Press Release
A voice for Gay and Trans people in Croydon!
7 April 2008 – For immediate release
A new network, named Crocus, has been created in Croydon to represent the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. It has been formed with the involvement of all the local LGBT community groups, as well as other Croydon people interested in seeing a network created. Its formation has been supported by Croydon Voluntary Action (“CVA”), as well as some national groups.
Crocus has been set up to improve the lives of LGBT people who live in or have an interest in Croydon. Crocus is a collective of LGBT people and groups who have come together to collaborate on issues of common interest and to be a strong voice for LGBT people in the borough.
The launch will be held in the Mayor’s Reception Suite at Croydon Town Hall at lunchtime on the 12th of May.
This will be followed up with a social networking event on the 5th of June, allowing everyone from the wider LGBT community to come together and interact with existing local support groups.
Crocus wants to identify the issues that affect people in the LGBT community. It wants to build a network and be able to communicate with the network about the things that matter to them. In order to achieve this aim Crocus will be launching a survey at its inaugural meeting.
Rob Elliott, Chair of Crocus, said: “Crocus is really good news for the LGBT community in Croydon. Up until now, we have not had a strong voice in Croydon. Now we have. This will enable us to build on the protection we now have, under equal rights legislation, to ensure that the LGBT community’s needs are met. It will improve the lives of the LGBT community in Croydon.”
He added: “This is a golden opportunity for the LGBT community in Croydon. But, it will only succeed if members of the LGBT community get involved. I would urge them to respond to the survey which will be on our website and in LGBT venues and public areas. Also, I hope they will come to the social network event in June.”
Croydon already has a unique service helping the LGBT community: an LGBT councillor’s advice surgery held by Cllr Simon Hall, in addition to the surgeries he holds for his constituents. This advice surgery is unique in London and possibly in the UK. It is held on the last Saturday of every month, from 10 to 11am, in the Town Hall, with no appointment needed.
Cllr Simon Hall said: “I was approached by some members of the LGBT community who felt that their local councillors might not be fully sympathetic to them or did not have the specialist knowledge to really help them. I therefore launched a regular monthly advice surgery and, of course, at other times I can be contacted by e-mail and by phone. By providing this service, I have been able to help members of the LGBT community in Croydon and look forward to doing this more.”
He added: “The LGBT councillor surgery is just the start. Crocus can continue to drive forward more initiatives that will benefit the LGBT community in Croydon”
ENDS
For further information, contact Cllr Simon Hall (e-mail).
More details can be found on Crocus’s website.
