Helen Jones, a leading mental health worker has been awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public service in the field of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer mental health.
Helen Jones
Helen received her honorary degree during the University’s summer graduation ceremony at the Brighton Dome on 26 July. She was presented by Professor David Taylor, Dean of the College of Social Sciences.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Helen Jones, said:“I feel very honoured. This means a lot to me personally, but more importantly it is a recognition that the mental health issues facing LGBTQ communities are both a legitimate and urgent field of study and of community development. MindOut is a great example of how Universities and community organisations can work together to create social change.”
Helen helped to found local mental health project MindOut in Brighton & Hove 17 years ago in response to the demand for services to meet the needs of LGBTQ communities.
She has worked in mental health for many years, as a service manager, psychotherapist, counsellor and advocacy worker, and prior to that as a psychiatric nurse. She is passionate about empowerment, peer support and service user participation.
Paris Lees, the prize-winning journalist, presenter and equality campaigner has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her major contribution to the understanding of trans-identity in contemporary society as a journalist and cultural commentator.
Paris Lees
Paris received her honorary degree during the University’s summer graduation ceremony at the Brighton Dome on July 25, presented by Professor Debra Humphris, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Speaking to graduates at the awards ceremony, Paris Lees said:“I am deeply grateful to everyone at the University and in particular the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debra Humphris. Up until very recently trans people weren’t celebrated for anything – we were simply objects of ridicule, or data points in academic debates.
“Family. Love. Prestige. These are things traditionally denied to trans people. I want people from the margins of society to know that it is possible to have these things.
“I feel compelled to dedicate this honorary doctorate to a group people who seldom enjoy public praise – sex workers. Sex work is part of my past now, but the truth is I would not have got my degree and forged the career I enjoy today without making some tough choices.
“Making sex work criminal does not stop it from happening and only puts sex workers in danger. Too many middle class commentators in broadsheet newspapers continue to ignore the voices of sex workers and call for a ban on sex work. This has to stop. Sex workers, like trans people, are one of the most silenced groups in society. We do not hear their voices. I want them to know that they are valuable, that they are not wrong, or dirty, and that I care about them.”
Paris Lees was described as “the voice of a generation” by i-D magazine. Her work can be found everywhere from the Daily Telegraph to the Guardian and she is the first and, so far, only trans person to appear on the BBC’s flagship discussion programme Question Time.
She is the first trans woman to present for BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4 and has won various awards, including Ultimate Trailblazer at the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards in 2014.
She co-founded All About Trans in 2011, a project to connect trans people with the media that lead to BBC2 comedy Boy Meets Girl and Eastenders’ first trans character.
In recognition of her campaigning, the Independent on Sunday named her the most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person in Britain in 2013.
Her memoir is being published next year by Penguin.
Photoworks, an organisation dedicated to enabling participation in photography and produce the Brighton Photo Biennial is leading on Into the Outside – a learning project with local young people, re-examining their city’s rich LGBTQ+ past and creating a new archive of queer youth experiences.
Around thirty 13-25 year olds are examining how issues faced today by young people identifying as LGBTQ+ compare with those faced by young LGBTQ people over the past forty years.
Participants have been recruited by an open call through social media, schools and community groups. The thirteen-month heritage-learning project is being delivered in collaboration with Brighton & Hove Libraries Services, and the Mass Observation Archive.
The programme is being facilitated by artist Helen Cammock. Helen has many years of experience running high calibre projects with young people, and her own practice explores representation and relationships between the individual and society.
Photography and creative writing workshops, archive research and oral history training have already taken place with the young people at Jubilee Library and The Keep, a world-class archive resource centre.
Participants are exploring a range of archive materials at The Keep, including the National Lesbian and Gay Survey – an extraordinary collection of autobiographical writing and ephemera submitted by over 700 people between 1986 and 1994.
Many other organisations from across the city are also involved including: The East Sussex Records Office, Queer in Brighton and the Brighton & Hove Aldridge Community Academies.
Participants will be using their new skills to interview other young people at Pride in August 2016 and Brighton Photo Biennial in October 2016.
An Into the Outside exhibition will be shown in 2017 and the project will also create an online learning resource aimed at teachers and youth-workers.
Into the Outside investigates the period between 1967 (which saw the Sexual Offences Act decriminalize homosexual activity) and the present day, encompassing some key historical moments for the LGBTQ community, such as the first Gay Pride marches, Section 28, the reduction of the age of consent, the Civil Partnership Act and the Equality Act.
Juliette Buss, Photoworks Learning and Participation Curator, said: “The young people taking part are really keen to find out about the lives and experiences of other young people in the past who identified as LGBTQ+. They want to know what their social life was like, how they fitted in, and how easy or hard it was for them coming out.
“We’re thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Brighton & Hove City Council. This project is a valuable opportunity to help local young people feel more connected with their city and enable them explore, make sense of, and value the legacy of their cultural heritage. They’ll learn about the importance of archives, develop heritage skills, and build awareness of LGBTQ+ issues such as, representation, identity, emotional wellbeing and social barriers to inclusion.”
Indian tricolour to fly high at Montreal Pride on August 14, 2016.
Sridhar Rangayan
In honour of the Indian LGBT community, filmmaker Sridhar Rangayan, who earlier this year co-won the National Film Award for Best Editing, will be the Grand Marshal at Montreal Pride.
Rangayan, the founder and festival director of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest LGBT film fest, will lead the Pride parade, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“I am excited to fly the Indian tricolour along with the rainbow flag to underline that I am both Indian and gay – both my identities are a matter of pride for me”,said Rangayan. “I am both humbled and honoured to be chosen to lead Montreal Pride as one of the Grand Marshals. It is indeed a great privilege and, as with any privilege, comes with responsibilities. I hope that I can amplify the struggles and victories of the Indian LGBT community, and seek global support in ensuring a free and equal society,” added Rangayan.
Éric Pineault, founding president of Montreal Pride welcomed Sridhar Rangayan.
He said:“The entire Fierté Montréal team is honoured to be welcoming Rangayan to the 10th edition of Montréal Pride. Whether through his work as one of the organizers of the KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, as a producer of LGBTQ-themed films or as an activist for our communities, Rangayan is a pioneer in the advancement of rights for LGBTQ individuals in India. We are delighted to have him as a grand marshal and are proud to be presenting his film The Pink Mirror during our festival,”
He and two other board members of Montreal Pride – Jean-François Guevremont and Jean-Sébastien Boudreault had attended KASHISH 2016 this year as special guests.
Montreal pride, now in its 10th year, is the largest LGBTQ gathering in the Francophone world attracting close to 500,000 local and international visitors, taking part in more than 125 activities and events, including film screenings, musical performances, drag shows, etc.
Pride will be celebrated over the course of seven days, from August 8, 2016, culminating in the spectacular pride march on August 14.
Record numbers of visitors flocked to Brighton & Hove on Saturday, July 23 to support Trans Pride, raise awareness of gender diversity and promote equality.
Photo by: Stella Pix
The third annual Trans Pride March (fourth event) set off from the Marlborough Pub in Princes Street. It was attended by people from all over the UK bringing roads around The Old Steine to a standstill. The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Pete West marched at the front of the parade with his son.
More than 2,500 people joined the March which was very well organised and noisy. Trans people and their allies, statutory and LGBTQ organisations, unions and members of the local Green Party including Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, the Convener of the Green Group of Councillors on the city council, marched together in solidarity, reinforcing the growing confidence trans people have gained not only in the city, but also in Sussex and across the country.
Trans Pride committee member Sarah Savage marshalled the Parade away from the Marlborough at noon, towards the Brighton Pier, where it turned right, progressing along the seafront to Hove and its new home in Brunswick Square.
It drew by far the largest attendance to date with organisers saying more than 4,500 unique visitors entered through the park gates during the day.
Since its inception in 2013, Trans Pride has grown organically each year and its move to the iconic surroundings of Brunswick Gardens in Hove, proved to be a masterstroke. The Park was well laid out, allowing the crowds to circulate in comfort and ease.
The change of location to Hove also gave the March a much higher profile than previous years, bringing the traffic on Brighton seafront to a complete stop.
The main stage was hosted by Romario and Emma Frankland who both kept the entertainment moving nicely along. Between speeches from members of the Trans Pride committee and guest speakers, entertainment was provided by Taylor Lucas, Ren, Nona Wyld, Alice Denny, Screaming Toenail, Connor Byrne, Chemtrails and headliners Mr Squid.
The community stall area was fully subscribed with a range of local and national trans groups represented along with LGBT charities and service providers.
Sussex Police, Brighton & Hove City Council, The Sussex Police and Crime Commissioners office and other agencies offering support to the trans communities in the city were also visible and the community area was packed all day long.
After a sunny morning a sea mist came down, but the rain stayed off and all in all the weather was perfect for the many families with children who enjoyed picnics in the gardens.
Mostly impressively, the atmosphere of the event was spot on. Music was not too loud, speeches could easily be heard, all the community stalls were busy and the grass was covered with friends, allies and families having picnics, chatting and really enjoying themselves.
Each successive year, Trans Pride matures, highlighting the size of the Trans communities in Brighton & Hove and beyond.
Well done to the volunteers and everyone involved in organising Trans Pride 2016. Here’s to next year!
Terrence Higgins Trust joined the march and the park event to raise awareness of good sexual health and HIV.
The UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity again joined forces with Clinic T, the specialised sexual health service for anyone who identifies as trans or gender variant, for the 4th Brighton and Hove Trans Pride.
Staff and volunteers answered questions about sexual health and local services at the joint stall in Brunswick Square, providing information, support and where to get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STIs) locally. Condoms, femidoms and dams were provided to help everyone look after their sexual health and enjoy safe sex.
Tom Boyt, Senior Community Engagement Officer at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:“Trans Pride is a fantastic celebration for the city that gets bigger and bigger every year. It was fantastic to see Bedford Square so welcoming, friendly and with a relaxed and upbeat atmosphere throughout the day.
“Terrence Higgins Trust and Clinic T were on hand with sexual health information, advice and resources to promote and assist those attending the importance of looking after their sexual health and how easy and available services are locally. It also gave us the opportunity to highlight our successful joint partnership working between Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH), Clinic T, and of course the fabulous Trans* community.”
Terrence Higgins Trust provides support, information and advice services for those living with HIV and affected by HIV or poor sexual health.
Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton is based at 61 Ship Street and provides free HIV testing and STI screening. It also offers a wide range of services for people living with HIV.
The Pocket Science Festival tours Sussex this summer – taking in Brighton, Worthing, Eastbourne and Billingshurst, heading back to Brighton for the grand finale.
It looks like a funfair: it is a funfair, but each of the attractions has a bit of science to enthral and enthuse young minds. It’s a two-man science mission to spark children’s curiosity with fun and interactive workshops and talks.
With a wealth of hands-on activities, this self-contained education roadshop has been roaming Sussex and beyond for the last ten years – fostering learning and co-operation whilst inspiring young people with the everyday wonders of science.
The ever-growing line-up is packed with a whole host of new tricks, demonstrations and games – brand new additions include zip-wire seagull bombing and the opportunity to grow several times your original size or shrink to the size of a pin – alongside old favourites such as the Heath Robinson inspired contraption, the Incredible Machine.
Created by science magicians Richard Robinson (Director of Brighton Science Festival) and Jonathan Hare (from BBC’s Rough Science), it’s a fantastic afternoon out for the whole family.
Trans identities protected everywhere except the bedroom!
Sophie Cook
A recent conference in London reviewing how transgender people are affected by UK law has warned transgender people can face rape charges and potentially jail if they don’t reveal their gender history to a sexual partner.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 says that deceiving someone about the nature of a sex act makes them incapable of informed consent and activity. Under the act, kissing and touching, can be treated as sexual assault and penetrative sex would amount to rape if the partner claimed that they were unaware of the transgender person’s history.
Transgender activist Sophie Cook, said:“Transgender people are entitled to a private life and the personal choice as to how much of their history they disclose, to the extent that our personal details are locked by HM Revenue & Customs. If I don’t call the number for the special government department that has my records then my National Insurance number doesn’t even show up on the system.
“By forcing transgender people to disclose their history to prospective partners the law is not only infringing their human rights it’s also reinforcing the bigoted idea that trans people are in some way abhorrent and something that people need to be warned about.
“At what point should the disclosure be made? As you’re snuggling up in bed? And run the risk of a transphobic assault and potentially worse. Perhaps we should just be forced to tell everyone we meet at first introduction, just in case we end up in bed together. Or maybe trans people could be made to wear a handy badge on their clothing identifying their history.”
Worryingly there was a Court of Appeal Case in which the judges regarded non-disclosure of gender history as lying.
Miss Cook asks:“If trans people have to disclose this why shouldn’t everyone?
“Surely a racist could complain to a judge that he felt used after realising that the woman he slept with had previously had a black partner, or the homophobe object when discovering that his girlfriend had ‘experimented’ with other women at University.
“If a married man lies to a woman and says that he’s single, surely that’s deception.
“Would cosmetic surgery count as deception? ‘But I thought they were real boobs your honour!’”
The Crown Prosecution Service has said that it won’t automatically prosecute trans people for having sex by deception, each case will be treated on it’s merits but this ambiguity leaves the system open to abuse, allowing judges decisions to be affected by their personal prejudices.
“My passport says female, my driving license says female, why should I present myself as anything other,” said Miss Cook. “I am out and proud that I’m transgender and don’t have a problem with my history but not all trans people feel comfortable or safe disclosing those years when they were someone else and they have a right to that privacy and to have that choice respected by the law.”
The Transjustice event was hosted by Garden Court Chambers in association with Birkbeck University and City University London. It also discussed setting up a network to advise trans people caught up by the law.
Sophie was recently appointed as the first transgender news anchor on TV in UK and Europe at Latest TV. She is the patron of a number of charities including Just A Ball Game? and the LGB&T Dorset Equality Network, as well as being a Stonewall Schools Role Model, a Hate Crime Ambassador for Sussex Police and sits on the Rainbow Fund’s independent grants panel. She also has a long association with rock band The Libertines, having photographed them for nearly a decade.
In a bold move, the Diocese of Chichester, which covers both East and West Sussex, are to appoint a LGBT Liaison officer.
The announcement was made last month, by the Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner at a dinner at St Michaels Church, Brighton.
The dinner was organised by the Diocese of Chichester who had extended invitations to representatives from LGBT organisations of all faiths across the city and among others, Peter Kyle, the MP for Hove & Portslade.
The dinner was arranged to establish a dialogue with the city’s LGBT communities and the Bishop used the opportunity to announce the creation of the new post of LGBT liaison officer for the Diocese.
The Bishop’s opening words set the tone for evening when he asked the question:“Why are we here?” “It’s all about love not structures” he said, and went on to make a case for building trust, understanding and love for each other, maintaining it was better to sit down and talk rather than just “follow the rules”.
Importantly he added:“My view is that LGBT people are part of the Church and I believe their presence enriches every Diocese and everyone has by right a place.”
He went on to say:“It is my hope that the Church as an institution must never present ourselves as implacable. Incapable of recognising tenderness and love.”
And finished saying: “I am privileged to be taking food with you”.
After a full refit, the former Doggy Fashion on St James Street reopens as Bone Idol.
Friends Ben, Paula and Jon have taken over the former Doggy Fashion store and will be relaunching it on Sunday, July 31 at the Brighton Pride Dog Show, where pet lovers can pick up sample foods and treat.
The new store is designed to be one destination for all grooming and pet needs. With a team of five groomers and a buzzing and friendly shop, Bone Idol promises to only stock food or pet products that the owners themselves would use.
Over the last six months the team have scoured the UK and visited Paris and Germany to source new and exciting brands that you can’t get anywhere else, including Cloud 7, Lila Loves It and Bobby.
Having worked with the most advanced food manufacturer in the UK, Bone Idol has also launched its own brand of premium pet food. All ingredients are of the very highest quality, using fresh meats sourced and prepared in Lancashire.
The new Bone Idol grooming parlour is state of the art. New baths, grooming tables, even the clippers are new! The team can accommodate all grooming requests from a full treatment to hand-stripping to a simple bath and tidy after a messy day on the beach.
Jon Clark, Director at Bone Idol said:“We understand that dogs are part of the family and we take our responsibility to them extremely seriously. We are committed to putting the health and happiness of dogs in our care above everything else. And, of course, making sure they leave looking absolutely fabulous!”
Brighton and Hove City Council award grants totalling £10,000 to enable voluntary sector organisations to participate at Brighton Pride 2016.
Brighton and Hove City Council have announced the successful applicants in this years Pride, Parade and Park Partnership Fund grants round.
Pride is the city’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) festival and these grants support third sector partners in the delivery of a safe and accessible community celebration as part of Pride Brighton & Hove.
♦ 50% of recommended grants are in support of third sector collaborations.
♦ 80% are framed in terms of positive outcomes for the most vulnerable LGBT residents addressing challenges around: mental and physical health, disability, living with HIV/AIDS and risk of suicide.
The successful recipients are:
Peer Action CIO: For open top bus on the parade offering mobility and refugee, an information stand on the park offering HIV awareness. £800
MindOut LGBTQ Mental Health Service: Parade participation on open top bus. £1,000
Brighton and Hove City Council have announced the successful applicants in this years Pride, Parade and Park Partnership Fund grants round.
You must be logged in to post a comment.