Monday 23 January 2012

Salford celebrates LGBT History Month 2012

The University’s annual celebration of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) History Month begins on Thursday, 2 February, with a special launch event.

Staff are invited to join leading figures from the world of sport and media for a discussion on the representation of LGBT issues in contemporary sports journalism.

The guests taking part in Sports Media and Sexuality: A Panel Discussion will include basketball star Jon Amaechi, who was the first NBA player to come out; former BBC commentator and sports reporter Bob Ballard; Sarah Williams, Equality & Diversity Manager for Rugby Football League; Claire Harvey, Paralympian sitting volleyball player; Chris Noble MBE, Director Sheffield Eagles, and Dave Randles, sports journalist and Salford lecturer.

The event, which heralds the start of a programme of LGBT History Month activities at the University, takes place at the MediaCityUK campus, from 6.15pm until 8.30pm.

It will be preceded by Take Action: Make Schools Safer – a workshop for teachers, aimed at helping schools to challenge homophobic bullying, support all their young people and promote understanding across communities.

A diverse range of other activities will be happening throughout the month, including music, training sessions, a pub quiz and writing workshops.

On The Fringes, a storytelling workshop led by writer Michelle Green, will take place on Tuesday, 7 February, 12pm-2pm. It will be a unique opportunity to explore untold stories with a focus on the experience of being on the fringe of mainstream LGBT discourse.

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation will host a pub quiz at Bar Yours on Friday, 17 February, 5.30pm-7pm. From sport and entertainment to politics and history, see how much you know about the achievements and contributions made by leading LGBT figures.

On Thursday, 21 February, TREC will deliver a Transgender Equality Training session, in University House, between 2pm and 4pm.

The sessions have been developed to increase awareness and understanding of the trans-diversity strand. They provide best practice guidance and legal information through presentations, group exercised and real-life scenarios.

The LGBT History Month celebrations will come to a close on Wednesday, 29 February, with a unique performance by the Manchester Lesbian & Gay Chorus. The choir has toured internationally and won the Silver Medal in the 2009 World OutGames, in Copenhagen.

LGBT Staff Network Co-chair Holly Cruise said: “The University’s LGBT Staff Network welcomes colleagues, students and the public to help celebrate the achievements of our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, and to explore what more we can do for members of the LGBT community, and their families, friends and colleagues.

“LGBT History Month is an inclusive event and we look forward to seeing a wide range of people at the various events.”

For more information on the events, including details on times and venues, please visit http://www.equality.salford.ac.uk/page/lgbt_2012.

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