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Albanian psychologists ban ‘Conversion Therapy’

Albania‘s Order of Psychologists has announced that it will prohibit members from offering conversion therapy or pseudo-therapeutic attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The decision effectively bans conversion therapy in Albania, where discrimination against LGBTQ+ people remains high, as registered therapists are required to be members of the group in order to legally practice.

The World Psychiatric Association has criticised these therapies as wholly unethical, and a wide range of medical associations in countries such as Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Lebanon, Turkey, South Africa, and the United States have condemned these practices.

Therapies that purport to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity may also constitute serious human rights abuses. These efforts often involve discrimination, restrictions on movement, and physical and sexual abuse, and may at times amount to torture or other forms of ill-treatment.

In recognition of these facts, many countries have begun to proscribe these efforts, especially in psychiatric and medical settings. Malta, Ecuador, and Germany have used criminal law to regulate the practice, punishing violators with fines and imprisonment. Other countries, like Brazil and Taiwan, outlaw it via professional sanctions.

Lawmakers in many countries around the globe are considering bans on the practice, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, and the United States.

Queerantine survey on LGBTQ+ impact of coronavirus

University academics are concerned the coronavirus pandemic is having a disproportionate effect on the LGBTQ+ community and have launched a study to examine the scale of the impact.

Social scientists at the University of Sussex and University College London (UCL) warn that after decades of being invisible in health and social research, there is a limited evidence base available to understand the increased risks of exposure to COVID-19 for the LGBTQ+ community.

Dr Laia Becares and Dr Dylan Kneale are calling on the government to commit resources to support LGBTQ+ charities and services fundamental for wellbeing, as well as undergoing more extensive data collection around gender and sexuality er to highlight areas of need within the LGBTQ+ community.

They have also launched the Queerantine Survey to understand the impact of the coronavirus global pandemic on the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.

The study is seeking information on LGBTQ+ people’s social networks, volunteering, stress, mental health, wellbeing, and sociodemographic information through a 15-minute questionnaire.

Results are being collected until early September with the first results expected later that month.

Existing studies suggest the LGBTQ+ community may be at additional risk to Covid-19 due to:

  • Higher levels of long-term chronic illness among LGB people
  • LGBTQ+ people more likely to smoke
  • Lesbian and bisexual women more likely to be overweight and to consume alcohol than heterosexual peers
  • LGBTQ+ people more likely to be asthmatic
  • LGBTQ+ people more likely to be immunocompromised

Dr Becares and Dr Kneale are concerned that the impact of the current restrictions could prove to be more detrimental to the LGBTQ+ community because of a disproportionate burden of mental health issues among LGBTQ+ people, which could be exacerbated by the stress, isolation, and loneliness of lockdown.

Added to this, the diversion of capacity within the health system to cope with the demand of COVID-19 is resulting in other specific healthcare needs not being addressed. This is especially true of trans people, whose access to gender identity clinics, hormones and surgery have been significantly restricted, causing an inevitable extension of waiting times for transition-related healthcare which, prior to the pandemic, already stretched to between two and four years.

Dr Becares, senior lecturer in Applied Social Science at the University of Sussex, said: ‘For some groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, the lockdown we are experiencing now, and the uncertain future after restrictions are lifted, may only serve to exacerbate social and health inequalities that existed before the pandemic.

‘The reality is that, at the moment, we do not know whether the inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people have been exacerbated by the pandemic, and we won’t know without further concerted data collection.

‘Data collection on LGBTQ+ lives through national surveys has been woefully poor over recent years, and data on transgender people is almost entirely absent.’

Dr Dylan Kneale, principal research fellow at the EPPI-Centre, UCL Institute of Education, said: ‘The pandemic is having a differential impact across groups, and is casting a light on exclusionary practices and prejudice that are ordinarily overlooked, or accepted as inexorable. For example, the omission of deaths in care homes until very recently from UK COVID-19 mortality statistics has been viewed as tantamount to ageism by some, and certainly indicative of the value we place on the lives of older people.’

Take part in the study here

For more information, including ongoing dissemination of study findings, visit  the website here. 

Leicester Pride 2020 cancelled due to pandemic

Organisers of Leicester Pride, one of the city’s biggest and most colourful events, have announced that the 2020 event, which was due to take place on Saturday, September 5, has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The statement said: ‘We are sad to announce that Leicester Pride 2020, which was to take place this summer, will be postponed until Saturday, September 4, 2021.

‘Following government guidelines regarding COVID-19 and social distancing, we would not be able to guarantee a safe place for everyone involved.

‘The health and safety of our team, our contractors, sponsors, volunteers and of course, you, our community is paramount.

‘While we are sure that unfortunately, this will come as no surprise to most people, we are truly saddened to have to make this announcement.

‘Stay safe and we look forward to welcoming you all back to Victoria Park for Leicester Pride 2021.’

Leicester Pride 2021 will take place on Saturday, September 4. For more info, visit their website

Allsorts Youth Project re-opens inductions for new service users

Allsorts Youth Project, the Sussex LGBTU+ charity, has re-opened inductions for new service users in need of their specialist online services.

For children and young people aged 5-25 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, Allsorts has moved their youth groups, one-to-one emotional support and advocacy services online for the duration of Covid-19 lockdown and beyond.

Katie Vincent, CEO of Allsorts, said: ‘We know that this is a very challenging time for many. Being an LGBTU+ child or young person in itself can be a very isolating experience, and we’re aware that for some, lockdown means being isolated in environments that are not necessarily friendly to LGBTU+ people.

‘Now that our youth services, parents/carers group and inclusion training are well underway online, we are very pleased to announce that we are now able to start offering our youth services to children and young people who haven’t attended them before.’

Allsorts online services for children and young people provide non-judgemental, safe spaces to connect with other LGBTU+ young people, feel heard, valued and safe. Group spaces offer a chance to make friends, take part in games & workshops, be supported by peers and trained & experienced LGBTQ+ youth workers, and to be reassured that you are not alone.

One Allsorts Young Person said ‘I like having something to go to every week. Seeing the members of staff who are older and have been through what we have is helpful and knowing that you can get through it.’

Built on an ethos of peer support and community, Allsorts is inviting children and young people across Sussex and the south east who are LGBTQ+ or unsure of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation to get in touch if you need help and support.

To get in touch, just email youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk and one of Allsorts’ friendly LGBTQ+ youth support workers will be in touch!

“Before coming to Allsorts I felt kind of lonely like there wasn’t really anyone else like me and that I was alone. Since coming here, I’ve made more friends and feel more comfortable in my own identity and how I choose to present to the public, friends, and family.”

The establishment of online services at Allsorts has been funded by Sussex Community Foundation.

More info on Allsorts, see their website here: 

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) online HIV Awareness Course from Wednesday, June 3

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will be running another of its popular online  HIV Awareness Training Course in June over Zoom.

The training is free, and takes places over three x two hour modules:

Module 1 (Introduction to HIV)

WHEN: Wednesday, June 3 @ 11am – 1pm, on ZOOM

– Current Snapshot of HIV in the UK and Worldwide
– Definitions of HIV & Terminology
– HIV Transmission

Module 2 (HIV Treatment & Prevention)

WHEN: Wednesday, June 10 @ 11am – 1pm, on ZOOM

– HIV Prevention Methods
– HIV Treatment Overview

Module 3a (HIV Stigma & Discrimination)

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17 @ 11am – 1pm, on ZOOM

– Impact of HIV Stigma and Discrimination
– Personal experiences from someone living with HIV
– Case Studies

Module 3b (HIV & Ageing)

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17 @ 2 – 4pm, on ZOOM

– Considerations around Ageing and HIV (including Stigma)
– Personal experiences of living with HIV from someone over 50
– Ageing Specific Case Studies

Module 1 and 2 are for everyone, and you are then able to choose Module 3a if you want general HIV Stigma Awareness, or Module 3b if you are particularly interested in HIV & Ageing (which covers stigma as well). Please let Alice Booth know (details below) which one of these you would like to attend when you sign up. (It is possible to attend both, but there will be some crossover in the content.)

If you would like to attend but can’t make these dates, please let Alice know, and advise of a more suitable time for you so THT can then try to accommodate you with the next round of online training.

Alice Booth, HIV Training Coordinator, said: ‘Having trialled this in May, I can report that it works remarkably well and I have received very good feedback from the attendees. So please do give it a go if HIV is something you would like to learn more about. The training is suitable for anyone who may be working with people living with HIV, supporting colleagues who may be living with HIV, or just if you want to update your knowledge in general.’

For further details and to book or for bespoke online training for your staff team, contact Alice Booth at Alice.Booth@tht.org.uk

For more info on THT, visit: www.tht.org.uk

NUS announce candidates for first Vice President Liberation and Equality 

The National Union of Students (NUS) has confirmed the candidates standing for its first ever Vice President Liberation and Equality, which is the result of reforms agreed by students at National Conference 2019.

The successful candidate, who will be elected by delegates attending the NUS Liberation Conference on Wednesday, May 27, will join the newly elected National President, Vice President Higher Education and Vice President Further Education, as well as the Presidents of NUS-USI, NUS Scotland and NUS Wales, to make up the elected leadership of NUS UK for 2020 to 2022. Elections will take place online with voting due to close on Tuesday, May 26 at 5pm.

The candidates are:
– Amelia McLoughlan, Durham Students Union
Hamsavani Rajeswaren, Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union
Joshua Williams, University of Birmingham Guild of Students
Nelly Kibirige, London South Bank University Students’ Union

Sara Khan, University of Manchester Students’ Union.

Zamzam Ibrahim, NUS National President, said: ‘This is the last democratic event of our conference season, taking place like our other events against the backdrop of coronavirus.

‘There are big challenges ahead for the new Officer Executive, but I’ve seen during my time as national president just how strong the student movement is and the genuine hunger to campaign and make change happen. Right now, more than ever, that hunger is about ensuring students, of all walks of life and experiences, are supported as we face this crisis.’

The successful candidate will join an officer elect team that will lead NUS towards its 100th birthday and be charged with making sure that politicians and decision-makers hear the student voice loud and clear.

Voters, who are student delegates representing their students’ union, have a number of opportunities to find out more about the candidates and the issues they stand for, with:

1. Candidate information on the Liberation Conference website and social media
2. Links to candidate social media accounts so voters can interact direct with them
3. Candidate question time hosted by Keme Nzerem of Channel 4 news and ITV news (available Wednesday, May 20)
4. Speeches from the candidates which will be posted online on Friday, May 22.
NUS Liberation Conference 2020 takes place online on Wednesday, May 27. For more information about the event visit the website here.

Conscious Chocolate launch Rainbow Collection


Conscious Chocolate
has launched its brand-new Rainbow Collection for Pride Season with 20% of profits donated to Pride in London.

The Rainbow Collection promises to keep the spirit of Pride delicious with a bundle of decadent, luxuriantly raw and vegan chocolate.

A Rainbow Bundle of ten bars features Citrus Zest, Chia & Coconut, Dark Side 85%, Four Nurs, Goji & Coconut, Peppermint, Orange & Tangerine and Love Potion No 9, Maca & Spirulina and Sour Cherry.

In the June issue of Gscene, we’ll be giving away one bundle as part of the package for the winner of our ( spoilers…) Colour In the Gscene Cover competition.  So get ya crayons out now.

More info on the Rainbow Collection, click here

Subline to benefit from Budweiser’s ‘Save Pub Life’ campaign

While times are hard for local businesses, the rather lovely guys ‘n’ gals at Budweiser have come up with a generous offer to help Subline, Brighton’s award winning LGBTQ+ subterranean club, and other community pubs weather the storm.

The Save Pub Life campaign – an initiative by Budweiser Brewing Group – gives anyone a unique opportunity to support their local pub by buying a round in advance.

All you have to do is buy a gift card for a pub for when they reopen, and Budweiser Brewing Group will match the value of the gift card so that the pub receives the money from the gift card and the donation even though they cannot open.

For more info and to buy a gift card for Subline, visit the website here:

Hungarian Parliament strip trans people of right to legal gender recognition

The Hungarian Parliament has today passed new legislation that bans the legal recognition of transgender and intersex people, making it impossible for people to legally change gender.

Known as Article 33, the Bill comes at a time when the Hungarian Parliament has given Prime Minister Viktor Orbán power to rule by decree indefinitely because of the Covid-19 crisis, meaning he no longer needs to consult other lawmakers before making policy decisions.

Masen Davis, Interim Executive Director at Transgender Europe (TGEU), said: ‘The Parliament should be focusing on what the people of Hungary need to survive the Covid-19 pandemic, not using this crisis as cover to roll back the rights of an already-marginalised group.

‘This dangerous bill will subject trans people in Hungary to increased scrutiny, discrimination, and violence.’

The legislation effectively ends any opportunity for legal gender recognition in Hungary, because identity documents will now reference only the  characteristic of ‘sex assigned at birth.’

Bernadett Szél, an opposition MP who spoke out strongly against the bill in parliament, described it as evil

Article 33’s approval in parliament is controversial in the country with only 17% of Hungarians wanting it to pass. According to a Median representative survey in September 2019, seven in ten Hungarians believe that trans people should have access to legal gender recognition, which leaves today’s decision in stark contrast to not only the mood of the nation, but law conventions set in the European Court of Human Rights.

Today’s Bill is just the latest of Orbán’s attacks against the LGBTQ+ community, which range back to 2015 when he blocked a draft agreement at the Council of the European Union which called on the European Commission to tackle homophobic and transphobic discrimination.

The measures are part of the wider Bill on Changes of Certain Administrative Laws and Free Donation of Property and also mean that an individual’s identification documents cannot subsequently be changed. Where documentation does not reflect gender identity, name or gender expression, Amnesty International give four commonplace examples of where trans people could face discrimination – in finding employment, enrolling in education, obtaining housing or claiming welfare benefits.

In the last two weeks, Orbán went against international precedent and refused to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which is about combating violence against women and domestic violence, because of its definition of gender as a social construct.

Krisztina Tamás-Sáróy, Amnesty International’s Europe Researcher, commented: ‘This decision pushes Hungary back towards the dark ages and tramples the rights of transgender and intersex people. It will not only expose them to further discrimination but will also deepen an already intolerant and hostile environment faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

‘It is critical for Hungary’s Commissioner for Fundamental Rights to act urgently and request that the Constitutional Court review and swiftly annuls the appalling provisions of this law.

‘Everyone’s gender identity should be legally recognised and everyone must be allowed to change their legal name and gender markers on all official documents.’

Trans activists & allies have this afternoon been protesting outside the legal residence of the Hungarian Prime Minister, observing social distancing protocols whilst doing so.

 

 

Gscene & Hunter’s Florist honour LGBTQ+ Carers

Nominate yourself or somebody you know to enter a draw to receive one of three stunning bouquets from Hunters Florists in St James’ Street.

Gscene will be marking National Carers Week (8-14 June) in our June issue of the magazine.

We are looking to feature as many unpaid LGBTQ+ carers as we can to recognise the vital work that they (you?) do.

Please send a picture (a selfie is fine) of the carer, preferably with the one cared for, (but we understand that not everybody wants to appear in print), the first names of both, and the area ( e.g. Portslade, Moulescoomb, Kemptown), Permission to include the carer’s picture, names and area supplied in the magazine article.

Please send before midnight on Saturday May 23rd

Send your nomination to info@gscene.com with ‘LGBTQ Carer nomination’ in the subject line

We’ll draw the names of three nominees, and they’ll each receive a beautiful bouquet from Hunter’s Florist.

To be clear… nominees must identify as LGBTQ+, and be an unpaid carer. Self nominations allowed, and encouraged!

Beautiful fresh flowers delivered in Brighton and Hove from Hunter Florist. Order online or call 01273 621229.

Hunters, St James St is open, with appropriate social distancing measure in place and you can also  order for online deliveries, full information on their website here

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