Issue 10 Respect Newsletter by The Co-op Respect LGBT Network

Your Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network Newsletter

Issue 10

Summer 2012

Part 1

Be a part of World Pride see page 7

Our ‘Big Ale Trail’ was a HUGE success Find out more and see more photos on page 3

WOW! The Co-operative is supporting 15 PRIDE events this year see pages 6, 7 & 8

Also included: > Jenny’s ‘Village Life’ story > Kevin’s ‘Coming Out’ story > Lucy’s Winter adventures > Exclusive interview with Homo Hero Jackie Crozier > Stonewall Conference update If you support the Respect network and would like to receive a digital copy of this newsletter and updates on the LGBT activities and social events, why not join the network. You don’t have to be LGBT! Email respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

And lots more Please email “Respect” to anyone you think would enjoy reading it. Everyone is welcome!

The Respect journey so far… Welcome to the 10th edition of the Respect newsletter So much has happened since the spring newsletter last month that we thought it was only right to share the stories with you as quickly as possible (and we didn’t want you to miss out on attending some of the events). This edition focuses on YOU, our members and we have some great contributions from many members so a big thanks to everyone who has contributed. Also included are lots of photographs from our spring social event as well as details of our fantastic representation at the recent Stonewall Workplace Conference, our big PRIDE announcements plus lots more. The Co-operative’s support of International Day Against Homophobia last month was huge and I was proud to see the pride flag flying from seven of our major occupancy buildings around the UK as well as at lots of other Co-operative locations. The Respect network Steering Group coordinated the businesses support of the day – more about this in the next issue. As you already know, the new Respect Steering Group will be announced in the next issue, another ‘Respect Extra’ edition that will be the first edition brought to you by your all new Respect Editor. This is my very last issue in the role as Respect Editor. After 10 issues it is time to pass on the baton to someone else who I know has lots of great ideas to make the newsletter even better and build on what you are reading now. When I first came up with the idea of the name Respect and I designed the logo I did not imagine I would find the role so rewarding and enjoyable – it has given me lots of opportunities and I have learnt lots along the way. I hope you have enjoyed reading the editions I have produced and I am confident they will only get better. Thanks to everyone I have worked with and to everyone who has contributed over the two years. I hope you enjoy this issue. You haven’t heard the last from me though - you will find out more in the next issue! If you have any feedback, ideas or you would like to contribute to the newsletter, drop me an email. Thomas Anderson : Respect Editor Email: thomas.anderson@co-operative.coop Follow me on Twitter: @thomasinmanc

And we have only just started!

Not long left to show your support for marriage equality Make your voice heard! Respect encourages all members, their friends, colleagues and family to contribute to the consultation for equal marriage. More info can be found at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equalcivil-marriage You can also submit a response by sending it to equalcivilmarriage@geo.gsi.gov.uk or by post to Equal Civil Marriage Consultation Responses, Government Equalities Office, 3rd Floor Fry, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P 4DF

You have until 14th June 2012 to have your say!

The rain was pouring, the mud was soggy and the atmosphere was electric. Our spring social event, the ‘Big Ale Trail’ took place on Sunday 22nd April and was attended by lots of Respect members from across the country and from lots of business areas. All 20 walkers were in fantastic spirit as we started the walk in the small village of Whaley Bridge in Derbyshire. The 6 mile walk began with our guides from Large Outdoors, Saul & Lucy, giving us the heads up on what to expect and generally making sure we were all equipped for the day – giving out spare waterproofs to those that came in leggings and Ugg boots – you know who you are! The day consisted of short walks with regular stops in local ‘real ale’ pubs to sample what the independent brewery’s had to offer. One of the strangest we tried was a beer called ‘Egg Roller’ that despite its name was a rich creamy chocolate flavoured beer – not to everyone’s taste (you could try before you bought, just as well for some!). The weather was very British and needless to say it rained for most of the day but there was not a single moan from anyone. The mud and getting splattered by passing motor bikes on the dirt tracks only added to the laughs and stories. The five pubs we stopped off at along the way were ‘The Shady Oak’, ‘Beehive Inn’, ‘The Oddfellows’, ‘Navigation Inn’ and ‘The Goyt Inn’. Every pub had its own charm and it was great to see the pubs busy with locals enjoying a Sunday afternoon pint whilst reading the papers and watching the footie. We stopped for lunch at the ‘Beehive Inn’ and everyone enjoyed different things from the very extensive menu that thankfully had quite a few vegetarian options for the veggies that were in the group. The food was lovely. We had lots of fun.

// Pictured on this page are lots of Respect members (and Luca the dog) enjoying the day.

We chose to have the event in Whaley Bridge as it has a strong Co-operative presence with large Co-operative Food and Pharmacy stores. It is important all members can be a part of our social events. The village has great transport links and a train station that made it very easy to get to.

www.largeoutdoors.com

In our 2011 member survey you asked for more day events, we listened to your feedback. Lots more social event news to come!

at the The Co-operative was pleased to have representation from five Respect members from across the business at The Stonewall Workplace Conference that took place in London on 20th April. The members were joined by The Co-operative’s Head of Engagement and Diversity Liz Bramley who sponsored their attendance at the event. At the conference, all those who attended had the opportunity to hear lots of inspirational speeches from many organisations, role models and Home Secretary Theresa May was in attendance too. The theme to the day was ‘equal at work’ and the Respect team took lots away from the day and are enthused with new ideas and initiatives to further support and engage as many colleagues as possible and promote equality. Watch this space!

About the day The Stonewall Workplace Conference gave 500 delegates from every sector of Britain’s economy a chance to hear from speakers including the Home Secretary, Sport Wales chair Laura McAllister, and Barclays Managing Director of Diversity and Inclusion Mark McLane. Speaking at the conference the Home Secretary Theresa May said businesses could not afford to ignore the £70 billion-strong lesbian, gay and bisexual market, as she set out the 'business case for equality'. Ms May said the government would continue to strive for equality, saying top employers 'know that a company whose workforce better reflects their customers is better able to understand what their customers want and need - and that means greater sales and profits'. Left: Home Secretary Theresa May delivering her speech. Right: Stonewall’s Chief Executive Ben Summerskill opening the conference.

Respect member Lee sits on the panel and he goes down a storm! Respect member and The Co-operative Banking Group Customer Service Manager Lee Marjoram was on the panel for the ‘Managing a diverse team” session and he gave a powerful presentation and took lots of questions from the audience. Well done Lee!

She said: 'I believe everyone in this country has the right to equal opportunities - that is why I believe equality matters. It is our task to end discrimination whenever we find it. That might be through government action, like our proposals for equal marriage. It might be through encouraging role models to stand up and be counted. Or it might be through the action and commitment of each and every employer in this room who is striving to make workplaces better and more inclusive places to be.' Stonewall Director of Workplace Colleen Humphrey said: ‘Diversity is vital for businesses to succeed, particularly when the economic climate is tough. Britain’s 1.7 million lesbian, gay and bisexual staff look for employers who do more than just “tolerate” them.’

Lee shares his experience of the day: I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to speak at the Stonewall Workplace conference on behalf of The Co-operative Group. I was asked to give my perspective of managing diverse teams with a perspective on the LGBT community. The conference itself was great with key note speakers such as Theresa May and Beth Brooke who was truly inspirational sharing her experiences of working in the White House alongside the first Lady. I was fully supported by Liz Bramley who talked me through what was expected of me and we shared our thoughts on the direction the group is taking in terms of diversity. On the day itself the Stonewall team were great in terms of making me feel comfortable and were extremely grateful to have The Co-operative being represented. My session was specifically designed around line managers and I presented to circa 100 delegates. There was real interest in the room in how as line managers we promote diversity and ensure that our colleagues are treated with respect and fairness at all times. We talked about the huge responsibility that line managers can feel to make sure they promote a fully inclusive environment and how we can support colleagues who might find this a little more difficult. The whole day and overall experience was really positive and I got to meet some great people from other companies who are working really hard to promote diversity in their workplace. I'd recommend the conference and the opportunity to speak to anyone who has a real interest in diversity in the workplace. // Tweet Happy: Read some of the tweets posted following Lee’s presentation on page 12.

Above: Lee presenting at the conference

Respect member and Food Customer Team Member Jenny Wells shares her story of being gay in a small Scottish village. I'm Jenny and I am a Customer Team Member in my local Co-operative Food store in Kelloholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. My village has a small population of under a thousand meaning there is no anonymity, so when I came out I might as well have shouted from my roof with how quickly it filtered through the village. I only recently started working with the Co-operative Food.

“I applied for the role with The Co-operative after I read that they were part of the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme and that they ranked number 11 on the Stonewall Top 100 employers index.” On my induction I was signed up to the Respect network by Respect member and Regional Co-ordinator Stewart Livingstone. I've always admired my LGBT community so to be introduced to another in my workplace is honourable. Five years ago at the age of fifteen I was in a relationship with a boy which lasted a year. He was the one who first questioned my sexuality; I was oblivious. The only time I'd heard the term "lesbian" was from Susan and Carol’s relationship on Friends. I'd always been a tomboy at heart, my room was covered in Kirsty Gallagher clippings and I was infatuated with a particular female teacher. Once the question of being gay came into my head, there was no running from it - that was my reality and I needed to accept it.

I confided in friends and family who were exceptionally supportive, so at sixteen, I came out. It wasn't an easy ride, there was heart break and taunts but it built my courage as I consistently had to defend myself. Fast forward six months and I’d met the wonderful woman I’m now engaged to. The majority of people in my village know I’m gay; I’m only one of five that has come out here (that I know of). It's taken a while, but I’m not known as the "gay girl" now but rather as the Brownie Leader, freelance photographer and as a team member for The Cooperative Food.

Padraig has been shortlisted for a C + D Award Big congratulations to Peacehaven Cooperative Pharmacy branch manager and Respect member Padraig McGuiness for being shortlisted for the ‘Manager of the Year’ award at the 2012 C+ D (Chemist & Druggist) awards.

“I'm honoured to be working for a business that drives a positive message for their LGBT employees rather than ridicule them.” I hope I can play a part in raising awareness about the Respect network so more employees can become a part of our amazing community!

The Co-operative Food Shift Trainer and Respect member Mark Ford dropped us an email recently with this photo attached. Mark has printed out and displayed the Respect poster in lots of areas of the Birtley distribution centre where he works (on seven notice boards!). The depot has around 500 employees based there. Thanks for your support Mark! #equalatwork

You may remember that in our LGBT History Month newsletter in February we featured Padraig’s story from his Togo trip with Unicef. The photo above was taken whilst he was in Togo. You can find out more about the awards at www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk.

We are supporting 15 pride events this year Bradford Pride

26th May: www.equitypartnership.org.uk

Sheffield Pride

2nd June: www.sheffieldpride.org.uk

Calderdale Pride

16th June: www.calderdalepride.org.uk

London/World Pride

7th July: www.pridelondon.org

Glasgow Pride

14th July: www.prideglasgow.co.uk

Bristol Pride

14th July: www.pridebristol.org

Northern Pride (Newcastle)

21st July: www.northern-pride.com

Nottinghamshire Pride

28th July: www.nottinghamshirepride.co.uk

Liverpool Pride

4th August: www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

Manchester Pride

17th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 27th August: www.manchesterpride.com

Cardiff Pride

1st September: www.cardiffmardigras.co.uk

Brighton Pride

1st September: www.brightonpride.org

Leicester Pride

1st September: www.leicesterpride.com

Reading Pride

8th September: www.readingpride.co.uk

Cumbria Pride (Headline Sponsor)

29th September: www.cumbriapride.org

The Co-operative will be out in force again to celebrate London Pride on 7th July. This year it is a bit of a double whammy as London Pride will also double as the official World Pride. World Pride is held in a different part of the world every year and last year’s event in Rome was headlined by none other than Lady GaGa. This year’s event is going to be huge and The Co-operative will be showing our pride by having a big presence in the official parade for the event. To make our parade entry a massive success we need your help. The Co-operative Regional Membership team and Respect are working in collaboration to bring big SMILES to the streets of London. Our parade entry has the theme ‘The Co-operative makes you smile’ and we are going all out to do just that. So how can you get involved you may wonder………well for starters we need your help to shape what our actual parade entry looks like. Below is a visual of what we were thinking could be a colourful, vibrant and theatrical entry that does what it says on the tin – make you smile. Before the design goes into production, we want to hear your ideas and opinions too. And don’t forget, anyone can join us in our parade entry, to register email respectLGBT@co-operative.coop.

This is where you come in….. The look: With our ‘The Co-operative makes you smile’ theme in mind, what do you think would work well as part of our parade? Giveaways: The event is very much a community event that attracts a diverse crowd of all ages. Do you have any ideas for free giveaways to the crowds? Things that have been popular at previous pride events include stickers and chocolate bars. Remember we have a tight budget 

So what are you waiting for? We haven’t got long to get everything sorted so we would really appreciate it if you could email your suggestions and feedback to us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop by close of business 12th June. We will then take on board everything that has been submitted and you never know, when you see the photo’s in a future newsletter your idea may have become reality (we will also let you know if we use your idea).

BRINGING RESPECT MEMBERS FROM ALL OVER THE UK TOGETHER: As a thank you for your support over the last two year’s we have something to give around 15 lucky Respect members. As it is World Pride and The Co-operative is all about co-operation we would love for Respect members from all corners of the UK to come together and celebrate World Pride together. To make this easier for lots of our members, The Co-operative will subsidise your travel and accommodation to the tune of £100 per person. We plan to make a weekend of it arrange travel from your requested train station to London on Friday 6h July (at a convenient time for you), all check into the same hotel – preferably book twin rooms to keep the costs down, have a night out in London that evening, joined by Respect members from the South East, to soak up the electric atmosphere. On 7th July we will all be as fresh as a daisy to walk with pride in The Co-operative’s vibrant parade entry (starts at about 11am). After the parade we will enjoy the events of the day and travel back that evening. If you would like to be considered for one of these places all you need to do is send us an email to respectLGBT@co-operative.coop by close of business 12th June 2012 with details of where you live, your local train station, rough times of when you would like to travel on the th th 6 and 7 July and we will get back to you with more info. We would love members from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to join us. You will make lots of new friends!

The Co-operative is PROUD to be sponsoring Manchester Pride for the fourth consecutive year Following the publishing of the last newsletter we got lots of emails from members asking, ‘what, no Manchester Pride this year?’. Well, you can all rest easy now and we are very pleased to announce that we will once again be showing our support of the North West LGBT community by sponsoring the fantastic Manchester Pride. Last year 200 employees, their friends and family joined us in our biggest ever pride parade entry. Why not join us in our parade entry this year? Manchester Pride takes place from 17th – 27th August with the parade taking place from around mid-day on Saturday 25th August.

Come and join us in our parade entry: We will be announcing more details about our entry in the coming months but if you want to join us, drop us an email at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop We will keep you updated about our entry and the part you will be playing. Everyone is welcome to join us. Respect is an inclusive network, meaning you don’t have to be LGBT to be a member. If you support the groups approach to equality and inclusion, why not join us! Bring your friends and family along. Lots of families and children joined us in our entry last year. Make it a family day out!

Receive something rather special: This year, every person that joins us in our parade entry will receive something special at the end of the parade. That is all we are saying. To find out what it is, you’ll have to join us on the day.

Competitions: Our Manchester Pride competitions are renowned. Over the last few years we have given away six VIP passes for the event (worth over £80 each) as well as lots of Co-operative vouchers and event wristbands. By being a Respect member you will find out about the competitions first and you never know you could win some amazing prizes. More details about the competitions will follow soon.

Quick download to your smart phone: If you scan the QR code to the left with your smart phone (you may have to download the free QR scanner app) Respect’s Manchester Pride contact card will pop up on your phone. No need to scribble down dates and email addresses!

More about the event: You can keep updated about all things Manchester Pride at www.manchesterpride.com. Tickets to the Big Weekend are on sale now. You do not need to pay to watch the parade.

As always, to make every event a huge success we need YOUR help. Why not come along and join us at the events. Anyone can join us as long as you are either an employee or a member and you don’t have to be LGBT to join in. If you are interested in taking part, have any questions or would like to join the Respect network email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop 8

The Co-operative supports Lunch Positive Lunch Positive is a weekly lunch club in Brighton for people living with and affected by HIV. It takes place every Friday and is a safe place for food, friendship and peer support. The Co-operative is pleased to have been able to support the group financially to support the service they provide to lots of people in the local community.

The Co-operative supports the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Lesbian & Gay Switchboard Providing information and support for the LGBT community, the switchboard has received funding from The Co-operative’s Community Fund. You can contact the switchboard by telephone on 0115 9348485 or 01623 621515, by email at notts@lgswitchboard.fsnet.co.uk or by texting 07624 809360. The phone lines are manned from 7pm until 9.30pm, Monday to Friday. Messages can be left at other times. Find out more at www.nottslgs.org.uk

Find out more about the group at www.lunchpositive.org

The Co-operative supports the Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard provides a telephone help line and counselling service to more than 1000 people every year. The helpline volunteers and counsellors are trained in lots of important area including sexual health and hate crime. The Co-operative’s Community Fund has supported the switchboard financially to support the excellent service they provide to the Brighton & Hove community, and beyond. You can contact the switchboard on 01273 204050 from 5pm everyday. Find out more at www.switchboard.org.uk

In April 2012 Preston Pride Basketball Club received £1000 from The Co-operative’s Community Fund. The money has allowed the club to set up an adult novice team, covering the cost of court hire and to pay for the services of a qualified basketball coach.

By the end of 2012 we will have donated £15million to thousands of community projects.

Community Fund grants, between £100 and £2,000 are awarded to community, voluntary, or self-help groups to run projects that meet the following criteria. To be in with a chance of your grant being successful, a group must: 

Carry out positive work in the community

And a project must:    

Address a community issue Provide a good long-term benefit to the community Support co-operative values and principles Ideally be innovative in its approach.

The application process form is easy to complete, with only six sections. To find out more and to apply for a grant, visit www.co-operative.coop/membership. For more info you can also contact the team on 0844 262 4001. Note that not all applications will be successful.

Growing up: I suppose there was never really a time when I was growing up that I can pinpoint and say “that’s when I realised I was different”. All through primary school and high school I was a pretty average teenager who liked the same things as other kids liked. During 5th and 6th year at high school, I even had a long-term relationship with a girl. I then got into university at University of Dundee to study my BA Hons in Community Learning and Development. It was when I finally arrived in Dundee and began taking part in the Fresher’s Week celebrations (drinking A LOT of alcohol and heading to The Union) that I realised I was different. I started to find other guys that were in The Union attractive, something which I have never noticed before – but I suppose that has a lot to do with me coming from a very small town in the Scottish Borders. So when people ask me when I knew I was gay now, I always use this example as this really was when I realised I was gay. A lot of people question it and say I must’ve known sooner, but honestly, it’s the truth!

Telling family and friends: When I hear other ‘coming out’ stories from friends I realise that I actually got a really easy ride when it came to this part. I was out with a few mates during the Christmas holidays at home after I’d finished my first semester in Dundee. This was around the 28th December 2010 and before I came home for Christmas, I told myself that I would tell my mum, dad and brother when I was home. I didn’t want to tell them before Christmas Day because I was so scared that they would take the news badly and I didn’t want to ruin my family’s Christmas as well as mine. So anyway, I came home that night from being out down the pub with a few mates. I got in the front door and got the usual questions from my mum: “did you have a good night Kev?” “Want a cup of tea?”. So I went through to the kitchen with mum while she was making me a cup of nice hot tea and I just had experienced a severe case of word vomit! I came out with “mum, I’ve got something to tell you. I don’t want you to be annoyed at me and I hope you’ll understand that it makes me happy” and then without pausing said “I’m gay”. Mum kind of stopped what she was doing and looked at me. I was really nervous waiting to hear with what she came out with. She asked me how I knew I was and I explained about Fresher’s Week etc (obviously things happened during that week that I will omit from here!). She then smiled and gave me a big hug telling me I was brave. My dad was pretty much the same, telling me that it doesn’t change who I am and making a joke that it would give him something to chat about at work (he’s the local barber and has his own shop). My brother, at the time, was a different story. I went upstairs to his room to tell him and he reacted by telling me to get out of the f*****g house. I think it was just complete shock though and his way of dealing with the emotion as the next day he apologised to me. In relation to my friends, some of them took it badly, some of them were really happy for me. To be honest, by that point with being in Dundee now and having amazing friends up there I didn’t really care what my old pals from home thought anyway. Most of them including most of the lads were really supportive though and generally really interested asking me lots of questions but throwing the odd joke in there now and again which is to be expected! I had told my friends at Dundee a few weeks after Fresher’s…for some reason it was really easy to come out to them.

Coming out in work: I never really came out to my colleagues at work. It just kind of spread round the store when I finally secured a transfer from my old store in the Borders to the small, but really busy, student shop in Dundee and people started adding me on Facebook. There is a few other gay staff in the store so it’s something that was already expected and I was no exception to that. I’m quite a ‘straight-acting’ (sorry if that phrase annoys anyone!) guy so it was definitely a surprise to some of the team but they were all cool with it! I have a lot of good mates at work and it’s definitely a place where I feel supported by management and other team members.

How I became aware of Respect: I think I either saw the Respect network promoted somewhere in store or I saw it when I was being a saddo and browsing through the employee Facebook page. It is great to work for The Co-operative and know that they do so much to support their staff, an area where other large retailers fail! It’s really interesting to read all the stories that make up the newsletter and it’s also good to find out what events are happing around the country.

Kevin’s final words…. I would like to say sorry if I’ve disappointed anyone with not having a crazy coming out story! It was all pretty smooth for me which, as I’ve already said, was surprising due to living in a small town and everyone having that small town gossip mentality. If you haven’t come out yet, it’s really important to know for definite that you really are LGBT and that you are ready to come out. Don’t come out before you are ready to. There is loads of support at work and through other services at national and local level all over each part of the UK. Use them! I’m now in a good long term relationship with my boyfriend in Dundee and I’m having a great time – life is good at the minute! So if yours isn’t just now, remember it does get better. I hope I see lots more stories in future issues of Respect…and remember people…work hard and party harder (but not nights before early morning shifts, because they are the WORST!). Toodles. 10

Join lots of other employees and Co-operative members for a fun-filled event to celebrate the International Year of Co-operative’s. At the event there will be something for everyone, from rides and amusements to international cookery demonstrations at The Co-operative mobile kitchen.

The Platform, Morecambe Sunday 1st July 2012 12pm until 4pm Musical entertainment will be provided by Maitre Samson and The Beat Artistes, The Crew Brass Band, The Co-operative Youth Wind Bands (Crewe), Katy Pickles Band and the fantastic Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus. What a diverse lineup! There will be free organised transport travelling from selected locations including Srewsbury, Leek, Manchester, Rochdale, Burslem and Wigan (amongst others). To book your place or for further details please ring 0161 827 6423 or email membership.northwest@co-operative.coop. The photo to the left of Respect member and Food Brand Manager for Digital Media Alex Webb was recently posted on The Co-operative Food Facebook page by the Food team to promote the Innocent smoothies. The text accompanying the photo read, “We’re not sure how Innocent he is but our Alex is definitely a bit of a smoothie”. Alex caused quite a stir with 67 likes and 42 comments. One comment read, “Hey, does he want to come and stock juice at Bromley store?” and another “I think he looks far too innocent.”

The PRIDE events are a fantastic way to show support of the LGBT community and to raise awareness of lots of issues and to promote equality – and to celebrate difference. The atmosphere at the pride events is electric and we have so much fun. We know from speaking to lots of Respect members that not everyone is comfortable walking in the parades or it just isn’t their cup of tea. The thought of walking in front of thousands of people is a scary thought for lots of people. These feelings quickly disappear on the day though – the vibes are so uplifting and positive and the crowds love seeing The Co-operative there. Lots of members love taking part in the parades and fringe events. Over 400 members joined us in lots of parades around the UK last year. We were definitely loud and proud. We also know that lots of members would prefer a pint down the local pub rather than in the gay villages or gay bars. The gay scene isn’t for everyone. The Respect network member engagement team is working very hard to arrange events that will appeal to as many members as possible to get a good balance. Watch this space for more details!

Make ours a strawberry and banana one. Yummy.

Wi Co

Winners Corner Will you be showing your support?

We are pleased to announce that the winner of our Heather Peace concert tickets and £50 worth of Co-operative vouchers is Sarah Chipchase. Sarah works for The Co-operative Funeralcare in London. On her win she commented, “Thank you very much. This is wonderful”. Have a great time at the concert and enjoy spending the vouchers! Thank you to everyone that entered.

On our 2012 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index placing: This is an amazing achievement. Well done. It is fantastic to work for a business that embraces difference and diversity and where everyone can feel free to be themselves. And to be the only retailer in the top 100. Wow. James

Some of your comments from our Intranet articles

Amazing! As a Stonewall Youth Volunteer it’s amazing seeing how important The Co-operative takes diversity in the workplace. Let’s keep climbing the diversity index. Andrew

Well done to all involved. This really is an excellent achievement. Climbing 53 places – wow! Another reason why On our LGF ‘Homo Hero’ award: The Co-operative is THE company to work for. Tony Chaps This is great news – big congrats to the Steering Group for gaining this great award. Chris Bateman Blooming brilliant. We should be embracing everyone for who they are and not how they live their lives. Well flipping done co-op. I’m proud to be me, and proud of my colleagues for their differences in culture and character and proud to work for a company that is so openly supportive of ALL employees! Carolyn

On our 2011 ‘World Aids Day’ support: Well done again to the Respect network. It was great to see you supporting the day by selling raffle tickets at New Century House and selling ribbons at lots of other places. I bought mine  Keep up the fantastic work highlighting issues that affect everyone! Sam

I enjoy working within The Cooperative Group. I feel it is a safe place to work and I have never experienced any harassment. As a gay man I feel I am treated with the upmost respect towards my lifestyle. Danny Russell

>>Read some of the tweets that were ‘tweeted’ following Lee’s presentation and our representation at the Stonewall Workplace Conference:

A big welcome to the 41 new members that have joined since the last newsletter in May.

Did you know that during 2010/11 people accessed the Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s (LGF) services 544,448 times and they provided over 1.12 million free condoms and lube sachets. More info at www.lgf.org.uk

Respect member and Food Buying Assistant Lucy Elliot shares her ‘Winter Skills’ challenge experience with us all. Read the second part of Lucy’s diary entries here……

TUESDAY 21th February 2012 The packing of kit is getting easier. Next time I go to Spain I’ll only need a handbag. We cheated today and went halfway up the mountain in a cable car. One of the guys was terrified of heights so we rocked the cable car from side to side in sympathy. Ha ha! We then slogged up the ridge of Aonoch Mor (Lemming Ridge) and into the snow. The snow has been very compacted and icy today so crampons were on straight away. We learnt how to use the ice axe to sweep footholds into the snow in order to be able to cross it in these conditions. We then scaled higher to find a point at which we could practice ice axe arrests. Basically stopping yourself with the axe if you slip to prevent any “touching the void” moments. We almost wet ourselves laughing at this as we created a huge snow slide that we slid down. There are different moves for stopping yourself depending on how you have fallen. So we went down the slide on our backs then front, then face forward then legs forward. Honestly this is educational. We then learned various ways of belaying someone with ropes in the snow. You have to dig bucket seats into the snow and anchor the ropes with an ice axe (Bucket Seat Belay) or a channel of snow (Anchored Belay). Finally we built a snow shelter and isolated blocks of snow to look at the various layers and perform a push test to see if the area would be prone to avalanches. Thankfully the area we were in was fine. On the way down we were all thinking food, drink, fire and bed. Then we found out the cable car had been closed due to high winds. I thought I was going to cry. We had to slog down the rest of the mountain which took two more hours. I twisted my ankle, slipped on a slab of ice and landed on my bum. We were all soaked as usual. When we got back to the cabin it was the usual routine of hot shower, dry out our clothes by the fire, a big stodgy meal and a glass of port followed by staring almost zombie like at the fire.

WEDNESDAY 22nd February 2012 The weather was awful today. Four of the group had had enough but despite appearances I am made of tougher stuff. Grit and determination were necessary. However, the rest of us went to Glen Coe rock climbing centre. We climbed on an ice wall - the biggest indoor ice wall in the UK. It was fun but absolutely knackering. The ice axe make you look like a praying mantis. You have to kick your feet with crampons into the ice as you climb...My toe is now black (again!). Then you whack your ice axes into the wall. This process continues as you ascend until your arms and legs turn to jelly. It was so much fun but god my arms kill. Then we moved onto the ordinary indoor climbing wall and I climbed some massive walls. I impressed myself because I don’t like heights but I was concentrating so hard on finding hand holds that it didn’t really bother me. There are some hilarious hand holds though. The walls I scaled were grades 6, 5 and 4. I had to get some deep freeze tonight to put on my muscles. My arms are going to look popeye-ish! My knees are bruised, my feet are swollen and my hands are having a bad day, but I loved every minute of it.

THURSDAY 23rd February 2012 Cairn Gorms today. Some of the group have completely given up and didn’t come along today either. It was an agonising fight over heather, uneven ground, rocks and ice today. Battling against strong winds and rain made every step twice as hard. I must be getting fitter as I wasn’t as out of breath. We ran through the skills we have learned so far. A sort of revision day! Gail smashed her face into her ice axe whilst doing an ice axe arrest which caused a huge nose bleed. Arghhh! - To be continued in the next issue -

Hillary Clinton and ILGA to receive World Pride awards: Pride London will give US Secretary of

New study claims Britain is the Euro capital of gay rights: The European International Lesbian and Gay

State Hillary Clinton the ‘World LGBT Award’ in recognition of her contribution to protecting the rights of LGBT people worldwide ahead of World Pride in London this July.

Association Europe (ILGA-Europe) index, which rates 49 countries on more than 40 categories, has put Britain in pole position due to its recognition of civil partnerships and anti-discrimination laws.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, ILGA, will receive the International Community Award, presented to a non-governmental organisation that similarly fights for the global LGBT community.

As reported in The Independent, Home Secretary & Equalities Minister Theresa May said she was ‘delighted’ to see Britain ‘leading the way’ and ‘breaking new ground’. She added that the coalition’s consultation on same-sex marriage, its sports charter and ‘the world’s first transgender action plan’ were part of the same project. She added ‘we must no be complacent and will continue to work to make Britain a great place to live for everyone.’

GLAAD award winners announced: Chaz Bono, Josh Hutcherson, and the US show ‘Modern Family’ were winners at the 23rd annual Media Awards by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) at the end of April. Chaz was born to Cher and Sonny Bono female, and underwent gender reassignment surgery. He was honoured with the trophies for outstanding documentary programme, and the Stephen F. Kolzak award at the ceremony in Los Angeles. Josh Hutcherson, star of ‘The Hunger Games,’ won the Vanguard Award, which honours efforts to increase visibility and understanding of the LGBT community. Other winners included ABC’s ‘Modern Family,’ the Oscarwinning ‘Beginners’ with Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, and ‘Hot in Cleveland.’ Find out more at www.glaad.org

San Diego, California will rename Blaine Avenue to Harvey Milk Street: Blaine Avenue, located in the largely gay Hillcrest neighborhood, leads up to the area's LGBT Centre. Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, served in the US Navy and was stationed in San Diego in the 1950s. Milk served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for 11 months before he was assassinated in San Francisco in 1978. Throughout his campaigns and even after his death, Harvey Milk proved instrumental in shifting gay rights into the national spotlight.

“GAY PEOPLE ARE BORN INTO AND BELONG TO EVERY SOCIETY IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE ALL AGES, ALL RACES, ALL FAITHS. THEY ARE DOCTORS AND TEACHERS, FARMERS AND BANKERS, SOLDIERS AND ATHLETES. AND WHETHER WE KNOW IT, OR WHETHER WE ACKNOWLEDGE IT, THEY ARE OUR FAMILY, OUR FRIENDS, AND OUR NEIGHBOURS. BEING GAY IS NOT A WESTERN INVENTION. IT IS A HUMAN REALITY.” – HILARY CLINTON

Tune in to our friends at Gaydio www.gaydio.co.uk

Aspire has been set up to offer opportunities for proactive personal development and learning opportunities to those who wish to progress in their careers within the Group. The network is arranging lots of workshops this summer to help you enhance your soft business skills. An upcoming workshop you may be interested in is;

How to be an effective networker

26th June - 11:30 - 14:00 - Mitchell Suite, New Century House, Manchester

We love this poster advertising ‘Tokyo Rainbow Pride 2012’. The event has already taken place, on 29th April, but we had to share this with you. We love the flying rainbow cat!

Networking for lots of people is important but the thought of doing it sends chills down some people’s spines. Aspire together with Forward Ladies are hosting an interactive workshop to help you understand: the principles of networking, how it can help your career, making small talk and how to make the most of your contacts. Places are limited. To register your interest, email aspire@cooperative.coop. The team will then get in touch with you.

Jackie is known for her reign as Manchester Pride's festival director (2008-2012), and her accolades for her work with the LGBT community including the LGF Homo Hero Award for ‘Community Champion of the Year’, place in the 2011 Independent on Sunday's 'Pink List' and a place in Attitude's 'top forty LGBT people to be inspired by’.

If you had to choose some highlights from your time at Manchester Pride what would they be and why? A personal highlight for me has to be seeing Human League headline the festival – they are an all-time favourite group of mine and I was delighted to be a part of the event to watch them play. The crowd was electric. As is each year, two of my other highlights (for very different reasons) are always the George House Trust (GHT) Candlelit Vigil and the Manchester Pride Parade.

How important do you think it is to have females in key roles in business and other sectors? I am by no means a feminist, but I am a fully-fledged preacher of girl power and, in general, of all equalities no matter who you are. No one should be held back in any sector because of their gender, sexuality, race, age or any other similar factors. I like to believe that we are in a world where we have wiped that sort of prejudice out – I know we haven’t completely – but I live to hope we will soon. For me, I think the individual has to write their own story: you need to give yourself the opportunities to go far, get what you want and be happy. Plan ahead, have targets, try to put as few feet wrong as possible. So, in that sense, I think that all sectors should be equally represented by the people who want to be a part of them. However, and more specifically, I strongly believe that anyone who wants something and does all the right things to get it definitely deserves it.

How did it feel when you were told you won LGF Homo Hero award for 'Community Champion of the Year'? This was news that I found both surprising and truly humbling. When Manchester Pride won ‘Best UK Pride’ each year, those awards deserved to be split in so many ways that you would need a magnifying glass to see each piece. There are so many hard-working people behind the event – many who go unnoticed without even minding – and those awards are for them. To be named ‘Community Champion of the Year’ was a very personal thing – the award was specifically for me and my services to Manchester’s gay community. I was overthe moon. What I think struck a chord the most was the meaning of the award – bringing people together, making positive change and being heard by those who may not have listened before. Rather than treat it as a stroke of the ego, or think “wow, I must be great”, I saw it more as a testament to the distance Manchester, its gay village and Manchester Pride had come. Knowing that was fantastic – and if anything it was a reassurance that the organisation would be in a good place when I left it.

Congratulations on being featured in the Independent's 'Pink List'! This came as another surprise – I must have been doing something right in 2011… Being listed in the Independent’s ‘Pink List’ was another honour. It is a well-respected publication, and that list was made up of some huge names and truly inspirational people. To walk the same ground as some of them is humbling, let alone be considered amongst them as someone who has been as important to the UK’s LGBT community. Festival Directors of Pride events do not make these sorts of national lists, often filled with philanthropic celebrities and pioneers for political equality – and so, again, I felt that it gave Manchester Pride the nod for everything it did as a festival, with me as its leader. Whilst being gay is not my entire identity, it is something I am proud and not afraid of, and why should I be? I feel honoured to have been given such a great platform to speak for, at times lead and be a large part of the LGBT community in Manchester. It is a fantastic community, always will be, and I shall be involved in it and in supporting it for a long time coming.

The charity OUTPOST that supports young gay and lesbian homeless people has named Jackie as their new ambassador. What is your inspiration? Life is inspiring – it’s not all that long, and you have to make the most of it. I think happiness is the most important thing in life; you have to laugh, enjoy yourself and do things that keep your passions going. On a more personal and ‘things you might not know’ level – I am extremely inspired by family, fundraisers and charity workers and Debbie Harry (though most people know that already…).

Coming up: Our exclusive interviews with Shayne Ward and rugby star & campaigner Ben Cohen 15

Middlesbrough Mela Weekend is one of the biggest and most spectacular multi-cultural celebrations in the North East. With an exciting programme of music, arts, sports, food and craft stalls, fair and children’s entertainment, the event is a great weekend out for all the family. Middlesbrough Mela is celebrating its 22nd year in 2012. This year, the event is proud to announce it will be taking place on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July 2012 at Albert Park, Middlesbrough. The Co-operative Membership is pleased to be supporting this year’s event.

Get ready; it is going to be big, colourful and very definitely lively. Find out more at www.boromela.co.uk

Big Bi Fun Day (BBFD) is a one day (well, technically, one afternoon) UK event that offers a space for bisexuals and allies to meet up, relax and socialise with other bisexuals and allies. Everyone is welcome! It will be held in a family friendly venue and the organisers hope that bisexuals from all over the UK (and anywhere else) will take this opportunity to come along and meet people from different regions, catch up with friends and have a fun day out. Where: Friends Meeting House, 16 Queens Road, Leicester, LE2 1WP

Icebreakers is a free self-help group which caters for gay and bisexual men who are coming out, coming out of a relationship, feeling isolated or who are new to Manchester. The group meets every Wednesday from 8pm. Venue: LGF, Number 5 Richmond Street, Manchester, M1 3HF For more information: Visit www.icebreakersmanchester.org.uk or contact the LGF on 0845 3 30 30 30 from 10am-10pm.

Date for your diary: L Fest : 13th – 16th July West Midlands Showground, Shropshire Enjoy a weekend of music, lesbian authors, workshops, lesbian cinema and more. All acts will have sign language interpreters on stage with them. Tickets cost £95 for the weekend, group discounts are available. Find out more at www.lfest.co.uk

‘Just Left The Closet’ is a new social network for LGBT youth and their friends. It is a place where members can meet, chat, offer support and tell their stories whilst only revealing their true identities if they want to. Whether they’re still in, shyly emerging or proudly out, this can be a starting point for their journey. A ‘room’ they can enter where everyone else is just like them. And it looks pretty cool too...

When: Saturday 28th July 2012, 1pm to 5pm. Find out more: http://resources.bi.org/wiki/index.php/Big_Bi_ Fun_Day

and find out more at www.justleftthecloset.com

//Visit our intranet pages to find out more about Respect and the support available to you >HR & People >Group HR >HR Information >Diversity >Sexual Orientation >Respect - Your LGBT Network You will find lots more info including copies of the previous nine Respect newsletters and lots more.

You can also contact the Respect network for confidential support and guidance. Email us at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop