Gay School Musical is the latest theatrical extravaganza from London Frontrunners, a gay and lesbian running group, after their well-received Cinderella and A Christmas Carol.

This year’s performance, on Sunday 9th November, is in support of the Albert Kennedy Trust, which supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans young homeless people.

“Slap on the Clearasil and get down to Strange Hill – before Ofsted does ” condensing a whole term into an hour, unruly pupliSeand unhinged staff battle it out for love and stardom in a sweetly silly show.”

There will be two performances, at 7.30 & 9.15pm, at the King’s Head Theatre, Upper Street, London N1.

Click here for more information.

The Albert Kennedy Trust was set up in 1989, after 16 year old Albert Kennedy fell to his death from the top of a car park in Manchester whilst trying to escape a car load of queerbashers.

Albert was a runaway from a children’s home in Salford and was depressed. His short tragic life had been filled with rejection and abuse from society.

Manchester’s gay community was moved into action by the Trust’s founder patron Cath Hall, a heterosexual foster carer who admitted she could not meet the full range of needs of gay & lesbian kids coming through her care.

As a result AKT was formed, and in 1990 became a Trust.

The Trust provides appropriate homes through supported lodgings, fostering and other specialist housing schemeSeand enables young people to manage independent living successfully.

The New Years Eve Pride Ball, 2008

31st December 2008, Radisson SAS Hotel, Belfast, 7pm.

See in the New Year with Belfast Pride at a gala ball in the stylish surroundings of the Radisson SAS Hotel.

A champagne reception upon arrival will set the tone for a decedent evening centredaround a four course dinner.

The event will also feature the inaugural Belfast Pride AwardSeand a disco to herald 2009.

Tickets are limited, priced at 35 each and available now from tickets@belfastpride.com or from the Failtie Ireland offices, 53 High Street Belfast (Monday Friday 9am 5pm).

Dress code is smart-formal (ie no jeans!), masquerade is optional, with flamboyance strongly encouraged!

This event is a fundraiser for Belfast Pride 2009, and with New Year fast approaching we recommend you secure your tickets soon, as this is sure to be a popular event.

Yours,

The Belfast Pride Committee

Joseph Olshan and other readings…

Literary novelist Joseph Olshan reads from his new book ‘The Conversion’

From the author of the bestselling ‘Night Swimmer’

A stunning affirmation of art’s ability to ravage and redeem us’ – Vogue

Thursday 2nd October, 7pm.

Please RSVP by phone on 0207 278 7654

Free with complimentary drinks.

Venue: Gay’s the Word

~0~

More book details…

The Conversion – Joseph Olshan

Published by Arcadia, 11.99 PB

Heralded by Ian McEwan as ‘a writer in total command of his narrative’ literary novelist, Olshan, returns with ‘a compelling story of forbidden desire, deception, religion and love’s intoxicating allure.’

More Events for October…

(ii) Historian Shelia Rowbotham reads from her new biography of gay visionary

‘Edward Carpenter – A Life of Liberty and Love’

The first major biography of the late Victorian sexual and political libertarian

Tuesday 14th October, 7pm.

Free with complimentary drinks.

Venue: Gay’s the Word

No need to RSVP

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(iii) Novelist and comic author of ‘Diary of a Provincial Lesbian’,

Val Lee reads from her new collection of short stories,

‘As You Step Outside’

‘Val Lee reaches parts other comediennes can’t reach’

Thursday 16th October, 7pm.

Free with complimentary drinks.

Venue: Gay’s the Word

No need to RSVP

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Gay’s The Word
Lesbian & Gay Bookshop
66 Marchmont Street
London WC1N 1AB Russell Square Underground

Tel: +44-020-7278 7654

email: sales@gaystheword.co.ukwww.gaystheword.co.uk

Open: Mon – Sat 10am – 6.30pm
Sun 2pm – 6pm

We send Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer books all over the world
We accept most major credit cards, cheques and postal orders.
Postage & Packing UK 15 %. Europe 20% Rest of the World 25%

Noncyp Ltd t/a Gay’s The Word
Reg No: 1315476 Reg Office: 22 Bedford Row London WC1R 4JS

During 2008 we have held many interesting events, ranging from our First Birthday party on 10 March to Crazy Golf, Community Safety briefing, Photography competition, Health and Wellbeing Fair and many more. More is also to come with Interior Design event on 2 September 2008, Dance Lesson, Pottery, Sam BummerSeand Christmas Dinner.

We aim to emulate such a successful programme of events in 2009 and have therefore arranged a day where lesbian, gay and bisexual people can come along and help devise our Programme of events for 2009.

It will be fun day where everyone will have an opportunity to contribute ideas.

The event will commence at 10am on Saturday 4 October 2008 at Portaferry Hotel, 10 The Strand, Portaferry, BT22 1PE with a full cooked breakfast, or something more healthy for those keeping an eye on their figure!

We will then discusSeand agree our programme of events after breakfast at approximately 11am breaking for a two course lunch at 1pm. We aim to finish at about 4pm with tea and coffee at 3pm.

The event will be independently facilitated.

Some of us then intend to visit Rioja Mediterranean Bistro, High Street, Bangor and then boogie at Betty Blacks later in the evening. If you are interested in this informal add-on please email mail@andrewmuir.net

Anyone wishing to attend the Development Day should book their place before end of September 2008. Whilst the event is part funded by North Down Borough Council a charge of 10 per person should be paid beforehand to cover costs of catering etc.

This can be paid in person to a GLAD Management Committee member, via cheque (made payable to Gay and Lesbian across Down) to PO Box 317, BANGOR, BT20 9BU or online using Credit or Debit card at http://www.andrewmuir.net/glad.htm (fee is 10.50, extra 50p to cover credit / debit card processing charges)

If you want a lift to the hotel please email info@gladni.org or telephone 07791 398 438

Andrew Muir

Vice Chair – Gay and Lesbian across Down www.gladni.org| 07791 398 438 | PO Box 317, BANGOR, BT20 9BU

5 Shaftesbury Road, Bangor, BT20 3GB
Home telephone 028 9146 3404 Mobile 07813 945411 Work telephone 028 9035 5402
Email: mail@andrewmuir.net Web: www.andrewmuir.net

Weekend workshops for gay & bisexual men

SEX AND INTIMACY WORKSHOP

Saturday 16^th & Sunday 17^th August

10am 5pm

Cathedral Buildings, Belfast

Sex & Intimacy is a weekend workshop for gay and bisexual guys to share problems inherent in finding the right level of intimacy or sex, and to explore the differences between sex and intimacy.

Meet new people in a trusting, sharing and fun group setting where you can share and discover how you relate to other men.

The workshop will take place in Cathedral Buildings (opposite St.Anne’s Cathedral).

For more information or to book your place, please call

Martin 028 9030 9031 or email:

martin@rainbow-project.org

The Rainbow Project runs a number of workshops for gay & bisexual men. Please contact us for more details.

Martin Rolston – Counsellor

The Rainbow Project

2-8 Commercial Court

Belfast

BT1 2NB

t: (028) 9031 9030

f: (028) 9031 9031

mobile: 07779 523 461

e: martin@rainbow-project.org

web: www.rainbow-project.org

Registered Company Office as above. Registered Company No: NI 30101

Andrew

Andrew Muir
Vice Chair – Gay and Lesbian across Down www.gladni.org| 07791 398 438 | PO Box 317, BANGOR, BT20 9BU
Board member – The Rainbow Project www.rainbow-project.org
Press Secretary and Member of The Alliance Party North Down Association Executive Committee www.allianceparty.org

5 Shaftesbury Road, Bangor, BT20 3GB
Home telephone 028 9146 3404 Mobile 07813 945411 Work telephone 028 9035 5402
Email: mail@andrewmuir.net Web: www.andrewmuir.net

Views expressed are not necessarily those of Gay and Lesbian across Down, The Rainbow Project nor The Alliance Party for Northern Ireland.

Those in attendance will also be able to listen to the professional critique offered on the photos which will be displayed.

The event is open to all lesbian, gay and bisexual people including those in the small town called Belfast!

The photos will be displayed from 7.30pm to 8pm with critique at 8pm on Tuesday 1 July, 7.30pm at Marine Court Hotel, 18-20 Quay Street, Bangor, BT20 5ED. Refreshments will be served.

The owner of the best photo will win a yearly subscription to the UK’s leading photography magazine, Practical Photography.

Email: mail@andrewmuir.net Web: www.andrewmuir.net

1. LGBT Volunteering This Month

2. Free (or Cheap) Training and Events

3. Need Volunteers?

4. You’ve asked for…

1. LGBT Volunteering This MonthVolunteering for the LGBT CommunityAs part of their LGBT History Month programme of events, on Thursday 28^th February Southwark LGBT are hosting their Volunteering for the LGBT Community’ evening. This event takes place at 6:30 pm 8:30 pm at the Volunteer Centre in Southwark. For more information visit http://www.southwark-lgbt.org/userimages/G3_2(135×194).pdf or contact Dax Ashworth on 020 7525 5659 or email dax.ashworth@southwark.gov.uk.

Are you a Shining Star for Youth Engagement?If you work with LGBT Young People in your organisation and are willing to share your top tips in a case study format for a new better practice guide’ that the Consortium of LGBT Voluntary and Community Organisations is looking to develop around LGBT Young People and their involvement in Voluntary and Community Organisations, then please can you contact James-J Walsh Leadership and Engagement Development Coordinator highlighting you interest.Thanks in advanceJames-J Walsh | (t) 0207 064 6508 | (e) youthinclusion@lgbtconsortium.org.uk

Moving ForwardAt 2:00 pm on Monday 4^th February at

http://www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/calendar/LGB T History Month Events.php?recordID=179 or email baileyj@ageconcernstockport.org.uk.

ICT HubThe ICT Hub iSean online resource with information for Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) to improve their performance and relationship with ICT. We want to find a way or working together with community organisationSeand the ICT Hub (www.icthub.org.uk).The initial aim however is to focus on finding out what VCOs are struggling with in terms of ICT and to establish why it might be important for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered VCOs to use ICT, and direct people to the relevant areas of the hub website. To contribute to this project visit http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=837820.

Look Out For…To celebrate LGBT History Month the LGBT Consortium’s Darren Vella and Emma Foxall will be writing an article in the February edition of Volunteering England’s online magazine. This can be found at http://www.volunteering.org.uk/News/Volunteering Magazine/Volunteering Magazine.htm.

Not the Only Gay in the VillageA one-day conference, hosted by author and actor Stella Duffy, at The Courtyard Centre for the Arts,

Delegate fees are 75 VAT for individualSeand organisations from Herefordshire and 90 VAT for those out of county.For more information please visit www.herefordshire.gov.uk/outinthesticks. To book a place please contact 01432 260244 or e-mail diversity@herefordshire.gov.uk.

LGBT Job FairOn Wednesday 5th March

2. Free (or Cheap) Training and EventsWorkshops for BME Service UsersThe Commission for Social Care and Inspection are offering a series for workshops to black and minority ethnic (BME) people who use social care services. The aim of these workshops is to gather viewSeand experiences of BME service users. The workshops are free and will be occurring throughout February. For more information visit www.csci.org.uk/professional or contact mailto:lucy.wilkinson@csci.gsi.gov.uk.

Free training from Southwark Volunteer CentreThis month Southwark Volunteer Centre are offering several free training events aimed at volunteerSeand voluntary organisations. The workshops are as follows: Mental Health AwarenessTuesday 12^th February, 10:00 am 1:00 pm @ Volunteer Centre Southwark. Presentation SkillsoTuesday 12^th February, 10:00 am 4:00 pm @ Inspire. Introduction to Volunteering and Being ActiveoWednesday 20^th February, 2:00 pm 4:00 pm @ Volunteer Centre Southwark. Speak Up! Speak Out!oWednesday 27^th February, 10:00 am 4:00 pm @ Inspire.For venue addresses, how to book and more information visit: http://www.volunteercentres.org.uk/Training/Calendar.htm.

Attend workshopsAs we mentioned in our last newsletter Attend are offering free 1-day workshops for voluntary organisations in London, LeedSeand

Supporting volunteers from diverse communities (Guest speaker: Emma Foxall, Volunteering Development Officer of The Consortium!)o Wednesday 6th February -

o Friday 22nd February -

o Thursday 20th March -

Volunteering

Transforming Passion into Power: Volunteering at the heart of social change23-25 April 2008If you only attend one volunteering event in 2008 make it this one. In one place, you will gain insight into the work of Volunteering England and of key organisations working in and with the third sector, enhancing your work to ensure that volunteering remains at the heart of social change. You will hear from a variety of third sector leaders at one of our inspiring plenary sessions including Question time: a volunteering special involving a panel of politicians including Phil Hope MP, Minister for the Third Sector, who will answer your questions, along with MP’s with responsibility for volunteering from the two other major political parties. Take your pick from 71 tailored workshops over this three-day event. Highlights of the Convention include: A debate on Volunteering and 2012: a lasting legacy or a publicity stunt? Common ground: volunteering and inclusive practice. This seminar works towards opening up volunteer opportunities to all. Speakers will discuss involving volunteers from potentially excluded groups such as homeless, LGBT and disabled people. This session look for common themes, and concrete steps organisations can take to make their volunteering more accessible. VolunteerSeand the Law: next steps. What needs to be changed in terms of the law? Mark Restall, Head of Information, Volunteering England, discusses the Criminal Records checks, what a volunteer is (and the arguments over definitions), and getting your own house in order. Power through the people: volunteerSeand campaigning. This presentation will be made by Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive, Stonewall For the registration form and latest announcements about the Volunteering England National Convention, go to www.volunteering.org.uk/convention. For further enquiries, e-mail events@volunteeringengland.org or telephone 020 7520 8928.

Student Volunteering Week25^th February 2^nd March 2008 is Student Volunteering week. For more information and updates visit http://www.studentvol.org.uk/celebrate/svweek.htm.

Looking to Recruit Trustees/Advisory Board Members/Steering Groups Members or Youth Panelists in

3. Need Volunteers?This newsletter is mailed to over four hundred unique email addresses each month, so why not use it to recruit If you would like to use space to advertise for volunteers in this newsletter please email me on cparker@lgbtconsortium.org.uk.Adverts are free of charge and will be listed on a first come, first served basis.

4. You’ve asked for… Would you like us to cover a particular topic or provide more specific information about a service? Do you think we’re missing something? If so, let us know!The Consortium is here to support you, so we will build this project around your feedback, which we welcome. Please send all feedback to Charlie Parker . We hope that, in the coming months, you find this newsletter helpful and we look forward to hearing more from you. ThankSeand have a great month! Charlie Parker and Emma Foxall

Charlie Parker

cparker@lgbtconsortium.org.uk

Web: http://www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk