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Queer in Brighton wants to hear your story

Queer in Brighton, a year-long heritage project celebrating Brighton’s unspoken LGBT histories from 1945 to the present day, is looking for written contributions (stories, poems, texts), photos, videos or other historical visual materials to create an oral record of local LGBT life experiences in Brighton.

If you have a story to tell and wish to learn new skills, then workshops have already been announced for November with more planned for the future.

Project Manager Lesley Wood said:

“Queer in Brighton aims to celebrate some of the people, places and events that have made Brighton the uniquely queer place it is.
 
“We would love to hear and collect the memories and experiences of as many queer/LGBT people as possible over the next 6 months. We will hold a whole range of performance events throughout the year, and the project will culminate with the launch of a book and exhibition in time for Pride 2013.”

Anyone who is interested in telling their story, writing about their life in Brighton or just having a cup of tea and a chat should email:

info@queerinbrighton.co.uk

Or telephone: 01273 735353

Or view:
QUEER IN BRIGHTON

Rugby League World Cup visits Parliament

Simon Kirby, MP, photo by Alex Broadway

As part of the year-to-go celebrations for the Rugby League World Cup Tournament in 2013, the world cup trophy visited the Houses of Parliament on October 31, giving MPs the opportunity to see and hold the cup, as well as discuss the tournament with the RLWC2013 organising team.

The tournament is the first major international sports event after the Olympic Games and kicks-off on October 26 with England playing Australia at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Group games will take place across 20 different venues in England and Wales with a semi-final double header at Wembley stadium, culminating in the final at Old Trafford.

Simon Kirby is MP Kemptown and Peacehaven and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Sports Minister Hugh Robertson took his turn to hold the trophy along with other MPs.

He said:

“It is fantastic that we have so many sporting events taking place in Britain over the next few years. As the first after London 2012, the Rugby League World Cup 2013 has a great opportunity to showcase British sporting talent and put on a fantastic tournament.

“We saw the power of sport during the Olympics, and it seems that hasn’t left us. I wish the players, coaches, organisers and volunteers the best of luck as they put on what I am sure will be an outstanding spectacle of international sport.”

More information about the RLWC2013, including all fixture details and how to purchase tickets, is available online at:
RLW2013

London Orca strike gold!

London Orca

Out To Swim’s water polo team, London Orca hosted a successful two-day European Championship water polo tournament at the Queen Elizabeth Boys School in High Barnet over the weekend (November 2-3).

Thirteen teams registered for the tournament from Copenhagen, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Birmingham, Manchester and four teams from London Orca.

All four Orca teams won their play-off games. The final came down to an exciting game between the top London Orca team against their Manchester rivals, with the London Orca team clinching gold.

After the tournament finished, the participants headed to the Shadow Lounge in Soho for an after party.

Gareth Johnson, Chair of Out To Swim and London Orca player, said:

“It’s been a fantastic tournament – 13 teams from across Europe competing in what has been the biggest LGBT water polo tournament outside of a Gay Games.  We’ve played some great water polo, but we’ve also had a lot of fun.  The feedback from all the competitors has been really positive – they’ve loved the tournament and they’ve loved being in London for the weekend.”

Further tournaments are planned in Manchester and Paris in 2013.

For more information, view:
OUT TO SWIM

New Journeys

Rev Debbie Gaston

I had begun to notice a few bruises appearing under my skin that I could not explain. I did have occasional nose bleeds and my gums bled more frequently when I cleaned my teeth, but I probably could have put most of this down to reaching the menopause.

I wasn’t particularly tired or feeling ill, in fact I was as energetic as I had ever been, but something in the back of my mind said I should get it checked at the doctors.

It was about six weeks into my symptoms when I saw my GP who thought I was most likely anaemic so he sent me for a blood test. Only six hours after I had that test, I had an urgent call telling me to get into hospital immediately because I had Acute Myloid Leukemia and my platelets were so low that I could bleed out at any time. (The average person has around 200 and I had 11.)

My partner and I were in total shock. I had an hour to throw a few things into a bag and get into the Royal Sussex. I’d never been in hospital for longer than 24 hours and I’d always cared for others who had cancer and illnesses, never thinking for one moment that one day the tables might turn and that I might have to allow others to look after me!

The Haematology Department were incredible. From the moment we walked in, we were cared for, loved, supported and we knew they were totally committed to getting the treatment right for me. If you had told me then that I would be in hospital for the next six months with the odd week or so at home, I probably would have left there and then. The chemo treatment was very intense and I wanted to give up so often, but six months later I’m in remission and my body has responded well to the treatment.

This part of my life journey had not been expected!

In the mean time, my personal approach to spirituality and faith has taken a new turn as well. This has led to setting up a new group called the ‘Phoenix Open Faith Community’ because the group of us that worship and meet together, enjoy the experience of the Divine through many means.

We are beginning to realise that putting God in a box only leads to restrictive and often destructive attitudes. How many of us have experienced the Divine and yet never go to places of corporate worship?

Probably a large percentage and at the Phoenix Community we enjoy engaging with people of all spiritual journeys and backgrounds. We have a group of all genders, all ages, all backgrounds, all beliefs and all sexualities and we aim to learn from one another and our spiritual journeys. No one has to dilute their beliefs; we just know how much we can learn from one another, if only we listen with openness.

To contact Rev Debbie Gaston and the Phoenix Open Faith Community, email:
gastondebbie7459@googlemail.com

Police host LGBT web chat

PC Rich Bridger

Sussex Police’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Liaison Team is hosting a live online drop-in webchat on Tuesday, November 6 between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

During these drop-ins the team provides a range of advice and support on all LGBT issues around safety, the law and policing, as well as responding to other neighbourhood concerns. You can also log in if you just want to chat or to share your views.
LGBT liaison officer PC Rich Bridger said:

“As a Force, we take all hate incidents very seriously and endeavour to help all members of our community in any way that we can. If you have any issues or questions for the team, wherever you are in Sussex,  this is your chance to log on for an informal chat. Ahead of Transgender Remembrance Day on November 20, we’re being joined by a member of The Clare Project, a self-supporting group in Brighton & Hove which is available to anybody who wants to find out about gender identity.

“I’m delighted that we are being joined by such a positive group, who can offer support to members of the LGBT community in addition to the support that we can provide as a team. Past online drop-ins have been very successful and feedback has been really positive from people who have logged on to chat with the team. I’m looking forward to this next live event.”

You can join in the live chat at:
www.sussex.police.uk/lgbt

On the LGBT Facebook page by searching ‘Brighton LGBT Team’

Or on Twitter by tweeting @PoliceLGBT or using the hashtag #lgbtdropin

If you prefer to chat face to face, then the next local ‘in person’ drop-in session is being held the following Monday, November 12 from 6-7pm at the Redroaster Coffee House, 1d St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1RE.

The Clare Project offers services such as counselling sessions with a qualified therapist and a safe place for people to meet with others to find support, advice and companionship.

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

Man robbed and assaulted in Camelford Street

Police are appealing for witnesses following an attack on a 44-year-old local man in Camelford Street, Brighton, in the early hours of Saturday, October 27.

The victim was approached by two men at around  3.30am, who then punched and kicked him to the ground before going through his pockets and stealing his wallet.

Detective Sergeant Steve French said:

“The victim was very shaken and received cuts and bruises in the attack.

“Officers have been viewing CCTV from the area and making local enquiries. We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the robbery or saw two men, wearing light coloured jackets and jeans hanging around the Van Allen building shortly before the robbery. If you have any information that could help police with their enquiries then please call 101 quoting serial  270 of 27/10 or alternatively leave an anonymous message with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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