Wednesday 11 July 2018
House of Lords Reception with Lord Scriven of Hunters Bar 10th July 2018 Speech
Thank you all for your support today
and particular thanks to The Lord Scriven of Hunters Bar for hosting this event
and to my partner for 20 years Richard Hopkins.
In 1987 I arrived in this diverse
and multicultural city that is London
Rising negative sentiments towards
homosexuality peaked. 75% of the population said that
homosexual activity was "always or mostly wrong", Section 28 arrived the year after. Last week, the Prime Minister
apologised and admitted that she and her party got it wrong on things like the
Section 28 and promised new actions to counter present injustices, she
embraced, endorsed and thanked the LGBT citizens of this country.
As you have seen, this evening is
to celebrate our diversity and inclusion in Civil Society.
I was told that I inspired people
as a role model and I was also told recently
that having a reception in the House of Lords for The Gay Professional Network
was the opposite of being inclusive. I replied that everyone was welcome, builders
and plasterers included, and you will have seen that they are already at work here...
Indeed they are welcome, in those
particular trade, homophobia is rife.
Homophobia
is a word like transphobia and biphobia that I cannot suffer, just like racism and
other "isms", yet I accept that phobia is a disorder with irrational
fears.
By understanding this we can help educate at an early age, at home and at
school, what it means to be part of a diverse community linked by common
interests and collective activities.
Education is
key to alleviate all fears and show that we are all human whatever
our sexualities. I want my nephews and great nephews to never question again
why 2 same sex partners is ok.
Diversity
is the range of human differences .
Inclusion
is involvement and empowerment.
At the Gay Professional Network,
we promote and sustain a sense of belonging; we value and practice respect for
the talents, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of living of our members. This is
the achievement of a work environment in which all individuals are treated
fairly and respectfully, have equal opportunities and resources, and can
contribute fully to the organisation's success. We do not exclude any groups.
Equality is the current term for equal
opportunities and is based on the legal obligation to comply with
anti-discrimination legislation, we are here today in the seat of legislation.
Equality protects us from being discriminated against. Let's not forget our
achievements and never be complacent.
Together we tackle discrimination, homophobia and any other
phobias related to the LGBT+ community, in the press and the social media,
we promote education in schools, families and everywhere to teach love and
respect for all mankind.
It is not acceptable that in 2018
according to last week's government survey there is FEAR in our community to
hold hands for fear of abuse and not reporting abuse.
Can you believe that in this
country "Gay conversion
therapy" is still happening and legal? Although all major counselling and
psychotherapy bodies, as well as the NHS, have concluded that it is dangerous and
have condemned it .
By Professional I mean being professional at what you do, whatever you
are doing. My Father who was a Doctor always told me: "Whatever you do, do it professionally
and to the best of your knowledge and ability".
I believe what comes around, goes
around and by being nice to everyone, you shall reap the rewards. Achieve your
dreams not by being mean but mean to achieve your dreams.
Nobody ever gains from negative
thoughts: the only people who benefit from negative equities are bankers.
The Gay Professional Network is
very active in the World, it builds lasting social & professional
relationships.
A few days ago I put in touch two
members from Adelaide and Melbourne
in Australia
I am convinced that we are all
connected by not 6 but 3 degrees of separation.
I do invite you to visit
www.gpn.one for more details about our organisation and if you are not yet a
member, please join, it is only £20 a year and gives you and others so much.
Lord Scriven of Hunters Bar is a liberal democrat peer and former leader of Sheffield
City Council, he is still a councillor. He was described once as Nick Clegs's
closest ally in local government. He is a businessman consulting in the public
& private sector, training and development and an amazing advocate of the
LGBT rights in UK
Thank you again my Lord Scriven
for allowing me to say this few words and may I now ask you to say a few.
Tuesday 10 July 2018
Were you out on the London scene in the late 1960s / early 1970s? - Did you know Maxwell / Michelle Confait?
Re: BBC documentary series
From:
To:
Hello,
I hope you’re well and don’t mind me getting in touch.
I am currently working on a new BBC series that will look into the history of crime. The series will look at three significant historical cases that have led to legislative reform and a seismic shift in society’s attitudes towards Justice. We will forensically re-examine the details of the case, to plot through the course of legal and social reform over the past fifty years.
In this series we’ll explore three historic cases in order to highlight important injustices and note the wider impact they had on British society. We hope to create a thought-provoking, honest, and intelligent re-examination of each case, its investigation, and prosecution to explain how we got from then to now.
One of our episodes focuses on catastrophic events of the Maxwell Confait case in 1972 and the subsequent wrongful imprisonment of the three boys accused of his murder. I understand that this is a very raw event so I do want to tread carefully but I was wondering whether you were aware of the case or perhaps might have known Maxwell/Michelle.
I was wondering whether you might be able to send the below to your members:
- Were you out on the London scene in the late 1960s / early 1970s?
- Did you know Maxwell / Michelle Confait?
Wall to Wall Television are making a BBC documentary about the murder of Maxwell Confait in Catford in 1972. The case was an infamous miscarriage of justice that led to significant changes in police powers.
The victim Maxwell Confait - also known as Michelle - was mixed-race, a transvestite who was well-known on the gay scene in South London frequenting The Castle and The Black Bull in Lewisham and also Le Duce bar (sometimes also written La Douce or Le Deuce) on D'Arbly Street in Soho.
We want to tell the story of the real person at the heart of this case, and to paint a picture of the world in which they lived. If you knew Maxwell / Michelle Confait, or were part of the London LGBT+ community in the late 1960s / early 1970s, we'd love to hear from you.
Very best wishes and I look forward to hearing from you,
Sandy
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Friday 6 July 2018
GPN Social Event Thurday 26 July at 6:30pm
Just a social networking drink, I asked members to choose the venue this time and they have replied, thank you.
We shall go up the rainbow staircase at The Apple Tree in Clerkewell, there is a private room there and is now fully airconditioned. It is a new venture of Phil Hunt who is a film producer and a friend of our member John Greager. They may say a few words and as it is a private room, everyone will have the opportunity to say a few words, if they choose to do so.
Not a member yet? join us on www.gpn.one
It is a free event, cash bar for all, badges will be prepared.
Please note that non-members will be asked to pay £20 towards the organisation of the evening either in cash or card on arrival.
Please note that non-members will be asked to pay £20 towards the organisation of the evening either in cash or card on arrival.
Come learn more at our 
Thursday 28 June 2018
free introduction to Parliament 4th July @ 6pm
Hi Jean-Francois,
I work at UK Parliament, and have been a member of the GPN email list for a few years now. I noticed that you have an event at the House of Lords on the 10th July.
We are hosting a free introduction to Parliament session a week before which might be helpful for your members if they wanted to expand their knowledge.
There’s a bit more information on the Eventbrite page. But it would be massively apprecaied if you could circulate this to anyone who might be interested. (unfortunately there are no canapes – but it will be great!)
All the best
Sky
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