LGBT month - out! northeast magazine

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news News from the North East – www.outnortheast.com 6 find the help you need at Wear Body Positive Everyone needs a little help and support at some point in their lives, especially those that are young and vulnerable, and in need of some guidance. Wear Body Positive is one such group that can help, aiding gay and lesbian people, aged 16-25, cope with issues ranging from bullying to housing. Established in 1983, Wear Body Positive was set up for the sole purpose to help gay and bi-sexual young people with issues of the day, particularly when it came to the relatively new disease HIV/AIDs. Over the years, this group has developed and progressed, raising awareness of this ever growing disease, as well as maintaining their promise to help vulnerable young people. Covering the areas of Sunderland and County Durham, Wear BP is a self-funded organisation, which gets no help from the local council, and every penny raised is through kind contributions, donations, and fundraisers. Their main aim is to offer support to anyone affected or infected by HIV/AIDs, offered by staff and trained volunteers in the strictest confidence. Wear BP is conveniently situated in the City Centre of Sunderland, where they offer easy, convenient, and unobtrusive access to those in need of support and information. Their main focus is to ensure that young people know the risks of unprotected sex and how diseases, such as HIV and AIDs can spread. David Mullen, of Wear BP, told us: “We aim to raise awareness of safer sex and safer drug use, highlighting the risks to both individuals and particular groups. This is much needed, as these days, there seems to be a relaxed approach to sex, with STIs increasing drastically within the younger generation. We educate them by raising the issue of how these diseases spread, particularly with the dangers involved, such as contracting HIV/AIDs. Unfortunately, even with such a deadly disease, there now seems to be a lax approach to contracting HIV, with many thinking that they are untouchable, believing only gay people are at risk, or that medication can handle the infection. However, what most forget is that there is no cure and that life expectancy is greatly diminished.” Wear BP focus on young people, infected, affected, or at risk of contracting this disease. They help in a whole variety of ways; rehoming those on the streets, reducing risks by offering shelter and counselling for those facing sexual abuse, and aiding those coming to terms with their sexuality. David adds: “Being based in the North-East means that those from smaller communities can find the help they need, and can get on with their lives. However, it’s not just people from poor backgrounds, or those from broken homes, we find that a whole variety of people come to us for support; whether they are middle-class, black or white, or just a regular student!” Wear BP are a great mechanism of support to the young and vulnerable, assessing each individual and steering them in the right direction with a whole host of services available, including… • Personal Listening • Emotional Support • Home Visiting • Help in the Home • Volunteer Training • Housing and Legal Advice • Social Support • Welfare and Benefit Information • Public Information Service • Education SR2 Housing Project. Established in 2004, this project aims to support the needs of those who may be at high risk within Sunderland and County Durham. Wear BP provide a warm, comfortable space for those, who through no fault of their own, are fleeing domestic violence, sexual abuse and homophobic attacks. This project offers: - 24hr support - Counselling - Budget Management - Benefits Advice - General Housekeeping - Food & Hygiene Finally, David comments: “I encourage anyone, no matter how big or small the problem, whether it’s boosting their confidence, or seeking shelter from abuse, to contact us. That’s what we are here for and we have staff ready to aid them in anyway possible.” For more information, please call 0191 5101805 or visit www.wearbp.force9.co.uk Icons See page 10 for article about Sir Ian McKellan 6. Out NorthEast www.outnortheast.com
news News from the North East – www.outnortheast.com 7 groups for young people at MESMAC north east Wowi! Wansbeck Out With It! or Wowi! to it’s members, is a social and support group for young LGBT people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity) aged 13 to 19 who live in Wansbeck or the surrounding areas of Northumberland. The group is held once a fortnight in a safe space in Ashington and run by staff from MESMAC North East (male) and Fourth Action (female). It is a place to meet other LGBT people of a similar age, make new friends, to have fun and learn about some of the key issues that may affect us and people like us. We can also help you during those times when you may feel you need some support. The group’s activities have included themed parties, Northern Pride, trips out, film nights, mask making as well as sexual health and chill out sessions. For more information please contact Neil at MESMAC’s Newcastle office on 0191 233 1333. G.A.P. G.A.P. (Gay And Proud) is a group for young men aged 15-19 who are (or think they may be) gay or bisexual. The group meets once a week and is a fun, friendly and safe space to make friends, socialise and be yourself. Some of the things we discuss during our sessions are coming out, relationships, legal issues, safer sex etc so you can get information and feel supported as well as having fun. We also have social activities and trips out like going to the cinema, Northern Pride, going to theme parks, going to events etc. If you want to find out more about G.A.P. give MESMAC’s Newcastle office a call Tel: 0191 233 1333 T.G.V. (Tees Gay Valley) The MESMAC office at Middlesbrough runs 2 youth groups which are open to all young men who are (or think they are) gay or bisexual. The groups are aimed at different age brackets (under 16’s and 16 - 24’s) however they both have the same aims: *to provide a fun, friendly and safe place to make friends, socialise and be yourself *offer a safe space to discuss coming out, gay men and the law, HIV, safer sex, relationships etc. As well as the above, the groups offer regular social activities and trips out, and 2008 saw them make a significant input to “Supergay Weekend”, something which is hoped will continue with further pride events. The young men’s group also hold an annual residential weekend offering all sorts of activities, a youth week which consists of a week long series of fun events and visits to places like “Wet and Wild” and “Flamingo Land”. Throughout these and many other fun and exciting events it is hoped to promote positive emotional well being and social skills amongst the young men, as well as offering them sexual health advice, drug and alcohol awareness sessions and healthy eating classes and much more!! The groups meet every week and new members are always welcome!! For any further information please call the MESMAC Teesside office on 01642 804400. stonewall workplace Newcastle City Council listed in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index Top 100 employers for LGB Staff Newcastle City Council has been working with Stonewall to achieve equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. As a result of this the Council entered the Stonewall Workplace Equality index which is an index of top 100 employers for LGB staff. The competition was fierce and they were placed in the Top 100 showing their commitment to LGB equality and to ensuring that the Council is a place where improvement matters. The Council came 61st in the 2009 index compared to 78th last year. They were assessed on their policies on sexual orientation; how they engage with the LGB community; the work of their LGBT Staff Group; policies they have in place for bullying and harassment; whether they monitor staff’ sexual orientation, amongst many other things. The Council is working with Stonewall to discuss areas for improvement and learn from best practice in other organisations. In addition, the Council is listed as an employer in a publication entitled “Starting Out” which is a recruitment guide for LGB people. This consists of information about various employers and provides an outline of the job opportunities available at Newcastle City Council and some quotes from LGB staff about working for them. www.outnortheast.com 7. Out NorthEast
Page 1 and 2: PLEASE TAKE ONE issue 14 In this is
Page 3 and 4: exchange place, middlesbrough (belo
Page 5: gordonbrown A S S O C I A T E S sol
Page 9 and 10: Free entry Discovery Museum, Blandf
Page 11 and 12: ICONS - Out Northeast Icons. Words
Page 14 and 15: outlaw 14 roundup Cris McCurley, Pa
Page 16 and 17: feature 16 By Catherine Weare / Gor
Page 18: lads english Name: Rick Lewis Stats
Page 21 and 22: ead By Paul Courdoux Jpod Douglas C
Page 23 and 24: But beyond that heading to the Fren
Page 25 and 26: listen Music - Galaxy’s James Bar
Page 27 and 28: theatre Ophelia Balls searches up a
Page 29 and 30: community listings Sponsor our list
Page 31 and 32: \ \ \ \ have you been scene out? ww
Page 36 and 37: listings Sponsor our listings - cal
Page 38 and 39: listings Sponsor our listings - cal
Page 42 and 43: your Horoscopes with Jasmine Starr
Page 44: Pink With Plenty of Topping Commit

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