…from the editor "A smart scholar once said: When a man and a woman walk down the street holding hands, they're saying something about their love. When two men do it, they're saying something about their sex life. This is still how many, and I would wager most, see the struggle for GLBT equality - as an impolite, perhaps disgusting, revelation of that which should be kept private. As if wedding rings, marriage benefits, pregnant wives, honeymoons, dating shows, romantic comedies – as if all of these are somehow "private" and not heteronorms drilled into our heads every day." Jay Michaelson (Zeek, May 2004) Greetings. With the government’s intention to outlaw incitement to homophobic hatred, legal equality seems, after a 40-year journey, at last within touching distance. It’s a fantastic achievement and we owe our progressive legislators a debt of gratitude, finally for righting decades of injustice. Yet even though Jay Michaelson’s comment may be slightly outdated in the light of civil partnerships, his sentiments have never been more pertinent. Legal battles won, an attitudinal struggle on social ground remains. History tells us that fundamentalists always become more active during times of enlightenment. We are struggling toward such a time now, and despite a fair-minded majority of people in this country having no problem with our being here, the bigots have lately become more visible, and vocal. The responsibility of the rational among us therefore becomes greater than ever, and we should not miss an opportunity to counter their prejudices wherever we find them.
James Contents
8 Feature: Incitement to homophobic hatred
3-4 News
9 Focus group: LGB Health in Bristol Bristol Gay Chorus Tidbits
5-6 Bristol LGB Forum AGM 7 Open meeting: older and disabled LGB people
10 Listings
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NEWS… BLAGS back to full strength The Bristol Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (BLAGS) is pleased to announce that, following a successful recruitment drive, this essential service is once again available to callers four nights a week. Set up over 30 years ago to offer confidential support to the LGBT community as well as others with concerns about sexuality, earlier this year BLAGS was on the brink of closure. Run entirely by volunteers, BLAGS provided a vital source of support however the number of volunteers had declined and, at that point, there were only three people left to take calls. Running a switchboard with such a small number of volunteers was not sustainable, even with the invaluable support of Bristol’s Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum, who generously provide the service with free office space. BLAGS was only open two evenings a week and there was an urgent need for new people, new ideas and new enthusiasm to revive this important community service.
volunteers came forward after a call to arms through local what’s on magazine Venue (www.venue.co.uk) PrideWest, the premier internet resource for the local LGBT community (www.pridewest.co.uk) and the LGB Forum’s own magazine Outburst. Says new recruit Nick: “I decided to volunteer for BLAGS when I heard that the service was under threat due to lack of volunteers. I really felt that a city the size of Bristol should have its own switchboard to give people a local service, and so that people in the South West could find out about local venues and groups from local people. “Although much of this information is available from the internet these days, many people prefer the chance to talk to someone, and often those who are feeling lonely and isolated really need a sympathetic voice on the end of a phone. I'm finding that the chance to help other people is very rewarding, and the people involved in the group are a great bunch, which means we also have fun!”
BLAGS is available Monday to Thursday, from 8pm-10pm on 0117 922 1328. The group is still looking for more volunteers, especially women, and if you would like to help call 0117 922 “You can always argue that things have 1328 or email admin@bristolblags.org.uk moved on,” switchboard volunteer Mike Sanidas admits. “But we still get calls Got something to say? from people who are distressed and Would you like Bristol to hear lonely and need to talk to someone. your voice? Obviously you have the internet, but here people have the added value of Write to Outburst and make a actually speaking to someone. People difference to your find it useful to have a confidential community. service where they can get things off their chest.” Contact details are on the back Now, BLAGS is back. Over a dozen new
cover.
Bristol Families and Friends & FFLAG facing an uncertain future
means that the only national organisation supporting families and friends of LGB people faces an uncertain future. Bids to the Big Lottery and various other trust funds have been unsuccessful and the private donation that we have relied on for the last two years is about to run out. In the last 12 months FFLAG volunteers have taken over 900 calls for information and support. We have received over 100 emails requesting help. The website receives over 30,000 visits a year.
Bristol Families and Friends (BFF) was set up in February 1997 and exists to provide support to people with a family member who is lesbian, gay or bisexual. The group currently meets, as a support group, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month between 7-9 pm at the Terrence Higgins Trust West. We are affiliated to Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gay men (FFLAG) a national organisation which offers telephone help lines and support groups across the country. It costs less that £40,000 a year to run FFLAG—that is just over £100 a day to At the beginning, BFF relied on the provide a unique and invaluable service generosity of THT who provided a room to families across the UK. for meetings and funding for the first print of our support booklets and Funding will allow us to continue: advertising leaflets. Eventually we applied for and were successful in Operating our confidential helplines and obtaining funding from Bristol City running our support groups for families. Council (BCC). We were also given a Providing education and information grant for the 2nd print of a further 1000 Campaigning locally and nationally on booklets from the Greater Bristol issues of equality for lesbian, gay and Foundation Express Fund. bisexual people. Unfortunately we no longer receive funding from BCC so rely upon support from THT and the goodwill of its volunteers. For this we are truly grateful and without it BFF would have no option but to close down. We provide a unique service covering the whole of the South West, helping parents, families, friends and LGB people themselves. Funding for such a service is vital!
“I wish you’d been there when I was a boy growing up!” – Sir Ian McKellen There are many other LGBT voluntary organisations across the country facing similar crises and I am aware of at least two that have recently closed because of lack of funds. At a time when the government is keen to commission services from the voluntary sector, it seems ironic that many organisations face a bleak future, if they have a future at all.
Sue Allen (BFF founder member) www.bristolfamiliesandfriends.org.uk Despite the efforts of the trustees, volunteers and staff FFLAG has also Ann Durbin, Executive Director been unsuccessful in securing any www.fflag.org.uk funding beyond the end of 2007. This 4
Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum Annual General Meeting followed by an
open meeting for Bristol’s LGB Groups Tuesday 11th December 2007 RM 15, Council House, College Green, Bristol All are welcome and the venue is fully accessible. The Forum has had a busy year – come and find out what it’s been doing and tell us what you would like to see it do in the future. Bristol has recently seen a significant drop in what was already a low level of funding for LGB groups. BFFLAG lost their funding and the Forum lost 22% of it's funding. Come and join us to look at how the Forum can best support local LGB groups and how we can work together to get a fair share of the funding pot for LGB-led organisations. Come along and meet local LGB social and support groups. If you are looking to start a support or social group then this is your chance to pick up some tips from those that already exist!
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EVENING AGENDA 6.00 - 6.30 pm Refreshments & light buffet 6.30 - 7.15 pm Annual General Meeting 7.15 - 7.30 pm Break 7.30 - 9.00 pm Open Meeting – LGB Groups and Funding Please contact Sarah to book a place if you are coming and tell her your access needs and dietary requirements. Phone: 0117 922 0741 (Wed and Thurs only) or leave a message on the answer phone. Email: sarah@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk Post: Bristol LGB Forum, 82 Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5BB.
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OPEN MEETING
MEETING DETAILS
Concerns over issues for older LGB people and disabled LGB people
Meeting 1 - for older and/or disabled LGB people, their, carers, family, friends and all those with an interest, is on:
Do you work with, for or have an interest in Wednesday 14th November 6 - 9pm helping older lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) Council House, College Green, Bristol people and/or disabled LGB people? Refreshments, buffet and networking Are you an older and/or disabled LGB person, opportunity will be provided at the beginning their carer, or do you have family or friends and end of the meeting. who are? Meeting 2 - for service providers, advisors, policy makers, carers etc. is on:
Bristol Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Forum, in partnership with the council’s Promoting Independence Team, is concerned about emerging issues faced by older LGB people and disabled LGB adults in some form of assisted living situations.
Thursday 22nd November 2 - 4pm Council House, College Green, Bristol Refreshments will be provided.
Some of the issues raised include :
The Forum will write a report of the information and conclusions gathered at • isolation Meeting 1. This report will be available to all and will be the basis for Meeting 2. Minutes will • problems experienced while in assisted be available from both meetings. care CONTACT DETAILS • suitable housing Contact Sarah at the Bristol LGB Forum to book • lack of information, understanding and a place, give access needs or leave information inability to access information about the for use in the meetings: recent changes in the law Phone: 0117 922 0741 (Wed and Thurs only) or • need for older/disabled people’s LGB leave a message on the answer phone. network/support groups Email: sarah@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk Of course there will be many others. In order to gain a better understanding of the current Post: Bristol LGB Forum, 82 Colston Street, situation for older and/or disabled LGB people Bristol, BS1 5BB. and their communities, and hopefully help find solutions, we would like to invite you to Call Paul at the Promoting Independence Team participate in one of our discussion events at : for further information and to leave information for use in the meetings: Council House, College Green, Bristol Call: 0117 987 8344 If you can’t attend a meeting you can Email: paul.davenport@bristol.gov.uk contribute your concerns or ideas to us by phone, email or post (these will be used at the Write: Promoting Independence Team, meetings). Withywood Centre, Queens Road, Withywood, Bristol. BS13 8QA. We hope to see and meet as many of you there as possible!
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FEATURE
people to refrain from expressing that objection in extreme forms such as threats or incitement to violence. It draws a very clear line in the sand over which one cannot step – the line between mere disapproval, and the fomentation of hatred or negative action.
Incitement to homophobic hatred The welcome news that incitement to homophobic hatred is soon to become a criminal offence brought two immediate reactions: the first was one of surprise that such legal protections, which already exist for other equalities strands, do not yet exist for LGBT people. The second consisted of the usual religious objections around free speech being impaired (that is, the free speech of violence and hatred).
At the heart of this and all equalities legislation is a basic affirmation of goodness – a legal framework built around a universally-recognised concept of protecting and valuing life in all its diversity. It simply cannot be seen as unreasonable because it’s so fundamentally human. Religious believers, for example, who already enjoy legal protections against incitement to violence against them, would deny those same protections to other minorities? Do these people have any concept of hypocrisy? As unfamiliar as I am with the majority of their scriptures, I’m pretty sure they have a fair bit to say on the matter. Would a black dancehall performer who sings homophobic murder lyrics have any hesitation in availing himself of the laws against racial hatred if he were the victim of a race hate crime? The double standards on show here are a shocking affront to reason. It is nothing short of bizarre that members of one minority, whom one would expect to have a heightened awareness of the importance of equality, should be so callous – indeed positively aggressive – toward those of another.
What some seem not to have grasped is that an adherence to the principle of free speech, whilst extremely important is, crucially, neither sacrosanct nor absolute. Those who complain about free speech being impaired often overlook the fact that one’s right to practise free speech ends where another’s right not to be threatened, intimidated or harmed, begins. There is a clear boundary where, occasionally, free speech bumps up against human rights. If you insist on using your free speech irresponsibly, for the purpose of encouraging the suffering of your fellow human beings, you quite rightly risk losing it. This is the way an enlightened society works. The most glaring and frequently-ignored fact in all of this is that nobody is preventing anyone from expressing antigay views in a measured, temperate way. The law does not make it illegal to express disapproval about sexual orientation. If you must persist in believing that there is something wrong with gay people, you are not required to change that belief. (The world would be a healthier, happier place if you did, of course, but you can’t legislate for thought.) What the law does do, however, is require those with an objection to gay
Equality is not a finger buffet – you don’t just pick and choose the bits you like. You are either for it or against it, as a concept, across the board, and if you wish to take advantage of this progressive government’s protections for yourself, you dare not have the audacity to try to deny those same rights to another. James Whale
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LGB Health in Bristol Bristol Primary Care Trust have just launched a focus group looking at LGBT issues in the Health Service. The work of the group, which the Bristol LGB Forum, THT, Promoting Independence Team and others are attending, is centring on the launch of the recent LGBT guides (see below) to all in the health service, looking at the provision and effectiveness of Sexual Orientation Equalities Training within the health service, and feeding back issues on health and health care treatment gleaned from the experience of LGB communities in Bristol.
he's having trouble keeping up! BGC are also looking for a talented musical director who can work with their pianist to shape the chorus into something special. They meet on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm9pm at The St Werburghs Centre, Horley Road, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9TJ. At the moment they're working on a couple of showtunes although Raymond says: "We're open to all different styles - jazz, classical, pop, musicals. If a member has something they really want to sing, we'll do it." So if you're keen to join in, call Raymond on 07903 139 060 or visit www.freewebs.com/musthavesong.
If you have comments or suggestions on your own (or others) experiences that you would like to be included in this work please email your comments (all are treated anonymously) to sarah@bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk or Stonewall Lesbian Health Survey: post to Bristol LGB Forum, 82 http://www.stonewall.org.uk/campaign s/lesbian_health_survey/default.asp Colston Street, Bristol. BS1 5BB.
tidbits!
CSCI are doing some work on LBG needs and are currently undertaking a survey on the experiences of LGB social care Raymond Wells set up Bristol Gay service users: Chorus in September, and 20 men www.csci.org.uk/lgbsurvey and women have already signed up. With the focus on community, BGC welcomes anyone with an interest in The Department of Health has recently singing. You don't need to be able published some LGBT guides: to read music or have a pitch- http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsa perfect voice – fun and enthusiasm ndstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPol are all that is required. Raymond icyAndGuidance/DH_078347 also welcomes anyone who is willing to help him run the group as it has snowballed at an alarming rate and 9
Bristol Gay Chorus
Listings BLAGS - Bristol Lesbian & Gay Switchboard Confidential support and information to gay men, lesbians and to all people with concerns about sexuality. Call us on 8-10pm Monday & Wednesday. 0117 922 1328. Email: mail@bristolblags.org.uk Web: www.bristolblags.org.uk
lesbian counsellor, and a lesbian and bisexual women’s support group which runs for 12 sessions once a year. Call 0117 971 6770. 107 Wells Road, Totterdown, BS4 2BS. Email: amy.greenslade@ywca.org.uk Broken Rainbow National helpline for LGBT victims of domestic violence, available Mon-Fri 9am-1pm, 2-5pm. Call 0208 539 9507.
EACH - Educational Action Challenging Homophobia A national charitable organisation set up to address homophobia through training and education. EACH runs a helpline for teachers, young people and parents, and for third-party reporting of homophobic incidents. Freephone Brigstowe Project helpline 0808 1000 143 (10am-5pm Mon-Fri Housing project for people living with HIV, and 10am-12noon Sat). General enquiries 0117 providing support, advice and advocacy. 176 946 7606/7. Office 24, 14 Clifton Down Rd, Easton Rd, Easton, Bristol. Call 0117 941 Bristol BS8 4BF. Email: info@eachaction.org.uk 5188. Web: www.brigstowe.org Web: www.eachaction.org.uk
BLiS - Bath Lesbians into Socialising We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 8:30 in Mandalyns, 1 Fountain Buildings, Lansdown Rd, Bath. Call 07891 563 127 for event details. Email: blisinfo@aol.com
Bristol Bisons RFC Bristol's first gay and gay-friendly rugby team is always looking for new members, players and supporters. Everyone welcome regardless of experience or ability. Call 0783 145 4991. Web: www.bisonsrfc.co.uk Bristol Drugs Project Support for users, families and friends. Call LGB rep Sarah Wilson on 0117 987 6010. 11 Brunswick Square, BS2 8PE. Email: HST@bdp.org.uk Bristol Families and Friends BFF is a support group for families and friends of LGB people. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the Terrence Higgins Trust. Call Sue Allen on 01454 852 418. 14 Brockley Close, Little Stoke Bristol BS34 6EZ. Email: sueallenfflag@blueyonder.co.uk Bristol 3Ms Supper group for gay and bisexual men. We hold regular social evenings in Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. Call Russell on 0117 973 9855. Email: bristol_3ms@hotmail.com
Freedom Youth Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Project. Friendly social and support group for young people aged 13 - 21, meet every Tuesday from 7pm - 9.30pm. For more information contact Babs or Winston on 0117 377 3677. www.freedomyouth.co.uk Gay Glos Help, advice and social networks for LGBT people living in the rural areas of Gloucestershire. PO Box 171, Gloucester. MonFri 7.30-10pm. Call 01452 306 800. Web: www.gay-glos.org The Harbour Providing free, professional counselling and psychotherapy to people affected by HIV, AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. 30 Frogmore St, Bristol. Ffi: 0117 925 9348 or www.the-harbour.co.uk LGB Young People's Forum LGBT Youth Forum for young people aged 13 21, exploring issues related to LGBT youth. For more information contact Babs or Winston on 0117 377 3677.
Bristol Young Women’s Centre YWCA Friends on the Hill We provide one-to-one counselling with a Group for people in Redfield, Lawrence Hill,
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Barton Hill and the Dings for people who are Rainbow Group LGBT or unsure. Socials, activities, info and Bristol City Council employees group for support. Call Rowan on 0117 955 6971. campaigning, support and socialising. Call Equalities on 0117 922 3786 or email Gay and Lesbian Alcohol Free Friends rainbow@bristol.gov.uk Social and support group for lesbian, gay and bisexual people with an alcohol issue. Call Paul So Out in the South West Green on 0117 378 9439 GLAFF, PO Box 2012, A new social and support group for disabled gay Bristol, BS99 5WN. Email: TMM@glaff.org.uk men living and/or working in the South West. Call Robin on 0117 942 9336 (office) GayWest Email: robin.corser-langford@virgin.net A social and support group for gay people in the South West. Meets Sat mornings in the South West Walking Women Rainbow Cafe in Bath. For details and events For women interested in hiking in the Bath and call 0870 811 1990, Mon – Fri 8pm – 10pm. Bristol area at weekends. Email: sw_walkingwomen@yahoo.co.uk GayWest, PO Box 586, Bath, BA1 2YQ. Email: info@gaywest.org.uk Web: www.gaywest.org.uk Terrence Higgins Trust West Information, care and support, and health Lesbian & Children Network promotion for all people affected by HIV and We are a support network for lesbian and AIDS. Counselling, buddying, complementary bisexual women and their children. Call Rachel therapies, advocacy and advice. Call us on Yarrow on 0117 942 6884. 0117 955 1000. 8 West Street, Old Market, Email: rachely@talktalk.net BS2 0BH. Email: info.bristol@tht.org.uk LGBT Society UWE Weekly meetings, consisting of alternate on scene and off scene events, plus trips. Call Cari on 07812 670 648 or Sean on 07904 382 719. UWE Student Union Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol. BS16 1QY.
University of Bristol LGBT Society We organise regular social events for all LGBT students at Bristol University. LGBT Society, University of Bristol Union, Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1LN. Email: lgbtsoc-ubu@bristol.ac.uk Web: www.bristol.ac.uk/union/lgbt
Missing Lesbians Website listing events for women in Bristol and USPCG the surrounding areas. A UK-based organisation that finds pen pals for Email: listings@missinglesbians.co.uk gay US prisoners. PO Box 1714, Yate. BS37 4NS. Web: www.missinglesbians.co.uk Web: www.uspcg.com Pink Herrings Social network for lesbians, meets every other Thursday evening at 8:30. Also bowling, cinema, coffee bars, theatre, concerts, discos, cycling, walks, meals out and more. For further info call Dot on 0117 986 1529. Pink Parents UK Information, advice and support on all aspects of lesbian, gay and bisexual parenting. Write to Pink Parents UK, The D'Arcy Lainey Foundation, PO BOX 417, Oldham. OL2 7WT. Email: enquiries@pinkparents.org.uk
Victim Support Avonvale We provide emotional and practical support to all people affected by crime, including homophobic hate crime. Call 0117 963 1114, national helpline 0845 30 30 900. 36 Dean Lane, Bedminster, BS3 1BS. Email: bristol@victimsupportavonvale.org.uk Web: www.victimsupportavonvale.org.uk Wild Walking Women A friendly walking group for lesbians, meets the second Sunday of the month with walks at various venues around Bristol, Bath and the south west. Call 07980 418 676.
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