SuperGay September 11th 2010

The line up for SuperGay is being finalised!

Go to the official website (click the link on the right)to see more details...

Research Project for Older Lesbians

I'm writing to ask for your help in a research project with lesbians over 60, which I am carrying out at the University of Sussex. I believe this is the first time anyone has attempted to create a comprehensive picture of the older lesbian community in Britain. The aims of the project are to challenge the social attitudes which have made older lesbians invisible, and to make their voices heard.
More details can be found at www.womenlikethat.co.uk
It is important that the project reaches as wide a variety of women as possible, so contacts with black and minority ethnic women, women over 75, and those who define as working-class, will be specially welcome.
Can you help? If you know any lesbian or bisexual women aged 60 or more, please encourage them to take part in the (anonymous and
confidential) survey.
The questionnaire can be completed online - there's a link at www.womenlikethat.co.uk - or printed off and posted to the address on the form; or, if for those who do not use computers, a printed copy can be sent by post (a large print version is also available).
Please use your networks to help me reach older lesbian and bisexual women all over the UK. I can be contacted by phone, email or post - see below.
PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS INFORMATION AS WIDELY AS YOU CAN
Thank you!
Jane Traies
LBL Project,
Silverstone Building 222 (School Office), University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton,
BN1 9RG
Email: j.traies@sussex.ac.uk
Phone or text: 07824 719215 (confidential research line)

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 or call Stop Hate UK a 24 hour advice line which will take your reports, offer advice and pass your information on if you want them to: 0800 138 1625.