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HIV community picnic

Lunch Positive Community Picnic

Lunch Positive the HIV charity who provide a free meal every Friday for people who are HIV positive is hosting a free community picnic for people with HIV on Saturday August 17.

There’ll be plenty of good food, space to relax, meet new people and enjoy the great outdoors!

The event is ticketed, and tickets give further details of the event.

Tickets for people who use Lunch Positive, Peer Action, Sussex Beacon or Terrence Higgins Trust are available from these organisations.

If you do not use any of these organisations, and would like to come along please contact Lunch Positive at info@lunchpositive.org or telephone 07846 464384.

For more information about Lunch Positive, CLICK HERE:  http://www.lunchpositive.org

 

 

Pride raises over £43,000 for the Rainbow Fund

Rainbow Fund

Just six days after the dust has settled on one of the most successful Prides ever staged in Brighton & Hove, Pride organisers have announced they have smashed the fundraising target they set themselves and raised £43,103.00 for the Rainbow Fund to distribute to LGBT/HIV organisations through their grants programme independently administered by the Sussex Community Foundation.

Feedback after this years event has been overwhelmingly positive with appearances by Alison Moyet, the original Sugababes MKS, Ms Dynamite and Paloma Faith putting Brighton Pride back on the worldwide Pride events map.

Brighton Pride director Paul Kemp, said:

“Every year Pride faces a unique challenge. The large number of participants and spectators that follow the LGBT community parade arrive at the park simultaneously creating an admission crowd that temporarily slowed the admission process down considerably.

“We share everyone’s frustrations at the queues that were a direct result of this mass arrival as were the stringent bag searches that were a condition of the licence being granted.

“Clearly the long queues at certain points during the day are part of the logistical planning that we will not allow to go unchallenged, and we are already working hard to improve the situation for 2014.

“We sincerely apologies for any delays and  hope this did not spoil what was otherwise a terrific fun day on the park.”

Paul Elgood, Chairman of the Rainbow Fund thanked the Pride organisers saying:

“This is a fantastic,  fantastic outcome from Pride, which will hugely benefit the local LGBT and HIV community sector. This amount really reflects how successful the event was this year, and I want to personally thank the organisers for the immense effort they put into delivering Pride.

“Local LGBT and HIV charities and voluntary sector groups delivering frontline services can already apply for this funding via the Sussex Community Foundation. These groups have until October 11 to apply, and the funding is distributed on a needs-led basis by the independent Rainbow Fund grants panel.”

 

Russia protest today in London!

Brighton Supports LGBT RussiaFollowing the successful HAPPENING at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 3 organised by controversial artist and poet Vince Laws to highlight the concerns of gay and gay owned business owners in Brighton and Hove at the treatment of LGBT people in Russia, Adam Brooks, licensee of the Bedford Tavern is organising a group of supporters to join him at the national demonstration in London this Saturday, August 10.

Adam said:

“We have all just had an amazing Brighton Pride but there are LGBT people on this planet who are not allowed to host Pride. In Russia people are being tortured and even murdered for simply being who they are.

“I intend on making my voice heard and a few of us will be attending the demonstration in London on Saturday. If anyone in Brighton would like to join us we will be meeting at The Brighton Tavern at 11am with an aim of getting the train to Victoria at 1149am. 

“We will attend the demonstration and the head to Halfway to Heaven for afternoon drinks and cabaret with Rose Garden.”

Adam has created a facebook page to co-ordinate Brighton Protestors arriving at the demonstration together.

To view, CLICK HERE:

LGBT Russia

Due to the large response from London’s LGBT community on facebook the Protest has been moved for safety reasons from outside the Russian Embassy to a more visible location at Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, Westminster close to Downing Street.

The protest has been moved primarily to ensure there is space to accommodate everyone safely.

The Russian Embassy is located down a private road, which is not accessible to the public. At the best, protestors could have lined the street along Bayswater Road, and with the numbers now indicating on Facebook that they will be attending, that was not considered safe.

The nearest tube station is Westminster or Embankment.

LGBT RussiaIn 2012 The Russian government banned all gay pride events throughout the country for the next 100 years.

In 2013, the government adopted a trifecta of anti LGBT bills basically criminalising homosexuality. One bans the distribution of propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors. This law imposes heavy fines for using the media or internet to promote non-traditional relations.

Secondly, the government made it illegal for the adoption of Russian children by gay couples or any single person who comes from a country that recognises marriage equality.

Thirdly, a bill has just been passed giving authorities the rights to arrest foreign nationals whom they suspect being LGBT or pro gay and detain them for up to 14 days.

Ian McKellernThere is talk in the Russian media of the next step being the removal of children from Russian homes, natural or adoptive, from parents who are, or are suspected of being LGBT.

We are witnessing imagery in

The international media have been highlighting violence towards LGBT people and there is growing evidence that the new laws are being broadly interpreted by the Russian public and by the legal system to unfairly and violently persecute, intimidate and vilify LGBT people.

Protestors are calling on David Cameron, the UK Parliament and the G20 to urge the Russian government to repeal these laws and to provide the same level of human rights protection to all of its citizens regardless of their sexuality and gender.

Protest Details:

Static protest and signing of register of protest in support of LGBT people in Russia

Date: August 10, 2013

Location: Richmond Terrace, Westminster SW1A 2JL

Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm

To view the facebook page, CLICK HERE:

Older LGBT and HIV friendly befriending in Eastbourne

Age Concern Eastbourne

Age Concern Eastbourne is LGBT and HIV friendly with many resources available to those living in and around the Eastbourne area.

The William and Patricia Venton Centre in Eastbourne offers many interesting activities to those over the age of 50 ranging from a Eastbourne Rainbow Social Group, Computer Drop in and Lessons, Art Classes, Choir, Day Club, Tai Chi, Line Dancing and many many more.

As part of Age Concern’s Community Services they are developing LGBT and HIV friendly befriending for isolated individuals whether they are living alone in the community, sheltered housing or residential/nursing homes.

A spokesperson said:

“Isolation is damaging to health, with research suggesting that isolation and loneliness can have a similar affect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes per day (Campaign to End Loneliness, 2013).  For those older LGBT people who come from a generation where homosexuality was classified as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation the stigma will never leave them and they will be cautious about who they reveal their sexuality to. This is why we believe it will beneficial to offer LGBT volunteers as part of our befriending service to ensure individuals feel they can be themselves without fear.”

In order to push forward with this development they are looking to recruit volunteers living in or around the Eastbourne area who are willing to give up just a few hours each week to support someone alone and isolated.

Volunteers will need to undergo an enhanced DBS check which reports on any criminal convictions and any bar from working with vulnerable groups. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed and ongoing training and support will be provided.

For further information please EMAIL:  

Or telephone the Centre on 01323 749854

Age Concern Eastbourne

Marlene comes to Brighton

Marlene Dietrich
Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich is one of the most enduring of all gay icons – glamorous, outrageous, brave and entirely unconcerned with convention.

Her long career spanned just about the whole of the 20th century, and her legend continues even now, twenty years after her death.

She started out as a jobbing actress in the glory days of Weimar Berlin in the 1920s. Taking full advantage of the “divine decadence” of the time, she courted the girls and dressed in drag and made full use of the thriving gay scene.

After being starred in the film The Blue Angel she shot to Hollywood fame and became a screen legend second to none. With sixty films under her belt, she was still taking starring roles in the 1970s.

When Hitler came to power, Marlene ditched her German nationality and became an American citizen. From there she joined the allied war effort and gained a reputation for her determination and bravery. The Americans rewarded her with a Medal of Freedom – the highest honour a civilian can achieve, and the French gave her the Legion d’Honneur. The Germans never really forgave her.

Reinventing herself after the war as a first-rate cabaret artist, Marlene toured the world with Burt Bacharach, becoming one of the highest-paid entertainers of all time. Her show was a small work of theatrical genius that kept the crowds flocking.

It was a particular favourite among gay men who recognised an icon when they saw one and it appealed to gay women because they also knew that Marlene was one of their own. She made little secret of her love for other women and she spread her favours generously. Indeed, she was ‘outed’ as a lesbian by Confidential magazine in 1955, but she seems to have shrugged it off and been unaffected.

She also became – as all divas should be – a bit of a monster. When she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival in 1964 she demanded that thousands of programmes that had been printed should be pulped because she didn’t like the pictures they’d chosen. And that was only the beginning of her demands.

Lord Harwood, who was director of the festival, said having Marlene there was one of the most traumatic times of his life, but such was her success that they had to invite her again the following year.

Now veteran gay journalist Terry Sanderson is going to explore the life and career of this fascinating and complex woman in a show at the Marlborough Theatre in Brighton. He will look at her film career, using generous clips from her campest films and then explore her valiant anti-Nazi activities. Finally there will be a showing, on a big screen, of Marlene’s fabulous one-woman show. Recorded in Sweden in 1964, this is Dietrich at her peak.

Terry said:

“Marlene was definitely a woman ahead of her time – so far ahead, in fact, that I don’t think we’ve caught up with her yet. Her unconventional sexuality – was she gay, bisexual, straight or just Queer? – is fascinating. Her films are hypnotic, often only because she is in them, and her cabaret show is a wonder to behold. Once seen, never forgotten. Marlene has been described as a force of nature, and despite the 200 books written about her, we’ve yet to get to the bottom of her fascination.”

WHAT: Marlene Dietrich – an affectionate tribute

WHERE: Marlborough Theatre, 4 Princes Street, Brighton

WHEN: Saturday October 19 2013

TIME: at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

TICKETS: £12,

TO BOOK, CLICK HERE:

 

Small Wonder Short Story Festival 2013

Wonder Festival

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Small Wonder: The Short Story Festival, a celebration of the short story, which takes place at Charleston Barn, Lewes between September 25-29.

To celebrate this milestone the festival will be:

• Announcing The Charleston/Chichester Award for a Life Time’s Excellence in Short Fiction, a major new international literary award in conjunction with University of Chichester.

• Congratulating three Booker long-listed writers: Jim Crace, Jhumpa Lahiri and Alison Macleod.

• Enjoying the love letters between artist Don Bachardy and Christopher Isherwood.

• Playing literary consequences with A.S. Byatt and Adam Foulds.

• Entertaining guests with appearances by DBC Pierre, Naomi Alderman and Lemn Sissay.

Discussing different ways of telling stories with Deborah Levy and psychoanalyst Stephen Grosz.

• Cheering short listed writers and judges for the BBC Short Story Award; the Sunday Times/EFG Short Story Award; the Asham Award; the Frank O’Connor Short Story Award; including Joanna Trollope, Helen Dunmore, Sarah Hall, David Vann and David Constantine.

• Inviting Katherine Mansfield in the 125th anniversary since her birth.

• Hosting a Soho Literary Salon and a Short Story Slam.

• Rocking and rolling with Bob Stanley from Saint Etienne.

• Experimenting with Fringe events for young and old with the Outsider programme.

Diana Reich, artistic director, said:

“This is a landmark year for Small Wonder. Over the past decade, the Festival has become a centre of excellence for the short story and is synonymous with the revival of interest in the genre.

“There is no better way to celebrate this milestone than by launching a new literary prize, together with the University of Chichester, honouring an outstanding record in the publication of remarkable short stories.”

 Full full listings and tickets, CLICK HERE:  

METRO Chief Executive steps down after 10 years

Marguerite McLaughlin BEM
Marguerite McLaughlin BEM

METRO, the London and South East-based equality and diversity charity, has announced that Marguerite McLaughlin BEM is stepping down as its Chief Executive.

Marguerite has led the charity for 10 years overseeing considerable change and growth and strengthening its governance. Under her leadership, METRO has expanded its service provision and reach considerably to provide a range of mental health, sexual health, HIV and youth services to anyone experiencing issues with gender, sexuality, identity and diversity.

Marguerite ensured that METRO was prepared for the many new funding, commissioning and strategic challenges facing the third sector. She has represented METRO locally, regionally, nationally and internationally as a strong advocate for equality and her work has been recognised through a number of awards, including the British Empire Medal earlier this year.

Shannon West, Chair of METRO’s Board of Trustees, said:

“Marguerite has led METRO for 10 years through numerous positive changes and developments and leaves us in a strong, stable position with an expansion of service types and locations and considerable growth in turnover and staff. Marguerite is leaving the organisation for family reasons and will be greatly missed by all staff, volunteers and trustees.

“METRO is unique in providing the range of services that it does – developed in response to the needs of the people and communities we work with and for. We have many important challenges ahead and we are pleased that Dr Greg Ussher is taking the reins as Acting Chief Executive pending permanent recruitment decisions.”

For more information, CLICK HERE:  

Vets2Home provides end-of-life care to your pets

WEB.200.2Vets2Home, a 24/7 end-of-life home vet care service for pets, has been launched in Sussex and Surrey.

The at-home animal hospice is one of the first UK-based, specialised animal hospices, or end-of-life care providers, offering individual home consultations 24/7 to owners whose pet may have been diagnosed with terminal illness, or has reached an age that affects their body and mind.

Susan Gregerson, founder and managing director, said:

“We want people to know that we’re here to help at all hours of the day and night. We will tailor-make a care plan for your animal so it can be pain free through to a natural or, more often, an assisted death. This is more than possible at home.”

Susan says she has had too many requests to put down a pet that clearly still enjoys life and is not yet suffering, but the owner simply can’t bear the unknown or is unsure of what is to come.

She continues:

“Fear is the number one reason people choose euthanasia too early. If owners make this choice because they don’t know what to expect or how to deal with the situation, they may miss out on the intimate and often emotionally healing process of final-stage care for their pets.

“Gentle home euthanasia is available at any stage, as long as the owner feels prepared and is ready for it.”

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Thank you from THT

THTDear Gscene,

“Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff and customers of The Brighton Sauna and Brighton Sauna Two for their recent donation of £645. The money was raised from their free day. The money raised will help support local safer sex resources provision and rapid HIV testing services which we deliver in both saunas.”

Kiod regards,

Ross Boseley

 

Brighton photographer’s work featured in London exhibition

Identity ExhibitionThe “Identity” exhibition runs at Manbarsoho until 30th September 2013.

Mikesbliss & Manbarsoho are presenting a selection of artists exploring the many aspects of gay identity.

The exhibition features the work of Mikesbliss, Blue Popovic, Kuba Wojtas, Sabeena Gunga, Bradley Mallett, Conor Collins, Frank Loman and Brighton photographer Manel Ortega.

The artists are exhibiting work from photography, fashion illustration to painting all exploring the themes of gay identity in the 21st century.

Mikesbliss wanted to bring together a group of artists that may not have had the opportunity to exhibit their work in the heart of Soho.

WHAT: Identity: Artists exploring their gay identity

WHERE: Manbarsoho, 79 Charing Cross road, London, WC2H 0NE

WHEN: Until September 30th 2013

TIME: Open evenings

NEAREST TUBE: Leicester Square

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: 

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