We plan to start our one year Certificate in Sexual Minority Therapy in September this year.  If you would like to specialise in working with gender and sexual minority clients or if you are already specialising, but would like a qualification and an opportunity to develop your work then this is the only course in Europe (if not the world) which will enable you to do this.

We had to postpone this course last year due to late development, but already have half the course filled. The information on our website will be updated soon (with dates, fees for 2008/9) but if you're interested to check out the shape/structure, click here.

We're very excited by the structure and content.  We hope you will be too!

 

a:gender is the support network for staff in government departments / agencies who have changed or need to change permanently their perceived gender, or who identify as intersex.
The numbers of TS/TG staff in individual departments are relatively small and some LGB networks in the civil service will not support TS/TG staff who identify as heterosexual, the issue being one of gender identity and not sexual orientation. This can reinforce feelings of isolation and exclusion.
They have therefore decided to form a network that embraced TS/TG and intersex staff across the whole civil service, and its agencies and associated departments/offices. www.agender.org.uk

London Friend is pleased to launch Fusion At London Friend, a new social group for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, (BME), lesbian and bisexual women.

This fun and interactive social group will provide an ongoing confidential space for BME lesbian and bisexual women, and will be held on the last Sunday of each month starting on Sunday 24 February 2008 at 3pm, at London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, N1 9DN www.londonfriend.org.uk

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard supported by Spectrum, Brighton & Hove's Partnership Community Safety Team, and the Police, are here to help you.

Switchboard has received Home Office funding to pilot a project which offers free support to those affected by homophobic and transphobic abuse or attacks. The pilot project will be running for 3 months from April 2008 and will be offering two different types of support; fast track one to one counselling giving people a chance to talk about their experience in a safe supportive space with a counsellor, or a therapeutic support group where people can talk about their experience with others who have experienced similar abuse or attacks against them. This therapeutic support group will be facilitated by 2 qualified and experienced counsellors.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by homophobic or transphobic abuse or attacks, either recently or in the past, and need some support contact Switchboard's manager Natalie Woods on 01273 207050 to find out more about these two types of support that are available. The deadline for people accessing this support is Monday 3rd March.
Further information can also be obtained by contacting the Police's LGBT Liaison officer Nick Antjoule on 0845 6070999 ext 50149, or 07799 347114 or the LGBT community Safety Officer John Irvine on 01273 294636

Healthcare for London are consulting Londoners about what improvements they'd like to see in healthcare services in the capital. The consultation can be accessed at www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk

Healthcare for London want as many people as possible the chance to take part in this consultation.

Alison Rolfe is looking for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals who haven't had a civil partnership and aren't currently planning to have one, to take part in an interview about their civil partnerships & same-sex marriage.

The reason for conducting this research is that, whilst some research has been carried out with people who have chosen to have a civil partnership, lots of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals aren't in a civil partnership. This includes couples, single people, and those in polyamorous relationships who may feel that civil partnerships are not for them, for a variety of reasons. This research aims to explore the range of different reasons why lesbian, gay and bisexual couples and individuals may not have a civil partnership.

I'm looking to interview:
* People who are in a relationship, but aren't currently planning to have a civil partnership. People can be interviewed as a couple or on an individual basis.
* Single people who don't want, or can't see themselves having a civil partnership.
* People in polyamorous relationships who don't want or can't see themselves having a civil partnership.

If this is you, then your participation would be greatly appreciated. Equally, please pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested. Interviews can be either face-to-face, or on the phone, depending on what is most convenient.

The research is being carried out through Aston University. To find out more, please email: rolfeaj@aston.ac.uk  or phone 0121 414 7518