Minutes: July 2004

Present: Christine, Jane, Jenny, Julie, Matthew, Paula, Sue, Tony, Robin, Cllr Doreen Dart
Apologies: Annette, Barrie, Doug, Helen, James, Jeff, Keith, Nick, Jase, Sharon

Minutes of the Last Meeting

A number of questions were raised about the action points of the June minutes.

• It was agreed to pursue action update from Social Services:
  • to advertise adoption and fostering opportunities for LGBT potential parents in Pink Parents, Fyne Times and all the SBC coalitions.
  • That an LGBT Adoption Liaison Worker be contracted to encourage closer contacts with Pride Youth and create Gay friendly training courses for potential adopter's.
• The Gender Trust were invited to contribute 200 words to the www.swindonlgbt.org.uk in May after the chair of this charity criticised the lack of comment promoting the needs of the Trans community. It was agreed that similar charities be approached for suitable text.
• Following the departure of Sally Thorpe of the Policy Unit at the Council, it was agreed that her replacement be invited to address the group in September. Since Dillys Huggins was appointed, the council have employed a diversity and equalities officer. They should also be invited to the September meeting.
• Concern was expressed regarding criteria the coalition should follow when spending its £3,000 budget. Money should be used to promote participation and wider knowledge of the coalition's activities. Policy Unity to clarify this interpretation.
• Taking the above points into account, the minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting.

Pride Youth

Further to a request for funding at the June meeting, a grant of £250 dependent on match funding from the Borough Council was agreed. After consultation it was noted that the Council would not be in a position to match fund this grant.

Paula gave a further presentation on the urgent need for a group to support young people coming to terms with their sexuality. It was important for the well being of these young people that they received support, information and fun in a secure and supportive environment.

A fruitful discussion followed where frank opinions were exchanged. These ranged from questioning the need of funding a charity that should provide its service for free, to concerns that 40% of our budget will be spent with this single grant. These comments were counter argued that the coalition was set up to ensure the LGBT community was well served in the Borough.

It was proposed that Pride Youth be sponsored to publish a report to the September meeting of LGBT on the needs for a counselling service for young people coming to terms with their sexuality. Full details of this presentation are attached at Appendix 1.

In an open vote, 4 voted in favour and 2 voted against commissioning the report with a grant of £1,200 The Link workers did not vote.

Publishing a newsletter

Last year the Gay Issue was published occasionally, but has not been published this year. With this absence of communication to the LGBT community, It was agreed that one effective vehicle to promote the aims and activities of the Group is to publish our own regular newsletter in association with the hate Crime Forum.

Features to include:

• World Aids Day
• Civil Partnership
• Pride Youth
• Hate Crime
• Fostering / Adoption
• Police initiatives
• LGBT coalition
• Gallery 39 advert
• + more

Matthew, Jane, Paula, Julie and Robin would supply articles. Other articles would be sought with plans to publish in early Autumn.

Any Other Business

London Pride this year was recognised as an event and not a protest by the metropolitan police and Mayor Livingston of London.

The Equalities Committee had been suspended for three months whilst a new post-holder fills the job of Equalities Officer.

Julie would write to Director of Cultural Change, Gavin Jones seeking his vision and aspirations for the future of Equalities within Swindon Borough Council.

Date of next meeting is: Wed. 1st September at 7 pm in Committee Room 2