The third annual Trans, Non-Binary and Intersex Annual Conference is being held during Trans Pride 2018 at the University of Brighton on July 19-20.
THE conference seeks to bring trans, non-binary and intersex people, researchers and allies (as well as those who seek to work better with trans, non-binary and intersex people) together in order to work towards making a more trans, non-binary and intersex inclusive society.
This year, following feedback from last year, the organisers have linked up with Intersex UK to improve the representation of intersex issues within the programme including a panel, films and Q&A.
Keynote speakers include: Prof Stephen Whittle (Manchester Metropolitan University), Munroe Bergdorf (activist and model) and a panel of speakers from Intersex UK facilitated by Holly Greenbury and Dawn Vago.
The conference is funded by University of Brighton, University of Sussex, Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Clinical Commissioning Group.
The event is free for a small number of staff from these organisation and members of the trans, non-binary and intersex communities. A small attendance fee is charged for all other participants.
Registration is now open and the event is likely to sell out early.
“I know that one day I’ll kill myself, because I don’t know how to stop feeling this way but it won’t be today. In the meantime I’m going to do the best I can to enjoy every single day and then on the day that I die, in many, many years time, I’ll look back and realise that I didn’t get around to doing it. With this simple revelation I found a way to live. It may not have slain my demons completely but it significantly reduced their power to hurt me.”
Having spent a lifetime hating herself and struggling with post traumatic stress, her gender identity, self harm and suicide, RAF veteran and former motorbike racer, newspaper editor, Premier League football and rock photographer, Sophie Cook was at breaking point when she transitioned in 2015.
“I’d reached the point where I had to either change my life or end it.” Sophie says as she sips her coffee and looks wistfully out to sea.
Since that point she has been busy and packed an amazing amount into her life during the last three years.
Following her transition she became the first transgender woman to work in football’s Premier League as club photographer for AFC Bournemouth, and was Europe’s first trans TV newscaster with Latest TV where she also presented her own chat show. She now has a show on RadioReverb the local not for profit community radio station.
Sophie has also been flying the flag for diversity and inclusion as well as forcing the discussion about mental health awareness as an in-demand public speaker, delivering keynote talks and LGBT+workshops across the UK for high profile organisations including TUC, Kick It Out and Stonewall.
In April 2017 she was selected by the Labour Party to contest the East Worthing and Shoreham seat in the General Election where against all the odds, she increased the Labour vote by 114% and narrowly missed out on becoming the UK’s first transgender MP, something she aims to rectify sooner rather than later.
“Everything that I’ve done since my transition has been about trying to raise awareness and help others, whether it’s mental health, hate crime, trans inclusion or breaking down the walls of prejudice. Politics felt like the ultimate way in which I could try to make a difference.” she said.
Sophie is currently working on her autobiography Not Today: How I chose life which charts her personal journey from despair to redemption and acts as a self-help book for anyone struggling with their mental health or identity. From her childhood and her first suicide attempt at the age of 12, through post traumatic stress after saving a colleague’s life following an explosion whilst in the RAF. Sophie explores and examines her self harming and depression, ultimately finding redemption, awareness and self love.
“Over the past three years I’ve spoken to thousands of people about my journey and how I overcame my demons and this, in turn, has helped them with their mental health and now it’s time to tell my full story for the first time.”
Poignant and heart-rending, yet at the same time inspiring and uplifting, Not Today traces a journey from private torment to personal triumph. Told with honesty and candour – and written with warmth and intimacy, outlining the huge emotional and social toll of gender dysphoria while chronicling a voyage towards truth, validation and authenticity. Sophie’s compelling story portrays the fragility and fortitude of human emotions, demonstrating how – by conquering fear and summoning strength – a person is capable of making the progression from loathing themselves to loving themselves.
But Not Today isn’t just a memoir.
“There’s all of the stories and ideas that are floating around in my head and I really needed to share them. It’s part autobiography, part self-help book, part political manifesto, and part personal philosophy. It’s everything that makes me me, and everything that I understand about how my journey led me here.
“Not everyone has the opportunity to change the world with a single act but we can all make incremental changes, by being nicer to people, by helping them, by standing up to hate or by respecting those that we meet.
“If we want to change the world we first need to look within ourselves and find the strength, compassion and love that fuels the human spirit. By loving ourselves we can learn to love others, by being kind to others we can learn to be kind to ourselves, unfortunately so many of us fall down on loving ourselves.”
Sophie is crowdfunding the publication of Not Today: How I chose life. To pre-order copies or become a partner, click here:
A new Care2 Petition, authored by transgender woman Lily Madigan, calls on UK Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Jeremy Hunt to provide funding to reduce waiting times for transgender people looking to access specialist services.
As of today, (June 23) the petition has gathered over 17,700 signatures.
According to the NHS the maximum waiting time for “non-urgent consultant-led treatments” should be 18 weeks from the day your appointment is booked or when the hospital receives your referral letter.
The BBC reports that for transgender people the wait has been much longer than the 18 week maximum, “Transgender people are waiting up to two and a half years for initial consultations at NHS gender identity clinics”.
In 2015, N. Nicole Nassbaum, former president of Canadian Professional Association for Transgender Health and staff lawyer at Legal Aid Ontario said: “Trans people are at the highest risk of suicide and self-harm between the period that they’ve mentally decided to transition and when they complete their medical transition”.
“Timely NHS support is an issue of life or death for many trans people”, Lily Madigan writes in her Care2 petition. “The suicide rate of trans people is high, and receiving specialist NHS support quickly may make suicide less likely for some trans people.”
A 2017 Stonewall study focusing on LGBT students in schools and colleges in the UK found “eight out of 10 trans young people have self-harmed and almost half have attempted to kill themselves”.
A persistent caller has been jailed after ignoring a ban to dial 999 or the non-emergency police number 101 and biting the police officer who went to arrest him.
DAVID Peapell, 51, of Dyke Road, Hove, was found guilty on June 11 following a trial at Lewes Crown Court of breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) and assaulting a police officer.
He was sentenced to 11 weeks imprisonment on Thursday June 14.
The court heard that Peapell admitted calling police on the non-emergency 101 number 21 times between February 18 and May 9 this year. In one call, he talked about the dark web and continued to ask what police were doing about it and in another he rambled on about social media, hate crime and was homophobic.
When PC James Breeds went to arrest Peapell on May 11 on suspicion of breaching his CBO, which banned him from contacting police unless it was a genuine emergency, he bit him on the arm as he went to restrain him.
PC Breeds said:“Peapell repeatedly called the non-emergency police number 101. The number of calls in this case alone amounted to over an hour of call duration which would have meant longer waiting times for the public to get through on the non emergency number.
“The content of his calls were not only frustrating but on a number of the calls, Peapell used derogatory language, made inappropriate comments and swore at the call takers.
“When I went to detain Peapell, he became aggressive and bit me on the arm. I was only trying to do my job. The actions and behaviour of Peapell were totally unacceptable and the custodial sentence he received reflects this.”
For advice on how to contact police in an emergency or non-emergency, click here:
Do the bright lights of synths and guitars in Cocoa Future’s latest track hide a darker story?
Image created by Ray A-J
“KEEP DOINGwhat you’re doing, cos I’ll be fine,” the weakening voice of a broken man calls out. “Keep doing what you’re doing, cos I’ll be fine,” – the sound echoes throughout the air surrounding a desolate tent. Like each exasperated wave of new performer coming out onto the stage, the sounds of electronic synth and casual reclining guitars gradually build up. The stripped back and unpretentious sounds almost force the weary voice of singer Greg Sanderson to confront his internal ramblings, until he finally expels his confusion in one exhausted gasp: “Keep doing what you’re doing, cos I’ll be fine.”
It was the voice behind pop band Cocoa Future‘s first attempt at creating a colourful picture of sound with a reduced pallette of instruments. The Scottish bred singer had only a piano spare to create his relaxed collage, and he was admittedly at the mercy of the keys.
Glowing notes start to trickle in amongst a puddle of light synths and drummer Dave‘s steady beats. Though far from the bursting glow of instruments and rich texture of the Tottenham based band’s 2016 debut E.P. Blue, the sounds throughout Circus seem to contrast the band’s talent for bright synths and catchy hooks with a flare for a deep and despairing story. Much like its namesake, the track seemingly masks a darker lyrical underside with bright lights and sparkling synths to create a poignant story which on the surface appears as an entertaining, relaxed song. And with Brendan Williams (of Dutch Uncles, and GoGo Penguin) behind the production desk, the track’s story of patience and practice becomes perfectly wrapped up in a clean and precise sonic package.
Overall, the track seems to present a contrasting image of a defeated circus performer, contemplating the frivolity of their weakening career, through the polarity of lounging synths, casual guitars, and broken vocals. On first listen it is an effortlessly relaxed track, but with the next seems to peel open to reveal a conflicted narrator in amongst the pleasant and uncomplicated sounds.
The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley announce withdrawal of the United States from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
THE withdrawal marks the latest announcement in a concerning trend of U.S. divestment from United Nations institutions and multilateral agreements including the 2017 defunding of the UN Population Fund and the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation.
The UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, is the world’s preeminent human rights institution with a mandate to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and to address human rights violations.
The Council has been a site for progress for LGBT+ human rights over the past ten years, leading to the recent establishment of the first UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, a position currently held by Victor Madrigal-Borloz.
OutRight Action International has released a statement on the importance of international human rights mechanisms and US withdrawal.
It reads:“The US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council is symptomatic of overall US isolationism and a move away from multilateral diplomacy. This administration’s ‘America First’ promise is rearing its head in every foreign and domestic policy decision, including this one.
“While the US may see reasons for criticism of the Human Rights Council and advocate for reform, the institution has been the central international mechanism of accountability and justice for marginalized groups and people the world over. For many LGBT+ people, the Human Rights Council and the United Nations as a whole are ports of last call when their own governments fail them.
“Without a history of progress on LGBT+ human rights at the Human Rights Council we would have no progress to speak of within the UN system today. Withdrawing from the Council sends a message to other countries that its acceptable to walk away from the system when it doesn’t suit you to be there. Imagine, what would happen if all countries walked away from the UN because of disagreements?
“Investing in multilateralism is not just integral to preserving and progressing human rights, it is essential to promoting peace and security. OutRight believes in the international system and the integrity of the Human Rights Council. We look forward to continue working with everyone who share these values.”
Sasha Regan’s all-male version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s 140 year old comic opera about fairies and a wayward stupid House of Lords has a terrific, funny, energetic and touching style.
A GROUP of what look like posh schoolboys come through the auditorium with flashlights and happen upon a derelict building complete with its magic wardrobe. Through the doors they go to the fantasy land of the show’s setting.
I doubt you will see such pure-sounding, delightfully playful falsetto singing en masse as the ensemble produces here. Complementing the face-paced direction is Brighton-based choreographer Mark Smith’s wonderfully graceful but camp dance numbers – reminiscent in the fairy numbers of Matthew Bourne’s all-male ballet company.
The sexual innuendo of Gilbert’s dialogue is heightened here and no double entendre about fairies and half-fairies is missed – all to the audience’s delight.
It’s a very young cast but they excel in all the roles – especially as the predatory old fogey Peers, lusting after the coy but mischievous Phyllis , played deliciously by Joe Henry.
As the show moves on you forget that the company is accompanied only by the deft piano playing of MD Richard Baker, so lush is the tone of his playing.
The political satire which also lies at the centre of the opera is bang up to date and the meddling of the Lords and the war with the Commons resounds well in these Brexit days.
The singing is superb throughout but especially the pure high notes of Richard Russell Edwards as Fairy Queen and Christopher Finn’s touching ageless Iolanthe.
Alastair Hill as the lecherous double-dealing Lord Chancellor is on top form in Gilbert’s tricky patter songs – none more so than in the fiendishly difficult tongue-twister Nightmare Song where every word is clear as a bell and delivered at frenetic pace.
Duncan Sandilands is a suitably butch Parliamentary sentry in a vest that shows every muscle he possesses, and Richard Carson makes a suitably testosterone-filled shepherd as Strephon.
But the show shines for me on its ensemble playing and particularly the inventive dance routines which come with sign language, taught expertly by the deaf Mark Smith.
It’s a show you will want to see twice, but make sure you see nit at least once.
Iolanthe plays at the Theatre Royal, Brighton until Saturday June 23.
Peter Tatchell Foundation launches major new report.
MR Tatchell, just back from Russia where he was arrested for engaging in a one man protest in Moscow during the FIFA World Cup, has launched a new report, with the backing of the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler.
The report reveals that countries that criminalise homosexuality suffer significant economic disadvantages; lost tourism revenue lost inward foreign aid and investment and lost talent and skills as LGBT+ people flee abroad.
The human rights abuses meted out by homophobic nations on their LGBT+ citizens is often solely seen as a violation of human rights, but this report by the Peter Tatchell Foundation reveals that anti-LGBT+ legislation is bad for the economy and the 71 countries that still criminalise homosexuality are losing out on the economic advantages that more gay-friendly nations enjoy.
The report, The Economic Cost of Homophobia, doesn’t gloss over the human rights abuses endured by hundreds of millions of LGBT+ people worldwide but conclusively shows that discriminating nations have an economic reason, apart from human decency, to repeal unjust, outdated and unnecessary laws.
Foundation Director, Peter Tatchell said: “The loss of inward foreign aid and investment to countries with anti-LGBT+ laws is considerable. LGBT+ people and allies are less likely to holiday in homophobic countries, potentially depriving these countries of billions in tourism revenue.
“There is a brain drain caused by LGBT+ people fleeing from homophobic nations to resettle in more gay-friendly ones. This damages the social and economic vitality of their home countries.
“Outlawing homosexuality is encouraging the emigration of highly educated LGBT+ individuals and impacting negatively on tax receipts and innovation through deterring inward aid and investment.
“We also show that the multiple forms of harassment and intolerance suffered by LGBT+ citizens within discriminatory countries. This leads to lost productivity in the workplace and damages mental and physical health – which ultimately burdens the state.
The report argues that anti-LGBT+ laws present not only social and economic drawbacks for individual LGBT+ people, but their very existence impedes the wider economic development and long-term prosperity of a nation.
Isle of Wight Pride (IWPride), UKPRIDE Arts Festival launched in style with a Private View at Quay Arts in Newport on Friday, June 15.
This, May, Them
GUESTS at the event were treated to a dazzling performance from This, May, Them, a non-binary musician who will also perform at the main Pride event on July 21. This was followed by a presentation of certificates to young artists who assisted Pride artist Donna Jones MBE in the making of a gigantic Rainbow Hat, and the opportunity to encounter for the first time the fascinating group of art exhibits which will be displayed at Quay Arts until July 24.
Jo Kori, Arts Lead for IWPride said:“There are three distinct sections to the Quay Arts Pride Arts Festival – the Cafe gallery area is displaying mood boards created by Ellie Moore showing all the planning behind the site art decorations being created by community volunteers for the main event on July 21. There is also a visual timeline showing 2 years of activity through social media images since IWPride started.
“The downstairs Seminar Room is hosting the finalists and winner of the fantastic touring Winter Pride exhibition ‘Beyond the Binaries’. The Clayden Gallery upstairs displays a diverse range of artworks from LGBT+ artists across the Island curated by Karl Stedman. We are so excited that this has come to the heart of the Island and are so thankful to everyone who has contributed, especially Newport Parish Council whose funding has helped us to make this festival a reality.”
Karl Stedman, one of the exhibiting artists and the brains behind the project said:“When I was asked to get involved with Pride I felt that as an artist the best way for me to participate would be to organise an exhibition to celebrate the work of professional artists on the Island who identify as LGBT+. Much of the work has not been exhibited before and many pieces have been produced especially for this exhibition. This is the first exhibition of this type on the Isle of Wight to bring the work by professional LGBT+ artists together and wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of Quay Arts”
The winner from the Winter Pride exhibition, Sam Wingate, travelled to the Island for the launch event on Friday (15) and was blown away by the high calibre of art on show. Sam’s winning piece of artwork, entitled Grindr Quilt is hung in the Clayden Gallery.
Simon Tarrant from Winter Pride said: “Winter Pride’s latest art competition was inspired by the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act that decriminalised homosexuality. Responding to our theme ‘Beyond the Binaries’ we received over 700 entries from around the world and 17 finalists were selected. Artists have really risen to the challenge to create work that stimulates dialogue about modern-day issues – not just of gender, identity and sexuality – but of race, religion and politics. The resulting exhibition is both profound and thought-provoking, a show not to be missed.”
To follow the artist blogs from Winter Pride as well as Isle of Wight Pride, click here:
The Pride Arts Festival will run at Quay Arts until July 24 – entry is free. Donations towards IWPride are welcome and many of the pieces of art are available to purchase.
The Winter Pride exhibition is touring outside of London for the first time ever and will remain at Quay arts for the duration of the Pride Arts Festival.
Ongoing events taking place during the IWPride Arts Festival, including theatre and opera productions; Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Medina Theatre; and a fabulous LGBT+ photography project called See Me at East Cowes, tutored by wet plate collodion process specialist John Brewer and Pride artist Julie Wright.
There will also be lots of opportunities for people to get involved in creating site art for the IWPride site out of recycled materials with Ellie Moore.
Follow the IWPride Facebook page for details of how you can get involved in the IWPride Arts Festival events.
Gallery runs at Quay arts until July 24 and MAY move onto Earl Mountbatten Hospice in Newport for a period of time after July 24.
“There’s all of the stories and ideas that are floating around in my head and I really needed to share them. It’s part autobiography, part self-help book, part political manifesto, and part personal philosophy. It’s everything that makes me me, and everything that I understand about how my journey led me here.
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