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What moves and shakes global LGBT+ communities in 2018

PLANETROMEO one of the leading social networks worldwide has released the finding from its recent Big Gay Survey that focused on the current mood and expectations of its users for 2018.

From January 25 to January 31, 58,843 Romeos from 192 countries answered a series of questions on identity, influence, expression, entertainment, and dating.

Gui Bosselaers, Head of Marketing at PLANETROMEO, said: “We wanted to get a gay perspective on the year ahead and find out what’s moving the global gay community.” 

“The response was impressive and shows the level of importance our Romeos place on having a voice in today’s rapidly changing world.”

Here are the top ranking answers from 10 of the 23 questions ROMEO users were asked:

What Technology are you NOT likely to use this year? Gaming Console

Which Social Media does you use most often? WhatsApp

What do you use dating apps for? Looking for Sex

In 3 years, I want to be…? In a relationship

How are you most likely to express who you are? Stay how nature made me

How far would you go with plastic surgery? Plastic Surgery isn’t for me

Who inspires you the most? Ordinary People doing extraordinary things

Who will have the greatest influence on the LGBT community in 2018? Donald Trump

If you could move to another country, which would it be? Spain

What’s the Gay Capital of the World? San Francisco

To download the full results of the survey, click here:

 

8,000 run in The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018

Runners take to the streets of Brighton to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon 2018 in brisk temperatures under stunning clear blue skies.

Close to 8,000 runners turned out to run The Grand Brighton Half Marathon this morning, embracing the cold weather and running 13.1 miles.

The MP for Hove & Portslade Peter Kyle watched on as The Mayor of Brighton and Hove Councillor Mo Marsh sounded the starting klaxon to get the runners on their journey around the city.

The Mayor of Brighton & Hove and Sussex Beacon CEO Bill Puddicombe
The Mayor of Brighton & Hove and Sussex Beacon CEO Bill Puddicombe

Now in its 28th year, the race revealed new colours and branding for 2018, reflecting the colours and style of new headline sponsor The Grand Brighton.

Thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer on the runners, and crowds were entertained with music, bands and stilt walkers along the course, plus special ‘keep warm’ sessions hosted by PureGym.

In the main race, the field featured hundreds of runners new to the half marathon distance, plus experienced half marathoners and runners training for a full Spring marathon.

Andrew Mosley and Paul Pollock
Andrew Mosley and Paul Pollock

The men’s elite race featured a podium of ‘Pauls’, with Irish international marathon runner Paul Pollock taking first place in 66:57, followed by four times race winner Paul Martelletti in 68:16, and Paul Whittaker in 68:34.

Andrew Mosley and Izzy Coomber
Andrew Mosley and Izzy Coomber

In the women’s race, local girls Izzy Coomber from Lewes AC stormed home in 79 minutes, Farnham Runners’ Sarah Bradbury took second place in 79:47 and Emily Proto from Arena 80 followed in a time of 81:27.

The Sussex Beacon Wheelchair Race also returned after its inaugural race in 2017, with four entrants from around the UK racing. Rob Smith took first place in a time of 69:10, while Gary Cooper came second in a time of 74:39.

Alongside the elite field, thousands of charity runners ran, to raise vital funds for over 35 charities, including local charities The Sussex Beacon, RISE Chestnut Tree House, and national charities including Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan.

From L to R: Lynette Lowndes Chair of Trustees Sussex Beacon, Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade and Bill Puddicombe CEO Sussex Beacon
From L to R: Lynette Lowndes Chair of Trustees Sussex Beacon, Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade and Bill Puddicombe CEO Sussex Beacon

The race is organised by The Sussex Beacon, a Brighton-based charity which provides a range of services for men, women and families living with or affected by HIV across Sussex.

Martin Harrigan
Martin Harrigan

Race director Martin Harrigan, said: “The race was a fantastic success, with thousands of runners taking on the challenge of running 13.1 miles through the city and great crowd support along the route. It’s been absolutely brilliant to have a new headline sponsor for the race this year – The Grand Brighton – and it’s wonderful to have such an iconic Brighton brand be part of the event.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part – the runners, our sponsors and charity partners and all the volunteers behind the scenes who make Brighton Half such an amazing community event.”

Andrew Mosley, general manager at The Grand Brighton, added:  “The Grand Brighton Half Marathon is such a fantastic event every year and it was brilliant to enjoy this year’s race as the headline sponsor. It’s always a joy to see our beloved Brighton community come together and raise funds that make a real difference to such a lot of people.  It was an absolute pleasure to work with The Sussex Beacon and all the race partners and we are all dedicated to developing the race throughout the next two years as headline sponsors. Well done to all that took part.”

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REVIEW: The Seven Doors of Danny @Phil Starr Pavilion

This morality tale in words and music performed as part of B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival first saw the light of day as a concert item and it has grown and developed since its premiere in 2016. Further development and bulking out could make it a first class piece of musical theatre.

Photo by StellaPix
Photo by StellaPix

I offer one cautionary lesson to award winning poet John McCullogh. If you want to show us how homophobic bullying can lead to crime, imprisonment, reluctant drug dealing and eventual redemption, don’t put a stunning drag queen in it.

Seven different actors from child to ageing man shuffling towards death, portray the Seven Ages of Man in Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy through the life of Danny the central character. Each is only given a few minutes of dialogue and song to get their changing character across and it clearly isn’t enough.

The most impressive characterisation is however not a Danny but the evil racketeer drag diva Tequila Heels played with delightful venom by Kara Van Park aka Wain Douglas.

She shimmies across the stage like a red glittery vamp and has a great show stopping song Suck It Up.

There is a great gem of theatre trying to survive the very episodic nature of the piece, and it certainly benefits from the wonderful sound of the University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra and the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus.

Ricky Horscraft conducts his own score with enthusiasm and there are great tunes albeit occasionally submerged in the inevitable rapping which modern musicals seem to pay homage to.

The best of the Dannies for me was Number 3 played by the very talented Tom Kohler as the reluctant burglar and Number 4 , the nightclub bouncer cum drug salesman played touchingly by Frankie Davison with his terrific song of anger Jobbing for the Devil.

Two things are certain – there’s a full length musical/opera waiting to escape here; and secondly someone should write a full-length piece for the great personality Kara Van Park – the evil diva shown here would be a good starting point.

Brian Butler

B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: Emergency 1st Aid at Work

As part of LGBT HISTORY MONTH and the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival, the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum host Emergency 1st Aids at Work with guest trainer.

 

A nationally recognised course, awarded by FutureQuals and Highfield and valid for three years.

The course includes a certificate and booklet on all the elements covered during the day including prioritising treatments, management of an unconscious casualty, CPR, defibrillation, choking, burns, fractures, bleeding, medical conditions, causes of unconsciousness including anaphylaxis and how to administer an EPIpen.

Refreshments will be available.

12 SPACES ONLY!

If you have access requirements email access@lgbt-help.com or call 01273 855620 and select option 4.

The B Right On LGBT Community Festival celebrates LGBT History Month, is organised by the volunteers of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and takes place at the Phil Starr Pavilion – a multi functional, fully accessible, heated performance, conference and community space with a licensed bar which is located on Victoria Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1WN.


Event: Emergency 1st Aid at Work

Where: Phill Starr Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton

When: Monday, February 26

Time: 10am – 4pm

Cost: £35 per person

To book online, click here:

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