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Legendary DJs joins men’s zone line-up at Brighton Pride

Brighton Bear Weekend brings grrrr! to the Men’s Zone this Brighton Pride.

DJs Rob C and Josh the Barber
DJs Rob C and Josh the Barber

Two amazing DJs handpicked by the UK’s biggest Bear festival will play for your ultimate satisfaction in the Bear’s Tent. A match made in furry heaven BBW and Brut are set to ensure your Pride is set sexy.

DJ Rob C has been a feature of the London clubbing scene for a number of years and has played at clubs including The Fridge, Heaven, Fire, Union, Royal Vauxhall Tavern and The Eagle. Outside of London he recently played in San Francisco and at the Brighton Bear Weekend.

Speaking about his forthcoming appearance at Brighton Pride’s Men Zone, Rob said: “I’m always on the dance floor in the Men’s Dance Tent every year. The music is always great and the tent is filled with sexy guys. Brighton Pride is just a fabulous occasion that brings together the whole community. People can go out, be who they are and be part of a big happy family. You’re never far away from a big smile”.

Josh The Barber is a Brighton legend having DJ’d on the scene for over twenty years. Promoter and DJ at his own men-only night GBH Josh is also resident at Dr. Brightons and the infamous Brighton Bear Weekend which this year will see him doing his funky house disco and northern soul thing at House Woofer.

Josh said of this years Bear action at Brighton Pride: “I love playing in the Men’s Dance Tent and seeing people enjoying the music as atmosphere is a real buzz. Pride is important because it brings us all together to celebrate who we are, and to stick a finger to all the discrimination in the world”.

To purchase tickets for the Brighton Pride Festival on Saturday, August 6 2016, click here:

BOOK REVIEW: Why Drag?

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Why Drag?

Magnus Hastings

With a waspish foreword from Boy George, from the first page this book establishes itself as a force to reckon with. This book is as fierce as the people celebrated and highlighted within it. These 244 huge colorful pages of the biggest and most diverse drag queens across America and beyond are all answering the question: Why Drag? The images are excellent from the cover to the end plate, thoughtful insightful and full of humour, it’s a real page turner. There’s a collection of interviews, profiles and reflective pieces about the nature of Drag and how it changes the performers, the audience and society.

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See a preview of Hastings work and his  splendid book here:

 

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The book is run through with Drags’ queer wisdom and never stops short of celebrating all the delightful infinite variety of being exquisite, beautiful and stunningly Drag. The book has an international flavour which also demonstrates the impact of Drag and some of its performers in global media culture and also features Brighton’s very own sexy chanteuse Le Gateau Chocolate in all his voluptuous refulgent sassy glory.

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The books answers its own question with a huge sequined high-heeled ‘because we CAN!’.

Hastings; one of the UK’s leading photographers from the last decade describes himself as ‘a celebrity photographer with a thing for drag queens’, but Oh, Honeychild those words are far too small for the glory of this divinely captured book.

For more info or to buy the book see here:

Out now. Hardback, Full colour.

£22:50

Medway Council refuse to fly Rainbow Flag for Orlando victims

Medway Council urged to fly LGBT rainbow flag following Orlando nightclub shooting.

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An online petition has been launched to persuade Medway Council to change its mind and fly the rainbow flag at its offices in Chatham, Kent following the mass shooting at the gay nightclub, Pulse in Orlando, Florida.

Local authorities across the UK including Brighton and Hove are flying the Rainbow Flag as a mark of respect following the massacre which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, June 12.

49 people were murdered, and a further 53 injured, in the deadliest attack in US history at the nightclub that was hosting a night for LGBT Latinos and trans people.

When Medway Council was asked by Medway Labour leader Vince Maple to display the flag at Gun Wharf in Chatham, it refused.

The request was made on behalf of Labour Councillor, Tristan Osborne, who is gay.

Cllr Tristan Osborne
Cllr Tristan Osborne

Cllr Osborne said: “It is not party political it is about showing solidarity with LGBT staff and residents. We are asking for a very small symbol to respect what has happened.

He added: “The petition I have launched is very similar to the one in Plymouth and I’m hoping it will result in a similar response. Plymouth council has understood that it is a very small gesture but an important one.

“Medway is a Stonewall council that prides itself on respecting diversity, and rightly so, so I hope they will look at this decision again.”

“It is disappointing that there has to be a petition at all, I am very unhappy about it.”

The petition has attracted almost signatures in just a few hours.

A Medway Council spokesperson said: “The Orlando tragedy is indeed shocking, and something that will remain in our memories for many years to come.

“In the past we haven’t habitually changed flags at Gun Wharf to recognise international tragedies.”

To sign the petition, click here:

Greens champion the homeless and call for action on emergency housing

Greens in Brighton and Hove appeal for the Labour Council to take “urgent and decisive steps” to address increasing reports of poor living conditions in emergency accommodation for homeless people.

Cllr David Gibson
Cllr David Gibson

Green Councillors welcomed a petition brought before the Housing and New Homes committee today which highlights the plight of homeless households living in emergency accommodation, which can be cold, damp, and lacking in hot water and basic cooking facilities.

Daniel Harris
Daniel Harris

The petition was first submitted by Daniel Harris, a resident in emergency accommodation who has been campaigning to raise awareness of the issue.  The campaign gained momentum last week with a public meeting of residents urging that standards be improved. Thanks to Daniel’s public stand, the private landlord directly involved has pledged improvements to the accommodation he lives in, despite Brighton and Hove Council Housing Department and the Labour Group doing nothing to inspect the properties or enforce.

Following a Green amendment to the petition at the council meeting in March, the committee was formally requested to take steps to drive up housing quality and resolve issues.

Greens say the Council should invest in its own quick-build emergency accommodation, drawing on ideas such as Y:Cube housing to reduce its bill from private landlords.

Green Housing spokesperson, Councillor David Gibson, said: “I’m deeply concerned about the increasing reports of poor standards and barely habitable conditions in the city’s emergency accommodation. Homeless people in emergency accommodation are often in turmoil and it is beholden on the council not to aggravate matters by housing them in poor quality accommodation. The council purchase this accommodation from private landlords and expect it to be of a decent standard that offers a safe and habitable space for residents seeking to get back on their feet.  These landlords appear to be taking the Council for a ride and this has to stop.

“I attended a meeting with residents living in emergency accommodation and was moved by their struggles and desire to fight for improvements despite being close to rock bottom. They have my full support. 

“The council’s rough sleeping strategy shows that of those rough sleepers with a local connection, 31% have been evicted from a hostel or temporary accommodation.  It’s clear the Council aren’t getting everything right in our support for homeless households, and need to be doing more to ensure people can access effective support in a safe space.

“That’s why the Greens are pushing for rapid action and a new approach to the issue which focuses on building quick-build housing units to house the city’s homeless, rather than simply filling the pockets of private landlords.  Not only will this save the Council money and deliver its financial targets, it will allow the Council to ensure standards are maintained for people to meet their basic needs and focus on moving forward with their lives”.

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