LGBT History Month Magazine - The Official Guide to LGBT History Month 2012 ®

Official guide to LGBT History Month

An American Artist

In London

The Ezra Axelrod Interview

The History of LGBT History Month Six Years of Stonewall Heroes Student Pride Sponsored by

Supported by

Also Inside: The Prime Minister - BBC Pride - Trans On The Telly - Gay Olympics - Pride HouseLGBTHM London 2012 - 1

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Contents Contents 6 The History of LGBT History Month 12 LGBT History Month 2012: Why Sport?

16 Ernst & Young - Stonewall Employer of the Year 18 Stonewall’s Long Battle For Equality 20 Six Years Of Stonewall Heroes 22 Student Pride 24 A Better Life for LGBT Students 26 How Gay- Friendly Is Your Hotel?

28 A Gay Look At The History Of The Olympics 35 Trans On Telly - Gendered Intelligence 40 Gay’s The Word Bookshop 44 Diversity Role Models 46 Nerja - Travel Review 48 BBC Pride 50 London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard 54 Pride House London 56 Diversity Network At Santander 57 The Albert Kennedy Trust 58 Fighting For 30 Years - The Terrence Higgins Trust 60 Ezra Axelrod Interview

Talent Media Would like to take this opportunity to thank: Robert Ingham, Toni Flanders, Sue Sanders, Jay Stewart, Andy Wasley, Will Harris, Tom Guy, Alan Bailey and Chandel Diebold for contributing to this title.

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© 2012. LGBT History Month is published by Talent Media Ltd. Copyright of all images and articles remains with the publisher.All other rights recognised. No material in this publication may be used without prior permission from the publisher.

Disclaimer: We cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited text, photographs or illustrations. Views expressed and included in LGBTHM Magazine by individual contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.

Published by: Talent Media Ltd, Studio 37, The Riverside Building, Trinity Buoy Wharf, London, E14 0JW Tel: 020 7001 0754. Fax: 020 3070 0017.

Email: info@talentmedia.org Publishing Director: Darren Waite Design - Chris Powell This supplement is editorially led by LGBT History Month and not the Guardian News and Media Group

LGBTHM 2012 - 3

foreword in the first I am delighted to have been asked to write the first community contributes official guide to LGBT History Month. The LGBT a well-deserved is h mont a huge amount to the UK and I hope this celebration of that.

The Diamond Jubilee 2012 is the year that the world’s eyes are on the UK. opportunity to the us and the Olympic and Paralympic Games give ive nation. inclus and t vibran a showcase the best of who we are but some one, long a been has ity equal LGBT ds The struggle towar underway, are or ed significant changes for the better have been achiev less of sexual regard all, for rights equal and I am personally committed to identity or orientation. place on religious Last year we lifted the ban on civil partnerships taking to make civil how on lting premises and next month we will be consu es. coupl sex marriage available to sameender equality action We have launched the first ever government transg else, transgender one plan as the Government believes that, like every ice. prejud from people have the right to live free to tackle homophobia And we recently launched a new Sports Charter r for good, and I am and transphobia. Sport can be an incredible powe na Navratilova, Marti and King delighted that Ben Cohen, Billie Jean the tens of gst amon are e, Leagu ier Prem the along with the FA and signed up. thousands of people and organisations who have er, in 2012, we can togeth but There is certainly more work to be done, is determined to that ry count a in live to s show the world what is mean make life free and fair for everyone.

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LGBT History Month

Words Sue Sanders

The History of Sue Sanders tells us how, when and why it all began, How far we have come and how much that’s still to be done.

A

s teachers, Paul Patrick and I had been part of the group that had set up what was then called the Gay Teachers Group back in the early 70s. We were appalled at the invisibility of lesbians and gay men and the lack of support that the unions gave us when we were attacked for being out in the classroom. In the late eighties we dealt with the issue we faced on the embryonic work in schools to tackle that invisibility: Section 28. .

By 2000, life was different.

Unions had worked to support LGBT people in all walks of life, including teaching. We had developed a theory and vocabulary that explained and described the discrimination faced. We had a government that promised legislation that would begin to deal with

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many of the issues, and the Stephen Lawrence report had woken institutions to the effect of institutional prejudice.

However, schools were notoriously slow to pick up on all of this. Section 28 was not repealed till 2003 and it went with a whimper rather than a bang, so few teachers were aware and their habit of ignoring LGBT people and issues were hardly challenged.

Paul and the Schools OUT committee had worked throughout the dark days, raising the issues, writing lesson plans, producing a teachers pack and lobbying the government to challenge the institutional homophobia. Gradually they took on transphobia.

We had seen the success of Black History month in schools.

It had made a difference by

The month came from the grass roots teachers and activists who knew that something had to be done to educate and celebrate the existence of LGBT people everywhere. We hit on a way of working and networking so we are now embedded in the national calendar and got endorsements from both the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition.

We are working with Pride Solidarity to spread our work across Europe our website is used throughout the world - literally! enabling teachers to think about the issues in a more

Our greatest asset is what makes us different.

Goldman Sachs is pleased to celebrate LGBT History Month.

At Goldman Sachs, we know that without the best people, we cannot be the best firm. We aim to hire, retain and motivate men and women from many backgrounds who can offer fresh perspectives. Our Office of Global Leadership and Diversity (GLD) helps carry out this mission through numerous initiatives and partnerships with its employee networks, including the firm’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network (LGBT). Their efforts include educating colleagues on issues of sexual orientation, supporting professional development, enlisting support from straight allies and promoting mentorship. These efforts serve to foster a strong sense of community and illustrate the belief that our success depends on having people who reflect the diversity of the communities and cultures in which we operate.

goldmansachs.com/diversity LGBTHM 2012 - 7

Š 2012 Goldman Sachs

would keep the month alive and inspirational.

We needed some start up money and publicity! We approached the Department of Education in the early months of 2004 with a plan and a budget. Although they were not uninterested, they were very slow to give us clarity. By the summer, I felt we had to take the plunge, so I made the announcement of the month at the launch of Amnesty International’s book Sex Love and Homophobia, and a small ripple of interest occurred. At one of the Pride London events we asked a few VIPs going on the stage at Trafalgar Stage to make an announcement.

Simon Hughes agreed and did so. In November, we heard from the D.O.E. They gave us a small grant and the race was on to create the publicity and get the website ready. creative and focused way. We wondered if we could institute such a month for us. 2003 was a momentous year. Section 28 was finally abolished and we got the first legislation that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Single Equality Act was mooted with a public duty that would cover sexual orientation and gender identity. It occurred to us that this was maybe the moment to float an LGBT History Month. After much discussion in deciding the appropriate month, we hit on February - not the best month weather wise, but a quiet

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month in the school calendar which crucially had a half term. We were confident that museums and libraries would be the first to use the month and we concluded that if that was the case parents, children and - most importantly - teachers would see the displays and feel empowered to take their experiences back to their schools.

How to start?

I knew of a historian who was also web-savvy. It seemed to us that the month needed to be web-based, with lots of resources and news that

The unions were supportive.

The National Union of Teachers remunerated us through affiliation fees and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) created the first LGBT timeline in all its rainbow coloured glory - a work of art.

I had been active in Southwark on the anti-homophobic forum and Simon was a Southwark MP so it was logical to ask their help. They obtained the cinema at the Tate Modern for us to hold a pre-launch in early December. The line-up of speakers was phenomenal.

We worked hard to have the true diversity of our

community; a philosophy that drives us to this day.

There were almost as many people on the stage as there were in the audience. We had hoped that if we had ten events in the following February we would have made it a success; we in fact had over 100. One of the speakers, Linda Bellos, prophesied that people there on that day would remember with pride that they were there when we would celebrate LGBT History month at Wembley. We’re not quite there yet, however pre-launch venues have included The Royal Courts of Justice, The British Museum, Twickenham Rugby Stadium and the Oval, as well as a Church of England School.

The People The Committee that makes the month happen is small, dedicated and voluntary.

Unfortunately, Paul passed away in October 2008, so he missed the first launch we held in a school, which was a big milestone for us.

Tony Fenwick is now the Co-Chair with me who, amongst a deluge of tasks, produces the monthly bulletin.

He has, alongside committee, helped make the month the massive success it now is.

Nigel Tart, a maths teacher, has been our media officer and is doing sterling work getting us recognised in both the LGBT and straight press.

Elly Barnes, a music teacher, who was voted number 1 in the Independent Pink list in 2011, and is our school representative and delivers training to teachers up and down the country Dave Watkins was our treasurer and he also helped set up the new website www.the-classroom.org.uk.

Stephen Boyce is our Patrons representative.

Jeff Evans is our academic representative and has organised trips to Berlin, and enabled many conferences and meetings with archivists and universities.

Amy Macmillan, our membership administrator, is crucial given the importance of subscriptions, as we are not funded.

Naechane Romeo is our trans representative.

Huw Williams is our web technician, making sure all three sites are up and running and dealing with emergencies.

Amelia Lee is our youth representative and next year will be organising the Schools OUT conference in Manchester.

words of Paul Patrick and Tony Fenwick perhaps say it all: We are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and their friends.

We exist in all times and places.

We speak each and every language.

We laugh and cry.

We talk and remain silent.

We are emperors and peasants.

We are conservatives and revolutionaries.

We are actors, artists, bricklayers, bookies, cab drivers, cooks and clowns.

We are employed and unemployed. We raise our children and we bury our dead.

When we can, we attend school, college and university.

When we can, we go out into the streets.

We read the papers and watch the TV. We attend church, synagogue, temple and mosque.

We are free and confined.

We celebrate and we hide.

We are happy and sad. We are supported and alone.

Paul Patrick and Tony Fenwick, 2005

Stephen and Tony took the lead on organising the lessons for the new website classroom, and wrote many of the lessons.

The main success of the month is, of course, due to the tireless work of people up and down the country who grab the month and what it stands for, and set up events large and small in their neighbourhoods.

We are passionate about diversity and visibility. The

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month 2012 is fighting for LGBT people to be active in sport as spectators and participants; at elite and at street level.

Tackling homophobia and transphobia on the pitch and on the terraces is an essential step.

Please help us attain that goal.

www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk LGBTHM 2012 - 9

Diversity is not an initiative, it’s how we do business.

At Goldman Sachs diversity is core to our culture. Embedded within the firm’s business principles, it is reflected in our people who come from around the world, representing different nationalities, educational backgrounds and life experiences. We believe that a diverse workplace will help us successfully meet the needs of our clients and benefit the firm.

A strategic pillar of the firm’s diversity focus is the presence of employee networks, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network (LGBT). The network is open to all employees and was instrumental in establishing the Managing Director (MD) Straight Ally programme at the firm. As Caroline Carr, EMEA Head of Global Leadership and Diversity, states, “The impact and value of our MD Ally programme in creating an inclusive environment is clear from the feedback we receive from employees and candidates on campus. We want to be the employer of choice for the

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goldmanSachs.indd 3

LGBT community and our network and allies help us work towards that goal.”

Goldman Sachs is proud to be recognised as a Top 100 Employer by Stonewall’s 2012 Workplace Equality Index, which benchmarks LGB-friendly employers.

The firm’s LGBT Network was awarded the distinction of “Star Performer Network Group” for making an invaluable contribution to the experience of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff at the firm.

“The LGBT Network organises the annual Pride Month events, which are integral to fostering an inclusive environment for LGBT colleagues within the Goldman Sachs community”, explains Steve Windsor, EMEA Head of Corporate & Sovereign Debt Capital Markets, MD Ally and Senior Sponsor of the LGBT Network.

07/02/2012 11:40

Different

Families

Same Love

www.stonewall.org.uk/educationforall

LGBT History Month 2012: Why Sport?

By Tony Fenwick

With the Olympics just a stones throw away, Tony Fenwick tells us about why LGBT History Month’s focus is Sport.

L

see how we can increase LGBT participation in sport to our mutual benefit.

This year, one issue LGBT History Month is looking at is sport. With London being the Olympic hosts this year, it is an ideal opportunity to take up the cudgel and

To put the situation into perspective: as a gay man I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that sport in schools is the last bastion of heteronormativity.

There is the stereotype of the macho male PE teacher and the lesbian female PE teacher. There’s the unwelcoming changing room, shower and the surrounding culture. Finally, there is the last phase in the whole process of forcing

GBT History month has, since its foundation in the UK in 2005, sought to get into the curriculum and make changes so that our schoolchildren have role models and are not alone.

Over the past six years our main focus has been history, but we have focused year-on-year on a different area of the curriculum.

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people to conform to the stereotype: team sledging.

On the other hand, there are tremendous role models out there. Martina Navratilova is still a pioneer after her predecessor, Billie Jean King.

Salford’s John Amaechi came out at the end of his career as a basketball player in the US and Gareth Thomas came out in 2010. Both, incidentally, are patrons of LGBT History Month. Matthew Mitcham is a tremendous and outspoken advocate of LGBT participation in sport, as well as being a gold medallist

Gareth Thomas

Newcastle Ravens

Martina Navratilova

diver. But where are the women now? Clare Balding is a well known lesbian in sport, but out and proud lesbian participants are few and far between since the victory of Amelie Mauresmo.

So is it safe to come out as a professional sportsperson?

Thomas came out late in his career and in this day and age suffered homophobic abuse from Castleford supporters (for which the club was fined). Amaechi states that if he’d been out he simply wouldn’t have been allowed to play in many

US states. So apart from the dangers of negative media coverage and the potential loss of sponsorship deals that could result from a major player coming out as gay or lesbian, there are the added extras of being denied promotion and even being barred from certain matches. Add into the equation that if you are an international player, there are 78 countries where homosexuality is still illegal and being out and proud may not even be an option.

Football:

The Justin Fashanu Campaign is gaining ground in its efforts to eliminate homophobia from the sport. Stafford University and Stonewall have both produced research that shows the fans themselves want homophobia stamped out of the terraces, but any football fan who attends matches will tell you that homophobic chants and insults are still all-toocommon. The FA, while not homophobic, would prefer the problem to go away.

LGBTHM 2012 - 13

Matt Bloomfield Again, there are efforts to bring about change. There are LGB fan clubs such as GayVillans (Aston Villa) and gay friendly football teams like the Left-Footers in London and Brighton Bandits, they have their own league.

Rugby:

There are lesbian and gay rugby clubs too; like Lakenham Hewett RFC in Norwich and Newcastle Ravens. The authorities that oversee Rugby Union and Rugby league are much more supportive of LGBT issues and aware of the importance of promoting equal opportunities and celebrating diversity. Our LGBT History Month Pre-Launch on November the 2nd 2010 was held at Twickenham.

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We have been working with Pride Sports, the leading organisation for Sports Development and Equity http://www.pridesports. org/. An organisation such as this should be welcomed and feted by the sporting community, but it is all too often ignored and is bereft of funds. Events like the Gay Games raise the profile of LGBT people in sport, but you have to finance yourself to attend or participate, and that costs. Sport is supposed to be for all.

So with the Olympics ahead of us, the time is right to take on the world of sport.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG ) is committed to maximising

the involvement of all the protected characteristics (formerly known as minorities) in the Olympics at every level: participating; spectating; working professionally and voluntarily; supporting and promoting.

This gives us the opportunity to use LGBT History Month to challenge the homophobia, the transphobia and the stereotyping that seems to permeate the sporting sphere.

Events

February 2011 saw over 1000 events held around the country, including sport from the Gendered Intelligence young people’s group, exploring the barriers for young trans people’s involvement in sport using film, blogs and sculpture.

In March 2011 Sheffield

Lakenham Hewett RFC

Mathew Mitcham Eagles played a rugby match in shirts sponsored

by LGBT History Month and Pride Sports with the words ‘Homophobia - lets tackle it!’

At the match, the Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone launched the Government’s Charter against homophobia and transphobia in sport.

Our second pre-launch, held at the Oval Cricket Ground, was again attended by Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone. She announced a logo competition for the charter. We learnt about Pride House on Clapham Common - the safe space for LGBT people to celebrate and watch the Olympics - and heard from Suran Dickson, who had set up the new Diversity Role Models project the previous year. The Lawn Tennis

John Amaechi such as the Rugby league.

Association informed us of However, we know we their LGBT inclusion work and the Nottingham Ball Bois have only chipped the very tip of the massive iceberg reflected on their programme of sporting events.

32 PRIDE 2010 that is homophobia and transphobia in sport.

Matt Bloomfield, a player In this year of the London for Wycombe Wanderers, Olympics, let’s hope we (the first football club to can progress. Ours is the sign the Charter for Action), first Olympics to produce was clearly impressed by LGBT badges, set out to the event and has gone recruit LGBT volunteers and, on to raise these issues in with Pride House, we hope other public arenas. The that the message will be a Football versus Homophobia positive one and convince campaign, part of the Justin other sports that they need Fashanu campaign, ran a to grapple with the issues great participatory event. and welcome LGBT players, So LGBT History Month has participants and punters. raised the issues and given We kicked it off. Now we the media, Government, hope others will take up the sporting bodies and sports challenge and win through. clubs the opportunities to look at their practice and learn from organisations that have made changes, THE ONLY OFFICIAL GUIDE

LGBTHM 2012 - 15

Ernst & Young

Stonewall 2012 ‘Employer of the Year’

E

rnst & Young has been a longstanding supporter of LGBT equality. In the UK, our LGBT employee network, called EYGLES, was formed over 15 years ago and was one of the first of its kind in the private sector. Since then, we have seen a huge amount of change both within the firm and wider society.

The EYGLES network has evolved from being an important but low profile group into one that is well-established internally, and has been recognised for its best practice

by Stonewall. It has enabled us to connect to our clients in

new ways and provide valuable development opportunities and support to our people. We’ve also seen a substantial increase in the awareness our people have of the reasons why it is so important for an individual to be able to be themselves at work.

In wider society we have witnessed many positive legislative changes over the past decade, including the abolition of Section 28, the introduction of civil partnerships and the adoption of the single Equality Act. However, legislative changes are just one step, albeit an important one. The societal and cultural change that follows is often more of a challenge and certainly takes longer to achieve.

The private sector has an important part to play in this respect. Organisations such as Ernst & Young, with our 152,000 people working in 140 countries, have huge potential to drive cultural change. In some areas of the world it is much more of a challenge than in others, but we use knowledge and judgment to decide when, where and how hard to push.

The answer will not necessarily be the same for everyone, everywhere.

Ernst & Young has a commitment to developing and promoting the concept of Inclusive Leadership.

In a nutshell this means having a passion for seeking

Team EYGLE Brighton Equality

out difference; having the intellectual curiosity to understand what the world looks like to someone else and then seeking out that different perspective to feed into your decision making. We believe strongly that this focus will ultimately benefit all our people, our clients and the communities in which we operate.

In the UK, Ernst & Young has participated in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index since its inception in 2005, using it as a catalyst to drive change within the organisation. We are extremely proud that in 2012 we have been named Stonewall’s ’Employer of the Year‘, ranking 1st overall in the Index. This

accolade is the result of years of hard work and commitment from the EYGLES network, our Diversity and Inclusiveness Team, our leaders and our people. We are also happy to have been voted ‘Recruiter of the Year’ by the readers of Out in the City magazine. While we certainly will not be resting on our laurels, awards like these are a powerful indication of the progress that has been made so far.

Ernst & Young is also active in the wider community. We sponsor National Student Pride and support the Diversity Careers Show, and are always looking at new ways to use our skills and experience to add real

value whenever we are involved.

There are many UK companies and organisations that are championing the LGBT agenda and driving real change, but there is also a lot more work to do. At Ernst & Young we are proud that we are part of making the difference to our people, clients and the community.

Stonewall’s long battle

for equality Stonewall has played a leading role in securing equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people since it was set up in 1989 to fight against Section 28. Andy Wasley, Stonewall’s media manager, looks at

the history of Europe’s largest gay equality charity.

I

n 1988 lesbian, gay and bisexual people were effectively second-class citizens. Section 28, an offensive piece of legislation designed to prevent the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools, had just come into force, and would leave a generation of young gay people feeling alone and vulnerable at school. Gay people had no protection whatsoever against discrimination on the grounds of their sexual orientation, and they were often viciously insulted and attacked in the media.

Thankfully, there were people who were willing to fight back. In 1989, a small group of men and women founded Stonewall to lead the fight for repeal. Over twenty years later Stonewall is busier than ever, working hard every day on behalf of lesbian, gay and

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bisexual people to make sure they enjoy full equality at home, at school and at work.

From day one, Stonewall focused on professional lobbying rather than direct action, putting the case for equality squarely on the mainstream political agenda. Within two years it had secured cross-party meetings with the then Prime Minister, John Major, taking the battle against anti-gay laws into Number 10 for the first time. And action wasn’t limited to politics. Stonewall took the government to court to help overturn the unfair ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual servicemen serving in the Armed Forces, while another long legal struggle, against the unequal age of consent for gay men, succeeded in 2001.

After Stonewall’s first and longest campaign, Section 28 was finally repealed throughout Great Britain in 2003, to the relief of teachers and young people alike.

Stonewall lobbying also made sure that service providers – including adoption agencies and schools – could not discriminate against lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

And the introduction of civil partnerships, after many years of lobbying from Stonewall, showed yet again that hard work behind the scenes really could make a big difference for gay people.

Today Stonewall’s work goes beyond lobbying. Its Education for All campaign supports schools, teachers and local education authorities as they try to stamp out homophobic bullying, making life better

Lustig-Prean Smith Beckett Grady. Four former members of the Armed Forces succeeded in a Stonewall-backed legal campaign to overturn the Armed Forces’ ban on gay personnel. L-R: Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Duncan Lustig-Prean; former RAF nurse Jeanette Smith; former Royal Navy rating John Beckett; former RAF sergeant Graeme Grady.

Stonewall has made a big difference for Britain’s 3.7 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people. They now have legal protection against discrimination by employers, schools, colleges and universities.

Same-sex couples can adopt children (and hundreds do every

year). Lesbian, gay and bisexual soldiers serve on an equal footing with their straight colleagues. And just this year five extremists were convicted of inciting hatred against gay people, thanks to yet another piece of essential protective legislation Stonewall drove through Parliament.

So much has been done – and there’s so much yet to do. Stonewall is now lobbying hard to make sure the Government sticks to its promise to introduce equal marriage by 2015. In 1988 even holding hands in public seemed for many to be a far-fetched dream.

Without Stonewall’s patient lobbying, rigorous research and undying commitment

to full equality, it’s hard to imagine how Britain could ever have come this far.

www.stonewall.org.uk

Sir Ian McKellen - Credit to Ellis Parrinder

for young gay people and those from different families. Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme helps employers to make sure they support their lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. And its professional research into issues as diverse as bi visibility, health and homophobia in football keeps Stonewall true to its roots – always focused on making a real difference, not on simply making noise.

LGBTHM 2012 - 19

Six years of Stonewall heroes Since 2006 the annual Stonewall Awards have named a Hero of the Year - someone whose remarkable courage and dedication advances the cause of equality for everyone.

Here, Stonewall’s Andy Wasley looks back on five years of Stonewall Heroes.

2006: Stonewall’s first

Hero of the Year was Sheri Dobrowski. Sheri’s son, Jody Dobrowski, was viciously assaulted and beaten to death on Clapham Common in 2005 by two men who thought he was gay. Sheri spoke out courageously after her son’s killers were sentenced to 28 years in prison following their trial in 2006. Speaking about homophobia in Britain, Sheri said: ‘This is unacceptable.

We cannot accept this.

No intelligent, healthy or reasonable society could.’

2007: Stonewall’s 2007

Hero of the Year was Antony Grey, whose pioneering activism helped pave the way for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967.

Antony was Secretary of the Homosexual Law Reform Society from 1962, spearheading its campaign

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to implement the 1957 Wolfenden Report, which culminated in the 1967 Sexual Offences Act. During the 1970s and 80s he continued working for better laws and social attitudes and was active in the British Association for Counselling.

Antony passed away in 2010.

2008: Stonewall’s next

Hero of the Year was Rt Rev Gene Robinson. In 2003, the then Canon Robinson became the first openly gay bishop to be ordained in a major Christian denomination.

His ordination as Bishop of New Hampshire – for which he wore a bullet-proof vest – provoked controversy amongst Christians across the world, drawing responses of great support and anger alike. As the Church continues to struggle with its stance on sexual orientation,

Gene continues to minister in New Hampshire.

2009: Stonewall’s

independent judges picked another religious figure to be the 2009 Hero of the Year. Rev Scott Rennie, the Church of Scotland’s first openly gay minister, was inducted in July 2009 in the face of shrill opposition from some quarters but backed by his own Aberdeen congregation. He said he hoped that his appointment would ‘give other gay and lesbian ministers the strength to come out.’

Scott continues to serve his parish at Queen’s Cross.

2010: Stonewall’s next

award went to Gareth Thomas, who became the first openly gay professional rugby player when he came out in December 2009. A rugby legend with 100 caps to his name, Gareth faced homophobic abuse from one club’s fans after coming out – only for the Rugby Football League to show it took the issue seriously by fining the club for its fans’ behaviour. Today Gareth is active in the fight against homophobia in sport.

years of abuse from bullies who thought he was gay.

Roger, supported by his wife Paola, led an active campaign to raise awareness of homophobic bullying and its many victims. Tragically, he died just weeks after receiving his award.

2011: The 2011 Hero of

the Year was Roger Crouch, whose son, Dominic, took his own life after facing

LGBTHM 2012 - 21

STUDENT

PRIDE S

ince 2005, National Student pride has grown from its modest beginnings to become an annual event that welcomes 1,000 LGBT students from all corners of the UK. Officially in association with the NUS LGBT campaign since 2007, Student Pride was previously hosted by students in Oxford and Manchester, before moving to Brighton in 2009 to establish itself as the event it is today.

How it began National Student Pride was started by the Oxford Brookes LGBT society in 2005 in response to the Christian Union’s talk on “Homosexuality and the Bible”, which didn’t offer a balanced view. Since then, it has established itself as the only annual student

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orientated Pride event in the UK, receiving the backing of politicians, campaigners, celebrities, and LGBT organisations. In 2010 Ronan Keating made a surprise appearance and 2011 saw X-factor winner Joe McElderry headline the club night.

Why Student Pride is important Student Pride provides a unique opportunity for LGBT students from around the UK to come together, providing a space for them to network, to learn, and to engage with issues that may affect them as a result of their sexuality and/or gender identity.

For many, university or college is a time where they face a struggle with their identity, and for some, it is the first time that they come out as L, G, B

or T. Additionally, many students attend university or college in areas where a strong or supportive LGBT community may be lacking.

The daytime event centres around the Question Time Debate where students ask topical questions to a panel. Past panelists have varied from John Amaechi OBE (the first NBA gay basketball player), Peter Tatchell, Caroline Lucas MP, Matthew Todd (ed. Attitude) to a vicar, a Rabbi and Aled from BBC Radio 1.

An inclusive Pride At a time when many Prides around the UK are starting to charge entry to their main events, Student Pride strives to keep theirs, the Saturday daytime festival, completely free to attend. The 2012

event, just passed, was the first year in the Brighton’s most iconic historic venue, The Brighton Dome. This move allowed the under 18s to come for the first time, ensuring accessibility for the large number of FE students who also make up NUS membership, and also those often needing the support the event brings the most.

A not-for-profit event The not-for-profit event is organised entirely by volunteers, mostly comprised of students & graduates from Sussex & Brighton universities. Sponsorship from external organisations has been essential in ensuring that the event is able to continue and expand, and although seeking this has been challenging at a time

when many organisations are pulling the purse strings, Ernst & Young have brilliantly stepped in with their support for the last two years as platinum sponsors of the event.

Liz Bingham, Managing Partner for People, UK & Ireland, commented: “We’re very proud to support National Student Pride for another year. At Ernst & Young we are passionate about enabling people to come together in an environment where they feel included and respected.

National Student Pride enables LGBT students to do just that. We are committed to ensuring that all our people can succeed, regardless of their background. The differences that combine to make

us who we are also give us the diverse ideas and outlooks that really make a competitive difference in today’s world.”

This year, American Express became the gold sponsor and Accenture took up the silver package. In addition, other corporate companies and charities such as IBM, THT and Stonewall support the event by having a stall.

Keep up to date...

The next National Student Pride is taking place from 1-3 March 2013. For more information please visit www.studentpride.co.uk. You can also keep up-to-date at www.facebook.com/ studentpride or www.twitter.com/studentpride

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A Better Life for C LGBT Students Words Alan Bailey

ollege and university is a time of self-discovery and personal growth.

It is also the time when many of us come out of the ‘closet’, and discover who we really are. Unfortunately, LGBT students are frequently at risk of systematic and individual discrimination and harassment. For many students, joining the LGBT society at school is their first experience of being in a welcoming and accepting environment, not to mention their first chance at becoming an activist, working towards changes that affect their lives and those of their peers.

The National Union of Student’s LGBT Liberation Campaign fights for the rights of LGBT students.

The campaign is the largest democratic LGBT organisation in Europe, representing further and higher education students from all across the UK. It campaigns on national and international levels for issues affecting LGBT students and supports individual student unions in their campaigning efforts.

Established in 1983, next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the group. The organisation is comprised of 2 elected national officers, 17 elected committee members

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and a steering committee.

Each year a women’s place officer and an open place officer are elected, alongside committee members including representation of further education, women, disabled, black, trans, bisexual, international students and students from the Nations.

The LGBT liberation campaign has been pivotal in many changes to the political landscape and life of British people. Recent achievements include the lifting of the blood donation ban for gay people and the abolition of Section 28.

More recently, NUS LGBT launched ‘No Place for Hate’, a report summarising the findings of research conducted with over 9000 university students around their experience with hate crime in further and higher education.

Current campaigns include the ‘Out in Sport’ and the

Schools projects. The ‘Out in Sport’ campaign aims to understand the sporting experiences of LGBT students in further and higher education, and support unions and institutions in making sport more inclusive.

The Student Project aims to train LGBT student groups in universities and colleges across the UK to go into their local secondary schools and run sessions on LGBT awareness.

Arguably, the most important event in the organisation’s year is the annual conference.

The key purpose of the conference is to debate and pass the policy which forms the direction to be taken by the campaign in the coming year, as well as elect the incoming officers and committee members.

This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of the conference which will be held in Manchester on March 30th to April 1st.

Meet the Officers Vicki Baars is the LGBT women’s officer. She attended her first LGBT conference at Birmingham guild of Students in 2007 and hasn’t looked back since. “Being an elected officer at NUS is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From leading hundreds of students on demonstrations against fees and cuts in post-16 education, to having an influential voice around a table when it comes to setting the agenda on tackling LGBT phobia. This has been a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Alan Bailey is the LGBT officer open place. He began his journey 7 years ago at Salford University as a fresher. Since then he has seen the Kent version of Section 28 repealed, protection from discrimination in goods and services and now finally some ground being won on the ban on donating blood for men who sleep with men.

He fondly speaks of his years in the student LGBT movement; “Looking back at all those changes I feel proud to know I was involved in student protests and campaigns which helped to make those changes happen.”

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How gaY-friendly is your hotel?

When I met my partner, Andrew, I entered the world of romantic minibreaks. Like Bridget Jones, I knew that they happened in the countryside and featured log-burning fires, long walks and romantic meals in quaint pubs.

This is all now many moons ago. Our relationship survived its foray into the British countryside and we have deleted the memory of the shuffling and uncomfortable owner of the bijou hotel whose discomfort with us was never communicated but clear for us to feel. We prefer to remember the wonderful hotels, owned and run by warm, friendly and caring people with nothing but complete respect for us and our relationship, like the romantic Chateau in France where we shared five courses of exquisite food and bountiful wine with the owners. Or the funky urban chic country house in Devon, whose youthful owners were very proud of their gay guests, and not in a pink pound kind of way.

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We are often asked what ‘makes a hotel gay-friendly’.

For me the main clue is in the word ‘friendly’. I don’t need a constant corporate smile and I don’t need my towels tying into flamingos.

I do however expect to be treated with the same respect as other guests and their partners, and want to be made to feel relaxed and comfortable from the get-go.

There is training out there to help hotels and their staff put gay travellers at ease, and while that may help, it is really the ethos and values of the people who run and manage the hotel which are crucial. For me it is about whether they are genuinely gay welcoming or if they just ‘box ticking’, and are they mindful of the fact that three out of four gay travellers are worried about the reception they will receive at their holiday accommodation (Out Now Consulting 2009)?

At Further Afield, we or our reviewers aim to meet the owners to find out what makes them tick as well as

Simon and Andrew checking out the hotel for quality and personality. Many of our places to stay are gay owned but not all, and what unites them is an insightful approach and genuine welcome for all gay travellers.

Further Afield – handpicked gay friendly places to stay – launched with 30 hotels in the UK just over two year ago, and today has grown to 150 hotels in ten countries including France, India, Spain and Sweden.

But always, whenever we go to view a new hotel and meet the owners, I have in the back of my mind Andrew and myself arriving at a hotel in the Lake District after knowing each other for just a short time….younger, shyer and slightly less sure than we are today, and I want to understand how will they be greeted and treated.

Simon Forrester Co-owner and founder of Further Afield – hand-picked gay friendly places to stay. www.furtherafield.com

Holidays you will remember... ...for all the right reasons.

We cherry pick the best gay friendly places to stay from around the world especially for you. Choose from romantic hill top hideaways, guest houses in magical locations to luxury boutique hotels in city destinations.

Don’t miss out!

Visit us online and sign up for exclusive offers and news of our latest discoveries.

Hand-picked gay and lesbian friendly places to stay

Further Afield is a gay owned business and so are a third of our places to stay.

We are also a proud member of IGLTA, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

A Gay look at the history of the Olympics Daniel Charcharos looks at the pink roots of the world’s oldest sporting event.

T

he country, it seems, is awash with 2012 fever – and I am not talking about end-of-theworld conspiracy theories.

As I am sure you are aware, the Summer Olympiad is here in London. There will be thousands of articles written about the Olympics this year, but how many will look at the gay history of the Games? Not many I can guess. This is a theme that is reflected at the Games themselves. At the last summer games held in Beijing 2008, there were only 10 out gay competitors from the 10,708 total athletes – incidentally nine of the 10 were women.

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The Ancient Games

The Olympics themselves date back to 776BC in ancient Greece, that bastion of paiderastia (boy love, as it was called in Greek). The Greeks had a passion for athletics and competition, first as a training method for warriors and then for its own sake. This love of athletics and competition,

coupled with the Greek’s acceptance of male nudity and a cult of male beauty, must have made watching those games somewhat an experience. But what of that famed Olympic nudity? It has been said that it dates back to 720BC when a runner from Megara was supposed to have shed – or lost – his loincloth. With such a legacy, it is not surprising that the word ‘gymnasium’ comes from the Greek word gymnos meaning naked.

Only men competed in the ancient Games. Plato said that famous athletes have been known to abstain from boys and girls during training for the Olympic games.

Such a direct reference to gay competitors is amazing considering that in 2008 there were apparently so few gay athletes.

The ancient Olympics were abolished late in the fourth century because of their association with pagan worship and all that it stood for. Could the Gay association have been a part of that?

Who knows?

The Modern Games

The Modern Olympic games began in 1896 and there doesn’t seem to have been much documented homosexuality, especially in the early years. Typically, an early direct reference to being ‘Gay’ was used as a taunt (or certainly taken by some as a taunt) by Daley Thompson.

After winning Gold in the 1984 Decathlon, Daley wore a T-shirt saying; ‘Is the world’s second greatest athlete gay?’ referring to the rumours regarding another very successful athlete at those Games.

Arguably, that said athlete never received the same sponsorship opportunities as other athletes that had a similar level of success as a result of those rumours.

There have been many cases of gay competitors in the Olympics. However, possibly the most famous gay Olympian of the modern era is diver Greg Louganis – the four-time Gold medallist in the 1980s. Greg, however, is probably more famous for banging his head on the diving board at the 1988 games than for being a gay Olympian, perhaps due to the fact that he didn’t come out until after he retired. Contrast this example with another more recent one, again in the diving arena. Australian Matthew Mitcham bravely

came out a few months before the Beijing games in 2008 to an overwhelmingly positive reaction. He went to the Games, took his boyfriend with him, and won the Gold medal against the odds and overnight became a source of inspiration for aspiring ‘gay’ athletes the world over.

The Gay Games

With the birth of Gay Rights it is hardly surprising that the Gay Community started its own Olympics Games. Tom Waddell, a competitor in the decathlon at the 1968 Games, conceived an athletic event to give gay people the chance to demonstrate to the world that their skills and competitive spirits in sports are parallel to those of the rest of humanity.

The Gay Olympic Games were born with the first held in San Francisco in 1982. However, three weeks before the planned opening ceremony, where Tina Turner

LGBTHM 2012 - 29

“

The 2012 Games have been called the Legacy Games.

Wouldn’t it be great if part of that legacy was to see a change in attitude towards gay men and women in sport and see more OUT and PROUD Gay Olympians? was booked to perform at, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) obtained an injunction in federal court prohibiting the use of the word ‘Olympic’. This, despite the fact that the USOC had ignored the use of the ancient word

by Special Olympics, Police Olympics, Nude Olympics, Dog Olympics, and many others. This created chaos and near collapse as the organising committee scrambled to delete every use of the word in advertising, merchandising, every activity, and every printed page. Following the naming debacle, the renamed Gay Games went ahead as planned and featured 1,350 athletes from 12 countries.

The Gay Games are now held every four years and are growing more successful each time. The last one was held in Cologne in 2010 and the next Gay Games is in 2014 in Cleveland & Akron.

With London 2012 on the starting line, it will be

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”

interesting the see what the organisers do to encourage gay athletes. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is heavily pushing the diversity message.

The LOCOG has recently become the first winner of the ‘Gold Standard’ from Diversity Works for London, making it the fastest organisation in the UK to achieve the Equality Standard for Sport. Also, John Amaechi (the first ‘out’ NBA basketball player) sits on the LOCOG Diversity Board. And

interestingly, World Pride will be in London just two weeks before the start of the Games.

All encouraging signs.

Ultimately though, until athletes are sure that their coming out won’t be met with homophobia and drastically reduced sponsorship opportunities, many will still choose to stay closeted rather than face the extra media intrusion in what is often the culmination of their life’s work.

The Olympics has such a rich tradition of gay competitors going back to ancient times that it would be fantastic if the gay involvement rose to prominence again this year at the 2012 Games.

The 2012 Games have been called the Legacy Games.

Wouldn’t it be great if part of that legacy was to see a change in attitude towards gay men and women in sport and see more OUT and PROUD Gay Olympians?

derstand what it will do to a h I feel is all down to lack of

David: Eat well, live healthily and just look after yourself with an ambition to combat and control it. Don’t let it lead your life.

Jeff Kristian’s Debut Novel

Available March 31st 2012 The story of Michael, a closeted Essex geezer befriended by an eccentric Jewish drag queen.

“An Armistead Maupin-like roller-coaster ride through a dark, mysterious and very funny world.”

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Engage:Deliver

As one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world, National Grid delivers electricity and gas to millions of people. We care about ensuring our workforce is as diverse as the many people whose homes and businesses we power. After all, our people are our greatest asset – it’s their dedication and innovation that gives us the power to deliver. From sites and offices to our huge range of after-work clubs and social events, the National Grid culture reflects a commitment to inclusion and diversity. Our people are actively encouraged to treat everyone with respect and value every contribution. We only truly succeed together.

To ensure the whole community feels welcomed and valued, we’ve created Employee Resource Groups. They’re designed to support our people at work and champion improved understanding and equality in the workplace. Pride supports our LGBT colleagues and acts as a point of contact for anyone interested in or affected by LGBT issues.

We’re proud to have been listed in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers for three consecutive years.

We’ll never stop striving to be an open and friendly place to work, and we’ll never stop investing in people – from personal wellbeing to professional development.

To find out more about opportunities within National Grid, visit www.nationalgridcareers.com

www.onroadmedia.org.uk

Trans Media Action

words by Alana Avery, www.onroadmedia.org,uk

Over three quarters of transgender people believe media portrayals of trans people to be inaccurate or highly inaccurate, according to a study carried out by the charity Trans Media Watch in 2009.

Trans Media Action is looking at ways to improve how trans people are portrayed in the media.

The social enterprise, On Road Media, has teamed up with Trans Media Watch to create some opportunities for positive dialogue and engagement between members of the trans community and media professionals.

By bringing trans people together with journalists, producers, editors and presenters to talk in safe and open spaces, the aim of this work is to build relationships, engender

empathy and win allies within media institutions.

We’re also using the workshops as an opportunity to learn the best ways to influence the right people.

At the end of the seedfunded phase, which has been supported by Channel 4 and the BBC, we’ll take what we’ve learned to seek more support for a phase 2.

We’ve involved lots of diverse people from the trans community, from people who’ve been helping out on the web to the participants from Channel 4’s ‘My Transsexual Summer’, who’ve been taking part in the workshops. One of the aims of this project is to engage more trans people online with constructive debate around how trans issues are reported and understood by the public.

date, was a social innovation camp attended by over 50 people at Channel 4.

Bringing together members of the trans community, designers, innovators, social entrepreneurs and software developers, five teams tackled five of the biggest problems facing the trans community in the media, from lack of awareness of the existence of trans children to damaging portrayals of trans people in comedy.

The one-day event was testimony to what can be achieved by opening up these problems to involve more people both inside and outside the community. Many of the ideas that came out of Trans Camp will receive support in phase 2 of this project. Watch this space…

For more information, visit www.transmediaaction.com

Trans Camp, the largest Trans Media Action event to LGBTHM 2012 - 33

How Do You RSVP? Places You’ve Always Wanted to Visit People You Love to Travel With.

RSVPvacations.co.uk

Exotic Mediterranean Cruise Casablanca, Seville, Ibiza & Barcelona | June 29 – July 6, 2012 RSVP invented the gay cruise concept over 25 years ago, and we just keep getting better. For 2012 we’ve created an exciting cruise on our newest ship including our first-ever visit to Casablanca! Featuring RSVP’s stellar entertainment, fantastic parties, and our easygoing friendly crowd.

Are you ready to RSVP? We’d love to have you onboard.

For details about all our holidays, visit our website, or ring us today on 020 7399 7610.

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2012

Trans on Telly a short history

Gendered Intelligence is an arts-based organisation that looks to increase understandings of gender diversity through creative means. Group sessions are run for young trans people, delivering workshops in schools and youth settings to generate debate about gender, and deliver professional development training.

T

rans histories, or stories about trans people, can be found in all places – from literature and film to the performing and visual arts. For instance, published biographies and autobiographies of trans people must go into their thousands, the most noted being ‘Roberta Cowell’s Story’, about the motorcar racer and

‘Christine Jorgensen: A Personal Autobiography’ , written in 1967 about the US soldier. In the

UK we have the brilliant ‘Conundrum’ by travel writer Jan Morris, written in 1974. Equally, the film has become a crucial medium for exploring the lives of trans people, in particularly documentaries. Alternative formats such as LGBT film festivals have provided us with documentaries such as ‘Paris is Burning’ (Susan Muska and Gréta Olafsdóttir 1990 USA) or

‘Screaming Queens: The Riot at Compton’s Cafeteria’ (Victor Silverman and Susan Stryker 2005 USA).

There are also the growing trends of blogs, vlogs and social media formats where trans people archive and share their stories, thoughts and reflections about their own identity and the world around them. Indeed, surgical procedures and effects of hormones are large enough events in some trans

By Jay Stewart, cofounder of Gendered Intelligence people’s lives to warrant the same attention and memento gathering as other rituals such as religious ceremonies, or even birth itself. Our own personal photographs and video making chart the changes and the rites of passage that transitioning itself offers.

Indeed, such a vibrant culture of image-based representation amongst the trans community appeals to those, artists and non-artists alike, who wish to speak their stories and share their experiences. And then of course put it all on the net.

Trans (hi)stories are also in other places such as

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Drew

Fox

women’s magazines, the press (especially the tabloids) as well as on TV chat shows, reality TV and popular documentaries. Over the past two decades, the number of documentaries featuring trans people has significantly increased.

These have varied from one off features to four part series, and even ongoing weekly slots such as Sex Change Hospital where, week on week, we see trans women going ‘in for the op’. Certainly a growth in the number of TV documentaries featuring trans people mirrors a more general growing trend in the hybrid info-taining documentary genre.

Through its restyling, factual programming is now prime time viewing, adapting ‘harder’ documentaries that conventionally would

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inform viewers about political, economic and social issues, and merging such aims with desires to entertain. Entertainment strategies might include a more dramatic narrative structure where climax or catharsis is fundamental, or where spectacular images are prioritised as viewing delight over

rigorous approaches to truth generating and knowledge production. Whilst this shift has placed trans identities firmly onto the horizon of the general British public, such understandings of what it means to be trans no doubt have been

appropriated for such palatable popular viewing.

Looking back into history gives us an opportunity to see not only representations of our own identities in different times and cultures, but also how society’s understandings of gender identity and sexual orientations at those times were articulated.

For instance, the documentary ‘The Fight to be Male’ (Edward Goldwyn, BBC 1979 UK), debates gender, through a focus on intersex conditions, sex hormones and homosexuality. In an interview Dr. Dorner, from the Institute of Experimental Hormone Research in East Berlin, says: “One day there was a ballet, a wonderful ballet, and I saw the female-like behaviour of the male dancers and I had the imagination that

there might be a biological basis. I think there may be the possibility in the future to prevent, at least in part, homosexuality.”

The film no doubt is a product of its time. It positions homosexuality as deviant and explicitly stipulates the aims of these scientific experiments to establish a cure for this ‘abnormal’ behaviour.

Documentaries like these show popular (as well as medical) opinion of LGBT lives and we can see how far we have come as a society in our understandings and beliefs. We certainly no longer talk of preventing homosexuals from being born through managing hormone levels in unborn babies. Such comments are probably illegal now.

Of course there is still some way to go, as being trans is still considered a psychiatric disorder.

Often in documentaries, trans people are depicted as suicidal, victims of hate crime and incredibly lonely and isolated. In 1979 a two-part documentary called ‘George and Julia’, screened on BBC2, followed the life of Julia Grant as she negotiated her transition from male to female. This documentary brought the reality of what

trans people face to a mass audience. We saw Julia struggle to keep her job as a catering manager and how her family struggled to accept it. Most pertinently we saw how poorly the doctor treated her, refusing to recognise Julia as female through constant mis-use of pronouns.

The opening scene of ‘George and Julia’ offers a long shot of a figure walking down the deserted street into a house, whilst a haunting melody plays.

This trope of loneliness has continued. Trans people are never situated within any kind of community or collective. Inevitably, whilst coming across knowledge of trans for the first time, such representations can be taken at face value for the non-trans viewer, but for trans people themselves who have gained access to the trans community, this image is often seen as clichéd and out of sync with their own experiences.

proved to be the most popular of documentaries featuring trans people with over 2.2million viewers tuning in. ‘My Transsexual Summer’ offered something different. All seven members of the cast were profiled with specific backgrounds and views around their own trans identity, but crucially they were given air-time to flaunt some actual personality!

In addition, there were no doctors or medical ‘experts’ talking about ‘us’, and whilst the negatives of discrimination in gaining employment or feeling safe on the streets was a focus, it was edited in such a way that audience empathy lay clearly with the MTS cast member. “These are our streets too!” cries Drew.

Certainly this new tone of lightness and vibrancy had a potential to lift trans lives out of the doom and gloom of being trans and share that with a wide audience.

Of course all of this changed with the 2011 four part Channel 4 series of ‘My Transsexual Summer’, where the camaraderie, mutual support and general (sometimes drunken) laughter really contributed to its success. The series LGBTHM 2012 - 37

Since the series, members of ‘My Transsexual Summer’ have become patrons of Gendered Intelligence.

Drew states: “For someone who is only 23, it’s an honour to be asked to be a patron for Gender Intelligence. Starring in ‘My Transsexual Summer’ has opened so many doors for me and it’s nice to be able to give something back to the community.” As part of LGBT History Month, Gendered Intelligence have been teaming up with cast members of TV series and, as part of their educational work in schools, have been

delivering one off sessions with Year 7 to 11 classes.

Teacher and Independent Pink List winner, Elly Barnes said: “As part of our LGBT History Month celebrations at Stoke Newington School, we are proud to welcome some of the cast from ‘My Transsexual Summer.’ This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to further engage with, ask questions and learn about the trans community. Thank you to Gendered Intelligence for letting us be part of this amazing project.”

The sessions offer students an opportunity to think critically about representations of minorities within mainstream settings, in particularly trans lives.

Whilst the presence of trans people on television is growing, we need actual trans identified producers, actors, journalists, documentary makers in TV media if we are to address the inequalities and produce representations that offer a more complex and intelligent picture of trans people. www.genderedintelligence.co.uk

Become a friend of Gendered Intelligence! ds

ence.co.uk/frien

g genderedintelli

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www.gaystheword.co.uk

Hidden Histories

This LGBT History Month, Let’s have a look at Gays the Words top five this season.

Gay Life Stories Robert Aldrich, Thames & Hudson £19.95 (published March 2012) A fascinating portrait of gay men and women throughout time and across the globe whose lives have influenced society at large, as well as what we recognize as today’s varied gay culture, this book gives a voice to more than 80 people from every major continent and from all walks of life. Alongside celebrated figures such as Michelangelo, Frederick the Great and Harvey Milk are lesser-known but no less surprising individuals like Dong Xian and the Chinese emperor Ai. With many striking illustrations – including paintings, drawings, photographs and archival documents – Gay Life Stories will entertain, give pause for thought, and ultimately celebrate the diversity of human history.

Before Homosexuality in the Arab Islamic World, 1500-1800 Khaled El-Rouayheb, University of Chicago Press, £14 Attitudes toward homosexuality in the pre-modern Arab-Islamic world are commonly depicted as schizophrenic—visible and tolerated on one hand, prohibited by Islam on the other. Khaled El-Rouayheb argues that this apparent paradox is based on the anachronistic assumption that homosexuality is a timeless, self-evident fact to which a particular culture reacts with some degree of tolerance or intolerance. Drawing on poetry, biographical literature, medicine, dream interpretation and Islamic texts, he shows that the culture of the period lacked the concept of homosexuality.

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London and the Culture of Homosexuality, 1885-1914

Matt Cook, Cambridge University Press, £20.99 ‘London and the Culture of Homosexuality’ explores the relationship between London and male homosexuality from the criminalization of all ‘acts of gross indecency’ between men in 1885 to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 - years marked by an intensification in concern about male-male relationships and also by the emergence of an embryonic homosexual rights movement. In this book Matt Cook combines discussion of London’s homosexual subculture and various major and minor scandals with a detailed examination of representations in the press, in science and in literature.

Intimate Friends – Women Who Loved Women, 1778-1928

Martha Vicinus, University of Chicago Press, £20 Intimate Friends offers a fascinating look at the erotic friendships of educated English and American women over a 150-year period, culminating in the 1928 publication of The Well of Loneliness, Radclyffe Hall’s scandalous novel of lesbian love. Martha Vicinus explores allfemale communities, husband-wife couples, liaisons between younger and older women, female rakes, and mother-daughter affection.

Drawing upon diaries, letters, and other archival sources, she brings to life a variety of well known and historically less recognized women.

In vivid and colourful prose, Intimate Friends offers a remarkable picture of women navigating the uncharted territory of same-sex desire.

Inseparable - Desire Between Women in Literature Emma Donoghue, Cleis Press £13.99 Emma Donoghue, consummate scholar and novelist of astonishing originality, examines how desire between women in literature has been portrayed—from schoolgirls and vampires to runaway wives, from cross-dressing knights to contemporary murderesses. Donoghue excavates the long-obscured tradition of friendship between women, one that is surprisingly central to our cultural history. From Chaucer and Shakespeare, Sade, Balzac, Thomas Hardy and Radclyffe Hall to Agatha Christie, Patricia Highsmith and Sarah Waters, Inseparable is a landmark exploration of love between women in Western literature, and a highly entertaining investigation of the “unspeakable subject.”

LGBTHM 2012 - 41

WHAT HAPPENED THIS HISTORY MONTH www.facebook.com/kentlgbt

LGBT HATE CRIME VIGIL February is Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender History Month

SAY NO TO HATE Spend some time out of your day remembering those who've been victims of homophobic or transphobic hate crime.

A chance to celebrate our community and come together to say 'enough is enough'

M O ND A Y 1 3 F E B R UA R Y 7 – 7 .3 0 PM C O UN TY H A LL S Q UA R E , M A ID S TO N E

Hate Crime Vigil On Monday 13 February nearly 50 residents from across Kent came together to say ‘enough is enough’ and remember those victims of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime.

Jo Frazer-Wise, event organiser, welcomed everyone for braving the rain and called on public and voluntary organisations across Kent to lead the way as the voice of equality. Those attending were also reminded that Hate Crime happens in Kent and as a community we need to report it. By Kent Police attending the vigil they demonstrated that they will take it seriously.

(HOT DRINKS AVAILABLE FROM 6PM INS IDE COUNTY HALL)

Same Sex Kiss

‘Same Sex Kiss’: A collage by GFEST’s Niranjan Kamatkar. The Collage features images of 2 same sex couples entwined in a kiss that empathises and symbolises unity. The images capture a universal gesture that unites two individuals of same sex. It exemplifies the beauty demonstrated through this unique gesture that binds two bodies / two souls together.

Be it for a moment or a lifetime. The images were recorded in Trafalgar Square as part of GFEST – www.GaywiseFESTival.org.uk and help highlight the progress made on LGBT issues within a public arena.

21st century family life

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On the 24th February an event at Southwark’s new Library at Canada Water attracted a gathering of local parents with their children – aged from 18 months to 10 years and several senior teaching staff from local primary schools. Louise Davies from Teach First and Author/Illustrator Vanda Carter shared a presentation followed by a children’s drawing workshop, about the work of Out for Our Children (OFOC). This includes three published picture books representing the full diversity of 21st century family life as well as a Foundation Stage teachers pack and short animated film. www.outforourchildren.org.uk

February the 19th marked the start of a host of Football v. Homophobia events, both in the UK and internationally, to celebrate our community and its achievements through the medium of the national game. Football v. Homophobia day was launched in 2010 by the Justin Campaign to commemorate the birthday of the late Justin Fashanu. www.footballvhomophobia.com

GAZE: Portraits of figures that inspired the gay community The Graffik Gallery has commissioned some of today’s best emergingand established artists – gay and straight - to produce portraits of who they believe has been an inspiration to the gay community.

http://gaze-exhibition.blogspot.com/ 1 - 12 March 2012 - The Collection 264 Brompton Road London SW3 2AS Grave Passions: A Walk -11

March 2012 - 4:00pm - 7:30pm A free event starting in Nunhead cemetery, 'Grave Passions' presents an afternoon of lesbian history - stories of sorrowful sapphists, women cross dressers and female husbands. After a walk revealing secrets from our buried past, we will go to the 1920s ballroom at the nearby Ivy House pub, for performance, art, readings and film.

Contact Details: Naomi - parlourgames@ www.thefa.com/thefa/whatwedo/ hotmail.com Meeting Point - Nunhead equality/homophobia.aspx Cemetery, Limesford Rd entrance, Limesford Road, London SE15

The Well and Badly Loved 13 March - 31 March - Written & Dyke March directed by Ben Webb this is a queer London 31 March 2012 - 5 - 7:30pm extravaganza of love and loss. Funny, The first dyke march in London since the 80s! This is sad and full of feeling, this innovative for everyone: dykes, queers, bisexuals, transwomen, trilogy dances between intimate genderqueers and allies. This is a grassroots, details and a wider historical picture, non-commercial, anti-racist, community-centred, excavating the simple story of a love accessible, inclusive event: we welcome all folk affair in all its gorgeous complexity. who want to support dykes to march with us. www.ovalhouse.com - boxoffice@ Dyke March London is also on Facebook. ovalhouse.com 02075827680 Please Contact Details: dykemarchuk@gmail. contact the venue about accessibility as com Meet Soho Square London W1D the event is upstairs. Ovalhouse 52-54 then March through Central London.

Kennington Oval London SE15 5SW The FA has launched Opening Doors and Joining In – its four year action plan to eradicate homophobia and transphobia from Football as well as making it a welcoming place for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people as supporters and players. The plan is set out in a 40 page magazine with plans and strategies set out in detail to see the plan visit

LGBT HISTORY MONTH IN MARCH

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D

iversity Role Models (DRM) actively seeks to prevent homophobic bullying in schools in the United Kingdom. They aim to stop bullying before it happens by educating all young people about differences in sexuality and gender identity. In schools where homophobic bullying is tackled, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students are much less likely to be bullied, and this improved environment allows young people to feel safe and focus on learning.

“

It also prepares all students for a working environment in which homophobia and transphobia are not tolerated and diversity is respected.

gay or lesbian. And young people who have LGB and T friends and family members often feel the need to hide this from their peers.

LGB and T young people should have equal learning opportunities, which is why DRM works to educate students about diversity.

However, it’s not just LGB and T young people that suffer from homophobic bullying. Girls drop out of sport and boys deny artistic talent to conform to gender roles and avoid being labelled

DRM communicates with students directly via structured workshops in schools, where students have the opportunity to hear from a range of positive role models. The workshops cover stereotypes, bullying, friendship and involve a facilitated Q & A session.

This honest interaction helps LGB and T students to

It also prepares all students for a working environment in which homophobia and transphobia are not tolerated 44 - LGBTHM 2012

”

words Scott Pendrous

Diversity Role Models

Scott Pendrous gives us an insight into the organisation that is Diversity Role Models

feel confident and ensures their straight classmates understand, accept and welcome the differences they notice in others.

of acceptance and the whole process made me feel humbled and motivated to work hard to change attitudes’. Head of Year 8

Many students have never had any positive interaction with people who identify as LGB or T. Often their only points of reference are media driven stereotypes that young people find hard to identify with. Providing students with a range of role models from many different walks of life helps them break down these stereotypes; volunteers range from firefighters to lawyers and parents. Role models may not necessarily be LGB or T themselves, they may be straight allies, who often send an even more powerful message.

‘It was really interesting to actually meet a gay person and be allowed to ask questions about being gay as it’s not something we had experienced before. I think some people in the class who are a bit ignorant realised gay people can be pretty normal too!’ Year 11 student

www.diversityrolemodels.org www.facebook.com/ diversityrolemodels twitter: @diversityrm Charity number: 1142548

“

LGB and T young people should have equal learning opportunities

”

‘The workshops delivered in our school were truly inspirational. The role models helped students to understand the importance LGBTHM 2012 - 45

Nerja Costa del Sol

L

ooking for a week or two getaway? Somewhere peaceful, sunny, picturesque with friendly locals? Somewhere that won’t break the bank?

You can’t go far wrong with a visit to Nerja in Costa del Sol. Situated between Malaga and Benalmadena in southern Spain, this is quite an idyllic place to visit and unwind.

And that’s exactly what the six of us decided to do. Thoroughly jaded and in desperate need of a relaxing break away from the rat-race, we flew off to Nerja, nicknamed the Balcony of Europe because of its sprawling views of the Mediterranean sea which heads down to the Strait of Gibraltar.

After a short three hour flight we landed at Malaga Airport and were met by the minibus driver we had organised beforehand through the owners of the villa we were staying at. One hour later we arrived at Villa Leones,

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in El Capistrano, paid the driver and settled in. The villa itself is wonderful.

Newly decorated and with mod-cons like air-con, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, iron, TV and stereo, and an outdoor heated swimming pool - it is cool whatever the weather and utterly charming. It boasts two twin-bedrooms, a double sofa-bed, dining room, kitchen and lounge.

Head out through one of the two French windows and you are led to the stunning pool. At a constant 22-24 degrees, it is the perfect size and temperature to laze around, swim and generally have fun in. Go up the side stairs to the balcony and you are met with incredible views across Nerja town and the sea. Opposite the pool stands a studio with twin beds, its own bathroom, Jacuzzi and showers inside and outside.

Getting to Villa Leones

Whilst it has the most spectacular vista it is also up a number of hills. If you like walking, like we did, you won’t mind it but you may want to think about hiring a car, especially if you plan to explore Costa del Sol. If, like us, you decide it is more of a relaxing holiday above anything else, there is a bus that takes you to the main road, and then it’s a short walk downhill to the Balcon de Europa. Make sure you check the timetable though as the last bus leaves from outside the supermarket (around the corner) at 20:15.

Weather

Great weather is pretty much guaranteed throughout the year, although Spain has

had quite a bad deal this year so far and only 50% of our time there was glorious sunshine. The weekend we were leaving was forecast to be beautiful for the entire following week.

Typical. However, on the days it was gorgeous, so we headed to the biggest beach in Nerja and tanned by the pool. Remember the sun-cream as it gets HOT!

Things to do

It must be said that there is not a great deal to do in Nerja, although the Nerja Caves are a must-see, so if you’re looking for a hectic, clubby environment this is not the place.

However, the party does get started a coach ride away in Benalmadena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola.

There are some gay bars in Nerja, but it is advisable to look them up before you go. And for all you karaoke Kings and Queens head to “Black & White”, the karaoke bar where the barmaid, the fabulous Kaylee, serves her

infamous Dr Pepper Shots.

They are not to be missed.

The cost

Price-wise Nerja had mixed reviews in our group. Some thought it was expensive; others thought it was quite fair. I personally, all souvenirs aside, found it very reasonable. For example, one meal for six of us cost 100 euro’s – which included three courses and alcohol. You pay much more in London for that.

Back to the accommodation.

The owners of the villa also have a smaller apartment right down by the beach, nestled into a large complex with a communal pool,

perfect scenes of the Med from the balcony. It sleeps up to four and we plan to go back to try that out.

Cost for accommodation ranges between 240-1250 euros a week depending on what time of year you go.

Pictures and full cost breakdown can be found on their website – with the link below. Suffice to say that, between six of us, accommodation and flights came to £270 each. For a week that’s quite the deal.

Website, with contact details, can be found at www.casaleones.com

LGBTHM 2012 - 47

ROBERT INGHAM TAKES TIME OUT TO CHAT WITH ADRIAN RUTH AND THE BBC’S PRIDE NETWORK

I

n the not so distant past, networking groups for LGBT employees were almost unheard of but as numbers grew it became clear there was a need to create an arena where gay people could meet up, chat to and socialise with others. In this edition we talked to Adrian Ruth, Head of Operations & Strategy at the BBC in White City, who also runs the LGBT Networking group BBC Pride.

So, Adrian, tell me about your roles in BBC Pride.

Adrian: I’m the Chair of BBC Pride, the staff network for Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals and all others of diverse sexuality. It’s for people who work for the BBC, or who are partnered with us, like Siemens. I also started a Facebook page called ‘London Media Gays’ for members to meet people from across the industry.

Traditionally these groups existed in banks, accountancy

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firms etc, so it was fine if we wanted to mingle with city professionals but not so easy if we wanted to mingle with others in the media industry.

Can anybody join London Media Gays?

Adrian: We don’t do any vetting so technically anybody can join but I think you’d feel a bit out of place if you’re asked what you did and you said “I’m a car salesman” .

You started in Cafe Koha, moved to Barcode and then to ShadowLounge at Christmas. Do you find you need bigger venues now?

Adrian: It’s grown substantially since we started the BBC Lesbian and Gay Forum, as it used to be called. We wanted a change and to make it more popular so moved it to Barcode and chose Shadow Lounge to provide variety, to

BBC pride chair Adrian Ruth

make it feel more special at Christmas. At the moment we’re looking for people to help us run it as we’ve organised all the drinks over the last two/three years and could do with some help.

What other things does BBC Pride do?

Adrian: It provides a forum to meet like-minded individuals and to provide support at work if people feel they need it. We’re not substituting any official HR process but if people want someone to talk to or to share experiences for what it’s like being gay at the BBC we’re here for that. In terms of other events, we’ve had screenings of ‘Lip Service’ and ‘Nightwatch’ and held a number of debates with a brilliant mix of panellists such as Amy Lamé from BBC London and Duckie and Paddy O’Connell from Radio 4.

“

BBC Pride has been spotted at Brighton Pride...

Adrian: We’ve marched at Brighton Pride twice and did Manchester Pride in August.

We positioned it in Brighton, which worked very well, as a big community event.

The local BBC wanted to cover it so they provided a radio car and we jumped on and showed our support.

It’s genuinely thought provoking when raising these issues and the standard of debate is very high

What is your highlight of being in BBC Pride?

Adrian: I have really really loved the debates and am proud of the team who have organised them. There was one on “How out should talent be?” You can argue that we have a duty from the brother/sisterhood to be out there and to be a role model but you can also argue it’s nobody’s business. I remember audience members saying how brilliant they have been as we’ve had interesting debates relevant to what we do at the BBC. It’s genuinely thoughtprovoking when raising these issues and the standard of debate is very high - it’s like our very own Question Time!

actually do much. We’ve been really fortunate to have some fantastic people, but we’ve all been doing it for a while and some of us have started moving on to other positions so it feels like a natural end of the chapter, so we’d like to encourage new people to come through and help run the group, which is the biggest challenge.

”

What do you foresee for BBC Pride’s future?

Adrian: I’m open-minded about how long we need to have an organisation such as BBC Pride. In my working career I’ve seen enormous change, not only in the workplace but also in society, like with civil partnerships and the discrimination legislation, but BBC Pride will only exist for as long as its members feel it needs to exist. I think there’s a stronger need and desire for a gay staff network in those more traditional companies, rather than in media companies which generally are more gayfriendly. But as long as our members want it, BBC Pride will always continue to grow.

What are the biggest challenges you face?

Adrian: Attracting great leaders who will be active and committed. Sometimes you get people who say they are willing but when it comes to the crunch they don’t LGBTHM 2012 - 49

LONDON LESBIAN AND GAY SWITCHBOARd Helping you give something back by Fiona Harvey

W

hen the phone lines first opened at London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard in March 1974, the world was a different place. There were few places where LGBT people could go and meet openly, LGBT men and women frequently faced harassment from the police, and HIV was unknown. But though the world has changed, the need for this helpline service remains as strong as ever.

The 180 volunteers at LLGS answer the phones to nearly 30,000 people a year, offering support, information and referrals to other services, as well as – most importantly – a friendly ear. Lines are open from 10am to 11pm every day, and now people seeking support have a

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new option as well as the phone. LLGS volunteers are now taking “calls” online through instant messaging, online chat and email.

People call about a huge range of issues – coming out, feeling isolated, sexual health worries, finding places to go and meet other gay people, experiencing homophobia or discrimination. And sometimes they just want a chat. LLGS volunteers, all of whom receive comprehensive training before taking to the phones, are there for it all.

With only a single paid administrator, the helpline is staffed and run entirely by volunteers. This makes the service excellent value for money. For instance, one of LLGS’s roles is in

HIV prevention, for which the organisation receives a small grant from the health service. Treating a HIV-positive person can cost more than £26,000 a year, so if just two of LLGS’s tens of thousands of callers takes up the sexual health advice volunteers offer on each call, then LLGS has saved money for the public purse.

But even this source of funding is under threat, and LLGS is constantly seeking to expand its donors, and to recruit new volunteers.

To find out more, visit www. llgs.org.uk or sign up for our mailing list by emailing events@llgs.org.uk

LLGS.org.uk

0300 330 0630 10am - 11pm daily

Help us continue to support the community by DONATING or JOINING OUR TEAM of award winningvolunteers. To find out more visit www.LLGS.org.uk London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard is a registered charity. Charity Reg. No. 296193 Registered in England.

LGBTHM 2012 - 51

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TOMBOY

DVD & BLU-RAY RELEASE DATE: MARCH 5th 2012

Extras: Interview with director (20mins), behind the scenes featurette (20mins) RRP: £15.99 (DVD) £19.99 (Blu-ray) 82mins

Ten year old Laure isn’t like most girls. She prefers football to dolls and sweaters to dresses. When Laure, her parents and little sister Jeanne move to a new neighbourhood, family life remains much the same. That is, until local girl Lisa mistakes Laure to be a boy. Indulging in this exciting new identity, Laure becomes Michael, and so begins a summer of long sunny afternoons, playground games and first kisses. Yet with the school term fast approaching, and with suspicions arising amongst friends and family, Laure must face up to an uncertain future.

WEEKEND OUT NOW:

RRP: DVD £15.99 – Blue Ray £19.99 (97 Mins) On a Friday night after hanging out with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a nightclub, alone and on the pull. Just before closing time he picks up Glen. Over the next 48 hours, Russell and Glen become inseparable, gradually forming a tight bond that neither of them could have predicted one that may change their lives forever. Andrew Haigh’s celebrated WEEKEND depicts an unconventional love story with a raw, edifying honesty, making Haigh a refreshing new voice in British cinema. WEEKEND was released in cinemas in the UK in November 2011 to rave reviews.

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Pride House London Everyone’s Festival

A

s one of the top places to visit next summer, all eyes will be on Pride House London from 26 July to 12 August 2012.

A spectacular 18 day festival that will open on the same day the Olympic torch passes through South London, featuring stadium style concerts, West End theatre spectaculars, A-list comedy shows, art, fashion and televised broadcasts of Olympic events on big screens. Pride House will be one of the most exciting places in London to celebrate the Games.

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words Chandel Diebold

Pending the final license application and resident consultations, Clapham Common is set to become the home of Pride House London. Beyond the headline shows, Pride House will host London’s finest ‘Al fresco’ pop up restaurants, keynote debates and discussions, a pop-up art exhibition, a stunning VIP champagne

and cocktail bar, a private garden area and many more exciting experiences to be announced in the coming months.

It is the only Olympic House that has been announced for South West London offering neighbouring communities a local place to take in all of the festivities and celebrate this momentous occasion.

The 2012 London Olympic bid was successful on the premise of being the most diverse and inclusive Games in history. London is meant to be “Everyone’s 2012”, which is one of the many inspirations behind the concept of Pride House, aiming to inspire, educate, empower and entertain everyone that visits.

The Olympic “House” model was established by the Dutch at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, where the infamous Heineken House was started as a place for the Dutch community to gather and celebrate their victories and pride at the games.

This summer, there are a number of Olympic Houses being planned and for the first time, following a hugely successful debut at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver,

there will be a Pride House at a Summer Games.

Pride House will provide a venue for athletes and all visitors to connect and share in an unforgettable experience. It will be one

of the friendliest and most attractive outdoor spaces to soak up the exciting atmosphere of the Olympic Games and cheer for athletes.

This project is proudly supported by a dynamic group of ambassadors including Stephen Fry and David Furnish, and inspiring organizations such as Ben Cohen’s ‘Stand Up’ Foundation,

the ‘It Gets Better’ Project, UK Pride Sports and Diversity Role Models.

A legacy for London will be established through the Pride House Foundation which will ensure a sustainable model is developed that will see Pride Houses become a permanent fixture at future Games and international sporting events.

Among its many objectives, Pride House aims to promote diversity and inclusion on a global scale, encourage healthy and active lifestyles, create awareness about homophobia in sport, and bring communities together in the spirit of celebration.

For more information visit www.pridehouselondon.co.uk,

Facebook and Twitter.

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Diversity Network at Santander

S

antander is the second largest provider of mortgages and the second largest deposit taker in the UK with over 1,400 branches and 25,000 employees in this country.

As a leading employer, Santander is committed to supporting diversity within its workforce, not least because it makes business sense.

Suzanne Hughes, HR Director at Santander, says: “We strongly believe that in order to best meet the needs of a community, a business should reflect the diversity of its consumers, both current and potential. We have 25 million customers and they come from a wide range of backgrounds. Our aim is to recruit employees who mirror

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this mix, and to create an inclusive culture which adds real value to our business and our customers. We want to be known as a company where you can be successful whilst being yourself.”

“The success of our business is based on building relationships, and it’s therefore vital that we are responsive to different cultures and groups.

Although we are celebrating LGBT History month, this approach is equally relevant when looking at other areas such as gender, disability, race or age.”

Santander is a member of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme and believes that when it comes

to banking, the moral and legal imperatives to support the LGBT community go hand in hand with good business.

“Studies have shown that the typical LGBT banking customer earns more than the overall UK national average,” says Suzanne Hughes.

“Research into the attitudes of LGBT consumers has also revealed that a company’s reputation for equality and diversity definitely influence purchasing decisions in the majority of cases.

“So it makes sense for businesses to reflect the diversity of the population within their workforce – they may attract more customers as a result.”

www.santander.co.uk

The Albert Kennedy Trust T

words Jonathan Penny

he Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT), the charity for young homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, has proudly announced the launch of its give15 appeal, a new campaign to help provide safe and supportive homes to young LGBT people.

Last year, AKT received over 1,500 enquiries involving young people facing homelessness, rejection or physical violence just for being brave enough to come out to their families. The give15 campaign is offering new and existing supporters of AKT new ways of giving time, money or support,

helping AKT to provide more homes to LGBT youth.

There’s lots of innovative ways to get involved, including volunteering 15 hours of your time, donating £15 to take a young person off the streets for a night, or taking 15 minutes to tell your friends online.

Through give15, AKT is funding its Purple Door Project, which will see Europe’s first LGBT safe housing open in 2012, offering supportive, responsive and easy to access

housing for young people in London and Manchester. Tim Sigsworth, Chief Executive of AKT, explained, “Mainstream housing can fail to meet the needs of LGBT young people.

Some are harassed while looking for a home, while others are sexually exploited, or experience violence from their own families or communities. We hope to meet these needs through the Purple Door Project, funded through give15.”

To find out more about the project and get involved, visit give15.org, or contact Jonathan Penny on 020 7831 6562 LGBTHM 2012 - 57

FIGHTING fOR 30 YEaRs If there’s one organisation that’s been at the forefront of the gay community’s fight against HIV since the onset of the epidemic, it is the Terrence Higgins Trust.

I

n the early 1980s, while international governments reacted slowly to the emergence of HIV (then known as Gay-Related Immune Deficiency, or GRID), it was left largely to radical gay community groups to tackle the growing epidemic headon. Terrence Higgins Trust was one such organisation. As one of the first charities in the UK to be set up in response to HIV and AIDS, its staff and volunteers have been fighting to raise public awareness of the condition and improve the nation’s sexual health for the last thirty years.

From its earliest days, Terrence Higgins Trust’s work has been rooted firmly in the gay community, and equality work remains an area of focus across the organisation. Any group

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that is deprived of its basic rights, the charity argues, will have lower self-esteem and be more likely to take risks with their health, whether that’s through smoking, misuse of drugs or alcohol, or unprotected sex. And it’s true that, although the shape of the epidemic has changed over the last three decades, gay men are still the group most at risk of contracting HIV in the UK. Today, one in seven men on London’s gay scene has HIV, and a quarter of those with the infection don’t even know they have it.

Terrence Higgins Trust has always championed community response and action, and 2012 will be no different.

With health and social care services under increasing pressure, the charity is calling

for people to take greater responsibility for their sexual health and that of their partner to help continue the gay community’s fight against HIV. Regular HIV testing plays a key part in this fight. The sooner someone finds out if they have HIV, the better their treatment will work and the less likely they will be to pass the virus on to anyone else unknowingly.

And for anyone living with HIV there is confidential, personal support from others diagnosed through interactive online package MyHIV (www.myhiv.org.uk). This kind of peer to peer support is proving a vital tool for people with HIV to discuss their condition, from demystifying treatment options to the sensitivities of disclosing their HIV status to a partner.

Thanks to modern drug treatments, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with HIV has never been better, but there is still so much work to do. Work supporting the thousands of people with HIV who are living below the breadline. Work combating the widespread public stigma and misinformation that still surrounds the condition. Work to stop new HIV infections from happening, and to ensure those already living with HIV go on to lead happy and healthy lives.

Organisations like Terrence Higgins Trust have worked closely alongside the UK’s gay community throughout the first thirty years of the HIV epidemic, and will continue to do so for as long as it takes to reduce its spread.

For more information on HIV and sexual health, visit www.tht.org.uk.

“

Thanks to modern drug treatments, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with HIV has never been better, but there is still so much work to do.

”

Words Will Harris

LGBTHM 2012 - 59

The Ezra Axelrod Interview By Robert Ingham

B

orn in the Midwest in Ohio.

He moved at the age of three to a town in Oregon with a population of 12,000.

Little is known in the UK about Ezra Axelrod, but this is all set to change as his album “American Motel” will prove. Ezra, 25, is an openlygay songwriter from the US, who moved to London in 2008. Honing his skills as a very talented pianist and lyricist, his month long show, in aid of the National AIDS trust, was a hit at the Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End. I caught up with him one afternoon to find out more about this musical maestro.

What has been the best thing about doing the show this year?

I’ve learnt so much. I’ve been behind everything from designing the concept and imagery, working with photographers and designers

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and getting all the music produced, albums printed, dealing with the theatre, learning how to do PR. A lot of artists don’t get to have that hands-on experience.

When did you realise you were gay?

It was more of a realisation when I was 10. It became a very terrifying thing as the internet was the only outlet at that point. I would try to be really controlling: “this week I’ll allow myself to look at this once” and then have a constant fear my parents would see the browsing history. So when my father used to say “Ezra, we need to talk”, this terror would course through my body and I’d think “oh no, they’ve found the website!” *laughs* What was it like growing up gay in a small town where everyone knows you?

Well I had two girlfriends as gay only ever existed as an

insult, as something bad.

There were no positive role models, no-one I could look up to and say how wonderful their life was so it was more like “I’m going to show you all that I’m not gay”. I was much more obviously gay then and look at pictures now thinking “Jesus, was that my way of butching it up?”

Why did you move to London?

I studied composition and opera singing and moved here with my boyfriend David, now my husband, who had a job opportunity here. I started gigging that autumn and haven’t really turned back since.

What inspires you to write?

I’m really into cinema and will have these ridiculous experiences, like I’m in a chick flick but starring two gay guys. We’ll be cussing at each other saying “I never wanna see you again” and

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it will start to rain. These cinematic moments happen and I think “how would this work as a soundtrack?”

Where in the world have you performed?

Argentina, the UK, America and Canada. I did a couple of performances in Montreal in 2010 and it was really special. It was my first tour – Montreal to New York City – and played universities for gay pride month. That was really the beginning of my musical career, just me and the piano. I then did a show in New York and those audiences would really get into the lyrics. That’s the kind of responses that mean the most as those are the kind of people that follow my music, get excited by it and spread it to their friends.

Those are SuperFans!

So what’s next?

I feel I’m at the start of my career so there’s lots to come.

The greatest thing for me is that I see the audience getting so engaged. You’ll say

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a line and they will respond to it with some facial expression.

They’re connecting on a personal level and afterwards they’re taking home the CD and for me that’s such an accomplishment because you’re asking someone who has no commitment to you to buy into this very new thing.

Do you see yourself as a role model?

I would like to be a role model because when I was growing up all I wanted was someone who was gay, happy and comfortable.

It would have made the world of difference. I do have those friends now who are just starting university and it means something to them to have someone they can look up to.

Do you think being gay will affect your success?

I don’t think it will be a problem. Interestingly, the only people who thought being gay would stand in the way are gay. But we live in a society that is so connected

and online now that I just have to be smart enough to work out how to engage them and make it worth their time to invest with the music. When that happens I’ll have reached that so-called success. For me that’s already happening with “American Motel”. It’s not a viral video but it has got thousands of views in two months. To me that means something.

Any advice to young gay songwriters/singers?

My advice would always be, don’t assume that the world is against you. Engage with people who are open-minded.

They want something good and the second you put on apologetic, self-censoring energy people will respond negatively. People will respond to the energy you are giving out, so if you’re confident and you’re ballsy and you’re unapologetic about what you’re doing then people will be really into you.

And with that, Axel heads back to the theatre to prepare for the evening’s performance. He comes across with a natural, down to-earth charm with lots of exciting ideas whizzing around. Something tells me this man is going to be around for quite some time.

Axel’s album is available to download from iTunes now

Make a difference by contributing to our work The Citizens Advice service provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone for the problems they face, and campaigns to improve the policies and practices that affect people’s lives. In all aspects of our work, we recognise the positive value of diversity, promote equality and challenge discrimination.

Over 28,000 people work and volunteer for the Citizens Advice service across the UK in a diverse range of roles within Citizens Advice, the national membership organisation, and local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

We value how our differences enrich our communities and improve our effectiveness at work. We know from experience it’s only by having diverse staff, volunteers and clients that we can properly understand the effects of discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion – and challenge them. The better we understand, the stronger we become as a powerful advocate on equality for society.

That’s why we welcome applications from everyone - men and women, people of all ages, nationalities, sexual orientations, religions and beliefs. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as they are currently underrepresented throughout Citizens Advice, and from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people , as they are currently underrepresented in management positions.

Citizens Advice is committed to supporting lesbian, gay and bisexual staff in the workplace.

Our LGB staff network has been helping Citizens Advice to continuously improve the working environment for LGB staff for over twenty three years.

Since 2006 Citizens Advice has consistently been ranked in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers for LGB people. This year Citizens Advice ranked 37th in the index and is the second highest scoring charity. Our LGB staff network is a Stonewall star performer network group.

There are a number of worthwhile opportunities, whether you are looking to develop your professional career, or just starting out. For job opportunities and volunteering information visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

          