Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) 2017 kicks off on June 15 with the BBW Pub Quiz at the Camelford Arms.
BBW organisers are looking for volunteers to help them at the various events that will follow from Friday 16 – Sunday, June 18.
These include the Bear-B-Que on Saturday (17) in Dorset Gardens, helping on the door at the various evening events, or just selling raffle tickets and shaking a donation bucket to help support and raise money for the Rainbow Fund.
All volunteers will get a free Brighton Bear Weekend t-shirt and a wristband that gives various discounts over the weekend.
Brighton Bear Weekend proudly support the Rainbow Fund, who give grants to small, local community LGBT+/HIV groups and organisations who provide effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.
Horse rescue centre near Bolney, Sussex needs new volunteers to help care for its eight horses and ponies each with their own story of mistreatment or neglect.
How to Train Your Human Therapeutic Experiences (HTTYH) was set up by Brighton-born Amber John, to bring horses and people together for the benefit of both.
Volunteers are invited to help with: food preparation and feeding the horses, grooming, cleaning the stables and yard, helping to maintain the land and fences, as well as riding or leading the horses to help keep them fit and healthy.
New recruits do not need to be experienced riders as training will be provided, but having some previous horse experience is a bonus. People also need to be able to lift, kneel, and bend, so a certain level of fitness is desirable.
Amber, who cares for the herd, said:“Working with horses can be physically demanding but very rewarding emotionally. Spending time with horses as a break from your routine or problems could make a real difference to your life as well as to the horses. We are not a riding school, what we offer is a chance to develop a bond with our rescued horses and ponies. In my experience it’s a special feeling when a horse chooses to trust you.”
46-year-old Liz Bolt, who lives in central Brighton, has been volunteering since 2012. Currently a mediator for a local charity she has previously worked in riding schools, as an instructor for riding for the disabled and has a passion for working with shire horses.
Liz said:“I have always wanted horses to be part of my life. Being with them gives me a rest from everyday stress and worry. It’s a privilege to be around them, but it’s not just the horses it’s being in the countryside too. It’s being in nature, hearing the birds, and seeing the wildlife. We have been foraging for wild mushrooms and I have even seen a white hart deer.”
“Volunteering with us is flexible but it is helpful for me to be able to plan my daily routine with the horses.” added Amber.
HTTYH is registered as a not-for-profit horse rescue centre and relies on volunteers and donations to pay for feed, bedding, veterinary care as it receives no income or grants.
For more information and to contact Amber, click here:
Volunteers’ Week is an annual celebration of the fantastic contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. It takes place from June 1-7 every year.
Hope Theatre Company’s latest production of Gypsy Queen isn’t a bad play; it’s everything you would expect to see in a gay play: repressed sexuality, conflicting masculinity, gay male stereotypes, jokes about tops/bottoms, a homophobic climax and full-frontal nudity. Even the show’s poster is obvious: two topless men. But what was most predictable was the audience I was sat with: White. Gay. Men.
I’m bored. Why are we still telling the same sad stories about the same gay men?
Throughout the performance I kept asking myself the same questions: Why do I care about these men? What is this show revealing about the gay experience that I didn’t already know? Why does this show exist? …I still have no idea.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for gay theatre – and stories we haven’t heard yet – but gay theatre like this belongs back in the 90s. We’ve made progress! Let’s see it onstage!
Rob Ward (also the playwright) was the most compelling part of the show; his characters were fully realised and engaging. Did we need to see him naked? Probably not. But I guess that gets certain butts on seats.
Ward’s scene partner Ryan Clayton on the other hand lacked precision. I also think he was miscast; there’s no way a man with such a perfect face would be a professional boxer. Where’s the grit and guts that come from a fighter? A bit like the show in general… Where’s the nerve? Where’s the risk? Where’s the heart?
I’m sick of safe gay theatre. Give me something real.
Queer disco, Traumfrau, takes over Komedia Brighton for Disco & DIY featuring special guest American DJ, producer and musician JD Samson on Friday, June 16 from 11pm.
The legendary JD Samson, one third of the American electronic-feminist-punk band Le Tigre, will be joined by the equally epic DJ Jumeau who’ll be spinning queer pop party tracks and deep cuts that make you wanna move!
If these tasty tunes aren’t enough, then get inky fingers and print your own shirt with StencilMoose Screen Printing and/or indulge the artist within with a spot of zine, art and badge making!
Traumfrau say:“Rehearse your wildest moves, unearth your sequins, and be ready for a night of total tunes, meeting great people, art making, fun having, paint, sweat, dirt, and queer ecstatic rupture and fun!
“JD Samson, musician, producer and DJ at the intersection of music, art, and activism, gets behind the decks for us. And we can’t wait!”
Sam Bowles checks out the new trans evening at the Brighton Sauna in central Brighton.
I was very excited when I found out that there was going to be a trans-inclusive night at Brighton Sauna, for many reasons: I haven’t been to a sauna for about 10 years, and that was at a gym on the outskirts of Brighton.
Second of all, I knew that I was finally going to meet Jak (one of the staff), whom several of my friends had raved about. But most importantly, it was a night meant for people like me.
My partner and I had to arm ourselves with knowledge from friends who had been to similar places, about what to expect as well as etiquette. It took a few weeks to build this up and even then on the day I was still a little nervous that I would end up not behaving in the right way.
It turns out that I needn’t have worried. It was an incredibly relaxed atmosphere from the beginning. Having now been to both trans nights that have happened so far, James, on reception recognised me the second time and struck up a chat.
He gave me the right information about lockers explained about the tab you can set up, provided me with a towel and then let me through.
By the second visit, of course, I knew how to navigate around the building. The food bar, lounge area and computers are on the ground floor, as well as some private rooms and a dark room with a stand-up sun bed. I utilised the latter on my second visit, and as I had never used one before, James explained everything to me and made it easy to understand. Downstairs, you will find the majority of the private rooms, as well as a changing room, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, as well as access to a smoking area.
From what I could see, everything was incredibly well-maintained in terms of cleanliness. I did also spot some signs around the premises that gave guidelines on etiquette, particularly surrounding pronouns; as well as consent. I’m unsure if those signs are shown away from the trans night, but I appreciate how we are expected to be treated with respect. It had also been arranged that trans-friendly porn was being shown around the premises. I was very happy with the level of detail, and effort, that Jak went through in order to ensure this night could be run successfully, and to get it running in the first place.
Once I realised how relaxed the atmosphere was, I was completely at ease in being in the state of undress that generally happens here. I am generally quite comfortable with being naked, but I hadn’t been naked around these particular friends before, and I do sometimes have some dysphoria to contend with. I was quite happy being mostly naked and it didn’t cross my mind throughout most of the night. It was such a good feeling to be able to have a laugh and talk about things that people in a similar situation to me would be able to understand. On my second visit, I brought a friend instead of my partner, and they were so excited to be able to freely be in a queer space in such a relaxed setting.
On both of my visits so far, I have utilised the jacuzzi quite a lot! I’ve had back problems recently and I found the jacuzzi to really help to relieve some of the tension, so the sauna has physical benefits for me as well as mental. As mentioned before, with it being a long time since I’d been in such an environment, there’s still a great feeling of novelty and excitement for me when I use the jacuzzi.
Overall, I am incredibly pleased with the experiences I’ve had at these sauna nights, and I will most definitely be attending as many as possible. My only concern at the moment is the entry price, but that is purely down to personal circumstances. I personally would absolutely recommend it to trans folk as well as their SOFFAs (significant others, friends, family and allies)!
A spokesperson for Brighton Sauna, said:“You must be trans to enter (that includes all trans identies) or the guest of a trans person. If someone is a cis guest, they must arrive with whoever they’re coming with unless we get a heads up beforehand. We do allow SOFFAs as some folks may have a cis partner, friend or support person that they wish to enjoy the night with. We have a safer space policy which must be adhered to which we have dotted about the building and we ask everyone to make themselves familiar with it upon entry. Anyone breaking that policy will be asked to leave.
The Trans Sauna evening is on the fourth Monday of each month from 6pm-1am. The next event will be on Monday, June 26. Entry is £15 for a standard entry or £16 for the day pass.
Liberal Democrats claim scrapping free school lunches will waste over £500,000 spent upgrading kitchens in Brighton and Hove.
Plans by Theresa May to axe free school lunches would waste the £517,577 invested in the City to upgrade school kitchens, according to the Liberal Democrats.
Goverment figures reveal 5,459 children in the City are set to lose out under the proposals.
When in government, the Liberal Democrats invested £160m nationally upgrading school kitchen facilities to enable them to prepare hot lunches.
Carrie Hynds
Carrie Hynds, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hove and Portslade said:“The Liberal Democrats in government invested £160m to give schools the kitchens they needed to ensure that no infant would go without lunch. This policy was extremely successful and guaranteed that local children received at least two of their five a day.
But now Theresa May is threatening to throw that money down the drain.
“A Conservative measure designed to save money will waste money. Not only is it heartless, it is bad economics.
“I challenge my Conservative opponent to say whether, if elected, she would vote against her own party to ensure that children in Hove and Portslade receive a decent lunch.
Emily Tester
Emily Tester, Liberal Democrat candidate for Brighton Kemptown, added: “The Liberal Democrats will protect free school lunches for infants and ensure all primary school children can get a healthy, free lunch every day.”
“The Liberal Democrats introduced free school meals when in government and have committed in their 2017 manifesto to extend free school meals to all primary school pupils as well as to restore school funding generally and to increase the money available for the highly successful Pupil Premium, a LibDem introduction under the coalition.”
Simon Kirby
Simon Kirby the prospective Conservative candidate for Brighton Kemptown, responded:“Free school lunches will remain for those who need them. We are not scrapping free school lunches – we are means testing them. We don’t think it is right to spend precious resources on subsidising school meals for better off parents. So instead we will give that money to headteachers, to spend on pupils’ education instead. We will make sure all those who need it most still get free lunches – and will offer a free school breakfast to every child in every year of primary school. So the most disadvantaged children will now get two free school meals a day rather than one.
“And while we can debate specific policies, the most important issue for our children’s future is getting the right Brexit deal. That is why local people need to vote for me, Simon Kirby, standing with Theresa May on June 8. A vote for anyone else risks Jeremy Corbyn in Downing Street, propped up by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, calling the shots on Brexit – remember, all it takes is 6 seats to be lost for Theresa May’s Government to lose its majority.”
More headliners including Kelly Llorena and Stooshe will take to the stage this summer for one of the UK’s leading LGBT+ events.
Kelly Llorenna
Nineties-turned-noughties songstress, Kelly Llorenna, known for hit songs Set You Free and Tell It To My Heart will be joining British girl band Stooshe as part of this year’s Newcastle Pride 2017 line-up.
The popular event, which is sponsored by business improvement district company NE1, is now in its tenth successive year and returns in June with two months of live music and activities promoting this year’s theme: pride in our past, present and future.
Among the many highlights will be a series of performances at Newcastle’s Town Moor from July 21-23, including appearances by boyband A1 and X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, who were announced earlier this month as part of the festival’s Manchester Airport Main Stage programme.
Stooshe
Event organisers, Northern Pride, have now confirmed 10 additional acts will be joining the line-up for the Manchester Airport Main Stage weekend, including Kelly Llorenna who is set to headline alongside Stooshe on Sunday, July 23.
Other acts just announced for the event include Italian house music group Livin’ Joy, drag act La Voix & The Va Va Voom Boys, Little Fix – a tribute to the girl super group Little Mix, Maltese musician and 2015 Eurovision act Amber, George Michael tribute Jay Francis, Olly Murs and Michael Bublé tribute act Jamie Tinkler, and North East female singers including Channy Thompson and Melissa Pedro, who featured on The X Factor 2016.
They will join a host of top acts across the July weekend including I’m Gonna Get You star Angie Brown, Diva from Down Under – Kelly Wilde and Steps tribute band Steptastic.
LGBT community choir Northern Proud Voices and London cabaret star Danni Dee and The Broadway Dancers – who are best known for their performances at Newcastle cabaret club, Boulevard – will also be performing during the weekend.
Jason Prince
The Manchester Airport Main Stage, hosted by Boulevard’s Miss Rory and Ophelia B, will also see the UK’s number one Hi-NRG recording artist Jason Prince perform, along with Lee Lambert from The X Factor 2013, Czech girl group Pink Angels and Newcastle Drag Idol 2017 winner, Dragon & The Whale.
National transgender charity, Sparkle, will also be helping to make this year’s event more inclusive than ever, by taking over the Manchester Airport Main Stage for an extra special performance during the Newcastle Pride main weekend.
Mark Nichols
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said:“As it’s our tenth year of providing the largest free LGBT festival in the North East, we wanted to make sure that our line-up was packed with brilliant music and performances that can be enjoyed by everyone.
“Hopefully music lovers from across the UK will join us for what is set to be a memorable weekend of celebration, community and most importantly – pride.”
Patrick Alexander, Head of Marketing at Manchester Airport, added:“We are delighted to hear the second announcement of acts set to perform at this year’s event and everyone from the UK’s third biggest airport cannot wait to get involved and join in the celebrations.
“With more excellent acts announced, and our holiday to San Francisco to be won before May 28, it is set to be an action-packed couple of months.”
Newcastle Pride, organised annually by LGBT+charity, Northern Pride, attracted more than 73,000 visitors and contributed more than £10.1m to the economy in 2016, and this year, as well as the Main Stage weekend at the Town Moor, the festival will also feature an extended range of satellite events at venues around Newcastle.
For a full listing of events including the LGBTQ+ Youth Prom and Black Tie Ball, click here:
The festival itself is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the performances on July 22 and 23.
Some of the satellite events may also incur an additional charge.
There is just over 7 hours left to vote in this years Golden Handbag Awards.
Voting closes at midnight tonight, then the countdown begins to the winners being announced at the glamorous and camp, Golden Handbag Show on Sunday, June 11 at the Brighton Metropole Hilton starting at 7.30pm sharp.
Maisie Trollette: Photo Hugo Michiels
This years Handbags, celebrating their 21st anniversary will be opened by Maisie Trollette now approaching the 84th year of her reign. David Raven opened the very first Golden Handbag Show, 21 years ago at the Brighton Dome along with the much missed Phil Starr, Dockyard Doris and the original Tiller Girls and Dave Lynn. Hehas been a fantastic supporter of the annual event ever since.
Myra DuBois
Maisie will be joined on the bill this year by the comic genius that is Myra DuBois, cross her and you will be sorry; the girl with the BIG voice Gabriella Parrish and the glamorous and multi talented Kara Van-Park.
This year, who will win the special community awards? Who will take best bar and which DJ will be voted top of the charts? Will anyone be recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017? You still have 24 hours to nominate anyone you think should be considered by emailing info@gscene.com. Say who you are nominating and why!
With just 24 hours left to vote, the top two nominations in eleven different categories are separated by less than 2% of the total vote, which means that every vote cast in the next 24 hours can really make a difference to the final results in those eleven categories.
Kara Van-Park: Photo Hugo MichielsLola Lasagne
This year, a record number of awards will be presented recognising the fantastic work taking place in parts of the LGBT+/HIV voluntary sector while recognising the changing face of Brighton’s commercial gay scene.
The ceremony will be hosted by the entertainer with the sharpest tongue and quickest wit on the drag circuit, the indefatigable Lola Lasagne.
All VIP tables have sold out. There are a few non-reserved tickets (£20) still available on the public tables available from Prowler at 112-113 St James’ Street, Brighton.
Prowler don’t charge a booking fee so you will have to pay cash in person in the shop to obtain your tickets.
Telephone 01273 683680 to check availability.
Gabriella Parrish: Photo Hugo Michiels
To vote in the Golden Handbags 2017 (voting closes midnight tonight Monday, May 29), click here:
Following last weeks revelations that the prospective Conservative candidate for Hove had historic links to a “gay cures” church network, Keith Taylor, the Green MEP for the South East condemns both Conservative candidates for Hove and Eastbourne for their links to the organisation.
Keith Taylor, Green Party MEP for the South East, has slammed the Conservative Party candidates for Eastbourne and Hove & Portslade, Caroline Ansell MP and Kirsty Adams, for their links to a notorious ‘gay cure’ church network in Bedford.
Last week Hove resident AJ Paterson told Gscene about the activities of the Kings Arms Church in Bedford revealing Kristy Adamsthe prospective Conservative candidate for Hove and Portslade was active in this church, as a public speaker in 2009/2010 and her husband was listed as a director of the organisation until 2013. AJ told of how she was driven out of the church for being a lesbian after members of the church had prayed over her and the leader of the church attempted to “drive the lesbianism” out of here.
Last week it emerged that Caroline Ansell the sitting MP for Eastbourne had received a donation from a “gay cure” charity, a member of the same group of churches.
According to the House of Commons register of MP’s interests – in which politicians declare the donations they receive – Ms Ansell accepted a gift of £8,470 for an intern from CARE in September 2016, four years after the organisation was exposed for bankrolling a 2009 conference in London that taught therapists and clergy to learn how to convert LGBT+ people to heterosexuality, a practise condemned by Britain’s mental health bodies.
Caroline Ansell, won Eastbourne from the popular Liberal Democratic candidate Stephen Lloyd at the 2015 election with a majority of just 733.
Mr Taylor, a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI rights, said:“There is no cure for love. It is despicable that the Conservative candidates for Eastbourne and Hove have such close links with such a medieval idea.”
“A politician happy to condone shocking and despicable homophobia is not fit to serve in 21st Century Britain. Eastbourne and Hove are proudly open, tolerant and inclusive and their representatives must do everything in their power to ensure they are safe places where everyone is able to be themselves and love who they love. There is no place for intolerance.”
Kristy Adams
After initially refusing to answer questions about her views on LGBT+ people to the Argus newspaper, Kristy Adams’ office issued the following statement last week which fails to address if she thinks homosexuality is a sin:“I supported the government as they introduced same sex marriage four years ago and would vote against any attempt to repeal the legislation; I am committed to all forms of equality. I value acceptance of people of all backgrounds, sexes and sexuality. My personal view is that I can’t believe in 2017 that I would need to state the obvious, I have never been homophobic and find it disturbing to hear of people who are. The LGBTQ community in Brighton and Hove champion tolerance and fight injustice and I share their desire to make our community a place of acceptance; I am unambiguous in my support for the LGBTQ community.”
Caroline Ansell
Caroline Ansell, said: “The intern from CARE was quite simply the best candidate for the job and I would hope that no-one would like me to discriminate against someone because they are a person of faith?”
Councillor Mo Marsh was appointed Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove at a meeting of the full council on May 18.
She replaces the present Mayor Cllr Pete West and will serve the city for the next 12 months. Cllr Marsh has been a Labour councillor since 1995, balancing her civic life representing the residents of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean with her family life, spending time with her daughter and grandchildren while indulging her love of the arts and culture.
Born in Leicester, she left the city in 1965 to study at the University of Sussex for a BA and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). In Brighton, she met and married the father of her daughter, who was raised and educated in the city.
Cllr Marsh enjoyed a busy professional career in education, working at different times as a teacher, school governor, administrator and examiner. She spent a year in Michigan, USA studying for an MA and went on to earn diplomas in teaching English as a foreign language, counselling and career guidance at the University of Brighton.
Cllr Marsh is a friend of the Brighton Philharmonic Society, a member of the Brighton Dome and Festival and an active member of the Brighton Little Theatre. She was first elected to Brighton Borough Council representing Marine Ward in 1995 and has represented the residents of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean since 2007. Over the years she has been a regular member of Licensing Panels and chaired the Licensing Committee in 2015.
Cllr Marsh who is celebrating her 70th year in 2017 will be raising money for five charities during her year in office, Albion in the Community, TheMarlets Hospice, RISE, TheClock Sanctuary and TheSussex Heart Charity.
In her first speech to full council, Cllr Marsh said:“My Lord Lieutenant, fellow Councillors, ladies and gentlemen … special guests … for a small person, this is a big moment, in fact you might say it’s my Mo-ment.
To be made Mayor of a city I’ve loved since I first set foot here is a genuine privilege … and something I’m going to cherish. Our communities give our city its’ distinct and unique personality; and it’s to them that I will dedicate my time and energy.
I’m always amazed … and often surprised … by the diversity of peoples that make Brighton and Hove what it is … a vibrant, complex, contrary, fascinating and beautiful place.
I hope to put the ‘Mo’ in mobilise and help galvanise the goodwill, creativity and compassion that our communities provide. I’ll be paying particular attention to the five charities that I have chosen to support this year; Albion in the Community, the Martlets Hospice, RISE, the Clock Tower Sanctuary and the Sussex Heart Charity. These are organisations that give support too and gain support from the people of Brighton & Hove and my hope is that there will be reciprocity and mutual gain between our communities and charities.
As a city, we need more than ever, to harness the goodwill and generosity of our residents; there is no doubt that the hard times that challenge us are due to continue … and though I will be scrupulously a-political during my year I intend to underline the point that its by working together and seeing the best in one another that will ensure our city has a better, brighter future.
To that end I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to Cllr Dee Simson, whom I know will make an excellent Deputy Mayor and I’d like to thank Pete and his family for acting as our first citizens over the last year.
Finally I’d like to thank my Group and in particular my friend Cllr Meadows for nominating me and I’d especially like to acknowledge my friends and family for their love and thoughtfulness.
For this honour to be bestowed on me this year is particularly pertinent as in two weeks’ time, I will turn seventy; which feels quite the landmark …and to have these two events happen in the same year is both amazing and Mo-mentous.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement thus far, I hope to be able to recognise and repay that kindness during my year in office.”
Liberal Democrats claim scrapping free school lunches will waste over £500,000 spent upgrading kitchens in Brighton and Hove.
Councillor Mo Marsh was appointed Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove at a meeting of the full council on May 18.
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