Issue 22 Respect Magazine by The Co-op Respect LGBT Network

№ 22 | October 2013

BAKING UP POP TREATS

RESPECT MEMBER KEVIN SARGENT BAKES UP A STORM AT MANCHESTER PRIDE RESPECT GOES POP INTERVIEWS WITH HAZELL DEAN TOYAH WILCOX LIZ FROM ATOMIC KITTEN

FOUR PAGE MANCHESTER PRIDE PICTURE SPECIAL A MESSAGE FROM EUAN SUTHERLAND, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CO-OPERATIVE CARDIFF MARDIS GRAS - GAY IN BRITAIN - REACH - YORKSHIRE MESMAC The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) network for The co-operative

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

The Respect team canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to attend the festival

№ 22 | October 2013

Inside this issue

Welcome to issue 22 of the Respect Magazine, brought to you by the UK’s largest and most active employee LGBT network. The ‘Village Bakers’ are baking up rainbow delights Pages 10 - 11

The importance of Respect being an inclusive network

Page 32

PLUS

Pages 30 - 31

We introduce you to a few professional networking events : Respect at Manchester Pride : We find out more about the HIV charity ‘Terrence Higgins Trust’ : The team from ‘Yorkshire MESMAC’ introduce us to the services they provide : A message of support from ‘Steve Murrells’, Chief Executive of The Co-operative Food : Lots of great features from our Entertainment Editor ‘Will O’Regan’ plus lots more

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 3 Respect Magazine

An introduction from Co-chair of Respect, Thomas Anderson That’s our ‘Summer of Pride’ all wrapped up. We supported our final Pride, Cumbria Pride, earlier this month and it really brought a few things home. I will be writing an article about the event for the next issue of ‘Respect’ but it was very clear that there is still lots of work to do with tackling homophobia and supporting a more inclusive society in the area. Me and my fiancé Matthew were at the other end of a few instances of homophobic abuse whilst out and about in the city. More in the next issue. The Cumbria Pride event team did a great job and they should be proud of what they pulled oﬀ. On s brighter note, I am delighted that we continue to attract new members from all over the UK and from all of The Co-operative business areas. We have seen an increase in members from our Food business which is fantastic. A big hello and warm welcome to all of our new members. I was humbled to have been shortlisted for ‘Diversity Champion of the Year’ at the 2013 European Diversity Awards. I didn’t win the award but being shortlisted meant so much to me. It was a real highlight of my year, along with Respect being shortlisted too. Respect continues to lead the way and be the benchmark for employee network groups and throughout this issue you will see why. We continue to go above and beyond what the majority of networks do and this is a testament to the hard work of a considerable amount of people. Thank you to each and every one of you. It is greatly valued. We’d love for some new faces to join the Respect team too. If you’d like to know more, please get in touch.

We win our 3rd Homo Heroes Award On 4 October 2013 leading charity The Lesbian & Gay Foundation announced the winners of their annual Homo Heroes Awards. The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s third annual Homo Heroes Awards recognises individuals, groups and organisations that have made a diﬀerence to the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, in the past year. There were over 450 nominations and over 6,000 votes were cast across the seven public categories. We are so proud that for the 3rd consecutive year ‘Respect’ was crowned ‘Business of the Year’ at the event. Big thanks to everyone that voted for us! Paul Martin, OBE, Chief Executive of The Lesbian & Gay Foundation comments, "The legalisation of Same-Sex Marriage has made 2013 a historic year, therefore it’s all the more important for events like The Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s Homo Heroes Awards, to reflect on the amazing achievements made by individuals, businesses and organisations who are working to improve the lives of lesbian, gay and bisexual people."

I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed pulling it together.

Thomas Anderson, Co-Chair of Respect thomas.anderson@co-operative.coop @thomasinmanc

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

The Respect team with our 3rd Homo Heroes Award

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

RESPECT NEWS nds of e i r F ‘ l l a o ssage t e m l a n o erland, h t A pers u S n a from Eu ’ t c e p s e R tive of u c e x E f Chie e Group v i t a r ed e p o eing rank b e v ti a r The Coe o-op

C newall dded in e b m in the Sto e d r dex. is 3 y it s r e Div d its Equality In d n e a c e la v p ti k a r r e o pe W T s was nam The Co-o s & e B in G s L u g b nin The s of the award win spect” forms e Busines s r e iv e D R " “ ational network e 2012 N t of the r th a t p a t " r n a ta Ye d, The an impor nsive wards an e A h y e it r s p r m e roud co Div n wide and e is also p v io s ti a lu r c e p in and Co-o e gave diversity ess that in s u b say that w a f to o use of a d n e ag co to the Ho y b e c d n e e id id u v g ity, e c Bill has been es of equ ons Publi lu m a m v o e C v ti pport of opera nd ittee in su a m n m e o p o C , ge. ip equality embersh ual Marria q m E y r ta n e y volu dition to th ponsibilit s d e a r l in ia ll c a o and s This is many 50 years. upporting s k r o tw e d for over 1 n events an y nues to it ti n n u o m c m k r o co not only The netw ities that gth to v n ti e c tr a s m ut tens go fro cing areness b nds n e w a u fl e in is , a r strength s of pou king and thousand a f m o n io is ’ ies. dec business BT charit e G L th r g fo n ti r suppo its ryone. I work eve ing strategy, y c it ti s s r ta e n iv a d F ow s and the ard to foll ess. employee munities in look forw o r p gr om ontinued c r u e o diverse c v y ti a r e Co-ope which Th utherland S n a u E . s operate tive of ief Execu ve Group ith h w C k r o w s perati Respect’ The Co-o stance, in r fo , ll a Stonew in The resulted

RESPECT, RESPECT, READ ALL ABOUT IT To celebrate our sponsorship of so many Pride events, our new advert featuring Respect member Craig featured in two issues of the Metro newspaper, reaching over 300,000 people. We placed the ads in the sports pages to engage with a diﬀerent audience and raise awareness of the events to more people that may not be too familiar with them. We received lots of great feedback!

WE UNVEIL OUR ‘YOU’RE WELCOME : PRIDE’ VIDEO Watch our new 30 second ‘Pride’ video on The Co-operative’s YouTube channel at http:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6ouGTij7GQ We produced the video to play in the Big Arena at Manchester Pride every hour over the Big Weekend. We will continue to develop the video and it will get longer over time too. Watch this space!

If you’d like to contribute an article or idea for the Respect Magazine, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you! Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 5 Respect Magazine - October 2013

The Co-operative was proud to sponsor Manchester Pride for the fifth consecutive year and we were delighted it was our biggest yet. We took community engagement to the next level! 120 Respect members from all business areas and from all over the UK came together on Saturday 24 August to join us in our biggest Pride of the year. Our theme this year was ‘Making history with Pride’ and we certainly did that, with our volunteers proudly flying our HUGE 5m wide banners that included messages like ‘Proud to be the most gay friendly retailer in the UK’ and ‘We said YES to equal marriage’. They were a big hit with the massive crowds that lined the streets. What went down even better was our very special Respect Pride ice cream van. We gave aways over 3,000 free rainbow rocket lollies to the crowds, they went down a storm. Just as well it was a glorious day! The ice cream van was blasting songs from the 80’s that were chosen by Co-operative employees via our Intranet competition that over 400 people entered. Highlights included ‘Stop’ by Erasure and ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by the legend that is Rick Astley.

Our huge billboard on Canal St

Other highlights to our entry included six human rainbow rocket lolly morphs (the outfit was very tight!), six special rainbow barcode shopping trolleys and over 30,000 other branded giveaways including our new Pride flags, stickers, balloons and our special Pride ‘Spend & Save’ coupons.

The three Co-operative Food stores in Manchester city centre proudly flew Pride flags and displayed our new ‘Here for you this Pride’ posters in the run up to and over the Big Weekend. Big ‘Respect’ thanks to the store teams for all your support and continued enthusiasm! The pride flags also flew from our Head Office buildings over the weekend.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

We raised over £8,000 for Manchester Pride this year. We have raised over £30,000 for the charity since 2011! Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual 1 mentors registered! 2

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 7 Respect Magazine - October 2013

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 9 Respect Magazine - October 2013

THE GREAT VILLAGE BAKE OFF TAKES MANCHESTER PRIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL BY STORM Over 40 entries demonstrate baking talent of Manchester's Gay Village. The Great Village Bake Off hosted by Manchester's Village Bakers and long-term supporters The Molly House on Sunday 18th August as part of the Manchester Pride Fringe Festival, was a truly spectacular event. The culmination of a huge amount of baking endeavour and talent, from tartiest tart to camp cupcakes and firmest buns. Not to mention the spectacularly colourful array of magnificent Rainbow Cakes. Judging the event was baking expert and winner of the 2012 series of BBC2's The Great British Bake Off, Mr John Whaite, with actress and Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine and Manchester Pride Patron Claire Mooney, all keen to tickle their tastebuds with the fabulously creative edible entries. John Whaite has had an obsession with baking and cooking since he was a tiny boy, and has developed this passion into a career. He was extremely excited to be leading the judging, and keen to share his baking knowledge with the Village Bakers and Manchester's LGBT community. Originally from Wigan, the local lad loved returning to his roots and supporting Manchester Pride, which is a cause close to his heart.

Manchester born-and-bred actress, comedian and owner of Annie’s restaurant in Manchester city centre, Jennie McAlpine joined John on the judging panel. She is best known for her long-running role as Fiona 'Fiz' Stape in ITV’s Coronation Street. Claire Mooney, foodie, singer-songwriter, and Patron of Manchester Pride completed the line-up. The event attracted over 200 spectators, packed tightly into The Molly House Bar whilst the judges sampled and deliberated over 40 entries. The cakes themselves were truly awe-inspiring, thinking outside the box with a huge amount of effort from each competitor. Kevin Sargent, Chair of Village Bakers & Product Developer at The Co-operative Food said, “The effort and ingenuity which had gone into the entries was immense. John Whaite, Jennie McAlpine & Claire Mooney were all extremely impressed with the quality and creativity involved. It was fantastic to see Manchester’s Gay Village come together from all walks of life to help raise money for the Manchester Pride Fund."

“The effort and ingenuity which had gone into the entries was immense.” Paul Duffy, a member of the Village Bakers and General Manager of The Molly House continued "I was delighted that the first Great Village Bake Off was a tremendous success with a varied and astounding range of imaginative bakes on offer. The gay village demonstrated fantastic support and interest in this fundraising event, which showcased the work that The Village Bakers, as an inclusive community group, already do all

year round . Roll on Great Village Bake Off 2014!" Manchester Pride Chief Executive John Stewart added "It was amazing to see so many people, and so much cake, squeezed in to the Molly House on a Sunday. I'm sure the Bake Off is going to become an established fixture on the Manchester Pride Fringe calendar."

Entry categories and winners (winning prizes kindly donated by The Co-operative Food, The Co-operative Electrical, Stockport’s Little Underbank Tea Room and 151 products): Best in Bake Off: Neill Duncan with an incredibly creative and technically challenging Stack of Rainbow Cake Polo Shirts. Best Business Award Winner: The Molly House, presenting a teapot inspired Rainbow Cake by Molly House baker Robert Burgess. Best Rainbow Cake: Neill Duncan (as above). Campest Cupcakes: Scrumptious Pink Fizz Cupcakes by Lisa Duddington. Tartiest Tart: Paul Dempsey with very tasty Chocolate Surprise Tart topped with leopard print. Firmest Buns: Stephen Squires with light and fluffy Apple & Caramel Chelsea Buns. The Great Village Bake Off raised in excess of £370 from ticket sales and collection buckets, all in aid of the Manchester Pride Community Fund, helping local LGBT charities and community groups.

Follow the Village Bakers on Twitter @villagebakers 10

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

A REGULAR NETWORKING EVENT WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME! CHECK IT OUT! Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 11 Respect Magazine - October 2013

Support

YORKSHIRE MESMAC

We’d love to know more about Yorkshire MESMAC. Please tell us more about who you are and what you do.

Raising awareness of sexual health is very important. What other services do you support and oﬀer?

Yorkshire MESMAC is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the UK. Our historical focus is HIV prevention and sexual health promotion with Gay, Bisexual and men who have sex with men. We have bases in Leeds, Bradford, and Wakefield and across North Yorkshire.

Yorkshire MESMAC’s community development approach means that we are interested in the wider health determinants for all the communities we work with and where possible and appropriate we will provide services around these holistic health needs too. So, in Bradford we provide a mental health and wellbeing project for the LGB communities as well as having provided smoking cessation classes. In the coming months we will be providing healthy weight work for our LGB&T communities too. It is often about recognising where we are the best organisation to provide this work and where we can work in partnership with an expert to ensure their delivery is appropriate for the LGB&T communities. We are proud to have the Blast! Project as part of our group of services. Having developed from a piece of research we carried out with young men selling sex in Bradford 15 years ago, we are now regarded as the leading charity in England for our work with boys and young men involved in or at risk of sexual exploitation.

All of our offices provide: • Condoms and lubricant • Consultancy • Free, fast and flexible HIV testing • Information and resources • Meeting rooms and training space • Outreach to the commercial gay scene, cruising areas and public toilets • Support for individuals and community groups • Training • Telephone, online and face to face support. • Our offices in West Yorkshire can offer free counselling too.

HIV testing at York University Testing for HIV could hardly be easier. Just a pin prick of blood, and a result in twenty minutes. Yorkshire MESMAC at York are delighted to be oﬀering a regular HIV testing session at James College at York University every month. They will be at YUSU ASC Centre - the Student Centre on the 7th of November and the 5th of December. Time: 5 - 8 pm. Don't wait till next term, test now and do it regularly!

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We provide a direct service in Bradford and Leeds for these young men which includes one to one support, involvement in child protection cases, support through court cases and training in schools and other youth settings about sexual exploitation. Nationally we staﬀ a helpline for boys and young men as well as providing support to agencies aiming to improve their work with boys and young men. Begin and Our are two projects that are part of the Yorkshire MESMAC group of services oﬀering practical and emotional support to all people living with HIV in Bradford and Wakefield and HIV prevention services to African communities.

kinds y n a m are “There not just tion of isola al remoteness hic geograp ommitted to re c so we a velop self de helping lf organising se ” defining LGB&T people f or groups

We can imagine there are lots of isolated communities in Yorkshire. How do you reach these communities and ensure they are aware of the support available to them?

We cover the majority of West and the whole of North Yorkshire, one of the most deeply rural counties in the country. It’s a truism that the geography of Yorkshire is at once our greatest gift and our biggest challenge, so we depend on a highly skilled, flexible staff team and volunteers based in our own offices and ‘hot-desking’ in other organisations offices to deliver services to people in far flung parts of our patch. We use new technologies, we have a large online and social media presence and we rely on the commitment, creativity and skills of our communities, for example we have a group of volunteer rural youth mentors, trained young people who speak to other young LGB&T people online across rural North Yorkshire, breaking isolation. We can offer counselling via Skype cutting down on travelling time and expense for service users. There are many kinds of isolation not just geographical remoteness so we are committed to helping develop self defining self organising groups for LGB&T people, basically where people come together to reflect on a common concern or interest and take action to meet it – whether that be a Trans* support group, a walking group or an LGB&T staff network. We believe that this sort of work is essential to break isolation, and to build community infrastructure and resilience.

We took part in the Leeds Pride parade in 2011 and 2012 and we had a great time. What role do you think these events have and do you take part? Yorkshire MESMAC established Leeds Pride and our Chief Executive is still its Chair. We are also are involved in Bradford, Wakefield, York, Scarborough and Selby Prides so you can see we think that Prides are really important. They are important for LGB&T people to make connections and celebrate who we are and our achievements, they offer a great opportunity for our families, friends and allies to show their support and for organisations and companies to send out clear messages about their attitudes to LGB&T customers and staff. Our volunteers and staff are usually out in the crowds giving out condoms and safer sex information and asking people how we can improve our services.

Do you collaborate with any other charities and community groups? We have strong working relationships and partnerships with other charities; together with the Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) we deliver the National HIV Prevention England Programme across the North of England. Over the past 10 years we have helped establish and support over 50 LGB&T community groups. We collaborate with other charities and groups at all levels of our work. Nationally, we sit on the National LGB&T Partnership with 12 other LGB&T charities from around the country. This enables us to ensure LGB&T people’s voices are heard on a national stage. We also deliver work as part of HIV Prevention England’s national programme. At a local level we have some great partnerships around individual pieces of work or community groups; for example we recently worked with the ‘Fixers’ team to produce a DVD resource around homophobic bullying with our LGBTQ youth group in Scarborough. In Leeds we collaborate with the White Rose Bears, providing sexual health updates at their groups, leaflets and condoms. Their members like to give something back to Yorkshire MESMAC by helping us pack our free condom packs. Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

Yorkshire MESMAC is one of the oldest and largest sexual health organisations in the UK

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How can our members get involved and support the work you do? We think it is essential that people from our communities are represented at every level of the organisation and that people can participate in a way that is useful for them. We have lots of volunteering opportunities, ranging from attending a one-oﬀ condom packing party where you bring along some wine, nibbles and some mates and pack our condom packs, through to being an online volunteer with the BLAST Project supporting vulnerable young men being, or at risk of being, involved in sexually exploitative situations, to sitting on our Board of Trustees. Of course like every other charity we can always use more funding and if members wanted to organise a fundraising event that would be great.

more support networks for older LGB&T people. LGB&T people face particular challenges as we age. Generally speaking, LGB&T people tend to have fewer familiar ties, a higher proportion of us are child free and/or are estranged from our biological families. This can mean that as we get older we become more isolated from traditional models of support. Whilst many of our community have been really creative in building up support networks, too many older LGB&T are falling through the gaps. A particular concern is a lack of support for older LGB&T people that may require them to go into hospital earlier, stay longer or have to go into a care home because of a lack of support.

“We are very lucky that our local Workforces in businesses are communities and getting older and people are working a lot longer than they LGB&T businesses used too, partly due to the removal of the compulsory contribute in many retirement age. Do you think Wethere have lots of lesbian, ways to Yorkshire is enough support gaynetworks and bisexual for older LGBT MESMAC from people who may feel even mentors registered! more alone and isolated? organising Like all other groups we are living longer and that’s a wonderful thing. fundraising events It’s important that people are able to choose when they retire and that to volunteering their firms are able to benefit from their time too” experience and skills built up over many years. That being said, it would be great if more employers recognised that many LGB&T people are the primary carers for, and may get their care from, people who are not in their immediate family. There are some great groups tailored to meet the needs of older LGB&T people across West and North Yorkshire; Leeds Gay Community Group, OLGA, Older and Bolder, to name but three. That being said there is a need for

Has the ‘credit crunch’ and economic downturn had any impact on you? At the beginning of the credit crunch we got a major shock when one of our funders cut our funding by 50% with no consultation or warning. Whilst we were able to negotiate a more realistic option with that particular funder it did focus our minds & sped up our longer term strategy for widening our funding base, hopefully allowing us to weather short-term

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

or localised funding uncertainties. It’s important to us that any money that we receive does not conflict with our values or compromises our mission in any way. Not being totally beholden to any one funder allows us to maintain our independence and our integrity as a charity. We are very lucky that our local communities and LGB&T businesses contribute in many ways to Yorkshire MESMAC from organising fundraising events to volunteering their time too.

What’s next for you? We have just rolled out the BLAST Project’s capacity building project. Staﬀ will be training other organisations across the country to recognise and take action on male Child Sexual Exploitation. We are really keen to increase the number and type of screens that we do in the community, not just STIs but also things like Cholesterol testing too. We recently won the GlaxoSmithKline Charity IMPACT Awards and invested the winnings in training our staﬀ to take blood which will allow us to develop community based health services for LGB&T people even more. Whilst we are on the theme of awards, we are shortlisted for the Charity Times Charity of the Year and we find out on October 16th if we have won so watch this space!

CONTACT You can find out more about Yorkshire MESMAC and access their services by visiting www.mesmac.co.uk Follow the team on Twitter @yorkshiremesmac

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

The free, fast, flexible, confidential and convenient way for you to get an HIV test in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield & North Yorkshire.

To arrange an HIV test in your area or for more information call: Leeds Bradford Wakefield North Yorkshire

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

0113 244 4209 01274 395 815 01924 211 116 01904 620 400

Charity No: 1040407 Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 15 Respect Magazine - October 2013

National Coming Out Day 11 October 2013 National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally observed civil awareness day celebrating individuals who publicly identify as bisexual, gay, lesbian and/or transgender ‘coming out’ regarding one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity. NCOD was founded in 1988 by Robert Eichberg, a psychologist from New Mexico and founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience, and Jean O'Leary, an openly gay political leader from Los Angeles and then head of the National Gay Rights Advocates. The date of October 11 was chosen because it was the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.

Coming Out Telling people about your sexuality is called coming out.

desire to disclose your sexual orientation.

You don't have to tell anyone you're lesbian, gay or bisexual if you don't want to. It's up to you who you tell, but you might feel happier if you can be honest about who you really are.

Ultimately there is no right or wrong way to come out, do it the way you want to and the way you feel comfortable.

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors A good idea registered! is to start by telling someone you really trust, and who you know will be supportive. It might also be helpful to get an idea about people's attitudes towards sexuality before you talk to them. Lots of people that you tell will be really positive and will be proud of you for telling them, they might even be flattered that you trust them enough to tell them. Sadly, not everyone will be so positive and supportive. You should be prepared for some negative reactions and understand that this may be a diﬃcult thing for some people to understand or come to terms with. Once you have come out to one person the process does not end there, throughout your life you will find yourself in situations and around people where you feel the need or

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone, there are lesbian, gay and bisexual support organisations across the world who are there to oﬀer a helping hand, a friendly ear, and who have vast experience of helping people just like you. The prospect of coming out is a scary one for many, and there are lots of concerns around being rejected and left in isolation. In all situations there will be positive and negative eﬀects of coming out, and when looking at the best way to do it, it’s almost impossible for anyone to give a perfect guide to the event. On the next page are a few ideas on the do’s & don’ts of Coming Out.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

We proudly supported the day for the 4th year

Thanks to the Lesbian & Gay Foundation for supporting the content of this page.

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

Do’s

Use a trusted friendship to ask for support. Test the water by talking about subjects relating to sexuality before your ready to pour your heart out. Sometimes people don’t always react the way you think they will.

Don’ts

Be yourself - be honest and respectful to your feelings and the feelings of your family and friends. When you're finding out about fabulous new friends and surrounding yourself with all kinds of gay influences to make up for lost time - don't forget about those who have always been there for you. Ask yourself why is now the best time to come out? If you’ve got other stresses going on in your life; exams, flatmates, work, school, friends, family etc, now may not be the best time. What do you hope people’s reaction will be? If people aren’t as supportive as you’d like, do you really need the added pressure of their baggage while your getting to grips with what you want to say?

Own the reactions and feelings of others. You need to be sure of what’s right for you and that can change. It’s easy to be influenced when you’re feeling unsure or insecure about something, but you know deep down what’s right for you, regardless of what someone else says. Stand in the closet until someone opens the door. There’s always an opportunity where someone will lead the way into a conversation. It’s up to you if you want to jump in or out. Many people have outed themselves unwittingly or without planning to just because they get sick and tired of keeping it to themselves or listening to homophobia.

Do not be frightened about coming out. There’s lots of support available. If you can’t find any support where you are ring the LGF helpline 0845 3 30 30 30 10am-10pm daily. Find out more at www.lgf.org.uk

Respect gets our very own personalised Coca Cola bottle Big Respect thank you to Coca Cola for producing a very special ‘Respect LGBT’ #shareacoke Coca Cola bottle for us. We love it! The bottle isn’t available to buy but we think it is rather special and will be gracing our Respect shelf for a long time to come. Hopefully we can resist opening the bottle! Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 17 Respect Magazine - October 2013

The Co-operative was proud to sponsor the National Diversity Awards 2013, hosted in Leeds on 20 September A collection of some of the nation's most inspirational and selfless people came together on Friday, September 20th for a celebration of the country's rich tapestry.

Sharon commented, “The The heroes, who work closely with underevent is a celebration represented groups, were recognised at The of inclusion working National Diversity Awards for their hard at its very best from work and commitment to equality and diversity. communities to Leeds based company Farnell Element14 business. To have so picked up The Diverse Company Award, showcasing many inspirational the great strides they have made to become an people in one room employer of choice, and magnet for talent. This is breathtaking. Playing a small part award was sponsored by The Co-operative and is and representing the the award we proudly won at the 2012 awards Group made me ceremony. Sharon Pegg, Inclusion and Diversity Manager at The Co-operative presented the award personally feel exceptionally at the fabulous event. privileged to work Birmingham LGBT was named 2013's Community for an organisation Organisation for LGBT for their achievement in who truly believes in opening a health and wellbeing centre for their equality, diversity and community in the heart of Britain's second city. inclusion.” IT WAS A NIGHT OF CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE UK.

SNAP SHOTS

18 AWARDS WERE PRESENTED AT THE EVENT

O U R SHARO N WITH PRES ENTER BRIAN DOWLIN G

Sharon Pegg (second to right) with the winners of ‘The Diverse Company Award’, Farnell Element 14

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

A WONDERFUL NIG HT

Find out more at www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

A CEL EBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENTS FROM A LL AREAS OF DIVERS ITY

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

The co-operative 19 Respect Magazine October 2013 Reg. Charity No. 1070904

Registered Charity No. 1070904

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

Scotland’s annual celebration of LGBT culture An audience with Jackie Kay Thursday 7 November, 10pm TRON THEATRE 61 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HB Tickets 0141 552 4267 £10 (conc £7.50) www.tron.co.uk This is your chance to hear from the author of ‘The Maw Broon Monologues’, ‘Red Dust Road’ and ‘The Adoption Papers’. Jackie will read from her latest book of hilarious and heartbreaking stories ‘Reality, Reality’ as well as from some of her recent poems. It’s an event not to be missed.

Lots more at glasgay.com 20

About Jackie Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and was brought up in Glasgow. Her first collection of poetry, The Adoption Papers, was published in 1991. Her first novel, Trumpet, published in 1998, was awarded the Guardian fiction prize and was shortlisted for the International Impact Dublin literary award. Other books include two collections of short stories, Why Don't You Stop Talking (2002) and Wish I Was Here (2006), a novel for children, Strawgirl (2002) and Sonata (2006) plus many others. Jackie lives in Manchester. In 2006, she was awarded an MBE for services to literature. Go Jackie!

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

I AM DIVINE

Sunday 3 November, 6pm GLASGOW FILM THEATRE 12 Rose Street,Glasgow, G3 6RB Tickets 0141 332 6535 www.glasgowfilm.org A fabulously unique documentary starring the late ‘Divine’ aka Harris Glenn Milstead. Starring Ricki Lake and John Waters. This is a must watch if you like this sort of thing. We’re singing along to ‘You Think You’re A Man’ whilst writing this. Camp but so fantastic!

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

You’re invited 'Manchester LGBT Professional Networking' in association with Velvet Manchester. Thursday, 31 October 2013 18:00 to 20:00 - FREE Velvet, 2 Canal St, Manchester, UK Manchester LGBT Professional Networking events provide an opportunity for LGBT professionals living or working in the Manchester area to socialise, establish new contacts, meet up with existing peers, and share experiences and best practice… all over a complimentary drink and hot buffet. Non LGBT people are welcome too. What more could you ask for? For more information email the team at ManchesterLGBTNetworking@google.com

The Rainbow Intersection A Dialogue About Race, Culture & Sexuality In Modern Britain Friday, October 25 2013 18:30 to 21:30 - FROM £5 London, UK As part of 2013 Black History Month, Bisi Alimi Consultancy and The Quest for Gay Men present this fantastic event. It will bring together a panel to discuss and debate a subject matter that is all too quickly swept under the carpet by the LGBT community. Confirmed panel includes Elly Barnes, Robert Berkeley, Omar Kuddus, Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, Helen Belcher and Paul Burston. The event will be hosted by Nigerian journalist and broadcaster, Funmi Iyanda. Plus lots more!

We’re thrilled to announce that The Co-operative sponsored the Attitude Awards The event was held at the Royal Courts of Justice, London on Tuesday 15th October 2013. Their inaugural Awards ceremony was held last October and, like this year, raised funds to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The glitziest gay party of 2013 – and Britain’s biggest ever gay awards event – saw Attitude applaud all the people who rocked their world last year – from TV Personality of the Year Clare Balding and Editor’s Special Award Winner Nick Grimshaw to Community Group of the Year, Diversity Role Models plus their Icon Award winners – Peter Tatchell, George Michael and Sir Ian McKellen.

Find out more and purchase your ticket at rainbowintersection.eventbrite.co.uk

Grab the special Attitude Awards Issue

now Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 21 Respect Magazine - October 2013

FOOD SUPPORT

A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT TO ALL FRIENDS OF RESPECT FROM

STEVE MURRELLS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE, THE CO-OPERATIVE FOOD “Since joining the business in 2012 I have seen first hand how committed our colleagues are to promoting and championing diversity right across our family of businesses. I am incredibly proud to be able to say we are the only retailer in the top 100 of Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, and we are now leading the way across our industry through the checkOUT network. The Respect network continues to set the bar and I know that without the hard work and commitment of the network volunteers our successes would simply not be realised. On behalf of the thousands of retail colleagues who value your work, thank you.”

The Co-operative Food is a huge supporter of the Respect network. They proudly sponsored our Manchester Pride parade entry and all 600 of our UK wide Pride t-shirts. On top of this, at Manchester Pride they funded our huge 20m tall billboard on Canal St as well as over 6,000 fab ‘Spend £6 Save £2’ Pride branded coupons. Thank you!

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

“On behalf of the thousands of retail colleagues who value your work, thank you.”

Steve lls e r r u M

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

Reach for the stars Say hello to ‘REACH’ The Co-operative’s newest support network Diversity, Inclusion and Equality are an integral part of our proud heritage therefore the Group is proud to announce the launch of our new support network REACH! REACH has been formed to support, share awareness and understanding of the cultural heritage of colleagues in the workplace, to make it a great place to work and grow. As diversity is our strength, which encompasses acceptance and respect, we value the attributes and experiences of every individual. The Group is committed to building inclusive, respectful and supportive environments where everyone feels comfortable to be themselves at work, regardless of their background and experience. One of our aims is to improve the appreciation of other peoples’ points of view and we are delighted

that we have a number of active employee networks, such as Respect and Aspire who support this as part of their work and now REACH is in place to also drive the aim of building an inclusive organisation that celebrates the diversity of all employees.

race, ethnicity and cultural heritage

Why another network? It is important to develop an understanding of the makeup of our culturally diverse workforce to enable us to highlight diﬀerences between groups in terms of satisfaction, engagement and progression. This in turn can help us to identify, tackle and prevent issues that would otherwise undermine employee engagement and productivity. REACH will support our colleagues by understanding their unique yet diﬀerent contributions and encouraging them to use their talents to deliver a better service, have a broader perspective, leading to innovation and growth.

REACH will demonstrate a real commitment to valuing and respecting our diverse workforce by arranging activities that will celebrate religious and cultural events, oﬀer workplace development advice and encourage dialogue between colleagues from diﬀerent backgrounds. REACH is open to all Co-operative Group employees, irrespective of background. If you want more information on REACH or share our passion and embrace our Group values to participate in the new support network then please contact Reach@co-operative.coop The Respect network Steering Group is delighted to have supported the founding of the REACH network and we wish the network a fabulous future.

The Co-operative Funeralcare sponsors the Gay Wedding Show Following their sponsorship of the event in previous years, The Co-operative Funeralcare is back to sponsor one of the UK’s premier gay wedding shows ‘The Gay Wedding Show’. Now in it’s tenth year, the show oﬀers advice, support and inspiration for planning the big day and everything that goes with it. You may think it’s a bit odd for a funeral provider to be sponsoring a wedding event but when planning a wedding, many people are also planning their wills and talking about their end of life plans.

The next stop is: Brighton: 27th October 2013, The De Vere Grand Hotel

MORE AT www.gayweddingshow.co.uk

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 23 Respect Magazine - October 2013

The Co-operative sponsors Cardiff Mardis Gras

DAVID’S SNAP SHOTS Lots of community groups and charities attended the event too.

by David Reardon Respect Regional Champion The Co-operative Pharmacy South Wales •••

Well what a great event for Cardiﬀ Mardis Gras was this year! The venue was moved from the usual Cathays Park to the Millennium Stadium, home

Over 100 volunteers were wearing our ‘Making history with Pride’ t-shirt at the event.

of welsh rugby and gave the event a lot more space and more stalls. The pharmacy and membership groups were their usual cheery self with a lot of people signing up for the membership scheme and also getting to pick up the all important freebies! This year as a pharmacy stall we looked to improve upon what we had last year and had more information and freebies to give out to people. As a pharmacy our message for this year was to have safe sex and to help with this we arranged for free condoms to be given out to who ever wanted them – needless to say this was a big hit

with people. I was lucky enough to be supported by some wonderful people

friend found out more about this especially after having their picture

this year mainly Elen Jones (pharmacist at Gilfach Goch); Rhodri Thomas and his Pre-reg student Cathy (pharmacists at Rhwibina) who went to

taken with a few drag queens. The headliner for this year was Beverley Knight who kindly posed for a few

university in Brighton and never went to a pride rally!? The whole event was one great celebration, with people from all walks of life coming to celebrate all things LGBT, and even my niece and her

pictures whilst warming up – much to Elen Jones' delight! And in the spirit of keeping things welsh - 'ma s at arall 'n aruthr balchïa 'n gyfnesaf blwyddyn! (here’s to a great pride next year!).

AN INCLUSIVE EVENT FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Top: David and Elen with the English Lads. Right: Respect member Elen Jones and friend.

David with his two nieces who both thoroughly enjoyed the family friendly, inclusive event.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

Gay in Britain As reported in The Guardian, many lesbian, gay and bisexual people continue to live in fear of prejudice, despite the significant progress in recent years to improve equality. Gay in Britain, a report by the campaign group Stonewall, suggests that large numbers of Britain's 3.7 million gay people fear they will be discriminated against if they stand for political oﬃce, seek to foster a child or look to become a magistrate.

We have lots of lesbian, Three in five of those questioned in gay and bisexual the YouGov poll of just over 2,000 gay people said they expected their mentors registered! child would be bullied in primary school if it were known they had gay parents; more than four in five expected the same if they had a child in secondary school. Seven in ten people expected to face barriers because of their sexual orientation if they applied to become a school governor. Despite the move to legalise gay marriage, the survey also suggests the Conservative party still has some way to go in winning the support of gay, bisexual and lesbian people. Three-quarters think they would face barriers from the Tories if they wanted to stand as an MP, while more than a third would expect to face barriers from the Labour party and more than a quarter from the Lib Dems.

Both the coalition government and recent Labour administrations have done much to advance the cause of gay equality, but it appears many gay people fear societal attitudes lag behind parliament.

committing crimes or dealing with police and prison staﬀ. Almost six in 10 gay and bisexual men and almost half of lesbian and bisexual women believe they would be treated worse by a prison oﬃcer than a heterosexual person. Eight in ten lesbian, gay and bisexual people would expect to face barriers if they applied to become foster parents. Almost half expected to be treated worse than a heterosexual person by an adoption agency if they want to adopt a child.

"Completion of our work on marriage means that one strand of Stonewall's domestic focus – legislative equality – is eﬀectively complete," said Stonewall chief executive Ben Summerskill. "But this polling demonstrates starkly that changing laws doesn't change attitudes and lives overnight." The report found that one in five lesbian, gay and bisexual employees have experienced verbal bullying from colleagues, customers or service users in the past five years. A quarter said they were "not at all open" to colleagues about their sexual orientation. It warns that the criminal justice system presents barriers for lesbian, gay and bisexual people who fear they will be treated worse than their heterosexual counterparts, whether they are reporting crimes, suspected of

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

"Gay taxpayers contribute £40bn a year to the cost of Britain's public services," Summerskill said. "They should be able to have confidence that they will receive the services they need when accessing schools, hospitals or policing. It's time the needs of this country's 3.7 million gay people, both as citizens and service-users, were properly met." Stonewall said its report showed that, in contrast to claims made by anti-gay campaigners, there is overwhelming support among gay people for equal marriage. Nine in ten lesbian, gay and bisexual people support the government's recent moves to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples. Its survey found more than six in ten gay and bisexual men and four in ten lesbians and bisexual women expect to experience homophobia if they take part in a team sport and are open about their sexuality. And almost half think that television's portrayal of lesbian, gay and bisexual people is unrealistic.

Find out more at www.stonewall.org.uk @stonewalluk

The co-operative 25 Respect Magazine - October 2013

Frustration, Humiliation and Honesty - The Life of a Man Trapped in the Wrong Body Kineta Kelsall, our newest Respect writer met a very special young man from Sheffield to learn more about his very frustrating yet inspiring story. Jack is a 22 year old man. He talks of humiliation, liberation and frustration, and tells Respect exclusively, what it’s like to be born in the wrong body. Firstly what does sexuality mean to you Jack? LGBT, is a network that provides supports for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people, but do you identify yourself as transgender – or do you think it’s not as straightforward as that? I don’t have a problem with branded sexuality terms such as gay, lesbian, transgendered, transvestite, if that is how the person wants to identify. If that’s NOT how a person wants to identify, even if by the same rules they should fall under that category, then we shouldn’t force them to. I’m a man and on paper I suppose you could say I am a transgendered man but to me, I am just a man.

We lots So have do you think loveof and lesbian, sexuality is just about the person and bisexual not the anatomy? gay and I think it is a case of each to their own really. It would be mentors registered! lovely if people didn’t care about what was between someone’s legs when falling in love with them but I think it is just a fact that some people do. It is undoubtedly devastating when someone you really like rejects you because of your anatomy but unfortunately I think it is inevitably going to happen sometimes. I am not at all saying that it is a nice feeling when a trans person is rejected for something they already hate about themselves. However, if a person just doesn’t like what you were born with, then there is not much you can do, as hard as it is at the time.

So what’s it like when it comes to relationships and dating? I think that is one really huge part in why relationships can be so hard for trans people. Whether you’re in a relationship already or at the start of something, if the sexuality of the person you like diﬀers from the way you identify it can bring up really tough problems. If you’re in a lesbian relationship but identify as male the person you’re with has to come to terms with losing her lesbian identity; similarly if you’re dating a straight girl she has to

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

get her Respect Ma head gazine contr ibutor around the Kineta Kelsa ll S o idea that cial Media Content & E valuation An she is alyst at The Co-ope dating what rative to her may now seem like a girl. It is very diﬃcult and confusing for both people. I guess it comes down to loving someone for him or her and not the anatomy. We are living in a time of liberation and honesty and I think people are a lot more open minded. Things like having a penis or having a vagina really don’t matter.

Do you feel you were born in the wrong body? ‘Born in the wrong body’ seems to be a bit of a cringey phrase within the trans community now but even so, I think it is still probably a helpful one when trying to help others understand when they have absolutely no idea about what ‘trans’ is. So for the sake of simplicity I suppose yes, you could say I feel I was ‘born in the wrong body’ but maybe that is the point – if only it were that simple.

How do you think people interpret transgender? Why is it not as simple as being born in the wrong body? I think ‘born in the wrong body’ suggests it’s as simple as penis = man and vagina = woman, so am I not a man until I have a penis then? And what if I choose to never have the invasive surgery to give me one, would that mean that I would never be a man? No, of course not, so I think that demonstrates just one of the diﬃculties with the phrase, and with the general idea that being trans revolves entirely around the body, or genitals in particular.

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We can imagine that must be really frustrating having to always justify ‘you’? Just so our readers can understand better, what does it actually mean to you? In terms of what being ‘born in the wrong body’ feels like, or feels like for me at least, it feels confusing, it feels constricting, it feels like you have no idea how to be who you feel like you want to be; and sometimes it feels like you don’t even know who that is in the first place. It feels controlling and consuming, but most of all it feels tormenting and frustrating because it is so inescapable. It is there in everything you do and everywhere you go, following you and reminding you that you aren’t who you are in your head.

How do you get round difficult situations? What did you do when you started university? I was really lucky when I came to university because before I went, I found the union's LGBT+ society on Facebook and managed through them, to get in touch with the university's Equal Opportunities Oﬃcer. He really helped me out by answering questions for me and finding things out which put me in a really good place when I got there. Then, before my very first lecture (I was lucky this happened to be with the most amazing lecturer I've ever met) I sneaked in before the lecture started, blurted out 'I'm transgender please don't say my name on the register!!!' She dealt with it from there - put a note round to the other lecturers to use my chosen name on registers and to refer to me as 'he'. That really sorted me out. So between her and the Equal Opportunities Oﬃcer doing things like sneaking me into uni after closing to get a receptionist to print me a new student card with 'Mr' on (and whispering 'this never happened'), I was really lucky to be able to keep it all hidden from the rest of the

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

people on my course. Some people I chose to tell and some people found out but all in all it really was a great first stab as living my life as me at last.

Have you always felt like this? When I look back on my childhood I always knew that everyone else saw me in a diﬀerent way to how I saw myself. I always knew something somewhere had gone wrong, but I didn’t know that everyone else didn’t feel like that too. I didn’t know that it wasn’t how I was supposed to feel. I remember staring into the mirror wondering why my reflection was not the same as how I ‘actually’ looked (in my head). I remember wondering why none of the other boys had to wear dresses to school. When I blew out the candles on my birthday cake I remember wishing that I would be boy. I always knew I was diﬀerent but I didn’t know why or how.

Wow that must have been really difficult to get your head round! So how do you cope with that? I’ve been living a double life since I moved away from home and I still am. Up here most of the people I now socialise with have no idea about my past or my trans identity and know me only as a man like any other. However my family back home have no idea about the way I live my life up here and as far as they know I am as much their

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

daughter up here as I am when I go to visit them, so it really is from one extreme to the other. I’ve never spoken to any of my family about my feelings related to my gender and I’ve certainly never told them that I am transgendered or that I live my life up here as a man. In fact I never even told them that it is girls I’m interested in and therefore they’ve never known about any of the girls I’ve dated or anything like that. It makes going to visit very hard because I live happily up here for months on end not giving it a second thought, then suddenly I have to become this girl to go and see them and it is distressing and very stressful. I’m sure it must spark some resentment towards them, but unfortunately I just don’t feel like I’m in a position where I could tell them and still be accepted by them, so I live my one life up here and then have a completely separate parallel life for them.

Do you think people understand? I think some people understand what it’s like more than others, and I think some people try hard to understand and some don’t. It depends on each person. I used to care a lot about making people understand what it’s like and I used to talk about it a lot to the people who knew about me, but now I’m really not bothered whether someone understands or not as long as they accept me as just a guy like any other. I think I used to be so conscious and aware of it that I used to over-compensate by talking about it all the time and making people really aware of it, but now I’d rather people just not know at all and the less I can talk about it (and more importantly think about it) the better. I’m very comfortable now with just getting on with my life as a man. I don’t need to pressure people on it all the time any more. Having said that it is still something that comes up every day in day-to-day life so it is easier said than done.

The co-operative 27 Respect Magazine - October 2013

How do you think the media tackle sexuality, and transgender in the community? I think when talking about how the media portrays transgendered people it really depends on which specific publications/productions we’re talking about. I think some people like to feel preyed upon sometimes and will jump to exclaiming about how misrepresented transgendered people are by the media. It is true to say that sometimes we are depicted poorly but at the same time there have been some really great shows and films released which have shown trans people in a truly positive light. I think it all

depends on the purpose of the piece, if the director is out to shock and disparage us then we’re not going to be shown well, but if it’s done tastefully with the best intensions then I think that is ok.

So what’s the next step for you Jack? I am currently in the process of beginning my transition medically. It is a very very long and slow process, which for me has already suﬀered some setbacks, but by the end I plan to at least be on hormones (testosterone for trans guys) and will have chest surgery too.

Costs wise it diﬀers enormously on which route you chose to take. You can keep costs very low by choosing to have your surgery etc on the NHS but the negatives with that are the extended waiting lists and limited choices available. Many people choose to go private which speeds things up greatly but the costs are reflected in this. Some people even choose to travel abroad to get the results they want, often going to the USA, but you can be looking at up to £8-10,000 once you have taken everything into account. It’s not a quick and easy process that’s for sure.

Thank you Jack for your contribution to this issue

This months ‘Top Tweets’ Follow us at @cooprespectlgbt 7,000+ followers and growing! @lins96 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT @lgfoundation so proud to work for Co-op, it's fantastic to see us being recognised for the fantastic things we do! Great

@sharper76 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT Well done!! Winners of business of the year!! #homoheros” As a @TheCooperative member, well proud!

@JaﬀaBagpuss 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT WHOHOOOOOOOO well done chucks #homoheroes Business of the Year xxx

@TheQuest_GayMen 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT Congratulations on winning your 3rd #HomoHero award #LGBT

Chris@Respect @RespectGenSec 3 Oct Very #proud to collect @lgfoundation #HomoHero award on behalf of @CoopRespectLGBT with some of my SG friends! And met @theholliday - bonus!

@CllrSteveEllis 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT @lgfoundation - Well done to my employers, and thank you to the amazing #LGF for the work you continue to do

@PinkPandaTweets 3 Oct @CoopRespectLGBT Well done for the 'Business of the Year' Award. Keep going! Keep growing! #success

Proud to be the most followed UK employee LGBT network on Twitter 28

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

checkOUT Update In late August we met up with lots of the other checkOUT members including Tesco and Enterprise Rent-A-Car at Asda’s oﬃces in London to talk about the development of the UK’s first Inter-Retail LGBT network. Keep updated by following the network, fueled by The Co-operative, on Twitter @checkOUTLGBT and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ CheckOUTLGBT

More from our ‘Summer of Pride’ in the next issue of Respect. Including Cumbria, Grimsby & Reading Pride. Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

Email us your Pride pics to respectLGBT@cooperative.coop The co-operative 29 Respect Magazine - October 2013

We meet Rachel Crabtree, Respect’s Fundraising Coordinator

ABOUT ME

Rachel supporting us at Brighton Pride 2013

Tell us a bit about your role as part of the Respect Steering Group

NUMBER

I’m Fundraising Coordinator for the Respect Network. My role is to support in organising fundraising events and make them a success. The Cooperative has a long history of charitable giving, raising over £7million for MENCAP in 2011 alone so I want to ensure LGBT fundraising is represented in the work we do. With so many LGBT charities in the UK and government cuts and a reduction in personal charitable giving, this is ever so important.

The a mou nt we have raised for Mancheste r Pride since 2011

£30,000

RACHEL IS AN ‘EMPLOYEE RELATIONS & POLICY ADVISOR’ FOR THE CO-OPERATIVE AND HAS We have lots of lesbian, BEEN A PART OF THE RESPECT gay and bisexual TEAM FOR ALMOST A YEAR. HERE mentors registered!WE FIND OUT A BIT MORE ABOUT HER AND WHY SHE THINKS STRAIGHT ALLY’S ARE IMPORTANT

Who we’ve supported ur su Showing o

pport

2013

st nnedy Tru Albert Ke Stonewall ation Gay Found Lesbian & use Trust George Ho Trust) onal AIDS NAT (Nati 1 tive + more Lunch Posi

What things have you been involved in?

The a mou nt we have raised for George House Tru st

£1,000+ LGBT Com munity events we ’ve supported since 2010

I’ve attended several Pride Events and marched in the Parades which has been amazing. I even got to go to Brighton Pride this year which was an amazing experience. I have helped in the organising and running of many events from educational evenings held on the Manchester Campus, the most recent being BiVisibility Day. I am proud of the positive impact these event have had, with over 400 employees and members attending them in 2013 alone.

Identifying as heterosexual, how important do you think it is that the network is inclusive? Very important! The network is about being inclusive whatever your sexual orientation and I think everyone can benefit from knowing what it’s like to be LGBT in the workplace. There are lots of challenges that people face on a day to day basis, and even if you don’t identify yourself as LGBT you may work with someone who does, or have family members who are –so getting a better understanding can help in so many ways. I’ve learnt so much, and made so many new friends.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

Rachel supporting us at Manchester Pride 2013

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Rachel & ‘Made In Chelsea’ star Ollie Locke

Has being a part of the Respect team enabled you to experience things you may not have done? I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some amazing events through Respect – we recently attended the European Diversity Awards In London which were amazing - got to meet some inspirational people and felt really humbled at their achievements. It was a real honour to be nominated alongside them and just goes to show how much the network has accomplished recently. The Respect team knows we still have lots to do though but this is exciting.

“I think everyone can benefit from knowing what it’s like to be LGBT in the workplace” We hear the team has lots planned for 2014. Can you give anything away? 2014 is going to be Respects biggest year so far – we have got some huge events coming up and the opportunities we have for fundraising this year are fantastic! The calendar is packed full with fundraisers and educational awareness raising events – you’ll just have to watch this space for more details! Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

And you work closely with the LGBT charity ‘Albert Kennedy Trust’. Tell us more.

I became involved with AKT through Respect. They are a charity which support homeless LGBT youth by providing support and accommodation safe houses - for them. The Respect team and I helped them renovate a house in Manchester which 4 people then moved into. The charity then support them with education, work placements and eventually being able to get their own accommodation. Seeing the house go from a shell to a home was amazing and I even got to meet some of the young people who would be living there which made it all worthwhile. I thought what the charity did was fantastic and I took a volunteer role with the Charity on the Fundraising Team and will be also planning lots of events with them through 2014.

The co-operative 31 Respect Magazine - October 2013

Our gallery of bisexual role models

Respect celebrates Bi Visibility Day

23 Septemb er 2013

We have raised awareness of the annual ‘Bi Visibility Day’ for a number of years, but this year we thought we would do something different. We had big plans to raise awareness of the day to more people. We hosted an inclusive ‘Bi Visibility Day’ event at our HQ, 1 Angel Square, that saw over 40 people come together to hear our distinguished panel talk about all things bisexual.

The panel included: Dr Meg Barker Lead author of The Bisexuality Report and lecturer at The Open University

Jen Yockney Editor of Bi Community News and founder of Biphoria

Darren John Knight Head of Policy and Engagement at The Lesbian & Gay Foundation

We took over the digital screens at 1 Angel Square Respect took over the high tech touch screens throughout Co-op HQ, 1 Angel Square on the day. The screens all displayed the bisexual flag image and information about the day. They got lots of attention with many people asking more about the day. We also had a headline news article on the Co-op intranet to raise awareness of the day.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

At the event, guests enjoyed food and refreshments supplied by The Co-operative Food. There was also a lively question and answer session with guests taking the opportunity to put questions to our panel.

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

FFLAG is an organisation of parents of lesbian daughters and gay sons which seeks to promote the well-being of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, their families and friends

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

FFLAG supports families, works to combat prejudice and discrimination and helps to create a society that is respectful of diversity. National Helpline: 0845 652 0311 email: info@fflag.org.uk www.fflag.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1079918

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The co-operative 33 Respect Magazine - October 2013

He’s Really Doing It! it’s 2013 and will has only just watched one of the most talked about tv shows of the 90’s and many a gay & bi mans secret watch, ‘QUEER AS FOLK’ In 1999 Channel 4 aired an original series from Russell T Davies, which focused on the lives of three gay men and their friends and family in and around Canal Street in Manchester. ‘Queer as Folk’ proved a landmark drama that broke many taboo subjects while attempting to portray a realistic vision of what it was like to be openly gay and on the scene in Manchester at that time. I can remember reading about the show in a TV Guide in Ireland at that time, but living in my rural family farmhouse without Channel 4 I wasn’t able to watch the show on it’s original broadcast. Speaking to friends recently about what it was like to have a ‘gay drama’ on British TV at that time I wasn’t surprised to hear that they confessed to watching it very late at night when parents were in bed, or videotaped it and watched it in secret while keeping a close eye on the sitting room door (days before YouTube). I can totally empathise with this feeling and found their honesty refreshing but a little bit saddening as well.

Queer as Folk broke down boundaries on UK TV where the representation of the trials and tribulations of gay males were minuscule at that time. Scenes of a sexual nature coupled with some sterling performances working from a script that had a no holding back approach brought the characters to life with a real gutsy and unapologetic attitude.

Almost 15 years on I’m thirty and engaged to the man I love and living in the city where the show was set. I decided to give the show a watch for the very first time and see for myself what this landmark piece of TV drama had to offer. During episode one I found the storylines engaging and I tried to imagine what it’d have been like for

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

me to watch this when I was 16 in Ireland. I know I’d have been very secretive about viewing it, wanting to view this quietly and without interruption. Seeing the depiction of any form of ‘gay life’ for me would have been alien. On Irish TV I wouldn’t have seen gay lifestyles portrayed at all bar a one time ‘gay kiss’ on Irish soap ‘Fair City’ which was nothing more than a peck on the lips if memory serves me rightly yet had caused quite a scandal all the same. Comparing that to watching the characters of sensible Vince played by Craig Kelly keeping an eye on his best friend the experienced and successful Stuart played by Aidan Gillen ‘copping oﬀ’ with first time out to the village teen Nathan played by Charlie Hunnam and they are worlds apart. The ‘Queer as Folk’ loves and lives as depicted on screen would have been more of a fantasy and not something I’d have expected I would go on to experience for myself. Thinking back this is a rather heartening realization and coming from where I grew up would have been very close to the truth.

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

The reality of being a farmer’s son in catholic Ireland meant that I’d have likely resigned myself to the fact that being ‘out’ and experiencing a lively social life like I was seeing on screen would be totally out of the question. Thankfully all these years later that hasn’t been the case and of this I am so very glad. People’s attitudes have changed and TV drama has moved on to a great extent with many well-written realistic portrayals of gay men and women on popular drama and comedy shows on a frequent basis. ‘Queer as Folk’ wasn’t welcomed by the entire gay

community but it still proved an important series socially and culturally for many gay and bi men and women alike. It explored and exposed what was once seen as a ‘underground’ or ‘closeted’ life while making it very real, unashamed and matter of fact. Russell T Davies says that he stopped after 10 episodes because he felt that was enough, turning down the Channel 4 request for a further 10 episode second series and instead writing the final two episodes which brought the show to a close just 13 months after the first series aired. I think he made the right decision.

Where are the actors now?

Craig Kelly (Vince) went on to play ‘Coronation Street’ factory boss Luke Strong as well as taking part in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2009. He is a very prolific voiceover artist for commercials and as I wrote this article his voice was heard on a TV advert for ‘Shredded Wheat’. He also has credits as the voice for national ITV and BBC programme trailers. Aidan Gillen (Stuart) has garnered critical acclaim in the many dramatic roles in his ongoing career starring in HBO’s ‘The Wire’ and then HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ in the USA as well as Irish drama Love/ Hate with a great many other film and TV roles in between. At the moment he is filming a drama in Ireland ‘Citizen Charlie’ taking the lead role in the biopic about the life of 1980’s Irish Prime Minister Charles Haughey. Charlie Hunnam (Nathan) became an overnight pin up after QaF was aired. Charlie relocated to California not long after his role as Nathan was wrapped on the final two episodes of the show in 2000 and went onto star in movies like ‘Nicholas Nickelby’, ‘Cold Mountain’, ‘Green Street’ and the 2013 summer blockbuster ‘Pacific Rim’. He has a leading role in the ongoing US cable network ‘FX’ TV series ‘Son of Anarchy’. He was also briefly the leading man for the film adaptation of the smash hit E.L James novels ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, he pulled out of the movie in October. Queer As Folk is available on DVD now

Feature by Will O’Regan, Respect’s Entertainment Editor and Data Co-ordinator at The Co-operative Food Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 35 Respect Magazine - October 2013

IT’S LIZ FROM ATOMIC KITTEN As one third of top girl band; Atomic Kitten; Liz has travelled the world on sell out tours, performed for the Queen at Buckingham Palace and has countless awards and number 1 singles and albums under her belt, sold 10 million records globally as well as bringing pop music back to the masses in 2001 when the band released ‘Whole Again’. The song spent 4 weeks at number 1 in the UK chart, 6 weeks at number 1 in Germany, and was number 1 in 17 other countries. Liz’s debut single ‘Woman In Love’ was also a Top 5 UK smash hit. We can’t believe it’s over 10 years since you burst into the charts with your debut top 10 hit ‘Right Now’. How much do you think the charts have changed since your debut? The charts and music in general have changed so much. I feel as a punter listening to all the new stuff coming out it doesn't seem too different but behind the scenes, things are so different. With shows like X Factor dominating the charts, I think it had to happen though. I love change.

You had hit after hit back in the day. Do you have a favourite single of yours? (our's is 'Whole Again', lighters in the air) I do love singing ‘Whole Again’ to a big crowd because we give the audience a chance to sing there own chorus and hearing them singing it back to us feels so good. Since the big reunion though I love performing ‘Right Now’. It's been resurrected.

We love the album ‘Feels So Good’ and the title track co-written by Ms Kyle Minogue no less (who's hit 'Locomotion' you covered as a Bside). Is there a track on any of your albums you think would have been a big hit single? (ps. We

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

also LOVE ‘Turn Me On’ on the album ‘Right Now’) Thank you! Well there were a few that were going to be singles like ‘Always Be My Baby’. But I would've loved ‘I Won't Be There’ to be a Christmas single though. I really do like our albums, I always say if I wasn't in Atomic Kitten I would've been a fan.

“I always say if I wasn't in Atomic Kitten I would've been a fan”. We’re overjoyed to have the original Atomic Kitten back with us. How does it feel to be performing together again? It's lovely, we have all ironed out the issues we used to have and really treat it as a bonus in life that we get to do this. I think being in a pop band you can't take yourself too seriously. Just sing and have a brilliant time on stage. What could be better. We've realised that now. Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We’ve been loving ‘The Big Reunion’ TV show. Did you think the show would have been the huge hit it has been, spawning a second series, an album and tour that has seen over 100,000 people buy tickets?

You were famed for some big cover versions that went onto be Number 1 hits around the globe including ‘Eternal Flame’ and ‘The Tide Is High’. Is there a song you’re itching to put your vocals to?

I know! It's absolutely nuts!!! I think it's a really interesting but hilarious show to watch. I've just watched some of the episodes with my fella and mum and we were laughing our t*ts oﬀ. We never could have imagined the success of the show.

Any 80's song for me. Maybe a bit of Starship. Ha! I love 80's soundtracks, it's like my guilty pleasure that I'm actually really proud of. Haha

Do you have any plans to continue as ‘Atomic Kitten’ and release new music? We know you have another ‘Whole Again’ in you! Ha! Thanks for that. We have been in the studio and I've penned a few songs but we may have to wait until after the Christmas tour but we're having so much fun that as long as people want us around we'll be here, laughing, joking and taking the micky out of each other.

“I love 80's soundtracks, it's like my guilty pleasure that I'm actually really proud of” You’ve all had great success with your individual projects in music, TV and business. What have your personal highlights been? Winning ‘Masterchef’ was huge for me. I worked so hard that winning was confirmation of that. Doing ‘Legally Blonde’ to proved to me that after being so shy (I know you won't believe that but it's true) and not having much confidence, I could stand on stage on my own and belt songs out. The best is to come next year for me though. I'm very excited!

Being a bit older, with diﬀerent responsibilities, how have you managed to juggle your recent manic work schedule and touring? Well I still don't think I'm responsible enough for kids so I'm holding oﬀ there but I haven't had a break/ holiday for so long that I'm used to it a bit. The extra work is tough to add to everything else, I know the girls are the same, but it's so much fun that we've welcomed it.

You can download Atomic Kitten’s back catalogue on iTunes now! Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

Liz with Natasha and Jenny in the Atomic Kitten chart topping days

Who were your role models growing up? I'm going to be quite unoriginal and say my mum, but it's true! She's classy, compassionate, sorted and usually always right so I think that's a pretty good person to look up to. But I've always loved Dawn French, she's kind, funny and proud of who she is. One of the best moments of my life is when French and Saunders did a Harry Potter sketch for Comic Relief and a question came up "who's your favourite Atomic Kitten?" She said "No question, Liz!" I was ecstatic!

How important do you think the gay audience was to your huge success? (we loved our days dancing to the M*A*S*H Remix of ‘It’s OK’) MASSIVELY! We broke out onto the gay scene first playing at Heaven and at G-A-Y. Jeremy Joseph supported every one of our releases, always having us on as supports at first then one of our proudest moments was playing our first headline there. Everything else seemed to follow after that. I think having a strong gay following can make you and we've always been so grateful for ours!!

Find out more about Liz at www.lizmcclarnon.com The co-operative 37 Respect Magazine - October 2013

New Interactive Timeline of LGBT History Launched In January 2013, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) received funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake a history project which encouraged local people to learn more about the LGB&T past. Earlier this year, they hosted a series of fun LGB&T heritage quizzes across Greater Manchester as well as a series of bi-monthly learning events which looked at the Polari language and the LGB&T history of Manchester among other topics. As part of the project, 10 volunteers also worked to create an exciting new interactive timeline charting the many challenges and successes experienced by the LGBT community over the last 100 years. The timeline has a UK focus and charts events and people of significance including the death of Alan Turing in 1954, the first Gay Pride March of 1979 and the launch of the first magazine for lesbian women in 1963.

Being Manchester-based, The LGF were also keen for the timeline to celebrate the LGB&T heritage of the city as it has played a large role in pushing the equality agenda in the UK. The timeline therefore charts the rise of various charities that grew up in the region to support LGB&T people and progress the fight for equality.

Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Madonna all feature on the new compilation ‘G-A-Y The Album’

Dr Caroline Yorston, who is leading the project, said “Historically LGB&T people have stood in the shadows of popular history, but projects like this ensure this once hidden history metaphorically and literally ‘comes out’.

The collection was released on October 7 through Sony Music to celebrate the famous club's 20th anniversary.

Dr Yorston added; "Timelines are great for illustrating the course of a journey, in this case from criminalisation in 1885 to marriage equality in 2013. We made the timeline online and interactive as we really want LGB&T people to engage in a meaningful way with their heritage.”

G-A-Y The Album is a massive 3-disc collection and includes many remixes of popular hits that are exclusive and not available elsewhere digitally.

You’re invited! The Lesbian & Gay Foundation are looking forward to welcoming Clare Summerskill on 21 October when she will deliver a public talk about her work gathering oral histories from older LGBT people. They will also host Dr Holly Furneaux, who will be presenting her work on queer readings of Charles Dickens at the final event on 17 December, both in Manchester. The timeline will be a lasting legacy of the project and it is hoped that future milestones will be added in due course, making it a ‘live’ timeline. The timeline can be viewed at: www.lgf.org.uk/heritage-timeline.

For details about the timeline or any of the events please email history@lgf.org.uk

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

"I can't believe that G-A-Y is 20 years old," said founder Jeremy Joseph. He added, "It's been an incredible journey of highs and lows. G-A-Y has always been about supporting artists at the beginning of their careers and supporting them as they grow, and in return as they get bigger, they continue to perform at G-A-Y."

Some of our highlights: • Britney Spears 'Toxic' (Armand Van Helden Remix - Edit) • Kylie Minogue - 'Better The Devil You Know' (The Mad March Hare Mix) • Aqua - 'Turn Back Time' (Metro Scuba Club Mix) • Jennifer Lopez - ‘Waiting For Tonight’ (Hex's Momentous Radio Mix)

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

As the evening’s draw in and autumn 2013 takes hold respect’s entertainment editor will o’regan recommends some of the latest books and music of the moment. First up books: I found myself browsing the vast selection at a city centre bookshop for inspiration. A select few caught my eye and deserve special mention. Firstly ‘Behind the Candelabra: My life with Liberace’ by Scott Thorson with Alex Thorleifson which gives an insight into the life of the late flamboyant musician Liberace from behind closed doors as experienced by his one time lover Scott Thorson. Released as a movie starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon earlier this year it’s the book that spawned the movie. This one is certainly worth a read. Something a little quirkier and jam packed with interesting facts is ‘The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World’ by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman. It’s ‘Pointless’ oﬀ the telly but written by the hosts in book form. I don’t think I need to go into too much detail on this as the clue is obviously in the title but as in the show ‘Pointless’ answers are the ones that are the lesser known answers to a question put to a sampling of surveyed people. The more random and obscure the better. A great buy for fans of the show. Lastly I felt this deserved mention ‘Carol’ by the late Patricia Highsmith writer of The Talented Mr Ripley. This story, set in 1950’s New York tells the tale of a 19 year old girl and a suburban housewife; it’s a lesbian love story and so much

Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

more. Written in the 1950’s it proved quite a controversial novel due to it’s content and was originally released under the title ‘The Price of Salt’ with Patricia’s name masked under the writing pseudonym Claire Morgan. It was later revised and republished in its current form. A film adaptation was announced this May to bring this story to the big screen starring Cate Blanchett and Mia Wasikowska so be sure to read the book before the film gets released.

To music: I’ve been listening to and really loving Diana Vickers second album ‘Music to Make Boys Cry’. The fabulous uniquely voiced girl from ‘The X Factor’ (2008) and ‘The Rise and fall of Little Voice’ in the West End is all grown up and is back with new material. Following on from her debut number one single ‘Once’ in April 2010 and her debut number one album ‘Songs from the tainted cherry tree’ released in May of that year; it went and proved to all that she didn’t have to win The X Factor to garner commercial success while being heaped in critical praise as well. She delighted her legion of fans with the electro pop medley of tracks. Fast-forward to 2013 and having parted company from Sony Music, Diana has released this second work under a diﬀerent record label but maintaining the distinctive sounds, perhaps even going a bit harder in the electro vibe. To me this girl can do no wrong but I have heard it said that she is an acquired taste. The 80’s style production and the catchy clever lyrics are a testament to her talent as Diana has writing credits on every single track. Songs like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Lightening Strike’ are stand outs for me and the deluxe version of the album comes with three acoustic versions of her new songs. She’s sounding terrific so go out and get it and listen for yourself. ★★★★

More from Will in the next issue of Respect, including his review of the new ‘Ladyboy’s of Bangkok’ show

The co-operative 39 Respect Magazine - October 2013

Respect finds out more about Terrence Higgins Trust

You’ve been around for a long time. For those not aware of who you are and what you do, please let us know. Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to more than 100,000 people a year. We also campaign and lobby for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual ill health.

HIV first came to the publics attention in the early 1980s and there were lots of big awareness campaigns that followed in mainstream media. We hear the number of people contracting HIV is increasing. Why do you think this is? The number of people contracting HIV each year has actually been falling since 2005. However, since the introduction of eﬀective treatments in the late ‘90s, people with HIV have been living much longer. This means the total number of people living with the virus has been steadily increasing. There are now more than 100,000 people with HIV in the UK, a sizeable proportion of them gay and bi men. Most worryingly, a quarter of them are still undiagnosed, so aren’t able to access the treatment they need to stay well. And with the vast majority of new transmissions coming from people who don’t know they have HIV, we need to do everything we can to get more people to come forward for testing.

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

Do you think enough is done to raise awareness of the risks associated with having unprotected sex? We currently have a situation where some people are very clued up about sexual health and how to stay safe, while others are

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

less aware. This isn’t surprising, as the quality of sex and relationships education in this country varies hugely from school to school. We believe this is especially harmful for young LGBT people, who are forced to depend on less accurate sources of information, like friends and chat-rooms. For some time now, we’ve been lobbying the Government to make SRE a statutory part of the curriculum and ensure young people are equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to make healthy judgements and stay safe.

Do you think the porn industry has a responsibility to promote safe sex? First and foremost, we believe they have a duty of care to the actors in their films to protect them from HIV transmission. Where studios are filming condomless porn, they should have proper health and safety guidance for their actors, which should include regular testing for HIV and other STIs. As we’ve seen with the recent spate of HIV transmissions in Hollywood’s porn industry, even this can’t totally eliminate risk. More broadly, we would like to see sexual health information available everywhere that condomless pornography is available or viewed, from sexual health messages on packaging to clear information within the content itself, advising people where they can access support and advice on sexual health.

Please tell us more about the ‘It starts with me’ campaign. ‘It Starts With Me’ is our government-funded, Englandwide campaign to reduce HIV transmission among high-risk groups (gay and bisexual men, and Africans in England). The campaign’s main message is simple: every sexually-active gay

and bi man in England can help stop the HIV epidemic in its tracks by: • Testing for HIV at least once every twelve months, and more frequently if they have taken a risk. • Taking the medication they need to stay fit and well, if they have been diagnosed with HIV. • Protecting themselves during sex by using condoms and finding other ways to avoid risk. • Participating in community action by finding a way to support the campaign and spread the word to their friends and contacts. We’re encouraging people to show their support for the campaign by visiting the website at www.startswithme.org.uk, and joining the conversation at www.facebook.com/ startswithme.

It’s World AIDS Day on 1 December. Do you have anything planned? Our big push this year is on the second annual National HIV Testing Week, which will run from 22nd – 29th November. Our first Testing Week was a great success, with thousands of people taking an HIV test at special events around the country, and we want this year’s event to be bigger and better. It’s an opportunity for the whole country to get behind HIV testing, and help get the message out there that we can stop HIV.

What's next for you? Well, our master plan is to halt the spread of HIV in the UK, but we can only do it with the community’s continued support. Each of us has a role to play, so we’d urge your readers to get involved, sign up to our national campaign, and help us turn back the tide of the epidemic.

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

Condoms come in all shapes and sizes. To find the youat and to get great deals, go to Email your best stories ones and getfor in touch respectLGBT@co-operative.coop

StartsWithMe.org.uk

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The co-operative 41 @startswith_me Respect Magazine - October 2013

60 minutes to make a difference, what will you do? This fundraising challenge is all About Time…as the clocks go back, how will you use the extra hour on the 27th and 28th October 2013 to support young adult carers? Following the incredible success of 24-7, which raised over £470,000 for Young Adult Carers, we want to challenge you again! On the 27th and 28th October Co-operative colleagues, members and customers are invited to take part in our care o’clock fundraising campaign; 60 minutes to make a difference, what will you do? The campaign will involve creating a host of fundraising activities across the UK in order to raise funds to support Carers Trust. As well as fundraising, care o’clock aims to highlight the 24-hour, 7 day a week nature of the work that Young Adult Carers do. For most Young Adult Carers all that the extra hour will mean is additional time spent caring, whilst many of us enjoy an extra hour of rest. Our care o’clock appeal challenges you to use the additional hour to raise money for the vital work of Carers Trust. Figures released from the 2011 UK census show a 25% increase in the number of Young Adult Carers (aged 14 –25). The money raised from our Charity of the Year partnership with Carers Trust aims to transform the lives of at least 20,000 Young Adult Carers through support, mentoring, respite breaks, local projects and public awareness initiatives. Young Adult Carers are twice as likely not to be in education, employment or training, so the money we raise will change the lives of thousands of young people and give them the opportunity to realise their potential, whatever their ambitions. Colleagues, members and customers will be asked to create, or join in with a variety of fundraising activities happening across the UK on and around 27th / 28th October 2013.

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

Ideas to get you started… We’re giving you the challenge of creating, or joining in with as many activities as possible!

Your event or challenge doesn’t have to have a time theme, the bake sales, raffles, quizzes and fun days collectively represent the biggest fundraising income each Charity of the Year – and cake is always going to be a winner! If doing a raffle, please check if your raffle requires a license. Visit the intranet or Citrus for more information.

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

How to... Work Together Consider working with other Co-operative businesses in your local area to make your event bigger and raise even more for Young Adult Carers. Is there a Food store, Bank branch, Funeral home or Pharmacy on your high street? Work together to come up with a Care o’clock event. Speak to other businesses directly by visiting www.co-operative.coop and search under the ‘find your local branch’ tab. Working together as a family of businesses means you can share the workload, raise even more money for charity, have a greater impact across your community and increase awareness of your business.

Set up a JustGiving page Post your fundraising event and any pictures to your own Facebook and Twitter feeds – include a link to your JustGiving site so people can donate money. Set up your page here: http://www.justgiving.com/company/thecooperative/events# Care-O-clock-60-minutes-to-make-a-difference-what-will-you-do-. You can also post your event to our new Charity of the Year Facebook tab ‘Show your caring side’. You can find it on the Co-operative Official Facebook page www.facebook.com/thecooperative.

PR Let The Co-operative PR department know what you are doing. They can help generate local press coverage of your event, helping raise awareness and money. Ask your line manager for information or look on the intranet for their details.

We have lots of lesbian, gay Support and bisexual for your fundraising Use these facts when you are communicating with your supporters mentors registered! (e.g on your JustGiving page).

person they care for.

time for education, work or just to enjoy being young. they care for. problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. Young Adult Carers are carers aged 14 – 25, who take on practical or emotional caring responsibilities.

For queries or help of any kind, please contact our Fundraising hotline on 0844 800 8527 Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 43 Respect Magazine - October 2013

We were ‘searchin’ and we found Photo by Penny Young

Hazell Dean

The lady behind some of the most recognisable hits of the 80s, including ‘Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)’, ‘Who’s Leaving Who’ and ‘Searchin’, Hazell Dean, is back with her new poptastic album ‘In The Name Of...’ Firstly, congratulations on over three decades in the music industry. Did you imagine when you released your first single in 1975, ‘Our Day Will Come', that you’d be releasing new music in 2013? Does anyone at the start of their career seriously think "Where will I be in 30 years time?" I always wanted to be a "pop star". I have worked damned hard to achieve that, and have continued to work hard to maintain it. I got to be what most people only dream of.... And to still be doing it 30 years later.... how much better does it get?

You had big success in the 80s with your Stock, Aitken and Waterman (SAW) produced hits including ‘Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)’ and ‘Searchin’, both charting in the top 10. How important was chart success to you and how did it feel to have hit singles? I have never wanted to be in any other business. Like I said I worked hard before my chart successes, and have continued to work hard ever since. I have had amazing chart positions all over the world. I have travelled all over the world and continue to enjoy what I do. Did I want chart success? Hell yes! How did t feel - FANTASTIC!

And you gave Stock, Aitken and Waterman their first Top 10 single in the UK with ‘Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)’. Did you ever imagine at the time their unique sound that would be labelled Hi-NRG would go on to define the musical landscape for a generation? You have a gut instinct when something is right, and this sound was so right. I'm very proud to have been a part (indeed the start) of the Stock, Aitken & Waterman phenomenon. Its continued popularity and longevity prove we had created something special. As they said at the time it was the sound of a ‘Bright Young Britain’.

“I got to be what most people only dream of.... And to still be doing it thirty years later.... how much better does it get?” How was it being a part of the Hit Factory? We hear songs were often recorded by multiple acts. Are there any

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

songs you recorded that ended up being released by other acts, or vice versa? I'm not a SAW historian. That question is best answered by the die hard SAW fans. Yes, tracks were often recorded by several artistes, but I couldn't tell you who recorded what....sorry! How was it to be part of it? At the time we were so busy I don't think any of us stopped to appreciate it or how special it would become. Only now reflecting back can one fully appreciate what we did. I can now be friends with Pete Waterman - something we never had the time for back then.

How was it appearing on shows like Top Of The Pops? What did you think when the show was cancelled by the BBC? Ahhh, that was sad. I have happy memories of watching the show, and obviously I have many memories of being on the show too. I drive my family crazy with "ooh, I met them on Top of The Pops" but I did meet so many other artistes on that show. It was enormous fun to do, and very nerve wracking as it was live!!!! There's plenty of YouTube footage to keep the memory alive! You know you really are oﬃcially a "pop star" when you go on TOTPs!!!

Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

One of our favourite singles of yours is the number 4 hit ‘Who's Leaving Who’. Do you have a favourite? I get asked this so often. No, I don't have a favourite. I have some that I like less than others, but I don't have a favourite. That said, "Searchin" is very special to me.

“The LGB fanbase have been instrumental in my success and have remained loyal throughout my career.” Please tell us about your new album ‘In The Name Of...’ "In The Name Of...” is quite simply an eclectic mix of songs that I like. Songs that should have been bigger hits, and songs that have specific memories for me. The title track was co-written and recorded by my dear friend Sharon Redd. Its a song I always loved her singing, and one I very much wanted to cover. It’s interesting to hear from fans which tracks they like. "We Belong" and "Can You Feel It" were the ones people instantly liked, but then "Believe in Dreams" and "Let the Night" are also favourites. I have had nothing but positive comments on the album. My intention was to record something that was 100% Hazell Dean....and it is. I'm very pleased with the result and proud of the work Pete Ware and I put into it. It’s a labour of love.

We’ve downloaded the single ‘This Is My Life’ and we have to say, it is rather epic. We haven’t stopped playing it. Its a bit of a gay anthem with its message and Hi-NRG sound. Was that your intention when recording it?

In the sleeve notes for the album you will see that "This is my Life" has been on my radar for a very long time. I always felt it could be a Hi NRG gay anthem. It’s camp, it’s dramatic, it’s heartbreaking...for heavens sake, its Shirley Bassey!! Yes, damn right it was my original intention to record it as a gay anthem. It has gone down a storm at Prides this Summer. However....it goes down equally well with a straight audience too. Music crosses boundaries. At the last couple of private parties I have performed at, I've had mums and grans up on the floor, punching the air. It’s a song they all know. Which goes to prove EVERYONE loves a bit of camp.....and Dame Shirley Bassey!

out now!

We couldn’t help but notice that lots of the songs have multiple remixes. We love them. How important is it to you that your songs have the dancefloor appeal? Do you have any favourite remixers? I love all of the remixes on my new album and have a particular soft spot for Matt Pop. He is very sensitive with the vocals, which is important to me. I always enjoy hearing a new Matt Pop mix.

“Yes, damn right it was my original intention to record it as a gay anthem.” Do you think the lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) community had a part to play in your success? "Searchin" became a club hit, rising through the gay club charts both here and Europe/America. I have always been supported by the LGB community. My first P.A for "Searchin" was at "HEAVEN" in London. The LGB fanbase have been instrumental in my success and have remained loyal throughout my career.

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Did you know? >> Hazell sang at the legendary New York Club "Studio 54". She also asked Grace Jones to leave her dressing room - and she did! They worked together several times after that incident, quite happily! >> Kylie had a huge hit in Japan with a recording of Hazell’s hit ‘Turn It into Love’.

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You have a very loyal fanbase and a big gay following. It’s fantastic to see you performing at Pride events all over the UK each year including Manchester and Cumbria Pride. How important do you think these events are to supporting an inclusive society? I have performed at Prides all over the world, not just the UK. In my experience Prides take many forms. Some are more inclusive than others. Some are quite "adult" and focus a lot on sex. Some are very friendly, relaxed and family orientated. Some are just booze fests, I have literally had to walk through lines of comatosed drunks being attended to by St Johns Ambulance volunteers (in the middle of the afternoon) just to get on stage. I generally really enjoy Prides, my family come with me as much as possible and we have a fun day, we always see lots of other artists who are friends (even my dog came to Reading Pride!). Are they important to get support in society? Yes of course, but as I said Prides take many forms, so I guess its up to the organisers to decide what image they want to project within their own community.

We have lots ofthe lesbian, “Everyone has right gay and bisexual to be treated as an mentors registered!

equal and have the opportunity to marry should they wish.”

You came out as a lesbian in 2010. Was this a hard decision to make? We know very well that coming out can be a very hard experience and everyones experience is very diﬀerent. Ahhh, the wiki myth strikes again! This is totally untrue. I have never, and will never make any public statement in the media about my own or anyone else's sexuality. I am and always have been a very private person. I am not "in the closet" either, but firmly believe that personal choice and the right to privacy

is one that should be aﬀorded to everyone, despite the media's obsession with "outing". I really don't know how this mythical "2010 coming out" story started but can assure you it never happened.

“I generally really enjoy Prides, my family come with me as much as possible and we have a fun day, we always see lots of other artists who are friends (even my dog came to Reading Pride!).” And Equal Marriage is now legal in England and Wales with the first marriages expected early next year. Is this something you are supportive of? Absolutely. Everyone has the right to be treated as an equal and have the opportunity to marry should they wish. I am often invited to perform at civil partnerships, which is always a lovely experience. I still don't think the fundamental diﬀerences between civil partnerships and equal marriage are clear (at least not to me) so I hope that will be clarified very soon. I have several friends who are vicars, and they have been very vocal in their support of equal marriage within The Church of England good on 'em!!!

Finally, what is next for you? What's next for me in the future? Well, I am always doing shows (dates can be found on www.hazelldean.net). There are plans for another album next year with Energise, plus there will be another single from the current album ("In The Name Of"). The next single is scheduled to be "We Belong" which has become quite a favourite with the fans. What's next for me right now? Probably a nice cup of tea.

Keep updated on Hazell’s tour dates, events and releases at www.hazelldean.net

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^^ Some of her big hits

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UPLIFTING

We have lots of lesbian, gay and bisexual mentors registered!

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The Beat of Gay UK The co-operative

FM | DAB | ONLINE Respect Magazine - October 2013

Can you take us back to your beginnings in the industry, what was it like? Did you or were you able to have a good work/Toyah time balance back then? When you’re young you don’t want any of that. What you want is to get ascending the ladder of success and that’s what I was focussed on when I was young. When you’re in music and acting it’s such an enjoyable world, it’s exactly where I wanted to be. I wasn’t interested in being anywhere else so I was pretty dedicated to everything. Of course I wanted to see the latest movies and see the latest bands and part of that was keeping up with my work ethic of keeping up to date with very quick moving trends. I certainly wasn’t interested in long holidays and partying, in fact I can’t think of anything that would bore me more today as much as it did back then.

“There was no body perfection in punk. There was no need to have an academic mind” As somebody who grew up in a remote part of rural Ireland as a child of the 80’s punk wasn’t something I was aware of. Would you say I missed out on a pretty awesome time in music?

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IT WAS A MYSTERY, BUT IT’S NOT ANYMORE. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE FABULOUS ‘TOYAH’ 48

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Punk was I think was one of the most incredible movements of my lifetime. It was so defined and so tangible. There was no blurred boundary about punk. And I think for me it was one of the last great movements since the invention of the internet. Punk happened by word of mouth and it was so powerful. It was for me completely unavoidable. As a woman it made so much more possible for me because one of the things punk did was it explored and expanded the boundaries of what a woman was and how a woman should be represented. There was no body perfection in punk. There was no need to have an academic mind, everyone was equal and everyone who had an idea and everyone who had an opinion had a place. For me it was the only movement that really removed all the boundaries. It was very open and accepting of homosexuality at a time when it was illegal. It was very accepting of disability and it was accepting of all world cultures as well. That said I wouldn’t say it was utopian; it was definitely a very hard edged culture but it wasn’t a culture based on prejudice, it was a culture based on truth. I think because of that, for me, it was the most powerful things I ever experienced. And when you look at today where it’s so impossible for young people to break into music back then anyone could be involved in music. Anyone who could pick up an instrument and play three cords had a career. Join the conversation on Twitter @CoopRespectLGBT Visit our new web-page at www.co-operative.coop/respectLGBT

Your career to date has been so varied from music, theatre, TV, narration, presenting and writing – such a variety. It’s a multi-facetted career– how have you managed to do it all? It’s a credit to you… Thank you for saying that. I think in many ways there’s a bit of light and darkness to what I’ve done. I don’t fit into any conventional settings as it were. As an actress I’m physically very very small which is problematic for people casting films and sometimes problematic for people casting stage plays because I am literally the size of a child. So because of that I’ve had to go for jobs that no one else fits into so it’s very chicken or the egg. So I’ve always fitted into the less conservative, the less normal roles because of my physicality. Then again with doing voiceovers and stuﬀ I have a slight lisp. It’s considered an impediment so I’ve never been able to do the normal stuﬀ that actresses do. So it’s been very much a benefit and a hindrance. But I love working and my priority is to work so I’m always looking for something to do rather than looking at doing that prime job and disappearing for six months. I don’t work like that. I’m always looking for a job tomorrow. So it means that variety suits me but I don’t always suit everyone who’s looking for an actress and I recognised that quite early on. So I think my diversity is actually down to my physicality, not being perfect for the industry I’m in.

“I still feel incredibly protective about this audience” You have played many Prides up and down the land – how

special and important are your LGBT fans? They are incredibly important because you are playing to fans that want to be defined by who they are and they have a right to be defined by that. Even in this age when you hear about certain countries putting the death sentence on homosexuality, I mean it’s appalling, it absolutely disgusts me that people should be judged and categorised by their sexuality.

“I think life can be cruel and unfair to anyone that doesn’t fit into that massive homogenized (normality). I just don’t think normality is the right word for anything” When I go out there and perform I’m performing to a group of people that find solidarity in being a group at that time and celebrating who they are in a safe environment. But also my heart goes out to the vulnerable, you growing up in Ireland, I mean my God people have to put their neck on the line to be who they are. And when I go out and perform and see the vulnerabilities out there I feel incredibly protective and supportive of these people. I think life can be cruel and unfair to anyone that doesn’t fit into that massive homogenized (normality). I just don’t think normality is the right

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word for anything. I almost think it’s an insult. I find it an insult. What is normality? I just don’t think that word should exist. When you look out there and you find these people who have been ostracised for something that is perfectly natural, it’s the way they were born. I still feel incredibly protective about this audience. They have a right to be who they are and they don’t need people judging them by either religion or homophobia. These audiences are very important to me. And putting all that sexual politics aside they are a great audience, they’re full of joy, they’re fantastic. They look fantastic, they love music and I want to perform to people who love music. Sometimes you just want to be with people and celebrate with them because they love the music first but then there is this undercurrent that these people need your protection, they need your support. So that’s partly why it means so much to me.

>>>More from Toyah

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What would say drives you and spurs you on?

showing it was an instant success. I think that programme alone made a billion for the BBC. It was just massive worldwide.

I think in past years it was due to the fact that I never really achieved at school and this whole thing of not fitting in. My parents were super critical of me. They were supportive but supercritical. My mother was a dancer so she was always quite vocal about me being clumsy or inelegant and I felt their voices on my shoulder a lot of the time when I was working. But they’ve both gone now and I now live in a world very much run by myself, by my own opinions. I still have a very tough work ethic. Technically I’m quite a slow learner and I’m still learning even now at the age of 55 and I’m driven I think by that need to learn and find a kind of perfection which is going to come to me slowly. I don’t think careers are based around your teens or your twenties; careers are a lifelong commitment. So I feel driven by that kind of belief in a way.

An interview with Hazell Dean is in this issue of Respect and she mentioned her friendship with you in the music business, are you friendly with other stars we’d know of? Yeah of course, I do the big “Here and Now” shows and “Rewind” so everyone from the 80’s I still know. We all have grown up together. We’ve all seen each other have children and stuﬀ like that. There’s Carol Decker, Kim Wilde, Belinda Carlisle, Go West, ABC; all of them. We all know each other.

“I tend to We have lots of lesbian, adore female Tell me a little bit about the performers stage show you’ve starred in gay and bisexual this year, Hormonal because they mentors registered! Housewives? Well that was just lovely. It was are always so written as just stand up. It was comedy, very naughty comedy inspiring” written by Julie Coombes. It was probably one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had because you went out on stage and you were making people laugh from beginning to end. It’s the only piece of work that I have ever done where the work has actually it’s happened in what feels like five minutes. There was never a dull moment and we were carried by the laughter of the audience. Very very good fun indeed. But I have to say the audience was 99% women, you’d have 6 men to 900 women and most of the time those men were pretty scared! Even though they didn’t have to be

I didn’t realise that you were the voice intro and outro of the ‘Teletubbies’, how did that come about? I did all the voices for a series called ‘Brum’ which was by the same creator. And I also worked on a series called ‘Pod’ with Nigel Kennedy the violinist. When Anne Wood created ‘Teletubbies’ as a pilot she asked me if I would come and do the voice and I saw the pilot and I just thought it was wonderful. She had serious doubts about it because at the time the BBC didn’t really like it but from the first

The co-operative Respect Magazine - October 2013

If you could collaborate musically with anyone out there at the moment who would it be? I absolutely adore Florence and the Machine. I tend to adore female performers because they are always so inspiring. I have a broad spectrum of what I like from PJ Harvey to Katie Melua. I’ve just come across a South African rap group called “Die Art Wood” who I’m absolutely fascinated by. They make the greatest videos I’ve ever seen. They have this South African slant to them. I’m not sure I’d want to work with them because I’m to middle aged but they are fantastic. I’m pretty open to working with most people.

If you were to dream up a dinner party guest list and could invite whomever you wanted who would be your list? David Bowie, Tilda Swinton, Mick Jagger, Cate Blanchet, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren… those kind of people.

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You’re going on tour soon (Love is the Law and more 2013) what can fans expect from the upcoming shows? Our shows are very lively, very upbeat. I’ve got 32 years in the music business and that’s 22 albums and so we cover as many of those albums as we can. We keep the energy going. Our shows are very comfortable, incredibly friendly and lively and I want people to leave our shows totally uplifted and inspired. A lot of people come to my shows not knowing the full spectrum of my work and I want them to go away thinking “God I didn’t know about that album” “I want to go and buy it now” So I try to introduce people to music I’ve done that they might not know. We do all the hits and I make sure that what we play, it’s like “earworms” that it gets to them that they want to hear it again; they want to go out and buy the music. This year we are touring the 30th anniversary of an album called ‘Love is the Law’ which included the single ‘Rebel Run’ and for the very first time in 25

years we’re going to be putting a song called ‘The Vow’ into the set which is an incredibly popular song. We will be covering things from the ‘Changeling’ to ‘Anthem’ to ‘Sheep farming in Barnet’ so it’s a very broad spectrum. It goes from very punky to very 80’s.

“I’ve got 32 years in the music business and that’s 22 albums and so we cover as many of those albums as we can” This may not be an easy question to answer but what would you say has been the

highlight of your career to date? That’s not an easy question because I live very much in the moment and I love what I do. There hasn’t really been a lull in my life so everything I’ve done has suited the age I’ve been. There’s absolutely no way I could do now what I did in the 80’s. I live very much for the age that I am and what suits me in the moment. A highlight; I’ve actually got a band called ‘The Humans’ with the drummer from REM and I love writing and working with that band. We’re still a young band; we’ve got a long way to go. Our audience is small but for me they are very much a highlight. They are what I want to focus on in the future.

After the tour, what’s next for Toyah? I’ve got a lot of work already booked for next year. We decided next year we won’t tour as such we’re just going to play all through the year so we’re doing three shows a week. Also I want to get Humans 3 out which is the third album.

Interview by Will O’Regan, Respect’s Entertainment Editor

See Toyah on her ‘Love is the law & more...’ tour The new tour celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the 1983 album ‘Love Is The Law’ alongside material from her latest studio album ‘In The Court Of The Crimson Queen’ and a selection of her most famous and well loved songs. Fri 18th Oct - NEWCASTLE Legends Sat 19th Oct - MANCHESTER Academy Thu 24th Oct - BRIGHTON Concorde2 Fri 25th Oct - WOLVERHAMPTON Robin 2 Thu 31st Oct - BRISTOL Fleece Fri 1st Nov - SOUTHAMPTON Brook Sat 9th Nov - LONDON O2 Academy Islington You can purchase tickets at www.eeetickets.com Find out more about Toyah at www.toyahwillcox.com Follow her on Twitter at @toyahoﬃcial Email your stories and get in touch at respectLGBT@co-operative.coop Find us on the Intranet Home > HR & People > Diversity > Respect

The co-operative 51 Respect Magazine - October 2013