The Brighton and Hove Council LGBT Workers’ Forum are marking International Day Against Homophobia, Bi-phobia and Trans-phobia (IDAHOBIT) with a panel debate on local, national and global LGBT issues.
The theme of the debate is Identity and will be exploring:
* Gender identity and the societal gender binary
* Sexual identity and labels / categories (e.g. LGB)
* Is the ‘LGBT’ label inclusive enough? Do we need Q, I, P, + ? What other options are there?
This year’s panel consists of local and national activists including:
* Raju Rage: Organiser and member of Collective Creativity and the QTIPOC Arts Group, Sub Editor for Beyond the Binary online magazine and self/published writer.
* Barbara Harris: Head of Equality, Diversity and Human Rights at Brighton and Sussex University Hospital NHS Trust. Barbara was appointed to the E&D Manager post in October 2007. Working with tight constraints and deadlines has made a valuable contribution to altering the culture of the organisation to embrace the values of E&D.
* Rory Smith: Chair of Trans Alliance LGBT Liaison/Hate Crime Co-ordinator for Sussex Police
* Dr Paul Boyce: Lecturer in Anthropology and International Development, University of Sussex; Co-founder of the European Network for Queer Anthropology and International consultant in sexualities, gender, sexual rights and health.
To send questions for the debate and/or reserve your place, email: LGBTWorkersForum@brighton-hove.gov.uk
IDAHOBIT is marked annually on May 17, the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental health diseases.
In 86 countries globally, homosexual acts remain illegal while in many countries lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those who identify as trans are often murdered simply because of their sexuality or gender identity.
Event: IDAHOBIT Panel Debate 2015 – What’s in a name: is LGBT enough?
Where: Jubilee Library, Conference Room 2
When: Thursday, May 21
Time: Arrival from 5pm debate from 6pm to 8.30pm
Free interval refreshments