LGBT ForumMeeting Notes
Forum Focus: N/A
11thFebruary 2015
12:00-13:00pm
Attendees:
Students:
12 students
Staff:
4 staff
Welcome and Introduction
Nigel Harris– executive director is chairing the meeting, briefly outlinesthe forumand both students and staff introduce themselves.
Notes from last meeting and matters arising
First LGBT forum taking place at WMC
Purpose and remit of the group - discussion
Everyone to be treated the same
Need for a safe place
Own space – why is it important
Group/ Campaigning
Forum to be a safe place – support LGBT
Alliance – to share with people who are not LGBT
Teaching others – to help reduce prejudice and hate crime
Support group – Communicating LGBT to others
LGBT estimated that 90% people think it is a choice, so why do people choose to reject it.
Many people still don’t come out because of fear of hate crime. One day there is hope that a space is not needed
Chandrani felt that all it is, is ignorance. She added that it isn’t a choice but hormonal and that there is a lack of knowledge.
The overall feeling is that the forum is a good idea. It will be a place to feel comfortable, safe as well as meeting other people. Quizzes can be held and feelings, thoughts and experiences discussed
The pub ‘The Black Cup’ was discussed on how that the owners are trying to sell up and make it into flats.
Evaluation of LGBT* History Month at the College - Discussion
LGBT Month – Heighten Awareness
Well-advertised? – It was suggested there should be more notice
10 years since the programme started
Faith in LGBT - Friday
Open Information Fair held last week
Chandrani felt that unfortunately there are still a lot of cultures that are not interested. Need to educate
QDP – Questions concerning individual’s sexuality has been introduced. Interesting feedback from lower level English
Ali reported that LGBT screen information around the college has had a good impact on learners
IS asks if everyone feels the college is inclusive
Diversity – Everyone is happy
Calendar of Inclusion – Series of activities celebrating various Equality/Diversity, including International Women’s Day, Black History Month, LGBT, EID and Persian New Year. Last year we realised we covered most things with the exception of LGBT.
Government funded, Crafting Languages is a course running on Fridays. History of Polari which was secretivelanguagewidely used by the British gay community in 1950’s 60’s,
LGBT rights first came to prominence following the decriminalisation of same-sex sexual activity across the UK between 1967 and 1982. There were still groups that were illegal in Britain until 2002
Film review competition – There will be a list of films to choose from to watch and write a review. Classes will be invited to take part in the competition and the winners will receive cinema tickets for the whole class and teacher. Films include a 1919 silent film called different from the others about a violinist who falls in love with one of his students, the aim of presenting the story as apolemicagainst the then-current laws under Germany'swhich madehomosexualitya criminal offense.
A discussion of Polari language (British Gay Slang) and the definitions of certain words. Naff meaning ‘not available for afxxk’ and Varda to mean ‘pretty’.
A conversation about Gay hankycodes was had. The Hanky Code is a traditional form of signalling to others what your sexual preferences and interests are. Gay men used this code to communicate with each other in the noisy and distracting environment of gay bars. Although not as widely used these days.It was used as an underground language to prevent them getting arrested, undercover policemen were sent out to toilets to proposition people.
Therainbow flag, commonly thegay pride flagand sometimes theLGBT pride flag, is a symbol oflesbian,gay,bisexual, and transgender(LGBT) pride andLGBT social movements. The flag consists of eight stripesand each colour has a specific meaning.
Alan Turing was prosecuted in 1952 forhomosexual acts, when such behaviour was stillcriminalised in the UK. He accepted treatment withoestrogeninjections (chemical castration) as an alternative to prison. Turing died in 1954, fromcyanidepoisoning. An inquest determined his death a suicide. Recently pardoned by the queen.
AOB:
May 17th – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
Student Newsletter – LGBT liaison officer to be mentioned
Human Selfie – Expressing views, sent to email addresses.
Creating an environment to feel safe and happy - progress
Safeguarding Policy – support in helping people feel safe and happy.
Chandrani requested the possibility of ‘Crafting Language’ course dates to be extended to longer than 6 weeks.
No discrimination is to be tolerated
Next Meeting:
Date of next forum - TBC
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