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Day: August 28, 2014

PREVIEW: Gareth Thomas at The Old Market

Posted on by Besi

Gareth Thomas opens up about being the first professional sportsman to come out while still playing professionally.

Gareth Thomas

Gareth had it all. He was a national hero, a sporting icon, a leader of men, captain of Wales and the British Lions. To him, rugby was an expression of cultural identity, a sacred code. It was no mere ball game. It gave him everything, except the freedom to be himself.

Gareth Thomas, ProudProud: His Autobiography is the story of a man with a secret that was slowly killing him. Something that might devastate not only his own life but the lives of his wife, family, friends and teammates.

The only place where he could find any refuge from the pain and guilt of the lie he was living was on the pitch, playing the sport he loved. But all his success didn’t make the strain of hiding who he really was go away. His fear that telling the truth about his sexuality would lose him everything he loved, almost sent him over the edge.

Gareth will be in conversation at the Old Market in Hove on September 21 with his co-writer Michael Calvin. Michael is chief sports writer with the Independent on Sunday, has twice been named Sports Reporter of the Year and is author of the critically acclaimed book The Nowhere Men.

Gareth has played rugby union for Bridgend, Celtic Warriors, Toulouse and Cardiff Blues, winning 100 international caps for Wales and captaining the British and Irish Lions. In 2010 he switched to rugby league, playing for the Crusaders RL, and for Wales.

Gareth announced publicly in 2009 that he was gay, and was voted the most influential gay person by Stonewall that year. He retired from rugby in October 2011.

Gareth Thomas will sign copies of his books after the event.

Event: Gareth Thomas in conversation with Michael Calvin

Where: The Old Market Theatre, Brighton

When: Sunday, September 21, 2014

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: The Old Market Theatre, Upper Market Street, Brighton

Tickets: £12

Box office: 01273 201 801

For more information, CLICK HERE:

 

Kirby’s re-election campaign steps up a gear

Posted on by Sarah Green

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven will be welcoming several hundred volunteers to Brighton this weekend.

Simon Kirby, MP

The volunteers are coming to support Simon’s campaign for re-election as MP for the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency and to see what Brighton has to offer to visitors.

The visit is part of the Conservative Party’s ‘RoadTrip 2015’ campaigning initiative where Conservative volunteers visit a constituency and help the candidate with canvassing and leaflet delivery.

The Brighton visit has a twist as many of the volunteers will be staying overnight and enjoying all the sights and entertainments that the city has to offer.

Simon said: “I am delighted that I can welcome so many people to our city. The hundreds of volunteers will not only be helping my campaign but having a great time later in the day. I will be encouraging everyone to visit restaurants and cafes of Brighton and to sample everything our great city has to offer.”

Looking to adopt?

Posted on by Besi

PACT adopters to share their stories at coming information events.

Parents and Children Together

PACT adopters will share their stories at upcoming information events in Oxford, London and Brighton in a bid to help find more loving homes for some of the 4,550 children waiting to be matched with new adoptive families.

Parents And Children Together (PACT) assesses, approves and supports people as adopters and dual approved carers across London and the South.

Information events are being held for those thinking about adopting or becoming dual approved and offering a loving home to children who aren’t able to return home to their birth family.

PACT adopters Jacek and Andrzej, who adopted two brothers last year, will be speaking at an event at PACT’s new Brighton office on October 1.

Jacek said: “Andrzej and I adopted two brothers through PACT last year, it was a dream come true to become dads and family life ever since has been filled with love, joy and laughter.

“PACT has been supportive throughout our journey and we are pleased they are coming to Brighton with a new office to help more families to choose adoption.”

PACT’s IAAM Manager Amanda Davies will also be at the events to talk about some of the children waiting to be adopted, and the support available from PACT’s therapeutic services.

Forthcoming PACT Adoption and Dual Approval Information evenings include:

Thursday 9th September, 7pm – 8.30pm, PACT Oxford, Watlington Road, OX4 6BZ

Monday 22nd September, 6.30pm – 8pm, St Saviour’s Church, Pimlico, SW1V 3QW

Wednesday 1st October, 6.30pm – 8pm, PACT Brighton, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, BN1 3XG

Thursday 23rd October, 6.30pm – 8pm, CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, London, N1 6AH

Thursday 6th November, 7pm – 8.30pm, PACT Oxford, Watlington Road, OX4 6BZ

For full event details and to register your interest in attending, CLICK HERE:

Or telephone 0300 456 4800.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

 

 

Elly Barnes to open family-themed Herts Pride

Posted on by Besi

Elly Barnes, CEO and founder of Educate and Celebrate will open Herts Pride 2014 under the theme We Are Family on Saturday, August 30 at Cassiobury Park, Watford.

Elly Barnes
Elly Barnes

This year over 20 acts are due to appear on the various stages including the main stage, cabaret tent as well as in the wellbeing and market zones. Organisers say they are putting on an event that all the family can enjoy!

The event starts at 11am and Elly will be welcoming attendees and opening the festivities.

Elly said: “I’m very excited to officially open Herts Pride, it’s a complete pleasure and a great honour! I wholeheartedly believe that Pride events are incredibly important in keeping our journey to equality in people’s conscientiousness, to change hearts and minds and challenge the ongoing discrimination many LGBT people face. Pride is an opportunity to celebrate but also a fantastic opportunity to educate about how we can create a prejudice-free society.

“I am extremely proud that Educate and Celebrate has had a major presence at so many UK Pride events this year including Birmingham, London, Essex, Suffolk and Norwich. When we attend Prides we participate in all aspects: we march with teachers and students, meet with the crowds, distribute free resources, discuss current issues facing the LGBT community on panel debates and educate people from the main stage. Local press coverage also ensures positive visibility of LGBT people such as ITV coverage of Norwich Pride”

Herts Pride organiser Tyson Martin added: “The Hertfordshire Pride Society is a group of friendly, passionate, creative volunteers from the local lesbian, gay men, bisexual and trans community and their straight allies who organise an annual Pride event in Hertfordshire “Herts Pride”. Our theme for Herts Pride 2014 is “We are Family” a celebration of diverse families, same sex marriage, civil partnerships, relationships and friendships.

“Herts Pride is proud to have Elly Barnes opening our event we believe that it is important that our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans and straight ally youth feel empowered to find their places in the world, in their families, and in their communities.”

Thousands attended the first Herts Pride in Watford in 2013 and the organisers are expecting a big turnout again this year.

People attending the event can find the Educate and Celebrate stall in the ‘Market Zone’ and come and speak to representatives about how they can make their schools, colleges and workplace LGBT-friendly.

For further details, CLICK HERE: 

Herts Pride is a family fun day event in Hertfordshire that aims to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit, through raising awareness of discrimination on age, disability, race, religion and belief, and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Herts Pride main event is free but there are three types of wristbands available if you want to access the Cabaret Marquee and licensed bar areas:

• Cabaret Marquee £5 online in advance £10 on the day

• Load of Hay in the Park Access All Areas £20 online (not on sale on the day)

• VIP Wristband £10 in advance online £15 on the day

For details of the free entertainmenton offer from 11am-9pm, CLICK HERE:

 

From Broadway to Brighton

Posted on by Besi

With homage to Oscar and Centre Stage!

Michael McGarrigle and Alasdair Jarvie
Michael McGarrigle and Alasdair Jarvie

After a quick refit, Bar Broadway threw open its doors on the eve of Pride 2014 with the promise of bringing something ‘completely different’ to the Brighton commercial gay scene.

Business partners Alasdair Jarvie and Michael McGarrigle have joined forces to open Brighton’s only gay bar dedicated to the movies, musicals and all things camp. The concept is very simple, premium drinks, friendly staff, glamorous surroundings and singalongs with a live piano player which all creates a great social atmosphere for people of all ages.

The venue has been decorated very tastefully with plenty of high stools around the bar to sit and view the showclips on the TV screens, listen to the live piano player or watch the entertainment.

Even when the TV screens are on, sound levels aren’t too high and you can still chat and socialise. Michael says, “if you can visualise something like Centre Stage in the Canary Islands, or Oscars on Canal Street in Manchester, it’s that type of bar.”

Michael who formerly owned Oscars has worked as a costume supervisor and buyer in TV and film for the last 30 years, working most recently on Benidorm. His other credits include DCI Banks, Whitechapel, Prisoners Wives and the Syndicate. Over the years he has worked with A list stars including Laurence Olivier, Paul McCartney, Sean Connery and Joan Collins to mention just a few and is good mates with Brighton based actress Denise Black who hosted the karaoke evening at Bar Broadway on Pride weekend.

Alasdair comes from a computer product planning and finance background at Intel Corporation. He loves writing and his play Someone Borrowed, Someones Blue – The Musical won the 3MT best comedy play award at Manchester Pride in 2013. Bar Broadway allows him to combine the two passions of his life, musicals and beer.

He started and ran his own theatre company in Manchester in 2010 with Jayne Marshall called the New Attitude Theatre Company producing eleven different productions in that period, and are planning to bring some of the productions to Brighton starting with Life In A Bubble this December.

The theatre above Bar Broadway will continue as a theatre space called Other Place at Bar Broadway.

Every Monday at 8.30pm is the Big Showbiz Quiz with weekly prizes and a rolling cash jackpot. The Fireplace Sessions every Tuesday from 9pm feature live music, comedy and cabaret. The inimitable Trudy Styles hosts Name That Show Tune with the Piano man every Wednesday from 7pm and Tabitha hosts the Open Mic night on Thursday from 9pm. Every Friday and Saturday it’s easy listening from 4-8pm, then modern musical clips on the TV screens from 8-11pm finishing with the Broadway Jukebox from 11pm-3am. Every Sunday a live pianist brings you the Sound of Broadway from 5pm.

Happy hour is all day Monday and Tuesday and 4-8pm on all other days with bottles of fine wine from Matthew Clarke at £11, Budvar at £3.50 and Tuacca at £2.

Already word from the cocktail circuit crowd is that Bar Broadway is different and offers the more mature customer a great night out with a camp twist.

You’ll find Bar Broadway tucked away at 10 Steine Street around the corner from Subline and Poison Ivy.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Bar Broadway

 

 

Warwick Rowers march at Manchester Pride

Posted on by Besi

Matt and Laurence, two of the stars of the Warwick Rowers calendar, joined Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton at Manchester Pride last weekend to raise awareness of their new charity Sports Allies.

Warwick Rowers & Anthony Cotton

The charity is being set up to fight homophobia through sport.

Over the last five years the naked oarsmen of the Warwick Rowers calendars have grown dramatically in popularity. The team did their first calendar in 2009 to raise money for the rowing club and now sell their products across the world, raising money for their new charity initiative Sport Allies as well.

Warwick Rowers

Angus Malcolm, photographer and producer of the Warwick Rowers calendar, said: “We had a great time at the event – the LGBT community are fantastic supporters of the boys and we wanted them to know more about our ambitions for the charity.”

Sport Allies was launched in February this year and has already won the backing of top professional services firm Ernst & Young (EY).

The aim of the charity is to create a world where all young people can access sport as an opportunity to define, develop and express themselves without fear of prejudice.

In April, leaders from 17 university sports groups across the UK attended a summit in London to plan the development of the Sport Allies outreach programme.

Warwick Rowers

Antony Cotton, who is a long-time supporter of the calendar and the charity, said: “This is an amazing initiative, because it’s really important to tackle homophobia in sport. I’m proud to call the Sport Allies my friends.”

The Warwick Rowers have launched a crowdfunder campaign to make 2015 another record-breaking year and raise even more money for charity. There are crowdfunder options for every pocket – from £10 for a digital download of the new calendar up to £400 for the opportunity to meet the boys in person at a live calendar shoot!

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

 

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