Spectrum, the LGBT Community Forum, is seeking to consult with local LGBT people and community groups on a new two-step approach to renewing dialogue, action and leadership on LGBT community safety in the city.

Over the coming months they will be seeking to hear from a range of stakeholders on two documents – see safety@spectrum-lgbt.org

1. The creation of a consortium to take forward a 'Freedom From Fear' task force to refresh a community agenda around safety.

2. A discussion document: Towards A New LGBT Safety Forum.

Feedback to Spectrum through the Count Me In Too project and other mechanisms highlights how the safety agenda now needs to move beyond the reporting of hate crime.

The threat of, and impacts of, discrimination, exclusion, isolation and fear are pervasive. Evidence shows that how we feel about safety isn’t just about ‘incidents’ of discrimination that can be addressed by improvements in reporting.

Spectrum seeks a community dialogue on what action they can take together to make Brighton & Hove a place for all LGBT people to live their lives free of fear.

Spectrum anticipates that sustaining this renewed agenda for change will require leadership from a new, independent, community-owned LGBT safety forum.

Spectrum trustees intend to meet with the Police and management at the Partnership Community Safety Team to clarify these plans for moving forward.

SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO SPECTRUM

Spectrum is interested in your thoughts, so please send your comments to safety@spectrum-lgbt.org by November 1, 2009. 

Spectrum will then host a public meeting and publish the results on its website, www.spectrum-lgbt.org/safety