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LGBT History Month Events Plymouth – UP:LGBT+

Posted on by Posted in City Events, Gay Blood Ban, Lifestyle, News, Plymouth Gay Scene

LGBT History Month Plymouth Events 2012

The University of Plymouth LGBT Group have come up with some fantastic events to mark LGBT History Month 2012.  The LGBT History & Liberation themed events will raise awareness on campus and celebrate diversity at our university!

There are a few details that need to be confirmed and events may be subject to change so keep up to date with the events on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/225547784195695/

 

Feb 6th: FILM NIGHT: We Were Here

“A deep and reflective look at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco and how individuals rose to the occasion during the first years of this unimaginable crisis.

Location: Roland Levinsky Building LT2

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/yQRvqY

8th: Donation not Discrimination

11 – 14:00

The National Blood Service are back on campus at the University of Plymouth and we need you out in force to encourage as many people as possible to donate blood on behalf of our men who have sex with men who can not!

We will have a stand explaining the old rules / new rules and why they are still WRONG!
We will be there throughout the day so drop past when ever you can or feel please feel free to stay all day to help! I’m sure cake of some sort will be provided for helpers…!

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/wB4nKH

9th: ReFreshers Fair (10am – 4pm)

13th: Cutting and Sticking workshop! (UP:LGBT Members Only)

14th: Day of campaigning with Amnesty International – (Love Without Borders

Roland Levinsky Cross Point 11 – 14.00

UP:LGBT+ are joining forces with Amnesty International for NUS LGBTs Love without borders campaign!

Come and see how much you know about LGBT Law across the world.
We will be set up at the Roland Levinsky Cross point so drop by when you can and bring lots of friends with you! OR Please feel free to join us for the day to help out.

There will indeed be cake at this event ( Baked by none other than the president himself – or failing that, Sainsburys :P )

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/xeyO2f

16th: Interactive Timeline
Cross Point Roland Levinsky building 10:30 – 17:00

UP:LGBT+ are going to be showing off there amazing creativity from earlier in the week.

Our LGBT History Month timeline will be on display at the cross point for all to see!

We will be asking passers by to take a post-it note and add a date which is important to them onto our timeline! It doesn’t have to be LGBT specific and can have as much meaning to them as they want. (If you guys didnt get a chance to make your mark you can do too)

Each person who adds a date to our timeline will get a raffle ticket (Exciting stuff!!)
1st Prize is a £20 Nandos Voucher! (nom)
2nd Prize is a bottle of wine!
3rd Prize is likely to be chocolate!
4th Prizes etc will be stonewall “Some People are Gay” or “Love your inner Lesbian” posters!

YAY Everyone likes a good raffle.

Bring friends, flatmates, family, pets.. Everyone. Again please feel free to drop by or stay and help for as much of the day as you can!

We want to make this the busiest society event UPSU has ever seen!

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/xGpx6b

18th: Social with the Exeter Lions Football Team

TBC

UP LGBT Quiz19th: SU LGBT History Month Quiz Night

UP:LGBT+ are taking over the UPSU Sunday Quiz!

We will have the normal general knowledge round as well as LGBT History month themed rounds! Including Picture & Music rounds!

Get a team together (max 6) and see how much you learnt at the time line event!

Only a pound each to enter! Come for an evening that is sure to be a laugh (Even if its just at the committee reading questions out)

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/zNC56O

20th: FILM NIGHT: Imagine Me and You

Our second Film night for LGBT History Month!

We will be showing ‘Imagine Me & You‘

“A newlywed bride becomes infatuated with another woman, who questions her sexual orientation, promoting a stir among the bride’s family and friends. ”

Check out the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421994/

Bring a quid or two for some popcorn!!

Venue to be confirmed so keep up to date on facebok

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/AwQOzx

22nd: Bowling (plus OPTIONAL follow on to Brass Monkey and C103) (UP:LGBT Members Only)

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/ypeOYA

24th: LGBT Night @ UPSU

Details to follow

27th: FILM NIGHT: Rocky Horror! (with an OPTIONAL Rocky Horror themed social afterwards)

When it emerged that some of our committee members hadn’t seen this we all agreed it had to be fixed.

We do indeed expect singing and dancing however joining in is not compulsory.

Shouldn’t need an introduction but in case you don’t know check it out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073629/

Option of a Rocky Horror Themed social for afters!

See you there!

Facebook Event: http://on.fb.me/yCXRMV

Note this is the 2nd opportunity to see the Rocky Horror show in Plymouth during February as it is being shown on Valentines night.

See Post

 

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Lifetime Ban on Gay and Bi Men Donating Blood lifted – but remains unequal

Posted on by Posted in Gay Blood Ban, Gay Media, Health, News

Regulations banning the donation of blood by men who have ever had gay sex will be lifted from today.

The Department of Health announced the changes in September, implementing a one-year deferral period instead, so that men who have had gay sex in the last 12 months may still not donate blood.

Lifetime ban on Gay and Bi men replaced by 12 month ban

The change comes into force in England, Wales and Scotland this week.

Gay rights campaigners said gay men would still be treated unfairly under the new rules implemented today, as heterosexuals engaged in higher risk sexual activity are not subject to the same restrictions.

Read the Full Article on PinkNews

Gay men who use a condom should not face delays giving blood

Although the new donor policy is a big improvement on the existing lifetime exclusion, a 12-month ban is still excessive

The government has announced that it is scrapping the blanket, lifetime ban on blood donations from men who’ve had oral or anal sex with other men. Bravo!

At last, after nearly three decades, health officials have realised that they got it wrong. The panic over HIV led them to maintain an irrational, unscientific policy which discriminated against gay and bisexual based on prejudiced, stereotypical assumptions. It also deprived the NHS and patients of much needed blood donations, regularly contributing to a shortfall in the blood supply.

The new policy stipulates that gay and bisexual men will be banned – not for life – but for 12 months from their last oral or anal sexual encounter with another man.

Although the new policy is a big improvement on the existing lifetime exclusion, a 12 month ban is still excessive and unjustified. Most gay and bisexual men do not have HIV and will never have HIV. If they always have safe sex with a condom, have only one partner and test HIV negative, their blood is safe to donate. They can and should be allowed to help save lives by becoming donors.

Read the full article by Peter Tatchell

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Petition to remove the ban on on gay blood

Posted on by Posted in Campaigns, Gay Blood Ban, News

Gay and bisexual men are banned form giving blood in the UKA petition has been set up on the government’s new e-petitions website to call for the end of the blood donation ban for men who have had gay sex.

The petition, created by student Tom King, has more than 900 signatures at the time of writing and asks MPs to look at introducing new evidence-based criteria on which to screen gay and bisexual donors.

The ban currently prohibits any man who has ever had sex with another man from donating blood. Gay rights campaigners say it is discriminatory, as other groups at high risk of HIV are not subject to a blanket ban.

View the Full Article on Pink News

In May 2011 we reported that PCS union members voted with overwhelming support to challenge the discriminatory ban on gay and bisexual men giving blood. View the report

Sign the petition: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/301

 

 

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PCS Union Votes to Challenge Gay Blood Ban

Posted on by Posted in Campaigns, Gay Blood Ban, News

Gay and bisexual men are banned form giving blood in the UKPCS members vote with overwhelming support to challenge the discriminatory ban on gay and bisexual men giving blood, there was no vocal objections and just a handful of delegates abstained.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) held their Annual Delegates Conference in Brighton this week. One of the motions debated called upon the unions leaders to support a campaign raising awareness of this unjust discrimination with the aim of changing the policy of the National Blood Service to remove the ban on gay and bi men giving blood.

The Motion put to conference:

This Annual Delegates Conference notes the exemplary work undertaken by the National Blood Service in providing clean blood to those who need it, and encourages PCS members to donate as circumstances permit. Conference, however, further notes the discriminatory policies of the National Blood Service that impose a total ban on donations from men who have ever had sex with men, regardless of their personal circumstances. Conference notes with concern the statements from the National Blood Service explaining that the position is based on statistical analysis showing that men who have had sex with men are a “High Risk” group. Conference, however, is not persuaded that there are no alternative methods of excluding “High Risk” individuals than banning a group defined only by gender and/or sexual preference. Conference therefore instructs the NEC to coordinate a campaign with PCS Proud to bring greater attention to the issue to members, employers, counsellors, MPs and EPs with the aim of changing the policy of the National Blood Service to remove this unfair discrimination.

For more information about the blood ban visit Peter Tatchell’s website: http://www.petertatchell.net/lgbt_rights/blood_ban/

PCS PROUD – The voice of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and trans members of PCS: http://pcsproud.org.uk/

Visit the PCS website for more news: http://www.pcs.org.uk/