Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 00:09:42 +0100 From: jgh Subject: CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITY STANDING FORUM U.K. CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITY STANDING FORUM A joint campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights OVER 40 ORGANISATIONS WILL MEET THIS WEEKEND TO PLAN THE LAUNCH OF A NEW NATIONAL OFFENSIVE FOR GAY RIGHTS Over forty lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered organisations are now pledged to join the new Equality Standing Forum in the fight for human rights. The groups 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 and the prosecution of the Bolton 7. The new Forum is drawing strong support from the community as it unites both small and large organisations from every corner of the British Isles. The organisations will meet to plan the launch of a national offensive for gay rights on Saturday, 4th April, 1:30 p.m. at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC1, (Holborn tube). The meeting will formulate campaigning priorities, strategies and methods, in order to maximise the pressure on the Labour Govemment to deliver homosexual human rights. The new Forum 's objective is to give notice to the Government, all political parties, and all members of Parliament that the continuing denial of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights is intolerable, and that we are no longer prepared to be treated as second-class citizens. All local groups and campaigning organisations are invited to attend the Forum, strengthening the 40+ strong national network. Names must be registered (free) before 10 a.m., Saturday, 4th April. For registration contact Ian Farmer: 0171-231 5183. The following groups have now committed to the Forum. - CHE - Campaign for Homosexual Equality, Coventry and Warwickshire Coalition, DNA, Eddie Surman Trust, GALHA - Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association, GMFA - Gay Men Fighting AIDS, GUYZ, Independent Democrats, Inside Out, Labour Campaign for Lesbian and Gay Rights, LAGER - Lesbian and Gay Employment Rights, LAGPA, LGCM - Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Consortium, Liberal Democrat Lesbian and Gay Action, London Friend, Midlands Publishing Group, National Ass. of Citizens' Advice Bureaux, NUS LGB Campaign, NUT - National Union of Teachers, NIGRA - Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, OutRage!, Outright Scotland, PACE - Project for Advice, Counselling, and Education, Pink Chalk, Portsmouth NUS Lesbian and Gay Group, Rank Outsiders, Scottish Equality Network, Silver March Group, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Socialist Party Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Group, Stonewall, Stonewall Housing, Stonewall Pensions, Torche - Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality, Youthspeak; The meeting will be attended by Lisa Grant and Jill Percey. Thirteen additional organisations and charities are currently seeking a mandate from their respective committees to publicly release their involvement with the Forum after 4th April. Further details are on the OutRage! web site: http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk/FUKQ.htm =============================== Please feel free to disseminate this message in furtherance of equality. 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.) =============================== ============================================================ Date: Mon, 30 Mar 1998 11:20:08 +0100 From: s-coote@dircon.co.uk (Stephen Coote) Subject: EQUALITY FORUM CAMPAIGN FOR EQUALITY STANDING FORUM A joint campaign for lesbian, gay and bisexual human rights ----------------------------------------------------------- Launch Meeting - Saturday 4 April 1998 at 1.30pm Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, Holborn ----------------------------------------------------------- 28 of the UK's most important gay rights groups have joined forces in the fight for lesbian, gay and bisexual equality. They are all deeply concerned and angered that the campaign for equality is being stalled by setbacks in the British and European courts and by the unwillingness of the new Labour Government to repeal discriminatory laws. This Forum is therefore uniting both small and large organisations from every corner of the community to work together a co-ordinated campaign for lesbian and gay rights. The immediate aim is to ensure this year's Pride march is organised with a strong political theme as part of a much larger campaign for homosexual human rights. The 28 organisations involved so far will be planning the launch of this new National offensive for gay rights on 4th April. All lesbian and gay organisations are invited to attend the forum so the maximum pressure can be applied in support of our fight for equality. Registrations please call Ian Farmer on 0171 231 5183. The Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) have very kindly sponsored the conference at their headquarters, Conway Hall. This announcement distrbuted by the GAY to Z Directory. Stephen Coote ------------------------------------------------- GAY to Z - UK's Gay Phonebook - http://www.gaytoz.com GAY DATA - http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~s-coote 41 Cook's Road, Kennington, London, SE17 3NG Tel +44 171 793 7450, Fax +44 171 820 1366 -------------------------------------------------