Outburst Autumn 2008

from the editor…

Well, at the time of going to press at least, the world hasn't quite come to an end, though fleeting predictions of doomsday and the end of global capitalism dance on the breeze and across the lips of friends and strangers alike; these are interesting times.

Contents

Jarvis Cocker said recently of the global recession: “The tragedy is that it will be the ordinary people who will bear the brunt. The guys who are responsible may have to sell the yacht."

3 Summit for Everyone 3-4 "EACH Click Fights Crime": Expanding charity's drive to increase homophobic crime reporting

Perhaps it’s just me, but there is a seeming lack of panic on the ground amongst us, the little people, despite our having the most to lose, and I'm rather enjoying it – the quiet spirit; our resilience to the turmoil above that so plagues the owners of those big boats and private jets.

4-5 What is the plural of “forum”?

5-6 The beautiful game

The media has been feeding us relentless headlines about markets crashing and banks going bust. Our screens are full of traders, heads in hands, looking positively unhappy. It feels as if the corporates want us to panic alongside them. The world’s governments are using taxpayers’ money to prop up the banks, presumably so that the banks will start lending to us again, and charging us interest, bizarrely enough, with our own money.

6 Civil Partnership witnesses request 7-8 The Bristol LGB Forum AGM 9 EHRC project update

Despite all of this oddness, there are social, human benefits to recession – people begin to go back to basics, taking emotional refuge in the real – taking pleasure in one another’s company rather than material objects – the ultimately unfulfilling things that we surround ourselves with; hungover symptoms of the credit boom.

10 Supporting equality in schools: 1st Nov open meeting 11-12 Listings

Recession is not to be feared – it is to be embraced, because whatever happens to our bank accounts, we’ll always have a degree of spiritual wealth, unquantifiable and not for sale.

This isn’t Armageddon – it’s a timely reminder; an opportunity to reassert our collective humanity.

James 2

Summit for Everyone – 3rd National LGBT Health Summit - Bristol

Bristol West MP Stephen Williams and Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Council Amanda Deeks gave keynote speeches to delegates and a full report of the event will be available early November to be posted on the official website www.lgbthealth.co.uk

Despite two days of continuous rain nothing deterred delegates from across the country attending the 3rd National LGBT Health Summit held at the BAWA Conference Centre in Filton on Thursday 4th and Friday 5th September.

Needless to say this type of event is crucial to understanding that whilst many health issues are similar for us all, wider issues of how LGBT people are perceived and treated by the health care system still need exploration. The summit is an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the specific needs of minority groups and secondly offer ideas on how to continuously improve the service offered to all sections of society. I very much hope that other communities of interest will explore the possibilities of similar events to raise awareness of their specific health and health related issues in due course.

Over 260 individuals many of whom represented members of the LGBT communities and many more heterosexuals arrived for debate and discussion on the current and future health needs of LGBT people both at a local, regional and national level.

Simon Nelson Senior Health Promotion Coordinator Terrence Higgins Trust West

"EACH Click Fights Crime" Expanding charity's drive to increase homophobic crime reporting The two days saw topics discussed ranging from the on going debate about homophobic bullying and teaching of same sex relationships in schools in Bristol to wider equality issues for LGBT communities in the UK.

Award-winning

charity

EACH

(Educational

Action Challenging Homophobia) is proud to announce the launch of its newly refurbished website and online reporting service for targets of homophobic or transphobic incidents.

The Summit was a triumph for partnership working with regional Equality champions Equality South West and the Terrence Higgins Trust along with support from local Primary Care Trust and Councils and other bodies. The

"With computer ownership and usage so extensive today, expanding our service into online reporting was a logical development for 3

EACH's Homophobic Incident Reporting Service," explains EACH's Executive Director, Jonathan Charlesworth.

Co-author of the Department for Children, Schools and Families' recent guidance to schools "Safe to Learn: Homophobic Bullying", EACH is welcoming a surge of training invitations from agencies including the Education, Criminal Justice and Health Services.

The recent YouGov national survey, commissioned by Stonewall, into the reporting of homophobic crimes reflects that although the police are more likely to receive the report of a homophobic incident than anyone else, 68% of respondents never reported an incident to anyone whilst 34% of respondents believed the police would not or could not do anything and 27% thought their report would not be taken seriously.

Meanwhile EACH's UK-wide Actionline continues to provide ongoing support for any young person, giving them the opportunity to report homophobic bullying and seek confidential help and assistance.

"Our Force is affirmed by YouGov's findings which would reflect that the South West experiences the least amount of homophobic crime in Britain," comments Assistant Chief Constable, John Long of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

What is the plural of Forum?

Forum - /form/ noun (pl. forums) 1 a meeting or medium for an exchange of views. 2 chiefly N. Amer. a court or tribunal. 3 (pl. fora) (in ancient Roman cities) a public square or marketplace used for judicial and other business.

He continues, "All police forces are acutely aware however that many more incidents of homophobia take place than are reported. With 68% of people nationally failing to report such incidents to anyone, and only 23% reporting to the police, initiatives like EACH's online and freephone telephone reporting services complement the work of the police most effectively."

— ORIGIN Latin, ‘what is out of doors’.

“Er… dunno!… what is out of doors? Ah! “I know this one, I know this one” <holding up a hand> US! We are!” Yes, right, many of us are, Out and Proud – which is Trite But True! In fact occasionally we are so out we are positively struttin’ our stuff, thumbs stuck in our metaphorical belts (or braces), yakking away like it was free. Er… it is free, ok, well, you know what I mean! <blushes>

"These findings and our own records inform us that a target of homophobia is more likely to report an incident to EACH than a housing officer, social worker or council caseworker," adds Jonathan Charlesworth. "It is no coincidence that our organisation's profile nationally, and local presence specifically, adds to people's sense of safety. We want to build on that confidence by encouraging gay and heterosexual people to adopt a zero tolerance of homophobic incidents by clicking into our online reporting or calling our freephone Actionline, to report them, whenever they're witnessed."

Problem is that it isn’t always practical to try and get all of us to the same place, at the same time, for one thing the queue for the loos would be miles and imagine the din! Then there are those with small kids, have or care for someone with serious health issues, which makes getting out very hard, if not impossible.

So, how do you get hundreds of queers who live in different pats of town, with different schedules and interests get to chew the cud and hold a decent debate, share ideas, news, tips, entertainment and book reviews, [cleanish] jokes, or even share our stories and poetry? “Er… Dunno’, how do you get hundreds of queers…an’ all that you said?”

The support and training charity has recently expanded its Bristol offices to accommodate the appointment of its dedicated Caseworker, Gemma Lindsey who joined the team in January and the agency's new Development Worker, Jenny Drew.

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They get themselves online forums! (or, fora… if you’re posh!) And that’s what we have done.

The beautiful game “All bigotry is ugly. It has no legitimate place in any sport. Homophobia is not, or should not be, any more acceptable than racism. It is shocking that the football authorities have apparently allowed these allegations to pass without taking any action.”

Our valiant Webmaster, a.k.a. Knifesmith Ltd, despite all his commitments, has installed and configured the forum software and we have now launched a number of boards. Our warmest thanks to him, three cheers an’ no mistake! Without his help we would struggle to keep the website running and carry on with the rest of our work.

So wrote Peter Tatchell in a piece for the Guardian in 2006, of an incident where Paul Scholes allegedly shouted homophobic abuse at the referee.

The forums are open to Guests, Users and, by requesting a forum Member ID by email, to you. Members have their own haunts, including prose and poetry boards. If you need more, we’ll make more, out of vegan, free-range, Fair-Trade, recycled electrons and a bit of sweat – well, actually, not much, ‘cos The Knifesmith. has a knack of making it easy.

Over the last two years, we’ve made some progress, with homophobia on the terraces now spoken about in the same breath as racism – there is less distinction between different types of abuse. The fact that it has moved up the agenda is, in itself, encouraging; the fact that it still exists, less so.

You can attach documents, embed pictures and do quite a bit of snazzy editing to your posts, but I am pretty sure you realise that we can’t allow anyone to abuse the boards, we are publicly funded after all, so we Moderate them to keep you safe and spam-free.

If you are a member of the BME / faith community, the new EHRC-funded project, splendidly titled “Under One Sky”, will be holding debates and consulting on matters that may concern you. Only the BME moderators have access to these boards, so you shouldn’t have to worry about being “outed”.

The Kick It Out campaign started in 1993 to tackle racism in football and the progress made over the last 15 years is tangible. However, despite its more recent aim of challenging all bigotry in ‘the beautiful game’, it is only since 2005 that the Football Association has taken a more decisive stance on that last bastion of ‘acceptable’ prejudice in sport – homophobia. It is quite now quite rightly understood that all expressions of prejudice in football are damaging to the game’s image and its aim of becoming more inclusive and family-oriented.

(One might hope there is also a deeper motivation at work – i.e. that embracing principles of mutual respect and acceptance of difference is the right thing to do.)

You can access our forums through the website on http://www.bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk/ by clicking on the square badge at the top, and then – after reading the notice on the page, clicking on “Continue to the Forums”.

Last month, after the Portsmouth / Spurs game, the issue of ball-based bigotry graced our headlines once again when it emerged Sol Campbell had been subjected to racial and

Toni Massari Forum Administrator 5

makes an official complaint. There have been successes already, of course – three years ago, Kevin Smith, a Hull City fan, was convicted of chanting abuse at opposition fans, ordered to pay a £100 fine, and banned from Hull games for three years.

homophobic abuse by Spurs fans, who it seems have never forgiven him for leaving the club for Arsenal in 2001. This apparently justifies all manner of retaliatory abuse, and almost always drenched in the ugliness of racist or homophobic hatred. We need hardly mention Justin Fashanu, a footballer who, in coming out, was out not only ahead of his time twenty years ago, but remains so to the present day, when it would seem all professional footballers remain heterosexual.

Yet we can be certain that out of 4000 or so individuals, at least a handful are gay – it is the machismic culture of the sport which inhibits their coming out. PR guru Max Clifford has said that he has been approached on several occasions by major clubs to help gay players present a ‘straight’ image: “I have a major footballer who I've looked after for the last three years, who's gay. Anyone knew he was gay – he's finished.”

Encouragingly, Portsmouth intend to make an official complaint to the FA over the Campbell abuse, and the FA has responded robustly: it will ban for life any fans it can prove were connected to the incident. Given time, one would hope that the message given by this kind of strong leadership will filter down to terrace level, and those responsible will have either to confront their prejudices and leave them at the door, or face the consequences.

Similarly, rumours about Sol Campbell’s sexuality have refused to go away. You may recall a couple of years ago his older brother John was jailed for brutally attacking a fellow footballer on the training ground who had taunted him about it – the victim had his jaw broken and metal plates put into his face. This entails that John Campbell found the accusation of his brother being gay of such offence that he was motivated to extreme violence. In truth, of course, it doesn’t matter – those of us for whom homosexuality holds no offence would most likely just adopt a bemused expression, shrug slightly and ask “So what?”

James Whale

Civil Partnership Witnesses Request

It’s upsetting that despite years of hard work by Kick It Out, the FA and more recently, the clubs themselves, that this kind of abuse still occurs, but it’s easy to understand how difficult it is to stamp it out. After all, what are they going to do – have a few hapless stewards try to eject hundreds of angry jeering ‘fans’ from the ground en masse? I commend the principles, but how on earth is this new assault on hatred to be policed in any meaningful fashion?

Two guys from the Devon area are coming up to Bristol to hold their Civil Partnership; they lead very quiet lives and do not want family to know about the partnership.

I have had a request to ask in the Bristol area for two people that would be willing to be witnesses to the ceremony in December this year.

Since 2005, match officials’ training has included guidance on how to handle players who perpetrate verbal abuse – they can now be shown a red card – but the only way to deal with fans who commit the same offence involves hours of police work poring over CCTV footage, and only then if someone

If you think you would be interested, please contact andy@intercomtrust.org.uk or phone 01392 678 744.

Andy Hunt Helpline and Advocacy Manager 6

Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum

Annual General Meeting 6:00 - 9:00 pm Thursday 20th November 2008 RM 15, Council House, College Green, Bristol All are welcome and the venue is fully accessible.

The Forum has had a busy year – come and find out what it’s been doing and tell us what you would like to see it do in the future. Are you interested in joining the Forum Management Committee? Find out who we are and learn about our current campaigns and work.

♦ 6.00 - 6:30 pm : Refreshments & light buffet ♦ 6:30 - 7:00 pm : Annual General Meeting (AGM) ♦ 7:15 - 7:30 pm : Break ♦ 7:30 - 8:30 pm : Open Discussion * :

Should the Forum represent people who identify as Transexual and/or Transgender? (see below and over the page for definitions)

♦ 8.30 - 9.00 pm : Network and socialise Please contact Toni to book a place if you are coming and tell her your access needs and dietary requirements: Phone: Email: Post:

0117 352 5633 (Wed and Thurs only) or leave a message on the answerphone admin@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk Bristol LGB Forum, Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN.

The following terms have been obtained from the website of The Gender Trust: Transsexual Person A person who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfil their life as a member of the opposite gender. Most transsexual people actively desire and complete gender reassignment surgery. The ratio of Female to Male (FTM) and Male to Female (MTF) transsexual people is in the region 1:3 - 1:4.

Transgender (collective) An umbrella term used to include transsexual people, transvestites and cross-dressers, as in "the transgender community".

Transgender (individual) A person who, like a transsexual person, transitions - sometimes with the help of hormone therapy and/or cosmetic surgery - to live in the gender role of choice, but has not undergone, and generally does not intend to undergo genital surgery.

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Trans man/woman A term that is used by some trans people (transsexual and transgender people) who are open about their status and do not fear the consequences of their pasts being revealed or who believe that transition does not mean they become men or women. A generic term that the trans community wishes to see used in documents, policies, statutory instruments, etc.

Transvestite A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex as defined by socially accepted norms.

Consequently, in contemporary society, the majority of transvestites are cross-dressing men.

Social transvestites cross-dress merely to feel more comfortable. The erotic transvestite cross dresses to achieve sexual gratification alone or with a partner. Transvestites normally cross dress only occasionally and do not seek hormones or surgery.

There are many websites offering information on this subject should you like to do further research.

Here are the two which have many links to others: www.gendertrust.org.uk http://www.stonewall.org.uk/information_bank/trans * Please note that you are invited to a discussion to advise the direction and the work of the Bristol LGB Forum. Should there be interest in change a procedure has to be followed: • • •

the membership is informed and consulted about the nature of the change when change is identified a proposed new constitution has to be drawn up the new changes then have to undergo a vote at either an AGM or EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting).

There is also an online discussion on this question at www.bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk - click on the Online Forums button and select General Discussion. Should this go to a poll, you will be able to vote online - enclosed with this newsletter is an application form for a Members-only Forum ID.

EHRC Project Update We are still looking for LGBT people of BME / faith background to become involved in:

In our last issue we reported that the BLGB Forum had been awarded a research grant from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to identify the needs of LGB people from BME and Faith backgrounds.

To date the BME LGB presence in Bristol has been largely unacknowledged by LGB and BME organisations.

● Focus Groups ● 1 to 1 interviews ● Questionnaire ● Online Forum If you would like to participate in the above please contact either:

Since July Leiza McLeod and Edson Burton have been recruited to the post. They have been researching background literature, organising the steering group, making contacts with similar projects, promoting the project entitled “Under One Sky” on radio, in print and making preliminary contacts with BME LGB people in Bristol.

Leiza: leiza@bristol-lgb-forum-org.uk or Edson: edson@bristol-lgb-forum-org.uk or call 0117 352 5633.

For the sake of security and honest engagement, access to the online Forum has first to be vetted so please contact the above emails/number in the first instance.

The research is being supported by a steering group, the members of which have a broad range of research, project management and personal experience.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

8

Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum

Challenging Homophobia

Supporting Equality in Schools Saturday 1st November 2008 Conference Hall, Council House, College Green 11 am - 4 pm Join us to discuss progress on an action plan agreed by Bristol City Council earlier this year to support quality in schools and challenge homophobia.

This is an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved over the last 6 months and identify what still needs to be done to ensure that all schools in Bristol can provide diverse and inclusive education.

This meeting follows on from the successful, well attended meetings on 19 May and 8 July. The agenda will be emailed out nearer and will also be available on www.bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk

All interested parties are invited to this free open meeting. Speakers include Stephen Williams MP plus representatives of Stonewall, No-Outsiders and Bristol City Council. Cllr Peter Hammond, deputy leader of the Council and the Executive Lead on Equality has kindly offered to chair the meeting.

To book a place: Email: admin@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk Post: Bristol LGB Forum, Create Centre, Smeaton Rd, Bristol, BS1 6XN. Phone: 0117 352 5633 (Tues, Wed or Thurs 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4 pm) The Council House is fully accessible. If you need help with childcare or have access needs please let us know. We will provide refreshments and light buffet to cater for all diets.

Future Work Planning meetings for the Open Event on 1st November have identified a need to explore issues and improve understanding around Faith and LGB. Initial plans include working towards an open meeting to be held in February 2009. Working with us will be VOSCUR. If you are interested in being involved in this work, please email sarah@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk with Faith and LGB in the subject line or phone the office (0117 352 5633) and speak to Sarah (Wed/Thurs). Further details will be updated on the Forum Website and in the next issue of Outburst - due out in January.

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Listings

Broken Rainbow National helpline for LGBT victims of domestic violence, available Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 2-5pm.

Call 0208 539 9507.

BLAGS - Bristol Lesbian & Gay Switchboard Confidential support and information to gay men, lesbians and to all people with concerns about sexuality. Call us on 8-10pm Monday & Wednesday. 0117 922 1328. mail@bristolblags.org.uk www.bristolblags.org.uk

EACH - Educational Action Challenging Homophobia A national charitable organisation set up to address homophobia through training and education. EACH runs a helpline for teachers, young people and parents, and for third-party reporting of homophobic incidents.

Freephone helpline 0808 1000 143 (10am-5pm Mon-Fri and 10am-12noon Sat). General enquiries 0117 946 7606/7. Office 24, 14 Clifton Down Road, Bristol BS8 4BF. info@eachaction.org.uk www.eachaction.org.uk

BLiS - Bath Lesbians into Socialising We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30 in Mandalyns, 1 Fountain Buildings, Lansdown Rd, Bath. Call 07891 563 127 for event details. blisinfo@aol.com Brigstowe Project Housing project for people living with HIV, providing support, advice and advocacy. 176 Easton Rd, Easton, Bristol. Call 0117 941 5188. www.brigstowe.org

Freedom Youth Weekly drop-in youth group on a Tuesday for LGBT and Q young people aged 13 to 21. For more information please contact the team on 0117 377 3677 or www.freedomyouth.co.uk

Bristol Bisons RFC Bristol's first gay and gay-friendly rugby team is always looking for new members, players and supporters. Everyone welcome regardless of experience or ability. Call 0783 145 4991. www.bisonsrfc.co.uk

Friends on the Hill Group for people in Redfield, Lawrence Hill, Barton Hill and the Dings for people who are LGBT or unsure. Socials, activities, info and support. Call Rowan on 0117 955 6971.

Bristol Drugs Project Support for users, families and friends. 11 Brunswick Square, BS2 8PE. Call LGB rep Sarah Wilson on 0117 987 6010.

HST@bdp.org.uk

Gay Glos Help, advice and social networks for LGBT people living in the rural areas of Gloucestershire. PO Box 171, Gloucester.

Mon-Fri 7.30-10pm. Call 01452 306 800. www.gay-glos.org

Bristol Families and Friends BFF is a support group for families and friends of LGB people. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the Terrence Higgins Trust. Call Sue Allen on 01454 852 418. 14 Brockley Close, Little Stoke Bristol BS34 6EZ. sueallenfflag@blueyonder.co.uk

Gay and Lesbian Alcohol Free Friends Social and support group for lesbian, gay and bisexual people with an alcohol issue. Call Paul Green on 0117 378 9439 GLAFF, PO Box 2012, Bristol, BS99 5WN. TMM@glaff.org.uk GayWest A social and support group for gay people in the South West. Meets Sat mornings in the Rainbow Cafe in Bath. For details and events call 0870 811 1990, Mon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Fri 8pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10pm.

GayWest, PO Box 586, Bath, BA1 2YQ. info@gaywest.org.uk www.gaywest.org.uk

Bristol 3Ms Supper group for gay and bisexual men. We hold regular social evenings in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. Call Russell on 0117 973 9855. bristol_3ms@hotmail.com 10

Equalities on 0117 922 rainbow@bristol.gov.uk

The Harbour Providing free, professional counselling and psychotherapy to people affected by HIV, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. 30 Frogmore St, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 925 9348 or www.the-harbour.co.uk

3786

or

email

So Out in the South West A social and support group for disabled gay men living and/or working in the South West.

Call Robin on 0117 942 9336 or write c/o BSGPF, 19 Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Easton, Bristol. BS5 0HE. robin.corser-langford@virgin.net

Lesbian & Children Network A bi-monthly social group for lesbians and bisexual women and their children. Call Rachel on 07813 754 291. rachely@talktalk.net

South West Walking Women For women interested in hiking in the Bath and Bristol area at weekends. sw_walkingwomen@yahoo.co.uk

LGB Young People's Forum LGBT Youth Forum for young people aged 13 21, exploring issues related to LGBT youth. For more information contact Babs or Winston on 0117 377 3677.

Terrence Higgins Trust West Information, care and support, and health promotion for all people affected by HIV and AIDS. Counselling, buddying, complementary therapies, advocacy and advice. Call us on 0117 955 1000. 8 West Street, Old Market, BS2 0BH. info.bristol@tht.org.uk

LGBT Society UWE Weekly meetings, consisting of alternate on scene and off scene events, plus trips. UWE Student Union Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol. BS16 1QY. Call Cari on 07812 670 648 or Sean on 07904 382 719.

University of Bristol LGBT Society We organise regular social events for all LGBT students at Bristol University. LGBT Society, University of Bristol Union, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LN. lgbtsoc-ubu@bristol.ac.uk www.bristol.ac.uk/union/lgbt

LGBT Young People's Team Citywide support for LGBT young people in Bristol. Sefton Park Youth Centre, Ashley Down Road, Bristol. BS7 9BG. 0117 377 3673.

Missing Lesbians Website listing events for women in Bristol and the surrounding areas. listings@missinglesbians.co.uk www.missinglesbians.co.uk

USPCG A UK-based organisation that finds pen pals for gay US prisoners. PO Box 1714, Yate. BS37 4NS. www.uspcg.com

Pink Herrings Social network for lesbians, meets every other Thursday evening at 8:30. Also bowling, cinema, coffee bars, theatre, concerts, discos, cycling, walks, meals out and more. For further info call Dot on 0117 986 1529.

Victim Support Avonvale We provide emotional and practical support to all people affected by crime, including homophobic hate crime. Call 0117 963 1114, national helpline 0845 30 30 900. 36 Dean Lane, Bedminster, BS3 1BS. bristol@victimsupportavonvale.org.uk www.victimsupportavonvale.org.uk

Pink Parents UK Information, advice and support on all aspects of lesbian, gay and bisexual parenting. Write to Pink Parents UK, The D'Arcy Lainey Foundation, PO BOX 417, Oldham. OL2 7WT. enquiries@pinkparents.org.uk

Wild Walking Women A friendly walking group for lesbians, meets the second Sunday of the month with walks at various venues around Bristol, Bath and the south west. Call 07980 418 676.

Rainbow Group Bristol City Council employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; group for campaigning, support and socialising. Call 11

Bristol Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Forum The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN Info@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk / www.bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk Registered 12 Charity 1098085