| Topic: | Re:Re: Simon Pedley | |
| Posted by: | David Lesniak | |
| Date/Time: | 02/03/21 07:35:00 |
| Simon, I'm not sure what you're point is about "choice" as you appear to contradict yourself. Indeed the issues are different much the way they are different one person to the next. But as Richard says, the main point of this thread is about the LBH initiative. My problem with it and, to a degree with this discussion, is there are those from outside these groups telling those within the groups what it is they need and should do. To look at that panel discussion with one (just a mere one) LGBTQ member on it, at that of a certain age, seems to me to be out of sync with the intended goal not to mention out of sync with the general populace of 2021. Ask a 20-something if they feel the need for a gay bar and I somehow doubt they would find a need for it. From what I can tell of this age group, they are open, fluid, direct and embracing of each other. I've also listened to the parents of these kids to get to this point. But that's a minute snapshot of upper-middle class London. A generalization for sure but the pendulum has swung from my youth to today's and it couldn't be more different. But back to the panel - to me it is no different than a group of men discussing women's issues as if they are the experts. Kathleen Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities is a straight, married white woman. If she had meant what she said in this initiative she would have done her homework and reached out far and wide and that panel would have been made up of folks from all walks of this swath of life she aims to support. So we'd see lesbian, gays, trans, blacks, whites, asians, non-binary, purples, polka-dots and everything in between to suss out what, if anything , is needed. But she did not. We did not. And I am resolute in my belief the absolute best, healthiest option to support anyone and everyone is not to isolate them in separate venues, but to bring the entire community together as a whole under one proverbial roof. If we are to understand and empathize with each other the only possible way for that to happen is by learning from each other directly. That cannot happen behind closed doors. |