Bi Health Research
Calling all bisexuals! The National LGBT Partnership are conducting research on bi* people’s experiences of inequalities in healthcare. We would like to invite bi people to contribute to a virtual roundtable to share their expriences of accessing healthcare, in exchange for a £25 giftcard.
We are perticularly interested in hearing from bi people who identify as trans, non-binary, disabled, a person of colour or those with other marginalised identities.
Please email laura@consortium.lgbt for more information or to express your interest.
*Please note that for the purposes of this research, we are using ‘bisexual’ as an umberella term to include anybody with a non-monoseuxal identity, including those who identify as biromantic, pansexual, queer, etc.
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Free Mindfulness Training for LGBT VCSE Workers!
We still have spaces available for our free Mindfulness training session. We are collaborating with MindOut to bring this session to people who work in the LGBTQ+ VCSE sector, to gain skills that can be used both at work and in one's personal life. For more details about the session please see below 👇
May 21st • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm • FREE
In this interactive workshop we will take some much needed time out to look at what self-care is, why we need it and how we can use it to support our mental, emotional and physical health. We will explore a range of accessible practices, such as chair yoga, mindfulness, guided body relaxation (Yoga Nidra) and short meditations. We will look at how we can successfully incorporate exercise, mindfulness and relaxation practices into our busy lives.
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LGB Alliance Gains Charity Status
In April, the Charity Commission confirmed the registration of the LGB Alliance — a controversial group that promotes "#sexovergender". A number of LGBTQ+ groups have now publicly responded to this decision, including members of the LGBT Partnership. To read the responses of key LGBTQ+ organisations please click on the links below:
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Brighton Pride Cancelled
Brighton Pride have announced that their 2021 event, due to take place this August, has been cancelled due to the "uncertainty" of Covid-19. Organisers have stated that they are "devastated" with this decision but felt it was the right choice to make to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and attendees. You can read the full statement on their website for more information.
We recognise that this news is going to be difficult and upsetting for some, who may rely on Pride as a space to express themselves. LGBT Foundation urge you to contact them on 0345 3 30 30 30 if you have been affected and wish to speak to someone.
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LGBTQ+ Lockdown Wellbeing Report 2021
LGBT Hero have launched their "LGBTQ+ Lockdown Wellbeing Report 2021 — One Year On". This report explores the ways in which LGBTQ+ people are coping with the affects of lockdown after a year of Covid-19. The survey, which was promoted online in LGBTQ+ spaces, gathered a total of 2273 results and found the following:
- 35% (one in three) of respondents reported feeling suicidal
- 6% reported a suicide attempt
- Trans and gender diverse people were three times as likely to attempt suicide in the last year than cis people (12% vs 4%)
- 46% (almost half) of under 25s have felt suicidal in the past year
- 14% of under 18s have attempted suicide in the past year, of these, 53% were trans or gender diverse
You can access the full report on LGBT Hero's website.
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Doing It! Podcast
Last month our Stakeholder Engagement Officer Laura Clarke appeared on Hannah Witton's podcast, Doing It! which features a weekly guest to discuss topics related to sex, relationships, dating, bodies and society. In a recent episode Laura and Hannah chatted about the work that the LGBT Partnership do and LGBTQ+ health inequalities, including the 2021 census, cervical screenings for lesbian and bisexual women, pregnancy and birth for trans men and non-binary people and the ways in which Covid-19 is impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
You can catch our episode of Doing It! on all podcast apps!
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Dates for the Diary
- Mental Health Awareness Week — 10th - 16th May
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) — 17th May
- Agender Pride Day — 19th May
- Harvey Milk Day — 22nd May
- Pansexual & Panromantic Awareness & Visibility Day — 24th May
- Pulse Night of Remembrance — 12th June
- Stonewall Riots Anniversary — 28th June
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Courses & Events
Below are a few of the events that are coming up in the month of May. To sign up click on the title of the event. To see a full list of events happening this month and in the future click here.
The Gatherings – LGBTQI+ Space
May 19th • 5pm - 9pm • FREE
Join Rainbow Mind in the latest of their workshops centred around sharing safe space and reflecting on topics that impact us all. Throughout the workshops materials, skills and tools will be shared that will support us in life. In an age where perfection and flawlessness is promoted everywhere, how do we move towards accepting ourselves just as we are? Is perfection what we actually want? Is it possible? What is the balance between striving for better and loving ourselves as we are in this moment?
Introduction to Trans Awareness (the T bit of LGBT)
May 21st • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm • £42
Want to know how to make your services more trans inclusive? A two-hour interactive online course that will:
- Cover some of the popular and appropriate terminology used to describe different gender identities.
- Consider the visibility of different kinds of identities, and the impact of this.
- Explore the common myths and misconceptions about gender and trans identities.
- Begin to identify the ways in which you can make your practice more inclusive.
- Offer you signposting to useful resources and services.
Hidayah Queer Book Club
May 22nd • 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm • FREE
Hidayah presents a Queer Book Club, a place for queer muslims to meet virtually and swap recommendations of brilliant queer fiction. This first session is more akin to a virtual book swap, in that everyone can recommend their favourite queer fiction – queer author and/or queer themes – to the group.
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Resources
Don't forget that the Partnership's website has an array of publications available for download covering a diverse range of LGBT health issues. As we navigate through the pandemic and beyond it is important to reflect on the lived experiences of LGBT people and communities as we rebuild new ways of working and explore the additional impacts on vulnerable and marginalised communities.
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Jobs & Volunteering
Paid Roles
The Consortium website has a page dedicated to jobs in the sector.
Voluntary Roles
There are currently a significant number of voluntary opportunities also outlined on the Consortium page.
If you would like to advertise a vacancy relevant to LGBT Health & Social Care in our newsletter please email nationalgbtpartnership@gmail.com
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Enjoy the rest of your May and stay safe! See you next month.
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