Confronting Inequality: Celebrating Diversity
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) History Month takes place every year in February. It is a month of celebrations of the lives and achievements of the LGBT community and LGBT people around the world. In the UK, LGBT History Month is seen as an opportunity to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland. It began in February 2005.
The University of Bradford is supporting LGBT History Month 2010 by sponsoring the Equity Partnership awards, and there are a number of events during the month that you may wish to participate in.
You can find out more about the month and other events around the region and country on their website: (External) http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk .
Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January. This is a national event dedicated to the remembrance of the victims of The Holocaust. It was first held in January 2001, and has been held on 27 January every year since. The chosen date is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp by the Soviet Union in 1945.
There are a number of events around the region, including events commemorating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of The Holocaust. You can find more information at (External) http://www.hmd.org.uk .
On Wednesday January 27th at 5.30pm, Calderdale Council will be commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax. Due to the great success of last year's event Calderdale has been nominated the Beacon Event for the Yorkshire and Humber - one of five Beacon Events in the UK.
Food will be served to everyone on arrival. The event is free. Interpreters will be available throughout the evening. Booking is essential through the Victoria Theatre Box Office on 01422 351158.
Key speakers at the event will include: Holocaust Survivor, Iby Knill; Lilian Black daughter of a Holocaust Survivor; Gee Walker whose son Anthony Walker was killed for being a Black man; Sheri Dobrowski whose son Jody was murdered for being a Gay man and Michael Shamash who is the Chair of the Restricted Growth Association.
The theme for this year's event is "A Legacy Of Hope". Calderdale Interfaith Council will have representatives from different faiths offering prayers of hope.
There will a triple sonnet read by a local poet James Nash written especially for the occasion. Local amateur actors will be acting a very short piece called "The Letter"; Gay Abandon, West Yorkshire's only gay choir will be performing and finally Rudi Leavor will be chanting the "El Male Rachamim".
The event will be opened by the Mayor of Calderdale Councillor Arshad Mahmood who will also be leading on a minute's silence. Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Baines will be closing the event.
This event is preceded by a separate community event being held at the Piece Hall from 4.00pm where Eugene Black - Holocaust Survivor will speak; the Crossley Heath Wind Band from Crossley Heath Band will be playing music from Jewish composers and Rudi Leavor will be performing the "El Male Rachamim". A procession will gather at the end of the performances culminating in a candle lit procession through Halifax which will reach the theatre in time for the evening events. Tickets are not required for this event but they are necessary for the Victoria Theatre.
Equity Partnership LGB Awards 2010
This year the University of Bradford is a major sponsor of these awards which aim to recognise and reward excellence in promoting LGBT equality. The Equity Partnership is a long-established community group managed by lesbian, gay and bisexual people on behalf of Bradford's LGB communities.
The awards are for: Most Inspiring Bradford LGB Group, Best Individual Contribution to LGB Communities in Bradford, Most LGB-friendly Organisation or Group, Most LGB-friendly individual and Most Inspiring LGB Organisation or Group in Yorkshire & the Humber.
Last year a housing trust, a youth group and a women's theatre group took the main awards. However, there were many nominations for major employers like West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, employee focus groups and several individuals.
There are events throughout February at the Equity Centre and elsewhere. See (External) http://www.equitypartnership.org.uk/view.aspx?id=209 for more details on events that might be of interest.
Respect Sexual Orientation Group
The Respect Sexual Orientation group aims to raise the profile of issues around sexual orientation in work and study and to combat discrimination, bullying or harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, creating an environment of respect.
We provide a safe and confidential atmosphere where people can meet to discuss these issues and what we can do about them. We have business meetings six times a year where we discuss the actions we want to take and also social meetings where we meet once a month over lunch for support, camaraderie or just a chat.
Among our key achievements has been the development of a full action plan which has been approved by the University’s Equality and Diversity Committee, on which the co-chairs of the group sit, and working with Bradford’s Equity Partnership to bring the city’s Pride celebrations to the University campus last October. Plans for the future involve working towards the University making a submission to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index and hopefully getting us into their list of top 100 employers.
To join the group just get in touch with one of the co-chairs, either Ian Burkitt ( i.burkitt@bradford.ac.uk ) or Clare Beckett ( c.beckett@bradford.ac.uk ), or come along to a business or social meeting advertised in Staff Briefing.
We intend to hold social events during LGBT History Month; please contact us for further information.
Student society
The University also has a society for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (or otherwise), and they may be running some events of interest to you.
The society has three aims:
You can find more information on their website: (External) http://www.msgi.org.uk
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Page last updated: 25 January 2010
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