Ultimately this is all very sad for the sector and for LGBT communities. The LGF should be a force for change - and lets face it, they do some good work - but ultimately any organisation that is entirely led by one forceful individual is at risk of completely losing sight of it’s mission.

I would ask, where were the trustees of the charity in all of this? Were they aware of what was going on? If not, perhaps they should keep a closer eye on things as it is them, not Paul Martin, who are now going to carry the can for it.

Why should people be ashamed for feeling worried at the actions going on in this so called community foundation? The treatment of former staff, volunteers and service users is just the tip of the iceberg.

Should Manchester’s gay community instead be proud of those who monopolistically pilfer funds from other groups that aren’t chummy with the NHS and Local Councils? Should we be proud of their completely inaccessible and unwelcoming “community space” above AXM bar that charges groups with little funding extortionate fees just to hire a poky little meeting room for a few hours?

They even have the utter cheek to charge their own groups such as the “LGF Art Class” and “Icebreakers” (to name but a few) for meeting space using Manchester Pride LGBT Community Fund money! Even though the criteria explicitly states “Multiple applications from the same organisation will not be accepted due to the large number of applications we receive.”

So in effect Paul is taking from Peter to give back to Paul. Perhaps they really are good people and this is the only way to divert income from the Big Weekend event and the bars back into the community unlike in 1999 when tickets were first introduced and no money was raised for charity. Maybe Paul Martin and his merry men are on a modern-day Robin Hood-like crusade and we’ve all got it wrong?.. sorry, more like Robin’ Crook! Its deceptive - money laundering by any other name.

When you hear stories like these from people who used to be committed to what the LGF stands for who have been chased away from an organisation they cared about surely we should question the real motives behind the treatment of these people?

Their dismissal was not only carried out through a discriminatory, illegal process through ageism (that’s just the start by the way!) but represent the tip of a very large iceberg designed to sink the ship of whistle blowers who have tried to expose numerous examples of malpractice and dirty dealing.

Expect the Judge to deliver his decision on the claims brought against the Lesbian and Gay Foundation by Alistair and Molly within days. If/when this happens the credibility of the ongoing voices of discontent will be heightened. No doubt all the details will be revealed soon enough. Watch this space.

In fact it’s a very brave thing to do.

Please add your comments to the article above, it’s the only mention in the press of this important story.
When will we have a legitimate, accountable, transparent and democratic organisation in Greater Manchester to support all the needs of our diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Communities??

As you suggest, if there is no coverage of such a significant UK story, why not? The obvious follow on question is: what else is not being covered and the reasons and motives behind that?