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Vagina print donated to Claude Nichol Sexual Health Clinic

Local celebrity artist Jamie McCartney donates Great Wall of Vagina print and book to Brighton & Hove Sexual Health and Contraception Services.

The sexual health and contraception (SHAC) team in Brighton will be using new visual aids to help overcome female patients’ embarrassment and stigma about their bodies after receiving a donation from Brighton artist Jamie McCartney.

After the clinic requested a poster from Jamie, he upped the offer to give the team a print and book of his ‘Great Wall of Vagina’ sculpture, which he developed to highlight the stigmatisation of aspects of women’s bodies and ‘body shaming’. Jamie will officially donate his gift on Wednesday February 7 before clinic starts.

Perceptions about body image can have directly harmful consequences for patients when it leads to delays in seeking help to get infections like chlamydia or gonorrhoea diagnosed and treated.

Brighton & Hove SHAC matron Anita Weston, said: “There is so much stigma around the female anatomy and many of our patients have real misconceptions and often negative self-perceptions about their bodies and how their vulva should look. One patient even told me “it looks like a car crash down there”.

“Jamie’s Great Wall of Vagina shows that everyone is different and we will use his artwork to help our female patients change their perceptions of their ‘abnormality’ by showing them the variety of what ‘normal’ looks like.

“We are very grateful to Jamie for his kind donation and fully support his mission to ‘change female body image through art’.”

Jamie McCartney
Jamie McCartney

Jamie McCartney, said: “I am delighted to help promote better sexual health in my own city. Education is the key – knowledge empowers people. This artwork helps women overcome unnecessary anxieties about their bodies and feel good about themselves. It makes it easier for someone to seek medical help when something isn’t right and discuss these things with their partners.”

Jamie is familiar to most for his Brighton Body Casting business, making casts of people to create sculptures – anything from baby hands in plaster or glass to whole bodies in bronze.

Established over a decade ago at the erstwhile JAG gallery on Madeira Dive, he was in the Lanes for a while, then by Hove Station and is now at a permanent, purpose-built studio in the harbour in Portslade. The branded, pink, company pick up truck tuktuk brings mirth to many and is a hilarious feature of the August Pride Parade. However Jamie’s involvement in the local community largely goes unsung.

The Great Wall of Vagina is a twenty-six feet (eight metre) long wall sculpture made from plaster casts of vaginas (well vulvas actually) taken from four hundred different women volunteers. This infamous sculpture is credited with changing the lives of women the world over.

Brighton and Hove Sexual Health and Contraception services provide a comprehensive sexual health service at three sites across the city.

Celebration theme to Exeter’s 10th LGBT+ Pride

Exeter Pride, one of the biggest celebrations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) communities in the South West, is on Saturday, May 12, 2018 this year – with organisers promising an explosion of colour, positivity and pride.

A key annual event in the city’s calendar, this year marks Exeter Pride’s 10th anniversary.

On the big day, a colourful rainbow flag parade will move down Exeter High Street from the St Sidwell Centre to Northernhay Gardens featuring thousands of people, roller skaters, Street Heat samba band, a fire engine, an ambulance, Morris dancers, police officers, representatives from community groups and organisations, and volunteers carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag.

The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Lesley Robson, will lead the parade to the main stage in Northernhay Gardens, where a full programme of events and activities will take place.

Other events and activities will take place at Exeter Phoenix, the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter Library and Rougemont Gardens.

♦ There will be a marketplace, with a range of stalls.  Stall applications are open now and should be made to: info@exeterpride.co.uk.

♦ There will be workshops, film screenings, panel debates, trans workshops, a ceilidh, drumming and many other activities.

♦ Family-friendly events and activities will take place in Rougemont Gardens.

♦ There will be information from local, national and international organisations, demonstrations and fun activities.

The celebrations continue into the evening at Exeter Phoenix followed by a ‘chill out’ programme of events and activities the following day also at the Exeter Phoenix.

Adam Rank, Chair of Exeter Pride, said: “There will be a real celebration feel this year.

“Being our 10th anniversary, it is the perfect time to consider how far we have come since Exeter Pride began.

Adam Rank
Adam Rank

“We work closely with a range of partners to stage the event, including Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the University of Exeter, Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, and local businesses.

“It would not be possible without generous donations or sponsorship from local and national businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts and assistance of many volunteers.

“We are currently welcoming approaches from those who would like to get involved as volunteers, have a stall or be a partner or sponsor.

“In addition we are running our usual wristband scheme which offers year-long discounts at restaurants/shops etc, which makes them very desirable.”

To get in touch with Adam, email: chair@exeterpride.co.uk

Alan Quick
Alan Quick

Alan Quick, co-founder of Exeter Pride, added: “Without the support of previous trustees, volunteers, committee members, sponsors, partners and other supporters, and those currently involved, Exeter Pride would not have grown to what it is today.

“Year-on-year it has grown thanks to the active involvement of so many people.

“It really has helped Exeter Pride to fulfil its aims, to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity through awareness-raising, advancing community education, and by holding an annual LGBT festival.

“While we are celebrating this year, we are keen to recognise and to educate on themes of LGBT history, LGBT contributions to culture, and awareness of on-going LGBT struggles in the UK and further afield.”

Like to sing but don’t know where?

Continuing a long tradition in Brighton, Music for Life in association with Bar Broadway host weekly piano bars every Tuesday from 9-11pm.

Each week, performers sing a mix of songs from the American songbook, songs from the shows, novelty songs or whatever else they choose.

Take along sheet music, but if you don’t have any the pianist or one of the regulars will usually find you something to sing.

Singing offers many health benefits, so Music for Life firmly believe that music is for life! They are always looking for new singers so go along and join the fun any Tuesday at Bar Broadway.

Music for Life also run a small chorus called The Regency Singers. Formed in 2012 from singers attending the weekly piano bar, they are a small but enthusiastic group of mostly mature people who love to sing.

Whilst some have a background in music others have started from scratch and gone on to become regular singers.

The Regency Singers have performed at three AIDS memorial concerts, two pensioners Christmas lunches, the Mayor of Brighton’s Charity Show, Rottingdean Fete and the Saltdean Gala. They tend to keep their repertoire fairly short and light and hold rehearsals before performances.

For further information you can email them at: musicforlifeinbrighton@gmail.com

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