Anger at "plans to 'scrap the Equality Act'"

Equalities and human rights activists went into red alert yesterday at alleged plans to “scrap the Equality Act”.

The panic was caused by a Cabinet Office consultation site inviting comments on the Equality Act, citing a range of questions from whether it should be “scrapped” to whether it should be kept as it is.

LGBT History Month co-chair Tony Fenwick said:

“Some reactions have been premature. The Government would look very silly indeed it if it tried to scrap an act it introduced late last year and updated only a week ago.

“That said; there are those who would like to water down parts of the Act. The requirement for public sector organisations to publish details of what they are doing to challenge discrimination and promote equality could be in jeopardy. We need to defend this requirement because it moves the equalities agenda forward and gives the Act the power to bring about change.

“I therefore invite everyone to access the site (address above) and say “Keep the Act as it is”.

Government wants to hear from trans community

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has set up a monthly Trans bulletin and a survey. The initiative seeks to find out the needs of trans people and what progress they are making in "progressing the agenda".

You can download a pdf version of the bulletin by clicking here

Bulletin No 84

The latest edition of the LGBT History Month bulletin is now available, as usual packed-full of news, information, notices of upcoming events and quotations.

To access the latest bulletin please click on one of the links below:
word document
pdf file
(you can also right click on the links and "save target as")

You can view all previous bulletins here or register to our mailing list here.

Sir Simon Milton Dies

Simon Milton
1961-2011

The London's Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning, Sir Simon Milton, has died after a short illness, aged 49.

Simon Milton on wikipedia

Public Sector Duty Launched

The Equality Act public Sector Duty came into operation on Tuesday April 5th. This will protect all the strands against discrimination and demand that all areas of the public sector promote equality on the grounds of:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage/civil partnership
• pregnancy/maternity
• race
• religion/belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will oversee the implementation of the Duty.

For more information on the new laws, click here.

Drill Hall Hosts New Play on Being older and LGBT

Staying Out Late is a new piece of theatre written by Clare Summerskill and directed by Philip Osment.

It is the result of workshops and interviews with the older LGBT community in Camden, and reveals the hopes, fears and experiences of what being older and needing professional care may mean.

Is it safe to come out? Do you need to hide yourself away? What impact does this have on older people who have recently become confident about being “out”, and now fear they will be doubly vulnerable?

The show uses verbatim experiences and improvisations from older LGBT people. It is moving and funny, and will be seen by professional policy makers and carers, in the hope of changing attitudes.

It features an original new song from Clare Summerskill, a stand up comedienne, actress and singer whose shows are a must-see for lesbians around the country.

Staying Out Late
31st March 2011, at 2.30 and 7.30
The Drill Hall
16 Chenies Street
London WC1E 7EX
Box Office: 020 7307 5060
www.drillhall.co.uk

Elizabeth Taylor Dies

Elizabeth Taylor
1932-2011

Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor has died after a long and fascinating life. LGBT History Month salutes her; particularly for her early and sustained support for those who suffered from HIV and AIDS and her continued commitment to our community.

Elizabeth Taylor on wikipedia

NHS and GIRES Trans Workshop

A workshop covering 'Sexual orientation, Trans and the NHS' has been announced. The conference, which will cover the latest legislation on trans rights and involves the Government Equalities Office and GIRES, will be held in London on April 18th.

Time: Monday 18th April
Date: 10:30am-3:30pm
Location: Avonmouth House, London, SE1 6NX
For more information and to reserve a place please contact healthylives@stonewall.org.uk

Click on the image for more details.

Make football homophobia-free. Tatchell demands new anti-homophobia in football DVD

"The Football Association (FA) needs to give a much stronger lead in tackling homophobia," said Peter Tatchell of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.

He was a keynote speaker in London on Monday 21 March at the Leading the Way conference organised by the football anti-racism, equality and diversity campaign, Kick It Out.

Other keynote speakers included former professional footballer Paul Elliott and Simone Pound, Head of Equality at the Professional Footballers' Association.

"The FA's paper policies are now rather good but these formal policies need to be translated into stronger and more visible initiatives to make the beautiful game welcoming to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people," Mr Tatchell told the conference.

"The FA should impose big fines and match suspensions on players, managers and other football staff who use anti-gay insults. Money talks. The threat of financial losses - and the denial of the right to play - would be a strong deterrent to homophobia.

"Severe punishment is justified in cases of serious homophobia but the real solution is public education to change hearts and minds.

"The FA should secure the agreement of all clubs to feature anti-homophobia
messages in their match programmes, on tickets and on billboards inside and outside football grounds.

"I have long urged the FA to make a MTV-style video against homophobia, with big-name stars like David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Wayne Rooney and others. I'd like to see the video have a strong, joyful music track by a leading contemporary singer like Tinie Tempah.

"The aim is to produce a feel-good, happy-vibe video and get it shown on MTV, YouTube, in schools, at junior football clubs and on giant screens at premier league games before matches and during half-time.

"Such a video would have a huge, positive public impact. It would be a world first. No other football governing body has produced such a video. It would bring the FA great prestige and acclaim, get global media coverage and thereby raise awareness and help tackle homophobia internationally," said Mr Tatchell.

Ian Rickson on The Children's Hour

The director Ian Rickson talks to Carole Woddis about his hit West End production of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour (Comedy Theatre), which stars Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss in a play that was scandalous on its first outing in 1934, and continues to be relevant. Recorded at Graeae.

You can listen to the interview here.

Find out more about the play on Wikipedia here.