Latest news with #LGBT+HistoryMonth
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Liverpool supporters group call for termination of new multi-year deal - 'We are livid'
There's been substantial backlash from Liverpool supporters group Kop Outs over the club's newly inked sponsorship deal with Visit Maldives, in light of the country's human rights record. The Reds' announcement of a multi-year partnership with Visit Maldives as their official tourism partner last Thursday didn't sit well. Kop Outs voiced their "profound anger and disappointment" in a visceral statement about the deal they view as a blatant contradiction to Liverpool FC's vaunted stance on equality and inclusion. The group has issued a call to the club for engaging dialogue with their representatives and additional fan cohorts to talk through the issue and solidify the Reds' public assurance towards upholding LGBT+ and broader human rights principles. Paul Amann, the chairperson of Kop Outs, conveyed his disbelief: "We are livid that after celebrating LGBT+ History Month and five years of Red Together, LFC has chosen to side with an oppressor of human rights. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as Reds' Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah plan emerges READ MORE: 'I'm really disappointed in Trent Alexander-Arnold - he's no Steven Gerrard' "LFC must reverse this, or lose not only all credibility on human rights, but also any chance of retaining its much-cherished Premier League Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard (PLEDIS) Advanced Level." Kop Outs argue that Liverpool "are effectively partnering with the Maldivian government and thereby aligning themselves with their views and laws", citing it as an instance of "sportswashing". The Kop Outs' statement further read: "Maldives' treatment of LGBT+ individuals is deeply concerning. Same-sex relations are criminalized, and LGBT+ people face systemic discrimination and persecution, imprisonment, fines and even lashings. This sponsorship effectively endorses a regime that actively violates the fundamental human rights of its citizens. "There are deeply concerning reports detailing the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Maldives. These demonstrate how the Maldivian government have failed to prevent a resurgence of the practice. "The LFC Foundation has a detailed safeguarding policy that references FGM, yet this deal with Visit Maldives may leave Liverpool FC complicit with a state that fails to protect women and girls from this harmful practice." Finally, they concluded: "Liverpool FC, a club with a rich history of social justice and a global fanbase that includes countless LGBT+ supporters, should not be associated with such a regime. This partnership tarnishes the club's reputation and undermines its commitment to 'You'll Never Walk Alone.'". "We, Kop Outs, will not stand by while our club profits from a partnership that supports oppression. We urge all Liverpool fans and human rights advocates to stand with us in condemning this decision."
BBC News
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rainbow plaque to be unveiled at former home of Jackie Forster
London's latest "rainbow plaque" has been unveiled at the former home of actor, broadcaster and lesbian rights activist Jackie the scheme, blue plaques bordered with rainbow stripes have been installed in several locations in the capital, to commemorate significant people, places or events in LGBTQIA+ publicly came out as a lesbian in 1969 and joined the Campaign for Homosexual Equality. She later co-founded the long-running lesbian social network and publication organisation Studio Voltaire, which runs the plaque scheme, described Forster as a "true trailblazer who paved the way for LGBTQIA+ people through her pioneering work". Following Sappho, Forster joined the Greater London Council's Women's Committee and became an active member of the Lesbian Archive and Information Centre Management Committee. "Jackie spent the last half of her life working increasingly for LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility," said Anne Lacey, Forster's partner."From the day she 'came out' at Speakers' Corner in 1969, she fought for the celebration of the word 'lesbian.'"The plaque was unveiled in front of her family, friends and fellow activists on Wednesday, at Forster's former home in Warwick Avenue, where she lived for 21 years until her Sanders, Founder of LGBT+ History Month said Forster was a "whirlwind and a massive champion for lesbian visibility"."Importantly, Jackie ensured there was a weekly safe space at Sappho's Notting Hill meetings. "Her kindness was legendary," she added. Forster was chosen for the commemoration through public nominations, with this being one of five new plaques being installed across London since initiative, supported by the Mayor of London, has already installed plaques for playwright Oscar Wilde (Clapham Junction Station), the film My Beautiful Laundrette (Vauxhall) and he Black and Lesbian Gay Centre (Peckham).
BBC News
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gay couple's archive reveals 'peaceful life' in 1920s Dorset
The lives of a gay couple who lived in a Dorset village for nearly six decades have been turned into an Notley and David Brynley moved to Corfe Castle in 1923 and lived openly as a couple, despite homosexuality being illegal at the two men were successful musicians who sang together in Britain and the United States and they had many friends in the art world. Photographs and diaries on display at Dorset Museum reveal they lived peacefully with the local community for 57 years until their deaths. In 1973, local people organised an event for the couple to celebrate their 50 years in the director Claire Dixon said: "They were known as 'the boys' quite affectionately by the community. "They didn't throw the party, the community threw it for them."When lots of people were having to hide the fact that they were gay, or think about their behaviour in public space, it seems that they were able to live quite a peaceful life in the village." The couple shared a passion for creating art as well as collecting and Notley bequeathed his collection of paintings to Dorset being able to live authentically, the only image in the collection of them being affectionate to one another is a photo of Brynley kissing Notley on the died in 1980, aged 90, and Brynley a year later, aged Ball, an archaeology student at Bournemouth University, began digitising the couple's photographs and transcribing their journals and letters as part of a work placement at the museum. She said: "Being able to share their story has been so important as there are not many collections like this that give a glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ+ people from this time period."The photographs that have stuck with me the most are the ones with their many dogs and the rare few of Norman on his own, where you get to see a glimpse of his personality."The display, curated by Ms Ball, with advice from Prof Jana Funke of the University of Exeter, is on display throughout February to coincide with LGBT+ History Month.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
‘I will not stop shouting' about LGBT rights, says MP in ‘gayest Parliament'
An MP has warned that politicians in the UK, Europe and the US are trying to 'tear down' protections for LGBT+ people, as she spoke to celebrate 'the gayest Parliament in the world'. Kate Osborne described receiving 'horrific' abuse when she tried to arrange a pride event in her Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency near Newcastle, but promised the LGBT+ community 'will not be pushed back in the closet'. The MP, who said she came out as a lesbian 40 years ago, told the Commons on Thursday: 'It's an honour to be speaking in the main chamber in this Parliament, as Mr Speaker (Sir Lindsay Hoyle) told us the other night at his reception, the gayest Parliament in the world. ' LGBT History Month has never been more needed than it is right now, with politicians of all political stripes here in the UK, in Europe and of course, in America, trying to tear down the few protections LGBTQ+ have, attack our rights, and rewrite history. 'Our history and our activism needs to be shouted about. We will not be silenced. 'We will not be erased. We will not be pushed back in the closet and our history will be celebrated and remembered. 'We need people to continue to be brave enough to shout 'I am here'. 'I'm a lesbian, and I'm saying that in the 'mother of all Parliaments', and I will not stop shouting about it. 'Diversity is what makes us wonderful, it gives us strength. ''Dyke' is no longer an insult but a badge that I wear with pride, just like my 'she/her' pronoun badge.' According to an independent website set up to record the number of LGBT+ MPs, at least 75 MPs identify as LGBT+. The website listed 66 MPs in the last parliament, before last year's general election. We must celebrate our history and remind people that we have always been here, that trans people have always existed, Kate Osborne 'We must celebrate our history and remind people that we have always been here, that trans people have always existed,' Ms Osborne said, speaking to mark LGBT+ History Month. 'But we also have to remember the lessons of our activism – remember and listen to those who lived those fights and learn from them in order to defend our community from this latest wave of attacks.' She said she faced a 'barrage of abuse' while helping to set up a pride event in Hebburn led by local campaigners. Ms Osborne warned flags were 'ripped down' and a newspaper removed an article about the event as a result of abusive comments. She also said she and campaigners 'received some horrific homophobic and lesbophobic abuse online and in real life'. The MP added 'note of caution around our Government's own policy and rhetoric on puberty blockers', saying: 'I believe this decision is putting people's health at risk.' The Government introduced an indefinite ban on puberty blockers last year for children experiencing gender dysphoria after a review led by Baroness Cass found the quality of studies around their use was 'poor', with plans underway to set up a clinical trial. Equalities minister Dame Nia Griffith had earlier said: 'For most people under the age of 40, it's almost inconceivable to imagine a society in which LGBT+ were not visible and integrated. 'Most, if not all of us, have LGBT+ family, friends and colleagues. In this very chamber, one in 10 members identify as LGBT+, a world record for any Parliament as far as we know.' She later added: 'As history shows us, progress is not static. 'New challenges will always emerge, and hard-won rights must not only be cherished but guarded. 'That's why the Government is committed to upholding Britain's long-standing record of protecting the rights of individuals, and ensuring the Equality Act protects everyone. 'But there are others who would gladly reverse this, returning to a time where discrimination was permissible, even empowered under the law. 'We must be ever mindful of such intentions and remember from our history why we do not wish to revisit such times. Lawful discrimination, Section 28, vilification and rejection by wider society are history, and they must remain such.'
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hospital concert celebrates LGBT+ history month
A charity ukulele performance is set to take place at a Surrey hospital for patients, visitors and staff. Musician Matthew Quilliam is bringing the live music experience to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford on Tuesday to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. The music will be a "simple but powerful gesture of appreciation for staff and patients", a hospital spokesperson said. Mr Quilliam said: "Music gets people talking, listening, and feeling, creating a real sense of community." He added: "Many of the musicians I have met throughout my career from the LGBT+ community have a lot to express about their struggles, identity, or experiences. "It's great to be able to encourage that sense of camaraderie and celebrate together." The hospital has been hosting live music with the charity Music in Hospitals & Care for several years. Penelope Makrykosta, nurse manager, said: "Music touches everyone. It plays a big role in emotional wellbeing. "We work with colleagues and have patients who belong to the LGBT+ community and we want to celebrate it." Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. What it means to 'come out' The LGBT history you probably didn't learn in school Why is learning about LGBT history important? Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust Music in Hospitals & Care
