Mission:
To seek to support all sections of our LGBTQI+ & LGBTQ+ communities that encounter homophobic, biphobic, transphobic prejudice, discrimination or hate crime – including social isolation and mental health related costs of discrimination and prejudice — by being an effective representation organisation in counteracting anti-LGBT+ behaviour wherever it is found. In particular we work to support community sections (including international and ethnic minority – LGBT+ intersectional) that are often particularly vulnerable, disempowered, overlooked (such as our LGBTQ+ homeless and at risk of homelessness communitiies, our LGBTQI+ AND LGBTQ+ in UK prisons community) and poorly supported. A central ‘leitmotiv’ in terms of origination and work of our charity is that of counteraction of the in the West dark story of centuries even millenia, of ‘conversion practices’ inflicted upon LGBTQI+ community members via indoctrination and other abuses.
Our support includes to individual community members on reporting and seeking solutions to anti-LGBT prejudice, and working with the public & private sector to ensure the voice of LGBTQI+ people is properly heard in the UK and beyond. But especially in the fields of national and international levels policy advocacy, and solutions to representation & inclusion needs of LGBTQI+ people in the services they access, and in healthcare, education and employment. Central to realisation of our ‘Mission’ [and Vision] activity is the concept of ‘allyship,’ as it is through this meaningful change of humanity and core human dignity and diversity, safety, and equity is only able to be acchieved.
Vision:
To see the above mission successfully realised, not only in the UK but at different international levels. And in this that the root causes of anti-LGBTQI+ hate, prejudice, and discrimination are effectively identified at eduational and socio-cultural levels with the purpose of lifting, through knowledge, those engaged and entrapped in such actions out of their forms of behaviour and mindsets.
Origins, Methods of Working & Activity Areas (Dorset to national):
The Network’s origins go back to the Olympics 2012 anti-LGBT prejudice in sport exhibition developed by our initiator and current lead officer with the support of others. This brought together those in our community and in the statutory sector, who realised there were major gaps in effective dialogue and engagement with many sectors of the pan-Dorset LGB&T community; by 2014 through a research project prompted by concerns on NHS outreach to the LGB&T community, a core group developed, and the Network was born.
Our method of working involves deploying the expertise of our individual members in focussed ways on specific issues & needs our community encounter & have, in conjunction with relevant partnering at local to national levels, and recognising the importance of having LGBT ‘Allies’ as key to success in bringing about change.
Individual community support cases and seeking broader policy change in and beyond Dorset, through critical friend approaches to the statutory sector, and strong partnership working with the private sector and other diverse communities, and involvement with select committee work in Parliament, characterise the main dynamics of our work.
Our educational work is important to us, and we are respected for covering areas such prison populations, etc. but educating the broader general public and especially public service organisations and local authorities on topics and issues of pressing importance to the LGB&T communities, including the seldom heard and unrepresented.
Early on in our development and even in the Network’s formative stage we realised that some issues we need to tackle effectively, are national and in some cases transcend national governments and borders. As our initiator & Convenor, Alan, our patron, Lindsay, and other key Network team members possess specialist expertise (sports, fair LGBT safe & appropriate non-open borders immigration, mental health & wellbeing) we play an important part in challenging anti-LGBT prejudice & discrimination at national levels, including working with parliamentary select committees, etc.