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comparison MHMC/2023-06-06/minutes.xml @ 266:9858be8a1bd4

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7.1, 7.2 complete
author Henry Thompson <ht@markup.co.uk>
date Wed, 14 Jun 2023 21:48:32 +0100
parents de103dd070ef
children d1d4110c07f5
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265:de103dd070ef 266:9858be8a1bd4
168 <list type="enum"> 168 <list type="enum">
169 <item>Because there had been security problems with the original 169 <item>Because there had been security problems with the original
170 (Portobello) meeting, MG contacted the Community Policing unit and on 28 April HT and 170 (Portobello) meeting, MG contacted the Community Policing unit and on 28 April HT and
171 MG met with two police, who were reassuring both about the fact that 171 MG met with two police, who were reassuring both about the fact that
172 they did keep an eye on potential sources of trouble in such cases, 172 they did keep an eye on potential sources of trouble in such cases,
173 and that they make sure local patrols were aware of the 11 May meeting 173 and that they would make sure local patrols were aware of the 11 May meeting
174 if it went ahead.</item> 174 if it went ahead.</item>
175 <item> We asked for and 175 <item> We asked for and
176 received reassurance that the 176 received reassurance that the
177 meeting would be focussed on freedom of speech and that a statement setting out our expectations could 177 meeting would be focussed on freedom of speech and that a statement setting out our expectations could
178 be made by the AM Clerk at the beginning of the meeting.</item> 178 be made by the AM Clerk at the beginning of the meeting.</item>
182 <p>HT emailed the Friends who had expressed concern explaining our decision.</p> 182 <p>HT emailed the Friends who had expressed concern explaining our decision.</p>
183 <p>In the event there was no disturbance from protesters, but 183 <p>In the event there was no disturbance from protesters, but
184 the Clerks did not feel that the agreement to avoid anti-transgender 184 the Clerks did not feel that the agreement to avoid anti-transgender
185 topics and rhetoric had been respected.</p> 185 topics and rhetoric had been respected.</p>
186 <p>[Extracts from an email from AM Clerk]</p> 186 <p>[Extracts from an email from AM Clerk]</p>
187 <display></display> 187 <display><p>I don't think we should offer further bookings to this group when gender issues are on the agenda (and possibly not at all). While the chair made a point of saying all are welcome in their meetings, I didn't feel particularly welcome and as discussion went on I felt anyone who was trans would have felt very uneasy indeed.</p>
188 <p>I opened the meeting by reading the 2021 BYM minute to explain where Quakers are coming from and said that while we don't expect to agree with everything that is said in meetings on our premises, we do ask that those present understand and respect where Quakers are coming from.</p>
189 <p>Particularly in discussion there was no evidence that this had made
190 any impact. While there was no abuse of trans people, they were
191 continually seen as 'other', pushing forward an ideology which had
192 taken over corporate decision making in government and education. The
193 speaker said LGBT 'is all about the T' these days; 'it's a belief
194 system'; an audience member said it's a vicious ideology.</p></display>
195 <p>Further email discussion concluded with clear agreement that
196 although we try to be a <emph>broad</emph> church in terms of making
197 our facilities available for hire to a wide range of groups, we are a
198 church, this is our home, and we don't have to allow people to say
199 whatever they like. The amount of time and emotional strain it was
200 taking from all of us was out of all proportion to the benefit.</p>
201 <p>Accordingly HT drafted a short note to Richard Ennos for MG to
202 send, cancelling the remaining (three) bookings. MG refunded the amount
203 already paid for those.</p>
204 <p>Ennos replied to the Office asking for an explanation, and AM Clerk
205 provided the following:</p>
206 <display><p>One audience member spoke of gender identity ideology as a 'vicious'
207 ideology. This was unchallenged by anyone, and was in line with a
208 general sense of antagonism towards the fact of trans identity. There
209 was no moderation of the discussion, and no attempt to question things
210 that were stated as fact.</p>
211 <p>Our clerk, who had introduced the meeting by explaining where Quakers
212 are coming from, felt that his contribution was ignored by those
213 contributing to the discussion. Although it had been stated that
214 anyone was welcome to the meeting, he felt that any trans person would
215 have felt unwelcome and excluded by the tone of the discussion, which
216 throughout showed that participants regarded trans identity as
217 something alien. On this basis, he felt that the group had not
218 respected the terms on which the letting had been made. We recognise
219 that some disagree with how trans issues are addressed within the
220 education system, and that you have the right to air this; but we
221 don't feel that the approach taken by Common Knowledge shares our
222 values of pluralism and kindness.</p>
223 </display>
224 <p>All mention of 7 Victoria Terrace has now been removed from
225 Common Knowledge online publicity for future events, and we hope the
226 matter is closed.</p>
188 </div> 227 </div>
189 <div id="weddings" i="7.2"> 228 <div id="weddings" i="7.2">
190 <title>Quaker weddings: Griffiths/Lawrence</title> 229 <title>Quaker weddings: Griffiths/Lawrence</title>
191 <p></p> 230 <p>Wedding planning going well. They've quite likely
192 </div> 231 over-catered, but fridge issue sorted. Photographer will come early.
193 <p></p> 232 IT for overlow in the Hall is an issue but we can work with what we
233 have: Emma and Andy were aware of what the MH provided when they booked.
234 Additional purchase of AV equipment is <emph>not</emph> required, MG does not recommend it for AM.
235 With respect to numbers, looks like 80&ndash;90 from outside invitees, not much feedback from
236 local Friends, but usual suspects would be 20&ndash;30, so probably 100+.</p>
237 </div>
194 </div> 238 </div>
195 <div id="IT" i="8"> 239 <div id="IT" i="8">
196 <title>IT</title> 240 <title>IT</title>
197 <div id="split" i="8.1"> 241 <div id="split" i="8.1">
198 <title>Private and public networks</title> 242 <title>Private and public networks</title>