Midlands LGB & T Network and Disability Forum support Trade Sexual Health

 

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary, Rob Johnston, and Secretary of the Midlands LGB & T Network Alex De Winter present the cheque.

2013 again saw a huge response to the LGB & T and Disabled members forums fundraising in support of HIV charities. Events were held in Leicester, Lincoln and Birmingham around World Aids Day which raised another huge amount to support those charities which are often struggling to make ends meet.

Pictured are the staff and volunteers from Trade Sexual Health in Leicester who received a cheque for £970.46 from TUC activist Alex De Winter who organised the fundraising events, and Rob Johnston, TUC Regional Secretary.

Trade Sexual Health have been running since the year 2000 and now see over 1,000 people a year. The services offered include rapid HIV testing, counselling and one to one sessions, as well as an outreach scheme.

The centre takes an holistic approach to its work, and includes Well Man work and stop smoking sessions.

Most of the work currently undertaken is aimed at men, so the centre is seeking funding to target women’s work too.

Trade Sexual Health is the local Lead Agency for HiV Prevention England and is based in Leicester which has the 6^th highest infection rate outside London.

Trade also run group sessions for men living with HIV, talking about anything and everything to do with the effects of living with HIV – including work based issues. Alex De Winter said, “Where HIV affects you in the workplace you have the right to raise this with your employers. We encourage people to ensure they get appropriate support from their employer and say this is best done through your union.”

Future funding for the centre is uncertain as like all voluntary groups and charities funding is increasingly difficult to secure.

Unions display their work on promoting LGBT equality at TUC HQ in London

The rainbow flag will be flying at the headquarters of the TUC in London this afternoon (Wednesday) when unions will display the work they have been doing to promote LGBT equality in the workplace, in society and internationally.

The exhibition is being held to coincide with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) history month which takes place every year in February and celebrates the lives and achievements of the LGBT community.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady will welcome guests to Congress House from 4.30pm and union reps will be available to talk to visitors about their equality work.

The event will feature live music by Claire Mooney and the premiere of a new film by artist Tara Brag called Brixton Fairies about the South London Gay Centre of the 1970s.

Speakers from 6pm include Frances O’Grady, Chair of the TUC LGBT Committee Maria Exall, Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah from UK Black Pride and David Sharkey from the Southern and Eastern region TUC and LGBT network. Tara Brag will be available for a Q&A session on the film at 7pm.

Frances O’Grady said: “Unions have done some outstanding campaigning work over the past year promoting equality at work and in society. It is great to be able to recognise this and celebrate our creative achievements.”