Category: Front Page
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Birmingham LGBT opens sports and fitness studio in Southside
Birmingham LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) has added a new sports and fitness studio to its thriving Health and Wellbeing Centre in Birmingham’s Southside district.
The sports and fitness studio, named The Vault, opened to the public on Thursday 2 May and is located in the basement of the centre on Holloway Circus in Southside. It is the first dedicated LGBT sports and fitness studio in the UK and hopes to empower the community by increasing involvement in physical activities like Yoga, Pilates, table tennis and more.
With growing evidence of significant health inequalities suffered by LGBT communities in Birmingham, The Vault has been introduced to combat against barriers that prevent these communities from accessing mainstream sports facilities such as discrimination, stereotyping, lack of inclusion in policies, procedures and marketing and most worryingly, fears for safety.
Sport England Inspired Facilities programme helped facilitate the opening of The Vault by providing £43,000 of funding. Some of the classes at the studio will be funded through Birmingham City Council’s Be Active scheme. The Vault will also have a changing facility and dedicated Trans changing space.
David Viney, Birmingham LGBT health and wellbeing manager, said,
“The sole aim of The Vault is to provide the LGBT community with a welcoming and safe environment to enjoy sports activities. A worrying 65%* of young LGBT people have admitted to experiencing homophobic bullying and almost half of those do not engage in sports for this reason. We hope that by making The Vault accessible to the Birmingham LGBT community we are able to nurture their passion for fitness.”
Julia Chance, Southside BID Manager, said,
“The Vault is a fantastic asset to the LGBT community and we’re pleased to be able to house it within Southside. Birmingham LGBT Health & Wellbeing Centre has gone from strength to strength since it opened its doors in January and we’re excited to see how The Vault will make a difference to the LGBT community.”
Birmingham LGBT has recently been awarded an Investors in People Standard. Investors in People specialises in transforming business performance through people and objectives. The Standard is a framework of best practice that helps organisations meet their goals by supplying advice, providing access to specialists and networks, monitoring progress and benchmarking performance against world class standards.
To find out what else Birmingham’s Southside district has to offer, please visit www.enjoysouthside.co.uk
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One week till Oxford Pride
A week full of activities to celebrate Oxford Pride will commence from today as Oxford gears up for its 11th Pride
A fantastic turn out at Oxford Pride’s launch party last night means that the festivities are well underway for what is hoped will be the best Oxford Pride ever.
There are activities all week in Oxford leading up to the main Parade and Pride event this forthcoming weekend.
Here’s some of what’s coming up:
Saturday 1st June
14:00-16:00 Queer Oxford: Walk on the Wilde Side
Meeting at Magdalen Bridge. How well do you know the LGBT past in Oxford? Join a casual stroll around Oxford as we explore 600 years in this ‘City of Romance’.
Sunday 2nd June
12:00-16:00 Rainbow Families LGBT Picnic
At Bury Knowle Park Headington – Enjoy an afternoon of fun & games for LGBT families of all shapes & sizes! Look for the rainbow flags.
17:00-18:00 Pride Dog Show
At The Jolly Farmers, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Prizes for Best Trick, Look-a-like, Cutest, Butchest, and more! Donations to Pride.
19:30-21:00 First Sunday: Labyrinth and Communion
At St Columba’s United Reformed Church, Alfred Street, Oxford, OX1 4EH A modern take on an ancient meditation practice. A spiritual journey into our self, toward the pine, and back out to the modern world.
Monday 3rd June
06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride
At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.
08:00-16:00 Be Beautifully Strong
Consultation, Gym Induction & Takeaway Program for Women: Leave your boring workouts behind you … come and be inspired! Bookings essential for your £10 session
19:00-21:00 The Oxford LGBT Book Club
Meeting at The Chequers, High Street OX1 4DH – Reading Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
20:30-23:00 The Pride Quiz
At The Jolly Farmers OX1 1LD – A fun night with Cash Prizes – Groups of 2-6 people, £2 per person – Free Buffet
Tuesday 4th June
20:00-21:30 Lesbian History Group: The notorious Eliza Robertson
At The Castle Tavern (Downstairs). Talk on how an 18th century Blackheath schoolteacher became notorious for swindling her partner and her neighbours. All women welcome.
20:00-23:00 Wine & Wisdom
At The Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Join Rob for a unique Cheese, Wine & Quiz night.
22:00-03:00 Poptarts
At Baby Love Bar, Kind Edward Street OX1 4HS – Oxford’s longest running LGBT night where town and gown meet in style
Wednesday 5th June
06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride
At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.
17:30-19:00 The University of Oxford LGBT Staff Group and Equality and persity Unit: Pride Panel Debate
At the University Natural History Museum, OX1 3PW – A panel discussion on LGBT issues, how far we’ve come and how we’re still “not there yet”. All welcome
Thursday 6th June
From 18:00 Oxford Area LGBT University Staff Social Group: 1st Thursday Drinks
At The University Club, 11 Mansfield Road OX1 3SZ – This casual monthly after works drinks gathering is an opportunity to meet new people or catch up with friends in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. We will have a rainbow flag on the table to help newcomers find us. All are welcome.
18:00-21:00 Pride Curry Night
At The Jolly Farmers, OX1 1LD Come along to an all-you-can-eat curry night for just £6.99. All profits going to Oxford Pride.
20:00-23:00 Karaoke
At The Castle Tavern, Paradise Street OX1 1LD – Share your vocal skills for a fun filled evening with Donations to Oxford Pride.
22:00-23:00 Lashings of Ginger Beer Time presents Fanny Whittington: A Queer Sort of Pantomime
At the Old Fire Station, 40 George Street, OX1 2AQ – £8 full/ £6 cons. Young orphan Fanny Whittington sets off to London… but whatever the streets are paved with, it’s definitely not gold. Can Fanny save her pet rat Basil from mortal peril (BOO!), win the love interest of her dreams (AWWW!) and avoid becoming the world’s most unpaid intern? Find out in this anarchic LGBTQ+ pantomime! Show 8pm Friday & Saturday too!
Friday 7th June
06:30-07:30 Free Fitness for Pride
At All Saints Church Hall, New High Street, OX3 7AL – Free Trial of the Fitness and Fat Loss Bootcamp. It’s a 1-hour wake-up workout on Mon, Wed & Fri.
Saturday 8th June
12:00-13:00 Pride Parade
City Centre Starts at Cornmarket & Ship Streets.
12:00-20:00 Pride Event
Oxpens Field Next to the Ice Rink, OX1 1RQ
20:00- late Pride After Parties
Castle Tavern, Jolly Farmers & Plush Lounge
NOT THERE YET
Oxford Pride’s theme for Pride 2013 is “Not There Yet”, examining that whilst we have come a long way in recent years in terms of LGBT rights, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality.
Globally, there are over seventy countries that outlaw homosexuality, and far more where same-sex marriages are not permitted, whether labelled as ‘marriage’ or otherwise. Despite the fact that homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty in Uganda, LGBT Ugandans held their first Pride
Parade last year with nearly a hundred risking their lives and turning ut for the festivities.
Whilst we in the UK don’t have to fear legal repercussions for our orientation or gender identities like many in other countries do, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality, and the ability to live free from discrimination.
OXFORD PRIDE is a 10-day arts and cultural festival from Friday 31 May to Sunday 9 June. You are invited to join in the celebration of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer life in Oxfordshire.
For more information visit: http://www.oxford-pride.org.uk
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PRIDE | Oxford Pride kicks off Pride Week
Oxford Pride is readying to kick off its Pride week with its launch on the 31st May.
The Pride which celebrates its tenth year, is kicking off its Pride week with a launch party at the Boiler Room Gallery, Jam Factory, 27 Park End Street OX1 1HU – Featuring speeches & entertainment including an interactive performance by Stavroula Kounadea
Then later on there is the after party at The Plush Lounge, 27 Park End Street OX1 1HU – Sponsored by Plush. Open to the public from 10.00pm to late.
In March 2013 Oxford Pride received registered charity status.
NOT THERE YET
Oxford Pride’s theme for Pride 2013 is “Not There Yet”, examining that whilst we have come a long way in recent years in terms of LGBT rights, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality.
Globally, there are over seventy countries that outlaw homosexuality, and far more where same-sex marriages are not permitted, whether labelled as ‘marriage’ or otherwise. Despite the fact that homosexuality is punishable by the death penalty in Uganda, LGBT Ugandans held their first Pride
Parade last year with nearly a hundred risking their lives and turning ut for the festivities.
Whilst we in the UK don’t have to fear legal repercussions for our orientation or gender identities like many in other countries do, we still have a way to go to achieve full equality, and the ability to live free from discrimination.
OXFORD PRIDE is a 10-day arts and cultural festival from Friday 31 May to Sunday 9 June. You are invited to join in the celebration of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer life in Oxfordshire.
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UK Government delay gay marriage vote
A vote due to take place on Monday 3rd June to legalise same-sex marriage in the UK has been delayed by a day.
The bill, which is to be voted upon in the Lords will now take place on Tuesday 4th June 2013 in the daytime after ‘supporters warned voting in the early hours could put the bill at risk’ reports Pinknews.co.uk
Around 80 peers are due to debate the bill which raised concerns that the vote could have been delayed until 2.00AM.
Speaking to Huffington Post, shadow equalities minister Baroness Thornton said, ‘significant number of peers who wanted to support the bill would not be “strong enough to stay until 3am in the morning”.
The bill was debated and voted upon in the House of Commons and must be voted on in the House of Lords in order to become law.
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Overwhelming support for same-sex marriage
Landslide support for Same Sex Marriage Bill in House of Commons, with the Bill passing its third reading by 366 votes to 161.
MPs have again voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Moments ago the Bill passed its Third Reading vote in the House of Commons by 366 votes to 161 – a majority of 205. The Bill will extend the legal form of marriage to lesbian, gay and bisexual people and permit religious denominations to celebrate such marriages should they wish. It now heads to the House of Lords for debate in June.
In a statement Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said,
‘This evening’s vote shows MPs are on the public’s side, as poll after poll shows a clear majority of people in Britain support equal marriage. Now that the Bill has cleared the Commons without any of the wrecking amendments tabled by opponents, we hope peers will show the same respect to public attitudes.
‘Sadly in recent weeks several peers have expressed deeply unpleasant views about gay people. Stonewall expects one of our toughest fights yet ahead of us. We’ll continue to work tirelessly every day to help secure this final modest measure of legislative equality.’
The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill passed its Second Reading with a majority of 225 votes on 5 February. MPs rejected a wrecking amendment – by 375 votes to 70 – during the Bill’s Report Stage in the House of Commons on 20 May.
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LGBT Helpline Scotland opens
Brand new LGBT Helpline opens in Scotland.
A brand new LGBT helpline, called LGBT Helpline Scotland, has opened in Edinburgh and is open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 12PM – 9PM and will offer help, information and support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community across Scotland
Stephen McCabe, the co-ordinator for the helpline said,
‘I am delighted to announce that LGBT Helpline Scotland – Scotland’s first ever national helpline for LGBT people and their families, friends and supporters – will open next week on May 7th.
‘For some time we have identified the need for a national Scottish LGBT helpline, and thanks to funding from the Scottish Government we now have a team of fully trained volunteers ready to take calls when we launch next Tuesday.
‘Our volunteers are trained to answers calls relating to sexuality, gender identity, isolation, sex and sexual health, coming out, hate crime (we are able to report crimes over the phone via our Third Party Reporting Service), amongst other needs that LGBT people in Scotland may have.’
To speak to a volunteer call 0300 123 2523
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IDAHO in London
Join in with Pride and IDAHO London on May 17th, 5pm in Trafalgar Square.
From 17:00PM – to 20:00 there will be an outdoor event in Trafalgar Square, London to mark IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2013.
Wendyl Harris from Pride in London said,
“We are honoured to join the global community marking this important international event. Homosexuality remains a criminal offence in 76 countries around the world, and punishable by death in a further 8 countries, yet many of our LGBTQI friends oversees will be celebrating IDAHO and looking to London for inspiration. IDAHO’s theme this year is marriage equality which compliments this year’s Pride Parade on June 29th: Love (& Marriage)
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Isle Of Man Gay Couple Refused Rental Accommodation
A couple from the Isle of Man are petitioning for a change in the law after they were refused an accommodation agreement on the basis of their sexual orientation.
Kira Izzard and Laura Cull from the Isle of Man’s capital, Douglas, said they were ‘shocked’ to discover there was no law in place to protect them from discrimination based on sexuality.The BBC is reporting that the couple have launched a petition calling for introduction of the UK’s Equality Act 2010.
The petition has gained the support of over 1000 people.
You can sign the petition here
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/equality-act-2010-on-the-isle-of-man.htmlChief Minister of the Isle of Man, Allan Bell MHK said:
“I am extremely disappointed that this type of ugly, out-dated prejudice survives after all the work that has been done over the past 20 years or so to make the island a more tolerant place
“I do believe that our society today is generally much more tolerant than it used to be. But this incident shows that there are still isolated pockets of bigotry that can only be tackled through legislation.
“An Equality Bill, based on the UK Equality Act 2010, is already in the drafting process and will deal with discrimination of this kind. I have asked that preparation of this legislation be accelerated.
The Chief Minister concluded:
‘I have a clear message for those inside or outside the Isle of Man who still think this is an outpost of old-fashioned prejudice. This is a modern, caring, compassionate and inclusive society and we do not want to be associated with bigots who live in the past.’
Ms. Izzard and Ms Cull are planning to be civilly partnered later this year. The couple were told by the Citizen’s Advice Bureau that the landlord was acting within the law
Homosexuality was outlawed under Isle Of Man law until 1992. Civil Partnerships were legalised in April 2011. Same-sex couple are also legal able to adopt.
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Possible Homophobic Murder Puts Russia’s Gay Community On Edge
A man has been killed in what is being reported as a possible homophobic attack in the southern Russian city of Volgograd, early on Friday morning.
The 23-year-old man who has not yet been named was found dead in the courtyard of an apartment building. His wounds included multiple stab wounds including some in the genital area, the federal Investigative Committee said on Saturday.
Reuters is reporting that, a 22-year-old acquaintance of the victim and a 27-year-old ex-convict had been detained on suspicion of murder.
Andrei Gapchenko, who is investigating the killing, said the victim had been drinking with the two men – who then attacked him after revealing his sexuality.
Leading gay rights activist Nikolai Alexeyev said a bill to outlaw spreading “homosexual propaganda” among minors, given preliminary approval by parliament in January, would make Russians less likely to fear consequences for attacking gays.
“This monstrous incident in Volgograd demonstrates the fruits of the homophobic policy that is being conducted in this country, including the initiative to ban homosexual propaganda,” Interfax news agency quoted Alexeyev as saying.
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‘Geoff And His Two Dads’ Book Aims To Help It Gets Better Project
In what is believed to be the first of its kind, Wompi Studios have released their first Book App.
