Agenda and minutes

Attendees: Matt (co-chair), Aimee, Cllr Anna King (co-chair), Rachel, Natalie, Rebecca, BG, Will, Abayomi, Zach, Martin, Cat, Hannah, Sharon Womersley, Helen Heng, William Beckett, Phil Hicks

No apologies received.

Matt welcomed everyone to the meeting, Cllr King due to join us shortly. It was suggested that attendees could give their preferred pronouns during introductions, this was well received.

Minutes agreed.

Northants Police Community Engagement Officer Rachel Packman attended to introduce herself and share information about the Office of Police Fire and Crime Commissioner’s funding grants. Grants available relate to the Crime and Policing plan, with a grants officer who can provide further information for external groups looking to apply and Police Officers can also apply for funding internally for groups they are working with.

Suggested that Rachel and Aimee could apply for funding (£250-£1000) on behalf of the forum for resources and materials around Domestic Abuse (DA) and Sexual Violence (SV), specifically for LGBTQ community.

Discussion took place regarding domestic abuse and sexual violence. MT informed group that abuse within same sex couple is similar to rates of heterosexual couples but is underreported, as with many groups. Local services do provide services for LGBTQ individuals and couple. Question was raised as to whether agencies have had training, understand the issues and are prepared to support LGBTQ individuals. Suggestion made that funding for training and awareness raising would be useful to explore. Action Aimee to contact DA and SV agencies on the ’16 days’ working group for information and future interest in training.

Question raised about how services deal with trans people who access services. MT mentioned that some services have recently been improving their trans policies but there are legal complexities about how organisations manage trans individuals (for example in prison populations, or refuge). General agreement that both information and training would be ideal for an application.

Rachel summarised that two funding bids would be appropriate, internal to cover the cost of materials and an external bid from a service that could provide awareness raising and training. No leads identified for an external bid during the meeting but agreed Rachel and Aimee can begin work on the internal bid and bring ideas back to the forum for views. Suggested a forum could be established and facilitated by a service bidding for funding. Action: Aimee to add the topic to the action plan to pick up external funding bid and training offer.

Pride Northampton 2020 will take place on Saturday 18 July with the Parade beginning at 12.30pm from the Market Square and the main event held on Becket’s Park until 6pm.

Discussions due to take place with town centre businesses to explore how they will be involved in the day. 

The Pride Committee met last week and reviewed current applications, there has been a good uptake so far but we are still looking for more participants, especially performers and volunteers. 

Please share the below link for registering interest, with anyone who might be interested in any of the following:

Performers, stall holders, food vendors, volunteers and parade participation.

https://www.northampton.gov.uk/news/article/3061/applications-now-open-for-pride-northampton-2020

Forum discussed the items on the action plan, most of which are annual events and will be updated with 2020 dates.

IDAHOBiT will fall on a Sunday this year. Group discussed possibility of joining up with Mayor making again, no one was opposed. However, we have now confirmed the event has been booked in for Monday 18^th May, 12pm at the Guildhall. Action plan updated to reflect this.

LGBTQ History Month suggested for action plan. NBC internal staff network is focusing on staff engagement for February and have invited local services to be involved.

Cat informed the group that book fest is a bi-yearly event so can come off the 2020 action plan. Book fest to be added back in for the following year.

Reminder that the action plan is a live document that can be added to throughout the year.

Add ‘Diversity’ as a standard agenda item to discuss ensuring the forum is accessible to a diverse range of LGBTQ people and allies.

Invite NHFT to the forum for information on healthcare for LGBTQ people and sexual health (particularly around risk and how that information is communicated to the LGBTQ community).

Action: Aimee to contact and invite relevant people to the next formal meeting in May.

LGBTQ History month events

·         History month pop up in the Grosvenor during half term week (15 to 22^nd Feb)

·         History walk of Northampton – details to follow. If anyone has any local LGBTQ history to imput or memorabilia please get in touch with Will or Zach qspacenorthampton@gmail.com

·         University have various history month plans including a film night in the Engine shed each Wednesday, various cake days, a religion, sexuality and gender panel discussion. Will to circulate full details once known.

·         Qstory relaxed event promoting LGBTQ book list at the University along with setting up a webpage.

·         NLive Radio are happy to support and share information in their broadcasts – please contact hello@nliveradio.com

QStory

·         Looking to combine the film and book festivals next year (2021) including linking with other minority communities as well as LGBTQ.

·         Book event at the University on 21 May with emerging authors – save the date.

·         Anthropology project update: Need to understand what interest there is in the project before confirming if it will go ahead. If you are interested please email northamptonqueerlitfest@gmail.com or respond to the Facebook event. Please see project leaflet sent out with minutes.

·         Cat has recently undertaken a teacher training qualification and is looking for community groups/community organisers to support. If you are interested please contact Cat on the above email.

QFilm

QFilm have met with Northampton filmhouse to look at increasing attendance.  Changes coming to film scheduling including varying times and days of showings and incorporating mainstream films with LGBTQ themes into Qfilm promnotion. Aiming to give a months lead in time so that the next film can be advertised during a screening and on Qfilm website and social media @qfilmnorthampton. 

Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH)

NPH are looking to improve engagement with all tenants and specifically groups such as LGBTQ and are receiving training from Qspace for staff in February. Noted it is a challenge to engage with certain groups, including LGBTQ tenants, and would appreciate any ideas or information that would help them to better engage with, share messages and support LGBTQ tenants.

Knife Angel

C2C have been successful in a bid to bring the Knife Angel to Northampton in June. The 27ft Angel made of 1000’s of knives is a symbol condemning, not just knife crime, but all violence and will be located on the All Saints Church Plaza for the whole month.  Northampton Borough Council is supporting to provide a timetable of events for Northampton to meet the 28 day commitment to anti-violence activity and awareness raising events during the month. NBC will be helping to coordinate activity for the town for the first 1-2 weeks whilst officers in other parts of the county will lead on the rest of the timetable.

If any groups or individuals are interested in being involved in the planning and coordination of the events you are welcome to attend the next meeting on Thursday 27 February. Please contact Aimee if you wish to attend.

Upcoming events:

·         LGBTQ Social meet up, 29  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

BG has asked if forum members could complete his survey as part of his dissertation. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JP6T5PK 

Tuesday 24 March (Social)

Social Meeting – Tuesday 24 March, 7pm,

The Optimist, function room confirmed

Formal Meeting – Tuesday 12 May, 7pm.

Guildhall