LGBTQ+ asylum claimants have long faced challenges in the UK, from having to prove their sexuality or gender identify to Home Office officials, to facing sexual harassment and violence in detention centres. These claimants are amongst the most vulnerable in our society and we must shout as loudly as possible on their behalf. In 2019, […]
Archive | Legals
20 Years on From Lift-Off
In January 2000, the ban on gay personnel serving in the armed forces was lifted. Twenty years on from the abolition of the ‘gay ban’, we speak to Sgt Craig Rudyk-Smith, who joined the Royal Air Force after the ban was lifted, and Flt Lt Tamsin Wakeham, who joined before and re-joined shortly afterwards. Both […]
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“Lest we forget where we came from”
It is incredible to think how far the British Armed Forces have evolved since 12 January 2000 when their law barring service by lesbian, gay and bi people was finally repealed. With the 20th anniversary comes celebration and pride in what has been achieved, pride that all three armed forces have been Stonewall Top 100 […]
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The Wrong Kind of 80s Revival
I’ve written in these pages previously about Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988; a pernicious little sinew of discriminatory law that referred to homosexuality as a ‘pretended family relationship’. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots and the 30th anniversary of the eponymous charity that was the focal point of efforts to repeal Section 28 in the UK. However, amidst celebration of milestones have been some […]
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What God Says I Am
Passion, Fashion and the Plight of LGBTQ Refugees Toby Hambly Lubega Adrac Musa, director of Lunko Haute Couture, speaks to me from a town south of Nairobi, but that’s not where he started life. He’s Ugandan, but was forced to leave the country when his sexuality was discovered. His voice is calm, delicate even, but his words carry unimaginable […]
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“We Have to be Continually Vigilant”
Co-founder of Stonewall Lisa Power talks evil, the Aids pandemic and remembering our history. Stonewall celebrates its 30th birthday this year – how proud are you? Very proud, although I’m not directly related to Stonewall these days. I think it’s done a fairly amazing job over the years. I haven’t always agreed with everything it’s done but I think it’s made a massive […]
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A Queer History of Hampshire
What have Clare Balding, Rupert Everett, Lord Alfred Douglas and Patrick Gale got in common? They all have connections to Hampshire; either having been to school in the county or living in the county, and all can be identified as noteworthy lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender (LGBT+) persons. Over the last two years Y-Services LGBT+ youth […]
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Stonewall turns 30
Back in 1989, Section 28 had just been passed, effectively banning conversations about same-sex relationships in school, forcing LGBT teachers into the closet or out of a job and scarring a generation of young LGBT people. Stonewall was created to fight this discrimination. Over the past 30 years the organisation has made a big difference to the […]
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LGBTQI Refugee Crisis in Kangemi
The Refugee Coalition of East Africa (RefCEA) received emergency communication from the compound known as ‘Great Lakes’ on Monday 10 June 2019. Great Lakes leadership stated that the Landlord had sent an Agent at 1:00 PM with immediate notice to vacate the premises by 4:00 PM. The action is a clear violation of the Tenancy […]
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Oxfordshire’s first “Starting a Family” Seminar for LGBT+ parents
Oxfordshire Solicitors Spratt Endicott and Barristers Chambers 3 Paper Buildings will hold a seminar on 13th of June to provide information for prospective LGBT parents who are planning on starting a family. The event, which is free to attend, will be held at Oxford Holiday Inn from 3-7pm and will discuss the different options […]
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