Release Date: 23/06/2008
A Richmond Council officer has been recognised in a prestigious list of the country’s most influential gay men and lesbians.
Domestic Abuse Coordinator, James Rowlands, was named as an ‘unsung hero who has made a lasting difference to the community’ in the Independent on Sunday pink list 2008. He was honoured for his role in setting up an advocacy service for men experiencing domestic abuse in Cardiff in 2005.
He is working locally to develop services for borough residents, including a project to tackle abuse within the LGBT community. He also co-chairs a national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Domestic Abuse Forum on a voluntary basis.
Mr Rowlands said:
”It’s a great honour to be recognised alongside pioneering figures who have campaigned for greater equality for and understanding of the LGBT community.
“They have been responsible for a huge shift in public attitudes over recent decades. However, there is still work to be done, particularly on issues such as domestic abuse within the LGBT community.
“There is no place for it and I am committed to working with our partners to offer support to those on the receiving end and look at ways to stamp it out.”
Sir David Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities on Richmond Council, said:
”I’d like to congratulate James on behalf of the Council.
“His inclusion in the pink list recognises his excellent work in Wales and I am delighted that he is now using his talent for the benefit of people in our borough.”