at charitable, community and voluntary organisations or advisers. No qualifications required. Glasgow and immediate area prioritised. Hosting organisation pays expenses only. Contact Susan Clark at LSA on 0141 354 1274 or email seminars@lsa.org.uk for further information.
Criminal Injuries Compensation seminar, Glasgow, 3rd February
Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group
Sat 6th Feb, 7:30-9:30pm. Meets in the hub at the Edinburgh LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing. The meetings are an opportunity to meet in a relaxed, friendly and safe environment for chat and support. Meet on the first Saturday of the month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
2010:
European Year For Combating Poverty And Social Exclusion
Fighting Poverty in Scotland
Throughout 2010 the
Poverty Alliance is running a large number of events aimed at highlighting key issues in the fight against poverty, in Aberdeen, Blantyre, Dundee, Elgin, Inverness, Motherwell, and Newtown St Boswells. The seminars are open to everyone with an interest in tackling poverty, and will be focused on sharing an analysis of national trends and highlighting common experiences. Discussions will be held in small groups to allow for maximum participation and to understand how policies and practices are impacting locally. The discussions at the seminars will contribute to the Poverty Alliance’s general election work, and will also feed into broader work around the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion.
Green Light Project Residential
LGBT Youth Scotland are running a residential event in February/March 2010 in Linlithgow for college and university students aged 16-25 years. We are looking for twenty students who are currently involved in a college or university society or are interested in setting one up.
To find out more or register a place, visit:
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/events/green-light-residential.htm
Edinburgh Sociable Badminton
ShuttleScots are back with a brand new term in 2010. Friendly two hour session on Tuesday evenings. 12 week term (began 12th January) at
Crags Sports Centre. Only £30 a term to cover the cost of the hall. To take part, call 0131 523 1100 or e-mail james@lgbthealth.org.uk
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Childrens Rights Looking Ahead with 2020 Vision
Edinburgh, 23rd February, sponsored by Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People and held in association with Eurochild. This conference will be of interest to policy makers, planners and practitioners from across the statutory, voluntary and private sectors, including those working in community planning, children's services, teaching, health, education, social work, community learning and development, youth work, community and residential settings, police, citizenship, arts and leisure, heritage, equalities, life long learning and organisations working with children. It will also be of value to those with an interest in and responsibility for children's rights and participation, as well as those involved in schools, out of school projects and other community groups. Contact Alasdair Ferguson, 0131 222 2438, conferences@childreninscotland.org.uk.
Edinburgh: The Queer Ball
9pm – 1am, Saturday 20th February. A post Valentines Party to bring out the romantic in you! The Queer Ball Launch Party on Saturday 20th February heralds a new phase for the whole of Scottish LGBTI community, and we look forward to a new dawn of inclusion and diversity, with variety to suit all ages, genders and tastes. To be held at The Assembly Rooms on George Street in Edinburgh it is a fund raiser for The LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing in Edinburgh.
www.myspace.com/thequeerball
NHRI Forum: Business and Human Rights
Holyrood is to host a major international conference for national human rights institutions this autumn. The 10th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) will take place at the Scottish Parliament from
7-10 October 2010. Delegates from more than 80 countries will discuss human-rights issues on the theme of Business and Human Rights, and the role national institutions can play in improving human rights in a globalised world. (
Scottish Parliament)
UK News
Nominations open for Pink Paper readers awards
Categories include "Best black or minority ethnic group or organisation", "Best women’s venue", and "Best police force", "Best health information provider", and "Best legal firm". You do not have to enter all fields in each category. There is a prize draw associated with the nominations but a diversity info page which includes a binary gender question. (
Pink Paper)
Should you wish to nominate the Equality Network for "Best gay organisation or charity", it's on page 6. (It's still on page 6 if you prefer to nominate another organisation, of course.)
Rise in conviction rate for hate crime
Figures from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for England and Wales have shown a ten per cent rise in four years in the numbers of people being convicted for homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. Successful prosecutions for hate crimes on the grounds of race, religion and disability have also increased over the last four years. (
Pink News)
Million Women Rise March And Rally 2010
Saturday 6 March 2010, London. Calling all women in the UK to
join together in one voice to say there are no excuses for male violence against women.
millionwomanrise.blogspot.com /
Facebook
Press Complaints Commission finds "tranny" pejorative
The PCC published its adjudication on a complaint from Keira McCormack, who had worked as a rape counsellor in Belfast. Ms McCormack complained that an article headlined "Tranny worked in rape centre", published in the Sunday Life on 1 November 2009 was discriminatory in breach of Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Editors' Code of Practice. The adjudication was published in the Sunday Life on 3rd January 2010.
To read the adjudication on the PCC website,
click here.
Reforming democracy in the UK
Over the past few weeks over 4,000 ideas for reforming democracy have been submitted by people of all political persuasions from across the UK. You can vote for the ideas which will make up the POWER2010 Pledge here:
www.power2010.org.uk
International
Lithuania: stop "Section 28" law
The Lithuanian Parliament has adopted a “Law on the Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information”. This legislation will criminalise or otherwise prohibit the public portrayal of homosexuality or any information relating to it, similar to the Section 28 legislation repealed in Scotland a decade ago. The new legislation will become law in Lithuania on 1st March 2010. Amnesty International has a
Take Action page on this issue:
Amnesty International's
"Homophobia and Stereotypes" video named "Best of 2009" by ILGA.
Respect for human rights in European neighbourhood
The European Parliament has been recently conducting 3-hour interviews with European Commissioner-Designates. On 12th January Štefan Füle (Czech Republic), Commissioner-designate for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy (the post is responsible for EU relationships with its Eastern neighbours) agreed that the EU Neighbourhood Policy should not exist at the expense of EU values: that the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms should be at the basis of the European Union's Neighbourhood Policy.
Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-president of the European Parliament's Intergroup on LGBT Rights, said "I welcome Mr Füle's positive response to my inquiry on the issue of fundamental rights. We took note of his commitment, and MEPs will certainly hold him accountable to it. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration working towards more rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people—everywhere, and especially in the countries covered by the EU's Neighbourhood Policy."
www.europarl.europa.eu/hearings
Working for All
VAF: Communication and External Relations Officer
The Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) is a long-established, independent grant making charity. Through our grant programmes we provide resources to the voluntary sector in Scotland that equips organisations to tackle disadvantage, inequality and to build strong communities. This new post will work closely with VAF's Chief Executive to develop and implement VAF’s communication and marketing strategy aimed at identifying opportunities and developing relationships that will help us grow our business. £27,102 pro rata (28 hours per week). To find out more about VAF and to download an application pack for this post go to
http://www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk or call Susan Connell on 01383 620780. Deadline for applications is 25 January 2010.
LGBT Youth Scotland Volunteers
Is 2010 going to be the year you make a difference? Just a few hours per month can make a huge difference to young people in your community. We give you:- full training, our experience which becomes yours, something extra to put on your cv, travel expenses, ongoing support and supervision and references - not to mention social opportunities and an unforgettable and enjoyable good time!! You give us:- your time. Everyone's a winner!! LGBT Youth is looking for volunteers across Scotland, in the Borders, Dumfries, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling. If you're interested in voluntary work in any of these locations, do not hesitate to get in touch for more information at info@lgbtyouth.org.uk, or telephone 0131 555 3940.
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
Volunteer: Rowan Alba Activities Coordinator
Activities Co-ordinator at Thorntree Street and West Pilton Park and other areas throughout Edinburgh. To engage with service users on a group or individual basis to plan, prepare and deliver a range of activities with the aim of promoting positive lifestyle and motivation. To register interest, discuss the opportunity, or apply, please contact Davie Rutherford, Service Manager, Rowan Alba Ltd on 555 5240.
www.rowanalba.org
Commissioner for Scotland for the EHRC
The Commissioner must have: a passion for, and commitment to, equality and tackling discrimination; an understanding of the wider, strategic context of equalities; human rights and good relations in Scotland together, with an understanding of the work of the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament and how this will impact on the work of the EHRC; Proven experience and understanding of management and governance challenges gained at a senior level; the ability to think strategically and to drive forward strategic development across a range of issues; the ability to build and maintain partnership with a range of stakeholders; effective communication and interpersonal skills. For more information, and to apply online please visit the website
www.appointments.org.uk. Alternatively you can call 0870 240 3802 quoting the reference GEO9134C for a hard copy of the information pack or request an alternative format such as braille, large print and audio. Deadline for applications: 12 noon on 7 February 2010.
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
US: District of Columbia rules marriage is a human rights issue
In December 2009 the Washington DC assembly passed an ordinance legalising same-sex marriage in the District, which is expected to become law in spring 2010. A judge ruled in January that allowing a referendum to let a majority vote the freedom to marry away from a minority would violate the District’s Human Rights Act. Similiar referendums in 31 states of the US have banned marriage and in some cases civil unions for same-sex couples in 31 states in the US. (
Christian Science Monitor,
New York Times)
Mexico: capital city lifts gay marriage ban
In December Mexico City became the first city in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption. The bill passed the capital's local assembly by a 2/3rds majority as supporters chanted: "Yes, we could! Yes, we could!" The assembly has made several decisions that have been unpopular elsewhere in the deeply Roman Catholic country, including legalising abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
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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