Respect Magazine - June 2018

Respect June 2018. Issue 11

magazine

Rainbow Noir Plus

Being a Trans Ally Sister Bang Bang and more...

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CONTENTS 3 Type with Pride 5 Interview with Rainbow Noir 7 LGBT+ History Month & Iris on the Move 9 Support for Chechnya 11 Lana shares her story 12 How to be a Trans Ally 13 Interview with Stevie Spring 15 The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 19 Loving your Neighbour 20 LGBT+ Identity and Rights in peru 21 We are all Non-binary 23 Creating a Better Workplace to Support Mental Health

Welcome to the first edition of Respect Magazine of 2018.

Since we last caught up we’ve been busy. At the beginning of the year, Stonewall announced our ranking in the 2018 Workplace Equality Index (WEI) where we ranked 66 as well as, once again, being awarded highly commended network for our Respect LGBT+ Colleague Network.

We continue to be well placed in the top 100 ranking which is testimony to the great work we do.

We marked LGBT history month once again with stories from colleagues across Co-op, including our colleague Lana Smith who talked about being free to be her true self at work. You’ll hear more from Lana on the pages ahead.

For IDAHOBIT we fundraised for the LGBT Foundation’s programme to deliver life saving services and support to trans people who need it.

Pride season is fast approaching and this year promises to be our biggest yet. Co-op is supporting 8 events across the country and we’re showing #PrideInCoop by giving over 50 of our food stores and funeral homes a special #PrideInCoop make over.

At this year’s #CoopAGM, Respect joined forces with Co-op’s other diversity networks to tell Co-op members about the work we do.

In this edition we hear from Rainbow Noir who focus on LGBT+ people of colour, Sister Bangbang of the Manchester House of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an update on our latest jaunt with our friends from Iris Prize as well as other stories from our friends and colleagues.

Respect Magazine’s editors, Ben Brosnan and Amelia Cargo

Cover photo: Rainbow Noir Copyright © 2018 The Co-operative Group Ltd, all rights reserved. Unless otherwise stated, all content in this publication is property of The Co-operative Group Ltd. Unauthorised duplication, copying and redistribution (either in full or in part) is strictly prohibited.

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Type with Pride

by Stewart Livingstone

Gilbert Baker was both an LGBT+ activist and artist, and he was known for helping his friends create banners for protests and marches. In 1974, Gilbert met Harvey Milk, an influential gay leader, who three years later challenged Gilbert to create a symbol of pride for the gay community.

Gilbert Baker created the rainbow flag and since it’s debut, it has become one of the world’s most powerful and iconic designs. The original gay pride flag flew in the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade on 25 June, 1978.

It’s been suggested that Gilbert was inspired by Judy Garland’s singing “Over the Rainbow” and the Stonewall riots that happened a few days after Garland’s death. The original flag was made up of 8 stripes; Gilbert Baker assigned specific meaning to each of the colours: Sex

Gilbert Baker

Life Healing Sunlight Nature Magic/Art Serenity Spirit The flag has gone through several versions since it’s creation and we’ve now ended up with the six stripe flag that we all know and love today.

There’s also been other variations used across the years such as a black stripe being added to symbolise those community members lost to AIDS. More recently the state of Philadelphia changed the flag to include brown and black. The colours, according to the Philadelphia Office of LGBT Affairs’ More Colour More Pride campaign, represent the inclusion of people of colour in the LGBT+ community. The reaction to the addition of colours caused some controversy, however, it’s done the job of fuelling this important conversation.

Sadly, on 31 March 2017, Gilbert Baker, passed away.

To honour the memory of Gilbert Baker, Newfest and NYC Pride partnered with Fontself to create a new free font, inspired by the Rainbow Flag.

They’ve named the font ‘Gilbert’. So, now you can raise the rainbow flag with every letter that you type.

Go ahead and type with pride!

You can download the new font at typewithpride.com

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COME OUT TALKING.

The fight for equality is far from over.

Whatever you do and however you do it, it’s time to come out in support of LGBT. Join us. Search #ComeOutForLGBT. 4

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Rainbow Noir Interview by Amelia Cargo

Chloe and Tolu live in Manchester and, along with Jess, are voluntary organisers for Rainbow Noir, a social and peer support group for LGBT+ people of colour.

They recently sat down with Respect to talk about what Rainbow Noir means to them, the wider community and how they feel about the group turning five.

Tell us a bit about Rainbow Noir?

Why is it important that groups like Rainbow Noir exist?

Chloe: Rainbow Noir was born because LGBT+ people

Tolu: When I was growing up, I associated being LGBT+

of colour didn’t have anywhere to go where they could be their whole selves. We felt invisible, dismissed by the wider LGBT+ community and that racism on the

scene wasn’t being addressed. Equally, in our cultural communities, LGBT+ identities weren’t spoken about openly or made space for.

The active silence in our communities about our

identities was too much and so the founding members of Rainbow Noir set out to create our own space. Over

the last five years we’ve grown – from four or five people at the beginning, to around thirty to forty members attending the group each week.

Tolu: Rainbow Noir is, at its core, a peer support and

social group. In addition to our monthly meetings, we

offer online support. We connect people of colour across the LGBT+ spectrum and empower each other.

with being white as that’s what I saw in the media. I’m

black, gay and of faith – even individually those minority identities are difficult to navigate and reconcile. I

resolved I’d always be alone as I grew up in a majority

white community and didn’t know or see anyone like me.

Rainbow Noir gave me connections I didn’t know I needed or existed, I’ve not only made friends

but a family of who I trust wholeheartedly with my whole self. Shared experience can be a really powerful thing.

Chloe: Yeah it’s definitely important to find your people, to find others who share similar experiences and just

‘get it’. When I was younger I had no LGBT+ people of

colour in my world either, and all the LGBT+ celebrities

I’d heard of or people I knew were white. And for a long time I wished I was white so that I could find a place

We also run events outside the groups, helping other

within that world. Thankfully I found myself and other

the cause of those seeking asylum and promoting other

the pride I have in being a mixed-race, black and queer

LGBT+ organisations identify and tackle racism, supporting

people of colour who affirmed me and helped to find

spaces accessible to LGBT+ people of colour.

person.

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You mentioned media representation before, can you expand on that?

Chloe: Representation of people of colour and LGBT+ people in general is still not where it should be in 2018. We need more characters who are just incidentally LGBT+, rather than the storyline centring on their sexuality or gender identity – and that being pathologised or problematised dramatically. We need more shows about the lives of people of colour, ones with nuance and that don’t just feed into negative or tired comedic stereotypes. Mainstream media representation of LGBT+ people of colour is basically non-existent. It’s great to see Rana – a queer South Asian woman – in Coronation Street at the moment, but we need more. We need to be able to turn on the TV or watch mainstream films and see people like us.

Tolu: Absolutely, the key is normalisation of queer black identity and TV shows are perfect for breaking that ground!

The current Netflix series Star Trek Discovery – also massively recommend – features Dr Hugh Culber, a queer, black lieutenant who’s the only stable couple in the series. The beauty is these relationships aren’t ‘events’ but portrayed as normality, and thriving!

I’d only add all of these examples are interracial, it’d be great to see more relationships between LGBT+ people of colour featured too.

Tell us more about Rainbow Noir’s 5th birthday celebrations

Chloe: We’ve grown so much in so many ways over the last five years. I’m massively proud of where we

are and of the heights we have the potential to reach going forward. On the first day we had bhangra and

vogueing workshops, as well as films and baking. It was

a real community celebration. We also had support from Superbia, the community arm of Manchester Pride, to screen Kiki.

Tolu: On the Sunday we held an open mic night, with creatives, poets and songwriters taking to the stage.

What needs to be done to make people of colour feel more included in the wider LGBT+ community?

There was also a drag king workshop and lots of cake –

Tolu: It’s great to see that we’re starting to have a conversation, but we definitely need more to hear more prominent voices. I want our stories to be heard and told by everyone. That goes especially for our white and straight allies, there’s no progress without the majority breaking silence and showing solidarity.

What does the future look like for Rainbow Noir?

no party is complete without cake.

Chloe: We’d really love to start properly documenting

our group. We have lots of photos, but it’s really exciting

to think about recording, archiving and maybe exhibiting our individual stories, thoughts and our journey together!

We’re not a new concept; as I mentioned before, queerness can be seen as a ‘western import’, which is an untruth and insult to our ancestors. Knowledge and true history breeds confidence, it’s so important to keep sharing testimony, both past and present.

Tolu: My hope is the group continues to grow and

Chloe: I agree with Tolu. Our stories need to be included, people of all backgrounds need to recognise that LGBT+ people exist EVERYWHERE, in all countries, faiths and communities. And that we always have, we’ve always been here. I think the more this is fully recognised and the more we are seen and heard on all platforms, in all communities, the more people will feel able to bring their full selves to the table. Prejudice is born out of ignorance, we need our voices and those of our allies to be elevated.

there’s still racism in the LGBT+ community and

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spread! There are so many more queer and trans

people of colour to reach in Manchester, let alone the surrounding areas which mightn’t be as ‘progressive’.

My dream mightn’t happen in our generation, whilst homophobia outside of it. But I’d deeply love to see a

time where the group isn’t needed to provide sanctuary and support, instead existing solely to celebrate the fullness and richness of our cultures and sexuality!

Rainbow Noir meet from 7PM on the 2nd Thursday of

each month at Manchester’s LGBT+ Centre on Sidney Street. For more information find Rainbow Noir on Facebook and Twitter, search Rainbow Noir MCR.

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LGBT+ History Month and Iris on the Move The Co-op has been working in partnership with the Iris Prize Festival for the last two years.

Iris Prize is an international LGBT+ short film prize open to any short film which is by, for, about or of interest to LGBT+ audiences and is the world’s largest short film prize.

Our partnership has offered an opportunity for our Respect LGBT+ Network to use short films to help educate and inform colleagues on LGBT+ themes as well as providing social and networking opportunities.

Iris kicked off their Iris on the Move programme of activity with us in Manchester.

IRIS Education Outreach Day 2018

To coincide with our celebration of LGBT history month, on Friday 9 February, our Co-op hosted 15 students taking part in an education outreach day, co-organised

by Respect and Iris Prize, the first to take place outside of Wales.

The event offered media studies students the opportunity to watch some of the best short films submitted to Iris Prize, meet industry professionals to find out more about a career in film and television, and hear from LGBT youth charity, Proud Trust, to deliver a session where students could start to explore themes around representation on screen and how this influences society.

Our Respect Network is a self-organised employee network, so it’s fantastic when an opportunity comes up to link our business into the work of the network in a meaningful way.

As a business, we sponsor 12 academies in the north of England, our academies have co-op values and principles at the heart of everything they do. This can be seen through the work they are doing on diversity and inclusion, specifically in their commitment to LGBT+ equality and inclusion as Stonewall Education Champions.

We have a lot to learn from our academies, the secondary academies all organised a programme of activity for LGBT History month, offering students the opportunity to explore what an inclusive and accepting society looks like, and the role we all play in creating safe spaces which allow us to be ourselves and grow as a result.

The students attending the Iris Outreach Day valued the opportunity to come into the Co-op for the day and work with one of our partners in this way. The opportunity for them not just to meet industry professionals, but local talent who grew up in Manchester and attended schools like theirs brought the session to life. The students quizzed film producers on what it is like working on a set, as well as how they could get into acting and film production.

Through #iwill* and the Co-op Foundation, we will be working with our academies in the coming months to support projects specifically looking to help tackle youth loneliness and isolation through social action in partnership with the Proud Trust, a Manchester based charity who work with LGBTQ+ young people. We are at the start of our journey and will be able to come back soon with an update on the difference the Co-op is making in local communities through the different partnerships we support and by bringing partners together. * The #iwill fund is made possible through the Big Lottery Fund and the Department of Culture, Media & Sport each investing £20 million seed funding over four years. The Co-op Foundation are acting as one of several match funders who are awarding grants on behalf of the #iwill fund.

The Iris Education Outreach Day was the first opportunity for us to start to explore how we can support our academies in their work to tackle homophobia and bullying in school and create more inclusive environments for all of our students.

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THE BEAT OF GAY UK

LONDON MANCHESTER BRIGHTON BIRMINGHAM GLASGOW PORTSMOUTH CAMBRIDGE ON DAB DIGITAL RADIO AND AT GAYDIO.CO.UK 8

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We support our LGBT+ brothers and sisters in Chechnya Founded in 2006, the Russian LGBT Network is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organisation who promote equal rights and respect for human dignity. Among other achievements they have persuaded leading Russian human rights organisations to acknowledge the need to protect the rights of the LGBT+ community.

The hotline that was launched in 2010 has been integral given the atrocious events in the Chechen Republic where the gay men are being persecuted, illegally detained, and tortured equating to crimes against humanity which are being denied by the Chechen and Russian Governments who even claim that no gay people exist in the Russian Republic.

Last year we hosted an event to mark 50 years of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK where we were joined by the amazing David Hoyle.

At the event we raised money for the hotline to enable them to carry on doing their work for the LGBT+ people in Russia and Chechnya.

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Through the support and generosity of our attendees, as well as collection in 1 Angel Square, we raised an amazing £455 for Amnesty International Russian appeal.

An amount that will help to keep the hotline operational for 18 months.

So from the volunteers and staff at the Russian LGBT network, we say thank you.

Some quotes from survivors:

“They said that I’m not a human, that I am nothing. That I should rather be a terrorist, than a faggot” “They tied wires to my hands and put metal clippers on my ears to electrocute me. They’ve got special equipment, which is very powerful.

When they shock you, you jump high above the ground.”

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Trans colleague Lana shares her story Lana Smith, Respect LGBT+ network trans rep

I came over to Co-op when we bought Somerfield and work in the Malmesbury store.

I’ve only got involved with Respect recently and really value everything they do, both in terms of supporting colleagues and educating people about LGBT+ issues.

I initially contacted the team because I wanted guidance about speaking to my manager about using the female facilities at work. They were really helpful and gave me the confidence and knowledge I needed to have that conversation with my manager. They’ve since helped me get my name changed on my payslip and we’re going to be working together on a ‘how to be a trans ally’ leaflet that’s due out next year.

How can non-trans people support trans colleagues in the workplace?

The main message here is to just treat people with sensitivity, respect and understanding; that really does go a long way to making someone feel comfortable.

Use the person’s preferred name and the pronouns that match their gender identity. And if you’re not sure what pronouns to use, just ask. As long as you do it in the right way, I don’t think people will mind.

Education and open-mindedness are also really important. I think the burden often falls to trans people to educate those around them, which I think is wrong.

Take the time to learn a bit more – the trans awareness training on the intranet is a great place to start and we have a trans policy too.

How important is it that we have the Respect network and the trans policy?

Making the decision to publicly transition can be really hard so it’s great to know that we already have so much support available. Respect has been a great support to me, putting me in touch with other people like me and supporting me through my transition.

The policy is important as it makes things a lot clearer.

Personally, I was allowed to use the female facilities

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as soon as I told my manager I was transitioning, but it’s really comforting to know that if the situation had been different, the policy would be there to back me up. There’s also an action plan that sits alongside the policy which is really helpful in helping managers and colleagues discuss what steps need to be taken and when.

What advice would you give colleagues who are thinking about starting to transition openly?

As long as you feel you can come out safely, I’d say go for it. There’s so many people here to support you and the policy makes it really clear about what you can expect. Society is gradually becoming more accepting of trans people as well, which is good to see. You might want to talk to someone confidentially before you make the decision – take a look at the trans policy for a list of organisations that will be able to help. Sometimes talking to other people who are transitioning can help - Respect can put you in touch with other trans colleagues if that’s something you’d be interested in.

Trans equality is still far behind LGB equality, what do you think the biggest misunderstandings / barriers are?

There’s a lot of misunderstanding around what it is to be trans. Some people just see us as people who are just dressing up or pretending, which can be really frustrating. All we want is to be treated fairly and with respect. Toilets and pronoun use can be challenging, especially if colleagues knew trans colleague from before transition.

More can be done to train colleagues on trans issues.

The trans awareness training is a great place to start and I’m working with Respect on a ‘how to be a trans ally’ leaflet which should be out early next year.

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How to be a Trans Ally

Although society is changing, trans people still face stigma and discrimination in all areas of their lives. We need allies to help change this. The main message is to just treat people with sensitivity, respect and understanding; that really does go a long way to making someone feel comfortable.

1. Educate yourself and listen

Take the time to learn about trans issues and listen to their stories. Our Co-op has trans awareness training which is a good place to start. We also have a trans policy that provides guidance for those transitioning at work.

2. Stand up

Understand what trans-specific bullying and harassment looks like and call out inappropriate behaviour when you see it

3. Keep it confidential

It takes a lot for someone to tell you they’re trans or non-binary.

Respect that by keeping what they tell you secret.

4. Pronouns matter

Use the person’s preferred name and pronouns. And if you’re not sure what pronouns to use, just ask. As long as you do it with the best intentions, people won’t mind.

5. Don’t make assumptions

Everyone is different. Don’t make any assumptions about a trans person’s medical history, romantic relationships, or feelings about their own life.

6. Keep it appropriate

Don’t ask trans questions you wouldn’t want answer yourself.

If you wouldn’t ask a non-trans person, don’t ask a trans person either.

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‘ Bring your whole self to work’ – Respect meets Stevie Spring

Stevie Spring is a member of our Co-op’s board, the body that oversees all our businesses and our overall strategy.

She studied law and worked in advertising, television and publishing before embarking on a non-executive career. She was the chair of Children in Need for nearly ten years and received a CBE for her services to charity last year.

Amelia (chair of Respect) and Emma (chair of Aspire) sat down with her to chat about her career, being herself at work and her proudest Co-op moment so far.

Amelia: Tell us about your history with the Co-op?

Stevie: I grew up in a single parent family and we used to do most of our shopping at the local Co-op in Camden.

We didn’t have much money and without the dividend we wouldn’t have had a Christmas.

My first experience of being on a board comes from my childhood too. We had one at home – Dad was the chair, I was the treasurer and my sister was the secretary – and we would make decisions together. We also used it as a chance to discuss big issues like the NHS – and, indeed, what co-operation meant! – so we were raised with the idea that things could be done differently.

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I joined the Co-op board in 2015 and also Chair the remuneration committee. My dad would be so proud!

Amelia: What’s been your proudest Co-op moment so far?

Stevie: There are many. But being able to offer support after the fire at Grenfell Tower sticks out. The relief centres urgently needed vehicles, so I called up our logistics colleagues and got one of our lorries to come down and help. Our nearby store was open 24/7 to help in the community. And Insurance colleagues paid out quickly: they even honored a lapsed policy for a longtime customer. All of that makes me very proud.

Again.

Emma: Gender equality issues have got more attention than ever recently, what do you think are the main challenges for women in the workplace?

Stevie: I actually think there are more challenges for parents and primary carers – whatever their gender – as modern business is relentless and it can be very difficult to make it balance.

That’s not to say that women don’t face additional career barriers. We often won’t apply for jobs unless we meet every one of the criteria needed. Men will apply if they meet a couple and then figure the rest out later .So men tend to be promoted on potential and women on proof.

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not fine there. Ditto when you have an international role that takes you to countries with strict homosexuality laws Amelia: How important do you think being able to be yourself at work is?

Very. And the Co-op is serious about colleagues being able to do just that. Everyone has things that they’re bringing to work with them – they’re caring for their partner, for example, or their brother’s really ill. Inclusion covers all the things that you can’t see, as well as those that you can.

Amelia: You recently stepped down from chairing Children in Need after nearly 10 years, why did you decide to give it up and what’s your best memory from your time there?

I served beyond the maximum allowable term –9 years – so my time was literally up! But we raised nearly half a billion pounds under my tenure –trebled the funds raised each year, so I leave on a high. And with so, so many brilliant memories of wonderful projects we supported and hundreds of thousands of young lives changed for the better.

Emma: That also links in with the whole idea of imposter syndrome, which a lot of women have to deal with. It would be good to touch on how others treated you at work. Do you think you’ve ever been discriminated against because of your sex or sexuality?

Stevie: I worked in advertising in the ‘80s and had a nasty experience with one of my clients. The next day I went to my Chairman for support and he just said, “When will you learn that you’re here to work, not to get dates?”

That was his reaction. A lot has changed, but there’s lots more to do.

The first time I went to an industry event with my samesex partner was planned. Everyone was going to be there, so I just thought that we’d go and just get the reaction over with. For about a month afterwards I kept getting told what other people thought of it. Never their own view!

Being out at work generally makes it easier because you’re less anxious and can just focus on doing your job. Bring your whole self to work. But location makes a difference. If you live in a liberal city, it’s generally fine, but we have a house in rural Australia and it’s definitely

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The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (SoPI) are a world wide order of nonreligious nuns. They began life at Easter 1979 in San Francisco when four men decided that fighting for human rights and standing up against atrocities didn’t have as much impact when you’re in jeans and a t-shirt.

So, as one of the group had access to the wardrobe of an amateur dramatic company who’s last production was the Sound of Music, they dressed as nuns. And then they were noticed – a gimmick that has proved remarkably successful over the years.

The SoPI expanded and grew outside of the city, and now has thousands of members throughout the world, including Manchester, which began on August Bank Holiday 1996 – at Manchester Pride.

So, tell us about yourself…

I am Sister BangBang LaDesh. But you can call me BangBang. I got involved in the Manchester SoPI for many reasons. I had done loads of fundraising work

Ben caught up with Sister BangBang of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence 15

for (the then) LGF and other charities and also involved myself with community events. My background is in media – radio and tv – so I helped start the UK’s first ever permanent LGBT radio show, Gaytalk on BBC Radio Manchester.

It was a kind of natural step to get involved with the SoPI, plus they had been on my radar for many years before I took the first step in taking the veil. Anyone can join the SoPI – many are surprised to learn that it is definitely not just for gay men. In our Manchester House we have a right good mix!

I was born just outside Vienna, in the shadow of the great mountain Scheeburg. Our home was a huge, austere mansion right opposite a lake where we’d go fishing or have a swim.

When I reached puberty I eschewed the trappings of the bourgeoisie and took the veil – and that was rather handy as there was a nunnery just up the road.

How old are you?

My age? Old enough to know better than to reveal it to a handsome man like yourself!

photo: Si Hands

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What kind of activities do SoPI get involved with in Manchester?

All sorts. We rattle buckets to raise money for charities, we organise workshops for community groups, we sit and listen to anyone who has a problem that needs sharing, we talk loud and proud about the importance of love, joy, community, diversity. We attend Pride events, walk the length and breadth of Manchester’s Gay Village giving out thousands of condoms and take action about the injustices that pervade our precious community. And then there are the times when we’ll sit with someone who has been bullied at school, or has just been told they are HIV positive, or accompany someone to the local clinic because they are frightened. Our mission statement is : We’re here to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt which translates as spreading joy to all and putting a stop to unnecessary finger pointing from certain parties.

Does the Manchester SoPI House link up with its sisters in the UK / abroad?

Oh yes! That’s so important. We have visiting sisters to Manchester – the Edinburgh and Bristol Houses regularly pop over to see us. And in September 2016 we had our yearly Conclave in Berlin – this is where Sisters from all over the world congregate for ten days of workshops, talks, discussions, wild daytime trips on cycles through the city centre and unmentionable nights out. Meeting up with other Sisters is an amazing way of learning more about the SoPI. How would one get involved / what are the stages?

We have four stages to becoming a full Sister, and this takes about a year and a half. You enter as an Aspirant – just talking about your interest, and coming out with us for an hour to see how we function.

Then, if you’re still interested we make you a Postulant, dress you in a drab habit and you come out with us for about three ‘manifestations’. The drab habit is because we don’t want anyone who is in it just for the pretty outfits and the cheap jewellery.

That is purely for marketing purposes and should never detract from the true role a SoPI plays. Then, if everything goes well and you prove you’re not a nightmare, we have a formal ceremony where you take your vows and you ascend to being a Novice! They have the full habit but a white veil.

You then work together with the others for a year and a day, sometimes organising projects, until the day of your Profession – and you take your last vows and become a Black Veil Sister. So, it’s no quick weekend decision to become a fabulous Sister!

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On average we go out and about in habit about 2-3 times a month, but do lots of work behind the scenes too. Anyone who’s interested can pop along to our website www.themanchestersisters.org to find out more, smile at the ludicrous photos and then send us a message – it’s that easy.

What is your proudest achievement?

Everytime we tick a box for something we’ve helped with, or organise, it’s a proud achievement in our books.

It’s not always the big things that are important though – putting a smile on someone’s face, or sitting with someone who is homeless and just listening are just as important.

Our 21st birthday was in August last year and we are so proud of that accomplishment, especially as it was at the same time as Manchester Pride who we’ve helped raise funds for too.

We sincerely hope that we play an important role in any community – not just our LGBT+ society. By our very nature, we are obvious and noticeable – no one dresses like us NOT to be noticed! And that is part of our power, where people notice us and then want to talk with us. for more info visit themanchestersisters.org 17

What couldn’t you live without?

My friends. Goodness knows they put up with a lot from me over the years, but I really couldn’t live without them.

They are my scaffolding – they stop me falling down, they keep me alive and well and I love them dearly. Even in the roughest of times I always think “what would I do if they suddenly disappeared out of my life?” and any little upset is quickly resolved and I’m so grateful to have them close by.

If you were a dessert, what dessert would you be?

Blimey, that’s a deep question. Well, an enormous Knickerbocker Glory is rather me in so many ways – sweet, gorgeous, very tasty with hidden depths and so many layers of amazingness. Is that a word? It is now.

What is your superpower?

Well, a superpower would be something like invisibility or flying which I unfortunately have neither. Although my Sister Bearonce does own a broomstick which makes me wonder… A more human answer to that question though would be: I’m an approachable, lovable, cuddly Sister who pulls out the happiness and joy from the air and bestows them on everyone around me. I know you’ve felt joy when you’ve been around me, Ben, haven’t you!

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LESBIAN? GAY? BISEXUAL? TRANS? WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US

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0345 3 30 30 30 5 Richmond St, Manchester www.lgbt.foundation

Loving your neighbour Dominic Abraham-Newman shares his story about faith

I came out 25 years ago when I was 15. My brother and father reacted badly and I was excluded from the family for not being a good Catholic. In my father’s words, I was an ‘abomination to my family and faith.’

There is a lot of discussion about how the church is

I’m glad to say that things are better now and I’m still a practicing Catholic despite the negative experience I had when I was younger. I find the church much more understanding and accepting under the current Pope.

He’s called for LGBT+ people to be accepted and embraced, but has sadly stopped short of reviewing the teaching that homosexual acts are sinful, but homosexual orientation is not.

but sadly I don’t think it’ll be in the church that I love.

Equal marriage

Another big controversy at the minute is the church’s position on equal marriage. The church doesn’t oppose gay marriage because it’s wrong; she opposes it because it’s impossible, just as impossible as living on quicksand. It doesn’t fit with the rest of the picture of family life, and they’re not about to throw out the rest of the picture.

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going to respond to the issue of equal marriage. It’s

great that it’s being debated, but I don’t think it’s going

to change anytime soon. I plan on marrying my partner,

At the heart of my church

I sing in the choir and am looking at getting more

involved with the young people of the parish, not one eyebrow has been raised over my sexuality. I also go

to confession and whenever I’ve mentioned I’m gay, I

always receive either compassion or encouragement.

God is love

For me religion is about loving your neighbour and

having compassion for others. That’s it. Are people who quote the bible but don’t live by the core values that

religion teaches good Christians? Who knows?

I believe there is a long way to go, but

with faith we’ll bring the Catholic Church further into the 21st century.

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LGBT+ rights and identity in Peru

By Ella Espinoza Smyth

Friend of Respect, Ella, on gay rights and gender identity in Peru. Ella is a Co-op colleague and met her husband Oscar, whilst studying in Peru.

What do you think of when you think of Peru?

Paddington Bear? Inca ruins at Machu Picchu? Llamas?

Most likely not struggles for gay rights and gender identity – but unfortunately this is the reality for the thousands of people who make up the Peruvian LGBT+ community. I was lucky enough to live and work in Peru for two years, and it is a beautiful, fascinating and generally friendly place to be. However, it is also highly socially conservative, especially in regard to sexuality and gender identity.

This wasn’t always the case. The Moche indigenous culture which existed around 500AD on the northern coast of Peru are famous for their social and sexual liberalism, and their surviving art and ceramics vividly depict this! However, their better-known successors, the Incas, were much less tolerant, and introduced some severe punishments for same-sex relations. The arrival of the conquistadores from Catholic Spain brought with it even more regressive attitudes to gender and sexuality, with those deemed to have broken what they saw as ‘natural law’ reportedly being tortured to death as a matter of course.

Over 400 years later, same-sex relationships and gender transition are no longer illegal, but attitudes amongst many Peruvians remain firmly stuck in the past.

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There has been some improvement recently - in November 2016 a landmark legal case recognised that identifying as transgender “cannot be considered a disease or sickness” (baby steps!!). There has also been progress of the ability of trans people to change their gender identity on their ID cards without having to have physically transitioned (this is very costly and not easily available in Peru – only one surgeon in the country is qualified to carry out the procedure).

However, public perceptions of the issue have yet to catch up. The Gender Identity Law of 2016 was met with fierce opposition from the general public, including protests in the street of many major cities.

Legislation on sex education in schools including samesex relationships was introduced at a similar time, and again was met with widespread outrage. In addition to this, the reality of life for many trans people has yet to catch up with the new law. Because the right to an identity document is so new, many trans people are undocumented, and as such cannot access mainstream public services, including healthcare. Because of the difficulties of being accepted by the community, getting a job can be hard and large numbers of trans women work in the sex industry. The risky nature of this work compounded with lack of access to healthcare means that the life expectancy of a trans woman engaging in sex work in Peru is shockingly low, at just 35.

Although the picture is still bleak for many people in Peru’s LGBT+ community, there are hopes that things will start to improve in the near future. Neighbouring South American countries have made significant progress on LGBT+ rights and attitudes, and local grassroots movements are starting to gain momentum. Let’s hope that one day soon, modern Peruvians are as accepting and open minded as their 6th Century ancestors.

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Co-op colleague, Tom is part of our LGBT+ steering group Tom paid a visit to his friend and avant garde artist David Hodge aka Dusty ‘O’s exhibition So when I first heard that a very dear friend of mine David Hodge aka Dusty ‘O’ was putting on his first exhibition to show his work ‘WE ARE ALL NON BINARY’, to say that I was ecstatic would have been an understatement!

Having spent my early years as a wide eyed and bushy tailed twink, full of beans and loving life in London’s gay scene in the mid to late 90s and working and clubbing alongside Dusty in her many forms, DJ, promotor, writer, fashion icon and more recently Pantomime Dame, I have many fond memories.

I have always looked up to David for his contribution to the LGBT+ community. Spanning over 3 decades he has paved the way for many sisters through drag and visual art and with his legendary club The Trannyshack at Soho’s Madam Jo Jo’s.

We are all non-binary

By Tom Webster

This saw many years of success and notoriety. You really had to be there - it was incredible! Soft lighting, exquisite fabrics and sumptuous decor and that was just the drag queens.

Back to the Exhibition My trip to London took me to Brick Lane in Whitechapel, now a very trendy hipster part of London (unrecognisable from my days spent there as a kid). The exhibition was being held in the basement of a high fashion boutique. As I arrived, I could see a number of people already outside, prosecco in hand chatting away.

I made my way down the narrow steps and was met with a sea of colour. Lots of pictures, many I hadn’t seen before. A real feast for the senses.

David was in full swing entertaining his guests and being super modest. There was a real buzz in the air and a real vulnerability from David, it’s such a massive thing bearing your soul through your art and having people come to judge it.

As more and more people turned up, so did the heat, it got very hot down there. The ice-cold prosecco really helped!

I snapped up a couple of pieces I had my eye on before anyone else could get their grubby little mitts on them, including the star piece of the exhibition in my opinion.

A provocatively beautiful picture of a veiled trans woman revealing all. Done beautifully and as art should, it pushes boundaries.

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No matter what we may project externally I agree we really are all non-binary inside, some more than others.

After many bubbles and lots of laughs, catch ups with old friends and some really cool colourful people, I called it a night!

It really has been a privilege to see David develop as an artist (in my opinion a modern day Picasso!) online through Facebook and Twitter with his many quips and daily diary of life.

Letting us in and sharing an open window to his world, through his eyes; and that is how I would describe his exhibition; a provocative and honest kaleidoscope of expression through colour, humour and wit. Inspired from of a lifetime of imagination, razor sharp perception, turmoil, humour, creativity, sarcasm, frustration, love, cats, darkness and light.

I am very excited as this was just a mere fraction of what is to come from our true home grown talent. Avant garde at it’s best.

In the words of Henri Matisse, which sums it all up perfectly for me as a whole… “Creativity takes courage”!

Dusty I salute you!!

More about Dusty ’O’ Dusty ‘O’ or David Hodge is a well known cross dressing London cabaret performer, actor and club promoter of over 30 years.

For over a decade Dusty ran the internationally famous ‘Trannyshack’ and has run and hosted many West End hit clubs and venues.

Dusty has appeared extensively on British television and has featured in hundreds of magazines and newspapers.

Dusty was always interested in art and recently decided to start painting. His work is described as a riot of colour and expression.

For further information and /or photographs, please email artbydustyo@gmail.com Twitter: @MissDustyO

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Creating a better workplace to support good mental health One thing that’s become really obvious through going to the mental health meet up at Co-op Digital is that mental health problems come in all shapes and forms.

There is no one size fits all, and providing workplace support should be about talking to people and understanding their specific needs before coming up with a plan to make things better.

However some common themes have come up over the past six months that it would be useful to share. Together they show how even seemingly small things can make a world of difference to someone’s wellbeing.

1. Quiet spaces Open plan offices and hot desking can be great for productivity and sharing ideas. But every now and again people need space to themselves - to think or just to have a break from the pressures of work.

Natural introverts (about 25% of the population) generally prefer smaller, quieter spaces too so that they can concentrate. If this is you, you could make yourself a working space in a breakout area to get away from the sensory overload that can come with a large open office. Even if it’s just for half an hour, a break can help to re-focus the mind.

Co-op’s policy of clear desks can be harmful to mental health as well. Whilst nobody is going to object to clean working spaces, it could be managed in a different way.

Clear desks might look pretty, but removing everything from them at night can have unforeseen impacts.

A colleague coming in to a clear desk and spending all morning working out where their important notes are (and perhaps finding out they’ve been shredded!) could face a whole world of anxiety that could have been avoided.

2. People to talk to Tom Walker set up Digital’s Mental Health Meetup back in 2016 and has since left the business. This is when Becky took over, and it’s been great to help others through the group: giving them the space and the company they need to talk about how they’re feeling and, hopefully, leave on a more positive note than the one they entered on. Having a room available every fortnight and knowing that it will always be there can be really helpful in providing stability and routine even - or maybe especially - at the busiest of times.

If you would like to set up a meet-up for your area, it’s just a case of spreading the word and booking a suitable space for your group. If you’re able to go offsite at lunchtime, even better! Places like Ziferblat allow your group to get off site, relax, and have a natter away from the stress of the office 23

by Becky Arrowsmith and Sophie Benger 3. Knowing it’s okay not to be okay You’ll probably have heard this one before - it does the rounds on Twitter a lot - but that doesn’t make it any less true.

Sometimes for one reason or another we just don’t feel okay. This might be for a specific reason, or it might be the way things feel on a particular day. Whatever the case, this should be supported by a workplace that understands and gives colleagues the time they need to feel more like themselves again. That might mean talking but it might also mean leaving people to deal with their feelings on their own.

In either situation, we need to hear our leadership team say - loudly and often - that it is better to have these conversations than not. Colleagues need to be empowered to ask for the help they need and know they won’t get in trouble for doing that. We are a Co-op after all, and colleagues should feel like they can ask for help and be understood when they do.

4. Flexibility Flexibility in working will look different depending on where you work. In Co-op Digital we know we’re fortunate in being able to work from home now and again, but that won’t be possible for every business unit.

Yet flexibility is about so much more than this. It can mean allowing someone to have a slightly longer lunch hour so that they feel more prepared to begin an afternoon’s work. Or it could mean an adjustment to starting or finishing times to allow for responsibilities or appointments outside of work. Just knowing that there is a bit of flexibility in the system when we need it the most can make such a difference. This is a business, and we have to be mindful of that. But at the same time there are little tweaks that can help it become a better place to work and therefore a more attractive prospect for new employees.

5. Better for everyone Nothing in here is groundbreaking and a lot of it will have been said before in one way or another. But it still does need to be said - and often. Small changes to ‘the way things are done’ mean that we can help to build a society that treats mental health with the respect and seriousness it deserves. Its effects can be just as debilitating as any physical illness.

The more we talk about mental health and the impact it has on people’s day to day lives, the better we can make our working environment - for everyone.

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CoopRespectLGBT

respectlgbt@coop.co.uk

#PrideInCoop

Know your benefits As a Co-op colleague, you have access to loads of different benefits - from exclusive high street deals to childcare vouchers, and Co-op discounts to pensions.

All of our benefits, including family-specific ones like childcare vouchers, are inclusive of LGBT+ people.

You can find out more at benefits.coop.co.uk

Co-op Colleague Employee Assistance Programme

Need information, support or just someone to talk to?

The Co-op Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is here to support all Co-op colleagues, anytime.

It’s a totally confidential and independent service provided by the market leading Validium Group - all paid for by the Co-op, so there’s no charge.

Practical information, guidance and counselling is available 24/7 to help with a wide range of personal and work-related issues.

Here are just some examples: - You are the victim of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying at work, or know someone who is - You want advice on coming out to family, friends or colleagues - You are at risk of redundancy - Someone in your family is ill and you want to know how best to support them - You are not happy with your GP and want to know how to complain

By phone

Colleague support

Call: 0800 069 8854 Available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year if you need: confidential advice, support, counselling, whether it’s related with work or not.

Bullying and harassment helpline Call: 0844 728 0165 Email: h&bcomplaints@coop.co.uk

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