Welcome to the 58thLGT History Month Bulletin. There are 5 sections:
News: A selection of LGBT related news articles from the past month
Birthdays: a list of LGBT people’s March birthdays. Both dead and alive!
Events: a calendar of shows, conferences and meetings
Community: appeals, requests and community based ideas
Quotes: who said what, where and when
News
Support A Day in Hand
On Sunday 17th May, same-sex couples will take to the streets of the nation for one of the biggest organised same-sex hand holding events in the world. This is to coincide with IDAHO.
The initiative is the brainchild of teacher and LGBT rights campaigner Dave Watkins. There is a facebook group and the idea is to have your photo taken while holding hands with someone of the same sex and have it put ‘out’ on the web; like an electronic quilt.
David, a Schools OUT and LGBT History Month Working Party member and treasurer said: “For many straight couples, holding hands in public is second nature: an honouring of commitment, a declaration of love. For same-sex couples who want to make that same (simple) declaration it can result in fear and hatred. Sometimes the fear comes from others, oftentimes it comes from within ourselves. At work, within our circles, and in our communities, LGBT people can stand proud, but in public, home and away, as visible couples, we are remain separable and distinctivly 'love-lite'. To find out more, go to
For other IDAHO events, or to register one of your own, go to
3 in 10 Teenagers Get Sex Education from Internet Porn
How should children learn about sex: form parents/guardians; teachers; or from internet porn sites? 3 in 10 children learn about the birds and the bees from internet porn and teenagers watch an average of 90 minutes of porn on the net every week. Those are the shocking findings of a survey carried out for Channel 4, for the Sex Education vs. Pornography programme.
This in a nation that has only just legislated for Sex and Relationships education for all pupils from primary education onwards. So we are producing young adults who may not have had a scrap of sex education in schools but may have spent their formative and teenage years watching grown ups performing dangerous sex acts with multiple partners with no contraception. And we have the highest number of teenage pregnancies and STIs in Europe. Here’s a basic numeracy and literacy issue: what does 2 + 2 add up to? It’s as simple as ABC!
Our children: Straight, L,G,B and T are being put at risk because our schools have neglected to teach them properly about sex and have left the porn peddlers to fill the information gap.
Older LGB people Don’t Feel Safe using mental health Services in London
According to a survey and report by Polari, older LGB people still don’t feel safe using the mental health services in London, even though there are laws to protect them from discrimination in the provision of goods and services. Many feared other mental health services and most felt isolated and alone. Staff were generally thought of positively, although a few felt they were treated negatively because they were LGB. For the full report and executive summary go to
Milk veteran wants to know who you’re sleeping with
A veteran LGBT rights campaigner and unionist who was featured in Milk came over to the UK on the first weekend in April to speak to people at the BFI lesbian and gay film Festival. Cleve Jones was the young man with curly hair and glasses who rejected Harvey’s first approach at recruiting him but returned with a broken heart and became his best campaigner. Between dates in London he came to the TUC and told us about his latest campaign: Sleep with the Right People. The US union UNITE (nothing to do with the UK Union of the same name) was increasingly concerned that some multi-national corporate hotel companies were employing migrant labour at atrocious rates of pay and giving them ridiculous workloads, whilst some were also bank-rolling anti-LGBT rights evangelical groups. Sleep with the Right people is a campaign to boycott these hotels until their owners see the error of their ways. They are messing with the man who realised the AIDS quilt when Reagan was in denial and helped get Coors beer taken out of every gay bar in the USA! Currently the Manchester Hyatt and the Lax Hilton are under fire. Since these companies have hotels all over the world we need to internationalise the campaign. London Citizen and the UK Unite union are helping to challenge these companies in London and the UK. Go to for the US and Canada site. For Unite UK go to and for London Citizens go to
SIB after Easter
The long-awaited and much discussed Single Equalities Bill is set to have its first reading in the House after the Easter recess but before May.
International
Homosexuality a capital crime in Iraq
Iraq’s own death row has 128 prisoners awaiting execution. Denied a fair trial and name and shamed before conviction, a large number are understood to face the rope for “the crime of homosexuality”, according to Iraqi LGBT rights campaigner Ali Hilli. For the full report go to
EU Slams Europe-wide LGBT discrimination
The European Union's Fundamental Right's Agency (FRA) has published the second part of the report "Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the EU Member States" covering the social situation of LGBT people in EU Member States.
The report noted that: Pride events are being obstructed in Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Poland; LGBT people are being denied their rights by politicians and religious leaders in Italy, Hungary, Malta, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic; and across Europe homophobic abuse is levelled at people in the workplace, in schools and when seeking medical care.
"Now we have a report by an EU agency clearly showing that LGBT people are suffering severe and unacceptable levels of discrimination and harassment within the EU", said Michael Cashman, President of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights. "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."
Lesbian Birthdays
April 16th– Dusty Springfield (1939-99) – 6os British singer and pop-icon
April 27th- Mary Wollstonecraft(1759-94)-(writer, philosopher and feminist) born in London
Gay Birthdays
April 2nd– Paul Gambaccini – veteran broadcaster and music pundit AKA ‘The Professor of Pop’though he knows his classics too
April 23rd (exact date uncertain) – William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
Trans birthdays
April 25th – April Ashley – UK’s most famous trans woman, outed as such by The Sunday People in 1961
Events Calendar
LGBT Pride Calendar
For all pride events this year, click on
We are sending out a final reminder about this story contest, ending March 31, 2009. We have received some amazing stories from all over the world, but do still need additional stories.
You can get more information about the contest at
You can submit a story at the following link:
This link can be forwarded to others. Additionally you can submit more than one story at this link.
You can also submit a story at the link provided below, but this link cannot be forwarded and you will only be allowed to submit one story at this link. The limitation of the vendor we are using forces us to include this link but doesn't allow it to be forwarded to others.
Here is a link to the survey:
Thank you
Grace at Spiral River Productions
Date / where / when / what
Mon / Nottingham
Croydon Town Hall
The Intercom Community Centre in Exeter / Eve
7.30pm
7-9pm / PM Badminton Social(weekly)
Crocus Meeting.
Western Girls This group runs on the first Monday of the month and is a safe space for all who have had, in the
process of or are considering male to female gender reassignment. This social get together
for directions or more info
contact
Tues / Cramlington
Hackney
London Charing Cross Road
Greenwich MetroCentre, 110 Norman Rd. Greenwich
The Marlborough Clinic, Royal Free Hospital
Pond St, Hampstead, NW3 2PF
Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9SE / Eve
5.30-9pm
9-late
6-8pm
2-4pm
8.30-11.30 (monthly: every last Tuesday)
7pm-12 / LGBT Youth (13-19). Sharon on: 01670 597 865 or Steve at MESMAC on: 0191 233 1333
The Green Door LGBTQI Youth Project
07772 565 546
Ruby Tuesday. Regular night out for lesbians and
their guests Ku Bar WC2H 7BA
Penelope’s Pitstop. Drop in advice and testing for women who have
sex with women 020 8305 5000
Over 55’s LGBT group (last Tues every month) Jackie 020 8305 5000
Sexual Health MOTs for 50+ gay and bi men 020 7830 2847
Bar Wotever
The Castle, Camberwell Church St
S London / 7.30pm / Camberwell Gay Book Group. Every third Tuesday
Free
N/A / 6pm / (last Tuesday of the month)Out in South London - local LGBT radio show with Rosie Wilby and guests
Listen online at
Wed / The Glass Bar
190 Euston Road
NW1 2EF
Grand Hall, Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 / 7.30-9.30
7pm / London Lesbian and Bi Women’s Group Social & Discussion
Wandsworth Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Forum
Thurs
Fri / The Oak Bar, 79 Green Lanes, N16 9BU / 9pm-3am / Club Wotever
Sat / Leicester Pink Pedallers Cycling Group
Sun and Doves, Coldharbour Lane
Camberwell
S London / 8pm / For more information on this event or on the Pink Pedallers Cycling Group, contact Elizabeth Barner, CTC Cycling Development Officer on 0116 229 2582 or email .
Performances from 9pm (every Saturday)
Queer Complex: queer cabaret and music from Club Wotever and Gay Camberwell.Free
Sun / The Church Of The Assumption &
St Gregory, Warwick Street, Soho
The Candlestick, Essendon
London: East Dulwich / 5pm
8pm
3-5pm / LGBT Catholic Mass (1st and 3rd Sundays of the month)
Gay Night Out in Herts
South London Lesbian Mums Group for details. Every third Sunday of the month
The Castle, 65 Camberwell Church Street
/ 4pm / Free film screening with free popcorn
April and May
Date / where / when / What
5 Su / BFI London
The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX / From 1.50
4pm / Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
The Drill Hall Darlings: Take me Back to Lesbos by Giselle Johnson
6 M / BFI London / From 1.50 / Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
7 T / London Gay’s The Word bookshop
BFI London / 7pm
From 1.40 / Jim Grimsley, the multi-award-winning best-selling American author of the brilliant 'Dream Boy,' 'Comfort & Joy' and the new collection of stories 'Jesus is Sending You a Message' reads at Gay's the Word and discusses the film adaptation of 'Dream Boy' which screens at the LLG Film Festival the previous evening and the afternoon of the 7th at the NFT
Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
8 W / BFI London / From 2pm / Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
9Th
10 F
11 Sa
12 Su
13 M
14 T / Henderson Court
102 Fitzjohn’s Ave,
Hampstead, NW3 6NS
(entrance on Prince Arthur Rd) / 6-9pm / Older Gay men’s Group Meeting. Guest Speaker Brian Paddick
15 W / ANDAZ Hotel (Formerly the Great Eastern Hotel) 40 Liverpool Street, London, EC2M 7QN / 6.30pm / BEATING THE RECESSION
The Gay Business Association is planning a major workshop on how gay and lesbian-owned businesses, and gay and lesbian employees in organisations, can work together through the economic crisis.
16 Th / Southwark Town Hall, 35 Peckham Rd, SE5 8UB. Room A3
Croydon (go to website for venue details)
Gay’s the Word, London
South West Birmingham:
Holloway Hall Community Centre, Holloway, Northfield, B31 1TT / 7 – 9 pm
7pm
7pm
7.30 pm / LGBT Network Exec. Open meeting: everyone welcome
If you are interested, please contact Dax on:
020 7525 5659/ 07958 301324
Aurora meeting to discuss the Kellie Telesford trans murder case. Croydon’s lesbian, gay, bi and transgender police consultation group
For up-to-date information:
www. aurora-croydon.org.uk click on Kellie Telesford
Author Event - Elizabeth Wilson, author of 'The Twilight Hour' reads from her excellent new novel, 'War Damage' set in 1940s London; will appeal to both men and women.
Pink Sou’westers offers out-of-town’, non-scene, social, support and activities. (full disabled access, no. 18 bus stops outside) It will be a general social evening but will include discussion on ideas for futureevents, activities and trips, indoor and outdoor. So whether you fancy beetle drives or bowling, cycling or cinema, come and tell us your ideas. We’ll aim to ensure that all venues are accessible, that events are as inclusive as possible and that there is a good proportion of free or low cost activities included
17 F
18 Sa
19 Su
20 M
21 T / Bournemouth Fusion Youth Building / 6-8pm / Trustee recruitment and group networking
In association with Dorset & Cornwall Standing Council Lead Officers.
If you are part of an LGBT group then this event is an opportunity for you to show case your group or service to new people, to attract new members or people who are considering acting as Trustee’s and get information out to people who may not have come into contact with your LGBT group or activity before.
If you are not part of a group or not sure about what’s going on in your area then this event is also definitely for you. With new groups and activities starting up all the time this will be your opportunity to get involved and try something new.
There will be refreshments and cake as well as lots of new and exciting things to find out!
Call us on 01392 201012 or email on to find out more.
22 W / St Sidwells Centre, Sidwell Street, Exeter.
Vernon Hall, Florfield Road,
Hackney E8 1DT / 6pm
6-8pm / LGBT History Pride 2010 meeting.
We will be taking a look at what has been achieved and what we can achieve for the 2010 event. It
would great to see some new faces as well as familiar ones– if you want to find out more about
how you can get involved – come along or email us at or call on
01392 201012
Hackney Older Lesbians Group Meeting
23 Th / The Soho Medical Centre. 1 Frith Street (off
Soho Square), London W1 / 6-8.30pm / Westminster LGBT Community
Focus Group
Billie and Leslie from the Westminster police are setting up
a new community led LGBT forum. The forum is made up of
local residents and professionals and they meet up to discuss
a range of issues relevant to the whole LGBT community.
Please give Billie a call on 07766471903 if you would like
more information and to confirm your attendance.
Food and refreshments provided!!
24 F
25 Sa / Women's Library.
London Metropolitan University.
25 Old Castle Street.
E1 7NT / 12-2 / Between the Covers: history of women’s magazines. Free tour
26 Su
27 M / NorthEast Wales / N/A / Drop-in Coffee Club
28 T / Henderson Court
102 Fitzjohn’s Ave,
Hampstead, NW3 6NS
(entrance on Prince Arthur Rd) / 6-9 / Older Gay Men’s Group Film Night: And the band Played on
29 W
30 Th / Play, Torbay
Gay’s The Word, London
Notting Hill Extra Care Facility.
Upstairs Activity Room.,
60 Penfold St, Westminster,
NW8 8PG / Eve
7pm
2-4pm / Pride not Prejudice are holding a fundraising party at Play in Torbay to raise funds forTorbay Pride. The party is fancy dress with the theme of P (i.e. dress up as anything that begins
with P!) £5 entrance and a £50 cash prize for the best costume
Author Event - the greatly talented poet Mark Walton slams his stanzas
50+ Lesbian and Bi Women in Westminster Group
1 F
2 Sa / The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX
Birmingham Village Inn / 2.30pm
4pm /
Quest AGM social: at Village Inn. Possibility of meal later on. 07868844776
3 Su / The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX / 2.30pm /
4 M
5 T / Hall for Cornwall, Truro
54 Chalton street, London NW 1 1HS / 6-8pm
6.30-8pm / Trustee recruitment and group networking
In association with Dorset & Cornwall Standing Council Lead Officers.
If you are part of an LGBT group then this event is an opportunity for you to show case your group or service to new people, to attract new members or people who are considering acting as Trustee’s and get information out to people who may not have come into contact with your LGBT group or activity before.
If you are not part of a group or not sure about what’s going on in your area then this event is also definitely for you. With new groups and activities starting up all the time this will be your opportunity to get involved and try something new.
There will be refreshments and cake as well as lots of new and exciting things to find out!
Call us on 01392 201012 or email on to find out more.
Older Lesbian Social Group in Camden.
Please give Debbie a call for more
information on
0207121 3331
6 W
7 Th
8 F
9 Sa / The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX / 2.30pm /
10 Su / The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX / 2.30pm /
11 M
12 T
13 W
14 Th
15 F
16 Sa / The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX
Blackpool
Birmingham / 2.30pm
All day
9.30am /
Pride
Quest day trip to Worcester, meeting at Birmingham New St. 07868844776
17 Su / Worldwide
The Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1E 7EX
Blackpool / All Day
11.30am
All day / IDAHO. Includes a Day in Hand
Pride
18 M
19 T
20 W
21 Th
22 F
23 Sa / Birmingham
Birmingham / All day
afternoon / Pride
Quest: Meet-up at Birmingham Pride, in the afternoon, for those interested. There will hopefully be a multi-faith stall arranged, with Quest, MCC, LGCM, Quakers, Pagans and other gay religious groups involved. This is being planned at the moment.07868844776
24 Su / Birmingham / All day / Pride
25 M / NorthEast Wales
Birmingham / N/A
All day / Drop-in Coffee Club
Pride
26 T
27 W
28 Th
29 F
30 Sa / Harbertonford Village Hall, near Totnes / 7.30- 8.45-workshop.
8.45 - midnight-Stomp / Darn your drainpipes, launder your leg warmers, and get ready for sisters’ stomp to go retro with
a relaxed, friendly, funky and fun dance night for lesbians and bisexual women. There will also be a
fabulous strictly sisters workshop. Dressing up is positively encouraged.
£8/£7 Workshop and Stomp, £7/£6 Stomp only.
BYO drinks. More information from
31 Su
1 M
2 T
Community