Q:alliance

A round-up of what we’ve been posting on our Facebook and Twitter accounts…

• The always interesting Mark Simpson visits the UK’s first gay night on an army base – http://bit.ly/2aPRgP

• Interesting article on the global struggle for queer freedom - http://bit.ly/oHUOw

• Ugandan MP proposes that gays should be executed - http://bit.ly/stKSU (via @pinknews)

• So… what do we want? Equality? Or Liberation? (or a bit of both?) http://bit.ly/3ZBFqu

• Peter Tatchell writes for the Independent commenting on Britain’s positive strides towards LGBT equality - http://bit.ly/2n9dK0

• Goal Watchers is a new weekly club in Milton Keynes specifically for those who want to instigate changes in their lives - http://bit.ly/36eb7p

• Fab news for the Day in Hand project - http://bit.ly/3VjFcM

• Black History Month ‘09 Profile: RuPaul, singer, actor, drag queen. Quote: “We all came into this world naked. The rest is drag” –  http://bit.ly/odCwr

• Keith Goddard, campaigner for Gays and lesbians of Zimbabwe has died - http://bit.ly/19Rgj0

• The victim of a suspected homophobic attack in Trafalgar Square died in hospital last night - http://bit.ly/3SKVb9

• Why are we not talking about this? http://bit.ly/okp0t

• FANTASTIC report from the EHRC about LGB experience in the UK. If you work or volunteer in any organisation that works with the public, make sure your bosses see this –  http://bit.ly/13L16x

• Speech: Trevor Phillips from yesterday’s launch of ‘Beyond Tolerance: making sexual orientation a public matter’ - http://bit.ly/6Zvee

• A new newsletter for LGBT Mental Health service users, service providers, community groups and interested individuals – http://bit.ly/OGjRH

• The Gay MK email group is abuzz with good feedback about Sunday’s Planet social night! Are you going next month? http://bit.ly/174RqM

• Another great speech from the National Equality March in America – http://bit.ly/TyHwc

• A history of black music – 29th Oct in Christ the Cornerstone CMK - http://bit.ly/CTFmp

• Fantastic speech from Lady Gaga at today’s National Equality March in the US – http://bit.ly/BigId

• Stephen Gately Obituary - http://bit.ly/17qc4h

• Black History Month ‘09 Profile: Zora Neale Hurston – http://bit.ly/MKHJc

• Think of something to let go of – a judgement, a negative feeling – breathe in then breathe out REALLY slowly as you let it go.

• Need to talk to someone about stress, self esteem, drugs, alcohol, body image, workplace issues, the scene, sex or a variety of other issues? Come to Q:alliance counselling –  http://bit.ly/2d9REc

• Black History Month ‘09 Profile: David McAlmont  - http://bit.ly/2kUhmX

• The new LGBT History Month Bulletin is out - http://bit.ly/2qZjev

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have just published a report on the the experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in the UK…

Over the past 18 months we have carried out extensive research into the experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain today. We are publishing a suite of publications detailing our findings. The main ‘Beyond tolerance’ paper reports on what needs to be done to tackle the damaging discrimination and disadvantage lesbian, gay and bisexual people face and where organisations will need to focus in order to address the changes required.

You can download the document here, or visit their website for more detailed reports – including population estimates, homophobic hate crime incidents and the experience of LGB people in Higher Education.

In Milton Keynes, Q:alliance offer a variety of services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people and organisations who work with them, including a comprehensive training service which covers:

• What everyone needs to know about the experience and needs of LGBT people.
• What everyone needs to know about legal protections for LGBT people.
• How to develop and deliver inclusive services to LGBT people.
• How to support and empower LGBT young people.

For further details, visit our our Training section.

In addition, you can now sign up to our new monthly newsletter for LGBT people and organisations that work with them. It will provide information on the latest LGBT news, events, research, and strategic information.

Reproduced from the Equality and Human Rights Commission website:

It’s my pleasure to welcome you all. Today marks a significant moment for the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s work on sexual orientation. It’s important to share our thoughts about where go from here with the individuals and organisations who have already achieved much, and together with whom we hope to take the next steps.

Let me start by reminding you what a backbencher said in 1987:
‘I am certain that all honourable members would agree that children should be protected [...] from any insidious and dangerous influences, such as homosexuality’

This is what a government spokesperson said in 2004:
‘thousands of same-sex couples have made the decision to share their lives, their home, their finances and the care of their children or of older relatives [...][this] Bill sends a clear and unequivocal message that [they] deserve recognition and respect.’

The first was the MP Harry Greenway, promoting what would become Section 28. The second, Jacqui Smith, introducing the Civil Partnership Bill. Each in their day won the debate.

This is a remarkable journey – from suspicion to understanding, from legal stigma to legal recognition. Most remarkable of all, it took less than 20 years. This is perhaps the most significant transformation in the equality landscape, and the swiftest and most profound social change in my lifetime in this country.

[...]

MindOut in Brighton have been developing an LGBT mental health network. The network is for all those with an interest in LGBT mental health; this includes service users, service providers, community groups and any interested individuals.

As part of their strategy for developing the network they have produced the first of a series of newsletters which you can download here. For the next issue they are on the lookout for article submissions, so do get in touch with them if you would like to contribute.

• Homophobic bullying creates an ugly climate of intimidation and can make it harder for young people to come out…. http://bit.ly/4ubZb

• Recession = homophobia… any thoughts? – http://bit.ly/18h9ix

• Relate help build stronger LGBT relationships –  http://bit.ly/4npFkd

• Terrible homophobic attack near Trafalgar Square http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8288412.stm

• Advice on resolving Gay & Homophopic bullying  - http://twit.ac/pShm

• Black History Month ‘09 Profile: Bessie Smith, aka “The Empress of Blues” – http://bit.ly/1ubmul

• In the UK, African communities are the second most affected communities by HIV. Gay communities are the first.

• Have you signed the petition to include a question on sexual orientation on the 2011 census yet? –  http://bit.ly/2A6Yh2

• Gay football lover? The Gay Football Supporters Network’s mission is to promote the support and participation of gay men and women in football, and to act as a medium for LGBT football supporters to get together - http://bit.ly/ChSPW

• Chris Crocker on the Gay Divide (a great, great video that is well worth a watch)… http://bit.ly/xXE25

• Langston Hughes was the incredibly talented (and closeted) poet who wrote “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, which… http://bit.ly/JYH0H

• October is Black History Month in the UK. To celebrate we will be linking to profiles of various famous and/or influential black LGBT people throughout the month. If you have suggestions of who we should feature – let us know!

• http://bit.ly/12ndQL

To join us on Facebook, you can become a fan at www.facebook.com/Qalliance, or you can follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Qalliance.