Rainbow Parents

Coffee Group for Gay and Lesbian Parents or those wishing to become parents at Albert Park cafe on Saturday the 27th March at 10.30am, feel free to bring you little ones with you!

Contact RainbowParents@hotmail.co.uk for more information

Focus group for Lesbian and Bisexual Women

As you may realise there is a lack of information available regarding sexual health needs of lesbian and bisexual women.
We are part of a working group working on producing a L/Bi women’s sexual health information resources for the North East.
For too long the sexual health needs of L/bi women have been ignored by major funders and healthcare providers

When?: Wednesday the 3rd of March, 6-8 pm
Where?: We will be holding the workshop at MESMAC Middlesbrough Office - 4th Floor Prudential House, 31-33 Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 1PE
What?: We will meet at 6 and have a bit of a chat and a cuppa and then slowly start of the session. We will finish at 8 the latest.
How can I get involved? Just send us an email (heidi.hansen@newcastle.gov.uk) or give us a bell (0191 277 2048) and let us know if you are planning on attending this session, or if you have any questions.

Come join this fun and relaxed workshop and have your input on the resource!!

The LGBT Federation Ultimate Ball in Newcastle

Saturday 13th March 2010. Doors open at 7pm, event starts at 7.30pm.

After the remarkable success of The Fed’s Ultimate Ball in 2009 at Dance City, this event returns for its second year at a new venue.

Dance City was just too small, and with so many more people expected this year, the hunt was on for a new venue. This year’s Ball will be at Blackfriars Hall, on New Bridge Street just outside of the city centre. The Ball provides a unique opportunity to get dressed up, meet, socialise and dance with like minded people in a relaxed and safe environment. With the return of last year’s band ‘The Little Big Band’ no doubt our toes will be twinkling all night!

You can book in advance for £6 or just turn up on the night and pay £8 on the door.

Tickets are now available at www.seetickets.com or by calling 0871 220 0260
*booking fee applies.

Email mail@lgbtfed.com for more details!

Like last year, The Fed, ahead of the Ultimate Ball will be holding dance classes in Newcastle, and in addition this year, in Hartlepool. For more details of these, email liz@lgbtfed.com

Lesbians Who Lunch

LWL Teesside has been set up in response to the successful Durham group, for those who live in the Teeeside area. There will be a monthly social Sunday lunch, as well as a monthly coffee gathering during the day. All welcome to come along and join in.

If you can't make these but would like to get involved then get in touch.

Have alook at the website by clicking the link on the left.

If you have any questions or wish to make any suggestions please email me at lwlteesside@hotmail.co.uk

Broadcasting It - Film Group

MVDA would like to invite you to 6 workshops to explore the way new
media is changing the relationship between viewer and filmmaker as people become more involved in uploading, producing and editing film and video on the Internet.

We will make links with other LGBT people around the world and look at different ways we can communicate with each other about issues, stories, social scenes, upcoming events and news items, and how the Internet is used creatively to broadcast and advertise film and video.

There will be opportunities for viewing films, video making, discussion and innovation. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability or experience. Entry is £2 per person to cover the cost of refreshments. No need to book a place.

Each session will be held on a Tuesday evening from 7-9pm at the Phoenix Building, University of Teesside. For a location map go to www.tees.ac.uk
Dates are:

13th October 2009
10th November 2009
15th December 2009
12th January 2010
16th February 2010
16th March 2010

For more information contact Lesley on 01642 803607

Reporting Hate Crime

Hate crime
Hatred is a strong term that goes beyond simply causing offence or hostility. Hate crime is any criminal offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
religion
gender or gender identity
sexual orientation
disability

Hate crime can take many forms including:

physical attacks – such as physical assault, damage to property, offensive graffiti, neighbour disputes and arson
threat of attack – including offensive letters, abusive or obscene telephone calls, groups hanging around to intimidate and unfounded, malicious complaints
verbal abuse or insults - offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish outside homes or through letterboxes, and bullying at school or in the workplace

Hate crime is defined as:
Any incident, which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate.

If you have experienced hate crime and would like to discuss this and talk about your options to report it, anonymously if you wish to, there are three specific LGBT reporting centres in Middlesbrough:

Middlesbrough Voluntary Development Agency: Lesley Duggan LGBT Inclusion Officer 01642 803607
Mesmac North East: 01642 804400
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 499 4110

Or you can go on line and report www.reporthatecrime.co.uk

Peer support group

For people who identify as, Transgender, Cross-Dresser, Intersex.

TeesTrans is a group of like-minded individuals who offer a listening ear and emotional and practical support for transgender, cross dresser, and intersex people.

The group meets the second Monday of each month in a comfortable, safe, secure and understanding environment from 7pm until 9pm at MESMAC in Middlesbrough, Tees Valley.
Private changing facilities are available for anyone who wishes to change at the venue.

Coffee and tea are provided by members. The group was founded in the Summer of 2008 by Denise Mosse and Heather Anne McGlade.

Denise, Heather or Ana will be present at each meeting. Please use our Contact Us page if you have any questions you would like to ask us about the group or about the next meeting.

Our future meetings are to be held on:

November 9th 2009
December 14th 2009
January 11th 2010
February 8th 2010
March 8th 2010
April 12th 2010.

Travelling on foot from our previous premises St Mary's Centre?
1.Turn left when leaving St Mary's Centre
2.Walk straight down Corporation Rd (0.3 mi)
3.Turn right at Albert Rd (331 ft)
4.MESMAC is on your left.

Free street parking is available on Albert Road outside MESMAC and opposite or there is ample parking (93 spaces) at the car park on the corner of Albert Mews and Wilson Street (free of charge after 6pm).

For further information please contact: elvira@hotmail.co.uk or ring Lesley on 01642 803607 or look at their blog at: http://teestrans.blogsite.org/