Stonewall's Online Q&A Info Service

21 February 2011Post your comment Dear Stonewall,

I’ve been having some trouble at work ever since my colleagues found out I’m gay. I overhear them making snide remarks about it and cracking homophobic jokes when I’m in the room, it makes me really uncomfortable.
What can I do?

AP.
Stonewall says; we are really sorry to hear about your experiences. As most adults in the UK spend the majority of their time at work it’s important that they feel comfortable, safe and supported by their employer as well as respected by their colleagues. It’s also important for every employer to ensure they get the very best from their staff. As Stonewall knows, from our work in this area, people perform better at work when they can be themselves. This means that your employer should take any incident of harassment seriously and deal with complaints effectively. Under the Equality Act 2010, you are protected from harassment at work. This means not only is it beneficial for your employer to act, they might be breaking the law if they don’t.

You can find details about this legislation on our website or you could contact the
Information Service team on 08000 50 20 20.
To read full article, click here: http://news.pinkpaper.com/Feature.aspx?id=2245

Spring Clean 2011

Leicester City Council, community groups and local residents will spring into action during March as part of a citywide spring clean.

Parks groups, Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire, local schools, universities and youth groups, are all organising clean ups in their local areas.

You can join one of the many events already organised. If not, why not organise your own event and join in Leicester's Spring Clean.

Get involved!
To join in our Spring Clean, just complete our event registration form.

Once you register, you can claim your free Spring Clean goodies including gloves, refuse bags and litter pickers.

Need more?
Get in touch.

Call us: 0116 252 7001

Email us: customer.serviceline@leicester.gov.uk

VOTERS INVITED TO THE BIG DEBATE FOR ENGLAND’S FIRST CITY MAYOR

De Montfort University (DMU) is to host The Big Debate so voters in Leicester can quiz candidates hoping to make history by becoming England’s first city mayor to be directly elected by the citizens.

Leicester is the first city in England (outside of London which has different administration rules) where the council has decided to opt for a directly elected mayor, giving voters the choice of who runs the city.

DMU, which has carried out leading research in both public administration and local politics, is staging the debate, entitled Elected Mayors: The Big Debate, in association with the Leicester Mercury.

Click here for full article: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/news_events/news/current/110211_DMUs_Big_Debate.jsp

LGBT Safety Forum Leicester

From Dennis Bradley:

The LGBT Community Safety Forum has been in existence for over 10 years now and is one of the Leicestershire Police’s Independent Advisory Groups.

The forum is made of representatives from the Police, Crown Prosecution Service, Victim Support, Leicester City and Leicestershire County Councils, Trade, the LGBT Centre and members of the LGBT community and in the past has been instrumental in developing policies and procedures designed to improve the service that LGBT people receive from the police and partners.

Recently the community membership of the group has declined and in order to try and increase community involvement again Prism have agreed to host the quarterly meetings.

The next meeting will be help at the LGBT Centre on the 22nd February starting at 7pm, food and refreshments will be provided so to with numbers if you could please email Darren Goddard atdarren.goddard8196@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk if you would like to attend.

We think that our involvement in this forum is really important as it is one of the ways that we can ensure that issues such as homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, domestic violence involving LGBT people remain firmly on the agenda for the Police and their partners and we would encourage as many of you to attend as possible.

Get fit and feel better with our New Year health and wellbeing offer! Lifestyle Fitness 'Lite' is our latest 'pounds' saving gym membership package.

Gain unlimited access to three newly refurbished fitness suites for as little as £10 per month or alternatively £15 for unlimited use of the gym and swimming pool.

Lifestyle Fitness Lite is available at the following three Leisure Centres:-

Cossington Street Sports Centre

New Parks Leisure Centre

Spence Street Sports Centre

Our Lifestyle Fitness Lite suites consist of cardiovascular, resistance and free weights equipment in varying quantities across sites.

Click here to see full details: http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/lc/sports-services/services/lifestyle-fitness-lite/

Top authors head to leicester for the dmu arts festival.

Highly-acclaimed authors Blake Morrison and Catherine O’ Flynn are among an exciting line-up of guests joining Leicester’s De Montfort University (DMU) to celebrate 10 years of Cultural Exchanges.

Just 10 students have organised the week-long celebration of culture which begins on Monday 28 February and runs to Friday 4 March, and will feature guests and speakers from the arts, media, literature, politics and film industry.

Now celebrating its tenth year, Cultural Exchanges gives dedicated final year BA (Hons) Arts and Festival Management students the chance to plan and run a real life festival, bringing events that suit all tastes to the heart of Leicester, the UK’s largest growing cultural city.

On Thursday 3 March, DMU is joined by renowned author Blake Morrison. Among his many published works is the acclaimed novel And When Did You Last See Your Father? which in 2007 was adapted into the award-winning film starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent. A regular contributor to the Guardian, here he talks about the writing process and also reads extracts from his novels, including his latest celebrated work The Last Weekend.

Award-winning novelist Catherine O’Flynn is in conversation with DMU’s Dr Gary Day on Monday 28 February. Her first novel What Was Lost received great critical acclaim, winning the prestigious First Novel prize in 2008 at the Costa Book Awards. Her second book The News Where You Are, published in 2010, cemented her position as one of the most exciting new voices to emerge on the literary scene.

Other highlights in the literary field include a talk from one of the UK’s most renowned theatre critics, Michael Billington, to discuss the responsibilities of a reviewer and the ever changing demands of the profession. This event takes place on Monday 28 February.

A stimulating evening of poetry bringing together readers Maggie O’Sullivan and Sean Bonney is also taking place on Wednesday 2 March.

Festival director Tony Graves said: “Cultural Exchanges is a unique festival and every year it grows in size and significance. The students have done an excellent job attracting speakers of such a high calibre to the festival and they should be congratulated for their hard work.

“This is a stimulating programme of arts events to have in Leicester and I would urge people to come along and have a look at what’s on. We hope the festival has something for everyone.”

Around 4,000 people are expected to attend over 40 events this year.

Tickets go on sale Thursday 10 February 2011. The full festival programme is now available to view online at www.dmu.ac.uk/culturalexchanges
The vast majority of events are free to attend but booking is advised. There may be a small entrance fee for events with headlining guests.

For a brochure of events or any other enquiries please call the Cultural Exchanges team on 0116 250 6229.

Save your pennies by taking advantage of a range of activities you can do for FREE in Leicester!


There are FREE activities for all age groups to enjoy across the city - explore a new part of town, discover one of Leicester's parks, pick up a new hobby, enrich your life in 2011 by volunteering or keep fit and feel great.


We've also listed just a few of the suggestions people have sent in, plus highlighted winners of a recent competition. Why not send in your suggstion too... Send us your ideas for FREE things to do in Leicester. We will endeavour to publish all clean and suitable suggestions below. Simply email us and tell us 'One thing you like to do for FREE in Leicester'. Keep it clean! Send to: info@oneleicester.com


E.g. Paul Smith: "Play footy on Victoria park with my mates".

Full details here: http://www.oneleicester.com/uniquely/free-activities/

Talulah Blue's Burlesque Showcase

Talulah Blue is showcasing new Burlesque talent, with more acts than ever.

Come along to a Burlesque night Jam packed with entertainment, with classic Burlesque, comedy Burlesque amazing costumes and authentic live music from Gypsy Jazz band.

Thursday 05 May 2011   For one day only

Starts at 8pm  Finishes at1.30am

The Musician, Clyde Street Leicester. LE1 2DE

Cost£5 - £7 on the door

talulahblue.com@hotmail.com

http://www.talulahblue.com/
0116 2510080