LGBTEC Newsletter Spring 2012

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LGBT Excellence Centre Newsletter: The Trans issue

Celebrating our 5th birthday!

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter The LGBTEC has dedicated the first issue of our revamped newsletter to gender identity matters and to the celebration of gender diversity in all its forms.

Our newsletter is packed with information about the work that we have been developing to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people with our member organisations, partners, volunteers, and supporters.

We always aim to progress our partnership working in order to reach out to as many people as possible and support both individuals and organisations around sexual orientation and gender identity matters.

So if you think we can help or would like to work with us, get in touch!

Important News!

Equal Civil Marriage Consultation Event

Transgender Wales becomes part of the LGBTEC

15 May

1 May

Read more about our event on page 3.

Read more about this on page 4.

2nd International LGBT Human Rights Summit 12 and 13 October The premier LGBT conference comes back - page 6.

This spring sees the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the LGBT Excellence Centre. The charity has grown from strength to strength over the past few years and has delivered unparalleled initiatives and activities to raise awareness and visibility of the issues that people face around sexual orientation and gender identity.

Founded by Federico Podeschi in 2007, the LGBTEC is the fastestgrowing social enterprise and registered charity for LGBT people in the UK and has been accredited with the Social Enterprise Mark and Millennium Volunteers status.

The LGBTEC has also developed strong partnerships and its membership continues to grow. Be part of the magic!

LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

A word from the CEO Springtime is here and love is definitely in the air!

I say this because the opportunity to take another step closer towards full equality is on our doorstep with the consultation of Equal Civil Marriage that the Government Equality Office is rolling out throughout England and Wales.

This is a milestone for LGBT people, who are finally being given a voice to formally put forward their views and concerns on their human right to a family and equal recognition before the law. In fact, whilst Civil Partnerships have given same-sex couples the right to have their relationship legally recognized, equality still lags behind with differential processes for registering a relationship and a number of other barriers that most politicians have failed to acknowledge, understand or address.

The current legislation still expects same-sex and heterosexual couples to undergo mutually exclusive systems (although mainly justified by a difference in terminology and premises allowed to conduct the proceedings). This is compounded by the need to annul the civil partnership or divorce if a partner decides to reassign their gender.

When it comes to adultery the current legislation still classes a partner as adulterous if they were to sleep with people of the opposite gender to theirs, but not if they were to sleep with people of the same gender. For a marriage between a heterosexual couple to be legally valid, the couple has to demonstrate that the relationship has been “sexually consumed�, whereas there is no such requirements for same-sex couples. Yet, adultery arguments are not afforded to same-sex couples and heterosexual couples cannot use these either if one of the partners was to sleep around with people of the same sex – which is ludicrous!

But of course, we cannot stop to get dismayed at the amount of religiously-motivated bullying that seems to grow by the second around this consultation. Whilst there is plenty of social change in general society and attitudes towards LGBT people, a few exponents of different religious denominations are furiously galvanizing their followers to speak out against equality. I say a few because there are also plenty of religious people that keep fighting alongside LGBT people. Well surprisingly to some, LGBT people are also sometimes religious and some religious people also have members of their family or friends who are LGBT! So it is only a matter of time before we can enjoy full equality, but this is the time to speak up and make sure that our voices are heard. Keep spreading the love!

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE… 100 Welsh LGBT people to speak out on Marriage The LGBT Excellence Centre has been invited to host the only consultation event in Wales for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people with the Government Equality Office (GEO) in order to respond to the proposal to introduce legislation to enable same-sex couples to have civil marriages.

The consultation event is planned for 15 May at Cardiff’s City United Reformed Church. The event seeks the views of LGBT people on the Government’s proposals to introduce new legislation to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples.

This event is not only an opportunity for LGBT people in Wales to speak up and have their voice heard by the Welsh Government and Westminster, but also a chance to ask the four main Welsh political parties for their stance on and support for LGBT equality.

In fact, the LGBTEC has invited the Welsh parties to engage in a political debate during the event,

providing an outlet for LGBT people to put forward their questions or concerns.

The event will also feature a keynote speech from Rev Andrew Morton, who recently resigned from his post as vicar and college chaplain because he disagrees strongly with the church’s stance on samesex relationships.

Places for the event are limited and interested parties are urged to register via www.lgbtec.org.uk/marriage, where more information about the consultation can also be found, or by emailing marriage@lgbtec.org. The website also provides a link for people to register their interest in attending the event and the LGBTEC will ensure that there is wide and diverse representation at the event of Welsh people from across the sexual orientation and gender identity spectrum.

Have your say!

The government consultation will run until 14 June 2012 and individuals can submit their views directly. You can respond using an online response form which can be found on the Home Office website: https://www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/v.asp?i=48356xhlqw

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Transgender Wales becomes part of the LGBTEC Transgender Wales – the longest established support group for transgender people in Wales has become a welcome part of the LGBT Excellence Centre on 1 May. Aiming to strengthen and standardise the support that transgender people receive in Wales, the move was initiated by Julie Baker, one of the cofounders of the support group. Having worked hard with the community and many organisations across the public sector, such as the Home Office, the Welsh Government, the Crown Prosecution Service, the four police forces, and many local authorities, Transgender Wales will now look at increasing its collaborative partnerships under the lead of the LGBTEC.

Julie Baker, who has stood down as chair of the group to enjoy her well-earned retirement said: “I am keen to make sure that there is a legacy left behind me for transgender people that I have supported and I am confident that the LGBT Excellence Centre will continue to deliver support and advice, given the trusted relationship that we have developed over the years”.

The LGBTEC has developed a business plan for its work to incorporate Transgender Wales and promote and deliver support services to transgender individuals along with organisations and businesses who need assistance around gender identity issues.

Julie’s short biog Born male in July 1934, Julie gained both a BSc and MSc from Hartley College Southampton. Julie worked as the Materials Manger for the Sobel McMichael party of the GEC. Suffering from migraines for most of her working life in February 1967, Julie went to the doctors and was sent to see a specialist who prescribed her new tablets. After several prescriptions, it turned out that these were 100% oestrogen, which resulted in the development of female breast. On advice from the medical profession, Julie was told that if she underwent an operation to remove these, there was very little chance of life after two years and therefore Julie started living as a woman. She later underwent a gender reassignment in 1974.

Being a co-founder of Transgender Wales, Julie has been the Chair of this group and has taken on many other tasks to help the community, such as becoming a member of South Wales Police Independent Advisory Group, the Chair of the Central Division East Sector of South Wales Police, a member of the Cardiff Sector’s Community Cohesion Group, a member of the Wales Stakeholders’ Group of the Centre for Equality and Human Rights for the NHS and of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Trust.

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Transgender in Wales 2012 has seen the birth of two new support groups in Wales.

‘Transgender In Wales’ offers a virtual meeting place for the transgender community, via Facebook and the LGBT Excellence Centre’s website.

They also run monthly meet-ups in ‘real life’. The first two meet-ups took place in Cardiff and Swansea and were both highly successful, joyous occasions.

Their partner support group ‘Transgender In Wales: Partners, Parents, Friends and Family’ is the equivalent connection point for those who have someone identifying as transgender in their lives.

The benefits of being able to communicate with others with whom there is common ground cannot be underestimated. It is the hope that these support groups will create a genuine sense of community for people who may previously have felt isolated.

There are currently over 80 members for both groups, including the ever-supportive Sarah and Fox from My Transsexual Summer, and the groups are growing by the day. Along with creating a safe place for discussion and debate, the support groups are a chance to broaden social circles and ask questions. Some current members speak for themselves:

Kerri Louise Bayliss

Rachel W-D “The TIW: PPFF group has given me a chance to make contact with other parents in my position in Wales for the first time. I will be meeting another mother soon as a result of the group and hope that my transgender son will also make a friend in her son.

It is exciting and reassuring for both of us!”

Transgender in Wales works in partnership with the LGBT Excellence Centre and more information can be obtained by visiting www.lgbtec.org.uk/groups or by contacting 0800 023 2201.

“The monthly meet in Swansea was really nice. The only thing that spoilt it was the lack of sunshine in the beer garden! It was a beautiful day in Swansea that day and I was happy to have a friendly conversation and a giggle with fellow members from our group, both young and lets just say past 30 like me.

This has only been possible for me since I experienced real day-to-day life in the company of Kai - the founder of this Facebook group. I have gained so much selfconfidence that I feel unstoppable! I guess I have always wanted to be me and it’s only been me that has held me back for so many years. Being in a group has helped no end.

Apparently everyone knows about putting red lipstick on your face to cover beard shadow before putting foundation on. Well I for one didn't and I have learnt many more things by sharing experiences with the group. It’s fun and informative. A healthy balance. What made my first day as me so special? A young mother sitting next to me in a coffee shop holding her baby up to show me.

The baby might have been more interested in the big Starbucks neon sign above the door but when I caught the baby’s attention I got a smile.

Acceptance I guess. That’s what we all want and by social interaction that’s what we get. I really hope this group goes from strength to strength. Also in the future... watch out for Brian - our group mascot. He might turn up in some strange place with an informative story to tell which directly relates to our lives.

Thanks for listening to me ramble on and if you ain’t in our group please give us a try before you go it alone or worse resign yourself to being unhappy for the rest of your life.”

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

THE RIGHT TO BE SEEN, THE RIGBT TO BE HEARD

2nd International LGBT Human Rights Summit After the success of the 1st International LGBT Human Rights Summit, the LGBT Excellence Centre is currently developing a 2nd summit for 12 and 13 October for 2012 in Cardiff.

coming closer to becoming a reality even though it has caused heavy debate among faith communities.

And yet, in many countries LGBT rights are facing large setbacks, with laws being introduced to silence or execute LGBT people.

If you wish to know more about last year’s summit you can find the programme, evaluation and videos of speakers and presentations by hovering over the 'COME OUT AND PLAY' tab on our website's menu bar (www.lgbtec.org.uk).

This summit will consider the reasons for hostility towards LGBT people while contrasting it with the forward strides being made in some countries.

How can we ensure our positive legislation remains and is developed, while we work towards establishing legislation to protect LGBT people internationally? What other support can we offer and how should we tell our stories and reach the isolated?? What can we learn from sharing these ideas and how can we establish and maintain our presence as equal, contributing members of our societies, wherever we are?

This year the 2nd International LGBT Human Rights Summit will be running in partnership with the Iris Prize festival: the world’s largest LGBT short film prize. The theme of this year’s human rights summit will be ‘The right to be seen, the right to be heard’.

In many countries LGBT rights are making huge strides forward, and in some, gay marriage is

Call for Papers

This 2nd International LGBT Human Rights Summit has a new partner!

The Iris Prize – Cardiff’s International gay and lesbian short film prize is the only short film prize in the world which allows the winner to make a new film.

Iris is more than just a trophy that gathers dust or a certificate that yellows on the wall. Iris is what film makers need – funding, support and guidance.

We are particularly interested in submissions that consider human rights in relation to education, law and legislation, heritage, intellectual concepts, religion and belief, and health.

Go to http://lgbtec.org.uk/page/call-for-papers-1 to find out requirements for submissions and follow the link at the bottom of the page to submit your proposal.

The Iris Prize is presented annually during the Iris Prize Festival, which will run in parallel to the Summit. The full programme includes new feature films, panel sessions, parties and screenings of all 30 short films competing for the Iris Prize.

Iris is also the God of the rainbow - universally adopted as a symbol of sexual diversity. She is also a messenger – and this website is a network for celebrating the work of our festival partners, filmmakers and friends.

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Welsh Pride and Gender Identity In 2011 the LGBT Excellence Centre was awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to research and record for the first time in Wales, a history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, events and issues.

was revived in 2005 when male canal boat owners dressed in women's clothing to protest at the lack of restoration to a section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. Why did they all cross-dress? The debate continues.

Tackling a history for a whole nation has been quite a challenge but it has resulted in not only raising awareness of Welsh stories, but has uncovered new information to add to the history of LGBT people in Britain.

During the project we have also uncovered stories in archives such as the Fingerprint Register at the Glamorgan Archives, which is a collection of people who had been arrested and on what charge.

One interesting person is Martha Alice Hodson who in 1912 was staying in Cardiff and was being watched by the police, not because she had committed any crime, but because she had previously been in prison for committing offences whilst 'masquerading as a man’.

Some of the earliest stories we have relate to intersex people, for example in 1188 the cleric and chronicler of his times, Gerald of Wales wrote a detailed account of his visit to Ireland and he talks of two particular women, one an hermaphrodite, the other with a beard and a hairy chest. Apparently when the manuscript was illustrated in 1223 Gerald personally supervised the pictures and he must have approved of the one shown here. She seems perfectly content sitting on a tuft and weaving!

The stories we have are numerous and varied and include the lives of wellknow people such as Dian Parry, Jan Morris, Stephanie Booth among others.

There are crime records and tragic stories of intolerance and discrimination which have to be recorded but we try and publicise the more positive stories, too much is written about the negative.

In 1550 Welsh poet Huw Arwystli wrote a poem entitled ‘A Boy Dressed in Girl’s Clothes’ which the modern translator claims to be about an actor, however many LGBT people who have since read have claim it is about a transgender person. Read the poem and make up your own mind http://lgbtec.org.uk/page/poetry.

As the project comes to an end we are seeking new funding because one of the most apparent outcomes is how little we have so far uncovered. We aim to search other fingerprint and criminal records and archives in those heritage organizations that we have not had the time to visit. We know of several items which need finding, for example one museum has written to us telling us of a 19th century diary which features a pseudo-doctor’s recordings of transgender people and we’d like to know more about the 1970s group the National Transvestite Group, Cardiff who demonstrated at Bradford University.

Of course, Wales has the famous Rebecca Riots when down-trodden farmers and workers rose up to protest about unfair taxation. One of the most enduring images of the riots is of men dressing as women which, over the years, have generated much debate about why they cross-dressed. Many historians claim it was as a disguise but this ignores the old tradition of ceffyl pren (wooden horse) in Wales when transvestite men would mete out local justice by placing the accused on a wooden horse and parading them around the area. This tradition

So, check out the stories spread over 10 pages on http://lgbtec.org.uk/lgbt-history and if you have a Welsh story.... please contact Heritage@lgbtec.org and let us know!

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Safe Space – bringing education into our schools Safe Space is the pioneer programme created by the LGBTEC to support primary and secondary schools to understand sexual orientation and gender identity and support the eradication of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying.

Safe Space was piloted with over 1500 students and received incredible feedback, and demonstrated a 90% decrease in instances of homophobic bullying in the schools that participated in the pilot. The programme highlighted the fact that education is key to stomp out bullying in our schools and improving equality and human rights for future generations.

International rugby referee Nigel Owens has been involved with the programme and said: “I hope to help the young people I meet understand that there’s no need for anyone to feel isolated and that they don’t have to suffer in silence. People should be allowed to be themselves and to be honest with themselves without feeling that there is anything wrong with them.”

Safe Space combines training for teachers and governors with workshops for young people within educational establishments and it is complemented by helpline support, counseling, and other services that to support those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. We can also provide further resources.

Schools can also participate in other activities to celebrate their achievements and share their experience in order to help other schools. For example, participating in the LGBT History Month Cymru campaign each February or by engaging in the Art Competition.

For more information about the programme or to book training for your school, please visit www.lgbtec.org.uk/safespace or email training@lgbtec.org.

Shaun Evans-Pask Principle Equality Manager, Cardiff Local Education Authority “Cardiff Local Education Authority was the first organisation in Wales to pilot the Safe Space programme across its schools. The pioneering programme was essential in assisting pupils and teachers to recognise homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and the devastating impact of prejudice on a young person's mental health and academic achievement.

Safe Space was the first programme that demonstrated how education on sexual orientation and gender identity is essential in our schools if we are to stomp out bullying. The workshops, were a fundamental turning point for pupils and teachers in those schools. In each of the schools where the workshops took place, there was an observable and significant change in LGBT pupils feeling safer within the school culture. The programme offered a great base for further work which schools are now better equipped to deliver.”

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David Edwards - teacher “The Safe Space programme supported me in dealing with significant homophobic abuse from some pupils at the school. When I initially reported it to senior managers they did not accept the problem and did not know how to deal with it.

When the LGBT Excellence Centre got involved, the programme highlighted a major homophobic issue at the school. Their involvement in educating the students resulted in an almost 100% drop in verbal attacks and also resulted in a much more tolerant society at the school. It allowed me to return to a job that I loved. I will always be indebted to safer Wales for their help and support.”

LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Support for LGBT people The LGBT Excellence Centre has a support and casework service, which is open to all people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender as well as other individuals and organisations needing advice and support around sexual orientation and gender identity matters.

Free Confidential Helpline Our helpline provides a listening ear to many people across Wales that need someone to talk. The LGBTEC offers advice and support around many legal matters such as discrimination, harassment, hate crime, bullying, domestic violence, and more. You can call us on 0800 023 2201 to chat to one of our friendly advisers who will listen to your situation and explain how we can help you.

Counselling Service The LGBT Excellence Centre offers a free telephone listening service to all callers who wish to talk about sexual orientation or gender identity matters. Counselling can help you to make sense of your experiences and provides a source of emotional support. Counselling is confidential and is an opportunity to share personal issues that perhaps you've never been able to share with anyone before.

Casework and Advocacy Depending on the type of support you require, our caseworkers will endevour to provide initial advice on your enquiry. The LGBT Excellence Centre has been working closely with local solicitors to access legal products and services for LGBT people.

Community Support Groups The LGBTEC runs support groups for transgender people and also the LGBT Asylum and Refugees Wales support group in order to offer a safe place for individuals to meet and support each other. The LGBTEC also works closely with other support groups across Wales to ensure that LGBT individuals know where to go for help and support.

More information can be found on www.lgbtec.org.uk/groups.

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Focus on Trans Asylum Seekers Megan’s Story Megan, an asylum seeker supported by the LGBT Excellence Centre, arrived in Wales after spending most of her life in Sudan, a country where homosexuality is still illegal and regularly punished. In her country, the issues faced by people who identify as LGBT are ignored and people who are known to be LGBT are tormented by the authorities as well as their families and communities.

It is no wonder that when Megan joined the LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Wales support group, she had no other words to describe herself than the commonly known word ‘gay’. In Sudan, words used to describe homosexuals and homosexuality include: ‘dregs’, ‘decadents’, ‘immoral’, ‘animals alike’ and ‘salacious’ with calls that they should be ‘expelled to an empty jungle’, ‘buried alive’ and ‘pursued by authorities’.

Megan arrived at her first meeting presenting as male and stated she was gay. It was only later on, when she asked for support to obtain hormone therapy that it was realised that Megan is in fact a transsexual woman.

Megan said: “I have always been a woman, no matter how I looked in the eyes of others. I did not know words like transgender or transsexual until I came to the LGBT Excellence Centre and I certainly did not know I could get support in this country”. Megan, who has also experienced discrimination and hate crime in this country, did not have the confidence, the language skills, or the knowledge to speak up about her needs or issues until she received support.

She now worries about how the Home Office and other authorities are going to deal with her claim. Ghareeb, a member of LGBT Sudan said: “In a tribal country like Sudan in which everyday life is centred around the family, and the reputation and honour of the family is of extremely high importance, accurate and specific information like names, dates, circumstances and addresses about individuals convicted of homosexuality is scarce and mostly remains in the archives of the “Alnezam Alaam” (public order - a branch of the police) or the intelligence agencies. Families do whatever possible to keep it quiet and the ‘convicts’ (the victims) do not speak about it publically out of shame”.

Megan added: “There are still huge misconceptions around asylum seekers in the UK, and when it comes to LGBT asylum seekers there is a further lack of awareness and support. Asylum seekers have to prove to the authorities that they have gender identity issues or are of an alternative sexual orientation before they can be granted refugee status. Therefore, acknowledging issues of homophobic or transphobic harassment and discrimination could provide evidence towards an asylum seekers case”.

For more information about the Support Group and the work of the LGBTEC, please visit www.lgbtec.org/asylum

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Training opportunities Share the knowledge!

The LGBTEC delivers training on many specific topics that are impacted on by sexual orientation or gender identity. Our training courses are designed to be practical, stimulating and informative and are reviewed every year to reflect the changing needs of the organisations and people that we work with. Training has recently been delivered at the Welsh Refugee Council and Tai Pawb Housing. These covered sexual orientation and gender identity and we are happy to have had such positive feedback from these courses. We always endeavour to be very open and welcoming to all comments and beliefs in our training and this gives us a chance to help people examine their own feelings and prejudices and this in turn goes some way to breaking down barriers and ensuring more effective support for LGBT people from these organisations. We have a number of workshops coming up in the Spring quarter in a number of locations over Wales. Some of this will focus on education and we are looking forward to making a difference within schools. To find our more about our courses or to book a training session for you or your organisation, visit www.lgbtec.org.uk/training or email info@lgbtec.org.

Gender Identity Awareness – 26 April This course looks at gender roles and the influence of society on them. It explores how and when we start to fall into these roles and why they are strongly embedded. It covers why and how some people may not fall into accepted roles and may decide to transition from one gender to another while others may decide to walk the line in-between.

LGBT History Awareness – 31 May Over the last ten years there have been more laws passed on equality than ever before. This course looks at LGBT history to put these laws into context and why this affects your organisation.

Sexual Orientation Awareness – 28 June This course looks at the issue of sexual orientation and why it is more than a sexual behaviour. It examines the myths surrounding LGB people and examines current scientific research regarding the roots of our orientation.

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is recognized by many governments across the world and has been be fixed as 17 May to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. Whilst many people believe that homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism are becoming more and more acceptable in society, there are still many people living in the closet due to fear of discrimination, bullying, crime, and ridicule.

Legislative advances have been made in many countries toward the recognition of same-sex couples, the protection from discrimination and the right to access gender reassignment procedures. But the lack of visibility and positive role models are still widespread issues. The presence of LGBT people is

being acknowledged in politics, society, many organisations, and indeed the media. However, work still remains to completely eradicate discrimination. IDAHO is the perfect opportunity to support the community and to send out a positive message. The LGBT Excellence Centre is calling for organisations and companies across Wales to show their support for the LGBT community with a few simple gestures: • Fly the Rainbow Flag (or add the flag as an image to their homepage/email) • Make a donation to a local LGBT support group or charity (there are over 50 in Wales!)

• Post a message about their commitment to LGBT equality on www.lgbtec.org.uk TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!

Coming Out Stories The LGBT Excellence Centre is looking for people who would like to get involved with a major campaign to raise awareness around coming out issues in Wales, the UK, and across the world. We are looking for all sorts of stories: positive, negative, inspiring, happy and sad... We are inviting LGBT people and their friends and families to register on our website, create a profile and write their coming out story. We would also like people who are not LGBT people to tell us their stories of how they have had to “come out” to people about their family member or friends being LGBT. What were their reactions? Did you feel that they were different towards you?

You can register and write your story on www.lgbtec.org.uk.

The project will explore the reasons for people feeling they have to conceal their sexuality, and try to raise awareness about the ways that society creates this pressure. We are very keen to tackle not just overt homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, but also supposedly innocuous ‘banter’ about LGBT people, and ignorant attitudes in society more broadly.

We appreciate that coming out is not something that can be prescribed for all situations – every person is different, and their needs will be different. We hope this project will provide inspiration.

IF YOU CAN HELP, JOIN THE CAMPAIGN!

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

An eye on transphobic hate crime Recently the LGBTEC supported a transgender woman who was the victim of a transphobic crime in South Wales. Below she has written about her experiences of being a victim and her courage of standing up to her abusers as a witness in the criminal justice system. ‘…From attending transgender day of remembrance events and as a trans-identified female, I am aware of the horrific effects of Homophobia and Transphobia. But it is easy to think it will never happen to you besides the “minor” issues of certain individual’s ignorance.

But that all changed for me in late 2011, when I began working in a food retail chain. One day, whilst working on the till counter a group of older boys entered the store. They started asking questions, which were very disrespectful. I chose to ignore them and went on with severing customers.

Most of the time individuals being ignorant just get bored and move on and in my experience it’s different when you’re at work than when you’re walking in the street.

trial. I initially felt intimidated when I was being sworn in and everyone was introduced in the court room. It was also the first time I had come face to face with my abusers since the incident had taken place. But when it got into my statement everything started to move very quickly. I was honest about what I remembered and what I was a little hazy on, as the incident had taken place five months prior to coming to court. From all the stress I had experienced since the incident, I got through it and was pleased I had a chance to express the impact that this transphobic attack had had on me.

Whilst sitting in a separate room waiting for the verdict, it got me thinking about previous transphobic incidents that I had experienced, in particular a time when I was at a club and someone decided to grab the front of my jeans to “check” if I was postoperative or not! When I have talked to other trans-people, stories like these seemed to be common. I wish I had reported that incident then rather than leaving it, but that is what high insight is for. I have a greater reassurance that the police, crown prosecution service and support agencies want to listen, but transgender people need to know that they can report hate crimes and this will be taken seriously and investigated properly by the authorities. As for my abusers two of them pleaded guilty, one of which received a community sentence and the other will be sentenced later this month. The other three where bound-over for a period of 12 months. I just hope that they have had time to reflect on their actions and realize that their behavior was totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated in today’s diverse society.

In this instance the questioning got worse, they started asking about my gender. This group of boys then further offended me by talking about body parts and asking if “IT” was a she-male. I think they thought I would not answer back because I was “on shift” and “serving them”. The incident resulted with them calling me by my name, which they had noticed from my name badge, and they tried to further engage with even more offensive and hurtful “questions”. The incident ended when they threw an object at me that finally resulted in them getting thrown out of the store!

After losing some sleep, I had a chance to reflect on this experience. I found it shocking in today’s world, that any minority group would be dehumanized to “IT” let alone have to endure offensive and derogatory language such as she-male. But the final straw came for me when I felt physically threatened because of my own identity!

I decided that I needed to report this incident as a crime. I contacted Victim Support and the LGBT Excellence Centre and this issue was raised with the police. It was reassuring that the police were keen to hear what I had to say and I received visits from the hate crime officers as well as having conversations with the crown prosecutor for my case. I felt supported knowing the numerous witnesses, LGBT friends, and organizations would be supporting me.

I would be lying if I said that going to court was not stressful for me. But there were so many people there to support me in person and in spirit. By standing up to be heard, my experience was recognized and gave the opportunity for this incident to be dealt with. I have always viewed being identified as transgender as a personal gift in understanding and experiencing new perspectives.

But without reporting hate towards this community we cannot address the perceptions and understanding of others in relation to being transgender.’

On the day, I was nervous and worried about what would happen. It was the first time I have ever been to a court

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

Volunteering with us…

Join our team!

Our ever-growing family of enthusiastic volunteers is both passionate and proactive in supporting the work of the LGBTEC. It is through the valuable contribution of their time that support groups such as the LGBT Asylum Seekers group and the Transgender In Wales support group have been able to take place. To volunteer with us, visit www.lgbtec.org.uk/volunteer or email info@lgbtec.org.

Nicola Nicola started volunteering for the LGBT Excellence Centre in June 2011. She graduated from the University of Glamorgan in 2009 with an Upper Second Class honours in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Psychology BSc. She then went to on to study for an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice and graduated with Merit in 2010.

Nicola told us: "Volunteering with the LGBT Excellence Centre has provided me with a wealth of experience and knowledge in regards to working with the LGBT community and the issues they face. I would thoroughly recommend volunteering with the centre as I have met some amazing individuals, from all backgrounds, who are striving to make a difference. There are a number of activities and projects to get involved in and something for everyone, so sign up and volunteer with us! You will learn something new everyday!"

Joe After moving to Wales in 2010, Joe joined the Excellence Centre in May 2011 as a volunteer. Currently he supports the LGBTEC on the helpline and helps coordinating the meetings and activities of the LGBT Asylum Seekers and Refugees support group that he is a member of. Joe told us: “I enjoy coming to the office because everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I have been able to meet a lot of new people and learned a lot about life in the UK and about LGBT services. In particular I enjoyed learning more about sexual health from a training session delivered by the Terrence Higgins Trust and networking with other LGBT Asylum Groups in the UK.”

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LGBT EXCELLENCE CENTRE

SPRING 2012

We are looking for trustees NOW!!!

Want to make a difference in an innovative and successful social enterprise?

The LGBT Excellence Centre is a social enterprise and registered charity that delivers support services, projects, programmes and events relating to sexual orientation and gender identity for individuals and organisations to promote greater Equality and protect Human Rights for everyone.

An opportunity has arisen for new trustees to be appointed to help develop and expand our organisation and help reach out to many more organisations and individuals. Charity trustees are volunteers who are legally responsible for the overall management and decision-making of the LGBT Excellence Centre and are appointed based on their skills and experience through an application process.

This is a great opportunity to gain, use and develop strategic management experience in a social enterprise and demonstrate leadership. We are looking for a diverse mix of candidates from all walks of life.

If you would like to know more about being a Trustee please call Federico Podeschi on: 02920 451868, visit our website at www.lgbtec.org or email Federico@lgbtec.org.

Coming Out Stories Blah blah blah

Diploma in Gender and Sexual Diversity Therapy Pink Therapy offers a year-long course aimed at qualified therapists of all level of experience, who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in working with gender and sexual diversity clients (GSD). It's the only course of its kind in Europe and is accredited by Middlesex University with elements endorsed by BACP and COSRT. The course comprises ten monthly supervision/tutorial group days falling on Friday afternoon/evenings or at the weekend, plus attendance at seven ‘core’ training days from our main CPD programme.

Course work involves researching and presenting a Diversity Seminar on a GSD group previously unknown to you and a written paper of £5-6000 words.

The course is held in Central London and has become highly regarded by all who study with us. Admission is by interview with the course director and one of the tutors and can be done over Skype if the applicant is outside of London. Full details can be found on: www.pinktherapy.com.

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THE LOREM IPSUMS

SPRING 2012

DO YOU WANT TO PROMOTE YOURSELF? There is a range of promotional opportunities available with the LGBTEC to suit individual organisations’ ethical responsibilities, marketing strategies and budgets, which provide the opportunity to: •

Increase awareness of your organisation or brand amongst LGBT communities and markets

•

Strengthen your brand and image with existing clients and service users

•

Increase sales, develop partnership, and research the market

•

Demonstrate social and ethical responsibility

•

Network with other organisations and individuals involved in our work

•

Gain valuable and sustained PR exposure

•

Obtain business leads for your products and services

Promotional Opportunities available • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sponsor an event Sponsor our newsletter Sponsor our literature Sponsor a VIP Sponsor a speaker Sponsor a project Advertise on our newsletter Advertise on our website Purchase a stand Purchase training Donate Join events Become a member Fundraise Establish partnerships For more information contact:

LGBT Excellence Centre Address: Suite 5, Sophia House, 28 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9LJ Website: www.lgbtec.org.uk Email : info@lgbtec.org Helpline: 0800 023 2201