Aug 20 2005. The celebration weekend started with a party at Manchester
Lesbian and Gay Foundation. Christine attended on behalf of Manchester
Parents Group
The event was to mark the growth of Pink Parents by bringing together their
families, friends and supporters. It provided space and opportunity for
families, donors and co-parents to meet and share experiences.
The programme included items by the Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus, face
painting, holistic therapy treatments and arts and crafts.
A light buffet and refreshments were provided.
Aug 21 2005.The celebrations concluded with a Pink Picnic in Sackville Park
on Sunday afternoon.
Kirkham Prison Diversity Day
September 26 2005. Sue and Dave had an information stall at the above
event for prison staff and inmates. Other agencies attending included Age
Concern, BME (Black and Minority Ethnic ) groups, Disability Groups, NHS
and complimentary therapy health.
Not a great deal of interest was shown in our stall. People seemed wary of
being seen looking at any of our information. However, a gay awareness day
has been organised for staff early next year so hopefully this will help
them to be more aware and have greater understanding of the issues involved.
Events in Bury Town Hall
October 6 2005. Christine attended The World Mental Health Day event in
Bury Town Hall FFLAG and Manchester Parents Group information was displayed.
October 7. 2005 Saw the Launch of "Bury Safe", a multi agency partnership
working together " To Keep Bury a Safer Place" in the Town Hall. Once again
Christine was there to talk to people and give out information about
Manchester Parents Group and FFLAG.
Almost 30 displays at the launch covered everything form domestic abuse,
child safety, protection of the elderly, The Crown Prosecution Service, the
Police, Bury Victim Support and Witness Service etc, etc. There was no
mention of homophobic hate crime, bullying or homophobic bullying.
However, a letter published in the Bury Times on October 13th did mention
"that the word Gay is widely and derogatorily used to describe anything and
anyone considered to be unacceptable", concluding with-" As young lives can
be damaged by truancy, drug and alcohol abuse, self harm and even to the
point of suicide by bullying, and education prospects put in jeopardy,
surely tackling it should be an integral part of any undertaking to make
Bury a safer place for everyone"
Above the letter was an eye catching picture, in colour, of two boys,
obviously a bully and his victim, beneath the heading-"Tackling Bullying
will help to make Bury a safer place" Point made! Point taken!
Parents talk to University Students
November 1 2005. Dave, Nicki, Laurie and Sue went to Salford University
to talk to the LGB ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual) Group.Only about 10 students
turned up but they had quite a lively and interesting discussion with them.
They said that their membership is dwindling year by year. They are not sure
whether it's apathy or that people are more integrated and don't feel the
need to be in a special group They all seemed quite comfortable with their
sexuality and only a couple hadn't come out to their parents.
Manchester Pride is a ten day festival to celebrate Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender life. There will be an exciting programme of
cultural, community, heritage, debating as well as non stop partying in the
gay village over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Manchester Pride Games 19-21 August 2005
Manchester Pride Games is new for this year and is organised by the
Sports and Leisure Team Manchester. There will be participants from all over
the UK and throughout Europe. The games not only includes swimming, water
polo, badminton, rugby, men's and women's football, running, softball, and
volley ball, but also a Homophobia in Sports Debate, a Mad Hatters Tea Party
and a formal dinner in Manchester Town Hall.
The Big Weekend 26-29 2005
Manchester Pride Parade Saturday 27 August will be the highlight of
the weekend. It promises to be a huge, colourful carnival of floats
representing community groups, organisations and businesses winding its way
through Manchester city centre. Manchester City Council is sponsoring the
biggest EVER parade entry with Manchester Pride. Look out for a 40ft high
frock that is 40 ft long with 100 people as part of it. It will be quite
something!!
The celebration Saturday 27 August, 6 - 11pm, Sackville Park
Last year, there was 'The Wedding' during Manchester Pride - a mass
celebration in support of Civil Partnership Rights. This was a huge success
with over 80 couples being blessed by the Metropolitan Community Church This
year, to celebrate the change in the law, there will be an event to
celebrate the start of the Civil Partnerships Register on 5 December
2005.Participants will be able to sign a 'pink book' provided by Manchester
Registry officer to pre-register for their Civil Partnership in December;
find out about how to organise their own event; and be entertained by
musicians, comedians, DJs and poets. At 7pm, speeches will also be made by
community members and politicians who worked towards changing the law.
The Lifestyle Expo 27-29 August
Lifestyle Expo will be showcasing services provided by community, social
and health organisations.
Candlelit Vigil Closing Ceremony August 29
The Candlelit Vigil is to remember the lives of those who have been
affected by HIV Hundreds of candles will be lit in remembrance as the
festival comes to a close
News - 8 July 2005
Gays And Lesbians In Prison Service (GALIPS) Launch
June 17 2005. Sue & Dave attended
GALIPS official National Network Launch in Manchester Town Hall. MPG had
a stall and information booklets and leaflets were quickly taken by
delegates who work in prison services all over the UK. Other exhibitors
included Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Greater Manchester Police, Respect,
A-Gender Biphoria, and Staff Care and Welfare. This national event proved to
be an excellent networking opportunity and good contacts were made.
GALOP ( London's LGBT Community Safety Charity)
GALOP At the
request of the London Metropolitan Police, and as a result of Government
plans to standardise and improve police training in awareness of the
policing and protection needs of LGBT people (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender), organised a series of LGBT Focus Group meetings nationwide.
Information gathered at the meetings from LGBT people and gay support groups
will be coordinated and used to influence future policy strategies.
Greater Manchester Police Focus Group
May 18 2005. Manchester Parents Group was represented at the
Greater Manchester Police Focus Group meeting where several positive
suggestions were put forward for police consideration.
In due course a report will be drawn up by the Metropolitan Police and
submitted to Government
Women's Health Day
May 18th 2005. As part of the
Tameside & Glossop Health is for Life Festival, a Women's Health Day
took was organised in Hyde Town Hall. There were display stands with
information ranging from health matters to lesbian and women's issues,
health taster sessions and relaxation treatments. In the afternoon there was
a series of workshops. On behalf of Manchester Parents Group, Inga
facilitated a workshop on homophobic bullying which was very well received.
Breakthrough in Bury?
In October 2004 Christine was invited to join the
Bury
Metropolitan Borough "Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy
Group-working together to achieve safer communities". Previously the group
has focussed on hate crimes against ethnic minority groups. Now, it's focus
is on homophobic hate crime and especially homophobic bullying in schools
and the group has monthly meetings.
Bolton Homophobic Bullying Forum
May 2005. A link up has been made with the Bolton Homophobic Bullying
Forum so helping to further the work in Bury more quickly. Plans are
presently underway for a day long conference to take place later this year,
to which school governors, head teachers, and ancillary school staff will
be invited and at which there will be a presentation of "Living It" - a video
and teaching pack to tackle homophobic bullying-followed by workshops.
News - 7 May 2005
Young Lives Today
Mar 9 2005 Following our success at last years Young Lives Today
Exhibition, we had a stand again at this years exhibition at Manchester
International Convention Centre.
There
were approx 60 exhibitors covering a wide spectrum, ranging from child care
and support providers, training providers, voluntary and charitable
organisations, all dedicated to working with children and young people.
Our display focussed mainly on FFLAG's
Education For All project, in collaboration with
Stonewall and
LGBT Youth Scotland,
to combat homophobic bullying in schools. It generated a lot of interest and
attention and we distributed lots of information packs. We spoke to lots of
interesting people and made lots of useful contacts.
There
was a diverse range of seminars throughout the day and Christine attended
Bullying in Schools and managed to get the issue of homophobic bullying on
the agenda!! Well done Christine!
Thanks to Nicki and Laurie for getting up early to set up the stand and also
for dismantling it at the end of the exhibition. Thanks also to Julie, a new
volunteer (very much appreciated) and to Christine and Inga for looking
after the stand throughout the day. A hard day's work but very worthwhile!
British Psychological Society Seminar
April 2 2005. Inga and Christine attended the Lesbian and Gay Psychology
Section of the British Psychology Society seminar for LGBT voluntary
agencies, “Building Relationships Across Sectors”, at Manchester University.
Several specialist speakers covered topics including, LGB psychologists- a
resource for the voluntary and community sectors: the role and services of
the LGB Consortium: new equality legislation: lesbian and gay parenting: the
Gender Recognition Act: diversity training: education and young
people-mainly focussing on homophobic bullying: building partnerships
between voluntary sectors and researchers: auditing and responding to anti
LGBT violence.
The day closed with an open session where needs were identified and
suggestions made as to how agencies might work together most effectively in
the future.
News - 12
February 2005
Launch of Equality and Diversity Strategy
Jan 27 2005. Christine and Inga attended the launch of the North West
Regional Assembly Equality and Diversity Strategy -"Action for Equality" at
The Lowry, Salford Quays.
The keynote speaker was Hazel Blears MP Minister of State at the Home
Office.
Approximately two hundred delegates were present including representatives
from black and ethnic minority groups, women’s organisations, LGBT (Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender), disabled and faith groups, as well as those
from business and economic partnerships, voluntary organisations and
equality experts.
The Strategy aims to promote diversity and equality as essential to the
future prosperity and social cohesion of the North West. After a three month
consultation period it will be revised and republished in the Summer of
2005, along with an implementation and action plan.
"The Government believes that fairness for all is the basis for a healthy
democracy, economic prosperity and the effective delivery of our public
services. Equality and human rights, therefore, matter to all of us, not
just those who experience discrimination and unfair treatment"
("Action for Equality"-celebrating diversity and creating opportunity for
all in the North West-a consultation paper)
It is fitting that the launch of the Equality and Diversity Strategy took
place on Holocaust Memorial Day
Thoughts on Holocaust Memorial Day by Inga Rhodes
Jan 27 2005. Events to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the
liberation of the concentration camps took place throughout the UK and
Europe.
This is a time to honour and show respect to those who suffered under Nazi
persecution and to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and
victimisation committed during the Holocaust are neither forgotten nor
repeated. It is not only about remembering the horrors of the past but also
thinking about the future.
Remember small acorns grow into big trees. We can all play a part in trying
to eliminate hate, prejudice and discrimination wherever it exists today and
so help to create a more inclusive world……a better world for ALL people.
News - 12 January 2005
Presentation at Child Bereavement Centre
Nov 15 2004. Dave & Sue were invited to speak to volunteers at The Child
Bereavement Centre Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool, The Centre operates a
Child Death Helpline run totally by volunteers who have lost a child.
Alan, the chief counsellor at the centre said that on more than one occasion
they have had parents ring them whose child has committed suicide because he
or she was gay and so he thought there might be times when we could help
each other. As we have had parents whose children have attempted suicide
come to us for help, it seems there is some common ground.
They spoke about Manchester Parents Group and FFLAG, and told their story
and what it was like for them when they found out their son was gay. It was
very well received. There were about 30 people present, mainly helpline
volunteers, but also representatives from other agencies such as the
Samaritans and local health officers.
Hopefully we will keep in contact and will be able to offer support to each
other in the future.
University time again!
Nov 16 2004. Sue and Dave went to Salford University to speak to the
freshers at the LGB group. About 25 young people attended and all were very
grateful for them giving their time.
They told them about Manchester Parents Group and how it started and gave
them an insight into what it's like for parents when their child comes out..
It was a worthwhile evening.
Civil Partnership Bill - Victory!
Nov 17 2004 Time to celebrate!! The Civil Partnership Bill was passed by
the House of Lords tonight!!
It could be another year before registration systems are set up across the
country and the first civil partnerships can take place. The Bill represents
a historic step forward for lesbian and gay people in Britain.
Christmas Get together
Dec 4 2004. Members of Manchester Parents Group, their families and
friends, had a Christmas party in Taurus bar in Manchester's gay village.
There was a bar, refreshments and a raffle. It good that we were able to
welcome lots of new parents (as well as "old" ones) along with their sons
and daughters. We had several people volunteering to help us with our work
in the New Year. This will be very much appreciated. Thanks also to Polly
and Iain, the owners of the bar for providing us with the buffet and also
with a room for our meetings throughout the year.
