Diversity Role Models

 

Our new project has 50 places for England schools   We're proud to announce Diversity Role Models has been funded to deliver a programme which empowers schools to take a stand against all forms of bullying.   The project will supply free training and resources to schools in England which ensure staff have the knowledge and skills to tackle and prevent bullying to create inclusive school cultures, anchored in training about diversity and the protected characteristics.   With staff training, the project also offers optional free primary pupil workshops and access to new resources through our LGBT+ storytelling service, Role Model Stories.   Find out more about the content of the free staff training and how to register here.   Delivery of the project is due to commence in January, with dates available through February and March 2022. Numbers are limited so register your interest now.    Thanks, Jac Bastian

Diversity Role Models St Anne's Church 55 Dean Street London W1D 6AF

Diversity Role Models is a registered charity number 1142548 and a company limited by guarantee number 07640644

Westminster LGBT+ Forum

 

Westminster LGBT+ Forum October 2021 Issue #2

Dear Jean-Francois Welcome to the latest e-news from Westminster LGBT+ Forum

Mayor of London urged to reform Pride

Fourteen leading members of the LGBTIQ community have written an Open Letter to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, with nine demands for the reform of Pride in London. Pride is funded by the Mayor and has a contract with his office. Forum Co-chair Chris Barlow, a member of the now disbanded Pride in London Community Advisory Board has added his signature to this letter in the hope that a much needed overhaul of Pride 2022 takes place to create a truly inclusive event reflecting the values of our fabulous community. For more information see the letter to the Mayor and its nine demands.

29th Raindance Film Festival

27 October to 6 November 2011 Raindance have partnered with Outings in Art and Westminster LGBT+ Forum to offer free tickets to the Queer Strand films shown below. Please support this fabulous inclusive and community friendly Film Festival. To book please email cbarlow5000@gmail.com Tickets will be allocated on a ‘first come first serve’ basis but a waiting list will be operating if you wish to try for a ticket for a fully allocated screening.

Films:

The Man with the Answers

29 October 2021 at 3.20 p.m. Ex-championship diver Viktoras lives on the Greek coast. When an unexpected phone call summons him to Germany, he sets out on a road trip and crosses paths with Mathias - a free-spirited handsome hitchhiker. Stelios Kammitsis’ The Man With The Answers is a picture-postcard travelogue through Europe. At Genesis, 93-95 Mile End Road, Bethnal Green, E1 4UJ  13 tickets available

Miguel's War

30 October 2021 at 3 p.m. Miguel has been living as an exiled gay man in Spain for 37 years and has become a successful interpreter. Now that he is willing to return to his native country of Lebanon to confront his traumatic past, maybe he can find some emotional balance and love at long last. At the Bertha Doc House Curzon Bloomsbury, The Brunswick Centre, WC1N 1AW Only 3 tickets available.

Hating Peter Tatchell

1 November at 9 p.m. A special screening of the Netflix documentary which shows how Peter Tatchell's 54 years of activism began and highlights the vital role of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. At the Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5DY Fully booked but a waiting list is now open.

Against the Current

1 November 2021 at 6.20 p.m. The the saga of Veiga, a trans woman born in the Westfjords of Iceland.  The film explores a lifetime spent battling against the currents of social expectations, as Veiga attempts to become the first person to kayak around the 2,000 km Icelandic coastline, against the current. At Genesis, 93-95 Mile End Road, Bethnal Green, E1 4UJ 10 tickets available.

Girl Like You

2 November 2021 at 6.20 p.m. In this touching and insightful documentary, filmmakers Samantha Marlowe and Frances Elliot follow a couple battling to stay together as one of them transitions genders. The film captures the ripple effect as the couple confront the effects of new body parts and navigate their own evolving sexual identities. At Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5DY 8 tickets available.

The Pop Song

3 November 2021 at 7 p.m. Simón travels from London to Barcelona to attend the funeral of one of his friends. He finds a city that he doesn’t recognise and some friends who feel like strangers.  Their reunion will determine his future and make him decide whether to stay or go back to London. At Genesis, 93-95 Mile End Road, Bethnal Green, E1 4UJ 8 tickets available.

Please Support Us

If you wish to see the Forum continue, we desperately need your support and invite you to become a regular donor. Even a one-off donation will help. The collection of donations uses a secure system that offers payment via PayPal, Credit or Debit card. Please Support Us Now

Other News and Events can be found on our website.

Outings in Art is Westminster LGBT+ Forum’s principal events partner and offers a monthly range of activities.

Westminster LGBT+ Forum www.westminsterlgbtforum.org

Arcola presents: Broken Lad

Arcola presents: Broken Lad A new comedy written by Robin Hooper Directed by Richard Speir WORLD PREMIERE 13 October - 6 November 2021 “What lies on the bottom of the ocean and twitches?” “A nervous wreck.” Above a pub in North London, Phil is fighting off panic about his comeback gig. Dropped by his manager, he finds only his old friend Ned at his side. A friendship which has rescued Ned from loneliness in his old age has turned into an unrequited obsession. As Phil laments his dwindling career, his son arrives believing that his dad harbours a damaging secret. With the gig hour nearing, old flames and past misdemeanours catch up with the family. Tonight, Phil’s comedy career might not be the only thing in tatters. A new comedy by Robin Hooper, Broken Lad is an honest examination of masculinity and virility in distress. Robin Hooper returns to Arcola following Not the Love I Cry For (2006). His previous plays include Queer Fish (Battersea Arts Centre – Critics Choice, Time Out, Whats On), The Move (one of the first NT Platforms to tour), Astonish Me (RSC and Almeida Theatre then Home Theatre off-Broadway). https://arco.la/brokenlad More info &  Book

Stonewall

 

Hi Jean-Francois, This Black History Month’s theme is #ProudToBe, coordinated by the Black History Month Organisation. We are proud to share our Stonewall x Black History Month hub, which is filled with essential articles and resources to learn about Black LGBTQ+ lives and histories, how to be a better ally, and the legacy of Black queer activism.  Black people have always been at the centre of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement, from Marsha P. Johnson and Stormé DeLarverie, who were major figures in the Stonewall uprisings of 1969, to modern day leaders like Munroe Bergdorf and Lady Phyll.

What does it mean to be Black and Queer? Read about the personal intersectional experiences of being Black and LGBTQ+. Black LGBTQ+ organisations Check out our list of Black-led LGBTQ+ organisations you should know about. African sexuality and the legacy of imported homophobia Deep dive into the history of colonial homophobia and its impact in Africa today. 10 ways to be an ally to Black LGBT people Our staff share the most effective ways to be an active ally to Black LGBTQ+ people. Support Black LGBT Fundraisers Browse our list of ways you can support the Black LGBTQ+ community through fundraising. Black History Month Heroes The Stonewall People of Colour Network has shared their Black LGBTQ+ heroes and how they continue to inspire us.

Visit our hub for more resources It is important we celebrate Black History Month, remembering the contributions to society and the LGBTQ+ community that are so often forgotten or dismissed. Follow us on our socials and use #BlackHistoryMonth and #ProudToBe to share what you are proud of this month, and help us celebrate the incredible impact of Black LGBTQ+ people everywhere.

Link

 

In this Issue: News & Updates Introduction from the Editor Link Updates Link Pride Party Link on the Risky Mix Link Survey Member Updates 1 Man, 23 Days, 400+ Miles Allianz & LV= Pride Update Events First Tuesday Networking Drinks CII - How to be an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer of choice Introduction from the Editor Dear Members, Well, it’s been back to business with a bang for Link. After so long being locked in our houses, and meeting en masse not possible, we had a fantastic time hosting our Pride Party at the Ned Hotel last month. This was followed by our belated Summer Party, hosted and supported by Kennedys. We have reinstated our First Tuesday Drinks and have some great in person and virtual events in the pipeline. September also saw another successful Dive In, with Link supporting three UK based LGBTQ+ events. Do log back into the Dive In platform where you can see recordings of some of these, and many other events. Link also received a highly commended recognition at the Insurance Insider Awards. Whist we did not win the award for Diversity and Inclusion, we would like to congratulate our fellow Partner Network iCAN for a well-deserved win, given the fantastic work they do. The start of October sees the start of Black History Month, which gives us the opportunity to discuss and remember the stories of those less well-known individuals. It’s also important we focus on the progress to be made, especially following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, following George Floyd’s murder and the conviction of the police officer Derek Chauvin which offered a powerful reminder of an ongoing universal human rights campaign. I’m always conscious that Link would not be where it is today, without the support of individuals who do so much for diversity and inclusion. One of these individuals, Michaela Gibson for me, epitomises someone who has devoted so much time, effort and passion to turning the dial and making the insurance industry a more inclusive place for all. Michaela is a finalist at the Women in Insurance Awards, and has been nominated for the Unsung Hero Award, an award very much befitting her. All of us at Link wish you the best of luck! Maurice Rose LINK Chair Link Updates Link Pride Party Huge thanks to everyone who came to belatedly celebrate pride with Link in September. It was a fantastic evening, and great to see so many people in person. The party was the culmination of a fantastic pride t-shirt campaign which saw Link raise £20,000 for the Albert Kennedy Trust. The T-shirt competition was a fantastic opportunity for the Insurance Market to come together and do something creative and collaborate. Well done to Chubb for their winning entry! We also want to thank The Ned for hosting such a great event - we hope to repeat it in future years. The Ned is also home to Ned’s Club, a members club to meet, work and have fun in the heart of the City. They have recently introduced a new membership, Ned Friends. Friends get access to members-only spaces, events and benefits at their restaurants and bedrooms. More information can be found here.   Link on the Risky Mix Link would like to thank the Risky Mix, a fantastic Podcast about diversity and inclusion in financial services. The Risky Mix featured Link, and Maurice Rose, Senior Manager in PwC's insurance regulatory practice and chair of Link – the LGBTQ+ insurance network.  Maurice recently made Intelligent Insurer’s top 25 D&I champions in the insurance sector and spoke about Link’s mission, the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the industry and where companies can better support their communities. Listen to the podcast here Link Survey: Help us to support the LGBTQ+ Insurance community Link is keen to understand the lived experience of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in the Insurance Industry. Please help us do so by completing our survey. This survey is for those who work in and are part of the insurance ecosystem, including insuretech, professional services firms and suppliers. Your answers will help us further our work to make the Insurance Industry the employer of choice for the LGBTQ+ community. The results will help to shape where we focus our energy and to identify any current and emerging issues, helping Link and the wider Insurance Industry to understand where we can have the biggest impact in the years ahead.  Your answers will be completely anonymous and incredibly helpful. Members of the LGBTQ+ community please click here Allies of the LGBTQ+ community please click here Events First Tuesday Networking Drinks Link is excited to be reinstating our regular first Tuesday Networking Drinks. Post pandemic, we have decided to move venue to The Otherist where we have reserved a small area for Link Members. We have drinks scheduled tomorrow, October 5th and November 2nd at 17:30. Keep a look out for committee members who will be wearing a Link Badge. We hope to see as many of you there as possible. Do come along to meet friends old and new! There is no need to register, feel free to just turn up, but more information is outlined in the link below. Please click here for more details. More details and register to attend CII - How to be an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer of choice Join Maurice Rose and Ben Johnson for a webinar hosted by the Insurance Institute of London on Wednesday 13th October to discuss how to be an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer of choice, where you’ll discover: Why being an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer is important What the regulators are saying in relation to D&I How you can make your recruitment processes more LGBTQ+ inclusive How you can use the new LINK inclusion framework to make your organisation an employer of choice for the LGBTQ+ community What the regulators are saying in relation to D&I If you are NOT a member of the CII, please email admin@lgbtinsurancenetwork.co.uk to reserve your place. If you are a member of the CII, please click here to register. Not a member of CII? Register here A member of CII? Register here Member Updates 1 Man, 23 Days, 400+ Miles - Raising funds to support the vulnerable and homeless of Southend-on-Sea Kenny Carmichael from CFC Underwriting finished his 1 Man, 23 Day, 400 Mile challenge to walk from Southend to Land’s End.  Here Kenny details his monumental journey.   I walked a total of 437.4 Miles and raised, to date, £28,857 + £4,831.50 in Gift Aid.    The walk was an experience that I will always remember.  I have been blown away by the interest in the story and the generosity shown by so many people.  The aim of the walk was to raise  funds for St. Vincent’s Centre, Southend who serve the homeless and vulnerable members of my hometown.    I also aimed to raise awareness about  mental health and challenge stigmas associated with homelessness.  I was moved by the courage and honesty of those people who walked with me and shared their experiences of poor mental health and grateful for all of the support shown by friends, colleagues, family and strangers.    Personally, I think this experience has helped me to refocus on what is important in life and I do believe that this will bring some lasting positive change in respect of my own wellbeing.    If you are interested in reading about the challenge you can see the story on the St. Vincent’s Centre, Southend facebook page or view my 400 mile highlights on Insta @kcarm87.  Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/st-vincent-s-centre-southend Allianz and LV= Pride update It’s been a really busy month for the Allianz and LV= Pride networks with some key updates: New - Transitioning at Work Policy   As part of our ongoing commitment to equality of opportunity for all our people, we’re proud to introduce our new Transitioning at Work Policy which will be implemented across Allianz, LV=, Petplan and Home & Legacy. Amongst other topics, the policy covers: name changes and official records time off for transitioning to attend appointments, treatment and surgery dress codes pronoun guidance recruitment procedures Scarlet-Marie Morgan, co-lead of the Allianz Pride UK network said she was incredibly proud to see the introduction of the new policy and cited the support she’s received during her transition journey. Stephanie Smith, Allianz Holdings chief operating officer and sponsor of the Allianz Global Pride Network, commented: “We’ve always done our best to foster an environment and create a workplace where everyone can thrive but we felt it was important to bring in this new policy to explicitly demonstrate our support for our trans colleagues. It provides clarity for everyone, not only on practical HR matters but also how we can all help to create a safe and inclusive environment.” Bi-Visibility Webinar and discussion To mark Bi-Visibility Day on 23 September, in partnership with the London Bisexual Network, the Allianz and LV= Pride Networks co-hosted a virtual event titled ‘Bisexuali-tea – A fireside chat about the ‘B’ in ‘LGBTQ+. During this event which was open to all, a number of Allianz and LV= colleagues discussed what bisexuality means to them and were candid about their own journey and experiences. Employees also shared blogs which were published on the Allianz Pride Network members page. We look forward to sharing our updates next month!