Date: Thursday 5th May 2011
Venue: Europa Hotel Belfast
Time: Cocktail reception from 7pm; Meal from 8pm

Entertainment is going to consist of Quoir, who will sing some fantastic numbers for us during the reception, with a DJ for the party! Miss Roxy Tumbledryer will be in attendance, offering up a live cabaret performance and making the night fabulous. After the meal, we will all head to the Shoe Factory for the after party (entrance is free – the venue is booked exclusively for QUB LGBT – please bear in mind that the Shoe Factory is an Over-18 venue).

You can buy your tickets (price only £35) in person from Nicholas Young (nicholas_young21@hotmail.co.uk) or this Sunday from union Street during Sunday Bingo Show and afterwards in Kremlin. Alternatively, you can buy your ticket online with a credit or debit card at tinyurl.com/lgbtformal and bring your booking receipt on the night to redeem your ticket! Ticket sales end 2nd May 2011.

Make sure you get your ticket before they’re all gone – the night promises to be a unique and rare opportunity, so not one to be missed!

The Minister said: “Bullying is not, and never will be, acceptable in our schools, nor in our society as a whole. By law, all schools must have a discipline policy which includes anti-bullying measures. The culture of silence that often accompanies this issue is so oppressive and negative that our young people need to know they are not alone and that support is always available. We need them to know where, how and who they can get support from.

“I congratulate Shimna Integrated College for providing invaluable support to their pupils through the formation of the Gay/Straight Alliance. I also welcome the fact that organisations such as The Rainbow Project, Cara-Friend and GLYNI are working with schools to address homophobia.”

The Department of Education continues to work in close partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations to address bullying in all its forms. It is for this reason that it plays an active role in and funds the local Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) which has established a number of working groups, one of which specifically considered the issue of homophobic bullying. The working group produced a fact sheet for teachers which is available on the NIABF website.

There is a YouTube project: youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject where parents, friends, gay people, have all posted about how no matter how bad it is now, it gets better!

A Rutgers University freshman posted a goodbye message on his Facebook page before jumping to his death after his roommate secretly filmed him during a “sexual encounter” in his dorm room and posted it live on the Internet.

Items belonging to 18-year-old Rutgers student Tyler Clementi were found by the George Washington Bridge last week, according to authorities. Clementi’s freshman ID card and driver’s license were in the wallet.

Clementi’s post on his Facebook page, dated Sept. 22 at 8:42 p.m. read, “Jumping off the gw bridge sorry.”

Clementi’s body has not been recovered, but police have pulled an unidentified male body from the Hudson River just north of the bridge.

Paul Mainardi, the attorney representing the Clementi family, released a statement confirming Clementi’s suicide.

“Tyler was a fine young man, and a distinguished musician. The family is heartbroken beyond words. They respectfully request that they be given time to grieve their great loss and that their privacy at this painful time be respected by all,” Mainardi said.

Two students, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, have been charged with two counts each of invasion of privacy after allegedly placing a camera in Clementi’s room and livestreaming the recording online on Sept. 19, according to a written statement by New Jersey’s Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan.

A Twitter page that appears to have been operated by Ravi but has since been taken offline shows messages in which the accused student takes credit for the alleged videotaping of Clementi.

On Sept. 19, Ravi appears to tweet, “Roommate asked for the room till midnight. I went into molly’s room and turned on my webcam. I saw him making out with a dude. Yay.”

Ravi faces two additional counts of invasion of privacy for allegedly attempting to use the camera to view and transmit another sexual encounter involving the same student just two days later, said Kaplan.

On Sept. 21 Ravi posted, “Anyone with iChat, I dare you to video chat me between the hours of 9:30 and 12. Yes it’s happening again.”

Clementi’s lawyer said the family is cooperating with the ongoing criminal investigation into Ravi and Wei’s alleged actions.

“The case is being investigated by the Rutgers University Police Department. The students — like all who are accused of a crime — must be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” said Rutgers President Richard L. McCormick in a statement. “The case is also being investigated by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs under the code of student conduct.”

“Rutgers is a community that is extraordinarily proud of its diversity and the respect its members have for one another.”

A Facebook memorial group created in honor of Clementi already has hundreds of members, many of whom are fellow graduates of Ridgewood High School in New Jersey. Clementi had graduated Ridgewood this past spring.

One of Tyler’s friends, Courtney Ayukawa, posted to the group’s wall, “I will always remember everything from our preschool’s Halloween party to your amazing musical talents. When you picked up the violin and began to play, it was as if everything just paused until you put it down again. We will never forget you Tyler. May you rest in peace.”

Strangers have also contributed to the memorial page, one writing simply, “R.I.P from a stranger.”

Michael Zhuang, a friend of Ravi’s for six years, describes the suspect as someone into computer programming and video games.

Zhuang told ABC News he believes Ravi was excited to go to Rutgers and believes the media portrayals of Ravi as possibly homophobic or a serious prankster are not true. “I’m in shock, I didn’t expect this to happen and I am just speechless. He’s normally very nice and I don’t think that this is a representation of him,” said Zhuang. “He’s very very open minded and he, like if it had been a girl in the room it wouldn’t have been any different,” he said.

Jim O’Neill, the public information officer for prosecutor’s office, declined to comment on the case.

Both Wei and Ravi surrendered to police. Wei has been released on her own recognizance and Ravi posted $25,000 bail.

Under New Jersey’s invasion-of-privacy statutes, it is a fourth degree crime to collect or view images depicting nudity or sexual contact involving another individual without that person’s consent, and it is a third degree crime to transmit or distribute such images. The penalty for conviction of a third degree offense can include a prison term of up to five years.

Lawyers for both Wei and Ravi did not respond to messages left by ABC News.

ABC News’ Aaron Katarsky, Shimon Prokupecz and Ayana Harry contributed to this story.

There is a YouTube project: youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject where parents, friends, gay people, have all posted about how no matter how bad it is now, it gets better!

Peace, out!
- Matt

So, Mondays are back to normal here at GLYNI now, with our usual weekly mix of session work on Mondays and social fun on Fridays. Both nights we open at 6pm, with the session work running 7:30 – 9pm on Mondays with a mid-session break for all you smokers!

This term we hope to have an exciting array of sessions, with particular focus on having one-off speakers in on alternating Mondays to give talks and discussions on what interests YOU. Our calendar >>>>>>>>>>>>> will soon be updated with an agenda, so keep calling back!

No matter how careful you are (and you should be careful everybody!) sometimes you might, through no fault of your own, catch some sort of STD. In partnership with Rainbow Project, we will have sexual health clinics operating on other weeknights, usually once every couple of weeks. Rainbow Project workers will administer any checks you need, as well as offer vaccinations against some STDs such as Hep-B. It is obviously discreet and anonymous. A valuable service indeed if you are even slightly worried you might have caught something… unpleasant. Again, details of this will be posted on our calendar!

Final announcement is to just remind people about our upcoming residential and activity weekend – 22nd – 24th October! There are limited places available and the price is £20 a head, but this is great value – activities include Kayaking, Canoeing, Abseiling, Archery, Climbing Wall, and more! Plus, we have been promised that the volunteer team will be performing a GLYNI Cabaret act! Not to be missed – speak to Mark ASAP to book your place!

Peace, out!

- Matt

The judge found it unconstitutionally discriminated against same-sex couples who sought to wed.

The state measure, known as Proposition 8, was passed by voters in 2008. It banned same-sex marriage, although the state offered same-sex civil unions.

Backers of the ban intend to appeal against the judge’s ruling. The case is likely to reach the US Supreme Court.

The measure was passed in a ballot referendum by a vote of 52% to 48%.

Currently, five states and Washington DC allow same-sex nuptials, though many states have enacted bans.

The ruling does not immediately allow California same-sex couples to marry, as US District Judge Vaughn Walker has delayed final entry of his judgement so he can hear arguments on whether to stay the ruling, pending appeal.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger quickly welcomed Wednesday’s judgement.

“For the hundreds of thousands of Californians in gay and lesbian households who are managing their day-to-day lives, this decision affirms the full legal protections and safeguards I believe everyone deserves,” he said in a statement.

“At the same time, it provides an opportunity for all to consider our history of leading the way to the future, and our growing reputation of treating all people and their relationships with equal respect and dignity.”

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, also hailed the ruling.

“Proposition 8 has taken away individual rights and freedoms, and is a stain upon the California Constitution,” she said in a statement.

Supporters of the gay marriage ban vowed to appeal against the ruling.

Randy Thomasson, of the socially conservative group SaveCalifornia.com, described it as a “terrible blow” to voter rights.

“Judge Walker has ignored the written words of the constitution, which he swore to support and defend and be impartially faithful to, and has instead imposed his own homosexual agenda upon the voters, the parents and the children of California,” he told the AFP news agency.

‘Right to choose’

The 2008 ballot measure, known as Proposition 8, amended the California constitution to state that “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California”.

Two same-sex couples challenged the measure, saying it violated their right to equal protection under the US constitution.

They said the measure violated gays’ and lesbians’ right to choose whom to marry while allowing it to heterosexuals.

Supporters of the ban said it affirmed the will of California voters to exclude same-sex couples from marriage and argued the state had an interest in promoting procreation within marriage.

In his ruling, Judge Walker permanently forbade enforcement of the same-sex marriage ban.

“Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage licence,” he wrote.

“Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California constitution the notion that opposite sex couples are superior to same-sex couples.

“Because California has no interest in discriminating against gay men and lesbians, and because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.”

Taken from the BBC article of the same name.

Chief Commissioner Bob Collins commented,

“When Belfast’s first “Pride” parade was held twenty years ago people who were lesbian, gay or bisexual had no legal protection against discrimination in any sphere of their life. It was only in 2003 that equality legislation was introduced to protect them from unfair treatment at work, in training and in further education and not until 2006 that this was extended to the provision of goods, facilities and services.”

“The law now requires that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are afforded the equality of treatment, and the respect, due to every human being. We cannot claim to respect people’s dignity while tolerating discrimination against them and it is through the implementation of these laws that we can demonstrate our determination, as a society, to reject prejudice, hostility and unfair treatment of people simply on grounds of their sexual orientation.”

“Some of the typical problems faced by gay, lesbian and bisexual people in their everyday lives are clearly illustrated by the legal cases we supported last year. As with other groups protected by the equality legislation, many of the cases that came up were brought by people who claimed they were subject to unfair treatment or harassment at work.

One case involved a young lesbian woman working as a trainee grounds person, who claimed that she was subject to foul and offensive language, was the butt of sexually explicit jokes and was hit with the bucket of a tractor.  That case was settled, with the employer paying £10,000, apologising to the claimant and agreeing to liaise with the Commission over its policies, practices and procedures.
Another young lesbian woman, working in retail, came to the Commission when she was victimised after complaining to her management about bad language, offensive remarks and a hurtful practical joke carried out in public. That case was also settled, the employer paid £5,000 to the claimant, apologised to her and agreed to liaise with the Commission over its policies, practices and procedures.
A gay man whose manager told him, in front of other staff, to ‘tone down his gayness’ raised a grievance with his employer. Subsequently, when he rather than the manager was moved, he felt that he had been penalised. The company concerned paid the man £6,000 without admission of liability.
A gay man who complained to police about incidents of homophobic abuse outside his rented accommodation was subsequently given notice to quit by his landlord. In a settlement of the case the landlord apologised and paid him £3,500.”

“Cases like these show that no-one has to put up with insulting or hurtful behaviour because of their sexual orientation, in work or in access to services.” Bob Collins said. “I want to take the opportunity afforded by this week of Pride events to remind lesbian, gay and bisexual people that they have the right to challenge unfair treatment and that they can confidently assert their rights at work and in society.  People who feel they have been discriminated against on the grounds of their sexuality can contact our enquiry line on 028 90 890 890 for free and confidential advice.”

1. The Law

The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (NI) 2003 (the SO Regs 03) make it unlawful for employers and others to discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation in the areas of employment, vocational training and further and higher education.

The Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (NI) 2006 (the SO Regs 06) extend the protection against discrimination to the provision of goods, facilities and services, the management and disposal of land or premises and the provision of education in schools.

2. Equality Commission legal statistics

In the year ended 31 March 2010, the Equality Commission had 42 enquiries about sexual orientation discrimination, about 1.3% of all enquiries that year.  Of these, almost 60% were to do with the workplace.

GLYNI will be on as usual on Fridays, and throughout August we will be opening our Monday evenings as an additional summer drop-in. So come along, whether you are old or new! Would be great to see some new faces from Pride!

Peace, out!

The event is being held in the Black Box, and begins at 7pm. There are no age restrictions!

They’ve faced down humans time and time again, but Fred Phelps and his minions from the Westboro Baptist Church were not ready for the cosplay action that awaited them today at Comic-Con. After all, who can win against a counter protest that includes robots, magical anime girls, Trekkies, Jedi and…kittens?

Unbeknownst to the dastardly fanatics of the Westboro Baptist Church, the good folks of San Diego’s Comic-Con were prepared for their arrival with their own special brand of superhuman counter protesting chanting “WHAT DO WE WANT” “GAY SEX” “WHEN DO WE WANT IT” “NOW!” while brandishing ironic (and some sincere) signs. Simply stated: The eclectic assembly of nerdom’s finest stood and delivered.

Love it – Peace, out!