The South West LGBT Greens

LGBT Greens make paper in Gibraltar

2009-10-14T10:02:00.003+01:00

Gibraltar Chronicle 14.10.09

SOUTH WEST GREENS URGES GIB PARLIAMENT TO RETHINK SAME SEX BILL

The South West Green Party on Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender issues
has called on the Gibraltar Parliament to legislate in favour of equal
ages of consent for gays as for heterosexuals.

A spokesman for the group noted that in total 13 pieces of legislation
will be considered by the current session of the Gibraltar Parliament
but that the Same Sex Equalisation bill which failed in June is not on
the legislative program.

Spokesperson for the South West Green Party on LGBT Issues Ryan
Cleminson said " I am disappointed that the bill tabled by Daniel
Feetham hasn't been listed as a pending matter on the new legislative
timetable, It's an important bill and for it not to be on the timetable
of the new parliament is a grave misjudgment. It just shows how
important lgtb equalities are to the Government of Gibraltar."

"The bill tabled as a private member's bill back in the last
Parliamentary session was defeated by eight votes to 4,However there was
a total votes in favour of equalisation within parliament, But for
tactical reasons the bill did not pass. Ryan Cleminson further commented
by saying " It appears that Peter Caruna and many of his ministers
(though not all) continue to block equality measures despite being aware
of the fact that the bill's failure and lack of action is leaving
Gibraltar open to breaches in ECHR Law," he said.

Mr Cleminson urged both the Foreign Office and the Council of Europe to
"again require the Government of Gibraltar come into line with the
European Convention, as it is HMG who is responsible for complying with
it to or for the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to take
strong action."

He went on to say "I urge action to be swift and for the bill to be
presented we cannot just wait for ever".

SOUTH WEST GREENS LGBT SPOKESPERSON CALLS FOR FAILED SAME SEX BILL TO BE REPRESENTED.]

2009-10-13T21:15:00.004+01:00

SOUTH WEST GREENS LGBT SPOKESPERSON CALLS FOR #FAILED SAME SEX BILL TO BE REPRESENTED.

The Parliamentary recess ended for the Government of Gibraltar today and
they set out the legislation for the new parliamentary term, In total 13
pieces of legislation will be considered however the Same Sex
Equalisation bill which failed in June isn't on the legislative program

The bill tabled as a private member's bill back in the last Parliamentary
session was defeated by eight votes to 4,However there was a total votes
in favor of equalisation within parliament, But for tactical reasons the
bill did not pass. Ryan Cleminson further commented by saying

It appears that Peter Caruna and many of his ministers (though not all)
continue to block equality measures despite being aware of the fact that
the bill's failure and lack of action is leaving Gibraltar open to
breaches in ECHR Law.

Ryan Cleminson urged both the foreign office and the council of Europe
to again require the Government of Gibraltar come into line with the
European Convention, as it is HMG who is responsible for complying with
it to or for the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to take
strong action. He went on to say I urge action to be swift and for the
bill to be presented we cannot just wait for ever

Homophobic bias by Bristol Conservative leader andlocal paper

2009-08-28T10:27:00.002+01:00

Homophobic bias by Bristol Conservative leader and local paper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

28/08/09

Comments by Bristol's conservative leader Richard Eddy have been condemned
as 'bigotted and blatant homophobia' by the South West Green Party. Cllr
Eddy had described a lottery award of £391,668 to the Bristol-based group
EACH (educational action challenging homophobia) as a waste of money.

EACH provides support for young members of the LGBT community who suffer
from homophobic bullying.

South West Green Party spokesperson for LGBT issues Ryan Cleminson said:

"Having spoken to Jonathan Charlesworth I know what EACH the group actually
do and they very much deserve the funding. Equally disappointing is the
attitude of the Bristol Evening Post, which seems to be openly supporting
the conservative councillor who made these misguided and homophobic
comments."

"The education system unfortunately is in places still homophobic and any
money used to combat this is in the party's view certainly not wasted. The
funding that is out there at the moment is hard to get. EACH have obviously
submitted a plan that will deliver, otherwise they wouldn't have won this
award to help in their work."

Ryan Cleminson added "The comments by Councillor Eddy and the Evening Post
have caused a real storm. Apart from the immediate reaction in the
newspaper, many have joined a Facebook group set up to challenge Eddy's
contemptible statement.

"The Green Party South-West support the excellent work that EACH are doing.
The funding award is hard won and we wish everyone involved in the project
every success".

Bristol Green Party's press officer Peter Goodwin added:

"Once again we're seeing Richard Eddy picking on minority groups for the
sake of a cheap headline, willingly provided by the Evening Post. If the
local Tories have any ambition to be seen as decent and tolerant, it's high
time they found a new leader."

Gloucestershire Pride Success

2009-08-11T16:17:00.000+01:00

Gloucestershire Pride

Text by Green Party Councillor Philip Booth

The third annual Gay Pride march on Saturday 8th August, the first in Cheltenham, was by the accounts of several Green party members a great day. It began with a colourful procession of about 100 people who marched from Pittville Park through town to Montpellier Gardens. After that there were stalls and various bands.

Cllr Philip Booth, who missed this Pride march but has attended in the past and organised the flying of the rainbow flag on Council buildings, said: "I was delighted that Stroud District Council again flew the Rainbow flag in support of Gloucestershire Pride at their Council offices at Ebley Mill. Many gay people still experience discrimination in for example our workplaces - and in schools some children face homophobic bullying. Pride is about celebration but also about raising awareness of continuing homophobia in Gloucestershire and further afield."

See more at: http://www.gloucestershirepride.org.uk/

Truro Pride Celebrations

2009-08-09T16:38:00.004+01:00

Truro LGBT Pride - A success

Peter Tatchell and Cornwall Green Party Member Dianne

Photo by Tim Thomson

One of Cornwall's idelic cities was a wash with color as for the second year running the Gay Pride Event took place, The pride march led by Green Party Member and Veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. The parade starting from Lemon Quay made its way through packed streets obseved by holiday makers and locals to the leafy green settings for the party in Victoria Gardens. The one noticiable attendee was the warm August sunshine which the organisers I am sure were hoping for. The South West Green Parties LGBT Spokesperson and Coordinator joined collegues from the Cornish Greens to hold an information stall in the park. All in all a successful day was had. Reflecting upon the day Ryan said " Truro is a beautiful city and today is showed very effectively how diversity is thriving in a small but Cornish city, "After attending this year I will deffinately be looking to attend again in 2010.

The organisers did a great job and put on a great family day for everyone and it was nice to be invited down to Truro.

The pride season continues for Ryan and the South West LGBT Greens in Swindon next weekend on the 15th/16th and then ends a week later in Plymouth.

I also wish to personally thanks Tim Thomson, Lindsay, Dianne and Ian (who cycled 10 or so miles to join us) I further wish to Thank Tim for being a host to me on this visit.

See you all soon!!!

Regards

Ryan.

Violence against the Israeli LGBT Community

2009-08-03T10:37:00.004+01:00

Having seen this yesterday I thought it should go on the blog- "Violence against the lgbt communities in any state will not be tolerated" -

______________________________

Gay Israelis rally after shooting

One of the victims, 26-year-old man Nir Katz, was buried in Modiin on Sunday

Hundreds of Israelis have joined a rally organised by the gay community after shootings at a gay youth centre.

Two people died and at least 11 were hurt when the gunman opened fire at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association before fleeing.

The city's Mayor, Ron Huldai, said the motive was unclear and police declined to comment except to say a Palestinian link was not suspected.

But the protesters condemned the attack as Israel's worst hate crime.

"I fear that if the man who did this is not found, the consequences to the gay community might be far-reaching - they might live in fear," said 47-year-old lawyer Arnon Hirsch.

Protesters said it was the country's worst hate crime

The attacker, wearing a mask, opened fire indiscriminately with a pistol inside the centre on Nachmani Street.

The two people he killed were a man aged 26 and a 17-year-old girl.

Survivors described how the attacker kept firing as visitors to the centre dived for cover.

"I took cover with someone under a table, and he kept firing," said one injured teenager, Or Gil.

"When I got up it was horrifying, I just saw blood."

Gay rights activist Mike Hamel criticised religiously-driven hatred of homosexuals.

"Beyond the pain, the frustration and the anger, we are facing a situation in which the incitement to hate creates an environment that allows this to happen," he said.

One worker at the centre said some parents of the teenagers did not know their children were gay until they received phone calls telling them their children had been injured.

Support pledged

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the killer to justice.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who attended the rally, said the attack should strengthen young people who wanted to come out of the closet.

People from the gay community are allowed to serve openly in the military, and couples are given a measure of legal recognition.

____________________________________________________________________

Peter Tatchell visit's Bournemouth]

2009-07-30T16:59:00.004+01:00

Tatchell highlights continuing gay inequality

Speaking at a Green Party public meeting at the Branksome Arms pub in
Bournemouth on Wednesday night (29 July), gay equality campaigner and Green
Party human rights spokesperson, Peter Tatchell, highlighted issues
discrimination still faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
people.

He told the meeting:

"There is still a ban on same-sex civil marriage. Instead of repealing
this discrimination, the government has reinforced and extended it.
Civil partnerships are for lesbian and gay couples only. Straights are
banned. Conversely, marriage remains reserved for heterosexuals, to
the exclusion of LGBT people. Two wrongs don't make a right. In
addition, gay-supportive churches that want to conduct civil
partnerships are prohibited by law from doing
so.

"The Greens are the only party that supports an end to the ban on
same-sex marriage. We want marriage equality. This means giving
lesbian and gay couples the right to marry in a registry office, just
like heterosexual couples.

"The current Equality Bill is supposed to harmonise the uneven
patchwork of equality legislation, to create a common framework of
equal rights law. It doesn't. Harassment based on sexual orientation
is explicitly exempted. This exemption applies to schools. They will
have no legal obligation to prevent the harassment of LGBT pupils,
despite the pandemic of homophobic bullying. In addition, Labour says
faith schools will be allowed to promote their own religious values,
which often include negative, anti-gay teachings.

"The government and the National Blood Service support the policy of
automatically banning all gay and bisexual blood donors for life,
regardless of their current sexual behaviour and HIV status. This is
an irrational, bigoted ban. Most gay and bisexual men do not have HIV
and will never have HIV. Those who have only safe sex and who test HIV
negative can give blood safely. Banning them is contributing to the
shortfall in blood donations.

"Successive Labour Home Secretaries have given visas and work permits
to Jamaican reggae singers, like Buju Banton, who incite the murder of
lesbian and gay people. Inciting murder is a serious criminal offence. Yet
these singers are allowed to come to Britain, while the leader of the US
Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, has been banned from Britain for two
decades. I may disagree with his views, but he has never incited
violence against anyone. Why the double standards?

"The government, police and Crown Prosecution Service permit record
stores and radio stations to promote songs by these singers that
encourage the killing of LGBTs. Neither Labour nor Tory ministers
would tolerate similar "murder music" against Jewish or black people.
Why aren't lesbian and gay people receiving the same legal protection
against incitements to kill them?

"The Home Office often refuses asylum to LGBT refugees,
many of whom have been jailed and tortured in countries like Saudi
Arabia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jamaica, Iran and Uganda. The Home Office says
they won't be at risk if they go back home, hide their sexuality and
stop having gay relationships. It never makes such onerous demands on
political, religious or ethnic refugees," said Mr Tatchell.

The South-West LGBT coordinator Ryan Cleminson said "To have Peter visit
Bournemouth was a great honour and It was a very interesting debate and talk
and I thank him for coming".

Campaigner to talk

2009-07-26T11:00:00.001+01:00

Campaigner to talk (Published in Bournemouth Echo)

The South West Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Green Party group are
pleased to announce that the well respected human rights campaigner Peter
Tatchell is to visit Bournemouth.

Whilst here Peter will be holding a public event in the town, speaking at
the event about The Unfinished Battle for LGBT Human Rights. The event will
take place on Wednesday, July 29 at the Branksome Arms on Commercial Road
and starts at 8pm. It's free but we will of course be asking for donations.

The upstairs bar will be open throughout. For more information please
contact Ryan Cleminson at swlgbtgreens@greenparty.org.uk

Equality Bill discriminates

2009-07-13T11:25:00.003+01:00

Equality Bill discriminates

Gays excluded from anti-harassment clauses

Stonewall supports exemption

London – 13 July 2009

"The Equality Bill should be renamed the Inequality Bill. While other
vulnerable groups are protected against harassment, protection is
denied to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. We are
explicitly excluded from the anti-harassment clauses of the Bill,"
said Peter Tatchell of the LGBT human rights group OutRage!.

"This legislation was supposed to harmonise and standardise all
equality laws, so that everyone has the same rights and protection.
Sadly, it enshrines in law discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity.

"The leading gay lobby group, Stonewall, supports this discriminatory
legislation, claiming that homophobic and transphobic harassment are
not significant problems and can be dealt with under existing
legislation.

"Stonewall boasts that its stated purpose is to "promote equality,"
yet it is ignoring the unequal treatment of LGBT people in this Bill.
This collusion with discrimination reinforces the fear that Stonewall
has compromised its political independence and is too closely
identified with the Labour government.

"At the same time that Stonewall is laudably campaigning against
homophobic bullying in schools, it is supporting legislation that
effectively allows school authorities to harass LGBT pupils. Schools
are exempt.

"The so-called Equality Bill denies protection against homophobic
harassment by school authorities, by the owners and managers of
properties and by the providers of services. Such harassment is
outlawed on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, race
and sex but not on the grounds of sexual orientation.

"This omission gives a green light to homophobes. They won't face
sanctions for homophobic harassment under this proposed law.

"Exempting schools from the anti-harassment clauses is particularly
shocking and unforgiveable, given the widespread bullying of lesbian
and gay pupils. We urge the government to amend the Equality Bill
immediately.

"The legislation has an anti-transgender bias. Protection against
harassment is restricted to those people who are proposing or have
undergone gender reassignment, and transgender pupils in schools are
excluded from the Bill's anti-harassment protections.

"The definition of transgender people is too narrow. Those who are not
yet planning or have not yet undergone gender reassignment are not
protected by the Equality Bill. The legislation should be amended to
give protection on the wider grounds of gender identity, not the
narrow grounds of gender reassignment.

"The Equality Bill has the overall good intention of harmonising and
equalising all equality laws, to create a level legislative playing
field. But this positive goal is undermined by the government's recent
announcement that it plans to exempt faith schools from its action
plan to tackle homophobic prejudice and bullying. They will be allowed
to teach sex and relationship education in accordance with their own
religious values, which often include the idea that gay people are
sinners, unnatural, immoral and inferior human beings.

"Such values reinforce homophobia, which can lead to homophobic
harassment, discrimination and violence," said Peter Tatchell of
OutRage!

The discriminatory clauses of the Equality Bill:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmbills/131/09131.i-vii.html#top

Clause 28 - Provision of services – Ban on discrimination, harassment
and victimisation

Clauses 32, 33 and 34 - Disposal and management of premises by
landlords and freeholders etc. – Ban on harassment

Clause 82 - Schools – Ban on harassment

Minister in Tory homophobia claim

2009-07-03T12:47:00.000+01:00

Minister in Tory homophobia claim

By Brian Wheeler
Political reporter, BBC News

Ben Bradshaw
Ben Bradshaw became culture secretary in last month's reshuffle

*Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw has said "a deep strain of homophobia
still exists on the Conservative benches".*

Mr Bradshaw, one of three gay men currently in the cabinet, made the
comments as a new poll suggested more gay people were turning to the
Tories.

Chris Bryant, another gay minister, said: "If gays vote Tory they will
rue the day very soon."

But Tory frontbencher Alan Duncan said the two men's comments showed
Labour was "actually the nasty party".

Being seen to be more "gay friendly" has been a key part of David
Cameron's mission to decontaminate the Conservative Party brand and make
it more acceptable to young, socially liberal voters.

There are currently two openly gay men on the Conservative front bench -
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Herbert and Shadow Commons Leader Mr Duncan.

In a symbolic gesture aimed at further healing relations with the gay
community and burying the Tories' "nasty party" image, Mr Cameron this
week apologised for Section 28 - the controversial law brought in by the
Conservatives in 1988 banning local authorities from portraying
homosexuality in a positive light.

*'Best behaviour'*

Mr Cameron, the first Tory leader to speak at a gay pride event, said:
"I am sorry for Section 28. We got it wrong. It was an emotional issue.
I hope you can forgive us."

Labour has also been pushing its gay credentials.

*Bradshaw and Bryant are simply trying to stir up hatred and division
from the last century and it's both unwarranted and unworthy*
Alan Duncan, shadow commons leader

This Saturday in London, Sarah Brown will become the first prime
minister's wife to take part in a gay pride march.

She will be accompanied at the event by veteran gay rights campaigner
Peter Tatchell.

Mr Brown himself will not be marching, for "security reasons", but he
will be hosting a reception for the organisers.

But new research by Jake, a networking organisation for gay
professionals, suggests a worrying trend for Labour, with 38% of Jake
members who took part saying they would vote Conservative at the next
election, 1% higher than the general population, according to an average
of recent opinion polls.

Labour came third on 20% behind the Liberal Democrats - even though
86.6% of those surveyed said Labour was the party that had achieved most
for gay people and just 4% said the Tories were "gay friendly", compared
with 44% for Labour and the Lib Dems.

*'Deep strain'*

Jake surveyed 506 of its members anonymously on their voting intentions
between 18 and 21 June and carried out a separate survey of 600 of its
largely male membership on their general attitude towards the big three
parties.

Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant said he was concerned that a lot of
gay and lesbian voters would "bank" the reforms brought in by Labour,
such as civil partnerships and a lower age of consent, and vote
Conservative.

He said he did not think Mr Cameron and his frontbench team were
homophobic but he claimed the Tory leader could be pushed into rolling
back reforms by his own backbenchers if he won the next election.

"I think if gays vote Tory they will rue the day very soon," he added.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said he shared Mr Bryant's concerns.

"I hope that people in the lesbian, gay and transgender community will
closely examine the Conservatives' record on this and David Cameron's
record in particular, which is not good," he said.

He said Mr Cameron "talks the talk but he doesn't walk the walk," and
speaking about Tory MPs in general, he said: "A deep strain of
homophobia still exists on the Conservative benches".

*'Historic'*

But the Tories reacted angrily to the accusations of homophobia.

Alan Duncan told the Evening Standard website: "This is the last gasp of
Labour's desperation. Bradshaw and Bryant are simply trying to stir up
hatred and division from the last century and it's both unwarranted and
unworthy.

*There is no doubt a huge number of steps forward have been taken in the
last 10 years but voters look to the future rather than the past*
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive

"It's simply untrue. I believed we had reached the happy point where
politics had been taken out of this altogether. But these remarks show
that Labour is actually the nasty party."

Baroness Warsi, shadow minister for community cohesion, said: "On the
day that the prime minister said that he did not approve of personal
attacks in politics it would appear that members of the Labour Party
failed to heed his message. It is a shame that Labour politicians cannot
engage on the policy issues around equality and instead revert to name
calling.

"David Cameron and the Conservatives Party have made clear they do not
believe that anybody should be disadvantaged on the grounds of gender,
race, religion or sexual orientation."

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of gay rights campaign Stonewall, said
the Jake research "seems to indicate there is a significant swing to the
Conservative Party", adding: "It must be very reassuring for the
Conservative Party".

He praised Labour's record on gay rights, but suggested they might not
be rewarded for it at the ballot box.

"There is no doubt a huge number of steps forward have been taken in the
last 10 years but voters look to the future rather than the past."

He said he believed there were still "homophobes" on the Tory benches
but they were becoming fewer in number and he hailed Mr Cameron's
apology for Section 28 as a watershed moment that would remove an
obstacle to many gay people voting Tory.

"It was historic, for a politician, to be so explicit," he said.

But he said he thought it was "legitimate" for Labour politicians such
as Mr Bradshaw and Mr Bryant to point to the Conservative voting record
on certain issues.

There are thought to be three million gay people in the UK.

Ryan Cleminson
+447922 818437
www.rsphotographics.110mb.com

Show your support - Pride season

2009-07-03T12:01:00.001+01:00

Dear All,

July and August are two very important months for the South - West
LGBT Greens and also because it's officially Pride season, Being pride
season we have booked to go to the following pride events,

10th - 12th July - The Bournefree Gay Pride

New to Bourne Free in 2009, a special Launch Night in The Triangle on
Friday 10th July from 7pm.

An evening of live music, including the smooth sounds and funky grooves
of disco and soul, will be accompanied by the official Opening Ceremony
and a spectacular tribute performance, not to mention a bar tent and hog
roast.*

ACTS (not in order of appearance)*

- Hosted by Lucinda Lashes

- Chris Manning from BBC's Fame Academy with full live band
- Madonna Tribute with full live band
- Sukulele*

* FREE ENTRY **
<http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=94885531169>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Street Party - Saturday 11th July

Street Party
This year there will be a twelve hour Street Party in The Triangle from
11am through to 11pm on Saturday 11th July. The main stage will host a
great line up of performers, from singers and musicians to drag artists
and circus acts. Also on offer, a massive bar tent, wide range of food
stands and plenty of stalls to browse.
*
*
*ACTS (not in order of appearance)*

- Hosted by Sally Vate

- Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton
- Livin' Joy
- Kelly Llorenna from N-Trance
- Angie Brown from Bizarre Inc
- Annie Dee
- Benji
- Cassie
- Cookie
- Davina Sparkle
- Diane James
- Eva la Diva
- Gareth Hughes
- Lucinda Lashes
- Nicolette Street
- Samba Panashe
- Sandra
- Wilma Fingerdoo

- DJ Adrian Dunbar, DJ Kevin Brooks, DJ Luke, DJ Pride

- The Bourne Free Dancers, Bourne Free Karaoke Idol Winner, Dance
Pumped, Flame, Gaydar Go-Go Boys

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pride Parade - Saturday 11th July PDF
<http://www.bournefree.co.uk/2009-the-events/36-pride-parade-saturday-11th-july.pdf>
Print
<http://www.bournefree.co.uk/2009-the-events/36-pride-parade-saturday-11th-july.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=>
E-mail
<http://www.bournefree.co.uk/component/mailto/?tmpl=component&link=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5ib3VybmVmcmVlLmNvLnVrLzIwMDktdGhlLWV2ZW50cy8zNi1wcmlkZS1wYXJhZGUtc2F0dXJkYXktMTF0aC1qdWx5Lmh0bWw%3D>

Saturday 11th July
Prepare for a fun-filled circus themed procession on Saturday 11th July
and join thousands of people taking part in, or watching, this colourful
celebration of equality and diversity.

Everyone is invited to get dressed up and be part of the parade with
organisers hoping to see hundreds of clowns in a huge fancy dress
competition for the sexiest, wackiest and weirdest.

The parade starts at 1pm in Meyrick Park and will travel all around town
with the biggest crowds expected at busy shopping area 'The Square' and
local gay village 'The Triangle'.

Big Top entertainment includes a Ringmaster and team of stiltwalkers and
jugglers alongside street dancers 'Dance Pumped' and Bournemouth
community band 'Samba Panashe'.

2009-06-26T09:53:00.004+01:00

NEWS RELEASE
Office of Jean Lambert MEP
London's Green Party Member of the European Parliament

Date: 25 June 2009

MEPS PROTEST AGAINST LITHUANIAN LAW TO BAN INFORMATION ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Green MEP Jean Lambert yesterday [Wednesday 24 June] joined protests in
Brussels against the adoption of legislation in Lithuania which will outlaw
the discussion of homosexuality in schools.

On 16 June, the Lithuanian parliament adopted an amended Law on the
Protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information.

According to this law, "propaganda of homosexuality and bisexuality" has a
damaging effect on minors and therefore information on homosexuality and
bisexuality should be banned from schools and any other places where it can
be accessed by young people.

Jean Lambert MEP, a Member of the European Parliament's cross-party
Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights, said:

"I am appalled and deeply alarmed by the Lithuanian Parliament's approval
this bill which will effectively ban the discussion of homosexuality in
schools and any reference to homosexuality in public information that can be
viewed by children.

"This clearly violates the right to freedom of expression and contravenes
the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human
Rights. It is essentially at odds with some of the European Union's most
basic principles."

Earlier this week, Ms Lambert wrote to the European Commission to request
that it makes absolutely clear to Lithuanian President Adamkus that such
legislation is unacceptable.

"Homophobic attitudes are on the rise in Lithuania and this law
institutionalises that mindset. It is a deeply worrying development," Jean
Lambert continued.

"If the country wishes to remain a part of the European Union then its laws
must respect our common core values and agreed basic human rights. The
fundamental rights to freedom of expression and equality of treatment must
be upheld in Lithuania as they are across the EU."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Jean Lambert is one of eight MEPs representing London and one of two UK
Green representatives in the European Parliament. Jean was first elected in
the 1999 European elections and was re-elected in 2004 and 2009.

Fw: South West Tory MEPS ally with anti-gay Polish MEPS

2009-06-23T12:38:00.002+01:00

South West Tory MEPS ally with anti-gay Polish MEPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- 23 JUNE 2009

New Euro alliance is an insult to Jewish, gay and women voters says SW
LGBT Spokesperson

Tory MEPs Giles Chichester, Ashley Fox and Julie Girling are set to
form an alliance in the European parliament which has a homophobic,
racist and sexist agenda it was revealed yesterday. They are among many
Tories taking their seats after the June 4th Euro Elections but it has
angered some people.

The South West Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual, Transgender Greens Group
coordinator Ryan Cleminson said "The proposed new alliance between our
elected Tory MEPS and far right Poland's homophobic Law and Justice
Party (PiS) calls into question David Cameron's so-called conversion to progressive Conservatism.
Jewish, gay and women voters will all be appalled to see the Tories
planning to work with such a bigoted party."

Ryan Cleminson
South-West LGBT Co-ordinator
+447922 818437
swlgbtgreens@greenparty.org.uk
http://southwest.greenparty.org.uk/region/southwest/lgbt.html

The South West LGBT Greens is part of the South West Green Party
and the Green Party of England and Wales. For further information
please see http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

Letter to David Milliband

2009-06-22T16:26:00.002+01:00

Further to the Gibraltar press release I have also e-mailed the RH David Milliband who is the foreign secretary, See letter below:

Letter sent out today by e-mail

Dear Mr Millband,

I am writing to you in my official capacity as coordinator of the South
West Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Greens group which is part
of the South-West Green Party, I am writing to urge you as the
Foreign Secretary, to intervene and let Gibraltar’s Chief Minister,
Peter Caruana know that Gibraltar cannot be allowed to evade its human
rights obligations. The recent vote in the Gibraltar Parliament on the
age of consent for same sex couples must be overturned. I am sure you
are aware the age is currently set at sixteen in many areas including
the UK, I am sure you also further agree that a legal requirement
should be met. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ryan Cleminson
South-West LGBT Co-ordinator
+447922 818437
swlgbtgreens@greenparty.org.uk
http://southwest.greenparty.org.uk/region/southwest/lgbt.html

The South West LGBT Greens is part of the South West Green Party
and the Green Party of England and Wales. For further information
please see http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

2009-06-22T13:45:00.004+01:00

The South West LGBT Greens!!!

_____________________________________________________________________
SW GREENS CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION FOLLOWING FAILURE OF GAY EQUALITY VOTE

Equalisation at 16 defeated

The Gibraltar Parliament, which is part of the South West region in the Euro elections, this week voted to defeat the gay age of consent equality bill, which would have established an equal age of consent of 16. SW Greens have joined Peter Tatchell in calling for the UK Government to intervene.

Ryan Cleminson, Coordinator of the SW Greens LGBT group said: “The Government of Gibraltar is required by European Court of Human Rights rulings to equalise the age of consent for same-sex relationships. I urge David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, to intervene and let Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Peter Caruana know that Gibraltar cannot be allowed to evade its human rights obligations."

Human rights campaigner and Green party spokesperson, Peter Tatchell said: "The equalisation legislation should have been sponsored by the government and not introduced as a private member’s bill. I am very surprised and disappointed that this was a private member's bill and not a government bill. The government gives the impression that it is trying to evade its responsibility to uphold equality and human rights. As a British Overseas Territory, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has ultimate responsibility for ensuring Gibraltar’s compliance with human rights law. Why was the legislation suddenly rushed through parliament, when a number of MPs were overseas and when there was insufficient time for a considered debate and amendments?"

________________________________________________________________________

Being LGBT is not a disease!

2009-04-25T18:59:00.000+01:00

A Recent Press release put out by me !!!

NEWS FROM THE SOUTH-WEST GREEN'S LGBT GROUP

http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

LGBT Greens: Being LGBT is not a disease!

Anglican Mainstream Organisation should be stopped from preaching their so-called ‘treatment’

For Immediate Release

24.4.9

Green Party activists today expressed their horror at the news that there is a conference in London organised by the Anglican Mainstream Organisation this weekend, aimed at informing delegates about ‘curing’ gay men and lesbians.

"Being lesbian or gay is not a disease!" said Ryan Cleminson, spokesperson for the South West Green Party’s LGBT group, Ryan continued "This kind of mistaken 'treatment' is not just a waste of time and resources, it can be extremely harmful. It is based on the fundamentally unsound idea that there is something wrong with variant sexualities.

"The World Health Organisation removed Homosexuality from the classification of diseases in the Statistical and Diagnostic Manual in 1990. Significantly, this is used by clinicians to identify mental health problems.[1] The fact that no reputable and ethical therapist would try to change someone’s sexuality speaks volumes about what sort of ‘treatment’ is being advocated by the Anglican Mainstream Organisation. There is a real danger that people referred for such treatment will have an increase in the self-hatred they feel."

Councillor Ricky Knight the South West Green Party lead European Candidate a former teacher of thirty years in secondary education said : "Young people are especially at risk, especially those whose family and friends do not understand and support them when they begin to understand their sexual identity. That identity is an important part of anyone’s psychological makeup and as stats assert: LGBT youth are at greater risk of self-harm and suicide, which develops from their experience of negative attitudes.

"This kind of so-called treatment," concluded Ryan Cleminson "should not be available as it can harm people who are in an already vulnerable state. Claims that being gay or lesbian is a disease not only hark back to a by-gone era but are also about actively blocking the advances that LGBT people have won.

"Anglican Mainstream Organisation: we will not go back into the closet! We are now more able to live openly and comfortably in our neighbourhoods and feel accepted where we work, study and relax. You will not drive us back into the closet through your so-called treatment."

ENDS

Notes for Editors: Please contact Ryan Cleminson on 07922 818437 who is the LGBT spokesman for the South West LGBT Group,

[1] Most reputable organisations of therapists and psychiatrists have denied the usefulness of the proposed treatment. The American Psychiatric Association stated in 1998 that it "opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as "reparative" or "conversion" therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder, or based upon a prior assumption that the patient should change his/ her homosexual orientation".

Blackpool Conference

2009-03-16T19:18:00.002Z

Hi All,

Have finally found time to update the SW lgbt greens blog, So what have I been up to:

The answer is I have been down in Bristol working at the SWeet HQ in Old market Street Bristol we finally launched the European Campaign at the ferry station, All six candidates spoke and special guest legendary Green Party member Jonathon Porritt joined us. The time in Bristol has been great and I have seen and learned so much about many aspects of Bristol.

From Thursday 19th through till the 24th I am away again in Blackpool at Spring conference where I am giving people the chance to meet the South-West LGBT Manager (Myself). So its busy busy busy. But hey that's just politics these days.

Anyway come find me at Conference

Ryan

SWLGBT Greens Update

2009-02-15T21:45:00.005Z

______________________________________________________________________
Sorry for not updating the blog for a while, Recently I was appointed as Deputy Campaign Officer for the SW Euro Elections campaign so most my time over the last couple of weeks has been taken up working on that, anyway the group has been going for just 13 days and already I am planning events and membership drives, On March 13th in Bristol the Euro no 1 candidate Ricky Knight will be giving a speech on homophobic bullying in the work place and education system.

I see the pope has been mouthing off again but there is no surprise there really from the man that was part of the Hitler youth and a well known Nazi. It just further cements the need for the LGBT greens really.
_____________________________________________________________________
here’s no going back
by charles flores

The gay community and its sympathisers all over the world are up in arms following Pope Benedict XVI’s less than kind reference to their cause at a time when they thought they had breached the bastions of utter contempt and obvious prejudice in civilised society. As with other trends and social commotions, the issue has also had its repercussions among us, living as we undoubtedly are in a horrific haven of conservatism.

The fact that there have been exponents of the local gay scene who have had the courage of their convictions, and publicly declared their disgust at the attitude of the Catholic Church, can perhaps be described as an isolated pot shot on behalf of those, gay or not, who genuinely believe there can be no going back to when society could, at will, victimise innocent, law-abiding and tax-paying people whose only “crime” was their different sexual orientation.

The Pope’s recent utterance sent shivers down the spines of liberal people everywhere. It also, perhaps all too quickly and perhaps it was rather far-fetched, re-ignited fears from well over half a century ago about the fate of gay people even in the 21st century. The horrors committed in Nazi Germany against gay people form a substantial part of the whole concentration camp human tragedy best projected in the media and Hollywood films by its millions of Jewish victims, but which also included socialists, communists, trade-unionists and other progressive social players at that shameful moment in time in world history.

Suffice to say that even at the end of World War II in Europe, when the Allies finally reached the concentration camps and frantically tried to bring back some sanity to those poor people’s lives. However, the gays imprisoned in those horrible places of torture and death were not released as were the rest of the thousands of other skeletal inmates. And why? Because gays were still considered taboo then and “a danger to society”, even by the democratic forces of the time. While the Jews and the Left wing progressive elements of those camps were freed and underwent a personal rehabilitation programme, gays were sent directly to prisons in their respective countries. Freedom was won, but not for everyone.

Justice has never been an accessible realm for them, alas. The refreshing changes that occurred during the Sixties had their obvious effect on the gay scene. People suddenly were no longer afraid to reveal their sexual orientation, no doubt a welcome offshoot of the generally happy and peaceful scene that nurtured the back-to-nature trends of the period, the flower-in-your-hair mentality, the anti-war movement and the awesome realisation that society’s rules could after all be changed for the better. They were, which is why the first openly gay media, mostly newspapers and magazines, came to be, and then gaining strength and recognition all through the Seventies and Eighties.

The backlash, however, was inevitable. Society’s forces of darkness have since been waiting for the chance to hit back. The Sixties and Sixties people were never forgiven. Even on the local front there have been politicians, one or two of them still active in the public domain, who openly insisted that the liberal wave of the Sixties had been a “negative” event and therefore needed to be reversed. It is a view held by conservatives and the Right everywhere, including the European Union where we have also had the minority of Nationalist MEPs voting very strangely on gay issues, stuck as they are within the primitive groove of the so-called popular party set-up.

At a time when gays were finally feeling safe in the knowledge that the world no longer sees them as criminals or dangerous human beings, even in ultra-conservative Malta that is still without a divorce law, let alone same-sex marriage, out comes the head of the universal Catholic Church to abruptly drive them back into persecution mode.

As it has done over so many centuries, during which the wrongs of the time – from the relation of earth to the sun and the importance of Church-State separation – were soon found to be right, the Catholic Church continues to resist life’s progressive needs, which include a change in mentality with regard to people of a different sexual orientation. While tactics have changed from utter arrogance to obvious soft-soaping, the message remains the same: the Church is against, the Church dictates, the Church does not want change, the Church refuses to move forward, the Church is not open to everyone, the Church prefers to live in the past.

A former member of Hitler Youth, Pope Benedict XVI chose to use words that hurt those who have been hoping for so long that they can one day feel they belong to the Catholic Church. To be made to feel excluded, as openly as gay people were in Nazi Germany (there were many closet ones within the Fuhrer arm’s reach!), gays today are rightly angered. They have won and continue to win many a civil battle, but on the religious front they seem caught in a downward spiral, which not only reverses the clock, but also creates a new danger: conservative governments and conservative politicians.

When politicians need the psychological assistance of church and churchmen, they are only too willing to stop the movement for social change and so stay within the happy and warm embrace of those who can assure them of votes and power. If the leader of an important world religion chooses to “halt the wave”, obliging politicians are expected to tow the line and join in the race back to the prejudice and injustice of many decades past.

Maltese society at large has changed, as we have seen from decisions taken in our Law Courts where such cases as sex-reassignment procedures are concerned and the attitude to gays in general in the villages and towns, but there is still so much to be done. As expected, the Bishops have come out repeating and amplifying the Pope’s recent stance, soft-soap and all. But there’s no going back. I honestly believe Malta has gone past the stage where people can be made to do and believe things that are contrary to their nature. All that was lost in the Sixties when the progressive forces on the island were ready to forfeit power until society was mature enough to accept their ideas and proposals for a fairer, more positive secular life. They were vindicated in the early Seventies when this nation finally leaped into what was still then the 20th century.

To even think of taking us back to where we were at that time would be an insult and I am sure the vast majority of people do not think it can be done. Hopefully, it is the same all over the world. Spain has shown it has the resolve to resist, the Scandinavians do not even worry about it, the British remain steadfast in their own special ways and the Americans, well, they have overwhelmingly voted Barack Obama in. So it’s not all bleak, after all.

I am sure gays and believers in human rights everywhere hope the Church too has its own Obama ready and willing and who will one day guide it back into humane ways.

Stop the Pope's crusade against women's and gay rights

2009-02-12T15:52:00.001Z

London Protest for a Secular Europe

No Vatican interference in politics

Stop the Pope's crusade against women's and gay rights

London, UK

Protest
Saturday 14 February 2009
Meet @ 2 PM outside the Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD (near the corner with Exhibition Road)

March to the Italian Embassy in Grosvenor Square for a rally.

Saturday's protest in London is in support of a simultaneous protest
taking place in Rome, which is demanding that the Vatican end its
interference in Italian politics.

"This demonstration is demanding that the Vatican stop meddling in
politics and abusing its power to oppose human rights. We also want
the Italian government to cease kow-towing to the Pope's theocratic
agenda," said Peter Tatchell of the LGBT human rights organisation
OutRage!, who is scheduled as a keynote speaker at the rally outside
the Italian Embassy.

"Our aim is a secular Europe, where people are free to practice their
faith but where no religion has privileged legal status and unique
access to political power and influence.

"We are appalled by the Pope's repeated attacks on the rights of women
and gay people and by his wilful opposition to life-saving condom
provision. The Italian government too often allows itself to be
bullied by the Vatican, on issues such as same-sex civil marriage and
sex education in schools.

"If Catholics suffer discrimination I will be the first to defend
them. Equally, when the Pope supports discrimination against women and
gay people I will be the first to oppose him. That is the difference
between me and the Pope. I oppose all discrimination, including
against Catholics. He supports sexist and homophobic discrimination
whenever it suits his intolerant interpretation of the Christian
faith," said Mr Tatchell

Saturday's protest is endorsed by the British Humanist Association,
OutRage!, the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association and many others.

This demo will be in solidarity with the demonstration happening at
the same time in Rome against the Vatican's manipulation of Italian,
European and world-wide politics.
http://www.facciamobreccia.org/london
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=45329993350

Organiser's contact info:
Marco Tranchino - 07806647903
Serena Bassi - 07796891091

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE VATICAN

By Marco Tranchino and Serena Bassi

This tiny State inhabited mainly by priests is extremely powerful and
its "moral" crusades adversely affect the lives of millions of people
in Europe and in the world.

Officially part of the UN, its "observer-state" status means it
engages in UN debates on a variety of issues ranging from favourites,
such as birth control, abortion and homosexuality, to the environment,
war and global trade.

The Vatican has diplomatic relationships with almost all the Countries
in the world (174 when John Paul II died) and in many EU countries
they benefit from the support of Catholic politicians or in many cases
of Christian political parties. Of the 27 countries of the European
Union, 14 are bound to the Vatican by at least one treaty. No other
religion has such a power in Europe and in the World, thus prompting
the Economist to publish an investigation about the diplomatic service
of the Vatican, questioning whether it deserves its special status in
the UN (21/07/2007)

The Catholic Church is an extremely profitable business. They own
businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops and private schools and
they DON'T pay any tax! On top of this, the Vatican receives public
money in many countries: in Italy about 1000 million Euros from taxes
is destined to the Vatican every year (930 millions � in 2006 ).

The Vatican wields considerable political and economic power. It uses
its influence and privilege to impose an agenda on a variety of issues
that affect our lives as European citizens, and limit our civil rights
and our civil liberties.

THE POPE'S VIEWS ON WOMEN AND LGBT PEOPLE

The issue of women's rights and the Catholic Church goes way beyond
the hierarchy of the church, where women are unable to ascend to
priesthood as a result of their gender. Women who have had a divorce,
women who want to have an abortion and women who are living as single
parents in catholic countries are often victims of intimidation and
discrimination. The Pope encourages us to view women as unequal to
men, by consistently and publicly stating that the two genders are
naturally different and that women are naturally inclined for domestic
living. In some catholic countries, like Ireland and Poland, abortion
is illegal. In others, like Italy, the right to an abortion is
constantly under threat from the Vatican's pressure on the Government.
The Pope thinks being gay is an "objective disorder" and a "moral
evil". In many countries in the world you can still get the death
penalty for being gay. Recently, a proposal to de-criminalise
homosexuality was opposed by the Vatican in the UN because it would
mean that States where same-sex unions are not recognized would be
discriminated against and unfairly subjected to international
pressure.

WHY SHOULD IT MATTER TO PEOPLE IN THE UK

This is certainly a global issue, but it also directly affects people
living in the UK. This country is regarded by many as fairly "secular"
but in reality Christianity remains strongly embedded in many British
institutions and continues to enjoy unfair religious privilege.

Although a limited right to abortion has been granted to women living
in England, Scotland and Wales since 1967, in Northern Ireland it
remains illegal. This anomaly is significantly due to religious
influence. Christian lobbies are engaged in continual efforts to
restrict a woman's right to abortion and have succeeded in reducing
the time limit for an abortion in Great Britain from 28 to 24 weeks.

Religion retains undue influence and power in various ways. With
increasing numbers of state funded faith schools (1 in 3 of all
schools in the UK is either Catholic or Church of England), they
continue to exercise a strong influence on young people.

With public opinion distracted over the proposal to refer to the
Christian roots of Europe they made sure that the proposed EU
Constitution � and now the Lisbon Treaty (article 16C) - dangerously
commits the European Union to "an open, transparent and regular
dialogue with Churches and religious organisations".

We need to protect democracy and to champion human rights against
those who wish to retain undemocratic influence and privilege.

The Vatican has done this for years in the European Union, the United
Nations and even in the UK parliament without anyone paying attention.
Why?
"Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work, worthy the
interposition of a deity...it is more humble and I believe truer to
consider him created from animals" (Charles Darwin)

We will meet at 2pm outside the Natural History Museum, where the
biggest ever Charles Darwin exhibition commemorates his bicentenary.
We will then walk through Hyde Park, to the ITALIAN EMBASSY in Grosvenor Square.

Organisations can express their support at adesioni@facciamobreccia.org

Protest organiser's contact info:

Marco Tranchino - 07806647903
Serena Bassi - 07796891091

IDAHO - International day against homophobia campaign

2009-02-06T15:55:00.005Z

SOUTH WEST LGBT GREENS CALL UPON COUNCILS

__________________________________________________________________

The South West LGBT Greens maiden campaign got under way with the Manager writing to Bournemouth and Poole Councils in relation to this years International day against homophobia, (IDAHO) which is held on 17th May every year.

The Campaign is being used to call upon the Regions Councils to support IDAHO and the LGBT Communities by flying the rainbow flag (as pictured above). We are also going to ask other sectors of the community such as employers who have their head offices down here.

So far the campaign has been received well with both Bournemouth Council and Poole Council agreeing to fly the flag for the whole day. and we will be checking to see, If you work for one of the regions councils and they say they are going to send me a photo.

New discussion list

2009-02-04T23:28:00.002Z

We have a new discussion list this is for Green Party Members only unless invited by myself as list moderator it can be found by going to - http://lists.greenparty.org.uk/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/rp-southwest-lgbt-discuss

The other list - swlgbt@lists.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk is now being used for announcements but you can still subscribe to it

Regards

Ryan

SW LGBT Greens Launched

2009-02-02T12:28:00.003Z

THE SOUTH WEST LGBT GREENS

____________________________________________________________________
Well the day has come and the lgbt greens group is officially launched to the media today, Its now a case of sit back watch the media and see who and where its printed. But there is work to do. In the next few days I will be writing to the Regions parties and planning the diary.

We have the e-mail list up and running details can be found in one of the posts here.

Ryan

One Day to go

2009-02-01T10:56:00.003Z

The South West LGBT Greens

____________________________________________________________________

With less than 24 hours to go the South West LGBT Greens will be officially launched tomorrow, Monday 2nd Feb. The work starts from today making sure everything is in place, We now have a dedicated discussion list (Thank-you Nigel).

Tomorrow I plan to visit the Bournemouth Daily Echo offices to see whether they will cover the story I also plan to send the release to BBC South and also Meridian News (ITV Local). Then its all go trying to get new members to the party and also associate members as well.

If you are part of the Green Party and wish to be kept uptodate with what's going on and take part in discussions you can join the list:-

How to join the discussion list-

Subscription is easy. Members can send a blank email to with "mailing list in the subject field :
swlgbt-subscribe@lists.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk

I am the list moderator so if you have any questions you can mail me -:

swlgbtgreens@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you

Regards

Ryan

LGBT Greens - Gloucestershire Press release

2009-01-29T12:39:00.003Z

The South West LGBT Greens

_____________________________________________________________________

LGBT GREENS GO WEST!

LGBT Greens have chosen February, LGBT History Month to launch in the South West region a new group for Green members of the gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered community.

The European Elections candidate for the Green Party, Ricky Knight stated: "The Green Party's record on campaigning for the rights of minorities is second to none. Human Rights and protecting the civil liberties of individuals is fundamental to our ethos. As such, I wholeheartedly welcome and endorse the setting-up of an LGBT group to function within the Green Party South West."

Philip Booth, a Stroud District councillor who supported the first Gloucestershire Pride events and helped ensure the Rainbow flag flew on those days from District Council offices and the Subscription Rooms in Stroud, said: "I look forward to working with members to further common aims, not just within the scope of LGBT issues but also in other areas relevant to Human Rights, ethnicity and the erosion of our Civil Liberties."

Philip Booth added: "Greens have supported the Pride events here in Gloucestershire and are looking forward to this years celebration on 11th August in Cheltenham which will again promote acceptance of our diverse community. Forty years on from the legalisation of homosexuality, this country has nearly embraced a culture of acceptance, but we still have a way to go. Take for example the shocking suicide statistics that show 40% of gay boys bullied at school have gone on to attempt suicide. We need a zero tolerance policy enshrined in legislation in exactly the same way as we deal with racial bullying."

Ryan Cleminson of South West LGBT said of the launch across the region: "In setting up the Greens LGBT group, which is a real honor for me, I will be visiting Gloucestershire, Bristol and other places such as Frome, Swindon."

LGBT South West will bring another network to the LGBT Group in the Green Party of England and Wales, following London, Brighton and the North West. The group's establishment in the South West comes after months of fostering opinion on the way forward for political and human rights campaigning in the SW. The group's geographical remit runs from Bristol around the Severn and all the way through the West Country and back to Dorset. The mission of the South West LGBT Green Group is to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender equality in our society and to raise awareness through the political process and understanding of Green values among the LGBT community. The Group aims to build a sustainable and equal society where everyone is valued as an individual. The diversity within the LGBT community enriches all our lives, and should be encouraged and promoted.

More information on the Group can be found at: http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/ and http://swlgbtgreens.blogspot.com/

Phelim Mac Cafferty, Media Officer for LGBT Greens commented: "While most political parties are seeing a drop in their memberships and indeed in the sorts of advocacy and political campaigning they are able to do for the LGBT communities, Ryan Cleminson and colleagues in the South West affirm the Green Party's relevance to the LGBT communities and will hopefully put us in a stronger position to understand and represent LGBT's"

Notes for Editors:

For further information, please contact: Phelim Mac Cafferty Media spokesperson for the LGBT Group on 07765 474 621 or Ryan Cleminson, South West LGBT Greens Manager 07922 818437 SWLGBTGreens@gmail.com

See more re Gay Pride Gloucestershire at http://www.gloucestershirepride.org.uk/

Other events include:
Bournefree which runs from Friday 10th July to Sunday 12th July 2009 - further information can be found at http://www.bournefree.co.uk/
Swindon Pride is August 15th 2009 - Further information can be found at - http://www.swindonpride.co.uk/*

Further events - International day against homophobia (IDAHO) 17th May 2009. Further information about IDAHO can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_Against_Homophobia

Philip Booth, Press Officer, Stroud District Green Party.

Website: www.glosgreenparty.org.uk

Press Release Goes Out

2009-01-28T17:17:00.003Z

The South West LGBT Greens
__________________________________________________________________

NEWS FROM THE GREEN PARTY of England and Wales LGBT GROUP

http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

LGBT Greens Go West!
For immediate release: 28.1.9

LGBT Greens have chosen LGBT History Month to launch in the South West region. This will bring another network to the LGBT Group in the Green Party of England and Wales, the SW following London, Brighton and the North West. The group’s establishment in the South West comes after months of fostering opinion on the way forward for political and human rights campaigning in the SW. The group’s geographical remit runs from Bristol around the Severn and all the way through the West Country and back to Dorset.

The European Elections candidate for the Green Party, Ricky Knight stated:
“The Green Party's record on campaigning for the rights of minorities is second to none. Human Rights and protecting the civil liberties of individuals is fundamental to our ethos. As such, I
wholeheartedly welcome and endorse the setting-up of an LGBT group to function within the Green Party South West.

Ricky continued:
“I look forward to working with members to further common aims, not just within the scope of LGBT issues but also in other areas relevant to Human Rights, ethnicity and the erosion of our Civil Liberties.”

The mission of the South West LGBT Green Group is to “advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender equality in our society and to raise awareness through the political process and understanding of Green values among the LGBT community. The Group aims to build a sustainable and equal society where everyone is valued as an individual. The diversity within the LGBT community enriches all our lives, and should be encouraged and promoted.”

More information on the Group can be found at: http://swlgbtgreens.blogspot.com/

Phelim Mac Cafferty, Media Officer for LGBT Greens commented:
“While most political parties are seeing a drop in their memberships and indeed in the sorts of advocacy and political campaigning they are able to do for the LGBT communities, Ryan Cleminson and colleagues in the South West affirm the Green Party’s relevance to the LGBT communities and will hopefully put us in a stronger position to understand and represent LGBTs.”

2009-01-28T10:40:00.002Z

The South West LGBT Greens

____________________________________________________________________

With the launch of the new group just five days away the work continues, But todays blogging session is being used to highlight something that really makes me angry, In fact it makes my blood boil and that pardon the pun is the lgbt blood ban, Its morally indefensible and extremely misguided. I have noticed over recent weeks a number of broadcasts on radio and TV telling me to do something "amazing", "Give Blood" but being a homosexual I am discriminated against.

Recently I wrote to the national blood service asking them to justify why the ban is in place, I have taken quotes from the reply letter to highlight their institutional bigotry.

In the letter they reply to me by saying:

I am sorry you feel that our policy of not allowing men who have had sex with men to donate blood is unfair and homophobic.

The letter goes on to say that -

The NBS (National Blood Service) Statement describes which shows that completely removing the ban would result in a five fold increase in the risk of HIV infected blood entering the blood supply,

My answer is they test the blood even before they take the donation anyway so how difficult can it be to drop the indefensible ban, It further justifies the need for such groups as the lgbt greens as this kind of bigotry exists and in direct relation to the aims and policies of the group there is still work to do on this issue.
____________________________________________________________________
Right that's the rant out of the way, Anyway as I said with five days to go until the group is unveiled and launched the work goes on, I will be formally announcing my launch strategy to my local party tomorrow night in a speech that highlights why we need this group, A couple of weeks ago around the time of the new president Barrack Obama's inauguration MP's were told to be bold. Although I am not an MP (Maybe one day) I am going to be as bold as possible. We still face challenges every day and its small things like the NBS and the NHS and other public service providers that are the challenge.

I ask the lgbt community of the South West to come out at your pride events, and send a message to these providers and others that no matter how much they try to deny us our rights we will fight them,

"Be bold, proud and out"

Blog run and managed by R-Cleminson (SW LGBT Greens Manager)
E-mail swlgbtgreens@gmail.com

The South West LGBT Greens - Update

2009-01-26T10:56:00.005Z

South West LGBT Greens

______________________________________________________________________

With just eight days until the South West lgbt Greens group is officially unveiled and launched there is no let-up in the amount of work it provides me with. Sending countless amounts of e-mail and making phone calls seems to be a daily occurance but am I complaining, No.

With the end of January approaching us all to quickly there is still much to be done, Like planning the events for the coming year, The aim to have a presence at as many of the regions lgbt pride events. So far I can report that the SW lgbt Greens will be at the events in Bournemouth and Swindon with other plans being looked at. A full list will posted soon as they are confirmed. For information on both events see the corresponding links -

Swindon Pride

Now is the part where I thank a few people for their help in securing a presence at both these events, Firstly I need to thank Dave Walsh (Brighton and Hove lgbt group) he played a big part in helping secure Bournefree, Secondly Jenni Miles of Swindon Green Party for her kind invite to join them at the Swindon Pride.

I also wish to Thank Ricky Knight (Lead Euro Election Candidate) A fundamental supporter of the new group, Also Philip Booth (Gloucestershire Councilor) for his support of the group. Along with the support of these people we can show that we are a diverse party. In a speech I am giving soon I have stated that unlike the other parties we care about the lgbt community. I have written to the National Blood Service opposing the lgbt blood ban my work is on going.

Anyway thats the blog updated, be back soon to update it again I am sure.

Your comments are always welcome

Regards

Ryan Cleminson
SW lgbt greens Manager

swlgbtgreens@gmail.com

2009-01-23T13:54:00.000Z

The South-West LGBT Greens

_______________________________________________________________
Welcome to The South-West Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans gender Greens Group, Which is part of the South West Green Party, Here you can keep up to date with the goings on in the New group. We are part of a wider national LGBT structure, the website for the national lgbt greens can be found by clicking on : http://www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/

So what are the aims of the new group -:

The mission of the South West LGBT Green Group (SWLGBTG) is to advance lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans gender (LGBT) equality in our society and to raise awareness through the political process and understanding of Green values among the LGBT community. SWLGBTG aims to build a sustainable and equal society where everyone is valued as an individual. The diversity within the LGBT community enriches all our lives, and should be encouraged and promoted.

Further to the above aim there are four main policies -

1. South West LGBT Greens would support projects that support and provide safe houses for anyone who finds themselves homeless on the grounds of their sexual orientation.

2. The South West LGBT Greens will strengthen its links within the
local and regional LGBT communities

3. The South West LGBT Greens oppose all discrimination on grounds of
sexual orientation in educational establishments and work places ,and by service providers

4. The South West LGBT Greens will work to make the councils
inclusive in the local and regional LGBT communities.
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Blog run and managed by R-Cleminson (SW LGBT Greens Manager)
E-mail swlgbtgreens@gmail.com