Welcome to the 53rd LGBT History Month Bulletin. There are 6 sections:
Get ready for LGBT HM 5: a new section with regular updates
News: A selection of LGBT related news articles from the past month
Events: a two month calendar of shows, conferences and meetings
Related Sites: websites that deal with LGBT histories
Pre-Launch: Full story
Community: appeals, requests and community based ideas
Coming Soon: advance notice of events occurring during the month
Quotes: who said what, where and when
Get ready for LGBT History Month 5!
Start preparing now to make LGBT History Month 2009 the biggest ever!
Below are some comments on our November 19th LGBT History Month Pre-launch
For more on the Pre-launch scroll down past Related sites
News
Education Minister makes history at LGBT History Month Pre-Launch
Speaking at the LGBT History Month Pre-Launch, Parliamentary under Secretary for Education Baroness Morgan announced three new commitments for schools.
First, she said the Government was committed to monitoring and recording incidents of homophobic bullying:
“Schools are required under the regulations to treat homophobic bullying with the same seriousness as other forms of bullying.”
Second, she committed the Department to training on LGBT issues:
“We will support teachers through their training, so that they feel confident in using the guidance and in dealing with these issues.”
Third, she committed the Department to producing anti-transphobia guidance:
“The Department has also recently announced that we will be developing guidance on bullying related to gender or gender identity over the coming months. I hope to be able to consult some of the stakeholders represented here on this guidance.”
Schools OUT’s Tony Fenwick said, “These are groundbreaking changes and we hope to see them put into effect in the next Parliament.
“Schools OUT has urged the DCSF and the DfES before it to have homophobic and transphobic bullying and harassment recorded, reported and monitored in the same way as racist incidents for some ten years now. We have also consistently argued for more and better teacher training on LGBT issues.
“The DCSF guidance on homophobic bullying excludes our trans children and their parents. I am delighted to hear the Baroness announce that they are working to redress the balance and that they will work with experts in the field.”
Equalities Minister Supports LGBT History Month
Equalities Minister Maria Eagle (twin sister Angela) has sent this message of support:
“I am pleased to support LGBT History Month. Events like this help everyone – trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual alike – to understand the rich and diverse contribution that LGBT people make to our communities.”
Boris backs us too!
Mayoral message of support for LGBT History Month – February 2009
February 2009 will see the fifth LGBT History Month take place with hundreds of events due to take place across the UK, and London is a key focus for activities. It will be an excellent opportunity to share the achievements of the LGBT community with new audiences and encourage acceptance and understanding.
By developing a greater understanding of history, we are able to understand more about who we are and where we have come from.
It is particularly fitting that the LGBT History Month pre-launch took place this year in a school. London is a young city – almost a quarter of the population is under 18 – and education is where our efforts need to be concentrated to ensure that we prevent the next generation of homophobic hate crimes and support LGBT young people.
I wish the project every success for 2009 and I encourage organisations and LGBT Londoners alike to seize the opportunity and get involved in this important project.
Boris Johnson
Mayor of London
Queen’s Speech Commits to Single Equalities Act and Education Reform
The Queen announced two Bills relevant to LGBT people in her Speech at the State Opening of Parliament. She said her Government would introduce a Single Equalities Act to ensure everyone, “A Fair Chance in Life”. She also introduced a bill to reform education, guaranteeing employees the right to request time for training. Let’s hope some of this training will be for teachers and will be about LGBT issues.
Teaching Union Exposes extent of Homophobia in Schools
An astonishing 98.8% of teachers said they heard homophobic abuse at least once a term, 90.4% heard a student being made the victim of homophobic abuse at least once a term and 56.6% of teachers said they were on the receiving end of homophobic abuse during the past year. Less than 50% of teachers feel able to tackle homophobia and 74.4% would like whole school training (INSET) on the issue. These are the shocking results of a survey carried out with teachers by the National Union of Teachers in Oldham.
It backs up the appalling findings of last year’s Stonewall survey of pupils ‘The School Report’ and suggests things have worsened since the Teacher Support Network’s survey of teachers, done with the TES for LGBT History Month 2006 – both of which can be found on the Schools OUT website research page.
Schools OUT co-chair Sue Sanders said, “I am saddened but not surprised. Baroness Morgan spoke at the Pre-Launch of the need for teacher training on LGBT issues and this survey shows how urgent and how massive that need is. But we need to know when and we need to know how much.”
Commission launches charity's new service to tackle homophobic bullying
A new Online reporting service for homophobic bullying was launched last week at the Houses of Parliament. The Service, available at www.eachaction.org.uk builds on EACH’s freephone UK-wide telephone support service. The charity is introducing this new, dedicated online reporting service to provide better access to support for young people. Trevor Philips spoke at the launch event, saying: 'Across the entire equalities and human rights agenda, homophobic bullying has emerged as one of the strongest themes for the Commission.’
LGBT Christian TV Service
The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement has launched a TV service for LGBT Christians to use during Advent. Go to http://uk.youtube.com/lgcmnews to watch and listen.
International
Barack Obama
US Election Result: Hope; 1, Fear; Nil.
Proposition 8 Upheld
On the same day California voted 51% to 49% to bring in Proposition 8, banning gay marriage once more. It’s a disappointment – especially given the effort put into the prevention campaign – but it it’s that close it looks like we’ll win next time round.
Vatican Gay Test Horror
The Vatican plans to rid its young priesthood of homosexual elements by psychometric testing. Still committed to its encyclical, written by Ratzinger for Woyjtila, which says homosexuality is a disorder and a disease; the Papacy has committed to a test that will weed out those with “deep-seated gay tendencies” at the preliminary stages. Peter Tatchell described the plans as “a new low.”
ILGA LGBTI
The International lesbian and Gay Association voted at its 24th World Conference to adopt the I for ‘Intersex’ after LGBT from hereon. This year’s Conference, held in Vienna from the 3rd to the 6th of November, also voted to condemn the aforementioned Vatican plans and to condemn attacks on human rights and women’s rights groups in Nicaragua, whilst welcoming the Obama victory in the US presidential election.
Aswat Victory
The ILGA “Go-Visible” award this year was given to the Aswat Group for Gay Women; a Palestinian organisation. http://www.aswatgroup.org/english/
LAMBDA ISTANBUL stays
After a massive legal battle LGBT rights group LAMBDA ISTANBUL has finally won its battle for survival against its enemies, who tried to have it banned for being “against the law and morality.”
NZ Turns Right
The Conservative National Party defeated the Labour Party in The New Zealand General Election. Helen Clark, who as PM over 9 years made New Zealand one of the first nations to bring Civil partnerships into fruition and has made the country one of the best (if not THE best) countries for LGBT people in the world, handed power over to John Key after a resounding defeat. She was a fierce critic of the Iraq War and her last Government made it illegal for parents to smack their children.
Events Calendar
Hello Sailor!
Published Nov 6 2008
Staff at Discovery Museum in Newcastle are looking for contributions to a new exhibition, exploring gay life in the Merchant Navy between the 1950s and the 1980s.
Hello Sailor! is a National Museums Liverpool touring exhibition which reveals the hidden history of crew life in the Merchant Navy, when being at sea was one of the few places gay men could be themselves.
Sarah Cotton, keeper of contemporary collecting at Tyne & Wear Museums, says:
“As homosexuality was illegal until 1967, there were few places where gay men could be themselves.”
The exhibition uses personal stories, photographs and videos to reveal this little-known aspect of the Merchant Navy's history.
Sarah adds:
“We are keen to hear from people in the North East who have a story to tell and we would like to be able to include some of these memories in the exhibition.”
To contact Sarah call (0191) 232 6789 or email .
Hello Sailor! will be on show at Discovery Museum from 28 January to 19 April 2009
Date / where / when / what
Mon / Nottingham
Croydon Town Hall / Eve
7.30pm / PM Badminton Social(weekly) http://www.badmintonsocial.co.uk/
Crocus Meeting.
Tues / Cramlington
Hackney
London Charing Cross Road
Greenwich MetroCentre, 110 Norman Rd. Greenwich
The Marlborough Clinic, Royal Free Hospital
Pond St, Hampstead, NW3 2PF
Central Station, 37 Wharfdale Rd, Kings Cross, London N1 9SE / Eve
5.30-9pm
9-late
6-8pm
8.30-11.30 (monthly: every last Tuesday)
7pm-12 / LGBT Youth (13-19). Sharon on: 01670 597 865 or Steve at MESMAC on: 0191 233 1333
The Green Door LGBTQI Youth Project
07772 565 546
Ruby Tuesday. Regular night out for lesbians and
their guests Ku Bar WC2H 7BA
Penelope’s Pitstop. Drop in advice and testing for women who have sex with women 020 8305 5000
Sexual Health MOTs for 50+ gay and bi men 020 7830 2847
Bar Wotever
Wed / The Glass Bar
190 Euston Road
NW1 2EF
Grand Hall, Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), Lavender Hill, Battersea, SW11 / 7.30-9.30
7pm / London Lesbian and Bi Women’s Group Social & Discussion
Wandsworth Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Forum
Thurs
Fri / The Oak Bar, 79 Green Lanes, N16 9BU / 9pm-3am / Club Wotever
Sat / Leicester Pink Pedallers Cycling Group / For more information on this event or on the Pink Pedallers Cycling Group, contact Elizabeth Barner, CTC Cycling Development Officer on 0116 229 2582 or email .
Sun / The Church Of The Assumption &
St Gregory, Warwick Street, Soho
The Candlestick, Essendon
London: East Dulwich / 5pm
8pm
3-5pm / LGBT Catholic Mass (1st and 3rd Sundays of the month)
Gay Night Out in Herts
South London Lesbian Mums Group for details. Every third Sunday of the month
December and January
Date / where / when / what
1 Dec
Mon / Everywhere
Glasgow
Shrewsbury at the Old Market Hall Cinema.
London: The Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Sq. SW1 / All day
All day till Dec 9th
7.45pm
7pm / World AIDS Day http://www.worldaidsday.org/events.aspx
Glasgay! And for one year only The Tennessee Williams Festival. A Six week LGBT extravaganza. www.glasga.org.uk
Rainbow Film Festival
www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk
Pride. Alexi Kale Campbell’s charts changes in attitude to sexual orientation over 50 years through a love triangle
http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/bookingonline.asp
2T / Shrewsbury at the Old Market Hall Cinema.
King's College London Strand
London WC2R 2LS
London: The Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Sq. SW1 / 7.45pm
5.15pm
7.45pm (till Dec. 20th) / Rainbow Film Festival Rainbow's End
www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk
Alison Oram (History, Leeds Metropolitan): Love between Women in Historic Houses: Issues in Queer Heritage. Room KO.16 South Range
Pride. Alexi Kale Campbell’s charts changes in attitude to sexual orientation over 50 years through a love triangle
http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/bookingonline.asp
3W / Shrewsbury at the Old Market Hall Cinema.
Northern Ireland
Odhams Walk, Covent Garden,
WC2H 9SB
Birmingham: The Cross, Alcester Rd, Moseley
/ 7.45pm
Evening
6-9pm
8pm / Rainbow Film Festival Fire
www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk
Brian Kennedy, novelist and crooner. Alley Theatre Strabane
Older Gay Men’s Group Social. Card playing
MC Annette Fagon, JO Fagon, Shelley Cooper, Sarah Millican - stand up for women in comedy!!! Tickets £5 / 4 Tickets on the door or reserve by emailing
4Th / Shrewsbury at the Old Market Hall Cinema. / 7.45pm / Rainbow Film Festival The History Boys
www.rainbowfilmfestival.org.uk
5F / The Quebec, Marble Arch / 6-9pm / Older Gay Men’s Group Social
6Sa / London Metropolitan Archives, 40, Northampton Road, London, EC1R 0HB
North East
Brighton: Westhill Community Centre / 9.30am - 4.30pm
N/A
6pm-2am / Curiouser and CuriouserLGBT archivists’ Conference. Features Sue Sanders and Jack Gilbert£10 /£7.50. Further information: or ring 020 7332 3851
Parents Enquiry NorthEast meeting. Support group for parents of LGBT people www.parentsofgays.co.uk for details
Westhill Wotever
7Su / Manchester: Sidney Street LGBTQI Community Centre
49-51 Sidney Street
M1 7HB
Birmingham: Journey Metropolitan Community Church, 17 Shaw's Passage, Allison St, Digbeth, B5 5JG / 12-4.30pm
12.15pm / Queer Café, inc. discussion “How can we go about building a queer movement in Manchester?” 3-4.30
Pride in Trust Carol Singing. Also 14/12 and 21/12. Same time same place
8M
9Tu / Hampstead: Henderson Court Resource Centre
Oxford Jam Factory Boiler Room gallery / Eve
6.30pm / Older Gay Men’s Group Christmas Bash. Nibbles available BYO drinks 020 7239 0419
Oxford Pride AGM. Followed by Out Takes Calendar exhibition launch
10W / Northern Ireland / Arrival(Abba tribute), Millenium Forum Derry Book by Fri 7th Nov.
11Th / Activity room, Nottinghill Housing, 60 Penfold Street, Westminster NW8 8PJ Edgware Rd Marylebone Tubes
/ 2-4pm / Older Lesbians Christmas party. For lesbian and bi women over 50 from Camden, Hackney, Islington Kensington and Chelsea and Westiminster. All welcome but please ring Debbie Neil on 020 7239 0409 to conform attendance.
12F
13Sa / Eire: Unitarian Church, 112 St Stephen's Green West, Dublin 2
Hampstead: Henderson Court Resource Centre / 8pm
12.30-5pm / 10th Annual Dublin Carol Service
Older Gay Men’s Group Buffet Christmas Lunch + Drinks and entertainment. £5 booking fee. 020 7239 0419 before Dec. 5
14Su / St Botolph's Church, Aldgate, Aldgate High Street, London, EC3N 1AB.
The Drill Hall, Chenies Street London / 6pm
2-4.30pm / LGCM Carol Service
The Drill Hall Darlings Christmas Show. £9/7
15M / The County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB / 1.30-4pm / Race on the Agenda AGM To book: http://www.rota.org.uk
16Tu
17W / Destiny Church, 1120 Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 3QP
Florfield Road, Near Town Hall, Hackney
Florfield Passage Hackney / TBA
6-8pm
10.30am / LGBT Carols by Candlelight Tel: 0141 616 6777
Older Lesbians Christmas party. For lesbian and bi women over 50 from Camden, Hackney, Islington Kensington and Chelsea and Westiminster. All welcome but please ring Debbie Neil on 020 7239 0409 to conform attendance.
LGBT History Month Planning Meeting
18Th
19F
20Sa / The Sun and Doves, 61-63 Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NS / 9pm-2am / Queer Complex/Club Wotever Party
21Su
22M
23Tu
24W / MCC North London, Trinity URC, Buck Street, Camden, London, NW1 8NJ. / 11.30pm / LGCM Midnight Mass
25Th
26F
27Sa
28Su
29M
30Tu / Henderson Court Resource Centre
102 Fitzjohns Ave, Hampstead, NW3 6NS / 6-9pm / Older Gay Men’s Group Film Night
31W
NYD
2F
3Sa
4Su / Oxford Boiler Room@Jam Factory / 7pm / Life in Pictures. Dinner + show www.mazzimage.com/shows
5M
6Tu
7W
8Th
9F
10Sa
11Su
12M
13Tu / CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA
Embassy Theatre, Eton Avenue,
London, NW3 3HY, UK / 5.45pm–8 / Primary School Training on Gender www.genderedintelligence.co.uk
14W
15Th
16F
17Sa
18Su
19M
20Tu
21W
22Th
23F
24Sa
25Su
26M
27Tu / St. Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3LJ.
CENTRAL SCHOOL OF SPEECH AND DRAMA
Embassy Theatre, Eton Avenue,
London, NW3 3HY, UK / 8pm
5.45pm–8 / Adam and Eve or Adam and Steve? Is the Bible really homophobic? for details
Youth Service Training on Gender www.genderedintelligence.co.uk
28W / Newcastle upon Tyne Discovery Museum, Blandford Street / All day (till April 19th) / Hello Sailor! The original Liverpool exhibition hits the road with some local contributions to life in the Merchant Navy
http://www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery/news/hello-sailor
29Th / Birmingham / 10-5 (followed by drinks reception) / LGBT Consortium AGM. Details to follow www.lgbtconsortium.org
30F / Whaley Hall, Reservoir Road, Whaley Bridge, High Peak, SK23 7BL
The Jesters Bar @ The Cross Kings, 126 York Way, N1 0AX / All day (till Feb 1)
8pm-2am / LGCM Methodist Residential weekend: Are LGBTs too Fresh for Fresh Expressions for details and booking
Club Wotever with Erika Lopez the Welfare Queen www.TheWelfareQueen.com
31Sa
Related Sites