18/02/2009
News Sent - 18th February 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: Harassment: we need the evidence; Out and Safe 2009; The Big LGBT Conversation: Including Rural; Forums News: Archbishop Sentamu did not talk about LGBT equality; Iranian lesbian asylum seeker granted refugee status; Stonewall calls for an end to the blanket lifetime ban on gay men donating blood; Talk Scotland Events: Edinburgh: Scottish Network of Alcohol Practitioners for the Young: Launch Event & Conference; Edinburgh: Gude Cause Event; Glasgow: Against Violence Against Women Training; Parliamentary support for anti-bullying toolkit; Global XChange: Glasgow Host Homes Needed For International Volunteers; UK News: Rainbow Ribbon Campaign Launch; Basingstoke: The Laramie Project; UK: 20,000 people join "Some people are gay. Get over it!"; International: Turkey: Platform of LGBTT Rights, Report of 2008; US: Utah state government rejects LGBT equality legislation; Burundi: anti-gay amendment rejected; Ireland: GCN's 21st birthday; Working for All: GoMA: Social Inclusion Co-ordinator; ILGA-Europe: Communications Officer; ILGA-Europe: Finance, Administration and Organizational Support Officer; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation: Ireland: Adoption bill limits to marriage; Canada: Gay Fatherhood Dreams named best documentary; UK adoption agencies cut ties to church; Petition the Scottish Parliament for the right to same sex marriage
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.
Due to staff holidays, there will be no LGBT News next Wednesday. The next LGBT News mailing will be on 4th March.
Equality Network News
Harassment: we need the evidence
Have you ever been harassed because of your sexual orientation, by someone providing a service? For example, by the staff of health, education, housing or social services, or of a pub, café, B&B, shop etc. Please let us know if it has happened to you.
www.equality-network.org/Community/Surveys
Out and Safe 2009
Saturday 28th February 2009. Cedarwood, 20 Edgar Road, Elgin. A free event for the LGBT Community on policing and community safety. Supported by
Grampian Police.
The Big LGBT Conversation: Including Rural
Thursday 19th March 2009, 6pm. Fairways Business Park, Castle Heather, Inverness. Supported by
Highlands and Islands Equality Forum.
For both events above, contact Scott Cuthbertson (scott@equality-network.org) for further information.
Forums News
Archbishop Sentamu did not talk about LGBT equality
The Archbishop of York spoke at the launch of the God at Work course at Holy Trinity Brompton,
focussing on poverty and the role of Christians in the corporate world to relieve global and local poverty. Several mainstream news reports, however, linked the speech not to poverty but to equality issues in the workplace, such as Lillian Ladele's refusal to perform civil partnership ceremonies or Gary McFarlane's refusal to counsel same-sex couples when employed by Relate as a psychosexual therapist. (
The Telegraph)
Iranian lesbian asylum seeker granted refugee status
An Iranian who fled her country after her girlfriend was arrested and sentenced to death in Tehran has won her battle to be granted asylum in Britain. Pegah Emambakhsh came to the UK in 2005 fearing for her life, but last year she lost a court battle to stay in this country. (
The Independent)
Following a high-profile campaign, the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, agreed to reconsider her case. Yesterday, Lesley Boulton, of the Friends of Pegah campaign group, said: "We have just heard that Pegah has finally been granted refugee status in the UK. This is fantastic, wonderful news and a great reward for all the hard work put in to ensure she was not sent back to Iran – so thank you, thank you, thank you. This has been a long struggle but it is a real vindication of what can be achieved when we all work together." (
The Independent,
Medical Justice)
Stonewall calls for an end to the blanket lifetime ban on gay men donating blood
Ben Summerskill called the ban "discriminatory", saying that "The safety of the blood supply is of course paramount, but it is our genuine belief that exclusion should be expressed in terms of risky behavour, not sexual orientation." (
Pink News)
www.stonewall.org.uk
Talk Scotland Events
Edinburgh: Scottish Network of Alcohol Practitioners for the Young: Launch Event & Conference
SNAPY Launch event and conference, 3rd March 2009, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. £40 per delegate (includes lunch and parking) Closing date is 25th February 2009. Bringing together policy makers and key figures from within the public and voluntary sectors to discuss the main issues, this event will give those who work with children and young people affected by alcohol an opportunity to hear and discuss the issues that matter most. Email snapy@alcohol-focus-scotland.org.uk for more details.
www.snapy.org.uk
Edinburgh: Gude Cause on IWD
On International Women's Day, Saturday 8th March 2009, in The Pleasance Cabaret Bar, Edinburgh, tickets £6 & £4 (conc) from the Peace and Justice Centre 0131 229 0993. "Come and celebrate International Women’s Day with some great music and song. With performances from Margaret Bennet, The Cast, Kathy Galloway, Gica Loening, Alison McMorland, Protest in Harmony Choir, Stairheid
Gossip, Wildfire Women’s Choir Mae Shaw... and many more... Sometimes singing seems to be the only sensible response." For further information, e-mail gudecause@peaceandjustice.org.uk
Equality Network > Forums > Gender
Glasgow: Against Violence Against Women Training
A group of public and voluntary sector organisations are running a series of training sessions on different aspects of violence against women this March.
3rd March, 9.30am - 4pm: Working With Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, Drumchapel Community Centre.
11th March, 9.30am - 4pm: Domestic Abuse & Women Subject to Immigration Control, Knightswood Community Centre.
31st March, 9.30am - 4pm: Additional Hurdles Experienced By Black & Minority Ethnic Women, Knightswood Community Centre.
The programme is specifically tailored for staff working in the Glasgow West locale and the content directly relates to issues that staff face when supporting local women. For more information contact Pauline Kelly at Glasgow Community and Safety Services on 0141 276 7494. For more details and for a Booking Form go to
The Glasgow Equality Networks Forum (ENF) Blog
Parliamentary support for anti-bullying toolkit
A motion (S3M-3450) was put forward
this week to welcome the publication during Anti-Bullying Week of the LGBT Youth Scotland toolkit resource for teachers,
Dealing with Homophobia and Homophobic Bullying in Scottish Schools. You can invite your MSPs to support this motion via
www.writetothem.com
Global XChange: Glasgow Host Homes Needed For International Volunteers
Global Xchange is a cross-cultural volunteer exchange programme for 18-25 year olds run by VSO in partnership with British Council. This summer a team of 18 volunteers will take part in an exchange between Glasgow, Scotland and Multan, Pakistan. We are looking for local people who can provide host homes for the volunteers for anything between 2 and 10 weeks this summer. Volunteers will arrive at the end of June. Host homes need one spare room for 2 volunteers sharing and receive a weekly payment to help cover costs. 2 programme supervisors provide support throughout the programme. If you are interested in applying to be a host home or to find out more please contact Peppy Sparrow, email peppy.sparrow@vso.org.uk Tel 07968 506 324
www.vso.org.uk/globalxchange
UK News
Rainbow Ribbon Campaign Launch
Broken Rainbow, the UK's leading organisation for LGBT people against domestic violence and abuse, launched the
Rainbow Ribbon campaign to raise awareness of the impact of homophobic, transphobic, and same sex domestic violence on the lives of LGBT people. Broken Rainbow offers advice, support and referral services to LGBT people experiencing homophobic, transphobic and same sex domestic violence, and information, advice and training to people who are responsible for domestic violence policy and practice in mainstream and specialist organisations.
Helpline: 08452 60 44 60 (Mon 2-8pm, Wed 10-1pm, Thur 2-8pm)
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Basingstoke: The Laramie Project
This week Freedom Youth is putting on The Laramie Project, a play about Matthew Shepard (1976–1998) at
Central Studio at Queen Mary’s College (18th-20th February, 7:30pm) Basingstoke.
Westboro Baptist Church staged an anti-gay demo outside Matthew Shepard's funeral and has staged similiar demos outside past performances of this play about the event and aftermath of Matthew Shepard's death. The church has announced they plan an anti-gay demonstration outside Central Studio on Friday 20th February. Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, has condemned the planned pickets and said: “‘It is completely unacceptable for Westboro Baptist Church or any other organisation to incite homophobic hatred in this way. There is no room for this type of intimidation in our community.” (
ThisIsHampshire)
Shirley Roper-Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church said it would be their first protest in the UK. Last year the church said it would picket the funeral of movie star Heath Ledger. The claim generated huge publicity but the protest in Australia never happened. (
The Independent)
Peter Tatchell said “In the past they have threatened to picket events in Britain but they never turned up. They are such an absurd, fringe, fanatical group that it’s probably best to just ignore them.” (
Pink News)
The
Matthew Shepard Foundation was founded by parents Judy and Dennis Shepard to "Replace hate with understanding, compassion, and acceptance through educational, outreach, and advocacy programs and by continuing to tell Matthew's story"
Westboro Baptist Church is based in Kansas, and claims to have staged over 25,000 demos since its formation in 1991, almost all of them anti-gay. The church estimates it spend $250,000 (£140,000) a year on air fares and other protest expenses. (
The Guardian)
UK: 20,000 people join "Some people are gay. Get over it!"
Stonewall UK's "Some people are gay. Get over it!"
Facebook cause has now reached over 20 000 members. People from all over the world have joined up to demonstrate their support for Stonewall's campaign to tackle homophobia and homophobic bullying in UK schools.
www.stonewall.org.uk
International
Turkey: Platform of LGBTT Rights, Report of 2008
From
LambdaIstanbul's newsletter: "Last year was a tough and depressing one for LGBTT individuals of Turkey. We left a year behind, full of hate murders, torture, harassment, suicide, civil penalties and gangs, incidents like sealing houses, homophobia during legal processes, violation against LGBTT individuals and LGBTT organizations with respect to their right of association. We remarked that there is a “different Turkey” for homosexuals, unlike every other experience of Turkey. Problems we experience with our families, problems we experience with the state, and even problems we encounter when we get organized may differentiate. Within this year, we observed a different Turkey for us. We experience a year in the Turkey of homosexuals full of events like sealing of homes, extreme provocation abatements, Eryaman-Esat cases, tortures and assaults."
www.lambdaistanbul.org
US: Utah state government rejects LGBT equality legislation
Four out of five LGBT equality bills have been rejected by the Utah state legislature. House committees rejected a bill which would have allowed unmarried same-sex and mixed-sex couples to adopt children together and to be foster parents, and a bill which would have protected LGBT people in Utah from housing and employment discrimination. The Republican Governor of Utah, Jon Huntsman Jr, endorsed the legislative effort towards LGBT equality in Utah: "We threw our support behind the initiative. It was probably a tall order." The last bill still under discussion is an attempt to give some of the rights of married couples to same-sex couples, including the right to visit a partner in hospital, make medical decisions on their behalf, and inheritance rights. (
Salt Lake Tribune)
Equality Utah: Common Ground Initiative
During and following California’s Proposition 8 campaign, the LDS Church declared it is not “anti-gay” and “does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights.” On November 5th, Elder L. Whitney Clayton stated the LDS Church does not oppose “civil unions or domestic partnerships.” In response to these statements, Equality Utah launched its
Common Ground Initiative, designed to address each of the issues mentioned by the LDS Church.
Burundi: anti-gay amendment rejected
The Senate of Burundi this week rejected a proposed amendment to the new draft of the criminal code that would have criminalised homosexual conduct for the first time. Human rights groups had brought pressure on the government and highlighted the issue internationally. Activists wrote to the African nation's President and the Senate pointing out that the provision would violate the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Burundi is a party. (
BBC,
South African Times,
Human Rights Watch)
Ireland: GCN's 21st birthday
Brian Finnegan,
Gay Community News editor, writes: "
GCN has evolved beyond all recognition, from the first, eight-page newsprint edition. Supported by Pobal under their Community Services Programme, which is funded by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, and a growing awareness from advertisers of the power of the pink euro,
GCN has become a mainstream expression of gay Ireland." The 21st birthday edition of
GCN will be published on 19th February. A party will be held at Dublin’s Tripod on 19th February. (
Irish Times)
Working for All
GoMA: Social Inclusion Co-ordinator
Temporary up to 1 year, 35 hours per week - Non standard working hours. An opportunity to be involved in Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art's highly acclaimed social justice programmes. The Social Inclusion Co-ordinator works with the GoMA team and partners to deliver the 2009 Contemporary art and human rights programme and on development of 2011 programmes. Arts degree, gallery experience and project management essential. Closing date: 12 noon Fri 27th February.
Equality Network > General > Working for all
ILGA-Europe: Communications Officer
The Communications Officer will be contributing towards effective implementation of ILGA-Europe’s Communications Strategy. In particular, the Communications Officer will be responsible for providing effective information and communications services, maintaining website and database, support colleagues within ILGA-Europe and its members to achieve the organisation’s objectives. Closing date 13th March 2009.
Equality Network > General > Working for all
ILGA-Europe: Finance, Administration and Organizational Support Officer
This full time position is based in the ILGA secretariat, Brussels, Belgium. The secretariat includes three other staff and it provides coordination and support to the ILGA network. Applications should be sent to: Patricia Curzi, patriciacurzi@ilga.org. The starting date will be as soon as possible. Salary according to experience within ILGA salary scale.Closing date: 12 midnight (Brussels time) Sun 8th March 2009
Equality Network > General > Working for all
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
Ireland: Adoption bill limits to marriage
The Irish government's new Adoption Bill, published last month, limits access to adoption to married couples and individuals only: unmarried same-sex and mixed-sex couples will not be able to adopt children together. Ailbhe Smyth, the chair of the
National Lesbian and Gay Federation, said: "It is extraordinarily disappointing that a government which professes to support full equality for all citizens would seek to yet again reinforce the inequalities within our society. (
Pink News)
Canada: Gay Fatherhood Dreams named best documentary
The documentary
Fatherhood Dreams invites people into the day-to-day lives of gay dads Scott, Steve, Randy and Drew, who are fathers through adoption, co-parenting and surrogacy. It has been named one of the five best documentaries of 2008 by the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. (
greatdad.com)
UK adoption agencies cut ties to church
On 31 December 2008, the 20-month breathing space given by the government to allow Catholic adoption agencies in England and Wales to comply with the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 came to an end. The agencies will now have to consider gay couples as potential adopters. Philippa Gitlin, director of Caritas Social Action Network, the umbrella network for Roman Catholic care agencies, said five agencies in England and Wales had now cut formal ties with their dioceses in order to meet the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SORs) and assess gay couples as potential adoptive parents. (
ThisIsNottingham,
CommunityCare)
Petition the Scottish Parliament for the right to same sex marriage
Petition by Nick Henderson, on behalf of LGBT Network, calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 to allow two persons of the same sex to register a civil marriage and a religious marriage if the relevant religious body consents.
The Equality Network's manifesto position: civil partnership should also be available to mixed-sex couples and marriage should also be available to same-sex couples. (
Pink News)
The
Equality Network's manifesto position: civil partnership should also be available to mixed-sex couples and marriage should also be available to same-sex couples.
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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