Pope Francis comments on homosexualityPope Francis responded to questions about a “gay lobby” in the Vatican by saying “gay people should not be marginalised” and that he was in no position to judge any gay people seeking God.
His comments are being examined to see if they might signal any shift in the Vatican’s stand on homosexuality
The University of Greenwich is awarding honorary degrees today (Tuesday 30 July) to Baroness Amos, the first black woman to become a Cabinet minister, and to champion Paralympic athlete Baroness ‘Tanni’ Grey-Thompson.
Hey’Ya: Arab Women in Sport opens at Manchester’s National Football Museum on 26 July, running until 13 October. The exhibition features Brigitte Lacombe’s series of large photographs of Arab sportswomen from 20 different countries shown alongside videos by Marian Lacombe. More http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-23482830
The different kinds of Sickle Cell Disorders and the different traits are found mainly inpeople whose families come from Africa, the Caribbean, the Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia.* In Britain SCD is most common in people of African and Caribbean descent (at least 1 in 10-40 have sickle cell trait and 1 in 60-200 have SCD). It is estimated there are over 6,000 adults and children with SCD in Britain at present. There are other inherited conditions that mainly affect other groups, e.g. Cystic Fibrosis in Europeans, and Tay-Sachs disease in Jewish people.
If you would like to find out more about Sickle Cell Awareness Month go to the Sickle Cell Society website at http://www.sicklecellsociety.org/
Carolyn Ayers, a final-year History student at the University of Greenwich, has co-curated a new exhibition which uncovers details of the women’s suffrage movement in the local area.
The exhibition focuses on Blackheath-born Rosa May Billinghurst, a disabled suffragette. Called Freedom of Spirit: The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Greenwich, it is on now at the Greenwich Heritage Centre and runs until 31 August.
HEFCE’s recent report Higher education and beyond: outcomes from full-time first degree study highlights that students experience and benefit from higher education differently depending on their background. The report looks at degree attainment and subsequent employment of students from the 2006/07 cohort.
The report highlights that disabled students receiving Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) are more likely to achieve a 1st or 2:1 degree than disabled students who don’t receive DSA. On completion of their first degree, they are also more likely to be in employment or further study, and more likely to be in a graduate job.
The report also adds to the growing body of evidence that students from minority ethnic backgrounds have a different experience of HE from their white peers. This points to the need for more inclusive curriculum design, assessments and culture.
Minutes ago the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill completed its Third – and final – Reading in the House of Lords.
That means that for the very first time, every child growing up to be lesbian, gay or bisexual in the UK will have exactly the same rights, responsibilities and choices as their heterosexual friends and family.
Now the House of Commons will give final approval to the Bill before it receives Royal Assent. This should allow the first same-sex marriages to take place as soon as next spring.
Laura Waters, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Science at the University of Huddersfield, has written an article on women in science for The Guardian newspaper.
“I’m not a feminist but an ‘equalist’, says Laura – what matters most is achieving the results by having the best talent.”Photograph: Alamy
QAA has launched a photo competition open to any student currently enrolled at a UK further or higher education institution.
The theme is ‘the student experience’ and we would encourage students to give it a go – try and reflect our diverse range of students with different protected characteristics.
The prizes are £500 for the winner and £250 for two runners-up.
The Stonewall Leadership team has announced two exceptional career development opportunities for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.
The annual two day Leadership Programme at Ashridge Business School takes place on 21-22 November 2013, and is aimed at high talent, high-performing professionals mainly from managerial, director or senior executive roles. To find out more and apply click here.
The next Authentic Role Model Programme takes place in London on 16 September. A one day course, aimed at professionals from all levels and from all roles in an organisation. Visit the Stonewall website to find out more and apply.
Call Lorna Fulton on 0207 593 1865 or email leadership@stonewall.org.uk for more details on either of these programmes.
Pope Francis comments on homosexualityPope Francis responded to questions about a “gay lobby” in the Vatican by saying “gay people should not be marginalised” and that he was in no position to judge any gay people seeking God.
