Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Labour candidate reaches for the stars
Former leader of the Council and Labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, Simon Burgess, was the guest of Patrick Stewart (of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the X-Men) at Saturday’s performance of Waiting for Godot at The Theatre Royal in Brighton. Patrick invited gave Simon backstage after the performance to give him his full backing to be the next MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven.
Simon said;
“The performance was excellent – no wonder it has been selling out around the country. We had a good chat about the play and politics. Patrick told me how he was moved to join the Labour Party by the sad death of Labour’s former leader John Smith. He has been an active supporter ever since.”
Patrick said;
“We need MPs like Simon who have a history of involvement with the local community and who care about the less well off".
Speaking about the prospects for the next general election he said:
“now, of all times, is not the time for an inexperienced leader – the country can not afford that risk".
For more information view: www.brighton-hove-labour.org.uk
Village Drinks, gets a facelift!
A social networking group for gay professionals returns to Brighton next month. Village Drinks is being relaunched under the stewardship of Radio Reverb presenter Cat Harding. The group, which has more than 500 Brighton members, will meet monthly at different venues in Brighton’s gay village for drinks, speed-dating events and private dinners.
Cat said:
“I’m so excited to be involved with this. There’s a real need for a regular series of local events to cater for our gay professional community in Brighton and across Sussex.”
Village Drinks was nominated for Stonewall Community Group of the Year in 2008, and in December the group raised more than £4,000 for the Albert Kennedy Trust.
Co-founder of the group Neil Spring said:
“Our new events in Brighton and our website will help gay professionals across Brighton and the South Coast get together, make new contacts and, hopefully, make some new and dear friends.”
The first event will be on May 7 at the Latest Music Bar from 7.30pm.
To attend the event, register for free on:
www.villagedrinks.co.uk.
Pictured Cat Harding
Heroic welcome for athletes during Parade of Nations at Out Games this summer
Participants in this years World Outgames are going to get a heroic welcome to Copenhagen at the opening ceremony on July 25 this summer.In a break from the traditional stadium style parade, World Outgames 2009 organisers, in partnership with the city government, have planned a sensational tribute traditionally reserved for Danish royalty and national sports heroes at City Hall Square in the heart of the city.
A crowd of 40,000 is expected to be on hand to cheer and greet participants during the parade of nations across a 6 meter wide and 70 meter long catwalk constructed especially for the occasion.
The opening ceremony will feature a dramatic presentation of the themes of gender, identity and diversity including music performances, aerial artistry and a spectacular light show.
Some of Denmark’s most popular artists and musicians including, aerial acrobats from the Academy for Untamed Creativity, percussionist Lisbeth Dihrs and a number of the countries top DJ’s will contribute to this unprecedented celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sport, culture and human rights.
The opening ceremony will begin with a greeting from the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard.
To register for the games go to:
www.copenhagen2009.org/
Lola walks for Stonewall
Local drag artist Lola Lasagne aka Stephen Richards will be donning his high heels, putting a bit of lippy on and maybe even wearing a new frock to walk on this years Stonewall Equality Walk. This is Stephen’s first time on the walk. He said:
“The work Stonewall does is very important. The proceeds from this years walk will go to help fund ‘FIT’ a video that tackles issues surrounding homophobic bullying in schools. I can’t think of a better project to support. I was bullied at school and I am happy to do anything that helps tackle this issue."
“If the weather is good I will do it in drag if not I will wear my baseball cap and trainers.”
To sponsor Lola go to: www.justgiving.com/stephenrichards1
The walker who raises the most sponsorship will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
This year's walk starts from the Royal Pavilion Gardens on Sunday, May 3. Celebrity walkers include Amy Lamé, former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of 'I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', Brian Paddick and Mr Gay UK.
Walkers and their friends are invited to meet from midday for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for a warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
The profits from this years walk will go towards funding a DVD of 'Fit', a play aimed at 11-14 year olds, that tackles the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Stonewall want to send a copy of the DVD to every school in the country.
To register now go www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact: The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to: www.stonewall.org.uk
Homophobic hate speech banned, despite Tory opposition
A law to ban homophobic hate speech passed a key vote in the House of Commons last month, despite Conservative MPs turning out to oppose it.In the run up to the debate in the commons, LGBT Labour called on supporters to lobby MPs to save Clause 58 - a section of the Coroners & Justice Bill that promises to outlaw homophobic hate speech.
Shadow Cabinet member Nick Herbert recently claimed that:
"respect for gay people is one of the hallmarks of David Cameron's Conservatives".
But, the last time these protections came before the Commons just 5 Tory MPs voted in support. On March 3 every Conservative MP on the Bill's Committee voted against the protections for lesbian and gay people. At the vote on Tuesday (24) Tory MPs voted to remove Clause 58.
Simon Wright, LGBT Labour Co-Chair, said:
"This is a powerful reminder of the empty promises of change from David
Cameron's Conservatives. The LGBT community needs more than fluffy words. We need Labour MPs who will vote for equality - not Tories who say one thing and do another."
For more information about LGBT Labour go to:
www.lgbtlabour.org.uk
Monday, March 30, 2009
Greens bid for blue plaque for women’s rights campaigner
Green Councillors are asking Brighton & Hove City Council to erect a blue plaque on Brighton Town Hall in memory of local resident and women’s rights campaigner Millicent Fawcett. Greens are also asking the council to sign up to the 'Fawcett Charter', a coalition of leading employers committed to ensuring women at work are treated equally. The Charter outlines key principles around ensuring equality in the workplace, such as promoting an inclusive work environment, and was launched last year by the Fawcett Society, the UK’s leading organisation promoting equality for women.
The Fawcett Society is named after Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, a leading light in the peaceful campaign to give women the vote and wife and secretary to Henry Fawcett, MP for Brightonfrom1865 to 1874.
Green Group Deputy Convenor Cllr Amy Kennedy said:
“Millicent Fawcett led the way when it came to fighting peacefully for women’s rights, and played a vital role in Brighton’s fortunes while her husband was MP. A blue plaque to commemorate her memory would reflect the important part she played in the history of the city.
“We believe that signing up to the principles of equality laid out in the Fawcett Charter will help protect women’s rights at work. This is especially important during the economic crisis - women face a higher risk of unemployment during the recession than men.
"As one of the city’s largest employers, Brighton & Hove City Council already has a clear commitment to tacking inequalities in the workplace, but joining the Fawcett Charter would send a clear message: sexism in the work place isn’t ok.”
For more information view:
www.lgbtgreens.org.uk
Stonewall Workplace Conference
Margot James, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party and Baroness Royall, leader of the House of Lords, both used their keynote speeches to highlight that lesbian and gay staff are more productive when fully supported by their employers at Stonewall’s workplace conference, sponsored by RBS, last month. Both speakers united against ditching commitment to equality issues during the economic downturn.Margot James said:
“I believe that there’s a business case as well as a moral case for continuing the battle for greater equality in workplaces. The companies that stay loyal to that agenda will hang on to their quality workforces and their future.”
Jan Royall said:
"Stonewall argues in relation to the workplace that people perform better when they can be themselves and I agree with that. Equality is not only a right in itself, but it makes economic sense too."
Dr Nicola Brewer, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission also spoke at the conference about the harassment and bullying of gay staff that is reported through the EHRC helpline:
“The message we are getting is that when you are gay, people get personal.”
She also commended Stonewall’s work saying: “I think Stonewall is raising the bar and then punching way above it.”
Stonewall research Peak Performance, released last year and sponsored by IBM, laid out the business case for equality. The survey of lesbian and gay staff found that participants almost universally reported a positive link between an inclusive workplace climate and their own productivity and motivation.
“In the credit crunch, shrewd employers know it makes good business sense not to cut back on robust diversity initiatives,” says David Shields, Stonewall’s Director of Workplace Programmes.
RBS reinstated their commitment to supporting diversity events by sponsoring Stonewall’s workplace conference for the third year running. Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive of Coutts UK, Royal Bank of Scotland, also spoke at the event.
The Stonewall workplace conference 2009 was attended by almost 500 people – a 40 per cent increase on attendees last year.
For more information about Stonewall view:
www.stonewall.org.uk
Pictures Baroness Royall
A third of people with HIV face discrimination
Over a third of people with HIV experienced HIV related discrimination in the last year according to new research.‘What Do You Need?’ is a national survey of people with HIV undertaken by Sigma Research and commissioned by Terrence Higgins Trust and the Department of Health. It found that 36% of respondents had faced HIV related discrimination in the previous year.
Discrimination came from family members, their own community, doctors and other health professionals.
Marc Thompson, Acting Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust said;
"Despite provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act, large numbers of people with HIV are facing discrimination on a regular basis. In the family, this could be name-calling, marginalisation or even issues like the refusal of family members to share kitchen equipment. People with HIV also reported breaches of confidentiality or refusal of services from health or care professionals".
The survey of 1,777 people with HIV in the UK found that discrimination was compounded by homophobia, racism or asylum and immigration related prejudice.
The survey, which looked at a number of health needs, also found that over a half of people with HIV were unhappy with their sex lives and two-thirds of respondents had experienced problems with sex in the previous year.
Peter Weatherburn, Director of Sigma Research said;
"The survey further demonstrates the complex needs of many people with HIV. Whilst HIV can be a chronic manageable condition for some people, many people struggle with practical and physical issues such as housing, mobility and child care. The widespread experience of discrimination and social isolation point to the harshness of living with HIV, compared with other chronic conditions".
Switchboard AGM
Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard are holding their AGM at the Brighthelm Centre, Queens Road on Saturday April 25 from 3-5pm.The AGM provides a unique opportunity to hear about Switchboard’s work and developments in the last year, including the services and volunteering opportunities it provides and a chance to meet the trustees, staff and volunteers informally over cheese and wine.
To help with catering requirement RSVP by writing to the Services and Development Manager, Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, 6 Bartholomews, Brighton, BN1 1HG
OR email brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk
OR telephone 01273 207050
For more information view: www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Stop the BNP, meeting tonight
This year the British National Party may get their best election results ever in the European Parliament election, which could lead them to winning a seat in the South East.Brighton and Hove’s Unite Against Fascism (UAF) group and Love, Music, Hate, Racism are having an organising meeting to plan what action can be taken to avoid the fascist party gaining more power.
The meeting is open to anybody that wants to help plan things such as stalls and leaflets that can be used to make people aware of the racist and homophobic views held by the BNP.
The UAF said:
“We call, as a matter of greatest urgency, for the broadcast unity against the alarming rise in racism and fascism in Britain today.” They said the BNP now has 54 councillors in Britain and they are trying to make themselves look like a respectable party, but are trying to get votes based on racist, homophobic and Anti-Semitic ideas.
According to the Facebook group, ‘Vote to stop the racist BNP in 2009’, the BNP said the following in their 1997 Manifesto: “We promise to bring back legislation forbidding homosexual acts- thus driving these revolting practices back into the closet where they belong.”
The meeting will be held tonight, Tuesday March 31, 7.30pm, at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton.
The Facebook group can be found on:
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56330429447&ref=mf.
Love, Music, Hate, Racism’s website can be found on:
www.lovemusichateracism.com/about/
The Brighton UAF can be emailed on: brightonuaf@googlemail.com.
Brighton Council sign up to charter to protect women at work
Brighton and Hove Council have become one of the first UK authorities to join a charter which aims to protect women in the workplace.The Fawcett Charter is a coalition of top employers that are committed to make sure women are treated equally at work.
By signing up to this charter, the council have agreed to review its internal procedures to avoid putting women in situations where they are viewed as objects. It also agreed to audit employee expenses, to check that council money is not being used in lap dancing clubs.
Green Councillor, Amy Kennedy was the first to urge the council to sign up to the charter, she said:
“I’m delighted the council has taken this stand. While we already have numerous robust policies in place to ensure women employed by Brighton & Hove City Council are treated with respect, signing up to the Fawcett Charter sends a clear message across the city: sexism in the work place is not acceptable".
She said it was important to give this message clearly, because women are particularly vulnerable during the recession which involves greater competition for jobs.
The charter is named after Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, who played an important role in campaigning for women to get the right to vote. She was also married to Henry Fawcett, an MP for Brighton between 1865-1874.
For more information about the Greens, view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Pictures Caroline Lucas MEP and Green Cllr Amy Kennedy
Greens want cash to be given back to the communities
Brighton and Hove Green party has called on the council to give 'cash back' to communities after an Audit Commission survey found city residents like living here, but want to get more involved in local decision-making.The 'Place Survey' found that though 86 per cent of city residents are generally happy with the area, a growing number (39 per cent) wanted to be directly involved in making the decisions that affect them.
Queen's Park councillor Ben Duncan said the council should listen and allow local communities to determine neighbourhood spending priorities for themselves.
Cllr Duncan, who is also the party's Community Safety spokesperson, said:
"This just shows how important proper funding for community partnerships is to residents.
"Community cash back is used by councils across the country. In Lewisham (South London) each ward gets £100,000 annually, for example and we know that neighbourhood groups would welcome the money.
"Really it should be for local communities, not the council as a whole, to decide on local priorities, whether they are to cut or plant bulbs on verges, buy computers for communal use or even employ domestic violence workers."
He added:
"It's such a shame therefore that this council is doing just the opposite, and cutting funding for groups like the Tarner and Eastern Road partnerships.
"We need to look closely at using mechanisms like Local Action Teams (LATs) and community partnerships to improve democracy across the city - and introducing participatory budgeting wherever possible."
For more information about the Greens, view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Tories abstain on vote to help homeless young LGBT people
Green Party Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have attacked Tories for failing to support proposals to try to improve services for homeless LGBT people in the city.After refusing to include a Green Party proposal for the Council to sign up to the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) National Quality Assurance Mark costing just £3,000 at the Council’s annual budget setting meeting, Tory councillors abstained when the Greens brought a proposal for the Council to work with AKT, who support young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) homeless people, to full council last month.
It was carried with the support of Labour, Lib Dems and an independent councillor. The motion now goes to the next Cabinet meeting chaired by the member for housing, Maria Caulfield for a decision on whether to move forward with the proposal.
Tories argued there were already services in place with Allsorts and Hove YMCA, neither of who specialise in providing help to LGBT homeless people.
Cllr Bill Randall, the Greens spokesperson on LGBT issues said:
“For a modest amount of money, the Albert Kennedy Trust could bring their expertise to Brighton and Hove and improve services for this vulnerable LGBT Group”.
“Gaining support at full council takes us a step closer to bringing Albert Kennedy Trusts specialist services to the city".
"The motion must now be ratified by the Tory Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Maria Caulfield. The ball is in her court. We trust she will accept the will of the council, take our proposal forward and adopt the AKT Quality Assurance Mark, which offers a model of best practice to mainstream housing and homelessness organisations."
He continued:
“Our motion is not a criticism of the valuable services provided already by the Allsorts charity and Hove YMCA. AKT would complement their good work with a programme of training, policy advice, and practical support, which includes supported lodgings schemes, mentoring and befriending services.”
Pictured Bill Randall
For more information go to:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Sussex Beacon cycle ride to Paris
You will usually find Barry Whitford propping up the bar in a variety of hostelries in Kemp Town. However, you won’t in April, as he is undertaking a five-day sponsored bike ride to Paris and back to benefit The Sussex Beacon.On Monday April 6, Barry will go by train from Brighton to London Victoria from where he will cycle to Dover. There he takes the ferry to Calais, then it’s back on his bike to Paris via Amiens. From Paris he will cycle to Dieppe via Dampierre, where he will take the ferry back to Newhaven.
He expects to arrive back at the Marine Tavern around 10.30pm on Friday April 10.
Barry is making the ride solo with no back-up cars or assistance. Most organised charity rides to Paris ask for a minimum sponsorship of at least £1,200, from which they may deduct accommodation and other costs.
Barry’s costs for this trip total about £250, which he will pay himself, so every penny of sponsorship money raised will go directly to The Sussex Beacon.
Help Barry reach his target of £1,000 for The Sussex Beacon. For sponsorship forms ask at the Marine Tavern or donate at:
www.justgiving.co.uk/barrywhitford
For more information about the Sussex Beacon go to:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
Last chance to win a holiday to the Canary Islands
Tube Station, at 47 St James Street, are offering five fabulous holidays to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The prizes include return flights from a major UK airport, one week’s full board accommodation and airport transfer to your hotel.
Fuetaventura is the second largest of the Canaries and the closest of the islands to Africa. It boasts three thousand hours of sunshine a year - and with your tanning course under your belt, you'll be off to a jolly good start!
All you need to do to enter the competition is book a tanning course for £40 or more at Tube Station and complete the entry form before 31st March 2009.
Entry forms available when you book your tanning course.
For more details about Tube Station go to:
www.realbrighton.com/company/1142
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A marriage made in hell!
The Lib Dems have asked the Conservative Party to confirm whether or not they are going to form an alliance with a political party who have made homophobic statements. Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Youth and Equality, Lynne Featherstone has written to William Hague, asking him to clarify if the Conservatives are joining forces with the Polish Law and Justice party in the European Parliament.
She included in the letter that senior politicians from the Polish party have made homophobic statements, as well as racist statements about Barack Obama’s election marking ‘the end of white man’s civilisation’.
Tomek Kitlinski and Pawel Leszkowicz wrote in an article for online magazine, The Gully, that the leader of the party, Jaroslaw Kaczynski and his twin brother Lech, who is now President of Poland, both have homophobic views.
Jaroslaw called for homosexuals to be barred from teaching and told the Polish publication Ozon;
“The affirmation of homosexuality will lead to the downfall of civilisation. We can’t agree to it.”
They said Lech banned gay pride parades during his time as Mayor of Warsaw while allowing a ‘Parade of Normality’ to happen instead.
The writers said the twins are both homophobic for different reasons.
They wrote:
“Lech Kaczynski, the President, is married, with one child; at 56, brother Jaroslaw, the Law and Justice party boss, has never married and lives with their mother. The word on the gay street here is that Jaroslaw Kaczynski is a closet case whose homophobia is fueled by fear.”
The party was set up in 2001 by the twins. Lech became mayor of Warsaw in 2002, before being elected president of the country in 2005.
Lynne Featherstone said in her letter:
“By joining with these people the Tories would be to lending credence to their abhorrent views.
“Homophobia and racism have no place in mainstream politics".
She said that the Conservatives need to make it clear as to whether they will team up with the party despite all of these homophobic and racist issues.
Lola walks for Stonewall
Local drag artist Lola Lasagne aka Stephen Richards will be donning his high heels, putting a bit of lippy on and maybe even wearing a new frock to walk on this years Stonewall Equality Walk. This is Stephen’s first time on the walk. Stephen said:
“The work Stonewall does is very important. The proceeds from this years walk will go to help fund ‘FIT’ a video that tackles issues surrounding homophobic bullying in schools. I can’t think of a better project to support. I was bullied at school and I am happy to do anything that helps tackle this issue."
“If the weather is good I will do it in drag if not I will wear my baseball cap and trainers.”
To sponsor Lola go to: www.justgiving.com/stephenrichards1
The walker who raises the most sponsorship will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
This year's walk starts from the Royal Pavilion Gardens on Sunday, May 3. Celebrity walkers include Amy Lamé, former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of 'I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', Brian Paddick and Mr Gay UK.
Walkers and their friends are invited to meet from midday for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for a warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
The profits from this years walk will go towards funding a DVD of 'Fit', a play aimed at 11-14 year olds, that tackles the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Stonewall want to send a copy of the DVD to every school in the country.
To register now go www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact: The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to: www.stonewall.org.uk
Pride AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Pride (South East) Limited will be held on Tuesday March 31 at 7pm, in the Sandringham Suite of the Queens Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton.The Annual General Meeting conducts the formal business of the organisation and gives members a say in how Pride is operated, including the election of the Management Committee.
Anyone who is interested may attend the AGM, but only those who have been members of the charity for 28 days prior to the meeting are eligible to vote.
If you wish to attend please RSVP to office@brightonpride.org or call 01273 775939 as refreshments will be provided.
You can download the Agenda, the 2008 Minutes, the Election of Management Committee and the 2007-08 Final Accounts on the Pride website www.brightonpride.org
All of these documents are also available in hard copy from the Pride office please contact 01273 775939.
Copies of the 2007-2008 Annual Report will be available at the AGM and following the AGM will be available from the Pride office.
For more information view: www.brightonpride.org
Volunteer survey
People who receive help from volunteers or others in their local community are being asked to take part in a survey.Spectrum and the Volunteer Centre are launching a survey to find out what people think needs to be done to improve volunteering in Brighton and Hove.
The survey is part of a project by Spectrum and the Volunteer Centre that involves creating a volunteering strategy for the city. The aim of the strategy would be to ensure that volunteering will be encouraged much more in Brighton and Hove in the future.
They also plan to co-host an LGBT focus group in the summer as part of the strategy development.
To take part in the survey before the deadline on April 16, visit:
www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=kUsGslfZfEjR_2faJECQsPZA_3d_3d.
Tainted Blood campaigners call for justice
Campaign group, Tainted Blood, have launched a petition on the Prime Minister’s website to encourage the government to listen to the recommendations made for victims of contaminated blood in Lord Archer of Standwell recent report.Tainted Blood member, Mark Ward, says more than 2,000 people have died from infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C as a result of contaminated blood, which can be passed onto them through blood transfusions.
He said that it has been reported that hundreds of haemophiliacs have been exposed to the human form of Mad Cow Disease, CJD.
The petition, which is currently ranked 48th place out of 4838 on the website, urges the government to put in place Lord Archer’s recommendations.
The report was based on a two year inquiry into blood contamination and recommends adequate funding for the UK Haemophilia Society, to create a statutory Haemophilia committee that would include patient representation and compensation for victims and their families.
Mr Ward said:
“We believe it is imperative that the government acts swiftly and urgently to do this, as people are currently dying at the rate of more than one a month without having any answers as to how this was allowed to happen and without knowing whether their families will be made financially secure in the future. On one day alone, recently, there were two funerals, two widows and two grieving families, including seven children.”
For more information about Tainted Blood, visit:
www.taintedblood.info
and to sign the petition, visit;
petitions.number10.gov.uk/contaminated/
Pictured Lord Archer of Standwell
Friday, March 27, 2009
Greens fight homophobia in Eastern Europe
The UK and Polish Green Parties have joined forces to combat homophobia in Eastern Europe.Both parties met at the Greens’ Spring conference in Blackpool and agreed the idea in preparation for IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) 2009 on May 17.
Aleksandra Kretskowska, from the Polish Greens, said many LGBT people in countries such as Poland, Latvia, Serbia and Lithuania, experience prejudice and homophobic violence.
She said:
“In Poland, Prides were small at first, but over the last few years confidence has grown. In 2008, over 15,000 people felt safe enough to come together to celebrate being gay and lesbian, bisexual and trans. Gradually people are challenging the invisibility which has been forced on them and new laws on LGBT discrimination from the European Union are also helping to improve people's legal rights and change attitudes."
London Green MEP, Jean Lambert has urged LGBT rights forward across Europe and has helped gay asylum seekers to seek safety in the UK. She said the Green LGBTQI group has decided to work with campaigners in Eastern Europe to tackle homophobia.
She said:
“In many countries people deny that homosexuality exists, so tackling discrimination is difficult. However, we have committed to supporting the efforts of those who are progressive and brave enough to speak out."
One way they have decided to tackle this issue is through EuroPride events. These will be held in Eastern Europe and will publicise the difficulties that the LGBT community faces in these countries.
Green MEPs have also pushed for research to be done to help combat homophobia, which has led to a new report from the Fundamental Rights Agency being launched March 31 at the European Parliament.
For more information about the LGBTQI Greens’ visit:
www.lgbtgreens.org.uk
For more infomation about IDAHO Day visit: www.idaho.org.uk
Pictured Jean Lambert MEP
HIV statistics among gay men falls slightly
Figures from a new report by the Health Protection Agency estimates in the UK last year there were 7,370 new HIV diagnoses. The agency found a high transmission rate still remains among gay men. They estimated 2,830 of the new diagnoses were through men having sex with men.
However, diagnoses in gay men have lowered since 2007, but the amount of gay men being diagnosed is still the second highest amount recorded by the agency ever. The agency said they are unsure if the number has reduced because less gay men are getting HIV or whether researchers were unable to report all new diagnoses.
Sexual health expert at the Health Protection Agency, Dr Barry Evans said:
"The number of gay men diagnosed as HIV positive each year is still high and shows that a large number of individuals are still being infected.
"Gay men continue to be the group in the UK most at risk of acquiring HIV and latest national guidelines recommend that gay men should test annually.”
He advised safe sex by using condoms as being the safest way to protect against HIV.
THT’s Head of Policy, Lisa Power said:"Numbers of people diagnosed with HIV are rising for many reasons. More people are getting tested, which is good. But some people don't realise they could be at risk, and others take risks despite knowing them. HIV is not a risk worth taking."
Professor Maria Zambon, Director of the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections, said:
"People need to know that testing for HIV and all sexually transmitted infections is both free and confidential at sexual health clinics across the UK. If you have had unprotected sex with a new or casual partner you should go and get tested.”
She said having easier access to HIV testing through a variety of health care settings is important, especially for those most at risk, which includes gay men and black African heterosexuals.
The report found evidence that those in higher risk groups such as gay men are being tested and diagnosed earlier than they used to, but one in five gay men are still being diagnosed late, which is after the point that treatment should have started.
To view information about the report, visit the Health Protection Agency’s website on: www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1238055365942?p=1231252394302.
Calls for Moyles to go!
The BBC has been found in breach of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code following allegations of homophobia towards the gay singer Will Young by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles earlier this year.Phelim MacCafferty, the LGBT Greens Media Officer said:
“The BBC has ended up in trouble again because of Chris Moyles’ lazy stereotyping and homo- and trans-phobia. One of the comments that Moyles used live on air to humiliate Will Young is: "It’s my birthday, gonna wear my new dress tonight. And I smell nice. I’ve had a shower and I’ve shaved my legs. Going out later, might go to Nob-oooh for dinner.
“LGBTs are TV licence payers too, not fools. Stop allowing us to be treated as an emotional punchbag which can be dragged out for public humiliation on every desperate occasion Chris Moyles needs to produce ‘comedy’.
“If a DJ impersonated a black or minority ethnic performer with offensive, stereotyped references, we would not tolerate their continued employment. Why are LGBTs somehow different?“Here we have yet more evidence of the latent and blatant homophobia of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.” Continued Phelim: “He’s not ‘postmodern’, he’s not ‘ironic’, he’s a homophobe who clogs our airwaves with his hatred. He deserves the sack for continuously causing offence to LGBTs.
“As the Teachers' Report revealed only weeks ago: Ninety percent of secondary school teachers and two fifths of primary school teachers say pupils experience homophobic bullying.
"The BBC therefore has a public duty of care to the young, school-going age listeners of Chris Moyles, to stop their lazy stereotyping. BBC stop your defence of radio’s numero uno homophobe; it's about time you stuck your necks out for young LGBTs who face the repetition of Moyles’ hatred in the playground".
In response to a complaint registered by Gscene Magazine as to why the BBC continue to employ Moyles the BBC said:
"We note the findings of the ruling, as we said at the time, these comments were unacceptable and we spoke to Chris and his team about them to make that clear.
The BBC remains absolutely committed to representing the UK's diversity, including through honest and accurate reflection of gay, lesbian and bisexual people. We strive to do this across all genres on television and radio.
Call for the sacking of Chris Moyles now. Complain to the BBC’s Chief Executive, at
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
or telephone 03700 100 222
Heroic welcome for athletes during Parade of Nations at Out Games this summer
Participants in this years World Outgames are going to get a heroic welcome to Copenhagen at the opening ceremony on July 25 this summer.In a break from the traditional stadium style parade, World Outgames 2009 organisers, in partnership with the city government, have planned a sensational tribute traditionally reserved for Danish royalty and national sports heroes at City Hall Square in the heart of the city.
A crowd of 40,000 is expected to be on hand to cheer and greet participants during the parade of nations across a 6 meter wide and 70 meter long catwalk constructed especially for the occasion.
The opening ceremony will feature a dramatic presentation of the themes of gender, identity and diversity including music performances, aerial artistry and a spectacular light show.
Some of Denmark’s most popular artists and musicians including, aerial acrobats from the Academy for Untamed Creativity, percussionist Lisbeth Dihrs and a number of the countries top DJ’s will contribute to this unprecedented celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sport, culture and human rights.
The opening ceremony will begin with a greeting from the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard.
To register for the games go to:
www.copenhagen2009.org/
Fight the BNP!
This year the British National Party may get their best election results ever in the European Parliament election, which could lead them to winning a seat in the South East.Brighton and Hove’s Unite Against Fascism (UAF) group and Love, Music, Hate, Racism are having an organising meeting to plan what action can be taken to avoid the fascist party gaining more power.
The meeting is open to anybody that wants to help plan things such as stalls and leaflets that can be used to make people aware of the racist and homophobic views held by the BNP.
The UAF said:
“We call, as a matter of greatest urgency, for the broadcast unity against the alarming rise in racism and fascism in Britain today.” They said the BNP now has 54 councillors in Britain and they are trying to make themselves look like a respectable party, but are trying to get votes based on racist, homophobic and Anti-Semitic ideas.
According to the Facebook group, ‘Vote to stop the racist BNP in 2009’, the BNP said the following in their 1997 Manifesto: “We promise to bring back legislation forbidding homosexual acts- thus driving these revolting practices back into the closet where they belong.”
The meeting will be held on Tuesday March 31, 7.30pm, at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton.
The Facebook group can be found on:
www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=56330429447&ref=mf.
Love, Music, Hate, Racism’s website can be found on:
www.lovemusichateracism.com/about/
The Brighton UAF can be emailed on: brightonuaf@googlemail.com.
Hospital waiting lists in the South East the shortest ever
Cllr Jeane Lepper, the Labour lead on Adult Social Care and Health on Brighton and Hove City Council, has congratulated all NHS staff in Brighton and Hove after Labour’s Health Secretary, Alan Johnson announced last Thursday (19) that the NHS now has the shortest waiting times since records began.New data shows that in the South East and across England the NHS has met its target to treat patients within a maximum of 18 weeks from referral by their GP. Over 90% of patients in the South East are now being treated within 18 weeks or less.
Cllr Jeane Lepper said;
“This is wonderful news for patients in Brighton and Hove and all NHS staff can feel proud that their professional care and hard work has made so much difference to people’s experience of Hospital treatment.
"In the 1990’s it was not uncommon for patients to wait 18 months or more for their operations.
"The National Health Service is one of Labour’s greatest achievements and this Country is rightly proud of it. These recent figures are a tribute to the dedication of all doctors, nurses, and health professionals within the NHS, who continue to work to provide the best possible service in Brighton and Hove.”
Therapists still offering treatments for homosexuals despite lack of evidence
A significant minority of psychiatrists and therapists are still attempting to help LGBT clients become heterosexual despite lack of evidence that such treatment is beneficial or even safe, according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust.The research, published today in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry, coincides with the launch of the website: www.treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk
The website gathers together oral histories from LGBT people who have undergone treatment as well as from professionals who developed and conducted such treatments.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) and St George's, University of London, question over 1,400 mental health professionals on whether they would attempt to change a client's sexual orientation if requested. Although only one in twenty-five (4%) said that they would do so, one in six (17%) reported having assisted at least one client to reduce their gay or lesbian feelings, usually through therapy. Therapists were also asked in what year they had conducted such therapy and there was no sign of a decrease in recent times.
Professor Michael King from UCL said:
"There is very little evidence to show that attempting to treat a person's homosexual feelings is effective and in fact it can actually be harmful. So it is surprising that a significant minority of practitioners still offer this help to their clients."
Professor King and colleagues found that a number of reasons were given by the psychiatrists and therapists for offering assistance, ranging from the counsellor's own moral and religious views about homosexuality through to a desire to help patients who were stressed by discrimination. There was also a degree of ignorance about the lack of evidence surrounding such the efficacy of such therapies – in particular, that no randomised control trials have ever been conducted that show that the therapies are effective.
Comments from the counsellors who offered assistance included:
"Where someone had a strong faith, then working to help the person accept their feelings but manage them appropriately may be the best approach if [the] person felt they would lose God and therefore their life was not worth living."
"The individuals I have worked with have all been very unhappy about their sexuality and wish they were heterosexual. This has been because of responses from friends, family and the local community – which outside London is still very homophobic."
"Children and young adults are more likely to be confused about their sexuality and to jump to conclusions (correct or otherwise) if unable to talk through their concerns."
"Although homosexual feelings are usual in people, their physical expression, and being a person’s only way of having sexual relations is problematic. The physical act for male homosexuals is physically damaging and is the main reason in this country for AIDS/HIV. It is also perverse."
Professor King believes that it is important to raise awareness amongst both therapists and the wider public about homosexuality and its so-called treatments.
He said:
"The best approach is to help people adjust to their situation, to value them as people and show them that there is nothing whatever pathological about their sexual orientation.
"Both mental health practitioners and society at large must help them to confront prejudice in themselves and in others."The researchers have launched a new website: www.treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk
which aims to help raise awareness and collect oral histories from both mental health practitioners and the people they have treated.
Commenting on the research, Derek Munn, Director of Public Affairs at the gay and lesbian equality organisation Stonewall, says:
"So-called gay cure therapies are wholly discredited. The conclusions of this research are a welcome reminder that what lesbian and gay people need is equal treatment by society, not misguided treatment by a minority of health professionals."
The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and Pink Therapy have also expressed deep concerns about the research. Tom Warnecke, vice chair of UKCP said;
“Homosexuality is not an illness and therefore is not curable.
“These alarming figures confirm our view that more training opportunities are needed to ensure that psychotherapists and counsellors can respond appropriately to people who are distressed about some aspect of their sexuality. We have invited Pink Therapy to hold a joint conference with UKCP on this subject in London May 15 and 16, which will explore the mental health difficulties and distress experienced by sexual minorities and propose ways to address the issues that sexual minority clients bring to therapy.”
Dominic Davies, Director of Pink Therapy - the UK’s largest independent therapy organisation specialising in working with gender and sexual minority clients said;
“I can understand how therapists faced with a distressed client who is deeply unhappy about their sexuality will want to help them, but attempts to eliminate same-sex desire are futile. Even ‘Ex-Gay’ evangelical activists admit to still having homosexual desires. As the failure of sexual abstinence programmes for teenagers in the USA has shown, it is difficult to prevent the expression of natural sexual responses – and it’s impossible to make someone heterosexual if they are not.
Davies added: “The data presented by Professor King clearly demonstrates a training need for therapists to update their knowledge in this area. Most therapy training programmes pay scant attention to sexual diversity if it’s covered at all: this is perhaps how we’ve got into this situation with therapists thinking they can cure homosexual feelings.”
Professor King will open the conference by presenting the full data from his study of therapists’ attitudes towards sexual minority clients and will review other research into Mental Health Issues for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Other presentations and workshops will update therapists on the latest developments in working with gender and sexual minority clients.
Working with Gender and Sexual Minorities takes place on May 15 and 16, 2009.
Further details about the conference from and a booking form from:
www.psychotherapy.org.uk/conferences_events.html
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Fair deal for all!
Labour’s gay parliamentary candidate for Worthing West, Ian Ross, has asked the Government Equalities Office to keep a closer eye on insurance companies, as it has emerged that gay and lesbian couples are still experiencing problems when attempting to take out insurance.The Equality Act 2007 attempted to remove any remaining discrimination against gay couples who apply for insurance in the UK. When insuring couples, insurance companies are now required to treat civil partnerships and heterosexual marriages as the same when writing policies. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) confirmed this position to the public in July 2008.
However, a recent study carried out by No Claims Discount found that the bureaucracy in processing applications is causing added difficulties to civil partners because the forms and processes are only set up to deal with heterosexual couples.
Ian Ross explained:
"Many of the risk-management systems used by the insurance industry generally assume a person is heterosexual. The insurance bureaucracy itself, with its endless forms, procedures and legal jargon, may still be a barrier to gay couples getting the insurance they need.
“Even though an insurer may be in full compliance with the Equality Act, its on and offline insurance procedures may not be structured to allow for insurance policies for gay couples.
“It is important that insurance companies resolve this shambles so that gay couples are able to purchase insurance without all the hassle that currently exists.”
For more information about Ian Ross go to:
worthingwestlabour.org.uk/find-out-about-ian-ross
Tories abstain on vote to help homeless young LGBT people
Green Party Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have attacked Tories for failing to support proposals to try to improve services for homeless LGBT people in the city.After refusing to include a Green Party proposal for the Council to sign up to the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) National Quality Assurance Mark costing just £3,000 at the Council’s annual budget setting meeting, Tory councillors abstained when the Greens brought a proposal for the Council to work with AKT, who support young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) homeless people, to full council last month.
It was carried with the support of Labour, Lib Dems and an independent councillor. The motion now goes to the next Cabinet meeting chaired by the member for housing, Maria Caulfield for a decision on whether to move forward with the proposal.
Tories argued there were already services in place with Allsorts and Hove YMCA, neither of who specialise in providing help to LGBT homeless people.
Cllr Bill Randall, the Greens spokesperson on LGBT issues said:
“For a modest amount of money, the Albert Kennedy Trust could bring their expertise to Brighton and Hove and improve services for this vulnerable LGBT Group”.
“Gaining support at full council takes us a step closer to bringing Albert Kennedy Trusts specialist services to the city".
"The motion must now be ratified by the Tory Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Maria Caulfield. The ball is in her court. We trust she will accept the will of the council, take our proposal forward and adopt the AKT Quality Assurance Mark, which offers a model of best practice to mainstream housing and homelessness organisations."
He continued:
“Our motion is not a criticism of the valuable services provided already by the Allsorts charity and Hove YMCA. AKT would complement their good work with a programme of training, policy advice, and practical support, which includes supported lodgings schemes, mentoring and befriending services.”
Pictured Bill Randall
For more information go to:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Homophobic hate speech banned, despite Tory opposition
A law to ban homophobic hate speech passed a key vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday (24), despite Conservative MPs turning out to oppose it.In the run up to the debate in the commons, LGBT Labour called on supporters to lobby MPs to save Clause 58 - a section of the Coroners & Justice Bill that promises to outlaw homophobic hate speech.
Shadow Cabinet member Nick Herbert recently claimed that:
"respect for gay people is one of the hallmarks of David Cameron's Conservatives".
But, the last time these protections came before the Commons just 5 Tory MPs voted in support. On March 3 every Conservative MP on the Bill's Committee voted against the protections for lesbian and gay people. At the vote on Tuesday (24) Tory MPs voted to remove Clause 58.
Simon Wright, LGBT Labour Co-Chair, said:
"This is a powerful reminder of the empty promises of change from David
Cameron's Conservatives. The LGBT community needs more than fluffy words. We need Labour MPs who will vote for equality - not Tories who say one thing and do another."
For more information about LGBT Labour go to:
www.lgbtlabour.org.uk
Village drinks gets a facelift
A social networking group for gay professionals returns to Brighton next month. Village Drinks is being relaunched under the stewardship of Radio Reverb presenter Cat Harding. The group, which has more than 500 Brighton members, will meet monthly at different venues in Brighton’s gay village for drinks, speed-dating events and private dinners.
Cat said:
“I’m so excited to be involved with this. There’s a real need for a regular series of local events to cater for our gay professional community in Brighton and across Sussex.”
Village Drinks was nominated for Stonewall Community Group of the Year in 2008, and in December the group raised more than £4,000 for the Albert Kennedy Trust.
Co-founder of the group Neil Spring said:
“Our new events in Brighton and our website will help gay professionals across Brighton and the South Coast get together, make new contacts and, hopefully, make some new and dear friends.”
The first event will be on May 7 at the Latest Music Bar from 7.30pm.
To attend the event, register for free on:
www.villagedrinks.co.uk.
Pictured Cat Harding
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Britain’s leading anxiety charity campaigns for better awareness of the deadly impact of agoraphobia
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Anxiety UK, Britain’s leading anxiety disorders charity, leads the way in awareness raising of the potentially deadly impact of agoraphobia. This comes after the tragic case in February of Kevin’s Keegan’s nephew’s suicide following his struggles with the condition.Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive of Anxiety UK, who herself suffers with the condition said:
“Agoraphobia is a widely misunderstood and very disabling condition. Time and time again at Anxiety UK we see cases of people whose lives have been destroyed by this debilitating disorder. It can often mean people are completely isolated from society, loosing their jobs and contact with friends and family, crippled by fear.”
Anxiety UK is asking health and social care professionals to recognise the potentially chronic and acute effects the condition, and treat patients appropriately.
Agoraphobia is not, as often believed, a fear of open spaces. Most commonly it is a fear of panic attacks, which the sufferer believes they will have if they travel outside of their ‘safe zone’. In extreme cases this ‘safe zone’ can become one room of a house, and the sufferer is afraid of even going to their own bathroom.
“We implore any health or social care professional who encounters agoraphobia to take it seriously,” continued Nicky Lidbetter. “There are many treatments and therapies which have been shown to help, including telephone Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is obviously great for people who are unable to leave their homes. I myself have found that taking simple steps such as improving my diet and taking regular exercise have brought my agoraphobia to a manageable level. The important thing is to recognise the potential seriousness of the condition and treat it appropriately. The sooner steps are taken to alleviate the condition, the less likely it is to become entrenched and completely destroy someone’s life.”
Research has found Telephone CBT to be as effective as face-to-face therapy, and this is available through Anxiety UK.
For more information go to:
www.anxietyuk.org.uk
or call 08444 775 774.
LGBT South East launched
Four local politicians came together on March 14 to help launch Labour’s LGBT South East Group. Simon Burgess (Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemp Town), Nancy Platts (Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion), Ian Ross (Labour’s gay parliamentary candidate for Worthing West), and Janet Sully (Labour’s European parliamentary candidate for the South East) all joined forces for the launch in Charles Street Bar.
Simon Burgess said:
“With the Tory threat feeling ever more real, it’s having the positive effect of encouraging more young Labour LGBT members to get actively involved in Sussex.”
For more information go to: lgbtlabour.org.uk
Blood review welcomed
Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Worthing West, Ian Ross, has welcomed news of a government review into the current exclusion on gay men donating blood.Ian Ross said:
“In January’s Gscene I explained why I believe that the current policy on gay men donating blood is out of date. I even went as far as saying that the current policy discriminates against gay men, who are excluded from donating blood just for the reason of being gay. I concluded that the current policy needs to be radically overhauled and brought into the 21st century".
He continued:
“Since January I have increased the heat on the Minister of State for Public Health, Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, who is currently responsible for government policy covering blood. I am delighted that the minister has informed me that the Safety of Blood and Tissue Organ committee (SaBTO) will be reviewing the issue of generic risk, including for men who have sex with men, later this year.
“The minister has told me in that she understands the concerns about the current exclusion from blood donation of men who have sex with men. I agree with the minister that the safety of the blood supply is paramount. Although this review is a small step forward, I welcome it as a positive move as SaBTO goes about reviewing its evidence base. As blood supplies are in strong demand, I believe it is about time that the government recognises gay men as a worthy source to help save lives.”
Lisa Power, head of policy at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:
“THT has been supporting work towards this review for some time. The regulations need to be based on the best possible evidence and different restrictions for different population groups need to be made understandable to the public. We’re asking people to abide by the current restrictions until any further decision has been made. It’s important that people are reassured that all the evidence has been examined and that any restrictions are made on the basis of evidence and not wishful thinking or political pressure.”
PIPs raise the flag on Brighton Festival Fringe
Leader of the Green Party and prospective parliamentary candidate for the Brighton Pavilion constituency, Caroline Lucas MEP will officially launch a four-week special Philosophy in Pubs (PIPs) event at the Park View Pub, Preston Drove, Brighton by raising the flag displaying Rodin’s ‘The Thinker’ statue holding a pint on Friday, April 3 at 11am.The Park View has been home of PIPs since it was launched in Brighton in June 2008. Since then it has become a regular feature on the social calendar giving ‘ordinary’ people the chance to ponder the meaning of life over a pint!
Every second Sunday of every month around 40 people turn up to discuss their ideas and thoughts on a particular subject whilst listening and learning from each other. Topics covered include political correctness, what makes us happy and belief as examples.
For the 2009 Brighton Festival Fringe PIPs will be tackling one of the bigger issues of life: 'Who’s to blame for me?’ Over the four Sundays in May speakers from philosophy, psychology, religions and neuroscience will explore ‘what makes people the way they are’. The audience will then divide into small discussion groups to share their thoughts and learn from others. All are welcome.
Caroline Lucas MEP says:
“It is very encouraging that PIPs has grown so fast. It clearly highlights a thirst for discussion about the more serious things in life, in a very sociable setting, which is something the Green Party thoroughly supports. I wish PIPs continuing success.”
For more information about the Green Party go to:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Pride AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Pride (South East) Limited will be held on Tuesday March 31 at 7pm, in the Sandringham Suite of the Queens Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton.The Annual General Meeting conducts the formal business of the organisation and gives members a say in how Pride is operated, including the election of the Management Committee.
Anyone who is interested may attend the AGM, but only those who have been members of the charity for 28 days prior to the meeting are eligible to vote.
If you wish to attend please RSVP to office@brightonpride.org or call 01273 775939 as refreshments will be provided.
You can download the Agenda, the 2008 Minutes, the Election of Management Committee and the 2007-08 Final Accounts on the Pride website www.brightonpride.org
All of these documents are also available in hard copy from the Pride office please contact 01273 775939.
Copies of the 2007-2008 Annual Report will be available at the AGM and following the AGM will be available from the Pride office.
Council refuse to put plaque on MindOUT suicide tree
MindOUT held its third annual Suicide Memorial Vigil last month at the LGBT Suicide Memorial Tree in St Anne's Well Gardens. The event was part of Winter Pride celebrations and funded by Pride in Brighton and Hove. Forty people gathered round the weeping cherry, originally donated by Brighton & Hove City Council LGBT Workers' Forum.
The tree was planted as a permanent testimony to LGBT people, friends and family who have been touched by suicide and serves as a place to visit, contemplate and remember.
This year's event was serenaded by the Hullabaloo community choir.
Despite repeated requests and a petition, the Council will not allow a plaque at the tree.
If anyone can help them appeal their decision, please get in touch.
MindOUT provide a range of free, independent services for LGBT people who are or who have been in suicidal distress, including advice, information and advocacy, group support and activity groups.
If you would like to talk about this or any other mental health issue to an out LGBT
worker in confidence, please ring 01273 739847 or email info@lgbtmind.com
GAYSWAG celebrates fifth birthday
GAYSWAG, the gay Sussex walking group based in Brighton, celebrates its fifth birthday on Sunday April 12, and its 116th walk, with a trip based on its first ever walk, back in 2004, along the River Ouse, north of Newhaven.The traditional birthday walk starts and finishes at 2pm at Southease station (on the line to Seaford) with a stop for drinks later at the gay-friendly Ark Inn in Newhaven.
The Gayswag walk convener Dave Wiseman promises lots of chocolate birthday cake will be provided, especially as it’s Easter Sunday, and scope for viewing plenty of Easter bunnies along the way too.
Dave said:
“We’re just a friendly, relaxed bunch of gay men who like getting out and about on a Sunday after lunch in the great countryside we have on our doorsteps.”
New members are welcome – just turn up on the day, or email the group to say you are coming along; there’s no fee.
For more information about the walks go to:
www.gayswag.co.uk.
To be regularly updated twice monthly about new walks planned, just email info@gayswag.co.uk and ask to be added to the update list.
Theatre Review: Waiting for Godot by Michael Hootman
As one of the most discussed, theorised over, and confounding of all theatrical experiences, it's hard to know exactly how to approach Waiting for Godot. As it was recently voted the most significant English language play of the 20th century in a Royal National Theatre poll the answer might be with extreme reverence. But then again it also has fart jokes. And, of course, it's famously a play in which nothing happens. So it's a bit like Seinfeld. Near the end of the first act there's a completely unintelligible, seemingly endless monologue of random repetitions and phrases, which is one of the most weird, unsettling, and hypnotic things I've seen on stage. It's like a mind winding down and spewing a lifetime's accumulation of knowledge. Like HAL at the end of 2001.But then it's also quite a bit like Laurel and Hardy. Sean Mathias's production emphasises the music-hall element of the play. On each side of the desolated waste ground in which the action (or non-action) takes place there's a column of theatre boxes. By their own admission the two protagonists have been "blathering on about nothing" for the last fifty years and the play concentrates on two consecutive days of their half-century of nonsense.
Beckett's works are supposed to be about the futility of life (on overhearing a friend saying the day was so glorious he was happy to be alive Beckett is reputed to have replied "I wouldn't go that far"). Maybe it's just this production but there is something very warm and even tender about the relationship between Estragon (Ian McKellen) and Vladimir (Patrick Stewart). Vladimir will quite happily hold Estragon in his arms as he sings him to sleep with a lullaby. But then there's a lot of talk about the merits and practicalities of the two characters hanging themselves.
The other couple in the play consists of the vain, pompous, faintly devilish Pozzo (Simon Callow) and his slave Lucky (Ronald Pickup). Another couple bound to each other for life but in an infinitely less benign way. Marriage. Maybe that's what the play is really about - maybe it's contrasting the relatively successful union with the one that's pure hell. There's also a lot of talk about religion and Christ and 'Godot' sounds suspiciously like the name Jehovah's close friends would call him. So maybe time to scotch the 'marriage' theory.
Waiting for Godot is, if nothing else, incredibly entertaining. For the most part. Occasionally you're mind might wander but that's OK.
It's hard to imagine this play being performed any better and the cast make the absurd and surreal believable and humane - and, when called for, rather inhumane. It's not an easy two hours, but it's not a difficult one either. If you can't get a ticket in Brighton then certainly try and catch it when the production transfers to London.
Waiting for Godot plays the Theatre Royal till Saturday March 28.
For more information go to:
www.ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Brighton
Monday, March 23, 2009
Revenge scoop 5 Golden Handbags
This year's Golden Handbag Show played to a full house of Brighton’s gay glitterati in the main ballroom at the Brighton Metropole Hotel on Sunday night (22).Voting this year was closer than ever with the top three nominations in four different categories being separated by just five votes. In one category for best bar girl/woman there was a three way tie.
Readers of Gscene magazine and surfers on Real Brighton.com had been voting for the last two months to find Brighton’s favourite bars, clubs and scene personality, to mention a few.
Big winners on the night were Revenge nightclub who scooped 5 Golden Handbags in favourite club, favourite girls night out, favourite male and female DJs and favourite door security categories.
Pride in Brighton and Hove won the favourite LGBT social network community award and the Sussex Beacon won the favourite LGBT Organisation.
The Golden Handbags were created in 1995 to raise funds for LGBT organisations and help build esteem and confidence in the LGBT community. They have become the biggest LGBT fundraiser of the year and have gained great affection in the community.
Entertainers supporting this years event were, Eva La Diva, Mark Inscoe, Wesley Sebastian, Jason Wood, The Rainbow Chorus, The Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Nicollete Street, Dave Lynn, David Raven, Jamie Watson, Connie Conway, Topping and Butch, Drag With No Name, Miss Jason, Kim Woodburn, Julian Bennett and the D.E.Experience.
This years Golden Handbags were sponsors by the LGBT Workers Forum of the Sussex & Brighton, NHS Trust and supported by Arena Entertainments, Billie Lewis Promotions, The Brighton Metropole Hotel, Snatch Security, Vavoom, Real Brighton and Gscene Magazine.
All artists waived their fees to appear in the show.
Funds raised will be distributed between the Aids Memorial Project, The Clare Project, Spectrum the LGBT Community Forum and Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard.
The Final results can be found at:
www.realbrighton.com/storyphotos/4337
Call for Moyles to go!
The BBC has been found in breach of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code following allegations of homophobia towards the gay singer Will Young by BBC Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles earlier this year.Phelim MacCafferty, the LGBT Greens Media Officer said:
“The BBC has ended up in trouble again because of Chris Moyles’ lazy stereotyping and homo- and trans-phobia. One of the comments that Moyles used live on air to humiliate Will Young is: "It’s my birthday, gonna wear my new dress tonight. And I smell nice. I’ve had a shower and I’ve shaved my legs. Going out later, might go to Nob-oooh for dinner.
“LGBTs are TV licence payers too, not fools. Stop allowing us to be treated as an emotional punchbag which can be dragged out for public humiliation on every desperate occasion Chris Moyles needs to produce ‘comedy’.
“If a DJ impersonated a black or minority ethnic performer with offensive, stereotyped references, we would not tolerate their continued employment. Why are LGBTs somehow different?“Here we have yet more evidence of the latent and blatant homophobia of Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles.” Continued Phelim: “He’s not ‘postmodern’, he’s not ‘ironic’, he’s a homophobe who clogs our airwaves with his hatred. He deserves the sack for continuously causing offence to LGBTs.
“As the Teachers' Report revealed only weeks ago: Ninety percent of secondary school teachers and two fifths of primary school teachers say pupils experience homophobic bullying.
"The BBC therefore has a public duty of care to the young, school-going age listeners of Chris Moyles, to stop their lazy stereotyping. BBC stop your defence of radio’s numero uno homophobe; it's about time you stuck your necks out for young LGBTs who face the repetition of Moyles’ hatred in the playground".
Call for the sacking of Chris Moyles now. Complain to the BBC’s Chief Executive, at
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/
or telephone 03700 100 222 “
Friday, March 20, 2009
Countdown to Golden Handbag Show
Voting has closed for this years Golden Handbag Awards, the votes have been counted and it's the closest run competition in years. In four separate categories the top three nominations are separated buy just 5 votes.
This year’s Golden Handbag Show takes place this Sunday evening in the main ballroom at the Hilton Metropole Hotel.
Headlining the show is the brilliant comedian Jason Wood.
Also appearing are Mark Inscoe and Wezley Sebastian, who are both appearing in the new West End production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, which opens at the Palace Theatre, London, next week.
Performers from the hugely successful Absolutely Dragulous including Dave Lynn, Maisie Trollette, Connie Conway and Jamie Watson will be performing together, as will the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus and Rainbow Chorus. Eva La Diva and Nicolette Street complete this years lineup. The show is hosted and compared by Lola Lasagne.
The event is sponsored by Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust’s LGBT Forum under its remit to promote a positive work environment and strengthen links with the wider LGBT community.
The Golden Handbags are supported by Realbrighton.com who administered the online voting and produces the interactive television production during the awards. Arena Entertainments provides the sound and lighting production on the night and the Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel donates the use of the main ballroom. The security for the night is organised by Terry Wing (aka Rita Snatch) who, once again, will be supplying unpaid door supervisors, supported by Resolve Security, and a first aider, supported by St John's Ambulance. All supporters and artists on the night give their services completely free of charge.
Entrance to the show is by a £16 donation. We guarantee very penny of your money is distributed to worthwhile LGBT causes. No expenses are taken from the entrance money.
All tables for the show are sold but there are a few tickets left at Prowler, 112 St James’s Street, Brighton. These tickets must be collected in person and paid for in cash, as Prowler are not charging a booking fee. Tickets purchased from Prowler are not reserved and are filled on a first-come-first-served basis on the night.
The Golden Handbag Awards started in 1995 and have become the biggest annual fundraiser in LGBT Brighton, raising over £100,000 for local LGBT and HIV organizations since it started.
This year’s proceeds will be distributed among a variety of LGBT organisations.
The Awards are first and foremost a fundraising event, to raise money for LGBT organisations, and are intended to build pride and confidence in the LGBT community, celebrating the best LGBT Brighton has to offer the world.
The Golden Handbag Show
Brighton Metropole Hotel
Main Ballroom
Sunday March 22 starting 7.30pm doors open 6.45pm
Full bar service and waiter service available on the night
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Enjoy an afternoon in the Martlets Hospice Garden
The Martlets Hospice Gardens are opening as part of the National Garden Scheme on March 28, between 2 and 5 pm. The garden is maintained by a group of dedicated volunteers who will be delighted to show you around.
Refreshments are on sale.
The garden is 12 years old and features mainly informal plantings, a rose bower, a water feature and wild flower bank. It's a peaceful garden with private secluded areas, which are enjoyed by patients and their families.
Admission is £3, children are free. The garden is wheelchair accessible and free parking is available.
The Hospice is based on Wayfield Avenue, Hove, BN3 7LW
For more information go to: www.themartlets.org.uk
Win a holiday to the Canary Islands
Tube Station, at 47 St James Street, are offering five fabulous holidays to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The prizes include return flights from a major UK airport, one week’s full board accommodation and airport transfer to your hotel.
Fuetaventura is the second largest of the Canaries and the closest of the islands to Africa. It boasts three thousand hours of sunshine a year - and with your tanning course under your belt, you'll be off to a jolly good start!
All you need to do to enter the competition is book a tanning course for £40 or more at Tube Station and complete the entry form before 31st March 2009.
Entry forms available when you book your tanning course.
For more details about Tube Station go to:
www.realbrighton.com/company/1142
Barry rides for the Sussex Beacon
You will usually find Barry Whitford propping up the bar in a variety of hostelries in Kemp Town. However, you won’t in April, as he is undertaking a five-day sponsored bike ride to Paris and back to benefit The Sussex Beacon.On Monday April 6, Barry will go by train from Brighton to London Victoria from where he will cycle to Dover. There he takes the ferry to Calais, then it’s back on his bike to Paris via Amiens. From Paris he will cycle to Dieppe via Dampierre, where he will take the ferry back to Newhaven.
He expects to arrive back at the Marine Tavern around 10.30pm on Friday April 10.
Barry is making the ride solo with no back-up cars or assistance. Most organised charity rides to Paris ask for a minimum sponsorship of at least £1,200, from which they may deduct accommodation and other costs.
Barry’s costs for this trip total about £250, which he will pay himself, so every penny of sponsorship money raised will go directly to The Sussex Beacon.
Help Barry reach his target of £1,000 for The Sussex Beacon. For sponsorship forms ask at the Marine Tavern or donate at:
www.justgiving.co.uk/barrywhitford
For more information about the Sussex Beacon go to:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
Lola walks for Stonewall
Local drag artist Lola Lasagne aka Stephen Richards will be donning his high heels, putting a bit of lippy on and maybe even wearing a new frock to walk on this years Stonewall Equality Walk. This is Stephen’s first time on the walk. He said:
“The work Stonewall does is very important. The proceeds from this years walk will go to help fund ‘FIT’ a video that tackles issues surrounding homophobic bullying in schools. I can’t think of a better project to support. I was bullied at school and I am happy to do anything that helps tackle this issue."
“If the weather is good I will do it in drag if not I will wear my baseball cap and trainers.”
To sponsor Lola go to: www.justgiving.com/stephenrichards1
The walker who raises the most sponsorship will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
This year's walk starts from the Royal Pavilion Gardens on Sunday, May 3. Celebrity walkers include Amy Lamé, former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of 'I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', Brian Paddick and Mr Gay UK.
Walkers and their friends are invited to meet from midday for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for a warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
The profits from this years walk will go towards funding a DVD of 'Fit', a play aimed at 11-14 year olds, that tackles the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Stonewall want to send a copy of the DVD to every school in the country.
To register now go www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact: The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to: www.stonewall.org.uk
Chorus to sing at the Mayor’s Variety Performance tonight
The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus, one of Brighton’s three gay choirs, will be singing at The Mayor’s Variety Performance, at Hove Town Hall tonight.Chorus Chairman John Hamilton said:
‘’The Chorus is a firm supporter of The Mayor’s Charities. We are very pleased to be able to sing some of our most popular songs at this concert’’.
The Mayor’s Charities this year include; Rockinghorse Appeal, Martlett's Hospice, The Sussex Heart Charity and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Tickets are £12, Concessions £10, under 12s £6.
For tickets and further information call the Box office 01273 730 286 (Jade McShane) or 01273 747455 (Antonia Shepherd)
Future performances from the choir include ‘Coming Out of Makeup' on May 23 during the Brighton Fringe Festival at St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Brighton and two shows during Pride on July 30 and 31 also at St Andrews Church.
The chorus rehearses every Thursday evening at St. Andrews Church in Waterloo Street, Brighton.
For more information about The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus go to: www.bhagmc.org
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Letter to editor
On Monday 23rd March 2009 the House of Commons, led by Labour MPs, will be voting to ban incitement to homophobic hatred in a bill that will outlaw hate speech that calls for LGB people to raped and murdered and that encourages the bullying of vulnerable children in schools. I am gravely concerned that many people in Britain are subject to hatred and verbal and physical violence or live in fear because of their sexual orientation. The Crown Prosecution Service last year confirmed that prosecutions for homophobic hate crimes have increased by 168% in the previous two years and there have been several stories in the media about particularly vicious attacks on LGB people in Britain.
The last time these protections went before the House of Commons only five Conservative MPs voted to offer the LGB community equal protection under the law. On the 3rd March every Conservative on the Justice Bill Committee again voted to remove these protections.
Shadow Cabinet member Nick Herbert has previously said “respect for gay people is one of the hallmarks of David Cameron’s Conservatives” – these votes show that the party has not changed and are the same old Tories.
Councillor Warren Morgan
Labour & Co-operative, East Brighton
EU Parliament Committee backs extension of LGBT anti-discrimination protection
Yesterday evening (March 16), the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee approved a report by Dutch Green MEP Kathalijne Buitenweg on extending anti-discrimination legal protection beyond the workplace for discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief. London Green MEP, Jean Lambert, who is a Member of the Committee and voted in favour of the report, said:
"The adoption of this report marks welcome progress on equal rights, particularly on access to goods and services. However, certain issues concerning family law are not included and we may face difficult negotiations to secure support across parties, given the positions of largest political groups in the European Parliament.
"Since 2000, European legislation has outlawed all forms of discrimination in the workplace. However for too long there has been no legal provision at European level to ban discrimination on grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief beyond the world of work. This gaping hole in the legislation includes vital social services such as healthcare, but also commercial services.
"In these areas, we currently have an inconsistent and unacceptable situation where a black lesbian woman would be legally protected against discrimination if it was on the ground of her race or gender, but not on the basis of her sexual orientation. The new directive aims to remedy this situation and fill the gaps left open by the existing legislation. I hope it will be fully supported by the European Parliament as a whole when it comes for vote in plenary."
The European Parliament plenary session vote is due April 2.
For more information view: www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Pictured Jean Lambert
Theatre Review: God of carnage by Michael Hootman
Yasmina Reza's latest play, God of Carnage, is another look at the contradictions, evasions and hypocrisies of the middle-classes. Like her smash-hit Art - which was also translated by Christopher Hampton - a small conflict spirals out of control forcing characters to reveal more about themselves than they'd perhaps like.Alan Reille (Richard E. Grant) and Annette Reille (Serena Evans) visit the Vallons (Roger Allam and Lia Williams) to amicably settle a problem: the Reille's son has knocked out the two teeth of the Vallons' son with a stick. But even as they discuss the altercation like the civilised people they are, slight disagreements begin to surface. Was the attacking child 'armed' with a stick or merely 'furnished' with one?
As they argue about the rights and wrongs of the situation, all dialogue is persistently interrupted by Grant who continually has to take part in urgent phone calls. He's a lawyer representing a pharmaceutical firm, one of whose drugs seems to cause a number of serious side effects. As he barks orders about how to manage the crisis it becomes clear he's more interested in burying the truth than the possible consequences to those taking the drug. Perhaps the adults are the aggressive moral reprobates.
Actually there's no perhaps about it. Veronique Vallon has written a book about Darfur but, at one point, her husband lets her know just how sick he is of having to hear about Sudanese 'coons'. Maybe it's an easy irony but it's handled so slicky and has such cracking lines and performances it's hard not to be carried along as the evening slides into Who's-Afraid-of-Virginia-Woolf grade shouty arguments.
There's no character to side with, and none to hate. Interestingly, they all say stupid things mixed with a fair smattering of controversial statements which might well be true. M. Raille believes entirely in selfishness, Mme. Reille believes in civilisation and redemption. But that doesn't stop her wittering on about how she can spot a 'phony' within ten minutes of meeting one.
God of Carnage is, in many ways, a play more about questions than answers. Often it's hard to know exactly which ideas are being ridiculed and which are being presented seriously. But this ambiguity is one of the play's great strengths. Imagine, an entertainment which doesn't spell out exactly what you, the audience, should think.
God of Carnage runs at the Theatre Royal, Brighton until Saturday March 21.
For more information go to:
www.ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Brighton
Monday, March 16, 2009
New campaign for old people from Fire Service
Recent deaths from house fires in East Sussex have resulted in a new campaign to raise safety awareness.The ‘Who Cares’ campaign was launched in March by the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, to raise awareness for carers and care agencies that work with older, ill or disabled people.
If a fire occurs in your home, your chances of survival depend on how quick you can get out of the house. For older, ill and disabled people and even young children, this is a lot more difficult.
The Rescue Service says the purpose of the campaign is to help carers and parents to think about how the people they care for are at special risk from fire.
They offer free home fire risk checks, advice on fire alarms and the campaign enables the rescue service to refer people to other organizations for safety advice about other areas besides fire.
For more information about the campaign, visit the news section on the East Sussex Fire Rescue Service’s website: www.esfrs.org
Help a mother in Africa this Mother's Day
Want to give a meaningful Mother’s Day present to your mother this year? Help save a mother’s life in Africa by sending a personalised certificate of sponsorship directly to your mother for mother’s day.
Your £15 donation will provide a safe childbirth for a woman in Africa at the ‘Safe Motherhood Project’ in Gimbie, Ethiopia.
Make a donation in your mother's name to thank her for being so great and at the same time help a woman in Africa have her baby in safety.
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Africa.
In some countries, the lifetime risk of pregnancy-related death is as high as one in seven.
‘Maternity Worldwide’ is saving lives in childbirth by helping those women who most need access to professional care.
With the help of your donation medical and midwifery staff are trained and employed and a Safe Birth Fund created for women unable to pay for care.
Go to www.maternityworldwide.org and follow the Mother’s Day link.
Make a £15 donation securely online. Enter your name and your mum’s name and address.Alternatively send a cheque for £15, payable to 'Maternity Worldwide' with a note of your name and your mum’s name and address to:
Maternity Worldwide, Unit 9, Level 4, New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN11 1GH
When your donation is received either online or by post, a personalised certificate of sponsorship will be posted directly to your mother.
For your mother to receive her certificate by Mother’s Day, last orders must be received by March 18.
For more information about Maternity Worldwide go to: www.maternityworldwide.org
Or Telephone: 01273 682 241 or
Email: info@maternityworldwide.org
Win a holiday to the Canary Islands
Tube Station, at 47 St James Street, are offering five fabulous holidays to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The prizes include return flights from a major UK airport, one week’s full board accommodation and airport transfer to your hotel.
Fuetaventura is the second largest of the Canaries and the closest of the islands to Africa. It boasts three thousand hours of sunshine a year - and with your tanning course under your belt, you'll be off to a jolly good start!
All you need to do to enter the competition is book a tanning course for £40 or more at Tube Station and complete the entry form before 31st March 2009.
Entry forms available when you book your tanning course.
For more details about Tube Station go to:
www.realbrighton.com/company/1142
Chorus to sing at the Mayor’s Variety Performance on Friday
The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus, one of Brighton’s three gay choirs, will be singing at The Mayor’s Variety Performance, at Hove Town Hall, this coming Friday March 20, at 7.30 pm.Chorus Chairman John Hamilton said:
‘’The Chorus is a firm supporter of The Mayor’s Charities. We are very pleased to be able to sing some of our most popular songs at this concert’’.
The Mayor’s Charities this year include; Rockinghorse Appeal, Martlett's Hospice, The Sussex Heart Charity and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Tickets are £12, Concessions £10, under 12s £6.
For tickets and further information call the Box office 01273 730 286 (Jade McShane) or 01273 747455 (Antonia Shepherd)
Future performances from the choir include ‘Coming Out of Makeup' on May 23 during the Brighton Fringe Festival at St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Brighton and two shows during Pride on July 30 and 31 also at St Andrews Church.
The chorus rehearses every Thursday evening at St. Andrews Church in Waterloo Street, Brighton.
For more information about The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus go to: www.bhagmc.org
Sunday, March 15, 2009
New website for men with eating disorders
A groundbreaking new website has been launched for men who have been affected by eating disorders. 'Men Get Eating Disorder's Too' raises awareness of eating disorders in men by providing essential information so they can seek support and help.
The site has been created by a young man in Brighton who has overcome an eating disorder to develop this unique website.
Sam Thomas, 23, first started to battle with food when he was bullied as a schoolboy. He began binge eating as a means of escape, and soon developed bulimia. At the time he didn't understand what he was going through, and found little support and advice for men with similar conditions.
Sam says:
"I was under the impression that it was only a female issue, although I did realise I had a problem, I didn't realise what it was until I was 15 or 16 when I read about it in an agony aunts column in one of my mum's magazines".
Sam is fulfilling a long-held ambition to create what may be the first website for male sufferers with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and associated exercise disorders like 'Bigorexia.'
"I definitely would have benefited from a site myself," said Sam.
"It would have helped me put a name to my disorder and the symptoms that I had, which I didn't realise back then. It would have also helped ease the isolation by putting me in touch with other men in the same situation."
To view the site go to: www.mengetedstoo.co.uk
For further info and enquiries please contact Sam on sam@mengetedstoo.co.uk
Tories slammed for inaction on young LGBT homeless
Green Party Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have attacked the Tories for failing to support proposals to try to improve services for homeless LGBT people in the city. At the council’s annual budget setting meeting, Greens proposed an amendment which would have seen the council sign up to the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) national Quality Assurance Mark costing just £3,000.
However, Tories voted against the scheme, meaning the council lost out on training sessions for council housing staff the AKT would have provided. They allocated £100,00 to the Councils grass cutting budget.
Cllr Bill Randall, who spoke to the amendment for the Greens said:
“It is difficult to believe that anybody, even the Tories, could place cutting grass verges above giving help to homeless LGBT young people in their order of priorities.
?
?“For a modest amount of money, the Albert Kennedy Trust could bring their expertise to Brighton and Hove and improve services for this vulnerable LGBT Group.
"Green Party Councillors will continue their campaign on this front and hope the Tories can be persuaded to change their minds.” ? ?
The Greens intend to bring a Notice of Motion to full council on March 19, asking the council to work with the Albert Kennedy Trust and invest in the AKT National Assurance Mark.
For more information go to: www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
For more information about AKT go to:
www.akt.org.uk
Lola walks for Stonewall
Local drag artist Lola Lasagne aka Stephen Richards will be donning his high heels, putting a bit of lippy on and maybe even wearing a new frock to walk on this years Stonewall Equality Walk. This is Stephen’s first time on the walk. He said:
“The work Stonewall does is very important. The proceeds from this years walk will go to help fund ‘FIT’ a video that tackles issues surrounding homophobic bullying in schools. I can’t think of a better project to support. I was bullied at school and I am happy to do anything that helps tackle this issue."
“If the weather is good I will do it in drag if not I will wear my baseball cap and trainers.”
To sponsor Lola go to: www.justgiving.com/stephenrichards1
The walker who raises the most sponsorship will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
This year's walk starts from the Royal Pavilion Gardens on Sunday, May 3. Celebrity walkers include Amy Lamé, former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of 'I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', Brian Paddick and Mr Gay UK.
Walkers and their friends are invited to meet from midday for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for a warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
The profits from this years walk will go towards funding a DVD of 'Fit', a play aimed at 11-14 year olds, that tackles the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Stonewall want to send a copy of the DVD to every school in the country.
To register now go www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact: The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to: www.stonewall.org.uk
Concert review: Jane McDonald at the Brighton Centre by James Ledward
Jane McDonald swept into Brighton last night (Saturday 15) for a concert at the Brighton Centre. “Are there any straight people in house” she asked, which might help you understand the demographic of her Brighton audience.
Homosexualists were in evidence, floor to floor. They had come to worship at the 'Church of Jane'.
The appeal of Jane McDonald has always been a bit of a mystery to me. After seeing her live last night for the first time, it is easier to understand.
She is a belter in the great tradition of Bassey in her heyday. The upper register of her voice is remarkably secure and her connection with the lyrics puts her among the best storytellers in the UK, who can fill a concert hall with a live two hour show.
Her linking patter was very funny if slightly naughty, something perfect for a Brighton audience. Whether the blue rinse brigade in Worthing and Eastbourne will feel at home with some of her camp patter is another question.
But who cares!
Her success is quite clearly built on the relationship she has with her audience. One person I spoke to had tickets to see her in Worthing, Buxton, Eastbourne, Southampton and Wimbledon.
She chats her way through the set as though she is talking to you in her front room, sharing little secrets about her private life and poking fun at herself and her band.
Talking of her band, they are extremely good. A seven piece combo consisting of keyboards, trombone, trumpet, sax, bass and lead guitar and drums. Tight and able to make a huge sound to support the McDonald voice while also able to play quietly and sensitive in some of the quieter numbers. Her two backing singers worked their socks off and at times the sound we were hearing in the Centre was as good as what you hear on her albums. Well done to the sound engineer.
The highlights of the show for me came from the numbers she had written herself. Her connection with the lyrics was immediate and sincere. She is clearly a fine composer and had the audience eating out of her hands. What can this woman not do?
When you look around at what UK artists, male or female are able to perform live for two hours, sing one huge ballade after another, entertain the audience with patter and dance a little, there are not too many names up there.
People scoffed when I said I was going to see Jane McDonald at the Brighton Centre. Her appearances on the TV show, ‘Loose Women’, might cloud the fact that in reality she is a great singer, understated in her delivery but able to deliver song after song, in tune, with passion and with the special gift that defines all great vocalists, impeccable phrasing.
The only slight criticism about this ‘Love Fest’ was the lighting. In a venue as large as the Brighton Centre the follow spotlight was not strong enough to light her so that everyone at the back of the hall could get a great view.
For more information go to: www.jane-mcdonald.com
Friday, March 13, 2009
Blagss ten pin bowling a huge sucess
BLAGSS, the LGBT sports society, staged their fifth annual Winter Pride Ten Pin Bowling Competition at the Bowlplex in Brighton Marina on Tuesday night (March 10). Twenty five teams registered with over one hundred and seventy five people bowling. Teams included representatives from Spectrum, Gscene magazine, Latest Homes, Brightwaves MCC, The PV at Jury’s Out and Real Brighton.
The Rainbow Chorus came out top, GIGS second, Brighton Bandits third and Gscene Magazine fourth. Top ranked player with the highest individual score was Gary from Brighton Bandits followed by Andy from Ishigaki and Michael from the Rainbow Chorus.
For more information view: www.blagss.org
Pictured team from Latest Homes
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sussex Beer and Cider Festival opens today
Sussex CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) are holding their 19th Sussex Beer and Cider Festival at the Hove Centre, Hove, starting today and finishing Saturday.A record number of beers, well over 220, will be available this year plus a large selection of ciders, perries, country wines and British and foreign bottled beers. The downstairs bar has been designated as the Sussex Bar and will be selling only those beers from breweries in Sussex.
The festival sessions with ticket prices are as follows:-
Thursday evening 5pm – 11pm £3.50Friday lunchtime 11am – 3pm £3
Friday evening 5pm – 11pm £6
Saturday lunchtime 11am – 3pm £3
Saturday evening 5pm – 10pm £5 (£3 concessions)
Tickets for the Festival will be available at the usual outlets:
Brighton & Hove: Hove & Brighton Centres, Evening Star & Sir Charles Napier
Shoreham: Buckingham Arms
Southwick, Romans
Lewes: Gardener's Arms
Worthing: Selden Arms
or by post from SCBCF Ticket Sales, 13 Rudyard Road, Woodingdean, Brighton BN2 6UB (Tel: 07784 944277).
For postal applications, state the session(s) for which you require tickets, and enclose an SAE with your payment, which should be by cheque or Postal Order made payable to “CAMRA Sussex Beer Festival”.
To avoid disappointment on the day it is advisable to buy tickets in advance particularly for the very popular Friday and Saturday evening sessions which always sell out. The ticket price includes a souvenir programme and, for CAMRA members, beer tokens worth £2 on presentation of their membership card.
For the Saturday evening, a £2 concession will be available to students buying tickets at the Hove Centre on production of a Students Union card.
There will be no live entertainment on the Friday night but Copperhead will be playing in the Main Hall on Saturday evening.Hot and cold food plus vegetarian options will be on sale in the balcony area as well as soft drinks, teas and coffees.
This year the festival charity will be SUSSAR, Sussex Search & Rescue.
The Hove Centre has full disabled facilities and is a short walk from Hove Station.
For further information call 07784 944277, or email sxbeerfest.logo@btconnect.com
or go to: www.sussexbeerfestival.co.uk
Bird Club Wimmin's Nite Tonight
Sunday, March 8, was International Women's Day and to celebrate, Bird Club are hosting a Wimmin's night tonight! Bored with the bullshit about real wimmin?
Want to have a knees up to celebrate sistahood and stand for a definition of 'Woman' not based on biology?
This is gonna be THE FEMINIST PARTY!
Go as a politically correct version of yourself, a strict feminist lady, a Patriarch or an Object. Masculine types with your oppressive phalluses must attend a short conscious raising workshop before hand (no charge).
All Queer lady entertainment for 21st Century Marthas and Arthurs, starring Project Caramel, Rollergerl, Violetta Storm and Holestar on stage with MC Bird La Bird.
Anyone Can Be A Bird - go and shake yer radical tail fevers tonight, Thursday March 12, at the Bird Club, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, Pollard Row, London. Shows start at 9:30pm
For more info: www.birdclub.org.uk
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Student Pride debate a great success!
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Gary Peltzer Dunn officially opened National Student Pride at Oceanas Nightclub on Sunday (8). It was the first time Student Pride had come to the South Coast having previously been staged in Oxford and Manchester. Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, Chris Bryant MP, was among a distinguished panel of guests who answered questions from the student audience in a ‘Question Time’ style debate. Other panelists included Nigel Tart, the Green Party LGBT spokesperson, Schools Out and LGBT History Month representative, Jane Czyzselska, editor of Diva, The Rev. Debbie Gaston from MCC Church, trans activist Persia West and Dan Gillespie Sells, lead singer with the Feeling.
The basement of Oceanas was turned into a gay community village for the day with stalls from local and national LGBT organisations including Terrence Higgins Trust and Stonewall.
In the evening Pride moved to Revenge Night Club, for free pizza and live music from local bands including Doll and The Kicks followed by an organized pub crawl round the city’s gay bars.
The event climaxed with a club night at Digital on Brighton Seafront compared by London Socialite, Jodie Harsh with personal appearances from Dan Gillespie Sells from the Feeling and Frankmusik.
Student Pride was produced in association with Winter Pride.
For further information go to: www.studentpride.co.uk
Chorus to sing at the Mayor’s Variety Performance
The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus, one of Brighton’s three gay choirs, will be singing at The Mayor’s Variety Performance, at Hove Town Hall, on Friday March 20 at 7.30 pm.Chorus Chairman John Hamilton said:
‘’The Chorus is a firm supporter of The Mayor’s Charities. We are very pleased to be able to sing some of our most popular songs at this concert’’.
The Mayor’s Charities this year include; Rockinghorse Appeal, Martlett's Hospice, The Sussex Heart Charity and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Tickets are £12, Concessions £10, under 12s £6.
For tickets and further information call the Box office 01273 730 286 (Jade McShane) or 01273 747455 (Antonia Shepherd)
Future performances from the choir include ‘Coming Out of Makeup' on May 23 during the Brighton Fringe Festival at St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Brighton and two shows during Pride on July 30 and 31 also at St Andrews Church.
The chorus rehearses every Thursday evening at St. Andrews Church in Waterloo Street, Brighton.
For more information about The Brighton and Hove (actually) Gay Men’s Chorus go to: www.bhagmc.org
Win a holiday to the Canary Islands
Tube Station, at 47 St James Street, are offering five fabulous holidays to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands. The prizes include return flights from a major UK airport, one week’s full board accommodation and airport transfer to your hotel.
Fuetaventura is the second largest of the Canaries and the closest of the islands to Africa. It boasts three thousand hours of sunshine a year - and with your tanning course under your belt, you'll be off to a jolly good start!
All you need to do to enter the competition is book a tanning course for £40 or more at Tube Station and complete the entry form before 31st March 2009.
Entry forms available when you book your tanning course.
For more details about Tube Station go to:
www.realbrighton.com/company/1142
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Prime Minister hosts first ever LGBT reception in Downing Street
The first ever LGBT reception was held in Downing Street on Thursday March 5, to celebrate LGBT History Month. The Prime Minister invited LGBT activists to the heart of government to thank them for all the work they had done over the years to forward the equalities agenda. He said even though much had been achieved with the civil partnership and goods and services legislation, there was much work to do done and only a Labour Government would deliver this.Deputy Prime Minister, Harriet Harman MP, a long term supporter of LGBT rights introduced the Prime Minister and said the reception was the best she had witnessed in her time in Downing Street.
The Prime Minister started his speech with reference to Proposition 8 which if successful would take away the rights of LGBT people who had married in California. He called on everyone to oppose what is happening in California and confirmed he had spoken with the American President about the issue on his trip to Washington.
He spoke passionately about the fight for LGBT rights and paid tribute to the work of School Out.
Sue Sanders, co-chair of Schools Out was overjoyed, she said:
“It was a magnificent night and a great honour to receive such a tribute to all our work. We can only hope that it will make next year’s celebrations even bigger and greater, and truly mainstreamed in schools, colleges and local authorities up and down the land.”
Michael Cashman MEP wound the speeches up, thanking both The Prime Minister and Harriet Harman for their long-term support on lesbian and gay issues.
James Ledward editor of Gscene magazine said;"The reception was fantastic and there was a great feeling in the room. I met so many interesting people including representatives from the forces, politicians, pop stars, Prime Ministers’ speech writers and some old school national activists I had lost contact with since moving to Brighton in 1986. To be honest Brown’s speech was inspiring and brought a tear to many people in the room. He was charismatic, relaxed and convincing. Shame he does not communicate that on television.”
“My lasting memory of the evening will be his insistence that our work is not complete and that we must all remain vigilant in making sure the Equality Bill passes through both houses. I believe more than ever that despite the charm offensive the Tories have undertaken, this will only be achieved under a Labour administration”
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Student Pride comes to Brighton today
National Student Pride, run in association with the NUS, LGBT Campaign, comes to Brighton today as part of Winter Pride. Student Pride brings together LGBT students from all over the country for a day of debating, drinking, fun and is run by students for students.
The event is hosted by the Universities of Sussex and Brighton and includes a mixed and varied programme of events, including a ‘Question Time’ discussion panel, bar crawl, club night and live entertainment.
Celebrities taking part in the Question Time Debate hosted by Wes Streeting, President of the National Union of Students (NUS), include Aled Haydn Jones producer of the Chris Moyles Show the Conservative candidate for Brighton Pavilion, Dr David Bull. Ruth Hunt, Head of Research and Policy at Stonewall, Chris Bryant, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons and Nigel Tart, the Green Party LGBT spokesperson, Schools Out and LGBT History Month representative.
The main event starts at Oceana Nightclub on Brighton seafront, from 1pm. At 6pm everyone moves to Revenge for free pizza and live music followed by a pub-crawl in teams round Brighton’s gay bars.
Student Pride climaxes at 10pm, with a club night at Digital on the seafront, until 4am with live acts and DJ Schott Mills from BBC Radio One.
To purchase tickets and for more information about Student Pride go to:
www.studentpride.co.uk
Sussex Beacon cycle ride to Paris
You will usually find Barry Whitford propping up the bar in a variety of hostelries in Kemp Town. However, you won’t in April, as he is undertaking a five-day sponsored bike ride to Paris and back to benefit The Sussex Beacon.On Monday April 6, Barry will go by train from Brighton to London Victoria from where he will cycle to Dover. There he takes the ferry to Calais, then it’s back on his bike to Paris via Amiens. From Paris he will cycle to Dieppe via Dampierre, where he will take the ferry back to Newhaven.
He expects to arrive back at the Marine Tavern around 10.30pm on Friday April 10.
Barry is making the ride solo with no back-up cars or assistance. Most organised charity rides to Paris ask for a minimum sponsorship of at least £1,200, from which they may deduct accommodation and other costs.
Barry’s costs for this trip total about £250, which he will pay himself, so every penny of sponsorship money raised will go directly to The Sussex Beacon.
Help Barry reach his target of £1,000 for The Sussex Beacon. For sponsorship forms ask at the Marine Tavern or donate at:
www.justgiving.co.uk/barrywhitford
For more information about the Sussex Beacon go to:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
Sussex Beer and Cider Festival comes to Hove
Sussex CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) are holding their 19th Sussex Beer and Cider Festival at the Hove Centre, Hove, from March 12-14.A record number of beers, well over 220, will be available this year plus a large selection of ciders, perries, country wines and British and foreign bottled beers. The downstairs bar has been designated as the Sussex Bar and will be selling only those beers from breweries in Sussex.
The festival sessions with ticket prices are as follows:-
Thursday evening 5pm – 11pm £3.50Friday lunchtime 11am – 3pm £3
Friday evening 5pm – 11pm £6
Saturday lunchtime 11am – 3pm £3
Saturday evening 5pm – 10pm £5 (£3 concessions)
Tickets for the Festival will be available at the usual outlets:
Brighton & Hove: Hove & Brighton Centres, Evening Star & Sir Charles Napier
Shoreham: Buckingham Arms
Southwick, Romans
Lewes: Gardener's Arms
Worthing: Selden Arms
or by post from SCBCF Ticket Sales, 13 Rudyard Road, Woodingdean, Brighton BN2 6UB (Tel: 07784 944277).
For postal applications, state the session(s) for which you require tickets, and enclose an SAE with your payment, which should be by cheque or Postal Order made payable to “CAMRA Sussex Beer Festival”.
To avoid disappointment on the day it is advisable to buy tickets in advance particularly for the very popular Friday and Saturday evening sessions which always sell out. The ticket price includes a souvenir programme and, for CAMRA members, beer tokens worth £2 on presentation of their membership card.
For the Saturday evening, a £2 concession will be available to students buying tickets at the Hove Centre on production of a Students Union card.
There will be no live entertainment on the Friday night but Copperhead will be playing in the Main Hall on Saturday evening.Hot and cold food plus vegetarian options will be on sale in the balcony area as well as soft drinks, teas and coffees.
This year the festival charity will be SUSSAR, Sussex Search & Rescue.
The Hove Centre has full disabled facilities and is a short walk from Hove Station.
For further information call 07784 944277, or email sxbeerfest.logo@btconnect.com
or go to: www.sussexbeerfestival.co.uk
Help a mother in Africa this Mother's Day
Want to give a meaningful Mother’s Day present to your mother this year? Help save a mother’s life in Africa by sending a personalised certificate of sponsorship directly to your mother for mother’s day.
Your £15 donation will provide a safe childbirth for a woman in Africa at the ‘Safe Motherhood Project’ in Gimbie, Ethiopia.
Make a donation in your mother's name to thank her for being so great and at the same time help a woman in Africa have her baby in safety.
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Africa.
In some countries, the lifetime risk of pregnancy-related death is as high as one in seven.
‘Maternity Worldwide’ is saving lives in childbirth by helping those women who most need access to professional care.
With the help of your donation medical and midwifery staff are trained and employed and a Safe Birth Fund created for women unable to pay for care.
Go to www.maternityworldwide.org and follow the Mother’s Day link.
Make a £15 donation securely online. Enter your name and your mum’s name and address.Alternatively send a cheque for £15, payable to 'Maternity Worldwide' with a note of your name and your mum’s name and address to:
Maternity Worldwide, Unit 9, Level 4, New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN11 1GH
When your donation is received either online or by post, a personalised certificate of sponsorship will be posted directly to your mother.
For your mother to receive her certificate by Mother’s Day, last orders must be received by March 18.
For more information about Maternity Worldwide go to: www.maternityworldwide.org
Or Telephone: 01273 682 241 or
Email: info@maternityworldwide.org
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Fat Boy Slim sponsors Justin All Stars Football Team
International Superstar DJ Norman Cooke and TV personality Zoe Ball have sponsored the Brighton based Justin Fashanu All Stars Football Team. The All Stars are part of The Justin Campaign, an organsation highlighting the issue of homophobia in Football.
The All Stars will unveil their new football strip at noon today, outside the Jubilee Library, in Jubilee Square, during Winter Pride celebrations. Later in the day there will be a table football tournament hosted by performance artist Jonny Woo followed by performances from LGBT musicians including Nicky Mitchell in the library till late in the evening.
The Jubilee Library in association with the City Council's LGBT Workers' Forum and the Justin Campaign have organised the fesival which is sponsored by Gscene magazine and Brighton Pride.
The event will see this most public of libraries and square transformed for the day into a wild, exciting and competitive camp gay sports venue in the afternoon, and a laidback and sophisticated jazz dive in the evening.
The Justin Campaign Football Festival which kicks off at noon, was founded last May by players from the Amsterdam Hotel sponsored, Brighton Bandits gay football team, to raise awareness about homophobia in football. Their new kit will be unveiled, and the squad announced for its first fixtures - at the Gay Football Supporters' Network Five-a-Side tournament in Yorkshire.Centrepiece of the day's footballing activities will be a table football competition open to 32 two-person teams. The tournament will have an opening ceremony, with games and interviews shown on a plasma screen with internationally famous avant-garde performer Jonny Woo commentating on the action. The final will be played on a pink table created by local conceptual artist, Jason Hall - the queer table football Wembley!
After a closing ceremony hosted by Jonny Woo, the library lights will dim and the Jubilee Library will change into a jazz cabaret venue, hosted by Nicky Mitchell, who be will showcasing live music from the best up-and-coming LGBT bands and musicians, including sensational rock chicks The Calvary and Amy Giles. The oarty finishes at 11pm and there is a bar in the library.
For more information about the Brighton Bandits Gay Football Team go to:www.banditsfc.org
For more information about the Justin Campaign go to: www.thejustincampaign.com
Government Minister in Worthing today for Winter Pride debate
Does the Gay Community have a future? Chris Bryant MP, deputy leader of the House of Commons will be debating the future of gay rights with Ian Ross, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Worthing West; and Richard Angell, the national secretary for LGBT Labour at an event in Worthing during Winter Pride.
Chairing the panel is Steve Bustin, the Brighton and South Coast reporter for the Pink Paper.
The debate is at the Jack Horner, 80 High Street, Worthing today, from
5–7pm.
Entry is free and there will be a buffet provided.
Pictured Ian Ross.
Biggest Winter Pride ever!
Winter Pride 2009, the UK’s largest LGBT winter festival opens today.The week-long festival features more than ninty events across the city from Hove to Hanover in thirty different venues and involves local community groups, businesses and volunteers.
Twenty-seven of the events, organised by LGBT community and voluntary groups, are supported with grants from Pride in Brighton & Hove. These events range from activities as diverse as nude swims, conferences, lectures, film nights, ten pin bowling and a table-football competition at the Jubilee Library hosted by international performance artist Jonny Woo.
For a full list of events and venues, pick up the free Winter Pride programme in venues across the city or visit: www.brightonpride.org
If you require any further information please
call the Pride office on 01273 775939 or
email office@brightonpride.org
Brighton Bi-Fest today
Brighton Bothways are hosting BRIGHTON BIFEST - a one day event for bisexual, bicurious, bi-friendly and queer people, their friends and partners from 11am to late today.The event, part of Winter Pride promises to be
fun-filled, open-minded and friendly and includes a variety of workshops, speed dating, a club night, LGBT Fair and Craft Area.
Highlight of the day for many will be the 'Have Your Say' session from 4.30pm-6pm, when people will be able to put questions to an influential panel of service providers and guests including:
Graham Bartlett Chief Superintendent & Division Commander, Sussex Police
Gavin Bryce Strategic Lead - HIV Prevention & Sexual Health, B&H PCT
Simon Scott Lead Commissioner Mental Health, B&H PCT
Judith Macho Assistant Director Public Safety, Brighton & Hove City Council
Michelle Pooley Domestic Violence Strategic Coordinator, Brighton & Hove City Council
Sam Beal Consultant, Healthy Schools Team, CYPT
Camel Gupta Brighton Bothways
The event is at the Jury’s Inn Hotel, 101 Stroudley Road, Brighton BN1 4DJ from 11am until late. Tickets can be bought on the door for a suggested donation of £8 (£5 concessions).
For more information about Brighton Bothways go to: www.brightonbothways.org.uk
Pictured Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Phone fraud warning
Lancashire police have issued the following warning:
If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling you that they are checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers.
There is a fraud company using a device that allows them, once you press #90 or #09, to access your SIM card and make calls at your expense.
If you receive a phone call on your mobile from any person, saying that he or she is a company engineer, or telling you that they are checking your mobile line, and you have to press #90 or #09 or any other number, end this call immediately without pressing any numbers.
There is a fraud company using a device that allows them, once you press #90 or #09, to access your SIM card and make calls at your expense.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Young people’s ‘Super Prom’
'Young People’s Voice' part of the Allsorts Youth Project organised a ‘Super Prom’ last night to celebrate and showcase the achievements of young LGBT volunteers in 2008. The Friends Meeting House was turned into a multi media venue for the night. Sam Thomas hosted the evenings entertainment which included singing from Phil Whittenham whose version of Eric Clapton’s ‘Tears in Heaven’, was very moving, guitar playing from Lisa Caira, singing and drama from Martin Owen and original poety readings and drama from Alexandra Spurrier.
Art produced by the young people adorned the walls of the Meeting House.
Project Director Jess Woods presented volunteers with their awards and paid tribute to their enthusiasm and support for Allsorts in 2008. In particular she recognised the contribution the young people made to the success of Allsorts Youth Project.
After the awards ceremony The Friends Meeting House was turned into a disco for the ‘Superheroes or Villain party with revelers dressed as Spiderman, Batman and the Joker.
For more information about Allsorts go to:
www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
Theatre Review: Rambert a triumph: Michael Hootman
As this was my first time for an evening of modern dance I was a bit apprehensive. Would it be incomprehensible? Or pretentious? Should I bring along a good book in case my attention started to wander? The answer to all these questions is a resounding "no" as I can say, hand on heart, it was truly spectacular. And at times quite unexpectedly moving - during one piece involving nothing more than two women dancing in pair of flowing dresses I found my eyes welling up at the sheer beauty of the piece.Of course it's hard to pinpoint in words exactly why or how dance works. It's not like a play where you can quote a pithy bit of dialogue, or allude to an amazing plot development. And that might be one of dance's great strengths - it's as if it bypasses the rational part of your mind and gets you at some deeper level. And the music helps - the first part of the evening was danced to music by Howard Goodall whose inspiration is the transcendent but it doesn't feel overtly religious. Much like fellow composer Arvo Part, whose music is used later on.
The dancing itself is amazing in its range and virtuosity. Within a heartbeat the performers can change from displays of frenetic energy to a sinuous tenderness. And occasionally it's simply amazing to watch the human form twist and turn itself into something which looks like an abstract work of art.
The last part of the evening is an interpretation of Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals which achieved something which I thought was impossible in ballet: laughter. I suppose I just never thought that a woman pretending to be an elephant could be both funny and graceful.
If, like me, you'd never experienced modern dance before I'd strongly urge you to. I guarantee - in a non-legally-binding way - you will experience something which will move your very soul. And if that doesn't convince you to go let explain: some of the boys are really hot.
Rambert are at the Theatre Royal from March 5-7.
For more information go to:
www.ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Brighton
Clone Zone acquired by Libertybelle
Libertybelle UK Limited has acquired Clone Zone, the gay retail chain of stores incorporated in 1983.Libertybelle UK Limited, is part of the group behind Nexus Range; the manufacturer of male and female G-Spot adult products.
Clone Zone restructured in 2008 but due to the current economic climate and downturn in consumer spending they were unable to ensure survival on their own and felt it would be best to approach outside companies in regards to a possible buyout.
They were not successful and the directors sought insolvency advice.
During this process The Nexus Group expressed an interest to buy and the directors of Clone Zone recognising the experience and reputation within the Nexus Group concluded that this offer represented good value for the business.
Libertybelle UK Limited, part of the Nexus Group was the vehicle set-up to facilitate the acquisition.
Former directors of Clone Zone Limited, Mike McCann and David Edwards, were invited to join the Board of Libertybelle Ltd.
Mike McCann said:
“We are delighted that we have been able to secure the future of Clone Zone with a partner from within the industry that brings a tremendous amount of expertise in sales, marketing, toy design and manufacturing.”
The new owners will continue to trade under the Clone Zone banner from four retail stores in Soho; Earls Court; Manchester and Birmingham as well as the wholesale and internet businesses. In addition, the website will be re-branded and the product range extended, offering customers more choice. The acquisition has secured 22 jobs.
A spoke person for Libertybelle UK Limited stated,
“We are planning redevelopment of the retail stores, the website and our own brands to ensure that Clone Zone will continue to remain at the forefront of the Gay male market. We aim to provide our customers with more choice, whilst creating an enjoyable shopping experience in a consumer friendly and informative environment”.
The remaining six Clone Zone retail shops are not part of the acquisition. Five of them including the Brighton shop have been acquired by adult chain, Nice ‘n’ Naughty.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Stonewall Equality Walk launched at the Square Hotel
Former Leader of the Council and Labour candidate for Brighton Kemp Town, Simon Burgess, joined the organisers of this years Stonewall Equality Walk at the launch last night, at the Square Hotel in New Steine.This years walk starts from the Royal Pavilion Gardens on Sunday, May 3. Celebrity walkers include Amy Lamé, former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of 'I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here', Brian Paddick and Mr Gay UK.
The walker who raises the most sponorship will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
Walkers and their friends are invited to meet from midday for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for a warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
The profits from this years walk will go towards funding a DVD of 'Fit', a play aimed at 11-14 year olds, that tackles the issue of homophobic bullying in schools. Stonewall want to send a copy of the DVD to every school in the country.
Simon Burgess said:
"I am particularly pleased that money raised this year will go to providing 'FIT' DVDs for local schools. The DVDs are great tools for encouraging school children to discuss and challenge homophobic bullying."
"This will be my fourth time of taking part, it is always a very friendly event with a welcome drink at the end!"
You can sponsor Simon at: www.justgiving.com/simonburgessstonewall
To register now go to: www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact: The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to: www.stonewall.org.uk
Pictured Simon Burgess and the Stonewall Team.
Winter Pride Debate in Worthing this Saturday at Jack Horner
Does the Gay Community have a future? Chris Bryant MP, deputy leader of the House of Commons will be debating the future of gay rights with Ian Ross, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Worthing West; and Richard Angell, the national secretary for LGBT Labour at an event in Worthing during Winter Pride.
Chairing the panel is Steve Bustin, the Brighton and South Coast reporter for the Pink Paper.
The debate is at the Jack Horner, 80 High Street, Worthing on Saturday March 7, from 5–7pm.
Entry is free and there will be a buffet provided.
Pictured Ian Ross.
No Tories sign trans teacher petition
No Tory councillors on the city council have signed the petition questioning how much public money was spent fighting two employment tribunals against Natasha Thoday, a transgender teacher who was supported in her tribunals againstBrighton & Hove Council by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.
All Green councillors except Cllr Keith Taylor (who is recovering from heart surgery) have signed the online petition, as have all Lib Dems councillors.
Des Turner MP for Brighton Kemp Town and former leader of the council and Labour candidate for Brighton Kemp Town, Simon Burgess have both signed as has Caroline Lucas, Green MEP and candidate for Brighton Pavilion.
The only sitting Labour councillor to sign the petition is Craig Turton. Asked why she had not signed the petition, Cllr Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour group said:
“It is a matter for individual councillors as to whether they sign petitions. I personally have not signed as I am unclear about the legal reasoning as to why the council is withholding the information and whether those reasons are justified or not. If not then the council should publish the information.”
It has emerged that the new acting chief executive of Brighton Council, Alex Bailey, decided to fight Ms Thoday before any tribunal papers had been lodged.
In a letter to Cllr Paul Elgood, leader of the Lib Dems on the Council, released after a Freedom of Information application, Alex Bailey confirms the council decided to fight Natasha Thoday before she had lodged her tribunal case, and that under him, officers never intended to try to settle her case. Instead, Bailey accuses Ms Thoday of wanting “£90,000 plus” in settlement, saying that in his view “she would not have settled”.
Gscene has not been able to identify any negotiations between Ms Thoday and Brighton Council and Ms Thoday denies ever having entered any discussions about a financial settlement with the Council. In a letter to Ms Thoday, the district auditor has referred to Ms Thoday as wanting “too much money” to settle.
Under a Freedom of Information application, Gscene has asked the district auditor to produce any evidence of negotiations between Brighton Council and Ms Thoday about any financial settlements in this case. The district auditor has promised to respond within twenty days.
Despite being the only council in the country to be identified as a discriminatory employer by the Times Educational Supplement last year, Brighton Council moved from eighth place to third in the Stonewall gay-friendly employers index last month.
Stonewall does not campaign for the rights of transgender people in England but does in Scotland.
To sign the petition go to:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/freedom-of-information-brighton-hove-council/signatures.html
Tory administration miss out on government money for education in 2009
The Government had made over £9 million available to Brighton and Hove City Council for 2009, instead of waiting until 2010. This would have meant that schools could have seen building repairs and improvements sooner than expected and the City could have benefited from an economic boost from hundreds of new jobs.
However, Tory controlled Brighton & Hove Council has not bid for the £9 million to be brought forward.
This comes at a time when Tory City Councillors have slashed £10 million from local schools in their latest budget.
Labour opposition spokesperson for Children, Cllr Pat Hawkes said:
“This is either a very serious mistake made by the council or a shameful decision by the Conservative Council to wash their hands of the City’s children.
"Brighton & Hove’s schools need this extra investment as soon as possible. The Government is prepared to give much needed money now and it is unjustifiable that the Council has not taken advantage of this chance to change schools for the better.”
Cllr Pat Hawkes has written to the Director of Children’s Services asking why the council has not taken up the offer to bring forward the £9 million funding boost and urged that they did so as soon as possible.
However, some money will be making its way directly to schools this year.Every school in Brighton & Hove will benefit with £1,481,124 of funding brought forward from next year to this year - a total of £5,183,932 of spending this year.
The funding will go direct to headteachers and schools who can choose how to spend the money as they see fit, from building new classrooms or science laboratories to fitting out new gyms or ICT facilities.
Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Gill Mitchell said:
“It is good news that nearly £1.5 million will make its way directly to each school, but it is unfair that local schools and businesses will miss out on £9 million not bid for, so I urge the Council to think again and do their bit to support schools, jobs and businesses in our area.”
Massive increase in calls to anxiety charity helpline
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Since the start of the credit crunch, Anxiety UK, the country’s largest anxiety disorders charity, has seen an enormous rise in calls and emails from people seeking help for anxiety.Calls to the telephone helpline have doubled and emails requesting support are up 400%.
Call levels have been gradually increasing since the credit crunch began, but the leap in calls in January and February was dramatic. A significant number of these calls relate to financial worries.
Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of Anxiety UK said:
“We have seen a worrying increase in call levels to our telephone helpline service, and are concerned that a mental ill health epidemic is looming due to the financial worries currently facing people.
“Many people are experiencing anxiety for the first time because of the current financial climate, but for those who already suffer with anxiety these times are extremely hard and the worry can be unbearable.”
Nicky continued:
“Nobody struggling with anxiety need suffer alone. We can do so much to help. Financial problems can be both a cause and a result of anxiety, and I would urge anyone who fears that their money worries are causing them anxiety problems to get in touch for advice and support.”
Anxiety UK offer information, advice and support to those struggling with anxiety, through their telephone helpline
08444 775 774.
They also provide a range of online services through the website www.anxietyuk.org.uk as well as fast access to reduced cost therapy sessions.
homeLESSness
In 2004 Brighton & Hove City Council's housing options team changed the way they work to helping people before they become homeless, rather than just dealing with the situation when it happens.The Housing Needs Service has put the council in the forefront of homelessness prevention and the team works with both children's and adult social care services to co-ordinate all the issues around housing need and temporary accommodation.
The service works with voluntary organisations, social services and other housing services to offer direct help when people are threatened with homelessness and work to prevent homelessness for around 1,500 families and vulnerable adults a year.
Since efforts have been refocused on prevention, the number of homeless applications has reduced from around 3,000 to 1,000 a year.
The numbers of households living in temporary accommodation has also fallen and, despite the increasing numbers of households at risk of homelessness due to the credit crunch, the number of homeless applications continues to fall.
Councillor Maria Caulfield, Brighton & Hove's cabinet member for housing, said:
“Staff identify people at risk and give advice and support to help them stay in their home.
“We want to keep up the momentum so that we can continue to help people keep stable housing, especially in these times of economic hardship.”
New report on policing transmission of HIV
The Association of Police Officer (ACPO) have welcomed a new report from the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) called ‘Policing Transmission’, which reports on how police across England have handled allegations of HIV transmission.‘Policing Transmission' is based on police records of actual cases which were investigated between 2004 and 2007. Staff from ACPO and the Metropolitan Police Service compiled reports from notes of cases identified by THT and other HIV support organisations and then worked with THT and a Community Advisory Panel to draw lessons and make recommendations.
The report is aimed primarily at police forces but also includes useful observations for community groups and clinicians who encounter allegations and investigations.
It makes a strong case for better understanding of HIV by the police, and better understanding of police procedure and training by others. The report also provides a vivid picture of how some cases have been investigated, singling out good police practice and highlighting areas for improvement.
Lisa Power, Head of Policy at Terrence Higgins Trust said:
"Currently, many allegations - probably hundreds - are investigated but the vast majority rightly never end up in court.
"Increasingly, inappropriate cases are pursued for months or even years, only to be dropped because police are unfamiliar with guidelines for prosecution or the complexities of HIV transmission.
"We believe that investigations need to be fair and consistent, based on fact rather than fears and conducted in a manner that minimises distress to all parties involved and reduces the current high levels of wasted police resources."
Policing Transmission was made possible by a grant by City Parochial Foundation.
The Policing Transmission report is available at:
www.tht.org.uk/policingtransmission
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Anxiety charity offers support to anxious LGBT communities
Research has shown that gay, lesbian bisexual and trangender people are more likely to suffer with an anxiety disorder. To coincide with the Student Pride and Brighton Pride events happening in Brighton in March, Britain’s leading anxiety disorders charity, Anxiety UK, is raising awareness amongst LGBT communities of the services available to them.
Anxiety UK is a national registered charity formed in 1970 for those affected by anxiety disorders, and today is the leading authority on anxiety disorders and phobias in the UK.
Some of the more common anxieties and phobias that affect the LGBT community are Health Anxiety, Social Anxiety and General Anxiety Disorder.
The underlying issues may be related to discrimination or even feelings of perceived discrimination. Triggers of such anxieties may be carried forward from childhood or adulthood due to verbal or physical abuse suffered. The shame and guilt that sufferers of anxiety disorders commonly feel actually increases the anxiety around all aspects of their lives including sexuality, meaning it often becomes a vicious cycle getting worse and worse.
Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive of Anxiety UK said:
“People from LGBT communities often face discrimination and unresponsive statutory mental health services, so it is hardly surprising that they are at a higher risk of suffering with an anxiety disorder.”
“Research has shown that that those from LGBT communities are more likely to live alone, and more likely to face bullying at school or at work. These are just some of the reasons for a higher incidence of anxiety disorders. At Anxiety UK we can offer advice, support and fast access to a range of reduced cost therapies to sufferers of anxiety, and I would certainly advise people to get in touch sooner rather than later as the more entrenched these problems become the more difficult they are to treat.”
For more information about Anxiety UK go to: www.anxietyuk.org.uk ?
Brian Paddick joins Stonewall Equality Walk
Former Deputy Assistant Police Commissioner of the Met. and star of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Brian Paddick, will be joining Amy Lamé and Mr Gay UK on Stonewall’s sixth annual 10km Equality Walk in Brighton on Sunday, May 3. Walkers are invited to meet from midday at the Royal Pavilion Gardens for a pre-walk picnic. Then it’s on your toes for the warm-up with a difference before the 10km walk kicks off at 2pm.
Registration for the walk is just £10 (free for children under 12 when accompanied by an adult). Stonewall is encouraging all participants to bring along their families this year to enjoy the day.
Walkers receive a goodie bag, special commemorative T-shirt and a glass of bubbly or a soft drink for kids once they’ve crossed the finishing line at the end-of-walk party.
This year’s top fundraiser will receive a luxury weekend for two in Paris, including business-class travel on Eurostar, two nights’ stay in a luxury hotel and £250 spending money!
Last year’s Brighton Equality Walk raised more than £35,000.
To register now, go to:
www.equalitywalk.org.uk
or contact:
The Equality Walk team on 020 7593 2294 or equalitywalk@stonewall.org.uk
For more information about Stonewall go to:
www.stonewall.org.uk
Caroline Lucas welcomes Home Office decision on Iranian asylum seeker
The South East's Green MEP has welcomed a Home Office decision to grant Iranian lesbian Pegah Emambakhsh asylum in the UK, and paid tribute to the hundreds of people who had contacted the Home Office, as well as individual MPs and MEPs, to stop her deportation.Dr Caroline Lucas MEP, who is also Leader of the Green Party, said:
"I am delighted that Pegah has finally been granted refugee status in the UK after a strong campaign that has lasted almost four years.
“The Home Office has reached the right decision; it's just a shame that Pegah was made to wait so long for an agreement. It would have been irresponsible and inhumane to deport her to Iran where she faced severe discrimination - even execution - simply on the basis of her sexuality.
"This decision, as well as that made in the case of gay Iranian Mehdi Kazemi in May last year, clearly demonstrates that the Home Office is prepared to recognise sexual orientation as an appropriate reason to grant asylum. The Government must now ensure that it maintains consistency in all future cases and speeds up its processes to grant asylum to LGBT people who face persecution in their home countries."Furthermore, the international community must exert ever greater pressure on Iran to fully meet international human rights standards by ending all discrimination against LGBT citizens."
Dr Lucas also highlighted the importance of a European Commission statement earlier this month which confirmed that there is "an obligation on Member States to grant refugee status to persons who…. are found to have a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of membership of a particular social group, including a group based on a common characteristic of sexual orientation."
For more information about the Green Party go to:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
LGBT Greens condemn ‘cowardly’ UK Borders Agency
In response to the deportation of a gay asylum seeker last year, High Court judge, Sir George Newman, has ordered the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith MP, to find and return a 38-year-old man to Britain.Judge Newman found that ‘Mr X’ had been “deliberately misled” by the UK Border Agency, deprived of his right to seek legal advice before his removal and tortured.
European Parliamentary candidate for London, Joseph Healy, who is gay, has condemned this cowardly and illegal action by the Borders Agency. Healy said:
“This man may now be dead or tortured, for all we know. Clearly this is of no significance to the Border Agency, who are egged on by the callous disregard for human rights of this morally bankrupt New Labour government.”
Media Officer for LGBT Greens, Phelim MacCafferty said:
“Mr X joins the many LGBTs who’ve fled persecution, rape and torture in their home countries. He fled to our country and our response was to lock him up like a criminal. We say enough is enough of the contradictory policies of a government which on the one hand talks of their commitment to LGBT equality but which is still deporting LGBTs to torture and persecution.”
For more information about the Greens go to: www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Pictured Phelim MacCafferty
Labour Councillors take matters in to their own hands to clean up Wild Park
Labour Councillors from Moulsecoomb, Bevendean, Hollingdean and Stanmer met in Wild Park to tackle months of Conservative neglect with their own bare hands. After months of false promises, all five Local Labour Councillors got their hands dirty to clean up the area surrounding the Wild Park Monument they claim has been neglected. They made swift work of the monument clearing away, rubbish, overgrown brambles and weeds.
Cllr Christine Simpson from Hollingdean and Stanmer said:
“After months of false promises we decided to roll up our sleeves and take some direct action to tidy up after Tory neglect. We appreciate that the global economic downturn is at the forefront of everyone’s minds but this is an important historical monument and it is vital that areas like Hollingdean and Stanmer don’t become neglected.”
Cllr Anne Meadows from Moulsecoomb and Bevendean said:
“It is a real shame that the Council did not listen and act on requests from us and residents, to clear up the mess at the Wild Park Monument. This comes at a time when the Conservatives are announcing that they want to spend £100k on cutting grass verges, whilst they ignore areas like Moulsecoomb Wild Park.”
The councillors took direct action after being contacted by residents and users of Moulsecoomb Wild Park who were annoyed by the state of the monument that celebrates the 1925 opening of the park.
The councillors took the matter to the Tory administation who promised that the area would be tidied up as soon as possible. However, it never was and comes at a time when the Conservative Council want to spend an extra £100k on grass cutting in the quite suburbs of the City that are Tory controlled wards.
For more information about Labour go to:
www.brighton-hove-labour.org.uk
Monday, March 02, 2009
Help a mother in Africa this Mother’s Day
Want to give a meaningful Mother’s Day present to your mother this year? Help save a mother’s life in Africa by sending a personalised certificate of sponsorship directly to your mother for mother’s day.
Your £15 donation will provide a safe childbirth for a woman in Africa at the ‘Safe Motherhood Project’ in Gimbie, Ethiopia.
Make a donation in your mother's name to thank her for being so great and at the same time help a woman in Africa have her baby in safety.
Pregnancy and childbirth is one of the leading causes of death in women of reproductive age in Africa.
In some countries, the lifetime risk of pregnancy-related death is as high as one in seven.
‘Maternity Worldwide’ is saving lives in childbirth by helping those women who most need access to professional care.
With the help of your donation medical and midwifery staff are trained and employed and a Safe Birth Fund created for women unable to pay for care.
Go to www.maternityworldwide.org and follow the Mother’s Day link.
Make a £15 donation securely online. Enter your name and your mum’s name and address.Alternatively send a cheque for £15, payable to 'Maternity Worldwide' with a note of your name and your mum’s name and address to:
Maternity Worldwide, Unit 9, Level 4, New England House, New England Street, Brighton, BN11 1GH
When your donation is received either online or by post, a personalised certificate of sponsorship will be posted directly to your mother.
For your mother to receive her certificate by Mother’s Day, last orders must be received by March 18.
For more information about Maternity Worldwide go to: www.maternityworldwide.org
Or Telephone: 01273 682 241 or
Email: info@maternityworldwide.org
£100,00 for grass cutting budget verges on madness!
The Greens have hit out at astronomical Tory budget proposals for Brighton & Hove City Council, labeling plans to spend an additional £100 000 on mowing the city’s grass verges madness. Cllr Rachel Fryer said:
“We are all aware of the difficult economic situation this country is in, and for months now the Tories have talked of the financial problems the council faces.
“To propose an increase in the budget for cutting grass verges of some
£100.000 pounds is madness, especially when frontline council staff are facing the axe.
“This comes at a period of economic difficulty, with people across the city tightening their belts, as the credit crunch bites and more jobs are lost.
“My main concerns include many core council services such as those provided by the Children’s and Young People’s Trust look set to experience cuts, and vital neighbourhood support work in some of the cities most deprived areas may be suspended.
“Every day we hear of more job losses, the council house waiting list grows and the recession gets a tighter grip on our city. This money could be spent in a thousand different ways, and Greens would much rather it went on funding the neighbourhood management posts being cut,”
For more information about the Green Party go to: www.lgbtgreens.org.uk/brighton
Grass before the homeless! Tories refuse help for young LGBT homeless and use budget allocation to cut grass
A proposal from the Greens Party to support LGBT young people with housing problems has been defeated at full Council and the identified money has been allocated to the council's grass-cutting budget.Cllr Bill Randall who led on the budget for the Greens in this years budget negotiations said:
“We proposed an allocation of £3,000 to fund the council’s membership of the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) national Quality Assurance Mark.
“For a modest amount of money AKT could have provided training sessions for housing staff and carry out an annual audit of the services offered to young people from the LGBT community with housing problems. Young service users would be involved at every stage of the delivery of the mark.
“Homelessness among this group is a serious issue for the city. More than 20 per cent of gay men interviewed in 2000 for a survey of the LGBT community in Brighton and Hove had been homeless at some point, and 18 per cent told Brighton University researchers they had traded sex for a roof over their head.
"AKT works in London and Manchester and has a wealth of experience in this field. I believe this experience can be put to good and cost-effective use in Brighton and Hove.”
Labour and Lib Dem councillors supported the Green proposal but Tory councillors and a single Independent Councillor voted against allowing the money to be allocated to the Councils grass cutting budget.
Pictured is Chief Executive of Albert Kennedy Trust, Tim Sigsworth with
Cllr Bill Randall.
For more information about the Green Party go to:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
For more information about The Albert Kennedy Trust go to:
www.akt.org.uk
Dining Dykes are three
Dining Dykes, the professional social networking group for lesbians celebrate their third anniversary upstairs at the Komedia, on Friday March 27.Cat Harding from Up and Out on Radio Reverb will be headlining the evening, which will feature a mix of comedy and live entertainment from top acts including Rosie Wilby, Julie Jepson and Nicky Mitchell.
There will be a raffle with excellent prizes, including nights in hotels and meals for two, in aid of Stonewall.
The live entertainment will be followed by music and dancing until 3am with DJ Aquarius, DJ K and the legendary Dulcie Danger doing an exclusive guest appearance with a back-to-back set with her wife, the infamous DJ Smiffy! Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7.30pm.
Food is available from 6pm. Entertainment and club £15
(£13 DiningDykes members). To buy tickets call 01273 647100
Book online at: www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
For more information about Dining Dykes go to: www.diningdykes.co.uk
History Ball a great success
On Saturday February 21, Brighton Council’s LGBT Workers’ Forum held its annual History ball, in partnership with LGBT domestic violence charity, Broken Rainbow. The event was jointly funded by Broken Rainbow and the Council’s Equality and Inclusion team.Three hundred guests danced the night away in the Paganini Ballroom at the Ship Hotel. The Ball had a 1940’s theme, and the revellers danced to 40’s and 50’s big bands including Fats 45 and the Burlettes.
Dance lessons were available giving many of the guests their first taste of the quickstep and the jive. Many guests came in period costume, including land girl outfits, military uniforms and elaborate ball gowns. The evening was brilliantly compered by Nicky Mitchell.
As part of the night festivities, the Forum staged its annual LGBT History Awards, which this year went to Allsorts Youth Project for its work with young LGBT people, to Val Brown of Lesbian Link for her years of activism, and to Jo Barringer of Brighton & Hove City Council for her work supporting LGBT officers. The list of nominees included Kath Browne of Count Me In Too, Jits Patel of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Simon Powell of Ishigaki Ju-Jitsu, James Ledward, editor of GScene Magazine, LGBT Switchboard, the Street Outreach Service, Ishigaki Ju-Jitsu, the Clare Project and the Gender Trust.
Rita Harani of Broken Rainbow said:
“Our thanks go to the BHCC LGBT Workers Forum. This was a wonderful and inspiring celebration of achievements by the LGBT community, rightfully acknowledging the work of local individuals and LGBT organisations.
“Brighton and Hove have set the standard for the work that still needs to happen, and have recognised that it is only by working together we can challenge discrimination faced by LGBT people every day of their lives.”
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Local fire service a Stonewall Diversity Champion
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have achieved a 211th placing in the Stonewall Employers Index 2009. They are one of twenty Fire Services in the UK who are currently members of the Stonewall programme and have been so for the last three years.
Cheryl Rolph, Assistant Chief Officer, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:
“The Service has a clear commitment to positively promoting issues of sexuality and, although we are delighted with this ranking, there is still room for improvement.”
In recognition of the benefits that membership to the Diversity Champions Programme brings, Fire Minister, Sadiq Khan, and the Fire & Rescue Services’ associations and unions have urged all Fire & Rescue Services to sign up to the Stonewall Diversity Champions Programme to help tackle any feelings of inequality and homophobia.
In a letter to every Fire & Rescue Service in England, the Minister said:
“If we are to attract and recruit the best people to the Fire & Rescue Service from the widest pool of talent, then all must know that they are welcome, that there is equality of opportunity and they will be treated with dignity and respect. Their sexual orientation is an irrelevance.”
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service was voted third in the ‘Best Fire & Rescue Service’ category of the national ‘Pink Paper Readers’ Awards 2009’. The Pink Paper is a free national lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans newspaper which is distributed all over the UK and holds the biggest lesbian and gay awards in Britain.
For more information about the East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service go to: www.esfrs.org
Publishers of 180 news and 360 magazine go into liquidation
After announcing he was moving on “to pastures new”, it emerged that the former chair of Pride, David Harvey had put his company, City Pride Publications Ltd into liquidation last month with debts of over £100,000. The liquidation was administered by Begbies Traynor of Pavilion Buildings in Brighton.City Pride Publications Ltd were the publishers of 180 newspaper and 360 magazine.
Both titles have now passed on to Graeme Austin, business development manager for City Pride Publications Ltd for the last ten months and his partner Tony Vassallo. Both live in London and are no strangers to running their own businesses, having run several successful restaurants in Australia.
Falling advertising income over recent months, and problems with both titles being boycotted by some of the major gay venues in Brighton because of perceived biased reporting, are thought to have added to the problems of City Pride Publications Ltd and Harvey’s decision to move on.
Originally published by Newsquest Ltd, publishers of the Argus, 360 Magazine was acquired for an undisclosed sum by City Pride Publications Ltd in 2004 after the Argus announced it was ceasing publishing the title.
Begbies Traynor declined to reveal how much the titles were acquired for.
Asked for a comment from Sydney, where she is working on promotions for this year’s Mardi Gras, Kim Lucas, former owner of the Candy Bar and the victim of a 180 newspaper, smear campaign last year said: “I shed a private tear.”
Village street party gets green light
Plans for this year's Pride street party, held over the Summer Pride weekend are underway after Brighton Council pledged £10,000 to assist in covering the health & safety and infrastructure costs of running the event.St James's Street and a number of the roads off it will close during the evening of Saturday August 1, and the afternoon of Sunday August 2, providing a safe environment for the Pride party to continue in the gay village.
This year, in addition to the street closures, the street party is also planning a market area in Dorset Gardens, where you can indulge in a little shopping, and a community village where local community and health groups will have a presence and be able to offer advice.
The event is planned and co-ordinated by the Community Involvement Team (C.I.T.) who are made up of a mix of local businesses and resident representatives. This year, the CIT is made up from:
Ben Davie (Amsterdam Hotel & Bar): Chair
Nicki Delmege (The PV @ The Jury's Out): Vice Chair
James Brooks (REALBrighton.com): Communications & PR
Chris Kift (Bristol Crystal): Local Resident Representative
Gill Scovell (The PV @ The Jury's Out)
Johan van der Merwe (Spruce Grooming): Local Business & Resident
Sharon Walsh (DJ Aquarius & Security Professional)
The C.I.T work closely with the Council's Events Team, Sussex Police, and Triptych Events who manage, build and run the event. Triptych Events ensure that there are outside toilet facilities (which will be increased this year) and adequate security and medical support. The streets also need to be cleaned afterwards. Costs to ensure all this are considerable and the Council Grant is vital. The budget is currently being finalised and local businesses that have the opportunity to benefit financially from the event will be invited to donate towards the running costs.
Any residue of funds will be donated to Pride in Brighton & Hove.
The C.I.T is open to all and welcomes anyone willing to give up their time to assist in the smooth running of this very popular event.
For further details about the C.I.T. contact:
bendavie2000@yahoo.co.uk
For more information about the street party go to:
www.realbrighton.com/streetparty
Bianca rembembered
Friends of Bianca Heard planted a tree in her memory on the Level last month. Bianca, former manager of Brighton Rocks, died tragically in May 2006.
Friends have also arranged for a well to be built in a small village in Ethiopia called Hangoda as a memorial to her. The well is presently under construction and once completed will have a
plaque on it saying, “In memory of our beautiful friend Bianca Heard”.
