Gay sports stars and entertainers are forced to live a double life with ‘pretend’ girlfriends rather than openly come out about their sexuality. In two revealing interviews, tough guy footballer Joey Barton and TV soap star Charlie Condou have both spoken out about the fears of homophobia in public life. Barton, playing for Premiership Queens...
Bishop out of step with his gay marriage protest
More than 50,000 people replied to a consultation on full marriage equality laws – which is more responses prompted by any other issue put before the public in Scotland. As a result, Scotland is likely to have marriage equality by the end of 2013 – a full two years of the expected start date of...
Smile..even when it’s not World Happy Day!
Smile…it’s World Happy Day! Smile. World Happy Day, is a reason to be cheerful despite what may be going on in some darker corners of the world. To celebrate thousands of people will try to spread a little good cheer by sharing their views on Happy, a short movie examination of the emotion from Oscar...
Big Brother really is watching you
How the government analyses sensitive personal data has long been a point of argument for citizens of a ‘free’ democracy. Data protection safeguards to prevent abuse are enshrined in law – but an exception is government departments and official agencies can collude to swop personal data without requiring an individual’s express permission. The Ministry of...
A smile and kind words makes work a better place
A smile is all it takes to make the work place better, according to a new study. Someone just being nice with a smile and a few kind words is enough to improve the way many people feel, says the Feel Good Factor Index published by PruHealth. Although spending time with family and friends ranks...
New discrimination help service
Extra help is on the way for people suffering discrimination in the form of a new government advice service. The Equality Advisory and Support Service will give advice and support focussing on helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged to find early and informal solutions to their problems without recourse to legal action. The free service will...
Guys grope me on the Tube, says transgender woman
Britain’s most influential transgender individual has spoken out about the abuse she has experienced.
Sarah Brown, 38, from Cambridge, and partner Sylvia Knight, were married, divorced and remarried as civil partners so Sarah could legally become a woman after gender reassignment surgery.
Sarah was ranked 28th out of 100 influential Independent on Sunday’s Pink List, while topping the transgender ranking.
“I have experienced three types of discrimination – transphobia, homophobia and misogyny,” she said in an interview with Cambridge First.
“Since the transition to live as female I’m suddenly a second-class citizen. Suddenly my personal space was invaded and I started getting men touching me and being groped on the Tube.
“All this stuff I had not experienced before. I have also had complete strangers coming up asking me questions about my genitals which is completely rude.”
Sarah works with Citizens Advice and is a city councillor in Cambridge.
“I’m thrilled to be number 28 on this year’s list. Apparently, this makes me the most influential “out” transgender person in the UK,” said Sarah on her web site. (LINK: http://auntysarah.livejournal.com/ ]
“This has come about because of my position as a councillor, where I press very hard for equality issues, as a result of my ongoing transgender activism.
“I feel honoured and humbled to be recognised by the Independent on Sunday in this way. I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who nominated me. There is still a great deal of work to do to push transgender equality in the UK, and I will continue to push for rights for transgender people. I hope that this recognition will help in that task.”
The web site documents Sarah and her partner Sylvia’s trials in living as transgender partners since 2005 – including details about her medical procedures and transgender activism.
Top of the list was Elly Barnes, a teacher and trainer from North London. Each year, the Independent on Sunday asks readers to nominate lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people who are working to improve the lot of minorities.
Give your views on how equality is working
Equality and diversity managers have their chance to influence government policy as part of David Cameron’s red tape challenge to slimline bureaucracy. The government is seeking views on how equality legislation is working – and what, if anything, can be changed to improve the law. The Equality Act 2010 is umbrella legislation that replaced...
BBC slammed for diversity failings
The BBC needs to switch on to the real world instead of portraying Christians as ‘derogatory stereotypes’ and marginalising older women. This indictment of the broadcaster’s diversity policy is even more damning as the main critics are viewers and the BBC’s staff. Many believe the organisation goes too far in representing minority views, with positive...
Spending cuts spark equality act challenges
Spending cuts spark equality act challenges Council spending cuts that impact on minority or disadvantaged groups may face diversity law challenges from special-interest groups. Lawyers from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have already demanded equality assessment papers from councillors in Stoke-on-Trent in a row over scrapping a £13,600 a year subsidy. The...