THE CURRENT attacks on lesbians and gay men, the effect of the infamous Section 28 and ways of campaigning were some of the themes discussed by lesbian and gay activists at a recent conference in Birmingham.
It was organised by the West Midlands Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights, and around 70 people attended from groups as far afield as Manchester and Brighton.
Steering committee
Delegates decided to set up a new national Coalition for Lesbian and Gay To facilitate this a steering committee was set up to which any lesbian and/or gay group would have the right to send one voting repre sentative.
The Coalition is organising a contingent at Pride in London on 29 June. There will be placards and banners opposing Clause 29 (ex-25) of the Criminal Justice Bill, calling for the right of lesbians and gay men to parent, and for full equality for lesbians and gay men.
To join this contingent you only need to support these demands. Pride will also be leafletted to advertise a launch conference for the new Coalition.
Support was given to the Skel mersdale Youth Group (One in Ten) who aim to take Lancashire County Council to court for failing to provide lesbian and gay youth with much needed facilities - using Section 28 as the excuse. This action could provide a legal definition of what Section 28 really means, the possibility of taking the council to the European court and the basis for a major campaign against Section 28. Letters of support and financial help are urgently needed. Copies of these letters and any other information about the effects of the Section should be sent to Brighton Area Action Against Section 28.
The conference did have its lighter moments. Leader of the Labour Group on Birmingham City Council, Sir Dick Knowles, arrived at the coun cil-house with a look of horror on his face, demanding to know who had given the organisers permission to use council property. Will heads roll..?
It also had its difficult moments too. One man present made a number of anti-lesbian statements.
Discussion
But one of the cheering things about the day was that this did not lead to a massive walk-out. It led to a discussion of how to work together on demands we agree on rather than falling out over differences.
For more details of Coalition contact Mark on 021 333 5349 (day)
Send letters of support/donations to One in Ten. Yewdale Centre, 300 Yewdale, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale, Lancs. And to Place, Brighton, BN2 2GY.
Brighton Area Action Against Sec- tion 28, c/o Brighton Unemploy- ment Centre, Prior House, Tilbury