Same-sex marriage bid - Appeal for couples

Are you willing to join legal challenge?

Appeal to European Court of Human Rights planned


London - 1 February 2010

Are you in a same-sex relationship and willing to be part of a test case legal challenge to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage? If not, do you know of other same-sex couples who might be willing? Please let them know.

Interested same-sex couples should contact Peter Tatchell with their names, addresses, phone numbers, length of their relationship, ages and occupations: peter@petertatchell.net

We are looking for same-sex couples who have been together for at least three years and who ideally live in or near London (but this is not essential). The couples also need to feel comfortable talking to the media and have no skeletons in their closet. They must not already have a civil partnership and they need to genuinely want a civil marriage.

They should be willing to commit to the legal case for at least five years, which is the length of time it can take to complete an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

For more information about the legal challenge, read on:

A simultaneous legal challenge to the ban on same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships is being prepared by LGBT human rights group OutRage!.

The group has the support of legal expert, Professor Robert Wintemute, Professor of Human Rights Law at Kings College in London, who has agreed to take on the case.

"Our plan is for several gay and straight couples to file a joint application to the European Court of Human Rights, to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage and opposite-sex civil partnerships. The aim is to secure full equality in civil marriage and civil partnership law. We want both systems open to all couples, gay and straight, so that everyone has a free choice, without discrimination," said Peter Tatchell, spokesperson for OutRage!

"Denying couples the right to civil marriage and civil partnership on the basis of their sexual orientation is wrong and has to go.

"OutRage! is seeking three lesbian and gay couples willing to be part of a joint legal case to overturn the same-sex marriage ban. We already have one straight couple, Tom Freeman and Katherine Doyle, who are willing to challenge the ban on opposite-sex civil partnerships. We need two more straight couples.

"Tom and Katherine filed an application for a civil partnership at Islington registry office last November. They were rejected because, under UK law, civil partnerships are open to only same-sex couples. This legal exclusion mirrors the way civil marriage is available solely to heterosexual partners.

"We plan to take these cases to the European Court of Human Rights, in a bid to secure marriage equality and civil partnership equality for all couples, regardless of their sexuality," said Mr Tatchell.

Willing couples who meet the criterion should email Peter Tatchell with their names, addresses, phone numbers, length of their relationship, ages and occupations: peter(at)petertatchell.net

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You can contact Peter at peter(at)petertatchell.net

www.petertatchell.net

You can also follow Peter on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PeterTatchell or join the Peter Tatchell Human Rights Campaign Facebook group at http://tinyurl.com/cj9y6s

PETER TATCHELL HUMAN RIGHTS FUND (PTHRF)

Donations are requested to help fund Peter Tatchell's campaigns promoting human rights, democracy, LGBT freedom and global justice.

Peter depends entirely on donations from supporters and well-wishers to finance his campaigns. Please donate generously to the PTHRF.

To make a donation via PayPal - or to download a donation form or a standing order mandate - go to Donations at: www.tatchellrightsfund.org/donations.htm

Please make cheques payable to: "Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund".

Send to: PTHRF, PO Box 35253, London E1 4YF

For information about Peter Tatchell's campaigns: www.petertatchell.net

Big Questions - 10th January

The Big Questions this week (10th Jan) is being hosted from Ashton Park School in Bristol and one of the questions is about sexuality.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pynh6

Local residents (including Stephen Williams MP, Bristol LGB Forum Co-Chair Alan Palmer and Darryl Bullock (freelance writer and, editor of Venue LGBT pages and The Spark) will be in the audience to answer questions.

Antonia’s Line

Antonia’s Line: Oscar-winner and trigger for Debate
Sunday 29th November, 7.30pm

Two leading academics introduce an Oscar-winning film about the lives of women. Antonia’s Line won Best Foreign Language Film in 1996 – and forms the centre-piece of an evening of drama and debate on Sunday 29th November. Independence and solidarity are the twin poles of this thought-provoking Film Night at the Pierian Centre.

“Wonderfully earthy, funny and sexy” is how Entertainment Weekly described Marleen Gorris's Oscar-winning film. Antonia’s Line follows the life and loves of a Dutch woman living in a small village in the aftermath of World War II. An instinctive rebel who draws the outcasts of the area to her, Antonia lives her life according to her own moral compass. Disdaining marriage and the conformist codes of the Catholic Church, she and the independent souls who surround her have sex and children when they want them. “A heady, life-affirming mixture of drama, comedy, romance, tragedy, philosophy, and art”, wrote James Berardinelli on reelviews.net.

Presentations from two respected academics set the context for the screening. Jane Arthurs, Professor of Media & Cultural Studies at the University of the West of England (UWE), will speak on “The Politics of Emotion”. Jane has written on director Marleen Gorris, as well as on such films as Thelma & Louise and Crash. Her latest book, Television and Sexuality, examines the ways in which TV channels address their audiences as sexual citizens and consumers. Christien van den Anker, also from UWE, will speak on “Generations of Dutch women after World War Two – Who is Free?” Christien is Reader in Politics and Director of UWE’s Human Rights Unit – and her most recent publication is Trafficking and Women's Rights.


This November Film Night will be a rich mix of pleasure and provocation. Marleen Gorris’ “astonishingly beautiful film”(Boston Review) is a treat in itself – “a vibrant saga… combining feminist rigour with an involving dynastic narrative” according to Time Out. Added to this are the thoughts and personal responses of two leading academics to trigger what should be a lively and passionate discussion! Antonia’s Line is screened on Sunday 29th November, with the Bar opening at 7pm and the film starting at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £4.50 (with concessions for those on low incomes) – and must be booked in advance on 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com. The Pierian Centre is at 27 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8SA.

Nick Thomas
The Pierian Centre
Tel: 0117 924 4512
www.pieriancentre.com

Vagina Monologues - auditions

Open auditions will be held on the 4th and 6th of November at Bristol Old Vic for the 2010 benefit performance of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues".

Auditions will START at 6pm (doors open at 5:45)

You do not need to prepare anything, auditions will be very informal, friendly and hopefully fun!

You do not need to have had any previous performing experience. We are looking to attract as wide a range of performers as possible, so please come along even if you are unsure.

All proceeds from the performances will be going to local grassroots organisations which work specifically with women who have experienced violence.

Bristol LGB Forum - AGM

New Management Committee members needed!

At our forthcoming AGM some of our Trustees will be standing down, owing to other demands and commitments.

Will you step up to the wire and take their place?

Being a Trustee is an extremely rewarding and invaluable experience; you will have a chance to put your unique skills, innovative thinking and commitment to good use.

Give our community a voice, stand up for LGB rights, help us educate and help change Bristol's attitudes to LGB people in all walks of life.

You can either join as an 'ordinary' MC member, or stand for office as Treasurer, Co-Chair or Vice-Co-Chair.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about working with an established Charity in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Our hardworking and much-loved Treasurer, Helen Webster, who will be stepping down at the next AGM on 28th October 2009 after three years, is keen to help anyone get started in this post and believes you do not need to be an accountant or bookkeeper to do the work.

Anyone who runs a household, has an interest in numbers and has an eye for detail can do what is needed in this role.

Helen will happily train anyone interested in becoming a treasurer and you will have the opportunity of gaining valuable skills.

If you would like to find out more, please email Sarah at sarah(at)bristol-lgb-forum.org.uk for details.

Lynnee Breedlove

Unfortunately the Lynnee Breedlove performance had to be cancelled this Saturday (24th), as he had to go to Berlin, so the show has been postponed until further notice.

However if you are interested in Lynnee check out the event below:

Thurs 29th Oct - Queer Cafe - Kebele, 14 Robertson Road, Easton Bristol BS5 6JY Opens 7pm, film starts 8pm
Rise Above, the documentary about legendary queer punk band Tribe 8.
we'll show that in the back room (the events space) so if there's anything else anyone would like to organise in the cafe space, get in touch. The cafe space will of course still be there for people who just wanna come hang out, and we'll be serving tea & cake. BYOB as usual.

Lynnee Breedlove

presenting the return of Lynnee Breedlove's queer punk rock standup
show, plus a selection of other queer shenanigans...

Saturday 24th October
doors 7.30pm
@ Secret Warehouse Location, Montpelier (email for venue details)

Breedlove's solo show, "Confessions of a Poser" is part of Lynnee
Breedlove's One Freak Show by Lynn Breedlove, the print form of both
his solo shows that have been touring the world the last five years.
The book is out on Manic D Press, September 1, 2009. This is his book
tour.

Lynnee Breedlove's all new solo show, Confessions of a Poser is a
comic look at men's bodies, the mystery of the purple dick, legacies
and how to use them, family, the impossibility of manhood, and the
evil drive to feminize. He's been told it's "Too many props for
standup," and "Too many punchlines for theater." Lynnee pays homage to
feminists, who taught him we can hang together or hang separately, and
how to tie a tie, and to his Dad, who taught him how to be a man by
killing things and eating them, duties Breedlove happily juggles with
those of a budding Buddhist. Buckets, knives, and body parts are still
integral to the show. Weirdly, his biggest fans are straight white
men.

Followed by DJs playing queercore, riot girl and random trash

£5 - 8 (pay what you can afford)
free entry to asylum seekers/migrants

Coffee & Cake Served
BYOB

OPEN TO ALL GENDERS AND SEXUALITIES