The pride season is now well and truly underway, I think that the season is something that you really embrace or ask the question “what is it all about? And what is all the fuss about” Personally I think that it is a time of the year where anyone LGBT can take part in something or gain a sense of belonging to a majority population even if it is for only one day, but all of who are LGBT are just as diverse as the rest of the population and it is good for us to see some of that diversity and to even see others with whom you can relate and get that sense of belonging. So if you go to any of the prides this season then why not send me a report and some photos for a future edition.
As has been pointed out before this newsletter can seem to be the bearer of bad news, and it does seem a little black at times, but what this shows is that discrimination towards the LGBT population is still alive and well, we may well think that these things do not happen to me and therefore I am ok Jack, if that is the case then you are very lucky indeed, but please spare a thought for those mentioned in this newsletter and how their lives have been affected by the homophobia of others or of the policy of organizations. Legislation has changed in our favour but what is happening is we are winning the battle but we still have to win the war to full equality, and if some still had their way we are not considered worthy to have full equality.
There are lots of new events listed under the gay surrey banner below, so if you fancy a night out in Surrey and possibly making new friends then why not go along to one of the events. Also Outline are looking for volunteers to help staff their phone line, another way to make new friends. Give some though to both things, enjoy the weather.
Ian
Is this religious discrimination?
Trans population and domestic abuseTrans people are being invited to take part in a survey on domestic violence.
It is estimated that one in four LGBT people have experienced domestic violence - the same rate as heterosexual women - but previous research has suggested this figure may be much higher for trans people. Denise Anderson from Spectrum London, a trans and questioning support group, said that "limited" research on the issue has suggested the rate of trans people experience domestic abuse could be as high as 64 per cent. She added: "This is a large percentage of transgendered people, one that when presented to various organisations brings looks of surprise and alarm, because many have not encountered transgendered people contacting them for assistance."
Spectrum London is working with LGBT domestic violence charity Broken Rainbow to consult trans people nationally in order to obtain more data on the issue. An online survey has been opened, with results to be presented in October. The survey is open until September 1st and can be found here: http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1012451
Volunteers to help with outreach work at various public sex environments and gay venues in West Surrey. You will need to have spare time during the week, have access to your own transport and be able to work as part of a team. Training and support will be given. Contact Ian on 01932 355533 or 07801 629972.
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Is this religious discrimination?
Theresa Davies, a registrar for Islington Council, has claimed she was forced out of her post as registrar because of her religious beliefs against civil partnerships. Davies, who had worked for Islington Council for 18 years, said she had asked to opt out of performing civil partnerships in 2006. While her request was being considered, Davies took four months off work due to stress. On her return she was told that she would either be demoted or dismissed. Instead of leaving the council, Davies chose to take on the offered position of receptionist, which she described as “humiliating”.
Last July, she was put back on the general rota. However, in January this year she failed to turn up to a ceremony she was supposed to be overseeing. Consequently, she was told that unless she presided over civil partnerships she would be demoted from her position.
“I know of other councils that have allowed Christian registrars to carry on by ensuring that colleagues are given civil partnerships,” said Davies. “But I was told this was not Islington’s policy.”
With the help of the Christian Legal Centre, Miss Davies will launch a grievance procedure against the council, on the grounds that she was a victim of discrimination because of her religious beliefs.
Davies has also presented her case in a letter to the House of Lords, in an attempt to challenge what she describes as the “militant political-sexual libertarian lobby” at Islington Council.
Davies' friend and colleague, Lillian Ladele, launched a similar case against the council last summer. However, an Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled in December that Islington Council had acted lawfully in expecting its entire registration staff to perform civil partnership ceremonies.
“Britain is supposed to be a nation that respects freedom of conscience,” Davies told the Mail on Sunday. “But my conscience is not being respected. If Islington Council believes in dignity for all, why can’t my beliefs be accommodated and why is my dignity not being respected?” Davies has likened presiding over civil partnership ceremonies to doctors performing abortions, arguing that the same leniency on religious grounds should apply.
An Islington Council spokesman told the Mail: “Following detailed discussions with Miss Davies, a year ago she accepted another job in the same team that did not require her to conduct civil partnerships or marriages.
“Miss Davies made no formal response to a recent consultation on a restructure in the registrars’ department, and we have no reason to think she was unhappy with her role.” Islington council argues that it expects employees to provide services to all sections of the community.
By Nell Frizzell
Is this the answer?Stonewall has released new guidance for employers on how to deal with tensions arising between religion and sexual orientation in the workplace. The guide is designed to provide "essential advice" on how to avoid conflicts which can arise at work. Funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission, it examines the legal position of employers and the need for organisational clarity.
Case studies from a range of sectors demonstrate how employers can accommodate the needs of both sides in any disagreement, alongside lessons learned from each case.
Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill said: "We recognise that there are still some tensions between people of faith and the 1.7 million gay people in the British workplace. By preparing for difficult situations, employers can manage potential conflicts with confidence. While the 500 employers who are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Programme tell us that such conflicts are rare, employers also tell us that they’re less confident about preventing and responding to such incidents than they are other to forms of dispute.”
Recent YouGov polling found that people of faith in Britain are no more likely to be prejudiced against lesbian and gay people than anyone else. Happily, many people of faith don’t have any problem working, living, socialising or praying with lesbian, gay and bisexual people. This guide will help with the small minority who do. ‘Religion and Sexual Orientation – How to manage relations in the workplace’ can be downloaded free from
http://www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace/3442.asp
Lesbian commits suicideThe mother of a woman found hanging in her cell at HMP Send has warned it is only a matter of time before there is another suicide. Mother-of-one Lisa Doe killed herself on September 11, 2007 after discovering her lesbian lover had been unfaithful. Her parents, Jane and Paul Slade, are now calling for improvements at the Ripley Road jail. Mrs. Slade pledged to help continue a campaign started by Pauline Campbell to find an alternative to prison for women suffering mental health problems.
Mrs. Campbell, whose daughter also killed herself while in jail, protested against women’s prisons after her daughter’s death. Last year she was found dead at the entrance to the Cheshire cemetery where her daughter Sarah was buried. Mr and Mrs Slade said they wanted to raise awareness and prevent other people from taking their own lives.
Their daughter, they said “that their daughter had been a heroin addict, with heroin it affects everything, Lisa used to have a few psychiatric problems. She needed to get sorted. She would have been better off in a secure mental institution rather than being locked up in prison.”
Jurors at her daughter’s inquest heard that, before she was found hanging, Doe had cut her wrists due to a dispute with her partner and told a nurse that life was not worth living. Less than an hour later she was dead.
Mrs Slade and her husband are now calling for more safe cells at HMP Send. At the inquest, duty governor Andrew Peacock said the service did not have enough money to convert all cells to safe cells with reduced ligature points. “I don’t think she meant to end her life. It was a cry for help.” Mr Slade said: “She was let down by the system.”
A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Every death in custody is regrettable and the ministry is committed to reducing the number of such tragic events. Learning from deaths in prison custody is a key strand of the prisoner suicide prevention strategy.”
Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Staff and resources are strained to the limit coping with an ever-swelling prison population rife with mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction and histories of neglect and abuse.
“With levels of distress evidently still so high in women’s jails, it is all the more critical the government makes concerted efforts to divert vulnerable women from custody.”
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2051344_suicide_leads_to_plea_for_safe_cells_in_prison
Gay and bisexual women less likely to report Hate CrimeA Metropolitan Police survey has suggested that women are up to seven times less likely to report homophobic or transphobic crime than men. The survey, which builds upon 2002 research conducted on behalf of the Home Office, specifically examined women's experiences of violence and abuse enacted on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Independent research shows that although the rate of reporting to the police is different between men and women, the incident of homophobic crime is similar for both sexes.
The survey's findings will be used by the Met and other judicial bodies to encourage women to be more confident in coming to the police and to ensure that perpetrators of homophobic or transphobic violence are caught. Commenting on the survey, Commander Mark Simmons, who is the chief of LGBT issues for the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "The Met is wholly committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms, including homophobic and transphobic crime. We will work in effective partnership with victims, LGBT-focused organisations and other partners in improving our services, whilst robustly challenging perpetrators. We are striving to increase the trust and confidence of people so that they are more likely to report they have been the victim of a hate crime and strengthen our relationship with them and other community members including LGBT people.”
This confidence-building programme includes the national police campaigns to highlight hate crime and legislation changes, such as incitement to hatred on grounds of sexual orientation. Deborah Gold, the chief executive of LGBT anti-crime organisation Galop, said in response to the survey: “We welcome this research by the MPS, which adds to our understanding of the homophobia and transphobia experienced by women, and provides further evidence of the fact that women are less likely to come forward and get help. We will continue to work with the police to improve their strategy and response to these issues, until women feel safe enough to come forward. Galop can provide advice and support to lesbian, bisexual and trans women who have experienced hate incidents, domestic abuse and sexual assaults. We would urge women to tell us about their experiences, so that we can support them and help end hate crime.”
Housing needs of the LGBT populationHousing associations need to do far more for their LGBT residents, an industry expert has said. Bill Payne, the former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing and current chief executive of the Metropolitan housing association, has spoken out against the sub-standard service experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans residents. He told Inside Housing: “More desperately needs to be done by housing associations to address the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in housing.”
Speaking to PinkNews.co.uk, Payne said there is an initial need for organisations to simply be aware of the issues specifically facing LGBT residents. “LGBT residents are in danger of abuse, hate crimes and bullying,” he said. “So it is simply not enough to say 'all people should be treated the same'. It starts with awareness that there are issues.”
Payne also pointed out the specific dangers facing young gay people with housing needs, such as homelessness and prostitution. A recent report by the Metropolitan Support Trust found that 60 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers experience 'hidden homelessness', in part due to the poor quality of LGBT support services. According to Payne, one in five gay, lesbian and bisexual people do expect worse treatment by housing providers than their straight contemporaries.
However, the Metropolitan housing association, which covers London, the Midlands and Cambridgeshire, does offer specific help and advice for gay men escaping domestic violence. “As far as I am aware, we are the only organisation in the country that has a support service for residents experiencing same-sex domestic violence,” said Payne. That they are the only support service of this type is something he described as "worrying", particularly when it is considered that five per cent of relationships become abusive. “The key thing,” argued Payne, “is that if you are in tune to the prejudices LGBT residents face, then that will help to deliver a better service to everyone."
For Payne, the emphasis is not only on improving the support for LGBT residents, but in having a service that doesn't make anyone feel different or at risk.
Club4goodin conjunction with Gay Surrey What is happening with the local scene and the Club4good and gay surrey?
Up and coming events:
www.gaysurrey.org/club4goodThursday 2nd July - Noir Bar – Weybridge
Saturday 11th July - Quake - Woking – 80’s themed beach party
Thursday 16th July - Niche Lounge - Staines
Thursday 6th August – Noir Bar - Weybridge
Saturday 8th August - Formula 1 Karting - Heathrow
Thursday 20th August - Niche Lounge - Staines
Thursday 3rd September – Noir Bar – Weybridge
Thursday 17th September - Niche Lounge – Staines
Thursday 1st October – Noir Bar – Weybridge
Saturday 31st October – Quake – Woking – Halloween partyAnd the GS lounge is re-launched and the new venue and dates are as follows:
We are really excited to have joined up with Charles at the Bed Venue : The Bed Bar Location : Woking Time : 8pm onwards
Web Link :
www.gaysurrey.org/gsloungeDates
16th September
14th October
18th November
16th DecemberOnce in the Bed Bar, the GS lounge is held exclusively in the VIP area, donations welcome towards our club4good campaign.
Articles needed urgentlyA lot of articles this month have come courtesy of www.pinknews.co.uk although some of the articles have a local reflection a lot do not. Please contact me with local news and information that the LGBT population of Surrey would be interested to know. You may run a business that you wish to advertise (free of charge) please send me a copy electronically to ian.cole@surreypct.nhs.uk
ListingsSurrey Domestic Abuse Helpline
Are you being frightened, hurt or
abused by a partner or family member
24 hour confidential service
01483 776822East Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service
01737 771350
(Serving Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge)North West Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01483 776822
(serving Woking, Runnymede and Surrey Heath)North Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01932 260690
(serving Epsom, Ewell, Elmbridge and Spelthorne)South West Surrey Domestic
Abuse Outreach Service
01483 577392 or 01932 260690
(Serving the Waverley area)Relate, West Surrey
Provincial House
26 Commercial Way
Woking, Surrey GU21 6EN
01483 715285 www.relatewestsurrey.org.uk
Naz Project
HIV and sexual health support service for
South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Latin American and other excluded communities
e-mail naz@naz.org.uk
Website: naz.org.uk
0208 7411879 9.30-5.30 Mon-Fri.Guildford Area Gay Society (GAGS)
Meets every Wednesday, phone Simon on 01252 370809
www.gags.org.ukThe Cellar
Disco runs last Saturday of
each month 9.00 pm - 2.00 am and social meeting Friday evenings 8.30 pm midnight
Farnham, Surrey (phone for details)
01252 715844Homophobic Incidents
Call Surrey Police on:
0845 1252222 or www.stophatecrime.co.uk
WSLAGLO@surrey.pnn.police.uk or 01483 630474
GUM Clinics
Genito-Urinary MedicineFarnham Road Hospital, Guildford
01483 537007Blanche Heriot Unit, St Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey
01932 722669Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley
01276 604105K2 Clinic, Wolverton Centre, Kingston Hospital
For Gay and Bisexual Men
Wednesday 6.00 - 8.00 pm - walk in only
0208 934 2843TWISTER Youth Club!
LGBTQ Young People, Surrey Ages 13-19
Various Nights 7.30pm - 9.30pm
www.surreycc.gov.uk/twister
Local Voluntary Organisations
Outline
Lesbian and Gay Helpline and social group
open Sunday and Tuesday between 7.30 and 10.00 pm
01483 727667www.gaysurrey.org
offering help, support and advice locally
to those who need it
Tel : 0700 5982 429 anytime
Young Gay Surrey
Website dedicated to 13 to 19 year olds for help and support www.ygsspeakout.org
The following Charities offer advice, support and
information to people infected and affected by
HIV/AIDSPositive Action
0800 9801990 (freephone)
01252 345019
THT Surrey Region
01483 263160
St Peters House Project
01737 763000Married Men’s Group
A group for men who are married or in
relationships with women and are attracted to
or having sex with other men.
07801 629972RASASC
Rape and sexual abuse support centre
01483 546400 female staffed (7.30-9.30) closed Saturdays and Bank Holidays
Contact Ian Cole
on Mobile - 07801 629972
e-mail ian.cole@surreypct.nhs.uk
This newsletter is produced by the Harm Reduction Outreach Team part of Surrey PCT
