Call us now

Month: November 2017

Transgender Day Service of Remembrance

Posted on by Besi

Dorset Gardens Methodist was the venue for Transgender Day Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 19, hosted by Dr Kate Nambiar.

Following Kate Nambiar’s welcome, original poems were read by Seb Causton, Elly Morris and Alice Denny and community talks given by EJ Scott (Museum of Transology), Eddy from Tranformers, Tyler Austen and Elly Morris.

The Rainbow Chorus sang numbers including True Colours, Sound of Silence, Feelin Groovy and Bridge Over Troubled Water as those present placed the names of those killed in transphobic hate attacks on the sanctuary wall.

Following the closing address delivered by Rev Heather Leake Date, everyone present moved down to the first floor cafe area to share tea, coffee and enjoy the buffet prepared by Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club.

The Convener of Brighton & Hove Greens, Cllr Phelim MacCafferty and Sgt Peter Allan the Trans Equality Advocate at Sussex Police were among officials present.

Mugabe resigns – LGBT Humanists welcome his demise

Posted on by Besi

The UK LGBT Humanist charity, Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) welcomes the demise of the brutal homophobic tyrant Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe, leader of Zimbabwe since 1980, has actively carried out actions against LGBT+ people and spoken out in public against homosexuality.

Mugabe received worldwide criticism for comments he made on August 1, 1995 after coming across a stall set up by the Association of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) at the country’s annual International Book Fair in Harare.

GALZ, founded in 1989 to facilitate communication within the gay communities, had not received much attention from the government beforehand. Mugabe’s said after seeing the stall at the book fair: “I find it extremely outrageous and repugnant to my human conscience that such immoral and repulsive organisations, like those of homosexuals, who offend both against the law of nature and the cultural norms espoused by our society, should have any advocates in our midst and elsewhere in the world.”
 
Two weeks later during Zimbabwe’s annual independence celebrations Mugabe proclaimed: “Homosexuality degrades human dignity. It’s unnatural, and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs. If dogs and pigs do not do it, why must human beings? We have our own culture, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to our traditional values that make us human beings…..What we are being persuaded to accept is sub-animal behaviour and we will never allow it here. If you see people parading themselves as lesbians and gays, arrest them and hand them over to the police.”

Referring to pressures to decriminalise homosexuality, Mugabe told the UN: in 2015: “We reject attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, our norms, traditions and beliefs.”

Mugabe was invited to attend the beatification of Paul John Paul at the Vatican in 2011. Despite his Marxist pretensions and passionate rhetoric against the West, he has long been an admirer of the Catholic Church. Born at a Catholic mission station in British-ruled Southern Rhodesia, he attended Jesuit schools. Perhaps as a result, the Vatican has tended to give Mugabe a free pass.

George Broadhead
George Broadhead

PTT Secretary George Broadhead, said: “Mugabe must rank as one of the worst homophobic leaders worldwide and his cosy relations with the Vatican are hardly surprising. Let’s hope that the new regime will be truly democratic and respect human rights.”

Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell famously attempted a citizen’s arrest of Mugabe in Brussels in March 2001. Tatchell went to shake Mugabe’s hand and said: “I am putting you under arrest on charges of torture under the United Nations Convention Against Torture 1984.” Mugabe’s security guards bundled Tatchell away and Belgium police stood aside as they beat him up.

 

Charity fun day at Doctor Brightons

Posted on by Besi

TIA Charitable Foundation teams up with Doctor Brightons to bring you a fun filled day to help raise awareness and funds for valuable conservation and community projects in Southern Africa on Sunday, December 17.

They have a host of activities lined up which include: 

♦ Sponsored head shaving
♦ Shoulder, head and neck massages
♦ Charity Auction
♦ Incorporating the great Smiley Sunday comedy night from 8pm
(£3.00 per person)

Instead of a haircut why not have your head shaved for a good cause and in support of one of Africas most iconic animals… The Rhino?

Ask at the bar for the relevant sponsorship form.

Last years Ride4Rhinos event at Doctor Brightons raised just over £2000 and they hope to top that figure this year with your help.

Happy hour drinks and 2 4 1 cocktails are available during all the event.

Event: Charity Fun Day raising fund for TIA volunteers

Where: Doctor Brightons, 16-17 Kings Road, Brighton

When: Sunday, December 17

Time: 4pm-11pm

Cost: Free entry. £3 entry to Smiley Sunday

For more information about TIA volunteers, click here:

TIA on Facebook, click here:

Samaritans – Make small talk and save lives

Posted on by Besi

Campaign encourages the public to prevent suicide on the railways.

Samaritans is launching a campaign in partnership with British Transport Police, Network Rail and the wider rail industry to give travellers the confidence to trust their instincts and act if they notice someone who may be at risk of suicide in or around a train station.

By highlighting that suicidal thoughts can be temporary and interrupted with something as simple as a question, the campaign aims to give the public the tools to spot a potentially vulnerable person, start a conversation with them, and let them know support is available, including contacting Samaritans.

Small Talk Saves Lives has been developed after research showed passengers have a key role to play in suicide prevention. Further research showed the majority are willing to act, but many wanted reassurance they wouldn’t “make things worse”.

The campaign draws on insights from successful interventions made by rail staff who’ve been trained by Samaritans in suicide prevention. For each life lost, six are saved and the hope is to get more people involved.

A survey of people who travel by train, carried out for the campaign, revealed more than 4 out of 5 would approach someone who may be suicidal if they knew:

♦     signs to look out for

♦      what to say

♦      they wouldn’t make the situation worse.

Nearly 9 out of 10 thought a person in need of support would find it hard to ask for help.

The emphasis is on responding in ways people feel comfortable and safe with. Different courses of action are suggested, depending on the situation and the response. They range from approaching the person and asking them a question, to involving other passengers, alerting a member of rail staff or calling the police.

Sarah Wilson felt suicidal and planned to take her life on the railways, but didn’t. Her story inspired a video to promote the campaign, where unsuspecting passengers on a train platform initially think a station announcer is warning them of delays due to a suicide on the line, only to find out that they are listening to a story of hope and recovery, told by Sarah herself.

Sarah said: “Someone showing that they cared about me helped to interrupt my suicidal thoughts and that gave them time to subside. The more that people understand that suicide is preventable, the better. I hope people will share the video and that the campaign will encourage people to trust their gut instincts and start a conversation if they think someone could need help. You won’t make things worse, and you could save a life.”

The campaign was also developed in consultation with people who have been personally affected by suicide, including where a loved one has taken their life on the railways.

Branch Publicity Officer Henry Smith, said: “Suicide is everybody’s business and any one of us could have an opportunity to save a life. The knowledge and skills to save lives in the rail environment can be applied to many other situations. We hope that Small Talk Saves Lives is the start of a much wider conversation about how suicide is preventable.”

For more information about Small talk Save Lives, click here:

 

Festival Director apologises and resigns over Facebook rant on same sex marriage

Posted on by Contributor

Following his Facebook rant after the recent Yes and No same-sex marriage vote in Australia, Richard Wolstencroft, Director of The Melbourne Underground Film Festival (M.U.F.F.) issues the following statement after his posting went viral.

“I would like on behalf of myself and M.U.F.F. to issue an apology regarding the Facebook post of mine that went viral.

I apologise not only for my ill-conceived words but also for the timing of them. Some of my gay friends have chastised me for dampening what should have been a joyous moment for them, the success of the YES vote.

As those who are long-time and patient friends of mine know, I am an ardent advocate of free speech, but am the first to admit that on this occasion I was wrong in several of my assumptions.

I will put this down to the fact that I had just finished another successful annual Melbourne Underground Festival (its 18th. Year), and other projects, as well as some personal issues I have been dealing with that combined have left me exhausted.

No excuse, but contributing factors nonetheless. Once again let me offer up a truly sincere and heartfelt “I’m sorry”. It saddens me that I have hurt some of my dearest friends by my early morning rant.

Some of those friends have scolded me by phone on this point – thank you Ranjan for your chat. Also Brenton Gaia, one of the mains stays of the regulars crowd at the Hellfire Club who wrote me some true words in his usual arch tone today, “You can be a philosopher, a politician, a priest of your own flock, but what you are not is a scientist. Please don’t use science to denigrate me and my tribe because it’s simply wrong.” I hear you, Brenton, and thank you.

I have also since realised through googling around that the abuse accusation is a trope often hurled at the LBGT community by openly homophobic groups. I did not realise this when I used it. This made me feel ashamed and spurred this apology.

I also received valid chastising emails from various members of the Gay Community, one sunk in deeply. It was from Crusader Hillis, from Hares and Hyenas, a well-respected member of the local LGBT Community. He is another someone I have offended with my post and it shames me as he is someone I have always respected and looked up to. He has tried, at times, to educate me on LGBT matters. I promise to continue that education with a more open mind.

I would also like to thank Lachy Hulme for his personal call on Friday and the well-deserved scolding he gave me. It actually brought tears to my eyes when I finally realised just how much unnecessary hurt I had caused, all through my own stupidity, alienating old and new friends

Some of you have raised concerns about my suitability as Director of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival – and while it pains me to do so – I have decided to step down as Festival Director after 18 years in relation to this matter, and will use the time to return to my first love, making independent films.

Frank Howson, respected local Industry veteran will take over as new M.U.F.F Director and, considering the brave visionary he is, will no doubt guide the Festival to a very exciting and fresh future. The Festival does much important work assisting local filmmakers to showcase their work and find their audience. Frank has great ideas on how to take the Festival to a whole new level, raise its class, profile and make some much-needed positive changes.

I promise I will use this experience as a learning curve and I hope some of those offended take this apology to their heart, as it is from mine. I have always been a friend of the LGBT Community with Hellfire and M.U.F.F. and hope to gain a greater understanding of related issues.

I would also say I respect the Will of The People of Australia apropos the Postal Vote being a #YES result and I expect the ruling Liberal Party of Australia to bring The Will of Nation in to quick and satisfactory fruition. M.U.F.F from now on will also be a YES position supporting festival and I know Frank Howson wholeheartedly supports that.

Apologies also very much due to friends and associates who have had to deal with my inappropriate mess online the past few days – and felt compelled to make statements about me and this matter.

I would also like to thank Irish M.U.F.F. alumni filmmaker Terry McMahon who, while condemning my words unreservedly, would not partake in a witch hunt against me personally. This is the sign of his maturity, good nature and Irish style ‘no bullshit’. I can only hope to aspire to be like Terry one day. Great respect.

I hope one day I can earn the forgiveness of more of you, also, even some strangers. I would also like to personally apologise to Steven Williams from the film Urine Aid – and Australian auteur Alex Proyas, a man whose work I deeply respect.

I would also like to personally apologise to (the much-loved by all) Hussein Khoder, my assistant director of 4 years from a few years back, who I have also upset. This has all given me much to think, learn and reflect. I have some personal issues to sort out to bring my life and mind to a calmer place.

Finally, it has been a great honour to run the Melbourne Underground Film Festival for 18 years – half my adult life’s work – I have seen literally an entire generation of truly amazing filmmakers file through its doors and we have screened some amazing work,

It is for the upcoming generations of young filmmakers that I am writing this letter and why I founded this festival (with Rebecca Sutherland) in 2000.

Thank You to All – and Viva the Revolution of The 2nd Renaissance In Oz Cinema. One day I hope we do it – we have the best talent in the world here.

M.U.F.F. Director number one – humbly signing off. It’s been an honour and a privilege. I hope my time here will be remembered fondly, by at least some of you, and my few indiscretions not over shadow its achievements.”

Best Regards
Richard Wolstencroft

To read Gscene columnist Craig Hanlon Smith’s opinion piece in response to Mr Wolstencroft posting, click here:

OPINION: I am what I am

THEATRE REVIEW: How the Other Half Loves @Theatre Royal

Posted on by Michael Hootman

Rather like his recently revived Relatively Speaking, Alan Ayckbourn’s play is a farcical look at an affair and the tortured results of covering it up. The intricate web of lies lead, inevitably, to a whole raft of misunderstandings. Written five years later, How the Other Half Loves is almost experimental in the way both time and space are sliced and diced. One couple are seen eating a meal on two separate nights, with two sets of hosts, and the action flicks back and forth between the evenings. But this isn’t just showing off: it demonstrates with a heightened immediacy the way people behave in different circumstances. Or, to be brutal, how they behave to their social betters versus their social inferiors.

Bob Phillips (Leon Ockenden) is having an affair with Fiona Foster (Caroline Langrishe), the wife of his boss Frank (Robert Daws). As a cover story Fiona has said she was counselling Mary Featherstone (Sara Crowe), in a crisis due to her husband William (Matthew Cottle) having an affair. Coincidentally Bob’s covering story for his wife Teresa (Charlie Brooks) involves a drinking session with William who, he claims, is in a state due his wife cheating on him.

Ayckbourn is, of course, a master of plotting. And the mechanism of the plot is very finely crafted indeed. But the play isn’t just about making its cast jump through hoops: it’s perhaps finer that Relatively in the that it makes you feel for its characters. Mary ‘the mouse’ is, in some respects, a comic stereotype yet Crowe’s wounded dignity when she demands an apology from her husband is quietly heartbreaking.

The writer casts something of a jaundiced eye over everyone. Cottle’s William is toe-curlingly servile to his boss. But worse than that is his treatment of Mary, a woman who he believes he has made – he’s bettered her by introducing her to non-fiction works of literature, classical music and less awful clothes. In his idea of art and culture he bears more than a passing resemblance to Laurence Moss in Abigail’s Party with his leather-bound, yet steadfastly unread, Shakespeare.

There’s something pleasingly retro about the acting – especially in the depiction of classic English types which, presumably, no longer exist. Ockenden does lairy youth in a way which would give Robin Askwith a run for his money; Langrishe has the condescending grace of Penelope Keith and Daws is little short of magnificent as the upper management bod whose basic decency doesn’t prevent him from being a fool. Brooks’ Teresa is slightly harder to place – but her Guardian reading and love of Benjamin Britten imply a woman rebelling against middle-class respectability by marrying a member of the lower orders.

My one slight quibble is that the twist which ends the play doesn’t really make much sense. Despite this minor problem, Other Half is an example of Ayckbourn at his best.

Continues until Saturday 25 at the Theatre Royal, Brighton.

For more details and tickets click here.

HIV – get yourself tested!

Posted on by Besi

Sussex Beacon urges people to get tested for HIV during National HIV Testing Week.

Local HIV charity, The Sussex Beacon is urging people to get tested for HIV during National HIV Testing Week (runs till November 24).

The aim of the week is to raise awareness of HIV and promote testing to the most affected population groups in England, men who have sex with men (MSM) and black African men and women.

HIV testing is working and we’re starting to see a decrease in new HIV diagnosis rates, particularly among MSM. However, there is still work to be done. One in eight people living with HIV are unaware they have it and the majority of new infections are as a result of these individuals unknowingly passing the virus on.

Late diagnoses remain high – 45% of people with HIV in the South of England are diagnosed late, when the virus is already affecting their immune system.

Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe

Simon Dowe, CEO of The Sussex Beacon, said: “HIV testing is making a real impact, but we’ve still got to reach the one in eight who are slipping through the net. If you think you might have been at risk, please take the test. You’ll either get the all clear, or you’ll get the treatment and support you need to stay healthy. A finger prick test is all it takes.”

The Sussex Beacon team will be raising awareness and urging people to test throughout the week, both directly and via social media.

HIV testing is free and completely confidential. Testing methods vary and people may be offered a swab, a rapid finger prick test or a blood test.

To find out where to take a test locally, click here:  OR click here:

Alternatively, to get a sampling kit to use at home, click here:

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV through both inpatient and outpatient services. It helps hundreds of people living with HIV in Sussex each year and was rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission in 2016.

Smiley Sunday comedy night at Dr Brightons

Posted on by Besi

Smiley Sunday Comedy Night is about to hit double figures and will be celebrating in fine style at Doctor Brightons on December 17!

This Smiley Sunday is the closing part of a charity fun day being held at Doctor Brightons to benefit TIA Volunteers and all proceeds will be going to this great cause.

On the night there will be a fab raffle, happy hour prices at the bar all night as well as the buy 1 get 1 free cocktails deal!

Headliner for the evening is South Coast Comedian of the Year 2015 Joe Foster!

Comedians confirmed to appear include:

♦ Rob Dumbrell
♦ Will Preston
♦ Hassan Dervish
♦ Karen Blott
♦ Matt Nicholson and
♦ David “Riggs” Regan

Your compere for the evening will be Brodi Snook!

Event: Smiley Sunday No. 9

Where: Doctor Brightons, 16-17 King’s Rd, Brighton

When: Sunday, December 17, 2017

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: £3

MUSIC PREVIEW: Neon Moon by Matthew Callow

Posted on by Besi

A gay love story – two men who meet in a bar, fall in love but cannot be together….by Matthew Callow.

Neon Moon is a gay love song and the title track of the new album by British synth-pop artist Matthew Callow.

The album is due for release early in 2018 and features forty fives minutes of original material.

Matthew will be touring the UK in 2018 promoting Neon Moon with performances confirmed at gay prides, summer festivals and alternative events around the country.

He says: “I have a very eclectic taste in music and I have tried to include elements of the sounds I’ve enjoyed in my favourite artists in my music. I love the bouncy rhythms of the Pet Shop Boys, Lisa Gerrard’s strong operatic vocals, Björk’s unique use of vocal effects and the euphoric sounds achievable with new pieces of software. It is important to me to try to create something unique, but at the same time recognisable and easy to listen to.

”I suppose it could be called a mystical type of dance music. I want my lyrics to be happy, optimistic and positive. Music can change people’s feelings very powerfully. I always listen to bright, upbeat music while I work and this gives me more energy. I think for people living in places like the UK, where it is dark during the winter months and you can feel you are lacking energy, playing music can have a dramatic and positive effect.”

For more information about Matthew Callow and Neon Moon, click here:

LGBT Christmas Carol Service

Posted on by Besi

 

OneBodyOneFaith continue their work challenging homophobia while creating an inclusive church, with an LGBT Carol Service on Friday, December 22 at St George’s Church Kemptown.
The Rev Andrew Woodward, LGBT Liaison Officer will be preaching and the service will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information email: nigelnash@me.com

Event: LGBT Carol Service

Where: St George’s Church, 93 St George’s Rd, Brighton BN2 1DW

When: Friday, December 22

Time: 7.30pm

 

 

Latest News

Cabaret Major fundraiser for iconic the Miss Jason at Legends Brighton this Sunday
Community News Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard thanks Sussex Cricket Foundation for holding free session for LGBTQ+ community
Community News Brighton & Hove City Council announces community event to celebrate Deaf Awareness Week
Music Bish Bash Bosh! Olly Alexander takes to the stage in Malmö for his first Eurovision rehearsal
X