What's On
22 April, 2009 to 30 June, 2009
GenderShift - Promoting Fairness, Celebrating Difference
As a result of funding from the Equality and Human Rights Commission we were able to offer places on our lively and informative. Visit: http://www.gendershift.com/TransAwarenessWorkshop.html at a significantly subsidised rate, including a free places for volunteers.
Now that funding has finished we have decided to maintain the same low rates, but we need your help to do so.
The only way to keep the workshops low priced is to get more people to the events. We have a growing list of contacts - but with your help we can expand that reach. In order for us to continue to have a significant impact on attitudes towards trans, and lesbian and gay people throughout Yorkshire and beyond, it is important that we let as many people know about the workshops as possible and I wondered if you would be prepared to forward this information to some of your contacts to help us spread the word.
The Dates of the next Workshops are:
- Grimsby 22 April & 19 June
- Leeds 28 April, 28 May & 22 June
- Hull 13 May & 14 July
- Sheffield 20 May & 6 July
- Beverley 1 June
- Doncaster 11 June
- York 25 June
Why are these workshops so important?
Well all public sector organisations are now undertaking a review of their gender equality scheme. Later this month the Government is expected to present its long awaited Single Equality Bill to Parliament. All this will focus attention on the gender inequality highlighted in a survey conducted in 2007* as part of the research for the bill, the largest ever conducted amongst Trans people.
- 42% of people not living permanently in their preferred gender were prevented from doing so because they feared it might threaten their employment status
- 47% do not use public, social or leisure facilities for fear of being discriminated against
- 22% were required to use inappropriate toilets
- 29% received verbal harassment at work because of their gender change
- 73% had experienced some form of verbal or physical abuse in public
- 34% have attempted suicide
* Whittle, S et al. (2007) Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transsexual People’s Experience of Inequality and Discrimination (Communities and Local Government: West Yorkshire)
http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/equalitiesreview/upload/assets/www.theequalitiesreview.org.uk/transgender.pdf
We have been attempting to change this picture with our Trans Gender Workshops: http://www.gendershift.com/TransAwarenessWorkshop.htmland
We have even surprised ourselves at the impact we are having. 80% of participants rate the workshop as excellent or very good and the most frequent comment on evaluations is exceeded all my expectations.
Why do so many people say this is one of the best workshops I have ever attended?
Well for a start we make it highly interactive and fun. We do not just address trans issues, we also explore issues around sexual orientation and gender. The principles we discuss apply to all seven diversity strands. We use a variety of presentation methods - video clips, music, lecture, discussion, groups exercises, questions and answer, case studies and where we use PowerPoint, it is a visual aid - No death by slides presentations.
We provide some handouts, but we are also building a growing resource of support information online that is kept up to date - so you always have access to the latest information immediately to hand, instead of having out of date information buried in a filing system. Of course you can always give us a call at anytime if you need advice on dealing with any issues around Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation.
Rather than clutter up your in-box with a large attachment, I have provided an instant download link to the trans awareness brochure below: http://www.gendernetwork.com/support-files/transawarenessworkshop2.pdf
Alternatively the following link to our new and developing web site provides access to our on-line version of the brochure and a link to our online booking form facilities: http://www.gendershift.com/TransAwarenessWorkshop.html
While you are at the site why not also check out the new and growing Finding Support section, listing a wide variety of support options available for LGBT people and others concerned with these issues. If you know of support resources we have not listed please complete the online form to let us know about them.
Finding LGBT Support in Yorkshire and the Humber: http://www.gendernetwork.com/lgbtsupport
In addition we have set up a new GenderShift Social Network where members can access a constant flow useful information on gender and transgender issues providing also access to a growing community of trans people who are prepared to answer questions about gender and trans gender issues. If you have not already done so I do hope you will also join the GenderShift Social Network.
GenderShift is a social enterprise, part funded by Business Link, the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Department of Health to help create a fairer world in which every persons gender, gender identity and gender expression is accepted and respected. The Trans Awareness Workshop is designed in a fun and entertaining way to help organisations meet their obligations under the Gender Equality Duty to prevent discrimination and harassment on the grounds of gender, including gender reassignment, and to promote equal opportunities.
Rikki Arundel
Director
GenderShift Ltd
Community Enterprise Centre
Cottingham Road
Hull HU5 2DH
Tel: 01482 441002 Ext 208 Fax: 01482 342956
Mobile: 07976259557
Email: Rikki@gendershift.com
www.gendershift.com