Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association

For the Bible tells me so – the UK premiere of Daniel Kerslake’s film, introduced by Terry Sanderson, president of the National Secular Society. There will be time for discussion afterwards.

“Is the chasm separating gays and lesbians and Christianity too wide to cross? Is the Bible an excuse to hate? Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families – including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson – we discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child. Informed by such respected voices as Bishop Desmond Tutu, Harvard’s Peter Gomes, Orthodox Rabbi Steve Greenberg and Reverend Jimmy Creech, For the Bible tells me so offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.”

Charles Darwin
1809–1882

Special Darwin Day Fundraising Event – a short film, two plays and a buffet supper for your delectation. Admission £10. Note that this event starts at 7.00pm.

GALHA has been marking Darwin Day since 2003 and we are particularly pleased to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth on 12 February 1809. At a time when it is claimed that nearly a third of UK teachers think that “creationism or intelligent design should be given the same status as evolution in the classroom”, we need to remember and appreciate Darwin’s work more than ever. Since 1999 Fire and Brimstone Productions have been performing plays based on events in humanist history. This evening we present two of the best Darwin performances to date.

• Young Darwin – A short film.

• Mrs Darwin at Home – The great debate looms and Mrs Darwin grapples with her pro-religious views while being interviewed by a journalist from The Times.

• The Debate that Changed the World – A dramatisation of the debate between Thomas Henry Huxley (“Darwin’s Bulldog”) and the Reverend Samuel Wilberforce (“Soapy Sam”), which took place in front of 700 people at Oxford University in 1860 and led to the widespread acceptance of Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

Squatting In Brixton – the Brixton Gay Community of the 1970s. A talk based on new research by Dr Matt Cook, Senior Lecturer in History at the School of Continuing Education, Birkbeck, University of London.

While GALHA has earned its place in LGBT history, some aspects of the origins of the radical gay movement in the UK may still surprise some of us. Tonight Matt Cook reveals all. The Brixton Gay Community of the 1970s formed around the UK’s first gay centre and a series of nearby squatted houses. Between 50 and 60 men lived in these squats for anything from a week to ten years. In oral testimonies many of them describe how their experience shaped their politics, their ideas about sexual identity and community, and their creative lives. The South London Gay Liberation Front, the journal Gay Left and the Brixton Faeries are each linked to the squatting community, which in the mid-1980s was absorbed into the Brixton Co-op. The houses – and the communal garden that connects them – are still reserved for gay and lesbian tenants: a tangible legacy of the earlier community. This talk describes the genesis and contours of the community, and explores the attempt by those involved to live differently.

Islam, Human Rights and Homophobia – A talk by Maryam Namazie. No issue has caused more controversy than the homophobia and apparent disregard of human rights associated with Islam. Maryam Namazie is a rights activist, commentator and broadcaster on Iran, the Middle East, women’s rights and secularism, and spokesperson for the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain. Tonight she addresses the issue of whether Islam can ever be reformed to respect human rights.

European Election Question Time – a special event to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).

GALHA has long organised Question Time sessions involving representatives from political parties who were candidates for UK parliamentary or council seats. There is a risk that these discussions may become sterile and pointless as more and more of what we wanted has been achieved and the parties have reached a consensus on basic LGBT rights. But this is not true of Europe as a whole, where there are worrying signs of increased homophobia and a community not always respectful of LGBT rights. Religion is a key issue. In preparation for the European elections on 4 June 2009, and to mark the fifth International Day Against Homophobia (which GALHA proudly introduced to the UK in 2005), we question political candidates about their commitment to LGBT rights in Europe.

Thomas Hardy – Part of our Humanist Tradition? – GALHA meetings have often discussed whether particular authors, film directors, actors and politicians could be considered humanist or secularist. Tonight your programme coordinator, who has at various times in his life had an active interest in the life and work of Thomas Hardy (and once even attended a Far from the Madding Crowd cheese and wine party!) considers what Hardy’s novels say about his world view, and whether they have anything to teach us about humanism. Was he a pessimist or a nihilist or a fatalist? Or just a miserable old git? Derek Lennard considers the evidence.

GALHA’s 30th Anniversary Celebration – the launch of an exhibition about GALHA’s history and a reception with speeches by prominent GALHA supporters including human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. The evening includes a brief dramatisation based on the Gay News blasphemy trial, which was associated with GALHA’s formation in 1979.

The Bishopsgate Institute, a fascinating grade 2 listed building opposite Liverpool Street Station, is home to GALHA’s archives and there will be a chance to view its historic collection of secular and freethought material.

GALHA’s Annual Residential Weekend Gathering – details to be announced.

Another 30th Anniversary Event – this time to celebrate the public meetings that have been held at Conway Hall. It includes readings from some of the speakers who have kindly given us talks during the years and surprise guests. And, of course, mulled wine and mince pies. Further details to be announced.

LGBT History Month – an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland, with events across the country throughout February. See the Events Calendar on the LGBT History Month website for full details.

Marlene Dietrich
1901–1992

Marlene Dietrich: An Affectionate Tribute. Marlene – movie star, cabaret artiste, war hero, atheist – and lesbian!

In this entertaining show, Terry Sanderson looks at the many aspects of Dietrich’s complex personality. He explores her legendary movie career using generous clips from her campest films, then, accessing rare archive material, he gives a moving tribute to her phenomenal work as an anti-Nazi during World War II. The evening culminates with a complete performance, on the big screen, of her fabulous one-woman show, with which she toured the world. Recorded in Sweden in 1963, this is Dietrich at her peak, accompanied by Burt Bacharach and his orchestra. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see a legendary performer in dazzling form.. Tickets £10. For more details and to book online, visit www.secularism.org.uk/marlene.html. To book by post, send a cheque payable to “NSS” to NSS (Marlene), 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL (telephone 020 7404 3126). All proceeds go to the National Secular Society.