March 2009
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will be celebrated this year again on May 17th. This year the emphasis is on the burning and often neglected issue of transphobia. Read the joint appeal of IDAHO and Transgender Europe here.
LGBT university staff and students face 'high levels' of discrimination
By Jessica Geen • March 5, 2009 - 16:13
Many students and staff members reported discrimination
A survey has suggested that many gay, bisexual and trans staff and students in UK higher education institutes suffer homophobia and discrimination.
The research, led by Professor Gill Valentine at the University of Leeds, found that 20 per cent of LGB students and 28.5 per cent of trans students had been forced to suspend their studies due to homophobia and transphobia.
Although over 90 per cent of gay and bisexual students were out to their peers, 46.8 per cent said they had been subjected to negative comments, while others said they felt they couldn't participate in certain activities such as sports, as they felt other students may be wary of being phsyically close to them.
Financial problems were a particular concern for trans students, with 34.8 per cent saying they feared being cut off by their parents if they revealed their trans status.
One student said: "Obviously, with planning to transition and everything, it’s probably quite a good idea for me to tell my parents at some point but there’s the fact that they are very Catholic and they’re quite homophobic and transphobic.
"And basically I think they might cut me off. The estrangement provisions at the moment are a load of crap, so that’s a bit of a worry."
Staff reported high levels of discrimination, with 33 per cent of LGB and 41 per cent of trans staff saying they had faced abuse from colleagues.
Lack of awareness was another issue, with 37.1 per cent of LGBT staff saying they did not know if their university had a written policy on sexual orientation discrimination, while 61.8 per cent were unaware of whether it had a policy on trans discrimination.
Fifty-nine per cent of staff do not know if their institution has an LGBT network 84.4 per cent of LGB staff do not know if their institution offers bereavement, adoption and maternity/paternity leave to LGB employees who are not registered as civil partners.
The report suggested that positive images of LGBT people in admissions brochures influenced respondents' choices on which institution to attend but added that those in "gay-friendly" locations were more likely to suffer bullying, possibly because of their increased visibility.
Positively, only 1.7 per cent of LGB students and 5.4 per cent of trans students felt they had been awarded lower marks due to their sexual orientations or trans identities and the majority of student unions were reported to be supportive.
Commenting on the report, minister of state for higher education David Lammy, said: "I welcome this report which is one of the first of its kind to highlight the experiences of LGBT staff and students.
"We expect universities to be tolerant places, promoting open thinking. The fact that LGBT students feel they can be themselves in our universities is very positive.
"But there still needs to be a concerted effort by the sector and institutions to ensure that LGBT staff and students feel welcome and are acknowledged and recognised as an integral part of the higher education community
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-11461.html
Transgender pupils
A report from the UK Guardian Newspaper's report on proceedings in Parliament of 10th March 2009:
...Transgender pupils will be given more support in tackling bullies at school, junior children's minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry pledged. She said discrimination provisions would be "extended" to include transgender pupils in the upcoming equality bill...
HATE CRIME Turkey
We have received this report from TG-EU
Verzonden: woensdag 11 maart 2009 13:32 Today March 10 at 13:40 Invitation to a Press Conference
Our Transsexual friend Ebru was stabbed to death in her own apartment on March 10. We who have been saying that Transsexual and Transvestite murders are political murders, are going to protest the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual phobic system which does not define "Hate Crimes", awards the Killers by reducing their prison sentences, does not provide any constitutional rights to Gay, Lesbian, Transsexual, bisexuals, and transvestite population, and makes these type of murders much easier.
To commemorate Ebru and many others like her, We will be having a press conference infront of Ebru's house on Purtelas street. We are asking all to join us and support us on our cause for a just world for all.
Press Conference Date: March 12, 2009 Time: 13:00 Memorial Date: March 12, 2009 Time: 18:30 Lambdaistanbul LGBTT Dayanisma Dernegi Tel: +90 (0) 212 245 70 68
Istiklâl Caddesi, Katip Celebi Mah. Tel Sok. No: 28/6 Kat:5 Beyoglu - Istanbul www.lambdaistanbul.org <http://www.lambdaistanbul.org lambda@lambdaistanbul.org < mailto:lambda@lambdaistanbul.org
Michelle Kurt
Transgender People's have Human Rights...equal rights for everyone