MPG Xmas Party

We'll have a full report once we've sobered up
Photos are here

Greater Manchester Police Authority

Nov 19. Dave attended Greater Manchester Police Authority's Consultation at Manchester Airport, Atlantic Suite. About 60 people attended. The main reason for the meeting was for people to meet the new Chief Constable Mike Todd, and to ask about priorities for the future.
It was a good networking exercise and an opportunity to try to get the issue of homophobic bullying in schools on the agenda.
Dave is a member of the Greater Manchester steering committee, which has been set up to further the work already started, on homophobic bullying in schools.

A New Christianity for a New World

October 19 2002. and St Marks, Broomhill, Sheffield was the venue for a day conference "A New Christianity for a New World" led by retired American Bishop John Shelby Spong. Christine Holt from Manchester Parents Group was a delegate. Bishop Spong is a leading world spokesman on liberal Christianity, having devoted his life to championing the causes of black people, women and those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered. His radical and progressive views reflect those of Archbishop Rowan Williams and Bishop Richard Holloway. Many people paused to browse among the FFLAG and MPG literature on display and to talk. Some collected leaflets, including a young gay friendly GP presently supporting two patients having difficulty coming to terms with being lesbian, and teachers interested in the work being undertaken in schools to combat homophobic bullying.

Diversity Day at Liverpool University

Nov 7. is Diversity Day at Liverpool University. Sue, Dave, Nikki and Laurie are talking to students about gay issues and "coming out" This is to be an open meeting.

Manchester L&G Mardi Gras

Aug 23-26. Despite the cancellation and reinstatement at the last minute the Mardi Gras went ahead over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Once again we had a float in the parade on Saturday. Our theme was "All you need is love" and it was a publicity float for MPG and FFLAG. Thanks to Sue, Dave and family for organising and preparing the material for the float, and to Dave for being our driver. Well done all the parents who turned up in the pouring rain to help blow up the balloons and help assemble everything. The weather was atrocious, but by some miracle, it cleared up for the parade. The crowds turned out in great numbers and there was a wonderful atmosphere. Thanks to Andy for providing some great music for us to sing along and dance to, and to all parents, friends, and family members who took part.

from Sue Thompson PFLAG South New Zealand
"Hey I have just been looking at the photos of the Mardi Gras. I felt so excited about it! What a wonderful show of solidarity. I would love to have been there. It was hard to keep from cheering, 12000 miles away in my living room! I loved the float and the tee shirts!"

Sun. Sept 22. Nikki, Laurie, Inga and James were up bright and early to attend the above event, which was organised by GHAP (Gay Healthy Alliance Project) at the Hanover Hotel in Stretton, Warrington. Various therapies were on offer throughout the day, and were very popular. We had an information stall and were able to network with the young people (and not so young!) and the various organisations. Inga also attended the AGM. The highlight of our day was undoubtedly having Indian head massage, neck and shoulder massage and aromatherapy! We do occasionally get some perks in this job, you know!

Sept 26. Barbara Dave and Sue were invited to talk to LGB students at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. They met about 30 young people at the local students pub, The Adelphi Hotel. They talked about "coming out" and various issues of concern. It was a good meeting, in a relaxed and social setting.

Oct 15. Sue and Dave and Nikki and Laurie are to meet LGB students at Salford University. It is expected that about 50 people will be attending.

Nov 8/9. Jane, Inga, Sue and Dave are attending this FFLAG training course in London along with FFLAG members from groups throughout the UK. An award given by Citizenship 21, a project of Stonewall and the Community Fund is funding the course. The training will be given by the Naz project London. We hope that the course will help us to devise better ways of supporting families and friends of BME LGB people within the NorthWest.

Nov 21. Christine and Inga are to have an information stall at the conference, which is organised by Salford University College of Nursing, at the Novotel Hotel in Manchester. This should be a good opportunity to network.

Recently Leicester Education Authority has appointed a Bullying Strategy Manager for schools. Not one to miss an opportunity, Betty (Parents Support Leicester) sent him a copy of Spring 2002 FFLAG News which contains an item "Manchester Parents tackle Homophobic Bullying"

Having read the piece, and being particularly interested in homophobic bullying, the Strategy Manager has asked for more information on how homophobic bullying is being tackled across Greater Manchester.

A pack containing Andrew Mullhollands report "Tackling Homophobic Bullying in Schools", a video diary of Greater Manchester Police involvement and the work undertaken at Westhoughton High School, newspaper reports, resource addresses etc has been sent post haste to Leicester.

Mardi Gras 2002

We had a float in Mardi Gras 2002 - The Manchester Lesbian and Gay festival which was held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The photos are here.

Report on Leeds Conference by Christine Holt

"Changing Attitude" is a group of gay people within the Church of England, and their friends, who work to change attitudes within the church towards homosexual people. I attended a "Changing Attitude" Conference in Leeds on July 6. One participant whose training for the Ministry had been suspended because of domestic difficulties, on applying to resume her studies, had heard that her application was unlikely to be accepted, as in the interim, her support for the rights of gay people had become known within the Church. So take note. If the powers that be do not approve of gay people, neither do they approve of their parents, the families to which they belong, or of anyone who supports them in any way.

Words of encouragement were written later by a gay man, another participant. "As those of us who have kids know there is nothing more powerful than the urge to protect our children. We will find any means to be there with them, and for them, and if needs be die for them. Get more mums involved and we’ve got a very powerful lobby indeed."

MPG attend Manchester Seminar

"Safe for All" best practice guide has been produced by the Education Policy Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London, in association with Citizenship 21 Stone wall Iris Trust. It aims to assist staff in secondary schools to challenge and prevent homophobic bullying. Baroness Ashton of Upholland, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Early Years and School Standards has written the forward.

It was decided to disseminate "Safe for All" throughout the eleven National Healthy School Standards regional networks across England during June and July 2002. Christine of Manchester Parents Group, attended seminar seven (out of eleven) which was held in Manchester on June 11th. Those present included NHSS co-ordinators, schools advisors and teaching staff. Representatives from the various agencies working in partnership with schools, to address homophobic bullying, included the police, LEA youth support work staff and FFLAG.

MPG talk to headteachers

Brenda and Cath gave a talk about homophobic bullying to head teachers in Trafford at the beginning of June.

July 20 Commonwealth Youth Pride Day

Members of Manchester Parents Group are to attend a Pride Day, organised by the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Youth Group, at the Lesbian and Gay Centre. There will be events for young people to participate in, and also information stalls about organisations who are closely connected with gay youth. MPG are having a stall.

Pink Network launch new Directory

Sept 6. There will be an open afternoon in Warrington to launch the new Pink Network Directory of services for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in Warrington and Halton. Each organisation included will have an information stall. MPG will be represented for the first time.

A good night out by Inga Rhodes

Recently four friends and I were invited by a good friend of ours to attend a "Stars in their Eyes" show organised by a Lesbian Group in Horwich. She was to be Margaret Thatcher singing "I did it my Way" along with Liberace, Margarita Pracatan, Peggy Lee and many more! Much to my amazement, at the interval I was invited on the stage, to tell everyone about MPG and the work we do. Needless to say I just happened to have some leaflets and business cards in my bag. I had a great time, and what an interesting way to network!

Pink Network

May 29. Inga is to attend a Pink Network meeting in Warrington. The launch of the new Pink Network Directory is to be discussed.

Presentation at Methodist Church in Leigh

June 6. Inga is to give a presentation "The Day my Life Changed " to the Ladies Group at Kingsleigh Methodist Church.

Connexions

Connexions is the new support service for all 13-19 year olds. It is a universal information, advice and guidance service targeted at those young people facing barriers in their adult and working life. Inga has arranged a meeting with the communications coordinator for Warrington to have a discussion on how we may be able to work together. She will leave information leaflets and booklets and also the new Pink Network Directory of LGB organisations in Warrington.

Relate Conference in Manchester

April 24th Nikki and Christine attended the Relate Conference held in Manchester Town Hall. "Changing Families Childrens Needs" was chaired by the Bishop of Manchester and attended by about 150 delegates. Asked to comment on the experiences of Gay adolescents, often isolated and afraid without the support of family or school, keynote speaker, consultant family and relationship psychologist, Mr Ben Tovim, underlined the importance of education in combating ignorance about, and prejudice towards, gay people. Our banner, display board, information about FFLAG and Manchester Parents Group, plus material about our current work in schools to tackle homophobic bullying, attracted considerable attention. This was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of the particular needs of gay people, their relationships and families to a large and diverse group of people.

Manchester Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras will take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend and our preparations have started already! Once again will be having a float in the procession, but as yet our theme is a secret!

Presentation at Methodist Church in Leigh

June 6th Inga is to give a presentation "The Day my Life Changed " to the Ladies Group at Kingsleigh Methodist Church.

Crag Rats in Stockport

Organised by the Youth Service, Hazel Grove Youth Centre hosted the first Stockport performance of Just Messing About to approximately 50 young teenagers. Jane went along to represent FFLAG and Manchester Parents Group and was impressed by the obvious change in attitudes amongst some of the youngsters by the end of the evening. Only one school in Stockport has so far taken up the offer of a performance. Both performances took place at the end of March.

FFLAG at Area Committees

Jane will be talking about FFLAG and Manchester Parents Group to Stockport councillors and members of the public at Cheadle Area Committee on 27th May at Kingsway Lower School, and Bramhall Area Committee on 28th May at Bramhall County Hotel. Stockport has 8 Area Committees and Jane was able to talk to the other 6 during the Summer of 2001. The Councillors were generally very welcoming and supportive and gave Jane permission to display FFLAG posters in all of the libraries and information centres in the borough. 

Brenda Oakes retires

Brenda has decided to retire as the coordinator of MPG and from FFLAG and MPG committees after many years of dedicated work for both organisations. She is however, still a trustee of FFLAG, and will continue to attend Manchester Parents Group support meetings from time to time.

Very many thanks Brenda and much happiness for the future.

March 15th-17th FFLAG training weekend in Manchester

15 members of Manchester Parents Group attended the FFLAG training weekend at the GMB Conference Centre in Whalley Range Manchester. Thanks to Brenda Oakes of MPG for organising such a successful weekend. A total of 43 delegates in all attended from various FFLAG groups throughout the UK.

We had training on working with Homophobic Bullying in Schools, Ethnic Minorities, Race, Culture and Sexuality and Telephone Helpline Skills. Thanks to Paul Patrick, an openly gay teacher, Roberta Fudge a school counsellor, Parminder Sekhon from the Naz Project in London and Nigel Leach from the Lesbian and Gay Foundation Manchester for their excellent and informative workshops.

Thanks also to FFLAG parents Christine Holt, who is a member of the Anglican church, Sue Haley a Roman Catholic and Kenneth Morris who is Jewish, for leading a very interesting discussion on religious difficulties faced by parents of lesbian and gay sons and daughters.

Manchester Conference

Wed April 24th Christine and Nikki are to attend the Relate conference "Different Families" at Manchester Town Hall. We will also be having an information stall.

MPG continue work to combat homophobic bullying in schools

Feb 15th Christine attended up-dated showcase viewing of Just Messing About at Cragrats base in Holmefirth. They also showed their production for primary schools about bullying in general, which just touches on inappropriate use of the word gay.

Feb 19th & 20th Christine visited Turton High School and Withins High School. There was a production of Just Messing About followed by workshops. She read out to students part of a piece written by her gay son about his feelings and experiences when at school.

March 11th Christine is to attend a Homophobic Bullying in Schools Conference in Bury organised by Greater Manchester Police Authority. This is an opportunity to display information about MPG, FFLAG, and the Bolton Forum and also to talk with delegates.

Feb 25th Sue & Dave attended the Manchester meeting on homophobic bullying in schools. This was held in conjunction with Victim Support and Manchester Police

Feb 28th Sue and Dave went to the Peer Support Group AGM. The Cragrats theatre group production of Just messing about was shown.

March 1st Training the trainers in Hulme. Sue and Dave attended the first session to prepare them for going in to the six schools in Manchester who have signed up for the Bolton Anti Homophobic Bullying Project.

Peace Centre news

March 7th Inga had a further meeting with Bob Rathmill, the Project leader for Citizenship, at the Peace Centre in Warrington. At the moment Bob is planning an anti bullying project which is to take place in July. It will involve work with Warrington schools year 6 pupils at the Peace Centre. This is part of an initiative to prepare them for transfer to secondary school in September. There are to be workshops on various aspects of bullying and Bob suggested that perhaps we could do a workshop about homophobic bullying. This is quite a challenge but one that we are eagerly looking forward to!

Religious News

Feb 8th Christine met the recently appointed relationships adviser for the Manchester Diocese. She put him in the picture regarding work on homophobic bullying now progressing in schools across Greater Manchester. He is to keep her informed about meetings and moves within the diocese which will forward issues on homosexuality within the churches. This is a reassuring and encouraging contact!

Media News

Feb 28th Christine was interviewed by Greater Manchester Radio as to the question: Is there increasing tolerance within society towards homosexuality?

March 15th, 16th, 17th. FFLAG training weekend, organised by Brenda Oakes of MPG, is to be held at GMB Conference Centre in Manchester. 43 delegates are expected to attend for training in telephone skills, homophobic bullying in schools, ethnic minorities and religious difficulties.

Report on The Wirral Anti Bullying Conference Jan 31st by Inga Rhodes

Christine and I facilitated two workshops on homophobic bullying at the above conference. The conference targeted mainly primary teachers, secondary teachers, head teachers, and heads of PSHE. About a hundred delegates attended.

The keynote speech was by David Moore HMI, who spoke very eloquently about all aspects of bullying. His message was clear. Teachers should not tolerate any form of bullying in school; bullying inhibits learning. He also spoke of various strategies for dealing with the problems and of the necessity to have firm bullying policies in place.

There were 6 workshops It’s good to talk-video, ESW Primary Project, Is your policy working? Healthwise bullying matters, Anti bullying websites, and our workshop on Homophobic Bullying. The workshops were facilitated in the morning and were repeated in the afternoon.

Our workshop included, the particular problems young gay students face at school, and ways teachers can overcome homophobic bullying in school. Christine gave particular reference to her work in schools as a member of Bolton Homophobic Bullying Forum. About 12 teachers attended each workshop.

It was very apparent that teachers need much more training and that they are unsure of exactly how they stand with regard to discussing homosexuality in school. It seems that it is still a very contentious subject in many schools but we dismissed the myths as we went along. They were unaware of the extent of the isolation that many young gay students face at school. We stressed that there has to be a whole school approach to tackle the problem effectively and that the direction must come from the Head Teacher and Senior Management. However, we did discuss simple ways that they, as individuals, can make a difference. eg Always challenge homophobic remarks. Be aware that there are gay children in the school and maybe in your class. Never assume that everyone is heterosexual. Always help anyone who comes to you with a problem. If you are unable to deal with it refer them to someone who can. Respect confidentiality.

We suggested that for further information they read "Safe for All" (A best practice guide to prevent homophobic bullying in schools), the excellent book produced by Stonewall Citizenship 21, which was included in the resource pack.

We concluded the workshop by showing a 10 minute video about the work in the Bolton schools

I think everyone went away much wiser and hopefully we provided everyone with lots of food for thought!

Feb 4th Pink Network Meeting

Inga attended the above meeting which was to discuss the production of a new Pink Network directory of services for the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities in Warrington. MPG are to be included for the first time. Inga will submit details of our organisation at a further meeting in March.

A Happy Coincidence by Inga Rhodes

MPG parents support group meetings are usually very special, but the Feb meeting was especially special for me. I met up with someone I have not seen for over 46 years! We were in the same class at school in Leeds all those years ago and have not seen each other since! If we hadn't both had gay sons we would never have seen each other again. I have so many reasons to be thankful to my gay son and to Manchester Parents Group!

New Parents Support Group in Chester

In Nov Nikki and Laurie attended a meeting in Chester with Utopia, a gay youth group, to help set up a new Parents Support Group. We are pleased to say the group is now up and running and we have offered further help if it is needed. We send them our best wishes for the future.

Equality in Practice

In the first few months of the New Year, Brenda, Jane, Joan and James will be busy giving gay awareness sessions at doctors surgeries in Newton Heath, Burnage, Chorlton and Whalley Range. The presentations are organised by The Community Health Council, South Manchester, and are aimed at improving access to primary care for Lesbians and Gay men.

Holocaust Memorial

Thurs Jan 24th. Christine and Brenda are to attend The Trafford Holocaust Memorial at Manchester United Conference Centre. Brenda has been invited to give a short speech in memory of the gay victims of the Holocaust. There will be representatives of several other organisations and also a childrens choir.

Wirral LEA Anti Bullying Conference

Thurs Jan 31st Inga, Brenda and Christine are very pleased to have been invited to facilitate two workshops on Homophobic Bullying at the above conference. It is particularly gratifying that the issue of homophobic bullying is on the agenda. Our workshops will include, the particular problems young gay students face at school, and ways teachers can overcome homophobic bullying in school. Christine will give particular reference to her the work in schools as a member of Bolton Homophobic Bullying Forum.

Schools prepare to tackle homophobic bullying

The Bolton homophobic bullying project has now been extended to 30 schools (including one primary school) in the Greater Manchester area and gay awareness training has begun for school staff in preparation for this. Christine is to be involved in schools in Bolton and Brenda and Cath are to work in schools in Trafford.

MPG help research student

Inga, Sue, Dave, Pat, John and Vicky were interviewed on the phone by an American student at Manchester University, who is doing research on parents and siblings reactions when a family member "comes out" as gay.

Media News

Recently Out magazine invited readers to send in questions to Russell T Davies, writer of the TV dramas Queer as Folk and Bob and Rose. Inga sent the following email, which was published, along with several others. If you watched Bob and Rose recently on Channel 4 you will understand what it's all about!

Inga Rhodes, Manchester Parents Group:
Is Bob's mother based on Manchester Parents Group? It's a long time since I laughed so much, but I have a feeling I may just be laughing at myself!

Russell T Davies: Aww! No. I LOVE those parents! Obviously, my job is to try and make it entertaining, but I've never actually met a woman like Bob's mum. I was just having a bit if a laugh with this rich, posh woman. But when they all came together at the Town Hall in that episode...didn't you love 'em? That was the whole point of that scene, to say look at these women and how fantastic they are and bless them for doing the stuff they do. That was a HUGE big Section 28 rally and riot being screened on ITV... and it was very funny as well I hope. And it was all for those mothers. Honestly. It was a round of applause for them.