January 2015 – Page 2 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Lorraine Bowen releases new single

Posted on 30/01/201530/01/2015 by Besi

Singer, songwriter, performer, Lorraine Bowen, Queen of the Quirky Chorus, has come up with a great one! in her latest single, BEARS!

LORRAINE’S LOVE of BEARS and all things beary came after cuddling up to loads of them during a freezing cold holiday at the Yumbo Centre in Gran Canaria.

Scrolling down the lists of BEARS on Wikipedia, a song sprang out and she has spent a year honing the lyrics.

Lorraine wrote both the music and lyrics for the BEARS song and fashion/media composer/producer Nessim Molder, has produced the final MIX adding an ‘OOMPH’ to the production and bringing the song right up to date.

Lorraine recently borrowed a green screen from a facebook friend and invited two friendly BEARS to dance around her pad on a Saturday morning. The video ensued. They liked the green background and in the end couldn’t think of anything else to put in its place.

Lorraine is inviting any BEARS that would like to ‘fill in the background’ to do so.

Email her on info@lorrainebowen.co.uk and she will send you the file and look forward to your creative imput.

Lorraine says: “I love seeing what other people can do in their bedroom studios.”

BEARS is available to purchase digitally on iTunes and Amazon and the video will be available on Youtube on Lorraine Bowen’s TV Channel. Youtube.com/lorrainebowenTV.

To download from iTunes, click here:

To downland from Amazon, click here:

To view Lorraine’s website, click here:

The BEARS in the photo and video are: Jonathan Cave and Jonathan Burns

You can see Lorraine live on stage tonight, Friday, January 30 at the MindOut Fundraising Gala at Bar Broadway, Steine Street, Brighton from 8.30pm. She will be appearing with Boogaloo Stu and members of the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus.

Shadow International Development Minister visits the City

Posted on 30/01/201530/01/2015 by Besi

Purna Sen, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, welcomed Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and her team to Brighton for a major speech yesterday.

Mary Creagh and Purna visited the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Sussex and the Shadow Secretary of State spoke at the University’s Fulton A Lecture Theatre followed by Q and A session in which Purna joined Mary Creagh in answering questions from the audience.

Purna Sen: Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion

After the event, Purna said: “I am delighted that Mary Creagh MP made important policy announcments on international development, especially on health, here in Brighton. Promoting the best health care, that serves the poor and the marginalised, is a priority abroad as much as is it at home. A commitment to human rights continues to provide the backdrop for our work, whether on disability, LGBT rights, violence against women or health.”

BOOK REVIEW: Spirit of Gin

Posted on 29/01/201530/01/2015 by Eric Page

The Spirit of Gin

By Matt Teacher

A stirring miscellany of the new gin revival from the delightful Mr. Teacher brings us bang up to date with Hogarth’s favorite tipple, Great Britain’s secret shame and the most modern and chic way to ruin one’s Mother in Shoreditch, Swansea or Seville.

The Spirit of Gin is an entertaining illustrated guide to the classic spirit, with a sharp focus on the modern gin revival led by innovative craft-gin distillers with their new fusions and ultra-modern blends.

See more on the development of this book and Teacher’s previous writings on home distilling and other intoxicating information and guidance on his web site here:

This big thick book, full of lovely pictures, diagrams and curious details from the colourful and sordid history of gin, from its invention in eighteenth century London to today’s worldwide resurgence, provides detailed coverage of the methods, ingredients, and accoutrements of modern makers and purveyors; gives coverage to popular gin bars and classic cocktails with eclectic sidebars and interviews; and provides a complete catalogue of commercial and craft distilleries worldwide. So grab a bottle, and as the Queen Mother used to say, bottoms up!

Hardback

Out now £15.99

To order from the publishers website, click here:

Where you will also find information about the various e-book editions.

New project offers support to LGBT vicitims of sexual violence

Posted on 29/01/201529/01/2015 by Besi

My Voice is a new project from Survivors’ network, the Sussex Rape Crisis Centre offering support to the survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

THE ONE-year project funded by Awards for All aims to increase access to emotional and practical support for Black Minority Ethnic (BME) and LGBT survivors, improving their ability to cope with the impact of sexual violence.

The project aims to:
• Identify needs from BMER (Black and Minority Ethnic and Refugee) populations and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) survivors of sexual violence and abuse, who are under-represented in sexual violence support services
• Develop and facilitate links with BMER and LGBT people who have experienced sexual violence and abuse and those who support them
• Work co-operatively with BMER and LGBT organisations in order to develop service provision and good practice

During the first stage of the project, they are asking those working for organisations, groups or services for the BMER and/or LGBT community to fill in a questionnaire.

To fill in the questionnaire, click here:

If you are a professional who works in some capacity with BMER and/or LGBT people directly, they would appreciate you taking 15-20 minutes to respond to their survey about your work.

Your responses will help them identify best practices in supporting BMER and LGBT people (survivors and non). You don’t have to work in the field of sexual violence support to fill in the survey.

The questionnaire will help identify improvements they can make to existing services.

For more information about ‘My Voice’, click here:

Or email:

You can also find us them on Facebook, and @MyVoiceSurvivor on Twitter.

Want to be a city champion?

Posted on 29/01/201502/02/2015 by Besi

VisitBrighton recruits new wave of City Champions.

VISITBRIGHTON, Brighton and Hove City Council’s tourism arm, is looking for people with local knowledge and a passion for the city to join its team of on-street volunteers, the City Champions. The role involves welcoming visitors and offering help and advice about what to see and do in the city during their stay.

Geoffrey Bowden, chair of the Council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “The City Champion scheme is working really well and it’s fantastic that so many visitors have been helped by our volunteers since its launch. First impressions are so important and a friendly greeting is a wonderful way to project the spirit of Brighton and Hove. We’re extremely lucky to have such a great team on board and look forward to enlisting more enthusiastic residents in this next wave of recruitment.”

Volunteers receive a branded uniform and are stationed at key locations throughout the city, including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton railway station and along the city centre seafront.

Since the scheme was launched in Easter 2014, the volunteer team has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors to the city.

Regular City Champion, Paul, says: “I have been volunteering as a City Champion since the beginning of the scheme. It only involves a few hours each week but it’s given me the opportunity to meet visitors not just from the UK but from all over the world.”

“As a Brighton resident I’m able to give an insider’s guide to the wide range of attractions and activities that make the city such a popular destination so it not only provides a useful service for our visitors, but it’s also very rewarding and great fun.”

City Champion Alan adds: “Having had a lifetime in the hotel industry I’m used to interacting with people from all walks of life. Projecting a warm welcome with a smile, listening patiently and knowing you’ve been of genuine help to someone is extremely rewarding, plus I get to use my limited knowledge of languages occasionally, which is also very satisfying”.

Recruits need to commit to a minimum of six months at a time and be available to cover a variety of shifts, including some weekends. They will need to deal confidently with people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities, and have a friendly, helpful and patient attitude.

As well as developing new skills, volunteers will receive a pass giving them free admission into some of the city’s main tourist attractions as well as invitations to tourism networking events organised by VisitBrighton.

For more information, click here:

Or, to have an informal chat, telephone VisitBrighton on 01273 292613.

Benefit fraud clampdown – maximum penalty to be doubled

Posted on 29/01/201529/01/2015 by Besi

Plans to more than double the maximum administrative penalty that can be offered as an alternative to prosecution for benefit fraud are to be considered by Parliament today.

THE CHANGES, if approved by MPs, will mean penalties of up to £5,000 can be issued in addition to recovery of any money falsely claimed, plus a four-week loss of benefits.

The maximum administrative penalty at the moment stands at £2,000.

Anyone suspected of the most serious offences will continue to face prosecution but Ministers want the option of a much larger administrative penalty to give enforcement agencies greater flexibility in the way they tackle benefit fraud.

Work and Pensions Minister, Mark Harper MP, said: “The amount of money lost to benefit fraud stands at some £1.2bn – cash which otherwise could be spent on supporting those in genuine need, improving public services or reducing people’s taxes.

“There are still too many people who continue to ignore the warnings and steal from the benefits system. They deserve to pay a heavy price for doing so and that is why we are taking action. I hope this new measure attracts widespread support in the Commons.”

The proposed new arrangements will see administrative penalties set at 50 per cent of the benefit an individual has been overpaid, up to the new maximum figure. Therefore, this change will affect cases where a sum of more than £4,000 has been overpaid.

Penalties will only be levied in cases where there would be sufficient evidence to pursue a prosecution for benefit fraud – not in cases of genuine mistakes or error.

The DWP’s existing debt recovery processes will continue, meaning penalties and overpayments can be recovered from benefits, deducted from earnings or reclaimed through other means.

LGBT Trust & Confidence Survey is now live

Posted on 28/01/201529/01/2015 by Besi

A community survey to test and establish the levels of trust and confidence in the Police and Council is now live.

THE LGBT Community Safety Forum is an elected, independent group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) people in Brighton and Hove.

The group aims to ensure effective accountability between the city’s LGBT communities and the statutory authorities, including Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC).

This short survey is about your trust in the Police and Council services (including the Partnership Community Safety Team), and your confidence in reporting issues around abuse, discrimination and your safety within Brighton and Hove, in educational establishments, care services and private businesses or at home.

There is a series of multiple-choice questions about your experiences followed by some optional questions all about you.

All personal information given is strictly confidential, will not be shared with third parties and will not be kept with your answers.

To complete the short survey, click here:

If you would like a printed version of the survey or need assistance completing it, email:

Or telephone: 01273 231189

Or text: 07827 811454

The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office under registration reference ZA061193.

Meadow Vale planning application rejected

Posted on 28/01/201530/01/2015 by Sarah Green

Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee this afternoon (January 28) voted to turn down an application to build 85 new houses on the Meadow Vale site in Ovendean.

THE controversial application submitted by Lightwood Strategic Development Company has been opposed by local residents and councillors, the local Labour parliamentary candidate, and the local Conservative MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven, who argued that the 3.7 hectares of land helps the Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean villages maintain their individual identities and characters.

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton and Peacehaven, who worked alongside the Save Our Deans protest group to oppose the application, says: “I have campaigned for a long time against this proposal and I am obviously delighted that the application has been refused. This is a positive step forward for local people. I also pay tribute to the work of the Save Our Deans group, which has worked so hard against this proposal. Local people have also made their voices heard loud and clear on this matter.”

“It remains my firm belief that the City Council should be looking at brownfield sites and city centre sites where the existing infrastructure is in place to support development to deliver new housing in the city.”

Jim Wright of the Deans Preservation Group, added: “We would like to thank Simon for all his help and hard work on this issue and for his commitment to seeing the threat to Meadow Vale removed.”

Nancy Platts, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: “I am delighted that planning permission for the development of the Meadow Vale site has been refused. This is a victory for the local community and the people who have campaigned so hard to protect their area from overdevelopment. I have always opposed these proposals, which would have placed a huge strain on already overcrowded roads and put extra pressure on schools and bus services.

“We now need an urgent review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to stop every green space being targeted by developers. The NPPF has created a ‘free for all’ in our countryside and it is a great shame our Conservative MP didn’t think ahead to the local ramifications of voting for the new law in Parliament at the time.”

Paul Chandler, Lib Dem candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said: “I have been following this proposal with interest and been in regular contact with the members of the ‘Save our Deans’ campaign. I submitted a formal objection to the planning application in the name of local LibDems and naturally we are delighted that the council has rejected the application.”

The 12-member planning committee voted 11 against with one abstention.

Green leader apologises for candidate’s transgender comments

Posted on 28/01/201529/01/2015 by Besi

Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council calls for local Greens to think again about cutting scrutiny committee that deals with trans* issues locally.

GREEN PARTY leader Natalie Bennett has apologised for comments made by the Green Parliamentary candidate for Cambridge, Dr Rupert Read, about trans* people.

In a twitter exchange, Dr Read said he found the word cisgender “troubling” going on to describe trans* women as “a sort of opt-in version of what it is to be a woman”.

Cisgender is a word that trans* people use to refer to people who aren’t transgender.

Dr Read later apologised “unreservedly” after coming under fire for his remarks, saying: “I’m sorry, especially for any upset caused to transgender people, who remain sorely oppressed in our society today.”

The Green Party leadership issued a joint statement saying they were “disappointed” with Dr Read’s comments and expressed their sympathies with anyone who was hurt or offended by the remarks.

The statement said: “The Green Party is wholly committed to fighting for equality and fair representation for all transgender and LGBTIQ communities and we wish to reiterate and reaffirm our party’s commitment to that cause.

“We now want to do all we can to move forward positively and continue the important job of standing up for LGBTIQ rights.”

Cllr Warren Morgan: Leader of Labour and Cooperative on Brighton & Hove City Council — Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton and Hove City Council

Commenting on the story, Cllr Warren Morgan, the Labour Leader on Brighton and Hove City Council, who worked on the city’s Trans* Scrutiny report, said: “I’m appalled by these offensive comments, which you would expect from a UKIP candidate, not a Green one.”

“I’m glad the Green leader has apologised, but I’d like the Greens to think again about cutting the scrutiny team which is meant to carry on the trans* work in Brighton and Hove. If elected in May we will make sure that work continues.”

National Student Pride returns to London for its 10th Anniversary

Posted on 28/01/201528/02/2015 by Besi

National Student Pride opened last night during the final weekend of LGBT History Month.

Evan, Fox, Paris and Ruben at Student Pride 2014

Confirmed speakers include: Dustin Lance Black, Oscar winning screen writer of the movie, Milk and partner of Tom Daley; Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer of EastEnders; Alica Eyo, Emmerdale; Owen Jones, author of ‘Chavs’ and popular columnist for the Independent, Bethany Black, Transgender comedian and star of Cucumber and Heather Pace from Lip Service.

Lucy Spraggan, Gaydio’s Matt Crab and Drag Queen Mary Mac are judging Student Pride Voice X. The winner will appear on Gaydio radio and sing at London Pride.

BBC Newsnight and Dragons’ Den presenter Evan Davis is hosting a panel of guests for the main discussion. Representatives from all political parties have been invited to set the LGBT policy ground out for the coming general election in May, including Simon Hughes, Michael Cashman, Amelia Womack, Owen Jones plus Tory and UKIP MP’s.

Student Pride takes place at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone campus opposite Madame Tussauds and is centred round a free daytime festival, a jobs fair and an evening entertainment event hosted by G-A-Y.

To purchase a ticket and view the full weekend schedule, click here:

For more information about Student Pride, click here:

Call us now

Month: January 2015

Lorraine Bowen releases new single

Singer, songwriter, performer, Lorraine Bowen, Queen of the Quirky Chorus, has come up with a great one! in her latest single, BEARS!

Shadow International Development Minister visits the City

Purna Sen, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, welcomed Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and her team to Brighton for a major speech yesterday.

BOOK REVIEW: Spirit of Gin

New project offers support to LGBT vicitims of sexual violence

My Voice is a new project from Survivors’ network, the Sussex Rape Crisis Centre offering support to the survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

Want to be a city champion?

VisitBrighton recruits new wave of City Champions.

Benefit fraud clampdown – maximum penalty to be doubled

Plans to more than double the maximum administrative penalty that can be offered as an alternative to prosecution for benefit fraud are to be considered by Parliament today.

LGBT Trust & Confidence Survey is now live

A community survey to test and establish the levels of trust and confidence in the Police and Council is now live.

Meadow Vale planning application rejected

Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee this afternoon (January 28) voted to turn down an application to build 85 new houses on the Meadow Vale site in Ovendean.

Green leader apologises for candidate’s transgender comments

Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council calls for local Greens to think again about cutting scrutiny committee that deals with trans* issues locally.

National Student Pride returns to London for its 10th Anniversary

National Student Pride opened last night during the final weekend of LGBT History Month.

Latest News

Call us now

Singer, songwriter, performer, Lorraine Bowen, Queen of the Quirky Chorus, has come up with a great one! in her latest single, BEARS!

Share this:

Purna Sen, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion, welcomed Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Development and her team to Brighton for a major speech yesterday.

Share this:

Share this:

My Voice is a new project from Survivors’ network, the Sussex Rape Crisis Centre offering support to the survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

Share this:

VisitBrighton recruits new wave of City Champions.

Share this:

Plans to more than double the maximum administrative penalty that can be offered as an alternative to prosecution for benefit fraud are to be considered by Parliament today.

Share this:

A community survey to test and establish the levels of trust and confidence in the Police and Council is now live.

Share this:

Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee this afternoon (January 28) voted to turn down an application to build 85 new houses on the Meadow Vale site in Ovendean.

Share this:

Labour leader of Brighton and Hove City Council calls for local Greens to think again about cutting scrutiny committee that deals with trans* issues locally.

Share this:

National Student Pride opened last night during the final weekend of LGBT History Month.

Share this:

Latest News