GM LGBTQ+ Community Network Newsletter
Friday, 1st September 2023Hello and Good Morning,
As Manchester Pride seems a distant memory Tomorrow, Saturday 2nd September Its Didsbury Pride.
https://www.instagram.com/didsburypride/
Join the Rainbow Walk at midday, through Didsbury Village, to kick off this year’s Didsbury Pride.
Assemble from 11.30am outside the Didsbury Pub, 852 Wilmslow Rd M20 2SG, Then from 12pm at St James & Emmanuel Church Gardens, 6 Barlow Moor Rd, M20 6TR (2 min walk from Didsbury Village Metrolink Tram Stop)
Guest DJ’s, Levy Chorus, Manchester Proud Chorus, Julia Goulding, Sonata Piano Lounge, Northenden Community Choir, DJ Roxy Rivers & Polly, Hassle 80’s Band, SORAYA VIVIAN with Live Saxophonist, Lots of Family Activity, with Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Drag Queen Story Time, Puppets, On Site Food & Drink available & Raffle Prizes to be won – FREE Event. From 9pm After-Pride Party at The Head of Steam.
LGBT Foundation Newsletter:
- Keep up to date on ground-breaking work.
- Keep you posted about their campaigns and relevant news.
- Provide you with information on opportunities to support them, including training, fundraising and volunteering.
Take a look at look here:
Sign up here to keep up to date:
https://form.jotform.com/230372875895369
Read the weekly newsletter from Canal St Manchester:
https://www.canal-st.co.uk/canal-st-online-newsletter
LGBTQ+ Weekly Bulletin from Reach (Manchester Evening News)
https://e.reachplc.com/interface/external_view_email.php?RE6516714670842919zzzzz645d0918ce5e6656d8b47d86cd07e2f1645983fafa78fa97bd9a4df33a3dc67acb&varId=
Forever Manchester: For Funding & Fundraising
https://email-forevermanchester.com/557N-U1Q5-5BBAECC4490813D81WGZE8161DBAAEF28BCFA7/cr.aspx
I Love Manchester: Events Not to Miss
https://ilovemanchester.com/
Consortium: For Stronger LGBT+ Communities Sector News: Funding News, August
https://mailchi.mp/c43243e74262/funding-news-jun23-8241057?e=4ef77ba796
Proud 2B Parents: September Newsletter
https://mailchi.mp/649cbfa30a8c/september-2023-monthly-email-15377718?e=c3332628fc
GM Equality Alliance Bulletin: Issue 72, August 2023
https://www.gmcvo.org.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=9644
Fighting with Pride: News Update,
https://mailchi.mp/b34803224f5c/fighting-with-pride-august-2023-news-update
Out with Prostate Cancer: Monthly Group Support Meeting
Out with Prostate Cancer are a group run by volunteers. They offer support for members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies who are pre or post diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
They meet once a month, on the first Saturday of the month, between 14:00 and 16:00. The next meeting is this Saturday 2nd September 2023. The meetings are a hybrid of face—2-face and Zoom.
Location: LGBT Foundation, 2nd Floor, Fairbairn House, 72 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3NJ
Although they meet in Manchester, with the help of Zoom we do cover the rest of the country and abroad. Those wanting support in the South East can also contact METRO Walnut (https://metrocharity.org.uk/community/metro-walnut), who offer a similar service.
Please email [email protected] for further information, giving a brief background on yourself. They need to do this to try to ensure we don’t have anyone abusive attending. Partners are also welcome to attend the meetings.
The group offer support and shared experiences on the journey with Prostate Cancer. They do not advise on medical matters or treatment.
Pride Events Coming Up…..
Chorlton Pride, Sat 16th Sept
https://chorltonpride.co.uk/
Withington Pride, Sat 23rd Sept
Various Locations around Withington – More details to follow:
New Edition: Rammy Gay Pride Event Sat 23rd Sept
Ramsbottom Civic Hall, 11am – 11pm
Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund: Round 3 is now open
LGBT Foundation, George House Trust and Homobloc are now accepting proposals for round three of the Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund.
The Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund inspires action and encourages inclusion across Greater Manchester, benefiting LGBTQ+ people and communities.
https://lgbt.foundation/greater-manchester-lgbtq-community-fund
Sober Gay Socials: Discover Your Tribe
Sober Gay Socials is a Not-For-profit Community Support Group based in Manchester that’s been created for LGBTQ+ people who are either Sober or Sober Curious from Drink, Drugs or both. By hosting regular Social Events and fun group activities, Sober Gay Socials is creating an amazing sober space within the Gay Community, giving likeminded people the opportunity to meet up, offer each other support, and build lasting friendships.
Follow on Social Media for updates of events and activities:
Facebook / Instagram: @sobergaysocials
Northern Wave Swimming Club is 25 Years Old
Northern Wave is an LGBT+ swimming club based in Manchester. They have been running since 1998 and they exist to provide a safe and inclusive space to encourage participation in sport for LGBT+ swimmers and friends of the community. Whether you are swimming to keep active or training to compete in Masters competitions, they are sure to have a lane to suit your ability!
In September Northern Wave celebrates its 25th anniversary, as part of this they are heading to North Manchester and launching a 4th weekly session at the newly opened Abraham Moss Pool. Their Monday night sessions begin on the 4th of September 7 pm – 8 pm. they will have 3 lanes of coached swimming alongside the public session.
Full details of all their sessions can be found on their website northernwave.org. Follow on socials @northernwaveswim
On the 9th of September, They will be celebrating with an evening party at Victoria Baths and would love to see any past members of the club join them for this. Tickets are £15/£10. Please contact Donald Vaughan at [email protected] if you would like to attend.
Hope Mill Theatre Presents: LIZZIE The Musical – 1st -30th Sept
LIZZIE is Rage! Sex! Betrayal! BLOODY MURDER!
A true crime punk rock musical, LIZZIE explores the life and complex psyche of Lizzie Borden who in 1892 was accused of murdering her parents with an axe! LIZZIE the musical brings together four stellar female performers to deliver this epic musical full of crime, rage and madness! The perfect show for any fan of true crime, horror and of course Musicals!
Grab your tickets here!
The Rainbow Lottery is the UK’s first weekly lottery that raises money for the LGBTQ+ community. Their hope is to make a difference to our over 100 good causes across the country, so they can carry on their vital work – which helps us all.
For more info: www.rainbowlottery.co.uk To start supporting causes in OUR community purchase your ticket here:
https://www.rainbowlottery.co.uk/referral/1754044334/1961609853
Fighting With Pride wants to know what you want to see in the delivery of the non-financial recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review. https://mailchi.mp/c1eaa7ebb98b/fighting-with-pride-wants-to-know-what-you-want-to-see-in-the-delivery-of-the-non-financial-recommendations-of-the-lgbt-veterans-independent-review?e=d1dc24a262
Nowt as Queer as Disabled Folk:
This is your opportunity to be part of an exciting project to make LGBTQ+ Disabled voices heard more widely.I am looking for volunteers who would like to join me in a new podcast about the experiences of disabled members of the LGBT+ Community. The podcast will be a series of 6 episodes, the aim is to give disabled members of our community a chance to share their experiences both good, bad, funny or serious. Anyone who would like to be a part of this project can email [email protected]
HERE-Bi is an eight-week, self-esteem therapy group for young bisexual people who have experienced non-suicidal self-injury urges, thoughts, or behaviours. The research study will be looking at how feasible this group is.
HERE-Bi starts on Wednesday 6th September, 5-6:30pm.
Are you..
- 16-25 years old?
- Identify as bisexual or as being attracted to more than one gender?
- Have experienced thoughts or urges to self-injure or have self-injured within the last 6 months?
- Able to attend an online group once a week for eight weekly sessions of 90-minutes?
Please email [email protected] for more information, or search @bisexualMH on Twitter for updates! Participants will be reimbursed for their time and participation.
PeerFest is an annual, national event (hosted by Mind) that celebrates the importance, power and diversity of peer support. It takes the form of a daylong event with creative workshops, talks, networking and knowledge sharing.
This year they are coming to The Lowry Theatre, Manchester on Thurs 7th Sept.
They are trying to make connections with local community groups and individuals who are working/volunteering with a peer support or mental health focus.
They are particularly interested in reaching groups that are often underrepresented in mental health or peer support spaces. They are looking at arranging a meeting to discuss how they can get the word out and get as many people involved in PeerFest 2023!
They have a few different ways groups or people can be involved:
- Delivering a talk, workshop or activity as part of the event programme.
- Attending as an audience member.
- Marsh Awards: Awards of between £500-£1000 for community led groups coming together for peer support.
- PeerFest Grants: Small grants to support community-led organisations delivering peer support.
For more information or to get involved, please contact: David Paulin (he/him) [email protected] @PeerFestUK
The Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel aims to address systemic inequalities, racism and discrimination which disadvantage the people of Greater Manchester because of their culture, ethnicity, or race.
The purpose of the panel is to:
- advise and challenge Greater Manchester public sector bodies on their work to tackle systemic inequalities, racism and prevent discrimination.
- increase the visibility of issues relating to race and be involved in co-designing and implementing the solutions.
Who they are looking for:
The panel will be made up of individuals representing Greater Manchester’s communities and 10 districts.
They are looking for panel members who:
- are passionate about tackling racial inequality and discrimination wherever they find it.
- do not have their voices heard through existing democratic structures.
- have strong links to communities, as well as the mechanisms to harness their views and represent them.
- are also able to actively seek out the voices of people who are not currently heard, work with other perspectives, and aim to agree a ‘collective good’.
- will inspire people of racially minoritised backgrounds to participate in civic life.
- will champion the work of the panel to encourage wider participation and buy-in to its work.
- have insight or first-hand experience of the issues the Panel will focus on which is defined by it’s purpose.
- have insight and interest in intersectionality and the challenges of other marginalised groups and protected characteristics.
How to apply:
Please visit www.cahn.org.uk/gmraceequalitypanel to apply online.
If you would prefer to complete a Word version of the application form, please email [email protected]
All applications must be received by Sunday 10th September 2023.
HIV in the Workplace Launch: Wednesday 13th Sept, 1pm Online
The PaSH Partnership has created a booklet resource that will support employers to reduce HIV stigma within the workplace, and to ensure that employees living with HIV are protected from discrimination.
The booklet also helps working people living with HIV to understand the rights and protection enshrined in The Equality Act 2010 and helps them advocate for those rights if necessary.
Please join them for a 45 minute event in which a select panel of speakers will launch this new booklet and discuss the need for this resource within the workplace as we continue to challenge HIV stigma.
Speakers:
Joe Tanzer – Sexual Health Advisor and Engagement Lead for BHA for Equality
Colin Armstead – Services Director for George House Trust
Anita Binns – Positive Speaker for George House Trust
Ian MacArthur – Director of GM Good Employment Charter
You can book your FREE ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hiv-in-the-workplace-launch-event-tickets-694116189207
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]
LGBTQ+ Self-Harm Webinar on Wed 27th Sept 7pm-8:15pm,
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/690380365257?aff=oddtdtcreator
All aboooooooarddd the Rainbow Train
The 5th Annual Bury Pride Rainbow train on Sunday 24th September!
Celebrate Pride, join them, and experience a trip on East Lancashire Railway’s Heritage Steam Engine whilst enjoying Pride performances at Bolton Street Station, Rawtenstall and then back at Bolton Street and the Trackside Pub Bury. The train arrives at 5.30 pm and will depart at 5.53 pm. There will be a Pride party on the train, courtesy of Roch Valley Radio, as we travel to Rawtenstall, where we will have performances from Bury Fire Choir, Laura and the Lesbians with the headline act Sharleen as Cher.
The train then departs from Rawtenstall, continuing the Pride party back to Bolton Street Station, Bury, with appearances from House of Bridget’s Queens before the after party until late at The House of Bridget.
To Book Tickets: https://www.burypride.co.uk/the-rainbow-train/
Survey / Study Requests:
LGBTQ+ Housing and Homelessness Study:
Two universities in Wales are carrying out a national LGBTQ+ housing and homelessness survey. It’s open to anyone over 18 in the UK who identifies as LGBTQ+ and is open till the end of October.
LGBTQ+ housing/homelessness across the UK (qualtrics.com)
Are you LGBTQ+, aged 18 or over, and living in the UK? They’re trying to find out more about the problems LGBTQ+ people have with housing, and how well housing services work to support LGBTQ+ people.
This is the largest survey of it’s kind! They will be using the findings to try to improve housing and homelessness services, to make them better for LGBTQ+ people who need to use them.
If you are aged over 18, identify as LGBTQ+, and live in the UK please complete the survey! You don’t need to have been homeless to take part.
The survey is part of a bigger project. They’ll also be sending out FOIs to Local Authorities and doing face to face interviews. They’ll be writing a report, as well as publishing academic papers- let them know if you’d like a copy of the report.
The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. You will be asked questions about where you live, about yourself, and about your housing situation now and in the past. The survey will be open until 31st October 2023.
They will be very careful with the information you give them: it will be stored on Cardiff Met secure servers. They will anonymise your responses and they will make sure that you cannot be identified.
The study is led by Dr Edith England (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr Neil Turnbull (Cardiff University). For more information about the study, or to discuss any concerns, please email Edith: [email protected].
Trans Vegas 2023 Survey:
This year we wanted to arm you, celebrate you and lead you into a future we can win with revolutionary thinking, challenging art and unshakable trans optimism with takeovers, rallies, live visual art, direct action, cabaret legends, international collaborations and homegrown Manchester talent. And, of course, we went out with one hell of a party.
Now it’s time to find out what you thought. Did you come to any of the events below? Let us know what you thought by filling in the survey below and be in the chance to win a 2023 Edition Stand By Your Trans T-shirt!
Click here to take part: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GFMH37H
Mpox Study:
The UK Health Security Agency has launched a new study aimed at determining whether mpox can be transmitted by people without any obvious symptoms.
The launch of the study is here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/call-for-participants-to-new-asymptomatic-mpox-transmission-study
Information on the PRIME study:
- The £1 million PResymptomatIc MonkEypox / Mpox (PRIME) study, funded by the Medical Research Council, is asking anyone in England aged 18 or over who knows they have been in close sexual contact with an mpox case to come forward to participate.
- The study is looking for participants who are likely to have had contact with an mpox case, but never had it themselves.
- Research has shown that some people can be infected with mpox without showing any symptoms (asymptomatic disease), but these have been small studies and the extent to which this happens is unclear. This study aims to clarify how common this is among people who have been exposed to the virus.
- It will give us a better understanding of who has developed antibodies from vaccination, exposure to the virus, or both. This will inform vaccination and sexual health testing strategies and improve our understanding of how we can prevent or manage future outbreaks and better support those affected.
- Participants will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about previous exposures to people with mpox, their vaccination status and will be asked to do a self-collection blood test to check whether they have developed antibodies to mpox.
- Participants must have access to a mobile phone with internet facility or computer to access online forms. Personal details will not be shared with anyone outside the research team. Taking part in the study is entirely voluntary and participants are free to withdraw at any time.
- We hope to recruit 2,000 participants.
- The results of this study will inform the public health outbreak response, providing data to support future vaccination and testing strategies. Participants will be recruited to the PRIME study until September 2023.
UKHSA’s key messages on mpox:
* While mpox case numbers remain very low, we should not be complacent.
* Mpox hasn’t gone away – if you have any unusual symptoms such as rashes or blisters, a fever and headache contact a sexual health clinic.
* Getting vaccinated against mpox can reduce symptoms and prevent it being passed on to others.
* If you are at risk of mpox and regularly have sex in London or abroad, you can still book a London-based vaccine appointment.
* Those eligible for the vaccine include gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and who have multiple sexual partners, participate in group sex or attend sex on premises venues. Please come forward if you are eligible.
UKHSA is keeping a close eye on any new cases and is working with NHS England (NHSE) and partners to assess feasibility of further options for vaccine availability around the country, particularly in response to any new clusters.
Job Vacancies:
LGBT Foundation:
Operation Equality – Wellbeing Coordinator
Pride in Practice Coordinator
Community Connection Programme Manager
Trustee
Find out about the latest job vacancies with the LGBT Foundation:
https://lgbt.foundation/jobs
The Proud Trust:
Interested in becoming a mentor for an LGBT+ young person?
Proud Connections Mentors programme pairs LGBT+ young people with trained LGBT+ adult mentors for regular online support sessions. The programme is open to LGBT+ young people aged 16 – 19 (up to 25 with additional needs) across the UK.
It is an exciting time as we are now recruiting a new cohort of mentors for 2023. To find out more visit: https://www.theproudtrust.org/volunteer-as-a-proud-mentor/ or email [email protected].
The deadline for applications is Sunday 3rd September.
akt is currently recruiting for a Director of Services in Manchester or London, supporting LGBTQ+ young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Here’s the link to the role on with all the details:
Oasis Community Partnerships:
Oasis Strategic Community Development Leader
https://www.oasisuk.org/job/strategic-community-development-leader-oldham/. The summary information is:
Region: Oldham
Location: Oasis Hub Oldham
Closing date: 18/09/2023 12:00 pm
Interview date: 04/10/2023
Salary: £39,899 – £45,458 p.a.
Hours of work: Full-time
Volunteering Opportunities:
The Met Theatre, Bury is looking for new trustees!
The Met Theatre are dedicated to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and protected characteristics.
The Met Theatre has a clear strategy for the future and are looking specifically for younger board members as they believe it creates further insight into decision making and development.
If you are interested in applying or want more information, please follow the link:
https://themet.org.uk/about/jobs/trustee-recruitment/
LGBT Foundation:
Are you passionate about supporting LGBT communities? Do you want to help LGBT Foundation create a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people are able to reach their full potential? At LGBT Foundation we are happy to start recruitment again for volunteers to join our team as we continue to make a difference during the Coronavirus pandemic.
LGBT Foundation have a very simple motto – we’re here if you need us. And that applies to everyone in our beautifully diverse communities. If you’re young, we’re here for you; if you’re older, we’re here for you; if you’re a person of colour, we’re here for you; if you’re a man, a woman, or non-binary, we’re here for you; lesbian, gay, bi, trans – however you describe yourself – we’re here for you. If you need help, if you’re struggling, if you need a friendly face or reassuring voice, we are there for you if you need us. We are all family – and at LGBT Foundation, everyone is welcome.
Below you can find information on the programmes recruiting at the moment, the role profiles for the various different volunteering roles and how to apply. https://lgbt.foundation/regular-volunteering-roles
Sparkle is now recruiting trustees and key volunteers to help them lead the way with trans inclusion!
Please see the application packs attached for more details on these roles, and the application forms.
Trustee
Application pack
Application form
https://www.cognitoforms.com/SparkleWeekend1/SparkleTrusteeApplicationForm
Key Volunteer
Application pack
Application form
https://www.cognitoforms.com/SparkleWeekend1/SparkleKeyVolunteerApplicationForm
If you have any accessibility concerns regarding applying, please email [email protected]
Canal St VIP Card:
Over recent weeks, several comments have been made about some difficulty in finding or checking which venue partners are listed with unique special offers for card holders to enjoy and benefit from.
So, they have simplified the process and it is now easier to quickly find your favoured venues as all are listed alphabetically.
They have also added some new card partner offers too.
Buying or renewing a card is also quicker to do.
Need to buy or renew your card? To buy card and phone together
They are delighted to confirm that they have made another donation to George House Trust this year, directly from increased sales of the card and phone covers.
Gay Pride Shop & The LGBTQ+ Book Shop
The UK’s largest LGBTQ+ store in located in Afflecks in Manchester city centre and online at www.gayprideshop.co.uk. Over 7000 items in stock, with their profits shared with Manchester charities. They also cater for large corporate orders, for items such as lanyards, flags and badges, with corporate discounts available. For corporate/business orders, please contact [email protected]
If you feel that you no longer wish to receive these emails, PLEASE let me know, I would hate to think I am bombarding you with information that you don’t require and it is just blocking up your inbox. (I won’t be offended).
Remember, if you have events or information you wish to share across Greater Manchester then feel free to send that over to me to be included, I send this email out to over 2000 contacts which in turn gets sent out through their networks: [email protected]
Kind Regards
Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL
Pronouns: He / Him / His