From the age of 4, I started to feel isolated and alone. Scientific research has “revealed the adverse psychological effects of locking away prisoners in segregated cells, with some individuals suffering serious depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviour, hallucinations and paranoia within a matter of days “ Juan Martinez, the UN special rapporteur on torture has “called for a global ban in all but exceptional cases” The article continues that Obama has hopes of “reining in a practice that is still widespread despite having been denounced as potentially amounting to torture” It captured my attention so much, but why? I’ve never been to prison or been affected by somebody being incarcerated. “ Obama administration urges states to curb the use of solitary confinement” is the headline in The Guardian. Solitary Confinement: The Story of my gay childhood It also recognises that this is a watershed moment, a piercing wake-up-call-to-arms for the gay and wider community to acknowledge the importance of supporting all young people – and helping older people to transform their experience and finally get the lives they really want.
Meticulously researched, courageous and life-affirming, Straight Jacket offers invaluable practical advice on how to overcome a range of difficult issues.
Part memoir, part ground-breaking polemic, it looks beneath the shiny facade of contemporary gay culture and asks if gay people are as happy as they could be – and if not, why not? Written by Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude, the UK’s best- selling gay magazine, Straight Jacket is a revolutionary clarion call for gay men, the wider LGBT community, their friends and family. “Straight Jacket” Book Brunch Club Conversation for curious mindsĬurious minds come together to explore the personal implications of the new book “Straight Jacket – How to be Gay and Happy” by Matthew Todd.
This has been made possible by donations from Friends of The Quest initiative, along with our commitment following on from the PHE study.Ĭlick here for more information, dates and registration details. The final report from the evaluation can be found here.ĭue to the overwhelming requests that have come in over the past year to deliver the program again, and following on from the feedback in the evaluation report, we will be running a subsidized BAME The Quest Program in 2017. In 2015, The Quest was commissioned by Public Health England (PHE) to deliver its flagship “The Quest Program” to Black, Asian and Minority Ethinic gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM). – Black and minority ethnic men who have sex with men, Project evaluation and systematic review (Public Health England, De Montfort University), May 2016
which focuses on encouraging feelings of identity authenticity, was successful in reducing feelings of internalised homophobia, which the present project and previous research have both identified as a key factor underpinning decreased wellbeing among BME MSM” The Quest Program for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Gay Men Great Gay Getaways are designed to give you space to do your own thing as well as join in group options to explore restaurants, beaches, local life, yoga, meditation, walks, culture, nightlife, nature, creativity, holistic therapies, adventure and connection. Thailand, Bali, Cuba, Europe and America are some of the locations on offer.Īn opportunity to experience far off places with a group of diverse and mindful fellow gay travellers. Unlike many gay excursions the emphasis here is on rejuvenation and restoration through activities including meditation, yoga, group discussions, snorkelling / diving, walking, experiencing nature, learning about local culture and bonding with your fellow travellers. Great Gay Getaways… Each Great Gay Getaway is hand crafted, selected for its unique and welcoming accommodation in fantastic locations and building in activities that will help you not only love the places you visit but also the group you visit them with.