Your Lesbian, Gay, Your lesbian, gay, Bisexual and bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Networktransgender Newsletter
Smiling
network
Spring 2012 newsletter The Smiling With Pride Edition
IssueIssue 9 12
Show your support for marriage equality
Respect has been ‘smiling with pride’ all summer! Pictures of us in London, Nottingham & Leeds World Pride, page 4; Leeds, page 5; Nottinghamshire, page 13
See page 4
EXCLUSIVE interview with singer and actress
Ben Cohen Exclusive interview Page 10
Read all about Lucy’s ‘Winter Adventure’
See page 9
See page 3
Awards success Your network’s achievements recognised
Inside this issue:
Intro, pages 2-3
>Simon introduces us to the charity ‘Outline’ >We let you know what PRIDE’S we are supporting Need support? > Social: LadyRock Festival – COME AND JOIN US! //Two tickets to >Connect: Stonewall Special World AIDS Day Where to>Your go for Development Val McDermid the LadyRock >LGBT news and lots more 1 December more information. Exclusive Please interview email AIDS can affect anyone.
//£20 worth of Co-operative vouchers
Colleagues, page 14
festival Page 9
“Respect” to anyone you think would enjoy reading it! co-operative
See page 10
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and (LGBT) network for The Seetransgender page 5
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Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
From your editor
Richard Carroll @rcoh
Thank you to all the readers of our last issue. Issue 11 was my first issue and I had to hit the ground running. I would also like to thank all those who gave feedback on the issue. Please do keep it coming, whether it’s good or not so good, it’s all valuable. The whole Respect team work to make the network relevant and useful to our members. We’re all eager to hear your news and views
Intro
In this issue where ever you are in the country and whatever your role in The Co-operative. Network News In this issue, we have lots of success to Homo Heroes and National share with you where we have externally been Diversity Awards success for recognised for our efforts. This has truly made Respect Lucy Elliot’s epic walk us Smile with Pride as we’ve been saying all summer! Jason Totten at the Olympics World AIDS Day will soon be here and we George Muedell’s is a Manager have some interesting articles on this theme of the Year from the personal experience of UKPostiveLad Community News to the work of the George House Trust.
From your co-chairs Thomas Anderson @thomasinmanc
What a summer it has been for the network. The new Steering Group have definitely hit the ground running. I am so proud of the network’s achievements at various award ceremonies this summer. These have come as a big surprise to us all. I am also pleased to announce that we have now passed 1,100 employee members. To do this in just over two years is amazing and I would love to hear from you if you would like to get more involved and help out. You should all have received your personal invitation to our 'Celebration' event on 1 November as part of Co-operatives United. I hope to see lots of you there. It is shaping up to be a very varied night jammed full of
celebrations, entertainment and our first ever Respect Awards, celebrating the work of you, our network members. If you would like to know more, have any feedback, or would like to get more involved, drop me an email.
Victoria Cowley @Mackem23
6 6 7
New Transgender support guides
7
Women’s Adventure Club
8
Bi Visibility Day support
8
Stonewall Men’s Health Survey
8
George House Trust rebranding event
11
Interview with @UKPositiveLad
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Social World Pride, London
Pride Season has been and gone again but Leeds Pride it was fabulous. We took part Nottinghamshire Pride in 18 prides across the UK Features Miongháire Smiling and I want to thank all the le Bród Ben Cohen exclusive interview volunteers who took part in the events, without you Best-selling author, Val McDermid they would not have been a Chart-topping DJ Basshunter success. We helped a lot of really great charities through our pride events At work and I am looking forward already to next year. Barry Tootell’s blog
We are diversity champions
2-3
Support contacts
4 5 13
10 9 5
3 14
Homo Hero Awards At a fabulous awards ceremony, held on 20 September, at the Radisson Edwardian in Manchester, the Respect network was crowned Business of the Year at the annual Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) Homo Hero Awards. The network won the same public-voted award in 2011. The awards are designed to showcase the contributions made by individuals, groups and organisations for, and on behalf of, the lesbian, gay and bisexual community. The network was also honoured to receive a special Alan Turing Memorial Award Special Commendation on the night as an active contributor to LGBT inclusion in Manchester and beyond. In addition to the awards above, the Respect networks Co-chair Thomas Anderson was also shortlisted in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Role Model of the Year category. This was in recognition of his significant voluntary work as part of the Respect network and his support of many LGBT charities and
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
organisations. On the recognition, Thomas commented, The Respect network Steering Group are immensely proud of the recognition The Co-operative and the Respect network has received in the last few months. It is a real testament to the hard work of so many Respect members who volunteer a considerable amount of their own time to supporting employees and LGBT communities all over the UK. This recognition will definitely further drive us all forward to increase our support of charities and initiatives in every corner of the UK that are important
Continued on page 3 ▶
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
to our 1,100 Respect network members. Victoria Cowley, Co-chair of the Respect network added The network was only launched in June 2010 and in that short time we have really embedded ourselves in communities all over the United Kingdom through our support of over 30 LGBT pride and other events, charity fundraising, volunteering and awareness raising initiatives. We are all extremely proud of these achievements. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to the network in that time."
National Diversity Awards g
y & Thomas An
le stone, Liz Bram Stewart Living
derson
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At work
European Diversity Awards For the second consecutive year, the Respect network was shortlisted in the 'Outstanding Employee Network of the Year' category at the European BBC News’ Jane Hill presented Diversity Awards. Over 500 nominations were received from 20 countries in Europe varying from individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping others, to companies in Europe that put diversity foremost in their business agenda. The glittering award ceremony was held on 20 September at The Savoy in London. Although the network did not win this year, it was a fantastic achievement to be ranked amongst the Your Respect Network Stee best in Europe. ring Group
The Co-operative also won the Diverse Company of the Year award at this year’s National Diversity Awards, hosted by Brian Dowling at Manchester’s Midland Hotel on the 21 September. The National Diversity Awards is a unique event celebrating individuals, community organisations and companies, from a grass-roots level, for their selfless hard work on a day to day basis towards a more inclusive society. The event recognises and celebrates all aspects of diversity within one ceremony including age, disability, gender, race and LGBT. I am delighted that The Co-operative won such a highly prestigious award in a very competitive category. The award recognises the energy, commitment, collaboration and achievements of everyone involved. Liz Bramley, Head of Engagement and Diversity
Mattie Stephen who works for The Banking Group in Skelmersdale and also leads the Attraction and Engagement work stream for Respect asked me why I support diversity, and what Respect means for me. It’s important to me to know that I work for a business where diversity is welcomed and supported. Everyone should be able to be themselves at work, regardless of the diversity group they associate themselves with. With the help of Respect I want to ensure that our business is safe and secure for all colleagues, knowing that support is available to them. The Co-operative has a strong history of supporting LGBT. We’re the only retailer in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers Equality Index. And I was delighted last year when the Pink Paper readers again voted The Co-operative Bank ‘best bank or financial institution’. This year we’re supporting 18 Pride events across the country. Both Banking and the wider Group are represented at all Prides, a great way to showcase and promote our Co-operative difference. You may even see our Banking Group Chair, Paul Flowers, at one of the Prides. Paul is a senior sponsor and great advocate of Respect. Barry Tootell, I’m proud of the Respect group and the support it offers to our LGBT colleagues. I promise to continue to champion Respect within Banking Group and Chief Executive, like you I want us to be in the top 10 Stonewall employers, knocking the socks off The Co-operative our competition! Banking Group
Barry’s Blog
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
Savourire ec fierté
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Network News
World Pride On 7 July, forty members of the Respect network and Co-operative members proudly paraded through the packed streets of London to celebrate World Pride. Our entry was not one to be missed. Our 'Smiling with Pride' themed entry saw our giant 'smile of poles' fly over the heads of the massive crowds that lined the streets of London. As well as our famous banners we also took along our very unique 'International Year of Co-operative's' sound system that blasted well known songs from all around the world. Our particular favourite was Shakira's 'Hip's Don't Lie'. As it was World Pride we felt it was really important to embrace this and we had our funky 'Smiling with Pride' stickers produced in an impressive seven different languages.
On 15th June, former Respect network Chair George Meudell shared his experiences of setting up an employee LGBT network Group at the first Stonewall Workplace Conference in Manchester. This conference included inspirational keynote speakers that included Kate Green MP, Shadow Equalities Minister, and Professor Martin Hall, Vice Chancellor, University of Salford. There was also topical breakout
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
You will see them dotted around this newsletter. If you manage to work out what all the languages are, drop us an email and we will publish the names of everyone that correctly names them all in a future newsletter. On the day all of the staff that were working in the Strand Co-operative Food store near Trafalgar Square really embraced the day too and they all proudly wore our 'Smiling with Pride' t-shirts. One customer even asked us where they could buy one. On the night before the parade lots of Respect members had a great night out enjoying the bars of Soho and getting to know each other. It was great to bring members from all over the UK together and celebrate the day.
sessions and networking opportunities with over 100 individuals from various professional backgrounds. As part of George’s presentation he played a short video featuring Respect’s Regional Champion Coordinator Stewart Livingstone. Stewart talked about the developments we are making with our Regional Champion Programme and how this is a priority for the network. Following the session George,
along with the new Respect Co-Chairs Thomas Anderson and Victoria Cowley, who were also present, spoke to lots of other organisations further to support them with developing their own networks and they shared lots of tips with them (we even picked up a few tips too). Watch this space for news on lots of inter-organisation events and networking opportunities. More information on Stonewall’s work is available online www.stonewall.org.uk
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Leeds Pride
Basshunter!
The day started with glorious sunshine and ended in a monumental lightening shower. Leeds Pride was not one we were going to forget! Respect's Community & Membership Co-ordinator Anna Hanson did a great job arranging our parade entry and it was a surprise to see our entry was made up of ten females and only two males—
Basshunter burst onto the UK charts in 2008 when his single Now You're Gone spent five weeks at number one. His album of the same name quickly followed and that went straight in at number one too. Four years and many hits later, he is now set to release his new single Dream on the Dancefloor. What can we expect from the new album?
It's gonna be a good mix of all kinds of things that I've produced over the last few years. I'm still working on it. I find it very important now that I have an established fan base since Now You're Gone and before that I make an album my fans want. I read lots of YouTube and Facebook comments and they're like 50/50. Lots of people like my new style stuff but lots of fans want to hear my harder more electronic old style stuff. How do you keep everyone happy? It's going to be a big album and it's much harder. The new stuff has an electronic sound with the Basshunter energy. Model Aylar features in quite a few of your videos. What is the thought behind your music videos?
females are generally less represented in employee LGBT networks as a whole. We bucked the trend. Matthew Thatcher, Respect's Events Co-ordinator, got the local Co-operative Food branches involved too and they were proudly flying the pride flags and yes, wearing our very lovely 'smiling with pride' t-shirts. It was a very wet but great day! The Nando's meal we all enjoyed warmed us up.
Snapped!
They are definitely a continuous storyline. In between every video we also did our own webisodes with hand held cameras explaining the story behind the videos, behind the scenes. What do you think of your fellow Celebrity Big Brother contestant Alex Reid's debut single?
I keep in touch with Alex. Do you want a professional opinion or as a friend? If you think, he is a cage fighter. How many cage fighters have you heard release a single? It's a cage fighter singing. With that in mind, it's OK. It's nothing I'd put on my iPod.
ngd Leilrim Sm g ö o
med
h
Any plans for any more TV shows?
I made a song with the contestants of Swedish Big Brother this year and it went top 5. It's a bit of a tradition in Sweden that the contestants make a track. There are other TV shows coming up but nothing I can mention—sorry, my hands are tied. Your videos have been viewed more than 400 million times on YouTube. How does that make you feel?
Feels great and like I've achieved something. Aylar has helped. How important are Twitter and Facebook to you?
Stewart Livingsto ne with Loose Women’s Denise Welch! tor -Fac ith X oes. w n e h teph sts, 2 S itter li w tie S Mat 11 fina m on T get their t) u 20 w the l and rn Me O o ll ia o c F sOffi On (Tu ! e o h e @2s Turn M nes now u le on iT sing
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
Basshunter's
favour
ite… Holiday destinatio Career wise they are very n: Hope Spring s Song of Summer : Fun, We Are Yo important. I take pictures ung (Basshunter got brain freeze at th and upload them or my fans is point!) Sport: Football and read all the comments. It Movie: Independ ence Day means something to my fans. Listen to all the with our frien great tunes ds at Gaydi o. www.gaydi o.co.uk
Dream On The Dancefloor is available to download now. For more on Basshunter go to: basshunter.se facebook.com/Basshunter.se @basshunt
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Member stories
John Lucy ElliotAmaechi
The co-operative food
In July, Lucy undertook a 212-mile solo trek to raise money for Mind, a charity that supports people with mental health problems. The trek started in St Bees, Cumbria and finished thirteen days later in Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire. This was one of the biggest challenges of Lucy’s life! She managed to raise about £1,500 which, with Gift Aid taken into account, this reached about £1,800. This terrific achievement lead to Lucy receiving Mind's Gold Fundraiser award. She was walking, eating and sleeping outdoors carrying everything needed to survive in one backpack weighing almost four stones! During the walk, Lucy has permanently damaged her feet to the point where she has no feeling in her toes anymore. Lucy commented, “It was a harrowing journey and I was in so much pain towards the end as I had damaged my hip due to my back pack. This meant I had to take strong pain killers for a few days just to be able to lift my right leg. Looking back, I can say I enjoyed it and it was a real life changing experience to have done something like this alone. When I wanted to give up, I just thought of my two friends who had died very young due to mental illness and it kept me going.” Her experience has only spurred Lucy on to do more. Next year she plans is to do something similar and also set up a social group for sufferers of mental illness and addiction. It is very difficult in this country for people to get the support and treatment they need if they suffer with mental illness. For example, the NHS waiting list for psychiatric care is three years. Many sufferers take their own lives as they cannot get the support they need. This charity is very close to Lucy’s heart and if you could donate anything at all she would be extremely grateful. Donations can still be made at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LucysCoast2Coast2012
Jason Totten Over 18 months ago, I applied to be a ‘Games Maker’ for the Olympics. I have always loved sport and thought it would be a once in a lifetime experience. After an interview and a few months’ wait, an email arrived congratulating me and offering me a team leader role—I was over the moon! The training that we undertook was a mixture of big and small groups and role-specific training. I attended sessions at McDonald’s head office training centre in London. Love or hate them, McDonald’s take staff training really seriously and you can see why they are internationally recognised for it. It was good to see throughout the training a heavy focus on diversity as part of LOCOG’s recognition of the importance of being an accepting games regardless of what you are or represent. I was amazed at how so many people had travelled far to the training all funded out of our own pockets. I have friends in London so it gave me the perfect excuse for a catch up. My posting was at the ExCeL which was the biggest Olympic venue with over 1.7 million people passing through the doors. We hosted weight lifting, boxing, judo, wresting, table tennis to name a few. I have a passion for many of these sports so was
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
The co-operative banking group happy with where I had been posted. I completed 10 shifts over the duration Volunteering at The Co-operative of the Olympics Vol unteering is open to all employees. and can truly say The Co-o perative will provide up to two day it was a lifes paid leave per year, pro-rata, to suppor changing t employees taking part in volunteering. experience. To Find out more on the new volun teering policy on the Intranet get to work with such a rich tapestry of people from students, retired people through to company directors and oil workers. The learning that you take away from the experience and that understanding of how some of your actions can really impact people be it positive or negative is fantastic. The final day I am not scared to admit I cried, tears of achievement, happiness that we had pulled it off and by we I mean the nation and general pride for our country and all the gamesmakers. Was the job easy? No. Was it challenging? Yes. Was it rewarding? Without question. Has it inspired me further? Totally. Would I do it again? You betcha. I would urge anyone who has an hour or two spare to volunteer whatever the cause. Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Funeralcare Manager of the Year! The Co-operative’s Sexual Orientation Champion and former chair of the Respect network, George Meudell, has recently been named as the Funeralcare’s Manager of the Year along with Lindsey Laycock, Marketing Project Manager. The Funeralcare leadership conference took place on 12th and 13th September and brought together funeral managers from across the country. Funeralcare’s Managing Director, George Tinning, briefed managers on key activities and laid out the vision and priorities for the business. In addition, an awards ceremony was held on the evening of 12th September to reflect achievements by teams and individuals up and down the country and included awards from ‘Community activity of the year’ to ‘Most consistent funeral excellence scores’. Congratulations to all winners and the Funeralcare business on a successful conference.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to the
200 new members
who joined the network over the summer. We now have over
1,100 members!
Network News
New Transgender support guides
HIV and sexual health charity, The Terrence Higgins Trust, has launched two new support guides for the UK’s transgender community.
As reported at www.pinknews.co.uk, while research into trans health remains patchy, there is a growing consensus that transgender people are at a dramatically increased risk of HIV and poor sexual health. At this year’s International AIDS Conference in Washington, delegates heard that as many as 68% of trans women (those labelled male at birth but who identify as female) in the US may be living with HIV. In Europe, estimates of HIV en prevalence among trans women Trans Wom range from 11.5% to 57%. In contrast, HIV prevalence among the UK’s general population is 0.15%, rising to 5% among gay and bisexual men. Michelle Ross, Trans Awareness Facilitator at Terrence Higgins Trust, said “It’s becoming increasingly clear that trans people today face a range of issues that place them at increased risk of infection. “We know, for example, that many trans people have ongoing problems around body image and self esteem, which can lead them to take serious risks with their health.” Ms Ross added: “We are hugely proud of these new resources, and hope they will give more trans people – both here in the UK and further afield – the support and confidence they need to take control of their sexual health and live happier, healthier lives.” HIV and Sexual health,
e for wellbeing - a guid
trans women
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Sexual health, HIV and
wellbeing - a guid e for
transmen
Transmen IgVch =ZVai] BViiZgh
Welcome! NOV
The guides can be viewed free online www.tht.org.uk/transwomen www.tht.org.uk/transmen
Key dates not to miss Anti Bullying Week
19–23 November
Transgender Remembrance Day 20 November
65% of young LGB people have experienced direct bullying in UK schools. If you would like to take action against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia visit
A day to remember those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and to bring attention to continued violence the community face.
www.lgf.org.uk/enough
www.transgenderdor.org
Alcohol Awareness Week
Something you want to share?
19–25 November
We’re always eager to hear of events near you.
LGB people are up to 8 times more likely to be heavy alcohol users. To take part in a survey to advise drug and alcohol services for LGB people in England check out.
If there’s an event you’d like to feature, please do let us know and we’ll try and feature it in our newsletters. Just send the details to respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
www.partofthepicture.co.uk
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Women’s Adventure Club Respect member, Jacqui De La Mazière, who works in our Manchester campus has kindly told us about the Women’s Adventure Club. Based in the north west, it’s a group of women (gay, bi and straight) that organise outdoor activities that are suitable for all ages. Enjoy the outdoors and try new opportunities in a warm and welcoming environment. They will be running a wide variety of activities such as walking, wild water swimming, cycling, climbing and possibly a holiday weekend. It’s free to join and they aim to ensure most activities are free of cost or very inexpensive to join in.
Community News
Bi Visibility Day
Bi Visibility Day, also known as ‘International Celebrate Bisexuality Day,’ has been marked since 1999 to highlight biphobia and to help people find the bisexual community. It takes place on 23rd September every year. Excellent suppor For the second year, t for raising aw areness of a day The Co-operative has supported that supports so man the day. An article published on the y. As a business over 90 Intranet provoked a number of % of our w orkforce work in positive comments and a debate on branches and many in m ore rural areas the issue. We have reproduced where their expe riences may some of these comments here. be very different and they may Recent surveys suggests as not feel as comfo rt able or many as one in twenty people are supported in th eir local area or bisexual. Bisexual people may: workplace. This article is a Be equally attracted to people great support fo • r those staff too in highlight of all genders, be mainly ing that everyone can be attracted to people of one themselves at work and if you gender or consider gender need or want it, there is lots of irrelevant support r í e r av Find out more online Scoon nrgullo •Find their level of attraction T ailable. facebook.com/womensadventureclub o to different genders varies Well I have to sa over time or remains y I learned Gay and Bisexual Men’s something, I ha constant through their life ve never heard Health Survey the term biphob • Connect to straight or LGBT ic before. Stonewall recently published the results of its health survey. I also think it's communities, both or neither. an interesting point that bi-sex With 6,861 respondents from across Britain, this is the largest Some people identify as bisexual. ual people can ex perience biphob survey ever conducted of gay and bisexual men's health needs Some people may be behaviourally ia from the gay community in the world. However, it demonstrates that many of those . bisexual. As well as homophobia, If nothing else it needs are not being met and that there are areas bisexuals may experience biphobia, is an entertaining ar ticle. of significant concern—most which comes from prejudices and Rachel particularly in mental health stereotypes about bisexual people Firstly, can I sa and drug use—that have been and may result in discrimination, y it's great that people are comm overlooked by health services harassment or violence. enting on how sexuality isn't an which too often focus solely issue? It Biphobic attitudes from gay and shows we've mad on gay men's sexual health. e a huge leap lesbian people have made many forward! • In the last year, 3% of gay bisexuals unwilling to come out to The fact of the m atter though men and 5% of bisexual them, preferring to remain under is people do still feel men have attempted to the radar and pass as lesbian or gay discriminated an d persecuted Gay and Bisex take their own life. u al (or straight) in just the same way at Men’s work, and as m Health Survey uch as things • 6% of gay and bisexual have moved on, that other people pass as straight. we have a lot men aged 16–24 have more work to do Additional support and information . Bi Visibility Day, september23.bi.org attempted to take their Someone comin 3 g to terms with BiPhoria, a social support group, their sexuality own life in the last year. may find the biphoria.org.uk process terrifyin • Almost half of gay and g all encompassing, bisexual men worry about the way they look and to feel not just accepted bu e pharmacy and wish they could think about it less. t supported by he co-operativ T their colleagues an y d their e rv • One in five gay and bisexual men have had su alth employers can pl displayed the he ay a massive problems with their weight or eating at some part in growing s to raise e ch n ra b so 0 m 8 eone's 7 in time. poster acce SOME PEOPLE AREGAY. GET OVER IT!
Find out more online
stonewall.org.uk/gaymenshealth
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
awareness to all
customers!
ptance of themse lves.
Carolyn
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Features
Respect meets…
Val McDermid
Val McDermid is a Scottish author who has sold over 10 million books and is best known for her crime and suspense novels. Originally from Kirkcaldy in Fife, she’s a long-standing supporter of Raith Rovers in her home town and sponsors a stand at their ground. She is also involved with Stonewall’s work and was part of the judging panel for this year’s Stonewall Your 26th book, The Vanishing Point, was published in September. What is the book about?
The hit TV series Wire in the Blood was based on your books of the same name. How did the success of the show make you feel?
It starts with the abduction of a child in an airport and uncovers the events leading up to the kidnap. It's about love and loss, and how far people will go to get what they want.
I was very happy with it because they made first class TV and stayed true to the feel of my books.
From having the initial idea, how long did it take you to write the book?
About five years. I got the idea while I was travelling with my son but it took me a long time to tease out the story.
You’re a lifelong supporter of Raith Rovers Football Club. How important is the club to you?
I'm a director of the club, and I'm proud to be part of it. My father was a talent scout and had a lifelong connection to the club and I feel that I'm following a family tradition. Wherever I am in the world, I make sure I know how the Rovers have done. What are you most proud of?
You have recently published your first children’s book, My Granny is a Pirate! What has been the reaction and do you plan to write any more books for children?
That I have played some part in making life easier for the next generation of women like me.
It's been very well reviewed, by both adult and child reviewers. I've done a couple of events for children at literary festivals, which were much scarier than my usual audience, but by the by seemed to enjoy themselves! My publisher would like more, but the first one grew organically from stories I made up for my son. I don't know if I can do it to order!
I firmly believe in equality in all areas of life. There should be equal civil marriage and civil partnerships for heterosexuals who would like them.
What do you think of the growing popularity of e-books?
I'm glad it seems to be encouraging people to read. It's just another means of getting books into people's hands. There are serious issues around pricing and copyright, but there are always predictions of the end of the world when anything radically new happens. Books will survive and somehow writers will too. I hope! Do you have a favourite author and book?
Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
What are your views on equal civil marriage?
Did you have a role model when you were growing up?
Not in terms of my sexuality because lesbians were invisible in Scotland in the late 1960s and early 70s. But I wanted to write poetry like Norman MacCaig, play hockey like Helen Flockhart, and sing like Joni Mitchell. How important do you think role models are?
I think they're vital. Being a teenager is an emotional roller coaster and having someone to look up to and be inspired by can save you from crippling fear and loneliness. How else can we discover our own possibilities? Find more online www.valmcdermid.com
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Features innovative project and help Pride House promote tolerance and diversity for its LGBT sports community. I recently visited Red Balloon a centre for the recovery of bullied children, they do a great job and I was really proud to be invited. As part of the StandUp Network, is Matthew Shepard Foundation. The StandUp foundation is funded, in part, through profits shared by the StandUp social-commerce brand, the first brand to engage the consumer marketplace to drive social change for LGBT people. If you had one message to give to the bullies what would it be?
Most people will know Ben Cohen from the world of rugby. His rugby career began aged 17 at Northampton. He was part of the winning England world cup team in 2003. He had a fantastic career but, at 32, Ben retired from the sport to set up his StandUp foundation following a personal tragedy.
By Victoria Cowley StandUp is a grant awarding foundation that builds awareness of the effects bullying has on people. The foundation mainly focuses on LGBT people, but the foundation’s mission is ‘Stand up against bullying for any reason.’ That said, the foundation is also trying to tackle homophobia in sport. The foundation is going from strength to strength and does have some great partners like Nike (Live Strong). The foundation is the first ever anti-bullying organisation aimed towards helping LGBT people.
me about how their children, who might be perceived to be different, are ruthlessly attacked and scared of their own schools. How do you see the foundation growing?
I have the voice to make a difference and help towards building the gap between straight and gay communities. I love that I can help make a difference. How can we support the StandUp foundation?
BEN COHEN
Can you tell us about how you came about setting up The StandUp foundation?
I set up StandUp when I lost my father to violence when he stood up for an employee who was being attacked. I heard from my wonderful friends in the LGBT community about the hard roads too many have travelled and many parents have shared painful stories with
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The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
We need people to help us sell the product, make donations and get the word out that they Stand Up against Bullying.
There have been several reports recently in the press about homophobic bullying, what do you think the government need to be putting in place?
The home office do have a sports charter in place which is great. However, it needs to be broader to look at homophobic bullying.
Silence for a few seconds… Oh, that’s hard as bullying is wrong full stop. To help us stop bullying, firstly people need to be educated. No matter how many people know it’s wrong they just ignore it. We cant stand by and let it happen, whether its your friend, family member or stranger that’s been bullied, we need to stand up. There needs to be education in the schools. Some work has been done on this at present but not enough. You are a huge inspiration not just in the gay community but who inspires you?
My personal story about the loss of my dad is what inspires me and keeps me working against bullying. What keeps you motivated?
Again my personal loss as well as been a driven person who has the voice to get out there and stand up against bullying. How does it feel to be a gay icon?
Slight laugh by Ben… I don’t understand icon but I feel honoured that I can say I am part of the LGBT community. The biggest challenge for me was to change the following I had for a better cause. I see myself as me. I may have a sexy, passionate side but I do also have a serious side. It doesn’t matter that people see me as an icon as long as they see my standing up and they decide to follow.
Are you involved in any other projects that support bullying or LGBT issues?
I am the ambassador for Pride House I love the work that they do and was honoured to get involved with the
Find out more online standupfoundation.com facebook.com/StandUpFoundation twitter.com/RugbyBenCohen
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Community News
George House Trust The trust aims to promote the best quality of life to people living with or affected by HIV. Respect went to their recent re-branding event By Anna Hanson On a sunny evening, Thomas and I set off to look for the event with only an address to hand. Wandering down the street, we saw a familiar face, a Respect member, Joe Tetley, that—we later found out—volunteers for the George House Trust. He was showing people the way in to the event. Once inside, we were made to feel very welcome with a glass of wine by some of the well-known members of the LGBT community including John Amaechi. They started the talk about the new branding and what the ideas were behind it. Things have changed over the years and thankfully people who have HIV/AIDS are now living longer thanks to more effective treatments. With advances in science, someone diagnosed with HIV in
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their 30s can expect to live into their 70s. With proper treatment, people living with HIV can start families and have negative children. At the start of the epidemic in the 80s and 90s, no one would have envisaged that sufferers would live happy and healthy lives. There are now an estimated 90,000 people living with HIV in the UK—almost a third of those infected unaware of their status. Although there has been many advances not only in the treatment of HIV/AIDS but also in the knowledge of how it is passed on and how it can affect the body. There is still a lot of work still to do with education about transmission
and there is still stigma and discrimination. The George House Trust is committed to challenging this stigma against people living with HIV wherever it occurs. All their services are free and confidential. The new branding is in response that although people with HIV can control and manage there condition there are times when they will need support with decisions and try and ensure that everyone living with HIV lives a full, healthy and happy life.
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Community News
Columnist, blogger & tweeter @ukpositivelad By Mattie Stephen You write in your blogs about living with HIV, can you tell us the background of that?
I’d been dating someone for a number of months at the end of 2010. Feeling safe in our relationship, I agreed with his suggestion to stop using condoms. Shortly after, I found out that he’d been sleeping with a number of other people. We broke up that day, and I immediately went for a full STI screening at the local GUM clinic. All my tests came back clear. Six months later, I went for a routine STI screening at the GUM clinic. I was told that my HIV test had come back positive. What was your initial reaction to finding out you had contracted HIV?
My initial reaction was confusion. I was confused as the first test had been negative. It was only then explained that there is a three-month window between contracting HIV and it showing up on tests. I didn’t break down and cry, or get angry. That’s never really been how I handle things. I took it very much matter of fact, and made sure I knew all the facts. Did you use any support groups?
Initially I didn’t think I needed to, but a few months in and things were starting to get on top of me, I was having trouble telling people my HIV status which was leading to me becoming somewhat of a recluse. I used the free online counselling from the Terrence Higgins Trust’s website MyHIV.org.uk. They really helped me come to terms with my condition, and the forums on the website helped me meet other HIVpositive people in the same situation.
You have a successful blog, featured in Attitude magazine, what made you start?
I’ve always used writing as an outlet to help myself see what I’m thinking and where I’m going. If someone asked me in person how I am I’d probably just say “fine” but give me a blank page and I can write for England. I started my blog initially as a diary, just to get my thoughts down, but since then it’s taken on a campaigning and awareness angle. The fact that Attitude liked it enough to take me on as a columnist still blows my mind. Has contracting HIV changed?
It has in some ways, I’m still the same guy at heart, but I’m now much more involved with charity work and awareness. I do fundraising, pride marches, radio interviews—sometimes I look at my calendar and think “when do I get to take a breath?” It’s also made me more cautious with sex and relationships. I feel I need to trust someone before I can tell them my HIV status. I’ve had it turned into gossip and used against me before.
it’s the end of the world, and don’t realise they can live a normal healthy life. What advice would you give to avoid contracting HIV or who are HIV+?
I think the number one weapon we have in our arsenal for both protecting ourselves against HIV and getting rid of the stigma that surrounds it is communication. Don’t be afraid to ask someone what their HIV status is before you sleep with them. They should be asking you the same thing too. I wouldn’t be offended if you asked me, I’d be impressed that you asked me before I could tell you! If someone doesn’t know, when did they last go to the GUM clinic? Don’t forget that HIV isn’t the only nasty out there—so be safe. What are your future plans?
Hopefully I’ll continue writing my column for Attitude, do some more fundraising for my favourite charities, and develop my website UKPositiveLad.com from just a blog to an online HIV information centre—and hopefully find love along the way!
You receive 100s of emails from people all over the country, what has been your most touching story?
The story that hit me the hardest was of a guy who emailed me asking my advice. He’s madly in love with this guy who’s recently been diagnosed HIV positive, but the guy can’t see it as anything but the end of the world. Because of this, he won’t consider starting any relationships, or even going onto medication. It’s sad that because of the lack of information out there in the public eye on HIV that people still think
World Aids Day Held annually on 1st December, World Aids Day is a global opportunity to increase awareness, show solidarity and remember those lost to HIV & AIDS. Now in its 24th year, communities across the world come together to remember those past and present who have suffered. In the UK alone, 90,000 people are currently living with HIV and globally that figure is estimated to be around 33 million. Many people choose to wear the international symbol for HIV awareness, the red ribbon. These are on sale nationally (from 12
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November) at all HMV stores and MAC make up stores. The Co-operative will also be selling these in major occupancies.
What can I do? Colleagues across the country will be invited to wear the red ribbon or generally red for World AIDS Day as part of their uniform or normal business dress where appropriate. If you plan on doing this, please do send us your pictures. We would love to see them! www.worldaidsday.org
Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Social
Respect does…
This summer the family of businesses came together to show their support of Nottinghamshire Pride. 2012 was the ninth consecutive year that The Co-operative has supported the event and this year saw record numbers of visitors attend the two day event on 28 and 29 July. An event for all the family, below is a summary of our presence at the event: • Lots of Respect members opened the event by taking part in the official parade. We welcomed member Sagar who works in a Co-operative Food store in London who travelled up to join in the celebrations. We all had a great night out the evening before the parade, enjoying the lively pubs and clubs of Nottingham. • The Co-operative Food had an old style market stall and gave away thousands of items of fresh fruit to the crowds, including gorgeous strawberries, juicy plumbs and Fairtrade bananas. They went down a treat! • The Co-operative Bank and The Co-operative Funeralcare were on hand to let the visitors know all about their services and what makes us so unique and different to our competitors. The colleagues from Bank were very creative on the day and did lots of face
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painting this was very popular with the kids. • The Co-operative Pharmacy undertook over 300 free blood pressure checks and gave away lots of freebies to the crowds. Everyone loves a freebie! The Co-operative Membership team went all out to keep everyone entertained with a huge inflatable football pitch, tennis court, camper van, huge interactive trailer and smoothie making stall. We were extremely impressed with the street dancing classes and youth dancers they hired to get everyone 'smiling with pride'. A huge well done to Membership's Leigh Anderson and the rest of the team for pulling off our amazing representation. The Co-operative could not be missed and we all had an amazing time. It was one of our favourite prides of the summer. Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop
Respect Newsletter
November 2012 Issue 12
Colleagues
Thanks to you! We would like send a really big thank you to all Respect members, colleagues, volunteers, customers, Co-operative members and friends for helping us Smile With Pride all summer long. 2012 has been Respect’s biggest showing at pride events across the country. We’ve been to a whopping 18 different prides the length and breadth of the country… and we couldn’t have done it without you!
In our next issue Our next issue will be showcasing the champions of the LGBT community and will feature: • Funeralcare’s sponsorship of the Gay Wedding Show • Interviews with Chris Edwards of Stonewall, and a follow-up to our story of Hazel who completed gender reassignment surgery last year • Member stories and all the usual news Do you have something you’d like to share? Email respectLGBT@cooperative.coop. We’d love to hear it!
World AIDS Day 1 December
Smiling
Colleague Support Respe
AXA ICAS
tance s Employee Assis d e’ iv at er op oC e an Th , open 24 hours, Programme is free is reported back to the ng confidential. Nothi n help on many issues ca ey th d licts, to business an me, to work conf ho at s m le ob pr from advice. m. legal and money w.icasxtra.co w w or 2 7 0 7 2 0800 07 oup username: coopgr . password EAP07
You can als ct o the Respec contact t network for confiden ti and guidan al support ce.
The Diversity Team
In your workplace
The Diversity & Engagement Team can offe r advice about specific matters relating to issues in the workplace and point you in the righ t direction. You can contact them on email at inclusive.teams@co-operative.co op or call 0161 246 2646.
If you are able to speak to your line manager, that would be the preferred route (unless of course your line manager is the issue). Alternatively, you can speak to your HR manager if this would be preferable.
Externa
l contacts Transgender www.beau montsocie ty.org.uk Bisexual ww w.biphoria .org.uk Lesbian, gay a nd bisexual www.lgf.org .uk
Speak up
AIDS can affect anyone 14
The co-operative Respect LGBT Network
tline called We have a whistleblowing ho e on 0800 “Speak Up.” You can call fre by an 374199. Calls are handled n remain external provider. Callers ca anonymous untraceable. Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop