Report of the Learning Network Meeting on the London LGBT Almanac 1st Edition – Investigating the Findings

12 May 2011

Graeae Theatre Company

The aim of the Learning Network, one of six components of the In Our Name (ION) project, is to provide opportunities for participants to learn and mutually inform, to work together, and to develop and reflect on practice. It does this through: providing regular opportunities for diverse LGBT organisers to meet and become familiar with each other’s work; providing a space for support and opportunities for extending knowledge; learning and critical thinking; developing work around areas of common interest; and facilitating knowledge sharing between organisations, so that we are collectively and individually better able to deliver against mission. Event Aims The aims of the ‘Investigating the Findings’ Learning Network meeting were to: deepen understanding of the Almanac findings; update LGBT organisers on the dissemination of the Almanac; lay foundations for the development of ION policy work; celebrate the Almanac and the work of LGBT organisers; and integrate equalities into the planning and delivery of the event. There were 48 delegates at the event, representing 33 organisations. Organisations included funders and generic and other equality strand voluntary and community organisations. Ten of the 21 LGBT organisations represented were LGBT community of identity organisations (that work around a specific equalities issue, e.g. race or disability). The event opened with a networking activity where participants discussed some of the facts about the LGBT sector found in the Almanac. Tim Franks from PACE shared his experience of campaigning and policy work, stressing the importance of this work and the need for diverse LGBT people to be represented in policy and influencing processes. Tim posed questions concerning collective, fair and effective mechanisms for policy formulation. Debbie Pippard from the Barrow Cadbury Trust shared her thoughts on the ‘Funding and finance’ section of the Almanac. She emphasized that for her the findings highlighted how good at fundraising LGBT organisations are in spite of adversity, and how resilient we are, but also how little the sector is spending relatively on governance and funding. Jay Bernard spoke about the challenges of engaging diverse LGBT communities, drawing on recent current events in East London. Jay described experiences of direct and indirect racism in LGBT environments and the importance of respecting individual experiences around class, race, gender and identity more broadly. Participants then chose from the following workshops to attend:  Understanding the findings – this workshop examined the Almanac findings closely, particularly those related to funding.  Developing In Our Name policy work – this workshop explored possibilities of collaborative cross-sector policy and campaigning work.

Page 1 of 2  Lesbian, bi and trans women in LGBT organising – this workshop explored issues pertaining to LBT women in the LGBT sector, present and past, using the findings of the Almanac as a starting point for discussions, low levels of funding for LBT organisations, and barriers to women’s involvement in LGBT organisations. The workshops considered ways of moving beyond the current situation. After the workshops participants were provided with a summary of the Almanac dissemination to date, and its practical application. Feedback on the event

“A most valuable report and meeting.”

“I loved the workshop as it gave me a good opportunity to share more views, ideas and experience with others.”

“I loved the atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation and the sense of support and openness.”

“I loved being part of such a diverse range of people in such a genuine sincere exploration of issues.”

Next steps

Since the event the Almanac has been further disseminated, e.g. to the Greater London Authority (GLA) LGBT and Trans stakeholder meetings; libraries and universities. A video about the Almanac findings and London LGBT organising has been developed. Preparation for the second edition is well underway.

The next Learning Network meeting will take place in September, focusing on specific areas of the almanac and work to date.

KiS will increase attention towards lesbian, bi and trans women’s organising in its work and the work of the In Our Name project, specifically concerning D/deaf LBT women and BME LBT women (in partnership with rukus!). Next steps from the workshop included exploring ways of increasing LBT women’s engagement with LGBT organising and creating LBT women’s aspirational spaces.

An electronic policy network has been established and KiS is exploring developing collective policy positions around diverse identities and issues that organisations can sign up to on an individual basis.

The next Learning Network will include a workshop specifically addressing some of the funding issues arising from the ‘Exploring the findings’ workshop.

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