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Aids Memorial vandalised

‘Tay’ the Brighton Aids Memorial was desecrated over the weekend.

Brighton Aids Memorial

The memorial sculptured by Mark Romany Bruce is located in New Steine Gardens off St James Street, Kemptown.

Graffiti in black spray paint was daubed on the front and the back of the memorials pedestal taking the form of a spray artist’s tag.

Paul Elgood
Paul Elgood

Paul Elgood is chair of the Rainbow Fund whose responsibility it is maintain the Aids Memorial.

He said: “Nearly five years on, the AIDS memorial has stood the test of time well. However, every so often vandalism does occur, and this is very sad. This latest attack shows the community needs to be ever vigilant!’

The Graffiti was reported to City Clean whose Graffiti Team had cleaned the memorial by Tuesday morning.

Brighton Aids Memorial

New service for victims of domestic abuse in Brighton and Hove

New drop-in surgery every Wednesday at Hove Town Hall.

Hove Town Hall

Sussex Police and RISE, the Brighton and Hove domestic abuse charity have joined together to offer a new Domestic Abuse Drop-in ‘Surgery’, with the support of Brighton & Hove City Council.

The surgery will be available at the Customer Centre at Hove Town Hall, every Wednesday morning between 9am and 12 noon.

Through the Service, which adds to the ongoing Sussex-wide ‘talk to us’ campaign, focusing on domestic abuse, women and men of all ages will be able to access expert information and advice from Sussex Police staff and RISE volunteers.

The surgery offers people a safe space to talk through their concerns, a chance to find out more about the options available to them as well as access to assistance with their housing options and finances.

People will also be able to find out more about their partner’s offending history so that they can make more informed choices. Each case is considered individually and information will be shared when it could reduce the risk of someone being a victim of crime.

Louise (not her real name) a local domestic abuse survivor who now supports the work of RISE, believes that new services like the surgery are vital in encouraging people to reach out and access support.

Reflecting on her own experience of making a report, Louise said: “It took me 24 hours to make it to a police station after I had been assaulted. It was only a few streets away but felt strange and alien. I had a heavy feeling knowing that I had to make the change and stand up to the person who had hurt me. I walked slowly there, even stopping for coffee to put it off; I wasn’t even sure the police would take action and worried that the abuse wouldn’t stop.

“When I got to the police station I just started crying, right there at the front desk. They were fantastic and being listened to and believed made me feel safe. The new domestic abuse surgery would have been a really good option and far less daunting. I would be very pleased to see it succeed in making people feel safe in discussing any worries they have about themselves or people they know. Hopefully the informal setting will make people feel more comfortable and make it easier to report abusive behaviour.”

More than 10 incidents of domestic abuse are reported to Police and council workers in the city each day. But behind these statistics are personal tales of fear, intimidation and often violence. It is believed that the true picture will be much higher as often abuse goes on ‘behind closed doors’. It is estimated that up to 6,000 people experienced violence or abuse last year.

Cllr Jason Kitcat
Cllr Jason Kitcat

Cllr Jason Kitcat, Brighton & Hove City Council Leader and chair of the Community Safety Forum, said: “Domestic abuse destroys lives and that’s why we’re determined to prevent it. Working closely with city partners we run a whole range of services and initiatives to not only make sure residents know what domestic abuse is but where they can get help to stop it.

“This ranges from educating school children about healthy relationships, providing direct advice and help to those affected or offering a refuge to those directly under threat.

“This is the first walk in domestic abuse surgery in the city and as such will provide easy access every Wednesday morning at HoveTown Hall to residents who need some expert advice and support.”

Chief Super Nev Kemp
Chief Super Nev Kemp

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp added: “Every day of the year, voluntary and statutory organisations work in our city to encourage people to access support and advice as early as possible and before abuse escalates. The surgery is another way that people can talk to us and our partners at RISE. It is an additional service being offered and is open to everyone in the city.”

Gail Gray, CEO of RISE a local domestic abuse charity, said: “RISE is very happy to be involved in supporting this new initiative. RISE is very keen to increase access to support for survivors of domestic abuse in Brighton and Hove”.

Katy Bourne
Katy Bourne

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, concluded: “Any new way of making domestic abuse services more accessible to those who need them, has my full support. The Domestic Abuse Drop-in ‘Surgery’ demonstrates that partner work and sharing best practise is essential if we want to encourage more reporting of this hideous crime. I look forward to following the progress of this new project and meeting some of the staff and volunteers involved.”

To access the drop in visit Hove Town Hall and ask for ‘The Surgery’ at reception.

This latest initiative supports the ongoing Sussex Police Talk to us campaign focusing on domestic abuse.

For details. CLICK HERE: 

Or telephone: 101 or 01273 470101

If you don’t want to talk to the police, call the RISE helpline on 01273622822 

For more information about Rise, CLICK HERE: 

The 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline is also available on 0808 2000 247

 

 

 

Dreams never end

New alternative clubnight for Hove.

Dream never end

Dreams Never End a new club night in Hove playing only vinyl takes inspiration from club entrepreneurs Tony Wilson and Steve Strange, who put ideals and personal vision above profit and mass-popularity.

This is not a nostalgia night, Dreams Never End differs to other available alternative nights because it doesn’t just play records from one particular genre or decade, Lee Perry rubs shoulders with Kraftwerk and PJ Harvey, there are no rules other than the music must be on vinyl.

The night begins with a dub/reggae bias including the Ruts, Clash and Basement 5 who were influenced by Jamaican music.

After 9.30 expect Au Pairs, Slits, Felt and Wooden Shjips, mixed with Sparks, Bjork, and Mogwai with dance mixes from Massive Attack, ACR, On-U, EBTG, Prince, Japan and some unexpected classic alternative tracks thrown in that are guaranteed to raise a whoop or two. DJs will respond to the audience on the night and include the best new alternative vinyl releases.

What: Dreams never end club

Where: Upstairs at the Alibi, 22 Victoria Terrace, Hove

When: Saturday March 1

Time: 8.30pm – late

Cost: £4 (students free with ID)

 

THT launches first UK guide to support over-50s living with HIV

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) launches the UK’s first guide with advice for health and social care staff on how to support older people living with HIV.

Terrence Higgins Trust

The Health, Wealth & Happiness Good Practice Guide is aimed at staff working within the NHS, adult social services and community settings. As well as highlighting the challenges that older people living with HIV can face, the guide offers practical advice about how to commission and deliver services for this group, including peer mentoring, advice and group work projects.

The guide is free to download CLICK HERE:

Older people are the fastest-growing group living with HIV in the UK. In 2012, an estimated 24,510 people with the condition were aged 50 or over. These numbers are set to double over the next five years, as people with HIV age and others contract the virus later in life.

THT’s ground breaking research project 50 Plus revealed that a significant proportion of people living with HIV over the age of 50 live alone, experience poverty, have limited family support, and are likely to need support from formal services – such as social services, care homes and sheltered housing – as they age.

Paul Ward
Paul Ward

Paul Ward, Acting Chief Executive at THT, said: “There are now as many as 25,000 older people with HIV in the UK, and this number is only going to rise. It’s vital that health and social care staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to properly support this group, especially as they often have complex needs. We hope our guide will raise awareness of the specific difficulties older people with HIV can face, and help services gear up to ensure appropriate support is in place.”

The Good Practice Guide has been created as part of Terrence Higgins Trust’s Health, Wealth & Happiness project, a pilot initiative funded by the Big Lottery Fund and the Daily Mail.

For further information on the Good Practice Guide, or the Health, Wealth & Happiness project, CLICK HERE:

Letter to editor: Thank you New Steine Hotel

Paul Elgood
Paul Elgood

“I would like to thank Herve and all the staff at the New Steine Hotel for allowing the Rainbow Fund to use their function room for our meetings.

“This saves on our costs and means that donated money by the public can be used for much needed grants to community groups, not on room hire and refreshments. It is good to have such widespread support for the work of the Rainbow Fund, and we are grateful.”

Paul Elgood
Chairman of the Rainbow Fund

Exeter City Football Club say NO to homophobia

Exeter City Football Club to take a stand against homophobia in football at its home game with Rochdale on Saturday, February 22.

Exeter Football Club

The match has been designated as the Club’s annual Football v Homophobia fixture – a move welcomed by the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust and its One Game One Community (OGOC) Group.

The OGOC Group is organising a series of initiatives at the match working in partnership with the Devon Lions, the local gay friendly football club.

Artur Krysiak
Exeter City’s OGOC Ambassador, first team goalkeeper Artur Krysiak

The anti-homophobia campaign has been backed by Exeter City’s OGOC Ambassador, first team goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, who said:  “Football should be a game for all to enjoy. There is no place for prejudice and discrimination”

Also supporting the special focus on opposing homophobia is Alan Quick, South West Co-ordinator for Football v Homophobia, Founding Trustee of Exeter Pride and a member of the Exeter City OGOC Group.

Alan said: “It is really positive to see Exeter City taking such a principled stance. Everyone, be they player, official, employee or fan, should be free to be themselves. Exeter City takes a firm stand against things like inappropriate chanting or hateful or prejudiced language which is to be congratulated.”

Exeter City’s One Game One Community Group is part of the national Kick it Out campaign which aims to address all types of discrimination in football including race, disability, gender, age and sexual orientation.

For more information about the Kick It Out campaign, CLICK HERE:

Football V Homophobia

 

Do you want to stay safe?

MindOut will be running Personal Safety Workshops to equip people with personal safety skills.

Personal Safety Workshops

The personal safety trainers specialise in working for groups with differing needs. A good sense of personal safety is an important aspect of someone’s wellbeing and can make a real difference for participation in city life.

Jason SawJason Saw, Team Leader at MindOut said: “Many of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people who use our services talk to us about personal safety. Some worry about or have found themselves in situations where they feel unsafe, while others have been threatened or have experienced violence.

“The workshops aim to explore personal safety issues and concerns experienced by LGBT individuals and communities and will help participants improve self-confidence, assert personal boundaries, stay safe and manage threatening situations”

The workshops are free to participants, with a £10 deposit refundable on completion of the workshop.

Places are limited. If you would like to book a place or talk to MindOut about the workshops, or if you have any other concerns about your personal safety, get in touch.

Telephone Jason on 01273 234 839

If you would like to talk to someone about staying safe in the city generally, contact Rory Smith, LGBT Liaison/Hate Crime Co-ordinator: Tel: 101 Ext. 550727. Mobile: 07775 546 548.

Or EMAIL:

For more information about MindOut, CLICK HERE: 

 

 

Boxing film battles homophobia

Perez Bros tackle homophobia in sport with new short film, The Weigh In (2014).

Perez Bros

Following the introduction of the new gay propoganda laws against LGBT people in Russia and just in time to highlight discrimination at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Perez Bros have released a new short film entitled, The Weigh In (2014).

Inspired by their film production work with Showtime Sports and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Perez Bros have created a film that shatters stereotypes and brings a new meaning to concept of ‘contact sports.’

The Perez Bros are award-winning directors living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are best known for their work as co-directors on music videos and short narratives. Their films have been featured on ESPN and have played throughout the international festival circuit. Their style has often been described as comedic, surreal, and always creative.

To watch the film, CLICK HERE:

Perez Bros

Suicide Memorial Vigil

MindOut, the LGBT mental health project are organising the annual Suicide Memorial Vigil on April 2.

Suicide Memorial Vigil

The purpose of the Vigil is to remember all LGBT friends or family who have been lost to or affected by suicide.

Gather besides the MindOut memorial tree in St Ann’s Well Gardens in Hove at 6pm.

For more information telephone: 01273 234 839

Or EMAIL: 

What: Suicide Memorial Vigil

Where: St Ann’s Well Gardens

When: Wednesday, April 2

Time: 6pm

 

Perfume Garden returns

Legendary DJ Pete Wardman headlines reunion party.

Perfumed Garden

Perfume Garden, Brighton’s original hard dance production returns for a very special reunion party on Saturday, March 29 from 2pm til 9pm @ Boutique Brighton, Boyces St.

DJ LINE-UP includes:

Little Rob (Beyond, Bioshokk, Menthol,)

Superfast Oz (Kaktai, OD404, Tidy Trax)

• International superstar DJ Pete Wardman

In January 2003, Gscene wrote: “has to be one of the friendliest mixed party nights on the Brighton underground scene. The promoters make a huge effort every month, they provide the best lighting effects and know how to use them. For many people this is their favourite night of the month-nuff said! ”

Expect the friendliest mixed polysexual party crowd on the Brighton underground club scene and of course the very very best in hard house and trance.

What: Perfume Garden

Where: Boutique Brighton, 2 Boyces Street, Brighton, BN1 1AN

When: Saturday March 29, 2014

Door Times: 2pm (1400hrs) to 9pm (2100hrs)

TICKET INFO:– Limited £10 earlybird tickets available from www.moreonthedoor.com

There are also a few Super Early Bird tickets available at £5

 

 

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