Posts in category: Articles of Interest

Given the recent decision of the Mormon Church to excommunicate LGBT couples and bar their children from baptism and church membership, we thought it would be best that we respond in some manner. While this is a move that will affect Mormon LGBT people across the world, it has particularly raised concern in our local community.

Get Reading reported on a member of a Mormon Church in Tilehurst that spoke out against this recent decision. First and foremost, an act of compassion in the face of intolerance and hate is a brave thing to do. Knowing full well they were directly disagreeing with their own church, this unnamed person had the conviction to take this matter to the local media. However small this act may seem to the person who made it, to the media or even to the church, it makes a difference. While it is cause for concern that decisions such as this still happen, there is hope in the fact that there are people standing against it. (1) Speaking out like this sends a simple message. That not all people of faith wish to deny the rights of LGBT people. Hundreds of Mormons protested and resigned from the church in reaction to the new “Handbook of Instruction” that outlined these new policies.(2)

It would be very easy to get into a long discussion as to the what, why and who of religious attitudes towards the LGBT community and we will do so in due course. The doctrines of all major religions place love, compassion and altruism above hate. It is important to remember that the decisions made at the top of any organisations, do not necessarily reflect those who are part of it. So we would say thank you to those of faith who recognise this and hold their morals above that of their various religious or church leaders. It is only when people speak out and take action that change occurs.

 

“When religion catches up with society and embraces that it’s not a life choice but who we are. We will no longer need to stand up for the LGBT community and shout that it’s ok to be gay. Then our service will be required less to support those who are religious and LGBT.”

Lorna (Co-Founder/Chief Operations Officer)

 

“It is incredibly easy to cherry pick phrases from any religious text and use them to justify hatred.  The challenge comes when you want to use a religious text to justify love. That is the fundamental core teaching of most religions.”

Alyssa (Volunteer)

 

“The key thing to remember if you are in a situation like this is to stay safe. If you are afraid about being found out or think it’s time to come out to your family, religious or irreligious, ensure that you have external support. If you need a safe space to have the discussion with your family then seek a charity like Support U.”

Peter (Volunteer)

 

“The option to stand in the face of oppression is one that is never easy but can make a huge difference to people’s lives. It highlights the acceptance and ongoing change in attitudes that people have towards the LGBT community.”

Nick (Manager)

(1)http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/tilehurst-mormon-speaks-out-against-10624749

(2) http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/11/the-mormon-church-turns-against-gay-families.html

2015 has been another year of change both across the UK and the whole world for the LGBT Community.

The changes in the law in Mexico, USA, Ireland, Finland and Luxembourg brought the number of countries that allowed for Same-sex Marriage to 21. There are a couple of nations that stood out during 2015 the first of which was Ireland, as they became the first nation to hold a national referendum on the issue on May 22nd. This referendum shows governments and politicians around the world that western attitudes towards equal marriage are changing and shows that this is an issue that the people are supporting. The second country of note is America, who’s Supreme Court on the 26th June made a judicial ruling that brought equal marriage across main land America. This decision by one of the global super powers has been seen by many as one that can lead to further changes in other countries that have yet to change their laws. Both cases show that even in countries with strong opposition from certain groups, the change is something that the public want and more importantly shows that love does win.
In 2015 we saw the likes of; Keegan Hirst, Jess Glynne, Cara Delevingne and Caitlyn Jenner come out as members of the LGBT community. The important thing to remember that whilst there have been many headlines about these individuals and they will continue to make news around the world there is more to these stories than the headline. They are helping to further increase the acceptance of the LGBT community and change hearts and minds around the world.

In 2013, Alan Turing (Enigma Codebreaker) was granted a Royal Pardon for being homosexual. Now in 2015 and the Turing family are calling on the government to extend this pardon to the other 49,000 men who were similarly convicted and chemically castrated. Whilst currently we are awaiting news of this, it is definitely something to look out for in 2016.
However not everything has been so positive within the LGBT community. Towards the end of 2015 there was harrowing news about Tara Hudson, a Trans female who was incarcerated within a male prison. Whilst this case was quickly resolved thanks to an online petition, it brought to light a number of other cases across the UK including two women who committed suicide due to their experiences within male prisons. It is shocking that this is still happening in 2015 and it looks like changes are already on the horizon, with the government looking to changes the laws over the coming months.

One final story that caught international headlines was that of Pharma CEO, Martin Shkreli. Shkreli angered many by raising the price of a drug used to treat HIV from $1 to $750 per pill. He retracted this and further reduced the price again but it would appear he received a bit of karma as just this week he has been arrested on unrelated charges of fraud.

It is safe to say that 2015 has been an interesting year for the LGBT community and it looks like the rights movement is making big strides around the world. However there is more work that needs to be done in areas such as Trans Rights and Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Crime. I guess we will just have to wait and see what 2016 has in store for us.

By Peter/Ethel Thurston

So if you haven’t been living under a rock recently you have most likely heard the online discussion focused around safe spaces, particularly those on campuses. This is a topic that has been brought to light in both news articles and TV shows like the trending South Park episode rather simply named ‘Safe Space’. This has naturally sparked debate on the subject with much of it being geared towards the idea of the ever creeping PC police.

I disagree with this and several other claims made throughout the discussion. But to explain why we must first discuss what a safe space is. For the most part the title is self-explanatory in that it is a space that has been designated safe. By safety we are discussing a feeling of security that allows for relaxation in that one does not always need to be on ‘the alert’. Now these spaces may be constant e.g. like a gay bar or they may be periodic like an LGBT+ support group.

They may also be universal, catering to all people who need the space like a hospital or specific like group counselling for male victims of rape and domestic abuse. Now this starts me off by refuting one of the most popular myths about safe spaces off the bat. They are nothing new. Safe spaces have been around for a while now and the only reason they are entering discussion now are the advances of media with a special emphasis on student journalism.

But what do safe spaces mean for freedom of speech? Well not very much actually. A safe space is a designated area, not a personal bubble shield that follows a person around. Safe spaces may be considered a space of mutual agreement like so many others. When you enter this area you are not to go about behaviours that make others in the safe space feel at risk. Outside this space, which by the way you may exit at any time, all things are normal.

Also offence is not the same as harm. (A myth propagated by both sides.) Screaming the word ‘faggot’ next to a student LGBT+ support group (As happened recently at my university) is less like yelling fire in a theatre and more like doing it on the burn ward of a hospital. But what about journalism? Surely they should have access to these spaces 100% of the time? Well no. Safe spaces are predominantly made up of one group, victims. Victims of racism, of homophobia and transphobia. Victims of violence and sexual assault. A journalist does not have the right to have unregulated access to someone.

They also do not have the right to effectively place an individual under house arrest through denying them a safe space outside their homes. Safe spaces on campuses allow people who would otherwise be denied an education to come in and enrich their lives. It also helps them deal with the issue. Whilst anti-safe space groups would have you believe that safe-spaces are there to escape reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

First of all, safe spaces are not meant to be used 100% of the time. A student still has to go to class, to eat and walk between places. Secondly, these people seek safe spaces because they know reality very well. Returning to the counselling group, how are they escaping reality through coming together and discussing the difficulties they face? They are offering one another emotional support to heal that individual so that they can cope with what life throws at them. Safe spaces share allot in common with hospitals. Sure you’ll get ill in life and your immune system will help fight it, but that doesn’t defeat the need for a place to go when the body is overwhelmed whether physically or emotionally.

But safe spaces can be so much more. Safe space can become just another phrase for ‘base of operation’. How many movements began with a group of people meeting in a safe space, planning out how they’ll enact change and better society? Because that’s the biggest thing most people have missed, a safe space is simply a temporary measure. You cannot simply legislate tolerance into society,  that takes time for social change to occur and opinions to shift. But what you can do is offer people a place where they can go, feel secure, build community and enact that very change. That is why we need safe spaces. That is why the anti-safe space rhetoric needs to stop.

Giving Tuesday is the charitable alternative to the sales frenzy of the thanksgiving period, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The day has gained an international following, with the aim being to encourage people to give their time, money, voice and support to a cause they care about. Support U is one of more than 1,400 charities, business and organisations that have joined the Giving Tuesday movement, and you can help them!

There are many ways that you can help and give to Support U this #GivingTuesday;

Volunteer

Support U relies on the contribution of a team of dedicated volunteers who generously give their time to help others. We are always on the lookout for people with varied skill sets, so would love to hear from you if there is something that you feel you can offer to Support U.

http://supportu.org.uk/volunteer.php

Donate

It’s bad to say but without your donations we couldn’t run the services that we offer to our growing client base. Currently it costs £40,000 a year to keep the centre open, anything you give it greatly received by both ourselves but also our service users. There are many ways in which you can donate;

SMS – Just text Supp01 + Amount to 70070

Card  – you can donate through www.findmeagrant.com, where your donation will be match funded.

Support

As always your ongoing support is invaluable to us, and was one of the driving forces behind us becoming the Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year. So please continue to support us through any means possible, Sharing, Liking, Tweeting, Donating any support is greatly received.

One again a big Thank-You from everyone at Support U!