Aurora Meeting 9th February 2006
at 7pm in Croydon Town Hall
The meeting included members of Croydon LGBT Forum, CAGS and New Addington/Fieldway Safer Neighbourhoods Team.
Moslem members
We are engaged in a discussions with a gay Muslim group, and we are invited to take part on their message board in order to attract Muslim members.
Community Safety Unit Report
- One of the incidents from last meeting has developed, but this
is inconclusive.
- On the 13th January a Pollice Community Support Officer was
verbally abused as a gay man. As a witness denied this the next
day it was one person's word against another so no further action
was taken.
- At night, on the 23rd January a what seems to be a deliberate
attempt to set fire to dwelling while a gay couple was asleep
was avoided only because the couple woke up. Enquiries are continuing
with a group of people who have a long history of homophobic attacks
against this couple. The situation has been exacerbated by the
report in the Addington edition of the Croydon Advertiser which
gave personal details thus threatening them further and making
them targets for further attacks. The police had already done
a lot on this and community members agreed to follow up some other
aspects after the meeting.
- The ealier incident in which two transwomen were harrassed in a
Tesco supermarket was raised, with the question, What
can ordinary people do to defend themselves when they can't strike
first and can't carry any weapon? We had already discussed
whether it was possible to provide useful safety guidelines for transpeople.
Simon had provided a couple of standard safety booklets on the recommendation
of one transwoman, and it was agreed that the Transgender Working
Party and TransPol-UK would be asked to actively study this issue
further based on existing guidelines.
The question of using weapons for self defence had been raised in the initial question on this topic, and many people were concerned at the increase in serious injury resulting from the increased use of offensive weapons. The injury is often caused to innocent people. Also you are more likely to be targeted with weapons if people think you are armed.
Police members stressed that carrying weapons is not permitted. It's okay to use ordinary objects such as umbrellas “instant defence”, but these could still be classed as an 'offensive weapon'. You can strike first.
Gay-to-Z
The Gay-to-Z website has been advertising Croydon cruising grounds unwisely. We have contacted the webmaster, who has asked us to suggest how this can be done better.
Stonewall Project on anti-gay bullying
It is now confirmed that Stonewall's video is aimed at adults and not children, so, as agreed last meeting, we need take no further action.
Publicity Working Party
i) The WP did not meet as so many members were unable to attend. A fresh meeting will be arranged.
ii) The 'Visible' magazine. Simon passed his article on the development of Aurora for futher historical information.
iii) We are seeking pictures of representative people for the leaflet to publicise Aurora, in order to save money on the fees from standard photographic agencies for using their photographs.
Transgender Working Party
i) It was suggested that local supermarkets and other retailers could be asked about their policy on the use of public toilets on their premises, and from there make national enquiries. Mischa suggested that TransPol might like to ask about the supermarket's national policies on this matter.
ii) Meeting with Carl Wonfor and Dee Caryl. After a short discussion the police had agreed to endorse the “Which Loo” text. The police pointed out that the page of stories did not have examples from 2005 and 2006. The Aurora representatives agreed, and undertook to try to find more recent examples. The question of the design of public toilets was mentioned. The Working Party had done some work on this. Guy Osland said that if the information was sent to him he would forward it.
Procedures Working Party
One reason to produce the procedures documents was that we may need to apply for charitable status in order to secure funding and to be seen as open and balanced in the way we try to represent lgbt people. There was frustration at the inordinate amount of time already devoted to the procedures, and if we do not make progress on this soon it was suggested that we should spend our time on other matters. The proposed final version had been circulated and for consultation. Detailed amendments had been made and these were all formally accepted.d amendments were made and d. Simon said that the police felt that the idea of co-chairs would be difficult to work. This gave rise to discussions of one way but it was not possible to rework the document at the meeting, so it went back to the Procedures Working Party to address the problem. Further suggestions will be considered by the WP which will report to the next Aurora meeting.
Use of the Internet Working Party
The website is developing and comments are invited. We expect very soon to have a secure text box on the website so people can contact us on sensitive issues. The e-group has accepted two new members who are from outside the area, but have a lot to offer, and the meeting ratified the decision to accept them. The e-newsletter is not yet implemented.
Anonymous Internet Reporting
it was agreed that this should be implemented by a body outside of Aurora. Reasons for and against a local reporting scheme. Document on the value of a such a scheme
Any Other Business
Six lgbt liaison officers-to-be have been recruited, but there is difficulty in organizing sensitivity training for them.
Jeff Wade said that he hopes he will be allocated one day a week dedicated to lgbt work. Jeff said his library surgeries will be replaced by the service to arrange a personal surgery on demand for individual people's convenience. This will greatly help people who can't get to the library on the date and time specified. The situation will be reviewed periodically. Contact details will be published in both the local and gay press.
Mischa suggested that community members could have a role in sensitivity training, and members offered their services. Simon will report back to the next meeting.
We were worried at the delay with which witnesses to LGBT hate crime are sought. After a week or two witnesses will have forgotten details by the time they see the request.
National Consortium
We have now sent off the application to join the National Consortium of LGBT Voluntary and Community Organisations.
IDAHO
For Internationa Day Against HOmphobia on May 17th we shall have a short presentation at the beginning of the meeting showcasing half a dozen token victims (internationally) followed by a minute's silence, and then a few words on local issues. We need props and photographs as we need to provide suitable photographs for the press. We are still asking for contact details of other lgbt policing groups and ideas for people to showcase.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 29th March.
The meeting closed at 21:10.