2007
LGBT History Month mailing 26
Welcome to the new user-friendlier style LGBT History month mailing, which has five sections:
- News: LGBTHM, national and international bulletin
- Events: a calendar of shows, conferences and meetings for the month
- Coming soon: advance notice of events after the month
- Community and help: a billboard for groups to make contact for research etc.
- What they said: a new section with LGBT quotes from the news
NEWS
DFES PULLS PLUG ON LGBTHM
The biggest financial supporter of LGBT History Month for the past two years has been the DfES and we may have wondered how we would do without their support. Now we are about to find out, since their funding has been reduced to...zero. We shall survive, thanks to the support of other groups such as the Crown Prosecution Service, The Met and others (see our supporters’ logos on our website); and thanks to the hours of hard work we put in voluntarily – but it is a crushing blow as we enter our third year.
TUC SUPPORTS LGBTHM PRE-LAUNCH
The History Month 2007 pre-launch is to be held at TUC’s Congress House and we are eternally grateful to the TUC for providing the venue free of charge. The TUC itself said: "The TUC are proud to be part of LGBT History Month, taking place in February 2007. It will be the third time the event has taken place and will mark 50 years since publication of the Wolfenden report."
We’ve a host of great speakers, including:
* Novelist Stella Duffy and American entertainer, stand-up comedian
and jazz singer Lea Delaria
* Stephen Whittle, who will report on the most comprehensive research on trans people to date
* Peter Purton, who is launching his new book, Sodom, Gomorrah and the new Jerusalem
* Allan Horsfall, veteran campaigner and founder of the first lesbian and gay organisation in Britain
* Claire Anderson from the NUS
* Hosted by TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber
Go to to find out more and book your place.
EQUALITY ACT: WE WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR
The Equality Act has been delayed until April 2007, which means LGB clients can still be discriminated against in the provision of goods and services. According to last Sunday’s Observer Ruth Kelly and Tony Blair are to blame because they seek to exempt religious groups from certain provisions in schools and hotels and so forth. This claim has been rejected by both parties. Kelly’s membership of Opus Dei and her continued failure to support pro-LGBT legislation remains a major dilemma for LGBTs, however, and compromises her in her role as Minister for Equality. Meanwhile the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association has composed a letter demanding her resignation.
ASA vs. GPA
The Advertising Standards Authority found against the Gay Police Association and banned its ‘blood-stained Bible’ ad, since it could find no justification for the implied position that the Church itself encourages homophobic attacks.
Fyne Times 5th Anniversary and website
Britain’s most intelligent LGBT freebie Fyne Times is celebrating its fifth anniversary and has launched a wonderful up-graded web-site
Lgbt teachers go to Luton
Luton Borough Council put a box advertisement in August’s Fyne Times, suggesting that it was a good place to be if you were an LGBT teacher in need of a post. To our knowledge this is the first case of an LEA recruiting teachers in the gay press. It also includes LGBT monitoring on its Equal Opp’s monitoring on application forms for teachers. Well done Luton.
Italian mps can go to hell
Italy’s new left wing reformist Prime Minister Romano Prodi is determined to hurry through legislation to instigate the Civil Partnership Ceremony in his country. The Pope’s response is to menace any MP who votes in favour of it. According to the Pontiff, anyone who supports this initiative could be denied the Sacrament.
Amnesty International and HIV Scotland support Scottish Commission on Human Rights
Scottish Commission on Human Rights Bill - next stage of debate 2nd November
A recent Amnesty International report which looks at the human rights awareness of public authorities across Scotland has highlighted the need for a Scottish Commission on Human Rights.
See also: HIV Scotland’s Human Rights Campaign
Equality Network > Forums > Anti-discrimination law proposals
Europride News
Zurich in Switzerland will be host city for Europride 2009. In 2007 EuroPride will take place in Madrid and in 2008 in Stockholm. This year's EuroPride parade and rally in London attracted about 600,000 people.
Netherlands: LGBT Iranian asylum seekers can stay
Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk announced today that a group of gay Iranians seeking asylum in the Netherlands can stay, a decision based on a report from Human Rights Watch that they would be at risk of execution for their sexual orientation if they were returned to Iran.
Northampton kizz
Kizz Goodbye to Homophobia is a new initiative launched in Northampton after a frenzied attack on staff at a local gay venue. The organisation aims to become a charity in February.
LIB DEMS use the g-word
The Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign with a series of badges bearing the statement ‘Homophobia is Gay’; a tongue in cheek response to the abuse of the word gay in youth and media speak.
EVENTS
Events from the 23rd October to 22nd Novemebr are listed in the calendar below.
WHEN / WHERE / WHAT23 October
11 – 7pm
6.46- pm
NT / Shoreditch
Studio LaDanza, 89, Holloway Road, N7 8LT
ICA, London
ICA, London / PeaceOUT UK, a queer hip-hop music fest, from October 20 – 26 in London. for details
Lesbian Art Exhibition:out jiving and friends
1st October – late November, 2006. Photography, painting, DVD, and sculpture Mon- Fri. Sat by app’t.
for info about dance classes
Curator Caroline Halliday, 0207 254 5723
Lea Delaria at the Comica Festival,.
Discussion 6.45 - 8.00pm. See for further UK dates
Alison Bechdel, author of Dykes to Watch Out For and this year of Fun Home, her stunning graphic novel/autobiography.One night only. This is her only date in the UK so early booking is advisable:
24 October
6.30 pm / The Players Lounge, Villiers Street, London / Village Drinks with guests Stephen Williams MP and Matthew Parris.
Ticket only
25 October
6.45 pm
NT (till the
29th)
NT / Watermans Art Centre, Brentford TW8 0DS
Drill Hall, London
for details
Colchester Arts Centre
/ Film: Nina’s Heavenly Delights (PG)
Sisters, Such Devoted Sisters. Touching play about drag queens in the Glasgow underworld
Gateway to Heaven by Claire Summerskill. for other dates
26 October
All day
All day (and 27-28)
8.45 pm / for details
for details
Watermans Art Centre, BrentfordTW8 ODS / ASHIANA Training in Domestic Violence issues for Asian, Turkish and Iranian Women Cultural & Religious Awareness (1 Day)
York Lesbian Arts Festival
Film: Nina’s Heavenly Delights (PG)
27 October
9 pm-3 am / Saxby's Bar, at 47 Sturry Road, Canterbury / Gay Night with Brighton Drag artist Drag with no Name
28 October
29 October
10am-4pm / Hotel Bristol, Blonk Street, Sheffield , South Yorkshire, S1 2AU. /
Relate life skills course for Gay and lesbian couples. Lunch is included in the price., £99 per person -
Tel: 0800 093 5711
30 October
11am – 4pm / Room 101, ULU (University of London Union), Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY / Comprehensive Spending Review: Review of the future role of the Third Sector in social and economic regeneration – consultation with the LGBT voluntary and community sector.
You can download an attendance registration form and other materials from the Consortium website – or register your interest by emailing
31 October
7-11 pm
6.15pm
7 – 9 pm / Jewel
4/6 Glasshouse Street, W1B 5DQ.
Room G73, Franklin Wilkins
Building, Waterloo campus, University of London.
King William IV Pub in Hampstead / ROUGE NOIR. Velvet Club Social
Dominic Johnson (Queen Mary, University of London), in conversation with Ron Athey (performance artist). A Queer Studies research seminar
Operation ATHENA
Operation ATHENA is a Metropolitan Police initiative to combat hate crime. Camden Police will be working with the Camden LGBT Forum and will be available to discuss concerns about harassment or hate crime
1 November
All day
7 – 9 pm / London
Black Cap on Camden High Street / BAG BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details and booking
Operation ATHENA
Operation ATHENA is a Metropolitan Police initiative to combat hate crime. Camden Police will be working with the Camden LGBT Forum and will be available to discuss concerns about harassment or hate crime
2 November
All day / Southampton / BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details and booking
3 November
All day / Cardiff / BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details and booking
4 November
10.30 am- 7 pm / University of Leeds / Anarchism & Sexuality: ethics, relationships and power
Full programme with abstracts is now available online at the conference website -
Please address any questions/comments/concerns to BOTH &
5 November
6 November
7 November
6 - 9 pm
7-9 pm / Inspire Café, St. Peters Church, Liverpool Grove, Walworth, SE17 2HH
Dragon Hall, 17 Stukely Street, Camden WC2B 5LT
(Holborn tube) / Becoming a magistrate, interactive session
Contact Dax on 020 7525 5659 for more details and tobook your free place. If you have any special requirements to attend this event, please contact Dax to arrange.
Amistad: to provide a confidential and non judgemental peer space for men of African decent and other men of colour to explore any and all issues that are related to their identity, culture and race as gay men, men who love men and men who have sex with men. Weekly
8 November
All day
7-9 pm / Birmingham
Dragon Hall, 17 Stukely Street, Camden WC2B 5LT
(Holborn tube) / BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details and booking
GMAC (Gay Men Affected by Cancer) meeting. Supported by McMillan Trust. 2nd Wednesday of every month
9 November
All day
6.30-8.30 pm / Liverpool
Dragon Hall, 17 Stukely Street, Camden WC2B 5L
(Holborn tube) / BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details and booking
Artworks: offering men and women of all ages and backgrounds a friendly space to explore LGBT issues through visual art whatever their ability. Some materials and instruction provided. Twice monthly
10 November
All day
10.30am-4.30pm
Registration from 9.15am
7.30pm / Newcastle
School of Education
Humanities Building (Devas St.)
The University of Manchester
Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL
Conway Hall Humanist Centre, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1 / BAG: Schools based anti-bullying learnshop from C:HAT for details/booking.
Invisible Boundaries: Addressing Sexualities Equalities in Children’s Worlds. A FREE one day seminar for researchers, policy makers and practitioners
Nikolai Alekseev. The Russian gay rights campaigner Nikolai Alekseev and a panel talk about their experiences at Moscow’s first gay pride march, held on 27 May 2006.
11 November
All day
All day (and the 12th)
NT / NUT
Hamilton House
Mabledon Place,
Off Euston Road
(Euston/Kings Cross/St Pancras)
for details
Chez Gerard Restaurant, 9 Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 8YL / NUT LGBT Conference: LGBT matters for every teacher
Call 020 7380 4729 or email
IMAAN LGBT Muslim Conference. Friday Evening Dinner also available
GALHA Annual Lunch. Guest speaker Nikolai Alekseev
The price is £26.50 per person. To book, just e-mail or phone 01926858450.
12 November
13 November
14 November
6.15pm / Room G73, Franklin Wilkins
Building, Waterloo campus, University of London
/ Dominic Johnson (Queen Mary, University of London), in conversation with Ron Athey (performance artist). A Queer Studies Research Seminar
15 November
16 November
6:30 - 9 pm / Howies, Waterloo Place, Edinburgh.
Southwark Town Hall, 35 Peckham Rd SE5 8UB / Stonewall Scotland fundraising dinner
The dinner will include a Champagne tasting and will raise vital funds for our campaigns on homophobic bullying in schools and hate crime.
A great way to support Stonewall Scotland! Tickets are £50. Call 0131 557 3679 to book your place.
Talk Back @ the Southwark Anti Homophobic Forum. Theme: Health
If you can’t make the meeting you can send your question/s by email
Time.
Contact Dax on 020 7525 5659 for more details and to RSVP your place.
if you have any special requirements to attend this event, please contact Dax to arrange.
17 November
18 November
10.30-3.30
All day (and the 19th) / The Community Centre, (opp St George's Church) Crayford Road, Tufnell Park N7
Leicester
(see Bi Community News for venue and details / London Gay Men’s Chorus singing workshop. The cost is only £3 per session
Contact details : e Call : 0845 838 2056
Autumn 2006 Bi Activist Weekend
19 November
20 November
5-8 pm / Congress House / LGBT History Month Pre-launch to book your free place.
21 November
COMING SOON
GMFA are hosting a consultation on gay men's health and HIV prevention in London on the 22nd and 25th November 2006. They are inviting gay men to join them in designing services that meet your needs. For more information call 020 7738 6872, email go to
Lesbian and Gay Psychology Section Conference
The Lesbian and Gay Psychology Section Conference will take place on 1-2 December
Confirmed speakers include Susan Golombok from Cambridge University, who will speak on same-sex parenting, and Dominic Davies, head of Pink Therapy, who will talk about clinicians and therapists working with sexual minority clients.
Further details available from Dr Meg Barker .
Yorkshire's premier civil partnership exhibition
On Sunday 10 December 2006 Yorkshire's first Civil Partnership Exhibition takes place at Knavesmire Stand, York Racecourse from 12-4.00pm.
The £3 entry includes live entertainment, over 60 gay/lesbian friendly exhibitors, catwalk shows, café, help desk manned by York Register Office and lots more. Plus a £2000 Holiday to be won on the day!!!!!
For more information contact Jane or Nic on 01964 552470 or .
Encountering Human Rights: Gender/Sexuality, Activism and the Promise of Law
Liberty is jointly running a conference with the Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality and the Legal Action Group. A two-day conference is bringing together activists, academics and
practitioners to assess how human rights law and practice in the UK
interacts with issues concerning gender and sexuality. The conference is
being organised by the Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality, Liberty and
the Legal Action Group. It has been funded by the Modern Law Review.
Conference will be on the 5th and 6th of January 2007 at The University of Westminster, London. For further details and to register:
AT THE DRILL HALL:
Mixing movement, photography and video Joey Hateley’s A:GENDER is an unconventional piece of theatre about ideas of female masculinity. Already a huge hit at QueerUpNorth and GlasGay! this TransAction Theatre Company production can be seen on 9, 10, 11 December.
THEHOUSE OF HOMOSEXUAL CULTURE with a further programme of events, activities and salons including on 21 October, The Lavender Library, a celebration of gay and lesbian novelists, Going Down which explores the uneasy relationship between homosexuality and the penal system on 21 November and on 19 December it’s time to step into your platform boots for Oh YouPretty Things! How Gay was Glam Rock’?
Tickets for the season can now be booked on 020 7307 5060
Or on line at The Drill Hall’s brand new web-site –
DOMESTIC ABUSE
The University of Sunderland is organising two one-day conferences to present its findings on the research project 'Comparing Love and Violence in Same Sex and Heterosexual Relationships'. Attendance is free; lunch provided; some subsidised travel available to voluntary organisations.
Bristol: Monday 4th December at Armada House, Telephone Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4BQ
Newcastle: Friday 8th December at St James Park Football Ground, St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 4ST
To book a place, e-mail
LGBT FAITH
A Homophobia and Faith conference for 17 February 2007is currently being organised by the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Further details TBA.
COMMUNITY/ HELP
Better Futures: LGBT Youth Scotland to run new anti-bullying organisation
Better Futures, a new anti-bullying organisation with a remit to oppose bullying both in and out of schools, is to be run by the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and LGBT Youth Scotland. Earlier this year a report by LGBT Youth Scotland into bullying of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transexuals found that tackling incidents of homophobia was not seen as a priority by many schools. In the Herald on Saturday (14th October) Michael McGrath, director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service, said that it was “a little disturbing” that LGBT Youth Scotland was to be part of Better Futures, because there was “so much other bullying”.
Anti-bullying week
November 20-24 is National Anti-Bullying week. With 84% of teachers claiming to have witnessed homophobic bullying and only 6% of schools mentioning homophobic bullying in their anti-bullying policies it is as important as ever to support it and make yourself and your views visible. Go for information. Research requests
An American PhD student, Nadia Ellis, is doing literary and historical research on various connections between Caribbean and British culture during the first half of the twentieth century. One of the themes is the connection between emerging gay cultures in England during the 1950's and early 1960's and the wave of Caribbean migration to England happening at the same time. There are lots of arrows pointing to intersections between these constituencies, but precious few first-hand accounts of migrants about their experiences of or thoughts about homosexuality in their new home. Nadia is looking for personal stories and oral histories from/about gay men and lesbians of Caribbean descent in England.
If you can help Nadia, or put her in touch with anyone else who might be able to help, could you please contact her direct. Contact her through email at nellis-at-princeton-dot-edu. Her postal address is English Department, 22 McCosh Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA.