n o i t a found ary 2015
January - Febru
Reg. Charity No. 1070904
onth LGBT History M
Editorial
lcome to art to 2015, we st w e n sh e fr lk g this issue we ta and a sparklin r In a . e ye n zi w a e g n a y M p Hap le at ndation r about their ro ion of the Fou o it d at e in st rd te -o la o r C u a ty yo mmunity Safe e Angels with o g a C ill T V B e LG th w e m n o to the x and st news fr t sex, that is se ort on the late u p o re b e a g W in F. lk LG e ta e t Th mpaign to rais nd we also ge a ca p lp u e ro h g to e o th d f profile o at you can cation, and wh u d e ip sh n o ti rela ge. bout build knowled th, so we talk a n o m awareness and ry to is h T f the LGB rther es the return o vement, and fu o m T B LG e This month se th ith archives. s associated w l Library LGBT a tr n e C r e historical figure st e tions, st in the Manch w Year’s resolu xi e e N w at o n k o ils lo ta a e d uld raise some nt day we take co se u re yo p e e b th ay to m Moving for an uary’ - so k beer or wine being ‘Dry Jan n r ri la d u ic to rt t a o p n d in re one onso e about LGF by being sp , plus an updat at th ll A )? ry a money for The u n ssible in ven if it's not Ja hich is now po w n io rs entire month (e ve n co last ip to marriage e crimes from at h civil partnersh it is v re o ls such as ales. We a action to them England and W re ’s y it n u m d m BT co fe when out an sa e b year, and the LG to w o h g event and the Safe to Sin about.
Alex
m a e T n o i t a Your Forchu&nWdriter Jen - Bi Researchh&&WWririteterr Alex - Resea ith - Researc e K edia r Ben - Digital M Laura - Write r te Claudia - Wri h & Writer rc a e s e R s e Jam ? the team Fancy joining ideas! ail with your m e n a s u p Dro
Cover photo 'Alan Turing Memorial' by Johnson Cameraface (
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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!
Happy New Year! 2015 looks like it will be a very important year for us all. This year, the helpline celebrates its fifth decade of service, many of our groups are celebrating their silver jubilee, our Condom & Lube Distribution Scheme turns 21 years old and The LGF as an organisation is 15 years of age! We are also about to go through a very important ‘regeneration’ as we move to become ever more inclusive to the bisexual and trans communities and change our name to ‘LGBT Foundation’ from the Spring/Summer. Thank you to everyone who attended our recent volunteer and staff conference and helped us to construct how we should communicate our mission and values going forward. We are always striving to be more reflective of the needs of everyone in our communities and to serve and support more LGBT people year on year. Despite challenging times we are achieving some amazing things and we know that with your support we will achieve even more throughout 2015. If you haven’t had a chance to check out our impact in 2014, do take a look at what you helped achieve last year: www.lgf.org.uk/impact Lookout for much more exciting news to come!
id Paul & Dav
Volunteer Team Profile: Village Angels I’m sure most of our readers have heard of the Village Angels, but we thought it would be great to learn a bit more about the people that run and make up the team. We spo ke with Lee Mackintosh and Jessica White: Lee is the Village Angels’ coordinato r and Jessica is The LGF’s new Community Safety coordinator. Lee has worked with the Angels since its ons et. His favourite thing about the angels is being abl e to ensure that vulnerable people within the night time economy of Manchester Gay Village are cared for appropriately. He also likes being able to suppor t the emergenc y ser vices whilst they are stretched during busy periods. The number of active Angels fluc tua tes a lot, but there are usually 3 or 4 angels per shift (more at special occasions). On shift they help pro mote sexual health by distributing condoms to venues in the village. Angels have all sor ts of backgroun ds – we have older and younger Angels, and Angels wh o are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Ou r Angels all have different skills and experiences, all are DBS checked as procedure and all shift leaders are first aid trained. Lee and Jessica ensure that it is fun damental that all volunteers embrace all aspects of different LGBT communities.
Laura
Staff Profile: Jessica White
undation our Fo f o e su is is In th e LGF’s focused on Th staff profile is r ty Co -ordinato fe a S y it n u m Co m Jessica White. d n and relocate o d n Lo m o fr inally very Jessica is orig he LGF. She is T r fo rk o w BT to r duc tion and LG to Mancheste re e im cr y it n mmu ought interested in co vertised she th d a s a w b jo e n th rights, so whe itous! ip ns it was serend ator Jessica ru in rd -o o C ty unity Safe le As the Comm re most peop su I’m h ic h w gels, e the the Village An of, but if not se rd a e h e v a h e l il vious page. Sh reading this w re p e th n o le m Profi jec t. Volunteer Tea ate Crime Pro H e ir sh e h C ve e th duce restorati o tr also works on in to g in rk le ently wo Jessica is curr r part of her ro e th o n A . e g la e vil und justice into th ison events aro a li y it n u m m as is to operate co to places such g in o g s n a e is m out Manchester, th g to people ab in lk ta d n a s n e Piccadilly Gard nights out . n o are staying safe g for The LGF in rk o w t u o b a things tion she Her favourite e fantastic loca th , le b ta n e itch resting treats at the k lovely and inte e th ll a d n a me gets to work in In her spare ti . h it w rk o s w ts to to go for walk s e k li , people she ge ly g in ll a ing. uash app ok ing and bak Jessica plays sq co s y jo n e d n tric t a in the Peak Dis
Laura
LGBT History Month February is LGBT History Month! LGBT History Month was initiated in the UK by Sue Sanders, Elly Barnes and Schools Out and first took place in February 2005. The event came in the wake of the abolition of Section 28 and is intended to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, an otherwise substantially invisible minority. The first celebration of the month in 2005 saw the organization of over 150 events around the UK. LGBT History Month has been celebrated every February since, and has significantly enhanced and further validated awareness of and interest in LGBT and Human Rights Campaigns of the second half of the 20th century. Below are some examples of famous lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people in UK history: Ethel Smyth was born in 1858 and became one of Britain’s only successful women composers. In 1910, she took somewhat of a break from composing to dedicate herself to the women’s movement, serving time in Holloway Prison and carrying secret messages for Emmeline Pankhurst. Ethel was outspoken about her lesbianism, even into older age, when she wrote of the attraction she felt when at age 72 she met Virginia Woolf. Alan Turing is well-known to many people in Manchester and indeed the world, due to his contributions to science, his role in breaking the Engima code during WWII, and also his unfortunate conviction for indecency. He
suffered greatly from the ‘hormone therapy’ he was sentenced to, and eventually he took his own life. He was posthumously pardoned in 2013 by HM Queen Elizabeth II, and visitors to Manchester’s Gay Village today can see a statue honouring Turing in Sackville Gardens. Amanda Barrie was born near Manchester in Ashton-under-Lyne, and trained in London and at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Earning parts in numerous TV shows and movies, including Are You Being Served and Coronation Street, she is still acting on stage and screen today. She was married to theatre director Robin Hunter for several years, but later came out as bisexual, and is now married to her long-term partner Hilary Bonner. Stephen Whittle was recognised with an OBE in 2004 for his outstanding work for the development of social and legal recognition for trans people over the course of more than 30 years. Currently head of Manchester Metropolitan University’s graduate school, he has made numerous contributions to the development of human rights law as it relates to trans people, including providing evidence to the European Council. If you’d like to learn more about LGBT History, you can explore the LGBT Archives in Manchester’s Central Library - www.bit.ly/1COOLi3 (a project supported by dedicated LGF volunteers!), or check out what’s on for Manchester’s LGBT History Festival - www.lgbthistoryfestival.org.
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The . 1070904 Reg. Charity No
The following groups meet regularly at The LGF, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF. • 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
Carousel
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
D Stepping Stones
Older & Bolder
JAN & FEB 2015
Diary Dates 1st February: Start of LGBT History Month 2nd February: Trans volunteering evening, 6.30pm 10th February: Outreach Volunteer recruitment event, 6pm End of February: Preparation for Sugar & Spice on March 7th & 8th
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).
February
1
or f n ig a p m a C Join the New ship n io t la e R d n a Better Sex Education
ols is ‘not RE) in UK scho (S n o ti ca u d rovided E onship ty of the SRE p ri jo a m Sex and Relati st va e ude say Ofsted: th t does not incl u b , n o ti p ce good enough’ a ntr r issues gnancy and co fer sex or cove focuses on pre sa n porn o n io at rm info xual violence, ve se si t, n n e h se n re p co m s, co nship illions me-sex relatio s. As a result, m ip sh n o ti la surrounding sa re y h ssential et and unhealt r without the e a ye and the intern ch a e l o cisions o le leave sch responsible de d n a d e rm of young peop fo ke in ey need to ma s. knowledge th la nd re tionship a x se to s e m gay and when it co eople: 85% of p g n u yo I T ived B lly true for LG ) that they rece T A (N st u tr S This is especia al AID sbian told the Nation ips in school. Le sh n o ti la bisexual men re x e RE than about same-s ive even less S ce re no information lly a ic p in ty B) women y of LB women e rv su t n ce and bisexual (L re F’s formation pported by LG received any in d a h e men. This is su n o n at STI h revealed th relationships, x e -s e m sa t u their 20s whic o ab een r safer sex betw transmission o this school. To top at t ils h w n e wom 89% survey by NAT, r e th o n a in , ff o ed people report of LGBTI young lity about bisexua g in th o n g in rn lea ing reported learn issues and 94% es. ansgender issu tr t u o b a g in noth to is gets across, The message th ir e iduals and th the LGBTI indiv and that LGBTI sex classmates, is nt, not re not importa a s ip sh n o ti la re
relevant, and not “normal”. Whilst ot hers in the class having their desire may enjoy s and feelings va lidated, those who relate to their he can’t teronormative an d gendernormat can be left feelin ive educations g shame and em barrassment. Rein ignorance and co forcing the nfusion that is of ten also found ou classroom, means tside the that these pupils are more likely to be bullied. bully and The campaign to get better SRE in UK schools is on-g few months ago oing. A an open letter w as written by Cliff Jo the editor of QX annou, magazine and th e National AIDS Tr to David Cameron us t (NAT ), , Ed Milliband an d Nick Clegg that them to commit called for to making age ap propriate, compre LGBTI inclusive Se hensive and x and Relationsh ip Education stat English schools. Th ut ory in all is letter was sign ed by 28 LGBTI in charities, allies an dividuals, d organisations, including our ve Cookson at The LG ry own Rob F. On the back of this, Sian Lamber Programme Co-o t (Women’s rdinator), Jen Lau (Press & Social M and myself have edia Officer) been working wit h Cliff Joannou to next steps of the plan the campaign. So far, an online petitio created which m n has been akes this same re quest, and The LG now has a campai F website gn page from whi ch you can send your MP about th a letter to e issue. (http://w ww.lgf.org.uk/Ta comprehensiveke -Action/ sex-and-relations hip-education-ca mpaign/ ) We invite you to please sign, write and share in sup campaign and he port of the lp make equality in the classroom all pupils. a reality for
Claudia
: s e u s s I l a g Le e g a i r r a M l Equa The first same sex legal marriages in England and Wales took place on 29th March 2014, and civil partnerships have also continued. However for those of us wanting to change a civil partnership into a marriage, there was a problem in that the legal framework was not in place to perform a conversion. This led to speculation that the only way to convert a civil partnership into a marriage would be to dissolve the civil partnership (e.g. get divorced), then to marry as per the same-sex couples marriage act. However on 10th December 2014, this problem was resolved and it became possible to convert a civil partnership into a legally recognised marriage. Typically the cost to do this is around £100, marriage certificates are issued with the same date as the civil partnership and the time taken to do this is about 30 minutes in the registry office. The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act only applies to England and Wales. Elsewhere in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament passed a similar act at the start of February 2014, allowing for same sex couples to marry from the 31st December 2014. They also to have the ability to convert a civil partnership into a marriage in the same act. In Northern Ireland same sex couples can have a civil partnership, but there isn’t yet the legality to have a same sex marriage. Hopefully with time and campaigning, this will change.
Alex
s e m i r C e t Ha Update The last few months have seen further visibility in the reporting of hate crimes, particularly in the gay village and Metrolink related incidents and this has increased public awareness. The Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus performing the ‘Safe to Sing’ event also helped focus media attention on re-occurring problems of homophobic hate crime. The group took to the Metrolink and sang onboard making a pleasant travelling experience and also raising awareness of hate crime. Additionally, on Facebook, you cannot miss the number of people who have shared postings where gay men have been hurt with physical and verbal abuse. Elsewhere in Facebook posts, people broadcast their ignorant views and in some cases, cast away their kith and kin to justify their bigoted understanding. Sometimes this sadly results in needless suicides of the rejected family members. There are however some positive aspects to all this: we are becoming more aware and wiser. We are collecting and sharing evidence using mobile phones to record video and we are reporting hate crimes and not suffering in silence. Using digital media such as Facebook to share police ‘wanted’ photos has resulted in suspects being found and arrested. Cases are now getting to court and perpetrators are being prosecuted. It is still an ongoing cycle of reporting to the police and demanding that action be taken for hate crimes. We are still educating society, young and old, that it is unacceptable to debase and disrespect the LGBT community and additionally, we now have laws that will be enforced if people continue to behave in this way. The LGF registers and records hate crimes, so contacting The LGF is essential so they can monitor this type of activity. They can also give help and advice within a safe area if you are attacked.
Alex
s n io t lu o s e R s ’ r New Yea My guess is that, by the time you read this, you’ve made some, and probably started to regret them. That’s right, time to face up to our New Year’s resolutions. Traditionally made on New Year’s Day - and traditionally broken by the end of January.
Why are they good? Whether it’s cutting out booze or getting to the gym, resolving to start afresh is really positive. No one forces us to be unhealthy. Making a resolution shows self-reflection and a willingness to change, to take control.
Why are they bad? False hope! Quitting something completely, suddenly, takes a lot of willpower, and as the winter rolls on our cravings for comforts (booze and take-aways!) are bound to return with a vengeance. The same with picking up exercise – we tend to overdo it in the hope we can make up for overindulgence.
What can I do to make my resolutions stick? Think about how your resolution really fits into your life. More importantly, think about how you’ll overcome obstacles when you meet them. New Years Resolutions don’t have to be a sham. Just don’t expect an easy ride - anything worth doing will be a challenge. Good luck!
James
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Bryna’s Back Page
in of Foundation e su is t rs fi r u s our Welcome to yo amazing article e th to n io it d d about 2015! In a e put together av h m a te r e ip te volun and Relationsh x e S , th n o M ons, LGBT History Year’s Resoluti w e N d n a , n o Educati staff and ally interesting re e m so e av h we two brand new d n a s, le fi ro p r d hate voluntee legal issues an n o s n m lu co r regula crime. edible all for your incr u yo k an th to ghout I wanted and spirit throu y, rg e n e , e m ti F staff, generosity of ank drive The LG b d o fo e th , e r to 2014. To m id in Decembe d rs e rt o p p su T work with LGB volunteers, and ’s h rc u h C an lit etropo lmination to support the M an amazing cu as w rs ke e se st about asylum nted all the be se re p re ly al re e the year, and tter of thanks w le e th te o u q y. To our communit tor: the church’s pas received from church ation…to our n o d l u rf e d n o r the w sed church “Thank you fo are an LGBT ba e w w o n k who u yo ple each week o food bank. As e p 3 1 s rt o p tries ank sup range of coun a m o fr and our food b ry a u e UK for sanct for being have fled to th ecution simply rs e p d ce fa r two e d bank going fo where they hav o fo r u o p e ke d will in the lives of ce n re e LGBT…The foo iff d le ib s that akes a tang owever, it show h months and m , at th n a th ply it. More t willing to sim o n re a those who use s, e lli a r re for ople, and ou le who flee he p o lots of LGBT pe e p T B LG f o e.” e plight forget about th al sense, a lifelin re ry ve a in , is LGF sanctuary. The ether to you give—wh at th ll a r fo in ’s vital a ag make The LGF g So, thank you in lp e h in r o events, 15! food drives, or ’s to a great 20 re e H . le ib ss o services p
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Volunteers needed NOW for these roles Got a friend who’s thinking about volunteering at The LGF? Interested in learning about a new volunteer role or skill yourself? Check out these volunteer roles we’re urgently recruiting for now, and these upcoming recruitment events:
Village Angels – Urgent recruitment! Next training session 5th February. LGF Direct (integrated helpline & pop-in service) – next training session Sat 31st January. Trans volunteering evening (for trans people to learn about volunteering opportunities at The LGF and other local charities) – Monday 2nd February. Outreach volunteer – recruitment event Tuesday 10th February. Sexual Health volunteer – ‘meet & greet’ with the Sexual Health Team Thursday 12th February. Foundation volunteer - writer or graphic designer.
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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To learn more about any of these events and volunteering opportunities, contact Bryna on volunteer@lgf.org.uk or 0845 3 30 30 30.