LGBT History Month mailing 25
Greetings and welcome to late September’s mailing. As autumn kicks in and the kids are back at school, traditional family entertainment venues London Zoo, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers stage their own gay events. Cheap flights abound. We must never forget the power of the pink pound. Or is it just the never-ending queue of people who want to get our money out of our pockets?
Aside from my cynicism, I went to my first gay civil partnership ceremony today. It was a very flamboyant couple in Luton; and they are well-known throughout the gay and straight community. The reception included everyone from every walk of life and every class, race and social position. It was a very moving occasion and I must confess I did well up. It was the cross-section of people who were happy to celebrate two men loving each other that did it. Honest!
WHAT’S HAPPENED
Football is in the news. Manchester City has joined the Stonewall Equality Alliance and put its money where its mouth is. Gay comedian Alan Carr’s Dad is a scout there. Just coincidence? Brighton and Hove Albion have followed suit. About time. But there is still no out gay footballer.
The Law Society has criticised law firms for their hetero-sexist macho social activities that discriminate against gay men. They are fighting back.
It’s been a bad month for Christianity and LGBT rights. The Archbishop of Canterbury caused outrage when he said the gay community needed to mend its ways before it could enter the Anglican church; and Glasgow’s catholic archbishop Mario Conti defended the right of 9 fire officers to refuse to hand out fire prevention advice to attendees of Glasgow’s Pride. The Russian Orthodox Church was accused of blessing the neo-fascists who beat up Pride marchers in Moscow. Christian Voice’s Stephen Green played the martyr after his arrest for handing out leaflets reminding us that we are an abomination (according to Leviticus) at Cardiff Pride.
Meanwhile north of the border; if you think your vicar is a bit queer, you are invited to grass him or her up. See for details.
Meanwhile on the international agenda: Vikram Seth has led a huge campaign by Asian artists and celebrities to rid India of its anti-gay law: Section 377.
In the Lebanon, Halem is campaigning to rid the country of Article 534 of the Penal Code, which outlaws homosexuality.
International villain of the month is Uganda’s Red Pepper, which has produced the names of several gays and lesbians over its last two issues and has invited people to snitch on their family, friends and neighbours to root them out. In truth of course, this rag is no worse than the News of the World and it’s the country’s absurd anti-lesbian and gay laws that makes this abuse of human rights possible. The articles are aimed at encouraging “punishment” of those named. Protests are to be held by the NUS on Friday outside the Ugandan Embassy in London. See for details.DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2006/September/subcontinent_Sepber585.xml§ion=subcontinent
In Poland, the ‘keep it in the family’ President denied his country is homophobic; and Latvia’s ‘Latvia First’ Party had their latest anti-LGBT bill, which sought to ban the term homosexuality in the media, defeated.
OBITUARY
From Camden LGBT Forum
In Memoriam
It is with great sadness we have to inform you of the death of John Beeson on the 8th of September. There will be a commemorative drink at the BLACK CAP Pub on Sunday, 24th September at 6 PM, Camden High Street (near Camden Town tube, near Boots).
If you have ever attended a forum event, it is likely that you would have come into contact with John Beeson, one of the Forum’s trustees. In the early of hours of the 8th of September, John died in UCH, from a chest infection following a massive heart attack and stroke which he suffered in June this year.
John was a driving force behind the setting up of the Forum and served as its chair until last year. John was committed to LGBT liberation and has been a campaigner and activist since the Gay and Lesbian Front in the 1970s. Over the years, he was involved with a number of charities, committees, theatres and lesbian and gay activists groups, such as Outrage, the Equality Alliance, Transport 2000, and the LGBT Advisory Group.
John is remembered by us fondly as a wise man, who was dependable and could always be relied on. Following his heart attack he was unable to leave hospital but despite being very sick, suggested that we hold forum management meetings around his bed.
We are just starting to go through John's papers and are beginning to realise the number of activities that John got up to and organisations he was involved with. We would like to archive and store his memories for the future, and would really like to hear from you. If you have any stories, pictures or anecdotes we would greatly appreciate it if you could share them with us so that we are able to complete his history.
John was very insistent that he would have no funeral and no service. However, he will be cremated next Tuesday morning, so spare a thought for him then.
As Friends and as an organisation we do want to do something to celebrate, commemorate and give thanks for John’s positive influence on us and we will be organising a small event in early-mid October. If you would like to have details, please let us know.
I would like to end on a personal note, I have known John only 4 years, yet during that time he has worked tirelessly for the forum and many other organisations, I am grateful to have been able to work with him. The forum would not be the organisation it is today without him, and many other groups and organisations would be weaker without his assistance. I am grateful for the influence that he has had on me and many other people and will miss him greatly.
Simon Luscombe
OUTRAGE APPEAL
SUPPORT
PETER
TATCHELL
Peter Tatchell has been at the forefront of gay rights and
human rights activism for almost 40 years. He has shone a
light on many forms of discrimination and a variety of abuses
which, without his help, would have gone largely unnoticed
and unchallenged.
His “Stop Murder Music” campaign resulted in record companies
halting the recording of songs that incite violence against lesbian
and gay people. Peter’s attempted citizen’s arrest of President
Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe drew international attention to mass
arrests, detention without trial, torture and state-sanctioned
murder. Peter has helped dozens of black, gay and Muslim
prisoners and asylum seekers. He has taken on the homophobia
of the Pope, President Bush and the Polish Prime Minister.
The Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund (PTHRF) was established in
2002 to help finance Peter’s numerous campaigns. He is unpaid,
with no income, staff or office. He works 16 hours a day, 7 days a
week. This is putting him under intolerable strain and causing him
constant ill-health. Peter desperately needs paid staff to help with
his campaigns.
HOW YOU CAN HELP…
As little as £5 a month can make a big difference.
We are asking 1,000 people to take out a standing order for £5 a month. This
would ensure an annual income of £60,000 – enough to pay for two full-time
staff to help Peter’s vital work.
All donors will receive a copy of the Annual Report and an invitation to the Annual
PTHRF Reception.
If you would like to make a difference, please fill in the below standing order
Name: ______
Address: ______
______Postcode: ______
Telephone: ______
Email: ______
Monthly Payment:
£25 [ ] £20 [ ] £15 [ ] £10 [ ] £5 [ ] £3 [ ] Other £______
Yearly Payment:
£50 Corporate [ ] £25 Individual [ ] £15 Student/OAP/Unwaged [ ] Other: £______
Name of Bank: ______
Address of Bank: ______
______Postcode: ______
Sort Code: ______
Current Account: ______
Account Holder Name: ______
Signature: ______Date: ______
Dear Bank Manager: Please pay the above indicated sum
[ ] on the 7th day of each month, where payment is monthly
[ ] on the next 7th day of the month following receipt where payment is annual
TO: PTHRF, Alliance & Leicester Girobank Ltd, Bootle, Merseyside, GIR 0AA
Account Number: 94273283
Sort Code: 72 50 04
and return to PTHRF: PO Box, 35253, London E1 4YF
Untitled-1.indd 1 14/7/06 14:26:56
In 2005 LGBT History Month turned heads; in 2006 we took off; in 2007 we need to make ourselves visible in every square metre of the UK. For ideas, letters and further information look at our website
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
PRIDE TV
We could have LGBT TV on our screens soon. See for details.
BISEXUALS’ EVENTS
Fence Sitters ball at The Two Brewers, Clapham Common on September 21st.
Manchester Bi-fest on September 23rd. Details
LGBT YOUTH CONFERENCE
At The University of East London September 24th for details.
PRIDE EVENTS
/ Pink Party In The ParkThe Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community of Wrexham and District are holding a get together at Alyn Waters in Wrexham on Sunday 24 September from 1- 4pm. Bring your own drinks and food. For details contact Keith Drury or 0783 477 6603.
Download the poster as a PDF.
Bucks Pride Protest!!!! / / /
Written by Gareth Pacitti
Friday, 15 September 2006
BUCKS PRIDE PROTEST - 30th SEPTEMBER MOUNT PARK, AYLESBURY.
Buckinghamshire may not be allowed to have a pride event this year, but thanks to the tremendous efforts of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people there's going to be a protest instead.
Around the world LGBT people are encouraged to celebrate and take pride in themselves, in Buckinghamshire LGBT people have to protest for the right to do so. This is an important day for LGBT people in the area, and a day that will go down in the history books.
If you're LGBT, concerned for human rights and equality, or just fancy a fun day with friends and family (while getting your point across) be at Mount Park in Aylesbury on September the 30th at 2PM. It'll be a fab day of picnics, protesting and cabaret!
Further details can be found at - if you'd like to help out at the event, require more details, or want to request an interview email is email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
If you're a Flickr member, we've created a group for you to upload your pictures of the day via email, the web or your mobile phone at
Q:alliance, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans charity in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire will have a stall at the nearby Saracens pub (map link here). Feel free to stop by for a chat and to find out a little more about us. If you'd like to help out on the stand please email is email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
Q:alliance is funded by Aylesbury Vale District Council, the National Lottery's Community Fund, Milton Keynes Community Foundation, Connexions MKOB, the Local Network Fund and Milton Keynes Council to provide support, information, advocacy, advice and fun to LGBT people and groups in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire.
Q:alliance is not directly involved with the Bucks Pride Protest, but as a voluntary sector organisation providing support to local LGBT people, it makes sense for us to have a presence nearby the protest, but we will not be directly involved in the protest itself.
GAY SKINHEADS
Gay Skinheads weekend in Manchester September 24th. for details
LLGBFF ON TOUR
London Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual film festival tours the country. See for details.
MELMOTH THEATRE
"Watkins.. shines and inspires as the lovely Laura" Theatreworld"Well worth seeing."
Theatreworld
" a well written, ambitious and interesting play with some great acting "Theatreworld /
/ Between Worlds
by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt
translated by John Clifford
Welcome to the Between Worlds Hotel!
Colin, thirty something, too afraid to commit to anything or anyone because the only future he can see is his inevitable end. He is intent on drowning his career at the bottom of a whisky bottle and driving hard and fast on the highway of self-destructive hedonism. How long before he crashes and destroys everything?
Less than an hour ago Colin drove his car into a tree. He finds himself in a hotel between worlds, where a series of bizarre companions take him on a journey of self-discovery: The Magus, fortune teller extraordinaire; Jessie a bawdy cleaner; The Chairman of some board or other; the mysterious Dr S and Laura.
What does Colin really discover about life and love during his stay Between Worlds and will he ever get a second chance?
Both absurdly funny and profoundly moving, Between Worlds is Melmoth's third UK premiere this year, following the sell-out 'To WH' and the critically acclaimed 'Stay With Me' at Greenwich Playhouse.
CAST: ANTHONY WOLFE; LYDIA WATKINS; MARIA BATES; ALAN BUCKMAN; MATTHEW LYNE; CAROLE COYNE; SIOBHAN CAMPBELL
CREDITS: WRITTEN BY: ERIC-EMMANUEL SCHMITT, TRANSLATED BY JOHN CLIFFORD PRODUCER: STUART DRAPER DIRECTOR: MARK BULLOCK ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: ANTON KRAUSE DESIGNER: LAKIN MORS LIGHTING DESIGN: STUART DRAPER STAGE MANAGER: LAUREN KENT ASM/OPERATOR: AEMELIA ROE / 5th - 30th September,
7.30pm at the Union Theatre
The Union Theatre
204 Union Street
London SE1 0LX
Box Office:
020 7261 9876
What the critics said about Two Gentlemen of Verona:
"Pretty irresistible"
Time Out
"A Shakespearean delicacy"
Kentish Times
"the utterly fabulous, utterly hysterical, totally feelgood production of Two Gentlemen of Verona"
BOYZ
"A delightfully
queer finale"
Time Out, London
BRADFORD SUMMER FEST ENDS
Bradford Equality Partnership AGM September 28th. for details.
SOUTH EAST GAY PROFESSIONALS
Gay professionals’ are having a dinner in Hove September 29th. See for details.
GAY SURREY CLUB NIGHT
To be held on September 30th. See for details.
LGBT IN INVERNESS
Reach Out Highland is a new sight for LGBT people in the highlands of Scotland.
BELARUS AT THE METRO CENTRE GREENWICH
Forum on LGBT Rights in Belarus - The Metro Centre is proud to welcome guest speakers from Belarus on Tuesday 3 October to discuss the lives and struggles of LGBT people in their country. All are welcome to attend. For more detailed information, please click: Belarus Info
CONTINENTAL YOGA
Yoga holiday in the South of France September 28th – October 3rd. See for details
POETRY IN BUCKS
Poets Wanted / / /Written by Gareth Pacitti
Tuesday, 08 August 2006
For a special event taking place in Aylesbury on October 5th, Q:alliance wants you to represent the LGBT community with your poetry prowess.
We need poems focusing on the lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans experience with the theme of 'identity'.
This is a fantastic opportunity for LGBT voices to express their talent and and help showcase the wonderful creativity so inherent within our community.
The event will take place on October the 5th at Aylesbury Library for National Poetry Day and the event is being run by Buckinghamshire County Council, who have the following to say about the event:
What we are trying to do is create a forum for constructive discussion about race, religion, age, disability, sexuality, sexes and the way we relate to each other on a societal level.
This event is nothing new, or anything ground breaking but an extension of all the community work being done by all the hard working groups in Buckinghamshire.
This event is a pebble in a Buckinghamshire pond, however it is my hope that the ripples resonate for generations to come.
If you're interested in getting involved, either writing, performing or just looking after the Q:alliance stand with us, please email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or call 01908 241528.
IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS…
The Scots Bear Fest is on the first weekend in October. See
for details.
MANCHESTER DRAMA PROJECT
For those of you in and around Manchester, football and the new coming out
drama sessions will be our projects between now and Christmas, so if you want to get involved let me know. Drama is a Monday night and Footy is on
Saturdays for the time being.
The drama will hopefully lead to an exciting performance at Christmas and
in February for the School's Out! conference. It is being ran by the enigmatic (that means 'kool') Joey Hateley, check out the link below for a bit of info on her...
DRILL HALL
Here are a couple of interesting lectures that will be taking place in the next couple of months at the Drill Hall in Chenies Street, London courtesy of The House of Homosexual Culture.
Caz Old The Lavender Library An interactive book reading - Saturday 21 October Drill Hall One. Join a panel of best-selling lesbian and gay authors in a celebration of the books that have inspired their work. It's a two-volume event: in the first part, writers champion novels that they love, through readings and discussion. After the interval, they'll read from their own work, showing inspiration and cultural continuity. Audience members will be invited to suggest their own favourite novels, and Gay's the Word will be running a bookstall for the event. Meet the writers, share your enthusiasms and be prepared to join in a special Lavender Library quotes quiz.> Panel members to be announced: please check < for updates.
Plus : Gay's the Word will be running a bookstall at the venue; come and support the greatest community bookshop of all time! Saturday 21 October 2006 Drill Hall One time & tickets tbc