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WHAT DON’T WE KNOW ABOUT LGBTQ+ HOMELESSNESS

14/09/2023 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

(AND HOW YOU CAN HELP US ADDRESS THAT)

 

WHAT DON’T WE KNOW ABOUT LGBTQ+ HOMELESSNESSAccording to Dr Edith England (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr. Neil Turbull (Cardiff University), WHAT DON’T WE KNOW ABOUT LGBTQ+ HOMELESSNESS,  is over and under-researched.   There has been a lot of research carried out on young people (especially those living in areas with high LGBTQ+ populations), but little or no research has been carried out for others, e.g.

  • those over 25
  • rural LGBTQ+ people
  • those disengaged from or avoiding services

To try to gauge just how bad (or good) the reality is, the survey being conducted will look at:

  • What percentage of the LGBTQ+ population has experienced homelessness
  • How homelessness, and experiences of homelessness, differ within the LGBTQ+ population
  • How LGBTQ+ homelessness is different in different areas across the country
  • What LGBTQ+ people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness want and need
  • What happens after LGBTQ+ people experience homelessness

 

What can you do to help?

The LGBTQ+ community need a baseline, and with this survey, Dr Edith England and Dr. Neil Turbull, hope to fill the gaps in the areas indicated above.  They believe that establishing answers to these fundamental questions will benefit all researchers in this area, and even help towards emboldening government policy.

The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and asks questions about demographics, housing and homelessness experiences through the lifetime, and service needs.  If you are aged 18+, UK resident and LGBTQ+, please complete the survey.

 

 

Links

  • AKT – the lgbtq+ youth homelessness report 2021
  • Inside Housing Report – LGBTQ+ homelessness: the data hole that undermines services
  • Homelessness  among LGBT adults in the US
  • LGBTQ+ Library Survey

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Campaigns Tagged With: Cardiff, homelessness, LGBTQ, older, research, survey, transgender, university, youth

An Openly Gay Man

19/05/2022 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

An Openly Gay ManDerek Byrne

Academic & Journalist

Irish Times.

Thu, Apr 14, 2022.

As an openly gay man, I am, of course, appalled at the idea that someone like me can be violently attacked on the street as an expression of vicious homophobia.

The recent horrific attack on a young gay man leaving the George bar in Dublin during the early hours of last Sunday morning left me wondering if it is indicative of a growing sense of resentment among some heterosexual men in Irish society towards their homosexual counterparts.

While there is admittedly a dearth of empirical evidence to support my thesis, even Tánaiste Leo Varadkar recently pointed to a growing sense of worry among the gay community in relation to a perceived increase in homophobic verbal abuse and physical assaults on our streets.

Research carried out by the Rainbow Project in Belfast between 2017 and 2019 highlighted a significant rise in homophobic attacks in Northern Ireland during this period from 163 to 281. However, it is understood that most homophobic attacks are not reported to the PSNI and, as a result, these figures are lower than actual incidents.

The research also showed that 150 of the attacks during 2019 were violent in nature. While it would not be wise to compare the attitudes towards the LGBT community in Northern Ireland, which had marriage equality thrust upon it by the Westminster government rather than by popular consent, it would be wise to acknowledge that homophobia remains a significant public health concern on this island.

An article published in the Journal of Homosexuality in January 2010, which explored heterosexual men’s anger towards male homosexuality, suggests that sexual prejudice most likely facilitates anti-gay aggression in men who are exposed to intimate or sexual interactions between two men. The article suggests that this supposition is consistent with the view that sexual prejudice and anti-gay aggression function to enforce gender and societal norms.

This would support the view that some heterosexual men in Irish society are feeling resentful at the increased visibility of openly gay men on the streets, in the media, online and occupying traditionally heterosexual normative roles; the office of the taoiseach and now Tánaiste by Leo Varadkar being a case in point.

It is clear that what we need is a greater understanding of how heterosexual men are responding to the liberation in recent years of homosexual lifestyles in Ireland. It is foolish to think that legislation alone changes attitudes, it doesn’t, it merely sets a standard for the kind of society we aspire to be. Changing attitudes can take much longer – generations in fact – and I would argue that what we are witnessing at the moment is evidence of the conflict that emerges as a result in the gap between legislation and the adjustment of attitudes regarding LGBT issues.

While advances in sexual tolerance have been hard won in Ireland, it could be argued that many of those who were not in favour of marriage equality, for example, may be feeling marginalised in a diverse modern Ireland. Far from ignoring and condemning these people, we would do well to understand them and to listen to their concerns so that we can respond to them with authority and, yes, compassion. This, I would argue, is equality in action.

Tolerance is a funny thing in that it has its limits. When we ask people to grant us equality it can come with a price tag. This price is an understanding that we will ultimately assimilate, not stand out in the crowd, not rock the boat too hard and not challenge gender and societal norms too much.

If the LGBT community are guilty of one thing, it is complacency and a false sense of security that the war has been won.

It is clear from the recent spate of horrific violence towards gay men that while we have come so far in Irish society, we are a long way from Kansas yet.Violence in all its forms must be vilified at every turn. Homophobic violence in particular assaults the very nature of our society in Ireland which in recent years has striven to be a beacon of inclusivity and diversity.

However, espousing these principles can also mean that we must constantly evaluate our values and, at times, hear those who may not agree with us and listen to those who may even wish us harm.

A truly equal society will address violence not only through condemnation but with an understanding that we may all be equal but we are definitely not the same.

Derek Byrne’s  article was triggered by two recent unrelated events in Dublin and Sligo on both of which the (Irish) & (London) Times report today…

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sligo-suspect-planned-to-kill-more-men-in-the-coming-days-33hlwh67d 
 
And…
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hate-crime-laws-must-have-teeth-to-protect-lgbt-community-33cmj9229 
 
Internal Link
  • Homophobia and Terrorism are not limited to Muslims

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia Tagged With: gay bashing, homophobia

The Portsmouth Defence by Jeff Dudgeon

06/09/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Portsmouth DefenceThe Portsmouth Defence – every solicitor and barrister knows the traditional defence to utilize when defending a client accused of murdering a gay man when there is no other legitimate defence available.  Its name indicates that it originated in medieval times in seaports when mariners were caught on rolling/robbing their homosexual clients or victims.

Brief Heroes

It is simply this – the deceased made a pass in the form of a smile, a word or a touch, at my client.  being a man he beat the pervert to death/strangled him/repeatedly stabbed him.  Judges especially, juries less so, are susceptible to this defence.  Sometimes killers have been acquitted, even become brief heroes, as in the George Brinham case in the 1960s when a Labour and Trade Union politician was butchered in London.

Macho Sentiments

Obviously, if females, subjected to unwanted attentions, disembowelled wolf-whistlers, the male population would plummet.  But judges, being men, instantly warm to the macho sentiments aroused at the notion of innocent heterosexual manhood threatened by oily homosexuals.

Fate Worse Than Death

Nowadays, acquittals would be rare, but the continued use of the Portsmouth Defence is designed to get the charge reduced from murder to manslaughter and the sentence reduced accordingly.  this still works even though in every other case a murder rap would hold unless it was self-evident that had the defendant not attacked the victim his own life would have been in jeopardy.  \but, to the conservative judiciary, being touched up or smiled at by a queer is a fate worse than death.  It is plain that in 99% of such cases the gay victim is offering no violence at all, just checking the other guy out or using a little verbal persuasion.

A Local Crop

In the recent Addis (Portadown) and Hagan (\belfast) murder cases the victims made a suggestion through porno pics and divesting himself of his clothes respectively.  \both were brutally done to death.  their killers received light sentences and the Portsmouth Defence was used.  this was in courts in Northern Ireland in the 1980s where the establishment continues to think of gays as less than human and their killers as less than criminals.  A test case will occur soon in a trial relating to a killing in Ballymena where the Portsmouth Defence has already been used in a bail application.

Casual Violence

It is important that the legal establishment is made aware of the new social and legal status that gays now enjoy.  And that we will no longer tolerate such frequent murders.  The Director of Public Prosecutions – who decides what charges to prefer – and whether to accept plea-bargaining to get a lesser charge preferred, has to take account of social change and modern literature*.  If for no other reason than that, anti-gay tugs (and their homosexual counterparts), will continue to use massive violence on gay victims in the sure knowledge that the courts will see their crimes as slight!

 

*Attacks on Gay People by Julian Meldrum (CHE) 1977 – A comprehensive and meticulously researched casebook (Currently out of Print)

 

 

Amazon Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Campaign for Homosexual Equality (1 Aug. 1981)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 095044295X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0950442952

Links:

  • Wikipedia – Gay panic defense
  • Gay and Trans Panic Defence Prohibition Act 2018
  • Play aired in 1966 – The Portsmouth Defence
  • Belfast Pride and Economics

 

This article was first printed in Gay Star No 10, a copy of which is held in the archive of the Linenhall Library

 

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Campaigns, Community Journalist Tagged With: courts, homophobia, Jeff Dudgeon, law, legal system, Linenhall Library, murder of gay men, Portsmouth Defence

Brexit in one!

24/07/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Brexit in one!I have clearly stated many times that I found the departure from the EU to be a farce; so many lies, mistruths and out of it all we get the Brexit deal which is very close to scuppering the Good Friday Agreement.  An agreement which is not perfect, has at least allowed the people of N Ireland to live relatively peacefully, and for the LGBTQ+ community to continue to fight for their rights, and most of the political parties now in N Ireland at least on paper support our community.

As an example of how Brexit has failed, I would suggest reading the article in the Guardian ‘Out! How Brexit sent one UK tennis kit firm to Romania‘, which highlighted the plight of one small company that moved lock, stock and barrel to Romania.  And, I am not just talking about the company, but the owners with their children also.  

…The Walkingtons decided they had to relocate lock, stock and barrel with their two children – after whom the company is named – last autumn and are now in the process of moving into new premises in Romania, where they are not only free of Brexit bureaucracy but are also benefiting from abundant skilled labour and help from the country’s authorities…

But to further compound this story about one small company, there is evidence that a substantial amount of other small companies are doing the same with Department for International TradeBresit in one! advisors advising them to do so!

…Six months after the UK finally left the EU’s single market, thousands of other small companies have faced similar problems, and many have either relocated entirely to the EU or set up branches or warehouses inside the EU to avoid the export delays and costs. Advisers at the Department for International Trade have encouraged many to do so. The authorities in EU countries including the Netherlands, Austria and Romania are going out of their way to help UK companies shift their operations to the continent, knowing local jobs and new economic activity will be created…

This would tend to indicate a further weakening of the British economy.

Brexit in one!But bringing the article back to LGBTQ+ politics, I am afraid that the DUP’s latest little foray into trying to win the LGBTQ+ vote is limp handed.  A few words by one of the team which are almost repudiated the next day by the leader in terms of ‘others should be apologising to us’ does not indicate a party that has accepted us.  To this, we can also add the continued delay by the Prime Minister (Rt Hon Boris Johnston) with one review after another, and nothing actually happens – reminds me of Yes Minister – A Public Inquiry.

We also have various stories now highlighting how since the pandemic, incidents of violence to eh LGBTQ+ community have increased. 

These are not helped by the stories coming out of Hungary of violence being perpetuated on the LGBTQ+ community – and now we have the new EU chief Janez Jansa, Prime Minister of Slovenia, warning the EU that if it continues to try to impost ‘the west’s liberal views on Central Europe’ then it would be ‘the fastest road to collapse’ of the bloc.

 

Links:

  • Brexit questions to be answered
  • The Observer – Imposing ‘imaginary’ values risks EU collapse, Slovenian PM claims

 

 

 

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Community Journalist Tagged With: A Public Inquiry, Brexit, Dept. for International Trade, DUP, homohobia, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Yes Minister

Homophobia and Terrorism are not limited to Muslims.

13/07/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

 

Homophobia and Terrorism

Homophobia and Terrorism are not limited to Muslims, history shows that and often what we do not understand and fear (often irrationally) we throw out words like terrorism, not our people etc.

Andrew Pulver wrote an impassioned article on how journalism in all its forms needs to stop the ‘Toxic portrayals of Muslims’!  I would suggest that we need in the West, and in other cultures, to take a reality check.  The portrayals of terrorists as being only from one side of the world’s population is disingenuous.  All the major maritime powers in Europe sponsored pirates to enact terrorism on their rivals!  Then we have terrorists/freedom fighters, for example,   in 1867 there was the Clerkenwell explosion in London by the Fenians / Irish Republican Brotherhood (proto – IRA), in 1903 there were the Thessaloniki bombings by a Bulgarian group from Veles, mostly young graduates from the Bulgarian Men’s High School of Thessaloniki. Terrorism and Homophobia The list is endless, go and have a look at the Wikipedia article ‘Terrorism in Europe’ as a starting point.

But and it is a large BUT, terrorism by its very nature is subjective; dependent upon where you are with your life, your family, your community, your society, One Man’s Terrorist Is Another Man’s Freedom Fighter

So, therefore, you must ask why am I Interested?  My interest lies in my knowledge of Muslims.  I have been lucky enough to work, live and make friends with Muslims within their society whilst working in the Middle East; I have also been able to have similar experiences in the Far East, Canada, South America, and Europe.  I have always found a welcome within these communities, and I have had many discussions covering all aspects of their and my own society over politics, religion, homosexuality, with these debates has come an understanding of the local fears, even the fear of loss of identity (the Northern Irish are not unique).

In an article published in LGBTQ Nation (commentary by Michael Jensen and Brent Hartinger) it highlighted the position that a few of the local queer Muslim’s had in Turkey, a country which is 97% Muslim and where LGBTQ rights have gone backwards in recent years.  But similar pressure is being placed on LGBTQ freedom in other parts of Europe, e.g., Hungary and Poland.  According to the European Union in 2020 43% of LGBTQ people, last year said they felt discriminated against, up from 37% in 2012.

So, you can from this short overview firstly that terrorism and homophobia are not just related to Muslim society.

We need to educate against toxic rhetoric and politics wherever it is shown.  We need to be vigilant locally and fight against what certain elements among the local politicians will repeatedly roll out – remember throughout history it has always been easy to use a minority as the whipping boy for society wrongs – the Jews when they no longer were willing financiers of the British Crown, and indeed with a number of European monarchies, the travellers, Jews, homosexuals by Nazi Germany, the travellers even today in the United Kingdom, and for certain parties in Northern Ireland politics the LGBTQ+ society.

 

Links:

 

  • EU launches LGBT rights plan to counter rising homophobia in eastern member states
  • Wikipedia – Terrorism in Europe
  • Amazon – The Terrorism Reader edited by Walter Laqueur (1979)
  • The Guardian – Actor calls for urgent end to ‘toxic portrayals’ of Muslims
  • Four queer Muslims in Istanbul didn’t have much to celebrate for Pride Month
  • Is “One Man’s Terrorist Another Man’s Freedom Fighter”?
  • Consign homophobia to history, urges ex-Irish President Mary McAleese

 

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Community Journalist, Editor to ACOMSDave Tagged With: Andrew Pulver, Brent Hartinger, Clerkenwell, European Union, homophobia, Hungary, Michael Jensen, Poland, terrorism, Thessaloniki, Walterf Laqueur

Virtual Belfast Reception

04/07/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

 
Virtual Belfast ReceptionOn July 1st, 2021 the PinkNews, in partnership with Citi and the Rainbow Project, under the title “Virtual Belfast Reception” organised a panel discussion on LGBT+ equality in Northern Ireland.  The Virtual Belfast Reception online meeting involved Doug Beattie, UUP leader, Mary Lou McDonald, president of Sinn Fein, Colm Eastwood, SDLP leader, Naomi Long, Alliance leader and justice minister, and Mal O’Hara, a Green Party councillor in Belfast and the event was moderated by John O’Doherty, director of the Rainbow Project.
 
 
The virtual meeting was conducted through Zoom, with the audience being able to view but not comment except through the messenger facility of the program.  Areas under discussion were:
 
                • Transgender
                • Self ID Laws
                • LGBTQ+ and Education
                • Conversion Therapy

 

Obviously, during 1hr 30min+ discussion, there were sidetracks; the main one being over political parties and LGBTQ+ rights to which Paul Bradley, deputy leader of the DUP, said that in response to a question from Mr O’Doherty about the DUP and its history of negativity on LGBTQ+ issues, 

“I’m not going to defend some of the things that have been said over the years, because they have been absolutely atrocious. They’ve been shocking, so they have.
“I certainly couldn’t stand by many of those comments – in fact, all of those comments.
“Because I know that the hurt they have caused people and I know that fed into the hatred some people have had to endure in their life, and I think that’s absolutely wrong.
“I think the vast majority of those people that made those comments are no longer there, and the ones that are there have said that they have learned their lessons, that their language at times has not been right.
“It’s something I’ve brought up on numerous occasions with my own party because I think not sometimes, all the time, our language very much that we use as elected representatives has an impact in wider society.
“I can certainly say I apologise for what others have said and done in the past because I do think that there has been some very hurtful comments and some language that really should not have been used.”

(A full transcript can be found in the Newsletter link which is at the end of this article)

 

Now, this was a welcome response, however, it was then followed by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson speaking on Sunday, July 5th 2021|:

Mr Donaldson acknowledged past comments by members of the party had been “hurtful” to LGBT people here, before adding it was “not just in the case of the DUP”.

While the DUP leader said it is right “that we say sorry and acknowledge hurt”, Mr Donaldson went on to add: “Equally in time, I hope others will be able to acknowledge that they have caused hurt, for example to people from a strongly held faith perspective.”

This is the politician two shoe shuffle, give on one hand and then take away by blaming it all on someone else.

 

Much as Paul Bradly may wish, and indeed believes, that the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) is making strives to reform, it would seem that its current leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, has more in keeping with the leader he replaced Edwin Poots, or if you go back further Mrs Iris Robinson, a previous MLA and wife of the then First Minister ‘Peter Robinson’,  and ‘her’ psychologist who claimed that he could cure gays (gay conversion therapy).

 

Virtual Belfast Reception

 

 

Whilst I have concnetrated on the DUP during this virtual meeting, the other participants were very clear in the answers and supportive.  Some of the phrases which I have written down are:

  • Even though things have changed, there is ‘always a need to remain alert’.
  • If you ‘Stop pushing forward, then we will move back’
  • Even though we have had ‘Immense change, the lesson is we have to keep gong’
  • ‘Always think about those young people in turmoil’
  • ‘A Safe Place For All Of Our People’

Links:

  • Belfast Telegraph – Iris Robinson slammed for offering gay ‘cure’
  • Pink News – DUP politician tipped to succeed Arlene Foster has a long history of opposing LGBT+ rights
  • Irish Times – The DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson was accused of homophobia by Sinn Féin
  • AcomsDave – The Conversion Therapy Saga
  • DUP deputy’s entire remarks to LGBTQIA+ gathering

 

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Community Journalist, Editor to ACOMSDave, Government & Politics, History Tagged With: Colum Eastwood, conversion therapy, Doug Beattie, DUP, jeffrey dudgeon, John O'Doherty, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ equality, Mal O'Hara, Mary Lou McDonald, Naomi Long, NIGRA, Northenr Ireland, Paula bradly, Pink News, politicians, Rainbow project

Travellers and Roma – Calling All LGBT+

18/06/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Calling ALL Travellers and Roma, June is PRIDE Month would you like to appear in the Digital Dublin Pride Parade Video?

 

If so then look at our Info Sheet 21 which is available for download, and it also contains a wealth of other interesting bytes of information for everyone, but especially for ‘Travellers and Roma’.

 

Travellers and Roma

 

  • The Traveller Movement
  • Facebook – LGBT Ireland
  • LGBT Traveller and Roma Calendar

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Community Journalist, Education and Development Tagged With: campagina, Dublin Pride Parade, LGBTQ, Pride Parade, Roma, traveller

At the destination [Am Ziel] – Gay short movie – Movie Review

15/05/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

Am Ziel

A beautiful, yet non-descript day in Bavaria, to be exact Allgau.  A day like every other day, except for Tom who is about to make a momentous decision – that of coming out and hopefully making new friends with other ‘gays’.  He is full of fears, indecision, and ideas flash through his mind with all the stereotypes that he has heard people, the media (newspapers, radio, television and movies) discussing.

I found this a very appt short movie, having just read various reports and written my own article on how LGBTQ+ youth have been hit hard by the pandemic, and the effect of being forced back into the closet for some of them as they have had to return home with no job, or no university course continuing.

Friendship and Sharing

During the period 10th to 16th May it is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, not surprisingly the USA has a Mental Health Awareness Month!  But, the aim no matter where you are is to be aware of others, that they may be suffering, but not showing it.  Be patient with your friends, but not just during this period of awareness, be aware always and be open to providing support, whether that be a cup of tea or coffee, a chat, a walk in the countryside with friends – you never know what will help a person, so put your hand out and see who grabs it, and don’t be disappointed if there is slow take-up, someone somewhere needs your friendship

At the destination [Am ziel}

Tom – At the destination (Am ziel)

The short film was made in a workshop by queerblick eV at the youth group “BONITO” in the Allgäu (www.bonito-allgaeu.de). Its aim is to encourage young people to dare to join a gay youth group, to find friends and support, to not be alone.

I have been lucky enough to get in touch with Andi from the group, who told me that ‘The actual idea behind the story was to show young queer people in our area what a queer youth group is or isn’t in terms of clichés. The story itself was written by the main character Tom played by Axel, literally telling the story of his first attempts (it took him three) to come to Bonito.’

 

Movie Information:

Main characters:

Tom: Axel – 23

Guy with the bike: Andi – 26

Spooky Queen: Martin – 25

Guy in front of the house: Winni – 22

Length of movie: 5.39

 

Links:

  • YoutTubAt the destination [Am Ziel]
  • Hand Off – Gay Short Movie 2019 – Movie Review
  • The queer youth group in the Allgäu
  • Allgau Short Films and Projects
  • Mental Health Awareness Week 10-16 May 2021

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Editor to ACOMSDave

A Silent Truth – Gay Short Film 2012 – Movie Review

05/04/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

‘A Silent Truth’ is a short gay movie about reconciling who you are with who other people want you to be.

Ian Foster (Daniel Sovich) has reached a crisis point within himself because he can no longer deny who he is – ‘a gay boy’ with gay feelings.  The problem is that his mother has strong anti-gay feelings, and in consequence heavily stresses to everyone how much of a ladies’ man he is.

The opening scene of ‘A Silent Truth‘ is his birthday party, a home filled full of people (mainly adults) who all seem to be enjoying themselves, but he isn’t.  In parts, it is almost like he is walking around in a dream.  The central piece of the movie is Ian telling his mum why he feels so different. Of course, the movie brings out all the old cliches, including his mum saying ‘it would have probably been better if he hadn’t been born’; and of course he hears this statement!  The concluding scene has his mum flipping around and becoming his totally support and promising to learn everything about how to be there for him.

A Silent Truth deals with a boys feelings, something that too often is trapped over by parents who feel they know what is best for their son!  Of course, the movie is American orientated, and different cultures will deal with the situation probably in a totally different way – indeed we are all too aware of how the Eastern Block countries want to currently handle situations like this, ‘conversion therapy’ at best…  But what this movie does is highlight the problem, the situations that a boy can find himself in, and how they need support, guidance and love.

 

“Life is good, no, life is awesome…”

A Silent Truth

  • Starring: Daniel Sovich, Dani Apple, Dylan Aaron White, Kimberly J. Mahoney, Joy Borland, Ryan Vincent, Brian Richeson, Cole Kornell, Mark Oet, Kathy Vogel, Tonee Purnell, Ralph DiLudovico, Jaclyn Inglis and Katrina Melanie Walker Directed By Peter Anthony Fields
  • Screenplay By Peter Anthony Fields & Evonne Fields-Gould
  • Produced By Peter Anthony Fields, Evonne Fields-Gould, Joy Borland, Quata Tucker

Links:

  • IMDB – A Silent truth
  • Youtube – A Silent truth short film trailer
  • “SOG” Gay Short Film – 2019 – Movie Review

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, Movie Reviews Tagged With: A Silent Truth, coming out, Daniel Sovich, gay coming of age, Peter Anthony Fields, SOG

The LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Calendar

21/03/2021 By ACOMSDave Leave a Comment

The LGBT+ Traveller & Roma CalendarThe National LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Action Group has proudly to produced its first ever LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Calendar and has begun distributing to national and regional Traveller and Roma organisations, as well as national and regional LGBT+ organisations this week. Traveller and Roma families and individuals who want to celebrate their LGBT+ identity or express their allyship with LGBT+ members of their communities will also receive copies through their relevant services.

“[It’s about} valuing people differently within our community, rather than coming down on anyone for their sexuality and gender. Accepting people for who they are, is the only way to be, as there is really no right way to be a Traveller. Live and let live!”  Senator Eileen Flynn

Eileen Flynn, the first female Traveller to become a Senator speaks as a proud member of the Action Group.  The National Action Group for LGBT+ Traveller & Roma Rights is a collective that aims to increase the promotion, protection, inclusion and celebration of LGBT+ Traveller & Roma individuals and their families within their communities and organisations and services. Membership of the Group consists of representatives from the LGBT+ Traveller & Roma communities, their national, regional and local organisations as well as LGBT+ organisations and services.

There are potentially 4,000 Travellers on the island of Ireland who are LGBT+ (All Ireland Traveller Health Study 2010; Equality Authority 2002). Higher levels of poor mental health are common both in the Traveller community and the LGBT+ community. Consequently, LGBT+ Travellers and Roma battle layers of discrimination as they strive to find self-acceptance, community acceptance and societal celebration of all of who they are.

“Being gay in the Travelling community is OK and needs more support. If not addressed then this is where the suicide thoughts and depression comes into effect, and when we see young lives dying” says Dillon Collins, an LGBT Traveller.

The Action Group hopes this first calendar will act as a symbol of positive visibility and allyship wherever it is displayed. It also aims to educate as each month marks key historical and important dates for both the Traveller and Roma communities, as well as the LGBTI+ community. Equally important is every month’s display of phone numbers of important mental health support services. The Action Group hopes that more LGBT+ individuals and any concerned family members will reach out to seek the help they need when they need it so that more LGBT+ Travellers and Roma find the peace which Pauline Reilly, LGBT Traveller, describes in the month of February:

“The heart is not bound by conditions of gender, love is an emotion that neither discriminates nor hesitates when it is felt by two people deeply in love”

For a digital copy click here: 2021 LGBT Traveller & Roma Calendar FINAL

Any other queries please email: BecomeaAlly@gmail.com

Filed Under: Anti-Bullying & Homophobia, History Tagged With: calendar, Ireland, LGBT, Roma

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