Gay group told to find their own money as community grant cut (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Gay group told to find their own money as community grant cut

2:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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A GAY group can find their own money for a support group and gay men don’t need any boost in confidence, according to some members of Maldon District Council.

Essex Gay Men, a group hoping to offer a support group and drop-in services in Burnham to improve confidence and reduce social isolation, were given less than a third of the grant requested by the community services committee for Maldon District Council following a meeting on Tuesday July 7.

The group asked for half the money - £499 for a £998 project - from the council but were given £150.

Councillor Andrew Cain said: “It is an interesting one for me. I can tell you now I have known a lot of gay men in my time and they certainly do not need to improve their confidence. I feel it is a complete and utter waste of money. If that is politically incorrect that is what I meant to be.”

And deputy leader and committee member councillor Robert Long said: “The gay community is a very strong body. They can find their own income. I agree with Cllr Cain with this. There is no discrimination.”

But an officer for the council told members that the group is a “crime reporting body for Essex police” and the application stated the group gets “ten queries a week from the Maldon Area” leading members to agree to a £150 grant.

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