Launch provides voice for minority

Mar 1 2008 by Audrey Barton, The Journal

THE lesbian and gay community has been given a stronger voice in the North East with the launch of a new campaigning federation.

The start of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Federation NE is a landmark for the community and aims to raise awareness of issues affecting 10% of the region’s population.

Coun Nick Forbes, leader of the Labour opposition at Newcastle City Council, helped to launch LGBT Federation NE which aims to increase awareness of social and professional needs.

The federation has been set up in association with Coalition for Action on Diversity and Equality (CADE) which is made up of voluntary sector organisations from six equality strands – race, gender, sexuality, age, faith and disability.

Coun Forbes said: “The community voice will enable people to raise various key issues, for example, the LGBT community often feels it receives second rate services.

“It is really important there’s a strong voice that challenges those service providers to improve the situation and to ensure the peoples’ common needs are met...”

He continued: “The Pink Pound is becoming increasingly important to the regional economy; adding real strength to the case for the North East being recognised as a cultural capital.”