14/07/2010
News Sent - 14th July 2010
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: See you at Pride!; Forums News: Tabloid bigotry against LGBT asylum seekers meets resistance; Will "Keeping Faith in Schools" get the balance right?; Imams help Muslims embrace their sexual orientation; Women like that - Lesbians over 60; Football fans say no to homophobic abuse; Question Time Edinburgh; Talk Scotland Events: Concern for LGBT groups as Glasgow LGBT Centre may close; Edinburgh: T-Time; Glasgow: Valhalla at the Tron; Edinburgh: Cachín Cachán Cachunga; Edinburgh: Bi Scotland; LGBT Homelessness Debate; Glasgow: Women Make History Merchant City Walking Tour; Edinburgh: Gay Dads Scotland; Glasgow: PAIH Cultural Awareness Training; Lesbian Belonging - Loving From the Inside Out; Aberdeen: Generations Working Together National Networking Conference; UK News: Openly-gay cleric again rejected for bishopric; Stonewall Cymru at Eisteddfod; Derby: Homophobic protesters fail to spoil Pride; Stonewall to sponsor UK Black Pride; International: Iraq: Police raid LGBT safe house; US: Personal information about gay teenagers for sale; Working for All: TGEU looking for a volunteer webmaster; Edinburgh: LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre; Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh: Trustees; LGBT Families: Ireland: couples look forward to tying the knot; Argentina: Catholic Church musters support against equal marriage;
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Equality Network
See you at Pride!
And we're all asking: Will it rain? The BBC says that in July "the Atlantic depression track sinks southwards to bring more unsettled conditions to northern Britain" and forecasts "light rain showers" for Saturday 17th July. Rain or shine or Atlantic depression, the Equality Network will be on the march (the Pride march starts from Kelvinway/Kelvingrove Park, 11:45 am) and at the community fair in George Square from 1pm. Look out for our Equality Network bakesale (all vegan/vegetarian contributions welcome!); pick up a copy of the new Halt Hate Crime resource; find out about EveryoneIN and the Transition Support Project; or just buy a cake, get a history poster, or a badge!
If you'd like to volunteer, to help carry the Equality Network and Scottish Transgender Alliance banners, or to help at our stalls, please e-mail (or look for our pink shirts at Kelvinway and join us there!).
prideglasgow.co.uk
Forums News
Tabloid bigotry against LGBT asylum seekers meets resistance
Last week's decision by the Supreme Court that LGBT asylum seekers from countries which persecute LGBT people could no longer be advised to go home and conceal their sexual orientation (
BBC,
EHRC), met with a homophobic response from three tabloid newspapers. A grassroots campaign "No room for gays? NO ROOM FOR HOMOPHOBES!" has reacted to the articles in the Daily Express, Daily Mail and Daily Star with the message "LGBT asylum seekers are welcome here". A statement has been initiated calling for a full retraction, and a protest organised for outside of the Daily Express offices in London on Thursday 15th July, 5.-6.30pm. More at the
National LGBT Forum news page. Former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe also attacked the judge's decision to allow two gay asylum seekers the right to stay in the UK. (
Pink News)
Will "Keeping Faith in Schools" get the balance right?
A one-day national conference in Edinburgh has been announced for Wednesday 29th September 2010, which is described as "bringing together a variety of stakeholders involved in the delivery of Religious and Moral Education and Religious Observance to discuss the future of faith in schools and, through examples of good practice, explore how teachers, pupils, parents and carers can get the balance right". Featured speakers include Michael McGrath, Director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service and Dr Alastair Noble, Educational Consultant for CARE in Scotland. As yet no representatives from anti-bullying organisations are featured, although faith schools have been shown to have increased levels of homophobic bullying compared to the already-high average level.
Keeping Faith in Schools: getting the balance right
Stonewall:
Education for All
Anti-Bullying Network:
Imams help Muslims embrace their sexual orientation
This week
BBC reports on British Asian gay Muslims who are, with the help of their local imams, working to reconcile their identities as LGBT, as British Asians, and as Muslims.
Imaan: LGBT Muslim Support Group
Women like that - Lesbians over 60
A researcher at at the University of Sussex is attempting to create a comprehensive picture of the older lesbian community in Britain. "The aims of the project are to challenge the social attitudes which have made older lesbians and bisexual women invisible, and to make their voices heard." Please contact Jane Traies [j.traies@sussex.ac.uk] for further information. (
Pink Paper) Questionnaire online:
www.womenlikethat.co.uk
Football fans say no to homophobic abuse
A self-selecting online survey, carried out by the University of Staffordshire, distributed in football fan forums, got more than 2,000 responses, which overwhelmingly opposed homophobic abuse shouted from the terraces and supported that the only thing that matters is how a player performs on the pitch. A majority also thought gay footballers should come out of the closet.
The Justin Campaign has been selected as the recipient of partial proceeds from a Canadian football fundraising calendar, this month: the campaign seeks to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions that exist around gay & bisexual men & women in football and work towards a future where the visibility of gay and bisexual men in professional football are both accepted and celebrated. (
Pink News,
Pink Paper) German football was engulfed in controversy today over remarks by the agent of a top footballer, who allegedly referred to a "bunch of gays" in the national team. (
Guardian)
Question Time Edinburgh
Some well-kent faces in the audience as well as on the panel for this broadcast of Question Time from Edinburgh.(
BBC iPlayer)
Talk Scotland Events
Concern for LGBT groups as Glasgow LGBT Centre may close
Reports in the mainstream and pink press about Glasgow LGBT Centre do not touch on the concerns of Glasgow LGBT groups and individuals losing the venue. Glasgow's first LGBT Centre opened in 1977 (and was forced to close in the 1980s). The first community ceilidh to raise funds for the Centre was held on 17th March 1991. For 13 years, from March 1996 to 2009, the Centre at Dixon Street and then at Bell Street, was a venue for LGBT groups and events. Glasgow Council has withdrawn funding from the Centre under present management: the Centre is likely to close again after only a few months in 2010. The loss of the Centre as a resource for LGBT people in Glasgow and in the Strathclyde area, is a concern that has yet to receive the same attention. (
Herald,
PinkNews)
Edinburgh: T-Time
1-5pm, Sat 17th July. An informal social for all transgender people, partners, family and friends on the third Saturday of every month from 1pm until 5pm. Drop in and have a chat in a friendly relaxed environment – there’s also space to change.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Glasgow: Valhalla at the Tron
6th Jul-24th July at @ 7.30pm. "As camp as Carry On, as outrageously funny as Cooking With Elvis, as historically accurate as Blackadder" the Tron Theatre Company invites you to enter the glittering halls of Valhalla this summer. Based on the true events of the life of 'Mad' Ludwig of Bavaria. AD and BSL performance: Thurs 22 July, captioned performance: Fri 23 July
Edinburgh: Cachín Cachán Cachunga
7:30-1am, Tues 20th July, The Street, Picardy Place. A Queer & Trans Night of Dance, Film, Poetry & Music. Only £3/£2. First 25 people in the door get a free something!
More info at:
www.blissfultimes.ca/cachin.htm
Edinburgh: Bi Scotland
8-9:30pm, Wed 21st July, 9 Howe Street.
Bi Edinburgh is a free group for people who are bisexual or questioning their sexual orientation. This is a safe space to talk with and meet new people and to find out what is going on in the community.
LGBT Homelessness Debate
7-9pm, Wed 22nd July. Have you ever had issues with housing? Felt unsafe in your tenancy? We have a panel of experts from Edinburgh Council, the Cyrenians, the Scottish Transgender Alliance, and individuals who have experienced homelessness, to discuss this issue which so often faces LGBT people. This event is free but please book in advance! To book email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk or call 0131 523 1100.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Glasgow: Women Make History Merchant City Walking Tour
2pm, Sunday 25th July, Uncover the Merchant City’s hidden history during this walk around Glasgow’s cosmopolitan hub. Join Glasgow Women’s Library tour guides to discover the female stars that stud the fabric of this famous quarter. Scandal, vice, radicalism, regeneration and revival are topics highlighted by this original tour. Free event. If you are interested in attending please contact the library
via the GWL website or call 0141 552 8345.
Edinburgh: Gay Dads Scotland
8pm, 29th July. Last Thursday of every month at the LGBT Centre at 58 Broughton Street, Edinburgh. No prior registration required, but if you want to let them know you are coming or have questions e-mail info@gaydadsscotland.org.uk. Meet from 8pm in Cafe Nom de Plume from 8pm (look out for a sign on a table) and retire to a private meeting room downstairs about 8.15pm.
www.gaydadsscotland.org.uk
Glasgow: PAIH Cultural Awareness Training
9.30 am – 4.30 pm, Thurs 29th July, at 98 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1PJ. This highly successful one day course will give you a deeper understanding of some of the key cultural differences and communication barriers affecting people from black minority ethnic communities. It will enhance your organisation’s interpersonal communications. You will be able to recognise the needs of different groups of people and effectively adapt the approach you use with service users. To book, email suki@paih.org.
www.paih.org/users/training
Lesbian Belonging - Loving From the Inside Out
18-25 September 2010, weeklong workshop 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." For more information enquiries@findhorn.org
www.findhorn.org
Aberdeen: Generations Working Together National Networking Conference
15th September. An all-day event for intergenerational practitioners from throughout Scotland. Keynote Speaker:Matt Kaplan, Associate Professor, Intergenerational Programs and Ageing, Penn State University, Pennsylvania. Free event,
book at SCIP website. "Generations Working Together" has also organised an Intergenerational Masterclass with Matt Kaplan, Tues 14th Sept, cost £50 for the day, limited places.
The autumn seminar series, an introduction to safety and disclosure for intergenerational activities, takes place across Scotland. To book, contact Janice Burr (Centre for the Older Person's Agenda (COPA), Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Musselburgh, EH21 6UU
Tel. 0131 474 0000 or email jburr@qmu.ac.uk) with your preferred date: Stornoway (Thurs 30 Sept); Hamilton (Tues 5 Oct); Glasgow (Tues 5 Oct); Kirkcaldy (Tues 2 Nov); Brechin (Thurs 4 Nov); Dumfries (Tues 9 Nov); Inverness (Tues 16 Nov); Kilmarnock (Tues 23 Nov); Greenock (Wed 25 Nov);
UK News
Openly-gay cleric again rejected for bishopric
The Rev Dr Jeffrey John, the partnered but celibate Dean of St Albans, has been blocked from becoming a Church of England bishop for the second time, after his candidature for the Diocese of Southwark was rejected. "Hardliners" are described as objecting to the appointment of anyone who has been in a same-sex relationship or who holds non-homophobic views. (
Ekklesia)
Ruth Gledhill
wrote in 2003: "In a Church of England beset by crippling financial difficulties, the real threat by evangelical parishes to divert their substantial funds elsewhere meant that there was little alternative but to sacrifice Jeffrey John."
Richard Coles
writes in 2010: "The church is so polarised about homosexuality that it is difficult to see what the centre might be of a Communion in which a Canadian bishop blesses the same-sex unions a Ugandan bishop thinks deserve the death penalty."
Simon Barrow at Ekklesia
writes this week: "Why the obsession with sex?" - "Sexuality is a part of human experience which, for many people, vividly embodies the sheer joy as well as the occasional terror of living. It is intensely personal, it is a channel of life-giving but can also be a place of deadly abuse. It is a source of pleasure and fulfilment, but can sometimes make us feel weak and fearful."
Stonewall Cymru at Eisteddfod
31st July to 7th August. This year’s National Eisteddfod, Wales’ leading Welsh Language and culture event, will be in Ebbw Vale and
Stonewall Cymru will once again have a stall there. Also at Cardiff Mardi Gras on Saturday 4th September.
Derby: Homophobic protesters fail to spoil Pride
Last Saturday in Derby, a group of 14 protesters claiming to be from the Islamic community waved placards bearing homophobic messages. People taking part in the parade turned their backs on the protest or blew whistles and shouted "out and proud". There were no arrests. Two people interviewed said: "This is a free country. Why should gay people be subjected to abuse?" and "My 18-year-old grandson is gay. He is who he is. Who are these people to tell others how to live? It's totally wrong – I'm glad they were drowned out." Shaun Peaty of
Derby Pride said that Pride attracted around 8,500 visitors and was an "overwhelming success. " (
ThisIsDerbyshire,
MidlandsZone)
Stonewall to sponsor UK Black Pride
Saturday 14th August, Regent's Park, London. Black Pride is the UK's biggest celebration of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American LGBT people and their friends. The theme for this year's event is 'Pride, A Deeper Love'. Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "UK Black Pride shows the power of communities coming together to celebrate diversity. Stonewall encourages everyone to attend the festival." Tickets for Black Pride are on sale now and can be bought
www.ukblackpride.org.uk (
Pink News)
International
Iraq: Police raid LGBT safe house
There is growing concern that the Iraqi government is stepping up a witch-hunt against gays and lesbians in the country after a police raid on a Karbala safe house. According to reports, one of the arrested people has turned up in hospital. Nothing is known about the whereabouts of the other five individuals, which include two gay men, one lesbian and two transgender people.
http://iraqilgbt.org.uk/news-home/iraqi-police-raid-karbala-safe-house/
http://meemgroup.org/news/2010/06/iraqi-police-raid-karbala-safe-house/
US: Personal information about gay teenagers for sale
The owner of XY Magazine and its associated website - which catered for gay & bisexual teenagers - filed for bankruptcy earlier this year. XY's creditors have applied for the firm's one remaining valuable asset: its database of one million users."The database, containing personal information about many tens of thousands of young gay men, many of whom may not yet be certain of their sexual orientation, or be out even to family and friends about their sexual orientation, may legallybe sold in the US, and the creditors are said to be keen to obtain the maximum value for the database, which might include selling it for commercial purposes at odds with the original intention of XY. Protection of information laws would prevent this kind of sale in Europe. (
BBC,
Computer Weekly,
CNet)
Working for All
TGEU looking for a volunteer webmaster
Fancy making an impact for transgender rights in Europe? Know Drupal or have experience with running CMS-based websites? Have 2-4 spare hours per week? Want to work with a multi-cultural team in a fascinating field? Email Richard@tgeu.org stating why you’d like to help TransGender Europe and detailing your webmaster experience.
More info:
www.tgeu.org/node/137
Edinburgh: LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre
Administrator & Project Assistant £18,321-£19,830 (F/T post) Seeking to recruit a proactive, motivated, positive and enthusiastic individual for the role of Administrator & Project Assistant. Deadline: noon, Thurs 29th July 2010. Interviews: Monday 9th August 2010. For application pack, call 0131 523 1100 or email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk or go to website:
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh: Trustees
Scottish Ministers are currently seeking to appoint 2 members to the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. These appointments offer an excellent opportunity to contribute to the work of a major visitor attraction which has one of the world’s most valuable scientific collections, and is a centre of excellence in botanical and horticultural science. Time commitment approx 16 days pa, most meetings in Edinburgh. Non-remunerated, but travel, subsistence costs, and dependant carer and childcare expenses reimbursed. Deadline 6th August 2010. More information at the
public appointments website.
www.rbge.org.uk
LGBT Families
Ireland: couples look forward to tying the knot
Seven years after their first date, Simon Sweeny and James Callan are looking forward to being one of the first gay couples in Ireland to legally tie the knot when Civil Partnership becomes available for same-sex couples next year. (
Independent.ie)
Catholic Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe said a civic reception this Monday “Following formal proceedings last night and when asked his views on the Oireachtas passing the Civil Partnership Bill, Bishop Walsh said: “I’ve always been hesitant about asking civil authorities to support a particular teaching of our church. ... I respect people who are of homosexual orientation and I would be always conscious of the fact that very often we in the church have hurt them and hurt them deeply and I am saddened by that and saddened by the lack of respect for any human being. So that is really all I would like to say on that.” (
Irish Times)
Argentina: Catholic Church musters support against equal marriage
Thousands of protesters convened by the Catholic and evangelical churches in Argentina, under the banner, "Children have a right to a father and a mother" demonstrated outside Argentina's Congress this Tuesday. Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio called on priests in Buenos Aires, where he is archbishop, to protest against it, saying "We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God." If passed, the bill will make Argentina the first Latin American country to lift the ban on same-sex couples marrying. (
CNN,
PinkNews)
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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