‘We are LGBT Friendly’ Stickers

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HRRA_GayFriendly_StickersHRRA have launched our ‘We are LGBT friendly’ stickers which have started appearing at local establishments. This is a new HRRA initiative to identify LGBT friendly establishments for our members to use.

In order to display this sticker proprietors are required to sign a declaration that they support the equalities aims of HRRA and ensure there is no abuse of LGBT people within their establishment.

We would be keen to hear experiences of our members and supporters in these establishments. Please email any comments to info@hrra.org.uk.

Lesbian play at the Stables Theatre

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“Her Naked Skin” a play about suffragettes, taboos and difference, and a lesbian relationship between an aristocrat and a machinist, is coming to the Stables Theatre, The Bourne, Hastings, from 7th to 15th June 2013. HRRA members are so far going in groups on Tuesday 11th and Saturday 15th. Tickets are £12-50 or if you have a group of five or more you can get a discount to £7-50 a ticket – contact John for more information (ruswat2@tiscali.co.uk)

IDAHOBIT – 17 May 2013

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Fighting Hate Crime, Homophobia and Transphobia

On Friday 17th May Rother and Hastings Councils will fly the rainbow flag over their Town Halls for IDAHOBIT. May 17th is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). Events are held across the world calling for respect for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people.

In 2012 Rother flew the Rainbow flag over the Town Hall for the first time. Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance are having an information stall and giving out rainbow ribbons outside Rother Town Hall on Friday 17th May. The rainbow flag has been the symbol of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans pride and LGBT social movements since the 1970s. The colours reflect the diversity of the LGBT community. IDAHOBIT started as the National Day Against Homophobia in Quebec in 2003 and has spread worldwide. May 17th was chosen because the date is the anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. Transphobia was added to homophobia in 2011.

Mary Benton, HRRA Secretary said “When Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance hold information stalls people often make comments like “Surely there is no prejudice against Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Trans people nowadays?” Sadly, we have to say “YES there is still a lot of prejudice, discrimination and hate crime against LGBT people! Despite significant progress towards securing legislative equality, the daily lives of many LGBT people are still overshadowed by the fear of hate crime. These hate crimes are incidents which are perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by hostility or a prejudice based on person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. They could be physical assault, verbal abuse, obscene calls or texts, letters or e-mails or damage to property.

IDAHOBIT_2013

On 17th May HRRA are launching a new information leaflet (hate crime leaflet 2013) to help combat hate crime against LGBT people and launching our new LGBT friendly stickers for local organisations to show support for LGBT people. Come and join us!”

For details contact HRRA.

HRRA Lunch – 15 May 2013

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The next HRRA lunch will be on Wed 15th May at 12.30 for 1pm at St Clement’s Restaurant, 3 Mercatoria, St Leonards on Sea. There is limited on street parking in the vicinity or use the pay car park next to the Azur on the seafront.  Only 10 mins walk from Warrior Square station.  If we get enough people we will have the whole restaurant to ourselves.

As usual, we need to pre-order, from the attached menu, which is £13.50 for two courses and £18.50 for three.  Please reply to Julia on supperclub@hrra.org.uk by 7th May at the latest.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Equalities Research Project Report

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Local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) People Share Their Experiences In Innovative Research Project

On Thursday March 21st, the LGBT Equalities in Hastings, Rother & East Sussex project launched their latest research report, detailing the experiences and views of local lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people. The report discusses a variety of local issues pertinent to LGBT equality, including safety and hate crime, mental health, legislation, austerity and the cuts, and experiences using public services such as local councils, the police and the NHS. The launch event, hosted by the University of Brighton in Hastings, was attended by over 30 local LGBT people, community representatives, and representatives from local public sector groups and organisations.

Through the questionnaire, local LGBT people shared their views and experiences, and worked with service providers and others to gather and present evidence that would promote positive changes for LGBT people. This means the research was not just about LGBT people – it has been run by LGBT people. The LGBT Equalities Forum hopes that this report will raise the profile of LGBT equality issues in the local area, and that it can be used to improve public services across East Sussex.

Julie Eason, co-chair of Hastings & Rother Rainbow Alliance, spoke at the event and said: ‘There has been a shortage of local research to understand the needs and concerns of the LGBT community, and this work adds significantly to the research base. HRRA were pleased to hear that 4 out of 5 LGBT people in our area are aware of us, and are looking to expand our offer to younger LGBT people, as identified as a need in this research. We look forward to continuing to work the University of Brighton, and others, to ensure that the needs of the local LGBT community are understood and accounted for by policy makers and service providers.’

A video recorded presentation from the launch event is planned in April to ensure that everyone can see the key findings.

The full report can be found here: http://www.hrra.org.uk/LGBT_Equalities_Questionnaire_Report.pdf

Gay Kids UK Project

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Gay Kids UK Project“Gay Kids UK – Childhood Revisited”, a work in progress, is a photo exhibition and a richly illustrated book documenting the childhoods of grown up Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans-persons (LGBT -persons).

A ‘Teaser at the Towner’ event is being held on 4th April in Eastbourne – see attached flyer for details.

For all the info on the Gay Kids UK project visit the website – http://www.gaykids.co.uk/

Rainbow Aces Bridge Group Update

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The Bridge Group is growing with more sessions being lined up.

Bridge is an interesting and challenging card game, and it’s also a good way to socialise. The Rainbow Aces group has started up in East Sussex, to learn and play in an LGBT setting. We meet at the St Leonard’s pub on London Road in St Leonards, next to the Post office.

Our next gathering on Sunday 24 March will be an informal one. Those interested could turn up for a drink after 3:15 pm carrying a pack of cards, and if there are at least four then play can commence!

We’ll have a more formal session 07 April, with some organized hands and a mini lesson. Another informal session is set for 14 April.

For more information, please contact Sloan, the organiser, via the main HRRA email – info@hrra.org.uk.

Rainbow Aces Bridge Group

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Bridge is an interesting and challenging card game, and it’s also a good way to socialise. The Rainbow Aces group has started up in East Sussex, to learn and play in an LGBT setting. We meet at the St Leonard pub on London Road in St Leonards, next to the Post office.
Our next gathering on Sunday 24 February will be an informal one. Those interested could turn up for a drink after 3:15 pm carrying a pack of cards, and if there are at least four of us then we can play! We’ll have a more formal session 10 March, with some organized hands and a mini lesson.

To be put in touch with Sloan who organises the group please email info@hrra.org.uk.