Levenshulme Pride: No Barriers
This is Levenshulme. A strong, diverse, cohesive community that respects and celebrates difference.
Although there have been homophobic and anti-LGBT incidents – including targeted abuse this year against the Levenshulme Pride Organiser, Jeremy Hoad – they will be resisted. We will overcome any hatred and celebrate whoever we are.
The “lovely lady” in this story shows the true spirit and strength of our Levenshulme community.
Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Pride Organiser and Chair of Friends of Manchester’s Gay Village is a panellist on one of the Pink News Pride for All videochats at 13.00 today.
01:00 pm BST Safe Spaces after COVID-19
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we think about safe spaces? Joining PinkNews on this panel to discuss this are Asifa Lahore, Switchboard’s Natasha Walker, and Levenshulme Pride organiser Jeremy Hoad.
Follow this link to see what else is happening and view the videochat:
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/pride-for-all/
We are thrilled and delighted that Manchester Parents Group has won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. MPG has been a Levenshulme Pride partner and participant since our first year and will be familiar to many people from their work across Manchester, the North West and beyond over many years.
Founded in 1986, the group is one of the longest established parent support groups in the UK. Offering advice and support to parents, carers, family and friends of children (of all ages) who have come out as LGBT+ to enable them to accept and move forward together. The group also support the LGBT+ community in continuing the fight for equality, both in the UK and across Europe, and provide a safe haven for youngsters who are struggling to come out to family and friends or have been rejected by them. You can find out more about Manchester Parents Group HERE
Manchester Parents Group’s Chair, Barbara Spence says:
“We are delighted that this culmination of many years’ work has been recognised, we would particularly like to pay tribute to Catherine Johnson, the late Joyce Leyland and the late Brenda Oakes all of who led Manchester Parents Group from its inception. We would also like to thank the group of volunteers for their commitment, over the years, in supporting the work of the group.”
Manchester Parents Group is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
Representatives of Manchester Parents Group will receive the award from Sir Warren Smith, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from Manchester Parents Group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.
This year there were 230 recipients of The Queen’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found HERE
We are delighted that the bigotry and hatred that prevented same sex couples being able to get married is now gone.
As of now (midnight on 21 October 2019) same sex couples can legally get married in Northern Ireland.
We can now finally say that same sex couples can get married in the UK.
The first marriages are expected to be able to take place in February 2020.
Same sex couples are still discriminated against regarding pension rights but this is a huge step forward for justice, equality and human rights.
Here’s a photo of Belfast City Hall in rainbow colours to celebrate.
Thank you to Afzal Khan MP for voting in favour of equal marriage rights for same sex couples in Northern Ireland today.
Although this would only take effect if a new administration is not formed in Northern Ireland before 21st October and it would still require secondary legislation it is great to know our MP supports equal rights across all areas of the UK.
The amendment to extend equal marriage rights to Northern Ireland passed by 383 to 73.
Another amendment to extend abortion rights to Northern Ireland passed by 332 to 99.
The Stonewall riots were 50 years ago today.
The fight for equal rights continues. We must never be complacent and must always be ready to defend the rights that have been won and continue to make the case for equal rights for all.
Stonewall UK (founded 30 years ago this year) have a review of the fight for LGBT+ equality HERE
New guidance for Relationships Education (Primary Schools) and Sex and Relationships Education (Secondary Schools) has been passed by Parliament.
The guidance requires schools to inform and educate children about different relationships including same sex relationships. This is important to reflect reality, the society we live in and principles of equality and inclusion.
It should be remembered that some children are LGBT. They deserve equal recognition, support, understanding and visibility in schools.
Let children be children. All of them.
Happy Lesbian Day of Visibility 2019.
Levenshulme Pride celebrates all our lesbian friends today and reminds everyone of the amazing people who are lesbian.
If you have an idea for a lesbian themed activity or event during Levenshulme Pride then do get in touch.
This is a public meeting. Everyone is welcome. An opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification and find out what is really happening with LGBT teaching in schools (primary or secondary).
The event is hosted by Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Pride.
FORMAT
The format is an open conversation with contributions from various people and representatives to enable an informed and inclusive discussion.
PARTICIPANTS
Everyone is welcome to attend. Contributors to the discussion include:
EVENT DETAILS
DATE & TIME
Wednesday 3rd April, 19.00 start
VENUE
Levenshulme Old Library
Cromwell Gove
Levenshulme
Manchester
M19 3QE
Organised by Levenshulme Pride
We woke this morning to hear the shocking news of a terrorist attack in New Zealand that targeted two Mosques and killed 49 people.
Levenshulme always stands against hatred. Our diverse community comes together to express its revulsion against and utter rejection of violence and hatred. Levenshulme Pride started in response to an act of hatred. We offer our sympathy and support for those dealing with an act of aggression and violence against another minority group.
Let’s stand together against islamophobia and the murder of Muslims. Let’s come together in a community gathering against hate and to mark an horrific act of terror.
We are all equal. We must all support each other when any of us is targeted with hatred.
Jeremy Hoad, Levenshulme Pride
Meet on the Village Green by The Bee With No Name on Stockport Road (opposite the station car park), 14.00, Sunday 17th March
The BBC report on the New Zealand attack is available HERE