03/09/2009
News sent: 3rd September 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: Transgender Domestic Abuse Research; National LGBT Conference volunteer; Forums News: Caster Semenya: are her critics bad losers?; Black Queer Artist Seeks Models; SAMH Survey: Scotland's Physical And Mental Health; Unique Scottish Justice Partnership Launched; BEMIS: Get Your Voice Heard by the Justice System; Research participants wanted; Talk Scotland Events: Dumfries and Galloway Diversity Week: 14 to 21 September; Edinburgh LGL Switchboard: The Final Fling; Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group; The Big Coffee Morning - Remembering the Suffragettes of East Lothian; Edinburgh: make a sash to wear on October 10th; Glasgow Women's Library: Gude Cause Banner Making; Crosslynx Monthly meeting; THT Scotland's New Grampian Centre: Open Day; Glasgow Women's Library: Doors Open & Merchant City Women's Heritage Walk; Perth: Scotland's Generations Working Together; Glasgow: Archway Training; UK News: Thousands sign Turing petition; Holding Hands Goes Global; BBC3 Lip Service; Bisexual groups launched at Cardiff Mardi Gras; Pride in the services; The Independent compares trans people to vampires; International: India: National government accepts gay decriminalisation; Hungary: Budapest give go-ahead to Gay Dignity March; US: Freedom to Marry, with ice-cream; Working for All: THT: Community Sexual Health Nurses (Aberdeen and Inverness); LGBT Youth Scotland Board Director; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership: Two mothers on the birth certificate; Cardinal's concerns are an invitation to prejudice

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Equality Network News

Transgender Domestic Abuse Research
The LGBT Domestic Abuse Project and the Scottish Transgender Alliance are currently jointly carrying out a piece of research around transgender people's experience of domestic abuse. Please help us improve domestic abuse services for trans people by filling out our online survey.

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

Caster Semenya: are her critics bad losers?
Jeremiah Mokaba, the former coach of the recent winner of the women's 800 metres title at the world championships in Berlin, claims critics of Semenya are merely "bad losers". (Telegraph) The Asian Games silver medallist from 2006, Santhi Soundarajan, says "She should not abandon the fight. I come from a small village and had no one to fight for me. I hope Semenya will come out of this better than I did." (TIME)
On the complicated background to "gender testing": SportsScience
Phillip N. Cohen in the Huffington Post on gender and intersex issues in sports: should "gender testing" be universal?

Black Queer Artist Seeks Models
Ajamu X is an internationally acclaimed photographic artist and independent curator. His work has been shown in work in galleries, museums and alternative places around the world including New York, London, Berlin, Amsterdam and Senegal. He is looking for individuals, artists, activists and cultural producers who are part of the BAME LGBTI community from across Scotland, to create a new body of work as part of his artist in residence at the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow. No fee, but travel expenses will be covered and a selection of prints from the shoot will be given for your time. An exhibition of the images will be showcased at GOMA in November 2009. If you would like to find out more about the project, or interested in participating, e-mail ajamu@ajamux.com or Skype: ajamux.
www.ajamux.com and www.rukus.co.uk

SAMH Survey: Scotland's Physical And Mental Health
People with mental health problems often experience worse physical health than others. SAMH wants to find out more about this and look into ways they can improve this: complete their survey online: anyone can fill it in, regardless of whether you have ever experienced a mental health problem.

Unique Scottish Justice Partnership Launched
A unique partnership between the Scottish justice sector and disability organisations was launched in August aimed at improving disabled people's access to justice. If you have experience of disability, as a disabled person, a carer, a family member or a friend of a disabled person, then take part in this poll and help pave the way for positive change.
If you require the poll in an alternative format version, please contact 0131 347 1052 or email Communications@capability-scotland.org.uk.

BEMIS: Get Your Voice Heard by the Justice System
Consultation event on 23rd September 2009. Are you a minority ethnic person with a disability or a long term health condition? You don't have to have the experience of accessing justice to be involved - just an interest in improving access to justice for minority ethnic disabled people. Please use this opportunity to get your voices heard. Contact Tanveer Parnez to register your interest/get further information: 0141 548 8047 or email tanveer.parnez@bemis.org.uk
www.bemis.org.uk

Research participants wanted
An independent researcher conducting a study on South Asian (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh) homosexual men living in Scotland would like to hear from men who identify as homosexual or who are exploring or questioning attraction to the same sex. Dr Asifa Siraj is interested in hearing about how you view your sexuality, and how your religion, race, gender and culture affects your lives as homosexual men. You are welcome to participate if you use a different label to describe your sexuality, as long as you are physically and emotionally attracted primarily to men. The study will involve completing a questionnaire and taking part in an interview. Complete confidentiality and anonymity will be guaranteed for those choosing to participate in the study. If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact Dr Siraj on dr_asifa_siraj@yahoo.co.uk / 0785 778 6451.


Talk Scotland Events
Dumfries and Galloway Diversity Week: 14 to 21 September
Organisations from across Dumfries and Galloway have come together to organise a week of events to celebrate diversity within Dumfries and Galloway, and to raise awareness of issues relating to age, disability, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief and transgender status. The D&G LGBT Centre will be at Stranraer Campus, Dumfries and Galloway College, 1pm - 3.30pm, Thursday 10th September. More information here

Edinburgh LGL Switchboard: The Final Fling
For many years Edinburgh and the Lothians Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, Scotland's first LGBT Switchboard and one of the UK's oldest, ran twice-yearly ceilidhs at the Assembly Rooms in George Street, both as fundraisers and community celebration. The Switchboard closes as of 1st November 2009: their last ever ceildh is on Saturday 31st October 2009. Tickets go on sale 7th September, £17.50/£14.50.
www.lgls.co.uk

Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group

Saturday 5th September, 7:30pm - 9:30pm, LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh.
More information here

A Gude Cause Maks A Strong Arm
The Gude Cause march commemorates the 100th anniversary of the suffragette march through Edinburgh and Leith on 10th October 1909. Launch of the Gude Cause Song Book, Friday 18th September, Edinburgh: More information here,
www.gudecause.org.uk

The Big Coffee Morning - Remembering the Suffragettes of East Lothian
Saturday 5 September 2009 10am-2pm; Port Seton Centre, South Seton Park, PORT SETON, EH32 OBQ, Tel: 01875 815815 Email: sking1@eastlothian.gov.uk Free event (Wheelchair/disabled access) Free Victorian style tearoom: Tea, coffee scones and cakes: served from 10am-2pm. There are opportunities throughout the morning to find out more about the Suffragettes and prepare for the October centenary march in Edinburgh. More information here.

Edinburgh: make a sash to wear on October 10th
Saturday 5 September 10.30 am-12.30 pm, repeated again 1.30 pm-3.30 pm, Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. Art Workshops for older children and adults. Make a suffragette sash to wear at the Gude Cause Procession on 10 October 2009. To book your place call Margaret Findlay on 0131 529 3963.

Glasgow Women's Library: Banner Making
Tuesday 22 September, Tuesday 29 September, and Tuesday 6 October, 1pm - 3pm.
Come to GWL banner making sessions to use your arts and crafts skills in a relaxed and creative environment to produce a GWL and WEA banner to be taken on the Gude Cause re-enactment march in October. More information:
www.womenslibrary.org.uk/2009/09/banner-making

Crosslynx Monthly meeting
7:30pm - 9:00pm, Trophy Room in the Polo Lounge, Glasgow. Monthly discussion and review of the group as well as offer to support any newcomers or first timers. Crosslynx: Supporting the Transgender Community in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. More information here.

THT Scotland's New Grampian Centre: Open Day
Saturday 19th September 2009, 10:30 to 2:30
Feel free to drop in: talk to staff, pick up leaflets, get free condoms, get sexual health information and advice.
Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, 246 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HN. Contact: phone 0845 242 2152, Fax 0845 241 2152, e-mail info.aberdeen@tht.org.uk More information here.
www.tht.org.uk

Glasgow Women's Library: Doors Open & Merchant City Women's Heritage Walk
Saturday 19 September, 10am to 1pm. Come and take a peek behind the doors of GWL, meet our new archivist and have a sneak preview at some of the library's hidden gems of the collection.
www.womenslibrary.org.uk/2009/09/doors-open-at-the-library

Sunday 20 September, 10am to 12pm. For this years Doors Open weekend why not join Glasgow Women's Library tour guides to discover the female stars that stud the fabric of the famous Merchant City.
www.womenslibrary.org.uk/2009/09/doors-open-mcity-walk

Perth: Scotland's Generations Working Together
Thursday 1st October 2009. The National Generations Working Together Conference will be held in Perth. The conference will feature Scottish and international speakers, showcase best practice and provide an opportunity to network and learn. Free conference, children, youth and older people's groups are welcome to attend. Contact: Maite Corrales, Administrator, Generations Working Together, Scottish Centre for Intergenerational Practice C/o University of Strathclyde, Centre for Lifelong Learning 40 George Street, Glasgow G1 1QE, Scotland Tel: 0141 548 2492 Fax: 0141 553 1270 Email: scipadmin@strath.ac.uk
www.scotcip.org.uk

Glasgow: Archway Training
9th - 12th November. Archway Glasgow is Scotland's first Sexual Assault Referral Centre. Training event at The Campanile Hotel Glasgow, 10 Tunnel St, G3 8HL. Contact: Archway Administrator, Archway Glasgow, c/o Sandyford Initiative, 6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow G3 7NB Tel: 0141 211 8175 email: kathryn.mcgrory@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
glasgowwomensnetwork.wordpress.com/2009/08/19/archway-training


UK News

Thousands sign Turing petition
Alan Turing was awarded an OBE in 1945 for his wartime services in breaking German codes. He is considered the founder of modern computer science, honoured annually since 1966 in the presentation of the A. M. Turing Award, one of the most prestigious technical awards in computing. Turing was convicted of "gross indecency" in 1952 after he admitted a sexual relationship with a man, and was chemically castrated. Two years later, he killed himself, eating an apple laced with poison. The petition calls on the Prime Minister to "apologise for the prosecution of Alan Turing that led to his untimely death", and has attracted over 26,000 signatures so far. (Independent)

Holding Hands Goes Global
A Day In Hand, the campaign to encourage LGBT people to hold hands in public, is asking them to show their affection publicly on the last Saturday of each month. The first Sshh! (same-sex hand-holding) Saturday will be on September 26th, to remember the homophobic shooting in Tel Aviv, Israel, in July (YNetNews). A Day In Hand founder David Watkins is trying to make Sshh! Saturdays a worldwide event and is asking people to send photos of themselves holding hands to yourstories@adayinhand.com. (PinkNews)
www.adayinhand.com

BBC3 Lip Service
BBC3 is to broadcast a new six-part drama series about the sex lives of twentysomething lesbians in Glasgow, called Lip Service. Writer Harriet Braun describes the series as aiming to be a "sexy, funny and irreverent drama that reflects what it is to be a young gay woman living in Britain today. I loved The L Word but it's high time we saw some contemporary British lesbians, with all the bad weather, trips to the pub and repressed emotions that go with that. It will be as funny as it is pathos-filled, because in my experience that's how life is." Lip Service is executive produced by Derek Wax and Matthew Read.(Guardian, DigitalSpy, PinkNews)

Bisexual groups launched at Cardiff Mardi Gras
On Saturday 29th August Bi Cymru/Wales launched two new local bisexual groups at their stall at Cardiff Mardi Gras. Bi Cardiff and Bi Swansea are run by local bisexual people who have got together to provide social support groups for bisexual people and people who think they may be bisexual in their local areas. Contact the groups via e-mail: bicardiff@yahoo.co.uk / BiSwansea1@yahoo.co.uk or c/o Bi Cymru/Wales on 07982 308812 or by post: c/o Box 101, LGF, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD or by joining the Bi Cardiff and Bi Swansea Facebook Groups.
www.bicymru.btik.com

Pride in the services
Trooper James Wharton, the openly gay British Army serviceman who was featured on the cover of Soldier magazine in July, is putting on a drinks event in Soho this Saturday for LGBT members of the armed forces and emergency services. Since the media attention his cover received, he has been put in charge of organising lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans events at the Ministry of Defence. Wharton said: "It makes sense, as people in the armed forces and public services share the same interests. Once a year, we all march at Pride together but this is a good idea to keep in touch." (PinkNews)

The Independent compares trans people to vampires
Michael Day, writing in The Independent, refers to trans people moving into a coastal Italian village as an "invasion", comparing this to the "alarming demographic shift" of vampires invading Stephen King's imaginary Maine town Salem's Lot. He admits "not all the transsexuals are prostitutes" but throughout the rest of the article conflates sex workers with trans people, in prurient and exploitative language. (Independent)


International

India: National government accepts gay decriminalisation
In July, the Supreme Court of New Delhi overturned Section 377, making it legal for lesbian and gay people to have sex. The ruling applied in that region of India only, and could have been reversed by the national government of India. The cabinet recommended that the government should accept the court ruling while letting the Supreme Court rule on appeals by some religious groups. So far, about eight parties have filed petitions against this, ranging from astrologers and politicians to priests. (Times of India)

Hungary: Budapest give go-ahead to LGBT Dignity March
The Budapest police (BRFK) have acknowledged the Gay Dignity March across the central districts of the city set for Saturday, BRFK announced on Monday. "Each citizen has the right to express or demonstrate their opinion, even if it is different from the views of others." (Budapest Times)
www.budapestpride.hu

US: Freedom to Marry, with ice-cream
Vermont, which was the first US state to create legal same-sex civil unions with rights equivalent to marriage, yesterday joined Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts: the small group of states in which same-sex couples have the freedom to marry. (In Washington D.C. and New York State, same-sex marriages are recognised though they cannot be performed there, and in California, only the same-sex marriages performed in the six months during which the ban was lifted in 2008 are recognised in that state.) Ben and Jerry's, the Vermont-based ice-cream company, are rebranding one of their ice-creams for the month of September - but only in Vermont, however. (Washington Post, Burlington Free Press, Guardian)
Chubby Hubby becomes Hubby Hubby (Pink News) and James Delingpole in the Telegraph rather joylessly disapproves.

US: Don't Ask Don't Tell
Since the inception of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during President Bill Clinton's first-term in office, more than 13,000 well-qualified U.S. soldiers have been removed from the US military using thatlegislation. This week, Rep. Alcee Hastings from Florida sent a letter to current President Barack Obama spelling out just how sad that statistic is. Basic arithmetic, according to Rep. Hastings, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" means that every 24 hours, at least two LGBT soldiers are booted from the US military. (GayRights.Change.org)


Working for All

THT: Community Sexual Health Nurses (Aberdeen and Inverness)
Aberdeen: 4 hours per week / Inverness: 3 hours per week
£25,723 pro-rata (equivalent to Band 6/D38). Fixed term 1 year. Terrence Higgins Trust has an opportunity for two experienced sexual health nurses to join their expanding network of nurse delivered clinics in Aberdeen and in Inverness. THT clinics offer a range of services to people living with HIV and the wider community including information and advice, STI test and treatment, and rapid HIV testing. These roles require enhanced CRB and compliance with THT's clinical induction policy. You must be willing to work some evenings and weekends and a driver's licence preferred. For enquiries: email recruitment@tht.org.uk quoting Ref: SCOT32 (Aberdeen) or SCOT31 (Inverness). Deadline: Friday 11 September 2009. THT is committed to equal opportunities and particularly encourage applications from people with HIV and people from black and minority ethnic communities.
www.tht.org.uk/jobs/currentvacancies

LGBT Youth Scotland Board Director
Meetings are held in Edinburgh, Glasgow and occasionally other parts of Scotland. At this key point in the organisation's development LGBT Youth Scotland are looking for committed people to take on a vital leadership role within the organisation, by becoming part of our National Board. They are particularly interested in hearing from people with legal, finance or HR expertise, but anyone interested in playing a challenging and exciting part in supporting the delivery of their vision for LGBT young people in Scotland can apply. For more information or an informal chat about this post please contact the Convener of the Board by emailing board@lgbtyouth.org.uk, or call the Chief Executive on 0141 548 8121.
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk


LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation

Two mothers on the birth certificate
Since 6th April 2009, when the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 became law, a same-sex civil partnered couple who conceive a child by donor insemination or by other fertility treatment, are automatically both legal parents to the child, whether this is via DIY-donor or via a licenced fertility clinic, providing the conception occurred after 6th April this year. The birth mother's civil partner's name should appear on the birth certificate, and she will have parental rights and responsibilities for the child. The sperm donor then has no legal relationship to the child. (If the couple are not in a civil partnership, the birth mother's partner can still be the child's legal parent, but may have to take further steps to ensure this.)
The UK Parliament published the subordinate legislation to amend the birth registration forms on Friday, and the Scottish Parliament will have to do so fairly soon now they are back from their summer recess.
(PinkNews, BBC)

Cardinal's concerns are an invitation to prejudice
Paul Kenny, communication officer of Noise: "Why would a public servant rise above his moral discomfort for a divorced person, but claim conscientious objector status when faced with a same-sex couple? If the only religious stricture he’ll actually stand up for is one that 'forces' him to refuse service to those two blushing brides, then it’s very hard not to conclude that religious faith is not actually his motivation. Such a faith is nothing more than a cloak under which to hide an otherwise naked prejudice toward gay people." (Irish Times)

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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