17-24-30 attend RMT LGBT Conference in Southampton

The Transport union, RMT – National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers which currently represents over 80,000 members across almost every sector of the transport industry held their annual LGBT Conference in Southampton yesterday (Fri 18th May 2012) and Mark Healey from 17-24-30 was invited to speak by Jessica Webb (RMT Equal Opportunities Officer).

Mark travelled down to Southampton first thing in the morning to join the one-day conference taking place at the Jury Inn. The conference started at 9.30am with Paul Blair chairing proceedings, he introduced Graham (Southampton Branch) who welcomed everyone to Southampton.

The agenda for the conference included; the welcome, minutes and matters arising, address by the General Secretary, Organising Unit, address by Richard Williams (Thompsons Solicitors – “What has the Equality Act done for LGBT members?”), Report by the Council of Executive Representatives, National LGBT Members Advisory Committee Report, Event participation and RMT LGBT Group promotion, address by 17-24-30 Organisation Founder Mark Healey, Resolutions, Venue of the 2013 Conference and Elections (Chair person, Vice Chairperson and 2 Liaison Committee Members).

Bob Crow (RMT General Secretary) gave a rousing speech stating “that whilst there is discrimination there is a need for these conferences and that we have much to learn from the LGBT membership”.

Mark got to speak after the first coffee break, once the minutes, matters arising and a couple of other items of business had been dealt with. He talked about the history of the London Nail Bomb attacks and how 17-24-30 was launched in April 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of these attacks on Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho. He spoke about the homophobic attack on Ian Baynham in Trafalgar Square and how 17-24-30 responded when Ian died, outlining the events that took place in the lead up to the first Vigil against Hate Crime. He went on to talk about the charities plans for the year ahead, asking those present to take the information back to their local branches to get them to affiliate to the campaign.

You can download a pdf of the presentation here: RMT 17-24-30 Presentation

17-24-30 Affiliation

After the soft launch of its affiliation scheme last year 17-24-30 is planning to build upon its relationship with the trade union movement, encouraging unions like to RMT to affiliate and help fund the annual April acts of remembrance, the Internatonal Day of Hope and Remembrance (including the London Vigil against Hate Crime) and the ongoing work of the campaign to tackle hate crime in our communities.

You can download a pdf of the affiliation form here: Affiliation Form

RMT LGBT – Stand up and be counted!

RMT demands equal rights for members regardless of their sexuality. Homophobia in the workplace can never be tolerated. The union’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender advisory committee meets several times a year and organises its own conference to help inform RMT policy on LGBT issues.

Call the RMT Freephone helpline 0800 376 3706 to be put in touch in confidence with the RMT’s LGBT  Representatives.

• download new RMT LGBT Campaign Poster: RMT_LGBTposter160611
• Click here for further information in the RMT LGBT section of the RMT website.

Shout Out! in Lewisham to mark IDAHO at Catford Civic Centre 6pm

Lewisham: The Black Staff Forum and the LGB&T Staff Forum are joining together to mark the day by screening the film Beyond Labels. The film explores black, gay male experience in London.

What is Idaho?

IDAHO (The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) is celebrated in a number of countries around the world, including the UK, to raise awareness of the experiences of people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and those Questioning their sexual and/or gender identity (LGBTQ).

May 17 was chosen for IDAHO Day as homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO) on this day in 1990.

How are we marking the occasion?

The film will be screened at 4.30pm in the Civic Suite, Catford.
We will follow with tea, coffee and cake.
We will gather around the rainbow flag outside the Civic Suite for a 1 minute shout out at 6pm. Please bring whistles, tambourines and voices to make a big noise.
We will then retire to The Catford Tavern for a drink.

Mark Healey, founder of 17-24-30 who has been selected to carry the Olympic Flame through Lewisham on the 23rd July will be joining those gathering.

He said “It’s really important as a local openly gay man to come out and support these events, and for our friends, families and work colleagues to join us too – to show that Homophobia and Transphobia is not acceptable in our communities any more. I feel proud to have been selected to carry the flame on it’s journey through Lewisham, nominated for the work that 17-24-30 does raising awareness of hate crime and encouraging people to stand together to tackle it. IDAHO is the perfect opportunity for people to come out and show their support.”

17-24-30 was set up in April 2009 to encourage the Black, Asian and Gay communities of Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho to come together after the London Nail Bomb attacks of April 1999 to tackle all forms of prejudice and hate.

What else is going on?

All around the globe people are organising their own events to mark IDAHO, check out this great resource site http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org/-IDAHO-english,41

Survey reveals the need for Teacher Training to Tackle Homophobia in Schools

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) on May 17th sees the launch of two reports into the prevalence of homophobia in schools, carried out on behalf of the NUT in Lancashire and Kirklees.

SchoolsOUT welcomes these reports, which involved over 1200 teachers, giving a unique insight from hundreds of classrooms.

The Lancashire survey followed up an earlier one completed in 2008.  They found that over the past four years there has been a decrease in general homophobia, but that there has been an increase in homophobia aimed against staff by pupils. 16% of teachers reported that they had been the victim of homophobic abuse from pupils on a termly basis, up from 12% four years ago. A worrying number of teachers continue to observe or overhear derogatory homophobic references in their school on a daily or weekly basis, although this figure has declined slightly from 56% to 43% in secondary schools. It is heartening to note that more teachers feel confident about tackling homophobia their schools, but most teachers believe that a whole school approach is required and 70% of teachers would welcome specific training.

Schools OUT co-chair Tony Fenwick said: “Although some of these changes show progress, they need to be seen in the light of the fact that the Equality Act has been law for over two years, schools have been subject to the Public Sector Duty for over one year and schools had to report back on their progress in April. In the light of this they are disappointing. The Government needs to be more pro-active in challenging homophobia – and transphobia in our schools.”

SchoolsOUT believes that every school should have a policy on tackling homophobic bullying, and that training should be provided for all teachers. It is particularly worrying that some Academy providers may not be fulfilling their Public Sector Duty to tackle discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.

SchoolsOUT spokesperson Sue Sanders will be present at the Lancashire report launch and available to talk to the press.

Lancashire report http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/website/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Lancashire-2.pdf

Training available www.ellybarnes.com

SchoolsOUT Classroom resources http://the-classroom.org.uk/

17-24-30 launch our first newsletter

17-24-30 have launched our own newsletter to coincide with our first AGM which takes place on Tuesday 15th May.

Download the newsletter here: 17-24-30 Newsletter – Vol 01-01 Spring AGM

Safer Southwark Partnership – Bulletin and update: 6 – April 2012

Apologies for the late posting of this update from the Safer Southwark Partnership (SSP).

You can download the bulletin here: Southwark_-_hate_crime_e-bulletin_-_6[1]

 

Notice of AGM – Tuesday 15th May

Notice has gone out to affilated members, and volunteers that our first AGM is due to be held on Tuesday 15th May, at a venue in New Cross Gate – booked from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Agenda includes taking a look at the past year, plans for the year ahead, discussion of ideas on how we can improve our campaign and a guest speaker from GALOP.

Want to be involved? download an Affiliation Form and return it to us by the 8th May.

17-24-30 No to Hate Crime Campaign, Studio 151, 77 Beak St, London W1F 9DM

Photos of Soho Act of Remembrance 30th April 2012

By Ryan Parkins