ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – Discrimination

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Discrimination - Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

Tangentially to my visit to the Crescent Arts Centre I was walking out of the centre and saw four booklets/leaflets which all generated from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and covering ‘discrimination’:

  • A short guide to the role and services of the Equality Commission

  • Gender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender?

  • Sexual Orientation Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your sexual orientation?

  • Transgender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender identity?

I am highlighting these booklets/leaflets because the United Kingdom is currently undergoing seismic changes due to our withdrawal from Europe (Brexit). The impact of which we are only just beginning to see, but for those in minority groups the impact is becoming obvious through physical attacks, intimidation and verbal abuse by our an unwillingness to treat others with respect and care.

This disseminates through the rhetoric of many of our politicians, both national and local, and their thoughts and comments are often acted upon by individuals who have been easily swayed by what the politicians have said.

So back to my starting point, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, if you feel that yo are being unfairly treated in a work situation, or in a business transaction (shops, restaurants etc.) then tell the Equality Commission and take action to defend yourself and others. At least if nothing else you will find a listening ear, and a willingness to try and help.

 

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

 

NI Direct – Find a mental health organisation

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Reported by Marie :
Sometimes I get tired of being angry and frustrated (sigh) – the new online Mental Health Services Finder tool was launched today and the good news is that sexual orientation is on the list – the bad news is that there are no LGBT organisations mentioned under this heading (more sighs). 3 community based counselling providers plus the Samaritans are listed under the sexual orientation heading.
I tried also to access LGBT services under the search for an organisation and drew a blank (even more sighs).
Check for yourself and if, like me, you can’t find the services our community provides please mention it to any canvassers who come to your door; but also write to NI Direct.
As Editor I have sent the following message from the NI Direct site:

Editor of NIGRA News:

It has been reported to us that the new Online Mental Health Services Finders tool does not refer to any LGBT organisations under the heading sexual orientation.

Would you please advise why this has occurred?

Regards

D Terry McFarlane – Editor

 
The finder tool was set up by DHSSPS and the HSCB

Find a mental health organisation

Northern Ireland's LGBT Community Disenfranchised Again

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We need to see delivery from Office of First Minster and Deputy First Minister (OFMdFM) – Nesbitt
Ulster Unionist Party leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has called for delivery from OFMdFM on the Sexual Orientation Strategy.
Mr Nesbitt, who is also Chair of the OFMdFM Committee, said:“The Sexual Orientation Strategy is becoming one of the longest running sagas of devolution. We have been waiting seven years for a strategy to be produced, following the consultation process of 2006.
“The Assembly was given a commitment by then Junior Minister Robin Newton in 2010 that a strategy was imminent. Then last year Junior Minister Jonathan Bell said we would see the strategy by the end of 2012; again, it didn’t appear. Then in Together: Building a United Community a commitment was given to publishing a sexual orientation strategy before the end of 2013, and lo and behold it hasn’t appeared.
“So where is it? It’s a Programme for Government commitment and after seven years, it’s non-appearance is also conclusive proof of the dysfunctionality of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
“The purpose of the strategy is to address issues faced by the LGBT community in Northern Ireland, so it is a very important document. Is it now going to become a yearly event where we mark the non-publication of the Sexual Orientation Strategy? If it weren’t so serious, this debacle would be laughable.
“If OFMdFM are serious about building a shared future in Northern Ireland, publishing the sexual orientation strategy would send out a strong message. We need to see delivery on this; it cannot and should not be allowed to rumble on any longer.”
Ulster Unionist Press Office
Room 215 Parliament Buildings
Stormont
Belfast
BT4 3XX
 
Further reading:

  1. OFMandDFM – Sexual Orientation
  2. BBC News MLAs Support Sexual Orientation Motion