12/10/2015 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

‘My Costume Drama’ a year long fundraiser for MindOut

Posted on 12/10/201513/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Aaron Lawrence aka the entertainer Spice is currently studying for a BSc in physics with astrophysics at Sussex University and has chosen a brilliant and unorthodox way to raise funds and awareness for MindOut, the LGBTQ Mental Health Service.

For the next twelve months Aaron will wear fancy dress at work, when he goes shopping, on holiday, attending a wedding or job interview, in fact every single day!

Don’t be surprised to see him dressed as a superhero, a rock-star, furry crocodile or Hollywood icon when your out shopping at Waitrose. You will find him behind the mushy peas.

You can follow Aaron’s progress on his blog: www.mycostumedrama.com and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/mycostumedrama.

Aaron says: “I’ve always loved a little fancy dress. One day I joked that I liked it so much I should do it full-time. As I was also trying to think of a way to raise money for MindOut and support their tremendous services for LGBTQ people affected by mental health issues, ‘My Costume Drama’ was born. And I have only just realised that 2016 is a leap year… as if 365 days are not enough. I will have to think of something special for February 29”, he said smirking.

“I am raising money for MindOut, which is a mental health service run by and for LGBTQ people. They provide advice, information, advocacy, a peer support group programme, well-being activities and events, a peer mentoring service, out of hours chat service and a food and allotment project. They are based in Brighton and work all over the country.”

My Costume Drama launched at the Bedford Tavern on October 2 and Aaron followed his fundraising effort up today by running in the 5k Colour Run on Brighton seafront, on Saturday, October 10.

Aaron’s fundraising target for the next year is £15,000. To support him with donations directly at any event or online via his donation page, click here:

For more information about MindOut services or to get involved, click here:

Or email: info@mindout.org.uk

Or telephone: 01273 234839

PREVIEW: Transformation: One man’s cross-dressing wardrobe

Posted on 12/10/2015 by Graham Robson

The Walker Art Gallery is to exhibit garments from Liverpool costume collector Peter Farrer’s cross-dressing wardrobe in the first display of its kind to be held in the UK.

Transformation: One Man’s Cross-dressing Wardrobe opens on Saturday, October 24 in the Walker’s Craft and Design Gallery at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and runs until February 2017.

The display, will form part of Liverpool’s Homotopia Festival 2015 and is the UK’s first exhibition to showcase a cross-dressing wardrobe belonging to one person.

Born in Surrey in 1926, Peter Farrer has lived in Liverpool for many years. He has been married twice and has a son. Peter’s fascination with women’s clothing started at an early age and he began cross-dressing from the age of 14.

Pauline Rushton, Curator of Costumes and Textiles at National Museums Liverpool, said: “Peter’s vast costume collection contains some truly wonderful pieces. His life-long passion for taffeta is reflected in a fabulous range of evening dresses from the 1930s to the 1980s. We’re thrilled to be able to showcase a selection of these outfits here at the Gallery.

“In many ways, Peter’s motivation for collecting vintage clothing was two-fold. While he took enjoyment from wearing the larger garments in private, he also held a great appreciation for the design, fabrics and decoration of the pieces.”

Peter’s father was a schoolmaster and clergyman and the family lived in a number of different locations while Peter was growing up. After leaving school, Peter served in the Army for three years before studying at the University of Oxford.

Upon graduating, he joined the Civil Service as a tax inspector, a job he held throughout his working life.

Describing his experience of cross-dressing, Peter said: “Dressing in a taffeta frock did not make me want to be a girl, but it certainly made me understand how much pleasure girls and women get from their party frocks, and intensified my interest in fashion and in the history of costume.”

During the early years of his collecting, Peter ordered women’s clothing and underwear by mail order. He also shopped in department stores, where he felt no pressure to explain that the garments were for him.

In 2000, he began to purchase taffeta dresses, skirts and blouses from the Brighton-based clothing company, Kentucky Woman. Founded by Sandi Hall in 1990, the company specialised in making bespoke garments in period styles, often for members of the transgender and cross-dressing communities.

Sandi Hall recalls: “I started getting discreet enquiries from male clients for made-to-measure dresses, frocks, skirts, period costumes and even ball gowns. I had a small private studio, which was invaluable as I could see these clients on a confidential basis. This was a period in time when transgender people lacked the freedom they enjoy today.”

Peter was one of Sandi’s early customers and she helped to create dresses for him that were made in his size and to his particular taste. He selected the colours and fabrics and collaborated with Sandi on the designs. Many of these garments feature in the display.

For more information, click here:

‘Break the Silence’ – 25 years of Survivors’ Network

Posted on 12/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Survivors’ Network host two events in November to celebrate 25th Anniversary and promote their Break the Silence campaign.

The Sussex charity was established to support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and over the past 25 years has grown and developed and now provides a wide range of services for those who have survived any form of sexual violence including a drop-in and helpline, counselling, and an independent advocacy service.

With approximately 3,000 assaults a year sexual violence is one of the most pervasive crimes in Sussex. It is also one of the most devastating violations anyone can experience and can have profound consequences to physical and psychological health.

Despite this, misplaced taboo and stigma mean that it remains hidden and misunderstood. Moving forward Survivors’ Network want to tackle this most dangerous element of sexual violence, silence.

Fabia Bates, Director of Survivors’ Network, explained: “Abuse thrives on secrecy – the more that we talk about sexual violence the harder it becomes to keep it hidden. This includes everything from talking about consent to children and young people and challenging the myths and stereotypes that exist, to making sure that everyone feels confident that they can speak out about their experiences and will be listened to and believed. If we open up the channels for discussion then we can reduce both the prevalence of sexual violence and its impact on the lives of survivors. One of the most important ways that you can support our work is to talk about it.”

To mark their 25 year anniversary, Survivors’ Network invite everyone to participate in the following events and support survivors of sexual violence;

♦ Survivor’s Network Open Space Conference:
The Basement, Friday, November 20.
This event will be an Open Space conference, a forum for survivors, health professionals, teachers, journalists, police, supporters and anyone with a passion to be part of this change, to come together and help survivors address the issue. The Open Space format will put participants in the driving seat, allowing them to take control, collaborate and answer the question How do we address sexual violence in the next 25 years?
For more information email: admin@survivorsnetwork.org.uk

♦ Survivor’s Network 25th Birthday Fire-Walking event: Jubilee Square on Saturday, November 21.

An event celebrating all the work which Survivors’ Network have done over the past 25 years. The 25th Anniversary will be held in Jubilee Square and feature a sponsored firewalk with 100 participants, a trio of local choirs, a photography exhibition on the ‘Breaking the Silence’ theme and an interactive craft stall to create a special, celebratory mural.

For more information and to find out about how you can get involved, email: admin@survivorsnetwork.org.uk

Rape and sexual abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, culture or social status.

If you have experienced sexual violence at any point in your life contact Survivors’ Network on 01273 203380, or email: admin@survivorsnetwork.org.uk or view www.survivorsnetwork.org.uk for details of their text, voice and email help line.

If you would like someone to talk to outside of these hours, this information sheet provided by Survivors’ Network has details of all the other relevant helplines across the country.

JOBS: Lunch Positive recruiting service manager

Posted on 12/10/2015 by Gary Hart

Lunch Positive is a small Brighton-based charity that provides a well-attended weekly Friday lunch club to people living with and affected by HIV. Their services aim to improve the health and well-being of members (service users) and volunteers.

At the lunch club we provide a safe and supportive community space where members can:

♦ access a healthy and affordable meal

♦ meet and engage with others, thereby reducing social isolation

♦ find peer support from other HIV positive people, and gain support from volunteers

Lunch Positive act as a gateway and signpost to other services and support, including regular visiting outreach workers. We also run healthy eating workshops and other activities.

The lunch club is run by a large team of volunteers, many of whom are also members. We place a fundamental emphasis on member and volunteer involvement in the design, delivery and development of our services.

We are looking for a Service Manager to take responsibility for the effective planning and delivery of all the operational aspects of our organisation and its services.

The Service Manager will report to and work in liaison with the Trustee Board.

The Service Manager will also establish, develop and maintain key relationships with existing and potential stakeholders, particularly our volunteers and senior managers of outside agencies and care providers.

You will need to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the diverse requirements of this role, and be willing and able to become actively involved in all aspects of delivery and operations.

A good understanding of HIV, the complexities of living with an HIV diagnosis and the social and psychological impacts of HIV are required.

Relevant volunteer management experience, effective interpersonal and people leadership skills, together with a dynamic approach to strategic working are also essential.

Additionally, you will need to have a high degree of flexibility in the hours and days which you can work, in order to be available for when our services are open and to meet the varied needs of our organisation’s activities and events.

This role is funded for up to one year, with the possibility of extension subject to future funding being available.

♦ £30,948 pro-rata [£18,569]
♦ 28 days + Bank holidays (pro-rata)
♦ Wednesday, Thursday, 09.00 – 17.30; Friday 08.00 – 16.30
♦ Total per week 22.5 with some evening and weekend work
♦ Brighton & Hove and Eastbourne, with some home-working required

For more information about Lunch Positive, together with links to our governance page, Charity Commission entry, and annual reports, click here:

To apply for this role, click here: and go to ‘what’s happening’ section to download a copy of the job description and application form.

Completed application forms should be sent by e-mail to Steven Foster, Chair of Trustees, at lunchpositive@aol.com to arrive no later than midday Monday, October 19 2015.

Interviews will take place on Tuesday, November 3.

Please note CVs will not be accepted. If you have any questions about this role, or the application process, please contact Steven Foster at the above e-mail.

Lunch Positive is an equal opportunities employer and we actively encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates with lived experience of HIV.

To download a copy of the Job Description, click here:

New LGBTI hate crime project launched in Scotland

Posted on 12/10/2015 by Gary Hart

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity launches new Hate Crime reporting project.

The new project aims to increase the reporting of LGBTI hate crimes and incidents and improve the support available to those targeted and adds Scotland to the National LGBT Hate Crime Partnership which brings together 35 LGBT organisations from across England, Wales, funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and led by the LGBT Consortium.

The launch coincides with Hate Crime Awareness Week at a time when many LGBTI people still experience prejudice, abuse or serious assault as a result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Scottish Government will also host a hate crime summit this week (Wednesday 21), aimed at examining solutions to the problem.

In Scotland, sexual orientation aggravated crime is the second most common type of hate crime, but it is known through the research that many other people don’t report incidents to the police.

The number of charges specific to sexual orientation aggravated crime reported has risen each year since hate crime legislation came into effect in March 2010, to stand at 890 in 2013-14.

While reporting by transgender people remains low, it is know that this is due to massive under-reporting.

The project will support people to recognise when they have experienced a hate crime, encourage them to report it to the police and signpost them to any help they need.

The project will also involve awareness-raising sessions with LGBTI community groups across the country, as well as training for the police and Crown Office and other criminal justice agencies, and a high profile social media campaign.

Scott Cuthbertson from the Equality Network, said: “Nobody should live in fear because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics, but we know that lots of people still do.

“That’s why we want this project to let LGBTI people living in Scotland know that the law is there to protect them. We are looking forward to working with the Police Scotland, the Crown Office and other criminal justice agencies to make sure that they support people in the best way possible if they make a report.

“There shouldn’t be any barriers, perceived or otherwise, to reporting a hate crime. We hope that by working with our partners we can encourage more people to recognise a hate crime, report it to the police, and get the support they are entitled to.”

A recent report by the Equality Network found that almost half of respondents had experienced or witnessed an incident of prejudice or discrimination in the past month, rising to 79% within the past year and 97% within their lifetimes.

The Scottish LGBT Equality Report also found that transgender respondents were more likely to have experienced prejudice or discrimination in a recent period. One out of seven respondents (14%) had experienced or witnessed an incident in the last 24 hours, almost half (45%) in the last week and 91% in the last year.

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Day: October 12, 2015

‘My Costume Drama’ a year long fundraiser for MindOut

Aaron Lawrence aka the entertainer Spice is currently studying for a BSc in physics with astrophysics at Sussex University and has chosen a brilliant and unorthodox way to raise funds and awareness for MindOut, the LGBTQ Mental Health Service.

PREVIEW: Transformation: One man’s cross-dressing wardrobe

The Walker Art Gallery is to exhibit garments from Liverpool costume collector Peter Farrer’s cross-dressing wardrobe in the first display of its kind to be held in the UK.

‘Break the Silence’ – 25 years of Survivors’ Network

Survivors’ Network host two events in November to celebrate 25th Anniversary and promote their Break the Silence campaign.

JOBS: Lunch Positive recruiting service manager

Lunch Positive is a small Brighton-based charity that provides a well-attended weekly Friday lunch club to people living with and affected by HIV. Their services aim to improve the health and well-being of members (service users) and volunteers.

New LGBTI hate crime project launched in Scotland

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity launches new Hate Crime reporting project.

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Aaron Lawrence aka the entertainer Spice is currently studying for a BSc in physics with astrophysics at Sussex University and has chosen a brilliant and unorthodox way to raise funds and awareness for MindOut, the LGBTQ Mental Health Service.

Share this:

The Walker Art Gallery is to exhibit garments from Liverpool costume collector Peter Farrer’s cross-dressing wardrobe in the first display of its kind to be held in the UK.

Share this:

Survivors’ Network host two events in November to celebrate 25th Anniversary and promote their Break the Silence campaign.

Share this:

Lunch Positive is a small Brighton-based charity that provides a well-attended weekly Friday lunch club to people living with and affected by HIV. Their services aim to improve the health and well-being of members (service users) and volunteers.

Share this:

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity launches new Hate Crime reporting project.

Share this:

Latest News