08/07/2009
News Sent: 8th July 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: National LGBT Forum and Scottish Transgender Alliance Forum; EveryOne IN: groundbreaking research now available; Forums News: Beating the bullies: ending homophobic harassment at work; Homophobic Attack on Queen's Cross Church; Talk Scotland Events: Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (LGLS) to close; The Farewell Ceilidh: 31st October; Edinburgh: “Rights of Women in Islam”; Independent Living in Scotland project seminar; UK News: Pride London; Bishop calls for repentance of sexual orientation; Tatchell to speak at Torbay Pride; UK Black Pride International: India: New Delhi decriminalises homosexuality; Poland: Tory partners in European Parliament still maintain anti-gay stance; Uganda: Trans activist honoured as international grand marshal of Toronto Pride; Working for All: Glasgow Women's Library: Artists in Residence; International Law & Protection Programme: Internships; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation: Ireland: Dear Mr Ahern: Yours truly, Helen Doody; US: Washington D.C. adopts same-sex marriage recognition
If you're interested in using the Equality Network's bulletin boards to share information about local and international news and events in your area, e-mail ENnews@equality-network.org by close of day Friday each week for inclusion in next week's mailing.
If you have a Facebook account, you can join the
Equality Network group. Regular news updates and writings on the wall.
The boards at
equality-network.invisionzone.com are now available only for posting news and events. A community discussion board is under development. Please send material for inclusion on the boards and in the weekly e-bulletin by end of day Friday each week.
Equality Network News
National LGBT Forum and Scottish Transgender Alliance Forum
Wednesday 15th July, 5pm- 8pm,
Central Scotland Police HQ, Randolphfield, Stirling, FK8 2HD.
There are still places left on the National LGBT Forum. If you are a member of a local group or forum, an individual who wants more of a say in what happens in your community or an organisation trying to involve LGBT people in your structures this event is for you. Engaging LGBT communities in planning and local decision making has never been more important. This meeting of the National LGBT forum will look at the issues and good practice surrounding LGBT participation. For further information or to register for the National LGBT forum contact LGBTForum@equalitynetwork.org.
The Scottish Transgender Alliance Forum is an opportunity for transgender people from across Scotland to meet each other, find out about the latest goings on in transgender equality work, share knowledge and discuss equality issues that matter to them. The forum was originally planned for 4th July: if you wish to attend the re-scheduled forum on 15th July, please e-mail or phone James Morton on james@equality-network.org / 07840 570 202 to confirm.
www.scottishtrans.org
EveryOne IN: groundbreaking research now available
EveryOne IN: Working towards Equality for Minority Ethnic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Scotland is the first research of its kind in Scotland and tackles a subject that has long been ignored or deemed “too controversial” to openly discuss. Funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission and delivered in partnership by Equality Network and Black and Ethnic Minorities Infrastructure in Scotland (BEMIS), EveryOne IN details the findings from nine months research. To receive more details and a booking form for the launch in Glasgow on Friday 28th August please email timc@equality-network.org or phone 07020 933 952. The research summary and full report can also be downloaded from the Equality Network website:
www.equality-network.org/minorityethniclgbt
Forums News
Beating the bullies: ending homophobic harassment at work
A couple who had been harassed at work by a colleague, and told by their manager "Don't expect anything to be done about it", have won compensation for harassment and constructive dismissal at an industrial tribunal. The tribunal ruled that comments saying their relationship was "disgusting" constituted harassment, and that Aquatec's conduct thereafter aggravated the position. (
Telegraph,
PinkNews)
Homophobic Attack on Queen's Cross Church
The Rev Scott Rennie was inducted as the minister of Queen’s Cross Church on Friday 3rd July. A board proclaiming the church had been turned into a “den of iniquity” was found attached to the church door the following day, nailed there by Alister MacKinnon, who opposes both the ordination of gay men and all women (
Aberdeen Press and Journal): MacKinnon said his faith helped him recover from a drinking problem 20 years ago but that now he believed the church was no longer a haven. Rennie said on Monday that the gesture would not spoil a “lovely weekend” which included his first service at Queen’s Cross. (
Aberdeen Press and Journal)
Talk Scotland Events
Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (LGLS) to close
After 35 years of service to the LGBT community in the Lothians, LGLS is to wind down with effect from 1 November 2009. The Switchboard was founded in 1974, and over four decades with over 300 volunteers they have helped thousands of callers looking for advice, support, and contact within the LGBT communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians. LGLS say:"Whilst there have been many factors influencing our decision, we recognise that social attitudes towards lesbian and gay people have become more aware and understanding. This has resulted in the decline of telephone calls received". The services LGLS has provided will continue until November 2009: telephone advice, e-mail service, and Icebreakers. If you have questions, please contact LGLS during office hours on their admin line at 0131 556 8997 / lgls.switchboard@btconnect.com.
www.lgls.co.uk
The Farewell Ceilidh: 31st October
For many years Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard has hosted a biennial dance at the Assembly Rooms in George Street, fundraising and celebrating for the LGBT community in Edinburgh. Their last ceilidh ball will take place on 31 October 2009. Further details will be announced in July/August.
www.lgls.co.uk
Edinburgh: “Rights of Women in Islam”
Thursday 23rd July 2009, 11am-1pm, at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, EH3 6TE. Lunch provided, child-care available, bus tickets reimbursed. This event is A Women in the Community Event, in partnership between Shakti Womens Aid and Amina, the Muslim Womens Resource Centre. Learn what Islam says about women and their rights; Find answers to your questions and doubts on Islam; Find out about Shakti Women’s Aid and its services. Contact Shakti Women’s Aid on 0131 475 2399 or info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk to register. Free event, limited
spaces available.
www.shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Independent Living in Scotland project seminar
The Independent Living in Scotland project (ILIS) aims to strengthen the Independent Living Movement throughout Scotland and to encourage disabled people to join it. It also aims to support disabled people to have their voices heard. The ILIS project is interested in hearing from Disabled People's groups and networks in all areas of Scotland and also those representing communities such as BME, LGBT and young people. If you represent a DPO or a coalition of DPOs and would be interested in working with ILIS to develop and deliver a seminar on independent living please get in touch by email by 31st July 2009. contactilis@equalityhumanrights.com
www.independentlivingscotland.co.uk
UK News
Pride London
It's estimated at least half a million people were on the march at London Pride last Saturday. Sarah Brown was among the first group of marchers to lead the Pride march along Oxford Street.It's estimated at least half a million people were on the march at London Pride last Saturday. Sarah Brown was among the first group of marchers to lead the Pride march along Oxford Street. (
Scotsman,
London Echo)
Pride in London through the years in pictures:
BBC
A reception for organisers of London Pride and the pink press.was hosted in Downing Street's gardens before the march. (
PinkNews)
Ekklesia reported that religious groups out at Pride included Christian, Jewish, and Muslim LGBT people of faith.
Critics of London Pride called for a stronger political message, and said too little had been done by London Pride to mark the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. (
Guardian)
On Sunday 5th July, political leaders from several parties argued over which party has the better right to claim the "pink vote": a leader in the Independent claimed the row began as "Gordon Brown and David Cameron competed to show off their liberal credentials during Pride Week". (
Independent)
Bishop calls for repentance of sexual orientation
A senior bishop in the Church of England declared in a newspaper interview last Sunday that that LGB people should "repent and be changed" of their sexual orientation. (
Telegraph) Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who retires from the dioscese of Rochester in September, appears to have timed his comments in the Sunday Telegraph for the day after Pride in London and the day before the launch of a new Anglican group, FCA, which defines itself by opposing LGBT inclusion in the Anglican Church. (
Ekklesia) The Queen, in her capacity as head of the Church of England, has made a public statement of support for FoCA, and her good wishes for the launch. (
Telegraph) Bishop Nazir-Ali was one of the bishops who boycotted last year's Lambeth Conference in protest at the Church's failure to sufficiently condemn Bishop Gene Robinson as an openly-gay bishop. He said in Telegraph on Sunday "We welcome homosexuals, we don’t want to exclude people." Peter Tatchell called on the bishop to repent his homophobia.
The Bishop's comments have been widely condemned by Christian as well as secular groups. (
Independent)
Reverend George Pitcher: "There's no pride in bashing gays, Bishop" (
Telegraph)
Jonathan Bartley: "Evangelicals are betraying their heritage" (
Guardian)
Tatchell to speak at Torbay Pride
The first LGBT Pride event to be held at Torbay in South Devon on 17th-19th July, has invited Peter Tatchell to be the guest speaker. Torbay has been referred to as the “Queen of the English Riviera” since Victorian times, and the organisers note that there used to be men-only and women-only beaches for bathing. Tatchell will be speaking before the open-air cinema screening of Milk in front of Torre Abbey Mansion on Friday 17th July. (
Torquay Herald Express)
www.pridetorbay.org
UK Black Pride
Saturday 15th August, 12 noon-9:30pm, Regents College, London, NW1 4NS. The Black Pride festival was created to promote unity among Black people of African, Asian Middle Eastern & Latin American descent who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender. Tickets available online. Volunteers still needed. Places available for stalls in the UK Black Pride Market Place at the festival.
www.ukblackpride.org.uk Facebook
friends of UK Black Pride.
International
India: New Delhi decriminalises homosexuality
The Delhi High Court judgment on Section 377 de-criminalised sex among consenting adults of the same sex in private on Friday 3rd July. The
Times of India reports that this is regarded as "reasonable and well-balanced" by the Manmohan Singh government, which is unlikely to oppose the order in the Supreme Court. The ruling, the first of its kind in India, applies only in New Delhi, which is the capital city of India and the second-largest metropolis with 15.9 million residents. (
BBC)
Poland: Tory partners in European Parliament still maintain anti-gay stance
The new European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, a bloc formed by the UK Conservative Party 26 MEPs after the recent election, includes the Polish Law and Justice (PiS) party, the second-largest group in the new bloc. William Hague claimed in a BBC interview on 17th June that the PiS had “changed their attitudes to gay rights”, but
UK Gay News reports that PiS MEP Konrad Szymanski said in an interview with the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita this weekend that his party’s anti-gay policies have not changed, a statement confirmed by Polish LGBT activists. (
UK Gay News)
Uganda: Trans activist honoured as international grand marshal of Toronto Pride
Victor Mukasa has been involved with initiating a Trans Declaration in 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as having conducted workshops in various parts of Africa that have sparked trans activism. In 2005, Ugandan government officials raided Mukasa's home and arrested a Kenyan friend who was staying at his house at the time.
Toronto Pride 2009 named Mukasa as their International Grand Marshall to honour his work across countries and continents for human rights. Mukasa said: "Once we unite as an LGBT human rights movement and later on as LGBT people in the world, then we are going to achieve whatever we want." (
The Advocate)
Working for All
Glasgow Women's Library: Artists in Residence
Glasgow Women's Library (GWL) seeks two 6-month part time Artist Residencies to be based within the library. The residencies offer an exciting opportunity for two artists to work with the rich resources of Glasgow Women's Library - staff, learners, users and archive - to achieve the aims and focus of Making space: toward a public artwork for GWL. The residence opportunities are offered to develop ideas, visuals and participatory working methods that can inform GWL's ambitions to realise a public artwork for their new premises at the Mitchell Library, Glasgow. The residencies will support the artists' investigation of Women's histories and representation in the Public Realm, as well as potential means of engagement and consultation with diverse constituents of GWL. For further details and an application form go to
Glasgow Women's Library website: or call GWL on 0141 552 8345 or e-mail: info@womenslibrary.org.uk Deadline for applications: Friday 24 July 2009.
www.womenslibrary.org.uk
International Law & Protection Programme: Internships
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a worldwide network of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights.They are currently seeking two interns for 6 months from October 2009, to work for the ICJ's Project on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and for the Project on Women's Human Rights. Both internships are based at the ICJ's International Secretariat in Geneva and require a degree in law. Through this Programme the ICJ takes a leading role in shaping and working for new global and regional international law when existing standards and mechanisms do not adequately protect, and for international law to be put into practice nationally. The ICJ puts particular emphasis on tackling impunity and working for victims to obtain remedies and reparation. The ICJ is not in a position to offer any financial remuneration to interns. All interns are responsible for all expenses and costs incurred in undertaking an internship with the ICJ. Further details available via
new vacancy announcements on the
ICJ's website.
FYI:
www.internship-uk.com/Scholarship.asp /
www.globalgateway.org
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
Ireland: Dear Mr Ahern: Yours truly, Helen Doody
"I have six sons Mr Ahern, six very beautiful boys who became six very beautiful and upstanding young men! Two of my boys are gay. Four are straight. Two are firemen. Two love playing video games. One loves to cook. Three of them love cars. Five of them have had their tonsils out. All of them are my sons. You have the power to change this country so do the right thing and change this country for the better, wake up and realise that there is still time to clean up this mess and give gay couples the same rights as straight couples." (
Pink News)
US: Washington D.C. adopts same-sex marriage recognition
From Tuesday 7th July, the District of Columbia will join New York State in recognising all same-sex marriages performed in other states – a move that is being called a potential first step toward allowing same-sex couples to wed in the nation’s capital. Same-sex marriage is currently lawful in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa. In Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, same-sex marriage will soon become lawful. Same-sex couples who were legally married in California between June and November are still recognized as married despite the passing of Proposition 8, which bans recognition of any other same-sex marriages in California. (
Christian Science Monitor)
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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