Gscene News Archive

Sussex Police need your assistance in finding a local missing person.

73 year old Joan Clegg of Longhill Road, Ovingdean was reported missing by a neighbour on Sunday June 28. The neighbour was particularly concerned as Joan has recently been in bad health.??

Joan is described as white, 5ft 2" tall, of slim build with grey eyes and collar length grey, thinning hair. She is also missing her right hand.??

Enquiries show that Joan's car is not at her home address - a black Daihatsu Charade, vehicle registration number N209 AKN.

Any sightings or information please contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999

THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) is launching a new campaign encouraging gay men to take control of their sexual health by regularly testing for HIV.

In a bid to reduce dangerous levels of undiagnosed HIV among gay men the campaign ‘THIVK – Test – Take Control’ will be run through a dedicated website www.thinkHIV.co.uk and through adverts in the gay press, posters, leaflets and condom packs. The campaign will carry the following messages:

'Treatments have never been so good. If you have HIV, the sooner you find out the better.'

'Think HIV testing takes too long? Some clinics offer ‘rapid tests’ with results in 20 minutes.'

'You think you’re HIV negative? You might be wrong.'

The HPA (Health Protection Agency) estimates that, in the UK, up to 10,000 gay men have HIV without knowing – one in four men infected with the virus don’t know they have it. Despite this, around a third of gay men in England have never taken an HIV test, with the figure even higher in Scotland and Wales. Reasons men don’t test include not realising how much they’ve put themselves at risk, concern about the length of time they’ll have to wait for the result, and fear of getting a positive result.

THT’s new campaign ‘THIVK - Test - Take Control’ directly addresses these concerns, outlining why - if you have HIV - it’s vitally important it be diagnosed as early as possible. People diagnosed late (when their CD4 count is less than 200) are much more likely to die within a year of diagnosis than those diagnosed sooner, while those who leave it too long to start HIV treatment are also more likely to pass the virus on to their partners than those who are already receiving treatment.

Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion says:
“Recent medical advances mean HIV treatments are now more effective, easier to take and have fewer side effects. Doctors are now confident people with HIV will live long and healthy lives if diagnosed soon enough. However, if gay men leave it too late to get tested, they’re setting themselves up for serious health problems and the risk of early death.

“It’s now recommended that gay men test at least once a year, or after any unprotected sex. With the new rapid HIV tests available in testing centres such as THT ‘Fastest’, it’s never been easier to test. Part of the reason gay men don’t test as often as they should may be that they under-estimate the importance of being aware of your HIV status. We hope that, through the new campaign, we can encourage men to take control and make testing for HIV a regular part of their lives.”

For more information view:
www.thinkHIV.co.uk
www.tht.org.uk

Pictured: Marc Thompson, Deputy Head of Health Promotion THT

Professor Peter Piot, Director of the Institute for Global Health at Imperial College, is joining the Board of Trustees at THT (Terrence Higgins Trust) this month. The Board is responsible for setting the overall strategy and direction of the charity, and for ensuring THT uses its resources effectively in pursuit of its mission statement.

Professor Piot was the former Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations. He comes from a distinguished academic and scientific background focusing on AIDS and women’s health in the developing world. In the 1980s he launched a series of research projects in Africa. Project SIDA in Zaire, was the first international project on AIDS in Africa and is widely acknowledged as having provided the foundations of our understanding of HIV infection in the continent.

Born in Belgium, Professor Piot is fluent in three languages and is the author of 16 books and more than 500 scientific articles. He has received numerous awards for scientific and societal achievement, and was knighted as a Baron by King Albert II of Belgium in 1995.

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive at THT said
“We’re delighted that Professor Piot is joining our Board of Trustees. He brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise and is very well respected in the HIV sector worldwide. Professor Peter Piot will further strengthen the board to help lead Terrence Higgins Trust in the coming years.”

Professor Piot said
“I am thrilled to be able to support Terrence Higgins Trust in this way. More people are living with HIV in the UK than ever before and rates of many sexually transmitted infections are rising. Community organisations like THT play a vital role offering testing, information and support to those affected.”

For music information view:
www.tht.org.uk

Pictured: Professor Peter Piot

An appeal court has said they are not prepared to intervene in the sentencing of Michael Binsteen, the man who admitted perverting the course of justice in the Michael Causer murder case in Liverpool last July.

Michael Binstead had claimed he had tried to stop the vicious attack on Michael Causer by James O’Connor and Gavin Alker, and had led Causer to safety before calling an ambulance.

When the 999 operator asked Binsteen what had happened he said Causer had been attacked by three different men. He later explained to police he was in shock and in fear of Alker and O’Connor.

The case was heard before Lord Justice Keene, Mrs Justice Dobbs DBE and Recorder of Nottingham

The Court concluded that a non-custodial sentence was unduly lenient. However, the Court, in its discretion, did not interfere with the suspended sentence order.

They also said that perverting the course of justice is so serious it is almost always necessary to impose a custodial sentence.

Tellingly, they said he repeated his lies until confronted with the inconsistencies and he did not voluntarily tell the truth.

None of Binsteed's various explanations for his behaviour persuaded the Court that a custodial sentence could have been avoided.

However, concluding that this was an unduly lenient sentence the Court exercised its discretion. It was noted that he has already done over 130 hours of the 200 required of the unpaid work requirement and immediate custody would not have been lengthy whilst taking into account the reduction for Double Jeopardy.

In the end they said they were not prepared to intervene.

The custodial term of 34 weeks detention, suspended for two years still stands.

Pictured: Michael Causer

Gay Life After Saddam, to be broadcast this Sunday (July 5) on BBC Radio 5Live at 7pm, examines the persecution of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in Iraq.

The harrowing documentary was made with the assistance and co-operation of the underground gay rights movement, Iraqi LGBT. It includes interviews with the Iraqi Prime Minister, religious leaders and ordinary people on the streets of Baghdad, where homosexuality is still viewed by many as an illness or deserving of death - as well as LGBT victims of arrest, jailing, torture and rape, and brave gay Iraqis who run a 'safe house' in Baghdad.

Human rights campaigners claim hundreds of LGBT people have been killed or tortured while others have fled the country fearing for their safety since Saddam was toppled from power six years ago. Meanwhile, in the UK, gay Iraqis seeking asylum are struggling to persuade the Labour government to let them stay. A few have been granted refugee status. Others have been refused.

Producer Ashley Byrne, Creative Director of the programme production company, Made in Manchester, said:
"We're proud to be making our 5Live debut with such an important documentary which tackles a subject that doesn't usually feature as part of the usual narrative from Iraq.

"The programme includes an interview with a gay Iraqi who was kidnapped and raped before fleeing the country, we hear from a young man who fled to Paris after being tortured and we get exclusive access to a so-called 'safe house' harbouring vulnerable LGBT Iraqis on the outskirts of Baghdad".

He adds: "Some of the evidence is very difficult to comprehend, especially a form of torture involving glue and diarrhoea-inducing drugs."

Programme presenter Aasmah Mir also meets a now London-based gay Iraqi whose life is under threat for the work he's doing to help LGBT people in his homeland. Ali Hili (a pseudonym), who founded Iraqi LGBT, claims he has had two fatwas issued against him from extremists in the Middle East. As well as securing asylum himself, Mr Hili has assisted fellow Iraqi gay refugees to win asylum in the UK.

Co-producer Gail Champion says:
"What becomes clear throughout this programme is that not one person, one group or another, is responsible for this persecution. It seems like it's chaos in Iraq with the authorities struggling to keep control. What surprised me more than anything was how much life was easier for LGBT people under Saddam Hussein."

As part of the programme, the US Government is put on the spot over the issue. Ashley Byrne says:
"It was our reporter who managed to elicit a response from the US Government during a State Department Briefing in Washington earlier this month. The Obama administration's reaction to the recent killings and violence can be heard during this programme."

Note: If the Wimbledon men's tennis final on Sunday overruns, this programme might start later than 7pm London time, or be postponed until another date.

You can listen live online from anywhere in the world:
www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/
Or listen for 7 days after the programme has aired on the BBC iplayer:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/bbc_radio_five_live

Brighton Line Commuters (BLC), the rail user group, in conjunction with Southern and First Capital Connect, is organising a fun day at Brighton railway station on Sunday August 23 to raise money for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

The Mayor of Brighton is opening the day at 9am and Brighton MP David Lepper is drawing the raffle. There will be craft and food stalls, entertainers, music, games, competitions for adults and children, face painting, nail painting, tombolas and many other activities. So far, the raffle prize and tombola total is running at just over £1,600 worth of prizes. First prize is a flight in the Southern Railway hot air balloon.

Gavin Fisher, Rockinghorse’s Chief Executive said:
“We’re looking forward to a fantastic day where there is sure to be a significant amount raised to help make life better for children in hospital.”

The fun starts at 9am and goes on until 5pm. All proceeds from the fun day will go directly to the Rockinghorse Appeal.
For more information, you can contact Shelley at commuters@blcmaibox.wanadoo.co.uk

Gscene's columnist Eric Page has been selected by international-award-winning artist Antony Gormley to be part of his new art work ‘One & Other’ and create an astonishing living monument on the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals.

Eric will spend an hour on the plinth which is intended to be a representation of the whole of humanity. He will be joined later in the month by Gscene travel writer David Hodgson and Jason Hall from the Justin Campaign, who have also been selected. David has yet to decide the theme for his appearance but promises something 'challenging and engaging'.

Eric intends to use his morning slot on July 28th to be extraordinary and challenging in a fun way and to represent himself and the diversity of Brighton and Hove’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender population.

Participants can use their time on the plinth as they like – to perform, to demonstrate, or simply to reflect. All activity from the plinth will be screened by Sky Arts online 24 hours a day on the One & Other website.

Antony Gormleys ‘One & Other' will see a different person take their place on the Fourth Plinth every hour, 24 hours a day for 100 days. The project, supported by Sky Arts, will provide a fascinating portrait of the UK in the twenty-first century and is set to become a national talking point.

London Mayor Boris Johnson said:
"Ever imagined what it's like to be Nelson - looking down on Trafalgar Square and being stared at by thousands of passers by? One & Other is an opportunity to be a work of art and create something unprecedented and inimitable."

One & Other will run from 6 July – 14 October 2009 and is currently a plotline on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers.

For more information view:
www.oneandother.co.uk

Following a public enquiries decision to allow Starbucks to remain open in St James's Street, The Brighton Against Starbucks action campaign group have said its campaign against the coffee chain will now be extended to include all seven of its Brighton branches.

The US coffee chain was originally refused planning permission to open on St James’s St, but has been trading for more than a year despite the ban while the appeal was prepared.

According to a spokesperson for the campaign:
"'We don't want another Starbucks,' has been the majority view from Kemptown residents supporting the Brighton Against Starbucks campaign which has been staging protests outside the St James's St branch between noon and 2pm every Saturday for the past year.

"We are not and never have been fighting along narrow lines of planning regulations alone, which include terms like ‘vitality and viability’ of the area. Our arguments are all about: Community Before Corporation, People Before Profit and Keeping Brighton Unique."

There will be a demonstration outside St James St Starbucks, from noon-2pm.

Green Councillors on Brighton and Hove Council have condemned a decision to allow Starbucks to open an outlet in a conservation area of the city following an appeal that was heard last month.

The US coffee chain was originally refused planning permission to open on St James’s St, but has been trading for more than a year despite the ban while the appeal was prepared.

Green Cllr Rachel Fryer, who alongside local residents and traders formed a campaign opposing the Starbuck’s planning application, today expressed her disappointment with the result:
“This decision is a slap in the face for the thousands of local people who campaigned against giving Starbucks planning permission.

“Over the past year local residents and traders have organised weekly protests, collected over 3,000 signatures on a petition against Starbucks, formed a Facebook group with almost 2000 Members and written to the council to object in their hundreds.

“Our reasons are many: There are already 12 coffee outlets on St James’s St and traders are rightly worried that the new Starbucks will take business away from independent stores and eventually push many of them out of business. Local planning officers feel a new Starbucks will not add to the diversity and vitality of the area or encourage people to the street. Many people are simply concerned about Starbucks’ dubious ethical practices – there is, for example, a Starbucks in Guantanamo Bay.

“But our objections have been ignored. Once again, it’s a victory for big business over local people.

"Greens have been calling for years to protect communities against the negative impacts of huge chain stores like this. We urgently need stronger planning law to ensure that in David versus Goliath battles such as this, local people are better able to defend their communities.”

Leader of the Labour group, Cllr Gill Mitchell, said,
“This decision seems to turn planning law on its head. Whatever the pros and cons of the Starbucks issue, there should be consistency in the application of the law.”

Green MEP and Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas said:
“Today’s decision is a massive blow for local democracy.

“Not only does it threaten the viability of local businesses – local independent cafes are already reporting a loss of takings – but of the council’s ability to take planning decisions in accordance with local people’s wishes.

“Whatever we think of the local council, when it comes to planning decisions it’s all we’ve got. If its decisions are being ignored we must stand up to the bullies.”

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Paul Elgood said:
"The news that Starbucks have won their appeal against the council's planning department is tragic. It shows that the multi-nationals have the might to send in their top legal team and fight any local decision which goes against them. They should have respected local planning regulations in the first place and then the clearly expressed will of the elected council. What concerns me is that officers will be even more reluctant to fight these multi-nationals who already think they can do what they want, where they want."

Pictured: Euro MEP Caroline Lucas joins the weekly protest outside Starbucks

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk/

The Justice Secretary, Jack Straw MP, paid a flying visit to Brighton yesterday (July 2).

After holding a soapbox meeting in the centre of town were he engaged with local people on Labours policies, he went to Kemp Town to meet supporters for the campaign to elect the former leader of the Council, Simon Burgess as the next MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.

Simon said:
“We hold a weekly 'stuffing envelopes' group, always made the more enjoyable by gossip and good company. This week was extra special with Jack entertaining the packed room. More people are getting involved since the strong showing of the Conservatives and the BNP at the European elections".

For more information view:
www.brighton-hove-labour.org.uk/Burgess.htm

Gardeners' World presenter Carol Klein launched this year's Garden Gadabout event at the Sussex Beacon last week.

The Garden Gadabout, takes place on July 12 and 19, and has supporters opening up their private gardens to members of the public for a small donation which goes to the Beacon. This year there are over 70 gardens to chose from.

When asked what had made her become patron of this event, Carol replied:
“I love the whole idea of sharing your garden; it’s wonderful and so inspiring to have the opportunity to see what other people have done with their space. What’s more, it’s all for such an important and fantastically worthy cause.”

The Garden Gadabout guide, available from locations around Brighton, or via www.gardengadabout.org.uk lists all the gardens taking part, showing its 16 easy to manage trails. The guide also gives a description and photograph of each garden, enabling visitors to plan ahead, or find their local trail. To make the day complete, many gardens are selling a delicious array of homemade lunches, cakes and teas, as well as plants and seeds. All proceeds go to The Sussex Beacon.

Entrance is £1 donation per garden on the door, or newly launched this year are the one- and two day passes giving access to all gardens on the trail. £6 for one day and £10 for two. These passes can be purchased in advance only from 19th June, from The Sussex Beacon Shop in St James St or The Brighton Dome on 01273 709709.

For more information about the Garden Gadabout contact Bridgette Saunders – event coordinator: gardengadabout@sussexbeacon.org.uk

For more information view:
www.gardengadabout.org.uk

For more information about the Sussex Beacon view:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

The Oska Bright Festival, which screens films made by people with learning difficulties, takes place this November at The Old Market, Hove.

The films, which will be screened from Nov 17–19, have been selected from over 251 new shorts submitted to the festival committee.

In addition to the festival, the committee has launched a campaign to raise money for a mobile cinema bus. When the films toured the United Kingdom last year, some people found it difficult to get transport to the screenings. In order to give a greater access to the films, the committee hopes to raise enough funds to turn a double-decker bus into a cinema and take the cinema to the people.

For more information about the festival, screenings and a guide on how to make a film view:
www.oskabright.co.uk

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell says that he's looking forward to marching with Sarah Brown, Gordon Brown's wife, on this Saturday's Pride march in London.

"I won't embarrass her. I will be on my best behaviour," Tatchell promised. "But I do plan to remind Sarah that she and Gordon were able to get married, whereas gay couples cannot. Her husband supports the ban on same-sex marriage. He won't give lesbian and gay partners the same right to marry as him and Sarah have enjoyed.

"I hope Sarah will be persuaded that the time has come for marriage equality, and that she'll have a word in Gordon's ear when she gets back to Downing Street after the parade.

"Civil partnerships are not equality. They are a form of sexual apartheid: gay couples cannot have a civil marriage and heterosexual couples cannot have a civil partnership. It is wrong to have different laws for gays and straights. In a democracy, the law is supposed to apply equally to everyone. This means equal marriage rights for all.

"In March this year, at a Downing Street reception for gay community leaders, from which I was excluded, Gordon Brown condemned the way Proposition 8 in California outlaws gay marriage. But isn't this a tad hypocritical, given that his government also outlaws same-sex marriage?

Tatchell has already condemned the PM for only engaging with pro-Labour loyalists in the LGBT community and endorsing homophobic discrimination such as the ban on gay and bi men donating blood, and giving work visas to reggae singers who incite the murder of gay people.

For more information view:
www.petertatchell.net

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) in Brighton is launching a survey aimed at establishing the health and support needs of male and transgender sex workers. The survey can be completed at THT’s centre in Ship Street, Brighton. Anyone who takes part will be offered a £10 retail voucher.

The results from the survey, which is launched in partnership with Soho Boyz (a free advice service for male and transgender sex workers in London), will help THT assess the support services it provides to male and transgender sex workers in the region. The charity currently offers one hour HIV testing, information and support around sexual health and provides free condoms and lube from its office in Brighton.

Mark Cull, Health Promotion Coordinator at THT in Brighton said
"We’re launching this survey because we want to get a clearer picture of some of the key issues that male and transgender sex workers face, and whether local services are meeting their needs. This survey is vital because it will help us develop and target our services and we really need both male and transgender sex workers to get involved. If you’ve sold sex within the last 12 months, or perhaps exchanged sex for somewhere to stay or for drugs or alcohol, please take the time to fill the questionnaire in – it’ll only take a few minutes and the information you’ll give us is invaluable.”

The survey includes questions about accessing sexual health services, HIV testing as well as questions on drug and alcohol use, housing and other issues. The surveys can be completed until mid September.

To take part in the survey and to find out about the services that THT offers contact Mark Cull on 01273 764223 or email mark.cull@tht.org.uk

There will also be an opportunity for people to take part in the survey at Pride on August 1. Soho Boyz will have a stall at Preston Park from where people can take part.

For more information view:
www.tht.org.uk
www.sohoboyz.org.uk

In a speech to the 12th annual TUC, LGBT conference yesterday (Thursday 2), 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.

According to Barber:
“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.

“Attacks like those on Jeff Akers - who was fatally stabbed in a homophobic attack - are a scar on the conscience of modern Britain. While terrible tragedies such as this are mercifully rare, other examples of hate crime remain commonplace. And the extent of the problem is much wider than is sometimes assumed. According to the Homophobic Hate Crime Survey 2008, seven in ten victims of such crimes do not report these incidents to anyone. That is a pretty alarming statistic.

“This underlines the need for real change, for a justice system that LGBT people can have real confidence in and for a fundamental shift in underlying social attitudes. The battle to defeat prejudice, discrimination and violence goes on.

“But we’ve also got to get to grips with another huge challenge, a political landscape that is becoming more hostile to our cause, both in this country and across Europe. In last month’s elections, we saw the deeply disturbing election of two BNP MEPs, and an alarming continent-wide drift from the centre to the right, and from the right to the far right.

“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."

Pictured: TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber

Sussex Police recently recorded a brief rise in the number of reported homophobic incidents occurring in the Dukes Mound area. The force believes that 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 returned to extremely low levels.

The site was visited numerous times by the city’s LGBT Liaison Officer to talk 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 incidents have 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 have been working with the guys at Dukes Mound through various organisations, this is the strongest I have ever seen their relationship with the police. It can be a real tightrope act to keep guys who use cruising grounds safe while maintaining their confidence in us, so I’m very proud of what we have achieved. I would also like to thank Terrence Higgins Trust who’s help has been invaluable to giving us a platform to connect with Dukes Mound users.”

Pictured:
Nick Antjoule, Sussex Police, civilian LGBT Liaison Officer

Brighton mental health services are working closely with local charities to devise specialist staff training so that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (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 health care professionals as well as GPs.

After listening to the local community and studying the local Count Me In Too research, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides NHS mental health services in Sussex, has commissioned local LGBT organisations Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, Mind Out, and The Gender Trust to design and deliver the first specialist LGBT staff training programme.

One-day ‘Affirmative Practice’ training sessions in Brighton and Hove began in March 2009 and 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 experience 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
www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton/
www.mindcharity.co.uk/servicesmindout.asp
www.countmeintoo.co.uk/
www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk
www.gendertrust.org.uk/

Justice Secretary Jack Straw will visit Brighton tomorrow, July 2 to talk to local people about the government’s new policy plan ‘Building Britain’s Future’.

Mr Straw will present the proposals and debate directly with the public from a soapbox outside the Brighthelm Church and Community Centre in North Road at 1pm.

Building Britain’s Future is the start of a process to engage with people on the big issues facing the country. The debate in Brighton is one of the first of a series of events being led by Ministers across the UK to explain more about the plan and to give the public the chance to put questions directly to Jack Straw.

Building Britain’s Future presents the government’s vision for a fairer, stronger and more prosperous society. Public service entitlements will for the first time be guaranteed to parents, patients and communities. New measures also aim to aid economic growth and create jobs, while other steps will address political reform.

The plan is based on three clear priorities: Putting Britain firmly on the path to recovery and seizing future opportunities for economic growth: Building on the improvements made in schools, hospitals and policing and modernising the national infrastructure: Cleaning up politics and renewing the democratic system.

Jack Straw said:
“These plans push forward radical changes to redefine our constitution and begin to rebuild trust in politics. They include completing the process of making Parliament’s second chamber smaller and answerable to the public. A programme of immediate reforms will help correct the most urgent problems and be complemented by a pledge to involve the people in discussions on even more fundamental far-reaching changes to our democratic processes that balance accountability, rights and responsibilities.

“Building Britain’s Future includes important steps to reinforce our guiding principles of trust, fairness and transparency across the justice system. These underpin our plans to make the family court system more open and accountable to the public, and to ensure our business and commercial dealings are clear of any taint of bribery.”

For more information view:
www.hmg.gov.uk/buildingbritainsfuture

Green Councillors on Brighton and Hove Council have condemned a decision to allow Starbucks to open an outlet in a conservation area of the city following an appeal that was heard last month.

The US coffee chain was originally refused planning permission to open on St James’s St, but has been trading for more than a year despite the ban while the appeal was prepared.

Green Cllr Rachel Fryer, who alongside local residents and traders formed a campaign opposing the Starbuck’s planning application, today expressed her disappointment with the result:
“This decision is a slap in the face for the thousands of local people who campaigned against giving Starbucks planning permission.

“Over the past year local residents and traders have organised weekly protests, collected over 3,000 signatures on a petition against Starbucks, formed a Facebook group with almost 2000 Members and written to the council to object in their hundreds.

“Our reasons are many: There are already 12 coffee outlets on St James’s St and traders are rightly worried that the new Starbucks will take business away from independent stores and eventually push many of them out of business. Local planning officers feel a new Starbucks will not add to the diversity and vitality of the area or encourage people to the street. Many people are simply concerned about Starbucks’ dubious ethical practices – there is, for example, a Starbucks in Guantanamo Bay.

“But our objections have been ignored. Once again, it’s a victory for big business over local people.

"Greens have been calling for years to protect communities against the negative impacts of huge chain stores like this. We urgently need stronger planning law to ensure that in David versus Goliath battles such as this, local people are better able to defend their communities.”

Cllr Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour group said,
“This decision seems to turn planning law on its head. Whatever the pros and cons of the Starbucks issue, there should be consistency in the application of the law.”

Green MEP and Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion, Caroline Lucas said:
“Today’s decision is a massive blow for local democracy.

“Not only does it threaten the viability of local businesses – local independent cafes are already reporting a loss of takings – but of the council’s ability to take planning decisions in accordance with local people’s wishes.

“Whatever we think of the local council, when it comes to planning decisions it’s all we’ve got. If its decisions are being ignored we must stand up to the bullies.”

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Paul Elgood said:
"The news that Starbucks have won their appeal against the council's planning department is tragic. It shows that the multi-nationals have the might to send in their top legal team and fight any local decision which goes against them. They should have respected local planning regulations in the first place and then the clearly expressed will of the elected council. What concerns me is that officers will be even more reluctant to fight these multi-nationals who already think they can do what they want, where they want."

Pictured: Euro MEP Caroline Lucas joins the weekly protest outside Starbucks

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk/

Gay Men Fight Aids (GMFA) the gay men’s health charities popular Sex Course will be touring the UK this August.

GMFA will run the free one-day course in Brighton and 11 other cities in order to help men improve their sex life and gain a better understanding of how their body works.

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, says:
“This is real sex education designed specifically for gay men - the kind many of us wished we’d had but didn’t get in school. It’s fun, informal and educational, providing lots of practical advice on how the mouth, cock, balls and arse work.”

The course includes hints and tips on making sex both safer and more enjoyable and will help you to explore what you want from your sex life in a non-threatening, non-judgmental and fun way. It covers a broad range of topics, including putting a condom on properly, how to use sex toys and practical tips for oral sex.

Matthew adds:
“The demand for this course is always high and I think that’s because there is a real need for this type of sex education across the UK . Through this course, our aim is for gay men to become better informed about sex and sexual practices, allowing them to be more confident and to make healthier choices.”

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, view:
www.gmfa.org.uk/national or call 020 7738 3712

The Sex Course takes place on Saturdays from 10am to 5 pm. The course will be in Brighton on August 29, in London also on August 29 and in Southampton on August 22.

Pictured Matthew Hodgson

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has become the first UK fire and rescue service to advertise free smoke alarms on prescription bags.

Chris Pascoe, Head of Community Safety, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said:
“In partnership with Bag Media and pharmacies across East Sussex, this campaign has been designed as an extra way of targeting the harder to reach and more vulnerable people within the county. Certain individuals from these groups are likely to be receiving medication of some form and by placing messages on the prescription bags we are advising those people of the free smoke alarm service that East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service provides.”

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service hopes that the message also catches the attention of carers who collect prescriptions on behalf of those who are less mobile. The Service would like to encourage those carers to consider not just their own safety precautions, but also those of the friends, family and colleagues that they assist.

If you would like more information about the free smoke alarms that East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service provides, please call 0800 177 7069 or view:
www.esfrs.org

A new health centre offering early morning, evening and weekend doctors’ appointments and a walk-in service will open this Wednesday (July 1). Brighton Station Health Centre, run by the private company Care UK on behalf of NHS Brighton and Hove, will open from 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

The health centre is welcoming new patient registrations and provides a comprehensive range of regular health services for registered patients who can make appointments at times to suit them. There will also be a walk-in service which will treat all NHS patients without an appointment for minor injuries and ailments, including patients who live locally, visitors and commuters.

Mark Hunt, Managing Director of Care UK Primary Care said,
“Care UK is delighted that this new facility opens this week to patients for the first time, giving access to high quality health care to the people of Brighton. Through our partnership with NHS Brighton and Hove, everyone in the area will benefit from greater choice about how they wish to access healthcare facilities and treatment.

“Care UK has an extremely high standard of care in our GP practices and walk in centres across the country, with 94% of our patients rating our walk-in centres as either good or excellent. We are confident that the care at the new centre in Brighton will be of a similarly high standard.”

Darren Grayson, Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove PCT, said:
"The establishment of a centrally located GP surgery with extended opening hours, open every day of the year, gives patients more choice about when they can see a doctor. This is great news for local people."

Brighton Station Health Centre, Aspect House, 84-87 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XE.

Patients looking to register at the new practice, or to make an appointment, can contact the centre on 01273 203058 or for more information visit the centre from July 1 or view:
www.brightonstationhealthcentre.co.uk

For more information about care uk:
www.careuk.com

Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has accused Gordon Brown of claiming to support equality for gays and lesbians while backing homophobic discrimination.

Tatchell was responding to a statement of support from Gordon Brown to the LGBT community ahead of this year's Pride in which the Prime Minister said:
"We (the Labour government) won't ever give up on the fight for equality - we are marching with you every step of the way."

"He claims to support gay equality but his government actually endorses some aspects of homophobic discrimination," said Peter Tatchell of the LGBT human rights group, OutRage! "It supports the ban on same-sex marriage. Civil partnerships are not equality. They are a form of sexual apartheid, with different laws for gay and straight couples. Gay and bisexual men are prohibited from donating blood, even if they always practice safe sex and have tested HIV-negative. Successive Labour Home Secretaries have given visas and work permits to reggae singers who incite the murder of gay people. Such incitement is a serious criminal offence. The government's current Equality Bill is supposed to ensure equal rights for everyone but it specifically denies lesbians and gays protection against harassment. Labour's many commendable gay law reforms are no excuse for its stonewalling on the abolition of these remaining aspects of homophobic discrimination."

"The Prime Minister will host a reception at Downing Street for LGBT rights campaigners and the pink press on the morning of Pride London. Those invited are mostly - not entirely - tame apologists for New Labour. Critics of the government's record, like myself, are not invited. The same selective invitation criteria was applied when Gordon Brown hosted a Downing Street reception for LGBT campaigners in March. An insider tipped me off that my name had been removed from the invite list, at Gordon Brown's personal request. He was apparently still angry that I had heckled him over his government's erosion of civil liberties, when he opened the Taking Liberties exhibition at the British Library late last year.

"It doesn't matter to me that I haven't been invited. What angers me is the principle - the way the Prime Minister invites and fetes mostly tame pro-Labour loyalists in the LGBT community. It is a manipulative tactic by an insecure government that knows its record on LGBT human rights is not as glorious as it claims.

"Instead of remedying the remaining issues of homophobic discrimination, Gordon Brown seems more interested in isolating and excluding LGBT voices who continue to insist on full LGBT human rights," said Mr Tatchell.

A spokesman for Number 10 said,
"This government is very proud of its enviable record on LGBT rights since the late 1990s, often in the face of fierce opposition. What matters is not who was or who was not invited to a reception in Downing Street but what we have already done, such as same sex couples getting immigration rights, repeal of armed forces ban, an equal age of consent, lesbian and gay couples being allowed to adopt, repeal of Section 28, employment equality, civil partnerships introduced, discrimination outside the workplace banned and guidance to schools on homophobic bullying published. And last year the UK signed a United Nations Declaration calling for an end to laws that make homosexuality illegal. More recently, we have also made incitement to homophobic hate a crime. No one should underestimate this governments commitment on equality."

For more information about Peter Tatchell view:
www.petertatchell.net

Green councillors have called for all agency staff working for Brighton and Hove City Council to be paid a living wage of at least £7 an hour.

“Any less just isn't enough to maintain a decent standard of living in this city," said Ben Duncan, Green City Councillor for Queen's Park. "Recent figures showed that more than 1,100 council staff were paid less than £7 an hour - mostly agency staff and cleaners."

Cllr Duncan made his comments after a council meeting discussed handing responsibility for the pay and conditions of agency staff from councillors to the Head of Personnel. "I'm sure the council's Head of HR will do an excellent job - but this sort of decision really must be taken by councillors with a democratic mandate."

Cllr Duncan, who hopes to be elected Green Party MP for Brighton Kemptown at the next General Election, added:
"It's a false economy for the council to use agency staff on low wages and with poor working conditions. Not only do people forced to endure this sort of work have a higher reliance on benefits and council services to help make ends meet, they enjoy less training and job security, which quite naturally means they're less committed to the job - and are more likely to quit if they get a better offer elsewhere."

For more infomation about Ben Duncan view:
greenkemptownben.blogspot.com/

For more information about the Greens view:
www.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk

‘Any news?’, ‘a new Mapp & Lucia book!’ ‘ No!’, oh but yes dear reader this E.F.Benson inspired book takes up the idea of quite what the other delightful residents of Tilling do, in this case Major Benjy, in between shouting Quay-Hai, playing golf and the obligatory rubber of bridge.

This book covers the further adventures of the character from the much loved Mapp & Lucia series of books. It shines a gimlet eyed light into the domestic dalliances of the Major and a few of the other more delightful of Tilling's Characters, we peep into Quaint Irene’s love life, the Majors bedtime habits, the Wyse’s ins and outs, Divas kitchen and even a quick look into the infamous Miss Mapps secret garden.

Written in a loving style, with all the wit and bitchy intrigue of the original books, this funny work inserts itself carefully but with determination into the Tilling cannon. The writing is more contemporary than Benson’s while retaining the typical delightfully twisted plot devices of the earlier books.

I adored the original books and was like Mapp, a little suspicious of this interloper; would it have the right tone? be the ‘right sort’? be able to breathlessly gossip and all the time keep the cruelty and brutality of Tilling society under the perfectly pressed cover of delightful social intercourse? I wasn’t disappointed; in fact I laughed out loud, always the greatest gift from a book.

This is a very good book, like watching one of those high-class drag queens who only ‘do’ Piaf or Garland and get it so, so right, but with a modern knowing, ironic wink. Like the originals I read it far too quickly, it just flew past and I just hope that Guy Fraser-Sampson will stop what ever it is he is doing and get on with writing the next book, please let it be the secret depths of Godiva 'Diva' Plaistow.

Published by www.troubador.co.uk

Avaiable from www.guyfs.com for £9.99

Review by Eric Page

The two-handed psychological thriller is practically a mini genre. Expect reviews to call it a 'game of cat and mouse', mention 'the shifting balance of power' and perhaps promise that it builds to 'an amazing twist'. The problem with these plays is that you can't really discuss much of the plot without breaking an unwritten rule of reviewing. Which is a shame as it's hard to get across just how absurd the play is - its inconsistencies and the two characters' lunatic motivations - without a frank and open discussion of the plot. The denouement just about squeaks by - although it's not particularly interesting - but then there's another makeshift 'twist' tacked on at the very end whose weakness is just slightly embarrassing.

Julia Smythe (Michelle Collins) is a psychiatrist whose latest client Adrian Wainwright (Rupert Hill) presents an almost textbook case of easily defined neuroses. It's so textbook that within ten minutes he has found the root cause of his impotence and tries to make a break for it. But Smythe quickly gives another possible cause of his problem and persuades him to carry on the session. But did she do this out of concern for her patient? Or did the thought of a cured client simply make her worry about lost revenue? To give the play its due the two of them certainly carry out the argument about how shrinks just get paid for sitting and listening, that they try and unearth ever deeper problems to make their punters keep coming back, that they prey on those rich and vain enough to pay their fees. But it's not great theatre and the dialogue rarely reaches the level of an internet chat forum on the same topic.

At the end of the first scene something is revealed which alters our understanding of exactly why Wainwright has gone to see a shrink. Then in scene two it goes a little crazy with Smythe acting in an insanely unprofessional manner just because of being ever so slightly riled by Wainwright. She takes her revenge on him by trying to convince him that he's mad - which would be fine if the play presented her as completely barking instead of just a bit bored of her job.

Although Collins' performance is not terrible she hardly gives the character any life - she appears to resemble a cipher who has to jump through a number of plot hoops. Though it's possible that could well be a reflection on the writing as much as her acting ability. Hill is perfectly acceptable in the role of the Wainwright - and again he's not working with much - but at a night at the theatre 'perfectly acceptable' isn't really a good enough reason for buying a ticket.

Deceptions' saving grace is that despite everything it isn't boring. If only it had been a little less - or a great deal more - ridiculous it might even have made quite a good play.

Deceptions is at the Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton until July 4.
Box office 08700 606 650
www.ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Brighton

Author and Time Out journalist Paul Burston had a signing for his new book, The Gay Divorcee at Prowler, Brighton on Sunday (June 28).

His last novel, Lovers & Losers, was short listed for the Stonewall Award for Best Writer 2007. Playwright Jonathon Harvey said of Burston,
“Burston is the nearest thing the UK has to Armistead Maupin. They share a warmth for their characters, have that same page turning quality, a nice light comic touch and deft plotting.”

The Gay Divorcee is available from Prowler, 112-113 St James’s Street, Brighton. Telephone 01273 683 680

Price £11.99.

Prowler have a few signed copied of the book left for purchase in the Brighton shop.

For more information about Prowler view:
www.prowlerdirect.co.uk

Mariela Castro, daughter of Cuba’s president, Raul Castro, is to speak in London at a showing of the gay Cuban movie Strawberry and Chocolate.

Castro is the director of the Cuban National Centre for Sex Education in Havana and campaigns for HIV/Aids prevention and the rights of the LGBT community in Cuba.

The film will be screened as part of the Barbican’s season Cine Cuba: 50 Years of Revolution.

After the screening Castro and the film’s screenwriter/director, Juan Carlos Tabio, will discuss the movie’s themes of equality in sex, gender and race. Joining them will be Alberto Roque, a leading Cuban gay rights activist.

The film is showing to coincide with London Pride at The Barbican, Silk Street, London on Sat July 4, at 8.45pm.

Tickets available online at:
www.barbican.org.uk/film
or telephone 0845 120 7529

Pictured Mariela Castro

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has sent a message to the gay community in London in the lead up to London Pride on July 4.

In a letter from Downing Street he said,
“I’m very proud of all that this Government has achieved on LGBT rights these last 12 years – often in the face of fierce opposition. From equalising the age of consent, lifting the ban on military service, introducing gay adoption and creating civil partnerships to scrapping section 28, introducing the Gender Recognition Act and banning discrimination at work and in the provision of goods and services, we’ve taken massive strides towards equality. More recently, we have taken action to tackle homophobic bullying in schools, made incitement to homophobic hate a crime, secured unprecedented lesbian fertility rights and introduced the Equality Bill.

“But I also know that we quite simply couldn’t have done it without the activism of our out and proud LGBT community, so I hope you’re very proud of what your campaigning has achieved: you’ve changed laws, you’ve changed lives, you’ve changed the world.

“Together we’ve done a lot – but we can never be complacent and must always be vigilant to see that progress isn’t reversed.

“This government is committed to standing at your shoulders in the fight for equality and we are guided by one very simple principle when it comes to LGBT rights: you can’t legislate love.”

www.bedsinbrighton.com is hosting this year’s Pride Garden Party, on Friday July 26 starting at 7pm at Montpellier Hall, Montpelier Terrace, Brighton.

Mistress of ceremonies for the evening is Maisie Trollette, who will be introducing Fake Bush and guest plus the fabulous Buff Barmen to the most sophisticated audience Brighton can muster.

Tickets are £10 and can be obtained by calling 01273 770300.

Pictured Fake Bush

The Companion Dog Show is one of the highlights of Pride week. This year it is on Sunday 5, from noon at Hove Rugby Football Club, Old Shoreham Road, Hove (in association with the Coastway Veterinary Group).

This Kennel Club registered event promises to be more fun and entertainment than ever before. Registration costs £2 per class and will be taken from 11.30am.

Entry for spectators is free and everybody is welcome. The pedigree classes will be judged by Peter Jolley; and of course everyone’s favourite, the novelty classes, will be judged by Scott Burey, better know as Brighton’s very own Drag With No Name.

For a full list of the class categories see the Pride website:
www.brightonpride.org

Spectators can enjoy an agility display put on by the Sussex Canine Centre, to show all those pampered pooches of yours how it’s really done!

Rings one, two and three will hold the various classes from 1pm onwards with prizes sponsored and donated by shops, businesses and Pride supporters from across the county.

The team from Coastway will be overseeing all entries, including judging. This is the seventh year Coastway Veterinary Group has organised and supported the show on behalf of Pride in Brighton & Hove.

Hove Rugby Football Club has donated its facilities free of charge. There is a bar, refreshments and trade stands to keep all owners, friends and families entertained. Entry to the dog show is free, although donations will be greatly received. All proceeds go to Pride in Brighton & Hove.

Pictured Drag with no name and friend.

New research into drug and alcohol use by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people living in Brighton & Hove has been published by the University of Brighton and Spectrum as part of the Count Me In Too Project.

It reveals that LGBT people are more likely to take recreational drugs than the general population. However, as the research notes, the most common types of drugs taken by LGBT people are not those targeted for intervention by drug services.

Despite revealing similar levels of binge, hazardous and harmful drinking as the general population, the research showed that LGBT people were concerned about their alcohol use. The majority of those who drank alcohol did not know where to find support if they needed it.

The findings underline the importance of the LGBT commercial scene in the social lives and networks for LGBT people. Yet they also point to the lack of safe, alcohol-free social and networking spaces, particularly for isolated and excluded members of the LGBT communities.

Last year, the government’s new ten-year drug strategy called for specific research into patterns of drug use and service needs among LGBT populations to inform future policy and service provision.

Andrew Kilkerr from the National Treatment Agency at the Government Office South East called the report.
“An example of good practice, enabling commissioners and providers to review current provision and to ensure they meet the needs of the local LGBT community.

“This report provides unparalleled evidence upon which to base co-ordinated action between sectors and agencies to respond to LGBT-specific needs,” said Arthur Law from Spectrum LGBT Community Forum, community partners to the project.

“It makes a necessary contribution to local agendas for tackling social exclusion, health inequalities and crime. City commissioners have undertaken to respond to the findings in future strategic planning.”

Lead researcher on the project Dr Kath Browne said:
“We found that within the LGBT community alcohol is tied up with social networking, which means that if you don’t drink it is difficult to engage with the LGBT scene.

"We also found that a large number of respondents were concerned about their alcohol use, but were not accessing services. Therefore one of the key recommendations from the report is to better target health promotion campaigns to this community.”

The Count Me in Too Project is a community university partnership between the University of Brighton and Spectrum LGBT Community Forum. Throughout the project, the research team worked with statutory, voluntary and community stakeholders to ensure that all the findings inform mainstream service and strategy development and ongoing community engagement with LGBT people.

The report can be downloaded from:
www.countmeintoo.co.uk/downloads

The official Pride programme is now available citywide, giving you up-to-date information of what is happening during the week-long Pride festival and on the big day itself.

The programme features articles about Pride, the organisation, businesses that support Pride and who raises the most funds to help stage what is the biggest LGBT free festival in the country.

For more information about Pride in Brighton and Hove view:
www.brightonpride.org

Many of Brighton’s beautiful private gardens will be open to the public this July in aid of The Sussex Beacon. Brighton’s largest open garden scheme, Garden Gadabout, will feature 70 private gardens, divided into 16 easy-to-manage trails all shown in the Gadabout guide. Patron of the Garden Gadabout, Carol Klein of Gardeners World, has helped turn this into a major community calendar event for Brighton.

This is a wonderful opportunity to visit some beautiful, inspiring and unique private gardens, as well as helping to raise essential funds for the Beacon. Many gardens offer the opportunity to enjoy a delicious array of homemade cakes and teas in beautiful surroundings, as well as buy plants and see exhibitions of art. The Garden Gadabout is a celebration of diversity and creativity, from small gardens bursting with colour to a fern-filled chalk garden, from the atmospheric beauty of Monks House to a garden planted with dustbins!

Organised by a small team of volunteers, the 2009 Garden Gadabout will, it is hoped, raise more than £25,000 for The Sussex Beacon. Entrance is £1 donation per garden on the door, or newly launched this year are the one- and two-day passes for access to all gardens on the trail, at £6 for one day and £10 for two.

Passes can be purchased in advance from the Sussex Beacon Shop in St James’s Street or the Brighton Dome on 01273 709709

www.gardengadabout.org.uk

www.bedsinbrighton.com is sponsoring the VIP tent on Preston Park at this year’s Pride in Brighton & Hove on August 1.

Anyone who uses the site www.bedsinbrighton.com to book hotel rooms during their stay in Brighton & Hove or to buy tickets for the various Pride parties on both Pride Saturday and Pride Sunday will be entered into the special draw for free VIPs tickets to Pride VIP tent.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Anne Norman, attended the launch of The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon 2010 last month, at the Hotel du Vin, where organisers announced their intention to change the race from a local community event to a nationally known brand.

This year was the 19th running of the Half Marathon, which sold out for the first time following a 20 per cent increase in participation on 2008.

Out of 6,083 runners entering the race, 4,611 finished. 81 per cent of runners were unattached to running clubs; 67 per cent of non-Brighton & Hove residents stayed overnight with 51 per cent staying in hotels and B&Bs.

95 per cent of participants were satisfied or very satisfied with the race organisation with 92 per cent registering their intent to race again in 2010.

The 2010 Half Marathon is on Sunday February 2010.

For more information view:
www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

Lunch Positive is a new voluntary group which will provide a weekly lunch club for people living with HIV and their carers. It will open every Friday from July 17 at the Community Room at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church (off St James Street) in Brighton.

Gary Pargeter, Lunch Positive's service facilitator, told me about the origins of the project and what it means for people in Brighton who are HIV positive.

"We’re a group of people who used to volunteer for Open Door and when it closed down last year we saw that although other services were given to other providers, there wasn’t any provision for a lunch service where people could meet socially and get a nutritious, balanced meal. After approaching various organisations such as the diocese of Chichester, and getting funding from the National Lottery, we managed to secure the use of Dorset Gardens Methodist Church as a place in which we could cook and serve meals. The church itself has been extremely helpful. Though I should say we’re not a faith-based project - we work within the chuch building but are completely independent of it.

"We aim not only to serve food and provide a place for people to meet, but also to help those who can’t access a good diet at home in other ways. For example there will be opportunities for those who use the service and who would like to, to work with volunteers in the kitchen so they can gain confidence and skills in cookery. So in that sense I see Lunch Positive as empowering its users.

"We ask that any new client contacts us first before their initial visit. Then they would be greeted on arrival and a volunteer would be there to show them around and spend some time with them as coming to a new service for the first time is not always the easiest thing for people to do. They will also be given some very basic guidelines around conduct, for example around confidentiality which is very important to us.

"The basic structure is we open at noon so people can come for tea and coffee and a chat or read the papers. Lunch is served from 1 till 2 and then after clearing up and maybe talking about what will be happening within the service in the following weeks, we close at 2.30pm.

"We ask for a donation of £1 - which helps cover the cost of the food we have to buy."

Gary continued,
"If I had to sum the service up in a sentence? Well being for people with HIV encompasses many things - an informal place to meet, good diet and a space to share with others are important aspects of this- which is why we are here."

If you are interested in becoming a member of the group, as either a client or a volunteer, Lunch Positive can be contacted on 07846464384 or via their website www.lunchpositive.org

Pictured volunteers at Lunch Positive.

After mounting allegations about his claiming expenses but not attending council or community meetings, the gay councillor for Goldsmid Ward, Paul Lainchbury, resigned from the council last month, citing ‘personal reasons’.

The date for the by-election is Thursday July 23 and it is expected to be a tight-fought contest.

If the Tories lose the seat they could lose control of the council. Voting was close at the last elections, with Labour losing out by a handful of votes to the Tories in the ward.

After their showing in the recent European elections, the Greens are confident of taking the seat.

The Tory candidate is Andrew Wealls, the Labour candidate is Lis Telcs, the Greens candidate is Alexandra Phillips, the Lib Dem candidate is Lawrence Eke and the UKIP candidate is the former talk radio presenter Mike Mendoza, who has come under fire from the Greens for allegedly making homophobic comments.

Mr Mendoza was not available to Gscene for comment.

As the reality of the Aids Memorial being unveiled in late autumn gets ever closer, the Aids Memorial Project has decided to work in partnership with Sussex Community Foundation, using the Aids Memorial as a focus to build a permanent fund to support the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove in the future.

Sussex Community Foundation is a charity that inspires local giving to meet local needs. It helps local people and organisations to support the causes they care about in Brighton & Hove.

At present it manages funds on behalf of American Express, Veolia, Hans and Marit Rausing, Comic Relief and others, helping them to reach the local community groups that they would not otherwise know about.

Set up in 2006 by the Duke of Richmond, the Foundation has already supported several LGBT services in the city, including Brighton Ourstory, the Gay Elderly Men’s Society (GEMS), The Sussex Beacon and the MindOut project. In total the Foundation has given out £1.3 million in grants to community groups across Sussex, including £416,000 to 153 groups in Brighton & Hove.

Once the Aids Memorial is complete, the Foundation will work with representatives from the LGBT community in the city to build a fund that will maintain the Aids Memorial and provide grants to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Brighton & Hove and to support the development of the LGBT community within the city.

A further £15,000 is needed to pay for the installation of the Aids Memorial in New Steine Gardens and to help establish an ongoing fund to maintain it and help develop other LGBT community organisations in the city.

If you would like to contribute, please send donations to LGBT Community Fund (Aids Memorial Project), Sussex Community Foundation, Suite B Falcon Wharf, Railway Lane, Lewes BN7 2AQ or donate online via www.sussexgiving.org.uk

The Sussex Community Foundation will be able to claim back Gift Aid for the project, so every pound you donate is in fact worth much more to the Aids Memorial Project if you are a UK taxpayer.

Kevin Richmond, chief executive of Sussex Community Foundation, said,
“The Foundation aims to inspire local giving to meet local needs. We are delighted to be helping the LGBT community to both commemorate those who have died as a result of HIV/Aids and also build a lasting fund to help the LGBT people in the city to support each other and build a strong, supportive community.”

Lib Dem Cllr Paul Elgood, whose idea the memorial originally was, said:
“We are very excited that the Aids Memorial is nearing completion, and that Romany Mark Bruce has proven to be an outstanding choice for the project. This mechanism will ensure that the final phase of fundraising will be completely open and transparent and ensure that other good causes benefit in the longer term through the Aids Memorial Project. We hope that the memorial will both capture the community’s imagination and create a lasting legacy for those lost to Aids.”

To donate please go to:
www.sussexgiving.org.uk/donate/brighton-AIDS-memorial-appeal.php

Despite hating running, former City Council Leader and Labour candidate for Brighton Kemptown, is entering the first Brighton Marathon to be held on the April 18, 2010.

Simon says,
"Because I cycle about the city, and I have entered cycle challenges for charities such as the Argus Appeal, people assume I am a fitness fanatic - sadly I'm not. I do like cycling but I hate running. I found it really tough doing six miles for Sport Relief last year which is the furthest I have run, so goodness knows how I am going to do a marathon!

"However I'm sure this will be an event with a great atmosphere and the effort will be well worth it to raise money for three great local charities; Argus Appeal, Martlets Hospice and the Sussex Beacon. I don't know how I am going to find the time to train but my children are particularly keen to supervise me!"

"I can be sponsored on-line via just giving which increase the value of sponsorship via gift aid."

To sponsor Simon go to:

For The Argus Appeal: www.justgiving.com/Simon-Burgess0/
Sussex Beacon: www.justgiving.com/Simon-Burgess2/
Martlets Hospice: www.justgiving.com/Simon-Burgess/

For more information about Simon go to:

www.simonburgess.org

?uk.youtube.com/user/simon4kemptown ?http://

www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/profile.php?id=626940867&ref=profile

The Pink Paper has suspended its fortnightly print and distribution schedule with effect from the end of June, until such time that the economy improves for recruitment, housing and display advertising.

Tris Reid-Smith Pink Paper Editor, said,
“We proudly boast the biggest readership of the free gay press for the newspaper and it is very sad that we aren’t able to continue in our print format for the time being. However, I hope our readers will stick with us, visit the website often and sign up to our weekly email newsletter, Pink Paper Xtra. In return we promise to deliver the country’s premier news and features website for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.”

Kim Watson, MPG Media Director, added,
“The decision to suspend fortnightly print and distribution of Pink Paper has been one of the toughest we have had to make in a long, time but in order to ensure that we can continue providing a service to the LGBT community in future we have taken the decision now, rather than when the situation has worsened to a point that we would need to cease Pink Paper all together. We are looking forward to increasing delivery of our weekly newsletter and ensuring that our website continues to grow in its visitors and interaction. We are also glad to announce that all existing staff will remain with the company to work on Pink Paper online and our other titles.”

The Pink Paper will continue to develop its daily online platforms on www.pinkpaper.com and its weekly Pink Paper Xtra e-newsletter, which was launched this spring.

From July 1 The Pink Paper will focus on delivering news, information, advice, entertainment features and community interaction via its web sites and the weekly e-newspaper Pink Paper Xtra. Advertising sales will continue to be available across these platforms.

The Pink Paper, launched in 1987 as a weekly LGBT newspaper, was acquired by the Millivers Prowler Group in 2005 after the former publishers Chronos Publishing Ltd. had creased to produce the title, due to falling advertising income.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said,
"The loss of the Pink Paper is a big blow to the lesbian and gay community.

"We have lost a major source of news and information. It was an invaluable forum for debate and helped us co-ordinate campaigns against homophobia.”

Millivres Prowler Group also publishes GT (Gay Times) and DIVA magazines.

For more information view:
www.pinkpaper.com

Pictured Pink Paper editor Tris Reid-Smith

Euro MP for the South East and Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion will be in conversation with the lecturer and author of The Dwarkin Letters and Minster of St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, David Robertson at the Calvary Church, Viaduct Road, Brighton on June 29, at 7.320pm

As a service to Brighton Pavilion constituents the Calvary Evangelical Church plans to host events with local politicians in the lead up to the General Election.

Go along and here Caroline’s views on LGBT issues, the family, education, the economy, immigration, the EU, the health service, international relations and climate change.

For more information about the Calvary Evangelical Church view:
www.calvary-brighton.org.uk

For more information about Caroline Lucas MEP view:
www.carolinelucas.org.uk