Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 13:20:39 +0000 From: jgh Subject: U.K. Equality Standing Forum ***** I N V I T A T I O N ***** NATIONAL OFFENSIVE FOR L/G/B RIGHTS GAINS MOMENTUM GROUPS ACROSS THE UK UNITE EQUALITY STANDING FORUM, 4th APRIL 1998. 26 Lesbian and Gay rights organisations are now pledged to join the U.K. Equality Standing Forum in the fight for lesbian, gay and bisexual human rights. The 26 organisations plus influential individuals such as Lisa Grant and Jill Percey will meet to plan the launch of a National offensive for gay rights on Saturday 4th April at 1:30 p.m. at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1, (Holborn tube), the headquarters of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association. GALHA have very kindly offered to sponsor the conference. The Forum is uniting both small and large organisations from every comer of the community to work together a coordinated campaign for lesbian and gay rights. All lesbian and gay organisations are invited to pledge their support and attend the Forum on 4th April. The meeting will discuss campaigning priorities, strategies and methods in a bid to give the movement for equality a new momentum. The aims of the Forum are to enhance communication and dialogue between different groups to coordinate a united campaign for equality and maximise the pressure on the Labour Government to deliver Homosexual Human Rights. For further information, please contact Ian Farmer, (coordinator): 0171-231 5183 (home); 0171-446 7107 (work). See: http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk/FUKQ.htm ========================================= Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 16:05:28 +0000 From: jgh Subject: U.K. Equality Standing Forum ***** Addendum ***** The following groups and individuals have now committed to the Forum: DNA, Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, GUYZ, Independent Democrats, Inside Out, Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights, LAGER, LGCM, Liberal Democrat Lesbian and Gay Action, London Friend, NUS LGB Campaign, OutRage!, Outright Scotland, Rank Outsiders, Scottish Equality Network, Silver March Group, Socialist Party Lesbian and Gay Campaign, Stonewall Housing, Stonewall Pensions, Torche, Youthspeak; individuals include Lisa Grant + Jill Percey, and Terry Connell + Craig Turner (Bolton 7). Three additional organisations are currently seeking a mandate from their respective committees to publicly release their involvement with the Forum. Two National Lesbian and Gay registered charities are at present unable to pledge their support publicly for the 'campaign' until the working title is amended on April 4th in order to take this issue into consideration. The groups and individuals involved are deeply concerned that the campaign for equality is being stalled by recent set-backs in the British and European courts and by the unwillingness of the new Labour Government to repeal discriminatory laws. Two recent examples are the failed case of Lisa Grant (see European Court Summary or Full Judgement), and the prosecution of the Bolton 7. The forum will give notice to the Government, all political parties and all Members of Parliament that the continuing denial of lesbian and gay human rights is intolerable, and that we are no longer prepared to be treated as second-class citizens. The Government can expect to be fought in the courts, in Parliament, by peaceful demonstration, and by direct action, at every opportunity. For further information, or to register for the 4th April, please contact Ian Farmer, (coordinator): 0171-231 5183 (evenings). =============================== Please disseminate this message in furtherance of equality. For history and links, see http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk/FUKQ.htm This message has been circulated via the OutRage! mailing list. To be removed from this list, please send a message 'remove' to jgh@intonet.co.uk. (This does NOT apply if you have received the message indirectly, e.g. via another list to which you _have_ subscribed.) ===============================