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Anger as Sussex University LGBTQ student group bans use of the word ‘Dyke’

A row has broken out between the LGBTQ student group at Sussex University and two local lesbian artists.

Rose Collis and VG Lee are both popular and highly-respected writers and performers. Rose’s one-woman show, Trouser-Wearing Character has been a national and international hit over the last 18 months, while Lee was shortlisted for Stonewall Writer of the Year in 2012. Both are currently in the running, respectively, for Planet London’s Arts Event of the Year and Author of the Year awards.

Their new show Bah! Humbuggers (or Dyke the Halls) described as an evening of hardly festive fun, words and music plays at the Emporium in Brighton on December 1 and 2 and the Hideaway in London on December 15. The proceeds from the London show are going to benefit the Kids’ City organisation who provide out of school activities for children in Wandworth and Lambeth.

To help publicise the shows the performers posted the event on the Facebook page, Sussex LGBTQ, for the LGBTQ Society at USSU – University of Sussex Students’ Union

Emily Weaver, chair of Sussex LGBTQ group contacted the performers saying: “I am contacting you today as we are going to remove your post regarding Bah Humbuggers on our timeline. We have a safe space policy in place on our page and unfortunately the word ‘Dyke’ violates this policy. As a society we pride ourselves on promoting a safe space which means everyone should be able to participate in a safe environment. We find ourselves in a situation where members of the society felt uncomfortable with having an event posted which included the term Dyke. As a society we are bound to providing a safe space by the student union guidelines and we never take deleting a post lightly however in certain circumstances for example, when we feel safe space is being violated this is a necessary step. We do not have a problem with your event just the word included in the name. We are happy for you to repost your event without the word Dyke if you wish to. I apologise if this causes an inconvenience.”

Rose Collis
Rose Collis

Rose said: “My first thought was ‘you’ve got to be kidding me’. I’ve been a self-defined out and proud dyke activist for 34 years, marching and campaigning for gay rights before it became a trendy social event. At City Limits, I was the UK’s first-ever journalist hired solely to cover dyke culture and politics. Much of my journalism and books have been about unearthing and celebrating dyke culture and history. And now I’m being told that a word and definition, steeped in our history and reclaimed by lesbian women, is taboo and ‘violates safe space’. It’s staggeringly ignorant, beyond insulting and politically-correct censorship gone mad”.

VG Lee
VG Lee

VG Lee’s added: “As well as being an author, I am also a comedian and would find the email from Sussex LGBTQ hilarious, if it was not so insidious. I am not aware that ‘Dyke’ is a banned word. I realise that there will always be someone who is unhappy with an assigned name. Personally I don’t much like being called a ‘lezzer’ but someone using it wouldn’t pose a threat to me. This appears to be censorship because of personal taste or the view of a few. That is not sufficient reason to ask us to remove the word that I personally cherish!”

 

Rose continued: “Apparently, according to their Stalinist view of the world and queer politics, no woman is allowed to define herself as a ‘dyke’ – because it makes space ‘unsafe’. Interestingly, they had no problems with the word ‘buggers’.”

“For decades, millions of women around the world have been proud to define themselves as ‘Dykes’. In fact, in several major cities – including San Francisco and London – ‘Dyke Marches’ have been re-born in recent years and proved highly popular, as well as making a political statement.”

Facebook friends of the performers were not slow in making their views known on Facebook.

Former Gscene columnist, Kate Wildblood, a mature student and fabulous dyke wrote on her blog, Perfect Distractions“The word dyke isn’t a long lost description of folks like me who find sustenance and sauce in the arms of women. Its a term used everyday. By us queers and, yes, those who have a problem with us. In playgrounds, on school buses, in the street, in life.” 

Jayne Roger a Facebook friend of Rose and VG, chipped in saying: “If you are offended by the Dyke word please shove your head back up your arse or vagina, as you please”.

The chair of the LGBTQ group has been asked to comment.

To read the University of Sussex Students Union safe space policy, CLICK HERE: 

To vote for Rose and VG in the Planet London awards, CLICK HERE:

 

Rose Collis

WHAT: Bah! Humbuggers (Or Dyke the Halls)

WHERE: Emporium, London Road, Brighton

WHEN: Sunday, December 1: Monday, December 2

TIME: Doors open 7.30pm, show at 8pm

COST: Tickets £12/£10.

To book online and get a 5% discount, CLICK HERE:

 

LGBT people murdered by the Nazis remembered

Remembrance Day Brighton 2013: LGBT wreath

Cllr Mike Jones laid a wreath for LGBT people who lost their lives during the Second World War at the remembrance day service this morning, Sunday, November 10, which took place at the War Memorial on the Old Steine in Brighton.

The text on the wreath read:

“In remembrance of the tens of thousands of LGBT men and women who were persecuted, tortured and murdered in concentration camps throughout Europe by Nazi Germany.

“In remembrance too of LGBT persons who have served and died for their country past and present.

“We Will Remember Them.”

T’PAU 25 : Craig Hanlon-Smith talks to Carol Decker about her 25th anniversary tour

Carol Decker
Carol Decker

Carol Decker and T’Pau first appeared on the music scene in 1987 with the quadruple platinum album Bridge of Spies which spawned five hit singles including the US smash Heart and Soul which stayed on the Billboard charts for six months. China in Your Hand remained at the top of the UK charts for five weeks and the country went T’Pau mad.

The albums Rage and The Promise followed as did sell out tours culminating in performances at Wembley Arena and Birmingham NEC.

Having recently become a mainstay of Here & Now tours and Rewind festivals, Carol marks the 25th anniversary of T’Pau with a headline UK tour in April, May and June with co-founder Ronnie Rogers, and a new compilation CD/DVD The Story Behind The Tracks.

What are your memories of T’Pau’s success? 

“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years. Sometimes it seems like five minutes ago but then I catch an old T’Pau video and we all look like babies and I realise how long ago it was. I look at my daughter Scarlett who is now 14 and I see her face not mine in those videos. My memories range from reigning at number one in many countries to shaking hands with the great and the good: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Elton John, Debbie Harry; singing for Charles and Diana; selling out arenas; tons of exciting show biz bashes like the Brits and the Ivor Novello Awards and of course when we misbehaved on tour!

“In the years immediately after, there seemed to be somewhat of an 1980s back-lash. It was a politically challenging time, the music and fashion were laughed off as uncool and lacking substance, but now we can’t get enough of it.”

What’s your experience of that in/out cycle and why are we all 1980s crazy again? 

“For a time we were almost reviled as cheesy 1980s pop stars and I was totally out in the cold. It was incredulous to me as the 1980s was the most diverse, creative and imaginative decade for everything from technology to fashion and music, it was such an optimistic time. I think after the dirge of the 1990s people wanted to have fun again and so rediscovered us. I got a call in 2001 to do a Here & Now tour and I haven’t stopped working since on a variety of 1980s line-ups and big 1980s weekenders.

“The live work is the thing, people want to see us in the flesh. Performing live has always been vital to what I do. I really enjoyed going to gigs myself, to be in the same room as the artist I admired was so exciting, so the smaller the gig the better from that point of view. Having said that I do really get off on performing to vast crowds at festivals.

“Live work is the mainstay of my career these days with the record companies having practically disintegrated and illegal downloading annihilating that part of our income stream. Being there on the stage is about the only part an artist can control.”

At the height of your success, there was a real surge in the presence and success of women in international music. What do you think inspired that female dominance of music or helped enable it? 

“I don’t know why that happened, I have always just done my own thing. I know I was inspired by all sorts of artists, male and female, I didn’t only look at female role models but maybe the time was right for determined women like me to punch through. I can’t speak for the likes of Cher or Madonna’s success any more than I can speak for Bon Jovi’s. This is a tough business and you have to be wilful to get somewhere. You have to believe in your music and persuade the money men that you’re worth a bet.

In the entertainment world, women over fifty are/were sometimes seen as very much in the shadows, we’re obsessed with the next ingénue and the eternal quest for youth. Recently Olivia Newton John played Brighton on her first UK tour since 1978, Cher and Agnetha from ABBA are about to release new material, Bonnie Tyler is representing the UK at Eurovision and here you are with T’Pau25.”

What do we want from the pop stateswomen that we don’t get from the younger crew? 

“The young still like the artists of their own generation, that’s not changed. We older girls appeal to our original fan base and I think that the 40-something demographic wants to hear the music they grew up with and will spend money on going to a show. I think they like the fact that we are still doing it, respect us for it and I think my fans like my single mindedness as well as my music.

“If I’d listened years ago to all the nay-sayers who told me the odds were stacked against success I’d never have had a career so I don’t listen to anyone who thinks I should hang up my mic. I’ll do it when I want to.”

China in Your Hand featured on X Factor last year. What advice would you give young artists trying to make it in the music industry and would you have gone on that type show in your early career? 

I may well have gone down that route, why not? As long as you prove yourself, who cares how you get your break. Having said that I’m SO over reality shows – it’s all a bit dull. I think these shows clog up the industry and it seems like it’s the only way now. The whole point of being a musician is to not conform.

I was 28 when I got my record deal and 30 when China was number one and I was still totally overwhelmed by what happened to me. Maybe I would’ve been even more so if I’d been very young, who knows? I don’t blame kids for giving it a shot, the rewards seem so appealing, but we’ve bred a generation who think it’s their right to be famous on very little talent but there’s no easy way – it’s hard work.”

What can we expect at T’Pau25 live shows? 

“We’ll be performing the big hits, favoured album tracks and a couple of ‘ones that got away’. I have a rocking band and I’m so happy that Ronnie can to do the tour.”

What are your personal favourites from the T’Pau back catalogue? 

“I love Heart & Soul from Bridge of Spies. It’s hip and a cool groove and my favourite song as a writer. A Place In My Heart from The Promise album has a stadium rock feel and gets you up on your feet! Road To Our Dream from Rage is a story of endeavour, an everyman tale and I think most people connect with the idea that anything worth pursuing isn’t always easy to achieve.”

For full 30 date tour including south coast venues, CLICK HERE: 

For the Story Behind The Tracks CD/DVD, CLICK HERE:

Eastbourne Rainbow celebrates second anniversary

Eastbourne Rainbow organisers
Derek Andrews, Ken Ashworth and Chris Roby

Eastbourne Rainbow, AGE Concern’s social group for 50plus LGBT people in Eastbourne is celebrating a very successful second year.

The groups monthly afternoon meetings with guest speakers and monthly coffee mornings have continued to be very well attended all year.

Group members together with others now also organise a social evening every Wednesday at the Da Vinci Hotel in Eastbourne. This social event has also proved to be very popular.

In addition the group has made several visits to the theatre, cinema, once to the Towner Gallery, a Christmas afternoon tea as well as taking part in Stonewall’s 10th Equality Walk in Brighton, raising over £350.

The group are also involved in committee work with outside agencies such as the Police, East Sussex Adult Social Care to highlight issues and concerns of older LGBT people and they are helping in the development of an LGBT Befriending Service at AGE Concern.

In the coming year they look forward to welcoming

New members are always welcome and in the coming year they look forward to strengthening links with similar groups in London, Brighton and Hastings.

For more details about Eastbourne Rainbow and its activities, CLICK HERE: www.eastbournerainbow.org.uk

Telephone 07516670654 to text or leave a message.

Gay Catholics urged to tell their stories

John Wijngaards
John Wijngaards

The John Wijngaards Catholic Research Centre’s new website is providing an independent space to document the experiences of Catholics who have had their lives and faith challenged by the Vatican’s current teachings on contraception, homosexuality and access to communion for the divorced and remarried.

Miriam Duignan, a member of the JW Catholic Research Centre team, said:

“These issues are particularly significant for younger Catholics who often have great difficulty in reconciling their faith with the Vatican’s attitudes to contraception and homosexuality.”

The website will pass along the views expressed on the platform to Church representatives ahead of the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops focusing on the family in October 2014.

The Synod of Bishops aim to address the serious challenges of the social and spiritual crisis in today’s world. Their deadline for investigating views on many of the key issues is December 6, which campaigners for modernising Church attitudes believe unreasonable and potentially stifling to debate.

John Wijngaards, a Catholic Scholar, author and director of an international faith formation centre charity, is heading the JW Catholic Research Centre team.

He said:

“The deadline is inadequate if the Church and its Bishops are serious about addressing these fundamental topics.”

Adding:

“These are key issues affecting and blighting so many people’s lives, their voices need to be heard. The current teachings are based on a misguided interpretation of natural law which was nurtured by medieval theologians. They have no place in a 21st century Catholic Church”

The opportunity offered by the John Wijngaards Catholic Research Centre is unquestionably rare.

To contribute CLICK HERE: 

 

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