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Day: July 6, 2017

Shadow Minister calls for action to stop Trans discrimination

Posted on by Besi
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham

Sarah Champion MP calls for urgent action to prevent discrimination against Trans people.

Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, raised her concerns in Parliament today about the Government’s complete lack of commitment to tackle the endemic discrimination faced by trans people in today’s society.

A 2015 Select Committee inquiry revealed that trans people face hate crime and abuse, are routinely discriminated against when accessing public services, endure bullying in schools, and are being let down by serious failings in the NHS.

Trans and non-binary people still do not have access to full recognition or basic protection under the law and the 2004 Act, through which trans people can access legal gender recognition is now totally outdated.

Last year, the Government promised to review the Gender Recognition Act promising to ‘demedicalise and streamline’ the process, but has yet to set out any plans at all for these reforms.

Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, Member of Parliament for Rotherham, Sarah Champion, asked: “The Minister will be aware of the levels of persecution, intolerance and hate crime towards transgender people. Therefore, can the Minister confirm if she has plans to develop a new transgender action plan in line with the previous response to the women and equalities committee and also to the Government plan to conduct a review of the Gender Recognition Act of 2004”

Responding, Justine Greening, Minister for Women and Equalities, said: “We are going to be getting on reviewing the Gender Recognition Act.”

After the Parliamentary session concluded, Sarah Champion MP added: “Trans people continue to face the most serious forms of discrimination imaginable. The Government continues to offer vague commitments but there are no clear plan for a review – and no timetable for when the desperately needed reform will be finally undertaken.

The Government are still making all the right noises but have been doing that for months. The time for talking is over. They must now show trans people that they will deliver on the promise to tackle these inequalities without delay.”

Calls grow for UN to address the health and well-being of LGBT+ People

Posted on by Besi

United Nations must address the health and well-being of LGBT+ People.

A new report released today by the Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF) and OutRight Action International, in collaboration with the Global Platform to Fast Track the Human Rights and HIV Responses with Gay and Bisexual Men – argues for a global health and development approach that is inclusive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people.

Released ahead of this year’s United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, the paper calls on countries to recognise and address the impact of stigma, discrimination, violence, and criminalisation on health.

In its second year, the High-Level Political Forum is where member states meet to review progress towards Agenda 2030 – economic, social, and environmental sustainable development, founded on the principle of “leave no one behind.”

Among the goals to be reviewed this year is Goal 3: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages,” which is particularly relevant to LGBT+ people. The HLPF will take place at UN headquarters in New York from July 10-19.

While data regarding LGBT+ health needs are inadequate and incomplete across the globe, the data that is available demonstrate that the health of LGBT+ people is consistently poorer than the general population.

WEB.300.2
WEB.300

The report highlights:

♦      The disproportionate affect HIV is having on gay and bisexual men and transwomen.

♦      A higher burden of poor mental health among LGBTI people compared to the general population.

♦      A lack of targeted and responsive sexual health information for LGBTI people, which limits their ability to protect themselves and their partners from sexually transmitted infections, particularly as young adults.

♦      The impact of intersecting forms of discrimination faced by LGBTI people based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, ability, class, migration status, and other factors that drive exclusion.

♦      The role that criminalisation, anti-LGBTI violence, fear of discrimination, cost, and lack of social support play in impeding access to health services.

MSMGF Executive Director, Dr. George Ayala, said: “Disproportionate rates of depression, anxiety, homelessness, problem substance use, and suicide among LGBTI people can each be traced back to the stigma, discrimination, and violence they face worldwide. Connection to community, safety, and security offset the devastating effects of social exclusion.”

The report finds that lesbian and bisexual women, transgender people, and intersex people in particular remain ignored and underserved in healthcare systems across the world.

Dr. Felicity Daly
Dr. Felicity Daly

OutRight Action International’s Global Research Coordinator, Dr. Felicity Daly, added: “LGBTI people are well-aware of the health disparities taking hold and stealing lives in their communities, but are being excluded from data collection efforts. As a result, LGBTI communities are rendered invisible and therefore unable to make a convincing case for health financing to address their needs.”

The report offers tangible and accessible recommendations on data and indicators governments can and should collect to monitor LGBT+ health needs, including:

♦      Specific recommendations for including LGBTI health and well-being in the agreed upon SDG 3 indicators.

♦      Disaggregating complete and accurate data by sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics, in order to allow for the formation of evidence-based laws and policies that serve to promote and protect LGBTI people’s right to health.

♦      Ensuring funding for community-based and LGBTI-led organizations, which are crucial for collecting data and providing safe, non-judgmental health care to LGBTI people.

♦      Legally prohibiting non-consensual medical procedures, including intersex genital mutilation, forced sterilization, and forced anal examinations enacted upon LGBTI people.

Authors from the report will join representatives from United Nations Development Programme, a representative from the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN, and global and regional LGBT+ civil society organisations to discuss the necessity of collecting data on LGBT+ people at an official UN event during the HLPF on Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at 6:15pm.

To read the report in full, click here:

Hotel owner donates two wheel chairs to ‘Accessibility Matters’ project

Posted on by Besi
Herve Guyet hand paperwork for two new wheelchairs to AJ Paterson
Herve Guyet hands over the paperwork for two new wheelchairs to AJ Paterson

New Steine Hotel support the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) and its initiative Accessibility Matters.

The New Steine Hotel at 10-11 New Steine, Brighton have supported Accessibility Matters by donating two portable wheel chairs.

The wheel chairs will be used to assist disabled and older attendees at events that the LGBT CSF provide its Accessibility Matters outreach service.

They will first be used on Sunday, July 9 at the UK’s first ever Disability Pride.

Accessibility Matters was created by the LGBT CSF to address the needs of older, disabled, and deaf members of the LGBT+ Communities in the city, to encourage and empower them to take part in community and social life on a par with their non-disabled peers.

Disability Pride, Brighton will take place from 2pm till 7pm on Sunday, July 9 on New Road, Brighton

The day will be officially opened by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr. Mo Marsh.

There will be opportunity to talk to many of the different services and support groups based in the city as well as grabbing a bite to eat from the Lunch Positive Community Cafe.

There will be two performance areas, the Live Stage and the Acoustic Arena. All performers taking part on the day identify as having a disability.

Cabaret at Grosvenor raises over £400 for Sussex Beacon

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A night of cabaret at The Grosvenor in Brighton on June 30 raised £413 for local HIV charity, The Sussex Beacon.

The evening was hosted by Krissie Ducann, with performances from David Hill, Neil Jackson, Elaine Evans, Krystal Ball, Maisie Trollette, Spice, Simon Bell and Steve Shappelle. All of the artists performed free of charge, in order to raise money for The Sussex Beacon.

Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe

Simon Dowe, Chief Executive at The Sussex Beacon, said: “This was a fantastic evening of entertainment. I want to thank Krissie who organised the event and the acts who waived their fee to raise money for us. We’re so grateful for their help. All the money raised will go directly towards our vital work supporting people living with HIV in Sussex.”

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care to over 500 people living with HIV a year, offering both inpatient and outpatient services to improve health and promote independence. Those using the charity’s services may be facing serious HIV related illnesses, dealing with mental health issues or struggling to cope with the side effects of new drug regimes. Recently rated ‘outstanding’ by the independent health regulator, The Sussex Beacon provides first class care and support to those in need.

 

To find out more about the Sussex Beacon, click here:    

PREVIEW: Join The HUBBUB for a Hidden Project

Posted on by Besi

For two months, a group of artists that live with an invisible disability have been creating visual, sound and interactive artworks with the aim of educating the public on what it’s like to live with a hidden illness.

The result is The HUBBUB at Brighton Dome on July 8 and 9; a free gallery showcase that helps people understand the daily impact of having a long term illness despite the sufferer not looking sick.

As stated by the Care Quality Commission, nearly one in three people in England have a long term condition and many of these conditions are ‘invisible’ or not easily noticeable to someone else.  More often than not, sufferers do not experience compassion or support for the (sometimes chronic) pain and inhibiting illness they have to cope with, due to a lack of knowledge and understanding.

Known as The Hidden Project, Brighton-based arts charity Root Experience and a handful of creative professionals including a sound engineer, a musician and a designer, worked with seven artists to produce an interactive installation. Visitors to The Hubbub will be invited to touch, talk, think and feel – learning how society can become more inclusive to help people with hidden conditions such as ME, fibromyalgia, autism and depression.

From sound installations to the quiet, safe space of the den along with video, two-dimensional art and interactive sculpture; the HUBBUB is not a conventional exhibition and is free to attend. Held at Brighton Dome, the project has been supported by the Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund and The Betty Messenger Foundation.

Simon Magnus, Artistic Director, said: “The Hubbub is a pioneering arts exhibition, where the quiet reflections of the audience are placed alongside the work created, to allow a public conversation to take place ‘in stealth’.  As we’ve delved deeper into what the group question about their own experience of invisibility we’ve found that we all keep things invisible and that all of our internal worlds are not public knowledge. However, when living with an invisibility that disables you from the society we live in, you are asked to speak about this and open up to this vulnerability constantly.”

A further outcome of The Hidden Project is an advocacy toolkit on invisible conditions, informed not only by the creative and focus workshops that Root Experience have undertaken but also by the explorations happening within The HUBBUB.  The toolkit will be available to groups, organisations, agencies and individuals with the goal of improving inclusivity for people with invisible disabilities living in Brighton and Hove today.

Root Experience explores audience interaction and play through theatrical performances. Examining audience and performer relationships through improvisation, gaming techniques and compassionate interactive practices, investigating the world from both a personal and social point of view.

If you or your organisation would like to contribute to or receive the Invisible Disability Advocacy Toolkit, please contact Simon Magnus, Artistic Director, on simon@rootexperience.org

Event: The HUBBUB

Where: Brighton Dome, Church Street, Brighton

When: Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9

Time: noon – 4pm

Cost: Free entry

Absolut explores equality in 2017 with a short film titled ‘Equal Love’

Posted on by Besi

Absolut makes powerful statement about equality… without saying a word.

With Pride season underway in Britain, Absolut is celebrating everything the Pride season represents with the launch of a new film, Equal Love, a new limited-edition Rainbow bottle and a partnership with Stonewall, the LGBT+ Equality Charity.

The film features a never-ending kiss, symbolising freedom, self-expression, and an equal world accepting of all people.

The kisses seen in the film transcend sexual preference, gender, race and profession, and instead become a testament to equal love, reflecting Absolut’s belief that people should be free to love who they choose and builds on the brand’s progressive views and ongoing mission of championing equal love with a longer-term message of Create a Better Tomorrow, Tonight.

Shot with a diverse cast that was a dynamic mixture of street casting and professional actors, Equal Love was filmed by celebrated Northern Irish director Aoife McArdle, a filmmaker who has explored themes of equality in previous work, aligning perfectly with Absolut’s values.

Aoife McArdle
Aoife McArdle

She said: “I particularly loved the process of casting, and this script provided an opportunity to work with a large, diverse and striking cast. Because of the message of the film, and Absolut’s history of supporting LGBTQ and diversity in general, the unique casting process was front and center rather than a branding afterthought. Andy Warhol has done work on Absolut, as have Keith Haring and Tom Ford. It’s great to work within this tradition, push boundaries and this time experiment on film.”

The online release of Equal Love marks the launch of a series of activities planned by Absolut to celebrate diversity, champion openness and promote self-expression. The first being a partnership and collaboration with Stonewall in which together they will be launching a fun and new branded Snapchat lens available around the UK.

The film release also coincides with the launch of a new limited-edition Rainbow bottle and an Out Of Home advertising campaign, which includes an impactful takeover of the escalators at Oxford Circus ahead of London Pride.

Louise Smith
Louise Smith

Louise Smith, Director of Fundraising at Stonewall, said: “Prides are a chance for LGBT people to come together as a community, celebrate diversity and reflect on the challenges we still face. 

“Absolut partners with Britain’s largest LGBTQ charity Stonewall to raise awareness and funds for them to advance LGBTQ equality internationally

“We love Absolut’s campaign as it’s based on this spirit of defiance. Absolut are part of our Diversity Champions programme, and we’re pleased that as well as working with us on their workplace equality, they are championing LGBT equality so visibly for this year’s Pride and helping to spread the message of acceptance without exception.”

Adam Boita, Pernod Ricard UK’s Head of Marketing spotlights why the brand’s extensive LGBTQ heritage and dedication to equality has given Absolut the understanding to create Equal Love:

“At Absolut, equality is at the heart of everything we do. In 1981, Absolut started running advertisements in gay magazines such as The Advocate and After Dark – which was groundbreaking three decades ago, when many brands shied away from LGBTQ issues for fear of alienating the more mainstream market.

“We’ve followed this up over decades sponsoring LGBTQ events, running further advertising campaigns, fundraising for LGBTQ charities such as Stonewall, and of course launching several rainbow-themed bottles. We feel proud to share this visual testament to our heritage and our ongoing commitment to creating a more equal world.”

Gaia Gilardini, Absolut Global Communications Director, added: “A pioneer for human rights in his time, Absolut’s Founder LO Smith rooted his passion for progression deep in the brand and over 135 years later, freedom of expression, progress and openness are at the core of everything we do. “Equal Love” continues this legacy by showcasing the kiss as a universal symbol for acceptance and love”.

Follow @AbsolutUK

For more information on the collaboration and upcoming projects, click here:

Musician and activist undertakes PhD at the University of Huddersfield

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CN Lester is researching the life and works of Barbara Strozzi supervised by Dr Lisa Colton in the Centre for the Study of Music, Gender and Identity.

Musician and activist CN Lester is completing a PhD project at the University of Huddersfield, investigating and appraising an important but neglected woman composer of the 1600s, but has also published a highly contemporary new book on transgender issues that is being described as ‘agenda setting’.

Under the aegis of the University’s Centre for the Study of Music, Gender and Identity (MuGI), CN is researching the life and works of Barbara Strozzi, born in Venice in 1619. She was the composer of eight volumes of music, mostly for the soprano voice.

CN Lester – who has degrees from leading music colleges – is a mezzo-soprano singer with a speciality in the performance of early music, including operatic works that would originally have been performed by castrato singers.

An out genderqueer person and hailed as a role model for trans people, CN’s musical activities include the ensemble Ursula’s Arrow, which performs works by early women composers.

The new book, from leading publisher Virago, is titled Trans like Me. It poses the question of what it means to be transgender and how the subject should be discussed.

Drawing heavily on the author’s own experiences it investigates a wide range of issues –from the distinctions that are commonly drawn between ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ to the use of gender-neutral pronouns, a sceptical account of the Caitlyn Jenner saga and a speculation on a future in which “the fact that some people will make changes to their sexed bodies will be understandable, and unremarkable, aspect of life, stripped of stigma and shame”.

Early reviews of Trans Like Me have described it as “important and timely”.

Leading civil rights campaigner Shami Chakrabarti commented that the book makes “a vital contribution to a debate that has often contained more heat than light”.

Meanwhile, at University of Huddersfield, CN Lester’s PhD project on Barbara Strozzi is supervised by Dr Lisa Colton, who  directs the Centre for the Study of Music, Gender and Identity and whose own recent publications include a chapter titled  “Music in the Margins: Queerness in the Clerical Imagination, 1200–1500”, in the new Oxford Handbook of Music and Queerness.

CN’s PhD is performance-based, so it will include a new recording of music by Barbara Strozzi, a composer who – CN believes – was just as important to the development of Western vocal music as Claudio Monteverdi, and yet is generally ignored by music degree courses.

“The level of endemic misogyny in how we think about ‘high art’ is quite extraordinary.  Music has been very slow to acknowledge the problem there,” said CN. “I don’t think it is right to receive a BMus and a MMus from two very high-ranking universities and not hear a single word about women composers.”

This is one reason why CN Lester admires the University of Huddersfield’s MuGI, describing it as “really important”.

“I can’t praise it highly enough. I loved my previous work as an undergraduate and postgraduate student but I’ve never had a learning environment like Huddersfield. I’m a big fan!”

 

 

Quakers to celebrate Brighton Pride

Posted on by Besi

Brighton and Hove Quakers invite everyone to their garden and Meeting House in Ship Street to celebrate Pride on Saturday, August 5.

On Saturday, August 5 from 11am to 4.30pm, Quakers will be offering a peaceful interlude from the excitement of Pride with free tea, coffee, home-made cakes and other refreshments in the relaxing surroundings of the Meeting House garden.

A spokesperson for Brighton Quakers, said: “The Quakers have always supported LGBT+ marriage and LGBT+ equal  rights. We feel that the quality and depth between two people is the most important part of a loving relationship, not their gender or sexual orientation”.

The event is organised by Brighton Quaker LGBT+ fellowship.

For more information about Brighton Quakers, click here:

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