Agenda and minutes

No apologies were given.

Mandy noted that her attendance had not been recorded at the last meeting. Alice apologised for this – this was an error.

ACTION: Alice to change the minutes of the last meeting to record Mandy as present, not Nicola.

Other than the above, minutes were agreed as a true record.

Matters arising

-          Carnival. Matthew said that there were problems on the day with tail backs and the actual route. Problems were caused by the road closures being taken away too early. Matthew said that the Out There Youth Club float was fantastic – there was generally a great reaction to the float’s theme of Equal Marriage.

Sophie was not present.

Vicki and Alice have met with the Leader of the Council, who was happy with the activity planned on the action plans. Vicki has further meeting with Northampton Community Foundation, who administers a small grants pot on behalf of Northampton Borough Council, to discuss how the money is allocated and monitored for these community led projects.

Vicki spoke to the forum about the No Bystanders Campaign, following Kevin’s visit to the forum from Stonewall in May. Northampton Borough Council has carried this forward internally. There will then be a move towards the straight allies campaign, leading on from this.

The forum led Straight Allies Campaign was discussed further, with agreement on the following detail:

-       Matthew shared his design idea for the pin badges. It was agreed by the forum that they would take forward this design idea, on a circular enamel pin badge, with a black background and silver A design.

Ian discussed costs and different options the forum could go for to have a presence at the umbrella fair.

It was agreed that:

-       FAN and the LGBTQ Forum will combine and share one marquee.

-       The marquee will have a cabaret theme, with performances which are themed around the Straight Allies campaign.

-       Performers will be asked to perform and support as a Straight Ally, or as a member of our LGBTQ Community.

-       The marquee will feature a pledge board, where people will be invited to sign, and then receive a straight ally pin badge. This pin badge will be attached to a business card, which explains the concept of a straight ally.

Forum attendees discussed the possibility of having the marquee during the day time with stalls and information about the organisations, and in the evening having more of a focus on the cabaret performances. Ian confirmed that the Coming out Day closet would be available for use on the day.

It was also discussed that somebody needs to be given the role of Stage Manager to ensure performances run smoothly and are introduced etc., reminding the audience of the concept of Straight Allies.

It was agreed that the forum will go ahead with this. £500 was pledged to the forum to cover some of the costs.

ACTION: Project group to meet to plan the details of the weekend marquee and timings. A meeting has been planned for Wednesday 16^TH July from 6pm. Please contact either Cllr. King or Matthew for details of this meeting. 

ACTION: Ian to share the request for cabaret performers to the UFO network.

An International Coming Out Day event will be held again, on Saturday 11th October, from 12-4pm at the museum.

ACTION: Vicki to book the town museum for the event.

The forum would like to introduce an Inspirational LGBTQ award to the day, similarly to that of International Women’s Day.

ACTION: Cllr. King to check this with the leadership, and to liaise with the BBC to see if they are on board for this.

It was agreed that Booqfest will be allocated a space for their activity for throughout the day. 

It was agreed that the theme will be continued from last year with Equality in the Workplace, focusing on the Straight Allies campaign. A ‘Question Time’ type activity will be planned again on this theme, and the ground floor of the venue will be allocated to this.

ACTION: Alice/Vicki/Cllr. King to contact businesses for their input and involvement.

Daniel said that the Derngate would like to be involved in the event this year. ACTION: Daniel to forward Alice the details to make contact.

The forum would like to consider a networking/social event after the day time event. This will be discussed at the next meeting.

A planning meeting for International Coming Out Day is planned for Tuesday 2^nd September, 6:30pm at the Guildhall.

Matt – Attended the Stonewall education conference, where they released more findings from over the last 5 years since their last educational audit. Some signs of things moving forward. Met with a member of staff from NSB at the conference, Lyndsey Greenaway. NSB are doing a lot of things, such as having an LGBTQ group, promoting equality, and fundraising for stonewall.

ACTION: Alice to invite Lyndsey Greenaway to the next forum meeting, and invite the school to have involvement in ICOD.

John – The Last Outing Conference at The University of Nottingham. This conference was about end of life concerns for LGBTQ people. A lot of the findings were that people were worried that when they go into care that their LGBTQ status would not be recognised. There was also a Festival of Death for LGBTQ community, which aimed to break down taboos etc. and provide information on end of life.

Matthew told the forum that he is looking into setting up a separate community group to organise something similar in Northampton.

John suggested that through this, the group should engage with care homes around the borough.

John has received the preliminary findings of The Last Outing, and will forward to Alice for circulation.

John also told the forum about a new online community radio station in Rushden, called Radio Northants. If anyone wants to publicise anything, there is a ‘What’s on show’. For more information – www.radionorthants.com

Ian – Umbrella fair festival flyers are now out. Another flyer has also been produced advertising for volunteers for the festival

UFO have launched a cycle recycle project – donations of bikes and bits of bikes are welcome. This is a social enterprise for UFO, and also to encourage cycling in the community

UFO has also nominated for Environmental awareness award at NCF awards.

Jeanette – Lesbian Line has a Wednesday night drop in, and a quiz night on alternate Thursdays. There is also a seaside trip taking place this week.

Body portrait art: Artist that covers the Northamptonshire area. Full body prints. Would like to make everyone aware in community they are available. Home kits – smaller areas. Artists can also come to a person’s home for larger pieces of art. Body Portrait Art is visiting Brighton and Manchester Pride and has been accepted to have a stall at both. For more information, please see: www.BodyPortraitArt.com

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Matthew discussed with the forum that it may be a good idea to have an arts pledge board at the Umbrella Fair for the Straight Allies Campaign. Create something over a day.

ACTION: Matthew to liaise with Body Portrait Art about this idea outside of the meeting.

1.    Will asked whether anyone at the LGBTQ forum know of any accepting churches.

-          Jeanette suggested Weston Favell Village. St. Peters

-          If anyone knows of any, please let Will know. This is for a young person at the Out There Youth Group who has now been asked to leave two churches.

-          Ian agreed to speak to David Wiseman from NIFF about this.

2.    Alice told the forum that Superintendent Mick Stamper has written to the forum. Unfortunately, Superintendent Stamper was unable to make this meeting. However, he will be attending the next Diverse Communities Forum on Wednesday 30^th July, which runs from 6:30-8:30pm in the Guildhall. All are welcome to attend this meeting to discuss their concerns.

The forum agreed that they would like to invite Mick Stamper to the next LGBTQ forum in addition to the Diverse Communities forum.

ACTION: Alice/Vicki to contact.

3.    Lesbian Line is looking for another venue for their drop in session. They need an environment for just women. They would ideally like a location in the town centre, or on a bus route

Ian said that once the pavilion café is set up, he would like to welcome Lesbian Line to meet there, from September.

-       Hate Crime Unit

-       International Coming out Day

-       Inspirational LGBTQ award

Tuesday 16^th September, 6:30-8:30pm.

Tuesday 16^th September, 6:30-8:30pm