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

Polari secures ACE funding for UK tour

Posted on 29/04/2015 by Besi

London’s leading LGBT literary salon, Polari, has this week been awarded Arts Council England (ACE) funding for a seven month series of events outside of the capital: Polari on Sea in Hastings, and a second nationwide tour.

STARTING June 30, Polari on Sea, will see the award-winning movement begin a six month residency in Hastings, while a second national tour will run September to December, ending at the Southbank Centre, the salon’s London home.

This will be the second time Polari has gone on the road, following last year’s tour that included sold-out events in Brighton, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle.

This year’s events will showcase local LGBT literary talent and help raise further awareness of The Polari First Book Prize, which is now in its fifth year.

Awarded for a first book that explores the LGBT experience, the prize is open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction published in English by a writer born or resident in the UK between February 2, 2014 and February 1, 2015. Self-published works in both print and digital formats are eligible for submission.

Deadline for submissions is May 1, 2015.

Host of Polari and founder of The Polari First Book Prize, Paul Burston said: “I’m delighted that Arts Council England is continuing to support Polari. After eight successful years in London, it’s great to be taking our show on the road, encouraging new literary talent and showcasing the best LGBT writers and spoken word performers around the country.”

Full dates and event lineups will be announced soon.

For more information on Polari Literary Salon, click here:

For more information on The Polari First Book Prize, click here:

More than half of young people are bullied because of appearance

Posted on 29/04/201529/04/2015 by Paul Gustafson

New research published on April 16 shows that 51 percent of young people are bullied because of their appearance.

WORKING in partnership with schools and colleges across the UK, the Annual Anti Bullying Survey 2015, published by anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label, surveyed 3,600 teenagers between the ages of 13 – 20.

The report found that appearance is the key reason for bullying in the UK, to the extent that nearly half the young people surveyed (47%) wanted to change their appearance, with:

• 56% wanting to weigh less

• 17% wanting breast implants

• 5% wanting Botox.

The research showed that teenagers as young as 13 are considering these procedures, while 14% developed an eating disorder as a result of bullying. 30% of those questioned admitted to having had suicidal thoughts.

For the first time, the charity also surveyed teenagers to establish how many people are perpetrating the bullying. It found that 50% of young people have bullied another person, with 30% of those bullying others at least once a week. 13% of teenagers reported being bullied by a teacher.

The report also highlights that there is much work to be done in schools to support those who have been bullied. 92% of bullied young people have turned to a teacher for support but only 51% were satisfied with the support they received, whereas of the 86% that turned to a family member only 18% were dissatisfied.

Liam Hackett, Founder and CEO of Ditch the Label, says: “Our Annual Bullying Survey 2015 cites attitudes towards the appearances of young people as the most common reason for bullying in the UK. The implications of appearance-based bullying are significant and can have devastating, long-term impacts.

“The evidence is clear: young people are now considering drastic and invasive measures to alter their appearances due to insecurities and bullying. Teens as young as 13 are adding things such as liposuction and breast implants on their wish list because they want to feel accepted by their peers and society. This report also identifies that young people are also being failed by the existing support measures that are currently in place.”

Ditch the Label provide comprehensive support, training and intervention materials for schools, colleges and parents on their website at www.DitchtheLabel.org. They additionally urge people to think differently about bullying and to try and understand the perspective and motive behind the person doing the bullying.

Professor Ian Rivers, psychologist, author and Professor of Human Development and Head of School of Sport and Education at Brunel University, comments: “This report demonstrates the importance that we now place upon physical appearance, weight, size and body shape. It is a sad indictment on society that young people judge by how a person looks rather than by their actions or deeds. We need to encourage young people to look beyond the surface and value one another. Ditch the Label celebrates diversity in all its forms. It would be a boring world indeed if we all became stereotypes.”

To view the full report, click here:

To donate or to support the work of Ditch the Label, click here:

Or alternatively you can text DITC12 and your donation amount to 70070.

Labour issues final call to voters ahead of local elections

Posted on 28/04/2015 by Besi

Labour in Brighton and Hove has issued a call to voters to give them a majority in next week’s city council elections on Thursday, May 7.

Councillor Warren Morgan, Leader of the Labour and Co-operative Group, said: “In a week’s time, residents of Brighton and Hove choose who runs the city council for the next four years. They need to vote on local issues like housing, poverty, schools and jobs, on who can get the city’s streets clean again and turn around the abysmal refuse and recycling record of the Greens.

“Labour is in second place in almost all of the Green wards, as well as being the main competitor in Tory held seats. Another four years of confusion, division and deadlock on the council won’t help our city. I’m asking voters to elect a majority Labour council that will make the council work for you and your neighbourhood: a council that is guided by progressive, co-operative values, and one that will work for a brilliant, inclusive, visionary and modern city.”

The 10 Key Pledges Labour will fight the local elections on are:

1. Labour will make collecting refuse, increasing recycling and cleaning the streets a top council priority. The Leader and senior councillors will directly oversee work to improve the service.

2. Labour will commit to tackle the city’s housing crisis, aiming to build at least 500 council houses by 2019 and securing 40% affordable homes in new housing developments.

3. Labour will consult on introducing a register of landlords to protect tenants in the private rented sector, promote secure tenancies and tackle “rip-off” fees through a Tenant’s Charter.

4. Labour will build a new secondary school to meet the growing need for places across the city, and it will be run by the council under powers restored by a Labour Government while working to ensure all schools are accountable and offer excellent education.

5. Labour will aim to keep any increases in council tax and parking charges within inflation-level rises, with additional income invested in public services, road safety and transport infrastructure that the city needs and residents want.

6. Labour will establish a Fairness Commission to tackle the growing poverty and inequality in the city, independently chaired, reporting within a year and funded within existing budgets, to set out an action plan for the Labour Administration and partner organisations to implement.

7. Labour will work to support a broad, sustainable and prosperous economy that benefits all parts of the city, with secure jobs paying the Living Wage and action to combat zero-hours contracts. There will be innovative proposals in the manifesto to help small and medium-sized businesses in the city.

8. Labour will ensure that major projects that are built in Brighton and Hove offer jobs, homes and new facilities for the city, are affordable, are rigorously scrutinised and are delivered on time with private investment not taxpayer debt.

9. Labour will seek to eliminate youth unemployment in the city within four years, with real apprenticeships and career opportunities for young people.

10. Labour will aim to keep public services local and democratically accountable, with power devolved to communities. Sustainability and Co-operative principles will run through the solutions they develop to meet the funding challenges they face.

New Trans* mental health and wellbeing courses

Posted on 28/04/201528/04/2015 by Besi

The Clare Project will be launching a series of new courses to promote the mental health and wellbeing of Trans* people in Brighton and Hove.

THE series will kick off on May 5 with Living Well as a Trans Man/ Trans Masculine Person in Brighton & Hove – a 10 week structured, peer facilitated course concentrating on mental health and wellbeing strategies for trans masculine people.

The Clare Project is a self supporting group based in Brighton and Hove open to anyone wishing to explore issues around gender identity.

Their main activity is a weekly DROP-IN every Tuesday, which aims to provide a safe and confidential place for people to meet with others to share their life experiences, and find information, support and companionship. A facilitator and a psychotherapist are at the drop-in each Tuesday.

Whilst the group is mainly attended by transgender, transsexual and gender dysphoric people, they aim to be all-inclusive as they recognise the complexities surrounding the issue of gender identity. They have no religious affiliation.

If you are interested in attending, email:

For more information about the Clare Project, click here:

London LGBT arts festival seeks applications from artists, filmmakers and performers

Posted on 28/04/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Gaywise FESTival (GFEST) has announced the 2015 call for entries from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) artists.

THE London based event invites expression of interest in three main categories: film (shorts and features), visual arts and performance.

Niranjan Kamatkar, director of GFEST, said: “This year we will work with venues that will actively promote the profile of LGBTQI artists. The festival has been offering an excellent platform for LGBT films and artworks over the last 8 years now. GFEST 2015 presents an ideal opportunity for sponsors to show their commitment to LGBT equality and diversity.”

GFEST has been supported in the past by a number of prestigious London venues including the National Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the UK Parliament – where the festival has been launched for the last three years.

The festival is internationally recognised as a high profile event by media and fellow festivals, and provides a unique opportunity for young talent to showcase their work alongside established names and to network with industry professionals.

Last year GFEST presented new commissioned works by three visual artists and two performers. The organisers hope to present further new commissioned works at GFEST 2015.

GFEST is organised by arts charity Wise Thoughts.

Visual artist and Wise Thoughts new trustee Dr Trevor Wood MBE, said: “I am delighted to be associated with this year’s GFEST, a unique festival showcasing outstanding work of artists from the LGBT community (that) has helped many new and aspiring artists with their careers. Taking part in GFEST can help promote your work within the mainstream arts industry in London and wider afield.”

To learn more or to make a submission, click here:

Expressions of interest for all three categories must be submitted by 30 June 2015.

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus welcomes new members

Posted on 28/04/2015 by Besi

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will be holding a New Members’ Evening on Tuesday, May 5 2015, from 7:00pm at the Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.

THE New Members’ Evening will be combined with a regular rehearsal, so if you’re interested to know what it’s like being in the Chorus and meet the existing members, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

James K who joined the Chorus in January 2015 said: “As a bit of an introvert I usually shy away from joining groups but I’m glad I got over this to join the Chorus as I have found everyone involved extremely friendly and welcoming. The experience has not only opened up a hobby that I thoroughly enjoy, but is personally helping to build my self-confidence”

Charlie Bedson, Membership Coordinator for the Chorus, added: “The Chorus has grown steadily over the last ten years and is currently going from strength to strength – performing at a high standard, pushing our creative boundaries and playing an important role in the local community. We’re really happy to welcome new members in this very special year in our history”

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus is a space where people can celebrate music, celebrate their sexuality, enjoy the fellowship of other like-minded people and contribute to the local communities it’s a part of.

The Chorus is a registered charity with three guiding principles, their “Three S’s”:
• Singing – the celebration of life and music through male voice harmonies;
• Socialising – using this activity to develop social bonds that help people to feel connected with a sometimes lonely world; and
• Support – to be there for each other – both collectively and individually – when the chips are down, and to be there for the communities in which the chorus operates, too.

This year, the Chorus is celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary which will culminate in a special concert performance in November. Their first major performance of this 10th Anniversary year is called Back To The Bond Age and will be taking place this Friday 1 and Saturday, May 2 at 7.30pm in St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton. Tickets for the show are £12 (£10 conc).

For more information, click here:

Membership is open to anyone who self-identifies as a gay or gay-friendly man.

For more information, email Charlie:

New LGBT business social networking group launches

Posted on 28/04/2015 by Besi

‘Vocal Social’ a new and innovative bi-monthly social and business networking event, is open to everyone, and allows people to meet, chat and connect in a friendly, fun and professional environment, combining into one new premium event, both business and social networking.

THE inaugural event starts at 6.30pm on Tuesday, May 5, in the Dome Room at Pub du Vin at the Hotel Du Vin.

Guests will be welcomed with a cocktail and invited to meet, chat and connect until 9pm.

The organiser’s stated aim is to give people an opportunity to listen to interesting and inspiring speakers, that are both current and important to Brighton and Hove. The bar is set high at this first event where the team from the i360 will share progress on the project and the challenges it presents with around 100 attendees expected.

They will be talking about the impact it will have on the City, its residents and businesses and how it can positively affect us all.

Ruth Chapman from the i360 said “We’re delighted to be at the inaugural Vocal Social. The iconic Brighton i360, the highest moving observation tower in the world, will be built this summer. As it emerges on the seafront it will change the face of Brighton and Hove forever. It will be exciting to share our vision and inspiration for the attraction, talk about how we have tackled the challenge of building such a slender tower on the seafront, divulge our plans for the brasserie, event space and Sky Bar and discuss what the attraction means to the city in terms of jobs, tourism and revenue.”

Trevor Edwards from Vocal Social, said: “Whilst we have always been great supporters of the Brighton scene, the team behind Vocal Social have always thought there was an untapped need for a premium gay networking event in alternative surroundings. Vocal Social meets that need, and does it with flair”, said Trevor Edwards, from Vocal Social.

Event: Vocal Social, gay social and business event

Where: Hotel du Vin, Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AD

When: Tuesday, May 5

Time: 6.30pm

Tickets: £8 in advance, £10 on the night

Tickets are available online at vocsoc.com (currently £8 in advance) or £10 on the night.

PREVIEW: Brighton Fringe: Mark Daniels, Acute Britishness

Posted on 28/04/201528/04/2015 by Contributor

Acute Britishness – stand-up comedy with Mark Daniels at Brighton Fringe Brighton Fringe from May 1-4.

ACUTE Britishness. It’s a serious syndrome.

Lovely cute but worrisome gay boy Mark Daniels suffers from a syndrome known as Acute Britishness. His self-deprecating, sarcastic wit questions why Brits just won’t complain, even about the country’s biggest problems: school textbooks, STD clinics, Craig David and Nigella Lawson. He teaches us what we could learn from the rest of the world in his own charming and disarming way.

Mark is a gay comedian who has been on the London circuit for two years and has already had a great deal of success, reaching the Golden Jester and Max Turner competition finals, plus the prestigious Edinburgh So You Think You’re Funny final. It’s the cute comic’s first time in Brighton with a show that debuted at the Kingston Comedy Festival. It all started when he wrote a list of 30 things to do before he was 30. One of which was to try out stand-up comedy.

He may well be well past 30 by now, we can’t tell, he looks so sweet and innocent, but go along and see how savage his observation and wit can be and let him make you laugh at yourself and the place you choose to live

To check out more about Mark, click here:

Event: Brighton Fringe: Mark Daniels, Acute Britishness

Where: The Hobgoblin, 31 York Pl, Brighton, The City of Brighton and Hove BN1 4GU

When and Time: Friday 1 at 9.45pm, Saturday 2 at 11pm, Sunday 3 at 3.30pm, Monday 4 at 4.45pm and 7.15pm

Tickets: £5 / Concessions £4

To buy tickets online, click here:

Or telephone: 01273 91 72 72. Lines are open from 10am – 6pm, Monday – Friday, and 12 noon – 4pm on Saturday.

In Person: Brighton Fringe Box Office, 1 Stop Travel Shop, 26 North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EB.

Simon Kirby welcomes Tory manifesto promise of pardons for historic gross indecency convictions

Posted on 26/04/201527/04/2015 by Sarah Green

Simon Kirby, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven welcomes manifesto committment to provide pardons to men who were convicted of gross indecency but where no crime would have been committed today.

Simon Kirby: Conservative candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

THE Conservative Manifesto, makes reference to the steps taken by the Government to enhance equality in the UK with, for example, the introduction of same-sex marriage. However, many men both living and who have passed away, have convictions for acts which would today draw no penalty at all. The Manifesto states steps will be taken to provide pardons.

Simon said: ‘The World has moved on in many ways from the outdated attitudes that were reflected in the law, decades ago. I am delighted that the Conservative Party has made clear its commitment to provide pardons in this regard. If returned to Parliament, I will be wholeheartedly supporting this legislation.”

OBITUARY: Brian Ralfe 1945 – 2015

Posted on 26/04/2015 by Contributor

I never imagined I would be sitting here writing about the life and death of my friend Brian Ralph a.k.a. Vera.

IT came as an awful shock receiving a phone call asking for the name of Brian’s next of kin. It was unreal. Vera was dead!

I thought, it can’t be true that the outgoing, larger-than-life, sometimes outrageous pain in the arse and irascible camp old queen who at times drove me round the bend was gone, dead, no… never!

Of course, as I and the many people who shared his life now know it was true.

Brian was found dead in his hotel while on holiday in Hurghada, Egypt on the morning of March 10. He died from a heart attack.

Brian, one of six children was immensely proud of being Brighton born and bred. His father was a rag and bone man and his mother worked for a fish monger.

During his seventy years, Brian worked as an impresario, and was famous for promoting Dorothy Squires’ last show ever at the Brighton Dome on March 17, 1990.

He served on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, HMS Engadine during the Falklands conflict in 1982 and supplied munitions during the first Gulf War.

He promoted cabaret all over the South of England, was a sandwich shop owner, a popular taxi driver and somehow found time to stand as a councillor at local elections for both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. He stood as an Independent at the last local elections in 2010. At different times he also sat on the Brighton Pride committee.

I hadn’t seen him for a number of years when 14 years ago I had a phone call from him asking me if I would write direct and appear in the Adult Panto here in Brighton at the Pavilion Theatre. I thought about it for three seconds before saying yes. The rest as they say is history.

I wrote the first show Carry on Dick Whittington featuring an unknown Miss Jason, the fabulous Phil Star, David Raven, Lola Lasagne, Pooh la May, Paul McCarthy and myself. We played for six performances, this year we played 22 performances firmly establishing the Brian Ralfe Adult Panto as an essential part of the annual Brighton performing arts scene.

You would find Brian most days holding court at Topolinos Restaurant in Hove

Brian had a big heart and raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities with the help of his many showbiz friends including June Brown and Chris Ellison who both attended his funeral, Polly Perkins, Laila Morse, Michael Jayston and of course the cast past and present of the Adult Panto.

Brian will be sorely missed by his brothers and sisters Phyllis, Rodney, Alan and Julie, his wider gay family and friends and for us, his panto family the show will go on.

In 2012 he paid an emotional visit back to the Falklands, 30 years after the conflict to remember those who lost their lives serving Queen and country.

God bless you Brian and rest in peace.

Lee Tracey

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Month: April 2015

Polari secures ACE funding for UK tour

London’s leading LGBT literary salon, Polari, has this week been awarded Arts Council England (ACE) funding for a seven month series of events outside of the capital: Polari on Sea in Hastings, and a second nationwide tour.

More than half of young people are bullied because of appearance

New research published on April 16 shows that 51 percent of young people are bullied because of their appearance.

Labour issues final call to voters ahead of local elections

Labour in Brighton and Hove has issued a call to voters to give them a majority in next week’s city council elections on Thursday, May 7.

New Trans* mental health and wellbeing courses

The Clare Project will be launching a series of new courses to promote the mental health and wellbeing of Trans* people in Brighton and Hove.

London LGBT arts festival seeks applications from artists, filmmakers and performers

Gaywise FESTival (GFEST) has announced the 2015 call for entries from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) artists.

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus welcomes new members

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will be holding a New Members’ Evening on Tuesday, May 5 2015, from 7:00pm at the Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.

PREVIEW: Brighton Fringe: Mark Daniels, Acute Britishness

Acute Britishness – stand-up comedy with Mark Daniels at Brighton Fringe Brighton Fringe from May 1-4.

Simon Kirby welcomes Tory manifesto promise of pardons for historic gross indecency convictions

Simon Kirby, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven welcomes manifesto committment to provide pardons to men who were convicted of gross indecency but where no crime would have been committed today.

OBITUARY: Brian Ralfe 1945 – 2015

I never imagined I would be sitting here writing about the life and death of my friend Brian Ralph a.k.a. Vera.

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London’s leading LGBT literary salon, Polari, has this week been awarded Arts Council England (ACE) funding for a seven month series of events outside of the capital: Polari on Sea in Hastings, and a second nationwide tour.

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New research published on April 16 shows that 51 percent of young people are bullied because of their appearance.

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Labour in Brighton and Hove has issued a call to voters to give them a majority in next week’s city council elections on Thursday, May 7.

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The Clare Project will be launching a series of new courses to promote the mental health and wellbeing of Trans* people in Brighton and Hove.

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Gaywise FESTival (GFEST) has announced the 2015 call for entries from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI) artists.

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Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will be holding a New Members’ Evening on Tuesday, May 5 2015, from 7:00pm at the Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.

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‘Vocal Social’ a new and innovative bi-monthly social and business networking event, is open to everyone, and allows people to meet, chat and connect in a friendly, fun and professional environment, combining into one new premium event, both business and social networking.

Share this:

Acute Britishness – stand-up comedy with Mark Daniels at Brighton Fringe Brighton Fringe from May 1-4.

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Simon Kirby, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven welcomes manifesto committment to provide pardons to men who were convicted of gross indecency but where no crime would have been committed today.

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I never imagined I would be sitting here writing about the life and death of my friend Brian Ralph a.k.a. Vera.

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