(you may need flash installed on your PC or Mac to view the following video)

Rainbow, the biggest gayest bus in the world outside the British Museum for the LGBT History Month pre-launch

In this posting are some highlights of what our volunteers have been up to in the past week and things that have caught our attention. You can follow our Facebook and Twitter accounts to get the latest from Q:alliance and can check out our Events Calendar to keep up to date with LGBT-focused or related activity in MK.

We went to the LGBT History Month pre-launch on Thursday and learnt lots about some fabulous projects that took place across the country for the last LGBT History Month, as well as hearing some great news about what’ll be happening next February. There’s *lots* of exciting and/or interesting things that’ll be happening in MK -from Q:alliance and others – and we’ll make sure to tell you more about them when things are firmed up. We’ll also link to the presentations we went to when LGBT History Month make them available.

Ask Jo is coming back! Our website advice column for LGBT, or questioning, people in MK is back after far too long an absence. If you have a problem or dilemma that you want advice on send an email to jo {at} qalliance.org(.)uk – In the past Jo has helped people with coming out, relationship issues, coping with bullies, how to date well, sex advice and a whole range of other issues. We’re also looking for more of your coming out stories.

One of our volunteers popped along to CMK Library to see their Out & Proud section, and we asked people for book suggestions we could send the library to make it even better. If you have any suggestions, do email us at info {at} qalliance.org(.)uk or, even better, tell the library service yourself.

Our counsellors have some appointments available. If you want to talk to someone in confidence, or find out more, see our Counselling page.

Today is International Transgender Day of Remembrance. The 20th of November is set aside to memorialise those who are killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. This year 117 trans people worldwide are known to have been murdered out of hate and ignorance. Many hundreds, if not thousands, more have taken or attempted to take their own lives. In the past two months, two transsexual women have been murdered in the UK – Andrea Waddell from Brighton and Destiny Lauren who was killed in Kentish Town, London…

Trans DA Survey.doc (494KB).

We will be updating this information regularly, so check back here often or sign up here to be notified of updates to the site by email. We also have a very exciting RSS feed if you’re into that sort of thing.

If you’re of the Twittering variety, you can now also follow us on Twitter. You can  see our Twitter feed on the right hand column of this very page, but that’s much less fun than Twittering with us yourself.

Also, don’t forget that we still are accepting applications for our 4 hour a week Marketing & Sales Assistant position. It’s a great opportunity to earn money implementing your marketing and sales assisting skills whilst really helping to make a difference for local LGBT people. For more details view the vacancy.

…wondering what to do with your time?

Q:alliance Needs You !!!

We are looking for new volunteers, in particular for Admin Support, Web Contributors & a Minute Taker (see below for more info).

Admin Support
- You can help us with anything from simple filing and sealing / stamping envelopes to replying to letters, emails, phone calls and recording data on spreadsheets.
- We also need help to keep our offices tidy and the centre clean.

Web Contributors
- The Q:alliance website (www.qalliance.org.uk) is *your* website and we’d love for you to be a greater part of it!
- We’re currently looking for some LGBT bloggers / writers to help contribute to this website.
- You can blog / write about almost anything – topics you’re into, your daily life, opinions on news stories / LGBT issues.
- Blogging is really easy, you can even just email us your entries and we’ll do the techy bits.
- Have a look at Bex’s Bits for inspiration!

Minute Taker
- The minute taker for Q:alliance needs to prepare and send out agendas to Trustee’s, as well as write and type up meeting minutes for distribution.
- You will need to be able to attend Trustee meetings, currently held on a six weekly basis on a week night.
- It would be helpful if you have previous experience of minute taking in a voluntary or community organisation.
- You will need to be familiar with MS Word and able to send the minutes out via email. Training can be given.

If you are interested in any of these volunteerining opportunities, please email Jim our Volunteer Co-ordinator at volunteer {at} qalliance.org(.)uk

You can also find out more about volunteering with Q:alliance here.

Bex’s Bits is now a whole new section of the Q:alliance website containing her many hilarious, serious and delirious rants, raves and stories in her own unique style.

You can read about how Bex is going to be a “Tranny Granny…“, her caution about “driving your car in high heals!” and how Bex was a “Hells Angel” and wanted to join the RAF.

For these and many more genuinely funny and heartwarming stories, come by regularly to Bex’s Bits.