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Sold out... three times
• THE loss of Ashley Road centre will prove particularly difficult for people like me who have gender identity problems. There is nowhere else available where I can be accepted for myself.
In cultural terms I can attend Lambo, but though I might not be discriminated against there on a racial basis my sexual identity often gives rise to problems.
I and many people like me who use the Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) service at Ashley Road experience more than enough prejudice in our daily lives and we now feel trebly sold out,
First, by Peter Nevins, director of Mind in Islington, which runs the Ashley Road service but wants to see it closed so it may have a chance of running the proposed new service out of Despard Road. Second, by Councillor John Gilbert, who wants to close the centre even though we know from his colleague, Councillor Andrew Cornwell, that the money is not needed. This seems both illiberal and undemocratic.
And especially by Peter Jones, chairman of Islington Borough User Group (IBUG), who has gone along with the proposals.
There is no point in the council funding IBUG if it is not going to support service users and act in their interest but rather give us the impression of being anti-LGBT users. Seldom can there have been such a betrayal since Judas took his 30 pieces of silver.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
• ROSS Specterman’s letter defending Peter Jones, chairman of IBUG, seems a noble gesture (Blame the bureaucrats, July 25).
But Mr Specterman claims there was only one service user on the panel that reviewed Islington’s day centres. That was Mr Jones and he could easily have demanded more representation or refused to take part.
Islington Mind is the group that runs Ashley Road day centre and is in favour of closing it. Mr Specterman is one of its trustees and a governor of Camden and Islington Foundation Trust, which supports the closure.
It would seem that Mr Specterman has been in a stronger position than most to oppose the proposed changes. He says that IBUG is more than one person but the truth seems to be that it is centred around Mr Jones and he and IBUG have failed the very people they claim to represent.
D BROWN
Hanley Road, N4
• IBUG has been 100 per cent solid against the closure of Ashley Road day centre from day one (Betrayal of vulnerable, July 18).
This was even reiterated to Councillor John Gilbert and Elizabeth Clowes, assistant director commissioning and adult social services, at a meeting at Hanley Road Education and Employment Project on June 16.
At an IBUG meeting on July 22, chairman Peter Jones, directors and administrator Edit Szarvas showed members exactly what IBUG had done throughout this entire process, and Mr Jones was given a unanimous vote of confidence as chairman.
RICHARD HIORNS
WC1
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