Homotopia: a celebration of queer culture in Liverpool

[belfastuniguy]

To most gay men Homotopia is irrelevant.

This is very important.

In my own experience, Belfast does not have a 'gay area', there is an area where a few gay venues are located, but there is no residential and generally not that busy during the day, it only takes off at night and even then it's primarily confined to the bars/clubs.

It's also very important to note that not all gay men want to be 'confined' to a gay area or indeed go to gay bars. I did the gay bar thing for a couple of years (I'm 23), I go now and then, generally with a big and mixed crowd for a fun night.

Usually I however prefer 'st8' bars and cubs as the crowd is mixed and the atmosphere is great.


That's not to say I don't approve of such things or the promotion of gay culture and entertainment. I fully support it, I also stress the need for greater awareness and education on gay issues that in part could help with debunking gay 'myths' and unfounded bullshit.

There will always be vicious bastards that are homophobic, racist, sexist or whatever else. The best thing a city like Liverpool and indeed Derry here in NI can do is address the issues and not allow it to tarnish their image. The very fact this young man was an openly gay police traniee is a good example of how far parts of society have come.

I wish him and his family all the best in moving forward.

[Paul D]

They're all just cowards and have singled him out because they held the upper hand i.e they had the numbers,these shitbags would've kicked the shit out of someone else if he hadn't come along first,I hate bullying and that's what it is,an extreme form of bullying.Given the same option and equal numbers and they'd have walked on by,maybe with a bit of verbal abuse.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by rolybling

But it's not the schools job to do that. The schools job is to make sure little Kylie or Romeo are equipt intellectually for the life they have ahead of them, schools are not there as a safety net for kids who's families don't give a shit. You point out that there are families in poorer areas who somehow manage to bring their kids up right and those that don't. Why is that so? What is it that seperates the two? Parenting that's what.

Some parents just don't care, they see their kids as an inconvenience, they'd rather be out in the clubs themselves than looking after kids. You can't blame the schools for kids going astray, ultimately it's the parents responsibility.

Where are you deriving your notions about what schools are for from? Schools exist to socialise children as well as to educate them - presumably that's why they have special behaviour units for disruptive children and assorted behavioural management programmes for kids who don't need to be removed from everyday schooling?

Demonising so-called 'shit families' doesn't help much either. Treating the symptom (behaviour) and not the cause (ignorance, lack of self-control, irresponsibility, lack of opportunity etc) doesn't help much. It's easy to hate and it always has a nasty end as this attack on James illustrates.

In terms of the recent attack, schools having a zero tolerance policy towards homophobia is part of the solution because, sadly, too many parents turn a blind eye to it at home.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by Medici

I'm sorry Babaloo but if being Gay is not to be confined to a dreary gay bar,its not confimed to Homotopia.There are many more 'gay' men who would rather watch the footy than an evening with April Ashley (however worthy her life may be). To most gay men Homotopia is irrelevant.

Homotopia is the umbrella organisation out of which this Sunday's vigil and a march against homophobia at the end of next month have emerged. Currently its facebook page is being used as a notice board for people responding to homophobic attacks in Liverpool. In this context, I'm not sure how you can see it as irrelevant to the lives of gay men in Liverpool. I would have thought that it was very relevant.

I take your point that footy-loving gay men might prefer to stay at home to watch football than glory in the presence of the divine Ms Ashley but April Ashley's appearance at last year's Homotopia was only one of several dozen items on offer and it wasn't aimed at 'gay men' - nor is homotopia. I guess 'gay men' are as likely to go to cultural events any other group but given the ongoing success of homotopia in such a short time a lot of people seem to be enjoying its offer.

Also, homotopia isn't just aimed at the gay community. At it's heart is the notion of 'queer' that involves a dissolving of labels and an embrace and celebration of difference.

You might want to flag it up to some of your footy-loving gay mates if they really haven't heard of it. Who knows - they find something that interests them apart from football.

[Babaloo]

There was an interesting report on C4 news last night about events in Liverpool. For some reason all the shots of people marching (in different places) emphasised drag queens!

Anyway, in terms of reports of homophobic attacks last year

London showed an 18% increase in self reports

Stratchclyde 35%

Merseyside 41%

and Greater Manchester 63%.

It was emphasised that most homophobic attacks are not reported so heaven only knows what the true figure is.

1 in 5 gay people claim to have been attacked at some point over the last three years for being gay according to some report mentioned.

Pete Price was also on the programme going on about how he is constantly the victim of homophobic remarks wherever he goes.

[Babaloo]

Gay policeman James Parkes beaten in Liverpool homophobic attack speaks from hospital bed

Oct 28 2009 By Staff Reporter, TMNW



A ROOKIE police officer set upon in a vicious homophobic attack in Liverpool has spoken his first words to family and friends. But doctors have warned that PC James Parkes is still facing a crucial 24 hours with his condition said to be "serious but stable".

He has also briefly told investigating officers about the horrific attack that left him with multiple fractures to his skull and other serious head injuries. The hopeful news comes as his parents condemned the gang of youths thought to be responsible.

PC Parkes, 22, was off-duty when he was attacked by up to 20 youths in Stanley Street as he left Superstar Boudoir with three friends at 10pm on Sunday. In a statement, his parents Ann and Ron Parkes said: "We want to thank the investigation team for all the work they are doing to catch the people involved in this vicious attack. We are really grateful for all the support James has received since the attack, particularly from the gay community and the police. James has worked hard to serve the community over the last two years as a police community support officer and is very excited to be at the start of his career as a police officer. We cannot believe the ignorance of the young people who carried out the attack on someone who was just out on a night out with friends and had done nothing wrong. We are really keen the young people involved in the attack are brought to justice and would ask anyone who knows anything about the attack to contact the police."

Acting Chief Inspector Richard Carr, of Merseyside police, echoed Mr and Mrs Parkes’s plea for people to come forward.

He said: "I urge anybody with any information to contact the police. You can talk to us in complete confidence."

Since the attack, Liverpool’s gay community has rallied around and organised a march, which should take place late in November. Riverside MP Louise Ellman today called for an urgent meeting with Merseyside police, saying she would be taking the issue to home secretary Alan Johnson.

Mrs Ellman, who is Jewish, has herself been on the receiving end of hate crime. She said: "This was a horrifying and shameful attack and the perpetrators must be identified and swiftly brought to justice."

Six youths are currently on bail over the attack. Two males aged 14 and 17 and four aged 15, all from Kirkdale, were arrested on suspicion of assault and released on bail.

Call Merseyside police on 0151-777 4064; Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or Armistead on 0151-227 1931.

...

[interpreter]

The next most important thing is to get out there on Sunday evening.... then keep the momentum up for a march later on in November.... THAT is the most important thing right now.... prove to the types people who committed this act that we are not willing to be bullied and treated as non citizens...this is something for all fair minded people to join in... not just the Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual and Transgender community.

[Keayman]

Originally Posted by Medici

Ultimately I would like to see a pedestrianised and gentrified Stanley Street (perhaps a statue of Brian Epstein as a focal point) in which the estate agents and law firms had left and in its place gay businesses are established so that the community had a centre.

And which gay businesses would these be at the expense of 'none gay' businesses? Would they only employ gays. Isn't that a wee bit sensationalist, seperatist and downright illegal?

[Medici]

Originally Posted by Keayman

And which gay businesses would these be at the expense of 'none gay' businesses? Would they only employ gays. Isn't that a wee bit sensationalist, seperatist and downright illegal?

A bit of an odd post Ged considering you often talk sense? I can't envisage a situation where a businesss would only employ Gay people but I know nothing about business. I take your point about separatism, but if the straight community doesn't want that then they should fully accept gay people in their bars, imagine if I walked into Wetherspoons on Walton Road and kissed another man?

[design_man]

Does anyone know which local leaders have said they will be there on Sunday? Is Warren Bradley due to attend? And the two bishops? I think it's very important that there is leadership on this issue. I am lazy and unpolitical but I will be attending, because I think it's vital that as many people as possible show solidarity with the victims and on behalf of decency. Hopefully if this forum is anything to go by it will be a big statement by the city that hate isn't welcome.

[Medici]

well that's a very nice thing to do design man, and reminds us all this is not about villages, bars and quaarters but a terrible thing for that lad and his family.

I very much doubt though the 2 Bishops would be there. Homophobia is perfectly acceptable in the churches. Imagine Patrick Kelly at that vigil.

[Martin S]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

Where are you deriving your notions about what schools are for from? Schools exist to socialise children as well as to educate them - presumably that's why they have special behaviour units for disruptive children and assorted behavioural management programmes for kids who don't need to be removed from everyday schooling?

Demonising so-called 'shit families' doesn't help much either. Treating the symptom (behaviour) and not the cause (ignorance, lack of self-control, irresponsibility, lack of opportunity etc) doesn't help much. It's easy to hate and it always has a nasty end as this attack on James illustrates.

In terms of the recent attack, schools having a zero tolerance policy towards homophobia is part of the solution because, sadly, too many parents turn a blind eye to it at home.

Excellent post Babs. Whilst the behaviour of some people is despicable and incomprehensible you have to realise that these are human beings reacting to abuse, neglect and poor environments. People often respond negatively to gay men because they associate gayness with weakness and femininity - something they fear will be exposed in themselves.

[Keayman]

Originally Posted by Medici

A bit of an odd post Ged considering you often talk sense? I can't envisage a situation where a businesss would only employ Gay people but I know nothing about business. I take your point about separatism, but if the straight community doesn't want that then they should fully accept gay people in their bars, imagine if I walked into Wetherspoons on Walton Road and kissed another man?

Not really odd Medici. If I said all women's hairdressers or wool shops should get out of a place to aloow men only, or shops with black owners only allowed, or perhaps any other group exclusive to others there may be uproar. I don't expect to walk into a pub and see heterosexuals kissing either, I go there for a pint but this wasn't about bars it was about other legitimate businesses such as estate agents and solicitors getting out of an area they have a right to be in.

[Howie_P]

New York artist Laurie Lipton’s exhibition is part of Homotopia festival
Oct 28 2009
by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

LAURIE LIPTON’S provocative charcoal drawings are on display as part of the Homotopia Not Homophobia festival of gay culture, opening in Liverpool next week.

An exhibition of work by the New York artist, who has lived in London since 1986, will be held at Novas Contemporary Urban Centre from November 3-29. Her pictures are rendered in layers of graphite and charcoal, echoing the work of Bosch, Memling and Goya.

FURTHER details on the sixth annual Homotopia festival, expected to attract 10,000 visitors, at www.homotopia.net

Source: Liverpool Daily Post

[Splendidineogh]

Originally Posted by Martin S

Excellent post Babs. Whilst the behaviour of some people is despicable and incomprehensible you have to realise that these are human beings reacting to abuse, neglect and poor environments. People often respond negatively to gay men because they associate gayness with weakness and femininity - something they fear will be exposed in themselves.

It's amateur psychology time on SSC. Next you will be saying the prisons should be emptied and all the paedophiles, rapists, murderers, burglars and hooligans should be released, because it's unfair to demonise them. After all, the majority of them will have had some sort of crap upbringing, which wasn't their fault.

Whatever the reasons for a large group of youngsters deciding to stamp on an innocent man's head repeatedly until they almost murdered him, innocent and civilised people deserve to be able to exist without being attacked by such people.

We shouldn't demonise the people who have done this, but what exactly are we supposed to do? They are the way they are and that is that. They come from a long line of people who lack morals and decency, and a basic respect towards other human beings, which is what you are saying we should all have towards them.

I understand what you're saying, many of these "people" are a product of their upbringing. But so what? Yes, that is a shame and they have had rubbish parents (who in turn had rubbish parents and circumstances), but life is too short; there isn't enough time or money, or probably any way at all, to fix this growing problem of violent animals and make them behave properly. I see no other option than to pursue the sorts of policies Design-man referred to earlier. People who behave this way, and those reponsible for them, need to be persecuted, not respected. It is impossible to fix them, but if they are just left to carry on like this then more people will end up being brutally attacked. This sort of gang battering isn't exactly uncommon in Liverpool and I bet it is worse in Liverpool than many other places.

What if it is you who is battered to death next, or your wife, or husband, or civil partner? You will have been too busy dreaming up fantasies about how if we'd all just thrown a few more billions of New Deal at the culprits that they might have been less inclined to do these things. But you will probably just wish they had been dealt with properly, and not left to attack decent people trying to go about their lives.

What has happened to this gay man makes me sick. Imagine what it must be like for his family. I certainly won't be wandering round Liverpool again at night after reading this and other stories.

[design_man]

Originally Posted by Martin S

you have to realise that these are human beings reacting to abuse, neglect and poor environments.

Never has a generation had better housing, better health care, better education and more opportunities. Countless tax pounds have been lavished on these animals. They have had a better quality of life and better start in life than middle class people had a generation ago. You can guarantee they will come from "decent" homes in terms of the official definition of acceptable housing, will have had expensive help provided to keep them performing at school, and will have had every possible consideration shown to them to help them develop as decent citizens.

The individuals involved in this are spoiled, privelidged scum. Nothing changes them. All our tax pounds on them and their parents was wasted. They should now be terminated, to save everyone further expense, suffering and trouble.

[Villiers Terrace]

Originally Posted by Medici

There is a serious disconnect between some of the youths in Liverpool and any notion of civilised standards of behaviour.

A social blight shared by the rest of the country, and, in many cases, possibly even more acute.

Specifically In terms of homophobic murders in London, I can, just from the top of my head, remember at least two in very recent past: two weeks ago a man was homophobically abused and murdered stepping off a bus at Trafalgar Square by two girls and a male; and, three years or so ago, another gay man was murdered by a gang as he made his way home from Soho along the Southbank (indeed he himself had been a survivor of the worst homphobic attack of all when the Admiral Duncan pub in Compton St. Soho was bombed by the "nail bomber" of ten years ago).

There have been others.

[Howie_P]

Liverpool's gay arts festival kicks off next week
By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • October 29, 2009 - 13:05



Homotopia, Liverpool's annual lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans festival, begins next week.

It usually focuses on theatre, comedy, literature and debate but this year, organisers are emphasising the impact of homophobic hate crime with the strapline 'Homotopia not homophobia'.

In the last 18 months, Liverpool has seen the death of one gay man, Michael Causer, while trainee policeman James Parkes is still recovering in hospital from a homophobic gang attack.

Gary Everett, artistic director of Homotopia, told PinkNews.co.uk: "We've always done social justice work but we decided in April – when we organised a trip for a group of gay youths to visit Poland and Auschwitz that we would focus more on it. We've been looking at the history of lesbians and gays and how they were treated in the Holocaust, along with the rise of homophobic hate crime in Europe and decided to consolidate a year's work.

"The social justice aspect has always been quite latent in the festival but we didn't know we would start it this year with the assault on that young policeman which was a shocking attack. It's very spooky."

Everett said the highlights of this year's festival would be an appearance from lesbian author Sarah Waters, a launch from American artist Laurie Lipton and a world premiere of a play about Charles Hawtrey.

There will also be a screening of ‘Invisible Death Of Michael’, a film about the media coverage of Michael Causer.

Homotopia launches on Sunday and will run for a month until Monday November 30th.

The full programme can be viewed here in PDF format.

Source: Pink News

[watto1986]

I find it worrying that many of these attacks are so premeditated, instances of 'homophobes' posing as gay men in gay clubs for example, only to find victim who they then lead to secluded area/back to a property.. only to attack or murder them.

The guy who played Fred Elliot in corrie was famously a victim of this.

i watched an excellent channel 4 film only the other week called 'Clapham Junction'
largely based around the homophobic encounters of several gay men over a short period.
based on the 2005 homophobic murder of Jody Dobrowski.

on 4OD http://www.channel4.com/programmes/clapham-junction/4od worth a watch

[Dreamer]

Well I hope this doesnt put people going out and being themselves, dont let the scum win. Looking to have more gay mates, so let me know if you wanna go out, we could alll meet up?