Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA)
GALHA is the only autonomous national organisation worldwide for
gay and lesbian Humanists. It has members in many parts of the UK
and in other countries. GALHA was founded in 1979 in the aftermath
of the Gay News blasphemy trial.
Aims
GALHA provides a fellowship and voice for the many non-religious
in the lesbian and gay community. It aims to promote an awareness
and understanding of the Humanist outlook in that community, as
well as bringing gay and lesbian rights to the attention of its
kindred Humanist organisations.
Campaigning
GALHA plays a part in the campaign to combat prejudice and discrimination
against lesbians and gay men and to achieve their complete legal
equality with heterosexuals. GALHA also takes up issues of concern
to Humanists.
GALHA lobbies MPs, the media and
others, via its Postal Action Scheme. It makes submissions to government
committees and responds to government consultative documents concerning
lesbian/gay and Humanist rights. It takes part in demonstrations
and rallies concerning these rights.
Events and Stalls
GALHA holds regular meetings with speakers and discussions, socials,
and residential weekend gatherings for members and friends. It sets
up stalls at lesbian/gay and Humanist events.
Partnership Ceremonies
GALHA's associated charity, the Pink Triangle Trust, arranges Humanist
(non-religious) affirmation ceremonies for couples who want to make
a declaration of their love and commitment. It has a network of
officiants experienced in conducting these ceremonies.
Membership
GALHA membership is open to:
- all lesbians, gay men and bisexuals who broadly subscribe to the
Humanist outlook and are concerned about lesbian and gay rights,
-all heterosexual Humanists
wishing to offer their moral and financial support.
GALHA members are kept in close touch via a free lively quarterly
magazine with news, articles, reviews, and postbag. Members can
take advantage of an electronic mailing list and a mail order service
offering a selection of books on Humanism and lesbian and gay subjects.
Links to other
organisations
GALHA is an integral part of the British Humanist movement and has
close links with the other organisations involved. These include the
British Humanist Association and the National Secular Society, which
have each consistently backed homosexual law reform and are in favour
of making the age of sexual consent for gay men equal to that for
heterosexuals. GALHA is represented on the Humanist Forum (a liaison
committee) and it co-sponsors Humanist functions.
GALHA is affiliated to the International
Humanist and Ethical Union, which has consultative status at the
United Nations, UNESCO, UNICEF and the Council of Europe. GALHA
is also affiliated to Amnesty International, whose UK section has
its own active Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Network. In
addition, GALHA is an associate member of the US-based Council for
Secular Humanism.
Contact GALHA
Website: www.galha.org.
Address: 34 Spring Lane,
Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2HB, UK
Tel: + 44 1926 85 84 50
E Mail: info@galha.org.
@Written by Dean Braithwaite
Involvement
in IHEYO
GALHA is a member organisation
of IHEU (IHEYO is the youth section of IHEU). GALHA was present
at the 2002 International Humanist Youth Conference.
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