28/08/2009
News sent - 27th August 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: EveryOne IN: launch in Glasgow 28th August; STA Forum - a roundtable with EHRC Scotland legal team; National LGBT Conference volunteer; Forums News: Acceptance of LGBT people in the Anglican church; Strathclyde Police hold LGBT recruitment day; Cervical screening research; Talk Scotland Events: Herald Society Awards 2009; Stirling TGGroup Monthly meeting; Glasgow: Evolving Face of Discrimination Legislation: The Equality Bill; Edinburgh: LGBT Carers Support Group; Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group; Evaluation Support Scotland training courses; Glasgow: Crosslynx Monthly meeting; Edinburgh: LGBT Self-harm Self-help Course; Glasgow: Seminar On Violence, Trauma And Addiction: Positive Interventions; UK News: Delwar Hussain: The alienation behind gay hate crimes; Stonewall: Free Gay Travel Card Wallets; Tories rebrand with rainbow; International: US: Senator Edward Kennedy remembered as human rights champion; Italy: Football coach says "no gays"; US: Anti-marriage campaigners turn to Iowa; Working for All: QueerUK recruiting new moderators; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership: Same-sex adoption in the UK - new life with 'Dad and Daddy'; Germany: court decision for two-parent families; Ireland: Cardinal Brady attacks civil partnership, repeats lies
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.
You can now register and add events to the National LGBT Forum:
www.scottishlgbt.org/Events
If you have a Facebook account, you can join the
Equality Network group. Regular news updates and writings on the wall. You can also follow LGBT News on Twitter:
EN_LGBTNews.
Please send material for inclusion in the weekly e-bulletin by end of day Friday each week.
Equality Network News
EveryoneIN Launch: 28th August
The report launch for “EveryOne IN: Working towards Equality for Minority Ethnic (ME) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People in Scotland”. The first research of its kind in Scotland, EveryOne IN tackles a subject that has long been ignored or deemed “too controversial” to openly discuss.
www.equality-network.org/minorityethniclgbt
STA Forum - a roundtable with EHRC Scotland legal team
Tuesday 1st September, 5.30pm - 7pm, EHRC Scotland offices, Ground Floor, Optima Building, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DU. (
Event link) An informal roundtable discussion for transgender people about the work of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland legal team and the key issues facing trans people in Scotland that could be addressed through improved legislation, casework and strategic litigation and/or the use of the Commission's powers. If you would like to attend, please email either James Morton, STA Project Coordinator on james@equality-network.org or Laura Hutchison, Senior Enforcement Officer, EHRC Scotland on Laura.Hutchison@equalityhumanrights.com to register.
www.scottishtrans.org
National LGBT Conference volunteer
This year's annual Equality Network conference is planned to take place in Dundee, on Saturday 14th November 2009. The theme is “Hearts and Minds: Reducing Prejudice”. We are looking for a volunteer who will make targeted mailings to organisations and groups to publicise the conference, with follow-up phone calls, and track the registrations received. Other administrative work connected with the conference may also be required. This opportunity provides office experience and direct involvement with a notable annual event in LGBT equality. The conference is attended by individuals and by representatives from groups, statutory bodies such as the NHS and the police, local and national government, and businesses.
Volunteer Scotland
Forums News
Acceptance of LGBT people in the Anglican church
Last Saturday, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, the new Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said the issue of appointing openly-gay clergy threatens to tear the Church apart and will not be resolved in the near future. (
The Scotsman) The same weekend, the Anglican Diocese of Cape Town, which includes Anglican bishops from South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Namibia, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Angola, passed a resolution asking the church's bishops to provide pastoral guidelines for parishioners living in same-sex "covenanted partnerships". (
IOL.co.za) In July, the Anglican church in the US approved a resolution affirming that LGBT people are eligible for "any ordained ministry" and a measure to develop resources for the blessing of same-sex unions. (
Syracuse.com)
Strathclyde Police hold LGBT recruitment day
Last Saturday Strathclyde Police held a special recruitment day at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow to inform the LGBT communities about what opportunities are available within the police, and to help interested individuals discover what roles are most suited to them in the police force. Staff from the diversity recruiting team and other organisations including the Gay Police Association gave advice and information to potential applicants. A poll at the
Glasgow Evening Times asking "should the force be trying to get more officers from the gay community?" is running at 54.8% in favour as of Thursday morning. (
PinkNews)
Cervical screening research
In June this year we invited our network to respond to a research project on
Attitudes leading to low uptake of cervical screening in Scotland which outlines recommendations for an engagement and communications strategy with a particular focus on how to improve uptake and address inequalities. As a result of that research,
NHS Health Scotland has released a briefing for healthcare professionals to assist in answering questions from the public in relation to the HPV immunisation.
http://www.fightcervicalcancer.org.uk provides answers to questions about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, as well as links to sites where you can find out more.
Scottish uptake statistics for cervical screening
Talk Scotland Events
Herald Society Awards 2009
The Herald Society Awards were set up to share and reward success, open to all those working in the public and voluntary sectors, with scope for small and large organisations, individuals and teams alike to tell the nation about what they have achieved. Too often we see people who work tirelessly, above the call of duty, who are magnets in their community but receive little recognition, even though initiatives would often fail without them. Nominations can be for members of the community, or people working in the public or voluntary sector in Scotland. 12 categories for nomination, including the Unsung Hero award, sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund. Closing date for entries Fri 4th Sept. Awards will be presented on Wed 28th Oct at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. For more information on the awards, including details on how to nominate your 'Unsung Hero' or apply for an award, visit:
www.theherald.co.uk/societyawards09
Stirling TGGroup Monthly meeting
Sat 29th Aug, 5pm-10pm Monthly group meeting for informal discussion and chat. (
Events) Wives and partners are welcome. A contribution towards the costs of providing refreshments etc is requested. Contact Allana Strain for further information: allanastrain@blueyonder.co.uk
Glasgow: Evolving Face of Discrimination Legislation: The Equality Bill
Mon 31st Aug, 9:30-1pm. Board Room, Legal Services Agency, 3rd Floor, Fleming House, 134 Renfrew Street, Glasgow. (
Events) The Equality Bill was finally published in May 2009, which is said by the Government to have the dual purpose of harmonising discrimination law and strengthening the law to support progress on equality. This course will provide an insight into the key aspects of the Bill and what this could mean for employers and employees. For more information or to register, go to the Seminars/Publications page at the LSA website:
www.lsa.org.uk
Edinburgh: LGBT Carers Support Group
Tues 1st September from 7pm-9pm, at LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing Edinburgh, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh. If you are an LGBT person who cares for a partner, friend or relative, come to the first monthly meeting of the LGBT Carers Group. Run in partnership with Voice Of Carers Across Lothian (VOCAL).
Facebook
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group
Sat 5th Sept, 7:30-9:30pm, LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street. Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group meets in the hub on the first Saturday of the month. (
Events)
www.edinburghtranswomen.org.uk
Evaluation Support Scotland training courses
Evaluation Support Scotland works with voluntary organisations and funders so they can measure the impact of their work. ESS provides practical support and access to resources and tools. For further information on ESS's training courses, contact Juliet Wilson. juliet@evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk, 5 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PR, 0131 243 2770 / 0131 243 2774
www.evaluationsupportscotland.org.uk
Glasgow: Crosslynx Monthly meeting
Wed 9th Sep, from 7:30-9pm. Monthly discussion and review of the group as well as offer to support any newcomers or first timers. Contact Allana Strain for further information: allanastrain@blueyonder.co.uk
www.crosslynx.org.uk (
Events)
Edinburgh: LGBT Self-harm Self-help Course
This course will run weekly for 6 weeks, beginning Wed 9th Sep 2009, 7:30-9pm. This course is for people who self-harm; we will explore what we mean by self-harm, what can cause it and keep it going. We will look at coping strategies, ways of keeping control, and how to deal with scarring. It's not all about stopping, unless you want to. Facilitated by Merrick Pope. To book, just email the Centre: admin@lgbthealth.org.uk. If you want to chat ahead of time and decide if the course is for you, contact kate@lgbthealth.org.uk, or 0131 523 1107 (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays).
Facebook
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Glasgow: Seminar On Violence, Trauma And Addiction: Positive Interventions
Friday 18th September, from 9.30am - 12.30pm, at Parish Halls, 266 George St, G1. An opportunity to develop understanding of the links between violence, trauma and addictions, and to find out about 'what works' in supporting people who have challenging behaviour as a result of complex needs. Speakers will include a representative from Glasgow Addiction Psychology Services, Julian Heng, Open Road (men in prostitution), and Frances Monaghan, WISE Women (Personal safety and confidence building work with women) (
Glasgow Women's Network)
UK News
Delwar Hussain: The alienation behind gay hate crimes
Last year on Thursday 4th September (
East London Advertiser), a young man was stabbed seven times by a gang of other young men, as he left a gay-friendly pub in Tower Hamlet. As the anniversary of his death approaches,
Delwar Hussain and others from this London district consider the impact of homophobic hate crime. (
East London Advertiser)
Stonewall: Free Gay Travel Card Wallets
To coincide with the beginning of the English school term, Stonewall are relaunching their "Some people are gay. Get over it!" campaign for two weeks on over 500 display panels and 20 major railway station advertising screens. To mark the event, Stonewall are offering free branded travel card holders. To get yours, visit the
Stonewall website here and fill in the form,
Tories rebrand with rainbow
At the Conservative Party's annual conference in Manchester, a strand of LGBT-friendly programming has been rebranded with a rainbow image for "Conference Pride". An evening event will ebe compered by Margot James and Iain Dale, with an address by Ben Summerskill of Stonewall. (
Telegraph)
International
US: Senator Edward Kennedy remembered as human rights champion
Senator Kennedy, who died this week, is remembered by LGBT equality activists in the US as a strong supporter. In 1996, he was one of only 14 senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from recognizing gay unions. He was also a strong supporter of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes and employment discrimination laws. In his home state of Massachusetts, he was a leading supporter of the case for the freedom to marry. After gay marriage became legal in 2004, David Wilson and his husband, Rob Compton, two of the 14 plaintiffs in the lawsuit which eventually brought equality, would see Kennedy at fundraisers and other public events. "[Kennedy] would always say, 'I want to thank you for your courage, I want to thank you for your perseverance'," Wilson said. "We would tell him, 'No, that's what we want to thank you for.'" (
KansasCity.com)
Italy: Football coach says "no gays"
Marcello Lippi, who coaches Italy's national football team, claimed yesterday that he would not select two players for his squad if they were openly involved in a relationship, that "even if people understand and accept that situation, it would nevertheless be exploited so much that it would end up negatively".
Arcigay, a group working for LGBT equality in Italy, say that these kind of comments fuel "a climate poisoned by fear and suspicion", (
Goal.com,
PinkNews)
US: Anti-marriage campaigners turn to Iowa
In April this year, Iowa became the third state in the US to make same-sex marriage lawful. National Organisation for Marriage (NOM), one of the leading national organisations in the campaign against equal marriage has announced this week that they intend to campaign for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex couples from marrying in Iowa. (
Christian Science Monitor)
Working for All
QueerUK recruiting new moderators
QueerUK, an online community for LGBT people based in the UK, where you have the opportunity to discuss all aspects of gay life, and any other issue, with your peers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer moderator at QueerUK, you may
post your application at the link below. In addition to being a normal, active, and contributing QueerUK member, moderators are expected to do the following: be courteous and respectful to the members, use mostly proper English in posts, delete spam posts, welcome new members, actively encourage members in conversation, and follow the instructions of the administrators. Moderating takes time and effort.
www.queeruk.net
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
Same-sex adoption in the UK - new life with 'Dad and Daddy'
Phil Reay-Smith writes in
The Times about his 3-year-old adopted son Scott, who has two fathers. Adoption law in England and Wales changed in 2005, allowing same-sex couples in the rest of the UK to adopt as a couple. In Scotland, adoption and fostering law will change on 28th September 2009, so that same-sex couples in Scotland can now apply to be foster parents and children adopted by same-sex couples will have two legal parents.
Germany: court decision for two-parent families
The highest court in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court, decided in favour of a woman in the southern city of Schweinfurt who wanted to adopt the now three-year-old child of her female partner, with the consent of the father and social services. The court ruled that life partners who assume the role of a parent to a child have the right to formalise that role. (
TheLocal.de)
Ireland: Cardinal Brady attacks civil partnership, repeats lies
In a sermon last Sunday at St John's Cathedral in Limerick, Cardinal Sean Brady claimed that if same-sex couples could legally register as partners this would hugely change peoples' concepts of the family. He also repeated the false claim that a person who refuses to officiate at a same sex wedding would be guilty of an offence, and asserted that the existance of "civil status" partners challenged marriage as "a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law". The director of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, Brian Sheehan, said there was a democratic consensus for the new laws. (
BelfastTelegraph,
RTE.ie,
BBC)
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
Attachments
Web Links
Related Documents
No Related Documents Found