This run of the Self Defence Course is specifically for anyone from the Trans community in London who wants to learn how to deal with situations where you feel personally threatened when out and about.

further information and sign up can be found here:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4807081109#

A safe space for young people who identify as LGBTQ or questioning their sexual or gender identity. The service is free and we offer a youth group as well counselling. We are based at Off Centre in Hackney.

The Group: Opportunity to meet other young LGBTQ people with similar experiences or feelings in a supportive environment, have fun and make new friends

1:1 Support: Counselling is safe and non judgmental space that can help you come to terms with difficult past experiences or any current issues that worry you.

13-17 Group – 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 5pm – 7pm

18-25 Group 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month 6pm-8pm

Contact Becky or Maya – indigo@offcentre.org.uk

0208 986 401 www.offcentre.org.uk

Stonewall Housing is LGBT Jigsaw’s lead Agency.
Stonewall Housing is a Charitable Housing Association registered under the Industrial and Providential Societies Act 1965 No. 24277R. Registered office as above. This email, together with any attachments is intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged or confidential. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, copying or distribution of this email and any attachments is strictly prohibited.

Over the past year homelessness amongst young people has risen by 15% and rough sleeping has risen by 20%. The work of LGBT Jigsaw is more vital than ever.

LGBT Jigsaw helps over 100 LGBT young people a year escape domestic violence, rough sleeping, homophobic / biphobic / transphobic abuse or other difficult situations into safe accommodation and supportive environments.

As well as working with young people who are already homeless LGBT Jigsaw works with hundreds of other young people to provide a route into services such as mentoring, youth groups and one-to-one support. This means we can deal with the issues sooner and help to prevent LGBT young people becoming homeless.

This work has been funded through London Councils and available to all LGBT young people across London who are homeless or having a housing crisis. London Councils are now considering the future of this funding and we need you to help us save it.

If you feel that this work, which helps homeless LGBT young people, should be protected it is really important you make your voice heard.

Please complete London Councils online survey. Here is the link to the survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/grantsconsult

The deadline is 5.00pm on Friday 23rd March 2011.

We also have information on issues which can affect LGBT young people’s lives, such as: housing options, coming out, sexual health, managing relationships, hate crime and domestic abuse as well as how to get back into education, employment or training.

Our website is also updated with news which we think you should know about; this could be a change in the law which affects you or new volunteer or employment opportunities which you might be interested in.

LGBT Jigsaw is like a passport; it allows you to access not just one but four organisations to pick and choose the support that’s right for
you.

There are four pieces to LGBT Jigsaw: they are the Albert Kennedy Trust, Stonewall Housing, Galop and PACE.

This makes it easier for you to access services. It also means that: you don’t have to tell people the same story over and over again;
you have access to a lot of different services;
and you can get as much or as little support as you need.

You can also get the support you need to stop you from becoming homeless or
help you find a home and get back on your feet if you are homeless.

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation recently published a guide called Faithbook they say that they wanted to produce a guide on faith and sexuality which would explore various different religions, the common conflicts encountered and ways of reconciling these.

AT LGBT Jigsaw we often work with young people from faith backgrounds. Here are some comments from homeless LGBT young people. ‘Believing in God gives me strength to get through the hard times in my life’. Other young people had a more negative experience ‘I was brought up by very religious parents. I often felt under a lot of pressure to meet their – and God’s expectations’. Some young people attribute the violence they have received as a direct result of their religion ‘I have been through a lot because of religion. When I have been seen to break the rules, it has been met with violence. I don’t think that’s a very good way of life to believe in’.

Religion and belief can certainly impact upon the experience that LGBT young people have of homelessness. The experiences of two individuals who came from religious backgrounds shared their thoughts with us.

Aadila had told her family she was bisexual when she was 16 years old. Her sexuality led to a massive amount of conflict at home, and she was physically and emotionally abused. She became so afraid she fled from home. This wasn’t a situation that she had planned, or wanted, but she had been left with no choice.

She says “My family and my religion are one and the same. My family encapsulate my religion. And they both rejected me…my religion used to be a big part of me. But it’s like a break up, isn’t it? If someone – something – hurts you that much and pushes you away that much. Well you can’t go back. And anyway. I’m not changing. So how would it ever work?”

Isabella, was raised in a strict religious household, and was close to her family especially her mother. She was forced to flee her home as her family came to find out about her sexuality.

“They were not only angry, aggressive and hostile towards me – they were sickened, upset, even guilty. They told me that I had been possessed by the devil my own mother said this to me how could she. I had no idea that they would all react in this way. Our house and family was one of love:” Isabella has spent 6 months without speaking to her family.

“Leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did. I had to make the decision based on the fact that I knew I would never be able to go back, and I was effectively saying goodbye to my family forever. I left a comfortable home with a sleeping bag, some clothes, and any food I dared take from the kitchen. I had no plan. I slept in parks for a while but they were cold and I was frightened. I’m now back on my feet thankfully”

“I don’t feel alone and rejected anymore, my faith guides and protects me to remain focused and positive on a day to day basis…. I can be myself and learn to be comfortable with my sexuality. I am a good human being who just wants to live my life as I choose, and do the things that I have been longing for which I would not been able to do if still living at home [with my family]”

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s Faithbook can be downloaded here
The Cutting Edge Consortium will be holding their 3rd annual conference: Achieving our equality, challenging faith based homophobia and transphobia More info on which can be found here.
(names have been changed, to protect the identities of those who were interviewed.)

Juice is part of the Metro Youth Service and provides Alcohol Counselling and Support to young people who identify as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and those Questioning their sexual orientation and/or identity) in the South East London area through 1:1 support, therapeutic youth groups and general outreach.

This is an exciting new initiative based on a 6 week course designed to reinforce and support resilience and self esteem. Topics that were thought to be helpful are alcohol and substance misuse, coming out and positive identity, dealing with peer pressure, good decision making, positive communication, stress management and relationship negotiation, these are not concrete as the group will play a huge part in discussion, the topics will be based around their needs. The group meets weekly for 1 hour in Greenwich and there’s also plenty of time to socialize and make new friends.

For more information please contact juice@metrocentreonline.org

Given the current climate this is a very welcomed ruling and will benefit all young people within the care system alongside assisting Asylum seekers and young people leaving custody. The Children’s Society was granted leave to intervene and highlighted the importance of supporting Young People as they leave care.

This is a breakthrough for children’s Rights Campaigners, but the news may not be as welcomed by Local Authorities as the cost of the result of this ruling could be very significant given the fact that these young people by law are excluded from mainstream social welfare and social housing.

Action for Children conducted a study in 2006 on Asylum Seekers examining their perspectives on their in care experience, preparation for leaving care alongside after care support. A number of issues were identified relating to the age at which unaccompanied asylum seekers left care, needs assessment and pathway planning, and assisting young people to acquire practical and financial skills. The young people in this study felt inadequately equipped for independence, especially with regard to financial responsibilities. The new ruling framework for Asylum Seekers leaving care is intended to support Young People with the transition from care to independent living, and this new legislative ruling is a breakthrough for all young people within the re system and is the way forward to a positive start to adult life.

Related Links
LOOKING FORWARD: UNACCOMPANIED ASYLUM SEEKERS LEAVING CARE. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group