Recently appointed Sussex Police Commander for Brighton & Hove, Chief Superintendent Lisa BellĀ attended the July public meeting of the LGBT Community Safety Forum to handĀ over a cheque for Ā£1,500 to the forum.
Committee member, AJ Patterson accepted the cheque on behalf of the Safety Forum to cover the costĀ of theĀ High Dependency Unit (HDU), which will be located in the Access area, organised and delivered by Accessibility Matters, a project of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, at Brighton Pride on August 5.
The Commander attended the meeting to introduce herself to the community and take questions from the floor.
The next public meeting of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is on Wednesday, October 25 at the Queens Hotel on Brighton seafront, starting at 7pm.
For more information about the LGBT Community Safety Forum, click here:
After last years stunning debut The Pride Pleasure Gardens return for a weekend of enchanting and exciting entertainment, next to the Gay Village,Ā at the heart of the city,
Old Steine and Victoria Gardens will be transformed once again into a unique Pride experience for three days and nights of fierce fun, saucy wonders, camp pop, stunning cabaret, Brighton bands, sensational live performances, cool DJs and hot clubbing.
Lucy Spraggan
Victoria Gardens will be alive with unmissable celebrations as the exquisite sounds of songsmith Lucy Spraggan and her unique perfect mix of acoustic, folk and hip-hop returns to Brighton with support from singer songwriter Amelia Caesar and local heroes Frankie Furlow for Pride Unplugged on Friday night; whilst Saturday will see the brilliance of Brightonās very own homegrown BIMM Showcase Stage and the funk soul and club classics of DJ Sean QuinnĀ will provide the perfect Pride soundtrack.
The Old Steine will be fizzing with fabulousness as Pride Goes Pop ā S Club Party opens proceedings with their Official Pride Warm Up Party on Friday.
Boogaloo Stu
Join the Sultan-Of-Smut and Master-Of-Bates Boogaloo Stu for an evening of festive frivolity and surreal shenanigans plus the poptastic S Club party.
Saturday will see legendary 80s mega club night It Is Still 1985 and the universally acclaimed self-declared chaos of alt.drag superstars Sink The Pinkās Club Tropicana Takeover deliver must-do clubbing and cabaret, whilst Sunday will be sensational with Stetson loving LGBT+ Community Line Dancing, Londonās most addictive drag and cabaret nightĀ with the bears, blokes, cubs and hunks filled sexy tea dance of Londonās infamous Brut Bearsitval.
With plenty of food stalls to tickle your taste buds and bars to quench your Pride thirst,Ā The Pride Pleasure Gardens will be the perfect addition to your weekend.
Most of the entertainment is free of charge to Pride Festival ticket holders (subject to capacity), but there is a cover charge/ tickets required for some of theĀ club events.
A pair of benches will be named after two popular former employees who worked on the LGBT+ commercial scene for many years, today at 2.30pm in New Steine Gardens in the shadow of the Aids Memorial.
At the end of March some of Brighton’s LGBT+ venues came together to raise money to purchase two memorial benches for Michael ‘Mouse’ Burton and Gary ‘Gloria’ Swan in New Steine Gardens.
Both Michael and Gary who died unexpectedly towards the end of 2016 were very popular on the commercial LGBT+ scene, having worked at different times over the years at Revenge, Bar Revenge, Legends and Charles Street.
A partnership of LGBT+ venues including Revenge, Bar Revenge, Charles Street, Legends and Queens Arms came together at the end of March to stage the Unity Fundraising Weekend,Ā raising a magnificent Ā£2,186.30Ā to purchase two memorial benches in memory of their two former employees.
Friends and colleagues will raise a glass to remember them and the impact they had on the commercial LGBT+ scene in Brighton and Hove at a dedication ceremony on Sunday, July 23.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Event: Memorial Benches Dedication event
Where: New Steine Gardens, Off St James Street, Kemptown
A huge thank you to Gscene, James Ledward, the Golden Handbag Awards and everyone who sent in a citation to nominate me for a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the LGBT+ Communities at this years Golden Handbag Show.
It was a complete surprise and Iām still overwhelmed by all the wonderful things people have said.
I am extremely honoured and humbled to receive this award though I must acknowledge all the support, creativity and teamwork from lots of others in our groups and communities – working together to create strong networks and partnerships, to improve services and to challenge prejudice and discrimination.
And I may be older and a bit creaky round the edges but this Lifetime Award wonāt stop me from continuing to make Brighton and our wider communities even more inclusive and supportive of our communities.
ā¦ Proposals to streamline process for changing gender to be put forward in new consultation
ā¦ Nationwide LGBT+ survey launched to inform government policy
ā¦ Deferral period for giving blood reduced for men who have sex with men
Justine Greening MP
The Minister for Women and Equalities Justine Greening, has announced ahead of the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality on July 28, new measures to deliver greater equality for LGBT+ people all over the country.
Proposals to streamline and de-medicalise the process for changing gender will be part of a broad consultation of the legal system that underpins gender transition, the Gender Recognition Act.
Currently individuals need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and have to provide evidence that they have been in transition for at least two years before they can apply to legally change their gender.
Justine Greening also announced the launch of a national survey that will ask the 1.5million LGBT people in the UK to share their views on public services to help inform Government policy.
Justine Greening MP said:Ā āThis government is committed to building an inclusive society that works for everyone, no matter what their gender or sexuality and today weāre taking the next step forward.
āWe will build on the significant progress we have made over the past 50 years, tackling some of the historic prejudices that still persist in our laws and giving LGBT+ people a real say on the issues affecting them.ā
Since Parliament voted for the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967, there has been significant progress on LGBT+ equality. In 2013 the law was changed to allow same-sex couples to marry. Earlier this year, Turingās Law was passed, posthumously pardoning men who had sex with men for these now abolished offences. And the recent election saw the highest number of openly LGB MPs voted into Parliament. Todayās announcement looks to build on this progress.
The LGBT+ survey, launched today, will allow the Government to understand the experiences of LGBT+ individuals across the UK. This will help identify ways to improve public services for LGBT+ users, including in health and education, and to understand how individuals might face discrimination. The survey will run for 12 weeks until 15 October.
The Government has also announced that the deferral blood donation period will be reduced from 12 months to three months for men who have sex with men, increasing the supply of donor blood available for life-saving operations. These reductions are based on the most up to date scientific evidence and medical advances, which will offer more people the opportunity to donate blood without affecting the safety of the blood supply – helping to increase the supply of donor blood and save lives. Further work on more personalised risk assessment is also under way to allow as wide a pool of donors as possible while maintaining the safety of the blood supply
The UK has one of the safest blood supplies in the world. These rules are in place to keep blood donors and the patients who receive their blood safe. The UK Government will now work with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to implement the changes to deferrals for sexual behaviours from early 2018, and submit evidence on the other recommendations on blood donation announced today to a wider European evidence evaluation.
Alex Phillips
Alex Phillips, Blood Donations Policy Lead at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:Ā āWeāve long fought for an evidence-based blood donation policy, and are therefore delighted that the lifetime ban on former and current sex workers donating blood will finally be lifted. Ā This is a victory for science over stigmatising assumptions.
āThe lifetime blood donation ban on anyone who works or used to work in the sex industry in the UK is based on preconceptions rather than evidence, and the rules needed reviewing to fit the facts.
āWe know from our research that the majority of sex workers take great care of their sexual health, with 98% of sex workers we asked rating their sexual health as very important, 76% having a sexual health check up every three months, and 98% knowing their HIV status.ā
Commenting on the policy for men who have sex with men, Alex said:Ā āWeāre pleased to see a further reduction in the deferral period for men who have sex with men and we welcome this progress. Ā
āHowever, we urge the government to invest in gathering more robust scientific evidence on the risk of transmission of blood-borne viruses from men who engage in oral sex with men. We know from clinical and epidemiological experience that the risk of HIV from oral sex is extremely low, but this review has missed the opportunity to gather the robust evidence needed to update the policies.ā
āThe decisions announced today will enable more people to give blood, while maintaining the safety of the blood supply. We hope this paves the way for more progress as further evidence becomes available, and weāre now urging the government to continue to regularly review the deferral periods in line with the latest evidence.ā
Ethan Spibey
Ethan Spibey, Founder, FreedomToDonate, added:Ā “Todayās announcement from the Government marks a world-leading blood donation policy for gay and bisexual men and the other groups previously restricted. I’m so proud that the work of FreedomToDonate and our supporters will help ensure more people than ever before are allowed to safely donate blood.
āI began this campaign because I wanted to repay the donor who saved my granddadās life after a major operation and this announcement means I’m closer than ever to doing that, with the invaluable help of our team of volunteers, and the charities and organisations FreedomToDonate represents.ā
The consultation on the Gender Recognition Act, to be published in the Autumn, will look to improve the recognition process and reduce the stigma faced by the trans community.
Proposals will include:
ā¦ Removing the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria before being able to apply for gender recognition. The current need to be assessed and diagnosed by clinicians is seen as an intrusive requirement by the trans community; and
ā¦ Proposing options for reducing the length and intrusiveness of the gender recognition system.
It will aim to relieve the bureaucratic and medical burdens for those who choose to change their gender.
Suzanna Hopwood, a member of the Stonewall Trans Advisory Group, said:Ā āI am really pleased that the Government is making good on its commitment to review the Gender Recognition Act. Reform is one of the key priorities in our vision for removing the huge inequalities that trans people face in the UK. The current system is demeaning and broken.
āItās vital that this reform removes the requirements for medical evidence and an intrusive interview panel, and finally allows all trans people to have their gender legally recognised through a simple administrative process. Thatās what weāll be calling for during this consultation, and Iām looking forward to seeing the law change soon after.ā
Ruth Hunt
Ruth Hunt, Chief Executive of Stonewall added:Ā āWeāre pleased the Government recognises there is still more to be done to ensure all lesbian, gay, biĀ and trans people are accepted without exception, and welcome the announcement of new measures to tackle some of the remaining inequalities. The consultation on reforming the Gender Recognition Act is hugely encouraging.
āThe 2004 Act was ground-breaking in giving trans people a way to have their gender legally recognised, but the process is in dire need of reform. We need a simple process which isnāt medicalised, intrusive or demeaning. We would urge the Government to ensure that all trans communities are consulted and to act quickly on their concerns.
āChange to the blood donation rules are also welcome. However, while this is an important move, itās vital that this is a stepping stone to a system that doesnāt automatically exclude most gay and bi men. We would like to see individualised risk assessment, and are encouraged that the Government and NHS Blood and Transplant Service are committed to exploring how to do this. And we welcome the Governmentās intention to better understand the inequalities LGBT people face in Britain to identify key areas for future action, and to ensure that this Government maintains the UKās impressive record as a world leader on LGBT equality.ā
James Morton
James Morton, Scottish Trans Alliance Manager, said:Ā āWe welcome that the UK Government has now followed the Scottish Governmentās lead in accepting that the Gender Recognition Act needs to be urgently reformed. This is long overdue as the UK has fallen far behind the gender recognition procedures in more than a dozen other countries, including our closest neighbour, Ireland.
“The current UK process to change the gender on a trans personās birth certificate is a humiliating, offensive and expensive red-tape nightmare which requires them to submit intrusive psychiatric evidence to a faceless tribunal panel. The gender on their UK passport, driving licence, medical records and other identity documents already get changed by self-declaration at the very start of a personās transition. Birth certificates simply need to be brought in line with the process for all other UK identity documents.
“Changing the gender on their birth certificate to match their other identity documents is important primarily to uphold trans peopleās privacy and dignity but also to ensure that their pensions, insurance policies, civil partnerships and marriages are all administered correctly.
“Making it easier to change birth certificates will not affect how trans people access single-sex services because they can already use their self-declared gender recorded on their passport or driving licence as identification. It will also not affect access to NHS medical gender reassignment services. It is a serious criminal offence punishable by imprisonment to lie on a statutory declaration when self-declaring gender so the process will not be open to misuse.ā
Matt Rood has lived in Brighton for the last fifteen years. HisĀ job is his passion. He’s a dog walker and trainer and has his own company calledĀ ROODDOG. His other passion is fitness and he goes to the Underground gym in Brighton five or six times a week.
The last two yearsĀ have been an emotional journey for Matt following the breakdown of his marriage. A friend came across the competition for Mr Gay Europe and encouraged him to apply.
Matt said:Ā “I’m a very enthusiastic guy and love setting myself new challenges so I went for it. I hired the best personal trainer in townĀ Sam BirdĀ to help keep me focused and positive enabling me to be successful and reach my goals.”
AĀ formal interview withĀ Stuart HattonĀ former Mr Gay World 2014 followed, then a cv round, a photo round and two Skype interviews with the board of directors of Mr Gay Europe. He completed each round successfully and was awarded his new title, Mr Gay England.
Contrary to common perception, Mr Gay EuropeĀ isn’t aĀ beauty pageant, it’s more about understanding LGBT+ law, LGBT+ rights and being cultured within the LGBT+ communities.
The Mr Gay Europe competition takes place in Stockholm, Sweden from August 1-6 when Matt will be competing against contestants from fifteen other countries.
The competition includes different rounds ranging from a formal interview, a written exam on the contestants knowledge of LGBT+ law, a social media challenge, a team challenge, a congeniality round, a fitness round and a round on the contestants campaigning work.
Matt’s campaign for the competition is calledĀ Pride Families. For three years he was a foster carer and helped ten children. He wantsĀ to use his new title as Mr Gay England and his experience as a foster carer as a platform to promote awareness showing that LGBT+ people can adopt and foster children providing them with loving, safe and nurturing homes.
In September, Matt will be working with Brighton and Hove City Council to launch a new fostering and adoption campaign and on July 8 will walk on the London Pride march with the fostering and adoption charity, New Family Social.
He added:Ā “I’ve linked up with a local school too, as I believe the only way to combat discrimination in future generations is to work with children and teach them through respect, happiness and love for each other.”
Voting for Mr Gay Europe goes live on July 17 and you can vote online until August 4. Matt needs your votes as this counts for 20% of his final marks. Most importantly you can vote everyday the online voting is live to get a campaign going for him.
Matt concluded:Ā “This has definitely been a whirlwind journey so far. I am loving every minute and I know if I win Mr Gay Europe the hard work starts there. I have the passion, motivation and drive to be a positive role model for our LGBT+ communities. So please vote for me.”
To vote for Matt and bring the title of Mr Gay Europe to Brighton,Ā click here:
You can vote each day as Matt’s campaign gathers speed.
For the 4th annual Trans Pride March (5th Trans Pride event), assemble at the Marlborough Pub in Princess Street, Brighton, today, Saturday, July 22 at 11.30am.
After welcoming speeches from the organisers, marchers will set off towards Brighton Palace Pier, turn right and proceed along the seafront to Brunswick Gardens in Hove for the party in the park, featuring music, spoken word and poetry as well as community stalls profiling Trans and LGB+ community groups. No dogs are allowed on the park, except for assistance dogs. Entry to the park is free but please put a donation in the buckets as this event costs a great deal of money to stage.
Trans Pride parties –Ā Later in the evening there will be a choice of events to support;
ā¦ Trans Pride Brighton presents a Night of D.I.Y at The Synergy Centre, 78 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RAĀ (Ā£5) from 7.30pm to midnight. Rock the night away with five great bands and help raise funds for Trans Pride Brighton 2017.
There will beĀ metal, hard-core punk, post punk, gothpunk bands. These bands are loud and are all Breaking rules about gender, some a bit angry, some political, but they all have something worthwhile to sing and shout about, so pease bring earplugs, (they will have some at the door as well).
Event:Ā Trans Pride Brighton presents a Night of D.I.Y
Venue: The Synergy Centre, 78 West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RA
When: Saturday, July 22
Time: Door open 7.30pm to midnight
Cost: Ā£5 available on door and on Brunswick Gardens
Drinks will be sold on site (18+) and the venue is accessible
ā¦ Trans Pride the Party! hosted by Traumfrau at North Laine Brewhouse, 27 Gloucester Place, Brighton, will be headlined by international DJ S/HE (Tomboys Donāt Cry), the Transgender DJ from Milan where they run Gender Sux! a weekly queer event, S/HE has played for various LGBTQIA+ parties in London (Club Lesley, T Club, Wotever and Lemon Juice) and is part of the queer collective Tomboys Donāt Cry. Their high-energy DJ sets are a mix of deep-house, electro, queer hop and tech-house. Last years event sold out quickly so make sure you book your tickets in advance so as to not be disappointed on the day.
ā¦ New to Trans Pride this year is, Trans Sauna Night at Brighton Sauna on Monday, July 24 from 6pm-1am. Once a month The Brighton Sauna opens its doors to trans and non-binary folk and their significant others, friends, families and allies (by their invites only). Cost: Ā£15 for standard entry (single entry, once you leave you leave), Ā£16 for a day pass (allowing you to come and go throughout the day), or Ā£8 for the night owl ticket (late entry after 11pm, for the last two hours).
For a complete list of events during Trans Pride, click here:
To checkout all of Pink Fringe’s events at The Marlborough, click here:
The Village Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) will assist the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum in the access area at theĀ Summer of Love Pride festival on Saturday, August 5 on Preston Park.
They will be offering temporary tattoos, card readings and providing a listening ear post.
The Village Metropolitan Community Church will be working in partnership with the Brighton & Hove, LGBT Community Safety Forum to deliver some of the activities taking place within the Access Area for Accessibility Matters at Brighton Pride.
Free activities will include art workshops, card readings, temporary tattoos, and trained helpers if anyone needs a listening ear.
Rev Hydes
Rev Michael Hydes, Pastor of the Village MCC, said:āAs a church rooted in the LGBT+ communities, serving the LGBT+ communities,Ā we call for a world whereĀ weĀ can all live free of discrimination.Ā We believe thatĀ if we are to empowerĀ allĀ of our community, and not justĀ someĀ of our community, that accessibility really doesĀ matter.Ā The Village MCC is proud to be working with Accessibility Matters again at Brighton Pride this year.ā
Billie Lewis
Billie Lewis, Volunteer Chair of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, added:āWe are delighted that The Village MCC are working with us this year at Pride. They were instrumental in the delivery of the Soul Sundays during our B.Right.On Festival at the Phil Starr Pavilion. Their experience and commitment to positive community development and cohesion is infectious and must be applauded.ā
The Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) works in partnership with Brighton Pride to facilitate all aspects of accessibility at Brighton Pride, this includes the Access tent and general access issues to Preston Park for the deaf, elderly, disabled communities.
On Pride Sunday, August 6, Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell will be the keynote speaker at the Village MCC Pride Church Service at the Somerset Day Centre, in Kemptown starting at 6pm. On Sunday August 13, Rev Jide Macauley will speak before he flies out to be the Grand Marshall at Uganda Pride. AJ Patterson will speak on Sunday 20 and Rabbi Elli Tikvah on Sunday 27, all starting at 6pm.
Rev. Peta Evans is joining The Village MCC as Associate Pastor to assist Rev Michael Hydes who said:“I’m looking forward to working with a minister who openlyĀ identifies as Trans.”
For more information about The Village MCC Church, click here:
An earthquake registering 6.7 magnitude on the richter scale has occurred in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Turkey and Greece in the Dodecanese region in the early hours of this morning, July 21.
It was a shallow quake just 6.2 miles below the seabed –Ā off the south-western coastal city of Marmaris in Mugla province. The epicentre was just 10km south of Bodrum and 16km east-north-east of the Greek island of Kos both popular holiday destinations with British tourists.
Latest reports indicate two people dead, on the Greek Island of Kos with at least two hundred injured on Kos and around the Turkish Towns of Bodrum and Marmaris.
A large number of aftershocks have been recorded following the initial earthquake which hit around 1.30am local time (GMT 22.30pm) and further aftershocks are anticipated over the next few days.
Kos Airport was closed for a period this morning, but has now re-opened and is operating with some delays.Ā Holidaymakers due to travel imminently to Turkish and Greek holiday resorts should contact their travel company for latest updates.
ABTAĀ are supporting customers and staff in all holiday resorts in the region and at the moment have not reported any casualties or injuries affecting UK holidaymakers.
Tour operators are working alongside the local authorities to assess the damage, and will make arrangements to move customers should structural damage be found to their accommodation.
Holidaymakers in the areas affected are advised to follow the advice of the Foreign Office, local authorities and their travel provider.
The first Eastbourne Mardi Gras, organised by LGBT+ support group, Bourne Out will take place this Saturday, July 22.
Organisers who have been staging fundraisers for the last six months to help cover costs of staging the event have also received grant funding from the National Lottery.
The parade will start from Eastbourne Waterworks at Langney Point Car Park on Prince William Parade (A) at 12.30pm working its way to Fort Fun car park (B) just over the road from Princess Park for the main party, and seven and a half hours of non-stop live entertainment.
There will be a dance tent, a main stage area and a market area with community stalls and food concessions.
Stephen Lloyd the Lib Dem MP for Eastbourne, Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Unite Union General Secretary Len McCluskey andĀ Lord Collins of Highbury will beĀ Marching at the front of the parade.
Tom Andrews
Entertainers on the main stage include:
ā¦ Abba Magic the Tribute
ā¦ Tom Andrews
ā¦ Georgia Burgess
ā¦ Luch Stefano
Charlie Healy
ā¦ Kyle Finn
ā¦ Elton John Tribute
ā¦ Ā The UK’s No 1 Adele Tribute show with Helen Ward-Jackson
ā¦ X-Factor star Charlie Healy and many national and local artistes.
The party continues at Atlantis on Eastbourne Pier from 9.30pm until 3am.
Star DJs will be on the decks and entry is just Ā£2 per person.
Pay on the door or purchase a wrist band on the park.
Betty Gallacher
Betty Gallacher, Chair of Eastbourne Mardi Gras, said:“It’s all set to be an absolutely amazing day and we are so proud that it is happening here in Eastbourne.
“This is year one and we are confident it will be popular with both families and people from the LGBT+ communities.
“We have lined up a great day of entertainment from 12.30pm on Saturday until 3am on Sunday so come along and be part of it as it is going to be something very special.”
Money collect on the day will be used for equality and diversity issues in Eastbourne, helping the young and vulnerable, and supporting Raystede Animal Sanctuary and Sussex Search and Rescue.
For up to the minute information and main stage timings, click here:
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