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 The gay Irishman Oscar Wilde said, ‘There is only one thing worse than being talked about – not being talked about’. He was only partly right. Worse than not being talked about is not being talked to or given the opportunity to talk about yourself. Gay men of African heritage have some experience in these matters.
For too long they have operated in a shadowy world, where they are a subject of much debate, but rarely lead it; where myths fly around about them, while the truth remains in the closet. Their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours are not their own but those ascribed to them by others. From Oprah to Buju Banton, from Akinola to Mugabe, Black gay men are talked about but rarely given a platform on which to talk. A one-sided ‘conversation’ with a shadow is easy. Easy to oppress, easy to misinform, easy to incite others to hate and fear. Some deny their existence; after all homosexuality is a Western thing, ‘it doesn’t happen here’. Some reject their identity, preferring to name them the more palatable ‘MSM’s. Others try to reform them, doesn’t the Bible say, ‘hate the sin; love the sinner.’ Yet in the shadows something stirs.
Gay men of African and African-Caribbean heritage have started an organisation to give themselves a voice, to challenge prejudice, and to build their sense of community. The Black Gay Men’s Advisory Group (BGMAG) was formally established earlier this year (2007) and held its first major event, the Black LGBT Community Awards, over the Easter weekend. Through working together, the group hope to amplify the voice of Black gay men and ensure that instead of being talked about, they can begin to talk for themselves as equals – not as shadows.
Black gay men report high levels of homophobic abuse from other Black people, as well as racism from white gay people. They are more likely than average to suffer from mental ill-health, and, importantly are among the highest risk groups for contracting HIV. This is true of African-born and British-born men of African heritage. The shadows are simply not safe.
BGMAG will work over the coming year to amplify the voices of gay men of African and African-Caribbean heritage. We will work to celebrate the contribution we make to our communities and provide opportunities to build a visible, proud Black gay community. We need help to achieve these aims. To that end we are looking for suitably qualified and experienced people to volunteer to take the lead on some of our projects. Once these posts have been filled there will be numerous opportunities to volunteer throughout 2008.
We are now recruiting for six volunteer posts to lead projects over the coming year (further details below). If you might be interested, please send an email to Rob Berkeley, BGMAG Chair (
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) to find out more. We are keen to conduct an open recruitment process. You will be asked to send us a short paragraph on your skills and commitment to the post and may be asked to take part in a telephone interview. Closing date for applications is 23 November 2007. Volunteering with BGMAG offers opportunities for you to make a difference, meet new people, learn new skills and be part of a crucial movement for change for Black Gay men. We look forward to hearing from you.
Project Director – Black LGBT Community Awards 2008
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To lead on the development, planning and co-ordination of the community awards 2008
Main tasks:
• Lead a team of volunteers to assist in the planning of the event
• Be the main contact for the awards
• Identify a suitable venue for the awards
• Liaise with venue
• Keep BGMAG management board updated on progress
• Manage the nomination and voting process
• Help in fundraising for the event
• Co-ordinate the event promotion
• Effectively manage the event budget
Skills required:
• Good project management skills
• Good event management skills
• Outgoing personality
• Budget management
• Dedication and perseverance
• Professional ethos
Time commitment
The awards are due to take place during Easter weekend (March 22nd) 2008. The Project Leader will need to work with the BGMAG committee to fundraise for and develop the event in December 2007/January 2008. The Project Leader will lead the event in March and media follow-up throughout April 2008.
Project Director – The Hook Up
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To lead on the development, planning and co-ordination of ‘The Hook Up’ events – delivering networking opportunities for Black Gay men
Main tasks:
• Lead a team of volunteers to assist in the planning of the events
• Be the main contact for the event
• Identify a suitable venue/s
• Liaise with venue/s
• Keep BGMAG management board updated on progress
• Help in fundraising for the event
• Co-ordinate the event promotion
• Effectively manage the event budget
Skills required:
• Good project management skills
• Outgoing personality
• Dedication and perseverance
• Hard working
• Professional ethos
Time commitment
The Hook Up is currently a monthly event in London on the first Wednesday of each month.
Project Director – Black Gay Men’s National Conference 2008
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To lead on the development, planning and co-ordination of the National BGM Conference 2008
Main tasks:
• Lead a team of volunteers to assist the planning of the event
• Be the main contact for the conference
• Identify a suitable venue for the conference
• Liaise with venue
• Keep BGMAG management board updated on progress
• Development of the programme for the day
• Liaising with the speakers and facilitators
• Help in fundraising for the event
• Co-ordinate the event promotion
• Effectively manage the event budget
Skills required:
• Good conference organisation skills
• Good project management skills
• Outgoing personality
• Dedication and perseverance
• Hard working
Time commitment
The Project Director will be required to work with the BGMAG Committee in early 2008 to design the conference. The conference will take place in June 2008.
Online Communications Manager
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To lead on the development and co-ordination of the BGMAG website and the generation of site content
Main tasks:
• Work with BGMAG committee to assist the further development of the BGMAG website
• Be the main contact for the website
• Manage the content generation of the website – including working with others to develop pod casts, written materials and interactive forums
• Keep BGMAG management board updated on progress
• Increase web traffic
• Collect data
• Develop interactive tools on the website
• Create and maintain an events diary
• Help in fundraising for the website where appropriate
• Effectively manage the website budget
Skills required:
• Excellent web skills (need not be highly technical as the site is maintained externally)
• Good project management skills
• Outgoing personality
• Dedication and perseverance
• Hard working
• Flexible yet professional approach to work
• Imaginative/creative
Time commitment
The site is an ongoing project and is already well developed. The online communications manager will be required to keep a watching brief on the site and make regular interventions as well as work with others to ensure that the site is updated on a monthly basis with new content.
Project Director – BGMAG Road Show
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To lead on the development, planning and co-ordination of the BGMAG Road show
Main tasks:
• Lead a team of volunteers to assist in the planning of the road show
• Be the main contact for the events across the country
• Identify suitable venues for the road show
• Liaise with venues and the photographic exhibition
• Keep BGMAG management board updated on progress
• Help in fundraising for the road show
• Co-ordinate the road show promotion
• Effectively manage the road show budget
Skills required:
• Good project management skills
• Outgoing personality
• Dedication and perseverance
• Hard working
• Flexible yet professional approach to this work
Time commitment
The BGMAG Road Show is a series of six meetings and workshops with Black Gay men across England. It is planned to undertake one meeting each month from March to September 2008. The Project Director will be required to work with the BGMAG committee from early 2008 to develop the project and lead on sharing the outcomes more widely throughout the autumn of 2008.
Treasurer
Reporting to: BGMAG management committee
Purpose of the role: To join the BGMAG management committee as Treasurer to maintain an overview of the organisation's affairs, ensure BGMAG’s financial viability and ensure that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.
Main tasks:
• To ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• To ensure that the organisation pursues its objects as defined in its governing document.
• To ensure the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects
• To contribute actively to BGMAG committee’s role in giving firm strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals and setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• To safeguard the good name and values of the organisation.
• To ensure the financial stability of the organisation.
• To protect and manage the property of the charity and to ensure the proper investment of the charity's funds.
Skills required:
• Commitment to improving the lives and well-being of Black Gay men
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Strategic vision
• Ability to think creatively
• Willingness to speak their mind
• Ability to understand and accept the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• Financial experience/numeracy
Time commitment
BGMAG committee members meet once a month. They are expected to contribute approximately one to two days each month to BGMAG’s work.
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