Pink Therapy News
Keeping YOU in the Frame
June 2009
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Greetings!
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 Our joint UKCP/Pink Therapy conference was a resounding success earlier this month. 150 participants attended and evaluations and feedback afterwards was very appreciative.
UKCP are considering setting up a specialist Faculty of Sexual Minority Therapy in their new structure which begins later in the year.
Our own training programme for the next year is now online (click link to see it). We're running a reduced programme in the light of the current economic climate, and to allow us some time to consolidate the structure of the organisation.
Our Essentials in Sexual Minority Therapy will now become six days - (3 weekends) and include a day on working with externalised oppression and managing multiple identities.
One new addition will be an International Summer School where we will run the Essentials in Sexual Minority Therapy over a week and this will be aimed at therapists working around the world who would find multiple trips to London impossible. Please do let colleagues in other countries know about it.
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Pace Family Helpline New Hours
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The Pace Family Service has been established for nine years.
The new hours of operation are:
Monday Morning 9.30am-12.30pm and Thursday Evening 6.30 - 8.30pm
The Helpline offers phone and email support to anyone in the UK who is dealing with issues related to being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans and being in a family or relationship(s).
People dealing with these issues, and who are isolated because of location, disability, or because these things are hidden, find the Helpline particularly helpful. Having someone to talk to who understands your situation, isn't judgmental and can suggest other resources, makes an enormous difference when you are feeling alone, ashamed and confused as to where to go.
All those answering the phones, emails and providing phone counselling are trained and experienced therapists. We are also able to refer on to other services within PACE and to other appropriate organisations.
The Pace Helpline supports both LGBT and heterosexual partners/family members.
It offers free:
-Ad hoc telephone support
-Telephone Counselling, of up to 6 weekly 30 minute sessions
-Email support
Phone: 0808 1807223 Calls from landlines are free. Charges vary from mobile networks.
Email: pacehelpline@pace.dircon.co.uk
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Sonalle Moroo
photographic project
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 Sonalle Moroo is a young bisexual woman who is trying to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by LGBT people from ethnic minorities, like herself, who are trying to come to terms with their sexuality. She aims to do this through the medium of a photographic project.
She would like to meet people who are at any stage of the coming out process, including those who haven't yet come out and those who are thinking about coming out.
A person's identity could remain hidden if necessary. The images she takes would be combined with text describing each person's coming out experience. Each person taking part would receive a professional photograph as a token of thanks.
The project aims to raise awareness of the difficulties of coming to terms with sexuality within ethnic minority communities, including the effect of culture and tradition; issues that are rarely addressed in everyday society and even less in the visual arts.
For more information please contact Sonalle on info@sonalle.com or Tel: 07983936873.
Examples of Sonalle's work can be seen at www.sonalle.com
If you know of anyone who might benefit from the experience of taking part you have the details above.
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GMI Counselling
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For some gay men raw sex is horny, intimate and feels natural.
They also worry about the risk of HIV and other STIs.
We can offer you a space to talk about safer sex and learn how to reduce risks, regardless of your HIV status or ability to pay.
Email: counselling@gmipartnership.org.uk
Tel: 020 8305 5002
Web: www.gmipartnership.org.uk
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Transsexualism in France
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 TRANSSEXUALISM will no longer be classified in France as a mental illness, a government decision hailed Saturday as "historic" by the associations concerned, on the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia. Until now, transsexuals benefited from a fee waiver for their medical care by being classified under ALD23 (affection de longue durée 23 - long term condition 23) for "recurring or persistent disorders". For the Department of Health, it is a "strong signal sent to the whole community", since transsexuals felt that being included under the ALD23 was stigmatizing.
This classification, arising from that of the World Health Organization (WHO), was also linked to the fact that transsexualism appeared on the list of pathologies identified in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) to which the medical profession refers, as was the case for homosexuality a few years ago. It is because the WHO decided on the 17th of May 1990 to remove homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses, that this date has been retained for the International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia, celebrated Sunday, starting Saturday in many places. It is therefore symbolic that France chose this time and date to be the first country in the world to remove transgender identity from the list of mental diseases, commented the IDAHO Committee. Original French article |
| Petition HM Govt' that Sexual Orientation Data Capture is included in the 2011 National Census |
 Please see the below link for the 10 Downing Street Petition to include Sexual Orientation in the next Census. The current position is that no such question is likely to be included in 2011, meaning at least another decade before we see such a question on what is the most important survey of the UK population. The survey will contain references to same-sex civil partnerships (which is a great step forward), so it makes no sense to then omit a question on sexual orientation. At the 2009 Stonewall Workplace Conference, the Chief Executive of the Equalities & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) indicated clearly that the EHRC's view was that such a question should be included in 2011, challenging the Office of National Statistics (ONS) position. As the UK authority on equality issues, the EHRC's point of view should be taken seriously. In keeping with the proposed Single Equality Act, it is the perfect time to add a question on sexual orientation to the census. This government has an excellent record on LGB rights so far, please don't tarnish that by accepting the ONS stance on this issue. Show courage and don't make us wait yet another decade. The NEC fully supports EHCR on this and urges you also to support this issue by adding your name to the petition. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/lgb2011census/ Vic Codling National Coordinator ~ GPA |
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Counselling and Suicidal Feelings Survey |
Are you:
Male
A current / former client in Counselling?
Ever experienced suicidal feelings?
If so Chris Warren-Dickins, studying for an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at University of East London, would like to hear about your experiences.
For further information, please contact
Chris Warren-Dickins MBACP, PGDip, Counselling & Psychotherapy at
chris@cwcounselling.com
07816 681154
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Sexual orientation impact on mental health within the workplace
Survey
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Jonas Roberts is in his 2nd year of a master social work degree at Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL). Currently undertaking research for his dissertation, which is exploring personal and professionals' experiences of sexual orientation in the workplace and how this impacts on mental health.
He would be interested in hearing from any social care professional who would like to take part in a focus group to explore how actual and/or perceived sexual orientation impact on mental health within the workplace.
The focus groups will take on Wednesday 3 June 2009 from 5.00pm to 8.00pm at the university's annex in Bedford Square in central London.
In order to gain some background information please complete his online survey at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=eNjJimtjHai71rD7VzJOXw_3d_3d
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CONTACT ME ON THIS EMAIL ADDRESS TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST.
Please contact Jonas Roberts for further information and to register your interest at: smasurvey@hotmail.com
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That's all for this month, thanks for your attention, and please do send us things that have a specific relevance to people working with gender and sexual minority clients. |
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Dominic Davies
Pink Therapy
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