Petition calls for Bank Holiday to be named after Alan Turing after ‘Margaret Thatcher Day’ controversy – A petition has been started to push the Government to rename the August Bank Holiday after late gay computer genius and codebreaker Alan Turing, rather than after Margaret Thatcher.
Vladimir Putin and David Silvester seem not to understand what a gay person is – so here’s a handy guide. Putin’s winter Olympic comments and Silvester’s flood warnings remind us that one can get remarkably far in life while being utterly confused about gay people. THe Guardian explains in its occasional series “Can you explain..? I confused!”
Pride House Manchester – first February Events: The opening events for Pride House – In true Manchester fashion we have put together an opening event like no other. You are invited to join us at Taurus for drinks as people gather for the first part of the evening. Remember this is the alternative opening ceremony for Sochi 2014 so dress up in your Apres Ski gear (winter woolies). There will be performances from the Gay Gordons and the Prarie Dogs as well as the opening speeches. Then the evening shall officially begin…
We’ve received the very sad news of the recent death of Angela Clayton MBE. Angela, who as a member of Prospect, was involved for many years with the TUC LGBT conference (as a delegate) and as a member of the TUC LGBT Committee. She was a powerful advocate for the rights of trans people, and was also a leading activist in the organisation Press for Change. Angela’s life will be remembered at the LGBT Conference this year
We’re Going! Are You? Camden LGBT Forum announces WORLD’s largest program for LGBT History Month 2014: The London Boroughs of Camden and Islington are to host the world’s largest program for LGBT History Month throughout February 2014. The program is put together by Camden LGBT Forum with the support of Camden and Islington Councils and a team of highly dedicated volunteers. This month is about celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans histories. The theme is music but events cross genres of film, poetry, science, biography and art.
Peter Tatchell Foundation: Urge Ugandan leader: don’t sign anti-gay Bill – Repeal the current criminalisation of homosexuality – Respect human rights & the Ugandan constitution. Join the protest urging the Ugandan president to not sign the new homophobic legislation, Wednesday 8 January 2014, 12 noon to 2 pm, Uganda High Commission 58-59 Trafalgar Square (south side) London WC2N 5DX. Nearest tube station: Charing Cross.
OFFICIAL – ALAN TURING CONVICTION QUASHED
Updated 2nd January 2014 with an interview with Tony Fenwick, co-chair LGBT History Month
The UK Government has officially announced that with effect from midnight on 24th December 2013, openly-gay codebreaker Alan Turing is granted an official posthumous pardon for his 1952 ‘gross indecency’ conviction. Turing, genius mathematician and the founder of the modern computer technology, was found dead in 1954, in an apparent suicide. In 2009 the Government issued an apology for Alan’s homophobic treatment – chemical castration in order to avoid a prison sentence – but had stopped short of a pardon. LGBT History Month are pleased that at least here in Britain, 2013 will end on a positive note for the LGBT community. Co-chair Tony Fenwick will be speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live from 5am today, to comment on the announcement: http://www.bbc.co.uk/5live/on-air
SAND – Safe Ageing No Discrimination – SAND has been formed to raise community awareness and help local authorities, care providers and carers to address the fears and discrimination that may be experienced by older LGBT people and carers by overcoming prejudice in care, stopping negativity, protecting those who are vulnerable and encouraging openness about specific LGBT needs.
Vince Laws performs at Have A Word, Brighton – Vince’s performance from ‘Have A Word’ in Brighton, November 12, hosted by Ellis Collins. Contains the first film of ‘My Mental Helmet’, and Maggie Thatcher Draft Excluder’s first public appearance.
Let’s Cheer Our Own! A World First – Two Openly Gay Men Will Lead A Country. For the first time in history, a country will have an openly gay man as both its prime minister and its vice prime minister.Xavier Bettel was sworn in yesterday as Luxembourg’s prime minister, making the former talk show host Europe’s first openly gay prime minister. (Bettel is Europe’s third openly gay head of state, Iceland has had a gay premier in the past, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, and Belgium’s current premier, Elio Di Rupo, is gay.)
