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Cumberbatch and Fry call for pardons for historic ‘gross Indecency’ convictions

Benedict Cumberbatch and Stephen Fry have written an open letter to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge calling on the Government to pardon 49,000 men who have historical convictions for being gay.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Stephen Fry
Benedict Cumberbatch and Stephen Fry

ALAN TURING was convicted of gross indecency in 1952 and killed himself in 1954 after serving time in prison and undergoing chemical castration.

The letter asks the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other “young leaders” to help with the campaign.

The letter printed in the Guardian reads: “The UK’s homophobic laws made the lives of generations of gay and bisexual men intolerable.”

“It is up to young leaders of today including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to acknowledge this mark on our history and not allow it to stand.”

“We call upon Her Majesty’s Government to begin a discussion about the possibility of pardoning all the men, alive or deceased, who like Alan Turing were convicted.”

In 2009, Prime Minister Gordon Brown offered an “unequivocal apology” for the way Alan Turing was treated by the state, followed by the Queen granting a posthumous Royal Pardon in 2013. The pardon describes Turing as “one of the greatest heroes of the 20th century” for helping to crack the Enigma code and says he was “pivotal in the development of modern computers”.

Campaigners believe the pardon does not go far enough and now want pardons for everyone convicted of similar offences.

The letter continues: “The apology and pardon of Alan Turing are to be welcomed but this ignores over 49,000 men who were convicted under the same law, many of whom took their own lives.

“An estimated 15,000 men are believed to still be alive.”

Turing was convicted under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885. The campaign is being supported by members of his family still living.

His great-niece Rachel Barnes said: “We’ve always considered that it is totally unjust that only Alan was given a pardon. There were 50,000 other homosexuals who were convicted and not given a pardon. We would really like this to be put right now.” 

An online petition has been launched with more than 60,000 having signed it so far.

To sign the online petition, click here:

 

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS seek support for Russian writer and LGBTI activist

Front Line Defenders, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is appealing for people to show their support for a Russian author and LGBTI educator and activist.

Lena Klimova
Lena Klimova

LENA KLIMOVA, a journalist based in the city of Nizhny Tagil, is the author of a series of articles on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) teenagers.  She also published a book on the subject in 2014.

In 2013, Lena set up Children-404, an online community with a presence on Facebook and on Vkontakte, a Russian social networking site.  Children-404 aims to provide a safe space for teenagers to discuss LGBTI issues and support each other. The community, which lists up to 45,000 members, also organises online discussions with leaders of the LGBTI movement and has a network of voluntary psychologists who provide online support.

In 2014 Lena received the International GALAS award. The GALAS is presented annually to one human rights defender chosen by the Lesbian and Gay Federation of Ireland as international activist of the year.

However, in July 2013, a Russian federal law banning ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’ among minors was adopted. Despite some vague wording, the bill was passed on its first reading.

Under this law propaganda was broadly defined as:

• spreading information in order to form non-traditional sexual desires in children

• describing such relations as attractive

• promoting a distorted understanding of the social equality of traditional and non-traditional relations

• providing unwanted exposure to information that could provoke interest in such relations.

Last week (January 23) a court found Lena Klimova guilty of “propagating non-traditional sexual relations among minors” via the Children-404 site, and fined her 50,000 roubles (the equivalent of 650 euros).

In 2014, local authorities in Nizhny Tagil had brought a similar case against her based on previous publications but the charges were subsequently dismissed.

Lena is appealing against the current fine. Meanwhile there is a possibility that the Russian authorities will request that the Children-404 pages are taken down. In the meantime Lena has received homophobic death threats because of her work.

A spokesperson for Front Line Defenders writes: “Lena Klimova is the victim of homophobic threats, including death threats, for her peaceful and legitimate human rights work in support of LGBTI teenagers in the Russian Federation. Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned that the authorities are attempting to restrict the rights of Lena Klimova due to her human rights activities, rather than protecting her from such threats.”

Front Line Defenders was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk for their non-violent championing of any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

To support Lena Klimova, visit her page on the Front Line Defenders website.

To view the website, click here:

Kemptown MP to attend roundtable talks with train operators

On Monday, February 2,  Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, will be taking part in a roundtable discussion on the state of the rail service in Sussex with Southern, Thameslink and Network Rail.

Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

THE MEETING will be chaired by the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Transport Claire Perry MP, and attended by senior management of Southern Rail, Thameslink, Network Rail and the Office of Rail Regulation, as well as franchising officers from the Department for Transport.

The Kemptown MP recently met with the Transport Minister to discuss rail services in the area and especially the need to improve the Brighton Mainline service.

Following this meeting, the Minister invited Simon to take part in the upcoming meeting.

Disruption on the Brighton Main Line is a regular occurrence, which has been highlighted by the recent revelation that the 7:29 morning service from Brighton to Victoria was late every day in 2014.

The meeting will be an opportunity to push for improvements to the rail service on the Brighton Main Line.

During the meeting, an action plan to improve train performance on this vital commuter route will also be presented, allowing Mr Kirby an immediate opportunity to share his views on their plans, and reiterate the frustrations and concerns of his constituents.

Mr Kirby said: “Following on from my recent meeting with the Rail Minister, I decided to take the opportunity to attend the upcoming roundtable discussions with high ranking rail management and officials, so that I can again make them aware of how my constituents feel about the rail service, and to push for improvements.

“I will be listening closely to their action plan for improving their performance, but also making sure they are aware that the many people living in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven who commute every day would like to see a dramatic improvement to the reliability of their train service.

“As a regular commuter myself, I understand the frustrations that many commuters feel with the service, and I will be pushing for dramatic improvements to reliability, as well as continuing my calls for more user friendly ticket machines, the introduction of WiFi on trains, paperless ticket technologies, and faster delay repay services.”

Lesbian Lives Conference: book your place now!

Want to take part in the 2015 Lesbian Lives Conference, the world’s only annual academic conference in lesbian studies, which takes place at the University Brighton, February 20-21, 2015?

Lesbian Lives Conference

THE ORGANISERS of the event which attracts a global audience of academics, scholars, students, activists, documentary and film-makers, writers and artists are issuing a final invite to participants to book their place at this year’s conference.

Previous Lesbian Lives events held in Brighton have sold out, so if you want to guarantee your place at next year’s event you can buy your tickets online at the 2015 Lesbian Lives Conference web page: http://arts.brighton.ac.uk/projects/lgbt/events/events/lesbian-lives-conference-2015

Confirmed speakers for the 22nd Lesbian Lives Conference include:

• Jane Czyzselska, editor of Diva magazine
• CampbellX, the award-winning filmmaker behind BlackmanVision
• Professor Sara Ahmed, Director of the Centre for Feminist Research at Goldsmith University
• Professor Sasha Roseneil, Director of the Birkbeck Institute for Social Research
• Professor Angelia R. Wilson author of the book Why Europe is lesbian and gay friendly (and Why America never will be)

The two-day, event is hosted by the University of Brighton LGBT and Queer Life Research Hub in conjunction with the Women’s Studies Centre, University College Dublin and will focus on the theme: Lesbian Feminisms Now!

Organisers are keen to emphasize that this a participatory event and everyone who takes is warmly invited to join the debates and discussions, network and meet new people.

Further information about the event and to buy tickets, click here:

You can also follow the event on twitter @LesbianLives or get involved in discussions ahead of the conference on the Lesbian Lives facebook page:

Heritage Lottery Fund backs restoration of historic St Mary’s Church in Kemptown

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has given initial support for the restoration of the historic exterior of St Mary’s Church on the corner of St James Street and Rock Gardens.

St Mary's Church
St Mary’s Church

THE church has received £17,000 to enable it to investigate problems in the building’s fabric and develop its application for a full grant of £228,700.

The grant would see major work carried out in 2016 to restore its west-facing elevation along Upper Rock Gardens.

The red brick neo-Gothic church, which is listed Grade-II, was built in 1878. It occupies a commanding position at the top of St James’s Street, on the corner with Upper Rock Gardens, in the Kemptown area of Brighton. An active Anglican church, it is also one of the most innovative and affordable performance venues in the city and is especially popular with LGBT groups as a performances space.

Priest-in-charge Fr Andrew Woodward said: “I’m very happy that the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed that St Mary’s is worthy of restoration. Ten years ago we were threatened with closure. Now we have a bright future and every day we’re finding new ways of sharing our beautiful space with the wider community.”

The grant will also lay the ground for several heritage activities in 2016, including a public art project on the scaffolding hoarding that will run the church’s length on Upper Rock Gardens and community-led exhibition about people’s memories of the streets and buildings around the church, many of which were demolished in the 1960s and 70s.

Stuart McLeod, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East, added: “There is a place of worship in almost every ward, village and town across the South East region, providing a very powerful visual connection with our past. Not only will our awards secure the immediate future of these particular buildings, they will also empower congregations to find new ways to use them and new ways to engage communities in the heritage they offer.”

St Mary’s Venue Manager Katherine Prior, said: “It’s very exciting. A facelift for the church means a facelift for the neighbourhood, which is good news for everyone who lives and works around us. And our public art project and community exhibition will be a great way of encouraging local people to engage with each other and their surroundings.”

 

 

Pooches on the Prom – sponsored dog walk in support of the Martlets

The Martlets Hospice, Hove, is looking for four legged friends of all kinds and their walkers to join their sponsored dog walk on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Pooches on the Prom

POOCHES are asked to raise as much sponsorship as they can and every penny raised will help the Martlets provide end of life care to adults who are affected by terminal and life limiting illness, as well as caring for their families and loved ones.

Clem Hunnisett, Community Fundraiser, said: “Our sponsored dog walk is a fun way to help support the Martlets Hospice.

“Everyone who took part last year had a great time. We had over 150 dogs take part, which helped to raise over £10,000 for the Hospice.”

For many patients having their pets visit them at the Hospice makes a huge difference to their wellbeing, and it is just one of the ways the Martlets Hospice enables people to live well. All the sponsorship raised from Pooches on the Prom will go towards patient care.

Registration is now open and entry is £5 per dog.

The walk starts at the Hove Lawn Café and will go to Brighton Pier and back, or for pooches who like a longer walk, to the end of Madeira Drive and back.

Both routes will set off at 11am.

At the end of the walk all the pooches taking part will be rewarded with a doggy bag and a medal.

To register your pooch online, click here:

Or call the Martlets Fundraising team on 01273 747455.

 

Lib Dems choose local Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown

Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats have chosen Brighton resident, Paul Chandler, to stand for election to Parliament in his Brighton Kemptown constituency.

Paul Chandler
Paul Chandler: Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

PAUL HAS lived in Kemptown for over 12 years and, in that time, has been an active member of the community helping to shape the plans for the new hospital and, for the last three years, he has given his time to support the voluntary sector.

Speaking following his selection, Paul, a former councillor, said: “I am excited and honoured to have a chance to represent the constituency in which I live. From Kemptown in the west to Peacehaven in the East, this constituency consists of varying conditions and people from all walks of life.

“I have explored it on foot and on bicycle and appreciate that there are many and varied responsibilities that face its Member of Parliament.

“I believe I am qualified to do that job and by bringing Liberal Democrat values to the task can live up to the challenges it presents.”

Kemptown MP presents traveller petition in Parliament

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, presented his traveller petition in the Chamber of the House of Commons on Monday night (January 26).

Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

MR KIRBY has raise the issue of unauthorised encampments in Brighton Kemptown on many occasions, following

The issue of unauthorised traveller encampments in Brighton Kemptown is something that the Mr Kirby has raised on a number of occasions, following repeated incursions at sites such as Happy Valley, Black Rock, East Brighton Park, Saltdean Oval, Wild Park and he held a public meeting in Woodingdean on the issue, which was attended by hundreds of concerned local residents.

Simon said: “Unauthorised Traveller encampments remain a major issue in my constituency and across the wider city area of Brighton and Hove. Many constituents feel that the City Council does not have a robust plan in place to move on Travellers on unauthorised sites quickly, and that too often the needs and wishes of the existing settled community appear to be ignored.

“A large number of residents believe that the City Council, after years of trying to manage the issue, should be more actively using the powers available to it.”

The petition has been signed by thousands of local people, with a similar online petition attracting the support of 2,000 local people, which calls on the City Council to use the powers available to them to deal promptly with unauthorised traveller encampments in Brighton & Hove.

Simon concluded, saying: “These unauthorised encampments often cause disruption for local people who lose the use of valuable community facilities. Sports fixtures are jeopardised and the Bill for the regular, costly, clear up operations inevitably falls on local taxpayers. It is time for the Council to act on this issue and I hope they will listen to the voice of the residents who took the time to sign my petition.”

New THT workshops

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) launches workshops to support people with HIV in Brighton & Hove towards volunteering, training or employment.

Terrence Higgins Trust

HIV and sexual health charity THT is working in partnership with City College Brighton and Hove to deliver a series of workshops aimed at people living with HIV who want to take positive steps into volunteering, training or employment.

The workshops will launch on Thursday, March 5, and will run for three consecutive Thursdays at City College Brighton and Hove’s Pelham Street campus.

Each workshop will run from 10am – 3.30pm, with breaks for coffee and lunch and are free to attend.

By attending the workshops, people living with HIV will have the opportunity to:

·         Develop their confidence and communication skills

·         Increase their awareness of local support and how to access it

·         Identify motivating goals and the necessary steps to achieve them

·         Develop skills they can use to feel more positive about the opportunities available to them

In the UK, around a quarter of people with HIV are currently unemployed. Thanks to modern drug treatments, many can return to work, but – if they have had a long period of ill health – they may lack confidence, or feel they no longer have the skills or stamina required to find a job in an increasingly competitive market.

Sue Peters, Regional Manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in the South, said: “A number of our clients have told us they are considering a move towards employment or volunteering, so it’s vital people living with HIV know what support is out there. These workshops are free to attend for anyone with HIV in Brighton & Hove, and we hope they will encourage people to take positive steps toward employment or volunteering.”

To book a place on the workshops, contact Tim Holt on (01273) 764200.

Or email:

 

 

Fundraising Gala for MindOut

Bar Broadway in Steine Street are holding a Cabaret and Cocktail fundraising Gala this evening, January 30 to benefit MindOut, the LGBT mental health project.

Cabaret and Cocktails

ENTERTAINMENT WILL be provided by Lorraine Bowen, Boogaloo Stu and members of the Brighton’s Gay Men’s Chorus.

There will be a raffle with great prizes that include two nights at the Hotel Masia Sumidors in Sitges, Spain.

Entry is by donation on the door.


Event: A Cabaret and Cocktail Fundraiser

Where: Bar Broadway, Steine Street, Brighton

When: Friday, January 30

Time: From 8.30pm

Cost: Donation on the door.

 

 

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