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PREVIEW: The Sound of Music

The hills will come alive once again with The Sound of Music, as the much loved musical returns to Eastbourne in a brand new production at the Congress Theatre from Monday 13 – Saturday July 18.

Sound of Music

This special stage adaptation, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the film’s release,  is currently touring the UK to rave reviews.

Playing the iconic role of Maria von Trapp is Danielle Hope, who captured the hearts of the country when she won BBC Television’s Over The Rainbow and made her professional debut as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium.

Sound of Music

Joining the company as Captain von Trapp is stage and television star Steven Houghton. Well-known for his longstanding television roles in Coronation Street and London’s Burning, Olivier-Award nominated actor Steven has taken on leading roles in Spend Spend Spend, Blood Brothers, White Christmas, Martin Guerre and Grease.

The Sound of MusicThe unforgettable score from the world’s most successful musical features the ever-popular songs Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, So Long, Farewell, and of course, title song, The Sound of Music.

Based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers and Baroness Maria von Trapp’s 1949 autobiography, The Sound of Music recounts Maria and the Captain’s romance and their escape to freedom as Austria becomes part of the Third Reich at the beginning of WWII.

The Sound of Music


Event: The Sound of Music

Where: Congress Theatre, Carlisle Rd, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21

When: Monday, July 13 – Saturday, July 18

Time: Daily at 7.30pm and 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday

Tickets: Tickets £18.50 – £38.50, Concessions £3 off, Under 16s Half price (Max 2 per full price adult), Groups 10+ £3 off, 20+ £4 off, 50+ £5 off (apply top 3 prices only).

To book online, click here:

Or telephone Box Office on: 01323 412000

 

LGBT charity celebrates birthday with disco fundraiser

Devon-based non-profit organisation, Proud2Be Project, have announced they are hosting a disco to raise funds for local LGBT community services.

Proud2Be

The event will also mark four years since gay identical twins, Mat and Jon Price, founded the organisation after recording a short video explaining why they are both “proud to be gay”.

Since then a number of high profile LGBT figures have supported their viral campaign to be out and proud, including Stephen Fry who said: “I am happy to be counted as a supporter of Proud2Be at every turn”.

The charity also made international news recently after announcing plans to install Europe’s first permanent rainbow pedestrian crossing in Totnes.

Proud2Be holds a number of well-attended social events in South Devon and hosts a yearly Pride event in Totnes, the latest of which saw around 1000 people attending.

Mat and Jon said: “Through Proud2Be, both of our lives are richer and more fulfilled than we could have ever imagined possible. Over the last four years we have experienced countless life changing moments and have had the privilege of meeting some amazing people. We are as passionate now as when we started the project in our mum’s spare room. We would like to thank all our friends, family, volunteers and supporters. It has been a joy to share the last four years with you.”

The fundraising disco will be held on Saturday, July 4, 8pm-midnight (doors close at 10.30pm) at The Barrel House, Totnes, with DJ sets from Madame Souza and Rhi Rhi Rhythm. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are £7 and are available on the door.

Jon said: “The discos are a great opportunity for the community to get together for a fun night out in a safe and friendly environment. Everybody is welcome!”

For more information about the disco, click here: 

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New campaign supports diverse writers

Editorial consultancy announces campaign to support UK’s most diverse writers.

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The Literary Consultancy (TLC), a company which offers professional, in-depth editorial advice and assessment to anyone writing in the English language,  has announced Quality Writing for All ,  a new campaign which aims to support talented, low-income writers, with a special focus on BAME, LGBT+ and disabled communities across the UK.

Following a rare increase in funding from the Arts Council England (2015-18), TLC will be able to provide an increased number of manuscript assessments through its national Free Reads Scheme, and a quota of bursaried mentoring and event placements over the next three years.

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The campaign was officially launched on June 16, at London’s Free Word Centre with an exclusive performance of Lost in Spaces by writer and arts disability activist Penny Pepper, whose work was personally mentored by TLS founder and Director Rebecca Swift.

Rebecca says:  “TLC has always been interested in providing professional editorial advice to all-comers, and helping to bridge the gap between writers and the publishing industry. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves to work with our excellent national partners and the Arts Council, to broaden our search for low-income, diverse, talented writers further than ever before.”

The scheme is run in partnership with over 15 national organisations including  Arvon, New Writing North and Writers’ Centre Norwich, and with new partners including Shape Arts, Wasafiri Magazine, and the Creative Future Literary Award.

There are also five mentoring bursaries available per year from 2015-18. A further £2,500 has been allocated to supporting access to TLC’s events.

To apply for writing assessment and bursaries, click here: 

New stats show 46% increase in syphilis among gay men

New STI figures show rapid increases among gay men of syphilis and gonorrhoea.

Public Health England

Latest figures published by Public Health England (PHE) show 439,243 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in England in 2014.

The impact of STIs remains greatest in young people under the age of 25 years and gay men (gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men).

Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI accounting for 47% of diagnoses (206,774 cases), followed by genital warts (70,612 cases). However, the largest proportional increases in diagnoses between 2013 and 2014 were reported for syphilis (33% increase) and gonorrhoea (19% increase).

Dr Gwenda Hughes
Dr Gwenda Hughes

Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at PHE said: The stats published today show that too many people are getting STIs. Reducing this spread must be a public health priority.

“We are particularly concerned about the large rises in diagnoses among gay men. In this group we saw a 46% increase in syphilis and a 32% increase in gonorrhoea. Gonorrhoea in particular is becoming harder to treat as new antibiotic resistant strains emerge.

“Health promotion and education to increase risk awareness and encourage safer sexual behaviour remain the cornerstones of STI prevention. Ensuring easy access to sexual health services and STI screening is a vital component in the control of STIs.

“Effective commissioning is critical to improving STI prevention. Prevention work should continue to focus on people in the groups at highest risk of infection, such as young people and gay men.”

Young people are routinely offered chlamydia screening but only 14% of young men and 35% of young women were tested in 2014. Wide variation across the country was seen in rates of chlamydia testing and diagnoses – with only 29% of local authorities reaching the recommended chlamydia detection rate (2,300 diagnoses per 100,000 15 to 24 year olds per year).

PHE recommends consistent and correct condom use, reducing the number of sexual partners and the avoidance of overlapping sexual relationships all reduce the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections.

For people in the highest risk groups, getting screened regularly will lead to early diagnosis and treatment, as these infections are frequently without symptoms.

Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and every time they change their sexual partner.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) should have a full HIV and STI screen at least annually or every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners.

Responding to the statistics Terrence Higgins Trust, the national HIV charity highlighted the localised rise and fall in figures as the impetus for action, suggesting public health budgets apply new approaches – utilising new technologies such as social media, and reiterated the call for realistic SRE for all young people.

Dr. Michael Brady
Dr. Michael Brady

Terrence Higgins Trust Medical Director Dr. Michael Brady said: “Today’s figures clearly show  that we need to urgently confront the geographical variation and local trends in STI rates. It is a real concern that the recently announced £200 million cut to local authorities’ public health budgets will inevitably lead to a worsening of our sexual health.

“It is essential that local authorities ensure continued and improved access to effective STI testing, treatment and prevention services.

“Raising awareness, encouraging testing, and regular screening locally is key. Local testing weeks can achieve this. For instance next week Terrence Higgins Trust is running Brighton STI Testing Week.”

Accepting that public health budgets are under pressure he suggested that the Government consider alternative methods – noting that postal testing has been cost effective in reaching people at risk of HIV,

Dr. Brady continued: “The continued rise in both syphilis and gonorrhoea is a worry and evidence that we still have much to do to address the nation’s poor sexual health and rates of STIs in those most at risk.

“We should make better use of new technologies and approaches – local awareness raising through targeted social media based on the geographical breakdown of the data we are seeing today and an offer online testing – to reach those who are not accessing ‘traditional’ services”

The figures show that the impact of STIs remains greatest in young people under the age of 25 years. Citing effective Sex and Relationships Education as part of the solution,

He concluded: “We agree with PHE’s assertion that a reduction in STIs must be a public health priority. Fundamental to this is effective Sex and Relationships Education (SRE).

“Our new Government needs to urgently ensure that all young people have access to realistic SRE that reflects the realities of their lives– sexuality, STIs, testing.”

PHE funds HIV Prevention England to undertake campaigns promoting condom use and safer sex targeting the people most at risk including gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

PHE has published an action plan to address the health and wellbeing inequalities affecting gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The plan, the first of its kind from a national body, sets out priorities for developing data and reducing and addressing the wider inequalities, by working with and supporting local and national government, the NHS and relevant third sector organisations.

“DJing is more than just making people dance!” – DJ Prisss

DJ Prisss
June 2015 Prisss at The Living Room, photo taken by BN1Boi

So, Prisss, what do you do?

“I love putting collages of creative unheard sounds onto the dance floor. Creating delightful soundscapes woven with deep textures, processed clips of geo-political commentary and other carefully chosen noises.

“I am fascinated with synthesising ideas from all realms and communicating messages whilst keeping the dance floor smiling and laughing. I aim to someday be so creative to make people dance to random noise!”

It sounds like DJing is deeply meaningful to you beyond just making folks dance?

“Most definitely! I’m kinaesthetic and see music as morphing coloured landscapes.

“For me, good music is a privilege and honour to share with people, it is like a window to a composer’s stream of consciousness.”

Have you been doing this long? Why did you start?

“At 9, I made my first wind-up turntable out of Meccano, a sewing needle and a margarine tub. It played records very well. But only once! Later that evening I added old bits from the dump, speakers inside a cereal box, and mixed Bach and David Bowie Hunky Dory at full volume.

“I learned the flute and piano. Judy Blame introduced me to The Residents which led me to avant-garde jazz and Zappa. Clubbing was initially a stress relief, but then I realised I wanted to share the fun of playing good music to appreciative crowds.

“I DJed for the first time in 2009, at the Stone Bar in Thailand that had massive bass bins that you could hear across the bay! I played whatever I liked all evening long there, hung out with all sorts of people, musicians and explored my style.”

What is your favourite gig?

“Playing the first [beep] gig in 2013. I’d spent a long time preparing a special set: a conscious sound scape with a story, which I performed in front of a new crowd of people. And it went great: everyone piled downstairs, packed it out and seemed to love it! It made me feel alive, connected and hungry for more.”

What is [beep]?

“[beep] – Brighton Experimental Electronic Party – is a collective for electronic musicians to start performing. No rules, just a bunch of open-minded artists who share skills, and who love expressing and enjoying ourselves holding gigs at – The Verdict jazz cafe, Edward Street – our spiritual home first Saturday every month. I’m really happy to be involved and playing regularly.

“I’ve just finished a short-run series of Sunday afternoon down-tempo, chill out sessions called The Living Room. And I also play in various clubs in Thailand when I’m over there and in pubs and clubs around Brighton.”

What interesting projects have you got coming up next?

“A custom-built top quality horn-loaded valve-amped sound system in our [beep] venue; something like Larry Levan’s Big Bertha in Paradise Garage, NY.

“I also perform as part of Breaking Robots, where we try to go a bit further in terms of experimental improvisation with an underlying message.”

DJ Prisss
Oct 2014: Priss at [beep] photo taken by NJ Strange
DJ Prisss
Nov 2013 Prisss at Fat Beaches! photo taken by BN1Boi

For more information about DJ Prisss, click here:

To listen to some tracks, click here:

For Facebook, click here:

For meetup, click here:

 

BOOK PREVIEW: HIV Happy by Paul Thorn

Don’t just exist with HIV – Learn how to LIVE with HIV!

HIV Happy

Award-nominated author Paul Thorn has launched his new book, a self-help guide to living with HIV, dedicating his latest work to a very special friend – Glenn Thomas, victim of Malaysian flight MH17.

One year ago on July 17th 2014 Malaysian flight MH17 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over eastern Ukraine. Amongst the 298 passengers and crew killed was Glenn Thomas, aged just 49, a British citizen working as a Media Officer for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. He was travelling with other HIV experts to the IAS (International AIDS Summit) 2014, due to take place in Melbourne, Australia.

On the anniversary of the tragic and senseless loss of life of his gifted friend, Paul Thorn (author and Stonewall nominated Journalist of the Year 2014) has dedicated his new book, HIV Happy, to Glenn’s memory.

In HIV Happy, Paul describes his personal journey from being diagnosed as HIV-positive when he was in his late teens, from despair and self-destruction through to hope and setting out on a new road of living positively with the virus.

He then shares with and offer readers his Five Pillars of HIV Happy, a clear, concise guide to how both the newly diagnosed and the long-term HIV-positive person can set about getting to grips with all aspects of their life.

This book is for anyone who needs a helping hand in figuring out the best way forward to a healthy, happy future with HIV – and to grasp with both hands the second chance at life that treatment affords them.

For more information about HIV Happy, click here:

Available from Amazon now: click here:

Print: $9.99 (£6.52) / Kindle: $3.99 (£2.41) / 126 pages

 

Rainbow Fund supports trans organisations in spring grants round

Rainbow Fund supports small LGBT groups in the Spring Grants Round.

Rainbow FundIn the spring grants round the Rainbow Fund has been able to support a range of LGBT/HIV groups, including three trans* organisations working to build confidence within the local trans* community, two organisations providing frontline services to people with HIV, two projects providing BSL signers to help members of the LGBT deaf community engage with arts events and funding for the LGBT Community Safety Forum to promote their core services to the LGBT+ community in the city.

Priority was given in this grants round to small LGBT organisations with no paid workers.

♦ The LGBT Small Groups Network awarded £192 to pay for hire of meeting space, training and development sessions.

♦ Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum awarded £3,000 towards running costs – specifically costs of 3 telephone lines, and advertising the services they provide.

♦ Trans Pride awarded £2,500 towards the costs of staging Trans Pride 2015 in Dorset Gardens on the weekend of July 24,25 & 26.

♦ Trans Alliance awarded £1,800 towards singing workshops for Trans people. There is increasing evidence of a link between regular singing and improved mental health achieved through improved self-esteem, confidence and the discipline of regular practice and breathing techniques. In addition mental health is improved by engaging in social activities such as joining a choir which provides a supportive environment as well as an opportunity to make new friends.

♦ The Clare Project awarded £3,000 part funding for a project which allows for trans individuals to gain both work experience and skills in facilitation, listening and counselling skills creating a cache of qualified and experienced individuals within the trans community itself.

♦ Queer in Brighton awarded £800 to organise a BSL signer in the Brighton Pride literature tent and workshops in the run up to Pride

♦ Peer Action awarded £1050 for setting up and advertising initiatives to make group therapies sessions accessible to individuals who may be hard to reach, or feel excluded, for instance women, gay male elders, trans and/or disabled.

♦ Rainbow Families awarded £3,000 towards an oral history project to raise their profile and learn from the organisations 20 years work since opening.

♦ Lunch positive awarded £2,500 to deliver core services between April 1, 2015 – August 1, 2015. This will enable Lunch Positive to run 18 weekly lunch club sessions, supporting a weekly average of 55 service users and involving 37 volunteers.

♦ Short and Girlie Productions awarded £160 for provision of an BSL signer for two performances of their Short and Girlie Show at the Verdict during the Brighton Fringe Festival in May.

Chris Gull: Chair of Rainbow Fund
Chris Gull: Chair of Rainbow Fund

Chris Gull, chair of the Rainbow Fund said: “In the Spring grants round we prioritised the work of volunteer led smaller LGBT groups and organisations. During the next 12 months government cuts will affect all voluntary sector groups, but it is vital that our smaller organisations, many without any reserves, who provide such vital services are supported as much as possible through this difficult period.”

TOTAL grants agreed for the Spring funding round: £18,002

Early intervention produces impressive prostate cancer trial results

Cancer ResearchProstate cancer trial shows longer survival with immediate hormone treatment.

AUSTRALIAN researchers have discovered that men with incurable prostate cancer, but without symptoms, who received immediate hormone treatment on the TROG 03.06 (TOAD) clinical trial, had an increase in survival over those who delayed treatment – with 80% still alive after six years, compared to 65% of men for whom treatment was delayed until they showed further symptoms or signs of progression.

The randomised, phase III trial, which was coordinated by Cancer Council Victoria, in collaboration with TROG Cancer Research, with contributions from New Zealand and Canada, was conducted to determine if immediate intervention with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) would improve overall survival, compared with delayed ADT in prostate cancer patients with a rising prostate specific antigen (PSA).

Radiation Oncologist and Trial Chair, Professor Gillian Duchesne, presented the results of theTOAD trial during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, earlier this month.

Prof Gillian Duchesne
Prof Gillian Duchesne

Professor Duchesne said: “These are people who are no longer considered to be curable, but who may have a number of years ahead of them. It is therefore important to try to maintain quality of life for as long as possible, and avoid unnecessary treatment.” 

“We were surprised to see that 80% of the patients in the immediate treatment arm were still alive at 6 years, and 65% in the delayed arm – emphasising how long men with prostate cancer live, even with incurable disease.

“Survival was 10% higher at 5 years, and 15% higher at 6 years for starting hormone therapy early. It seemed that there was also a benefit in the immediate arm to using an intermittent schedule, which allowed the men to have some time off from treatment.

“The trial found that more men on the immediate arm had side effects: 75% vs 50%, which was not surprising. The rate of cancer complications was the same, but they occurred later in the immediate group.”

Professor Duchesne said the results from the trial will have an impact on future treatments for men with incurable prostate cancer, giving them more options.

She continued: “Clinicians now have some evidence to offer to these men, for them to be able to make an informed decision about when they want to start treatment – earlier with the chance of living longer but with increased risk of side effects, or delaying treatment. We were unable to give them any figures before.” 

The trial was the first of its kind to tackle this question in the PSA area. Trial data will be combined with the results of a similar Canadian study, for a secondary analysis.

A quality of life analysis is also being analysed, to assess the relative impact of immediate treatment on quality as well as quantity of life.

 

Tom Daley becomes patron of renamed Switchboard

Olympic diver Tom Daley has teamed up with an LGBT+ charity for the first time to help promote the services it provides.

Tom Daley

TOM, a Bronze Medallist at the London Olympics is to become a Patron of Switchboard, LGBT+ helpline.

Switchboard is the new name for the London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (LLGS).

The charity, which celebrated its 40th birthday last year, provides confidential phone, e-mail and instant messaging services to support people who want to talk about sexuality and gender identity.

Tom said: “I’m so excited to be working with Switchboard. I’ve seen first-hand the vital work the volunteers do and the passion they have. The name change reflects that it’s not about labels, it’s about making sure everyone has someone to talk to when they need it most, whether that’s on the phone or through messaging.”

Earlier this month, urged his 2.5 million followers to join him in uploading a #SwitchboardSelfie to show their support for Switchboard and he will be attending the gala tomorrow night at The Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London (Thursday, June 25) to help launch the charity’s new name.

Nuala O’Sullivan, Switchboard’s Co-Chair, said: “It’s fantastic that Tom has become one of our patrons,”

“He’s a huge role model for so many young people and will help us to spread the message that we provide a safe and confidential space where their concerns can be listened to and talked through.”

Although homophobic bullying in schools is reported to be decreasing, a survey last year found that more than half of gay young people had experienced either discrimination or harassment.

Dave Maher, Switchboard’s Co-Chair, added: “So much is changing for our LGBT+ communities, and so is our name, to make it clear that we’re here for everyone regardless of where they live or how they choose to define their sexuality and gender identity.

“For many young people, in particular, it’s not always easy to find the support they need at such a crucial time in their lives but our volunteers are here with calm words when they need them most.”

More than fifteen thousand people use Switchboard’s services every year to talk about subjects including coming out, bullying, and sexual health. Helpline volunteers are trained to listen, signpost people to specialist services, and to support them to make informed decisions for themselves.

For more information about the gala relaunch event at The Waldorf Hilton, click here:

Switchboard is a voluntary organisation with charitable status whose aim is to provide an information, support and referral service for anyone who needs to consider issues around sexuality and gender identity.

Don’t get angry, get involved! Local Lib Dems rally to the party

As the Pride season starts, local Liberal Democrats celebrate 40 years of delivering gay rights and supporting Brighton Pride.

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THE Liberal Democrats have supported Brighton Pride since its inception.  This year represents the 40th Anniversary of our party (in the form of the Liberal Party in those days), being the first British political party to adopt gay rights as part of its manifesto. We are proud of this position.

We are also proud that we opposed Section 28 outright and without hesitation from the beginning. We are proud of the lead we took in bringing the Gender Recognition Act 2004 into legislation. We are proud that in 2011 we brought about changes to discriminatory blood donation policies. We are proud that, despite more than half of Conservative MPs voting against it, we were able to deliver marriage equality in coalition in fulfilment of our manifesto commitments. We are proud of our history of adopting human rights ideals before other parties are prepared to risk it.

We must continue to fight for full LGBT equality. We must be brave enough to speak up for lesbians and gays in countries managed by illiberal governments. We must especially focus on the rights of the transgender community.

We should do this because it is the right thing to do, not just for the LGBT community, but for all people who find their rights at risk from those who misunderstand them or because they lack political power.

We must push for the adoption of a fair and safe system giving people the right to die at a time and place of their choosing when they are suffering from terminal illness. We should push for electoral reform to enfranchise those supporting smaller parties. We should extend the vote to 16 year olds, as has been our policy for several decades. We must push for equal priority to be given to mental health.

Even in a city like Brighton and even in modern times Brighton Pride remains an important tool for change. But of course, and thankfully too, participation carries much less stigma and risk than it did when those first brave individuals were willing to fight for their rights and the rights of others. As we enjoy this year’s pride we can recognise the achievement that is the legacy of those that have come before. What will be our legacy?

If you too believe that we are all better off when united in the pursuit of fairness and equal opportunities for all individuals—and if you believe that everyone deserves rights, even those you don’t identify with, then maybe you are more liberal than you realised!

Since the elections our local party has more than doubled—don’t get angry, get involved.

For more information, click here:

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