Apologies for my absence but some life changing events have taken place for me and my family recently and as some are aware we shall be shortly moving home into the city centre.

This has not come about easily we were quite happy living on our nice quiet estate but events over the last few months have become unbearable and the decision was made for both of us by outsiders who clearly have no knowledge of a transgendered person’s lifestyle.

 I’ve been abused in the street called a paedophile which I still can’t comprehend and had my car and property vandalised.

Most of my neighbours have shown fantastic support throughout and I’m extremely grateful to those who have stood by me, perhaps one of the most difficult choices is the fact that we are having to lose our pets I had a large team of very successful racing pigeons that have been blended together over the last 40 years. I’m pleased that these have gone to a fantastic new home and I’m looking forwards to next year’s results as I’m sure this already successful flyer will show the quality of this family for many more years to come.

We have two cats to rehome JINGLE and BELLE   2 sisters both neutered and 7 years old JINGLE is black and BELLE is a tabby/tortoiseshell they have always been together and we would ideally like them to go to the same home JINGLE is a stay at home girl rarely goes out and loves to be spoiled and petted BELLE is more adventurous and loves to go out and sunbathe in the garden if anyone can help rehome them please make contact via the editor.

As well as a change of home there’s also a change of employment for myself again a decision that was not as easy as some people may think as I had strong loyalties to T-MOBILE and I am leaving a lot of friends behind a lot of whom are regulars on the LEEDS scene and again they have supported me and stood by me from day 1 of my employment, having achieved so much there I am leaving at the top of my game having just picked up more awards and my GENERAL MANAGER gave me a glowing reference for my new employers.

SO where am I going? Starting this week SUSAN PLATT will be djing at the viaduct FRIDAYS and SATURDAYS 2 till 8pm with a different role during the week! The director’s management and staff have made me feel welcome and I relish the new challenges ahead and am excited about working alongside so many talented individuals who also share the same ideals to make LEEDS the no1 city in the UK for the L.G.B.T. community

LFF, L.I.P.S. AND EVOLVE the promoters of L.F.F. AND L.I.PS. the big T-GIRL nights out in Leeds are working on a huge project for PRIDE weekend called EVOLVE there’s a Facebook page online already and  much interest and support from the whole community we are hoping that this will become the biggest TRANS event in the UK this Saturday the L.I.P.S. crowd will be out and about 

I’m enclosing the official L.I.P.S page text here as part of the reading may shock some of the community in relation to a certain venues attitude to TRANS people

L.i.P.S. – Lets in-joy a Party this Saturday T-girl Event 

NOW 13 months - old!!!!

This is a newish monthly t-girl event in Leeds – to be held on the 3rd Saturday each month.

L.i.P.S. - was again a BIG success in April with more than 40 T-girls admirers and friends attending everyone had a brill time !! - We also had quite a few girls and admirers making their "debuts" so make sure you go to the May event!!

This is a Brilliant Event - with a really special friendly atmosphere.

L.I.P.S. is a social event for T-girls, admirers, partners, friends in fact, it’s for anyone who likes and enjoys a good night out with a set of "cool" friendly likeminded people!!

The venues are The Cosmopolitan Hotel (for a pre-event drink in the bar) Blayds Yard (off Lower Briggate) The Call Lane Social Club (Call Lane) and THE LOFT – (above Queens Court on Lower Briggate Leeds)

Blayds Yard and the Queens Court are located right the middle of the gay area (Pink Triangle) in Leeds town centre. There are many Trans friendly bars and clubs located very close by.

Start at the Cosmo Hotel for Pre-event drinkies then go to - Blayds Yard for about 9.30-10.00 pm (ish) then move on to the LOFT (above Queens Court)

Blayds Yard - is a very friendly quirky kind of Bar - in a very discreet location down a cobbled alleyway - it’s very trans friendly and the owners Duncan and Robert will make sure that everyone is made to feel very welcome.

The Loft (above Queens Court) offers the following facilities:

§ Huge air conditioned area with Disco floor + podiums and dancing poles + huge bar area + seating area........ And LOTS of Mirrors!!!

§ TV friendly with a great atmosphere 

§ Free entry – no cover charge

§ Reduced priced drinks - £2.50 all night (in the LOFT)

§ Free street parking (in Leeds Street parking is from 6.00 pm on Saturday until 8.00 am on Monday morning)

§ There is also parking available at the nearby NCP car park on Boar Lane (entrance on Swinegate) and street parking in Leeds is free from 6.00pm onwards

§ Local Hotel Discounts

So come along meet people - make new friends and enjoy yourselves.

The event usually starts at about 9.30 - 10.00 pm and afterwards many of the girls go off to many of the other of the close by “watering holes” such as Fibre, the Viaduct, Blayds, the Bridge and the New Penny.

(This is a Social Event and is a meeting place for T-girls + their partners + Admirers and friends - it is TOTALLY FREE and non-moneymaking Event). 

If you would like to receive any more information (and details about the local hotel special discounts) then please drop me a line/message here on Tvchix – Hugs CindywithaC 

Please note that the Lovely Mandymakemeup (Leeds) has very kindly agreed to assist me in organising the event for May - so please do not hesitate to drop her a line if you have got any questions.

Stop Press - I am sorry to report that the Call Lane Social Club have now changed their "door policy" and Transgendered people and TV's will NOT be admitted because of " their dress code" !!

It is a pity as I know that a lot of people really liked the Call lane Social Club - I personally think that it is WRONG and unfair that a single group in Society should be discriminated against.

Hopefully, the Call lane Social Club will soon review their door policy.

STOP PRESS (17/04) - for those "who dared”!! - we went to the SHED (next door to Mission) after Blayds Bar - this is a really friendly funky kind of bar which plays a lot of Indie type music - everyone who went really enjoyed this new venue. After the SHED - we went on to the LOFT (Above Queens Court).


Sad that in this day and age people can still have such attitudes

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA MAY 17TH 2011

Today, the world made a statement about tolerance. May 17, 2011 marks the 21st annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), the anniversary of the World Health Organization declassifying homosexuality as a mental illness. From activism in Asia to transvestite beauty pageants in Cuba, here's how the world spoke out against homophobia and transphobia.

Asia
Numerous Asian organizations are asking the World Health Organization to do more to follow-up on its previously released statement: 

"The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases on May 17th, 1990...Yet over two decades later, stigma and discrimination against homosexuals still exists, and can result in restricted access to health services and missed targets for health programmes...."

Activists are calling on the WHO to lobby for national health authorities worldwide to include its 1990 guidelines.

France 
France's IDAHO Committee has ranked each ministry in its fight against homophobia and transphobia, according to IDAHO France. The ministries of education, justice and overseas territories rank last. The ministry of culture also got a bottom ranking, although it's headed by Frederic Mitterrand, who is openly gay.

U.S. 
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released a statement that she, President Obama and the entire U.S. support IDAHO. She asks people to "redouble" their efforts to fight intolerance, drawing on specific examples such as condemning Uganda's proposed anti-homosexuality bill:

"These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights...”

Cuba
Cuba held a transvestite beauty pageant called Miss Travesti to celebrate IDAHO. In addition, Havana hosted parades and other events, examples of how far Cuba has come since the 1960s and 1970s when gay citizens were reportedly persecuted.

Canada
Canada's using IDAHO as a teachable moment. The 340,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging union members and the general public to fight against homophobia and transphobia. On the union website, NUPGE National President James Clancy recognizes the strides Canada has made and calls awareness to the need for equality around the world:

"While unions have successfully campaigned for equal rights for LGBT people in the Canada, are

Today, the world made a statement about tolerance. May 17, 2011 marks the 21st annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), the anniversary of the World Health Organization declassifying homosexuality as a mental illness. From activism in Asia to transvestite beauty pageants in Cuba, here's how the world spoke out against homophobia and transphobia.

Asia
Numerous Asian organizations are asking the World Health Organization to do more to follow-up on its previously released statement: 

"The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases on May 17th, 1990...Yet over two decades later, stigma and discrimination against homosexuals still exists, and can result in restricted access to health services and missed targets for health programmes...."

Activists are calling on the WHO to lobby for national health authorities worldwide to include its 1990 guidelines.

France 
France's IDAHO Committee has ranked each ministry in its fight against homophobia and transphobia, according to IDAHO France. The ministries of education, justice and overseas territories rank last. The ministry of culture also got a bottom ranking, although it's headed by Frederic Mitterrand, who is openly gay.

U.S. 
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton released a statement that she, President Obama and the entire U.S. support IDAHO. She asks people to "redouble" their efforts to fight intolerance, drawing on specific examples such as condemning Uganda's proposed anti-homosexuality bill:

"These are not Western concepts; these are universal human rights...”

Cuba
Cuba held a transvestite beauty pageant called Miss Travesti to celebrate IDAHO. In addition, Havana hosted parades and other events, examples of how far Cuba has come since the 1960s and 1970s when gay citizens were reportedly persecuted.

Canada
Canada's using IDAHO as a teachable moment. The 340,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging union members and the general public to fight against homophobia and transphobia. On the union website, NUPGE National President James Clancy recognizes the strides Canada has made and calls awareness to the need for equality around the world:

"While unions have successfully campaigned for equal rights for LGBT people in the Canada, around the world the situation is sadly very different."

LEEDS PRIDE 2011

plans are coming together for the event and parade float applications etc. will be available on the website soon the new structure of the organising committee are working hard to ensure that this year’s event will be the most spectacular one yet as you are all aware the aim is to keep the event free !!! there should be official wristbands available soon and so much more all the latest updates will appear on the LEEDS PRIDE website and GAY LEEDS .COM ,fundraising has begun in earnest around the town and the venues will all be advertising various fundraisers etc. to help achieve the target of around £35,000 to host the event the money is needed up front this year as the change in structure means we will be paying for a lot of the services upfront and yes we are aware that times are hard but please try to support all the venues and any change you can spare can be deposited into the collecting buckets around the town all those spare 1p and 2ps soon mount up ,THE VIADUCT have raised £2,700 so far and this total raises weekly I’m aware a lot of the other venues are fundraising but don’t have access to their figures but know they will all be trying to raise as much as possible over the next few months

So hopefully things will be more settled soon and I can keep up to date again sincere thanks to the editor and team and all my friends in the community who have supported me through this difficult time

Thank you all

SUSAN PLATT