Keeping Safe – LGBT Foundation

Legal Surgeries

jbeesocope — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:55:58 +0000

Legal situations can be tricky and confusing but we know the right people who can help

We’ve all found ourselves in situations where we just don’t know where to start, and particularly when it comes to legal issues this can be overwhelming. That’s why we work with the solicitor firms Sinclair Law and Slater Heelis to offer you free 30 minute advice sessions.

You may want to instruct these firms directly to work with you after that session, and they will always let them know what the charges are going to be in advance.

In need of some help?

If this is something you want to access then you just need to give us some more info and we’ll pass it along for them to get in touch.

ACCESS THIS SERVICE

But you might find the answers here!

We’re building a database of FAQs and support documents to help guide you through some of the situations our community members can find themselves in, and with the help of DLA Piper and Slee Blackwell we’ve put these together.

HELP AND ADVICE

Community Safety

jbeesocope — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:17:20 +0000

We’re here for our LGBTQ+ communities when things aren’t going so well.
Your safety is always important to us.

For any enquiries or support with making a referral:
Email: communitysafety@lgbt.foundation |
Telephone: 0345 3 30 30 30

Who is this service for?

Our community safety team is for anyone who needs some help, support, or signposting in a tough time.

Whether you’ve been a victim of crime or need some advice in a difficult situation, we can try to get you the right support from the right people in a number ways. It might be through our legal surgery, it might be through Coffee with a Cop, or it might just be pointing you in the right direction.

How we can help you

VILLAGE ANGELS

Our Village Angels are a group of volunteers patrolling the streets of Manchester on a weekend to keep you safe; find outmore about the project and the iconic pink high vis!

HATE CRIME REPORTING

It’s sad that the LGBTQ+ community still faces prejudice in everyday life; we have advice available if you’ve been a victim of hate crime, or if you’ve witnessed one. We’re also a third party hate crime reporting centre so we can support in reporting a hate crime or hate incident.

Coffee with a Cop

Alongside Greater Manchester Police we want to make sure that our community are able to easily and safely discuss their problems with an officer who is knowledgeable and sympathetic to the challenges our community can face. This drop-in service runs once a month as part of our super saturday, but get in touch if you can’t make it and we might still be able to help.

Legal SURGERIES

We work with a number of Solicitors to make sure that our service users get the best possible advice for their situation. We can arrange a free 30 minute call to advise you on your situation, and what your options are going forward.

Advice & Support

We’re gathering the best advice and FAQs we can about the situations people in our community face so that we can work through those challenges together. Take a look and see what’s helpful for your situation.

Contact us
Email: communitysafety@lgbt.foundation
Telephone: 0345 3 30 30 30

Hate Crime Reporting

jbeesocope — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 17:12:52 +0000

Hate crime in the UK is on the rise.

Experiencing hate crime can be traumatic. Our services are there to support you from healing to reporting.

Hate crimes occur in many forms. They can be assault, harassment or abuse and can happen online or in person. All hate crimes are motivated by a prejudice towards a person’s race, sexual orientation, religion, disability or trans status. Despite much progress in changing societal attitudes, LGBT people still experience hate crimes at alarming rates.

Despite victims increasingly coming forward, more needs to be done to ensure the LGBT community are reporting incidents. YouGov data shows that four in five anti-LGBT hate crimes and incidents go unreported, with young people particularly reluctant to report their experiences to police. Reporting rates are increasing but still dangerously low. LGBT Foundation are working to increase awareness of hate crimes and encourage victims and witnesses to come forward.

Below you can find information and advice on reporting hate crime.

When does a hate crime occur?

An LGBT hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived to be motivated by hostility towards sexual orientation or trans status (or perceived sexual orientation/trans status).

A guide to reporting LGBTQ-phobic hate crime

There are many reasons why people don’t report hate crimes, these include; mistrust in the authorities, not understanding what outcome reporting could have and even not understanding what a hate crime is.

In our guide to reporting LGBTphobic hate crime, you can find out what the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident is, learn about hate crime legislation and how to report hate crime anonymously.

DOWNLOAD OUR GUIDE

What is LGBTQ-phobia?

LGBTphobia is an umbrella term for hatred of or discrimination against an individual based upon their sexuality or gender identity. Homophobia is the fear or dislike of someone, based on prejudice or negative viewpoints towards lesbian, gay or bi people.

Homophobic bullying may be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bi. Biphobia is the fear or dislike of someone who identifies as bi based on prejudice or negative attitudes against bi people. Biphobic bullying may be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, bi. Transphobia is the fear or dislike of someone based on the fact they are trans, including the denial/refusal to accept their gender identity.

HELP! I’VE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION

It is important to not place yourself in any danger, even if a stranger or a neighbour discriminates against you based on your sexuality or gender identity.

If you are in immediate danger, it is important to call 999 and speak to the police immediately.

If a hate crime or hate incident happens to you and you are not in danger, makes as many notes about details and times in the moment as is possible then you can report through LGBT Foundation and we act as a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre.

How do I report with LGBT Foundation?

Whether you experienced discrimination on the street, in your workplace or by people close to you – it’s not okay.

LGBT Foundation is a 3rd Party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. This means you can report the hate crime you experienced to us, anonymously if you wish.

If you need support please call our helpline on 03453 30 30 30.

Village Angels: Getting you home safe since 2011

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:32:15 +0000

Manchester’s Gay Village is iconic and it’s a vital part of our community, we’re proud to keep it safe!

Our Village Angels make sure that everyone gets to have a great night out and stay safe.

That’s the part our Village Angels play. They’re not there to ruin anyone’s fun, but to make sure that nothing else gets in the way of it.

At this point, their bright pink high-vis vests have become as iconic as the venues themselves, and we’re so proud of all the work they do to support members of our community when they need it the most.

If you ever find yourself needing support while you’re out in the Village, all you need to do is find an Angel.

WHO ARE THEY?

Our Angels are a team made up of mostly volunteers, who are either members of the LGBTQ+ community themselves or visible allies. They come from all different backgrounds and professions and have so much experience between them. But the one thing that unites them is that they want to help our community stay safe.

The Angels have so many different skills, from first aid training to the ability to support in a mental health crisis, they’re trained in water safety, and even have the knowledge to act as Village tour guides if you’re a bit lost. Above all, they’re a friend when you need it and they’re always happy to help.

WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

Anything can happen on a night out, and in the past few months, they’ve helped people with injuries, or who’ve suffered hate crime. They’ve supported people who’ve been spiked, and people who’ve had their phones stolen.

They’ve seen people who’ve been separated from their friends, and who couldn’t get home. They’ve even seen people who just got a little overwhelmed, either because of what was going on in their life or because of the bright lights and energy of the Village itself.

They’re there because you deserve a safe space to enjoy yourself and everyone deserves to celebrate queer joy.

WHERE DO I FIND THEM?

They’re out every Friday and Saturday night until 3am around the Village – spot the bright pink high-vis – and they also have the Village Haven on Bloom Street.

The Angels are part of a huge community in the Village. They work with the emergency services, as well as Greater Manchester Combined Authority. They have great relationships with venues and can be contacted by door staff whenever they’re needed.

It’s thanks to these connections that the Angels have helped over 350 people get home safely and interacted with over 10,000 people in the Village in the last six months.

The Village Haven can be found on 45 Bloom Street every Friday and Saturday night, where you can go if you need some support from an Angel until 3am.

The Village Angels can only continue to support our community because of the hard work of volunteers; if this is something you think you can be involved in please apply.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES