Thursday, August 20, 2009
Roll down Devil's Dyke for charity
Kiya Survivors, a UK-registered charity which helps children with special needs in Peru, has partnered with ‘orbing’ specialist Orb360, to launch their first fundraising event: The Big Roll at the Devil’s Dyke in Brighton. Participants will roll down the Dyke at speeds of 30mph in a giant, cushioned ball.With the Orb-run being the longest in the country at half a mile long, and the stunning location overlooking Brighton and the South Downs, this is a once in a lifetime, feel-good experience.
All money raised from the event will go directly to the educational centres in Peru that Kiya Survivors builds and supports for special-needs, abused and abandoned children. The educational centres are vital to Kiya’s work and urgently need funds to continue running.
Suzy Butler, the Founder of Kiya Survivors, says:
“In the UK children with special needs are recognised as such and there are systems in place to give them adequate support. In Peru, there is very little understanding of children with these needs and what they require, and so they are often ignored or abused. By giving them a proper education and the love and support they deserve, Kiya Survivors is able to offer these children a bright and positive future.”
‘Rollers’ need to raise just a minimum of £100 each in sponsorship to take part on the day. Participants can then roll for free, have a unique day out and raise money for a very worthy cause. Water lovers can choose the Aqua-Orbs, where two people and 50 litres of splashing water roll down the Aqua-slide.
The iconic Orb-Shack provides shade and music where you can enjoy a drink and some food, and take in the view while watching friends spin down the Dyke.
The Big Roll takes place on Saturday September 5 from 12.00-4.00pm. The minimum height is 1.5 metres and maximum weight is 15.5 stone to participate.
To sign up or for more information contact Pip Emmott at Kiya Survivors on 01273 721092 or e-mail: pip@kiyasurvivors.org
For more information on Kiya Survivors view:
www.kiyasurvivors.org
Navy spurns Plymouth Pride
The Royal Navy, which sent 50 sailors to march in London Pride, had decided to not participate in Plymouth Pride.Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said:
"The Royal Navy is guilty of rank hypocrisy. It sent 50 sailors to march in the London Pride gay parade in July but has failed to support the gay festival in its hometown of Plymouth. Is the navy ashamed of publicising locally its pro-gay policies?"
"The Royal Navy had a recruitment stall at London Pride. It could easily send four officers to staff a similar stall at the Pride event in the Plymouth Guildhall on Saturday August 22 . Its unwillingness to do so has seriously undermined the navy's gay-friendly credentials.
"Plymouth has a long, historic naval tradition and is one of the main ports of the Royal Navy. It is not the most tolerant city in Britain. Parts of the city are quite rough and homophobic.
"Given the sometimes less enlightened local attitudes, it is much more important that the navy has a presence at Plymouth Pride than at London Pride.
"The Royal Navy owes a full explanation for its absence to the Plymouth LGBT community and to the organisers of Plymouth Pride."
Tatchell is in Plymouth this week to support the Plymouth Pride LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) festival, which runs from August 15 to 22.
For more information about Plymouth Pride view:
www.plymouthprideevent.org.uk
For information about Peter Tatchell view:
www.petertatchell.net
Pictured: Peter Thatchell
THT course for sex addicts
THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) is launching a course of workshops for gay men who feel they behave compulsively or addictively when it comes to sex. The group will take place each Wednesday for 8 weeks from 6.30 – 9pm in Central London.The ‘Call yourself a sex addict?’ group aims to help people who feel that their sexual behaviour is having an overwhelming and negative impact on their lives. It is led by expert facilitators who have training to deal with addiction issues.
Gordon Mundie, Group work co-ordinator at THT said:
“Having a lot of sex may sound fantastic, but some men find it taking over their lives. If they’re not having sex, they might think about it constantly, may spend a lot of time looking for it, or might put themselves in increasingly risky sexual situations. If you feel your relationship with sex is out of control, there is help available. Just get in touch.”
For more information, venue details or to book an assessment please call 020 7812 1773 or email groupworklondon@tht.org.uk
For more information about THT view:
www.tht.org.uk
Dogs seeking homes
Three pairs of dogs currently residing with Dogs Trust Shoreham, all with very different temperaments, are urgently looking for new homes.
Sugar and Patch are looking for a new home filled with sugar and spice and all things nice. Floyd and Snoopy are the perfect hair of the dog remedy for anyone feeling lethargic and bored. Chihuahuas Max and Tai Chi are in search of inner peace, tranquility and some home comforts.
To visit the dogs call: 01273 452 576
For more information view:
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Sugar and Patch are looking for a new home filled with sugar and spice and all things nice. Floyd and Snoopy are the perfect hair of the dog remedy for anyone feeling lethargic and bored. Chihuahuas Max and Tai Chi are in search of inner peace, tranquility and some home comforts.
To visit the dogs call: 01273 452 576
For more information view:
www.dogstrust.org.uk
Pride fundraising starts to build
One week after Pride in Brighton & Hove announced a projected £50,000 deficit, direct donations from LGBT community supporters have already accumulated over a £1,000.Night club, Revenge has also announced that it will be staging a free-entry fund raising event on Sunday, August 23, where they will be requesting donations for Pride at the door.
“We are immensely encouraged by the way that the LGBT community has responded to the news that Pride may have to be scaled back next year, unless we can raise sufficient funds to plug this year’s likely deficit,” said Yvonne Barker, Chair of Pride in Brighton and Hove.
The announcement of Pride’s financial difficulties has also provoked debate in the LGBT community (as the extended letters’ pages of GScene’s September issue will reflect) about the purpose of Pride and whether the main park event should remain free.
“We have been closely following the debates on the Internet and the blogosphere and hope that those who have been contributing their ideas and views will attend the feedback event we will be holding on October 6, at a venue to be announced shortly,” said Ms Barker.
“We want to listen to as many views as possible to ensure that Pride meets the expectations of the community it serves – it is vital that we do.”
Ms Barker also went on to announce that Pride is to mount its own fundraising event later this year. She said that details of this would be released shortly.
“I am optimistic that we will bridge the gap in our finances,” concluded Barker, “but, whatever happens, Pride is determined to use this opportunity to have a fundamental review of its operation.”
Those wishing to donate to Pride can do so via its website:
www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate/ and can keep up with latest developments via Pride’s Official Facebook site.
Manchester Pride to hold Eastern Europe LGBT rights discussion
A panel discussion about the state of human rights for LGBT groups in Eastern Europe, will take place as part of Manchester Pride’s ten-day festival line-up. The 'Hate and Pride in Eastern Europe' event, hosted by Amnesty International and Manchester Pride, will take place in the City Inn Hotel on Monday August 24, at 7pm.
The discussion will look at discrimination faced by LGBT people in many parts of Eastern Europe. It will also celebrate the activists who organise and campaign for LGBT rights despite this type of discrimination.
The panel will include;
- Kapars Zalitis from Mozaika, Latvia
- Eduardas Platovas from The Lithuanian Gay League
- John Amaechi, a former professional basketball player and Human Rights Ambassador for Amnesty International
- Stonewall education officer, Lydla Malmedle
- Amnesty LGBT campaign manager, Kim Manning-Cooper (acting as chair)
Panellist John Amaechi, said:
"My experience living in America and seeing the legalised oppression of the LGBT community in parts of Europe and Africa has highlighted to me the need to expose institutionalised bigotry.
“The root of bigotry is ignorance teamed with misinformation, the new law for the ‘protection of Minors against the Detrimental Effect of Public Information’ in Lithuania will act to demonise and further damage both the LGBT community as well as anyone perceived to be different.”
Jackie Crozier, festival manager of Manchester Pride, said:
“Our event with Amnesty International is a great example of what Manchester Pride is ultimately all about. Although the week is also a celebration of diversity in the LGBT community, I hope this discussion will provoke some thought and trigger extra support in fighting discrimination.”
The event is free to attend, but expected to be popular so to avoid disappointment, RSVP to nicola.fisher@manchesterpride.com to confirm a place.
For further information about Manchester Pride, check out: www.manchesterpride.com
For further information about Amnesty International’s campaign for LGBT rights, visit:
www.amnesty.org.uk/lgbt
Oxjam in Brighton
This October the UK’s biggest music festival, Oxjam, will be raising money and awareness for Oxfam and its Climate Change campaign.Musicians who have supported Oxjam since its inception include Jarvis Cocker, Hot Chip, Kasabian, The Kooks, Klaxons, Jamelia and Editors and Brighton’s own Fatboy Slim.
Oxjam Brighton are calling for all unsigned bands to enter the Battle of the Bands competition. The competition will take place on October 20 at Hectors House and is open to any Sussex bands who are unsigned and over 18. The competition opens for entries on Monday August 24 and closes on Sunday September 6. Six bands will be then shortlisted to play a 20-minute set (subject to a £5 entrance fee) on the night. Successful bands will be contacted by Friday September 18
To enter, send the name of your band, number of band members and your music (i.e. MySpace link) to: OxjamBrighton.battleofthebands@gmail.com
For more information on becoming part of Oxjam view:
www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam
Have you seen this man?
Sussex Police have made an urgent appeal for anyone who recognises this man to come forward. The man used a gun to commit a robbery on Preston Road in Brighton on Wednesday 19 August. A similar robbery was committed in the same week and the Sussex Police are concerned that his criminal activities may be escalating.
The black male is in his mid twenties, 5’9’ and of a slight build.
If you know him or have seen him recently – please contact Sussex Police immediately on 0845 60 70 999 and quote the crime number: CC1/079858/09.
Young LGBT safety event
The Brighton and Hove LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Anti-Bullying Working Group are holding a consultation event with LGBT young people to explore ways of improving safety in Brighton and Hove.The kinds of questions that will be looked at include:
How can we reduce homophobic/biphobic/transphobic bullying in schools?; How safe is the LGBT scene in Brighton and Hove and how could it be made safer?; How can we make it easier for LGBT young people to report homophobic/biphobic/transphobic incidents at home and in the community?; How can we improve support services for LGBT young people who are victims of homophobic/biphobic/transphobic incidents or bullying?
The event is an opportunity for anyone with ideas on how to make Brighton and Hove a safer place for LGBT young people. All feedback will be written up in a report which will then be distributed to key agencies in the city.
The event will be hosted by Allsorts Youth Project, Spectrum and Sussex Police. Various other organisations across the city will be taking part in facilitating the consultation including the Children’s and Young People’s Trust, Hove YMCA, RISE, and Terrence Higgins Trust.
Sam Thomas of Allsorts said:
“I think it’s about time that LGBT young people are consulted about the issues of LGBT-bullying and their safety as too often young people’s experiences go unreported.”
Nick Antjoule, Brighton’s Police LGBT Liaison Officer said:
“Everyone in Brighton should have the right to live without facing other people’s prejudice. We want to hear from you about how we can work together to make that the reality for everyone.”
The event takes place on Wednesday September 23, 6-8pm at the Friends Meeting House on Ship Street.
For more information contact Allsorts Youth Project on 01273 721211 or info@allsortsyouth.org.uk
For more information on Allsorts view:
www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
Pictured: Sam Thomas from Allsorts
Domestic Violence survey for LGBT youth
Broken Rainbow and Eighteen & Under have come together to explore the prevalence rates of domestic violence amongst 18-25 year-old LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people. The survey asks questions on experience and awareness of domestic violence. At the end of the questionnaire, if they choose, respondents can be entered into a free prize draw and have a chance to win an Apple iPod Shuffle 1GB or a pop up Quechua 2 Seconds Tent.
Rita Hirani, CEO of LGBT Domestic Violence charity Broken Rainbow said:
"Young people in their first relationships are more likely to experience domestic violence. Minority communities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans even more so because of the added cultural issues and stereotypes. Research indicates that young people are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence. It's critical that we work together to find a way to identify why this is happening, and find ways to provide appropriate intervention and support so our young people can go onto healthier and happier relationships."
The survey will run until Wednesday September 30 at:
youth.questionpro.com
For more information on Broken Rainbow view:
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
WhiteAir 09 launch event
If the launch event is anything to go by then ‘WhiteAir 09’ is gonna be a good one. It was great fun and had load of sexy lads and ladies demonstrating their amazing skills with these fun sports. It’s the biggest extreme sports and music event in the Europe and the hip team have worked hard to build on the success of the previous years sell out success. The fab thing about WhiteAir is that you can try all these sports out, with recognised instructors and international competitors, its cool and hands on, and if all you wanna do is go along and gawp, there’s enough astonishing tricks, sports and eye candy to keep you happy.
There’s over 40 sports to choose from, to watch, learn and take part in from Cage fighting and mixed martial arts, BMX , Thundercats and street style fighting, to Surf, Skate, long and rider boards. Bike ballet and free jumping, kite surfing, parkour, power fans, rope boarding and a host of other more exotic and extreme fun pastimes. Too many to list.
All this and a music stage too, over three days! The main stage has Biffy Clyro, The Lemonheads, Sky Larkin and Brighton favourite British Sea Power along with a myriad of other bands, the full line up for the stage is up on the website now.
There’s a host of different ticket prices, from VIP or family tickets to one day tickets and a few good discounts for all.
It’s gonna be a good weekend.
Extreme Sports and music festival
September 18th -20th
Brighton Beach,
Madeira Drive
Check out the website for more details and to book ticket:
www.whiteair.co.uk/
London Same-Sex Hand-Holding Relay
A Day In Hand - the campaign is designed to promote equality of respect for people who wish to hold hands with someone of the same gender in public - made the first ever same-sex hand holding relay team, as part of the 2012 London Games Open Weekend. The relay of hand-holding couples, which took place last month, started in the heart of the capital and finished in Greenwich.Author Paul Burston who walked with his partner Paulo along the Southbank said:
“I believe very strongly that we should show affection in public. Straight people do it all the time, and if we're to achieve true equality in society as well as in law, we should behave no differently. Still I was concerned about the reaction we might get.”
Laura and Jenny who walked through Greenwich said,
"Our walk for A Day in Hand through Greenwich Park was a good experience and we never once felt threatened or unsafe.”
For more information view:
www.adayinhand.com
Dawkins backs Turing campaign
Prominent atheist Prof Richard Dawkins is backing the campaign to get an official apology for Alan Turing, the code-breaking genius and father of the modern computer who committed suicide in 1954 after being prosecuted for being homosexual.More than 2,500 people have now added their name to the on-line petition calling for the Government to recognise the 'consequences of prejudice' that ended the life of the scientist aged just 41.
Professor Dawkins said that an apology would 'send a signal to the world which needs to be sent', and that Turing would still be alive today if itwere not for the repressive, religion-influenced laws which drove him to despair.
The author of The God Delusion, who is due to present a forthcoming television programme for Channel 4 on Turing, said the impact of the mathematician's war work could not be overstated:
"Turing arguably made a greater contribution to defeating the Nazis than Eisenhower or Churchill. Thanks to Turing and his 'Ultra' colleagues at Bletchley Park, Allied generals in the field were consistently, over long periods of the war, privy to detailed German plans before the German generals had time to implement them.
"After the war, when Turing's role was no longer top-secret, he should have been knighted and fêted as a saviour of his nation. Instead, this gentle, stammering, eccentric genius was destroyed, for a 'crime', committed in private, which harmed nobody."
Sign the petition at: petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing/
8km undercliff run for women's charity
The Rise 2009 8k Undercliff Run for Women will raise money for Rise, the charity for women and children affected by domestic abuse. The run will take place on October 11 at 9am on the Undercliff Walkway by Asda in Brighton Marina.Rise runs the only local telephone helpline for people suffering from the effects of domestic abuse; in 2007/08, when it opened for restricted hours, it answered over 1,800 calls. This year, it has expanded the service and needs to raise money to support this vital service.
A unique run along the scenic cliff-side path from Brighton Marina to Rottingdean and back to the Marina, in total 8k (5 miles), the Undercliff Run is an exciting opportunity for new and experienced female runners to experience the buzz and camaraderie of running with 400 other women, alongside the expanse of the sea.
Registration costs £12 and must be completed by September 30; no registration can take place on the day. Runners must be over 15 by October 11th, but there is no maximum age limit. Even though raising sponsorship is not obligatory, any sponsorship would be gratefully appreciated and will help Rise continue to support those affected by domestic abuse.
To register go to:
www.riseuk.org.uk
For more details e-mail: naomi@women'srefuge.org.uk
Campaign for government apology for Alan Turing
Mathematician John Graham-Cummings has started a campaign to get an official apology for the treatment of Alan Turing who, although he helped shorten World War 2 through cracking the Nazi's Enigma code, was prosecuted because of his homosexuality. He committed suicide aged 41.Turing was also a critical pioneer of computer science. He defined a theoretical model of computers (at a time when 'computer' meant a person who computed numbers) that holds true today. He suggested how we might determine whether a computer was sentient (with the Turing Test).
Turing's death should remind us how prejudice ruins and degrades. He was prosecuted for 'indecent acts' and eventually took his own life aged 41. This man, in his prime, killed himself because at the time homosexuality was illegal and having been prosecuted he was then chemically castrated in an attempt to 'cure' him. He had been stripped of his security clearance.
The petition states: We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to apologize for the prosecution of Alan Turing that led to his untimely death.
It can be signed at:
petitions.number10.gov.uk/turing/
GMFA asks: "Do You Have An HIV Detector?"
GMFA, the gay men's health charity, are launching a new health promotion video, ‘Do You Have An HIV Detector?’, which aims to make men aware of the risks of making the wrong assumptions about a sexual partner’s HIV status. Studies have shown that about 40% of HIV negative men who say they know their sexual partner’s HIV status are actually guessing.The video features a man using a fantasy HIV detector to try to find out if the guy he is picking up has the same HIV status. The message of the video is that you usually can not be sure of another person’s HIV status, but you can protect yourself and your partners by always having safer sex.
Matthew Hodson of GMFA, said:
“Lots of gay men believe that they can always tell the HIV status of their partners just by looking at them, or by where they meet or the sex that they’re into. The truth is that there are HIV positive and HIV negative men, of all shapes and sizes, in every city and in every gay venue across the country. Guesswork won’t keep you and your partners safe. Using a condom remains the best way to prevent the spread of HIV. The video is based on our previous ad campaign and we hope that it gets the message across in a way that’s a bit fun and a bit quirky.”
Studies have shown that while most negative gay men expect an HIV positive man to disclose his status before having sex, only 20% of diagnosed positive gay men say they always disclose. And with around a third of gay men with HIV not knowing that they are infected, trusting that someone will be able to tell you their HIV status can be risky.
Matthew adds:
“Our HIV detector ad campaign proved popular when we first ran it last year. We feel strongly about the subject, which is why we chose to tackle it through two new and very different resources. And with many gay men turning to the internet for information on health issues, the video is an ideal way for us to get across this serious message.”
The video can be viewed at:
tinyurl.com/gmfahivd
For more information on GMFA view:
www.gmfa.org.uk
Pictured: Matthew Hodson of GMFA
Switchboard launches service for victims of hate crime
Brighton & Hove LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Switchboard are to launch their new service for victims of LGBT hate crime at R Bar, Marine Parade, on Friday August 21 from 6pm to 8pm. Join Switchboard’s trustees, staff and volunteers and find out more about this innovative new service whilst listening to the delightful sounds of Nicky Mitchell and enjoy a drink and a finger buffet.
To confirm attendance e-mail: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk
For more information about Brighton Switchboard view:
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
GMFA to get pants money!
Menswear site Boomlads.com is donating all profits from every pair of pants it sells until the end of September 2009 to GMFA, the gay men’s health charity. Boomlads.com is one of the largest men’s underwear retailers in Europe and promises to be 10% cheaper than any other UK online or high street retailer.
Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, said:
“We are always immensely grateful when organisations such as Boomlads.com offer such generous donations to GMFA. The money we raise in this way goes directly towards campaigns that receive no government funding, such as our work for positive gay men and community-based projects, which is why it’s so crucial.”
Jim Sprague of Boomlads.com, adds:
“At Boomlads.com we wanted to support a gay men's charity that helped gay men with advice on all types of health issues. By shopping at Boomlads.com, you can be sure of getting the latest exciting brands at the best value and, at the same time, help towards GMFA’s vital work with gay men.”
For more information on GMFA view:
www.gmfa.org.uk
To view men in pants view:
www.boomlads.com
Theatre Review by Eric Page: Annie
Let’s get some things clear, I’ve not seen the show before, not seen the film, nor read the comic book. I was an Annie virgin and this was a hell of a way to get my clogs popped. I feel like I’ve been taken roughly down ‘Easy Street’ this evening by a bunch of screeching wailing waifs and a cast of ‘should know betters’. Wobbly pantomime sets, unconvincing characters and terrible, terrible singing, and that was just the opening number with a load of suspiciously healthy looking orphans with not a tooth missing or a case of rickets between them, nor the ability to hold a note either. Oh and the wigs! The horror! I held out for the sight of Sue Pollard as Miss Hannigan - a drunk, cruel and bitter women, surely she’d hit the spot. She hit the bottle definitely and the odd note but was the most unconvincing drunk since Mother Teresa. If I’d drunk as much as she pretended to I’d have probably enjoyed this show. She came on looking like an anorexic Dora Bryant but without the talent, in a bad wig with a funny walk straight off the end of the pier. Her one good song ‘Little Girls’ was hammed up with comedic glee but it went downhill from there.
Let’s get some more things clearer, I’m no obsessive musical queen nor a stage school mum although the audience was full of them, but they were either all related to the cast or too drunk to care, but even they had difficulty mustering up a laugh or more than slight applause. In the first half the only convincing performance and character was the dog, who padded on and fell asleep. This got a round of applause. I rolled my eyes. Annie couldn’t keep a note, even allowing for the terrible smugness of her faux precociousness and the wretched cheap wig. This is supposed to be The Child Role. The child should be able to sing, or perhaps that’s part of the charm. Personally I prefer talented kids. Ones who can dance, sing and act.
Half way through I checked with some other folks, my companion thought it terrible too and the three Queens I met in the foyer, who’d seen Annie 15 times ‘loved it, loved it, loved it darling’ – sigh- but I suspect they would have clapped the dog for wagging its tail. Shortly afterwards they did.
We gave it the benefit of the doubt and endured the second half; I slipped off into deconstructing the story, a very odd thing indeed. Something unsavoury about money buying happiness, sad and lonely women who turn to drink getting carted off in straitjackets, incredibly stunted selfish children and an emotionally crippled millionaire (David McAlister’s Daddy Warbucks) who buys a child to fill up his empty life, then woos and dances with her. At least he could sing. Then there’s the very (very) bad wigs and a troupe of brain dead servants who thought they were in a ‘Britain’s got talent’ ensemble dance number. Trite and very wrong indeed, unless you’re in Malawi.
If you’ve got kids who don’t know what they’re in for then perhaps this is the thing to turn them off theatre for life. If you’re a Sue Pollard fan then you’ll never forgive her, unless you like drag. The sound was terrible, some special effects just weird – snow in a sweaty hot theatre?? - and the band, when not playing over the singers was only bearable. It was also way too long.
There were jokes about the ‘League of Nations’ for god’s sake! Nobody laughed.
Perhaps I’m missing something other than the last three hours of my life, but I think the sun’s going to set on this show, hopefully tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow…
Pass the bottle Sue.
Theatre Royal Brighton
Until 22nd August
www.ambassadortickets.com/1008/664/Brighton/Theatre-Royal-Brighton/Annie
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
20,000 sign petition to stop jailing of gay Israeli activist
A final decision on sentencing Palestinian human rights defender Ezra Nawi - an openly gay Israeli Jew - will now take place on September 21. An online petition with 20,000 signatures from the UK, US and all over the world has urged the court to not jail Ezra.Human rights activist Peter Tatchell said:
"The online petition was organised and coordinated by the Jewish Voices for Peace campaign group.
"Ezra faces imprisonment over an alleged riot during his attempts to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes by the Israeli army and over an alleged assault on a police officer during his arrest - charges that Ezra, a well known pacifist, strongly denies.
"Among the witnesses who testified in court yesterday on Ezra's behalf were Yehudit Karp, a former deputy attorney-general of Israel, and Hebrew University professors Galit Hazan-Rokem and David Shulman.
"Several of the witnesses explained to the court that Ezra's actions in trying to stop Israel's bulldozing of Palestinian homes had to be understood in the context of Israel's military occupation of the West Bank, aggressive Israeli settlers trying to force the Palestinians off their land, and the extreme poverty of the displaced Palestinian families.
"In an apparent response to the global outpouring of support for Ezra Nawi, the prosecution has indicated that it is now not asking for the maximum sentence of 18 months to two years imprisonment; although it remains insistent that he should still serve a custodial sentence.
"Ezra has become a legendary figure among the Palestinians in South Hebron, left-wing and pro-peace Israeli activists, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) campaigners and international opponents of Israel's occupation of the West Bank.
"Being an out gay man is mostly easy in London or New York. But in the Middle East, it takes real guts, especially when there are fundamentalists on both sides who want to kill gay people.
"By supporting the human rights of the Palestinian people as an out gay man, Ezra is probably doing more than anyone else to undermine the homophobia that undoubtedly exists in sections of Palestinian society. His acceptance by growing numbers of Palestinians illustrates that homophobia can be overcome, even in very traditional communities. It refutes the common stereotype that all Arabs and Muslims are anti-gay.
"Ezra's exemplary life shows the possibility of unity, solidarity and respect between gays and straights and between Palestinians and Israelis. It suggests that prejudice and division can be conquered; that a kinder, gentler, fairer future can be won for all the people of the Middle East."
The petition can be signed at: www.freeezra.org
For more background about Ezra's case view:
peter-tatchell.livejournal.com/874.html
Alien's 30th Birthday Party!
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To mark the thirtieth anniversary of Alien, The Space (Southern Performance and Creative Energies) presents a special evening at Brighton's Duke of York’s cinema. Following a screening of the science fiction classic, the film’s BAFTA nominated editor Terry Rawlings and the costume designer John Mollo will be interviewed by Space presenter Lisa Holloway.Terry Rawlings’s other credits include Blade Runner, Chariots of Fire, Watership Down, Yentl and Goldeneye. John Mollo’s include Star Wars, for which he won an Oscar, The Empire Strikes Back, Gandhi, Cry Freedom and Sharpe.
The Space is Brighton ’s unique monthly arts and media event, which brings together the creative community with special guest interviews.
The screening takes place on Sunday October 25 at the Duke of Yorks, Preston Cirucs. Doors 5.50pm for 6.20pm start.
For more information view:
www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema_home_date.aspx?venueId=doyb
For more information about The Space view:
www.thespace.me.uk
Research into LGBT mental health
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) mental health project PACE has launched its national review of mental health support for LGBT people. Commissioned by the National Mental Health Development Unit at the Department of Health, the research will examine what is currently being done to promote better mental health for LGBT people in England.Researchers will be contacting mental health services across the country and visiting mental health websites to find out how prepared they are to meet the needs of local LGBT populations. The project will be running throughout August and September.
The research project grew out of the fact that in 2008 the National Suicide Prevention Strategy was amended to include a specific goal to promote mental health amongst lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Subsequent efforts are being made to include trans people within this priority. The change followed the publication of a government report revealing the evidence of significantly increased risk of suicide among LGBT people. The report “Mental disorders, suicide and deliberate self-harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people” highlighted that better awareness of mental health needs of sexual minorities should become a standard part of training for health and social care professionals. It also recommended that sexual orientation should be included in routine data collection.
Explaining why he thinks this review is necessary, Tim Franks, Chief Executive of PACE said:
“At the time we were delighted with the recommendations of the report. I personally believe that the rates of attempted suicide in our community, particularly among young people, are of great concern. Over one year on from changing the national strategy we are keen to see what, if anything, has been done to implement these proposals. We want to identify those parts of the NHS and voluntary sector that have taken a lead in addressing this issue and can be used as examples of good practice for others. We also want to hear from LGBT people who have personal experience of struggling with suicidal thoughts about their views of what has helped them and what could be done to help further. To those people I would say: ‘Please help us, to help others by telling us about your experiences’.”
Keith Foster, the Suicide prevention Strategy Implementation Lead for England said:
“Following the publication of the systematic review in February 2008 we now include LGB people as a specific group who have special needs under Goal Two of the Suicide Prevention Strategy. We now need to support those organisations working with LGB and trans people, including health and social care agencies, on actions that are required to enable us to reduce the risk of suicide in this group of people. This review will provide us with practical recommendations in policy and service provision leading to an improvement in the mental health and well-being of LGBT individuals”.
An online survey for LGBT people who have experienced suicidal thoughts is accessible from the PACE website at: www.pacehealth.org.uk/research
To find out more about PACE and ways of supporting the project email: tim.franks@pacehealth.org.uk.
Switchboard seek marathon runners
Switchboard seek marathon runners
Brighton & Hove LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Switchboard is currently seeking people to run in Brighton’s first ever marathon in aid of this local charity. The marathon, which is 26 miles, is taking place next year on Sunday April 18.
To discuss this opportunity and fundraising requirements or book yourself a place contact Natalie Woods on 01273 207050 or by e-mail: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk
For more information on Switchboard view:
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Brighton & Hove LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Switchboard is currently seeking people to run in Brighton’s first ever marathon in aid of this local charity. The marathon, which is 26 miles, is taking place next year on Sunday April 18.
To discuss this opportunity and fundraising requirements or book yourself a place contact Natalie Woods on 01273 207050 or by e-mail: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk
For more information on Switchboard view:
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Switchboard launches service for victims of hate crime
Brighton & Hove LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Switchboard are to launch their new service for victims of LGBT hate crime at R Bar, Marine Parade, on Friday August 21 from 6pm to 8pm. Join Switchboard’s trustees, staff and volunteers and find out more about this innovative new service whilst listening to the delightful sounds of Nicky Mitchell and enjoy a drink and a finger buffet.
To confirm attendance e-mail: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk
For more information about Brighton Switchboard view:
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Black Pride a huge success
Black Pride took place on Saturday (15) in the beautiful setting of Regents College on the Inner Circle in Regents Park, London attracting a huge diverse crowd of people who enjoyed the glorious sunshine.Headline act on the main stage was Soul Diva Beverley Knight who was joined by Funky Diva Meleka, live band Frenglish featuring Guess Forever, Daley UK and a special tribute to Michael Jackson by Michael Anthony aka Moonchild. There were guest speakers from Trade Unions and LGBT Community organisations.
Hosts MC Brandy and Oh Wow Boyz introduced some of the UK's best DJ's on the Main Stage and in Urban World Tent including DJ Big John, Biggy C, Terry T-Rex and Jeffrey Hinton, Philly, DJ Saj & V– Urban Desi, Nubian Soul, DJ Sensi, DJ G & DJ Goodaz.
There was a chill out zone, market place, secret garden, games area, information zone, VIP tent, licensed bars and food stalls plus well attended 'Empowerment Workshops'.
Save the Duke of York's Clock
The Duke of York's Cinema is launching a fundraising appeal to save its 99-year-old clock.On September 22 the Duke of York’s Picturehouse celebrates 99 years in operation as a cinema, and the Grade II listed building needs a little attention. Over £2,000 is needed to bring its beautiful public clock back to life. To help raise the money there will be a screening of Casablanca and all profits from this screening will go towards the repair.
The cinema will also be re-launching its Sponsor-A-Seat programme, allowing the nearly 100 seats left in the cinema to be sponsored. For £100 you can dedicate a small plaque with a message of your choice for life.
Casablanca screening at 9pm, September 22, at the Duke of Yorks Cinema, Preston Circus, Brighton.
For more information view:
www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema_home_date.aspx?venueId=doyb
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Oh What A Camp Circus! This Friday!
Roll up! Roll up! The circus has come to town! Or to be more precise, Hove Lawns by the King Alfred, and for one night only will feature local stars from the gay cabaret circuit and circus performers, together in a gala night to benefit The Sussex Beacon on Friday, August 21 at 9pm.
Oh! What A Circus, Oh! What A Show is an outrageous adults only show produced by Trevor Pharo, featuring Lola Lasagne, Mandy Muden, Lorraine Bowen, Samantha Howard, Josh Mills and Robert James, who will perform in various stages of undress as The Naked Boy Singing.
Your ringmistress for the evening is Maisie Trollette, who will be joined by The Brighton & Hove (Actually) Gay Men’s Chorus. Zippo’s internationally famous ringmaster Norman Barrett will present circus acts including the Konyot Clowns, Tom Roberts, Duo Fusion, Disa Trapeze, Mr Twix and The Marinhos, a father-and-son act from South America who will be performing their nailbiting Wheel Of Death stunt.
Zippo Circus has kindly donated the complete facilities of its tent and production for this one performance free of charge.
Tickets, £15, are available from the Dome
box office (01273 709709) and from most
gay bars in the village.
For more info view:
www.brighton-dome.org.uk
Hoteliers targetted by fraudster posing as Pride fundraiser
A Fraudster pretending to be from Pride in Brighton and Hove has been attempting to get cash donations from Hoteliers, following the front page news story in today’s Argus, highlighting that Pride in Brighton and Hove have a cash crisis deficit.
A man calling himself Philip, has been calling Hoteliers in the Kemp Town area of Brighton, saying he was soliciting donations to help Pride resolve its cash problems.
A spokesperson for Pride in Brigton and Hove has confirmed to Gscene that no one called Philip works for Pride.
Furthermore they would not solicit donations by telephone in this manner.
If you want to help Pride’s cash deficit you can donate at:
www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate
A man calling himself Philip, has been calling Hoteliers in the Kemp Town area of Brighton, saying he was soliciting donations to help Pride resolve its cash problems.
A spokesperson for Pride in Brigton and Hove has confirmed to Gscene that no one called Philip works for Pride.
Furthermore they would not solicit donations by telephone in this manner.
If you want to help Pride’s cash deficit you can donate at:
www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate
Friday, August 14, 2009
Was this the last Brighton Pride as we know it?
Pride in Brighton & Hove trustees called a press conference today to announce a public appeal for funds.The Pride Trustees have identified a potential financial deficit following this year’s event of £50,000, caused by increased costs in staging the event, rising office utility costs, the general economic downturn and lower donations on the day caused by the dreadful weather.
The possible shortfall puts a question mark over whether it will be possible to mount a free event on the same scale in 2010, unless substantial funds are generated by December 2009.
Pride will be launching an appeal for donations to its members and the more than 3,000 subscribers to the Pride official Facebook site, many of whom enjoyed themselves on the park this year despite the rain.
Yvonne Barker, Chair of Pride said:
“It costs us £300,000 to stage this event. We are a charity and rely on the generosity of local businesses and individuals, who raise much needed funds. However, the truth is there are many more businesses in the city both straight and LGBT run that benefit enormously from the Pride festivities and yet contribute nothing towards the running costs. We will be approaching those businesses for donations, as well as going back to our traditional supporters for help.”
She continued:
“If we are unable to raise sufficient funds to cover the expected shortfall, we will need to seriously scale back next year’s Pride festivities and reduce the support we are able to give to local LGBT community groups." She went on to say: "Over the coming weeks Pride will be announcing a series of fundraising initiatives and will be reaching out to individuals, business and community groups supports for donations and to tap into their own ideas to help raise money."
The Lib Dems were the first political party to react to the news of the Pride deficit calling on the Council to do more to keep Brighton Pride free by stepping in to meet the funding gap.
Lib Dem Leader, Cllr Paul Elgood commented:
"The council subsidies a range of events in the city from the Brighton Festival to party conferences. It should now look at grant funding to meet the £50k deficit from this year's event. The event is so crucial to summer tourism and attracting visitors, it would be money well spent."
You can donate to Pride online at:
www.justgiving.com/brightonpride/donate/
London boroughs help local communities through recession
Converting empty shops into art galleries and introducing a new local ’currency’ are among the innovative ways in which London boroughs are helping to ease the impact of the recession on their local communities and firms. They are just two examples of the good practice initiatives featured in a new guide produced by London Councils’ improvement and efficiency partnership Capital Ambition.Others include publicity campaigns to make people aware of all the benefits to which they are entitled, special networking meetings for small businesses to build contacts with larger organisations, and partnerships with DIY stores to offer cut price loft insulation to help cut people’s energy bills.
The Waltham Forest High Streets Arts initiative is designed to help keep shopping areas vibrant and interesting by using empty shops to hold exhibitions of work by local artists and groups. This has included using an old branch of Woolworths in Leytonstone to display the work of 60 artists.
From next month residents in Lambeth will be able to use the special currency ‘The Brixton Pound’ to buy local goods from participating shops around the borough. The scheme, supported by a range of local shops, is designed to boost the local economy and get people thinking about buying locally produced items.
In Sutton a special initiative has been set up to give executives and professionals who have been made redundant help and advice on finding a new job or training opportunities, or starting their own business.
London Councils lead member for Improvement, Councillor Michael White, said:
“These are still very difficult and troubling times for families and businesses across the capital but Londoners should be assured that boroughs are determined to do everything they can to help ease the impact of the recession on them.
“Boroughs and their partners have come up with a package of common sense and innovative ways to help families save money, keep our town centres vibrant provide training and support to people made redundant and to help local businesses maintain a solid foundation in this bleak economic climate.
“This guide just outlines the foundations that boroughs and their partners have laid. As councils gain a deeper understanding of the recession’s impact in their local areas they will develop the appropriate responses.”
The guide can be downloaded at:
www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/media/current/pressdetail.htm?pk=768
For more information about London councils view:
www.londoncouncils.gov.uk
World's first Fertility Show in London this November
The World’s first Fertility Show takes place November 6–7 at London’s Olympia Exhibition Centre. The event, specifically aimed at the general public, features more than 80 exhibitors plus a speaker programme of 45 talks from Britain’s top fertility experts.Aimed at everyone concerned about their ability to conceive – from those just starting to try for a child to those already diagnosed with fertility problems – the show’s speaker programme will address some of the most common questions:
How fertile am I?; What can I do to improve the odds?; Am I too late to start a family?; How can I find out if I have a problem?; Is egg freezing a sensible option?; We’ve been trying for a while – where can we get help?; Will the NHS pay for treatment?; I’m considering IVF – where’s the best place to go?; I need an egg donor – should I go abroad?
Fifty top speakers include Sam Abdalla (Medical Director, Lister Fertility Centre), Yacoub Khalaf, (Medical Director, Guy’s & St Thomas’ ACU), Stuart Lavery (Medical Director, IVF Hammersmith), Lesley Regan (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College), Robert Forman (Medical Director, CRM Clinic) Julian Norman-Taylor (Consultant Gynaecologist, Chelsea and Westminster Assisted Conception Unit), Simon Fishel (MD of CARE Fertility Clinics), Zita West (midwife to the celebrities and fertility Counsellor), Gerad Kite (Kite Acupuncture Clinic), Dr Zhai (Zhai Chinese Medicine Clinic, Kate Brian (I N UK).
Eighty exhibitors include fertility clinics from the UK and abroad, fertility testing, holistic therapists including acupuncture, reflexology, yoga and massage, diet/nutritional and lifestyle advisers, patient information and support groups.
For more information view:
www.fertilityshow.co.uk
Local Priest takes to the skies for charity
Father Jerome Lloyd took to the skies above Hove Lawns yesterday to highlight the coming fundraiser Oh What A Circus – Oh What A Show for the Sussex Beacon, at Zippos Circus on Friday, August 21.Columbian High wire artist Chico Marinhos was meant to re-enact a stunt performed by 19th century French wire walker, Charles Blondin, who carried his manager across the Niagara Falls, 150 years ago.
He intended to carry Father Lloyd across the span of the big top of Zippos Circus tent without any safety equipment, eighty foot above the ground. However he couldn’t get the required leverage to lift the 12 and a half stone priest onto his shoulders and Father Lloyd instead walked the wire behind Chico holding onto his shoulders.
Father Jerome who received no training for the record breaking attempt said:
“The views were breathtaking. I hope we have raised loads of money for the Sussex Beacon and I hope that everyone comes to see the show next week.”
Oh What A Circus-Oh What A Show! an evening of cabaret and circus, takes place on August 21 on Hove Lawns at 9pm. All money raised from this adult-only show will go to the Sussex Beacon. The Sussex Beacon is a unique centre providing innovative services and continuing care to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV.
This event will help to raise invaluable funds for the Beacon.
Tickets are £15 and are available from The Dome Box Office, 01273 709709 or
www.brightondome.org or the Beacon Shop in St James's St.
For more information on the Sussex Beacon view:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
To donate money directly to the Beacon:
www.justgiving.com/sussexbeacon/donate
Thursday, August 13, 2009
GMFA Friendships Course in Brighton
GMFA, the gay men's health charity, are to run their Friendships Course in Brighton on October 24 and in other cities nationally.Friendships are the main source of support and advice for lots of gay men and can have a huge impact on how they feel about themselves. For gay men, it can be difficult to build friendships outside the social scenes they are involved in and get the support they want. In response, GMFA is running a free one-day course in 13 cities across the UK this October to help men understand what they want and need from their friendships.
Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, said:
“This course is not about how to make friends. Everyone has those basic skills. This is about using and building on those skills and understanding your friendship needs. Once you know what you want, it’s easier to decide whether that is what you are getting – and if not, what to do about it.”
The course will help gay men explore the many different aspects of gay friendships in a fun, non-judgmental way. This includes the practical skills of friendship, such as how to ask the right questions. It also covers the different forms of friendships, such as fuck buddies – and, if sex does happen, how to keep it safe.
Matthew adds:
“This course has already proved popular when we ran it in London. One man who attended described it perfectly when he said it helped him ‘flex his friendship muscles’. We hope that those who come along will leave with a better understanding of their friendships and a happier, more confident outlook on how to take them forward.”
All of GMFA’s courses and workshops are free of charge to participants but places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book a place, and to get details of the course in other cities, view:
www.gmfa.org.uk/national or call 020 7738 3712.
Pictured: Matthew Hodson
Rainbow Chorus looking for new members
The Rainbow Chorus is looking for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people to join their group at a new members evening on Monday September 14. The choir has 40 members and has been going for over ten years. This year the choir is particularly looking to attract young LGTB people and male tenors/basses to sing with Brighton’s only lesbian and gay choir.The Rainbow Chorus is an environment where gay and lesbians can be open about their sexuality, rehearsing, singing and performing with each other, developing new friendships and the opportunity to take part in concerts and socialising.
The Rainbow Chorus aims to give two concerts a year and is available for private gigs. They support local communities and aim to give an annual concert for World Aids Day. This year the choir has performed on three occasions with two further performances pipelined. The choir has many plans for 2010 including a concert during the Brighton Fringe Festival, taking part in Brighton Pride and expanding its boundaries in The South.
The evening takes place on Monday September 14, at Church Hall of the church of St. Michael and All Angels, Victoria Road (entrance Powis Road), Brighton at 7.30 pm.
For more information e-mail: secretary@rainbowchorus.org.uk
For more information about the Chorus view:
www.rainbowchorus.org.uk
Open auditions for Bad Girls
The Worthing Light Opera Company is to hold auditions for anyone interested in joining the company to be part of the cast for Bad Girls - The Musical.Bad Girls – The Musical takes as its starting point the original core characters from the first three series of Bad Girls on TV. Set in the fictional HMP Larkhall, it’s the story of new idealistic Wing Governor Helen Stewart and her battles with the entrenched old guard of Officer Jim Fenner and his sidekick Sylvia Hollamby. It also follows the love affair that develops between Helen and charismatic inmate Nikki Wade. Other featured characters include Shell Dockley and her runner Denny Blood, old-timer Noreen Biggs, The Two Julies and the ultimate Top Dog, King-of-Gangland’s missus, Yvonne Atkins.
A tragic death on the wing – in which Jim Fenner is implicated – leads to an angry protest from the women and forces Helen and Nikki to their opposite sides of the bars. But when it’s clear that Helen stands to lose her job over Jim Fenner’s misdeeds, the race is on for the women to nail Jim once and for all.
The production will be staged in March 2010. Auditions will take place on Tuesday Oct 6 at West Worthing Baptist Church Hall, South Street Tarring, Worthing.
For more info e-mail: info@jonathanphillip.co.uk
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Book commemorates Manchester's gay history
Tales from Out in the City, a book which highlights the lives of people over fifty within Manchester's LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community, will be launched as part of this year’s Manchester Pride celebrations. Out in the City, a support group for LGBT people over the age of 50, has teamed up with Age Concern to create the book.
The group will provide readings from the book and invite others to come and share their own stories at a special event at Taurus Bar on Canal Street at 4pm on Thursday August 27.
Sue Nzilani from Out in the City, said:
“The members of Out in the City, are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in Manchester Pride 2009 so that we can to come together and celebrate our diversity.
“This pre-Pride event at Taurus is to launch our book ‘Tales from Out in the City’, a book of memories covering several decades, which we felt compelled to write in order to capture, preserve and pass on to future generations.”
For more information about Manchester Pride view:
www.manchesterpride.com
Crusaid's Wig Party 2009
This year's Wig Party, Crusaid's annual fundraising event, takes place at the Cafe de Paris, London, on Sunday October 11. Crusaid is the HIV and Aids charity which helps people with HIV in poverty and all the money raised, including ticket sales and donations, will go towards Crusaid’s Point of Light in Zambia – helping orphans and vulnerable children in one of the poorest countries in the world.
This project, based on successful Crusaid pilots in South Africa, offers children affected by HIV and AIDS a safe place to go, where they can get the food and support they need to survive. Crusaid's specially trained carers also provide educational support, bereavement counseling, healthcare advice and build a network of support for the most vulnerable people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Crusaid has been a leading HIV and AIDS charity for over 20 years and through the Crusaid Hardship Fund currently supports 1 in 3 people affected by HIV and AIDS living in the UK. Internationally, Crusaid works to develop grassroots projects to help impoverished communities affected by HIV and AIDS. In Zambia HIV and AIDS has robbed over 700,000 children of their parents. Alone, in poverty and lacking an education, every day is a struggle to earn a little money for food. In this devastating landscape of pain, hunger, illness and poverty, Crusaid’s Points of Light projects are beacons of hope.
Jordan Hay, Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications said:
“Given the current global economic climate, people affected by HIV and AIDS living in poverty need more help than ever. We are hoping that we can get as much support as possible this year to help us continue our work helping children affected by HIV and AIDS in desperate need. The Wig Party is a fun night out for a serious cause it is undoubtedly one of the social events of the year. Anyone who hasn’t been to one is definitely missing out on a fantastic night."
The theme for the year’s Wig Party is 'All At Sea,' guests are encouraged to use their creative sides to think up wild and wonderful ideas for their wigs based around the nautical theme. The night will include the famous Pageant and Catwalk show, judged by a celebrity panel, where some of the hottest do’s can strut their stuff to win prizes donated by Selfridges. Previous celebrity guests have included Beverley Knight, Dame Vivienne Westwood, June Sarpong, Pam Hogg and Simon Foxton.
Tickets are available online for £25. Doors open at 6:30pm and the Party won’t stop until 2am. For tickets and further details about the event visit:
www.wigparty.org
For more information about Crusaid view:
www.crusaid.org.uk
Tell your MP you support the Equality Bill
The government’s Equality Bill has received a fair bit of criticism in the pink press recently. UNISON supports the bill – while looking for improvements – and calls on members to let their MP know we want to see its successful passage into law. UNISON has long campaigned for harmonised and comprehensive equality legislation. Existing laws are in desperate need of reform. This bill represents our best chance in a generation to win improvements. The Tories and some business leaders are saying its too bureaucratic and costly. Certain Christian groups are running well-organised letter writing campaigns against it because they oppose LGBT equality. We must not let our concerns about a few of its clauses jeopardise the whole bill. MPs need to know that there is strong support for the bill, not just opposition.
What will the bill do?
The bill replaces nine major pieces of legislation and around 100 sets of regulations with a single Act covering both employment and service provision for all equality groups. There is a detailed briefing on the bill at www.unison.org.uk/equality .
What are the main gains?
From an LGBT perspective, the main gain is that there will be a new duty on public bodies to promote equality in employment and service delivery across equality groups, including sexual orientation and gender reassignment. Equality will also be factor in public sector procurement.
The bill widens gender reassignment protection: medical supervision is no longer required under the definition of gender reassignment; people are protected from discrimination because they are incorrectly perceived to be undergoing gender reassignment or associate with people who are; school students will be covered for the first time.
UNISON rejects the government’s view that is it unnecessary to have specific protection from harassment on grounds of sexual orientation in the delivery of services. We reject the view that it is unnecessary for school students to have specific protection from harassment on grounds of gender reassignment.
They continue to call for wider protection for all trans people from discrimination on grounds of gender identity and for clarification that exemptions for single sex services and genuine occupational qualifications do not apply to people with Gender Recognition Certificates.
UNISON also demands that the equal pay provisions are strengthened.
Even with these weaknesses, the bill is still a big step forward for equality. Let your MP know about the improvements you want to see but make it clear that you want to see this bill pass into law. Under a different government, all could be lost.
You can email your MP from www.writetothem.com – all you need is your postcode.
Book review by Eric Page: Sprout by Dale Peck
This lovely book from Dale Peck (him of ‘Martin & John’ fame) is a brilliantly warm and clever read. It was a delight to turn the pages and sent me scurrying off to my dictionary more than once, but that’s part of the story. It’s an intellectually teasing, touching and very funny story and made me laugh and moved me to the point of tears; not something this cynical old reviewer often does. It’s avoids stereotypes and clichés and handles this tricky subject with a careful verve.The story is wonderfully interwoven and concerns a teenager – Sprout. When Sprout and his alcoholic widower father move from Long Island to the midst of rural Kansas after the death of his mother, he is sure he will find no friends, no love, no beauty. But friends find him, the strangeness of the landscape fascinates him, and when love shows up in an unexpected place, Sprout realizes that Kansas is not quite as empty as he thought it was going to be.
He’s guided by his wonderful and delightfully subversive English teacher – Mrs. Miller, who’s got more than a touch of the Ms Jean Brodie about her. It’s a beautifully crafted tale, folded into a literary story of a boy who knows he is gay in a town that seems to have no place for him to hide.
Gritty, funny, empowering – a coming-of-age story that any teenagers, gay or otherwise will relate to, and any adult , young–at-heart or otherwise will enjoy.
So good I read it twice!
Out now £6.99
Available from the publisher online www.bloomsbury.com
Or from any good bookshop
Beach recycling comes to Brighton
Visitors to Brighton beach will be able to recycle their litter, as bright new bins are installed on the seafront today. Mixed glass, bottles and jars, plastic bottles, mixed paper and card, drinks cans and food tins can all be recycled.As it is important to keep glass separate the bins will be positioned in pairs, with one bin especially for glass and the second for the other materials. Brighton & Hove City Council is putting the bins on the busiest stretch of seafront between the piers.
The move is part of the city’s commitment to keeping the beach clean during the busiest time of the year, as well as encouraging more people to recycle.
The council is also urging visitors not to take glass items onto the beach because of the hazard of broken glass or to put hot barbecue containers into litter bins where they can catch fire.
Ten recycling bins will be positioned in pairs at five sites. They will be easy to spot as the bins are between four metre high flags in light green.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald, cabinet member for environment, said:
“Beach-side recycling is the first step in our drive to enable people to recycle in the city’s busiest visitor areas. We want to make it easy and convenient to recycle and we’ll be following up with sites in the city centre.”
Thirty new on-street recycling bins for litter are planned for the city centre, in St James’ Street, Western Road, North Street and Queens Road. If successful the bins will be expanded to other busy areas of the city.
For more information about Brighton and Hove Council view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
High wire priest to raise money for Sussex Beacon
A catholic priest will brave the hire wire on the shoulders of Chico Marinhos, Zippos Circus's own fearless high wire walker, to raise money for the Beacon. This will take place at Hove Lawns at 11 am on Thursday Aug 13.Oh What A Circus-Oh What A Show!, an evening of cabaret and circus, will take place the following week on August 21 on Hove Lawns at 9pm. All the money raised from this adult-only show will go to the Sussex Beacon. The Sussex Beacon is a unique centre providing innovative services and continuing care to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV. This event will help to raise invaluable funds for the Beacon.
Tickets are £15 and are available from The Dome Box Office, 01273 709709 or www.brightondome.org or the Beacon Shop in St James's St.
For more information on the Sussex Beacon view: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
To donate money directly to the Beacon:
www.justgiving.com/sussexbeacon/donate
FA condemned for failure to tackle homophobia
The Football Association faces calls for immediate action as research demonstrates that anti-gay abuse in the sport has been witnessed by seven in ten fans. The new Stonewall research also reveals that fans now expect visible action from the FA.‘Leagues behind – Football’s failure to tackle anti-gay abuse’ features a YouGov survey of over 2,000 football fans from across Britain and interviews with top football insiders and lesbian and gay players. It found that: Three in five fans believe that anti-gay abuse from fans dissuades gay players from coming out; almost two thirds of fans believe football would be a better sport if anti-gay abuse was eradicated; two thirds of fans would feel comfortable if a player on their team came out; over half of fans think the FA, Premier League and Football League are not doing enough to tackle anti-gay abuse.
Ben Summerskill , Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said:
"Sadly, this survey demonstrates that football is institutionally homophobic. Too little action has been taken about an issue which deters not just gay players and fans from enjoying our national game, but also thousands of other fans too. Football has a firm track record tackling problems such as hooliganism and racism. But anti-gay abuse still almost always goes unchallenged. When England is looking to host and win the 2018 World Cup, football cannot risk this loss of potential talent and supporters."
Sam Dick, Stonewall Policy Officer, said:
"This pioneering research clearly shows that the FA, football clubs and their partners have a mandate from fans to challenge anti-gay abuse. It’s by no means impossible to challenge this problem. We await some clear leadership from the FA on the issue."
The report’s recommendations include ensuring that sanctions used against fans who perpetuate anti-gay abuse and violence are consistent with those for racist abuse. Kick It Out, the FA’s anti-abuse campaign, needs to be properly resourced to challenge anti-gay abuse, and this role should be more widely promoted. A high-profile, easy-access reporting mechanism needs to be promoted and the FA should annually collate and publish statistics on the extent of the problem at different teams. Football clubs who fail to tackle homophobia should face the threat of points being docked.
In October 2008, Hampshire Police charged fans with offences of both racist and homophobic abuse after chants directed at Portsmouth player Sol Campbell included the words: ‘We don’t care if you’re hanging from a tree, ‘cos you’re a Judas c**t with HIV’. Eighty five per cent of fans polled supported the police action.
To read the full report view:
www.stonewall.org.uk/football
Pictured: Sol Campbell
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Book review by Eric Page: Beauman by Beau
This nifty little book has a real retro feel about it, perhaps that’s because they are all paintings (and they’re real paintings as the artist Beau works in oil and on paper, not canvas), and they’re set in a time when fantasy could run unrestrained. The paintings are explicit, artistic and sexual but also have a little more erotic force about them.
Yep all the men are handsome, yep all the scenarios are the stuff of one-handed reading but there’s more to these images. Likes his famous Daddy’O Tom of Finland, Beaus men are all engaged with each other in a blissful pursuit of pleasure in a guiltless happy way. He has a real skill in drawing out the story and an enviable casualness to his art, but throughout it Beaus men know what they want: men.
It’s a small but smart 64-page full color paperback with a foreword by Clive Barker.
Fun, easy and sexy. If you like the best selling Beau’s work then this is a ‘shower and a grower’ in its genre.
£9.99 from the publisher online www.turnaround-uk.com
Or from any good gay bookshop
THT offers testing for syphilis and Hep C in Brighton
Sexual health and HIV charity THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) will be expanding its ‘Fastest’ service to include testing for syphilis and hepatitis C from Sep 1. ‘Fastest’ is a free and confidential service aimed at gay and bisexual men living in Brighton & Hove. The new testing services are being provided in response to figures which show a 50% increase in the number of diagnosed syphilis infections amongst men who have sex with men in the city between 2007 and 2008.Currently THT’s ‘Fastest’ offers rapid one hour HIV tests, the expansion will now mean that from September men can also test for syphilis and hepatitis C. Information and support is given before and after the tests, and anyone who tests positive for HIV will be offered support from both THT and the Claude Nicol. The HIV test is a finger-prick blood test. Results for HIV are generally provided within one hour, whilst positive test results for syphilis and hepatitis C will be notified from the Claude Nicol clinic within a few days.
As part of the new service staff at ‘Fastest’ will be able to check whether men who visit the clinic have an immunity to hepatitis A and hepatitis B. THT will also offer hepatitis B vaccinations and boosters one night per month, by appointment.
THT clinics and workers also offer information and advice on STIs and safer sex, as well as giving out free condoms.
Mark Cull, Health Promotion Co-ordinator for THT in Brighton said:
"Gay and bisexual men who may have put themselves at risk of contracting HIV, could also be at risk of syphilis or Hepatitis C infection, as well as other STIs. If you’ve had unprotected sex you may have put yourself at risk, so we’d urge you to get tested as soon as possible.”
‘Fastest’ takes place at THT’s Brighton centre at 61 Ship Street every Monday (not including Bank Holidays) from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. The number of men who can be tested at each session is ten, so people are advised to arrive early.
For further information on the ‘Fastest’ service, please contact THT in Brighton on 01273 764 200.
For more information on THT view:
www.tht.org.uk
Pictured: Mark Cull
THT drugs course for gay men
THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) is launching a course of workshops for gay men who feel they are losing control when it comes to drugs and/or alcohol. The group will take place each Tuesday for 8 weeks from 6.30 – 9pm in Central London.The ‘Are You Losing Control?’ group aims to help people who feel that their drug/alcohol use is having a negative impact on their lives. It is led by expert facilitators who have training to deal with addiction issues.
Gordon Mundie, Group work co-ordinator at THT said:
“We know that many gay men take drugs and drink alcohol but some feel that what started as fun is out of control. Perhaps they are beginning to feel they need alcohol to have a good time, they feel guilty or ashamed after using or they are only having sex when they are on drugs. If this sounds like it might apply to you, or you are just worried you might have a problem, then this course could help.”
The course is aimed at people taking any kind of recreational drugs from alcohol to cocaine, and crystal meth to GHB and ecstasy.
For more information, venue details or to book an assessment call 020 7812 1773 or e-mail: groupworklondon@tht.org.uk
For more information on THT view:
www.tht.org.uk
Anti-BNP gig at Concorde 2
Several of the Brighton gig circuit’s most popular bands are uniting to play in support of campaign group LMHR (Love Music Hate Racism) and its message of anti-racism and anti-fascism.There has been a massive growth in the movement against fascism since the alarming results in the European elections which saw the BNP gain two seats in the European Parliament and join forces with fascists, racists and homophobes from across the continent.
The gig will be one of the first opportunities local fans have had of hearing Two Spot Gobi since their return from the US, where they have been touring and recording their latest album. Fans of quality punk will be keen to see The Perils return to the Concorde 2 stage, and hear the sound that has won the band support from punk legends the Buzzcocks who The Perils supported on tour.
Mick Jones of The Clash claimed: “Give it a year and they’ll be bigger than us.”
The Meow Meows are one of Brighton’s best loved bands providing a slick power house of Ska driven music that has made them a guaranteed draw whenever and wherever they take to the stage.
The Love Music Hate Racism gig is at Brighton’s Concorde 2, Madeira Drive on Wed Sept 2, doors are at 7.00pm. £4 Entry on the door.
Pictured: Mick Jones from the Clash
Artist sought to facilitate Black History Month project
Brighton Photo Fringe is seeking a lead artist to facilitate a participative arts project in celebration of Black History Month 2009. Brighton Photo Fringe coordinates a city-wide festival of exhibitions and events. Its 2009 remit reflects its aims to develop audiences and exhibitors from communities who might not otherwise engage with the visual arts, and to promote cultural diversity. Central to the interim programme will be the celebration of Black History Month 2009 in October.
An experienced community artist is being sought to facilitate a participative project with a small group of Brighton & Hove residents. Participants will be aged 15+ and drawn from Black and minority ethnic communities across the city. The lead artist will deliver workshops supporting participants to produce lens-based work for a two week exhibition. The exhibition will be held in a central Brighton venue and launched with a high profile private view in October.
Brighton Photo Fringe is now accepting applications for this exciting and challenging commission. Applications should be made in the form of an Artist’s CV and proposal in response to the project brief which is downloadable on the Brighton Photo Fringe website: www.photofringe.org
If you require the project brief on paper or if you would like more information e-mail: helen@photofringe.org
Better mental health care for the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove
Brighton mental-health services are working with local LGBT charities to devise specialist staff training so that members of the LGBT community are better able to access and benefit from mental-health care. LGBT people can feel marginalised because of other people’s attitudes and beliefs about their lifestyles, and can experience prejudice from mental and healthcare professionals as well as GPs. After listening to the local community and studying research including Count Me In Too, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides NHS mental-health services in Sussex, has commissioned local LGBT organisations Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, MindOut and The Gender Trust to design and deliver the first specialist LGBT staff training programme.
The one-day Affirmative Practice training sessions began in March this year and are due to run until the end of July. The sessions aim to ensure that mental-health staff in the city have a clear understanding of the issues faced by the LGBT community, and gain insight and skills in assessing and addressing the needs of LGBT clients. The training will also give staff confidence in dealing with heterosexism, homophobia and transphobia.
Dr Richard Ford, commercial services director and lead for sexual orientation and gender identity at Sussex Partnership, said:
“This training is aimed at ensuring all participants have a greater understanding of the life experiences, needs, discrimination and prejudice that many LGBT people encounter and how that can affect their mental health and approach to mental-health services. Sussex Partnership expects that by helping staff to be LGBT positive and inclusive, people who need to use our services will see that their needs will be met and understood positively. The Trust and the community will both benefit because if people who need to use our services feel confident that we offer a service that meets their needs, then their experience is positive and there is a higher likelihood of a successful recovery from mental illness.”
For more information view:
www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
Stonewall pregnancy guide for lesbians
Stonewall, the gay equality charity, have released a guide for lesbians on how to get pregnant which also looks at the legal issues involved.The guide, called Pregnant Pause, offers practical advice for lesbians considering starting a family. It includes an explanation of recent law changes soon to come into effect which make it far less complicated for lesbians to conceive. The free booklet, supported by The London Women’s Clinic, continues Stonewall’s commitment to communicating legal changes in helpful plain English guides so that lesbian and gay people completely understand where they now stand in the eyes of the law.
Stonewall lobbied for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to ensure that lesbians can at last approach fertility clinics without fear of discrimination. The requirement that fertility clinics consider ‘the need for a father’ will be replaced with ‘the need for supportive parenting’ from Oct 1 2009. This means health professionals can no longer refuse to treatment to female same-sex couples and single women.
Furthermore, when a lesbian couple have a child, the non-birth mother no longer has to adopt the child in order to be named joint legal guardian on the birth certificate. If the couple are civilly partnered, or are conceiving via a licensed fertility clinic, this will now be automatic.
Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s Head of Policy and Research, said:
"As the law improves to provide further equality, knowing your new rights will help people make full use of the services they’re entitled to – and if discrimination occurs, the same knowledge can help them demand fair treatment. Now lesbian couples in Britain who make a considered decision to start a loving family will finally be afforded equal access to services they help fund as taxpayers. So life for lesbian families isn’t only fairer – it’s also much easier."
For copies of Pregnant Pause call free on 08000 50 20 20 or download from www.stonewall.org.uk/pregnant_pause
Pictured: Ruth Hunt
Shortlist for Jarman Award announced
The shortlisted artists for this year's Jarman Awards are Anja Kirschner & David Panos, Simon Martin, Lindsay Seers and Stephen Sutcliffe. Launched in 2008 the Jarman Award gives recognition and support to artists working with the moving image and whose work, like Jarman’s, resists conventional definition, encompassing innovation and excellence.
The award is the result of a partnership between Film London, Channel 4 and the Whitechapel Gallery. The winner of the annual Award will receive a £10,000 cash prize and a unique broadcast commission – to make four artworks for Channel 4’s Three Minute Wonder Slot.
Stuart Comer, from this year’s Jarman Award judging panel said:
“Chairing the Jarman Award this year made abundantly clear that the UK has become one of the most important forums for the production and discussion of artists' moving image work. This year's list of artists presented an embarrassment of riches, making our job as jurors as enjoyable as it was difficult.”
Luke Fowler, winner of the Jarman Award 2008 said:
“The Jarman Award helps to reignite a lost or broken connection between adventurous, experimental cinema and a wider public. Following in the footsteps of Derek Jarman - whose work exploded with innovative energy and yet refused to be consigned to an avant-garde cul de sac - this much needed "hand up" attempts to raise the public profile of film as a form. The current award also provides a material lifeline which is held out to some of the most exciting artist film-makers working today. These artists produce films which could transcend the traditional specialist circles that they now inhabit. I hope that the award brings all of them the attention and recognition they deserve.”
For more information view:
www.filmlondon.org.uk/jarmanaward
Pictured: Luke Fowler, winner of Jarman Award 2008
Monday, August 10, 2009
Grow a tache to help beat cancer!
Tacheback, the moustache-growing campaign which raises money for testicular and prostate cancer, is to hold its seventh annual initiative.TacheBack celebrates the revival of the glorious tache and every September thousands of men across the country cultivate their upper lip to grow a sponsored moustache and raise funds for research into male cancers.
This year the charity is delighted to announce its first ever celebrity ambassador: self-proclaimed 'chick-magnet', Keith Lemon. Keith will appear in a number of viral videos from today right through until the end of September.
All money raised will go directly into research for prostate and testicular cancer at the Everyman Centre - Europe 's first and only centre dedicated to male cancer research.
For more information view:
www.tacheback.com
For more information about Everyman view:
www.everyman-campaign.org
Safety advice for night time workers
A new scheme to help increase safety for night time workers in Brighton & Hove is being launched later this month. Health and safety officers from Brighton & Hove City Council will be working with small businesses in the night time economy to help keep staff safe and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.Staff at pubs, night clubs, late night takeaways, betting shops, hotels and guest houses will be given advice on how to prevent violence at work, while employers will be advised on how to make work places safer.
Measures which can improve safety include fitting panic buttons and CCTV, widening counters, preventing queues building up, training staff to defuse difficult situations, and not having staff working alone.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald , Brighton & Hove City Council's cabinet member for environment, said:
“This new environmental health scheme will extend the excellent work already underway to manage night time activity in the city.
"We already work closely with pubs, clubs and other businesses in the city centre and the majority take the safety of staff and the public very seriously. This initiative will enable us to build on work already going on and strengthen our links with businesses which are so important to Brighton & Hove's night time economy."
Since licensing hours were relaxed, a package of measures has been introduced by the council, police and other partners to manage drinking and licensed premises, from football style red and yellow cards for troublemakers to establishing a late night ‘Safe Space’ for anyone seeking assistance.
Councillor Theobald added:
“We welcome eight million visitors a year and, because the tourist trade is so important, it’s crucial that the night time economy is well managed for residents and visitors.
“Firm enforcement action means rowdy pubs have been closed; high-profile police patrols set the tone in the evening; and special all-night buses help people get home safely. Police and door supervisors share information and a radio system links licensed premises, enabling them to react swiftly to any potential problems.”
For more information view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthandsafety
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Brighton Seafront vigil for Tel Aviv victims
Pride Solidarity, organised a candlit vigil on Brighton seafront last night (Saturday 9), to remember those who lost their lives in Tel Aviv last week when a guman opened fire in an LGBT centre that was holding a meeting for LGBT teenagers.The masked gunman entered the venue and sprayed the room with automatic gunfire, killing two gay people, a sixteen-year-old girl and a twenty six year old man and injuring a further fifteen.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said the shooting bore “the markings of a terror attack” when he visited the centre.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu said:
"We need to do this and we must bring security back into our lives. This is not just a blow to the gay-lesbian community. This is a blow to all Israeli youth and Israeli society."
He continued:
"Anyone who has suffered from gratuitous hatred, as an individual or in a group, knows how painful and unacceptable it is. This is something we must uproot from society as much as possible," he added. "I think Israeli society has made progress towards tolerance, and I hope and feel certain that we can make further progress."
It was the first time an Israeli prime minister had visited a gay organization and followed a national broadcast when he failed to identify the attack as being on LGBT people, a point Human Rights Campaigner, Peter Tatchell was quick to point out.
Book Review by Eric Page: Heavenly Bodies by David Vance
This collection of fine art style photographs are technically accomplished and set a high bar for any lovers of good quality (soft) erotic art. All of these impossibly beautiful men are photographed in a range of poses, all showing off their incredible perfect bodies to the best possible advantage. They are stylish, understated and sensual and the photographer, David Vance, has drawn on his Italian background to set each of them up as classical statues or mythological figures, just in full colour and with a certain modern twist.
This is your classic coffee table book, and for once with this type of book it’s got a defined artistic merit of it’s own. Some of the images are stunning others whimsical but they are all eye-catching.
The 112 pages of this book are split into two parts, ‘Earthly beauty’ and ‘Heavenly beauty’ and contain jaw droppingly handsome men posed both naked and semi clad, winged and sitting on clouds, drawing bows and stretching to throw the discus emulating the classic poses of the Renaissance and Greek and Roman Statues whilst paying homage to the modern male bodies, tattoos and all.
David Vance’s previous book ‘Timeless’ was a success and he has followed it up with another excellent book destined to grace many a collection.
A treat. For everyone.
Hard cover & Full colour Price: £29.95
Available from the publisher at:
www.turnaround-uk.com
or from any good bookshop.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Brighton Bandits need new football players for season 2009-10
Brighton Bandits, The Amsterdam sponsored gay football team are well into preparations for their new season in the Gay Football Supporters Network League and are recruiting new players for the coming season 2009-10.If you want to play football with like-minded people in a safe and supportive atmosphere or just chat about the beautiful game, The Bandits are for you.
Players of all standards and in all positions are needed.
The Bandits, formed in 1997, were winners of the Gay Football Supporters National League (GFSN) in season 2005-6 and have won the GFSN Five a side tournament three times. Most recently the Bandits won the Brighton National Five a side Tournament it hosted in 2007.
Any questions and call the manager Alan Banister on 07762810381.
If you want to sign up and need details about training sessions call Jason on 07791583088
For more information about the Bandits and how to join view:
league.gfsn.org.uk/teams/brighton
TUC warns that spread of far right across Europe could increase gay-hate crimes
In his speech to the 12th annual TUC LGBT conference last month, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber celebrated recent advances in lesbian and gay equality but warned there’s still a long way to go before social attitudes catch up with changes in the law.
He said:
“The past year has been one of genuine progress. We’ve seen welcome movement from the government in dealing with bullying in schools and colleges, and the introduction of a single Equality Bill, which will place a new duty on public bodies to promote LGBT equality. But while we have made real strides on the legal agenda, the wider battle for hearts and minds goes on. Stronger legal rights have yet to be fully mirrored by more progressive social attitudes. Britain may be a more tolerant, diverse place than a decade ago but the ugly scar of homophobia still continues to disfigure sections of our society.
“In the European Parliament the Tories have left the mainstream European People’s Party to build alliances with some of the most reactionary groups in Europe. This includes the Polish Law and Justice Party, which has banned gay marches, closed down the government equality office, sought to link the LGBT community with paedophilia, and whose leader declared that ‘the affirmation of homosexuality [would] lead to the downfall of civilisation’.
“We all need to be alert to some of the potential political dangers ahead. Unions have always been at the forefront of the struggle for LGBT equality, and this is where we must stay. In spite of the difficulties we face, I’m confident we can rise to the mighty challenges that lie ahead.”
Find copies of the conference agenda at:
www.tuc.org.uk/extras/lgbt09.pdf.
Green councillor is Brighton's sole representative on the Sussex Police Authority
Green councillor Ben Duncan has been re-appointed to represent Brighton & Hove on the Sussex Police Authority for the next two years. He will be the city’s only voice on the authority, as councillors from West and East Sussex voted to deny Brighton & Hove a second place on the authority at last month’s meeting of the appointment committee, despite protests from the city’s two representatives.Cllr Duncan, the Greens’ spokesperson on policing, said:
“We believe the current arrangement, which is based on population and guarantees the city only one member, should be scrapped. Brighton & Hove should always have two members on the authority, given that there is so much more crime here than in much of rural Sussex – and we see an influx of some eight million tourists a year. But that argument didn’t prevail. Of the nine councillor members of the authority, East Sussex has three, West Sussex five, and the city just myself.”
Talking about his role he added:
“I’ll continue to push for more PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) and more cash for neighbourhood policing and community safety groups, better services for the victims of domestic violence, better protection for communities, children and vulnerable adults from alcohol-related harm, and environmental improvements in the way policing is delivered.
“We have already seen improvements in all these areas over the past two years – and I am really looking forward to pushing for a model of policing that reflects Brighton & Hove’s ‘green’ aspirations, based on human rights, enhancing communities, compassion – and more help for the victims of crime.”
For more information view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Police claim to bring homophobic attacks at Dukes Mound 'under control'
Sussex Police recently recorded a rise in the number of reported homophobic incidents occurring in the Dukes Mound area. The force claims this has now been brought under control through proactive policing and a series of arrests.A significant amount of time has been devoted to keeping users of the area safe by officers across the city. Investigation is ongoing but at present there have been seven arrests with conditions being imposed on suspects to prevent them returning to the area.
Reported hate-crime incidents in the area have reduced since the arrests.
Dukes Mound was visited numerous times by the city’s LGBT liaison officer Nick Antjoule, who talked to men who used the popular cruising site. After these discussions uniformed police patrols formed a part of the operation to prevent homophobic incidents and identify those responsible. Positive feedback has been received on how these were carried out. Now that the number of incidents has subsided, police activity in the area will gradually return to normal levels for the time of year.
The Police Anti-Victimisation Unit plays a key role in investigating hate crime and it has been active in supporting victims, securing evidence and dealing with suspects connected with Dukes Mound.
Last year there was a drop in the number of ‘reported’ LGBT hate incidents in Brighton, however, reporting has now returned to a level consistent with previous years. While there have been high-profile critical incidents in other parts of the UK, there have been no critical reported LGBT hate incidents in Brighton this year.
Nick Antjoule, Brighton’s LGBT liaison officer, said:
“During the ten years I’ve been working with the guys at Dukes Mound through various organisations, this is the strongest I’ve ever seen their relationship with the police. It can be a real tightrope act to keep men who use cruising grounds safe while maintaining their confidence in us, so I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. I’d also like to thank THT, whose help has been invaluable in giving us a platform to connect with Dukes Mound users.”
Pictured: Nick Antjoule
Switchboard to launch service to help victims of hate crime
Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard is launching a LGBT hate-crime support and reporting service to help victims of crime by both liaising with the police and offering counselling.Campaigners and action groups in the UK are reporting a surge in hate crimes against the LGBT community. Scotland Yard reported a nine per cent national increase from last year, while prosecutions for crimes involving homophobia rose 60 per cent over the past two years.
More locally, Brighton & Hove’s Count Me In Too 2007 survey showed that 73 per cent of respondents had experienced some form of hate crime in the past five years that was related to their sexual orientation or gender identity. In response to these figures, and in the knowledge that the overwhelming majority of hate crimes go unreported, Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard has created a framework to assist with bringing offenders to justice and supporting those affected.
The organisation will report the crime on the victim’s behalf (including anonymously), and provide full support via the helpline and a counselling service to all victims.
They’ll also provide victims with information about what constitutes a crime, police systems and processes, and possible outcomes. This will help individuals make an informed choice about whether to report the crime to the police. By hearing about the crimes that aren’t then reported, Switchboard will get a better picture of the true rate of LGBT-hate crimes and enable police to identify patterns and profiles, which can aid prevention and detection.
The launch is on Friday August 21, 6–8pm at R-Bar on Marine Parade, with influential guest speakers, a finger buffet and music by Nicky Mitchell.
If you want to report an incident or need someone to talk to, call Switchboard on 01273 204050 5–11pm, seven days a week.
Cabaret stars and drag queens rally to support the Aids Memorial
Brighton’s finest drag queens and entertainers are rallying to support the Brighton Aids Memorial with a gala benefit night on Wednesday September 2, starting at 7.30pm at The Old Market in Hove.The stars of Absolutely Dragulous, Dave Lynn, Maisie Trollette, Lady James, Jamie Watson, Connie Conway and Sally Vate present From Broadway To Brighton featuring highlights from top Broadway shows delivered with that special Absolutely Dragulous twist.
They will be joined for one night only by special guests Lola Lasagne, Drag With No Name, Jo Frances and singers from the Brighton and Hove (Actually) Gay Men’s Chorus.
Tickets for this one-off extravaganza are £15 or £10 with restricted view. There are just 30 special VIP tickets available costing £25 each, which includes a champagne reception with the Mayor of Brighton and her consort during the interval.
Tickets are available from Prowler, St James’s Street (01273 683680), or from The Old Market (01273 736222).
The exclusive VIP tickets are only available from the Gscene office by calling 01273 722457.
The Brighton Aids Memorial has now been cast in bronze and the trustees need to raise £15,000 to pay for the installation in New Steine Garden on Friday October 9.
For more details about the Brighton Aids Memorial view:
www.romanymarkbruce.com/biography.php.
All artists are donating their services free of charge and The Old Market has waived its hire fee.
One hundred per cent of all ticket money will go directly towards the cost of installing the memorial.
From Broadway To Brighton is sponsored by Masquerade Costumes, Moshi Moshi, Corbettlee Letting Agents and Gscene Magazine.
The Old Market only seats 300 people, so don’t leave buying your tickets until the last minute or you might be disappointed.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Safety advice for night time workers
A new scheme to help increase safety for night time workers in Brighton & Hove is being launched later this month. Health and safety officers from Brighton & Hove City Council will be working with small businesses in the night time economy to help keep staff safe and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.Staff at pubs, night clubs, late night takeaways, betting shops, hotels and guest houses will be given advice on how to prevent violence at work, while employers will be advised on how to make work places safer.
Measures which can improve safety include fitting panic buttons and CCTV, widening counters, preventing queues building up, training staff to defuse difficult situations, and not having staff working alone.
Councillor Geoffrey Theobald , Brighton & Hove City Council's cabinet member for environment, said:
“This new environmental health scheme will extend the excellent work already underway to manage night time activity in the city.
"We already work closely with pubs, clubs and other businesses in the city centre and the majority take the safety of staff and the public very seriously. This initiative will enable us to build on work already going on and strengthen our links with businesses which are so important to Brighton & Hove's night time economy."
Since licensing hours were relaxed, a package of measures has been introduced by the council, police and other partners to manage drinking and licensed premises, from football style red and yellow cards for troublemakers to establishing a late night ‘Safe Space’ for anyone seeking assistance.
Councillor Theobald added:
“We welcome eight million visitors a year and, because the tourist trade is so important, it’s crucial that the night time economy is well managed for residents and visitors.
“Firm enforcement action means rowdy pubs have been closed; high-profile police patrols set the tone in the evening; and special all-night buses help people get home safely. Police and door supervisors share information and a radio system links licensed premises, enabling them to react swiftly to any potential problems.”
For more information view:
www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/healthandsafety
Pictured: Cllr Geoffrey Theobald
Community Church needs new home
The Metropolitan Community Church is the biggest LGBT charity in the world. It started in a front room in 1968 with openly gay Reverend Troy Perry and it now has churches in many different nations across the world, with thousands of members, and has many highly qualified theologians as clergy.Each church is independently funded with members giving and fundraising, so finding buildings in which to hold services and where they can do work to serve the LGBT community is never easy. The Metropolitan Community Church of Brighton is no different and it needs your help. It started in 2002 with seven people and now has regular services with 50 people or so (usually 80 at a Pride service).
It has a children’s Sunday school every other Sunday and midweek groups addressing a wide range of spiritual, ethical and sexual topics, as well as many social events.
The problem is MCC in Brighton needs a new building or large room in which to do its work. It needs seating for around 100 (chairs do not have to be provided), a smaller separate room for a children’s ministry, disabled access, toilets, storage space (large walk-in cupboard – enough to hold an electric piano, drums, large speakers and a PA deck), kitchen facilities and preferably parking nearby if possible, with the space available Sunday morning (9am-1pm) or evening (3.30-8pm).
Can you help? The church wants to serve the community in many different ways but needs a space to rent in Brighton that can be flexible in use. They really don’t mind what sort of space it is or what it’s used for on other days. If you can help or know of something that is available to rent, call Rev Debbie Gaston on 07887 620921 or leave a message on 01273 806409 with contact details, or email info@mccbrighton.org.uk
Services at present are held every Sunday evening at 6pm in the URC Church, Cumberland Road, Preston Park area, Brighton.
For more information view:
www.mccbrighton.org.uk
Pictured: Rev Debbie Gaston
Oh What A Circus!
Roll up! Roll up! The circus is coming to town! Or to be more precise, Hove Lawns by the King Alfred, and for one night only will feature local stars from the gay cabaret circuit and circus performers, together in a gala night to benefit The Sussex Beacon on August 21 at 7.30pm.
Oh! What A Circus, Oh! What A Show is an outrageous adults only show produced by Trevor Pharo, featuring Lola Lasagne, Mandy Muden, Lorraine Bowen, Samantha Howard, Josh Mills and Robert James, who will perform in various stages of undress as The Naked Boy Singing.
Your ringmistress for the evening is Maisie Trollette, who will be joined by The Brighton & Hove (Actually) Gay Men’s Chorus. Zippo’s internationally famous ringmaster Norman Barrett will present circus acts including the Konyot Clowns, Tom Roberts, Duo Fusion, Disa Trapeze, Mr Twix and The Marinhos, a father-and-son act from South America who will be performing their nailbiting Wheel Of Death stunt.
Zippo Circus has kindly donated the complete facilities of its tent and production for this one performance free of charge.
Tickets, £15, are available from the Dome
box office (01273 709709) and from most
gay bars in the village.
For more info view:
www.brighton-dome.org.uk
Navratilova auctions signed copy of Diva for charity
Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova is auctioning a signed proof of this month's DIVA magazine cover shoot, in a bid to raise money for charity.The former world number one, who is the main feature in this month's edition of DIVA, is offering bidders the chance to own the collectors item via online auction site, EBay. The auction ends on Aug 16 and all proceeds will be donated to Navratilova's chosen charity, Save the Rhino.
During the interview, Navratilova chats to DIVA about romance, press intrusion and, of course, sport. Speaking to Editor Jane Czyzselska, she said:
"When I've cried after matches, it wasn't about the tennis. In 1976 it was the first anniversary of my defection from Czechoslovakia and the cry was about 'Oh my God, I've lost the first round and what's my life coming to. Did I make the right decision?"
To bid for image view:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270439002989
For more information about Diva view:
www.divamag.co.uk
Thursday, August 06, 2009
GMFA launches stop smoking website for gay men
GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, has launched a website to help gay men quit smoking. The site provides information and advice to support men who want to give up and to help them along the path to quitting.Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, said:
“Research shows that most smokers want to quit. However, just knowing the health risks of smoking is not sufficient for giving up so this website is not about nagging or harassing men. Our approach is designed specifically for gay men and the site provides information to help them examine their habits, motivations and emotions around smoking.”
The website provides information on why smoking is so addictive as well as solutions to the physical withdrawal of nicotine. It includes sections to help you understand what type of smoker you are, what your motivations are for quitting, and the various nicotine replacement therapies that are available. It also suggests ways in which you can be supported as you quit smoking so that you increase the likelihood of quitting for good.
GMFA has run its Stop Smoking courses in London since 2001 and nearly 1,000 gay men have attended the sessions. They have consistently achieved a higher success rate than the standard NHS courses and received positive feedback from the men who attend.
Matthew adds:
“GMFA has already helped hundreds of men stop smoking – and I’m one of them. We know that groupwork is an effective way for men to gain the information and support they need to quit for good. However, we also know that gay men are more likely to turn to the web for information about health than any other source. This website will deliver information from our course online so that more gay men can access it at their leisure, and find out where they can receive the further support that they might need.”
The site can be viewed at:
www.gmfa.org.uk/quitsmoking
Pictured: Matthew Hodgson
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Outdoorlads events in Brighton
Outdoorlads, the gay social group for those interested in outdoors pursuits, has arranged a number of introductory events in the Brighton area this autumn.The five events, to take place on the weekend of Sept 26 – 27, are planned to be a refreshing alternative to the traditional gay scene. The events include hiking and mountain biking on the South Downs, around the city and along the coast. The weekend will be an opportunity for people to sample their first event and meet other like-minded gay men, including an exclusive evening social event. As well as this special weekend, Outdoorlads already organises many other events in the area.
Outdoorlads’ recent attendance at Brighton Pride was organised by the group’s South East Regional Coordinator, Andy Martin who said:
“Brighton Pride is one of the biggest events of the year and as a local resident I thought Outdoorlads just had to be there. In general we’re about getting guys to explore our diverse and rich outdoor environment and promoting a healthier lifestyle than the pubs, the clubs and the saunas that are established as the ‘Gay Scene’. Outdoorlads’ has over 2,000 members in the south east, but since the group has had very little promotion until now, relatively few are from the local area. The area around Brighton and Hove, and the South East as a whole, has some spectacular scenery and secret wild places that many people don’t even know exist so it is time we started to project this to the local gay community”.
For more information view:
www.outdoorlads.com
Praise for 'greener' Pride
Green councillors have praised improved recycling facilities at this year's Pride party in Preston Park.Preston Park ward councillor Amy Kennedy said:
"It was great to see more recycling points with separate bins for glass, cans and plastics this year. They were filled and re-filled throughout the day, which just goes to show that if you provide proper recycling facilities people are very happy to make use of them."
After Green calls for action on how waste and recycling is dealt with at all the city's major events, the Council is now working on a sustainable event management system for outdoor events, with the aim of achieving British Standard BS8901: Sustainable Event Management in 2011.
Cllr Kennedy added:
“As a member of the old Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee, in September 2007 I requested that officers investigate ways of making events across the city more sustainable, and so I’m very pleased that work on this is now underway.
“But I’m disappointed that the timetable isn’t more stretching, and I still have concerns that the measures suggested in BS8901 won’t go far enough to tackle major issues such as how we process refuse and recycling from big events like Pride. CityClean should provide waste stations with separate bins for recyclables at all our events. With major festivals such as Glastonbury now achieving recycling rates of 50% -plus for waste produced on site, we need to up our game as a matter of urgency.
"The improved recycling facilities at this year's Pride were a good start, but we've still got a long way to go."
For more information on the Greens view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Pictured: This years Greens float at Pride
Greens accuse Tories of 'betraying seafront businesses'
Cllr Jason Kitcat, Green City Councillor for Regency Ward, has condemned the Tory failure to protect seafront businesses from massive rent hikes. Tory-run Brighton & Hove City Council is using legal manoeuvres to force seafront business to pay as much as 300 per cent rent increases.Cllr Kitcat said:
"In response to the Seafront businesses' petition pleading for a re-think on the council's approach, Council leader Cllr Mary Mears refused to accept the petition's arguments but did say business owners would be given time to pay back rent. Yet shockingly already some traders have been given only three weeks in which to pay tens of thousands of back rent."
The businesses' petition was forwarded to Cllr Geoffrey Theobald's cabinet member meeting. Cllr Jason Kitcat and Seafront Business Association chair Adam Chinery spoke to the meeting, re-emphasising that for the council to price independent seafront traders out of business would be exceedingly short sighted.
Cllr Theobald told the business owners that despite having a new seafront surveyor he wouldn't order a new review of the valuations. He also suggested that the businesses should just go to arbitration with all the legal costs that entails for both the traders and the council.
"It would be cheaper and faster to revalue the properties with this new surveyor than take each business to arbitration. The Tories claim to be supporting local independent businesses. Yet they are forcing huge rent increases on businesses, pushing them into expensive legal arbitration whilst also asking for back rent to be paid. It's appalling to treat independent businesses in this way, they are key to our tourist trade," added Cllr Kitcat.
For more information on the Greens view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Support group for men with eating disorders
Men Get Eating Disorders Too are to launch a Peer Support Group in Brighton and Hove for men who are affected by eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) and associated exercise disorders (compulsive exercise and 'Bigorexia').The main purpose of the Peer Support Group is to provide a space for male sufferers to share their experiences, coping strategies, and offer peer support. Another aim is to ease isolation by offering inclusion to all those who attend.
Men of all ages, backgrounds and sexualities are welcome to attend and it dosen't matter what stage of your eating disorder you are at. The group sessions will be facilitated by two men who have had experience of the issues themselves and is held in a closed venue to ensure the safety and confidentiality of all those who attend.
The meetings are scheduled to be held over a six month period, each with a different theme (suggested themes so far include food and mood, alternative therapies, and strategies to recovery). Where possible there will be a speaker at each meeting who will give a talk relating to that particular month's theme (e.g. for food and mood we would ask a nutritionist to come and speak to the group). The idea behind this is to give the group members fresh insight, which may help in their pathways to recovery.
The first meeting will take place on Wed Oct 7 from 7.30-9pm at the Conference Room, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton. Further meetings will take place on the first Wed of the month at the same time and venue.
For more information e-mail:
sam@mengetedstoo.co.uk
or view:
www.mengetedstoo.co.uk
Pictured: Sam Thomas from Men Get Eating Disorders Too
St Andrews celebrates 40 years of the Churches Conservation Trust
Forty historic churches across England, including St Andrews in Hove, will take part in a series of choir performances and workshops to celebrate the 40th birthday of the CCT (Churches Conservation Trust).Two of the country’s top amateur early music choirs will join forces to celebrate the Trust’s fortieth birthday with Renaissance masterpieces composed in 40 independent parts. Brighton Consort and the Renaissance Singers from London will perform Tallis’s Spem in alium and Striggio’s Ecce Beatam Lucem, two monumental works designed to impress and thrill the Tudor royalty.
Performing in the round with one singer to each part under the expert direction of Deborah Roberts, previously a member of the world-famous Tallis Scholars, this is an opportunity to be enveloped in ethereal sounds in the beautiful acoustic of St Andrews’s Hove. The audience will also be invited to join the choirs in singing some simple Renaissance songs and rounds.
Tickets are free and can be ordered by e-mailing renaissancesingerslondon@googlemail.com
or phoning 020 8670 0410
The concert takes place as St Andrews, Waterloo St, Hove
on Sun Oct 4 from 4.30pm to 6 pm
For more information on all forty concerts view:
www.visitchurches.com
Sunbeds not 'as dangerous as arsenic'
Recent news reports highlighting the dangers of sunbeds have been branded inaccurate and misleading by The Sunbed Association, the trade body for the tanning industry.According to a spokesperson:
"Tanning beds have been categorized as “Group 1” by a group of scientists in France. “Group 1” means there is evidence that the use of tanning beds can increase the risk of skin cancer. The information is not new at all: sunlight is in the same category as now tanning beds, and has been in that category since 1992.
"Since 1992, thousands of doctors have recommended moderate exposure to sunlight for a variety of health benefits. In fact, a lot of prominent Vitamin D experts are convinced that the benefits of sunlight outweigh the risks by far.
"Being in the 'Group 1' category does not say anything about the size of the risk, just that there is any risk at all. Some things in the category are very dangerous, like arsenic and mustard gas. Other substances only carry a very small risk, like red wine, beer, and salted fish. News stories that say things like 'tanning is as dangerous as arsenic' are flat-out wrong. The scientists have not made that kind of comparison at all.
"The report itself has not been made available. All the news stories are working off of a press release, and no reporters have actually read the report.
"The IARC is a group of scientists that works with the United Nations. Their report is not a new study; it is a review of a paper from 2006, which itself was a review of 23 studies, some dating to the early 1980s. Those studies had a wide range of findings.
"Of the 23 studies: 5 were excluded for unusable data and 6 had results suggesting that tanning beds actually reduce the risk of skin cancer.
"Some news stories are including a misleading statistic: that tanning beds increase the risk of melanoma by 75%. This number comes from a study with questionable methods. The study’s authors admit that they did not adjust for factors like outside sun exposure and sun sensitivity. Even if the study is accurate, it does not mean that 75% of tanning bed users will get melanoma, it means that their relative risk is higher. Because the issue is relative risk, when the original risk is very small, a percentage increase that looks big actually translates into a very small added risk. To use another example, your annual risk of a fatal car accident is about 0.013%. If that risk were increased by 75%, it would be 0.023%, or about 1 in 4,500."
For more information view:
www.sunbedassociation.org.uk
Monday, August 03, 2009
Police appeal for assault witnesses
Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault which occurred in the early hours of Sunday August 2 at roughly 00:30 in the vicinity of the volleyball courts on Maderia Drive on the terraces above the Concorde 2 nightclub. The victim and his female partner were at a party as part of the Brighton Pride celebrations where they were approached by two males. After a brief conversation with the victim and his girlfriend, the two males left and returned with six other males. The victim asking them to leave as he didn’t want any trouble at which point he received a blow to the head from one of them resulting in injuries to his face. Another group of males chased off the group who left the area.
If you saw the incident or have any information which may assist identifying the group, contact Sussex Police on 01273 665657.
Lib Dems make a splash at Brighton Pride
The Liberal Democrats were well represented at the weekend's Pride in Brighton and Hove event. Top Lib Dem and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, star, Brian Paddick and Lewes MP Norman Baker joined around thirty activists from the local party and Lib Dems for LGBT Equality (DELGA).Brighton & Hove Council Group Leader, Paul Elgood said:
"We are delighted to have such a strong prescence at Brighton Pride this year, one of the largest Prides in the country. Brian and Norman went down well with the huge crowd and helped us to ensure that nobody missed the Lib Dems!"
Photo Left to Right - Councillor Paul Elgood, Norman Baker MP, Brian Paddick, Brighton Pavilion PPC Alan Falconer, Brighton Kemptown PPC Juliette Williams and local party chair Lawrence Eke.
For further details about the LIB DEMS in Brighton's view:
www.brighton-hovelibdems.org.uk
For further details about the LIB DEMS Nationally view:
www.libdems.org.uk
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Manchester Pride Update
Former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland has cancelled her appearance at this year’s Manchester Pride. The singer, who had been confirmed to headline at Manchester Prides Big Weekend, has expressed her sincere apologies and looks forward to returning to Manchester soon.Jackie Crozier, festival manager of Manchester Pride, said:
"In circumstances beyond our control, Kelly Rowland will no longer be performing at this year’s Pride celebrations. Our disappointment will no doubt be shared by many of the festivals fans.
“Despite this setback the show must go on. We still have an exciting Big Weekend line-up confirmed as part of Pride’s ten-day celebrations. And of course, we hope to find a replacement for Kelly in time for the festival.”
Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend celebrations will include performances by the Freemasons, Peter Andre, Bananarama and Little Boots. Other confirmed artists include: Kid British, The Whip, The Blow Waves, Booty Luv, Lonnie Gordon, Frankmusik and Tommy Sparks.
Natasha Hamilton and Rowetta Satchell are back by popular demand, as are last year’s headline act Alphabeat, who will perform a DJ set on the opening night of the Big Weekend.
The Big Weekend takes place between Friday Aug 28 and Monday August 31.
Tickets are on sale now, priced at £17.50 (+ booking fee).
For more information view:
www.manchesterpride.com
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Quakers vote to perform same-sex marriages
British Quakers have voted to open up marriage to same-sex couples on exactly the same basis as heterosexual couples. The vote was passed this week at their annual meeting in York.Peter Tatchell of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) equality group OutRage! said:
"This is an honourable, courageous, trail-blazing decision. It exposes the homophobia of other faiths that refuse to recognise love and commitment between couples of the same sex, and it specifically exposes their denial of religious marriage to same-sex couples.
"This decision will create a major dilemma for the government. Will it block recognition of lesbian and gay marriages performed by the Quakers? If it refuses to recognise Quaker same-sex marriages, the government will provoke a confrontation with religious bodies. It will effectively over-ride their religious authority and independence, and shore up homophobic discrimination. It would send entirely the wrong signal if Gordon Brown's government sided with homophobic, discriminatory religious leaders against marriage equality for same-sex couples.
"This commitment to equal marriage rights gives new expression to the Quakers long-standing commitment to equality for lesbian and gay people.
"Civil partnerships are not equal. They are second best. They reinforce and extend discrimination. Just as same-sex couples are banned from civil marriage, opposite sex couples are banned from civil partnerships. Two wrongs don't make a right. Both civil marriage and civil partnerships should be open to gay and straight couples, without discrimination"
Symon Hill, associate director of the Christian think-tank Ekklesia, himself a Quaker, said:
"I trust this decision will inspire people of all faiths and none who are working for the inclusion of gay, lesbian and bisexual people.
"As with other churches, this has not been an easy process for Quakers. I hope that others will have the courage to follow this lead and speak up for the radical inclusivity of Christ. As Christians, we are called to stand with those on the margins who are denied equality".
For more information on Peter Tatchell view:
www.petertatchell.net
Brian Paddick to march with Lib Dems at Pride
"I'm a Celebrity..." star Brian Paddick will be marching with the Lib Dems at Brighton Pride this Saturday (Aug 1). Joining him will be Lewes MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Norman Baker.Lib Dem Group Leader on Brighton & Hove City Council, Councillor Paul Elgood said:
"We are delighted that Brian Paddick and Norman Baker MP are joing us for Pride this Saturday. Brian is one of the most high profile gay personalities in the country and Norman part of the Lib Dem front bench. This reflects the commitmet the Lib dems have to equality.
"We would like to congratulate and thank all those who have put so much into Pride this year and wish those attending the event a very enjoyable and safe weekend."
For more information on Lib Dems:
www.brighton-hovelibdems.org.uk
Greens decide against coalition with Labour and Lib Dems
Green Party members voted overwhelmingly this week against their councillors forming a coalition with the other opposition parties on Brighton & Hove City CouncilGreen candidate Alex Phillip’s victory in the recent Goldsmid by-election boosted the number of Green councillors to thirteen. Consequently the combined vote of Green, Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors (28) now exceeds that of the Tory minority administration of 25 members, plus 1 former Tory Independent, who generally votes with them.
As a result, the possibility of a ‘rainbow’ coalition with Labour and the Liberal Democrats had been mooted in some quarters, either in shared administration or joint opposition.
Councillor Bill Randall , Green Group Convenor, said:
“After discussion with all parties, the Green Party has decided Green councillors can better serve the city through championing Green policies on Brighton & Hove City Council as a free, stand-alone Green Group.
“The Tory grip on the council has already been loosened and the changed political balance has seen our influence grow. We believe a cross party coalition would be unworkable and unstable at this point given our significant disagreements with Labour. However we are confident we can work effectively with all parties on the council on a case-by-case basis, and on specific issues.
“Greens believe we can best achieve a fairer and safer city through adopting Green party policies such as introducing a ‘living wage’ to protect some of the lowest paid, more city centre schools, a 20 mph speed limit across the city, and a city-wide free insulation scheme that would reduce household bills and our carbon footprint while creating jobs.
“The Goldsmid by-election result makes it clear voters agree."
“We look forward now to working with all parties to achieve cross-party support for our proposals and policies for the best interests of the city.”
Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Gill Mitchell said:
"Although some preliminary talks were held with the Greens as to a formal power-sharing coalition, it became clear that they still wanted to operate as a fringe lobby group shunning any real responsibility. Many proposals from the Greens do not stand up to close scrutiny such as their call for higher wages for the city which would, in effect, drive jobs away."
“The Greens have said that they aren’t willing to compromise their fundamental beliefs, however we live in a real world and real politics is full of compromises and right now Councillors of all parties; Conservative, Labour, Green and Lib Dem, should be looking to create a stable and reliable future for the City.
“The Labour group will continue to work on protecting the City’s jobs, protecting our public services and protecting our environment."
Deputy Leader Cllr Pat Hawkes added:
“This is really sad for the City. The majority of Brighton and Hove do not want to be see our City run in to the ground by this Conservative administration and when given the chance to change this City for the better the Greens are running scared from any responsibility.
“The Labour Group in Brighton and Hove still stand for equality, fairness and social justice and it is true to say that the opposition parties have a lot in common. However, it is unfortunate that the Greens have failed to make the giant leap from being a protest Group, to a Group that is willing to co-operate and make sensible decisions. It is very easy to criticise those in power, if you have never been a position of power where you have to take often difficult decisions. We would never shy away from the responsibility of taking real decisions in the way that the Greens have done.”
Cllr Paul Elgood, leader of the Lib Dems said:
"We haven't had any discussions with the Greens since the by-election, apart from a brief phonecall I received from Bill Randall in which we both said that there was no mileage in this.
"We want to work issue by issue rather than in a joint administration, in the interests of residents rather than tying ourselves in with the larger parties. As we hold the two votes which are the balance of power, the Greens could only have joined forces with the Tories to form an administration. Big issues are coming up for the council to consider and we will continue to vote as we believe to be the best interests of residents."
"However, we do believe that all parties should have voting rights at Cabinet, to give confidence to residents that the council is working together to resolve the numerous issues the city faces."
James Ledward, editor of Gscene said:
“Some people are telling me they voted Green in the Goldsmid byelection because they were fed up with Labour and wanted to see power wrestled from the Tories. A coalition with the other parties would have given voters the chance to see how the Greens perform when in a position of real power. At the moment they are on the edges and many people are not aware of their policies.
“I personally was considering voting Green for the first time in the coming General Election in Pavilion Ward, but before doing so I am looking for evidence of leadership. In my view this decision shows a lack leadership within the party and too much power with the membership. Their decision not to work with the other opposition groups puts party before city, which makes me feel uncomfortable. A missed opportunity I would say and do we really deserve to be punished with another eighteen months of the Tories. It would seem the Greens decision makes this more likely.”
