Category Archives: News

The Network has been working since its opening, with HMP The Verne, providing on request guidance on LGBT+ engagement support to both residents and staff, including assisting (through our Chair) on the monthly LGB&T residents group meetings, and through our Lead Officer on guidance to tackle communication issues and related needs and strategy. This has been deeply appreciated, and in due course over a year ago led to our groundbreaking work, at the neighbouring HMP & YOI Portland, through the invitation of the Quality Assurance lead of the HMPPS regional organisation.

At the start of the Covid 19 pandemic, the Network was requested by HMPPS to provide specific guidance on the LGBT+ impacting dimensions of the virus and related containment measures. This has had a mitigating and improving impact in regard to both resident and staff LGBT+ context issues, preventing or minimising the latter. For this HMPPS have expressed their great appreciation, relaying to us how they applied the guidance and its valuable benefits.

Towards the end of 2020 we were further contacted by the prison group quality assurance lead requesting a deepening of the relationship and assistance with guidance on support and training, and providing a set of introductions at HMP & YOI Portland to strategic and frontline leads, which in turn has led to important virtual meetings to plan out, implementation of a new phase of guidance and support (including assistance on training of staff, resident engagement groups, and troubleshooting). We are looking forward greatly to providing this further support in and from the February, March period, consolidating and expanding the exceptional start that has already been made at HMP & YOI Portland, and taking further our work at HMP The Verne.

We salute the two prisons genuine and fulsome approach to embracing LGBT+ engagement and anti-discrimination measures, which will in the new phase of direct multi faceted collaboration with the Network on best practice aspirations and guiding values.

The Network is delighted to announce its collaboration with Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, on a major and much needed initiative concerning the Trust’s ‘Steps 2 Wellbeing’ mental healthcare service.

The Network will be providing support to Steps 2 Wellbeing, further to in late 2020 a contact by Mr Steven Barber, Steps 2 Wellbeing Poole Team lead, inviting the Network to support the creation of evolution of the Steps 2 Wellbeing programme through instituting, clearly and with great enthusiam a dedicated LGBT+ community support service and outreach.

We will be assisting the Programme in a number of areas, and are excited that this initiative is going to support those of our community members suffering from very real mental health distress caused by discrimination, prejudice, hate crime / bullying, and family or friends rejection because of who they are and who they love (LGB&T minorities).

We will be providing more news and details later this month (January 2020), but are very pleased to provide this link, affirming the partnership of Steps 2 Wellbeing and the Network: https://www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk/how_are_you_feeling/about_you/lgbt/

A very big thank you to Dorset Healthcare (particularly Helen and Amy) and its Steps 2 Wellbeing Team (Steve and colleagues), and to Jonai Da Silva, lead of the Trust’s LGBT+ Network, for his invaluable encouragement and support, for enabling this long sought in the pan-Dorset LGBT+ community, development.

The Network wishes to thank Weymouth Gay Group (WGG) for news of a Weymouth & Portland area NHS General Practices services on NHS healthcare changes since the onset of Covid 19. We, with WGG, wish to thank Dorset CCG Officer, Jim Gammans for his communication below concerning Dorset CCG actively seeking LGBT+ community participation in the survey (deadline for responses 18th December).

As we are sure most community members know, there are a number of areas of reticence in involving in NHS performance and services improvement surveys — survey fatigue, bad experiences of community members using NHS services where LGBT+ support needs are concerned (signposting on ‘Coming Out’ as gay/lesbian/bi, or as Trans, etc.) — and of course encountering direct or perceived homophobic/biphobic and transphobic experiences on accessing or seeking to access NHS services at GP and other levels. The Network is working with pan-Dorset NHS organisations, especially Dorset Healthcare NHS University Foundation Trust to advise and implement the necessary changes required to address this NHS ‘LGBT+ engagement competence,’ community credibility and confidence issues. Here is Jim’s request (at the most conservative/restricted level never less than 6% of our general population in the UK, worldwide, and, yes, Dorset, are LGB&T — realistically speaking our LGBT+ population is more in the 10%+ region):

‘I’ve seen analysis of responses so far and only 2.5% of responses have identified as LGBTQ+, ideally it would be great to get a few more. Is there any chance you could share the survey with your contacts, supporters etc? The link to the survey is below, if you had any questions just message me or email: james.gammans@dorsetccg.nhs.uk. The survey closes next Friday (18th). If you are able to help that’d be great! Many thanks. Jim.

Link to survey: https://bit.ly/330X2Tn / https://wh.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=160508914784&ID.site=1

The Network regards this survey as important, and deeply appreciates Jim Gammans concern about very low LGBT+ community uptake on participation (clearly impacted by the very well-known and well-evidenced factors detailed by us above). The Network will in 2021 look forward to pursue Dorset CCG engagement on any particular needs on Weymouth & Portland NHS General Practices, LGBT+ community engagement/communication to seek, where appropriate, meaningful change/improvement.

Lessons and guidance from the Network for our friends in the NHS organisations of Dorset and of Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole:

It is not always realised at NHS organisations senior management and strategic level just how great an asset for the NHS — and especially NHS credibility on LGBT+ community outreach — are our frontline NHS healthcare professionals who are LGBT+ community members (both Out and not Out as LGB or T). Their incredible record of care & professionalism needs to be properly recorded, and on a structured and regular quarterly to annual basis.

In terms of such NHS healthcare professionals the Network will be in the New Year commending for formal appropriate level recognition of Dorset Healthcare’s LGBT+ Staff Group and Pan-Dorset NHS LGBT Staff Group lead, Mr Jonai Da Silva. Jonai’s accomplishments as a mental healthcare profesional providing often literally, sometimes, life-saving support to both our sisters and brothers in our LGB & T communities, and broader LGB&T and non-LGB&T community in the Weymouth & Portland area, and beyond have been largely restricted in terms of awareness, to those whom he has supported as an exceptional NHS healthcare professional.

Such examples need to be much more effectively publicised if NHS organisations across Dorset and the Bournemouth/Christchurch/Poole area are ready to demonstrate earnestness on meaningful LGB&T communities engagement and support for our Community members (both outside, AND inside the NHS) where counteracting prejudice and indirect discrimination are concerned. The Network is ready to support NHS organisations at strategic to frontline levels in accomplishing that journey.

The Network on this special day of Remembrance of Trans (including Non-Binary) lives cruelly taken and destroyed across the world, often through the most vicious forms of torture and mental cruelty. We ask all sections of society in the UK, including Dorset & the South Coast, and across the world to reflect on this totally unacceptable phenomenon caused by the Transphobic, intolerant and vicious minded. For those not aware of TDOR, its significance and purpose, please visit https://www.glaad.org/tdor

We on this occasion also wish to remind all those reading this page about the phenomenon of Trans communities members who for lack of humanity and meaningful support (including still all too often by actual public service organisations such as some NHS Trusts, and NHS General Practice healthcare professionals) end up attempting to take, or actually taking their lives.

On this special, poignant day, the Network’s Chairperson, Fr John Hyde, will be lighting candles and holding prayers for all of the lives of Trans communities, sadly often brutally lost during the past year.

In our Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area, the Network is very pleased to work closely with our friends at Communi-T, Trans communities group. For more on their important, local-based support and servives please visit their website — https://www.transunite.co.uk/group/communi-t/ —

We also commend the valuable support and services of organisations such as Chrysalis (https://chrysalisgim.org.uk/), and Trans communities supporting organisations such as Space Youth Project (Dorset), and Breakout Youth (Hampshire) and Mind Out at Dorset Mind.

The Network is requesting LGBT run and staffed businesses, especially those with LGBT community clientele in the small business sector to participate in a Businesses & Crime survey by the Conservative Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner (DPCC) candidate, Mr David Sidwick. As regular visitors to the Network website will be aware David provided an important, valuable interview with the Network last summer, and subsequently has been in good and very supportive contact with our organisation, this including his belief that the Ask for Clive initiative contributes strong potential for counteracting anti-LGBT ASB and conducive to expanding much broader LGBT and Diverse Communities support where prejudice, and inclusion, are concerned.

David’s businesses & crime survey will assist on interventions at policy and policing delivery levels, working with the Network for very real LGBT+ community benefits: his survey can be accessed at https://www.sidwick4dorset.org.uk/form/dorset-business-crime-survey  and you can read more about his exciting anti-ASB prospectus at https://www.sidwick4dorset.org.uk/

Further, the timing of the businesses & crime survey supports well Network preparation for a formal request to be made to BCP Council supporting a dedicated LGBT community supportive businesses and hate crime initiative coming soon (December 2020/January 2021).  This will combine enhanced outreach for the Ask for Clive initiative with our seeking broader businesses and organisations outreach on support for monitoring anti-LGBT prejudice, with for larger businesses and organisations engagement on performance on bullying and perceived bullying and indirect discrimination where LGBT staff and colleagues are targeted.

The Network is contributing input on our LGBT+ community supportive elements of Dorset Council’s new Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) policy and strategy. We know that there is in places, in Dorset, some good work going on for LGBT+ inclusion, safety, safeguarding and challenging anti-LGBT ‘behaviour’/bullying and ingrained/embedded de-facto homophobia, biphobia,transphobia. There is however much still to do in Dorset, many revealed bastions of perceived de-facto perceived anti-LGBT+ inclusion/safeguarding/freedom from bullying and oppression because of beingLGBT+. We know that local authorities such as Dorset Council, and public service organisations have to play a key part in leading the way in effective, independently verifiable ways to address these issues and needs from village hall level upwards. We ask you as LGBT+ community members and also LGBT+ community Allies to work with us to help Dorset Council in this regard.

On the Dorset Council EDI consultation referred to we ask you to provide your input ( the details below have been provided to us from the EDI officer at Dorset Council), and of course to contact us directly on 07811 269 454 or email us at contact.lgbtdorsetequality@gmail.com on any views you have and experiences you may wish to share concerning the consultation.

DORSET COUNCIL EDI CONSULTATION INFORMATION: Dorset Council have launched a six week consultation to gather views on their new draft equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and action plan. As a public body, the council has both a legal and moral duty to promote equality, diversity and inclusion amongst residents, service users and its own employees. The council’s vision is to make Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. As an organisation the council is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, valuing and recognising differences. This draft strategy proposes how the council will deliver equality, diversity and inclusion over the next four years and the action plan details of what work will be undertake in the next year to help deliver this strategy. The council are keen to know your thoughts on the strategy and action plan. To participate in the survey visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/edi-strategy Copies of the strategy and action plan can be found on the consultation page. If you require the consultation in alternative formats, please contact Susan Ward-Rice or 01305 224368. The consultation closes on the 22 November 2020

The Network is very pleased to share the news that its submission earlier this year to the UK Parliament’s Women & Equalities Select Committee’s Inquiry into Covid 19 impacts on Diverse Communities.

This is the third time that Network submissions on major national inquiries to this very important — for LGBT+ and other Diverse and Minority Communities — Parliamentary Select Committee (WOMEQ), have been accepted and published. We have also had submissions made to other Select Committees such as the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), accepted and published, demonstrating our national level expertise and policy change & evolution record, of which we are very proud.

In the case of acceptance of our submission for the WOMEQ Covid 19 impacts inquiry, this is particularly significant given the shadow of negative impacts that Coronavirus is having especially on sections of our LGBT+ and also BAME communities.

Covid 19 has been the ultimate stress test of Diverse Communities treatment by those elements within public service organisations such as the NHS where their still largely all pervasive ‘going through the motions’ ‘tick box’ organisation cultures where true, meaningful LGBT+ inclusion/acceptance/respect, safety and good working environments, and service users who are LGBT, and especially LGBTs who are not Out as LGBTs in their places of work are concerned. On this very serious issue and unacceptable phenomenon the Network has drawn on extensive Dorset area NHS organisations experience of those in directing & reinforcing and protecting positions of influence in the latter, engagement and communications, and of representative oppressed LGBT+ staff members of those organisations, victims of tick box culture.

The LGB&T Dorset Equality Network is very pleased to share news of a set of importand very valuable workshops on mental health and well-being self support, being provided by our partnering organisation and friends at Dorset Mind this month (September). Here is the registration link: https://bit.ly/DMMHWorkshops

We are very pleased to have played our part in initiating the petition below, which addresses a major defect in the Education section of the Equality Act 2010. Please sign and share!

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/327300

“Amend the Equality Act 2010: National Curriculum and protected characteristics”

The Government should create a new ‘National Curriculum content review & reform’ section in the Equality Act, with the purpose of requiring content relating to Protected Characteristics to be structurally instituted throughout the National Curriculum.

The Act’s Education Section in current form has no requirement for National Curriculum content to counteract a core source of prejudice, particularly against BAME people, Women and LGBT people, out of date unbalanced curricula content. The motivation behind the ‘History Month’ Movement [BHM, and LGBT] and the Equality Act itself indicate the need for this action, as do Covid 19, recent events in the US and the ‘Me Too’ movement.

The Petition title and description (informed by experts in Parliament) addresses decades/half a century of badly needed change in the education system where ethnic minority communities and LGBT have simply felt they haven’t been properly represented – core matter at the heart of statues being removed or covered in the UK at present

Outcome: if the Amendment to the Equality Act is made, it will mean BAME and LGBT communities  reshape the National Curriculum, making history exams cover properly the REAL history of the county and its people; powerfully making our voices our histories a part of the National Curriculum for the first time ever.  A revolutionary, massive change for country and all our communities where the core source of prejudice is concerned, and the natural culmination of LGBT History Month and Black History Month.

The Network in partnership with the national organisation of our Patron, Lindsay England, is very pleased to provide in regard to IDAHOBIT 2020, the following importand news and survey:

JBG? – HOMOPHOBIA, BIPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA  IN SPORT SURVEY.

Violence, Harassment and repression of LGBT+ people still exists globally.

Annually on May17th, IDAHOBIT- International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia is a co-ordinated International grass roots community date to raise awareness around LGBT+ visibility and inclusion, alongside encouraging society to take action against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

For this year’s IDAHOBIT theme of ‘Breaking The Silence’ JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) in partnership with LGBT Dorset Equality Network, have released a survey:  https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/justaballgame/ looking at homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport.

It is hoped that whatever the outcomes, and/or differences found to our survey results (and therefore hard evidence collated for use) a decade ago, we can implement the findings to engage in dialog with the policy makers, NGB’s, the media, employers and general public to take action against any discrimination, persecution or hate crime which LGBT+ people face.

Despite advancement over recent years with some athletes ‘coming out’ sports are still very much an area of perceived male, masculine dominance and achievement. Along with the breaking down of these stereotypes and challenging sexism and misogyny there is also a need to try and eradicate to a minimum all forms of discrimination.

Our survey is anonymous, it will take you around 5 minutes to sign into and complete and will be available to fill out until 11^th July 2020.

We have allocated inclusive questions for both LGBT+ people and those who identify as heterosexual to answer to try and establish a balanced overview of what is relevant to all in 2020.

Survey link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/justaballgame

Contact for further information: 07788474754.

Founder-Lindsay England

info@justaballgame.co.uk