News and Events (Families Together London)

LGBT work in the Met

posted by marjorie smith [ updated ]

At our meeting on 13th March, attended by well over 20 parents, we welcomed Andy Pakouta and John Frame from the Met who described the work they do to support the LGBT community. We learned how to report LGBT-related harrassment or crime and how to access the LGBT officers in each London Borough. See our section on 'Keeping Busy, Healthy and Safe' for advice.

Tom, Jackie, Andy, Hatta and John

| Attachments: Met visit.jpg

Schools Out Conference

posted 9 Mar 2010 12:53 by marjorie smith [ updated 10 Mar 2010 09:13 ]

Two of us from Families Together London went to the Schools Out Annual Conference at the Drill Hall. It was a very upbeat conference, packed with entertainment. Three charities spoke of the work they are doing on behalf of LGBT young people. We also heard about hand-holding!

We viewed two DVDs which would make useful teaching materials. They are listed under 'Resources for Teachers' on this website.

There will be more about the conference in the FFLAG newsletter.

Schools Out Executive Committee at the AGM.

| Attachments: Committee at Schools Out conference 6 Feb 10.JPG

Publicising FTL by Jackie Briggs

posted 9 Mar 2010 00:58 by marjorie smith [ updated 9 Mar 2010 12:52 ]

Getting Families Together London into all Primary Care Trust Surgeries and Libraries in the London Boroughs

As the rest of the team know I set myself a task last year of getting our A4 poster into surgeries and libraries in the 32 London Boroughs. Gosh, did I know what I was letting myself in for – NO!

There is no central point to aim for – no ‘bull’s eye’ so to speak. Each PCT had to be approached separately and then the fun began. How to find the right person who would authorise the distribution. How to convince them that they would send out on our behalf posters and leaflets promoting our group. Telling them how wonderful we are – of course – and what we do. I think I can tell the story of FTL sitting up, lying down, upside down and inside out!

The libraries were much easier to access and for the most part I delivered the information by hand which was very enjoyable. Everybody was interested in FTL and wished us well.

But, and here the story ends, I have done it!! It has taken 6 months but I am proud to say that our information is now in –

1,622 surgeries

and

364 libraries

New website launched

posted 7 Mar 2010 11:45 by marjorie smith [ updated 7 Mar 2010 11:54 ]

The international Lesbian, Gay. Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, ILGA: http://ilga.org/ , in conjunction with British Telecom, has launched a new website. Pride of place is a map of the world where you can click on a country to see what the laws are that affect LGBT people. Over time, contributors will porvide a picture of the issues to be aware of when visiting. This is not only helpful to indivdual travellers, but also important for companies who need to be aware of the situations into which they are sending LGBT staff when they expect them to travel abroad for business purposes.

LGBT History Month

posted 14 Feb 2010 10:56 by marjorie smith [ updated 26 Feb 2010 14:37 by Families Together London ]

At our February meeting we celebrated LGBT (Lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender) History Month with a spot of same-sex hand-holding!

Same-sex hand-holding is a campaign which aims to INSPIRE and SUPPORT same-sex couples who want to hold their partner's hand in public.

'You don't have to fight to change the world. Promote love and equality by the simple act of holding hands'.

See www.adayinhand.com

| Attachments: Families Together London 016.jpg

Issues that affect us all

posted 14 Feb 2010 10:44 by marjorie smith [ updated 14 Feb 2010 10:56 ]

Jackie and Marjorie were invited to join EHSAAS (a social youth group for South Asian Gay and Bisexual Asian men aged 16 - 25) one evening. Two mothers from the Asian community came along as well.

We discussed coming out from the point of view of both young people and parents and families and the issues that affect us all, as well as those that more specifically affect the Asian community.

FTL in Attitude

posted 6 Feb 2010 10:36 by Families Together London [ updated 10 Feb 2010 10:18 by marjorie smith ]

There's an article about Families Together London in the February 2010 issue of Attitude, a popular magazine among the gay community.

Read the article by clicking on the image below, or via our Media page.

BBC to consult on LGB portrayal in programmes

posted 24 Jan 2010 11:39 by marjorie smith [ updated 5 Feb 2010 01:57 ]

The BBC has just launched a consultation on its portrayal of LGB people in its programmes. To take part, go to the online consultation form at: perception.com/bbclgbportrayal The closing date is 02.04.10.

Nepal first Asian country to grant gay rights

posted 24 Jan 2010 08:13 by marjorie smith [ updated 6 Feb 2010 10:35 by Families Together London ]

See the story here.

FTL Christmas Party

posted 16 Jan 2010 09:54 by marjorie smith [ updated 6 Feb 2010 10:40 by Families Together London ]

by Jackie Briggs

Our December meeting was a wow! We decided that as we had experienced such a great year we should celebrate with a special meeting and provide drink and food appropriate for the festive season. Hatta and Marjorie emailed and texted all our parents and true to form we had a spread worthy of any Christmas party. We even managed some sparkling wine (non-alcoholic because of the licensing laws of our venue) but the participants didn’t need alcohol to create a wonderful atmosphere.

We were blessed with the presence of two grandmothers who showed such generosity of spirit and love for their grandchildren. One grandmother said that having a gay grandchild was nothing in this day and age. The things to worry about were the awful wars raging and the terrible loss of life of such young men. In fact there were three generations present as we even had a sibling with us.

Usually we put out about 12 chairs hoping that we might fill them and maybe put out an extra one or two BUT there were 24 of us. How wonderful was that!

The meeting started in the same way with each guest saying who they were and why they were there and then we got stuck into the food good and proper. One new parent asked whether we always ate so well at meetings. Of course we do. Hatta always provides a splendid cold spread minus the Christmas fare.

There is never enough time and at 3.30 Hatta said we must clear up and leave but nobody wanted to rush off. There were groups here and there chatting about this and that. People tend to gravitate to others who they feel share a similar situation.

Lots of hugs and warm wishes for a Happy Christmas and New Year and upwards and onwards into 2010.