Welcome to the 2003 beYOU annual report, my second since I was elected chair. A report that chronicles beYOU’s twenty-fourth year since its inception in 1979. I cannot help but think how far gay, lesbian and bisexual communities have come in the last twenty-four years. There is a much wider acceptance of LGB lifestyles within society, we have equal age of consent, by November 2003 Section 28 will be assigned to the history books, we are on the verge of equality in sex laws, our partnerships are recognised under the Mental Health Act 1983, and there has been some improvement with regard to tenancy law. The government have just completed a consultation on the Civil Registration of same sex relationships. From December 2003 lesbian, gay and bisexual workers will be legally protected from discrimination and harassment at work. There are many more positive role models, well known gay men, lesbians and bisexual in all forms of public life, including: politics, the media, the arts, public service and business.

Does all this mean the beYOU no longer needs to exist? I would love that to be so, not least because those of us involved in beYOU would have more time to devote to other activities! A report published last month by Mind, the mental health charity, on gay, lesbian and bisexual mental health revealed higher levels of mental distress amongst the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities than in heterosexuals, but less satisfaction with the services received from mental health professionals than their heterosexual counterparts. We have seen the enormous controversy caused by the proposed appointment of Cannon Jeffery John as Bishop of Reading, an openly gay man. Homophobic crime continues to trouble many in our communities, people still find it difficult to report such crimes to the police, though Thames Valley Police and the Berkshire Anti Homophobia Group are working hard to address this problem.

Our experience of people who contact us via the helpline, drop-in and web forums shows that ‘coming out’ is still not easy for some people. It is a time of great uncertainty, difficulty and change. However, it has so often be a wonderful privilege to support people though this time as they seek to develop a healthy sexual identity and lifestyle.

This was all brought home to me at a recent meeting when a young lesbian came up to me and excitedly reported that we were the people to whom she had first come out. She found the drop-in session she attended a very positive experience. Since then she had made friends locally and was getting involved in local LGB organisations. She seemed very happy and was extremely thankful that we were there when she needed us. I left that encounter proud to be part of an organisation which can make a positive difference to people’s lives.

This has been a year of consolidation after the changes of the last year. We have established our new name and identity within the local gay and lesbian communities and as a result managed to recruit more volunteers. We have overhauled and expanded the information available on our website which is now visited by 2000 people a month. The helpline and drop-in sessions continue to be well used by our clients.

However, the news is not so good on the finance front. The nearly 50% increase in our rent has demolished what little reserves we had and we face a very uncertain financial future. We have been successful at getting grants for specific projects but have increasing difficulty in securing funding for our ‘core’ costs.

We have to say good bye to our treasurer Maria and our secretary Rebecca who are stepping down from the management committee after many years of faithful service. I wish to thank them for all they have given to beYOU committee over the years and wish them all the best as they seek to get involved in new projects and hopefully spend more time with their respective partners!

I must also thank our team of dedicated team of volunteers who continue to work hard at providing a good quality service to our clients. The members of the management committee have given their unfailing support to the work of beYOU over the last twelve months and I look forward to working with you all in facing the considerable challenges over the next year as we look forward towards our 25th birthday in 2004.

Finally I want to thank my partner who continues to provide tireless inspiration and support as well being responsible for the development of the new website.

Simon Godefroy beYOU chair simon@beyou.org.uk

welcome page
beYOU chair's report
who are beYOU?
our volunteers
beYOU Helpline: 0118 959 7269
beHERE Drop-in at RISC
www.beyou.org.uk
beYOU treasurer's report
how did we do with last year's aims?
what do we need to achieve this year?
same sex relationships