OVER THE RAINBOW - The Challenges of Finding Love for the LGBT Community

Hi GPN

I am putting another book together titled: OVER THE RAINBOW - The Challenges of Finding Love for the LGBT Community. I am looking for contributions from lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender writers around the world interested in writing about love and relationships, and the challenges and difficulties they face finding love, especially how these challenges differ between countries, cultures and nationalities. Would you be able to tell your community about this project in the hope that some of your LGBT writers might like to contribute? I have attached a working cover, and please do go to the website for more details.

Thank you,

Happy weekend!

Robin

http://www.collectionsofpoetryandprose.com/over-the-rainbow/

Collections of Poetry and Prose
Committed to publishing the works and words of writers and poets around the world
W: www.collectionsofpoetryandprose.com 

The Butch Monologues at Gerry's Studio Stratford East from Wed 8 to Fri 10 Nov at 7.30pm

THE BUTCH MONOLOGUES AUTUMN 2017 TOUR

Written by Laura Bridgman  Directed by Julie McNamara

Following sell-out performances to international festivals and theatres including La Mama and Abrons Arts Center, NYC and WOW festival in London, The Butch Monologues tours again in November.

A powerful and often humorous collection of secret stories exploring sexuality, vulnerability and desire taken from interviews with butches, masculine women, gender rebels and transmen, living world-wide. “An excellent piece of theatre and more than that, it’s a very tangible vehicle for social change.” Jude Kelly CBE, (Artistic Director, Southbank) “Succeeds in making us all feel loved.” Lois Weaver, Split Britches Gerry’s Studio Wed 8, Thu 9 & Fri 10 November 7.30 pm Theatre Royal Stratford East 8 Nov (preview) £10 9 & 10 Nov - £12 / £10 concs BOOK LAUNCH  9 November, 9 pm Gerry's Kitchen, Theatre Royal Stratford East Post show discussion 9 Nov, Chair: Meg-John Barker, author, academic, activist and psychotherapist 10 Nov, Chair: Sabah Choudrey, Pakistani trans activist  Attendance to this event is free but booking is essential.  Please email intouch@vitalxposure.co.uk to reserve your place The Butch Monologues brings together a collaboration between Vital Xposure, hotpencil press and The Drakes promoting female masculinity and butch pride.

26th October 2017 GPN and the LSESU Pride

 In October we join the 

at their home on the side of Lincoln's Inn in High Holborn.

Come and meet the future of the LBGT businesses and entrepreneurs in UK and further afield.

The President of Pride, Will Priest, will say a few words.

We are assured a warm welcome fuelled by conviviality and a glass of wine or two. Please note that there will not be a cash bar at the venue and all drinks will have to be preordered and paid for in advance. I am planning for enough to go around.

Join us  on Thursday 26th October at 5:30pm (Please note the timing)  for an exceptional and vibrant networking evening at the top of that architectural marvel in central London. There are terraces outside for those of you who still smoke, you can only take plastic cups there though.

Get connected, productive & proactive with GPN, The LGBT platform to promote your causes, companies, venues & businesses.

When: Usually every 3rd Thursday of the month (or the closest date) at 6:30pm. 

Where: Various venues, exclusively reserved for GPN & GBA

Why: Networking: chat, drink and make meaningful social and business contacts.

How much: The registration fee of £20 includes drinks till its runs out, £15 only if booked in advance.

Full membership of £200pa or £20pcm can be taken  on http://gpn.one/  giving you many benefits, also outlined on the same page.

How many: limited to the amount of people we can so that everyone can meet each other.

Who: All very nice people in a relaxed atmosphere from different walks of life, influential gay professionals , doctors, lawyers, bankers, architects, property developers, diplomats, actors, entrepreneurs, singers, models, students, job seekers, actors, artists, self employed, start-ups, everyone who are keen to get connected, productive and proactive with the Gay Professional Network

What:  A social drink where people can enjoy each other's company, have a drink or two, Networking, presenting your business or your ideas and expectations, getting help from others, exchange ideas, tips, referals, ask for counsel, opinions and more, come and have a look, you will be amongst friends.

I very much look forward to seeing you soon!

Yours truly,

J-F.

jf@gpn.one

www.gpn.one

www.jfdor.co.uk

GPN operates since 2010 on a non profit basis. The excess after the costs of drinks and room hire when applicable pays for websites, promotion, stationary, transport & banners. The venues get considerable publicity to our Network  and we support venues owned and managed by LGBT people whenever possible.

If you do know someone who would like to host our events please let me know.

If there is a photographer in the room, please let him/her know if you do not wish your picture to appear on the website or facebook page and tagged. It is assumed that everyone is happy to have their pictures to be used for the promotion of the network. 

More info on the network: 

www.gpn.one 

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter

GFEST – Gaywise FESTival ® 2017

GFEST – Gaywise FESTival ® 2017

“Arts Protest”! Not just dissent.

A World full of Stories of “protests” revealed at London LGBTQI artists fest GFEST 2017.

GFEST - Gaywise FESTival ® invites you to the 10th anniversary celebrations of the showcasing eclectic art, films & performances by both local and international LQBTQI artists. The event will take place across multiple venues in London from 13th-25th November 2017. 

Please see the GFEST Website for full programme details: https://gaywisefestival.org.uk

Monday 13 November – Saturday 25 November 2017

    

An annual November event for LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex) artists and organisations, the 10th anniversary celebrations of GFEST - Gaywise FESTival ® will run from Monday 13 to Saturday 25 November 2017 at venues across London. 

GFEST 2017 full programme details are live on the GFEST website: https://gaywisefestival.org.uk 

“Arts Protest”: 10th anniversary GFEST showcases new art and films by new and previous GFEST artists. Films line-up includes London/ UK premieres and a revisit to some films from the previous years.

“When we started GFEST in 2007, it was a different time, stories were told in a slightly different way. Today we are telling stories with advantage of social media and technologies. We have stepped forward in winning legal battles and recognition. But the battle continues for gaining full and equal social acceptance. It is about who we are and who we love. We are still telling these diverse LGBTQI ‘protest’ stories in many new ways. The narratives have moved on but what has been constant is people are excited by these stories which stretch imaginations and help shape the creative lives of future generations.” says GFEST artistic director Niranjan Kamatkar. “Despite many changes on the political and social scene and huge fundraising challenges, we are still determined to excel once again, telling stories of protests that are part of LGBTQI equality struggle. This year’s GFEST is there to celebrate the heart-warming, moving, quirky and unique tales by LGBTQI artists and audiences. And we are so looking forward to GFEST 2017 launch event on Tuesday 14 November at Menier Gallery.”

FILMS: ‘Fighting for LGBTQI rights’ on various fronts!

An extraordinary film line-up includes recently completed LGBTQI works and numerous UK and London premieres: feature films include Fire Song, an award winning, coming-of-age story of a Canadian First Nation gay Anishinaabe teenager, If You Dare Desire, a drama about two Bengali lesbians and I'm Not Sick! I'm Gay telling a story of LGBTQI struggles in Kazakhstan. Short films line-up include a number of UK films: Ballroom Boys, Lily, Mai, Dusk, Shadow Plant, Lightrapping, Segun Mateo and a north London based filmmaker’s Finding Home. The film events will take place at Rich Mix cinema in Shoreditch and Arthouse Crouch End cinema from 20 to 24 November and will include filmmakers Q&As.  

PERFORMANCES: ‘Singing Loud & Proud’

A delightful evening filled with music and fun! Performers include award-winning divas: Rosie Wilby waxing lyrical about relationship challenges, Short & Girly Show present all-female troupe performing improvised comedy sketches and songs. Be there to be enthralled by The Symphonic Winds’ awesome music and The Gay Men's Dance Company's latest energetic numbers. GFEST 2017 performances evening will be at St Pancras (new) Parish Church in Euston on Saturday 25 November.

This is a fundraiser event for GFEST 2018 to ensure that GFEST becomes an even stronger platform for LGBTQI artists.

VISUAL ARTS: ‘Arts Protest’ - LGBTQI identities and articulation.

A series of challenging and insightful works will be exhibited at Menier Gallery, (Upper Gallery), from 13 November to 18 November. This year’s line-up of artists include: Alice Boland-Rhodes, Gökhan Tanrıöver, Heather Carol, Mike Bliss, Jason Carr, Marta Kochanek, Peter A Leigh, Reggie Blennerhassett, Sarah Jane Moon and Simon Croft. Past GFEST artists, performers and filmmakers over the last 10 years will present a “Wall of Protest” - selfies or portraits of some participants from the year 2007 onwards, curated by GFEST artistic director Niranjan Kamatkar. Free entry.

Reggie Blennerhassett will lead the discussion when LGBT activists joined the miners’ 1984-5 strike: the real story behind the film “Pride” and the impact of “Arts Protest” to deliver social change. This debate on Saturday 18 November at the Menier Gallery will also explore how the work presented at the exhibition challenges preconceived notions.  

For more information, images or interview requests,

please contact: Niranjan Kamatkar

020 888 99 555 / niranjan.kamatkar@wisethoughts.org 

Notes to editors:

Recognised as London’s LGBTQI cross-art festival since 2007, GFEST - Gaywise FESTival is presented by arts charity Wise Thoughts. Wise Thoughts was incorporated in 1999 and is a pioneering organisation based in Haringey, north London. Wise Thoughts combines creative use of diverse art forms such as film, visual art and performance, and delivers targeted services. Our services help address social justice issues and the needs of LGBTQI and Black, Asia, & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. A platform for LGBTQI artists, GFEST – Gaywise FESTival ® takes place annually in November, in venues across London.

Read in your browser | Email preferences Your organisation: Gay Professional Network NCVO member ID: MEMBERVC/18576

AGM and NCVO Members' Assembly 2017 Monday 20 November, London Dear Jean-Francois, As our membership contact at Gay Professional Network I’m writing to invite you to our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Members’ Assembly. The AGM is an opportunity to hear from Peter Kellner, NCVO’s chair, who will provide a brief review of the last year. NCVO’s Chief Executive, Sir Stuart Etherington will speak on some of the current issues facing the sector and how NCVO is responding to these. Baroness Jill Pitkeathley OBE, NCVO’s President-elect, will also attend and say a few words. The Members' Assembly is an opportunity for you to hear about and give your views on the important changes forthcoming in the regulation of charities, such as the Charity Commission’s proposals to introduce charging and make substantial changes to Annual Return requirements. This session will be led by Karl Wilding, NCVO’s Director of Public Policy and Volunteering and Elizabeth Chamberlain, NCVO Head of Policy & Public Services. There will also be plenty of opportunities for discussion and networking with other NCVO members. AGM and Members' Assembly 2017 details Date: Monday 20 November Start time: 14.00 with networking lunch from 13.15 End time: 15.00 (AGM), 17.15 (Members’ Assembly) Venue: NCVO, Society Building, 8 All Saints Street, London, N1 9RL To reserve a space at the AGM and Members' Assembly – register for your free place by Tuesday 14 November. If you can't attend If you are unable to attend the AGM, someone else from your organisation may attend in your place and vote. Alternatively, you may appoint a proxy to vote for you, using this proxy form (word doc). Your completed proxy form must be at our offices or sent by email no later than 13.30 on Thursday 16 November 2017. You can find all papers relating to the AGM on our website: AGM 2017 papers and details. Don’t forget to vote in in our trustee board elections! Remember you’ve only got until 30 October to vote for elections to our trustee board. We have three vacancies this year and there are a strong set of candidates: Read the candidates' manifestos and cast your votes. Best wishes, Susan Cordingley, NCVO Director of Planning and Resources / Company Secretary Email: susan.cordingley@ncvo.org.uk Direct line: 020 7520 2538 National Council for Voluntary Organisations Society Building, 8 All Saints Street London, N1 9RL Website: www.ncvo.org.uk Twitter: @NCVO Registered Charity No. 225922 We’ve sent you this email as you are our main contact at Gay Professional Network, an NCVO member, and you are therefore eligible to nominate and vote in our Trustee Board elections. If you have any questions about your membership, email: membership@ncvo.org.uk. Manage your email preferences

Out in Business Newsletter

EUROUT 2017 EUROUT 2017 is coming! We are working hard at putting together an amazing conference! We look forward to welcoming the best students, professionals and alumni from around the world to network and discuss important topics in the business and LGBTQ spheres here in London this November. If you have not booked your ticket, do so now! Also, check out the write up below about one of our featured speakers, Sue Nabi! Dates: 17 - 19 November Tickets: https://www.eurout2017.org/tickets   EUROUT Speaker Profile: Sue Y. Nabi EurOUT is delighted to announce keynote Sue Y. Nabi, the former worldwide president of L'Oréal and Lancôme and current founder and president of Orveda, to talk about her professional and personal journey. Born in Algeria as Youcef, Sue Nabi always possessed a passion for both beauty and business; and, essentially, a fierce sense of knowing, intrinsically, who she is. Her vision and ambition, charisma and kindness, and Engineering degree and MBA from ESSEC, led to Nabi’s almost meteoric rise in one of the world's greatest beauty giants: L’Ore´al. As the youngest CEO in L’Ore´al’s history, Nabi drove double-digit growth, launched blockbuster, bestselling lines, and championed diversity in beauty - across age, gender, and ethnicities. Her success led to her next role as President of Lanco^me, where her launch of La vie est belle, with Julia Roberts as its face, is heralded as the best perfume launch in history - and it remains a top 3 bestselling perfume worldwide. In 2013, Nabi reinvented a different brand: this time, herself. Healthy lifestyle choices, as well as the influence of Taoism, Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Biotechnology inspired her latest venture: Orveda, which she co-founded with Nicolas. A disruptor in high-end luxury skincare, Orveda is a green yet efficient, highly-concentrated skincare range, which works with skin, not against it, Orveda signals a breakthrough in skincare formulation and, essentially, the rise of a new, cleaner, greener and vegan era. Coming Out Week! We are so excited about Coming Out Day that we turned it into a whole week! See below for all the details. Join the Out in Business Club on Wednesday October 11th for Coming Out Day, an annual LGBTQ+ day of awareness and celebration. Read more about National Coming Out Day here: https://www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day Speaking up and coming out – whether as an ally, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, kween, or otherwise – has the power to changes attitudes and minds across our campus and create new advocates for equality. So we’re asking allies across the campus to come out by: Joining us Friday October 6th 7:00-10:00 p.m. @ The Yard for “Coming Out” to Happy Hour RSVP Putting an “Ally” sticker (to be distributed in class) on your nameplate Sharing why you support LGBTQ+ rights on the “Why I’m an Ally” cards (also to be distributed in class) – these will be displayed in the Lounge at Sammy Offer on October 11th for official Coming Out Day Meet the Club Co-Presidents I asked our club co-presidents a couple of questions to try to get to know them a little better (including the dreaded "Why MBA?")! Albert Saniger, MBA 2018 Question 1: Why MBA? AS: I wanted to expand my network. I didn’t want to be in my previous industry’s bubble. I wanted a global network of successful leaders with very different career goals. These people are now my friends and we build on each other’s knowledge and abilities. It’s exactly what I’d hoped for. Question 2: Have you ever had an “ah-ha” moment about being out in the workplace and why its important to you? AS: I wouldn’t say there was an “ah-ha” moment per se, but I definitely had a realization a few years before starting my MBA that I could get more involved in the community and benefit from it. Being out became part of my brand and it helped me in so many ways. I wasn’t always proud of self-identifying as LGBTQ but I have done a pretty big pivot in that regard. I now realize that sexual orientation and gender identity journeys increase one’s self-awareness and respect for diversity, both crucial in business! Question 3: What do you value the most about your MBA experience so far? AS: The people I’ve met. In my first year, I wanted to meet as many people as I could. It was a strategy of going broad. I went to several events that put me outside my comfort zone to meet and interact. In my second year, I am less focused on creating new bonds and more focused on strengthening existing bonds. I want to invest my time and energy on building lasting friendships. Question 4: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? AS: Working less hours a day! Spending time with my kids. Professionally, I want to be doing a number of projects – whether part of a big organization or smaller company. I want a flexible professional life that allows me to touch on different industries or projects on a regular basis. Including nonprofit! I recently founded a nonprofit to fund business studies for trans and gender non-binary students. The pipeline of self-identified genderqueer applicants is very low, so there is a lot of work to be done. I hope to continue working on that in the future. [Stay tuned for a future feature on Albert’s charity!] Question 5: Favourite ice cream flavour and why? AS: Ohhhh hazelnut! I used to hate it as a kid but my dad would order it all the time - I was against everything that my dad did back then. Years later I found out that my mom liked it too and then I gave it another try and found that I loved it! There’s this place in New York called Eataly with homemade  nocciola gelato. It’s my third favorite thing in the world - after my husband Anthony, and Beyoncé. Paul Aziz, MBA 2018 Question 1: Why MBA? PA: For me it was very simple. Having spent almost a decade trying to fall in love with finance - flirting with everything from hedge funds to internal strategy consulting and corporate to private banking and everywhere from London to HK and Switzerland - I realised that it wasn't going to happen, that I wasn't getting any younger and that I needed to find a career that I could get really excited and passionate about. I felt that an MBA was the best way to get some time, the headspace and the support to work out what path to follow next. Question 2: Have you ever had an “ah-ha” moment about being out in the workplace and why its important to you? PA: No ah-ha moments for me.....but with hindsight it's super clear that I've been happiest at work and formed much healthier and enjoyable relationships (with colleagues, clients, everyone) the more I've been myself in the workplace. Question 3: What do you value the most about your MBA experience so far? PA: The flexibility to make it your own and get what you need out of it - you can geek out 24 hours a day, party your socks off, juggle three internships, take the time to re-connect with family and friends...or some combination of them all. Question 4: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? PA: Back at LBS talking about the successful exit from my first wellness venture...and getting excited about my next. Back up plan: house husband... Question 5: Favourite ice cream flavour and why? PA: Anything from Gelupo. Just go. In the news Women-only Cambridge college to allow students who 'identify as female' Murray Edwards College admissions policy change welcomed by gender diversity campaigners but decried by some feminists. Announcing its change Dame Barbara Stocking, the president of Murray Edwards College, said: “We are a college that is open to all outstanding young women and so it is absolutely right, both legally and within our set of values, for anyone who identifies as female to be able to apply to study with us. “There is now a greater understanding of the complexities of gender. In order that we remain true to our mission of being open to all outstanding young women we recognise that it is right for anyone who identifies as female, regardless of their born gender, to be able to apply to study with us.” Read the full Guardian article here: Link