New Website and New Podcast!

Hi All,

Its been a busy week,we now have a new website up and running, with funky new colours, still working on the people pages and events, but have a look and tell me what you think: http://www.queer-fm.com

New Podcast about International Women’s Day from the event at The Fox, and Birmingham’s LGBT community trust seminar.

Let me know what you think about both by posting on our Facebook fan page and tell all your friends about us, the more people interested the more content we can make for you,

If you have an interesting story, group, club or anything that you want to tell us about please email info@queer-fm.com

That’s all

Love Queer FM xx

Gay chatroom date turned out to be muggers

from news.PinkPaper.com

Muggers used a gay internet chat room to lure a Leicester man to a local park where they beat him up.

The victim agreed to meet a man he had spoken to on line to in the park in Burbage on Sunday evening but when he arrived he was confronted by a gang of four robbers who told him to hand over his money, and then attacked him.

They ran off empty-handed and the victim sought help from a nearby house.

Police said the 50-year-old man, who had head and facial injuries, later discovered his car, a red Ford Escort, had been vandalised.

Detective Constable Pete Watson said: "If you arrange to meet someone via an internet chat room you should never go alone – and always meet in a public place.

"It is appalling to think that this man was purposely targeted because of his sexual orientation and we want the suspects to know it is not something we will tolerate.

"We are determined to find those four men and are appealing to the public for their help.

"Following the assault, the occupants of two cars parked in the car park asked the victim if he was okay before driving off.

"If you were one of the occupants and can remember speaking to the victim, who had clearly been assaulted, please contact us."

Watson also urged residents in the Colts Close area where the park is located to contact the police on 0116 222 2222.if they saw the gang before or after the attack.

Police are not aware of any similar attacks but have urged anyone who has been targeted in the same way to contact them.

HIV Stigma Among Black Gays

HIV Stigma Among Black Gays  

from www.gayuknews.com

Thursday, 18 March 2010 10:06

In response to the high levels of stigma experienced by people with HIV, GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, has announced the launch of its anti-HIV stigma campaign targeted at African communities in London. The campaign was developed by Big Up, the Black gay men’s project at GMFA, which receives Big Lottery funding to create sexual health interventions for Black gay men in London.
The campaign, which will feature in tube stations in Central London, aims to create awareness of the impact of HIV-related stigma, which can lead to the isolation of HIV-positive people in their communities, as well as deter people from getting tested for HIV or having access to the treatment they might need.
Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, says: “HIV carries a high burden of stigma. Stigmatisation of HIV makes it more difficult for positive people to discuss HIV with their sexual partners and can discourage people from testing or seeking medical help. In these ways, HIV stigma perpetuates and exacerbates an environment that makes HIV transmission more likely.”

HIV stigma can have a significant impact on individuals’ lives and choices. A study investigating the experiences of people living with HIV in the UK found that just under a quarter had experienced discrimination within the previous year while accessing services, social settings and in public.1 Moreover, a study focussing on African people living with HIV in the UK revealed that over one third had experienced problems with discrimination in the previous year. This same study revealed that just under half of African people with HIV had not revealed their diagnosis to anyone they lived with, two thirds had not told their employers and a quarter had not told their GP.2
Some evidence also suggests that Black gay men, one of the key target groups for this campaign, are particularly at risk of HIV. When compared to other ethnic groups in the UK, Black men who sleep with men are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV (13.4% compared to 10% White British gay men).3
Featuring the headline “HIV is a virus. It has no race, gender or sexuality”, the campaign will appear as posters in tube stations throughout Central London, and will also be distributed through commercial operators and faith-based institutions in London’s African communities.
Matthew adds: “HIV-related stigma is experienced around the world. All too often, people with HIV are blamed for their status and have to cope with rejection or vilification. Challenging and rejecting stigma leads to stronger and healthier communities.”

International Womens Week!

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

The theme this year is Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all,

There are lots of events happening in all over Birmingaham, so why not get involved, Queer FM will be there to celebrate at two events:



Join us at The FOX to celebrate International Women's Day in Birmingham with a fantastic line up of female talent

Comedy from Barbara Nice
Rap from Sykes
Vocals from Rose Grigg
Lance M Good (Drag King)
Poetry from Karen Eastwood
Vocals from Claudia Jessie
Poetry from Leeanne Stoddart
Vocals from Keri Underwood
Rock duo DRAG Stripped

Doors open at 4.30pm - Free Buffet - £2 on the door goes to local LGBT womens groups



Birmingham LGBT Community Trust has organised a day of workshops, performances and networking on Saturday 13 March, to celebrate International Women’s Day.

The free event will be held at the Birmingham and Midland Institute, Margaret Street and includes lunch and refreshments.

Workshops include: Assertiveness, Women’s Safety with giveaways (West Midlands Police), Women’s Safer Sex (Terrence Higgins Trust), Performance Poetry with Sophia Blackwell, ‘Celebrating the Women in our Lives’ - a photographic art project Sue Davies - and Women’s assertiveness with Steph Keeble. The day will end with a performance from lesbian performance poet Sophia Blackwell.

Commenting on the event, Steph Keeble from the LGBT Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together the theme for the day is Celebrating Women and we invite you in sisterhood to celebrate International Women’s Day with us.”

To book a free place, contact booking@blgbt.org or call 0121 773 0633.



Queer FM will be at both events, to bring you the highlights of what happened, keep checking our podcasts to see what went on!

The hunt is on for volunteers to take part in the Gay Olympics

The hunt is on for volunteers to take part in the Gay Olympics: "Volunteers from around the world are currently being sought to become part of the globe's largest...

New gay club announced in Birmingham

New gay club announced in Birmingham: "Following weeks of speculation the owners of Eden Bar have confirmed their plans for a new gay nightclub"

Guardian: A ‘hideously diverse Britain’ where LGBT people “hold strong cards”

Guardian: A ‘hideously diverse Britain’ where LGBT people “hold strong cards”: "As part of his series for the Guardian entitled 'Hideously diverse Britain', Hugh Muir looks at how diversity and race impact on Britain today. This week he explores how minority groups 'hold strong cards'."