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Day: January 16, 2017

Chemsex study examines prevalence of drug-fueled sex

Posted on by Graham Robson

New study from the gay hookup site Squirt.org examines prevalence of drug-fueled sex, also known as chemsex.

The study, which surveyed 22,248 Squirt.org members, showed that 30% of respondents have engaged in the activity, 39% of respondents would consider it while 61% said they would not.

One survey section asked members about protection and recollection of their experience. When asked how much they remember from their chemsex encounters, 85.5% of respondents said they remembered everything to mostly everything, 10% said they recalled half of their experience and 4% said they remembered almost nothing. The remaining 0.5% recalled nothing of the experience. The survey also showed that during chemsex, 51% of men did not use protection during anal sex and 93% did not use protection during oral sex.

The drug of choice for study participants was crystal meth (36%), followed by marijuana (19%), cocaine (13%), and MDMA (11%).

Attila Szatmari, Digital Business Director for Pink Triangle Press, Squirt.org’s parent company, said: “We wanted to provide our members with very important information about chemsex within the gay and bisexual community.

“We now have statistics from real people showing infrequent participation in chemsex, not this hyper-usage that seems to be reported in mainstream media.”

To see the full results of the study, click here:

 

Does your pet dog have what it takes to be an opera star?

Posted on by Besi
Mimi in 'La Boheme' at Theatre Royal Brighton: Thursday, February 23
Mimi in ‘La Boheme’ at Theatre Royal Brighton: Thursday, February 23

Has your dog got star quality?

If your pet pooch is the canine equivalent of Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson, then they could win a place in the spotlight in the beautiful and romantic opera LA BOHEME, coming to Theatre Royal Brighton on Thursday, February 23.

Award winning opera director and producer Ellen Kent, said: “People say never work with children or animals but I love to do both. The first time was 20 years ago when my pet cat Holly Go-Lightly was in one of my productions and was an instant hit. Since then we’ve had horses, dogs, goldfish and even a golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan on stage. Many years ago when we last did LA BOHEME and asked local people to volunteer their pets it was a huge success. We even used a rescue dog once and found him dozens of new owners! We’re a nation of animal lovers after all. I’m sure there is plenty of doggie talent out there”.

Your pet needs to be well-behaved and small and as his owner, you will need to be prepared to go onstage in costume to look after him or her.

To audition your dog email a photograph to Ellen Kent at: ellen@ellenkent.co.uk

Include your contact number and address as well as the breed, height, weight, age and name of your dog. If you are successful, you will be contacted several weeks before the performance.

Puccini’s masterpiece, LA BOHEME, is based on Henri Murger’s novel Scenes de la vie de boheme. Set in Paris, it focuses on the love between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo.

This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi and Musetta’s Waltz.

To book tickets online, click here: (booking fees apply)

PREVIEW: The Bad Book Project with Jane Postlethwaite

Posted on by Contributor

The Bad Book Project is a free monthly night in Brighton that involves really funny people reading from very bad books.

The night is produced and hosted by Jane Postlethwaite, character comedian and writer. The night has been so successful since it started in July 2015 and in 2017 they have had to move it to a bigger venue at The Blue Man in Brighton. Each month they have new readers who are made up of comedians, musicians, writers and other creative types.

Each event has a competition where the audience votes on their favourite readers and bad book. The prizes are notoriously silly. There is a loyal fan base that turn up each month wearing their ‘I love Bad Book Project’ badges.

Jane Postlethwaite, said: “The idea for the night came about by having to read really bad scripts while doing my acting diploma, finding crap books in charity shops and watching, ‘Celebrity Autobiography’ on Youtube.

The actual inspiration for the night was a video of Kristen Wiig reading from the Suzanne Somers Poem book, ‘Touch me’. After watching this video (repeatedly), I ordered the poem book from America years ago (costing a whopping £25) knowing it would one day be read at a night like this and I wrote in my notebook idea for Brighton night, ‘Bad Book Project’. 

When I came to find my notebook years later and wanted to start an alternative comedy night I knew I had to use that title and use The Marwood for a venue. The Suzanne Somers book has been read by various guests throughout the year. It’s like the Holy Grail for this night!!

The night has always been a fusion of ideas from worldwide nights that I think are brilliant such as the American events like ‘Moth’ and ‘Celebrity Autobiography’.

Our readers choose bad sci-fi, celebrity autobiographies, childhood stories or diaries, emails from funny family members, ‘how to’ books, self-help and so many more….the only rule – No 50 shades of Grey nonsense!”

Event: The Bad Book Project 

Where: The Blue Man, 8 Queens Road, Brighton

When: January 25, February 16, March 16, April 20, No Bad Book Project in May, June 22

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Free entry

For more information, click here:

 

 

Researchers investigate stigma among gay men

Posted on by Graham Robson

Two undergraduate students from the University of Exeter need your help to conduct research investigating the impacts of stigma amongst gay men as part of their final year project.

Bethany Rose and Michaela Beauchamp, who are being supervised by Dr David Doyle, a lead researcher in the area of stigma and sexual minorities, hope that completion of the research will add to the growing literature surrounding this issue, help to combat the negative effects of stigma towards gay men, as well as potentially being used to develop preventative measures to protect individuals from the negative effects of stigma and prejudice.

In order to take part in the research you must be male, over the age of 18, homosexual and currently in a romantic relationship. The survey takes 15 minutes, you will remain anonymous and those who complete it will be entered in to a draw to win one of two £50 Amazon vouchers.

To complete the survey, click here:

 

Manchester Airport to sponsor Birmingham Pride

Posted on by Besi

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third largest, joins forces with Birmingham Pride to be one of the sponsors at this year’s event in May.

As part of the sponsorship the airport will brand and name the Cabaret Marquee Stage, which will now be known as The Manchester Airport Cabaret Marquee.

As well as sponsoring the stage, airport staff will be in attendance over the weekend to join the parade celebrations and to shout about its 210 global routes, particularly a new direct route to San Francisco.

Patrick Alexander, Manchester Airport’s Head of Marketing, said: “We are delighted to be working with Birmingham Pride for the first time to support such a worthwhile event.

“We have sponsored other Prides in the UK and thought it was time to widen our reach to showcase the great work undertaken by Manchester Airport, with many of our passengers coming from the Midlands.

“We looking forward to working closely with the Birmingham Pride team on what I am sure will be a world-class event.”

Lawrence Barton
Lawrence Barton

Lawrence Barton, Festival Director of Birmingham Pride, said: “We are really looking forward to working with the Manchester Airport team and cannot wait for our partnership to fully take off.

“This year will be bigger and better than ever with a host of exciting announcements to come over the coming weeks and months.

“We’d like to thank Manchester Airport for their support, which helps great causes across the city.”

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

To book tickets, click here: 

Birmingham Pride volunteers
Birmingham Pride volunteers

Birmingham Pride has taken place for the last 20 years and to date has raised in excess of £200,000. It is a not for profit organisation; profits raised go to local LGBT+ charities and projects.

For more information about Birmingham Pride, click here:

 

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