n o i t a found tober 2014
September-Oc
Reg. Charity No. 1070904
Editorial
! of Foundation n io it d e t s t te e la Foundation. No f o n io it Welcome to th d e w e spankin’ n hi to
d (do say to another bran Foundation team e th n o Welcome back s ce fa acked ot some fresh ut our issue is p b , F) LG e Th t only have we g u abo r months. if you see them ustling summe b e th m o Jen and Bryna fr p u reat nts as we catch was another g it – with stellar eve e d ri P n o wdown check , so be sure to you’ll get the lo e n rc io fo it d ll e fu is in th t u In ere o t the and The LGF w from Jen abou ce ie p at re g parade for us, a t o do have the country – p. We’ve also g -u ss o te ri cr a w g r u in o n t e ou happ isibility cussed events iThink and BiV B , n o iC B t u o upcoming Bi-fo b na and give ore informatio look at Sparkle a ke ta a gander for m ill w is on ra is edition, Lau ming Out Day o C l a n io at . N t. day. Also in th on the subject summer even le is ic th rt a w at ie re rv g ve a o us an hipped up and Alex has w th ver from 1 1 r e b o ct O ho has taken o w , a n ry B to you fab nth we say hello anaging of all m e Finally this mo th h it w m her. in is mucking r a message fro fo e g a P ck a Charlotte and B a’s ok out for Bryn volunteers. Lo njoy! Hope you all e
James
ion Team
t Your Founda
h & Writer Alex - Researc edia Ben - Digital M ter Claudia - Wri rch & Writer a e s e R s e m Ja
arch & Writer Jen - Bi Rese h & Writer rc a e s e R h it Ke r Laura - Write
the team? Fancy joining your ideas! h it w il a m e Drop us an
To contact any of us or to suggest content for the next edition of foundation, email foundation@lgf.org.uk and make your email for the attention of the relevant person!
The LGF
Your foundation for LGB&T Life We were delighted to announce recently that The Lesbian & Gay Foundation is to become a LGB&T charity, fully inclusive of our trans* brothers and sisters. We recognise that many of our service users and volunteers are already part of the trans* community and we look forward to working together as an organisation and in partnership with others to develop a stronger, more cohesive LGB&T community and an even more dynamic LGF. As we write to you we are full of Pride for everyone’s fantastic achievements during the LGB&T events that were attended this summer by our fabulous volunteers. From Manchester, Oldham & Tameside Prides’ to Salford’s Peel Park Picnic, Bury’s Walking Rainbow and of course Sparkle, the national trans* celebration. Even after a busy summer, nothing stays still for long so we are already looking forward to marking Bi Visibility Day (23rd September) and International Coming Out Day (11th October). Our 4th annual Homo Heroes awards will take place on 7th October to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the birth of the modern LGB&T human rights movement, right here in Manchester. If you haven’t nominated in the shortlist yet you have until 24th September to vote. 21 people have been nominated across 7 categories and the choice of who wins is up to you! You can vote online at:
www.lgf.org.uk/hero
id Paul & Dav
Volunteer Profile: Maggie Black I got involved with The LGF about 2003/4, I was asked if I would like to volunteer my skills with the counseling ser vice, and more recently with the Befriending ser vice. I too k some time out to look after a close friend with termin al cancer, I felt it was important to me to be involv ed again and pick up my volunteering role, which wa s when I moved from the counseling ser vice to Bef riending. The Befriending ser vice suppor ts people who may feel unsure of where to meet others , to gain suppor t if coming out or have come out of a relationship and feel a little uncertain of how to soc ialise. It suppor ts the individual to access suppor t gro ups and the Village. It is ver y easy to feel isolate d and a little anxious on how to start out again. For me the Befriending scheme is another means of suppor t for the person. It is rea lly important to remember how hard it can be to com e to terms with who you are to yourself as well as others. I try to remember that when meeting a bef riendee for the first time. My par tner and I live in the countr yside and we have two dogs and three rabbits. The LGF hasn’t only helped me to volunteer but has given me the opportunity to have some close friends. I think everyone benefits from The LGF whatever their role, paid or voluntary and I’m pro ud to be par t of them.Â
Volunteer Profile: lch Alexander Be r The
teering fo I started volun ing rs back , follow LGF three yea ry at and pituita pancreas, thro tions. I hospital opera brain tumour n g, I was recoveri st il h w d n a , ned onths off ment day, sig it had several m u cr re r e te n F volu then I went to an LG ffice work and o s, e ti u d t h g e li e. up to do som ation magazin d n u Fo r fo g n started writi nded into ng work expa ri e te n lu o v rs resources, O ver the yea g and logging n ti n u co s a ch iding other areas su agazines, prov m g in ck a e , p e, walk ing in th folding leaflets d ri p t a d n a st e LGF fun and support on Th arades; lots of p e d ri P d n a y a Manchester D orld Aids day. W n o t u o s le d at handing can as presenting w ts h g li h ig h rsonal for the O n e o f my p e r, I presented a e y st la st a r Fe ch a buzz The LGF Winte ople, it was su e p 0 4 f o t n o first time in fr ill. a useful new sk d e rn a le I d n a erience, to the p x e g in n e d a bro The LGF, It ’s been a very ates group at tm u O e th n and am ex tent I help ru s.co.uk website te a tm u o ts, a in ta I also main up social even ro g e th g in d n pa is year. work ing on ex nd at pride th a st w e n a d n new name a etter, I y life for the b m d ce n a h n e ated my Volunteering others appreci d n a s d n ie fr ake continue to m efforts.
Alex
Manchester Pride 2014 It’s got to be one of the most important LGB&T events of the year – Pride and its festivities rocked our world again in 2014. Held on 23rd of August, the parade is perhaps the central event of the Pride season. All sorts of outrageous acts and community representatives came out in style – from the police, the NHS, to drag queens, leathermen, and of course The LGF. Aside from the parade and its festivities, Pride Fringe ran events throughout August, (including the brilliant ‘Cockadoodle’ exhibition of erotic comic-book art, from 15th August to 13th September); a candlelit vigil was held on the 25th August, and the famous Pansy Project ran on the 4th August. Pride is all about recognising the importance of diversity, about celebrating how far we’ve come as a community, and about remembering those who have been lost to ignorance and hate. It’s an important event for LGB&T and straight people – it’s about affirming our right to lead rich, happy lives no matter who we love. Indeed, Love was the theme this year in recognition of the legalization of gay marriage. As The LGF geared up for the parade, I spoke to a few volunteers about the big day. Sarah thought that the Pride parade is a really important event because it challenges traditional views as much as it celebrates LGB&T people. “Norms around bodies are put into question, particularly in terms of what should and should not be shown in public.” It was pointed out that Pride has a complex and sometimes
difficult relationship with LGB&T people – the parade is, after all, linked to lots of for-profit sponsors as well as not-for-profit organizations, while the party afterward has been criticized for excluding those unable (or unwilling) to pay for access to the village. The issue of the police presence in the parade was also questioned by a few LGFers, although a good counterpoint was made by Becca. “Pride has a key role in raising awareness about LGB&T life. The police presence in the parade is actually very important, and particularly so because in places like Russia state persecution of LGB&T people is wide-spread. It’s important to recognise that 20 to 30 years ago the UK police were far more violent towards LGB&T folk, and that they’ve changed so much since then. In that way Pride is a real blow to regimes that enforce homophobia.”
James
r a d n e l Ca
The . 1070904 Reg. Charity No
The following groups meet regularly at The LGF, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF. • ART CLASS meets on the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month 7-9pm. • BIPHORIA meets 1st Tuesday of the month 7.30-9pm. • BLOOMERS meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month 1-3pm. • CAROUSEL meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:30-9pm. • ICEBREAKERS meets every Wednesday from 8pm. • IMAAN (LGB&T Muslim Group) meets 1st Thursday of the month 7:30-9:30pm. • OLDER & BOLDER meets 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 7:30-9pm. • OUT IN THE CITY meets every Thursday 1pm. • OUT WITH PROSTATE CANCER meets 1st Saturday of the month 2-4pm. • STEPPING STONES meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month 7:30-9pm. • YOUNG MEN'S GROUP for 18-25 year olds, meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 7-9pm
The following services are available at The LGF, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF. • LEGAL ADVICE SURGERY every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month 6-8pm. • OUTREACH CLINIC most Mondays for more details visit www.lgf.org.uk/testing or call 0845 3 30 30 30. • POLICE SURGERY every Thursday 6-8pm. • RAPID HIV TESTING every Wednesday 12-2pm. ALBERT KENNEDY TRUST 0161 228 3308 GEORGE HOUSE TRUST 0161 274 4499 SURVIVORS MANCHESTER 07919 246 2671 For more listings please see www.lgf.org.uk/directory
Stepping Stones
Carousel Art Class
Older & Bolder
D
SEPT & OCT 2014
Diary Dates 18th-28th September: Manchester Food & Drink Festival 23rd September: Bi Visibility Day 27th September: Warrington Pride & Preston Pride 4th October: Chester Pride 6th-19th October: Manchester Literature Festival 11th October: Coming Out Day
The following volunteering opportunities take place regularly at The LGF. If you’re interested in any of the below, just ask Bryna for more information! • LGF DIRECT helpline and pop-in support, various shifts available (training required). • BEFRIENDING various flexible opportunities available (training required). • WOMEN'S PROGRAMME SUPPORT flexible opportunities (training required). • GROUPWORK PROGRAMME dependent on group times (training required). • SEXUAL HEATH OUTREACH various shifts available (training required). • OFFICE SUPPORT flexible opportunities that can be arranged with the Volunteer Manager. • COMMUNITY LEADERS flexible opportunities (training required). • VILLAGE ANGELS various shifts available (training required).
September
23
k c a B e m o C is B To Yorkshire
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arted 3rd. This has st 2 r e b m te p e S Day this t ever th Bi Visibility 13 saw the firs 0 2 d n a rs a ye It’s the sixteen e of in the last few isterial messag sy in p m To a e d lik n a g in se grow hite Hou flag and rple & blue bi issues at the W u i p b , n k o in g p n e ti e th r e m ok for (and fly) isibilityDay fo iV Lo . B K @ U t n e u th o in cc a rt suppo r the twitter ber23.bi.org o m te p se ck e ch news.
Jen
irthday Happy 20th b ose first h w ia r o h iP B to st 1 n o s a w g in meet 94 September 19
g n i m o C l a Nation Out Day National Coming Out Day started over 25 years ago back in 1988, founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary and like many days, it has its origins in America, specifically starting out in Los Angeles. The day happens every year on 11th October to celebrate and raise awareness about coming out and its associated civil rights issues. We in the LGB community are unusual in that we DO come out as gay, lesbian or bi-sexual unlike our straight counterparts, who are lucky in this respect as it is a societal norm and massive assumption to be straight. Being closeted can lead to unhelpful situations based on ignorance. My own experiences have been for example in a group everyone is assumed to be straight, resulting in some off the cuff gay jokes, or unwanted advances by the wrong gender and not forgetting self-suppression of expression where you cannot voice how you feel or what you desire without being openly gay, for me coming out was a release from all of that. So you can see that there are issues around coming out and why it is important to have a day to regularly re-highlight the fact, for each generation going through the coming out phase, to let them know that help is available and they are not alone. The LGF has lots of useful information in its website www.lgf.org.uk/coming-out about coming out, plus there is a helpline 0845 3 30 30 30 for help and advice.
Alex
Ending Homophobia,
Empowering People
www.lgf.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1070904
Sparkle 2014 Sparkle is a very important FREE international event for the whole trans* community to celebrate its own identity, and to promote awareness and integration with the wider community. As a free event probably more than half of those taking part are not trans*, just having a great time learning about and partying with the diverse spectrum of trans* people Held every year in Manchester, this year saw its 10 year anniversary, so celebrations were held on both the Saturday and Sunday for the first time! I spoke to Jenny-Anne, a Trustee of the Sparkle Charity and a key organiser with the Sparkle event management team.
What were the highlights of the weekend for you?
To see more than 2,000 trans* people from all over the UK and many from overseas feeling safe and empowered to be themselves and having a great time over the whole Sparkle weekend. The talks and workshops were really successful, almost 300 visitors on the Saturday and over 100 on the Sunday. The Youth Zone in the park and the two hour Young People & Families Workshop, empower the young people to direct their own lives and to continue the challenge of getting fair treatment and full integration for all trans* people.
What would you say to people who’ve thought about attending Sparkle but never got round to it? Come along and enjoy a thoroughly friendly and safe event for everyone where you can truly be yourself and will find a huge welcome from your community.
Laura
Bryna’s Back Page
Hi everyone, , and this as just finished h e d ri P r e st e Manch ekend as a as open all we w F LG e h T ities r a ye ring more activ e ff o , b u H y it n Commu would none of which , re fo e b r ve e ort of than hout the supp it w le ib ss o p n u worked have bee volunteers. Yo g n zi a m a f o s we dozen weekend and e th r ve o rd a u gave. incredibly h ute of time yo in m ry ve e e at appreci ion and by the dedicat ay aw n w lo b s t above I wa ed. Many wen w o sh u yo sm nal shifts enthusia g with additio in lp e h , d n yo e ty that and b s this generosi a w it d n a s, ie ly. and activit run so smooth d n ke e e w e th made ers for all the volunte k n a th to t n a nths I also w e. Just two mo m to g in m o lc I already being so we teer Manager, n lu o V s a le ro w into my I’ve got to kno . ily m fa F LG e r feel part of Th I started, but fo ce n si rs e te n many volu ut me: t yet, a bit abo e ational, m ’t n e av h I Amnesty Intern those h it w s a w I F, The LG soned Before joining r people impri fo d e n ig a p m lifeca people facing d where my team n a n io ss re m of exp lunteer for their freedo also been a vo e I’v . n io at in g an crim hile, supportin C in threatening dis th u yo k is ring at-r e Mustard myself—mento lping out at th e h d n a , A S U the LGB&T group in anchester. things Tree here in M ation! A couple d n u Fo f o e su issue njoy this is ar page of this Hope you all e d n le a C e th r: out fo social/support d n a s le to keep an eye ro r e te ing out d list of volun ey will be com rv u has an update S r e te n lu o e 2014 V ink! groups, and th us what you th ll te to re su e soon, so b
x x a n y r B
OES
HOM
O HER
Reg. Charity No. 1070904
AWARDS
Hundreds of people have taken the time to nominate their heroes – individuals, groups and organisations they feel have helped to make a difference to their communities over the past year. The LGF’s Homo Heroes Awards, supported by Barclays, and now in its fourth year, provide an opportunity to celebrate those that have challenged homophobia and biphobia, are role models for the community and have helped make a difference to the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Voting closes on Wednesday 24th September, so get your vote in now:
For a large print version of this magazine, please contact us on 0845 3 30 30 30 or email: info@lgf.org.uk
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www.lgf.org.uk/hero