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KiS and rukus! Federation will be hosting their joint Winter Warmer on Wednesday 14 December at 6pm Venue: The Circus Space, Coronet Street, London N1 6HD Details:
The survey for funded groups is here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/kairosinsoho-almanac2ndedition The survey for unfunded groups is here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/kairosinsoho-almanac2ndeditionunfunded
London LGBT Learning Event: Speaker's/Signer's Corner Wednesday 8 February 2012 - 5.15 to 9.15pm Venue: Graeae Theatre Company This Learning Event will celebrate the diverse range of work carried out by LGBT organisers across London with contributions from UK Black Pride - Phyll Opoku-Gyimah; GFEST - Niranjan Kamatkar; REAP - Poornima Karnuadadacharan; Regard - Ju Gosling; Bisexual Index - Marcus Morgan; T-House - Jael Sade Townsend Marrett; Imaan - Yusuf Gojikian; Deaf Leather Bear Group - Philip Nix; Out for Our Children - We are Family Animation. Foroyaa will perform and there will be many opportunities for sharing stories and developing and building relationships. We aim to maintain an equalities focus throughout. Hot food from Chennai Dosa will be available from 5.15pm Who the event is for: The target audience is diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender organisers in independent and mainstream LGBT organisations, and invited representatives from funders and infrastructure organisations. Booking essential by 4th February 2012. Please book here
Preparation for the London LGBT Almanac 2nd Edition is underway. This year we aim to have even more LGBT groups and projects take part, particularly diverse grassroots groups. The next edition will have special sections on LGBT volunteering and activism experiences and on heritage and diverse lesbian, bisexual and trans women's organising. The Almanac Questionnaire and Wiki will be available soon.
Tuesday 13 September 2011 5.15pm to 9.15pm (full programme below). Venue: The Graeae Theatre Company, This event will explore practice issues arising from the Almanac findings and in particular, provide an opportunity for creative discussion and learning around:
We aim to maintain an equalities focus throughout the event and workshops and provide networking and relationship building opportunities **Gilly Green, Head of Grants, Comic Relief** ** Preview event for the upcoming LGBT Volunteering Awards** Who the event is for: The target audience for this event is diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender organisers in independent and mainstream LGBT organisations, and invited representatives from funders and infrastructure organisations. Booking essential by 30 August 2011 Full programme 5.15 - 6.00: Registration and hot food Find out more about the background to In Our Name here
2 February 2011 Graeae Theatre Company The aim of the Learning Network, one of six components of the five year In Our Name (ION) project, is to provide opportunities for participants to learn and mutually inform, to work together, and to develop and reflect on practice. It does this through: providing regular opportunities for the diverse LGBT sector to meet and become familiar with each other's work; providing a space for support and opportunities for extending knowledge, learning and critical thinking; developing work around areas of common interest; and facilitating knowledge sharing between organisations, so that we are collectively and individually better able to deliver against mission. Event Aims The aims of the Trans Equalities Learning Network meeting were to: increase understanding of Trans equality issues; explore ways in which LGBT VCOs can become more Trans inclusive; and provide opportunities for LGBT VCOs to network and share information about their current work in this regard. LGBT VCOs had expressed an interest in extending their understanding of Trans equalities. At previous meetings of the Learning Network participants have explored gender, race and disability. Trans activists and organisations participated in the design and delivery of the event. There were 29 delegates at the event, representing 23 organisations. These organisations serve Trans youth, LGBT people, D/deaf LGBT people, LGBT Christians, LGBT 16 -25 year olds who are homeless or in crisis, transgender children, teenagers and their families, LGBT asylum seekers and refugees, and LGBT mental health service users. The event opened with a networking activity, facilitated by Jay Stewart from Gendered Intelligence, encouraging participants to explore gender identity, gender variance and the gender binary. Ben Gooch, Coordinator of the Shine Project at Galop, delivered a presentation that described the steps taken by Galop to become more Trans inclusive. Ben introduced ten actions organisations could take in order to become more Trans inclusive. Participants then watched three interviews from the film eStill Blackf by Kortney Ryan Zeigler, which documents the experience of Black Trans men in the US. Participants then chose from the following workshops to attend:
Workshop Insights
Feedback on the Day "Good event, really enjoyed it, nice to see such a diverse group of people, the topic was very relevant" "It would have been worthwhile being longer, maybe spread over two days, to gain more understanding" "Felt heard" "The presence and use of BSL interpreters was excellent" Next Steps Some suggestions currently being explored for future development include:
KiS will explore these suggestions with ION participants and ensure that Trans issues remain firmly on the agenda of the Learning Network 24 November 2010 Graeae Theatre Company The Funding Network is part of the In Our Name (ION) project, which provides a unique form of support and infrastructure between organisations that are working on LGBT issues in London. The aim of the Funding Network is to influence the financial situation of LGBT VCOs, supporting the overall funding situation of the sector through joint initiatives within an overall funding strategy. The aims of the 'Improving Funding' meeting included exploring a range of funding issues pertinent to the sector and ensuring that equality and diversity are integral to the work of the network. The meeting was attended by 36 delegates, representing 33 organisations. Of these organisations 30 were LGBT voluntary and community organisations (VCOs), one was an LGBT project based in a mainstream organisation and two were borough-based forums/networks. In terms of diversity, of the 30 LGBT VCOs, four specifically represent trans people; two represent BAME LGBT people; four represent D/deaf LGBT people; two represent LGBT young people; one represents disabled LGBT people; and two represent LGBT people with mental health issues. Approximately 65% of organisations are funded and 35% are unfunded. The introduction included reflections on the funding environment for diverse LGBT VCOs, specifically drawing from the history of a number of funding and infrastructure related reports. The statistics and analysis from the funding and finance section of the London LGBT Almanac were presented to the meeting; they provided the context for the day. There was a short presentation regarding funding strategy, and six core components of a strategy were presented as a framework for the day's work. These components arose from early funding network development, and the July 2010 Funding Network event, as follows:
The day's first workshops encouraged open discussion regarding the funding priorities for the LGBT sector and for the individual LGBT VCOs. Many suggestions understandably over-lapped. The most popular of these priorities were then taken forward into the afternoon workshops as follows: exploring a sector skills exchange scheme; collective influencing and lobbying of funders; sharing back office resources; supporting diverse partnership development, joint funding initiatives. During the long lunch break the event incorporated a Knowledge Cafe with funders from Help a London Child, Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund, The City Bridge Trust, Comic Relief, Trust for London and UnLtd. Each gave information about their respective grant programmes and engaged in conversations with groups about their work and potential for support. In addition, three funding advisors conducted one to one funding advice sessions with representatives from six LGBT VCOs. Feedback from the participants about these sessions was very positive and this is something we will be taking forward. Sara Llewellin, Chief Executive of the Barrow Cadbury Trust, delivered the keynote speech in the afternoon. Sara reflected on her background in activism, long years of working in the voluntary and community sector, and her more recent move to 'the other side of the fence' in terms of working as a funder. Sara also shared that the Almanac reveals the LGBT community sector to have lone positive voices in the current 'doom and gloom'. She also presented her ten recommendations for thriving in the current climate: support key advocates, get behind each other and put minor differences to one side; build broad alliances; keep up the media work and positive communications; don't lose sight of the equality agenda; keep up the efforts to develop a good evidence base; keep up the pressure on funders; think hard about collaborative working, including cost savings; engage with 'Big Society' where it offers anything; and keep heart, keep positive. The meeting was closed by Tim Sigsworth from The Albert Kennedy Trust and Ajamu from rukus! Federation Ltd. Tim reflected on the changing funding profile of AKT, increasing achievement of funding, engagement in community fundraising and corporate support. Ajamu described rukus!'s aspirations for an entirely independent economy in order to continue to pursue their values and politically driven community engagement. Both presented the unique approaches to fundraising used by their respective organisations. Feedback from the Day The event had a good energy - quite calm and unpaniced, as well as vibrant and enthusiastic. I appreciated the possibility to talk to other groups so future partnerships will be more diverse. This was an incredibly informative day and everyone was really friendly. My main take away is actually hope and potential that it is possible to not only survive but thrive in these uncertain times! Next Steps KiS is now producing a funding strategy document based on the suggestions and ideas from this meeting for organisations to consider, potentially support, and take forward. All of the ideas from both sets of workshops are currently being distilled into a draft sector funding strategy which incorporates the detailed findings of the Almanac. This work includes analysis of the details and practicalities of suggestions and resource implications. The work will then be circulated across the sector, re-prioritised and initiated by September 2011.
5:15 pm to 9:15pm (Full programme below)
A special meeting on the LGBT Learning Network is being dedicated to an investigation of the findings of the recently released London LGBT Almanac 1st Edition. The meeting is targeted towards LGBT VCOs and also includes funders and infrastructure organisations. We will be celebrating all of our London organisations. Venue: The Graeae Theatre Company, Bradbury Studios, 138 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DY Read more and download the Almanac The session aims to celebrate the work carried out in LGBT voluntary and community organisations as reflected in the Almanac and to explore some of the findings and their implications for the sector. The target audience for this event is representatives from large and small voluntary and community organisations run by and for diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people and communities, for representatives from LGBT projects within mainstream services, and for invited funders and infrastructure organisations. In Our Name is a partnership project with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. Read more about In Our Name Booking essential including for workshops by 5 May 2011 Full programme 5.15pm Registration and hot delicious food from Jollof Pot
Find out more about the background to In Our Name here.
28 February 2011: Kairos in Soho (KiS) and the In Our Name project partners (London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre), are pleased to announce the release of the first edition of The London Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Voluntary and Community Sector Almanac. The Almanac is available here. LGBT organisations will receive a free hard copy of the Almanac in the post very soon. If you would like to order a hard copy for 25.00 please contact info@kairosinsoho.org.uk. The Almanac is a unique in-depth look at an equality voluntary and community sector, a sector with just 0.06% of London's total VCS income to serve and represent 10%i of its population. Drawing on earlier KiS researchii , it compares the LGBT sector pre and post a high point of legislative and policy attention to equality in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity. In showcasing the wealth of activities and services provided by diverse London LGBT organisations, the Almanac challenges the idea that independent equality sectors are losing relevance because public sector bodies have etaken equality on board.f LGBT organisations serve between a quarter and half of London's estimated LGBT population every year. The Almanac, which will be produced annually, also offers an important benchmark to critically examine the experience of marginal voluntary and community organisations that are heavily reliant on public sector funding, amidst economic change and political machination, and rhetoric of a 'Big Society'. Its findings will be relevant across the equality strands and for the voluntary and community sector as a whole. The Almanac provides strategic information about the LGBT voluntary and community sector in London, so that LGBT organisations can plan, develop, and collectively build a more nurturing, sustainable and inclusive environment for diverse LGBT community action and LGBT Londoners. The Almanac will enable LGBT organisations, together with supportive funders and infrastructure, to argue effectively for better resources. It contains a sector analysis, a 'who, what, when, where, why and how' of Londonfs LGBT organising; profiles of LGBT organisations; and insightful articles on community engagement written by prominent and experienced figures in the LGBT voluntary and activist community. Jane Standing, KiS CEO says, "The findings of the Almanac are astonishing and clear in describing a sector that stays positive despite working disproportionately hard to achieve massive amounts within a precarious and marginal economy. This annual publication will begin to act as an irrefutable benchmark to encourage diversification of that economy and increased external leverage across the board for better resources." Notes for editors: 1. The sample of the Almanac is made up of 89 organisations who, by self-definition, specifically serve or represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer people, and are based in or serve Greater London, and completed a questionnaire between July and September 2010. 2. Sixty-eight explicitly LGBT organisations that DO raise funds, from the total research sample of 89, are included in the finance sample. 3. The methodology is inclusive of all LGBT voluntary and community organising, from less formal community groups through to relatively large registered charities. 4. There was particular focus on including LGBT community of identity organisations (LGBT organisations working on specific equality issues, e.g. disability, race) in the research sample. 5. The Almanac is part of the In Our Name (ION) Infrastructure Project (2009-2014), a London lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) project managed by Kairos in Soho and delivered in partnership with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. ION is a unique infrastructure model developed within the community aiming to ensure that diverse LGBT voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) are supported to better deliver their missions. It aims to achieve the following:
i. Mayor of London (2008) The Mayor's Annual Equalities Report 2007/08. London: Greater London Authority. ii. Kairos in Soho (2007) PiP: London's lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender voluntary sector infrastructure project Phase One | Report. London: Kairos in Soho.
'Trans Equalities' deepening our understanding of the issues? This meeting of the In OUr Name Learning Network took place on Wednesday 2 February 2011 at the Graeae Theatre Company in Kingsland Road. The event explored what transphobia is and how LGBT VCOs could become more trans inclusive. It was attended by representatives from large and small voluntary and community organisations run by and for diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people, and communities and for representatives from LGBT projects within mainstream services. In Our Name is a partnership project with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. Find out more about the background to In Our Name here
On the 2nd December we had over 80 people joining us at Graeae theatre (despite freezing snow), to celebrate all the positive, creative connections that have been made across our diverse LGBT community during 2010. To start the evening guests were greeted with inspirational food from Jollof Pot, and a glass of warm winter punch to take the edge off the snowy night outside. There were performances across three spaces, with Isabel Ros Lopez and Naechane Valentino opening the night, performing in the Salon space. Isabel?s set included poetry and songs accompanied by classical guitar sung both in Spanish and English. Naechane performed two new songs, picking up the beat. Guests were led through to the main space by Foroyaa who performed an active and much enjoyed drumming set, with plenty of dancing in the audience. Guests were invited to put their wish for the year onto Diwali lanterns which were taken through to light the theatre space. Wishes included ?for London Councils to change their mind and save our sector?, ?for all hearing people to learn BSL next year, peace!?, ?for nothing to stem the freeflow of the future?, and ?to make life wonderful through art?. Catherine Brogan performed a brilliant spoken word set, followed by the widely acclaimed Deaf poet Richard Carter delivering his work through British Sign Language. Although Sandra Alland was unable to be there on the day, she kindly provided a copy of the video of her work ?Fingers? which was screened after Richard?s performance. KiS screened the film ?Dare to Dream?, for the first time; produced by Tanya Syed, the film documents last year?s Friend?s Event concerning LGBT space. Dean Atta gave performed a great set, including the poem ?Mother?s Tongue?. The snow had unfortunately prevented our final act, Jennifer John, arriving from Liverpool, but Isabel stepped in to sing us out with some more of her great poems and songs. Throughout the evening guests were invited to have a ?family photograph? taken by Ajamu X, with friends and colleagues, as well as partners and children, recognising and celebrating family for the night, and beyond. The photographs were projected in the theatre space, and are a warm testament to our diverse community. Thank you to all the people who volunteered their time to help make the event such a success. And it was great to see so many people make it down in spite of the weather. Here are some of the things people said about the event afterwards.
The Funding Network Day on 24 November 2010 involved 36 LGBT organisations working together for the first time on a joint funding strategy. Ashlee Christoffersen presented the funding and finance findings from the The London Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) Voluntary and Community Sector Almanac, 1st Edition, and the Network Meeting presented an opportunity to come together and work on a joint funding strategy that would potentially support the sector to identify new funding and diversify income streams. The Almanac provides the most up to date and accurate information about the LGBT sector in London and provided the background upon which participants considered strategy. The key note speakers, Sarah Llewellin from the Barrow Cadbury Trust pointed out that although times were proving difficult, the LGBT sector had proved to be resourceful and resilient in the past. Key findings and recommendations from the event will be presented shortly. The meeting was also attended and supported by the following funders: Help a London Child, Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund, The City Bridge Trust, Comic Relief, Trust for London and UnLtd who provided advice and information about their respective grant programmes. Read more about the funding Network here.
London Councils is currently consulting on proposals to cease funding to London’s voluntary sector a year ahead of committed funding agreements. A whole range of important LGBt and other voluntary organisations will be dramatically affected by this change concerning a source of funds that has supported equality work for a long time. Read the full press release here. If you would like to take part in the consultation, or contact councillors direct, please refer to the press release for the recommendations from LGBT charities. You can contact your local borough councillor and your local ward councillor. A full list of London's councillors is available (downloads an excel spreadsheet) here. Also respond to London Councils' own review here. To find out more about other organisations effected by the cuts visit the LVSC VSF website
Tuesday 21st September 2010 6:15 pm to 9:15 pm (Full programme below) It will be held in the South Bank Rooms at Coin Street neighbourhood centre, 108 Stamford Street, SE1 9NH This event will explore gender, race and disability issues from an LGBT perspective. In Our Name is a partnership project with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. The target audience for this event is representatives from large and small voluntary and community organisations run by and for diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people and communities and for representatives from LGBT projects within mainstream services. Booking essential by 16 September 2010 Full programme 6.15 - 6.45: Registration 6.45 - 7.30: Welcome Speakers address: "What are the pressing issues in terms of race/gender and disability in the LGBT sector?" Speakers 7.30 - 7.45: Comments and Observations 7.45 - 7.55: Break 8.00 - 9.00: Facilitated workshops, which will explore practical ways of becoming more disability, gender or race focused. Participants will attend one workshop on one equality strand. 9.05 - 9.15: Closing summary Building Knowledge Together Friday 18 June 2010 9:30 am to 1:30 pm (Full programme below) This event will facilitate discussions to collectively identify the learning priorities for the sector. The morning will consist of presentations, workshops, discussion and networking. This is a partnership project with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. The target audience for this event is representatives from large and small voluntary and community organisations run by and for diverse lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people and communities and for representatives from LGBT projects within mainstream services. Full programme 9.30 - 10.00: Breakfast and Registration 10.00 - 10.15: Welcome and Introduction - Jane Standing 10.15 -10.45: Networking Activity (By Popular Demand) 10.45 - 11.15: "How might the sector address its learning needs and aspirations in order to become more inclusive and more sustainable?' 11.15 - 11.30: Comments and Observations 11.30 - 11.45: Break 11.45 - 12.45: Facilitated Workshops 12.45: 1pm Closing Summary 1pm Lunch Find out more about the background to In Our Name here Kairos in Soho launched the In Our Name Partnership Project at South Bank University on 19 February 2010, a new four year project with London Friend, PACE and The Metro Centre, to support and strengthen LGBT voluntary and community organisations in London. The event was attended by representatives from the majority of the LGBT voluntary and community sector organisations in London. Representatives from the LGBT Forums were also in attendance. The participants made creative and constructive contributions which will inform the future development of the In Our Name Project; opportunities for networking and increasing understanding about the diversity of the sector were appreciated. Following from this event the Learning Network will hold its first meeting on 18 June 2010 and the Funding Network will meet in July 2010, date to be confirmed. A report of the event is available.
Kairos in Soho launches new four year partnership project with London Friend, PACE and The Metro Centre, to support and strengthen LGBT voluntary and community organisations in London. Launch Event 19 February 2010 This celebratory launch will provide information about the In Our Name (ION) Project and what it can offer LGBT organisations based in London. Funded until 2014 under the BIG Basis Programme, ION provides a significant opportunity for LGBT organisations to work collaboratively to improve the services provided to LGBT people in London, and to have a greater influence overall. This is a partnership project with London Friend, PACE and the Metro Centre. The target audience for this event is representatives from large and small voluntary and community organisations run by and for diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual and /or trans people and communities. Debbie Pippard - Big Lottery Fund Head of Region is the guest speaker. The programme will consist of presentation, workshops, discussion and networking to provide an opportunity for participants to get a real grasp of the project, raise questions and contribute to future developments. Date and time: February 19 9am to 1.30pm. Booking essential by 9 February 2010 Find out more about the background
Report from the evening: The People who Dared to Dream – Friends Event 2009
More acts to be announced!!! Not to be missed this year!!!!! Bush Hall, Shepherds Bush 6.30pm to midnight
In September 2009 KiS announced that 21st Century ERA Ltd is the successful Consultancy Team on the contract issued by Westminster City Council to deliver the Feasibility Study for significant LGBT space in Soho, London. 21st Century ERA Ltd will be working in collaboration with leading Architects Sheppard Robson. Kairos in Soho, Westminster City Council, 21st Century ERA and Sheppard Robson will work in partnership to deliver the study and report in early 2010 on the feasibility of this ground breaking project. The Friend's Event 2009 is a major opportunity to be involved in the thinking around this project. To become involved in the study please submit your details here
6 April 2009
17 March 2009 Today the Big Lottery Fund, aka BIG, announced a second significant award to Kairos in Soho. The grant will fund a four year project to build London LGBT communities and support individuals to engage more fully in the LGBT equality agenda in London. The title ‘Second Generation’ references the barriers the LGBT community faces in creating lasting community and supportive structures for those who are more marginalized and isolated, including people who are younger, migrant or alienated for a whole host of other reasons.
3 March 2009 This week the Big Lottery Fund awarded just under half a million pounds to Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Charity Kairos in Soho (KiS) to improve the support and representation of LGBT charities and community groups across London. The work will be delivered by a partnership of organisations managed by KiS that includes London Friend, the Metro Centre and PACE. The title of the project ‘In Our Name’ symbolises a move towards self organised support, with long-standing LGBT charities taking an active role in supporting and facilitating learning, development and sustainable change across the sector. Chief Executive Jane Standing said ‘...this is a defining moment. KiS has been exploring the unique and complex nature of the sector for some time. The support from Big Lottery Fund, through its BASIS programme, offers a unique opportunity to create a distinct London identity and work with a diverse and vibrant community to develop stronger services and have a real impact on policy. Having funding in place for five years means that we have time to really test new approaches to building a cross-sector, cross-community voice.’
March 2009 Tendering process now ongoing and the contract will be announced in due course. The Tender for the Feasibility Study has been re-launched. The deadline for applications to Tender to deliver the Feasibility Study contract has now passed. Information about the contract award will follow late summer 2009.
Jackie Kay and Young Voices inspire pride at KiS's Annual Conference and Friends EventOver 100 people attended this year's Conference and Friends Event. The afternoon focused on the feasibility study for a London LGBT Social Action and Community Centre whilst the evening was more relaxed with presentations from poets Jackie Kay, Jay Bernard and Dean Atta and a presentation from Ajamu X and Topher Campbell from rukus! Federation Ltd, about their work with KiS exploring Black and Asian LGBT history in Soho. David Spence, Programme Manager at Kairos in Soho made an inspiring speech about the need to re-position and review our thinking in terms of LGBT health, social care and aspirations, particularly in light of advancing legislation and funding constraints. He shared his vision of a unique space consisting of a very old and beautiful section, to be lovingly and carefully restored (symbolic of the lack of care for our community), alongside a new, light section representative of the community's aspirations for change. He also talked about Kairos in Soho's vision for more 'second generation' work, creating opportunities for inter-generational learning and support. Jackie Kay gave two performances to a delighted and diverse audience made up of funders, infrastructure organisations, strategy bodies, primary care, police and community representatives. Especially delightful was Jackie Kay's vision of a 'wee poetry room' in a new Centre Dean Atta and Jay Bernard, two inspiring young poets, gave imaginative and creative presentations and life love and the universe and inspired a great deal of pride and emotion amongst the audience. In the afternoon, a young Ambassador from the Open House 'My City Too' programme presented on the importance of young people's voices in the development of urban spaces. January 2008 Kairos in Soho has been awarded £40,000 per year for four years to deliver a new project shortened to the ‘IN’.project, which in full stands for IN-terested – IN-volved – IN-vested. This is a four year policy and infrastructure project which builds directly on the findings of the Phase One LGBT Infrastructure Development Project. More details will be followed once the project starts mid-2008.February 2008 Three years of KiS community consultation, beginning with the ‘Speak Out about Soho’ series, have consistently informed the content of the Soho Action Plan and ensured the inclusion of LGBT community aspirations. The final draft contains commitments from the Council to work with KiS and to fund a ground breaking study to explore the provision of an LGBT Community and Social Action Centre. In January 2008 Westminster City Council formally launched its regeneration and civic renewal plans for Soho: the Soho Action Plan. Since then KiS and the West End Team have been developing the process for the feasibility study through a series of interviews with organisations and stakeholders. Have your say at a key stakeholder event in July 2008 Download the plan and press release from Westminster City Council “The ambitious proposal by the local community – which could model itself on the famous San Francisco LGBT Center and could be the largest dedicated LGBT centre in the UK - is part of a wider Soho Action Plan launched by Westminster City Council this week (Jan15)” WCC Press Release. In February 2008 Pink Paper voters voted 70% to 30% for a London LGBT Social Action Centre and Editor Tris Reid –Smith urged the community to back the scheme. The Study is likely to begin in January 2009 and take up to twelve months to complete. The process will be engaging and creative. If you wish to be kept informed about the project leave your details here links to KiS email address OPEN SPACE 2: 19 October 08, 2-5pm.Venue: Museum of London, London Wall EC2Y 5HN A free event An event to explore and share the histories of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities connected to Soho and the West End. OPEN SPACE 2 aims to uncover Soho and the West End 's Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans histories. We want to learn more about individuals, events, activists, scientists, artists, dancers and musicians who have visited Soho from the early 19th Century up to the present day. This will be an ideal opportunity for you to share your knowledge, stories and memories - bring photos, newspaper articles, books if you have them. OPEN SPACE 2 is the second part of a unique collaborative project between Kairos in Soho and Ajamu X, photographer, and co- founder of the rukus! Black LGBT Archive. If you are interested in this project and would like to know more about this ground-breaking project, please feel free to contact Ajamu X or David Spence or telephone the office on 020 7437 6063
Excerpts of the interview will be available on the website soon. It is hope that the histories gathered from this project will enhance current archive materials and highlight the important contributions of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic LGBT people.
Kairos in Soho has been nominated for an award at this year's Black LGBT Community Awards.Whatever the outcome it is an honour to be nominated. Other fantastic organisations and individuals have been nominated too ? so please vote and make your mark.
Contract for the Provision of the Feasibility Study for a London LGBT Social Action and Community Centre August 2008Tendering process now ongoing and the contract will be announced in due course. On 30 July 2008, close to the date when New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community Centre celebrates its 25th year, Westminster City Council and LGBT charity Kairos in Soho announced the start of a research process to determine the feasibility of a London LGBT Community and Social Action Centre at their Annual Conference. Over 100 people attended the Kairos in Soho Annual Conference, Friends Event and launch with presentations from the CEO Jane Standing, Councillor Alastair Moss (who is Chairman of the Planning and City Development Committee) Dr Anita Naoko Pilgrim, and inspiring poetry performances by poets Jackie Kay, Jay Bernard and Dean Atta. Following three years of consistent consultation as part of the Soho Action Plan and the Leader's One City Programme, Kairos in Soho asserts that this is something the community wants and needs. Councillor Moss said 'Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender residents, workers and visitors are an important and valued part of the Soho community' he thanked Kairos in Soho for their consistent contribution towards the improvement of Soho and the regeneration process. Chief Executive Officer Jane Standing, says 'The community has created a great opportunity through sustained and strategic community work. We have seen unprecedented change regarding the law and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, nevertheless, the lack of a central accessible physical centre for the London LGBT community means that the average citizen has little opportunity to inform or take part in the crucial process of social change. We are talking about a creative space where a diverse community can gain support, stay informed and take part in community action.' 'This is a good practice example of local community consultation that tackles more complex issues of equality and marginalization. We cannot under-estimate the power of space to bring people together and increase their connection and strength. We have an opportunity here to work towards cohesion in a new way, amongst LGBT people who are often left out, people who are Black, Asian, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Minority Ethnic, Transgender, Disabled, seeking asylum, parents, or less well off. We have a major opportunity with this study to properly consider how to make such a project sustainable.' Applicants have until 12 September 2008 to express their interest in tendering for the contract to carry out the feasibility study and a range of submissions are expected from academics, researchers, management consultants and consortia. Nothing is as yet agreed in terms of services, facilities or design. 'This is a challenging and fascinating project' says CEO Jane Standing. 'We know from existing research that the LGBT community has a wide range of unmet needs in terms of health, social care, housing and community safety. What is missing is a vital link in terms of infrastructure and information about existing services, and how and where to get support. Just as important are the aspirations of our community and the need to be able to come together and participate in a wide range of community activities and social action.' Advertisement to tender for a contract to deliver the feasibility study London's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Project (PiP) publishedLondon's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Voluntary Sector Infrastructure Project (PiP) now in print June 2008 KiS announces Key Stakeholder Event to consult the LGBT voluntary and community sector about the LGBT Social Action Centre Feasibility StudyOn 1 July KiS held a half day consultation event with over forty LGBT voluntary and community groups to inform the feasibility study for a London LGBT Social Action and Community Centre. Event Report to follow shortly
June 2008 Kairos in Soho Friends Event 2008KiS is pleased to announce its 2008 Friends Event, which we hope will be more energetic and creative than the last. The Chair for the event is Anjum Mouj, Trainer and Consultant We are delighted to announce that at the afternoon Conference Jackie Kay will be performing work about the notion of shared LGBT space. Renowned academic Anita Naoko-Pilgrim will explore the concept of identity, community and space, and Westminster City Council will present on the background to the project and their aspirations in funding a feasibility study for a London LGBT Social Action Centre. In the evening we will be highlighting the work of the KiS Walking Tour and new developments to explore Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBT history in Soho. We also have spoken word from Jackie Kay and two emerging young poets Dean Atta and Jay Bernard, followed by a short presentation about the Open House ‘My City Too – Young People’s Initiative’ – ‘Young Voices.’ The event is on Wednesday 30 July 2008 2pm to 5pm – food – 6pm to 9pm The event will take place it two parts, with an Afternoon Conference and the Friends Celebration and Thank You in the evening.
June 2007
June 2007
The KiS Friends Event 2006 took place on
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We are delighted to announce that David McAlmont and Sarah Waters will 
The first part of this project saw Ajamu X interview lesbian activist Claire Andrews, recording some of her inspiring contributions to the LGBT community. 
Copyright BLGBT Community Awards 
Be our Friend ! 
