Manchester Pride Raises £115,000

posted: 26/10/2010

Manchester Pride 2010 raised £115,000 for charity, bringing the total since 2003 to £895,000. This year’s total is rather less than the most Pride ever raised, which was last year: £135,000.
The £115,000 will be used to support the Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s ‘Free Condom and Lube’ scheme, the George House Trust HIV Welfare Fund, and in grants over the coming months to various lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups and projects across Greater Manchester.

HIV Welfare Fund 

The £115,000 will be split like this:
25% to the LGF Condom & Lube Scheme (£28,750), providing free condoms across Greater Manchester
25% to the George House Trust Welfare Fund (£28,750), supporting those living with or affected by HIV suffering financial hardship - apply here
50% to these three funds (£57,500 in total)

• Community Fast Track Fund
• Community Events Fund
• Development Fund

Jackie Crozier, festival director of Manchester Pride, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and we’re absolutely delighted with the figure. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that everyone who supported Manchester Pride 2010 has made a positive contribution to the future of the LGBT community in Greater Manchester.”

“Manchester Pride is a team effort and it wouldn’t be possible for us to stage the event we do without the help and support of so many organisations and individuals from across the city. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to each and every person who helped us along the way.”
 

Applying for Community and Development Fund grants

For more information on how to apply for any of the community grants available, visit Pride

Image George House Trust volunteers collecting in St Anns Square: Graeme Vaughan www.photogas.com graeme@photogas.com

HIV Caring

posted: 17/05/2010

LGF are launching support for lgbt people who are caring for others, including partners and friends with HIV. As part of the service you will be able to go online and find information to help you as an LGBT carer, keep up to date with relevant news and events, and interact with other carers who understand how you feel.

Online support

You will also be able to find useful links to services in your area that are LGBT friendly and there to support you. This online service will be completely safe and confidential for everyone. Take a look at LGF's new Carers webpages, when this is launched at the end of this month.  

Meeting others
For some carers, physically meeting others face-to-face is a good way of getting the information and support that you need. So there will be a support group launched in Manchester on Wednesday 16th June from 5.30pm – 7.30pm, for carers to come along to – either as a one-off drop in to pick up information, or for more regular support. This group will understand your needs as an LGBT carer and can be your first step into other LGBT friendly services to support you. The support group will meet at The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester

More information
contact Glenn Street on 0161 234 4254. He’s part of Manchester Council’s Carers team.

Support group launch 5.30-7.30PM Wednesday 16th June
@ The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester
After this launch event the regular carers support group meetings will take place on the last Monday of each month.

A new lgbt carers website will be launched at the end of May and this will include the online forum

The website and forum will offer information, links to local services, news and events listings, and a place for LGBT carers to interact with others who understand how they feel. This online service will be completely safe and confidential.
 

Ending Domestic Violence

posted: 27/11/2008

Around 1 in 4 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. One in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and domestic violence impacts on every type of people and relationship, including children and heterosexual men.

Tuesday 25 of November marks White Ribbon Day - the global campaign to ensure men take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women.

Gay community and domestic violence

Around 1 in 4 lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people will experience domestic violence at some point in their lives. This statistic is very similar to that experienced by people in heterosexual relationships, yet most people think in terms of domestic violence experienced by heterosexual women. They forget that LGBT people live in the same world and experience similar domestic abuse.

HIV and domestic violence

Among people living with HIV, there are no formal studies but anecdotally we know that  people tell us about being assaulted and abused in the home and sometimes of feeling like wanting to. The stress and anxiety and poorer mental health experienced by many people living with HIV can contribute to people losing self control. Having HIV can make people highly vulnerable to attack and abuse in the home.

Many communities, including the LGBT community, put their head in the sand about domestic abuse. However academic research over the last few years, including Stonewall's 'Prescription for Change', has consistently shown that abuse happens and that men and women are suffering on a daily basis from their partners, ex partners or members of their families.
 

Over the next few month’s Broken Rainbow (National Helpline for LGBT people suffering domestic abuse) and the Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) will be highlighting the issue of same sex domestic abuse, culminating in targeted campaigns to coincide with LGBT History month and Valentine’s Day in February.

Melvin Hartley Chief Executive of Broken Rainbow says:
“Since its launch almost 5 years ago, Broken Rainbow has worked hard to change the situation for LGBT people experiencing domestic violence. We offer the only national helpline which provides confidential support to all members of the LGBT community, their families, friends and agencies supporting them. It is run by trained LGBT people who have an understanding of sexual identity issues along with the impact domestic violence can have.”

Andrew Gilliver LGF’s Communications Manager adds:
“If you think you are in an abusive relationship or know someone who is, there are many ways in which you can find help. No one has the right to hurt or harm, and everyone gay, lesbian or otherwise, deserves the right to live their lives freely and with dignity. Whatever you do, whether it is to phone a national helpline, seek out local support, tell a friend or go to the police, reach out for help, there is help there for you.”
 

Broken Rainbow's helpline: 08452 60 44 60 (Mondays 2-8pm, Wed's 10am -1pm, Thursdays 2-8pm)
Broken Rainbow
White Ribbon
LGF