Author Klara Piechocki-Brown crowdfunds her debut LGBT+ novel using Unbound, an innovative publishing platform.
Klara Piechocki-Brown
Unbound is both a funding platform and a publisher, helping authors to become published with the support of their readers. The readers help to get great ideas published, and in return receive an insight into the writing process as well as having their name printed as a patron in that and every subsequent edition of the book.
Klara works as an illustrator as well as an author, and so patrons of her book will have exclusive access to illustrations of her characters and settings from the book itself.
The Death of Poppy Kusch features LGBT characters as well as an ethically non-monogamous bisexual protagonist. Klara herself identifies as both genderqueer and bisexual, and is passionate about LGBT activism – especially the encouragement of accurate portrayals of bisexual and trandsgender characters in the media.
Klara said:“It was important for me to show that you can fall in love with more than one person and gender and be happy; I wanted to really normalise what mainstream society still thinks of as an alternative lifestyle.”
Synopsis:
Poppy Kusch, a time travelling immigrant from the 1920s escaping scandal, lives quietly in modern-day Oxford as a neonatal nurse with her family; three lovers who are also time travellers.
After watching her future self die childless, Poppy pays to take part in a controversial study to artificially raise her luck in order to conceive a baby. When her family die as a result she must evade the Corporation as they try to stop her rewriting history to save them.
To become a patron of Klara’s book and help it become published, click here:
You will also be able to read the first chapter for free!
The Annual Candlelight Vigil and Reading of the Names of those lost in Brighton and Hove to HIV/AIDS brought hundreds to the Aids Memorial in New Steine Gardens last night, Tuesday, December 1.
The event was organised and delivered by the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Partnership which is chaired by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and includes: Lunch Positive, the Sussex Beacon, Gscene Magazine, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy, Peer Action, the BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team and the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.
The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Lynda Hydes, was joined by the leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Green Groups on Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, the local ward Councillors for Queens Park Ward, Paula Murray for Brighton and Hove City Council and Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, the LGBT Champion for Sussex Police.
James Ledward from Gscene magazine welcomed everyone to the event, and highlighted the results of a snap poll for World AIDS Day commissioned by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), which found that 77% of gay men living with HIV who had responded to the poll had experienced stigma, with:
♦ 63% of respondents saying it was most prevalent within the gay community
♦ 60% saying it came from online dating platforms and
♦ 58% when dating.
He reminded everyone that while the Leader of the Council, Cllr Warren Morgan had committed the city to achieving zero stigma, zero transmissions and zero deaths from HIV by 2020 at the launch of the Martin Fisher Foundation in September, in 2016 everyone should concentrate all their efforts first and foremost on challenging all forms of stigma and discrimination so that at the World AIDS Day Candlelit Vigil in 2016 we were not listening to similar depressing statistics.
The reading of the names followed then people laid their candles round the base of ‘TAY’ the Brighton AIDS Memorial.
Cllr McCafferty
Councillor McCafferty, convener of the Green group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “I’m deeply moved to be a part of this event and pleased that I can make some kind of contribution in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It’s so important that we remember those who are no longer with us, and support those who are still living with and fighting against HIV/AIDS. Reading the names of lives lost is an incredibly humbling experience, and I hope in some way pays tribute to the amazing people who we have lost.
“The fight against HIV/AIDS has come a long way, with treatments now available which mean many people with HIV are living longer and healthier lives. But much remains to be done. Regular HIV tests are important for anyone who is sexually active, as 1 in 6 people with HIV don’t know they have it. There’s still a huge stigma and a number of myths associated with HIV/AIDS which hamper effective treatment, and globally there are still challenges in providing equal access to treatments.
“It is still critical to support the organisations who provide advice, treatment and education for people living with HIV/AIDS, and World Aids Day helps to raise essential funds needed to ensure this vital work can continue. We all have a part to play in tackling the ongoing rise of HIV in the city”
James Ledward, commented after the event:“It is so depressing to find that after all the work that has been done to tackle stigma suffered by people with HIV, this THT poll indicates that much of it comes from within the LGBT community. We need to put our house in order and a good start would be to commence challenging the internalised stigma and poor behaviour that is manifesting itself in sections of the LGBT community locally.”
Warm drinks were provided by Lunch Positive the weekly HIV lunch club that provides a healthy meal, community and social space for people with HIV.
Written by Martyn Jacques
Performed by The Tiger Lillies and Laura Caldow
Directed and Designed by Mark Holthusen
Mon 30 Nov, 8pm
The Tiger Lilies’ genre-defying brand of other-worldly vocals and unnerving performance style have carved them a unique niche in the cabaret and music theatre scene. After a sell-out run of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the cult creators of the award-winning Shockheaded Peter now stage another adaptation of a macabre classic.
Ah, the Tiger Lilies, my favourite crepuscular music makers and all round darkly dark cabaret trio, who’s music, songs and personas are as twisted as a Prime Ministers arguments for war and just as deluded, bloody and deadly. Presenting their new show Lulu at the Brighton Dome to a full house of enthusiastic Brightonians; it’s been a while since I’ve seen so much badly dyed hair.
Constructed from the main character in Wedekind’s ‘Lulu’ plays lead singer and writer-composer Martyn Jacques narrates ( or reads from AutoQ depending on where you’re sitting) this miserable wretched tale of Lulu interspaced with eighteen ballads each one different and highlighting Jacques intensely strange and compulsive voice, one moment crooning sweetness the next Dame Edna on poppers, they are nothing if not watchable, and the wonderfully strange use of playing the saw and the Theremin to add an edge of odd to the ballads was evocative. The story however is problematic and with an all male presentation apart from mute dancer Laura Caldow who dances the descent into misery and despair that is Lulu’s life. It’s called Lulu, but she doesn’t get a voice, its all about the men, pimps, Johns, abusers , step fathers, sugar daddies, druggies, pushers, perverts and eventually ( in a touch too much of the clichéd ending) murdering brutish men who ruin her. The men control our view of Lulu and it’s uncomfortable viewing. We are forced to become voyeurs, peeping and being entertained by misogyny as porno entertainment.
Director Mark Holthusen has created a visual spectacle through projected sets interlace with a Victorian music hall clockwork style that constantly changed, all projected and sophisticated with a multi layered approach that enhanced the show with these large scale virtual sets that create an immersive and richly atmospheric environment. They were great.
Overall I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. Bleak truths examining the male gaze and relentless exploitation in pursuit of a fantasy of unrealistic female marionette, creepily referred to as ‘my doll’ throughout. Lulu is never allowed to mature into a more wily whole woman. The narrative urges us onward relentlessly into deeper and more unpleasant abusiveness. One interesting part was where one of Jacquese’s ballad eluded to Lulu being unable to sustain a relationship with one man as she craved male attention, this promised to illuminate Lulu’s life but it was a cul de sac of insight.
Erin Prizzey from the women’s refuge movement would describe Lulu as ‘prone to violence’, brought up with damaging negative attention she is drawn to it rather than live without.
Either way it left a nasty taste and even though I’m a Tiger Lilies fan I wouldn’t go and see it again. I hoped for redemption, if not for Lulu then for her soul as it lifted itself up out of her hell, but the Lilies are too cruel and honest for that and we were left with the brutal broken truth as we waddled out into the chilly seaside air.
Shudder!
See more of the earsthetic festival and other events on at the Dome at the Dome website here:
The Pride festival is the Rainbow Funds biggest annual fundraiser raising over £200,000 for local LGBT/HIV groups over the last three years.
For Pride 2016, Early Bird tickets have been frozen at £12.50 and will be available to local residents from Thursday, December 3 from Legends, Prowler and Sussex Beacon shop.
Extra £10 community tickets will also be made available this year to community groups and parade entries.
Free tickets are also available for people who help our community by volunteering just two hours of their time or by applying to the Rainbow Fund’s hardship ticket scheme.
If people choose to purchase tickets nearer the event, they will be more expensive, but Pride aims to deliver an accessible community event that is value for money, as well as meeting its fundraising obligations and creating a sustainable future.
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, joined UK activists at a STOPAIDS Parliamentary event to mark World AIDS Day on December 1.
He joined them in their call for increased investment in HIV and to support HIV testing and treatment for the most marginalised.
UK investment has helped to transform the global HIV response and Mr Kirby voiced his support for renewed UK leadership in the push to end the global AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Mr Kirby spoke with activists about the progress made so far in the AIDS response and the financial and political commitment needed to make ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 a reality.
UNAIDS estimates that in order to end AIDS by 2030, global funding must increase from $19bn to $32bn annually- but funds must increase over the next five years or we will lose this unique window of opportunity to end AIDS.
Mr Kirby said:“For the first time the end of AIDS is achievable. We have the tools to end the epidemic, but to meet the ambitious global targets the UK government signed on to in September, we can leave no one behind. The UK government must increase its support to ensure access to HIV testing and immediate treatment for all including the most marginalised groups in the UK and globally.”
The UK government welcomed the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in September 2015 during the UN General Assembly in New York. SDG 3 pledged to ensure healthy lives for all, and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Mike Podmore of STOPAIDS, said:“It is inspiring to see parliamentarians like Simon Kirby showing his support for continued UK leadership in the global HIV response. We call on the UK government to increase investment in HIV now in order to avoid paying a higher price later when HIV infections will have increased. Key affected populations including sex workers, injecting drug users and LGBTI must be at the heart of the response.”
Monday December 1 marked the 27th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day when activists and people living with HIV from around the world come together in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
STOPAIDS is the network of 80 UK agencies working since 1986 to secure an effective global response to HIV and AIDS.
This annual event is an extraordinary coming together of the City’s LGBT music scene, mainly choral, as an act of remembrance and awareness and also as a fund raiser for the charity Lunch Positive – and as such it would be wrong to in any way criticise any of the performances.
The atmosphere in the church was certainly one of warmth and love and each performing group had given their all to engender that. There were though some outstanding moments throughout the evening.
Resound are a quality choir of male voices that achieve the very highest standards and produce a sound that is simply stunning, precise in every sense and rounded. So too do the all female Rebelles under the same musical director Stefan Holmstrom. And joining forces they gave us a very beautiful Swedish Christmas carol.
Qukulele added a cheeky charm and campness to the evening – matched by the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus’ irreverent reworking of Mylie Cyrus’Wrecking Ball! Yes, hearing is believing.
Finally the Rainbow Chorus, a community choir with a no audition policy, directed by Aneesa Chaudhry (newly appointed Musical Director of the European Queer Choir) raised the roof with an outstanding medley from Les Miserables and a run-away train rendition of The Rhythm Of Life – a fitting anthem.
All in all with performances from Actually Gay Men’s Chorus and The Brighton Belles an exceptional evening entertainingly held together by comedian Julie Jepson.
Brighton & Hove named one of the best tourist locations in the world by users of travel website TripAdvisor.
Royal Pavilion Brighton
Brighton & Hove features twice in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice™ awards for Destinations on the Rise for 2016.
The awards highlight destinations that have seen the greatest increase in positive feedback and interest from the TripAdvisor community, each year.
Brighton & Hove is the only UK location included in the category for the top ten destinations ‘on the rise’ in the world for 2016, ranking sixth out of 10.
In the category for the top ten destinations on the rise in Europe, the city ranks even higher in third place, just above the only other UK entry which is Liverpool.
Cllr Warren Morgan
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said:“I am delighted, but not surprised, that Brighton & Hove is recognised among the best in world by travellers from the UK and overseas. The Award highlights the fantastic work by thousands across the city who work in tourism, culture, restaurants and entertainment to deliver an excellent service to the 11 million plus visitors who come here each year. As we know, Brighton & Hove truly is a ‘Destination on the Rise’ in 2016; not just with the opening of the British Airways i360, but also the 50th anniversary of the Brighton Festival and continued development of the city’s accommodation and major infrastructure.”
Barbara Messing
Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor, added: “Our well-travelled community has helped us identify the destinations around the world that are gaining in interest and popularity. We hope these destinations inspire those planning their travel for 2016 to book trips to these locales that feature excellent hotels, restaurants and attractions, and also provide a great holiday value.”
For a list of all of the Travellers’ Choice award-winning Destinations on the Rise for 2016, click here:
For more information about tourism in Brighton & Hove, click here:
The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Partnership have organised a series of events to mark World AIDS Day today, December 1.
The WAD partnership includes: Lunch Positive, the Sussex Beacon, Gscene Magazine, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy, Peer Action, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, THT and Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.
BRIGHTON AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLELIT VIGIL: New Steine Gardens: Tuesday, December 1, 6-7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the remembrance event for those lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove. There will be a reading of the names and a candlelit vigil. New names to be read (in addition to those in previous years) can be added during the day at World AIDS Day Café marquee in New Steine Gardens.
WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT: St Mary’s Church, St James Street, Brighton: Tuesday, December 1, doors open 7pm, concert at 7.30pm with performances by the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Qukelele.
For full World AIDS Day list of events, click here:
The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has come to the end of its two-year period with no clear solution for a sustainable future for tourism in Brighton.
TAB was established at the beginning of 2014 to guide and advise VisitBrighton (VB) and Brighton & Hove City Council on the development and implementation of a sustainable tourism strategy.
The voluntary board was composed of twenty-five members from local Tourism related businesses, and three locally elected cross-party Councillors.
During its two-year term, the Board and its sub groups met on a number of occasions to discuss ideas and suggestions.
One of the main benefits of the Board has been the coming together of all the main tourism bodies and interests in the City to have a better understanding of each other and the challenges and opportunities facing the City. Brighton Pride who organise the biggest event in the city bringing in 100,000 visitors to the city over a single weekend, benefitting hotels and restaurants, were not invited to participate.
However, TAB recognises a need to continue conversations with key tourism stakeholders, councillors and council officers.
To this purpose, even though TAB came to an end following its last meeting on November 16, it has been agreed that there will be two organised events a year for the tourism sector to get together and discuss industry developments and major city developments.
The future of VB and finding the best model for tourism going forward has been central to their discussions. Among other things VB offers the latest official Brighton tourist information and Brighton tourism guides.
TAB worked with the Council to commission an independent Review of Tourism Services which recommended creating an arm’s length body independent of the council. Research into options for outsourcing as a standalone or sharing with an existing organisation followed.
However, it became clear that with the current structure within VB, a stand alone version would not survive without Council funding. For the same reasons outsourcing to an existing organisation is not an option.
At the current time, Council funding for the future of tourism has not been defined enough to proceed with alternative investigations but tourism leaders with council members will continue to look at options recognising the importance of tourism to the City both for the local economy and job creation.
Until the position on future Council funding is clear, no immediate decision can be taken and TAB recognised that all the tourism bodies will continue to work with VB until a more financially realistic model can emerge which has the support of all involved in the City’s tourism industry.
TAB was chaired by Glynn Jones, a former Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council.
Brighton & Hove was the only UK destination included in the category for the top ten destinations ‘on the rise’ in the world for 2016, ranking sixth out of 10 on the TripAdvisor website, announced last week.
Jason Lupi “came out” in public last year about his HIV status after living with the virus for 23 years. Here he talks about the treatments currently available and the importance of tackling the most deadly symptom of HIV, stigma.
Jason Lupi
HIV has never had it so bad. It is being attacked in so many ways, that living with HIV nowadays can be a treatable and manageable condition.
Thirty years ago many people were struggling to stay alive with the virus; the drugs were few, incorrect doses were given and some were so toxic that left many people with life long complications. It was a deadly virus because there was no medication; it still is a deadly virus to those without access to medication.
Throughout the early years many clinical trials were rolled out and different classes of drugs were produced so HIV could be attacked from various angles. This gave rise to combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) which is now a common choice of treatment for people with HIV.
I used to dwell on my early prognosis when I had a CD4 count below 10 and a short-term AIDS defining illness. There was a vague period when I felt I was living in a muted limbo between the unknown; did I have AIDS or HIV? Nothing was mentioned. I just got on with trying to manage it as well as I could, and taking my doctor’s advice on which treatment would be best.
A friend recently pointed out: “The ‘AIDS’ model of disease in the early years allowed for a one-way progression; from asymptomatic HIV, then Persistent Generalised Lymphadenopathy, then AIDS Related Complex, before finally an AIDS diagnosis. The move over the last 10 years is to think in terms of early, mid and late stage HIV disease and you can move either way through the disease structure.”
But even long-term living with the disease, (myself 23 years) doesn’t automatically mean you are at the late stages. If the virus is kept under control no matter how long you live, as long as the meds are working – where, I ask, are you exactly in the progression of the disease? And does it really matter?
I am in no way a veteran of the AIDS epidemic but through my experience, I am constantly amazed at the level of advancement in science and the changeable nature of what we call HIV/AIDS.
We are far removed from the headstones of fear of the 1980’s but lots of people are still entrenched in that mind-set. Upon reflection I now view this (very significant time of change), not with guilt or hardship, but with a sobering acknowledgement that the reality of living with HIV prior to cART’s just so happened in my youth.
I not only saw but actually experienced at first hand the struggles and pains of it all; the trials and tribulations, the evolution of both treatment options and of people’s attitude.
These struggles can transform into an appreciation of treatment advancements that can sometimes get overshadowed by a disconcerted, apathetic or ‘c’est la vie’ attitude. This transformation is an opportunity to use in HIV awareness. It helps the removal of shame of living with the condition because HIV does not discriminate; there are no rhymes or reasons, no border controls or class system it prefers. It is a virus that keeps on doing its thing and as long as it exists, science will keep on progressing.
With a structured treatment regime this virus can be kept to an undetectable level, and people can, and do have lives that are no different from anyone else. This is now the normal progression of the illness and we could be educating and explaining this to everyone. Currently the most deadly symptom of HIV is stigma.
Disease control has been around for a long time; advancements are made in every generation and in most areas. In 100 years from now we will look back and think how mad that people used to die of AIDS, just as we now look back and think the same about syphilis or polio. We are a blip in an unfolding history.
People who don’t know their status are putting their own health at risk and could unknowingly be passing it on. Getting tested and starting treatment is vital for everyone’s health.
There are many ways of fighting HIV, here are three:
♦ ARVs = Antiretroviral drugs that if taken properly can reduce the virus to undetectable levels
♦ PEP = A short course of HIV drugs taken soon after any activity which had a risk of transmission
♦ PrEP = A one pill a day prevention option for people who are at high risk of getting HIV
There are around 30 different types of these drugs available. Side effects are fewer and variable in nature and different combinations are numerous. In less than five years time there could possibly be another option available; a once month injection. In 30 years time there may be a vaccine.
Just to clarify – I am not an expert in HIV medication; the points I have mentioned are my own personal views. I am also not being paid by any drug companies and taking AVR’s is by no way an easy feat. In my ‘HIV coming out post’ last year, I wrote regarding the chores of daily medication:
“Sickness and disease is part of everybody’s life; it shouldn’t dictate life. Medication is not a daily reminder of my sickness, but a reminder of my opportunities and freedom, it’s the very ingredient that keeps me alive and I should praise it and respect it. Intolerance, resentment and procrastination were not going to be an option if I wanted to stay well and healthy”.
I am a human being, I am a son, brother, uncle, and a friend; I am no different from you or anyone else; Please help reduce the stigma of people who are living with HIV, whether privately on their own in the darkness of fear or for people who are willing to be open about it. There is no difference between them.
The Annual Candlelight Vigil and Reading of the Names of those lost in Brighton and Hove to HIV/AIDS brought hundreds to the Aids Memorial in New Steine Gardens last night, Tuesday, December 1.
The atmosphere in the church was certainly one of warmth and love and each performing group had given their all to engender that. There were though some outstanding moments throughout the evening.
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