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PROTEST IN SOLIDARITY WITH POLISH LGBTQ+ PEOPLE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24
ALLSORTS PUBLISHES FAITH RESOURCE ) Allsorts Youth Project has published a new resource, Allsorts Of Faith, which is a collection of writings by LGBTQ+ people of faith, many of whom have faced adversity because of their identities. Allsorts said: “Many people, both within the LGBTQ+ community and outside of it, assume that being part of a faith group and being LGBTQ+ are polar opposites. At Allsorts, we embrace and celebrate the amazing diversity of our service users, staff and volunteers and the rich tapestry of experiences and voices that we all contribute to. “It’s often not our own sense of faith or relationship with God that is challenged by the discovery or acceptance of our LGBTQ+ identity, but our relationship with others in our faith community. Many faithful people feel that God is the embodiment of love and light in our lives, both love for others and for
ourselves, and that everyone is worthy of this love. “Faith and religion are multifaceted and wide-reaching and therefore not all practices could be represented in a small resource like this one. We hope that all LGBTQ+ people of faith and their allies will be able to relate and reflect on this content, regardless of belief or background.”
) Solidarity with Polish LGBTQI+ Brighton is to host a Protest in Solidarity with Polish LGBTQ+ people on Saturday, October 24 from 1pm. The Protest will meet and march from Brighton Railway Station before stopping for three-minutes’ silence at the Clock Tower, then heading to Old Steine Gardens where the protest will end with speeches. In July, Polish President Andrzej Duda was re-elected with 51.2% of the vote following a campaign in which he demonised and scapegoated LGBTQ+ communities. Although the race was widely viewed as a referendum on the European Union, the president targeted the queer and trans community. Referring to LGBTQ+ rights as an “ideology”, he claimed it is “destructive to man” and worse than communism. Duda also pledged to ban same-sex unions through a constitutional amendment if re-elected.
One of the many insightful contributions to this latest resource comes from Sabah Choudrey, who says: “Our faith exists on a spectrum, as does our gender. Our faith is individual, our Islam is personal. And we can move along this spectrum tool.” D To read the full resource, visit www.allsortsyouth.org.uk/resources/ toolkits-booklets-guides D For more info, visit: www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
Since Duda took office in 2015, Poland’s global LGBTQ+ rights standing has consistently eroded. Five years ago, it ranked 33rd in ILGA’s Rainbow Europe ranking, which rates European nations on their friendliness to queer and trans people in law and policy. It has since fallen nine spots to 42nd, the lowest ranking among EU member countries.
Team, there was the chance to hear more about BHSS, complimentary sweet and savoury vegan treats and a bottle tombola.
) Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents Rugby Club (BHSS), the gay and inclusive rugby club, held its Sea Serpents’ Picnic, supported by NatWest RugbyForce, at Hove Rugby Club last month.
BHSS said: “We may be going into autumn, but it means you can still ‘bite the bullet’ and come down and join us at training. All levels of experience are welcome throughout the year - you just have to take that first step!” BHSS train at Hove Rugby Club every Wednesday from 7pm. If you’re interested in giving it a go, email them in advance: info@bhssrfc.com
D For more info on BHSS, visit: BHSS organised a mini touch rugby tournament, which was won by the Red www.bhssrfc.com
LGBTQ+ FREE’ ZONES IN POLAND
SEA SERPENTS’ PICNIC
Earlier this month, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen publicly condemned the creation of ‘LGBTQ+ free’ zones in Poland, saying they have no place in the EU. Organisers of the protest said: “Brighton is a place where LGBTQI+ people can express themselves and therefore we call our community to stand up with the polish LGBTQI+ community and show solidarity. We have to remember that not long-ago in the UK Section 28 meant many stayed imprisoned, in the closet and lived in fear of losing their jobs. Therefore, we cannot allow this to happen to the LGBTQI+ community in Poland. We need to spread the message that we stand with our worldwide LGBTQI+ community.”
