February 2018 – Page 4 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Exeter City FC say no to homophobia

Posted on 23/02/2018 by Besi

EXETER City Football Club said “no to homophobia” at its home game with Mansfield on Saturday, February 17.

The match was designated as the Club’s annual Football v Homophobia fixture and a number of initiatives to mark the day were organised by Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, its One Game One Community (OGOC) Group and Proud Grecians, the club’s newly formed lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (LGBT+) and allies supporters group.

This was the ninth time that an annual Exeter City home game had been designated as a Football v Homophobia match.

Players from both teams warmed up in Football v Homophobia t-shirts. These were then thrown to the crowd before the start of the game.

First team player and the Club’s OGOC Ambassador Troy Brown backed the initiative and said: “Homophobia like all discrimination, has no place in football. It’s time to call full-time on hate.”

The OGOC Group welcomed guests from Devon FA, Intercom (LGBT Support Organisation), Exeter Pride, Exeter University LGBT+ Network and the Devon Lions, the local gay friendly football club.

Volunteers handed out Football v Homophobia leaflets, rainbow laces, stickers and badges to those attending the game and articles about the Football v Homophobia campaign featured in the match programme.

Alan Quick, a member of the Supporters Trust and its OGOC Group, founder of Proud Grecians, co-founder of Exeter Pride and local co-ordinator for Football v Homophobia, said: “Exeter City has a great record on opposing homophobia and last year the Club was recognised with an award for its long-term commitment by Lou Englefield, Director of the national Football v Homophobia campaign, who presented the OGOC Group with a commemorative pennant.

“The OGOC group and the Club have a proud record of making sure football is welcoming for all.”

Exeter City’s OGOC groups works with the national Kick it Out campaign to address all types of discrimination in football including race, disability, gender, age and sexual orientation.

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Rob ‘The Voice’ Stevens to headline Hibernation community luncheon

Posted on 23/02/201823/02/2018 by Besi

Bear-Patrol’s annual community fundraising luncheon, Hibernation takes place on Sunday, October 21, 2018.

'Rob Stevens - The Voice' — ‘Rob Stevens – The Voice’

Hibernation is one of the most sought after tickets in the LGBT+ calendar of events. Tickets are priced at a reasonable rate covering the cost of the event with ALL profits donated to the evenings nominated organisations, MindOut Counselling Project and The Rainbow Fund.

International singer, entertainer and vocal impressionist Rob Stevens will be headlining the afternoons entertainment, which will be held in the prestigious Paganini Ballroom at the Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront.

Rob a seasoned international performer, is critically acclaimed as ‘The Voice’, powerful and strong with a rich tone, he masterfully sings music from many genres.

During his exclusive appearance at Hibernation, Rob will be performing two sets – one showcasing classics from musical theatre and then after the auction he will return to the stage to perform his legendary tribute to Meatloaf. Expect a 5 star performance from a 5 star entertainer.

Hibernation begins with a champagne meet and greet in the main hotel bar, overseen by Toastmaster Dan Hale, followed by a four course Sunday Luncheon in the Paganini Ballroom in the company of The Mayor of Brighton and Hove.

Live Entertainment will be hosted by Mysterry, with amazing live sets from Krissie Ducann, Jennie Castell and a special guest appearance by Dave the Bear.

Jennie will be picking up the hammer once again as the auctioneer for the Charity Auction featuring an amazing list of auction lots donated by local businesses and supporters of Bear-Patrol.

All in all a luncheon not to be missed. Tickets will be on sale from April 1, 2018.

T0 pre-reserve tickets before April 1, email: info@bearpatrol.org.uk

In 2017, Hibernation raised £5,000 for MindOut and £4,193.04 for the Brighton & Hove, LGBT Community Safety Forum.

Event: Hibernation 2018: Annual Community Luncheon presented by Bear-Patrol

Where: Old Ship Hotel, King’s Road, Brighton BN1 1NR

When: Sunday, October 21, 2018

Time: Noon – 6.30pm

Cost: Individual Ticket Price: £40 – Table of 11 Price: £400

To book email: info@bearpatrol.org.uk

PREVIEW: Waterstones presents Jake Shears in conversation

Posted on 22/02/201822/02/2018 by Besi

At this special event the lead singer of multiplatinum-selling glam rock band Scissor Sisters and one of the World’s most famous LGBT+ icons will discuss his beautifully wide-eyed and determined coming-of-age memoir: Boys Keep Swinging with award-winning journalist and author, Matthew Todd.

Before becoming lead singer with the Scissor Sisters, Jake Shears was Jason Sellards, just a kid with an unfathomable imagination and a love of He-Man dolls.

Splitting life between Arizona and the Pacific West Coast, his childhood was marked by school bullies and the terror of the rise and misunderstanding surrounding the AIDS virus.

With changes in age and geography Shears gradually found a sense of belonging – first in Seattle, then in the street life and lights of New York City in the late 90s where, with friends and musicians also thirsting for freedom and the stage, he would form Scissor Sisters and go on to sell out venues worldwide.

“The purpose of my life is to entertain. It’s a constant feedback loop.”

Event: Waterstones presents Jake Shears in conversation

Where: The Old Market, Upper Market Street, Hove, BN3 1AS

When: Friday, May 4

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: £26, includes admission and a copy of book or £10 general admission

To book tickets online, click here:

Council launches e-asy way to read and listen to books

Posted on 22/02/2018 by Besi

The city council’s library service launches new way to download and read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks.

Members of Brighton & Hove library services will be able to download the new BorrowBox app to their digital devices and access thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks free of charge at any time of the day.

BorrowBox replaces the current Overdrive service and Libby app which will stop this Friday February 23, at 7pm. From this time, members will be unable to view or listen to any eBooks or eAudiobooks borrowed through Overdrive or Libby.

Instead they will be able to download the BorrowBox app from the Apple app store for iOS users and the Google Play store for Android users. Kindle users can also download the app, while PC users can access BorrowBox through the website.

Once downloaded, you simply choose Brighton & Hove City Libraries in the app, enter your library card number and PIN plus your email address.

Almost every eBook on the Overdrive service will be transferred to the BorrowBox system, and there will be hundreds of new titles available, including a brand new collection of eAudiobook titles. Due to licensing restrictions, the eAudiobooks available on Overdrive may differ to those on BorrowBox.

Cllr Emma Daniel, chair of neighbourhoods, inclusion, communities and equalities committee, said: “BorrowBox is a new app that offers a brand new and wider collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks with an app that is accessible, intuitive and simple to operate and enjoy. It will also offer virtually every eBook previously available on Overdrive as well as some great new titles.”

Adding: “BorrowBox is like having an entire portable library on your phone, tablet or computer. There’s something for everyone, including bestsellers, award winners and new releases for adults, young people and children.”

Library members can borrow up to 10 items at any one time – five eBooks and five eAudiobooks – for three weeks.

For more information about Borrowbox, click here:

LGBT and want to adopt or foster?

Posted on 22/02/2018 by Besi

PARENTS And Children Together (PACT) will hold a special Brighton event for anyone interested in finding out more about LGBT adoption.

The event, on Saturday, March 10, which is being held to help mark national LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week, will feature a question and answer session with a panel of PACT LGBT adopters. LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week runs from March 5 -11.

PACT supports families across the south-east through adoption, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects, actively recruits LGBT adopters and 35 per cent of people who adopted with PACT in 2017 were from the LGBT communities.

The agency’s Brighton office, which specialises in LGBT adoption but also welcomes heterosexual adopters, is organising the event for people who are considering adoption or who are in the process of adopting.

The panel of adopters will share their adoption stories and answer questions about their experiences of adoption. There will also be opportunities for people to talk individually with experienced adopters and PACT social workers as well as to meet other prospective adopters over refreshments.

Mark and Laurence, who adopted a sister and brother through PACT in 2016, are among the adopters taking part in the panel.

The couple said: “This event is a great opportunity for anyone considering adoption to find out what it’s really like from people like us who have been through it and now have two amazing children and a fantastic family life as a result.

“We’re really looking forward to sharing our story and answering any questions that people might have, in the hope this can inspire more people to take the first step towards starting or extending a family through adoption.

“We couldn’t imagine our lives without children now and it all started with an initial enquiry with PACT. This has been an amazing journey for us and if it is something that you are considering, when the time is right for you, PACT will be there to hold your hand throughout every stage.”

PACT Chief Executive Jan Fishwick OBE says: “One of the best ways for anyone thinking about adoption to find out more is to talk with people who have already adopted. This event offers an ideal chance for people to speak to and ask questions of some of our inspirational families and our expert staff.

“We are extremely proud to be supporting national LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week again, and we look forward to working with many more wonderful LGBT adopters this year.”

Event: LGBT Adoption Event during LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week

Where: Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton

When: Saturday, March 10

Time: 2pm – 4.30pm

Cost: Free event – light refreshments will be served.

To book a place at the event call 0300 456 4800 or email: enquiries@pactcharity.org

PACT is one of the leading adoption charities in the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) in terms of placing more children with loving families. In 2017 PACT placed 82 children with 56 PACT families through its adoption services.

REVIEW: Dead and Breathing @The Albany, London

Posted on 22/02/201823/02/2018 by Tin Nguyen

A somber kaftan laden upper-class cancer patient, Carolyn (Lizan Mitchell), unashamedly bares all as she is bathed by working class (and transsexual) carer, Veronika (Kim Tatum aka Mzz Kimberley).

Chisa Hutchinson and Rebecca Atkinson-Lord’s Dead and Breathing brings two people together – one who has it all with no moral values and one who has nothing but her faith in Christianity – and explores what people are willing to do for what they want. In this case, spread across a lavish boudoir.

Mzz Kimberley is fresh off Transformation Street, an ITV documentary depicting patients going through gender reassignment. Dead and Breathing is certainly the perfect segway from the inspiring series and her ‘reach through to your heart’ kind of authenticity is what makes her character so believable.

This alongside Mitchell’s abrasive demeanour make for a remarkable dance between wrong and right, morals and wants. As Tatum’s character opens up about her struggles as a trans person, she presents a serene Mandella-like protest that defies the need for a ‘normal life’ – with courage and dignity completely intact.

Hutchinson and Atkinson-Lord make for a creatively distinct expression and it shines through in the production’s women-power-esque duo.

Dead and Breathing runs at the The Albany, Douglas Way, London SE8 4AG till March 3.

To book tickets online, click here:

Or call the box office: 020 8692 4446

REVIEW: Jubliee @Lyric, Hammersmith

Posted on 22/02/201822/02/2018 by Tin Nguyen

THIS CAN ONLY BE 1977. …RIGHT?

Chris Goode’s adaptation of Derek Jarman and James Whaley’s Jubilee was a ravenously sex-fueled and unvarnished representation of the state that the world is in.

It assures to have one question if royalty or religion are still relevant in an ever-changing society.

Toyah Willcox goes from rebel to regal as she makes a comeback having played Mad in the original movie and now bringing delightful grace to the stage as Elizabeth I. Unsurprisingly she owns every second of her role as an onlooker from the past.

Jubilee’s blatant dialogue and minimal use of symbolism makes for a refreshing take on what are usually controversial topics. It is explicit beginning to end and makes no apologies for it.

Travis Alabanza does a remarkable job playing Amyl Nitrate, a struggling and shadowed transsexual. Amyl shines as a Monopoly game becomes a gut-wrenching statement about how the trans community is repressed.

Other mentions include Rose Wardlaw as Crabs, token sex fiend and femme fatale, who embodies a naive innocence and hunger that most can relate to. There is a poetic synergy between all characters without losing each of their own personalities and makes for an exhilarating watch, albeit a shocking reality check.

Jubilee plays at the Lyric Hammersmith till March 10.

To book tickets online, click here:

Community Lunch brings people together at B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival

Posted on 22/02/201819/03/2019 by Besi

Lunch Positive held a Community Lunch on Saturday February 17 as part of the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival at the Phil Starr Pavilion in central Brighton.

The lunch was attended by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove Cllr. Mo Marsh and around 120 people.

The impressive turn-out of included many people from LGBT and HIV communities who had never previously attended such a community event.

Diners commented on the welcoming, friendly and inclusive atmosphere of the lunch, the exciting menu and the tasty food that was all cooked from fresh ingredients.

The Community Lunch was prepared and served by Lunch Positive volunteers with the support of other community groups following a community call-out.

Volunteers from Dragonfly Collective, LGBT Community Safety Forum, MCC Brighton, Navigate, and Rainbow Chorus all helped to bring the event together.

Forty-two people gave their time to volunteer, and everyone commented on how enjoyable it was.

Gary Pargeter, Service Manager: “We all had such a great time at the Community Lunch. We are so grateful to everyone that came along, and everyone who volunteered. It was so enjoyable to meet and spend time with everyone. It’s important to us that everyone feels comfortable, included and part of a supportive community. People said they felt that at the event. Thank you, that means so much to us!”

Last chance to sign up for the Brighton Marathon

Posted on 22/02/2018 by Besi

Martlets has a final few places for runners who want to sign up to the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 15; but runner need to act fast since the deadline is Friday 2 March.

Brighton Marathon is one of the UK’s best runs, set against the stunning backdrop of the seaside in our most vibrant of cities.

Registration costs just £50 to sign up to Team Martlets and runners must raise a minimum of £500 in sponsorship for the hospice.

Clem Hunnisett from the Martlets Fundraising Team, said: “This really is your final chance to get a place in the Brighton Marathon so get in touch today!

“Once we have confirmed that you have a place we will send you our Martlets’ fundraising pack which will help you to reach your sponsorship target and a running vest to wear on the day.

“If you’ve already got your place and would like to run for us then please do get in touch so that we can support you with your fundraising.”

For more details, click here:

Tonight at B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: The Seven Doors of Danny

Posted on 22/02/201819/03/2019 by Besi

A new musical based on Shakespeare’s The Seven Ages of Man with music by Ricky Horscraft, words by John McCullough with additional material for musical theatre adaptation by Tom Slater-Hyndman.

Performed by members of Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, University of Sussex Symphony Orchestra, guest performers and featuring Kara Van Park as Tequila Heels.

The Seven Doors of Danny, a new poetic musical by John McCullough and Ricky Horscraft.

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.

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Month: February 2018

Exeter City FC say no to homophobia

EXETER City Football Club said “no to homophobia” at its home game with Mansfield on Saturday, February 17.

Rob ‘The Voice’ Stevens to headline Hibernation community luncheon

Bear-Patrol’s annual community fundraising luncheon, Hibernation takes place on Sunday, October 21, 2018.

PREVIEW: Waterstones presents Jake Shears in conversation

At this special event the lead singer of multiplatinum-selling glam rock band Scissor Sisters and one of the World’s most famous LGBT+ icons will discuss his beautifully wide-eyed and determined coming-of-age memoir: Boys Keep Swinging with award-winning journalist and author, Matthew Todd.

Council launches e-asy way to read and listen to books

The city council’s library service launches new way to download and read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks.

LGBT and want to adopt or foster?

PARENTS And Children Together (PACT) will hold a special Brighton event for anyone interested in finding out more about LGBT adoption.

REVIEW: Dead and Breathing @The Albany, London

A somber kaftan laden upper-class cancer patient, Carolyn (Lizan Mitchell), unashamedly bares all as she is bathed by working class (and transsexual) carer, Veronika (Kim Tatum aka Mzz Kimberley).

REVIEW: Jubliee @Lyric, Hammersmith

THIS CAN ONLY BE 1977. …RIGHT?

Community Lunch brings people together at B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival

Lunch Positive held a Community Lunch on Saturday February 17 as part of the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival at the Phil Starr Pavilion in central Brighton.

Last chance to sign up for the Brighton Marathon

Martlets has a final few places for runners who want to sign up to the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 15; but runner need to act fast since the deadline is Friday 2 March.

Tonight at B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival: The Seven Doors of Danny

A new musical based on Shakespeare’s The Seven Ages of Man with music by Ricky Horscraft, words by John McCullough with additional material for musical theatre adaptation by Tom Slater-Hyndman.

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EXETER City Football Club said “no to homophobia” at its home game with Mansfield on Saturday, February 17.

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Bear-Patrol’s annual community fundraising luncheon, Hibernation takes place on Sunday, October 21, 2018.

Share this:

At this special event the lead singer of multiplatinum-selling glam rock band Scissor Sisters and one of the World’s most famous LGBT+ icons will discuss his beautifully wide-eyed and determined coming-of-age memoir: Boys Keep Swinging with award-winning journalist and author, Matthew Todd.

Share this:

The city council’s library service launches new way to download and read eBooks and listen to eAudiobooks.

Share this:

PARENTS And Children Together (PACT) will hold a special Brighton event for anyone interested in finding out more about LGBT adoption.

Share this:

A somber kaftan laden upper-class cancer patient, Carolyn (Lizan Mitchell), unashamedly bares all as she is bathed by working class (and transsexual) carer, Veronika (Kim Tatum aka Mzz Kimberley).

Share this:

THIS CAN ONLY BE 1977. …RIGHT?

Share this:

Lunch Positive held a Community Lunch on Saturday February 17 as part of the B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival at the Phil Starr Pavilion in central Brighton.

Share this:

Martlets has a final few places for runners who want to sign up to the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 15; but runner need to act fast since the deadline is Friday 2 March.

Share this:

A new musical based on Shakespeare’s The Seven Ages of Man with music by Ricky Horscraft, words by John McCullough with additional material for musical theatre adaptation by Tom Slater-Hyndman.

Share this:

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