Following the publication of a recent copy of a Scottish LGBT Publication we can confirm that The Glasgow LGBT Centre will close on the 30th April 2009 however we seek to clarify; not for the apparent reason stated.
Since late 2008 the Centre and its board of management have been under constant attack from a small group of people who have made vexatious, persistent, unprincipled and substantially unfounded accusations about the running of the Centre.
These allegations are substantially without foundation have been dealt with by our members at their AGM of 16th February 2009 and the Centre and its management board are now co-operating fully with OSCR and Glasgow City Council to fully clear these matters – as is normal, OSCR will publish their findings in due course.
The stress and time commitment involved for the board in running the Centre since July 2008 without a full time manager has proved both difficult and particularly debilitating. These complaints and allegations have their roots in another matter directly connected with the Centres demise and have been singularly designed to bring down the board – a motive previously attempted and defeated by our membership on 16th February 2009.
Ironically our accusers never letting the facts get in the way of a good story, have substantially contributed to the decisions of funders to withhold vital grants and thus confirm our unrelenting path to closure, due to lack of vital funds.
Dealing with the attacks, demands for answers and the accusations has taken up it our limited time and the effort involved has taken it toll on the board of directors.
It was with deep regret on the 23rd March 2009, the Centre lost a valued, young, dedicated Community activist and long standing board member, due mainly to this targeting and the need to focus on university and the future.
The decision was taken to enter the Centre into administration as financial forecasts showed a fatal drop in income left us entirely no option.
Lynn Sheridan Chair of The Glasgow LGBT Centre explains that there is no alterative to closing down the centre, the full £300,000 debt burden arising from our conversion of the building to which the LGBT Centre moved in April 2007 cannot be serviced with no income. The allegations of fraud and incompetence are untrue, unreasonable and without foundation. We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that these matters are resolved and moreover ensure what debts that can be settled will be.
The LGBT Community in Glasgow enjoys the full support of Glasgow City Council who are entirely supportive of the need for an LGBT Centre which meets the needs of it’s service users.