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Don’t Lose Your Vote Campaign

LGBT HERO – Don’t Lose Your Vote Campaign

The charity LGBT HERO have set up a LGBTQ+ Photo ID Hub on their website to provide guidance about how your voting rights are changing from May 2023 onwards.

They are running a “Don’t Lose Your Vote” Campaign.

Click here to view the LGBTQ+ Photo ID Hub

From this year, the law around voting in UK parliamentary elections, local elections, and the elections for Mayor of London and London Assembly are changing. The biggest change to the way we vote is the introduction of photo ID.

  • From May 2023, voters will be required to present photo identification to vote in elections
  • Only certain forms of photo ID can be used to vote. Student photo ID cards, for instance, can’t be used in elections
  • When you arrive to vote at a polling station, your photo ID will be checked before you can fill in a ballot 
  • If you fail to present a pre-approved form of photo ID, or don’t have any photo ID, then you will not be allowed to cast your vote
  • You can still vote by post without using a photo ID.

Photo ID is a completely new requirement. In previous elections, voters have only needed to provide their name and address at polling stations. This is why it’s important to make sure you have a valid photo ID before the next election. 

What photo ID can we use to vote?

Not all forms of photo ID can be used when voting at a polling station. From May 2023, only photo ID from a pre-approved list can be used by voters to receive their ballot cards. The list of photo ID that will be accepted is as follows:

  • A United Kingdom passport 
  • A passport issued by an EEA state or a Commonwealth country  
  • A national identity card issued by an EEA state  
  • A UK driving licence  
  • A driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state 
  • A biometric immigration document  
  • An identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)  
  • A Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)  
  • Any of the following concessionary travel passes funded by the UK Government: – Older Person’s Bus Pass, Disabled Person’s Bus Pass, Oyster 60+ Card, Freedom Pass  
  • A Blue Badge 

Any other form of photo ID, no matter the source, won’t be accepted by polling stations as proof of your identity. This means you can’t use your club membership card, student card, or certain kinds of travel cards, even though they have your photo, name, and age on them.

If you have one of the above forms of photo ID, then all you need to do is register to vote and you will be set to cast your ballot at a polling station in the next election.

What if I don’t have election-approved photo ID?

Many LGBTQ+ people in the UK don’t own any of the above forms of photo ID or might not have access to them. Applying for any of the forms of election-valid photo ID listed above can take weeks, or even months.

Make sure you know how to apply for them well in advance of any election.

LGBT HERO – LGBTQ+ PHOTO ID HUB

The hub includes the following information pages:

Click here for advice for trans people
Click here for advice for young LGBTQ+ people

Police Appeal for information following the murder of Brianna Ghey 16

The body of Transgender teenager Brianna Ghey 16 was found at 3.13 pm in Clucheth Linear Park on Saturday 11th February 2023.

Cheshire Police are appealing for anyone with information to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1476832 or report it to Cheshire Police via their website. 

CrimeStoppers provide an independent crime reporting and support service for those who might prefer not to talk to the police.

Our thoughts are with Brianna Ghey, her loved ones, her family and friends.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna Ghey’s loved ones, her family and friends, and all those touched by her short life who will be devastated by the news of what has happened to her. It is truly appalling.

Whilst no one can bring Brianna back, we can call upon the authorities (the Government, Police and Council), key partners and local communities to do everything they can to work together to bring her murderer(s) to justice.

Together we must address the rising hostility faced by so many members of the Transgender community across the UK.

The late Leo Buscaglia once said:

“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”

We hope that Brianna’s indelible imprint on our hearts will lead towards a world that is more loving, supportive and protective of our transgender siblings.

Vigils in memory of Brianna Ghey

The murder of Brianna is inspiring vigils across the UK as people stand together solidarity with Brianna’s loved ones and with each other.

It is important that we support each other, to share the grief that so many people are feeling, and to ensure that something good comes out of this tragedy.

Everyone wants to peacefully pay their respects, and see the authorities bring her murder(s) to justice.

Stonewall Was a Riot have put together a map of vigils taking place across the UK for Brianna Ghey and are sharing update via their @wasariot twitter profile.

After the vigils have taken place we need to continue to work together to ensure that the issues this murder has raised are addressed so that we can prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.

GoFundMe

A verified fundraiser has been set up by Victoria and Jacob Potter on GoFundMe in memory of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey. It has raised £77,616 so far.

“We would like to help the Ghey family who has had their beautiful daughter cruelly taken from them in the most shocking and heartbreaking way. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64614832)

Brianna was an outgoing, confident girl. She brought a lot of laughter to those who knew her. She was looking forward to taking her exams this year and beginning her journey into the adult world.

We have set up this page to help the family at this truly devastating time. We need your support to help them with funeral costs (we want to make this pink and colourful to match her personality) and ask if you can spare anything no matter how small to try to relieve their stress and allow them to grieve their beautiful daughter.”

GoFundMe – Brianna Ghey

Was it a hate crime?

At this stage of the investigation we don’t know and it is best not to speculate whilst there is a live investigation in progress.

Hate crime is defined as

“any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards someone based on a personal characteristic.”

This common definition was agreed in 2007 by the police, Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Service (now the National Offender Management Service) and other agencies that make up the criminal justice system.

There are five centrally monitored strands of hate crime:

  • race or ethnicity
  • religion or beliefs
  • sexual orientation
  • disability, and
  • transgender identity

The fact that a member of the Transgender community has been murdered should be enough for the police to question is this a hate crime?

The first statement (see below) Cheshire Police released at 21:15 12/02/2023 quoted Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans “there is no evidence to suggest that the circumstances surrounding Brianna’s death are hate related.“

Which raises the question why was hate crime ruled out so soon in the investigation?

The latest statement released two days later by Cheshire Police at 15:48 14/02/2023 states “All lines of enquiry are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime.”

Which raises the question – what new evidence has come to light since the first statement was released?

Whether it is a hate crime or not – whilst the investigation continues, the authorities need to work with, and reassure the LGBT+ community who will be understandably anxious to find out what happened.

The question is – are they effectively doing this? An issue that the local LGBT+ community and national LGBT+ organisations will need to address with the local representatives.

Cheshire Police have put out three statements on their website – the appeal, a statement on behalf of the family, and an update. Their twitter profile @cheshirepolice has retweeted two tweets by Warrington Police @policeWarr (the local police team covering the area where Brianna was found). Warrington Police have tweeted a thread of 6 tweets.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer. The Police and Crime Commissioner has not posted any statements on their website, there are no tweets on their Twitter profile @cheshirepcc, or posts on their Facebook page or Instagram account.

Warrington Borough Council have no statements on their website. The have shared no tweets on their Twitter profile @warringtonBC or Facebook page.

Three Councillors cover the ward of Culcheth, Glazenbury & Croft.

Charlotte Nichols is the local member of Parliament for Warrington North which covers Culcheth where Brianna was found. No statement on her website. Her Twitter profile @charlotte2153 has a pinned statement from Brianna’s family. She has been actively tweeting updates since the 11th Feb, and is addressing concerns raised by members of her constituency about the way the case has been covered by The Times and the Daily Mail. She has also shared updates on her Facebook page.

Unnecessary media coverage and dead naming

Trans Safety Network noticed that The Times had updated their article on the killing of Brianna Ghey to remove all references to her being a girl and to add her deadname.

Previous version: https://archive.is/8nG50 Current version: https://archive.is/PZRQO

MP Charlotte Nichols responded “The fact Brianna was trans may or not be relevant to the circumstances of her death, which is still being determined by police, but her deadname is not relevant and there is no reason to include this other than cruelty.”

Sadly, it appears that even in death Brianna is not being treated with the dignity and respect that she deserves as a human being, let alone as a victim of such an awful crime.

This is something that needs to be addressed by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

People are encouraged to make a complaint here: http://bit.ly/2Rc1ir1

Support services

Many people may find themselves impacted by what has happened to Brianna – it is important that we help signpost them to the advice and support services they need.

TransActual provide a list of links to a number of organisations that provide advice and support for members of the Transgender community.

TRUK Listens 0800 009 6640 Our team are here to listen because everyone needs someone to listen to them.

Switchboard LGBT+ provide an LGBT+ helpline service from 10 am to 10 pm every day.

Galop provide a national LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline service.

Samaritans provide a helpline service 116 123 which you can call anytime, 365 days a year.

CrimeStoppers provide a crime reporting and support service for those who might prefer not to talk to the police.

Timeline

15:13 11/02/2023

Emergency services were called to Linear Park in Culcheth by members of the public at 3.13pm yesterday, Saturday 11 February 2023, after Brianna’s body was found on a path where she was sadly pronounced dead.

21:15 12/02/2023

Detectives have arrested two teenagers following the death of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey in Warrington.

As part of ongoing enquiries, a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, both from the local area, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are currently in custody assisting police with their investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans said: 

“A number of enquiries in relation to this incident are underway and we are doing all that we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened.

“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that the circumstances surrounding Brianna’s death are hate related.

“Patrols have been stepped up in the local area and officers will remain in the Culcheth area to provide reassurance and address any concerns that residents may have.

“I would ask anyone who has any information, no matter how big or small, that they believe could help with our investigation to get in touch.

“We are also keen for people and businesses within the local community to check any CCTV or dashcam footage for anything that may aid our investigation.”

14:01 13/02/2023

Following her death on Saturday 11 February, the family of Brianna Ghey have provided the following tribute:

“Brianna was a much loved daughter, granddaughter, and baby sister. She was a larger than life character who would leave a lasting impression on all that met her. Brianna was beautiful, witty and hilarious. Brianna was strong, fearless and one of a kind.

“The loss of her young life has left a massive hole in our family, and we know that the teachers and her friends who were involved in her life will feel the same.

“We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support during this extremely difficult time. We would like to thank the police for their support, and witnesses for helping with the investigation.

“The continuation of respect for privacy is greatly appreciated.”

Cheshire Constabulary would also like to reiterate the family’s request for privacy at this extremely difficult and distressing time for them. We kindly ask that members of the press respect this request.

15:48 14/02/2023

Police investigating the murder of Brianna Ghey have been granted an extension of 30 hours to further question two suspects – a boy and a girl, both aged 15.

All lines of enquiry are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime.

Please continue to avoid speculation online and be wary of sharing misinformation relating to this case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML 1476832 or report it to Cheshire via their website. 

Alternatively, information can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

London Trans and Gender non-conforming swimming group (TAGs)

19:30 | Every Friday | Glassmill Leisure Centre | Loampit Vale SE13

Glass Mill Leisure Centre is the home of internationally renowned swimming group for the Transgender and Non-Binary community. Since 2014, TAGs has been challenging barriers facing Trans and Non-binary people in sport, providing a safe space for people to stay active and make friends.

Find out more about their story.

Follow TAGs on Facebook. 

Lewisham LGBTQ+ History Month 2023

February is LGBTQ+ history month here in the UK. It is an annual observation of LGBTQ+ history and a celebration of the culture. Read on to find out how the community is marking the occasion here in Lewisham.

Friday 3 February

LGBTQ+ History Month launch and Mollies Exhibition Private View

18:00 – 23:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Free
The team at Triangle invites you to Gentleman Jacks Queer Social Club to celebrate the launch of their LGBTQ+ History Month programme. While there, you’re encouraged to pop into the Parlour Gallery (open 18:00 – 21:00) to see the brand-new exhibition devoted to the Molly Houses of the 18th century. If you don’t know what they are, this is a great opportunity to learn all about this extraordinary piece of queer history. 

Book your free ticket to the Triangle LGBTQ+ History Month launch.

Saturday 4 February

Testo Hunkie

19:00 – 23:45 | Matchstick Piehouse | 213-214 Edward Street, Deptford SE8 5HD | £5-8

Testo Hunkie is a social event for the boys and their pals. Whether you’re questioning, pre-T or passing come down for a pie and a chat! It’s a place where you can meet people, exchange tips, ask questions and celebrate.

Book your tickets to Testo Hunkie.

Mother Jacks Molly House 

19:00 – 23:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | £5

To all ye who cometh here to this fine queer locale wishin’ to take a load off of thy burd’nd hearts, welcome!

Molly houses were locations where, in the 18th and early 19th centuries, mollies, or queer men, met for companionship and sex. They could be in pubs, taverns, inns or coffee houses. It was common for men to wear women’s clothes and to speak and act in typically ‘feminine’ ways. So, imagine it’s 1725 and you are off to Mother Jacks Molly House for an evening of gay abandon with music, country dances and live song by Medusa Has Been and Keziah Hodgson. Feel free to dress in your finest 18th century wigs, pantaloons and frocks – we will be!

Book tickets to Mother Jack’s Molly House.

Sunday 5 February

Our Queer Lives, Our Queer Legacy

11:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Free

One-day Creative Writing workshop for LGBTQ+ Elders (over 50) with Angela Clerkin. This will be a one-off lively fun creative writing workshop. You will get the chance to write using various prompts – images, personal memories, music, historical facts and telling cheeky lies. Open to all levels of experience. Workshop starts at 11am, open from 10.30am for coffee.

Angela Clerkin is a London Irish Queer Theatre Maker, director and facilitator.

Book tickets to Our Queer Lives, Our Queer Legacy.

Friday 10 February

Bowie Night 

19:00 – 23:30 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | £3

Welcome to Bowie Night! Head to the Triangle for a night dedicated to our favourite bisexual musical chameleon David Bowie! From Ziggy to The Thin White Duke we will play them all, only Bowie, all the tunes, all night long! Dress code is all things Bowie so dress glam rock, dress fine tailoring and a bleach blonde quiff, dress Jareth the goblin king we don’t mind! Live music from Keziah Hodgson and Medusa Has Been, Bowie quiz and Bowie classics on the dance floor! See all you young dudes there.

Book your tickets to Bowie Night.

Saturday 11 February

Museum of Transology

14:00 – 18:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Free

Get your tickets to the Museum of Transology’s 8th birthday gender reveal surprise party. Enjoy trannyoke, decorate biscuits and find prizes in the trans toot treasure hunt. The good times don’t end there. Witness transcestry in the making when for the first time in their story, members of all 13 Trans Pride collectives come together to form Trans Pride UK: the Museum of Transology’s national network for collecting and connecting. This is a sober space until the Trans Cabaret at 7pm. Hip, hip, hoo-they!!  

Book tickets to the Museum of Transology. 

Cabaret Fundraiser Event

19:00 – 23:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | £8

Crust Bucket Drag Cabaret Fundraiser! A fantastic night of drag cabaret hosted by the fabulous Crusty Drag. Crust Bucket is en evening of camp delights including live acts, raffle, music and a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart knowing you’re helping out a trans friend in need! It will be a night of queer joy you won’t want to miss. You will be entertained and dazzled by drag performers Sweet FA, Sean the Cheap, Lust, Mild Peril and more!

Book your tickets to the Drag Cabaret Fundraiser.
 

That Stagey Brunch

13:00 – 16:00 | The Honor Oak | Saint German’s Road SE23 1RH | £10

That Girl is back with an all singing musical theatre extravaganze of a brunch, coming to The Honor Oak Pub. Featuring incredible performances from musical theatre professionals, That Stagey Brunch is a glorious mix of your favourite songs from the stage and screen performed live while you enjoy your brunch. From Mamma Mia to Wicked to Disney and beyond, there is something for every musical theatre obsessive. Please note ticket prices do not include brunch.

Book tickets to That Stagey Brunch.

Sunday 12 February

LGBTQ+ History Month Zine Workshop

13:00 – 16:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Free

Fantasy queer family zine workshop with Rachael House. It’s not always our biological family that we long to hold close and hug. During this structured workshop we’ll be thinking of our extended queer family and making a mini zine to celebrate our lineage. We’ll choose our fantasy queer family members from history, literature, art, activism, comics and more, internationally and locally. From Marsha P. Johnson to River Song, they’re all family. No experience necessary, materials provided.

Book your free tickets to the queer family zine workshop.

London Queer Mart – Lonely Hearts Mart

12:00 – 18:00 | 30 Deptford Church Street, SE8 | Free

A Queer Makers Market to fill your heart with LOVE this valentines – where you can support LGBTQ+ sellers and get gifts for your crush/ significant other! London Queer Mart champions a diverse community of queer artists, and queer-owned small businesses, providing an affordable platform for them to exhibit their work, engage with visitors, share experiences, opportunities, and sell their products. This event is the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique gift for friends, family, and yourself this LOVE MONTH whilst supporting emerging talent.

Book your tickets to Lonely Hearts Mart.

Wednesday 15 February

Queering the Regency / LGBTQ+ History Art Workshop

11:00 –14:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Free

As part of LGBTQ+ History month the Triangle is offering a free art and making workshop for people aged 15+. Taking inspiration from the hidden history of queer lives in the 1800’s and the underground queer coffee houses, taverns, meeting places and spaces we will be re-imagining traditional regency porcelain figures.

Each participant will have a figurine to work with and they can use a variety of materials to change, embellish and alter their figure in whichever they wish! The finished pieces will be exhibited at the end of March in the Parlour Gallery as part of our history month education projects. Refreshments provided.

Book your tickets to Queering the Regency.

Thursday 16 February

Queer Coffee Morning

9:00 – 13:00 | Corner | 117 New Cross Road SE14 5DJ | Free

A MONTHLY morning meet up for LGBTQ+ babes in the area to get caffeinated and meet each other – run by A Whole Orange, a queer matchmaking service.

Find more information on A Whole Orange.

Friday 17 February

Catford Pride LGBTQ+ History Month evening

18:00 – 21:00 | Catford Mews | 32 Winslade Way SE6 4JU | Free

Head to Catford Mews on Friday 17 February for a fabulous evening hosted by Catford Pride to celebrate LGBTQ+ History. The night includes a film screening, guest speakers with Q&A and the chance to meet other locals and businesses in the LGBTQ+ community. This is part of Lewisham Council’s LGBTQ+ History Month programme. 

Book your free ticket for Catford Pride’s LGBTQ+ History Month evening.

Queer Art Journalling with Boe Studios

18:00 – 21:00 | Corner | 117 New Cross Road SE14 5DJ | £25

Learn to journal using images and art to record your thoughts and memories. A fully licensed bar is available.

For more information and to book tickets.

Queer History Quiz Night

19:00 – 23:00| Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | FREE

Let’s get Queerzical! Test your knowledge of LGBTQ+ past in our Queer History Month Quiz on Friday 17 February at Triangle. Hosted by drag king and dirty thespian Mal Content, and IRL hir-storical hottie cross-dressing actress, playwright and sausage-merchant Charlotte Charke, back from the dead for one night only. Quiz topics to include: Historical Queeros, Mollys and Jacks, Queer Anthems and more, for those who want to gen up. Queer, Educational and FUN for all the chosen family!

Book tickets to Queer History Quiz Night.

Saturday 18 February

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope

19:00 – 23:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | FREE

From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for his refusal to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.

Naked Hope depicts Quentin at two phases of his extraordinary life. Written and performed by Mark Farrelly, directed by Linda Marlowe

Book tickets to Naked Hope.

That Girls Drag Lounge

13:00 – 16:00 | The Ladywell Tavern | 80 Ladywell Road SE13 7HS | £10

Welcome to The Drag Lounge at The Ladywell Tavern. That Girl is a stagey, campy, all lip-syncing, all singing fool with big numbers and even bigger eye make-up and she is coming to The Ladywell Tavern. Bringing you a spectacular serving of the most delicious drag performers around, you’re in for a treat every single month!

Book tickets for That Drag Girls Lounge.

Monday 20 February

Georgia O Keefe and watercolour flowers taster class for LGBTQ+ History Month

13.00-15.00 | Deptford Lounge | 9 Giffin Street SE8 4RJ | Free

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with floral watercolours! We’ll find out all about the amazing life of artist Georgia O Keefe who lived to the grand age of 98. Taking her flower works as inspiration we’ll make large textural abstract watercolours using washes, wax resist, and salt.

Book your free Georgia O Keefe class here or drop-in on the day.

Wednesday 22 February

Tamara De Lempicka still life painting at Forest Hill library for LGBTQ+ history month

13:00-15:00 | Forest Hill Community Library | Dartmouth Road SE23 3HZ | FREE

Tamara De Lempicka still life in the frame! Celebrate LBTQ+ month with a free taster class on still life acrylic painting. Using a viewfinder to find the perfect composition, we’ll work from observation to create a still life artwork using blocking in and layering with acrylic paint.

Book your free Tamara De Lempicka class here or just drop-in on the day.

Hockney landscapes in acrylic for LGBTQ+ History Month – celebrate with paint!

17:00-19:00 | Brockley Adult Learning Centre | 2 Brockley Rise SE23 1PR | Free

On this course you will explore a variety of methods and techniques for using acrylic paint to describe a landscape in the style of David Hockney. You’ll learn about the history and ingredients of acrylic paint, and how to work with consistency, brushwork and colour to create a landscape painting inspired by much loved artist David Hockney.

Book your free Hockney landscapes class here or drop-in on the day.

Thursday 23 February

Impressionism and LGBTQ+ history month – the hidden life of Victorine Meurent

19:30-21:30 | Brockley Adult Learning Centre | 2 Brockley Rise SE23 1PR | Free

Celebrate LGBTQ+ month and learn to paint like an impressionist! In this taster class we’ll explore the life and work of little-known impressionist artist Victorine Meurent, most famous as Manet’s model for Olympia. We’ll use soft pastels and gouache to create an impressionist painting.

Book your free Victorine Meurent class here or drop-in on the day

Friday 24 February

Luca Manning’s My Queer Songbook

19:00 – 23:00 | Triangle LGBTQ+ Cultural Centre | 34 Watson’s Street, Deptford SE8 4AU | Pay what you can

Luca Manning’s My Queer Songbook is a live music show where Roundhouse resident artist Luca Manning tells the story of how music helped them (and most of us) discover our queerness. My Queer Songbook is more ‘our’ queer songbook – a chance to celebrate how music connects us as a community and helps us understand our stories.

** Every show features some very special guests from Luca’s multi-talented creative queer family so keep your eyes peeled for announcements!

Book tickets to My Queer Songbook.

Monday 27 February

Nick Cave and collage at Manor House community library for LGBTQ+ History Month

14.00-16.00 | Manor House Library | 34 Old Road SE13 5SY | Free

In this free taster class, you’ll have the chance to dive into the US based LGBTQ+ African American artist Nick Cave’s work through the medium of collage. We’ll work intuitively to explore narrative, colour, and texture, creating a unique work of art for you to keep.

Book tickets to Nick Cave and collage here or just drop-in on the day.

Tuesday 28 February

Dear Love of Comrades

18:00-21:00 | Room 154, Richard Hoggart Building (RHB) | Goldsmiths, University of London SE14 6NW | Free

Join Bijou Stories for a rehearsed reading of Noel Greig’s Dear Love of Comrades – a play about Edward Carpenter, a pioneer for gay rights and socialism, the beginnings of the Labour movement and the ideas behind its creation. The reading will be followed by a Q&A with readers and members of the Gay Sweatshop, one of the leading radical theatre groups of the 70s and 80s. Offering new, ‘queer’ perspectives on history and the socio-political environment.

This is a collaboration with Unfinished Histories and is part of Lewisham Council’s LGBTQ+ History Month programme. Please book in advance

Book your free ticket to Dear Love of Comrades.

Lewisham Council LGBTQ+ events and news

Sign up free of charge and Lewisham Council will tell you about:

  • things to do in Lewisham
  • ways in which you can get involved in your community
  • important updates from us.

The enewsletter is a free publication from Lewisham Council.

Sign up here

Census 2021 – Sexual Orientation

Census 2021 – Sexual Orientation England and Wales

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/sexuality/bulletins/sexualorientationenglandandwales/census2021

The census question on sexual orientation was a voluntary question asked of those aged 16 years and over.

In total, 44.9 million people (92.5% of the population aged 16 years and over) answered the question.

Around 43.4 million people (89.4%) identified as straight or heterosexual.

Around 1.5 million people (3.2%) identified with an LGB+ orientation (“Gay or Lesbian”, “Bisexual” or “Other sexual orientation”).

The remaining 3.6 million people (7.5%) did not answer the question.

Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation is an umbrella term covering sexual identity, attraction, and behaviour.

For an individual respondent, these may not be the same.

For example, someone in an opposite-sex relationship may also experience same-sex attraction, and vice versa.

This means the statistics should be interpreted purely as showing how people responded to the question, rather than being about whom they are attracted to or their actual relationships.

The question was voluntary and was only asked of people aged 16 years and over. People were asked “Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?”.

Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?

~ Straight/Hetrosexual
~ Gay or Lesbian
~ Bisexual
~ Other Sexual Orientation?

If they selected “Other sexual orientation”, they were asked to write in the sexual orientation with which they identified.

In total, 44.9 million people answered the question (92.5% of the population aged 16 years and over).

Straight or hetrosexual
Sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of the other sex.

Gay or Lesbian
Sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of one’s own sex or gender.

Bisexual
Sexually or romantically attracted to both men and women or to more than one sex or gender.

Other sexual orientation
The most common write-in responses included:

~ pansexual (112,000, 0.23%)

~ asexual (28,000, 0.06%)

~ queer (15,000, 0.03%)

~ Another 10,000 (0.02%) wrote in a different sexual orientation.

Pansexual,
Sexually or romantically attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender.

Asexual,
Experiencing no sexual feelings or desires, not feeling sexual attraction to anyone.

Queer
An umbrella term for people who are not hetrosexual or cisgender. Originally meaning strange or peculiar, queer came to be used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires or relationships in the 19th Century.

LGBO/LGBT+
Inclusive abbreviations used to refer to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and other sexual orientations (including pansexual, asexual, queer and other labels).

Advert for Switchboard LGBT+

Calm words when you need them most.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

The LGBT+ helpline run by LGBT+ people for LGBT+ people.

0300 330 0630

Open 10:00 to 22:00 every day.

https://switchboard.lgbt/

London – top level figures.

Interactive Map
https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/maps/choropleth/identity/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation-9a/gay-or-lesbian

London – table of borough figures

  • (1) Lambeth 14,291
  • (2) Southwark 11,596
  • (3) Tower Hamlets 10,021
  • (4) Hackney 8,601
  • (5) Lewisham 7268
  • (6) Islington 8,420
  • (7) Wandsworth 8,342
  • (8) Camden 6,651
  • (9) Haringey 5,912
  • (10) Newham 4,910.

Interactive Map
https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/maps/choropleth/identity/sexual-orientation/sexual-orientation-9a/gay-or-lesbian

Advert for Galop

Galop – the LGBT+ Anti-abuse Charity

National LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline
020 7704 2040

https://galop.org.uk/

London Region

The London Region consists of 32 London Boroughs and The City of London, which are covered by 13 police Borough Command Units BCUs.

Click on the links below to see local Census 2021 results and information pages including details of LGBT+ groups, organisations and services for each area.

City of London (City)

West Area BCU covers the London Boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow.

North West (NW) – Barnet, Brent and Harrow.

North Area (NA) – Enfield and Haringey.

North East (NE) – Newham and Waltham Forest.

East Area (EA) – Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge.

Central West (CW) – Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.

Central North (CN) – Camden and Islington.

Central South (CS) – Lambeth and Southwark.

Central East (CE) – Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

South West (SW) – Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Wandsworth.

South Area (SA) – Bromley, Croydon and Sutton.

South East (SE) – Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

If you would like your LGBT+ group, organisation or service to be listed on these information pages please contact rainbowboroughs@17-24-30.org

LGBTQ+ Housing

We are starting to put together a list of LGBTQ+ Housing Providers and Services and will be sharing links to surveys and research.

Mapping LGBTQ+ Experiences across the UK

Are you LGBTQ+, aged 18 or over, and living in the UK? Dr Edith England and Dr Neil Turnbull are trying to find our more about the problems LGBTQ+ people have with housing, and how well housing services work to support LGBTQ+ people.

This aims to be 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 will also be sending out FOIs to Local Authorities and doing face to face interviews. They will 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 from 1st July 2022 to 31st March 2023.

We will be very careful with the information you give us: it will be stored on Cardiff Met secure servers. We will anonymise your responses and we 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: EAAEngland@CardiffMet.ac.uk.

Survey Link: https://cardiffmet.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ilAS1eyIZwEAHc

Useful Links

LGBT+ Switchboard Helpline https://switchboard.lgbt/  Open every day 10 am to 10 pm 365 days a year. Run by LGBTQ+ people for the LGBTQ+ community and provide someone (LGBTQ+ Volunteers) to speak to, and can signpost information about services available.

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline http://www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/ Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical – it can be psychological, emotional, financial, and sexual too.

National LGBT+ Hate Crime Helpline https://galop.org.uk/types-of-abuse/hate-crime/ Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing hate crime due to their sexuality and/or gender identity.

National LGBT+ Conversion Therapy Helpline https://galop.org.uk/types-of-abuse/conversion-therapies-practices/ Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people at risk of or experiencing conversion therapy due to their sexuality and/or gender identity.

LGBTQ+ Housing / Homeless Services

Stonewall Housing https://stonewallhousing.org/ founded 1983.

Albert Kennedy Trust https://www.akt.org.uk/ founded in 1989.

Tonic Housing https://www.tonichousing.org.uk/ founded in 2014.

The Outside Project https://lgbtiqoutside.org/ founded in 2017.

House Proud – a networking group for LGBT people working in Social Housing. https://www.houseproud-lgbt.com/ founded in 2014.

Other Housing / Homeless Services

Shelter https://england.shelter.org.uk/

Housing Providers

Other housing groups and forums

First Brick – a small group of LGBTQ+ people working together to tackle systemic housing inequality.

Ayodeji Makun aka AY Comedian

Earlier this evening we talked to British-Nigerian LGBTQ+ rights activist and ordained Anglican Cleric, Rev. Jide Macaulay who has set up a change.com petition is calling upon the British Government to stop the comedian Ayodeji Makun (known as AY) from touring the UK.

Click here to sign the petition

Ayodeji Makun is a popular homophobic comedian from Nigeria.

In 2018, Ayodeji made a series of homophobic remarks at a high profile event in Abuja Nigeria .

AY told his audience that;

  1. Homosexuality is something you can stop.
  2. One should stop being homosexual because God doesn’t approve of it.

Link to the video on twitter;
https://twitter.com/kito_diaries/status/1021734574869622784?s=46&t=NB93-Mht-qyQiGir3A9wjA

In the clip posted on twitter in 2018, AY congratulated the Nigeria government for passing the Same Sex Prohibition Act which punishes same sex behaviour with 14 years. He incites his audience to attack any gay persons.

Jide is appealing to you to support his petition to shutdown AY LIVE Tours because they shouldn’t be taking place here in the U.K.

Click here to support the petition

AY has for many years incited homophobia, including religious abuse in Nigeria.

He is currently touring the U.K visiting five venues between the 24th November to the 2nd December 2022 including;

We are appealing for this tour to be stopped. We call upon the venues to cancel these events because the AY brand is toxic. Homophobic comedy should have no place in the UK.

We are asking for his visa withdrawn and that he be removed and banned from the U.K. Immediately. That he does not benefit on the back of his homophobic abuses.

The U.K. should be a safe place for LGBTIQ citizens including LGBTIQ migrants who have fled persecution in their own countries.

Click here to support the petition

Club Q Colorado Springs

At 11:57 pm, on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance TDOR (20th November 2022), an LGBTQ+ inclusive venue, Club Q in Colorado Springs became the scene of a mass shooting which leaves 5 people dead and 18 people injured.

The news has been shared around the world.

The club has issued a statement on it’s Facebook page;

“Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends. We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.”

Club Q have shared a post which identifies the five people who were killed, including: Daniel Aston (He/Him), Kelly Loving (She/Her) Ashley Paugh (She/Her), Derrick Rump (He/Him) and Raymond Green Vance (He/Him).

Two customers, Richard Fierro and Thomas James have been credited for tackling the gunman.

The Club Q’s Facebook page promotes an official donations fundraising page that has been set up to support those affected by the attack – it is provided by an American based organisation called Colorado Gives 365.

Colorado Gives 365 – Colorado Healing Fund

The American LGBTQ+ organisation GLAAD has produced guidance for those who want to help, listing the Colorado Healing Fund (we have linked above) and American hotlines including Colorado Crisis Services and The Trevor Project which provides support to young LGBTQ+ people. They are also linking to the Crowdfunding platform GoFundMe who have set up a dedicated page for Club Q fundraising appeals which have been set up to support the victims, their families and survivors.

Things you can do to help

  1. Make a donation to help support the victims.
  2. Leave a supportive message on Club Q’s Facebook page.
  3. Be there for colleagues, friends and family who may be affected by what has happened. Make sure you look after yourself too.
  4. Educate yourself about the hate and prejudice the LGBTQ+ community is experiencing.
  5. Become an ally and stand in solidarity with all communities affected by hate and prejudice. We are so much stronger when we all stand together.
  6. Disengage with those who use their social media to spread hate and prejudice.
  7. Use your voice to speak out against the promotion of conflict and violence.
  8. Stop tolerating hateful behaviour – learn how to safely report and challenge it – wherever you encounter it.
  9. Support organisations who are providing advice and support.
  10. Consider volunteering and campaign with us to bring people together to build a strong and vibrant society where our differences are accepted and celebrated, and where we can all live in peace and harmony together.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

Martin Luther King JR

In the UK there are LGBT+ helpline services like the Switchboard that are staffed by volunteers from the LGBT+ community – if you need someone to talk to, they are available from 10 am to 10 pm every day.

The Samaritans is another registered charity that provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline.

Galop are a national LGBT+ anti-violence charity who support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

The anti-hate crime charity 17-24-30 National Hate Crime Awareness Week (1184819) exists to bring people together, to say no to all forms of hate crime, and make our communities safer places for everyone. They facilitate the April Acts of Remembrance, organise National Hate Crime Awareness Week in October, deliver an annual H.O.P.E. campaign and run projects including the Rainbow Boroughs Project.

LGBTQ+ HOUSING SURVEY

Dr Edith England and Dr Neil Turnball are doing a survey to understand what causes LGBTQ+ housing problems/ homelessness and what helps. If you have some time, please consider participating in their survey. 

Are you LGBTQ+, aged 18 or over, and living in the UK? 

They are 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 a joint project between Cardiff Metropolitan University and Cardiff University. It is the largest survey of its kind, and they’ll be using the findings to suggest ways to improve housing and homelessness services for LGBTQ+ people.  

They are interested in your answers even if you have never had any problems with housing – we want to build a picture of LGBTQ+ people’s housing experiences.  

The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.  

https://cardiffmet.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5ilAS1eyIZwEAHc

Please note if you are having current housing issues there are organisations who can help you and/or point you in the right direction: LGBT+ switchboard helpline; https://switchboard.lgbt/ Galop; https://galop.org.uk/