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Day: October 6, 2018

New LGBT+ running group for the city

Posted on by Besi

Keen group of local runners feel Brighton and Hove is in need of a brand new LGBT+ running group – the result is Brighton and Hove FrontRunners.

THIS new group is hoping to become affiliated to FrontRunners (an international organisation that promotes the sports of running, walking and related athletic activities for LGBT+ people and their allies). In the UK, there are eight other FrontRunners groups.

An important part of this new group, is the social element of running.  This makes starting out as a beginner less intimidating and the organisers hope, as the group grows, they will extend their activities to include post run coffee, drinks and social events.

They currently meet weekly on a Wednesday evening at 7pm at the back of King Alfred Leisure Centre, beach side, for a relaxed 3km run or a second lap making it 6km for those who feel inclined.

As their numbers grow they are hoping to extend this to run a number of groups from complete beginners to those wanting to get quicker and improve upon their race ‘personal best’.

Their primary aim is inclusivity first and foremost, alongside offering the opportunity to get fit, move more and have fun.

Organisers are also liaising with BLAGSS Running group who have running sessions on other days of the week. For information about BLAGSS running group click here: 

To join Brighton and Hove Front Runners or just to find out a bit more information like their Facebook page for more information and event details for each weekly run.

Alternatively you can email them on brightonandhovefrontrunners@gmail.com or check their Instagram account on : brightonandhovefrontrunners – and they will get back to you.

This new group is very much in the early stages of getting set up and established so would love new members to join them, see what they are all about, and help them grow.  They look forward to hearing from you!

Ottawa to host Bingham Cup in 2020

Posted on by Besi

The Bingham Cup 2020 will be hosted by the Ottawa Wolves in Ottawa, Canada.

THIS will be the first Bingham Cup to be staged in Canada and the Ottawa Wolves are preparing to host upwards of 70 teams from all five continents of the world in the nation’s capital.

Bingham Cup 2020 will be celebrating its 10th edition and is now one of the largest 15-a-side rugby tournaments in the world.

Well-developed bids were received from two International Gay Rugby (IGR) clubs; Huarpes, Mendoza, Argentina and Ottawa Wolves, Canada.

Mendoza withdrew from the bidding process following issues associated with confirming the hosting facilities and following a vote amongst the 77 members of IGR, Ottawa Wolves were approved as the next hosts for IGR’s flagship tournament.

Ben Owen
Ben Owen

IGR Chair, Ben Owen, said: “The international gay rugby community is extremely excited that the Bingham Cup will be held in Canada for first time – a country with a growing rugby community and a proud reputation of openness towards the LGBT+ communities. The Ottawa Wolves are one of IGR’s most active and successful clubs, having competed in every Bingham Cup since their creation including the first women’s competition at the Bingham Cup Amsterdam 2018.

“This vote reflects the excellence of their bid and our confidence that they will deliver an outstanding rugby tournament with a legacy that lasts long after the final whistle is blown, both in Canada and amongst the IGR community.”

Jean-Francois Laberge, President of the Ottawa hosting committee said: “We are overjoyed at the news! After our first Bingham in Minneapolis, the Ottawa Wolves committed as a club to bid for the Bingham Cup in 2020. In the ten years since, we have worked tirelessly to put the pieces in place to honour that commitment.

“We spent countless hours with our partners over the last year developing a bid that would uniquely celebrate the legacy of the IGR movement and the Bingham Cup. At the same time, it was really important for us to ensure that we delivered the most affordable, inclusive and accessible Bingham Cup ever. There was no compromising on this: we wanted all of the members of the IGR family, their friends, their fans and their loved ones to be able to experience a truly world-class and uniquely Canadian tournament experience in our nation’s capital. See you all in Ottawa in 2020!”

The tournament is named after Mark Bingham, a member of the San Francisco Fog team who died on United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001. Mark is credited as one of the passengers who tackled the terrorists on-board, preventing the aircraft from reaching the hijackers’ intended target.

The Bingham Cup is held in honour of Mark’s memory and challenges stereotypes and perceptions of the LGBT+ communities.

Ian Chaplin
Ian Chaplin

Ian Chaplin, Chairman of Brighton based Sea Serpents RFC, said: “We in Brighton and Hove are delighted that the Bingham Cup is moving forward, to another country, this time Canada. I attended the first ever tournament in San Francisco in 2002 and it thrills me to see how big and vibrant it has become, not just because it is a real memorial to Mark Bingham, but also because it underlines the fact that gay, bisexual and transgender men can play team sports, for fun at a high standard.  I look forward to a strong team from Brighton and Hove travelling to Ottawa and showing to ourselves, to our friends in rugby from around the world and to our friends and supporters at home how our Club fulfils the RFU principles of teamwork, discipline, enjoyment, sportsmanship and respect.”

Ottawa
Ottawa

Celebrating the extraordinary work of hospices

Posted on by Besi

This year’s Hospice Care Week (October 8-14) is all about celebrating the extraordinary work that hospices do at the heart of their communities.

Reginald Walker, Topsy, Jacob and Robina Williams
Reginald Walker, Topsy, Jacob and Robina Williams

MARTLETS is marking the week by telling the stories of the real people of Brighton & Hove who work for, support or receive care from the hospice.  It’s an opportunity to inspire people from across the city to get involved with the charity, whether that’s by giving their time, donating or simply by showing their appreciation for its work on social media.

Retired Infant School Teacher and hospice volunteer Robina Williams visits patients with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Topsy and Jacob, it’s a role she’s enjoyed for 28 years.

She said: “I think it gives people a sense of normality, having a dog to stroke, it really is a source of comfort for some people.  Sometimes I have to lift the dogs up, so that a patient can reach them, and they’ll be given a little lick.  That is what’s so nice about Martlets; they allow people to be people and not just patients.”

Occupational Therapist Heidi Pession and Physiotherapist Ruth Edwards work in the hospice’s Rehabilitation Team.

Heidi
Heidi

Heidi said: “We treat each person in a holistic way, focusing on their main wishes and goals and help them to adapt to the changes in their lives. I feel privileged to work at Martlets; helping to give hope in the face of adversity is humbling.”

Ruth
Ruth

Ruth added: “In Palliative Care you have to think outside of the box; I never know from one day to the next what I might be dealing with which is something I love.  One day I could be helping a wheelchair-bound lady try on her wedding dress and the next I might be helping a patient relearn to walk. 

“One of the best things about my job is when patients gain enough confidence to start going out and about and reconnecting with the things they enjoy.  There is something very special about being involved with patients and their families at this stage of their lives and being able to empower them to do as much as they can every day.”

Martlets CEO Imelda Glackin said: “You can’t miss our giant Snails, which are currently dotted around the city.  I think they’re a very tangible representation of everything that Martlets is about.  Like the Snails, our amazing team, wonderful volunteers and supporters are in every corner of the community; enabling people to still feel hope, purpose and possibility.

“They work tirelessly to support our patients, their families and friends across Brighton & Hove and the surrounding areas.  Their dedication, care and humanity are totally inspirational.

“Hospice care is all about living life and enjoying every moment. Thanks to you, our team is right at the heart of the community doing just that.”

Martlets Hospice is a charity that cares for people living through a terminal illness in and around Brighton and Hove. It’s much more than a hospice and is working to change perceptions of hospice care. The hospice in Hove is a place where patients and their families can use the therapeutic services, drop-in clinics, visit the in-patient unit or just sit and have a coffee in the café.

For more information about Martlets, click here:

Inverness and Stornoway hold historic LGBT+ Pride celebrations

Posted on by Besi

The first ever Pride event in the Western Isles and the first Inverness Pride event in 16 years will take place today.

THOUSANDS of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBT+) people and their allies are expected to take part in both events.

In Inverness, the ProudNess parade will start the event from 9.30 on Falcon Square in the City, with workshops, stalls and live music from 11am in Eden Court. The Highland Council will be flying the rainbow flag from the Town House and Council Headquarters to support the event.

In Stornoway, the event will start with speeches and music from An Lanntair at noon. At 1pm, there will be a parade followed by stalls, entertainment and refreshments from 1.30pm onwards in the Carlton Lounge.

Celebrating Inverness Pride: Image Stonewall
Celebrating Inverness Pride: Image Stonewall

A spokesperson for the Highland LGBT Forum organising the event in Inverness said: “We are excited to be holding Proud Ness in Inverness and amazed at the wonderful support we have received from Eden Court, the Council, Equality Network the residents of Inverness, and many others.

“We wish all the best for the Stornoway Pride and we will be with them at least in spirit.

“We are looking forward to a peaceful and fun day, with a little bit of frolicking.”

Susanne Erbida, one of the organisers of Hebridean Pride in Stornoway said: “It’s time for the Western Isles to show support for the local LGBT+ community, especially in light of recent events”.

“It should be a celebration of acceptance and tolerance, a happy, peaceful and positive event. Everyone is welcome to our march, young and old.

“We want to show that it is ok to be different, that LGBT+ people do not have to be afraid to go public with their sexuality. That there is nothing wrong with being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and anything in between.”

Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson

Scott Cuthbertson, Development Manager for the Equality Network said: “No matter where you live in Scotland, no matter if you’re LGBT+ or not, everyone in Scotland should be able to be who they are and love who they love without fear or prejudice. Our research shows that it’s not always easy to be LGBT+ in the highlands and islands of Scotland. That’s why it’s so great to see the LGBT+ community and allies coming together today in Inverness and Stornoway for these historic pride events.”

The Equality Network Scottish LGBT Equality Report from June 2015 highlighted a rural-urban divide for LGBT+ people in Scotland. The report revealed that the experiences of LGBT+ people varies significantly across Scotland, with those living in rural parts of the country reporting a significantly worse experience than those living in urban areas.

♦ A quarter (24%) of LGBT+ people in rural parts of Scotland say that their local area is a ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ place for LGBT+ people to live, compared to half that (12%) in urban areas.

♦ Almost half (47%) of LGBT+ people in rural areas say that they feel isolated where they live, compared to a quarter (23%) of those in urban areas.

♦ Over half (55%) in rural areas say that services in their area do not meet the specific needs of LGBT+ people, compared to a third (30%) of those living in urban parts of Scotland.

The first Pride in Scotland took place in 1995 in Edinburgh. Until last year, only two Pride events were staged regularly, one in Glasgow and the other in Edinburgh. However, in 2018, twelve Pride events have taken place already – including Dumfries, Aberdeen, Livingston and Dundee. Scotland’s first ever Trans Pride event was also held in Edinburgh in March this year.

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