EQUALITY NETWORK - LGBT News - News sent

02/12/2009
News sent - 2nd December 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: National LGBT Forum; Race, Religion and Belief; Transgender Representations in the Media Survey; Forums News: Perth and Kinross tackle homophobia; Scottish Women's Aid asks: Urge your MSP to support domestic abuse motion; 16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence; Glasgow: Personal Safety & Self Defence Workshop; Glasgow: 'Home is Where the Heart is' Project Exhibition; Glasgow: Domestic Abuse and Disability Drama Event; Masculine Femininities Zine; Talk Scotland Events: An Uncertain Mix: Equality and Scottish Devolution; NHS Lothian: Can you help us develop equality?; ACPOS LGBT Reference Group Biennial Conference; Glasgow: Imaan - the support group for Muslim LGBT people; Edinburgh: My Safety! First Aid in the Home; Glasgow: Crosslynx monthly meeting; Edinburgh: Loud & Proud Festive Concert; Central Scotland Trans Group monthly meeting; Galashiels: Women's Film Group; Glasgow: b)other at GOMA; UK News: Counsellor who refused to work with gay couples loses appeal; Peter Tatchell on the Equality Bill; THT: level of undiagnosed HIV completely unacceptable; International: EU: Stockholm programme - more citizens' rights; Uganda: EU, US, and Canada oppose Anti-Homosexuality Bill; LGBT Families: Mixed-sex couple challenge ban on civil partnership; Ireland: lgbtNOISE flash demo for civil partnership debate; US: Bishop rules that clergy may solemnize same-sex marriage

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Equality Network News
National LGBT Forum; Race, Religion and Belief
5:30-8:30pm,14th January 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.

Transgender Representations in the Media Survey
When was the last time you saw a transgendered person on TV? Trans Media Watch, in association with the Scottish Transgender Alliance, is running a survey looking at the effect of the media on transgender people's lives. This could help to establish the evidence needed to challenge transphobic publishers and programme-makers. Please consider taking part. The survey will run until the end of January.

Forums News
Perth and Kinross tackle homophobia
The measures initiated by Perth and Kinross Council since James Kerr, a council employee, was murdered in a homophobic assault two and a half years ago, will be revealed by the local authority today. A member of the public has asked the council “What actions, initiatives, and projects has the council and its partners undertaken in these two-and-a-half years to address homophobic crime, engage with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual communities, and how has it fulfilled its designation as a Stonewall diversity champion?” (Aberdeen Press and Journal)

Scottish Women's Aid asks: Urge your MSP to support domestic abuse motion
Cathy Peattie MSP has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament noting the results of the Scottish Women's Aid census day, and SWA asks: "we really like to see widespread Cross-Party support for this issue. If you could take a few moments to contact your MSP and ask them to support this motion that would be great. "*S3M-5277 Cathy Peattie: Scottish Women’s Aid Census—That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Scottish Women’s Aid census day statistics, collected over a 24-hour period on 24 September 2009" (Women refused at refuges as domestic abuse rate rises 8%)

16 Days of Action Against Gender Violence
The 16 Days begin on 25th November, the International Day Against Violence Against Women and run to 10th December International Human Rights Day. (Engender)

Finale - A night of celebration 6-7:30pm, Wed 9th Dec, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art, 2 Castle St, Glasgow. North Glasgow 16 Days Planning Group, Cara Wright, Cara.Wright@gcpl.org.uk
Glasgow: Personal Safety & Self Defence Workshop 6-8pm, 4th Dec, Drumchapel Community Centre, Kinfauns Drive. Women will have the opportunity to watch or try out some of the basic and simple first forms of defence that can be used to help identify, avoid and escape potentially dangerous situations. Women attending these workshops find them to be really positive in focussing on what women can do as opposed to what they can't.
Glasgow: 'Home is Where the Heart is' Project Exhibition 11am-1pm, 9th Dec, Fab Pad Showroom, Red Road Flats. Joint exhibition of work produced through interior design project in partnership with Impact Arts, Maryhill Integration Network and Central & West Integration Network.
Glasgow: Domestic Abuse and Disability Drama Event 2-4pm, 10th Dec, Disability Community, 74 Closeburn Street. The Achievers Women's Group presents a community drama event exploring domestic abuse issues experienced by disabled women.

Masculine Femininities Zine
"...a voice and tool for those of us who most often do not fit in and yet want to be seen, heard, talked about and the rest. There is a lot more to say but for now these are some of our stories about what it means to be masculine feminine, Trans or something else, in our meaningful eyes, our sexy shoes and in our crazy worlds." masculinefemininities.wordpress.com

Talk Scotland Events
An Uncertain Mix: Equality and Scottish Devolution
6-8pm, 15 Dec, Scottish Parliament, Committee Room 6. "Has devolution helped to achieve a fairer Scotland? Would Scotland be a fairer place if the Scottish Parliament had greater equal opportunity powers?" Research commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission suggests that the Scottish Parliament’s impact in tackling inequality over the last ten years, while positive, has been limited. Uncertainty about the scope of devolved equal opportunity powers and limited accountability are seen as important barriers to progress. The Commission warmly invites you to hear more about these findings and to debate these issues with them.
www.equalityhumanrights.com

NHS Lothian: Can you help us develop equality?
10am-3.30pm, 14th Dec. The NHS in Lothian covers a huge variety of different communities, cultures and individuals. How do we make sure that NHS Lothian can meet the health and employment needs of such a diversity of people? If you have an interest in one or more of these areas: age, disability, gender, race, religious belief or sexual orientation, NHS Lothian would be delighted if you could attend this event as they would like to involve as broad a range of people as possible. The event is free. If you would like to book a place, contact judith.hamilton@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk to receive a booking form ASAP, or contact Judith Hamilton directly at NHS Lothian on 0131 537 639

ACPOS LGBT Reference Group Biennial Conference
10am-4pm, 17th Dec, Scottish Police College, Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine, Fife. Free event. Transport from Stirling Rail Station will be provided. This national conference provides an opportunity for LGBT groups and people across Scotland to come together with representatives from the police and national LGBT organisations to discuss how to establish trust between the police and LGBT people.

Glasgow: Imaan - the support group for Muslim LGBT people
2-4pm, 6th Dec, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street. Pav Akhtar, the Chair of Imaan, will speak about the realities and challenges of being a LGBT practising Muslim, what Imaan does to support its members and the opportunities presented by the Single Equality Bill for LGBT communities.
www.imaan.org.uk

Edinburgh: My Safety! First Aid in the Home
6-7:30pm, 7th Dec, Health & Wellbeing Centre, 9 Howe Street. The Scottish Ambulance Service provide a workshop with key information about First Aid in the home, what to do and at what point to call the Emergency Services.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Glasgow: Crosslynx monthly meeting
7:30-9pm, Wed 9th Dec, Trophy Room in the Polo Lounge, Update of group business and forwarding of information regarding any Transgender event or news.
www.crosslynx.org.uk

Edinburgh: Loud & Proud Festive Concert
8-9pm, Sat 12th Dec, George Square Theatre. Loud & Proud, Scotland’s only LGBT choir, invites you to join them at their fabulous Festive Concert.
www.loudandproudchoir.org

Central Scotland Trans Group monthly meeting
7-10pm, Sat 12th Dec. In Dunblane, location details on contact. Excellent opportunity to bring yourself up to date with what's happening around the Central belt, and some nice cakes are always available.
Central Scotland Transgender Group

Galashiels: Women's Film Group
7:30pm, Sat 12th Dec, Galashiels. The next film night of the Scottish Borders Womens Film Group. For further info and to be added to the mailing list please contact Gina Gordon on 0772 375 7009 or e-mail gina@borderslgbt.org.uk

Glasgow: b)other at GOMA
b)other is a new exhibition at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), looking at the intersection between LGBTI experiences and disability. Entry is free and you can find it on the second floor balcony. There's a zine, A Spot of b)other, accompanying the show, which is running as part of the sh[OUT] project. Runs till Sunday 21 February 2010.
Can Glasgow really be b)othered? by Jennie Kermode

UK News
Counsellor who refused to work with gay couples loses appeal
Gary MacFarlane, a former church elder, who was dismissed from his job wit Relate after he asserted his faith did not permit him to offer sexual relationship counselling to same-sex couples, appealed his dismissal on grounds of religious discrimination at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in Bristol. The tribunal, chaired by employment judge Toomer, dismissed Mr MacFarlane's claims of harassment. A spokesperson for Relate said: "our primary consideration is to our clients who often need complex advice and assistance. We cannot allow anything to damage our clients, or to undermine the principle of trust that underpins our work." The Christian Legal Center supported McFarlane during his appeal. (BBC)

Peter Tatchell on the Equality Bill
Peter Tatchell today accused the Government of thwarting attempts to table amendments to the Equalities Bill. The Bill, which is has its ‘report stage’ in the House of Commons today (Dec 2), has been allocated one day for MPs to debate the entire legislative proposal. (UK Gay News, Pink Paper)

THT: level of undiagnosed HIV completely unacceptable
In 2008, 7,300 people were diagnosed with HIV and gay and bisexual men are still one of the highest risk groups for infection, although new infections in this group has fallen from the previous year. 58% of new diagnoses were among heterosexuals, two-thirds of whom were likely to have acquired the infection abroad. The proportion all new heterosexual diagnoses acquired in the UK is steadily rising. In response to the new statistics, Nick Partridge, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), said: "The level of undiagnosed HIV in the country is completely unacceptable. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, most people with HIV can live to old age. If left undiagnosed, they will die earlier, be significantly more ill and more likely to infect others."(BBC, PinkNews, Fyne Time)

International
EU: Stockholm programme - more citizens' rights
The EU’s third "Equality summit", taking place in Stockholm, aimed to “promote equal rights and equal opportunities for all in the European Union, and to share knowledge and experiences in order to develop more effective ways of counteracting all forms of discrimination”. This year’s summit, co-organised by the Swedish EU Presidency and the European Commission, particularly focuses on the situation of the Roma as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the European societies. (Europarl.europa.eu, Europolitics.info)

Uganda: EU, US, and Canada oppose Anti-Homosexuality Bill
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill now before the Ugandan Parliament imposes life imprisonment as the minimum penalty, includes the death penalty for some sexual acts, and penalises friends and family members who do not report LGBT people to the authorities. (Guardian)

Louis Michel, former Development Commissioner and Co-President of the ACP (African-Caribbean-Pacific)/EU (European Union) Joint Parliamentary Assembly, denounced the draft law as attacking human rights, and called for the separation of religion from politics and mutual respect. During the discussion with the European Commission, and despite some ACP delegates insisting that they could do “what they wanted” in their own countries, Development Commissioner Karel De Gucht noted that they had obligations under the Cotonou Agreement, as well as under International Conventions. (UK Gay News)
At a press conference announcing that the 2012 International AIDS Conference will be held in the United States, Hilary Clinton announced “We have to stand against any efforts to marginalize and criminalize and penalize members of the LGBT community worldwide.” The conference has not been held inside the United States since 1990 due to the HIV travel ban. The ban on people who are HIV+ travelling to the US will be lifted on 4th January 2010. (The Advocate, OnTopMag)
The Prime Minister of Canada raised the Anti-Homosexuality Bill directly with President Museveni of Uganda at the Commonwealth Summit in November, indicating Canada's deep concern and strong opposition to this kind of legislation. (Toronto Star)
In a passionate speech at Manchester's World Aids Day memorial gathering, city councillor Paul Fairweather called on the crowd to “campaign, campaign, campaign” for universal treatment, and to stop this "barbaric bill" before the Ugandan government. (Lesbian and Gay Foundation)

Writing in the Ugandan Independent, Anne Mugisha says: "the covert purpose of the Bill is political rather than moral. It is an instrument for mobilization of the masses, that is meant to detract from government’s policy failures and eventually it will be used to persecute opposition politicians."

LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
Mixed-sex couple challenge ban on civil partnership
The mixed-sex couple whose civil partnership application was denied by Islington council, announced last Wednesday that they will challenge the refusal in court. Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle are the first mixed-sex couple to apply for a civil partnership in the UK. They say that the denial constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation, and that such a distinction amounts to segregation in matrimonial law. They are supported in their challenge by Peter Tatchell and by Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury.
An Islington Council spokesman said: "The law dictates that a civil partnership is only for couples of the same sex. "The council must follow the law, of course, and so we have not been able to accept Mr Freeman and Ms Doyle's application for a civil partnership." (The Jurist, BBC, Islington Gazette, PeterTatchell.net)

Ireland: lgbtNOISE flash demo for civil partnership debate
The Civil Partnership Bill for same-sex couples has been scheduled to be discussed in D�il �ireann on Thursday 3rd December. An lgbtNOISE Flash Demo has been announced for 6pm that evening at D�il �ireann, Kildare St, Dublin.

US: Bishop rules that clergy may solemnize same-sex marriage
Episcopal clergy in the Diocese of Massachusetts may now solemnise marriages for all eligible couples, both same-sex and mixed-sex, Bishop M. Thomas Shaw ruled last week. Solemnisation under Massachusetts law includes hearing the declaration of consent, pronouncing the marriage and signing the marriage certificate. Marriage has been equal in the state of Massachusetts since 2004, the first US state to lift the ban on same-sex couples marrying. (www.episcopalchurch.org)

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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