Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 14:43:09 +0100 From: Anya Palmer Subject: Stonewall newsletter Herewith Stonewall's May newsletter Some of the news is already out of date! eg we lost the vote on the armed forces ban, but we will produce another newsletter in June with an update. Anya STONEWALL NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Number 2 May 1996 STOP THE QUEERBASHING! ---------------------- 1 in 3 have been queerbashed, our survey finds One in three gay men and one in four lesbians have been queerbashed within the last five years, according to our survey on homophobic violence. One in ten gay men who took part in the survey had been "beaten up" and one in ten lesbians had been "hit, punched or kicked". The survey, based on the experiences of over 4,000 lesbians, gay men and bisexuals, also found that one in three respondents had been harassed because of their sexuality and three quarters had experienced verbal abuse. The survey found that lesbian and gay teenagers were particularly at risk. Nearly one in two had been queerbashed; one in four had been queerbashed at school. 61% - twice the average - had been harassed because of their sexuality. Stonewall is calling for action by the police, the government, schools, employers, local authorities and housing associations to tackle homophobic violence and harassment. For details of the survey results see QUEERBASHING: THE RESULTS OF OUR SURVEY below. SAME SEX MARRIAGE: THE RACE IS ON ---------------------------------- The race is on for the first state to recognise same sex marriage, with Hawaiian courts looking likely to legalise same-sex marriage, possibly as soon as August, and a landmark vote by the Dutch parliament this April in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in the Netherlands. Neither measure is guaranteed to go through. In the USA there may be legislative action in Hawaii or in Congress to undo the effect of the Hawaiian court's decision. In the Netherlands the proposal still has to be approved by the second chamber, or the cabinet might veto it because of its implications for international law. If so there will almost certainly be a registered Partnership law instead. In this country, as elsewhere, the movement seems likely to be divided between those who say we should demand the right to marry and those who would prefer a partnership law. Inside, the lowdown on our own battles for immigration, housing and pension rights; and two individuals put opposing points of view on marriage and partnership. ARMED FORCES ------------ Vote on for May As we went to press the Select Committee on the Armed Forces was expected to produce a report on 7 May recommending no change to the ban on lesbians and gay men in the armed forces. The government proposed to hold a debate on the report only two days later, apparently hoping to avoid any discussion or debate on the ban. Normally the debate would take place a month or so after the report was published. Supportive MPs were preparing to put down a cross-party amendment to the Armed Forces bill to lift the ban, and Stonewall was writing to 5,000 supporters in target constituencies, as well as distributing 20,000 leaflets urging people to lobby their MPs immediately. The Liberal Democrats said their MPs would vote to lift the ban, Labour had decided to allow a free vote on the issue, but the government seemed set to impose a whip on its MPs to vote for keeping the ban, although Michael Brown and Edwina Currie were prepared to break the whip. This newsletter probably won't reach you until after the vote, but in case the vote is delayed, the key thing to note is that everyone should write to their MP and call them on 0171 219 3000 unless they already have a firm commitment in writing that their MP will vote to lift the ban. Meanwhile the House of Lords has denied leave to appeal to the four applicants challenging the ban, confirming that there is no remedy in British law for such a breach of human rights. The four will now take their case to the European Court of Human Rights if the House of Commons does not vote to lift the ban. FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK ------------------------ This week we sent out over 5,000 letters and 20,000 flyers asking people to write to their MP to support lifting the ban. By the time you read this you will know how effective your letters have been. But as our flyer says, whatever happens on the armed forces there is no doubt of one thing - the general election campaign starts here. The next 18 months will be one of the most significant periods in our history. It is easy to forget, but there is now more support amongst all the parties for lesbian and gay equality than at any other time in history - and in March the Liberal Democrats unveiled their historic guarantee of lesbian and gay rights. But we cannot take anything for granted. And we have to be absolutely clear about what we want. We want our rights enshrined in law. There is absolutely no reason, apart from prejudice, not to give lesbians and gay men the same rights as heterosexuals. Our needs are no less, our feelings are no less. We report here on our amendment to the Housing Bill giving succession rights to same sex couples. As we go to press John Selwyn Gummer, the Environment Secretary, is preparing to oppose the amendment. Instead we are to be offered departmental guidelines - guidelines promised three years ago, guidelines which have been ready for three years and which this same Minister refused to publish. Why should the prejudice of one minister be so powerful? Why should our rights be discretionary? We have to make it clear to the political parties that it is not a question of a few concessions when it suits and ducking and diving in between, but a basic principle of equality. This month we publish our violence survey. I hope all MPs will read it. I am sure that many will be horrified by what they read, but they must realise that every time they deny us our rights as equal citizens they are legitimising the prejudice, the name-calling, the harassment and the violence, and in particular the terrible experiences of young lesbians and gays. Nothing can be done to help these young people until society as a whole and Parliament in particular finally accepts that lesbians, gay men and bisexuals exist, that we are part of society - and that we are absolutely entitled to equal rights and responsibilities within society. FEEDBACK -------- Your views About those postcards I can think of no better excuse for the MoD to write off all gay men as a bunch of trivial, sex-obsessed queens than the photo that appears on the postcard you have asked me to send to Michael Portillo about gays in the armed forces. Do you really think a picture featuring what seems to be a nipple- flashing rent boy from the uniform interests section of Boyz is the best way to spearhead what is supposedly a serious and dignified campaign? Also, where are the women in the photo, if this is a lesbian and gay campaign? (Or maybe women were only sent photos of sexy women since that is all that would interest them?) Duncan, London - We received a few complaints about the postcards, and we are sorry for any offence caused. We also received many requests for more postcards and in fact we ran out. Perhaps in politics you just can't please all of the people all of the time. Shortly before Easter we heard that the postcards to Portillo were reaching the MoD at a rate of 200 a day! These are some of the follow-up letters we received: I enclose a copy of a letter from the Ministry of Defence. I'm afraid it makes depressing reading, and tells us nothing we did not know already. I must say I find it profoundly insulting to imply that homosexuals cannot observe the "need for absolute trust and confidence". Ken, Worcs I sent your rather attractive card to our beloved Secretary of State for Defence, not really expecting a reply. However a reply did come: copy enclosed for your files. It doesn't really tell me anything I didn't already know about the government's attitude to us gays. Keep up the good work. Ken, Durham Reading between the lines I enclose copies of my recent correspondence with my MP about gays in the military. I think his answer is pretty wishy-washy, and although mildly encouraging, he avoids saying directly how he would vote or stating Labour's position. He clearly feels himself to be in a cleft stick and Labour's official position seems to be a non-position. Do you think it would be beneficial for me to write again pushing for greater clarity or do you think it would be better not to alienate a possible ally? Alison, Lancs - This is a difficult question. Your MP's letter seems fairly sympathetic but as you say, he does not say in terms that he would vote to lift the ban. In general if your MP does send a non-committal reply or a vaguely sympathetic reply hiding behind party policy it is a good idea to write back and ask for their personal views and voting intention - especially if they have got a free vote. LIB DEMS GUARANTEE EQUALITY --------------------------- Ashdown personally launches policy In March Paddy Ashdown unveiled the Liberal Democrats' new policy on lesbian, gay and bisexual rights, without a doubt the most favourable policy of its kind by any political party in this country. Ashdown criticised the armed forces ban saying that the man who trained him to be a marine was gay and was later kicked out despite an "absolutely brilliant" record. The Liberal Democrats are now committed to an equal age of consent and to a complete overhaul of the law on sexual offences; to anti- discrimination legislation and to lifting the ban on serving in the armed forces; and to equal rights in fostering and adoption. The party has also pledged to repeal section 28; to reform police training to ensure better treatment of lesbians and gay men; to encourage best practice in the policing of homophobic violence, including the establishment of "hate crime" investigation squads; and to protect gay prisoners with a new code of standards for prisoners. The one area which is not quite clear is relationship recognition. Succession rights to council tenancies are mentioned, but not partnership or marriage or immigration or pension rights. Niall Johnston of DELGA (Democrats for Lesbian and Gay Action) said "We are producing a comprehensive set of policies which stem solely from our philosophy that discrimination is wrong." S.O.D. BILL SUCCESS ------------------- Lords set to approve anti-discrimination law By the time you read this the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill will hopefully have been approved by the House of Lords. The bill, drafted by Stonewall and sponsored by Lady Turner of Camden, would make it unlawful for employers to discriminate against lesbians, bisexuals or gay men. The Bill passed both committee stage and report stage on 27 March without amendment, supported mainly by Labour and Liberal Democrat peers. An amendment to exclude bisexuals from its provisions was rejected, as was an amendment to exempt the armed forces and an amendment to exempt private households from the bill's provisions. Lord Monson, who proposed these amendments, argued that "one has to feel sorry for" those he referred to as "one hundred per cent homosexuals who are quite unable to have relations with the opposite sex" - but bisexuality, he said, "is surely a matter of choice, of taste, of convenience". He said he would want to see medical evidence that bisexuals could not help themselves before he would support their inclusion in the bill! The bill was due to reach its final stage in the House of Lords, on 1 May. Stonewall wrote and asked 2,000 lesbian supporters to join us for a lobby of the Lords that evening. Our problem now will be getting the Bill on in the House of Commons. The government remain opposed to the Bill and may refuse to make time available. However if the House of Lords has approved the bill this would certainly give it added weight. NEWS IN BRIEF Gay MP for Enfield Southgate? Congratulations to Stonewall supporter Stephen Twigg, an out gay man who has been selected as the Labour Party candidate in Enfield Southgate. The sitting MP is the Defence Secretary, Michael Portillo. Equal pay case Lisa Grant, the lesbian who is fighting a legal battle against South West Trains for the right to a partner's travel pass for her partner Jill Percey, took her case to industrial tribunal in Southampton on 2 May. The case is sponsored by Stonewall because it would have implications for many other lesbian and gay workers. At the time of going to press the tribunal had not yet given its decision. Women Up West '96 Stonewall's second fundraiser with an all-women line-up, Women Up West '96, took place on Sunday 5 May at the Playhouse Theatre, London, with a fabulous cast including Donna McPhail, Rhona Cameron, Sandi Toskvig and many more, followed by a post-show party at the Soundshaft, Heaven. Equal rights in South Africa The new South African constitution, which guarantees equality regardless of sexual orientation, came into force on 8 May. Meanwhile a new lesbian and gay South Africa support group is forming - for further details, call Ian Leese on 0171 837 4802 or write c/o Stonewall. A date for your diary This year's Stonewall Equality Show will take place on Sunday 27 October. Priority booking for paid-up Stonewall supporters will open in early June. The box office will open to the general public in early July. GOVERNMENT DENY IMMIGRATION RIGHTS ---------------------------------- Home Office remove rights from unmarried heterosexuals In a direct response to calls from MPs to include lesbian and gay relationships in the immigration rules, the Immigration Minister Timothy Kirkhope stated that the long standing policy of treating unmarried heterosexuals in the same way as married couples for immigration purposes would be withdrawn forthwith. A Stonewall amendment which would have obliged the Secretary of State to make provision for both homosexual and heterosexual common law relationships in the immigration rules was proposed by Labour MP Neil Gerrard and Conservative MP Michael Brown. The amendment was based on the Australian immigration rules which include a category for interdependent partners. In a cynical move Timothy Kirkhope rejected the amendment stating "The only objective test for the strength of a relationship in an immigration context is marriage." He then went on say that from now on only married couples can apply to remain together. Alan Howarth MP pointed out that Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden all manage to assess whether a relationship is genuine or not and have provisions for same-sex relationships in their immigration rules. Mr Kirkhope replied that from now on couples must be married but conceded that "It does not necessarily have always to be a UK marriage, but a marriage that is legitimate in all respects in the country where it was celebrated." (The Netherlands, perhaps?) Immigration Reception To mark the anniversary of the launch of the Compelling Circumstances campaign, the Immigration Group held a reception at the House of Commons on Tuesday 7 May. Michael Cashman chaired, and speakers included MPs from all the main parties. Until the campaign was launched last April, no couple had been successful. In the past year 13 couples have had their applications accepted, despite the very hard line the Home Office has been taking. HOUSING RIGHTS FOR SAME SEX COUPLES? ------------------------------------ Glenda Jackson scored a surprise victory on the Housing Bill when she succeeded in passing an amendment drafted by Stonewall to include same sex couples within the legal definition of "family" for the purpose of succession rights to assured tenancies. The amendment went through on the committee stage of the bill, with support from all the Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs present along with Conservative MP David Ashby. Ms Jackson pointed out that a similar amendment had been tabled to an earlier housing bill back in 1993 and the government, while rejecting the amendment, had given an undertaking that they would issue a circular to all local authorities encouraging them to recognise same sex couples as a matter of good practice. No circular was ever issued. She gave examples provided by the Terrence Higgins Trust from their casework of gay men who had been evicted lost when their partner died. If allowed to remain in the bill, the definition would become the first recognition for same sex couples in British law. However as we went to press we learnt that a government amendment had been tabled by the Secretary of State, John Selwyn Gummer, to remove same sex couples from the definition when the bill was debated in the House of Commons. As a concession we were to be offered "guidelines" - the same guidelines that we were promised three years ago no doubt. PENSIONS PROGRESS The Inland Revenue have produced a new definition of "dependants" for the purposes of pension schemes following meetings with the Stonewall Pensions Group. The new definition explicitly refers to same sex couples. Partners will have to show that they have been financially "interdependent". Children of non-biological parents will also be recognised as dependants. This is probably the first time that same sex couples have been recognised in fiscal or social policy. It means that all pension schemes can make provision for survivors benefits for same sex couples if they wish to do so. It is up to us now to lobby our schemes to make sure they do! The Stonewall Pension Group will now prepare a pensions guide for all lesbians and gay men explaining what you can do to make your pension scheme provide for your partner or child. ANYONE FOR EUROPE? ------------------ New age of consent case As Euan Sutherland heads off to the European Commission on Human Rights in Strasbourg on 21 May, another young gay man is getting ready to take the government to court. He is Chris Morris, aged 16, of West London, and he is taking up the baton because Euan's lawyers advised that another young gay man should start an application in case the government try to argue that Euan is no longer affected by the unequal age of consent now that he is 19. He was 17 when he first took the case! Chris, who is still at school, will be the sixth young gay man to take the British government to court over the unequal age of consent. If any other young gay men aged 16 or 17 would like to join Chris in taking the case, please write to Angela Mason at Stonewall or call her on 0171 336 8860. ADOPTION LAW REVIEW ------------------- Your chance to have a say on parenting rights The government has published a draft adoption bill to reform adoption law and practice. They say they want to "clear the roadblock of political correctness". For example they say there should be no bar to adoption by people aged over 35. But they do not intend to lift the rule that only married couples can adopt jointly. They say this rule must stay because it is a requirement of the European Convention on the Adoption of Children. But so is the under-35 rule! The marriage requirement clearly discriminates against same sex couples. Because of this rule, lesbians and gay men invariably adopt as single people even when they are really a couple. This means that one person becomes the legal parent and the other one does not. The draft bill also aims to simplify the procedures for step-parent adoption. One in two adoptions are now by step-parents. Well, if heterosexuals can do it, why can't we? Many lesbian couples are bringing up children together in a situation where the father has no involvement and doesn't want any. The lesbian co-parent has no rights and no responsibilities in law towards the child. Why shouldn't lesbian couples adopt their own children to ensure legal protection for all concerned? All it needs is to lift the marriage requirement! The bill will also give step-parents the right to apply for parental responsibility, and this could also be relevant to lesbian and gay parents. Anyone wishing to comment on the bill should do so before 23 June. For a briefing on the draft bill, please call us on 0171 336 8860 or write enclosing an SAE. QUEERBASHING: THE RESULTS OF OUR SURVEY We surveyed over 4,200 lesbians, bisexuals and gay men from all over the country. We found shocking levels of violence and harassment. Even those who have not been queerbashed are affected by it. Nearly all of us are to some extent "in the closet" when we are out in public to avoid harassment. Violence 34% of men and 24% of women who took part had experienced violence in the last five years because of their sexuality. 18% of men and 10% of women had been "hit, punched or kicked." 10% of men and 4% of women had been "beaten up". One in four of those who were attacked had to seek medical attention. 18% said they needed time off work to recover. 79% said they suffered stress or fear as a result of the attack. Gay man, 26-40, Meridian: I was attacked and beaten up by a group of men outside a club. I needed nine weeks off work so that my shoulder could knit back together after it had been shattered. I then had to attend physical therapy for a further three months. My shoulder will never work properly again. Lesbian, 26-40, Ulster: I was gay bashed once. I spent 5 days in hospital although I was off work for five weeks and it took months to get over it. It has left me wary of going to gay places because of the fear of attack. Harassment 32% of respondents had suffered harassment in the last five years because of their sexuality. This included "threats or blackmail" (12%), "graffiti" (7%), "vandalism" (6%) "hate mail" (4%) and "other harassment" (12%). Lesbian, 18-25, Scottish: Due to constant verbal abuse and vandalism I have been forced to leave my council home and find rented, more expensive, accommodation. Basically, it is local yobs giving me a hard time but it can be very stressful and frightening. I have reported incidents to the police many times. I found them sympathetic but they did absolutely nothing to help so my only option is to leave my home at great sadness and expense. Gay man, 41-50, Carlton: My partner and I were abused, insulted and vandalised by a group of children aged between 7 to 16. We moved home because of it and tend now to be cautious about revealing we are gay and a couple. Lesbian, 26-40, Meridian: I was working in a factory in a small Hampshire town and nobody knew I was a lesbian. Things were going fine until one evening I was spotted by a colleague going into the only gay pub in the area. From then on, at work, I was avoided, "sent to Coventry", and derogatory comments about queers were made whenever I was present. I ended up having to leave as the stress was too much. Verbal abuse 73% of respondents had been verbally abused in the last five years because of their sexuality. 10% had been called names once only, 34% had been called names more than once, but less than six times, and 29% had been called names six or more times. 31% of all respondents had been called "queer". 31% of male respondents had been called "poof". 35% of female respondents had been called "lesbo" or "lezzie" and 26% had been called "dyke". These terms were often preceded by words like "fucking" or "disgusting". Gay man, 18-25, Central: I was verbally abused by two policemen when leaving a gay club - they said "Watch your back faggot, they're killing fairies like you" in a menacing fashion. (It was when those five gay men had been murdered in London). Youth 48% of the under 18s who took part in our survey had experienced violence in the last five years. 40% of these attacks took place at school, and 50% involved fellow students. 61% of under 18s had experienced harassment. 44% of under 18s had been harassed by fellow students. 90% of under 18s had been called names. 79% of under 18s had been called names by fellow students. Lesbian, 18-25, Carlton: I was outed at school when I was 14 by some "friends" who thought I shouldn't need to hide my sexuality. Later they apologised, but that didn't stop the constant bullying I received in and out of school. Gay man, under 18, Granada: Since I came out at 13 to now (17) I have had to put up with verbal abuse and blackmail every day I go to school and physical violence about once a week. Avoiding violence 43% of respondents always avoided kissing or holding hands in public, and 45% sometimes avoided doing so, in order to avoid homophobic violence or harassment. 65% always or sometimes avoided telling people that they were gay. 59% always or sometimes tried to avoid looking obviously gay. These and other avoidance measures help to keep homosexuality invisible. Gay man, 41-50, Central: We are a gay couple who have lived together for 18 years. Whilst we have not been exposed to violence or abuse, we believe that this is because we are very careful about how we behave in public, what we say to neighbours and work colleagues, etc. For example, we rarely go shopping together. - The full report, Queerbashing: A national survey of hate crimes against lesbians and gay men, is available from Stonewall, price six pounds inc p&p. THE MARRIAGE DEBATE Same sex marriage has suddenly hit the headlines - and it won't just be heterosexuals who have a problem with it. We asked two people involved in Stonewall to set out the positions for and against the right to marry. "IT'S ABOUT EQUALITY" For: Mark Harper The right to marry, for me, is about the right to equality before the law. If we are not sick or perverted as used to be thought, and still is by many Tory rightwingers, then we should be able to do what straight people do. This does not mean that we want to mimic heterosexuals. We are a diverse community, ranging from those who advertise in the personal ads as being "straight acting" to those who adhere to the 1960s concept of free love and for whom monogamy is boring. However, the fact remains that unless and until we have full equality before the law, then to some extent we, and those in our community growing up and coming out, will continue to be regarded as second class citizens. Marriage does not have to be religious; it can also be a sign of commitment which will give our partners rights against us and obligations to us. We know that 5,000 couples have already undergone ceremonies with the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. Personally, I find weddings extremely alienating experiences. I am hit by waves of emotion which later turn to anger when I think why can we not have similar ceremonies of commitment which are equally valid before the law? If we did win the right to marry, that would not make it compulsory, it would simply make it one option which some would want to take up. As a solicitor specialising in family law, it is clear to me that marriage of some sort would wipe out the injustice faced by many lesbians and gay men on death of a partner or breakdown of the relationship. It would also be a gateway to a whole host of legal rights, whether housing or immigration. - Mark Harper is a solicitor and a member of the Stonewall Parenting Group. "WHY BE A WIFE?" Against: Gill Butler Call me old fashioned, but I find it very difficult to summon up an enthusiasm for the idea of lesbian and gay marriage. As a matter of legal equality of course lesbians and gay men should have the right to marry if they choose to do so. There are parallels with the armed forces campaign. I support the right of lesbians and gay men to join the armed forces but this does not stop me believing that armies are repressive institutions and the sooner they are abolished the better. There are those in the lesbian and gay communities who seem to have swallowed whole the Mills & Boon approach to life - get married and live happily ever after. Haven't they noticed that heterosexual marriage is in a state of crisis? If heterosexuals can't keep it going why would lesbians and gay men be any better at it? We can't have it both ways. We can't take the few good bits of marriage - commitment, security and warmth - without taking all the bad bits - enforced monogamy, predetermined roles, boredom, control, power structure. Marriage as an institution is based on the social and economic inequality of the sexes. Marriage and the family are supposed to civilise and control people and to allow the passing of property and wealth. I fully support the idea of a partnership law. This would not be the same as marriage. It would not bring with it the same cultural baggage. It could cover not only same sex partnerships but also heterosexual relationships. Our relationships would attain legal status and it would enable our children to have the security to which they are entitled but would be a million miles from marriage. Let's not waste our time and energy fighting for the right to marry. We are different and we should be proud of this difference. I for one did not become a feminist, let alone a lesbian, to champion the cause of marriage. As a divorce lawyer I am probably doing myself out of work, but let's blow the dust off our political analysis and raise high the banner "YBA (lesbian) Wife?" - Gill Butler is also a solicitor and a member of Stonewall's Board of Directors. - What's your opinion? For or against marriage - for or against a partnership law - please let us know what you think! YOU REALLY WANT IT ------------------ Make sure you get it We refer, of course, to the Stonewall newsletter. Many of you receive the newsletter because you are a supporter or a volunteer. The main function of the Stonewall newsletter is to keep all our supporters informed of our work and let them know what they can do to help in our campaigning. However we also send the newsletter to the many people who attend our events or express an interest in our work, even if they haven't made a donation, in the hope that they will choose to become a supporter. The problem is, we can't afford to mail you indefinitely if you don't respond! As our mailing list grows it has become financially impossible to keep mailing non-supporters, so after a year or two we stop mailing people. But we often get puzzled enquiries from people who say "You seem to have stopped sending me your newsletter." The best way to make sure you get the newsletter regularly, if you haven't already done so, is to fill out a standing order form and become a supporter. The minimum rate is 10 pounds p.a. for students and others on a low wage, and 20 pounds p.a. for everyone else. However several hundred people give 5 pounds a month, and hundreds more give 10 pounds a month or 20 pounds a month. Standing orders are our main source of income and they help to ensure our continuity and our political independence as a campaigning organisation. Other points to note: * If you move house, please let us know your new address! * If you receive duplicate mailings, please let us know so we can eliminate waste. * If you don't want to get the newsletter do let us know and we will of course stop mailing you. * If any of your friends would like to receive the newsletter on a trial basis, ask them to call us with their details. STONEWALL CAMPAIGN GROUPS ------------------------- Stonewall Parenting Group The Stonewall Parenting Group is a mutual support and campaign group for lesbians and gay men interested in parenting issues; it also provides a chance for the children of lesbians and gay men to meet other children from similar families. The group meets every month alternately on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. Topics for discussion include custody battles, when to come out to your children and schools and education. The next meeting will be at 12 noon on Saturday 18 May at The Link, on the corner of North Villas and Camden Park Road, London NW1. The meetings are open to anyone interested in parenting issues and usually include a guest speaker. Stonewall Pensions Campaign Are you in an occupational pension scheme? Does your scheme provide for same sex partners? If not why not? Our Pensions group have been lobbying the Inland Revenue to make it clear to trustees that pension schemes do have discretion to pay a survivors pension to same sex partners - and they have now agreed to do so. We now intend to produce a simple guide with a model clause and nominations forms. Several trade unions are working with us to help change company schemes. For those in the private sector only a change in policy is required. For the big public sector statutory schemes the rules will have to be changed by Parliament, but as new agencies are being set up to administer these schemes it is important to keep the issue high on the agenda. Many employers schemes could be affected if Lisa Grant wins her equal pay case against South West Trains (see NEWS IN BRIEF, above). If your scheme excludes same sex partners but includes common law partners, please let us know. Stonewall Immigration Group The Stonewall Immigration Group campaigns for equal immigration rights for same-sex couples. The Group meets on the third Saturday of each month and offers free legal advice and information to lesbians and gay men with immigration problems which they would not face if they were heterosexual. For more information on any of these groups please write to Mark Watson at Stonewall or call him on 0171 336 8860 from 2-5pm. Rank Outsiders Rank Outsiders provides individual advice and counselling to lesbian and gay members of the armed forces, both serving and ex serving. Rank Outsiders campaigns with Stonewall to end the ban on serving in the armed forces. For more information, contact Rank Outsiders, PO Box 444, Watford, WD1 1WA. Tel: 0171 566 0044. INSIDE NEWS ----------- Comings and goings At Stonewall's Annual General Meeting in March, Michael Cashman stood down as chair of Stonewall after seven years of service. Elaine Willis, previously vice chair, was asked to take over as Chair, and John Miskelly was elected Deputy Chair. Elaine Willis lives in Coventry and works as a management consultant to the voluntary and public sectors. John Miskelly is a recruitment consultant. Two new people have been asked to join the Stonewall Group, which meets four times a year to consider questions of policy and direction, and elects Stonewall's Board of Directors. They are Rob Hayward OBE, a former Conservative MP, who brings both political expertise and business skills, and Mark Washer, a chartered accountant and a member of the Stonewall Immigration Group. Both are longstanding volunteers. Finally a big thank you to volunteer Chris who organised our stall at the Freedom Fair and our Postcard to Portillo campaign with tremendous efficiency, and is now organising volunteers in the armed forces campaign. A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CHAIR ---------------------------- This newsletter heralds a period of active vigilance on all our parts as we move towards the next general election. During the last four years, lesbians, gay men and bisexuals have been organising to gain political change and to seek the goal of equality before the law. In the next twelve months it will be vital to keep focused on the changes we seek, and to make our case clearly and with passion. Stonewall, with many other organisations and individuals, is playing its part and recognises that now, more than ever before, we have much to work for. However, nothing can be taken for granted. In the run-up to the general election we have to win commitments from all the political parties and then work to ensure that action is taken to translate these commitments into reality. Throughout this long process we all have a part to play, however small. Whatever else we do we must engage with the political processes that affect our lives - how else will we, and those others who support lesbian and gay equality, achieve the changes we desire? As I take over as Chair of Stonewall from Michael Cashman, I realise how indebted Stonewall is to his energetic and visionary leadership. The task ahead is to keep the vision alive and to continue to work in practical and focused ways to achieve those things for which Stonewall was brought into existence: equality under the law and social justice for all lesbians and gay men. I look forward to working with all Stonewall's supporters to do the work that has to be done. Elaine Willis STONEWALL 16 Clerkenwell Close London EC1R 0AA Tel: 0171 336 8860 Fax: 0171 336 8864 Email: info@stonewall.org.uk ISSN 1358-6807 Stonewall staff Angela Mason Executive Director Anya Palmer Deputy Director Emma Peskin Research Assistant Mark Watson Development Worker John Nicholls Head of Fundraising Mig Kimpton Events Producer Millie Patrick Office Manager Mark Roche Administrator Stonewall Board Gill Butler Andy Elvers Lee Marshall, Treasurer John Miskelly, Deputy Chair Rebecca Rendle Dr Peter Rivas Elaine Willis, Chair Stonewall Group - Board members, plus: Louise Ansari Michael Cashman Cordelia Ditton Simon Fanshawe Edmund Hall Rob Hayward Anne Lawrence Gerard Lemos Ian McKellen Lucy Scher Mark Washer