There are lots of interesting views in this month’s edition. These all play a part in our lives and we really should be aware of them and the impact it has on us. For the more we stay silent the more chance there is of us continuing to be marginalised. Some argue that the article in the Daily Mail about Stephen Gately should not have been published, but others say that it should have, but if we stop such articles then perhaps the wider population will not realize how much support there is out there to combat homophobia.
More locally a Staines trans woman is being subjected to harassment by local youths, but she is facing transphobia in seeking support in helping her to move away from such incidents, the council may be saying they are doing all that they can to assist her, but she is not being treated as an individual whose needs could well be more complex and therefore the council may have to go that extra mile to allow her to attain a quality of life that she is entitled to. It may appear that some of things in this issue do not affect us so why bother supporting it making our voices heard, well unless we do the status quo will continue. Please give it some thought.
Bisexual workers and discrimination
More research needed on transgender issues
Bisexual workers excluded by their lesbian and gay colleaguesStonewall research has suggested that bisexual people face a number of challenges in being open about their sexuality at work. The LGB charity commissioned research and interviews with bisexual employees and found that feeling excluded by lesbian and gay co-workers was a particular concern for bisexual staff.
It found that both straight and gay people were likely to have little awareness of bisexuality, assuming that bisexuals must be in the closet or straight people wanting to experiment.
One private sector worker told researchers: "I think the lesbian and gay community has made tremendous strides of progress over the last several years. Of course there’s a long way to go, but I would say that the bisexual community is many years behind where the lesbian and gay community is."
Subjects also reported that stereotypes of bisexual people sometimes impacted on colleagues' perceptions of their work, citing concerns they were seen as evasive and complicated.Based on the research gathered, Stonewall has released a guide for employers on supporting bisexual workers, titled Bisexual People in the Workplace. It suggests ensuring language in official policies includes phrases such as 'LGB' instead of 'gay' and the need to consult bisexual staff when policies are reviewed.
Other advice includes making bisexual staff welcome to gay events and ensuring they have access to bisexual mentors and role models.
David Shields, Stonewall's director of workplace programmes, said: "Bisexual employees, like all staff, perform better when they can be themselves. For many bisexual employees it can be difficult to be open about their sexual orientation – particularly if they don’t feel that their employee network is supportive of bisexual staff."There are a number of practical actions employers can take to include bisexual staff at work. By making workplaces more inclusive everyone benefits and employers can make the most of the talent they have." www.pinknews.co.uk
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EHRC report calls for more research on transgender issuesThe Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has launched a report into the experiences of trans people. Titled the Trans Research Review, the paper looks at transphobia, including bullying and discriminatory treatment, in schools and other public services. It also covers harassment, rejection and physical or sexual assault from families, work colleagues and friends.
The paper draws together a wide variety of small research studies on trans issues but points out the difficulties of identifying and studying the trans population. Some issues highlighted were the fact that many transitioned people no longer see themselves as part of the trans community and the difficulties of including transvestites and intersex people who may not feel they are trans.There is no question on gender identity in the UK census, while the report also criticised official surveys or documents including trans status with sexual orientation. Current figures suggest there are between 65,000 and 300,000 trans people in the UK, although it is not clear how 'trans' was defined. Another problem cited was that respondents were usually found through gender identity clinics, which does not include the large numbers of trans people who are not receiving medical treatment. The paper set out a number of areas which needed more research. One was the use of the internet as a community for trans people, while another was the seemingly disproportionate number of trans people in prison.
In terms of the attitudes of non-trans people, the survey cited 2006 research from Scotland which found that 50 per cent of respondents would be unhappy if a close relative had a relationship with a trans person. Thirty per cent of those questioned said a trans person should not be a teacher. A 2003 survey of 1,700 people found that many respondents viewed trans people "with pity", and in the same way they viewed disabled people. However, 2008 research in the north-west of England found that only 14 per cent of people felt negatively about trans people, with the vast majority saying they felt neutral or positive.
Small studies have found that the majority of trans people have faced harassment or violence due to their trans status. A 2008 study of 71 people found that 44 (62 per cent) had been subjected to harassment from strangers in public places. Of these, only 15 per cent had reported the harassment to police. Just under 17 per cent said they had suffered violence, although 22 per cent said they had never been perceived as trans by strangers.
There was no research on incidences of domestic or sexual violence suffered by trans people.
As with other areas, very little research on trans pupils was found, although it was suggested that 75 per cent of trans students face bullying compared with 25 per cent of lesbian, bisexual or gay students.The report found that trans people were likely to be working below their capabilities. Trans women reported particular issues with bathroom facilities, while a number of trans men said they were given less demanding work to do after returning to employment as men.
"Considerable" levels of discrimination in the workplace were cited, while research found that trans people were more likely than the general population to struggle with paying bills and debt.
The EHRC concluded: "The review reveals that there is a case for UK-wide quantitative and qualitative study on the economic position, experiences and needs of the trans population. The absence of such evidence means that the correct support, funding, services and policies, are not in place for trans people."Recommendations of the report include assessing whether current equality legislation is suitable for trans people, assessing the impact of transphobia and commissioning more independent research on trans experience.
To read the full report,
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/
research/trans_research_review_rep27.pdf
Gordon Brown wants civil partnerships to be held in the House of CommonsPrime minister Gordon Brown has suggested to the Speaker's Committee that civil partnerships for gay couples should be held in parliament.
The Church of England does not recognise civil partnerships as marriages, so they cannot be held in the Chapel of St Mary in parliament.
However, Brown will suggest they could be held in other parts of parliament, such as the chapel in Westminster Hall, where MPs, peers and their families can get married.The Speaker's Conference looks at ways to modernise parliament, such as trying to attract more politicians who are female, disabled, gay or from ethnic minorities.
Europe minister Chris Bryant, who is gay, told PinkNews.co.uk he welcomed the move.
He said: "I wholeheartedly welcome the prime minister's call for civil partnerships to take place in the House.Parliament overwhelmingly backed civil partnerships, so it would make sense for them to be allowed in the House.The Speaker's Conference on diversity was the prime minister's idea, and I think it's an important process.”
Richard Angell, of LGBT Labour, told PinkNews.co.uk: "Gordon Brown is right to ask parliament to open itself up to civil partnerships – it is right that parliament changes with the times.
"Labour is doing more than any other party to support openly LGBT people to become MPs through Dorothy's List which now has more than £6,000 to support openly LGBT candidates standing for Labour. For parliament to reflect the conservative estimate that the LGBT community is just six per cent [of the population] that would require nearly 40 lesbian and gay MPs. Only Labour can deliver equality."www.pinknews.co.uk
Trans women harassed by local youths in StainesA trans woman from Staines who has been harassed by youths for two years has complained her housing authority will not let her move away from her persecutors. Rachel Maton, 54, of Holbrook Meadow, Pooley Green, moved into her home two years ago. Since then, she has suffered verbal abuse in the street and has had her home pelted with rocks and eggs. She told the Staines News that after the first year of abuse, she approached Runnymede council to get a transfer, which she hoped would be on the south coast or in Wiltshire, areas which she is familiar with.
But after filling in all the forms, she was told she could only transfer to another home in the borough. Maton said: "The council offered me a one-bedroom flat in Chertsey, but this is a two-bedroom house with a garden, it's not a like for like and I don't want to live in Chertsey, it's too close." She has had her home fitted with three CCTV cameras to track the harassment but claims it has continued despite police monitoring although Surrey Police said that the problems have markedly decreased.
Director of housing and community services at Runnymede council, Deborah Blowers, said: “We are aware of the case and have offered some help but this was not taken up. We will continue to assist as far as we can but the client also needs to be flexible about where they will move to.”
Maton has now been advised by the council that a reciprocal move to another housing authority may be possible.
Gay men could be subject to five-year ban on blood donationAt a public meeting on 27th October there was a discussion on the possibility of a five-year deferral for gay and bisexual men donating blood, rather than a lifetime ban. The meeting, held by the independent Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, was part of a new review on the long list of people excluded for life due to the danger of blood-borne diseases between transmitted.
Currently, this includes men who have ever had sex with another man, people who have injected drugs, prostitutes and those who have ever had syphilis, hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Temporary exclusions include those who have visited certain parts of the world, or have had sex with someone from certain parts of the world. The meeting heard that gay men who have not had sex with another man in the last five years could become eligible to donate blood. Other suggestions included banning only those who have had anal sex, rather than oral sex, and lifting the ban on women who have had sex with a gay or bisexual man.
The meeting began with testimonies from experts.
Dr Richard Tedder, a microbiologist from University College London, argued that viruses were "not politically correct" and pointed to windows of time before HIV could be detected in blood samples. He also cited issues with testing blood donations for HIV, saying that not all of the blood in one donation can be tested.Professor Deirdre Kelly, a liver specialist from Birmingham Children's Hospital, spoke of the need for people to donate blood and said she was not satisfied that certain deferral and exclusion policies were consistent with estimated risk.
The audience also heard from a heart transplant patient who argued that lifting the lifetime ban on gay men would "de-demonise HIV and AIDS" and would create a larger pool of blood donors.The floor was then opened up for discussion.
Yusef Azad, from the National AIDS Trust, said he believed population-based deterrents were justified but added: "If you look at five-year deferrals [for gay men] with fourth-generation HIV testing, there is no significant risk."
Nick Partridge, the chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said research has found that the vast majority – 93 per cent – of gay men have complied with the current ban on donating blood.But he added: "I'm struggling to calculate how many gay men haven't had sex in five, ten years. What realistic difference would it make?"
Dr Tedder said he did not think gay men who hadn't had sex for five years would make a significant difference to safety.
Professor Kelly raised the issue of heterosexual men who may have once had a gay experience and said it was problematic that they, and their wives and girlfriends, were barred from donating blood.
Deborah Jack, of NAT, asked whether men who have only had oral sex with another man posed a significant risk.
A group of around 40 students, along with Peter Tatchell, had been protesting against the ban outside the conference venue in Greycoat Street. Several attended the meeting along with National Union of Students LGBT officer Daf Adley.Adley suggested that the blood service was missing out on donations from thousands of healthy men and also argued that including protected oral sex as a reason for banning some gay men sent out the wrong message, as young gay men were being informed that protected oral sex was safe.
He called for gay men to be screened for blood donation according to their individual behaviour, rather than basing specifications on whole groups. However, a number of experts present refuted this, saying the lengthy questioning procedure this would involve was simply not practical.
Matthew Beaver, a local councillor, introduced himself to the audience as a gay man and suggested that those in the closet posed a far greater risk to public safety than men who were openly and confidently gay. This was dismissed by Nick Partridge, who said he doubted this was happening. Stonewall previously supported the lifetime ban on gay men but recently changed its position.
Terrence Higgins Trust maintains the lifetime ban is necessary.
Spokesman Derek Munn said: "It is difficult for us to have different views from Terrence Higgins Trust but we reached our current position from the input of our members."To have men who have sex with men as a single undefinable category is like using a blunt instrument."
The last review, in January 2007, recommended that the policy of banning gay and bisexual men from donating blood should be continued.
A study commissioned by the Health Protection Agency is currently underway to find out more about compliance with rules. It will be published next year.
A Department of Health spokesman said that the findings from the current review will be announced in 2010.
www.pinknews.co.uk
Club4good in conjunction with Gay SurreyWhat is happening with the local scene and the Club4good and gay surrey?
Up and coming events:
www.gaysurrey.org/club4good
Thursday 1st October – Noir Bar – Weybridge re-launch nite
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 onwardsWeb Link : www.gaysurrey.org/gslounge
Dates
18th November
16th December
Once in the Bed Bar, the GS lounge is held exclusively in the VIP area,
donations welcome towards our club4good campaign.As always Gay Surrey has all the latest updates on their website, so why not take a visit www.gaysurrey.org
IDAHO 2010 just a heads up for next years day:
17th May 2010
6.30pm onwards
Event held at the Talbot Inn Ripley
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.ukNaz 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 and some weekends, 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 715844
Scrumptious Bar
16 Park Street, Guildford
Tel: 01483 306661
Web: www.scrumptious.t83.net
Homophobic Incidents
Call Surrey Police on:0845 1252222 or www.stophatecrime.co.uk or WSLAGLO@surrey.pnn.police.uk or 01483 630474GUM 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/twisterLocal Voluntary Organisations
Outline
Lesbian and Gay Helpline
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.orgThe 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
