The Team at Velvet
would like to wish all our Members and Visitors
a Very Happy New Year …

Your first Newsletter of 2007 will be available on 10 January 2007

PS. I’ve opened an account number 2007 for all of our members at the Universal Bank of Luck and I’ve deposited 365 days full of of love, good fortune and happiness. Enjoy spending ! Susie X

New Lesbian Resolutions

Out with the old, away with the blues: Adrian Gillan shapes you anew!

1.  Campaign! Don’t take LGBT freedoms for granted: just look at the US! Keep apace of LGBTt news by reading Daily Velvet and get involved in rights issues that affect you and those around you. Write at least one campaign letter to you MP or other organisation this spring; or attend at least one meeting or demo. More info at: www.stonewall.org.uk; www.petertatchell.net

2.  Volunteer! Put something back into the LGBT community you at least occasionally take something from! From HIV buddying (www.tht.org.uk) to writing gay prisoners letters (email  osiuk@hotmail.com) , thumb through any LGBT community group listings (http://lgbtconsortium.org.uk) to see what tickles and get in touch.

3. Cut back or quit! If you’ve already stubbed out, ask for local LGBT-friendly meetings at Alcoholics Anonymous (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk) or Narcotics Anonymous (www.ukna.org). To check if you’re unhealthily addicted to sex, and for help: www.sauk.org/test.html

4.   Join a LGBT sports club! From rambling to wrestling, LGBT sports groups are a great way to broaden your interests and meet other queers, well away from the prevalent smoke-filled scene. For lists of clubs and events in your area: www.outforsport.org. Or, if you sense it’s safe, come out gradually at your local mainstream sports group!

5.    Try something different for a holiday! If you normally go on your own, try it with LGBT pals;  if you normally take a Sitges or Gran Can package in July, then try a gay skiing (www.gayski.ch; www.engelberg.ch) weekend in Jan or Feb!

6.    See more of the gay UK! It’s not just London, Manchester and Brighton!

7.    Reassess your circle of friends! How diverse are they by age, race and gender? Are they all LGBT?

8.    Avoid the scene for a month! Detox: go to Orkney (www.visitorkney.com) or Shetland (www.visitshetland.com)!

9.   Avoid the cliché! Are you really as individual as you think? Aren’t you merely jumping through lurid rainbow-striped hoops of other people’s - society's and your peers' - making? Is your track stuck permanently on “diva”?

10.  Accept yourself for who you really are (no but really)! Out self-deception; in self-awareness. Out fake or superficial; in genuine and meaningful. Out stimulants, steroids, botox, tummy-tucks and sun beds; in exercise, relaxation and healthy eating. Out neuroses; in contentment.

11.  Better out than in! Consider coming out, where relevant and safe, to more people in your life: from friendly neighbours to doting aunts - even your GP! Visibility is a crucial tool in the fight for equality. Invisible women (and men) never won rights; rather, they rely on those more brave.

12.   Change someone’s heart or mind! Consider if charisma, humour and an honest chat can help change someone you know’s negative attitudes to LGBTs! OK, why should you? But, if everyone tried, homophobia could be halved in a day. Charm first; then challenge; only then confront

13.  Tackle other personal issues! Talk more with friends who you trust; or, for a fresh take, try a group of “LGBT affirmative” psychotherapists and counsellors: www.pinktherapy.com

14.    Find out about LGBT history as the third LGBT History Month (www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk) kicks off in February! For the most comprehensive list of  history books on the web, visit Rictor Norton’s magnificent resource: www.infopt.demon.co.uk.

15.    Spring clean your homo-home! Chuck out all that tatty old pink-rainbow stuff and buy some classy Lesbian erotic art, online: http://www.velvet-club.com/lesbian-art/  

16.   Get spiritual! Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), www.lgcm.org.uk; Imaan LGBT Muslims, www.imaan.org.uk; Jewish Gay and Lesbian Group (JGLG), www.jglg.org.uk; Gay & Lesbian Vaishnava (Hindu) Association; www.galva108.org; Darshan LGBT Sikhs, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/darshan-list; London Buddhist Centre; www.lbc.org.uk; The Pagan Federation, www.paganfed.org

17.    Lose your faith! Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA): www.galha.org

18.   Report a LGBT hate crime - should you be unlucky enough to experience or witness one. You can even do it online: www.report-it.org.uk

19.  Complain more (or less)! Whether a homophobic high street store attendant or a rip-off LGBT outlet that takes your pink pennies for granted: don’t put up with crap! That said: some hills aren’t worth dying on; and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger! So sometimes it’s better to vote with your feet and let your walking do the talking! Also, bitch: there’s nothing like bad word-of-mouth!

20.   Start a family! From adoption to syringes, Pink Parents UK (www.pinkparents.org.uk) offer advice on all the main issues - legal, practical and emotional - links to other support groups, plus a helpline staffed by people with first-hand experience of LGBT parenthood.

21.   Start you own LGBT business! Bars, clubs, saunas, restaurants, salons, bookshops, boutiques, counsellors, accountants, plumbers! From rent to roofing: the list is endless, the choice yours. But have you got what it takes to stop browsing and start running? Top tips for setting up at: www.businesslink.gov.uk. Or, if you already run a gay business: network! Join the Gay Business Association (www.gba.org.uk) – not least if you’re into suits!

22.   Get hitched! Propose on Valentines, then splash out on the Big Day: www.pinkproducts.co.uk

23. Don’t assume LGBT just means lesbian and gay! Get to know some bis and TGs (transgender) too! If you think you’re bi yourself, contact local groups in your area: www.bicommunitynews.co.uk; or meet other TGs via The Beaumont Society: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk. Mermaids support TG youth: www.mermaids.freeuk.com. Whatever your sexuality, you’ve got to try cross-dressing at least once: www.theboudoironline.com (male-to-female)?

24.   Support your local Pride this summer! If you don’t go, do; if you normally watch, march!