22/04/2009
News Sent - 22nd April 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: IDAHO-UK 2009: Sunday 17th May; Forums News: Adoption and fostering regulations to change; Abused women silenced by fear of outing?; Church of Scotland: inclusive or conservative?; Scottish Government Report: The Experiences of Children with Lesbian and Gay Parents; New website for men against violence against women; Talk Scotland Events: Scottish Parliament: Add to the Canongate Wall; Highland LGBT Forum EGM; Edinburgh: Mind Matters - promoting mental wellbeing; Edinburgh: Managing Change for transition; Dundee: Choosing Scotland's Future; Inverness: SWANS open night; Glasgow: Beyond Drag; Edinburgh: For F*@#$£’s Sake; UK News: European Parliament Elections: Thursday 4th June; Women in Europe: when will there be parity?; Survey on the European Parliament; London: "Curing" sexual orientation; International: Senegal: anti-gay convictions quashed; European Parliament’s Intergroup concerned about the ruling of the Turkish Supreme Court; Turkey: Equal Opportunities International (EOI) conference; The Netherlands: IGLYO conference July 2009; Denmark: World Outgames 2nd International Conference on LGBT Human Rights; Working for All: NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board: new member wanted; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation: US: marriage and 'Gathering Storm' spoofs
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IDAHO-UK 2009: Sunday 17th May
IDAHO is the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia. This year the IDAHO theme is "End Transphobia: Respect Gender Identity". Posters now available from the IDAHO UK website.
www.idaho.org.uk
Forums News
Adoption and fostering regulations to change
Scotland's Children's Minister, Adam Ingram, has announced that the Scottish Government will introduce regulations to make it easier for same-sex couples to jointly adopt children and do away with the ban on same-sex couples providing foster care for children. (
PinkNews)
BAAF in Scotland
Fosterplus
Abused women silenced by fear of outing?
A study presented to the British Sociological Association’s annual conference in Cardiff last week, showed that fear of being outed deters women who are abused in lesbian relationships from seeking help. (
PinkPaper)
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Church of Scotland: inclusive or conservative?
Ron Ferguson writes on the issue of the appointment of Scott Rennie as minister of Queen's Cross Church in Aberdeen, voted for by 80% of the congregation, ratified by the regional presbytery, and challenged by a minority group who assert that the Bible bans from the ministry people who are in committed same-sex relationships. The General Assembly will debate this issue on Saturday 23rd May. (
The Herald)
Letters in
The Herald responding to Ron Ferguson include comments from Rev Dr Iain Whyte, North Queensferry, and Rev Dr James K Torrens, Glasgow:
This month's
Life and Work, the Church of Scotland's in-house magazine, says the Church can show leadership on the issue of recognising loving, faithful gay relationships and dismisses as "selective" the idea that parts of the Bible condemn gay behaviour. The Church of Scotland considered the viability of gay relationships two years ago, and decided on a period of reflection. (
BBC,
The Times)
Scottish Government Report: The Experiences of Children with Lesbian and Gay Parents
A initial scoping review of research undertaken in the past 10 years on lesbian and gay parenting and the experiences of children with lesbian and gay parents. (
Scottish Government publications) Based on recommendations from the LGBT Hearts and Minds Agenda Group 'Challenging Prejudice: Changing Attitudes Towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Scotland'
New website for men against violence against women
White Ribbon Scotland is a campaign for men in Scotland who want to end violence against women. "We are part of a global campaign of men and boys committed to taking action to stop violence against women. Our focus is on involving men, but we welcome the support of women too. We work collaboratively with women's organisations and urge men to support their work."
www.whiteribbonscotland.org.uk
Talk Scotland Events
Scottish Parliament: Add to the Canongate Wall
To mark the tenth anniversary of the Scottish Parliament and ten years of devolution, a new quotation will be added to the Canongate Wall, which forms part of the boundary of the Scottish Parliament building. A panel of literary experts including members of the Art Advisory Group will discuss possible suggestions for the new quotation over the coming months. Nominations can be for living or dead writers. So far, no women writers are represented on the Wall.
Whose voice should be added to the Scottish Parliament’s Canongate Wall?
Highland LGBT Forum EGM
Monday 4th May 2009, Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness, from 7pm. The Highland LGBT Forum will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting to elect a new chair. All welcome to attend.
www.gay-ness.org.uk/events
Edinburgh: Mind Matters - promoting mental wellbeing
The LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing (9 Howe Street, Edinburgh) presents its latest Mind Matters programme for May-July 2009. These events aim to promote the mental health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. (
Scotsman) The programme offers a
series of courses and one-off events that look at themes from healthy sleep to assertiveness.
Edinburgh: Managing Change for transition
A 9-week course on staying healthy through and beyond transition. Saturdays from 16th May -11th July. Separate sessions for trans men and trans women. For further information about the course email Kate Joester at kate@lgbthealth.org.uk or Dasha Grajfoner info@grajfoner.com or contact the Centre on 0131 523 1100. Booking is essential. Please contact James Brandon at james@lgbthealth.org.uk or on 0131 523 1100 to book a place on the course.
www.lgbthealth.org.uk - Managing Change
Dundee: Choosing Scotland's Future
Monday 18th May 2009, 7pm-8pm, Discovery Point, Discovery Quay Dundee DD1 4XA
Hosts: John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, and Bruce Crawford MSP, Minister for Parliamentary Business: "A National Conversation - Future of Scotland and Ethnic Minority Communities". Please contact Fiaz Khan for further information and booking form 0141 550 7564 or email: fiaz.khan@cemvoscotland.org.uk. Registration and refreshments/light finger buffet will be available 6.30pm. Also hosted in Aberdeen and Inverness in June.
Inverness: SWANS open night
30th April 2009, 8pm, Beaufort Hotel, 11 Culduthel Rd, Inverness, IV2 4AG.
SWANS of Scotland, the Highland social and support group for trans people, are hosting an open night: "There will be folk from other LGBT organisations as well as from the NHS and Police. The doors open at 8pm, so if you have any questions, concerns, or are just inquisitive, please drop round." Buffet and drinks.
Glasgow: Beyond Drag
Saturday 2nd May 2009, Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Developed in partnership with OurStory Scotland.
Performance workshop 1pm-4:30pm, delivered by Nancy Riach and Nikki McCabe, with costumes, wigs and props provided, to explore gender and identity from all angles. Over-16s only. Call 0141 287 3051 to book.
An evening of entertainment 8pm-11pm. A selection of performances exploring drag, gender, and identities, ranging from promenade performance, flamenco, and caberet. Tackno Team, Sandra MacBeth, Sala Cubana. Drag makeover corner with Fancy Nancy. Over-16s only. Tickets from GOMA.
GoMA's social justice exhibition sh[OUT] is open now till 1st November.
www.showscotland.com
Edinburgh: For F*@#$£’s Sake
The Forest Fundraiser: 23rd April 2009, 4pm-11pm, The Roxy Art House, Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh. The Forest is a registered community arts and educational charity based in the centre of Edinburgh. Since 2000, it has been pursuing the aim of giving young people the chance to express their own creativity through its many services. "From 4pm we'll have village fete activities, a licensed bar, kids games, free food, free massage, puppet shows (for kids and adults, produce competitions, poi lessons, and much much more." (
Facebook)
UK News
European Parliament Elections: Thursday 4th June
(
BBC Q &A)
Women in Europe: when will there be parity?
Women are under-represented in politics. Only 10 countries of the 27 EU Member States rise above the European average of 25.27% of women in national government and 23.94% in national parliament. The under representation of women also continues in European institutions whether this is in the European Parliament that includes 31% of women MEPs or the European Commission with 10 women Commissioners out of 27. In Scotland, 2 out of the 7 MEPs are women. (
femmesparite.eu)
Survey on the European Parliament
Participate in the European survey carried out by the Fondation pour l’innovation politique (the results of this on-line survey will help complete the findings of the TNS-Sofres’ survey, across the 27 EU Member States, to analyse their perceptions and expectations in relation to the European Parliament and its Parliamentarians).
Click here to take the survey
London: "Curing" sexual orientation
A conference hosted by the Anglican Mainstream organisation, advocating techniques to help 'cure people of homosexuality' is to be held at the Emmanuel Centre in Marsham Street, London, 24th/25th April 2009. Joseph Nicolosi of the US National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (Narth) is to be a guest speaker. A recent report showed that 17% of British psychotherapists were offering to "cure" LGB people of their sexual feelings, usually by electroshock - which report horrified the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). Anglican Mainstream is an evangelical site registered to ‘ex-gay’ Rev. Peter Ould, curate at Christ Church in Ware. (
UK Gay News,
PinkNews)
International
Senegal: anti-gay convictions quashed
Senegal's court of appeal has quashed the convictions for homosexuality of nine members of an anti-HIV/Aids group, who were arrested in December in Dakar. Homosexual acts are illegal in Senegal. The defence team argued at the beginning of the appeal last week that the case against the men was based mainly on anonymous tip-offs. The nine men had been sentenced to eight years in jail. (
BBC,
translated article from LeQuotidien)
European Parliament’s Intergroup concerned about the ruling of the Turkish Supreme Court.
European Parliament's
Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights welcomes the decision of the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals (Yargitay) overturning the ruling of a local court on the closure of LGBT organisation
Lambdaistanbul. However the Intergroup is very concerned about the wording in the ruling which states that “dissolution of the organisation could be possible if it would act in the ways of encouraging or provoking LGBT behaviour or acting with the aim of spreading such sexual orientations.”
Turkey: Equal Opportunities International (EOI) conference
In Istanbul, 15th-17th July, "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Times of Crises". There will be a
special LGBT track: "Spirals of Silence? Tackling the ‘invisibility’ of the sexual orientation strand and sexuality in academic research and in organisation equality and diversity policy and practice". Call for papers closes 15 May.
www.eoi-conference.org
The Netherlands: IGLYO conference July 2009
In Amsterdam, 19th-23rd July, IGLYO will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a landmark gathering of LGBTQ youth activists for both existing IGLYO members and activists from around the world. The conference will offer an opportunity to reflect on the varied past of LGBTQ youth activism, celebrate its vibrant present, and focus on future challenges. Register by 1st May.
Equality Network > International > Europe
Denmark: World Outgames 2nd International Conference on LGBT Human Rights
In Copenhagen, 27th-29th July 2009, “Love of Freedom – Freedom to Love” a conference incorporating a stream of workshops organised by the European Commission on Sexual Orientation Law. "The conference will have a clear focus on good examples and practices and will provide a platform for sharing experiences, ideas and initiatives that have proven useful in advancing LGBT human rights around the world." Register by 30th April.
www.copenhagen2009.org/Conference.aspx
Working for All
NHS National Waiting Times Centre Board: new member wanted
Play a central role in ensuring that the
Golden Jubilee National Hospital, NHS Boards and clinicians across Scotland work together in a common way to support a continued significant and sustainable increase in NHSScotland’s overall performance. Training provided. £7,904 per annum (non-pensionable), up to 8 hours per week, meetings for the Board will normally take place in Clydebank, but may on occasion be held elsewhere around Scotland. Applications are invited from a wide range of people who have an interest in public service and are committed to the NHS in Scotland. Apply by Friday 15th May 2009.
Equality Network > General > Working for all
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
US: marriage and 'Gathering Storm' spoofs
The National Organisation for Marriage (NOM)'s ad "The Gathering Storm" has
inspired several parodies. Four states in the US (Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Vermont) now allow same-sex couples to marry legally: the Supreme Court of California is still deliberating on the status of same-sex marriage following a legal challenge to Proposition 8: and the states of Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia, will all debate legislation to enable same-sex couples to marry this year.
Susan Boyle, Gay Marriage, and Not Trusting Your Gut
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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