Good to hear people like Narvel are speaking out

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Good to hear people like Narvel are speaking out

Narvel Annable's words about centuries of bigotry and medieval beliefs are so true (Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice, Opinion, November 25).

Even today, gay women in Africa are being raped to normalise them.If there is a God, thank God for the good name of people like Narvel for speaking out.

I've read some of Narvel's books and I can honestly say they are the best written books I've read in my life.

John Sellars

Carver Road

Burton

Thousands of disabled people in Leicestershire may lose blue badge

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Thousands of disabled people in Leicestershire may lose blue badge 

Thousands of people across Leicestershire could lose their blue disabled parking badges next year under tough new assessments. 

Nearly 50,000 people in the city and county have a parking permit, which entitles the holder or their carer to a disabled parking space. 

But from next year – under new Government guidelines – occupational therapists employed by the city and county councils will take over the assessments from GPs. 

The present system is believed to be inconsistent and it is estimated that up to 5,000 of the badge-holders risk losing their permits when they next try to renew them through the councils. 

Tony Donovan, chief executive of Leicestershire Age UK, said: "This is a worrying development. GPs know the health of their patients better than anyone, and this new assessment will just add another layer of bureaucracy and cost. Genuinely disabled people could lose out." 

But assistant city mayor for adult services Mohammed Dawood said: "People who truly need their blue badges have nothing to worry about. 

"We will make sure that the new system is as fair as possible. However, the new, more rigorous assessments will mean some people will lose their badges. It's unfortunate, but these are Government guidelines." 

In the city and county, 22,000 badge-holders automatically qualify because they are either blind, receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the disability living allowance, or they receive a war pensioner's mobility supplement. These people will be unaffected. 

However, about 26,000 are currently assessed by their doctor. Based on trials using occupational therapists elsewhere in the country, it is believed a fifth could lose out.
They have all been judged by their doctor to have a substantial permanent disability, which means they cannot walk, or find it difficult to walk. 

However, if a council assessment does not support this when they try to renew their badge, they risk losing it. 

Dr Angela Lennox, a GP in St Matthew's, Leicester, backed the move, saying: "This is an area which is ripe for reform. 

"It's very difficult to refuse a patient who you've known for many years if they're right on the borderline. I think it's right the assessment is carried out by someone independent." 

However, badge-holder John Carter, 50, of Leicester city centre, said: "GPs are the ones who have in-depth health records on each patient. Surely they're the best people to decide whether someone is well enough to walk?" 

A 65 year old badge holder, of Loughborough, who did not want to be named, said: "There's a lot of abuse, and a lot of people who don't need them, but I'm worried genuine badge-holders could lose out, too." 

City disability rights campaigner Andy Morris, 55, said: "I'm completely against this. I'd trust a doctor over a council official." 

The price of a badge is also due to rise from £2 to £10. The badges last for up to three years and will be redesigned from next year to make them more difficult to forge.

Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Handshake does not deal with causes of prejudice

The recent controversy over racism in football hinged on the significance of a handshake.

This put me in mind of a parallel incident when I was approached by Mormons.

They assured me that I was loved by God but my homosexuality was unnatural and unacceptable.

I countered with the fact that my sexuality and body were one and the same. We came as a package.

Several minutes of heated negotiation ended, as always, in stalemate.

One of them suggested that we should agree to disagree and offered me his hand. I refused. I explained that accepting would condone centuries of bigotry.

I argued against being a party to religious prejudice. A handshake would not deal with the root cause of the problem. When the Mormons renounce and apologise for their medieval beliefs and cruel conduct, I will shake a Mormon hand.

Homophobes and racists should look to the example of Sepp Blatter, who apologised once made aware of his hurtful comments.

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper

Remember Rose, a great champion of young gays

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Remember Rose, a great champion of young gays

AS we approach November 11, spare a thought for Rose Robertson, who died last August aged 94. She was a secret agent in Nazi-occupied France, a member of the Special Operations Executive, but had great difficulty talking about her wartime experiences.

However, she did reveal an incident which occurred in 1941. Billeted with two young male French Resistance fighters, Rose discovered them in an embrace. She knew nothing of homosexuality, was curious and horrified to hear of family prejudice and rejection. Their story affected her deeply. She was shocked that parents could be so heartless to their gay children.

After the war, Rose set out to learn more about people like me. She met distressed gay teens damaged by religious groups. She met parents – like Mr and Mrs Annable – who were variously distraught, angry, guilty, ashamed and hostile towards their children's "perversion".

In 1965 she formed the Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG) which seeks to mediate between parents and kids in an effort to find understanding, acceptance and reconciliation.

Rose was an effective campaigner and gradually, police, local authorities, and irate parents began to trust this reassuring figure.

It all comes too late for Narvel. My parents are dead. To the best of my knowledge, I have one sister living in the USA. We have not spoken since 1963. Could Rose have made a difference?

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper

This letter appears in today's Derby Telegraph:

Gay people still suffer in Commonwealth nations

"The Commonwealth is a comic-book phantom of international organisations. It is the ghost that walks."

This savage criticism was written by Greg Sheridan, the foreign editor of The Australian newspaper, to coincide with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Such a ferocious attack on a loose association of 54 countries is hardly surprising. In the teeth of a clear commitment from the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma, to "tolerance, respect and understanding in matters of sexual orientation", it is a disgrace that 36 member states continue to treat same-sex relations as a serious criminal offence. Every day gay people suffer vilification and punishment inflicted by cruel laws dating from colonial days.BBC journalist Andrew Marr reminded the Prime Minister that people have looked to this conference to take a hard line with the homophobic nations in Africa.

I'm grateful to Mr Cameron for confirming that British foreign aid will be withheld from countries who continue to persecute their gay citizens.

Narvel Annable

Dovedale Crescent

Belper

International Day Against Hate Crime

At Phoenix Square Film and Digital Media Centre this morning, where International Day Against Hate Crime is being marked with an event organised jointly between Leicestershire Police's Stamp It Out campaign and Citizens' Eye Community News Agency.

Here's some information about hate crime, from the Stamp It Out! flyer:

The risk of being attacked or abused on the street, at work or in their own home just because of who they are remains an everyday reality for many people.
Hate Incidents and crimes happen because of hostility, prejudice or hatred of another person because of their actual or perceived disability, gender identity (transgender), race, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

No two hate incidents are the same but may include the following:

• verbal abuse and name calling
• physical attack
• graffiti or other deliberate damage to property
• written or recorded threats

These incidents don't just affect the lives of those involved but affect their friends, their families and every part of the local community.

If hate incidents are not reported, then the bullies, bigots and thugs will feel their behaviour is totally acceptable and they they can continue to abuse people whenever they feel like it.

Stamp It Out! is a community-led partnership bringing together different groups and organisations all committed to challenging, tackling and stamping out hate within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Assistant Mayor Councillor Manjula Sood (Cabinet Lead for Health and Community Inclusion, and Chair of Leicester Council of Faiths), is among a small number of speakers at the plenary session in Screen 1, the largest of Phoenix Square's three projection spaces. Here we also hear from Simon Cole (Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police), Justin Hammond (Stamp It Out), John Coster and Hollie Sturgess (Citizens' Eye Community News Agency) and Dr Loretta Trickett (Nottingham Centre for the Study of Reduction of Hate Crimes, Bias and Prejudice at Nottingham Trent University). We also watch an amazing video: No Arms No Legs No Worries.

Leicester Council of Faiths and Leicester Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trangender Centre (two of the four Core Partners in REDP) are exhibiting in the marketplace in Phoenix Square's reception area and cafe bar. We've done this sort of event here many a time, but this is probably the busiest I've seen it. Many of the displays focus on specific groups who are considered the most common victims of hate crime, whether it's racially or religiously motivated, homophobic, against disabled or older people or women. I'm especially interested to meet one Jonny Basger, representing Community Security Trust (CST) a national organisation involved in protecting the Jewish community from all forms of antisemitic incidents. I pick up a wealth of printed material from the CST display. I'm particularly impressed by their use of QR codes and smartphone apps.

REDP is planning a regional conference on hate crime in the first half of 2012. I collect as much relevant information as I can and speak to a few exhibitors and attendees about their interest and potential involvement in this forthcoming event. We've got a selection of REDP's leaflets about the Protected Characteristics as defined in the Equality Act 2010 on display today.

Disabled passenger rails at "joke" access to station

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Disabled passenger rails at "joke" access to station 

A disabled man has hit out at railway bosses after he had to push his wheelchair backwards along a dark, uneven road to gain access to Leicester train station. 

David Gordon arrived at the station early one morning to find parking spaces at the front had been barricaded off because of renovation works. He was asked to use the car park at the rear instead. 

But the 43-year-old marketing manager then had to get back to the station entrance along a route that would cause no problems for someone who is able-bodied, but which proved treacherous for him. 

"It was absolutely horrendous and a complete joke," he said. "It shows a complete lack of understanding for anyone who has issues getting around." 

First, Mr Gordon had to ask a passer-by to help him up the "slippy and impossible" disability ramp out of the car park. 

The ramp exits into Station Street, which does not have dropped kerbs, so he could not get on to the pavement. 

"The road was so uneven I had to push myself backwards because I was scared I would topple forward," said Mr Gordon. "I had to keep pulling in to the side of the road to avoid being hit by cars. 

"At 6am, in the middle of a road with no proper lighting, going backwards, is hardly what I would call proper disabled access." 

Mr Gordon, who mostly works from home in Blaby but catches a train to London once a week for meetings, complained to staff and was told he could arrange to use a goods lift which opens on to the car park when he needed to travel. 

"It's better, but the lift is scruffy and dusty – hardly what you would call ideal, he said. "Also, I have to book it 24 hours ahead and inform staff of the exact time I will be there. That's not convenient, given that anybody else can just stroll to the platform when they wish. 

"I've suggested they give disabled customers a radar key for the lift, but I'm yet to get a response." 

Mr Gordon said he was concerned about other disabled passengers who would have to get from the rear car park to the front of the station. 

"My main worry isn't me," he said. "It's the elderly lady who has to push her husband up the ramp, or the disabled person who might not have the confidence to complain." 

Network Rail, which runs the station, said it apologised for the inconvenience. 

A spokeswoman said: "We understand fully that this is not perfect. However, at present, this is the best they can do at the station. If the passenger has asked that we provide him with his own key to the lift, it is something we will look into but I do not know how feasible it will be. 

"As for the uneven surface of the road the passenger had to use, while it is the designated access, we are not responsible for the kerbs or the road surface." 

A spokeswoman for East Midlands Trains, which operates rail services from the station, said it was taking Mr Gordon's complaint very seriously and was working on changes that would make life easier for disabled passengers while the renovations were carried out.

Happiness is Vital in Mansfield

To Mansfield this afternoon, where the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) has been invited to take part in "Happiness Is Vital", an event organised by disability nottinghamshire. An assortment of local VCS groups and public sector officers working with people who have HIV/Aids are getting together to consider their present circumstances and future prospects. There are four workshops on offer, facilitated by the people described below in their own pen portraits (including myself):

HIV and Human Rights

Julie Musonda

Julie works for Leicestershire AIDS Support Services (LASS) as Social Enterprise and Development Worker. LASS is an independent voluntary organisation that was set up to provide a range of services for people in the city of Leicester, Leciestershire and Rutland, affected by HIV/Aids. Julie also founded the self help user led organisation LhivE, positive people helping one another empower each other to live their life to its fulfilment.

Stigma and Discrimination

Matthew Gregory

Matthew works for the Terrence Higgins Trust as the Health and Treatment Worker. THT is a national organisation working in the field of HIV and Aids. In Nottingham, they are involved in sexual health and HIV awareness, HIV testing, education, promotion and more.

User Led Organisations

Simon Bernacki

Simon currently works as the User Led Organisation (ULO) Development Officer for Disability Nottinghamshire. He's here to share his knowledge of the ways in which organisations can engage with their members to develop strong, clear visions of what is needed. He has experience of marketing, communications, events, fundraising, grants, project development, volunteers, policy, strategy and brewing a good cuppa! Come along for an informal discussion and to share good practice about any of the points above.

Equality, Diversity and the Equality Act 2010

George M Ballentyne

George works as the Equality and Diversity Officer for Leicester Council of Faiths, one of the Core Partners of the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP). While George's specialist area has to do with religion and belief, he is well-versed in the many "Protected Characterisitics" described in the Equality Act 2010 and has given seminars, talks and discussions on behalf of REDP across the East Midlands and further afield.

After the workshops, the facilitators sit on a panel, taking questions from the floor. I'm glad I'm able to contribute something about the kind of support that REDP can offer, specifically metnioning the Funding Advice Network that we heard Jonny Gutteridge speak about at our Core Reference Group meeting earlier this week.

In the main hall, there's a marketplace display of various relevant agencies, groups and organisations, including:

• Mansfield Community & Voluntary Service
• North Notts Positive Links Support Network
• Nottinghamshire Advice Network
• Tagadere
• Terrence Higgins Trust

There's plenty of tasty Caribbean food dished up at 1700 and an hour later there's an After Party, with live music from double MOBO award-nominated singer-songwriter, Freddi Kofi. Courtney has been bigging up Freddi all afternoon and I'd love to stay and hear him but, based on my experiences getting here, I don't want to take any chances getting that train back to Leicester.

Core Partners take stock

Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) is the venue for this morning's meeting of the Core Partners of the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) with Dennis Fisher, Grants Officer at The Big Lottery. It's The Big Lottery's Basis Fund that bankrolls REDP and Dennis is charged with overseeing our project. We've met with him several times in different settings over the past couple of years; he's here today to talk about our work so far and how we're going to make progress in the final year of this intial funding period.

Round the table for this meeting with Dennis are the Chair of REDP, Iris Lightfoote (The Race Equality Centre), Dee Martin (Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living), Ian Robson (Leicester LGBT Centre), Laura Horton (Project Manager, REDP) and myself, of course, representing Leicester Council of Faiths.

Ian, Iris and I are here until lunchtime, to join in an overall discussion of the project. Dennis spends the rest his visit with Dee (since LCIL is the accountable body for REDP) and with Laura.

We all get the chance to speak this morning; Dennis asks me directly about the "diversity" dimension of REDP.

There's a convivial atmosphere in the meeting today and our funders seem pleased with how REDP has performed.

Taking public services forward in the East Midlands

To the Albert Hall Conference Centre, Nottingham, this afternoon for an event hosted by East Midlands Councils and the Local Government Group. Four of us from the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP) are attending "Taking Public Services Forward in the East Midlands".

I've come through from Leicester with Iris Lightfoote (The Race Equality Centre), Dee Martin (Leicestershire Centre for Integraqted Living) and Kelly Jussab (Project Officer, REDP).

East Midlands Councils demonstrates how local councils in the region can work together on  issues such as housing, transport and the environment. It represents the interests of local councils to Government and national organisations. It supports the improvement and development of local councils and their workforce.

The six organisations of the Local Government Group work together to support, promote and improve local government:

• Local Government Association
• Local Government Employers
• Local Government Improvement and Development
• Local Government Leadership
• Local Government Regulation
• Local Partnerships

Core Partners of REDP (and members of its more extensive Core Reference Group) are here today to listen to a presentation on the Open Public Services White Paper by Alison Adams, Policy Manager, Local Intelligence Team, Office for Civil Society, Cabinet Office. We have the chance to discuss this presentation and to raise questions from the floor.