11/06/2009
News sent - 11th June 2009
In this week's e-mail newsletter: Equality Network News: Equality Network and STA at Pride; STA Forum; National LGBT Forum; Sexual Offences Act; Forums News: Hate Crime: responses; Glasgow: Hate crime policy officer appointed; Stonewall: Bisexual Research Project; Want to be "Me and my... civil partner"?; Reading Scottish LGBT History; Talk Scotland Events: Refugee Week: 15th-21st June 2009; Pride Scotia: Saturday 27th June; PAIH Training: Refugees, Asylum seekers, Migrants & EU Nationals; Gude Cause in Glasgow and Edinburgh; Freedom of Information and the Voluntary Sector Survey; Fertility Treatment: making access equal; Aberdeen: Safer sex supplies on the scene; UK News: European Election Results; Pride London; Peter Tatchell named Campaigner of the Year; UK Black Pride; International: Lithuania: Parliament approves "Section 28" law; Moscow Pride takes mayor to court for homophobic comments; Germany: Gay penguins make good parents; Working for All: THT: Services Manager, Highland and Grampian; LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation: Catholic charities may not discrimiinate against same-sex couples; US: Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire;
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.
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The boards at
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Equality Network News
Equality Network and STA at Pride
Look out for our stall at the Pride fair outside the Omni Centre, Edinburgh, Saturday 27th June.
STA Forum
Saturday 4th July, Glasgow. Contact James Morton (james@equality-network.org) if you would like to attend.
www.scottishtrans.org
National LGBT Forum
Wednesday 15th July, Stirling. Contact Scott Cuthbertson (scott@equality-network.org) if you would like to attend.
Sexual Offences Bill Passed
We are happy to report that, yesterday afternoon, the Scottish Parliament passed the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. The bill was passed by 121 votes to zero, with one abstention. The bill overhauls Scotland’s sexual offences law, and removes all the remaining discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Equality Network and our colleagues in other LGBT organisations have been working for these changes at the Scottish Parliament since it opened in 1999.
- The bill does not make major changes to what is illegal or legal, but it does restructure the law and introduce a clear definition of consent, which hopefully will help lead to more convictions of those who commit rape and sexual assault. The bill also:
- Extends the crime of rape to include male rape, and ensures that it and other sexual offences laws fully apply to transgender people
- Introduces the offence of sexual assault by penetration (that is, rape with an object)
- Abolishes the old “homosexual offences” of sodomy and gross indecency, introducing instead a set of gender and sexual orientation neutral sexual offences
The Equality Network successfully worked for a number of amendments to the bill to ensure that all existing discrimination is abolished. We believe that this bill removes the last sexual orientation discrimination from Scotland’s criminal law.
The new bill will go to the Queen for Royal Assent in July, and will become the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009. It is likely to come into effect later this year.
Forums News
Hate Crime: responses
The Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill, will have the effect of widening the definition of hate crimes, and bring Scotland into line with the rest of the UK. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the move was a small, but significant step in making Scotland "all it can be". (
BBC)
Patrick Harvie said: "The Parliament has today spoken with one voice, and this is a day all Scots can be proud of." (
STV)
Scottish parliament passes hate crime law to protect gays (
PinkNews)
Ian Bell: "Hatred’s heinous, but is it a crime?" (
Sunday Herald)
Brian Currie claims: "Some victims are more equal than others" (
Herald):
Letters in response to Brian Currie from Patrick Harvie and Gary Dunion.
Glasgow: Hate crime policy officer appointed
Housing associations across Glasgow have joined forces to crack down on 'hate crime'. Homes bosses, council chiefs and police are to target racist incidents and attacks on homosexuals and disabled people. Glasgow Community and Safety Services (GCSS) has now appointed a hate crime policy officer, Lynn Jolly. (
Glasgow Evening Times)
Stonewall: Bisexual Research Project
Stonewall is producing a guide, supported by the Home Office, to help employers be more inclusive of bisexual staff. If you would like to participate in this study or require more information, please contact Brent Chamberlain at: brent.chamberlain@stonewall.org.uk or on 020 7593 1865, or attend a focus group:
Edinburgh Focus Group: Friday 19 June 2:00-4:00pm Stonewall Edinburgh Office,
9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE
Your contribution to the focus group will be entirely anonymous – findings will not be tied to specific organisations nor will individual participants be identified in the report.
www.stonewall.org.uk
In autumn 2008, the Equality Network conducted a consultation aimed primarily at bisexual people, on bisexual equality issues. Almost 100 bisexual people took part. The report on the consulation is available from our website.
The Big LGBT Conversation - Bisexual Rights
Want to be "Me and my... civil partner"?
Raj Lalli Gill, a freelance journalist, is looking for women in a civil partnership to interview for a Sunday Herald column "me and my........" Interview will likely take 10 minutes each of your time and would also require you to be photographed together: photography takes between 30 and 45 minutes. Glasgow-based couple preferred. (
Example column, Sunday Herald)
Reading Scottish LGBT History
History Scotland magazine is publishing a two-part article on “How to 'do' Scottish LGBT History” by Brian Dempsey. Brian is looking for pointers to historical novels or other writings about lesbian or bisexual women’s lives in Scotland. If you can help out, please e-mail him at brian@linsert.org.
www.linsert.org
Talk Scotland Events
Refugee Week: 15th-21st June 2009
www.lookbeyondthelabel.org
Pride Scotia: Saturday 27th June
Assemble at noon for a 1pm start outside the City Chambers. Pride festival outside the Omni Centre, facing St Mary's Catholic Cathedral. Pride Scotia arelooking for volunteers on the day – if you can help, phone 0131-556 9471 or info@pride-scotia.org
www.pride-scotia.org
PAIH Training: Refugees, Asylum seekers, Migrants & EU Nationals
Wednesday 8th July, 9.30am - 4.30pm. PAiH, 98 West George Street, Glasgow
"There are fast changing laws/procedures for organisations dealing with EU Nationals, refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Who are they? What is the legislative background? What are the entitlements? What are the needs? How do organisations, including housing organisations, respond to these areas: what should they do?" Bookings received before the 22nd June will receive a 10% discount. For further information or to book your place contact Zandra Yeaman: zandra@paih.org / 0141 353 2220.
www.paih.org/users/training
Gude Cause in Glasgow and Edinburgh
The second meeting of the Glasgow group for Gude Cause is provisionally set for Thursday 9th July, 6pm, Unison Offices, Albion Street. Date will be posted on Gude Cause website when confirmed. For further information about the Glasgow Gude Cause group email Valerie Wright (V.Wright@dundee.ac.uk) or check for updates on the Glasgow page of the Gude Cause Website.
Bannermaking workshops monthly at McDonald Road Library, Edinburgh. Next workshop 1-3 pm, Sunday 14th June.
www.gudecause.org.uk
Songs of the Edinburgh Procession Workshop, by Lothian Women’s Forum & Protest in Harmony
Thursday 11 June, 7.00pm-9.00pm, Room 1, Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh
www.protestinharmony.org.uk
Freedom of Information and the Voluntary Sector Survey
The University of Strathclyde is undertaking a three-year study looking at the extent to which campaign groups and voluntary organisations in Scotland make use of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation. FOI could be a valuable tool for many voluntary organisations, but the Scottish Information Commissioner has reported surprisingly low rates of appeals (4%) to his office from the sector. To help understand some of the barriers encountered by voluntary organisations seeking information from public authorities, Strathclyde University is conducting this short survey and would like to find out your views. Voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes are invited to take part, regardless of whether or not they have previously requested information.
Click here to take survey.
Fertility Treatment: making access equal
Have you had experiences - good or bad - with seeking fertility treatment on the NHS? The
EHRC in Scotland are doing policy follow up work with Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS on fertility treatment for LGBT people, following from a case the EHRC supported of a same-sex couple who were being denied fertility treatment because of a policy that ruled they could only receive treatment after two years of heterosexual intercourse without contraception. (
The case was settled and the couple will receive three cycles of fertility treatment.) The EHRC are now seeking the views and experiences of LGBT people about this issue. Please contact Helen Miller at helen.miller@gmail.com to share your views and experiences. (You can also write anonymously by post to Helen Miller, Policy Officer, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow G2 8DU). Any information you share will be treated confidentially and made anonymous, used only to inform the small EHRC team who are working with Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS on this issue (Lynn Welsh, Laura Hutchison and Helen Miller).
Aberdeen: Safer sex supplies on the scene
THT Aberdeen announces that free condoms & lube will be available at Hyploc, Aberdeen's newest gay venue, from Thursday 11th June. (Andi Watson writes: "It is where the old Crows Nest was on Commerce Street. Some of you may even remember Crazy Daisies being near there too. Pop down and show your support to this up and coming venue.") Other gay venues supplied by THT Aberdeen: Cheerz Bar & Club in Hadden Street, Market Arms in Stirling Street, Foundation in Carnegies Brae, and Wellmans in Holburn Street (sauna).
www.tht.org.uk
UK News
European Election Results: UK
Conservative (25), UKIP (13), Labour (13), LibDems (11), Green Party (2), BNP (2), SNP (2), Plaid Cymru (1), Sinn Féin (1), DUP (1), Ulster Unionists (1).
European Election Results: Scotland
SNP (2), Labour (2), Conservative (1), LibDems (1). (
BBC)
- BNP wins two seats in European elections (PinkNews)
- Nick Griffin interviewed by the BBC (Guardian)
- Now BNP is receiving EuroParliament salaries, party may be open to legal challenges for racism (Guardian)
From Hope Not Hate, Searchlight's campaign to counter racism and fascism in elections and beyond: "The BNP have won seats in the European Parliament - but they do not represent Britain. Sign the
Hope Not Hate petition - show that you stand against racism and division."
Pride London
Saturday 4th July: Parade leaves Baker Street at 1pm, to arrive in Trafalgar Square.
Pride London Festival Fortnight: 20th June to 5th July.
www.pridelondon.org
Members of TransLondon, London's largest support group for all trans-identified and genderqueer people, voted
against attending the Pride London march and rally this year, and are keen to hear from other trans groups, allies and any groups from other parts of the LGBTQ community "who would like to discuss alternative arrangements for a celebration of the diversity of the LGBTQ community" Contact translondon@hotmail.co.uk
Peter Tatchell named Campaigner of the Year
Human rights campaigner and Green Party Parliamentary candidate Peter Tatchell, has won Campaigner of the Year at the fourth Observer Ethical Awards in London last night. In his acceptance speech, Peter Tatchell paid tribute to "the many human rights campaigners worldwide who risk their lives and freedom, in countries like Russia, Iran, Zimbabwe, Iraq and China. It is an honour to work with and support them." (
PinkNews,
Guardian)
UK Black Pride: Saturday 15th August
Regents College in Regents Park, London.
www.ukblackpride.org
Join UK Black Pride on
Facebook
International
Lithuania: Parliament approves "Section 28" law
The Lithuanian Parliament is set to introduce a law to prohibit the discussion of homosexuality in schools, similar in function to Section 28 (sometimes referred to as Section 2A in Scotland). (
PinkNews)
Moscow Pride takes mayor to court for homophobic comments
Russian gay rights activists are to take the city's homophobic mayor to court for saying that gay people undermined the heart of a morally healthy society. Yuri Luzhkov officially banned
Slavic Pride from marching at the same time as the city hosted the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. He had described them as satanic. (
PinkNews)
Germany: Gay penguins make good parents
Two male penguins who had pairbonded at Bremerhaven Zoo in northern Germany were given an egg that had been abandoned by its biological parents. The couple have hatched a healthy chick and are now rearing it as its adoptive parents. (
BBC,
PinkNews)
A children's book about two male penguins who adopt a baby chick,
And Tango Makes Three is the book most Americans want banned, according to the American Library Association (ALA): the book has been
top of their list each year since it was published in 2006.
China: Shanghai LGBT Pride
China's first city-wide Pride event is a week-long festival with films, art exhibitions, panel discussions and theatre productions, but no public parade. The official response to the festival has been mixed:
China Daily, a state-run English-language newspaper, praised the festival and the change to acceptance and tolerance which it marked, but two of the venues where Pride events were to be held have been formally told to cancel or face "severe consequences". (
BBC) Most of the festival's events have gone ahead as planned, according to the
Shanghai Pride website.
Working for All
THT: Services Manager, Highland and Grampian
Location: Inverness and Aberdeen. Starting salary: £25,723 pa. For enquiries: email recruitment@tht.org.uk quoting SCOT01. "As a member of the THT management team, you will be responsible for the strategic development of sexual health services across the Highland and Grampian areas and for providing leadership in the running of the Inverness and Aberdeen service centres. This role requires enhanced CRB disclosure." THT are committed to equal opportunities and particularly encourage applications from people with HIV and people from BME communities. Apply by 19th June 2009. Interview date: 23rd June 2009. To apply online and for information on all vacancies go to:
www.tht.org.uk/jobs/currentvacancies
LGBT Families, Civil Partnership and Cohabitation
Catholic charities may not discriminate against same-sex couples
The Charities Tribunal has ruled that Catholic charities who refuse to assess same-sex couples as potential adoptive parents are breaking the law. The tribunal ruled that a “heterosexuals only” policy in the adoption field of the Catholic Church in England and Wales would fall foul of the ban on discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation brought in two years ago. The tribunal president, Alison McKenna, paid tribute to Catholic Care's "significant contribution" to adoption services, but said the charity could not continue to refuse potential adoptive parents because of their sexual orientation. BAAF have produced a best practice guide to gay and lesbian adoption called
Recruiting, Assessing and Supporting Gay and Lesbian Carers and Adopters. (
PinkNews)
US: Same-sex marriage in New Hampshire
On 3rd June, the governor of New Hampshire signed legislation making the US state the seventh to open civil marriage to both same-sex and mixed-sex couples. However, the legislation permits churches and church-related organisations to deny insurance and other benefits to same sex spouses of employees. Five other states in the US currently allow same-sex couples to marry (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine): the Supreme Court of California ruled that the ban on same-sex couples marrying (Proposition 8, voted on in November last year) should be upheld, but that the same-sex marriages celebrated in California between May and November 2008 should continue to be recognised. (
BBC, PinkNews ,
MTV)
Republican Mayor of West Texas town leaves US to be with his lover because DOMA bans them from being together legally. (
Washington Post)
Gay activists in Moscow say they will seek permission from the city authorities to stage a picket supporting same sex marriage, in both the United States and Russia, in front of the US Embassy in Moscow on July 7 during the State visit of President Obama in the Russian capital. (
UK Gay News)
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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