GLYNI http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php Copyright 2008, Matt Leebody Matt Leebody en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 HeyNIgh residential photos now available online! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080724-004803 Click here!

Over 400 photos currently in the album! If people have more that aren't in, maybe that they took personally, let me know!]]> GLYNI Announcements http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080724-004803 Matt Leebody Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:48:03 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080724-004803 GLYNI receives funding for 2 development programmes! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080721-134926
The funding is to develop a sexual education programme for LGBT youth, as well as developing a resource pack for young women.
This is a great chance for GLYNI and its members to decide how future students may be educated! It's also a great opportunity for young women to raise their issues, have some time to discuss the differences in how women and men are treated, develop something that is tailored for them specifically, and not something more general.

This is a fantastic opportunity, no matter which you would like to be involved in! Things are still at a planning stage, so there is still plenty of time to come along and have your input, then to come along and get involved in the programme itself!]]> GLYNI Announcements http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080721-134926 Matt Leebody Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:49:26 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080721-134926 Iris Robinson - 3rd strike... should she be out? http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080721-130057

“We all agree that few issues arouse as much interest or concern in the community as that of sex offenders. The sentences served and their subsequent placement back in the community cause considerable disquiet among the public. There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children. There must be sufficient confidence that the community has the best possible protection against such perverts and it is important that there be a mature public debate on the issues, but the security of our citizens must be our overriding priority.”


This has not been removed from the official transcript, and is viewable on the website of the Houses of Parliament. Since then, she has been interviewed on the issue by the Belfast Telegraph:

“Can you think of anything more vile than man and man or woman and woman and sexually abusing children? What I say I base on biblical pronouncements, based on God’s word. I am amazed that people are surprised when I quote from scriptures ... I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both. ... I am trying to reach out to people. That is what Christ teaches us ... Anything I say is out of love. I am not hate-mongering. I cannot leave my Christian values hanging at the door when I go into politics. I am speaking out more now because we are getting it more and more rammed down our throats that the minority views are more important than the majority views. I am not trying to alienate anyone ... I do not turn anyone away. I would never water down anything with the scriptures and I don’t think I should. I find it amazing, if not unexpected, as these days Christians are persecuted for their views but that will not stop me. There will be a judgement day and when I am judged I want to know that I did all I could to spread the word of God.”


It is heartening that all the reports and articles on the website of the Belfast Telegraph condemn her words, with their 'viewpoint' article discussing some of the issues regarding free speech.

One could question her motives in saying what she did. If you read what she said, her viewpoint would not have been weakened if she had simply omitted the words 'apart from homosexuality and sodomy'. It could be considered that this was deliberate? We all know that this is the run-up to Belfast Pride. Perhaps this is just the latest in a chain of intentional outbursts, designed to inflame a situation which is already sensitive.
Perhaps not. Perhaps, like she says, she simply wants to spread the word of God. Perhaps then she is advocating a country in which politics and laws are dominated by the teachings of Leviticus? Truth is, this is from where she seems to extract her views. I doubt, if this was the case, she would be allowed to be a politican! The out-of-touch Book of Leviticus asserts many things, few of which we still adhere to today.
And let's not forget. No matter how much Iris asserts that it is the case, it is NOT the job of Government to uphold the Laws of God. It is the duty of Government to uphold the laws of the PEOPLE. And the laws of the people indicate that people should not be attacked, persecuted, insulted, etc etc. Whilst she compares our acts to those of sex offenders, she forgets that sex offenders are criminals, we are not. She should stop treating us as such, stop trying to 'rehabilitate' us.

Maybe Iris should think of the old phrase 'What would Jesus do?'. Does she think that Jesus, who stated that the Old Testament was just that, the OLD Testament, would say the things she is saying? Hurting the people she is hurting? Maybe she does, she is entitled to believe that he would. If this is the case, then there is no hope for her. If she believes that God wants her to do these things, then only God will convince her otherwise.
If I were a smaller person, I would say I would like to be watching when she is to be 'judged' by God. I think she would be devastated by the verdict.

Read the Belfast Telegraph article using the 'Related Link' button below.]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080721-130057 Matt Leebody Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:57 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080721-130057 Stonewall Education for All Conference 2008 http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080712-010954 Stonewall held their annual Education for All Conference in London, on Monday 7th July, attended by The Rainbow Project, Cara-Friend GLYNI and NUS-USI LGBT.



Participants from all across England, Scotland, Wales and Nothern Ireland attended a one day long conference in the historical capital, focussing on Homophobia in Education, hosted by Stonewall England.

The event, opened by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP and chaired by Stonewall's Chief Executive Ben Summerskill, attracted professionals from across the board in education and youthwork.

Representing the voice of LGBT Youth in Northern Ireland were our very own Liam Larmour (Project Coordinator for Cara-Friend GLYNI, and also Mental Health Officer at The Rainbow Project), Steve Williamson (Coordinator, Cara-Friend) and Chris Geddis (recently appointed as LGBT Officer for NUS-USI Northern Ireland branch).


The day's events included workshops on engaging young people in tackling homophobic bullying, tackling bullying in primary and post-primary schools, and working in partnership with local authorities.

On the event, Liam states: "It was good to see the commitment of staff and volunteers from a vast variety of youth-service providers, sharing their experiences and offering insights into the efforts to tackle the plight of homophobic bullying in the UK.

This is definitely an issue in Northern Ireland, and we welcome Minister for Education Catriona Ruane's commitment to tackling this prejudice, particularly in the formal education sector, head on.

Education is indeed for everyone, and we all share an equal responsibility in ensuring that it is delivered equally and fairly across the board. The mental, physical, sexual and emotional health and wellbeing of LGBT young people should not be treated any less equally than that of their heterosexual counterparts."

Speaking on the highlight of the day: "Meeting Sir Ian McKellen, who gave the keynote closing speech as a co-founder of Stonewall, was a dream come true. He is such an inspiration, and has worked effortlessly throughout his career to promote inclusion, equality and acceptance for LGBT people of all ages. He asked questions about the experiences of LGBT youth here, and spoke of his many visits to Belfast to support fundraising efforts in the early days of the AIDS Crisis.

I had a good wee chat with him, and was thinking the whole time 'I can't believe I'm talking to Gandalf!'. We presented him with leaflets from the various groups in Belfast, including Family Ties - A Guide for Parents of LGBT Children and Young People, and 'What's In Your Closet?', a coming-out support resource for LGBT youth produced by members of Cara-Friend's Gay & Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland."

He gave me his autograph and wished us all the best of luck in our efforts in Northern Ireland to tackle homophobic bullying.

The conference was a one day event, but will certainly have its impact on the three visitors to London. Despite the early wake-up call (4am) and travelling all day, it was considered to be worth every minute of it.]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080712-010954 Matt Leebody Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:09:54 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=07&entry=entry080712-010954 What does gay look like? Science keeps trying to figure that out - LA Times article http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080615-190545 Finding common biological traits -- things like hair growth patterns, penis size, family makeup -- might one day shed light on the origins of sexual orientation.

By Regina Nuzzo, Special to The Times
June 16, 2008



Last month, Sen. John McCain dropped by “Saturday Night Live,” drawing laughs from his promise, if elected president, to fight expensive federal projects -- such as, he spoofed, a Department of Defense device to "jam gaydar."

That was a joke. But some scientists are, in a way, working on gaydar, the supposed ability to discern whether a person is homosexual by reading subtle cues from their appearance. Just don't refer to it that way. The preferred term is "sexual orientation correlates."

These scientists are searching for innate traits that might not appear to be related to sexual orientation or even to standard clichés. So measuring a subject's shoe size is permissible; asking about ownership of Barbra Streisand albums would be cheating. Some inborn traits might be expected if homosexuality is -- as most scientists believe -- rooted in biology, and they might provide clues about the biological origins of sexual orientation.

Finding and solidifying these links isn't easy. Studies contradict each other, and some promising paths don't pan out. (A link between male homosexuality and finger lengths isn't holding up, and a claim that gays have distinctive fingerprint ridge patterns is largely discredited.) Scientists don't always agree on how to interpret the results, and more progress has been made with regard to men than to women.

* Big brothers. Study after study -- including one of 87,000 British men published last year -- has found that gay men have more older brothers than straight men do. Only big brothers count. Lesbians don't show such patterns.

The numbers: Each older brother will increase a man's chances of being gay by 33%, says Ray Blanchard of the University of Toronto, an expert on the "big-brother effect." That's not as dramatic as it might sound. A man's chance of being gay is pretty low to begin with -- perhaps as low as 2% (lowered from 10% by researchers in the early 1990s). So having one older brother ups the chance to only about 2.6%.

What it might mean: Psychological influences are probably not at work, because the pattern holds even for gay men who weren’t raised with their older brothers. Instead, the mother's womb might be key. After giving birth to a boy, her immune system might create antibodies to foreign, male proteins in her bloodstream. Subsequent sons in the womb could be exposed to these "anti-boy" antibodies, which might affect sexual development in the brain.

Accordingly, you'd expect the percentage of gay men in a society to vary depending on demographic differences in family size: One study calculated that a one-child-per-family law would reduce male homosexuality by about 29% from current levels.

* Left hand vs. right hand. The hand you use to sign your name might have something to do with what gender you are drawn to.

The numbers: More lefties -- or at least more somewhat-ambidextrous folks -- crop up in the gay population than among straight people, several studies have shown. An analysis of more than 23,000 men and women from North America and Europe in 2000 found that being non-right-handed seems to increase a man's chances of being gay by about 34%, and a woman's by about 90%.

What it might mean: One guess is that different-than-normal levels of testosterone in the womb -- widely theorized to play a role in determining eventual sexual orientation -- could nudge a fetus toward brain organization that favors left-handedness as well as same-sex attraction.

Another theory is that development of a fetus might be disturbed by factors such as a mother's illness, steering the fetus into being less than strictly right-handed -- and, in some cases, less than strictly heterosexual.

It's a politically sticky idea, says Qazi Rahman of Queen Mary-University of London. "It's essentially saying that homosexual preference . . . is some kind of biological error," he says. (It might tick off the left-handed folks too.)

* Hair whorl. How does your hair grow? This might reflect your sexual orientation.

The numbers: A 2004 study of nearly 500 men -- 272 on Delaware's Rehoboth Beach, popular with gay men, 200 on a beach without that reputation -- found that hair on the heads of men on the gay beach was 3.5 times more likely to grow in a counterclockwise direction. (Scalp hair typically resembles a clockwise-rotating typhoon.)

What it might mean: One theory is that a single gene might influence hair-whorl direction, left-right brain organization and, somehow, sexual orientation. Exactly how it would do all this, however, is anyone's guess.

The study, although intriguing, suffers from a lack of scientific rigor. The author walked around while on vacation, collecting hair-whorl observations on men from a discreet distance. He didn't know anyone's sexual orientation for sure, and didn't objectively examine any scalps up close. Rahman's group is attempting to replicate the results in the lab.

* Penis size. If exposure to testosterone in the womb influences sexual orientation, scientists reckon that straight and gay people would differ in body parts strongly affected by testosterone, such as the penis.

The numbers: Anthony Bogaert of Brock University in Ontario and his colleagues re-analyzed data on 5,000 gay and straight men from sexologist Alfred Kinsey's famous files, collected from the 1930s to the 1960s. The results, published in 1999, showed that gay men had longer, thicker penises than did straight men: on average, about 6.5 inches long and 4.95 inches around when erect, versus 6.1 inches long and 4.8 inches around for straight men.

What it might mean: Scientists don't really know. One guess is that gay men could have been exposed to an odd mix of hormones in the womb. Testosterone levels might peak early, causing enhanced penis growth, then drop off later in pregnancy -- leading to some feminine characteristics.

There's one catch: Kinsey asked his subjects to measure themselves at home and mail a postcard recording their dimensions. It is within the realm of imagination that not every man reported the perfect truth. If everyone lied, the essence of the results wouldn't change. It's a problem only if gay men were more factually creative than straight men.

Bogaert says that all the measures -- length and circumference, erect and flaccid -- seem to plausibly line up, which probably wouldn't be the case if the men had tacked on a vanity half-inch or so. Also, a smaller, 1960s study (in which a physician did the measuring) backs up the findings. As to whether gay or straight men are more likely to exaggerate about penis size, "It would be an interesting master's thesis project," Bogaert muses.

However, the next frontier in this kind of research seems to lie elsewhere -- with subtle differences in how gay and straight brains navigate new cities, respond to erotic movies and react to the scent of sweat and urine.

"I agree with the penis size bits ;)" - chocobo_crossing


Read the original article by clicking the link below!]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080615-190545 Matt Leebody Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:05:45 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080615-190545 Petition to reprimand Mrs. Robinson http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080610-120153
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Robinson-Gay

Please sign and support the cause!]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080610-120153 Matt Leebody Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:01:53 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080610-120153 DUP MP says gay people should seek counseling - Why is this homophobia still tolerated? http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080607-001429

MLA calls for gay 'counselling'


The DUP MLA and MP Iris Robinson has called on homosexuals to seek counselling to help them overcome their sexuality.
She was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan programme following an attack on a gay man in Newtownabbey.
Hear her words here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7439950.stm


'Gay counselling' call rejected


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7439661.stm
A gay rights campaigner has rejected a Northern Ireland assembly member's call for homosexuals to seek psychiatric counselling.
David McCartney from the Rainbow Project was responding to comments from Iris Robinson, who is the chair of the Stormont health committee.
Mrs Robinson said with help, gay people could be "turned around".
Mr McCartney said there was "no body of evidence" to support this and asked to meet the MP.

Mrs Robinson made her comments on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan Show on Friday.
She said she would defend her right to express religious beliefs, while also condemning violence against the gay community.

"I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in," she said.
"I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."


Sinn Féin's Education Minister Catríona Ruane said politicians should be guided by equality legislation.

"There are equality laws in the north of Ireland," she said.
"I think it is really important that politicians play a leadership role and that leadership role should be not to say anything that could possibly inflame the situation or cause further distress."


In a statement the Royal College of Psychiatrists said that homosexuality was not a psychiatric disorder.

Cara-Friend response to Nolan Show 6th June 2008
Sticks and Stones may break my bones ….and words can too!



Cara-Friend, an organisation representing the interests of Lesbian Gay Bisexual community in Northern Ireland condemns Iris Robinson’s recent comments and calls for an end to dangerous homophobic statements from public representatives in NI.

Theresa Cullen, representative of Cara-Friend said:

‘Rights for the LGB community seem to be available for brokerage and dispute in Northern Ireland. This is unacceptable. This has to stop. The rights of LGB people are not and should not be, negotiable or traded off. The shameful behaviour of Ms Robinson needs to be named and challenged at all levels in our society. We need to stand up and be counted. We need to unequivocally outlaw homophobia as the ‘mental illness’ it is and condemn homophobic actions and words as acts of violence and hatred against a minority identity. It is time this unacceptable behaviour was stopped in our society.’
She went on to say ‘The Cara-Friend Organisation (Lesbian Line; Gay Helpline and GLYNI) has been supporting LGB people for the last 34 years saving many lives. We live the reality. Homophobia damages LGB people’s quality of life and at worst can kill. It also diminishes society as a whole. That’s why words are important. And words from a public servant can be very convincing. They are said from a public platform, therefore if the message can be construed as one of hatred, it can be a matter of life and death. As we are all too aware – words can and frequently do, hurt us’’


In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association voted to DELETE ‘homosexuality’ as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). The DSM is the undisputed international standard of mental health classification. This was a vital change in understanding by the medical profession and it acknowledged the shift of minority sexual orientation from being pathological to homophobia being pathologised. The etiology has shifted and the origin of mental distress is rightly located in the effects of discrimination.
So where does that leave the recent comments of Iris Robinson MLA/MP on the Steven Nolan show? I quote:

‘I have a lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices …. I have met people who have ‘turned around’ and become heterosexual…so it does work…this is a long process…the gentleman who is a psychiatrist but more importantly is a born again Christian…has links right across the world…I’m happy to pass on any names to him!’


Theresa adds:
‘This practice, in view of the medical standards relating to mental illness, is an ‘abomination’. Ms Robinson says he does this ‘as an aside’. I hope this psychiatrist is not being paid by the NHS or Northern Ireland government as it would be against the standards of the medical profession to practice such methodology. Homophobia is often described as the ‘last acceptable prejudice’ because it is! It is so often ‘acceptable’ because minority sexual orientation is confused with and erroneously mixed up with, and reduced to, issues of sexual practice and questions of morality. This reductionism is a justification for some to be homophobic. But let me make it very clear, homophobia is plain unequivocal prejudice and discrimination against a minority – whatever way it is dressed up and whatever the so called ‘justification’.’


Theresa Cullen is a representative of Cara-Friend is available for comment and interview.

Mob no: 0777 922 6085
Email: helpline@lesbianlinebelfast.org.uk

Cara-Friend have asked the Royal College of Psychiatrists for a response to Iris Robinson’s comments on the Nolan Show.

The Royal College have issued the following press release, June 6, 2008
Royal College of Psychiatrists response to comments on Nolan Show regarding homosexuality as a mental disorder:

In light of comments made on The Nolan Show today, the Royal College of Psychiatrists wishes to clarify that homosexuality is not regarded as a psychiatric disorder.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists holds the view that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should be regarded as valued members of society who have exactly similar rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to health care, the rights and responsibilities involved in a civil partnership, the rights and responsibilities involved in procreating and bringing up children, freedom to practice a religion as a lay person or religious leader, freedom from harassment or discrimination in any sphere and a right to protection from therapies that are potentially damaging, particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation.
In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in 1992.
There is now a large body of research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as employers, means that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health and substance misuse problems.
Although there have been claims by conservative political groups in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a claim.

For further information contact Liz Main – lmain@nirelanddiv.rcpsych.ac.uk

chocobo_crossing's word:


This kind of homophobia continues to plague the secularised Northern Ireland society. I find it appalling that Iris' response to a homophobic attack was to, in my own interpretation, blame the homosexual for not receiving treatment. Backwards-minded people like her should not be in positions of power. Every decent-minded person should be calling now for her resignation (not to mention her husband for his comments a while back). What kind of 'equality minister' do we have?
I urge all decent people to follow suit with Sinn Fein and Alliance, and condemn these outrageous and inflammatory claims.
-Matt]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080607-001429 Matt Leebody Fri, 06 Jun 2008 23:14:29 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080607-001429 Young men need to 'open up' more http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080604-001254 Young men in Northern Ireland need to "open up" before they give into despair, the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) has said.

Despite a fall in the number of registered suicides, young men aged between 15-24 years remain those most likely to kill themselves.

The HPA has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging men to seek help.

Its chief executive, Dr Brian Gaffney, said men are less likely to recognise the signs of mental illness.

"Rather than talk to someone about their concerns, young men are much more likely than women to use alcohol and other drugs in order to cope with worries, which can lead to other problems such as getting into fights, relationship difficulties and trouble with the police," he said.

The most recent figures show that 72% of suicides were males and suicides among young men in the 15-24 age group were more than three times higher than that of young women of the same age.

He said more than any other group, young men aged 16-24 years feel they have a lack of social support, with almost half (49%) saying they have some, or a severe, lack of social support.

Dr Gaffney said there is often a stigma associated with emotional problems and many people, particularly young men, think it is necessary to deny or disguise how they are really feeling.

"Men have the same reactions to everyday stress and are just as susceptible to many of the same illnesses as women but generally women will seek help and support for their problems, while men tend to bottle things up, which may lead to a crisis," he said.

"What we are saying through this campaign is don't cover up your problems, take the first step and talk to someone."

The campaign, funded by the Department of Health, will run throughout June and includes television, radio and bus advertisements as well as washroom posters and beer mats. ]]> Other News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080604-001254 Matt Leebody Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:12:54 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=06&entry=entry080604-001254 Age of consent to be lowered http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080501-224324 Age of consent set to be lowered

The age of sexual consent in Northern Ireland is to be reduced to 16 to bring it into line with the rest of the UK. The reduction from 17 was contained in new sexual offences laws introduced to the House of Commons on Wednesday by Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.
The move comes despite strong opposition from members of Northern Ireland's assembly, and the age change will apply to both hetreosexual and homosexual relationships.
MLAs claimed a change could encourage sexual predators from the Republic of Ireland - where the age of consent remains 17 - to travel to Northern Ireland.
In February, they voted through a motion urging Mr Goggins to drop the plan and just this week a majority - 55 - signed a "no day motion" urging the retention of the current age.

The legislation will have a second reading, although it is expected to be ratified and in place by June.

'Defining'


"We are certainly not encouraging 16-year-olds to engage in sexual activity. What this is about is defining the age at which a criminal offence takes place even when consent is given,"
said Paul Goggins.
"Where there is evidence of abuse or exploitation, then the new law will deal with that much more stringently, with many offences designed to protect right up to the age of 18."


The new legislation also means sexual activity involving a child under 13 will now be classed as rape, whether consensual or not, and punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.]]> LGBT News http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080501-224324 Matt Leebody Thu, 01 May 2008 21:43:24 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=05&entry=entry080501-224324 Research into Male Suicide http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080430-123816
They hope to speak confidentially to men aged between 16 and 34 who have thought seriously about or acted with the intention of suicide, in order to develop care and support programmes for those at risk.

During the interview the men will be asked to talk about issues in their lives that have influenced their thoughts about suicide and the types of help and support that they have used when feeling suicidal.

Around 50 of the 242 people registered in 2007 in Northern Ireland as taking their own lives were men in this age group according to statistics released this month by NISRA.

The research is being conducted in association with QUB.


Heading the Ulster researchers on the project is Professor Hugh McKenna (pictured), Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, who said: “Talking directly to young men about their experiences means that we will be able to hear about ways of developing care and support that make sense to them. We want to hear from young men who have sought help from services as well as those who have not. It’s important that we learn from their experiences so that the recommendations we develop for policy and practice are realistic and relevant.”

Dr Joanne Jordan, from the School of Nursing and Midwifery at QUB, is leading the study, which is entitled Providing Meaningful Care: Learning from the Experiences of Suicidal Men.

Those who take part will be able to access counselling free of charge with a counsellor accredited by the British and Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and will receive information about support services in their area.

Dr Jordan said: “The rise in suicide in Northern Ireland over the recent past is now a matter of record. In large part this increase has been prompted by a rise in male suicide, particularly among young men. Although the latest statistics suggest that suicide among this group may be beginning to level off from the previous few years, this does not mean that we can afford to be complacent.

“Suicide continues to claim far too many young men’s lives, making it imperative that we learn about the circumstances in which they are led to consider it.”

The Ulster researchers on the project are: Professor Hugh McKenna, Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences, Dr Sinead Keeney, Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Nursing Research, and Mr Iain McGowan, Lecturer in the School of Nursing.

Over the next few months the research will be extended to include the Banbridge and Craigavon areas

Any young men living in the north and west Belfast area who are interested in taking part in the study should contact Iain McGowan on 07894 646690 or email menssuicidestudy@ulster.ac.uk for more information.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk]]> General http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080430-123816 Matt Leebody Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:38:16 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080430-123816 Gay on the Big Screen: Otto; or Up With Dead People http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080418-180836

This is a new (2008) film by director Bruce La Bruce, and it was recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It is a political, gay, zombie film, and as I thought myself, it's quite good.

I don't want to spoil it for you if you ever get to see it, but I recommend that you give it a go. It contains a lot of sub-texts, metaphors and satire on things.

Basically, Otto is a zombie. What's more? He's a gay zombie. Yep. Zombies get busy too ;)
The film centres around Otto understanding what he is, and his experiences along the way, but don't be mistaken, it's not one of those feel-good sob story type films. It's gritty in places, quite dark at times, and thought-provoking. It is an excellent film.

One final word of warning? There are two scenes which are of an... explicit nature. Though it doesn't have an official rating, just be aware it would probably get the '18' tag if it was classified.

Anyway, go find it and watch it!

Peace, out!]]> Film http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080418-180836 Matt Leebody Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:08:36 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080418-180836 heyNigh Residential 2008, a resounding success! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080401-230845
The heyNIgh residential, the largest Northern Ireland LGBT youth residential so far, was a complete success! I think I can speak for everyone when I say, the content of the residential, and the craic, was top-notch!

There's plenty of photos floating about, I'll get loads more off Liam and the rest, plaster them all over the website ;), for the minute, feel free to look at my own ones here

Loads of positive feedback all round from all groups, nice to see! Hopefully, with a bit of luck, we'll secure the funding for another amazing trip next year!

I'd like to thank on behalf of everyone, all the staff of the SHARE centre, they probably never knew what hit them! They put on a great arrangement of activities, and even with the (at times) poor weather, I loved every activity! They even put up with Bronagh correcting their spelling (yeah you remember what I'm talking about Bronagh, I'm surprised that guy didn't pistol-whip you!).

Thanks also to all the volunteers and youth workers (I include myself, naturally!). Great job everyone, no major incidents hehe.

To sum up, thanks to everyone who joined us in our weekend, hope all the groups and young people (and all the workers too!) had a blast, I did. I await patiently for the next one ;)

Peace out!

- Matt]]> GLYNI Announcements http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080401-230845 Matt Leebody Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:08:45 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080401-230845 ditchthelabel.com http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080328-011912
The website Ditch the Label (www.DitchtheLabel.com) was 'virtually' launched last Saturday night in a co-ordinated browsing of the new site, after being advertised via its original Myspace and the founder's personal Myspace sites.

The founder of DitchtheLabel is 17-year old student, activist and part-time model, Liam Hackett.

He developed the site primarily aimed at marginalised teenagers looking to break free from social stereotypes based on race, sexuality or gender.

The site aims to challenge negative stereotypes and provide a forum in which young people can share their experiences of prejudice and social labelling.

Based in Manchester, the prodigious teen first launched the website via Myspace in July 2007 and since then, the Myspace page has attracted more than 50,000 visits.

Liam looked into developing a more permanent website that would allow a greater expansion of the campaign.

The new DitchtheLabel site was conceived after Liam secured a business grant from the local Chamber of Commerce, who recognised the site's appeal and potential.

He was only the second person under 18 in in his region to obtain a business grant.

Despite its early days, the website looks like it will become a flourishing internet resource for teenagers looking to break outside social stereotypes.

Liam told PinkNews.co.uk his own experiences dealing with his sexuality as a primary catalyst for launching DitchtheLabel and how he wished a similar resource existed when he was younger.

"The campaign hopes to change the negative stereotypes associated with labels of race, gender, sexuality, appearance and lifestyle and together, we believe that we can significantly reduce bullying and therefore, increasing self-confidence and feelings of self-worth
to thousands of young people worldwide," Liam says.

"I myself have been subjected to bullying due to my sexuality and I grew up believing that being gay was wrong and disgusting.

"Since leaving school and meeting new people, I've grown to understand that sexuality is as significant as the colour of your eyes and nobody really cares anymore."

The site has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback as it is specifically aimed at teenagers who are coming to terms with their own identities and who are forced to interact with a wide range of people.

At the moment, a majority of the site's supporters are American.

Liam says that school visits may be planned in the future. He also aims to expand the site so that it is largely more interactive and community-based.

Visit the site or get involved at www.DitchtheLabel.com]]> http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080328-011912 Matt Leebody Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:19:12 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080328-011912 New website now live! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080326-013643
Everything SHOULD be working, however, with our web hosts still taking their time over the issues I have informed them about, the site may go a little slow (like the boards) until I get them to fix this issue.

Once again, welcome to the new GLYNI site!

New stuff:
Well, this blog for one! Which, I promise, will have regularly updated content, from articles, to news, to GLYNI events, even random thoughts and political stuff, every so often!
The forums have a facelift to match the site.
Loads of new and updated content, with more to come (some I still haven't received - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE PEOPLE!). Check the links to see whats new, and check back regularly, it'll change again soon!
The calendar in the upper right is a new feature where you can all keep track of what's goin on in GLYNI on a week-to-week basis. This will be updated as often as necessary.

Finally, I don't want this blog to just be me talking over and over again. If you wanna volunteer to contribute an article etc every so often, please, get in touch with me, I would like as much variety of opinion and colour to the blog as possible!

Peace out!
]]> http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080326-013643 Matt Leebody Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:36:43 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080326-013643 Welcome to GLYNI! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080120-174340

Gay & Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland, infamously known as GLYNI (pron. glin-E), is an organisation for young people in Northern Ireland who identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or non-heterosexual.

We have existed since 1998, and continue to run a popular youth group every Monday night in Belfast City Centre. We also provide befriending and e-mail support to young people aged 25 years and under throughout Northern Ireland.

This site will tell you everything you need to know about GLYNI, and provides information on being a young non-heterosexual person in Northern Ireland!]]> http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry080120-174340 Matt Leebody Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:43:40 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=08&m=01&entry=entry080120-174340 GLYNI Reopens Drop-In! http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry070326-165421 GLYNI has gone back to its youth (no pun intended) and re-opened its old drop-in service. It is being piloted at the moment with GLYNI members (as well as those undergoing our Outreach Training) to supplement our Monday night group-time which has been dedicated to training for the month of March. During this time, the young people at GLYNI will be having a bit o'craic and banter doing games, nights out and generally hanging out. At the end of the pilot, they will evaluate the re-opening of the drop-in (known as Come Out, Drop In ) to see how to make it more enjoyable and attractive to members of the other groups. GLYNI had always been a safe haven for young LGBT/Confused people to hang out as an alternative to the commercialised gay scene, and it is hoped this drop-in will help to redefine its role within the wider LGBT Community. Further details will be made available closer to the time. Come Out, Drop In has been funded by The Youth Council for Northern Ireland.]]> http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/index.php?entry=entry070326-165421 Matt Leebody Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:54:21 GMT http://www.glyni.org.uk/sphblog/comments.php?y=07&m=03&entry=entry070326-165421