EQUALITY UPDATES 24th June 2010 View online at http://enf.org.uk/blog/ Join us on Facebook: Glasgow ENF http://www.facebook.com/glasgow.enf Budget News http://enf.org.uk/blog/?p=1233 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GLASGOW NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SHAPE: Unlimited Commissions - Advice Sessions: Monday 5 July, 10am - 1pm, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow. Commissions totalling £1.5 million will be awarded to help celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games across the UK. ...We will be holding five Advice Sessions for disabled artists, disabled and Deaf-led arts organisations and mainstream producers in June and July 2010. The Advice Sessions will bring together speakers from London 2012, Arts Council England and the British Council so you can find out more about the commissions and how to apply. Sessions also in Dewsbury, Cardiff, and Manchester. More info at http://www.shapearts.org.uk/news/newsdetail/index.asp?view=273 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CULTURE AND SPORT GLASGOW: New Brand To Connect Glasgow''s Most Valued Services (21/06/10): Culture and Sport Glasgow is being transformed into Glasgow Life. http://digbig.com/5bbtwe ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PARAGON: Make Music Move 2010: Paragon And Scottish Dance Theatre Summer Course: 5 – 9 July. An exciting new movement and music summer course designed specifically for young people (12 – 18 yrs) with physical impairments and wheelchair users. The course is run and devised by musician, Ninian Perry, and dancer, Caroline Bowditch from Scottish Dance Theatre. See a video clip of last summer’s course by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/user/ParagonEnsemble and click on Make Music Move. For more information contact: Ninian Perry, Creative Director, Paragon, CCA, 350 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G2 3JD 0141 354 0234, 07788 974 067, ninian- paragon@btconnect.com, http://www.paragon-music.org ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RNID SCOTLAND: An Introduction To Deafness & Hearing Loss: 29th June, 10am – 12pm, Partick South Church, 259 Dumbarton Rd, Partick G11 6AB As part of the new ‘Hear to Help’ project, RNID Scotland will be running a short information session on deafness and hearing loss. Issues discussed will include: What is deafness and hearing loss? Impact of deafness and hearing loss; Communication; Products and equipment; Any more………! 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 on: Tel: 0141 341 5338 Text: 0141 341 5347 Email: donna.mcswiggan@rnid.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From BRIDGES PROGRAMMES, CELTIC AND RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUBS: Are You Looking For A Challenge? Then Join And Be Part Of ….Vibrant Glasgow: 32 Week Personal Development Course for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, Black Minority Ethnic Communities or anyone for whom English is a second language (ESOL Students). Are you: Looking to prepare for work or go to College? Wanting to learn IT Skills? Wanting to take up voluntary work experience? Wanting to learn to become more healthy?For more information contact Tiff Griffin (Bridges Programmes) 0141 445 4464 Mob: 0785 455 3662, Rose Mbabazi (Bridges Programmes) 0141 445 4464 Mob: 0785 455 4987 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From POSITIVE ACTION IN HOUSING: Dr Henry Tankel: It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing away on Saturday 19 June 2010 of Dr Henry Tankel OBE, a longstanding committee member and staunch supporter of Positive Action in Housing. Read the rest of the Statement from PAiH at http://ymlp.com/zjE6Ab ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW WOMEN’S LIBRARY: Nicky Bird’s Unsorted Donations: 26TH June, 11am - 4pm. After months of research in the Glasgow Women’s Library (GWL) Archives, group discussions, individual interviews, and sound recordings, Nicky Bird is ready to present her new work: Unsorted Donations. http://www.womenslibrary.org.uk/2010/06/nicky-birds-unsorted-donations/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SCOTTISH NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY NETWORK: Pride Scotia 2010: Saturday 26th June, Edinburgh: http://www.pride-scotia.org/ Halt Hate Crime: The new joint Equality Network/Stonewall Scotland/EHRC publication, Halt Hate Crime, will be launched at Pride Scotia on 26th June. Although the cover is EHRC-branded, the content was jointly written and approved by the Equality Network and Stonewall Scotland. Look for it on any of the three organisation’s stalls. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH WOMEN’S AID: Scottish Women’s Aid Annual Conference: Building A New Path: Justice System Responses To Women, Children And Young People Who Experience Domestic Abuse: 15th September, Grosvenor Hilton Hotel, Edinburgh. Rates: Full rate £120, Women’s Aid groups £75 Contact: Scottish Women’s Aid, 2nd Floor, 132 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 3JD Tel 0131 226 6606 Fax 0131 226 2996 Email info@scottishwomensaid.org.uk www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DEAFLBLIND SCOTLAND: Community Planning Involvement Project: Deafblind Scotland’s Community Planning Involvement project is an innovative 3-year project funded by the Scottish Executive. The aim is to find ways to ensure the needs of deafblind people are represented, taken account of and addressed in the community planning process. http://digbig.com/5bbttw ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CAPABILITY SCOTLAND: The Emergency Budget: Tough Times Ahead For Disabled People? (22/06/10): http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/responsetobudget_1.aspx Disabled Scots Demand Electoral Reform (21/06/10): According to new research conducted by Capability Scotland and Scope, electoral reform is necessary if improvements are to be made to access to voting for disabled people. http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/electoralreform.aspx ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From LGBT CENTRE FOR HEALTH AND WELLBEING: LGBT Pride Breakfast: Saturday 26th June 10 - 12noon, 9 Howe St, Edinburgh EH3 6TE. The breakfast is for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people their friends, family and supporters. Tickets are £5, and all funds go towards the Centre’s community development programme. The Centre will be showcasing some of the best in local produce with tasty products from small businesses such as Jacob’s Patisserie. Pride Breakfast is aimed at providing LGBT people with a meeting place before the official start of Pride Scotia at 13:30. To sign up or for further information contact the Centre 0131 523 1100 or email admin@lgbthealth.org.uk. This event is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From UPDATE: Polling For Disabled Below Standard: Facilities at polling stations for disabled people during the 2010 General Election campaign have been criticised in a new report www.update.org.uk/a/news_and_events/Polling_disabled_substandard.php ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN PREVENTION NETWORK SCOTLAND: Scottish Anti-Stalking Group Wins Campaign Award (22/06/10): The Ayrshire-based campaigning group Action Scotland Against Stalking has won a prestigious award at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2010. http://digbig.com/5bbtqw Violence Against Men Debate in the Scottish Parliament (18/06/10): On Thursday 10th June, for the first time in 11 years, Scottish politicians debated the issue of violence against men in Scotland. http://digbig.com/5bbtqx TARA Warns EoC About Sex Trafficking During Commonwealth Games (18/06/10): The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games could see an increase in human trafficking and prostitution, MSPs have been warned. http://digbig.com/5bbtqy ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCVO: VAT Rise Will Cost Scottish Charities £14 Million (22/06/10) http://digbig.com/5bbtra ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From HM TREASURY: Budget 2010: Scotland: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/junebudget_scotland.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From THE HERALD: Imams Urged To Condemn Domestic Abuse (20/06/10): SCOTLAND’S leading Islamic scholar is launching an unprecedented campaign to place anti-domestic violence messages in Friday prayers at every mosque in Scotland. http://digbig.com/5bbtrd ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GLASGOW COUNCIL FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR: Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme Remains On Track (21/06/10): The Home Office has announced that it is to conduct a review of the vetting and barring scheme that covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This decision has no bearing upon the Scottish Governments own Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, due to launch nearer the end of this year. http://digbig.com/5bbtpd ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH WOMEN’S CONVENTION: Highland Roadshows: The SWC are travelling to the Highlands of Scotland in July for a three day roadshow programme. We will be in Lochinver on Thursday 15th July, Lairg on Friday 16th July and Inverness on Saturday 17th July. To register please email mary@scottishwomensconvention.org ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ODS SCOTLAND: Scottish Government Support For Equalities Focused Organisations: .. an exciting new free support programme for equalities focused organisations in Scotland. Equally Enterprising supports equalities focused organisations in the third sector to become more enterprising. It is funded by the Scottish Government, and delivered by ODS Consulting. For more information go to http://enf.org.uk/blog/?p=1234 Equally Enterprising: http://equallyenterprising.ning.com/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT: Committee Highlights Worrying Gaps In Mental Health Act (24/06/10): www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-comm-10/ceq10-s3-005.htm Equal Opportunities Committee Next Meeting: 13th Meeting, Tuesday 29 June 2010: Main Item: Inquiry into migration and trafficking http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/equal/index.htm End Of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill Committee: 22 June, 3rd Meeting, 2010: … The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1. It is expected that the Committee will begin taking oral evidence from witnesses on the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill in September 2010. www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/endLifeAsstBill/index.htm Justice Committee: 22 June 2010, 21st Meeting, 2010: Includes: consideration of its approach to the scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill and the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Bill http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/justice/index.htm SB 10-41 Tracking The Scottish Budget (320KB pdf) (22/06/10): www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/date/documents/SB10-41.pdf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT: Ministers Step Up Action On The Early Years (23/06/10): Act now to stop more young lives being wasted says Russell. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/06/23100738 Community Punishments To Replace Shortest Prison Sentences (23/06/10): http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/06/23153353 Moves To Protect Social Housing (23/06/10): Legislation signals ‘last rites’ for right to buy and rogue private landlords. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/06/23145835 Budget ''Will Cut Growth'' (22/06/10): Budget cuts ''too far, too fast'' and will damage recovery - Finance Secretary. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2010/06/22155544 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ UK NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Commission Welcomes Court’s Decision On Local Authority Power (24/06/10): In a judgment delivered today, the High Court reminded local authorities of the extent of their powers in relation to incapacitated children and adults. http://digbig.com/5bbtww Young Brits At Art Awards Winners Announced (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtwt Court Issues A Reprieve To Residents Of Wards Corner (22/06/10): The Court of Appeal today revoked planning permission for Wards Corner and reminded local councils of their duty to consciously consider the impact of proposed large-scale building redevelopment on different racial groups. http://digbig.com/5bbtws ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GOVERNMENT EQUALITIES OFFICE: Strategic Action Plan Consultation: Violence Against Women And Girls Voluntary And Community Sector: The GEO has developed a Strategic Action Plan, in partnership with other government departments, to look at what the Government could do to support the sustainability of the violence against women and girls voluntary and community sector. We are keen to gather views from the VAWG voluntary and community sector, commissioners and others with an interest in the work. The Women’s National Commission, which successfully raised the need to address the sustainability of the voluntary and community sector with government, has agreed to manage this consultation on GEO’s behalf. The consultation period will run from Thursday 01 April to Friday 23 July 2010. If you are unable to download the documents or complete the questions on Survey Monkey please contact us on 030 3444 408 Access the Strategic Action Plan, the Consultation Document and the Consultation questions on the GEO Website: http://digbig.com/5bbtmh ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MIND: Mental Heath Coalition Welcomes New Government Spending On Psychological Therapies (23/06/10): We Need to Talk Coalition pleased with commitment to talking therapies from new government. http://digbig.com/5bbtwd Stacey Gives Birth (23/06/10): Eastenders'' Stacey Branning faces a dilemma: should she continue taking medication as a breastfeeding mother? http://www.mind.org.uk/news/3581_stacey_gives_birth ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From STONEWALL: Father’s Day 2010: Gay Men Are Dads Too! (18/06/10): http://www.stonewall.org.uk/media/current_releases/4032.asp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION: JRF’s Response To The Budget (22/06/10): Today''s budget was looking very grim for people in poverty, then, right at the end, came a ray of light for families with children. http://www.jrf.org.uk/blog/2010/06/response-budget ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MINISTRY OF JUSTICE: Race And The Criminal Justice System (18/06/10): The publication reports statistical information on the representation of black and minority ethnic groups as suspects, offenders and victims within the criminal justice system and on employees within criminal justice agencies. http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/raceandcjs.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DEPARTMENT OF WORK AND PENSIONS: Duncan Smith And Webb: We Will Reinvigorate Retirement (24/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbttx Publication Of DWP Research Report No. 640: Problem Drug Users’ Experiences Of Employment And The Benefit System (17/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtty Radical Rethink On Getting Drug And Alcohol Users Back To Work (17/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtwa ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From GUARDIAN: Budget 2010 Losers: Women, Disabled And Families Bear The Brunt (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtmy Fund To Help Disabled People Runs Out Of Cash (23/06/10): Disability leaders shocked by announcement that the Independent Living Fund can consider no new applications this year http://digbig.com/5bbtnb ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From TUC: Child Benefit Would Be £2 Lower If It Had Been Linked To CPI (22/06/10): If child benefit had been linked to CPI since 2000 instead of RPI, it would now be £18.05 for the first child rather than the current £20.30, according to new TUC research published today. And carers'' allowance – paid to people looking after dependents – would now be £5 less at £48.64 a week rather than its current level of £53.90. http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-18126-f0.cfm Poor Mothers Will Lose £1,200 (22/06/10): Poor mothers will lose up to £1,200 a year from changes announced in the Budget today, and are among the biggest losers according to a TUC analysis of benefit changes. The Sure Start Maternity Grant will, from April 2011, only be available for the first child in a family. This is a cut of £500 for low income pregnant mothers who already have a child. http://www.tuc.org.uk/newsroom/tuc-18124-f0.cfm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS (ACEVO): Response To Emergency Budget (22/06/10): Responding to today’s emergency budget Stephen Bubb, CEO of ACEVO, the representative body for charity leaders said, "The scale of the challenge facing charities as a result of this Budget is enormous. The spending cuts outlined today will impact on frontline services. The vulnerable will likely receive less support, charities will be asked to do more, and will have to do so at a time that their cost base is rising due to the VAT rise". http://www.acevo.org.uk/Document.Doc?id=762 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RADAR: 2010 Emergency Budget: RADAR Briefing: Whilst RADAR welcomes the commitment to extend Housing Benefits to enable a disabled person to have a carer live in or sleep over, RADAR cannot support yet another assessment regime for people living with ill-health, injury or disability, as proposed by the Government for the Disability Living Allowance. This announcement has already brought significant stress and upset to disabled people. We believe that there are other ways of saving money. http://www.radar.org.uk/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMEN’S AID: Women''s Aid And Cosmopolitan Launch Real Man Celebrity Domestic Violence Campaign (08/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtsf ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS: HIV Charity Concerned At Disability Allowance Reforms (22/06/10): The HIV/AIDS charity National AIDS Trust has said it is "very concerned" at a Budget announcement that Disability Living Allowance will be reformed. New and existing claimants for the support will be subjected to medical tests. http://digbig.com/5bbtrj Trans Woman Wins Right To Backdated Pension (22/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrk Trans Media Watchdog Dismayed At Ofcom Report (18/06/10): A media watchdog which promotes better representation of trans people has criticised Ofcom’s research into attitudes towards offensive language. http://digbig.com/5bbtrm ''We Need Cultural Change'' – Equality Minister Theresa May Writes For Pinknews.Co.Uk (18/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrn Theresa May Says Sportsmen And Newspaper Editors Must ''Take Action'' Against Homophobia (18/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From HOME OFFICE: Immigration To Be Reduced (24/06/10): Damian Green says the new government will introduce measures to properly control immigration after figures were published today showing an increase in the UK population. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/immigration-be-reduced Review Of Pre-Charge Detention (24/06/10): Home Secretary proposes that the maximum length for detaining a terror suspect before they are charged should be renewed but says the government is looking to reduce the current 28 day limit over time. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/media-centre/news/28-day-detention ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOTTISH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Creating a Fairer UK Society: Equality and Diversity in the 21st Century 7the October, London. ''Creating a Fairer UK Society: Equality and Diversity in the 21st Century'' will provide a key discussion on the main policy issues covered in the new coalition programme and allow delegates to discuss and debate how the new Equality Act will work in practice, the impact on organisations and what they can do to prepare for its full implementation. http://digbig.com/5bbtrc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From MENCAP: Mencap Responds To The Budget (23/06/10): The Budget includes new medical assessments for people applying for Disability Living Allowance. Mencap responds. http://www.mencap.org.uk/news.asp?id=15023&pageno=&year=&menuId=91 Mencap Launches Getting It Right (21/06/10): Almost half of doctors (46%) and a third of nurses (37%) say that people with a learning disability receive a poorer standard of healthcare than the rest of the population, according to a survey published today by learning disability charity Mencap to launch its new campaign, Getting it right. http://www.mencap.org.uk/news.asp?id=14994&pageno=&year=&menuId=91 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RNIB: Disability Living Allowance - Budget Announcement: http://digbig.com/5bbtwb ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From SCOPE: Additional Statement On Proposed Changes To Disability Living Allowance Assessments - In Response To The Emergency Budget (23/06/10): http://www.scope.org.uk/node/16645 Scope Calls For Online Voting To End Discrimination Against Disabled Voters (21/06/10): A new report by the disability charity found that 67 per cent of polling stations surveyed in May failed a basic disability access test. http://www.scope.org.uk/node/16629 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DISABILITY NOW: DLA Recipients To Face Medical Assessment (23/06/10): http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/latest-news2/medical-test-for-dla Budget Opens Door To Extra Room For Carers (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtwc ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RAPE CRISIS ENGLAND AND WALES: Funding Campaign News (22/06/10): Rape Crisis groups in England and Wales are asking for reassurance from the Coalition Government that it will keep its sustainable funding commitment to Rape Crisis. http://www.rapecrisis.org.uk/news_show.php?id=47 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From RNID: RNID Statement In Response To JAMA Report Regarding Personal Media Players And Hearing Loss (22/06/10): http://www.rnid.org.uk/mediacentre/press/2010/jamaresponse.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From NCVO: Budget 2010: How Will It Affect You? (22/06/10): Find out what the Emergency Budget means for those working in or with the voluntary and community sector, as we bring you an at-a-glance summary of key points announced by the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer. http://digbig.com/5bbtrh ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL: Schools Still Failing To Promote Positive Attitudes Towards Disabled People: Girl answering questionProgress towards teaching children to have positive attitudes towards disabled people has been slow and ''patchy'', according to a new study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). http://digbig.com/5bbtrg ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FAWCETT: Women Will Bear Brunt Of Emergency Budget Measures (22/06/10): Fawcett response to Osborne''s emergency budget http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=1161 Comment On DCMS Letter About Lapdance Club Licensing (18/06/08): http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk//index.asp?PageID=708 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From DEMOS: VAT Raise Not “Unavoidable”: Raising VAT to 20 per cent is not an unavoidable measure to address the deficit, says the think tank Demos, responding to the June Budget. Analysis from Demos shows that a progressive approach to balancing national finances could and should come from focusing on tax rises. http://www.demos.co.uk/press_releases/vatraisenotunavoidable ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ INTERNATIONAL NEWS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From EUROPEAN DISABILITY FORUM: Europe 2020: The Missed Opportunity To Do Justice To Persons With Disabilities (18/06/10): http://www.edf-feph.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13854&thebloc=24759 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From PINK NEWS (International): Biggest European Online Sex Survey For Gay And Bisexual Men Is Launched (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrq Marchers To Defy St Petersburg Pride Ban (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrr Potential Violence Expected At Czech Pride (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrs Toronto Gay Rights Protesters March Against G20 (23/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtrt ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AGENCY: European Institute For Gender Equality Opens To The Public (21/06/2010): www.fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/news_and_events/infocus10_2106_en.htm ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From WOMANKIND: World Cup Fever?: The waiting’s over. As the saturation World Cup coverage begins, WOMANKIND’s South African partners are steeling themselves for the more disturbing side of this major sporting event — increased violence against women. http://www.womankind.org.uk/world_cup_fever.html ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From ILGA-EUROPE: European Court of Human Rights: “a cohabiting same-sex couple living in a stable de facto partnership, falls within the notion of “family life”, just as the relationship of a different-sex couple in the same situation would.” (24/06/10): Today the European Court of Human Rights delivered its judgement in the case of Schalk and Kopf v. Austria and ruled that Austria did not breach Article 12 (right to marry) by not allowing a same-sex couple to marry. http://digbig.com/5bbtwj ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From CHANGE.ORG.UK: Text Messages One More Weapon in Abuser''s Arsenal (21/06/10): http://digbig.com/5bbtwp ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The EQUALITY SCOTLAND NEWS e-newsletter is produced as part of the GCVS Mainstreaming Equalities Change Champion project. The Project is funded through the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland, through the Supporting Voluntary Action Programme being administered by SCVO, (the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) DISCLAIMER This message may contain information that has been sent to the newsletter 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 please 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, Mainstreaming Equalities Change Champion Communications 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