Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Bolton NHS Primary Care Trust have
teamed up with agencies across Greater Manchester in a campaign designed to
combat homophobic bullying. The Greater Manchester Anti-Homophobic Bullying
Steering Group has produced a teaching resource pack 'Living It,' which was
launched on Thursday September 25 at 1:30 at Manchester United Football
Club.
The pack, jointly funded by GMP's Shrievalty Trust and
Bolton Primary Care Trust (Healthy Schools Programme), follows national
curriculum standards and will be available to schools and other educational
establishments nation-wide. Designed to promote positive action and a change
in attitude towards homosexuality among young people, the 'Living It' pack
consists of comprehensive teacher support materials and student activities
that can be tailored to many different age groups, as well as a real-life
drama video.
Sergeant Mark Kenny, Greater Manchester Police Community Affairs
Department said; "GMP is committed to tackling crime motivated by prejudice,
which can often be reflected in school environments. It is vitally important
to address such behaviour at an early stage and this pack forms part of the
on-going work with our partners to ensure that homophobia becomes
unacceptable in contemporary society".
Andrew Mulholland, Bolton Public Health Service added: "This new resource
will support schools and other agencies working with young people to
challenge homophobic bullying and will contribute to work which promotes
diversity and challenges discrimination".
The Greater Manchester Anti-Homophobic Bullying Steering Group consists
of representatives from the following agencies:
Greater Manchester Police
Bolton NHS Primary Care Trust
Lesbian and Gay Foundation
Stockport Local Education Authority
Trafford and Salford Healthy Schools
Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Peer Support Project
Victim Support
Lesbian and Gay Foundation Seminar
Sept 29. Margaret attended a one day seminar to feedback the
results of LGF's research projects over the last twelve months.
EuroPride Stakeholder Meeting
Oct 14. Inga attended the above meeting at Churchgate House in
Manchester.The purpose of the meeting was to look at key success and issues
arising from EuroPride event in August.
News - 7 Oct 2003
Launch of "Living It" anti homophobic bullying video and teaching pack
Sept 25. Approximately a hundred and fifty delegates
attended the launch of a video and teaching pack aimed at addressing
homophobic bullying. Christine Holt and Dave Heywood from Manchester Parents
Group were amongst those present.
The event was organised by The Community Affairs Branch of
Greater Manchester Police, in partnership with Bolton Public Health
Authority, and was held at Manchester United Football Stadium.
Speakers included Assistant Chief Constable Ian Seabridge
Head of Community Affairs GMP, Andrew Mulholland Senior Health Promotion
Specialist Bolton Public Health, Maria Bisect Bolton Healthy Schools
Coordinator, Christine Birchby Coordinator of Counselling and Anti Bullying
Turton High School, Lorraine Gleave responsible for NHSS and PSHE Stockport
Education Services, Sergeant Mark Kenny Chair of the Multi Agency Greater
Manchester Anti homophobic Bullying Steering Group, and Lindsay Campbell
manager of Crag Rats ReAct Theatre Group.
Our display of photos and information attracted a great
deal of interest and our booklets and leaflets disappeared rapidly!
24 Sept 2003
Radio Interview
Sept 11. Jane was interviewed by Greater Manchester Radio
Gay Talk about the FFLAG conference " Making a Difference", which is to be
held in Birmingham on Oct 11th.
VAM (Voluntary Action Manchester) Charity know How Day
Sept 17. Margaret attended the VAM Charity Know How Day at
Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. The aim of the Day was to improve the
effectiveness of voluntary and community organisations by accessing useful
information, attending training workshops, making new contacts, and keeping
up with the latest developments in the sector.
16 Sept 2003
EuroPride Manchester 2003
For
10 days in August, Manchester hosted EuroPride, the biggest Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transsexual festival in Europe. It was 10 days of gay and
lesbian sports, films, culture, heritage, campaigning and debating,
culminating in The Big Weekend of partying and celebration in the Gay
Village.
Our EuroPride 2003 photos and movies
The highlight, which took place on Bank Holiday Saturday,
was the Manchester EuroPride 2003 Parade, the most spectacular, ever staged
through the streets of Manchester. It was colourful, noisy, extravagant,
entertaining and great fun. What a sight! Heading the parade was the biggest
rainbow flag in the world. It was a quarter of a mile long!
The Mamas and the Papas, the sixties group, was the theme
for Manchester Parents Group float (and YES some of us do remember it the
first time round!) We dressed as groovy hippies and flower power was the
order of the day, with sunflowers everywhere! We were joined by seven
members of Barclays Spectrum Group, looking as they’ve never looked before!
Very many thanks to them for sponsoring our float and also for all the help
and support they gave us over EuroPride 2003. Thanks also to the walking
contingent (FFLAG trustees and their families) who marched behind the float
carrying the FFLAG banner.
It was a very moving occasion, and my feelings mirrored
those of Sir Ian McKellan who was also in the parade. He said "The most
stylish theatre in the world was here on the streets of Manchester. When I
rode through the streets of the city, tears of joy ran down my face. There
were kids, old people, mothers, fathers, grandparents, a real racial mix,
and not a single person objecting to us being there"
How things have improved, BUT, there is still work to be
done. We had an information stall in the Lifestyle Expo. over the weekend in
the Gay village, and we had a steady flow of gay and lesbian people, young,
and some not so young, coming to us for help and advice, mainly with the
problem of coming out to their parents and families.
One gay man stood looking at our stall, and said, "I wish
my mother could see this. All I want from her is to accept me as I am."
Difficulties with religion, homophobia and bullying also seemed to be hugely
problematic for many people. Hopefully one day we will all live together in
harmony, respect each other, and our sexuality will not be an issue. Perhaps
I should say "I have a dream"
We at Manchester Parents Group feel "EuroProud" to have
been part of it all. It was hard work and at times we felt we were FLAGGING
(excuse the pun). The serious part of it all though, reminds us why we are
all here, and why we do what we do, and our batteries get recharged. If we
can help to change people’s lives for the better, then surely it must be
worthwhile, and, it can be great fun at the same time!
Sept 8. Inga gave a presentation about the work of MPG to
a Town Womens Guild group in Wigan. About 50 people attended and the evening
was a great success. The audience were very receptive and eager to
participate in discussion.
News - 27 Aug
2003
EuroPride Working party
Aug 10. We had a meeting at Nicki's house to organise the
decoration for our float. Luckily the weather was fine, and we were able to
spread out into the garden to make the panels of sunflowers to fit on the
side of the lorry. It could be said that flower power was the order of the
day! Thanks to all who worked so hard.
Film Premiere
Anne and Margaret attended the launch of the film "Mango
Soufflé" at the Print Works. This was part of the Film Festival organised
for EuroPride.
Charity Night for MPG
Aug 16. Thanks to Steph Kay from Vanilla for organising a
Charity Night at Wells Fargo for MPG. Anne, Margaret and Linnette collected
the money on the door and £210 was raised. Well done to everyone.
National Conference
Aug 22. Manchester City council organised a national
conference "A New Agenda for Equality for Lesbians and Gay Men" at
Manchester Town Hall, as part of EuroPride. Jane and Christine from MPG
attended as delegates, and Nicki and Laurie were in charge of MPG
information stall. This was a good opportunity to liaise with organisations
and agencies, and lots of information was distributed, and contacts made.
News 30 July 2003
Health Promotion and Greater Manchester police
July 2. Dave attended the preview of new anti-homophobic
bullying resources produced by Health Promotion and
Greater
Manchester police. They are designed for use in personal, social and
health education, counselling and one to one sessions, staff training, and
awareness training.
The resources will be launched on Sept 25 during the
Homophobic Bullying Conference at the Manchester United Conference Centre.
Members of Manchester Parents Group will be present.
Village Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Seminars
July 10. Inga attended the seminar Improving Services,
Challenging Discrimination at Manchester Town Hall. This was an opportunity
for all CAB in the region to forge links with the local lesbian and gay
community, and to raise awareness of the social policy issues facing them.
Inga gave a short presentation about Manchester Parents Group and our
leaflets and booklets were on display. Good contacts were made, and thanks
to Paul Fairweather our poster has been sent to 100 CAB in the area. We are
very grateful for this.
Liverpool CAB Seminar
July 31. Margaret and Inga will be attending the Liverpool
Seminar, this time to liaise with CAB & LGB organisations in the Merseyside
area. Once again there will be a short presentation about MPG and
our information material will be on display.
Meetings with Barclays bank
July 10. Jane, Anne & Martin, Inga, Nicki & Laurie had a
meeting with Steve Noke from Barclays Sexual Orientation Task Force re
sponsorship for our float in Manchester's EuroPride Parade. We were
very pleased to receive a cheque for £500. Many thanks to Barclays.
July 30. We are to have a further meeting with members
from the Northern Branch of Barclays sexual orientation task force.
EuroPride - Operation Fundraiser
July 17. A consultation meeting was held at Unity House,
Central Manchester. Margaret and Inga attended. This was an opportunity for
members of LGB groups to ask questions, and put forward ideas to Paul
Martin, Executive Director of
Lesbian and Gay
Foundation, and Michelle Reid, Executive Director of
George House Trust, as
to how money raised at
EuroPride
should be distributed to the charities. New ideas were formulated and
further consultation is to take place.
July 31. Repeal of Section 28
July 10. At last the House of Lords saw reason, and voted
for the repeal of
Section 28. Stonewall hailed this as “a triumph for tolerance over
prejudice”.
Margaret Thatcher made her first appearance at the House of
Lords since the death of her husband specifically to vote against
repeal. More info
here
Manchester Parents Group campaigning photos are
here
Thanks to all who have worked long and hard to have this
law overturned.
News 19 Jun 2003
Voices in Vale Royal
May 8. Laurie attended a meeting of the recently formed LGB forum in the
Vale Royal area. A draft mission statement and an information pack were
discussed.
June 3. He attended a further meeting, at which the mission statement
was agreed, and tasks allocated to produce information packs.
Film Preview
June 3. Anne and Martin attended the film preview of
Trembling before G-D at the Cornerhouse in Manchester. The film tells the
personal stories of Orthodox Jews who are gay or lesbian, and who are
struggling to reconcile their commitment to Orthodox Judaism with their
sexuality.
A very powerful message of rejection by the families and
the Jewish Orthodox Community was portrayed.
The film director Sandi Dubowski and the first openly gay
Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg were there to answer questions.
Media News
June 5. Laurie gave an interview to Gaytalk Radio BBC Manchester about
Manchester Parents Group.
Charities Fair
June 7. An opportunity to display information about the work of
Manchester Parents Group and FFLAG arose with an invitation from Bury CVS (
Community Voluntary Service) to attend a Charities Fair. Christine Holt
represented MPG.
Valuable contacts were made with representatives of other voluntary
organisations including The Samaritans, Home Start, Amnesty International
and Bury Family Centre.
An article about the work of MPG and FFLAG will be published in a
forthcoming edition of Bury CVS Link Newsletter.
EuroPride Stakeholder Meeting
June 9. Inga attended the above meeting in central Manchester. LGB
organisations involvement in EuroPride was discussed and there was an
opportunity for people to put questions to Claire Turner and Christopher
Hodgson (Joint Festival Co-ordinators).
Parents Group in Blackpool
June 27. is the date of the first meeting of the newly formed parents
support group in Blackpool. Members of Manchester parents group are to
attend to help with the setting up of the group. If you require more
information please
Fundraising News
Many thanks to Steph Kay of Vanilla Bar, for raising £150 towards our new
photocopier. It's very much appreciated.
News
- 14 May 2003
Media News
Pauline did an interview for radio Blackpool and had an article published
in the Blackpool Gazette. She is hoping to start a FFLAG parents group in
Blackpool soon.
Relate
Jane has met with Sue Parkes of Relate (Stockport). It was very useful to
find out that they have a number of clients having family therapy where a
parent has recently come out as gay but wants to remain in the marriage.
Staff have received training from LGB Foundation and they are learning from
each other.
Stakeholder Group Meeting
May 12. Inga attended the meeting at the EuroPride office in Manchester.
The Village Business Association’s involvement in EuroPride and Operation
Fundraiser are to be discussed.
VBA Business Awards Ceremony
May 22. Ten members of MPG are looking forward to attending the Village
Business Awards and countdown to EuroPride at the Piccadilly Jarvis Hotel in
Manchester.
This will be Manchester’s opportunity to unite all sections of the
community, the business groups and the organisers of EuroPride under one
roof. It should be quite an event!
Winstanley Town Women's Guild
Inga has been invited to give a presentation at the September meeting of
the above branch of the Town Women’s Guild.
News
- 12 Apr 2003
Support for Families of Black and Asian Gays
Parents of gay sons and lesbian daughters from multi cultural communities
met in London to establish how they could support their children who may
experience prejudice because of their sexuality.
Inga Rhodes and Jane Clayton from Manchester Parents Group attended the
conference. The event was hosted by FFLAG (Families and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays), an organisation set up ten years ago to offer
information, support and advice to families who may experience problems when
a family member declares his or her sexual orientation.
Recently, FFLAG has been contacted by gay and lesbian people from black
and minority ethnic communities seeking help. Jenny Broughton, national
co-ordinator of FFLAG, believes that parents from all cultural backgrounds
experience similar anxieties and can obtain reassurance from sharing
concerns with each other.
Parents may feel confusion, disbelief, fear and even grief when they
discover that their child is gay. This can be compounded in families from
black and minority ethnic communities because of cultural and religious
beliefs that regard homosexuality as shameful and unnatural.
An Asian mother of a gay son said, "People from our communities have
problems in obtaining reliable information on sexuality and can become
isolated and fearful". Often gay people will marry in order to maintain
secrecy about their sexuality and this can cause great unhappiness. They can
also be rejected by their families and face the insecurity of poor housing
and loss of educational opportunities.
Parminder Sekhon from NAZ, the social exclusion health project in London,
which facilitated the conference said, "This conference could be an
important event in changing the attitudes of black and minority ethnic
families towards their gay and lesbian members."
FFLAG will now extend its educational and support services to families
from black and ethnic minority communities by working in partnership with
organisations that represent these communities throughout the country.
The conference was attended by parents from all parts of the United
Kingdom and was made possible by an award from the Citizenship 21 Project of
Stonewall, the gay rights lobbying organisation.
For further information contact
Jenny Broughton
National Co-ordinator FFLAG
PO Box 84,
Exeter,EX4 4AN
Tel 01392 279546
Or
Inga Rhodes
Manchester Parents Group
PO Box 100
15 Pritchard Street
Manchester, M1 7DA
News
- 10 Apr 2003
A Memorable Weekend
Mar 21-23. This Year FFLAG
training weekend was held at the Holiday Inn in Leicester, and was organised
by Leicester parents Betty and Vaunda, and FFLAG trustees Sue and Angie. 43
delegates from parents groups throughout the UK took part, 10 of whom were
members of Manchester Parent Group.
We had training on Dealing with difficult phone calls and running
efficient support groups, Homophobic bullying in Schools, Presentation
skills, Transgender issues and Black and Ethnic minority issues. Thanks
to the facilitators Nigel Leach, Roberta Fudge, Jane Clayton, Tina
Livingstone and Gloria Jenkins. Thanks also to FFLAG Affiliates Sue Allen,
Peter and Carol Sanbrook, and Christine Holt for their input into the
homophobic bullying workshop.
One of the highlights of the weekend was meeting Norah Gutteridge,
FFLAG's Honorary President. She is now in her 80's (I'm sure she won't mind
me mentioning this! ) and was a pioneer of the Parents Movement, along with
Rose Robertson, in the 1960's. She gave a wonderful speech which was an
inspiration to us all. We returned home full of enthusiasm to continue
working hard for the cause. Thanks to everyone for a very valuable and
enjoyable weekend.
Coming Home
Together
April 4-6. Christine attended
the Spring Conference of the Evangelical Fellowship for Lesbian and Gay
Christians at Whalley Abbey. It's theme was "Coming Home Together" The guest
speaker was Jeremy Marks, founder in 1988 of Courage Trust. Jeremy believed
then, that a homosexual orientation being, as he saw it "contrary to God's
plan" could be changed "to become heterosexual as God intended."
During ten years of intensive work it became increasingly obvious that
sexuality can not be changed. In 2000,finally recognising the importance of
self acceptance and the happiness and fulfilment that can come from a
loving, committed Gay relationship, the emphasis of ministry was changed to
one of support and understanding.
The title "Coming Home Together" affirms how a ministry, once claiming to
be able to change Gay sexuality and members of EFLGC, whose sexuality was
seen as needing "change" because it was "contrary to God's plan" are
reconciled and moving forward together.
LGB & Trans
Community Network
April 9.
Inga attended the above Network meeting at Unity House in
Manchester.
The network exists to improve the lives of LGB and Trans
communities in Manchester by:
Linking groups with these communities.
Facilitating Communication and joint working.
Influencing public policy.
Identifying community needs and ways of addressing
them.
The initiative is funded with the support of the
Neighbourhood renewal Unit through the Community Empowerment Fund.
The progress made so far, and the plans for the future
were discussed.
News
- 11 Mar 2003
Radio Interview
Feb 26. Sue was interviewed by
GMR about MPG and the issues we are currently involved in.
University News
Feb 27. Sue, Dave, Nicky and
Laurie went to St Martins College Lancaster to a meeting with the LGB
students.
World Women's Day
Mar 3. There were various
stalls, workshops and displays in Manchester Town Hall. MPG had an
information stall which looked very colourful with our yellow banner and new
yellow and blue leaflets and posters produced by Nicky. We gave out lots of
information packs and made some useful contacts. Thanks to Margaret and Ann,
Nicky and her friend Joan for spending the day looking after the stall.
Inga was interviewed by Greater Manchester Radio about our work and our
reasons for taking part in World Women's Day.
Voices in Vale
Royal
Mar 10. Nicky and Laurie
attended a meeting in Northwich with LGB groups, the Citizens Advice
Bureau and the police, to discuss how they can work together in the
future, to improve the services for LGB people in the Vale Royal area .
News
- 12 Feb 2003
Voice of Encouragement
Jan 22. Canon Trevor Dennis,
Vice Dean of Chester Cathedral, describing himself as fully heterosexual,
spoke on "Voices from Sodom: The Bible and homosexuality" to a packed
Manchester Theological Society meeting at Manchester Cathedral. Christine
Holt from MPG was one of those attending.
His analysis and demolition of the few biblical texts which appear to
condemn homosexuality was superb. His passion for the recognition and
acceptance of Gay people, and their relationships, within the Church,
touched many who attended as was revealed in the discussion afterwards and
the applause which followed the meeting.
Peer Support Open
Evening
Jan 30. Sue and Dave attended a
social evening at the Lesbian and Gay Centre in Manchester. It was hosted by
the Peer Support Group, and was a good opportunity to network.
Warrington
Domestic Violence Unit
Feb3rd Inga had a meeting with
Pam Skelland of the Domestic violence unit in Warrington to discuss plans
for expanding their services to include LGBs
News
- 19 Jan 2003
Christmas and Retirement Party
Our Christmas party this year was held at the Taurus bar
Canal Street Manchester. It was extra special this year as it was also a
surprise retirement party for Brenda Oakes. It was good to see so many
people attending to celebrate with us. Among them were all Brenda's family,
much to her surprise!
We had a wonderful time. The bar was open. There was excellent musical
entertainment, a delicious buffet, and a chance to win good prizes Playing
Your Cards Right or in our raffle.
The highlight of the day undoubtedly was the presentation to Brenda of a
picture, gift vouchers, flowers and a cake, in appreciation of all her hard
work for both MPG and FFLAG over the years. (See tribute below). Photos are here
Tribute to Brenda by Inga Rhodes
Mention Manchester Parents Group or FFLAG and immediately
the name Brenda Oakes springs to mind! Brenda is a very remarkable woman,
who has been active in the Parents Movement for many years.
She has been part of Manchester Parents Group since it was
set up in 1986 in response to the need, not only for a helpline, but also
for a place where parents of lesbian and gay children could meet and support
each other. The group has grown steadily over the years, due to Brenda’s
hard work and dedication. She has helped hundreds of parents on their own
personal journey to greater understanding and acceptance of their child’s
sexuality, and also supported many young gay people "coming out"
As more groups were formed around the country there was a
need for a national umbrella organisation, and in 1993 Brenda helped to set
up FFLAG (Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). There are now about 40
telephone helplines and groups affiliated to FFLAG. She has been working
tirelessly for both MPG and FFLAG ever since.
As well as organising Manchester Parents Group, she was a
FFLAG committee member, the national coordinator for many years, and editor
of FFLAG’s Newsletter. She organised FFLAG training courses and conferences,
and when FFLAG became a registered charity she was made a trustee.
Brenda has also worked hard in the field of education. She
believes that the only way to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and
homophobia is to educate people around the issues of homosexuality. She has
given presentations to doctors, teachers, police, and church groups, made
speeches and written letters. You name it and Brenda has done it. She
certainly has been Out and Proud!
She has always been an ardent campaigner for gay rights.
She has fought vociferously for the repeal of section 28 and she mobilised
parents from all over the UK to lobby the House of Lords about an equal age
of consent. She even managed to organise a meeting with the infamous
Baroness Young! She faced her on television and confronted her on the radio.
Nothing daunted Brenda, and in 1999 she and Christine Holt (another
Manchester Parent), won the award of Gaytime TV campaigners of the year.
Sadly (for us) Brenda has decided to retire to spend more
time with her husband Jim and family who have been quietly supportive of her
work for so many years. Typically though, she won’t be idle. I’ve heard she
has aspirations to write a book about her life. She intends to remain a
patron of LGF and attend Manchester Parents Group meetings from time to
time.
We will always think of Brenda and Jim with gratitude,
love and affection, and we wish them a very happy retirement. We at
Manchester Parents Group are working very hard trying to follow in Brenda’s
footsteps, but to tell you the truth, she is a very hard act to follow!
Lesbian Community Project Open Day and AGM
Dec 4 Christine and Inga attended the above Open Day at
the Lesbian and Gay centre in Central Manchester. The various lesbian groups
that the project has been supporting over the past year, had information
stalls. We made lots of good contacts, and were able to distribute
information and leaflets etc. about MPG. We can strongly recommend the huge
cups of tea and homemade biscuits supplied by the volunteers!
Bolton homophobic bullying news
Dec 9. Christine attended a meeting in Greater Manchester
to discuss and plan future work in the area.
Pink Network meeting.
Jan 9. Inga attended the committee meeting in Warrington.
It was decided that there will be a Pink Network Open Day, at 11 Palmyra
Square Warrington, on March 27th from 1pm to 5pm. MPG will be having an
information stall and there will be representatives from all the
organisations which provide services for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in
Warrington and Halton.
Holistic Health Day
Jan 26. Gay Healthy Alliance Project (GHAP) is to hold a
holistic health day at the Hanover Hotel in Stretton Warrington. MPG will be
having an information stall.
Presentation to Town Womens Guild.
Feb 14. Inga is to give a talk, about how her son's
"coming out" changed her life, at a town women's guild meeting in
Ashton-in-Makerfield.
Religious news
An article by Christine Holt on issues around having a gay
son, was published in the Winter edition of Family and Home, The Mothers
Union magazine
