01/04/2009
News sent - 1st April 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: IDAHO-UK 2009: Sunday 17th May; Forums News: Transkids: new website; Fundamental Rights for LGBT people in Europe; Gay and Lesbian Humanist: Berlin's 59th International Film Festival; Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship; Talk Scotland Events: Edinburgh: Police Surgery 6th April; Inverness: Affirm; Glasgow: Drawn Out & Painted Pink; Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group; Edinburgh: Playwriting and Screenwriting workshops; UK News: LGB Asians: Broken Silence; TRANS@PRIDE LONDON 2009 caucus meeting; London BiFest: 16th May 2009; Broken Rainbow - new mobile number; International: Iraq: many prisoners may be condemned to death for homosexuality; Greece: Court annuls fine for firing HIV+ employee; Russia: European Court of Human Rights "no priority" for Moscow Pride ban; Liberal Democrats ask Conservatives to be clear about their plans for Europe; Working for All: The Engine Shed: Catering Manager; Stonewall Scotlan: two Edinburgh jobs (Director, Events & Administration Assistant); Imaan: six volunteer roles (Islamic education coordinator; Membership and Information account co-ordinator; Political/anti-fascism campaigns co-ordinator; Web site and web forum co-ordinator; Welfare co-ordinator; Women’s co-ordinator); Edinburgh: LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing: two volunteer roles (Board Member, Fundraising Assistant); Accounts Commission for Scotland: Deputy Chair and members; Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council: Chair; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation: France: moving towards recognition of civil partnerships
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.
IDAHO-UK 2009: Sunday 17th May
IDAHO is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, founded by Louis Georges Tin in 2005. Campaigns and Inititives take place on or around 17th May every year to combat prejudice against LGBT people. May 17th is chosen because it marks the anniversary of the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.
If you plan an event, big or small, to mark IDAHO, send it to the UK-wide calendar of events at the IDAHO UK website:
www.idaho.org.uk
This year the IDAHO theme is "End Transphobia: Respect Gender Identity".
Please sign the petition to support this campaign.
On the weekend of Sunday 17th May,
A Day In Hand will organise one of the biggest same-sex hand holding events in the world. (
UK Gay News)
Forums News
Transkids: new website
A new web site has been launched for primary school teachers, parents and children about transgender children. The web site has a religious section which is intended to help teachers and trans children hold their own when faced with religious discrimination. Imaan has invited members to help the author populate the site with information relevant to Muslim children. For more information please contact: natachakennedy@hotmail.co.uk.
www.transkids.synthasite.com
Fundamental Rights for LGBT people in Europe
In June 2007 the European Parliament asked the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) to develop a comparative report on homophobia and sexual orientation discrimination in the EU Member States to assist the European Parliament's LIBE committee in its deliberations concerning the need for a Directive covering all grounds of discrimination. The current publication represents the second part of the project and is a comparative social analysis, based on data available throughout the EU. (
Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States: Part II - The Social Situation) Michael Cashman, President of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, says: "Politicians in Member States and the European Commission have a reliable factual data as well as good recommendations by FRA to tackle the problems. I urge politicians to have the courage to end the discrimination which causes so much suffering to so many citizens of Europe."
Gay and Lesbian Humanist: Berlin's 59th International Film Festival
The latest issue of Gay & Lesbian Humanist magazine is now online at their website. Includes reviews of a sampling of the new films shown at Berlin Film Festival (Berlinale), including "City of Borders" (set in and around a mixed Palestinian and Jewish gay bar in Jerusalem), and "Kiss the Moon" (about the Pakistani Khusras, members of a close-knit group of transsexuals).
www.gayandlesbianhumanist.org
Quaker Lesbian and Gay Fellowship
Edinburgh QLGF Meetings are now at the
Glasite Meeting House on Barony Street. The group warmly invites anyone interested to join them on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7pm-9pm for company, conversation, and a short meeting for Quaker worship. New members are always welcome and the group can be contacted via the Centre or by emailing Mary - m.p.w@btinternet.com
www.qlgf.org.uk
Talk Scotland Events
Stonewall Scotland: Calum Irving
We're sorry to announce that the Director of
Stonewall Scotland is leaving: Calum Irving has been a valued partner since April 2004, and we will miss him and wish him well in his new role as Head of Campaigns and Advocacy in the Manchester-based health campaign,
Our Life.
Edinburgh: Police Surgery 6th April
The monthly surgery (1st Monday of the month 6.30-7.30pm) at 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, gives individuals a chance to seek advice, raise any concerns around safety issues, report incidents, or make any comments on policing in their area in a friendly informal setting. You can also use this session, and all of our drop-in sessions to make a remote report of any incident. For further information please contact the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Inverness: Affirm
Supporting, encouraging and affirming LGB staff working in the public sector
3pm -6pm April 27th 2009, Columba Hotel Inverness
Open to LGB staff working in the public sector, staff with responsibility for equality issues and heterosexual staff who want to positively support their LGB colleagues. The
Highland Community Planning Partnership (HCPP) wants to do more to ensure that Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Staff are able to get the most from their working lives, achieve their potential and are free from harassment, bullying or victimisation in their workplace. Booking a place in advance is not necessary but please arrive promptly for 3pm or 5:15pm (if attending 2nd session only). Free buffet, tea and coffee provided. For enquiries, access information, communication support or further info please call 01463 704918 or email natalie.morel@nhs.net
Glasgow: Drawn Out & Painted Pink
Kate Charlesworth & David Shenton, two of the best-known British lesbian and gay cartoonists, exhibit their work at the
Glasgow Museum of Modern Art (GoMA), April 9th - June 7th
Also:
Life, the Universe and (Almost) Everything 23rd April to 31st May at Cath Tate Cards, Hills Lane, Shrewsbury – cartoons from the regular strip in
New Scientist by Kate Charlesworth.
Edinburgh Trans Women Support Group
Relaunching with a new date and time for the support group meetings. The group now meets on the 1st Saturday of every month in the Hub at the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing. The meetings are an opportunity to meet in a relaxed, friendly and safe environment. The next meeting at the new time is Saturday 4th April 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
www.edinburghtranswomen.org.uk
Edinburgh: Playwriting and Screenwriting workshops
The Luvvies are running 5 new workshops (on play, and screenwriting), with LuvvieBabes, for people new to theatre, or who just want to take part in an informal drama group, from Wednesday 8th April to Wednesday 6th May. Time: 7-9pm (last week start time 6:30pm, play to start by 7:30pm). Workshops at the Meadow Bar, 42-44 Buccleuch Street, Southside, EH8 9LP. For further information contact: katy@theluvvies.org or telephone 0796 167 2564.
www.theluvvies.org
Retraction: Dundee: inCLuDe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Young People national conference event
The team at LGBT Youth Scotland would like to clarify that the Dundee: inCLuDe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Young People national conference event (mistakenly listed in this week's news) actually took place in 2008. Apologies - but this misinformation was sent to the Equality Network due to an IT error at LGBT Youth Scotland. For information about 2009's national conference, please visit
www.lgbtyouth.org.uk, and register to the email newsletter.
UK News
LGB Asians: Broken Silence
A new talk show called Broken Silence has been launched on Brit Asia TV (Sky 833) and the producers are seeking participants for a feature about lesbian, gay and bisexual Asians. The aim for this programme is to promote healthy dialogue, promote tolerance, understanding and acceptance. However for this to happen, the show requires individuals who are prepared to come forward and be filmed at the studio on a weekday in Aston, Birmingham. If you would like to help with the show please contact Sanyya Gardez (sanyya.gardez@gmail.com) as soon as possible.
TRANS@PRIDE LONDON 2009 caucus meeting
The next caucus meeting forTrans@Pride London will be held on 9th April at 6.30pm-8:30pm at MLS, 130 Shaftsbury Ave, W1D 5EE (opposite the junction of Greek St with Shaftsbury Ave, nearest tube Leicester Sq tube). For further information e-mail: diana.taylor@pridelondon.org
www.pridelondon.org
London BiFest: 16th May 2009
A one-day festival (1pm-8pm, 8pm party till late) for the London bisexual community and its allies, exploring and celebrating bisexuality. Taking over the top two floors of Doggett's Coat and Badge (1, Blackfriars Bridge, London, SE1 9UD) to run workshops, play games, socialise and dance. Under-16s are welcome in the upstairs bar, although not allowed at the sessions. Evening disco with DJs, more social space, and a quiet room. £10 waged, £5 unwaged or other low income (please note that you don't need to bring proof)
www.london.bifest.org
Broken Rainbow - new mobile number
You can now call Broken Rainbow, the UK's only helpline for LGBT domestic violence, from your mobile phone, using
0300 999 5428
(Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.) You can still use the landline number
08452 60 44 60 if you prefer.
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
International
Iraq: many prisoners may be condemned to death for homosexuality
Urgent action is needed to halt the execution of 128 prisoners on death row in Iraq. Many of those awaiting execution were convicted for the ‘crime’ of homosexuality, according to
IRAQI-LGBT, a UK based organisation of Iraqis supporting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Iraq.
Amnesty International has called on the Iraqi authorities to make public all information pertaining to the 128 people, including their full names, details of the charges against them, the dates of their arrest, trial and appeal and their current places of detention.
Greece: Court annuls fine for firing HIV+ employee
The Areopagus, Greece’s highest court, has decided today to accept the partial annulment of a €7.539 fine that was imposed by the Court of Appeals against a clothing goods company as back wages and moral compensation to an HIV-positive man who was fired after his employers learned of his HIV status. (
translation from the Greek newspaper Kathimerini)
Russia: European Court of Human Rights "no priority" for Moscow Pride ban
This year the Moscow Pride March is scheduled for Saturday 16th May. The Registrar of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has told organisers of Moscow Gay Pride the court’s President of the Chamber has decided not to give priority to their cases, some of which have been waiting for more than two years. The Russian activists asked the Court last month to give a priority treatment to their application against Russia in the light of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Moscow Pride bans. Moscow Pride is this year a joint project of Russian and Belarusian gay groups and is officially “Slavic Pride”. (
UK Gay Pride)
Liberal Democrats ask Conservatives to be clear about their plans for Europe
Liberal Democrats are pressing the Conservatives to clarify if they are intending to form an alliance with the anti-gay Polish Law and Justice (PiS) party in the European Parliament. The UK Conservatives have already said that they would be pulling out of the centre-right European People's Party–European Democrats group following the European Parliament election in June. (
UK Gay News,
European Voice)
Working for All
The Engine Shed: Catering Manager
The Engine Shed (19 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh, EH8 9SD) is a social enterprise operating a vegetarian café, bakery, food processing unit and a hospitality unit. These units are a training setting for people with learning disabilities. An enhanced disclosure will be required with this post. Apply by Tuesday 14th April 2009. Interviews: To be held week of 27th April 2009. Recruitment information available from admin@theengineshed.org / 0131 6620040
www.theengineshed.org
Stonewall Scotland: two Edinburgh jobs
Director, c£38k. Stonewall Scotland's new Director will build upon Stonewall's success in campaigning for LGBT equality. Candidates with knowledge of public affairs, policy, fundraising, marketing and communications are sought for this prestigious role.
Events & Administration Assistant, £14-16k: Helping deliver events and Stonewall's day to day activities.
Both positions based in Stonewall's Edinburgh office (9 Howe Street, EH3 6TE) To apply for either visit
www.stonewallscotland.org.uk. Deadline applying for both posts is noon Friday 24th April.
Imaan: six volunteer roles
Imaan, the UK’s social support group for LGBT Muslims, their family, friends and supporters, and those questioning their sexuality or gender identity, is looking for people with appropriate skills who want to get involved in the following volunteer roles. The posts are:
- Islamic education coordinator;
- Membership and Information account co-ordinator;
- Political/anti-fascism campaigns co-ordinator;
- Web site and web forum co-ordinator;
- Welfare co-ordinator;
- Women’s co-ordinator.
If you would like to discuss these roles or share ideas about what else Imaan could be doing, please contact pav@imaan.org.uk
www.imaan.org.uk
Edinburgh: LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing: two volunteer roles
Board Member (4hrs per month - meets monthly on a Monday evening 6.00-8.00pm). Fundraising Assistant (6hrs per month). If you are interested then please contact James Brandon, Project Administrator on 0131 523 1100.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk
Accounts Commission for Scotland: Deputy Chair and members
Deputy Chair (£10,500 pa (non pensionable) plus payment of £235 per day for duties in excess of the expected time commitment of 3 ½ days per month): Requires experience of a key role dealing with strategic issues in a large complex organisation or operation.
Member (£4,500 pa (non pensionable) plus payment of £235 per day for duties in excess of the expected time commitment of 1-1 ½ days per month): experience of a key role dealing with strategic issues in a large complex organisation or operation and needs the ability to quickly absorb and analyse large quantities of information about complex issues and to reach sound conclusions; plus well-developed oral and written communication skills including the ability to contribute to and influence debate. Closing date for applications is 24 April 2009. Applications should be e-mailed to: paapplicationsmailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk (
Scottish Government : Public Bodies current vacancies)
Scottish Committee of the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council: Chair
The purpose of the Council and its Scottish Committee is to help make administrative justice and tribunals increasingly accessible, fair and effective. The role of
Chair involves: keeping the administrative justice system under review; considering ways to make the system accessible, fair and efficient; advising Scottish Ministers and the Senior President of Tribunals on the development of the system and making proposals for changes in the system; and making proposals for research into the system. £27,611, plus travel expenses. This appointment is non-pensionable. Time Commitment: 60 days per annum. For an application pack: please contact Liz Frost, Managing Consultant, Hudson Search & Selection 0131 555 9913. Deadline: 27th April 2009. (
Scottish Government : Public Bodies current vacancies)
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
France: moving towards recognition of civil partnerships
On 25th March the French Senate approved amendments recognising foreign same-sex partnerships in France. When the amendments pass the vote in National Assembly they will become law. This will end the discrimination faced by same-sex couples who had registered a civil partnership in the UK or elsewhere, which was not recognised by the French government except to prevent the couple from also registering a PACS. (
ConnexionFrance)
Equality Network > Civil Partnership > International
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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