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The Welsh Assembly has introduced a new clause on Sex & Relationship Education (SRE) guidelines.  For the first time since 1988 when Margaret Thatcher introduced this repugnant law Section 28, teachers will be able to have the confidence to challenge homophobia in our Welsh schools without fear of repercussions.  Section 28 states that homosexuality or pretend families are not to be promoted in our local authorities which has been very confusing, and still to this day no one can actually define what it actually means if it were ever challenged with a test case.  It is important to note that this law does not apply to schools themselves and the Learning and Skills Act 2000 removes any local authority control over sex education.  Instead Section 28 has had a huge psychological effect and created homophobia, bullying and victimisation in our schools as well as society.  The Welsh Assembly has taken the lead again and added to the Welsh SRE guidelines the following:

Sexual Identity & Sexual Orientation.
It is up to schools to make sure that the needs of all pupils are met in their programmes.  Young people need to feel that sex and relationships programmes are relevant to them and sensitive to their needs.  They might also find it difficult to talk to their parents or carers about matters of sexuality or sexual orientation.  The National Assembly is clear that teachers should be able to deal with these issues honestly, sensitively and in a non-discriminatory way.  They should be able to answer appropriate questions and provide factual information.  It is important that young people develop an understanding and respect for others regardless of their developing sexual orientation.  They should be encouraged to respect and recognise diversity and difference in human life.  Section 28 of the local Government Act 1988 does not prevent the objective discussion of homosexuality in the classroom, and schools can provide counselling, guidance and support for pupils. 

All schools will be receiving a copy of these new guidelines to be introduced to their schools in September this year to implement.  School Heads are being trained as I write this article in Diversity which mainly covers homophobia and racist bullying.  The training course is thorough and they are introduced to gay students as part of their workshop training where the students tell them exactly how they felt and how it effected them emotionally as well as having a knock on effect with their studies. It has had such an impact on them that I witnessed one Head starting to write new policies for her school in the lunch break!  I am also assisting some Heads with writing new policies for them to action in their schools. A good web site to log onto for assistance in school policies is www.schools-out.org.uk

The Welsh Assembly are totally committed to equality & diversity in Wales. By Wales taking the lead in diversity in our Schools will demonstrate to the House of Lords how far behind the times they are and hopefully have an effect to embarrass them into submission on Section 28. Most importantly with schools in Wales having the confidence to challenge negative behaviour towards gay relationships and delivering intelligent sensible debate in the classroom will no doubt have an effect on reducing the bullying and harassment rates in our schools.  The changes in the guidelines are not an alternative to the campaign of the repeal of S28 but a means of getting around the psychological, damaging effect its had on our schools and society until this outrageous discriminatory law is abolished. 

Single Equality Body
I attended a Welsh Assembly Consultation on where a discussion took place about potentially creating our own Single Body Equality Commission in Wales, taking the lead yet again in Wales.  The Welsh Assembly have the powers to do this under S.120 Government of Wales Act 1998.  The Wales TUC Lesbian & Gay Committee are recommending to extend the EOC’s (Equal Opportunities Commission) remit in Wales to include The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.  We feel that this is the best way forward as long as there is adequate funding in place to ensure that no identity is lost in the different strands until the UK Single Body Equality Commission UK gets its act together, which may not come into place until 2005/6 once Westminster has made a definite decision for the introduction of a single equality body.  Employers and employees need a point of contact where they can obtain advice and guidance on the impact and implementation of anti-discriminatory legislation on sexual orientation and the proposed Code of Practice.  The employee has to have somewhere to go for information and support and the EOC Wales is an obvious choice where they will also be able to apply best practice from the other minority groups.

Partnership Registration
I campaigned last July for Commitment Registration Ceremonies and in October 2002 the City and County of Swansea were the first local authority to offer this service in Wales. This will not hold any legal weight but it is another way to celebrate our commitment to each other and can be used as an additional document for passing on our pensions to our surviving partners.  We will continue to lobby the Welsh Assembly to issue a recommendation to all Councils to provide these ceremonies. This may put more pressure on Westminster to introduce civil partnerships, which would hold legal weight and solve a lot of ‘next of kin’ problems at the same time! I know that not everyone in our minority agrees with civil partnerships but we believe that we should have a choice which is better than no choice at all.  Maybe one day we will all have individual rights and civil partnerships and heterosexual marriages will not be required to prove commitment, but until then it’s important to campaign for equality.

There have been recent government announcements on introducing partnerships for same sex couples, which if passed, could come into effect in 2004.  This is a very much welcomed move and will give same sex couples rights in things like pensions, inheritance tax, next of kin.  However, it is alleged that it will not give us rights to partnerships outside the UK with regards to immigration like married couples have.  For example, if a Welsh man wanted to marry a Canadian woman and live in the UK, he would be able to do so.  We will continue to campaign for equality in recognising our relationships to provide the same legal rights and responsibilities as married couples.

Domestic Violence
Unions are looking to finds ways in supporting our members who are experiencing domestic violence.  A seminar was held in Llandrindod Wells by UNISON on the 1st February on tackling these issues where union reps could gain knowledge and support in dealing with this very sensitive and difficult subject area.  On the gay front I am in the process of working with Triangle/Shelter Cymru in supporting the gay community who suffer domestic violence, sexual abuse and also for young people who have been thrown out of their homes after ‘coming out’ to their family.  We intend to set up a ‘Landlords Register’ which will consist of vetted gay volunteers who have a spare room to be used as emergency housing for the victim until the council can re-house them, a bit like a temporary foster home.  They will be fully supported by counsellors during and after they have been re-housed.  This will, for the first time in Wales, give gay people who are suffering abuse a ‘safe haven’ until they can get their life back on track again.  Most importantly it gives them options rather than being forced to stay in an abusive household or being left vulnerable on the streets  open to dangers such as sexual exploitation, prostitution and developing a dependency on drugs and alcohol.  Sian Erwin is heading the project from Triangle in Swansea and will also be putting a awareness training programme together for all counter and casework staff in South Wales on how to deal with members of the public in these circumstances. 

Triangle are looking for volunteers to help with their work
 

What is Triangle Wales?
Triangle was set up in 1991 to provide housing and support to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Cardiff and the surrounding areas.  In 2000, in order to extend the service, Triangle joined Tai Trothwy (a leading provider of supported housing across Wales) and became Triangle Wales.

Why do we need Triangle Wales?
The acute isolation of many lesbian, gay and bisexual people within parts of Wales means many of those who are homeless or having problems where they live do not get the help they need.  Some are afraid that agencies will not understand the relationship between their sexuality and housing or will make wrong assumptions.  Triangle aims to address these fears by providing a specially designed advice service in which sexuality is not treated as a problem but where advisors will have empathy and understanding of what issues might be involved.
Triangle receives enquiries from a wide range of people and agencies.  Callers range from young people who have been kicked out of the family home on discovery of their sexuality, to older people who have ended a relationship and find themselves with nowhere to turn.

Why do we need volunteers?
By offering your time and support, you can make a difference to the lives of one or more lesbian, gay or bisexual person in need of advice and support.  You can help individuals gain confidence, self-esteem and reduce the feelings of isolation and loneliness.

What qualities are we looking for in a volunteer?
You do not need special qualifications but there are some qualities and skills that we ask of you:
 

• Awareness of and empathy with issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people
• A commitment to the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to have a safe and secure home, free of discrimination
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Being comfortable dealing with people on the telephone and being a good listener
• Reliability and a regular weekly time commitment

What you could gain by volunteering

This project offers:-

• Opportunities for developing new and existing skills through a varied training programme
• Experience which may help with the development or change in your career
• Being involved in the lesbian, gay and bisexual community
• Knowing you are doing something positive and making a difference to people’s lives

ALL VOLUNTEERS ARE PREPARED FOR THEIR ROLES WITH INDUCTION TRAINING.  AGREED OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES INCURRED WHILST VOLUNTEERING WILL BE RE-IMBURSED.

For more information Sian Erwin can be contacted on 01792 469400 or e-mail: siane@sheltercymru.org.uk

For gay women who are affected by domestic violence find it difficult to make the first step in seeking help mainly because:-

• You may not have been believed, or been taken seriously by people you turned to for help because the person abusing you is another woman.
• You may have thought ‘if I just did or didn’t….. then she will be okay’.
• You may have blamed yourself when your partner was treating you badly.
• You may have very conflicting feelings about your partner.
• You may have hoped that your love would change your partner.
• You may have started questioning yourself, your choice of friends, your identity, your judgements, your decisions, your memory, your sanity.
• You may feel anxious, confused, guilty, unsure, angry, depressed, numb.
• Your may be unsure if what you have experienced constitutes abuse.