EQUALITY UPDATES 7th July 2010 Next Equality Updates 22nd July View online at http://enf.org.uk/blog/ Glasgow ENF Facebook http://www.facebook.com/glasgow.enf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GLASGOW NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RNID SCOTLAND: ''Hear To Help'' Information Session: Tuesday 27th July, 10am – 12pm, Partick South Church, 259 Dumbarton Rd, Partick G11 6AB As part of the new ‘Hear to Help’ project, Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) Scotland will be running a short information session on the following: How you can get involved in the ‘Hear to Help’ project; Glasgow City Council Social Work Team and what they can do for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Who should attend? People who are deaf or hard of hearing; Supporters or carers for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Those who work with people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Anyone with an interest in deaf or disability issues. This event is free of charge and refreshments will be served. To book a space or for more information contact Donna McSwiggan Tel 0141 341 5338 Text 0141 341 5347 Email donna.mcswiggan@rnid.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FRIENDS OF PROVAN HALL: Invitation To Get Involved In Our Multi Cultural Event: Monday 12th July - Saturday 17th July. The aim is to let the diffrent Ethnic Minority groups through out Glasgow tell people a bit about their history, heritage, and show some of their arts and crafts, and if the groups wanted they could sell some of their stuff, and if they also wished they could show some of their colourfull costumes, and maybe do some of their traditional dance and song. We are looking for diffrent groups each day from the Monday to the Friday and then on the Sautarday all the groups getting together and having one big day a sort of gala day. If groups only wish to attend on the 17th that’s also good. Our address is Provan Hall House Auchinlea Park Auchinlea Road Easterhouse G34 9NQ our number is 0141 773 1202. We are located with in Auchinlea Park just up from the Glasgow Fort, this is a Glasgow wide invite so if you know of any other groups that may wish to take part please feel free to let them know, many thanks for your help and intrest in this event. Contact: Linda Cameron 0141 773 1202 llyon87@yahoo.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW ANTI RACIST ALLIANCE (GARA): Black History Month 2010: The deadline for submissions of initial ideas for Black History Month (BHM) 2010 programme of events has been extended to Friday 16th July 2010. If you have any ideas for an event in October that fits into this year’s BHM theme – “Hidden Legacies”, please contact Cecilia Boccorh, Development and Policy Officer, GARA Tel 0141 418 6530 cecilia@gara.org.uk http://www.gara.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MEN''S HEALTH FORUM SCOTLAND: The Making Of Scottish Men: Saturday 10th July, 12 – 1pm, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Scottish men have a reputation for being tough guys but is this reputation stopping them recognising the signs of emotional distress and mental problems? Dr Ewan Gillon, a Counselling and Health Psychologist, will discuss ways in which ‘traditional’ ideas about what a man should be are at the root of many destructive cycles Scottish men find themselves in. The FREE lecture is part of the Division of Counselling Psychology’s Annual Conference. For more information please visit www.bps.org.uk/themakingofscottishmen ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS(Glasgow News): Glasgow Gay Centre Linked To Steven Purcell Tipped To Close (01/07/10): A Glasgow LGBT centre may close within the next week after alleged financial irregularities came to light. The Castro Centre was at the heart of claims that former Glasgow city council leader Steven Purcell was involved in corruption. http://digbig.com/5bbxfb ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From VISIBILITY: Visual Impairment Awareness Training – New Dates Announced: 10am to 3.30pm on the following dates: 9 September, 28 October, 11th November, 8th December, 20 January 2011, 10 February, 24 March. Training sessions are held at Visibility’s offices and cost is £60 per person including lunch. If none of these days are suitable, please contact us as alternative dates are organised from time to time. The programme includes: Myths and realities of visual impairment; Eye Conditions and their impact on people; Practical Exercises with Simulation Spectacles to give people some understanding of the issues people face; Visual Impairment in relation to the work environment; Adapting the environment; Accessibility; Effective Communication; Sighted guiding of a blind person. It is also possible to provide in house training and the content of the training can be adapted to the specific requirements of an organisation. For any further information and bookings, please contact Andrea on 0141 332 4632 or email andrea@visibility.org.uk http://digbig.com/5bbxgt ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SCOTTISH NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH TRANSGENDER ALLIANCE: European Travel Opportunities For Transgender Volunteers (06/07/10): http://www.scottishtrans.org/Article.aspx?id=59 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ENGENDER: Women''s National Commission (WNC) Part Of Review Of Quangos (07/07/10): The government has announced that the future of all quangos will be reviewed and the Women''s National Commission will be part of this. Please see the following letter from Baroness Gould and if you write to either of the government ministers please send a copy to the WNC Scottish Commissioner Ann Henderson at a.henderson@stuc.org.uk. Letter at: http://www.engender.org.uk/news/214/WNC_part_of_review_of_quangos.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From VOLRESOURCE: Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme Goes Ahead In Scotland: The Scottish Government has announced that it is going ahead with the Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme, its equivalent of the Vetting and Barring Scheme recently put on ice elsewhere in the UK. From 30th November, a new membership scheme will be phased in over 4 years to replace the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups in Scotland. The scheme helpline opened on 30th June on 0870 609 6006. Initial scheme membership costs £59 with subsequent records updates at £18, and no charge for volunteers working in regulated work in the voluntary sector. PVG scheme details at http://preview.tinyurl.com/4quq5d, news release http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/06/29115039 New draft guidance to help social workers, police, NHS staff and other professionals improve the protection of children at risk of abuse or neglect has also been launched recently, see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/05/01083004 Umbrella body SCVO had earlier voiced concerns about the costs of the new scheme, pdf, 43kb, http://preview.tinyurl.com/36xrcza ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT: The Criminal Justice And Licensing (Scotland) Bill: The Bill was passed on 30 June 2010. The Bill, as passed, can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/24-CrimJustLc/index.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: NHS Spotlight On Domestic Abuse (04/07/10): Thousands of NHS staff to be trained on helping victims to ''open up''. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/07/05083140 Low Pay And Income Inequality In Scotland - A Living Wage (02/07/10): Analysis of the impact that a Living Wage may have on low paid workers in the public sector. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/livingwageanalysis The Equality Act 2010: Consultation On Secondary Legislation That Will Enable The Additional Support Needs Tribunals For Scotland (ASNTS) To Hear Disability Claims Cases In School Education (02/07/10): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/02162412 Reporting On Progress Towards Equality Of Opportunity For Women And Men Made By Public Authorities In Scotland: Ministerial Priorities For Gender Equality: Tackling Occupational Segregation (01/07/10): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/01154459 Reporting On Progress Towards Equality Of Opportunity For Women And Men Made By Public Authorities In Scotland: Ministerial Priorities For Gender Equality: Tackling Violence Against Women: A Review Of Key Evidence And National Policies (01/07/10): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/07/01135334 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ UK NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GOVERNMENT EQUALITIES OFFICE: Equality Act 2010: What Do I Need To Know? (05/07/10): The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality. Implementation of majority of the Equality Act will begin on 1 October 2010. Read on – and access Quick Guides at http://digbig.com/5bbxcm Government Equalities Office Simplifies Legislation For Business (03/07/10): Provisions to make it easier for business to comply with discrimination law will be introduced from October ... http://digbig.com/5bbxcn Featherstone: Government 100% Committed To Completing The Journey To LGB And T Equality (02/07/10): Home Office Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone today set out the Government’s ambitious plans to tackle homophobia and transphobia and promote equal rights for all. http://digbig.com/5bbxct ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Supreme Court Says Gay People Should Not Have To Conceal Their Sexuality (07/07/10): The Supreme Court today ruled today that homosexual asylum seekers should be granted refugee status if going back to their homeland would result in them being forced to conceal their sexuality or face persecution for living openly as a gay person. http://digbig.com/5bbxhk Professional Bodies Lead The Way On Diversity Issues (07/07/10): Commitment to equality and diversity among professional bodies is becoming more widespread and mainstream according to the results of new survey. http://digbig.com/5bbxhj Commission Welcomes Judicial Inquiry Into Torture Allegations (06/07/10): The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomes today’s announcement of a judge-led inquiry into allegations that the British security services knew about the torture of terrorism suspects being held abroad. http://digbig.com/5bbxhh Disability Committee Member Nominated For UN Role (06/07/10): Commission welcomes selection of Diane Mulligan as UK candidate for the UN expert committee on the rights of disabled people. http://digbig.com/5bbxhg Commission Welcomes Plans For Implementing Equality Act (03/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxdb ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS: DWP Research Reports (06/07/10): Disability Living Allowance and Work: Exploratory research and evidence review: http://digbig.com/5bbxep The impact of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance: Findings from exploratory qualitative research: http://digbig.com/5bbxep Families With Children In Britain: Findings From The 2008 Families And Children Study (FACS): http://digbig.com/5bbxes ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From STONEWALL: Stonewall Response To Supreme Court Ruling On Gay Asylum Seekers (07/07/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/4194.asp How Gay-Friendly Are UK’s Universities? (06/07/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/4178.asp Bonnie Greer And Leading Ofsted Inspector Speak Out Against Homophobia (02/07/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/4160.asp Leagues Behind - Football’s Failure To Tackle Anti-Gay Abuse: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/documents/leagues_behind.pdf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DEMOS: The Currency Of Social Value: The recession has presented an opportunity to look beyond financial outputs. Demos'' latest report examines how non-profit making organisations can demonstrate their social value and how ready they are to do this. http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/measuring-social-value ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GUARDIAN: Judicial Culture Still Deters Gay And Lesbian Lawyers, Say Researchers (05/07/10: Perceived hostility ''preventing applications to become judges'' http://digbig.com/5bbxgb Women Will Bear Brunt Of Budget Cuts, Says Yvette Cooper (04/07/10): Detailed audit shows women to shoulder three-quarters of cuts http://digbig.com/5bbxcp Immigration Officials Are Failing Victims Of Domestic Violence (22/06/10): The culture of disbelief prevalent among officials shows a lack of understanding of the private nature of domestic violence http://digbig.com/5bbxgc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From THIRD SECTOR: Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude To Chair Government Committee On The Big Society: Ministers from departments whose remits affect the voluntary sector will meet later this month. http://digbig.com/5bbxcr ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From BBC: Home Office Advice To Gay Asylum Seekers Criticised (06/07/10): The Home Office has been accused of telling gay and lesbian asylum seekers to avoid persecution back home by keeping their sexuality secret. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10517655.stm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UK FEMINIST ACTION: Conference Announcement: Carnival Of Cultural Feminist Activism 2011: 3-5 March 2011, Centre for Women''s Studies, University of York, UK. We welcome proposals for a three-day international conference and festival of academic papers, presentations, performance, exhibitions & workshops. The event is designed to generate action as well as debate, and to inspire, celebrate & challenge understandings of women, grassroots art & politics. We ask: can feminist art change the world and, if so, how? and we invite responses from activists, artists and academics. Deadline for proposals: 31 October 2010. E: carnival@feminist-cultural-activism.net Please see website for further details www.feminist-cultural- activism.net ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From E-ACCESS BULLETIN: Association To Set UK Digital Format Standards: The new UK Association for Accessible Formats ( UKAAF: http://www.ukaaf.org/ ) is to set national standards next year for accessibility of digital formats such as electronic books and synthesised speech, E-Access Bulletin has learned. Read on at: http://www.headstar.com/eablive/?p=446 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From BARNARDOS: Join The Dots To Identify The Most Vulnerable Children Says Barnardo''s (05/07/10): Vulnerable children are going unnoticed by professionals – as they fail to identify the tell-tale signs of those being groomed for child sexual exploitation says children’s charity Barnardo''s. http://digbig.com/5bbxhm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RUNNYMEDE TRUST: Trevor Phillips Found Not Guilty Of Contempt Of Parliament (07/07/10): Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Trevor Phillips has been cleared of contempt of parliament, a watchdog has ruled. Mr Phillips was accused of seeking to influence a committee that was independently looking into personnel issues within the EHRC following a series of resignations. http://digbig.com/5bbxhn ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MENCAP: Judicial Review Of Health Ombudsman Decision-Making Process Granted (06/07/10): Mencap''s response to the decision taken today by the court of Appeal to grant a review of the way decisions are made by the Health Ombudsman when doctors have failed to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act. http://www.mencap.org.uk/news.asp?id=15481&pageno=&year=&menuId=91 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MINISTRY OF JUSTICE: Family Justice – Your Views On Its Future (30/06/10): Views on how the family justice system can do its best to protect children and help families to work through their disagreements are being sought by a panel of experts. http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease300610b.htm http://www.justice.gov.uk/reviews/family-justice-intro.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From HOME OFFICE: Government ''100 Per Cent Committed'' To Equality (02/07/10): Lynne Featherstone says the country needs to ''complete the journey'' to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/government-100-percent Lynne Featherstone''s Speech To The LGB And T Conference On Gay Pride (02/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxey Male Forced Marriage On Rise (01/07/10): Figures out that show an upward trend in reports of forced marriage involving male victims. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/male-forced-marriage ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION: Ethnicity And Alcohol: A Review Of The UK Literature (07/07/10): Literature review of evidence on drinking patterns among minority ethnic groups in the UK over the last 15 years and on service provision for this group. http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/ethnicity-alcohol-review A Minimum Income Standard For The UK In 2010 (06/07/10): JRF''s annual update, based on what members of the public think people need to achieve a socially acceptable standard of living. http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/minimum-income-standard-2010 Earning Enough To Get By Is Getting Tougher - The Budget Could Make It Tougher Still (06/07/10): http://www.jrf.org.uk/media-centre/MIS-2010 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SIGNHEALTH: Fear For Deaf Patients In Health Shake-Up (03/07/10): Government plans to pass a big chunk of the NHS budget to GPs could spell disaster for Deaf patients, warns a charity today. SignHealth, the healthcare charity for deaf people, said the plans will leave Deaf patients even more isolated and ignored by the health service. http://digbig.com/5bbxgs (pdf) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS NETWORK: Charter Of Rights Of Women Seeking Asylum 2 Years On: Impacts And Actions (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxgn ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From OPERATION BLACK VOTE: Racism Has Shades Of Grey (Guardian 05/07/10): It''s said that the Inuit people have more than 50 words to describe snow. In one of the most contentious debates taking place in modern Britain, though, we have only one crude term to describe a whole range of individual and institutional practices and prejudices: "racism". Join the debate: http://digbig.com/5bbxgr ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MIND: Welfare Reform: What We’re Doing?: http://www.mind.org.uk/blog/3625_welfare_reform_what_were_doing ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From REFUGEE COUNCIL: Refugee Council Response To Gay Asylum Seeker Ruling In Supreme Court (07/07/10): http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/press/2010/july/20100707 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ROMA RIGHTS NETWORK: UK Roma Homes Bulldozed (01/07/10): Bulldozers are at work demolishing Gypsy homes even as a UN deadline approaches for Britain’s reply to a demand that it call off the massive Dale Farm eviction operation aimed at clearing ninety families from their land. http://www.romarights.net/v2/2010/07/uk-roma-homes-bulldozed/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS: Lesbian And Gay Lawyers ''Deterred From Becoming Judges'' (06/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfw Football''s Last Taboo (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxft Opponents Say Appointing Gay Bishop ''Will Split Church Of England'' (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxft World Cup Footballer ''In Gay Affair'' (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfr ''Hard-Hitting'' Homophobia Plotline For Coronation Street (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfn Equality Minister Lynne Featherstone Says Government Will Consult On Gay Marriage And Civil Partnerships (03/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfm Lynne Featherstone MP Hints That Religious Same-Sex Unions May Be A Step Closer (03/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfk Strong Presence Of Faith Groups At Gay Pride Parade (03/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxff Boris Johnson Fully Supports Gay Marriage And Plans To Run Again For Mayor (03/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfg Equality Minister Lynne Featherstone Says Government Is ''100% Committed To Gay Rights'' (02/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfh Large-Scale Survey To Explore Bisexuality In The Workplace (02/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfj Hollyoaks To Introduce Transgender Storyline (01/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES AND EXILES: ECRE Comments On The Recast Of The Asylum Procedures Directive (APD): http://www.ecre.org/news/1588 Eastern Europe Annual Country Reports 2009: ECRE Eastern Europe: Annual Country Reports 2009 on the situation for IDPs, refugees and asylum seeker in the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation and Ukraine are available: http://www.ecre.org/resources/1590 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM: The Parliament Improves The Journey Of 65 Million Passengers With Disabilities (06/07/10): http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13855&thebloc=24890 Tourism: Is Europe An Accessible Destination? (05/07/10): http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=24867 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS (International News): Irish Parliament Approves Civil Partnerships Bill (01/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfe Google To Compensate Gay US Workers For Unfair Tax Laws (01/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxfd ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UN WOMEN: UN Creates New Structure For Empowerment Of Women (02/07/10): In an historic move, the United Nations General Assembly voted unanimously today to create a new entity to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. The establishment of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — to be known as UN Women.... http://digbig.com/5bbxhf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ILGA-EUROPE: ILGA-Europe Publishes Its Memorandum To The Belgian Presidency Of The EU (05/07/10): http://digbig.com/5bbxha ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The EQUALITY UPDATES e-newsletter is produced on behalf of the Equality Networks Forum (ENF) The ENF: Glasgow Black and Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Network; Glasgow City Council; Glasgow Disability Alliance; Glasgow Women’s Voluntary Sector Network; West of Scotland Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum This message may contain information that has been sent to the ENF Communications and Resource Worker by third parties. While we do everything possible to ensure the transmission of accurate and appropriate material, we do not take responsibility for its content. The forwarding of information to you should not be seen as an endorsement of any of the views expressed. If you have been forwarded this e-newsletter but would like to subscribe directly to EQUALITY UPDATES, FUNDING EXTRA and/or JOBS EXTRA simply email kate.henderson@gcvs.org.uk If you wish to unsubscribe from this email list please email: kate.henderson@gcvs.org.uk with the message ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line. Contact details: Kate Henderson, Equality Networks Forum Communications and Resource Worker, Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector, 11 Queens Crescent, Glasgow G4 9AS Tel: 0141 332 2444 Fax: 0141 332 0175 Email: kate.henderson@gcvs.org.uk