Bar Broadway will be raising funds for MindOut, the LGBT+ Mental Health service on Friday, December 7 starting at 8.30pm.
BROADWAY’s former door girl Catarina Coelho-Sandalls is having her lovely waist length hair chopped off, all in the aid of charity.
By chopping off her lovely locks Catarina will not only be raising funds for the wonderful MindOut charity but the chopped hair will be donated to The Little Princess Fund to make a wig for a child or young adult who has cancer.
The event will be hosted by Spice and there’ll be performances from the amazing Laura Nixon and Billie Gold.
In support of Catarina, Michael McGarrigle, one of the owners of Bar Broadway has decided to shave his head on the night to help raise as much money as possible for MindOut.
Event: Fundraiser for MindOut, the LGBT+ mental health service
Hip-Hop fused newbies MIMAH introduce us to a new genre of melodical wonder, at their debut show.
“WHO wants to see me do a shoeie,” screams the tall singer, to a chorus gleeful roars from the audience.
“Right, I’ll need a beer and a shoe then. Anyone got one?” Sure enough a shoe – contaminated with who knows what, and a warm beer, appear from the bellowing audience. And then, honestly the weirdest thing i think I’ve ever witnessed happens. Jumping down into the jungle of people, he proceeds to drink the whole can of sweltering beer from the shoe. Yes, from the shoe.
“Come closer, I wanna touch ya. I am your saviour, I am your Jesus,” beckons the lad on stage, as the audience moves closer and closer. All around the sounds of light jazz and bright Valerie era Amy Winehouse guitars circle the room. I was already enthralled and the main act of the beautiful jazzy pop gig hadn’t even shown their faces yet.
Quickly the glistening sounds of relaxing funk pop merged with a Hip-Hopesque ideology, as the last support act left and the Too Many Zooz style seven piece MIMAH surfaced.
Subtle jazz enthused guitar chops and light drums unwind, reclining on the stage so that the fireball of a rapper can claim the limelight. Spitting bars faster than Road Runner sprinting the 100m at the Olympics, the young frontman walked us through the world of urbanised smooth jazz. But alas, this overflowing waterfall of words ran dry. Red in the face, the energetic rapper suddenly drew a blank. “I forget the words,” she melodically spills, refusing to let her lack of lyrical memory hold her back. “Just carry on.” Brandishing the heart of improvisational jazz, the band bravely continues on. But the battle for words was sorely lost, as the hopeful rapper’s flow came to a sudden halt of silence. Brief. Silence.
Picking up swiftly from the blunder the dark thunder of heavy bass licks and drums that run quick in a sweet R & B way change the humble room of hopeful onlookers into a wave of swaying bodies and relaxed faces, driving 8bit bass and keys play into a feeling of ease, with their minimalist reiteration, of songs known across the nation, with covers of a few and original songs, two, taking the band to a place of bliss, one which they almost missed, with the painful technology failure, that occurred. just. moments. ago.
They get into a rhythm – a more confident presence and a better performance, with the last three songs. Throwing in some offbeat ska guitar chords, unhinged tension building semintonal solos, and high-speed off the cuff lyrical magic, the group create this all round feel good sound that seems to resonate access the various ages that bare witness to their unique style – heck, we were all jigging along with the singer as she bounced eagerly about the stage. We couldn’t help it.
With gameboyesque 8bit bass lines, and delicate guitar chops, the jazz enthused group created wonderfully light and breezy summer day anthems. And, for a debut, their amazing melodic mix of playful funk guitar harmonies, rough and ready vocal spills, and sultry sax lines, offered us a refreshingly modern take on rap and instruments outside of the usual four piece lineup.
Don’t just take my word for it, check out a juicy snippet of their live show for yourself below….
Drag With No Name to host the annual World AIDS Day cabaret fundraiser which returns to Charles Street Tap on Saturday. December 1.
Drag With No Name
THE evening will be raising funds for Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the national sexual health charity.
Scott will be joined by a plethora of top acts, including: Pat Clutcher, Martha D’Arthur, Aura Jay, Lucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, Kara Van Park, Spice,Jason Thorpe, Sally Vate, and many more to be announced!
A spokesperson for Charles Street Tap says: “The event makes its return to its home after our friends at Bar Broadway took over the reigns during our refurbishment last year. Expect a star-studded night of cabaret stars bringing song and laughter through to the wee hours!”
The show will open at 7.30pm following the Candle Lit Vigil at the AIDS Memorial in New Steine Gardens which starts at 6pm.
Event: World AIDS Day 2018 cabaret fundraiser
Where: Charles Street Tap, 8 Marine Parade, Brighton
When: Saturday. December 1
Time: from 7.30pm
Cost: £2 donation on door which goes to Terrence Higgins Trust South
Stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race put on a holiday spectacular in Christmas Queens at Brighton Dome.
SEVEN stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race will perform at Brighton Dome this Monday, Dec 3 as part of Christmas Queens; a fierce, over the top holiday spectacular featuring crowned winners Bob the Drag Queen as your hostess with the mostess, and ‘drop dead genius’ (Entertainment Weekly) Sharon Needles.
Expect a hilarious night of showstopping musical numbers from Let It Snow to We Three Queens. The full line-up includes faces old and new: Bob The Drag Queen, Sharon Needles, Asia O’Hara, Blair St. Clair, Eureka O’Hara, Kameron Michaels and Manila Luzon.
Fresh off the back of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, Asia O’Hara and Kameron Michaels spoke to Brighton Dome this week; “I’m beyond happy with what I accomplished, not a fan of ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda.” (Kameron).
A new report published ahead of World AIDS Day by Public Health England (PHE) shows that the UK is one of the first countries to meet the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, highlighting that prevention efforts are working in the UK.
NEW estimates revealed that in 2017, 92% of people living with HIV in the UK have been diagnosed, 98% of those diagnosed were on treatment, and 97% of those on treatment were virally suppressed.
An estimated total of 102,000 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2017, with 8% (8,200) unaware of their infection. As a result of treatment, 87% of all people living with HIV had an undetectable viral load and were unable to pass on their infection to other people (this is widely known as Undetectable equals Untransmissible or ‘U=U’).
New HIV diagnoses continued to decline in the UK, falling 17% from 5,280 in 2016 to 4,363 in 2017. The reduction in new diagnoses continues the downward trend in HIV transmission among gay and bisexual men that started in 2012.
The success in the UK can be largely attributed to a combination of HIV prevention efforts that includes condom use, increased HIV testing, reductions in time to starting treatment, and, potentially, the availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
More can be done to eliminate HIV in the UK. In 2017, 43% (1,879) of new HIV diagnoses were made at a late stage of HIV infection. While numbers of late HIV diagnoses have declined, there continue to be missed opportunities for early diagnosis that can help people with HIV live a long and healthy life.
PHE continues to stress the need for the public to accept the offer of an HIV test when attending a sexual health clinic or other healthcare service.
Professor Noel Gill, Head of STIs & HIV at Public Health England, said: “There can be no doubt prevention efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the UK are working. Our efforts must continue apace in order to eliminate HIV. With an estimated 8,000 people still unaware of their infection it is vital that people seek out an HIV test if they consider themselves at risk, or accept the offer of an HIV test by a healthcare professional, as early diagnosis is key to stopping transmission.
“Treatment for HIV is freely available and highly effective, enabling people to live a long, healthy life. There are now a variety of ways people can protect themselves from being infected with or passing on HIV, including use of condoms; PrEP; regular HIV testing; and prompt initiation of antiretroviral treatment.”
Matt Hancock MP
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock MP added:“Many of us will remember a time when an HIV positive result was effectively a death sentence. Today’s report is a poignant and powerful reminder of how far we’ve come. Now in the UK, almost everyone with HIV is not only diagnosed and in treatment but living long, healthy lives – and we’re one of just a handful of countries to meet these ambitious UN targets. This didn’t seem possible just a few decades ago but thanks to the efforts of public health bodies, charities and the NHS to encourage early testing and pioneer high quality treatment, we are pushing ahead in the fight against HIV.”
President of the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) Dr Olwen Williams and Chair of the British HIV Association (BHIVA) Professor Chloe Orkin, welcomed the 2017 figures.
He said:“The UK today has one of the best success rates for people taking HIV treatment anywhere in the world – 98 per cent of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 97 per cent can’t pass HIV on because the level of the virus in their blood is undetectable. However, it is shocking that 43 per cent of those newly diagnosed were diagnosed late, leaving them at risk of serious ill-health, and risking further transmission.
“There are still an estimated 8,200 people who don’t know their HIV status – a finger prick test could change not only their life but that of their partners. Yet despite this progress HIV stigma remains, which is why we must reach the wider community with these messages, so that HIV knowledge is based on fact not fear.”
Deborah Gold
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), added:“We are overjoyed to see the efforts of the health service and the HIV sector paying off so spectacularly. The recent data positions the UK as a global leader on HIV, and there is a great deal to celebrate in the detail. This includes reducing rates of infection being seen across all communities, and the very high proportion of people living with HIV who are non-infectious, which has immense benefits for the health of individuals and the wider public.
“This is an extraordinary moment in the fight against HIV – in which everything seems possible. We know what works. We have the tools. With the right political will, investment and public support, we can eliminate HIV as a public health threat and make real progress towards the UN target to end HIV-related stigma. The Government must explicitly commit to achieving zero new infections and zero stigma, and agree a plan as to how to get there.”
The report also shows a continuing decline of infections amongst MSM (men who have sex with men) and for the first time a decline among heterosexuals in all communities.
HIV testing and treatment is free and available to everyone. Tests are available at sexual health services, GPs, healthcare and community settings nationwide. In many cases the test involves a finger prick and results are ready within minutes. Alternatively, a blood sample can be taken in the privacy of your own home, which you can send to a local laboratory and receive test results in a format that best suits your lifestyle and needs.
Dig out your dayglo, slick on some face-paint and get ready to dance with the Martlets Zumbathon® UV party.
THIS popular three-hour dance extravaganza takes place from 7.30pm on Friday, March 1 at Reebok CrossFit Connect, Basin Road South in Portslade.
Enthusiastically energetic Sherryn Watkin has been teaching Zumba® in Brighton for seven years. Her super-fit team of Zumba® Instructors have kept the party going for every Martlets Zumbathon® for the last eight years.
Sherryn said:“I am very excited to host my sixth Zumbathon for Martlets. To date we have raised over £90,000 for the hospice, which is more than I ever hoped for. My Zumba instructor friends and I cannot wait to dance with you all once again. See you there!”
Clem Hunnisett of the hospice’s Fundraising Team added:“This is such a fun night out and it’s a fantastic way to dance yourself fit without even realising you are exercising! This year we’ve moved to a new venue and it has a real warehouse party vibe, which we’re all very excited about – it’s going to be brilliant!
“Entry is only £18 and we ask you to raise as much sponsorship as you can, since it’s thanks to your generosity that Martlets is able to continue to provide its life-changing care to families in the local area.
“There’s still plenty of time to join the party with #TeamMartlets. So get your fabulous dayglo outfit planned and sign up now.”
This event isn’t suitable for under 12’s and 12 -15yr olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Tonight Edinburgh sees the launch of a new book The Children of Harvey Milk: How LGBT+ Politicians Changed the World, by Andrew Reynolds.
PART political thriller, part meditation on social change, part love story, The Children of Harvey Milk tells the epic stories of courageous men and women around the world who came forward to make their voices heard during the struggle for equal rights.
The book is based on deeply personal and revealing interviews with over ninety elected officials and high-profile candidates from across the globe—including the United Kingdom, United States, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Publishing exactly 40 years after Harvey Milk’s assassination, it brings us up to date on global breakthroughs and reveals the extent to which individuals have served as the catalyst for change when it comes to LGBT+ rights.
Prof Reynolds has chosen Edinburgh as one of the locations to launch the book in recognition of the Scottish Parliament’s status as “the gayest Parliament in the world”.
♦ Of 129 MSPs in the Scottish Parliament, 10 are openly lesbian, gay or bisexual, the highest percentage of any parliament in the world. This includes two-party leaders.
♦ Of the 59 Scottish MPs at Westminster, again 10 are openly LGB, which is 17%
Professor Reynolds will be on a book tour of the Britain and Ireland in November with leading characters from the book (London Nov 25-27, Edinburgh Nov 28-29, Dublin Nov 30).
The book launch will take place this evening at West Court, part of Edinburgh University, speakers include:
♦ Louisa Wall MP (New Zealand) is known as the ‘mother of marriage equality’ in New Zealand, as the sponsor of their 2013 law. A Labour MP from Auckland she is Maori and a world cup winning sportswoman.
♦ Sunil Babu Pant (Nepal) was the first, out MP to be elected in Asia in 2008. He was instrumental in entrenching gay rights in the Constitution of Nepal and having a ‘third gender’ identity option recognized for Nepali passports and documents.
♦ Sarah McBride (USA) was the first trans woman to speak at a national party convention in America. She is the Press Officer for the Human Rights Campaign and one of the most visible and beloved trans politicians in America.
♦ Lord Chris Smith (UK) is the Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was the first British MP to come out, the first out gay cabinet minister and the first parliamentarian to acknowledge his HIV+ status.
The books author, Andrew Reynolds, says:“It is such a pleasure to be in Edinburgh to share the stories in the book. Over the last decade Scotland has made a statement about its soul. With the election of every out LGBT+ public official Scotland says we are inclusive, respectful and about love rather than hate. That is a beautiful national trait.”
Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson, Development Manager, Equality Network added:“Scotland’s Parliament is one of the most LGBT inclusive in the World, and Scotland’s representation at Westminster is equally inclusive. It’s no surprise to me that diversity in our Parliament’s has contributed so much to making Scotland is one of the best places in the world for LGBT inclusive laws.”
UK-based transgender woman searches a manufacturer to help her create ‘functional but feminine’ tucking lingerie, for herself and possibly all transgender women who have not had gender affirming surgery.
THE woman has contacted a fashion manufacturer marketplace in a bid to find a designer and manufacturer that can create the ultimate ‘tucking’ underwear.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, but signed her email off as ‘Bee’, has saved £2,000 to create a prototype of the underwear, with hopes the design can be mass-produced for the transgender female market.
The request was sent to online manufacturing marketplace Sewport last week, asking if the site knew of any manufacturers or designers willing and able to help create feminine ‘tucking’ lingerie for transgender women. Unfortunately, Sewport has been unable to find an existing manufacturer and designer on the site, so with Bee’s permission has released her request to the public.
Bee’s email details her struggle with current ‘tucking’ methods and how she’s concerned about the medical implications of them. She also says she’s tried the ‘gaff’ method, which is makeshift underwear, but finds it doesn’t provide enough security. Neither method makes her feel like a woman either, and that’s her main motivation for creating something ‘functional and feminine’.
Initially Bee was only interested in creating something for personal use, however now she is hopeful that if her prototype is a success, she can launch a range of feminine and bespoke lingerie for all transgender women.
There isn’t any medical research that indicates ‘tucking’ is harmful, however transgender women often say it can be uncomfortable and medical experts have said that regular tucking can lead to urinary tract infections, skin infections and in severe cases infertility when the testes are pushed up into the inguinal canals*.
Sewport connects small to medium-sized fashion brands with manufacturers, enabling them to create designs and garments from clothes to handbags, in an easy and cost-effective way. Boris started the company after realising there was a gap in the market for a ‘one-stop-shop’ manufacturing marketplace for new and established brands.
Boris Hodakel
Boris Hodakel, Sewport founder, said:“I am really proud that Sewport is fast becoming the place to go if you have a fashion solution to a very real problem, and although Bee doesn’t have the solution yet, she is trying to work with people who might, and willing to put her savings into making it happen. It’s very admirable and I hope we can help her find a suitable designer and manufacturer, because I can see the value a garment like this would add to transgender women’s lives.
“I implore any designer or manufacturer who has experience in the lingerie market to get in touch. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know how the garment would look or functionally work, Bee is open to any sort of discussion, and I’m sure from her personal and your professional experience, something great will happen.”
A video narrated by Stephen Fry, showcases the dance skills of the choreographer who directed Childish Gambino’s smash viral hit This Is America earlier this year, has just been released to highlight the National AIDS Trust (NAT) new message to Rock The Ribbon this World AIDS Day on December 1.
Sherrie Silver
SHERRIE Silver, responsible for one of the most iconic videos of 2018, lends her skills to another, where she can be seen busting some amazing moves while using a red ribbon – the global symbol for HIV awareness – in a brand new film which aims to deliver the NAT’s Rock The Ribbon message.
Sherrie’s Childish Gambino video for This Is America hit in May 2018, and is still reverberating today – winning the Best Choreography category at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.
Now, Sherrie stars in this awareness film for NAT in hope that the campaign will vastly increase HIV awareness and donations this World AIDS Day.
With this video, Sherrie will be building on her philanthropy work over the past 5 years, particularly in Rwanda, where she has been working to improve the lives of women and children – from providing basic amenities to vocational training and even hosting dance workshops.
Sherrie Silver said:“Whatever hardships we are going through, dance is always a source of joy for us. That’s why I love the concept of this film, which aims to deliver a powerful message through the positivity of dance. I’m hoping it will inspire the audience to engage with this cause, and donate as much as they can.”
Deborah Gold
Deborah Gold, chief executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) added:“We’re so excited to have been able to make this film to serve as a reminder that absolutely everyone should rock the ribbon on World AIDS Day. This simple visual show of support means a lot to people living with HIV as well as their families and loved ones. Sherrie’s mesmerising dance embodies the pride everyone should feel in showing solidarity and raising awareness.”
The Rock The Ribbon message is being supported by CBeebies and This Morning’s star Dr Ranj Singh, one of the most popular contestants on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The campaign is also being sponsored by pioneering make-up brand MAC, who will debut the film at a MAC launch party on November 29, then the video will be broadcast from December 1 throughout the rest of the month in MAC stores nationwide.
NAT champions the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS and campaigns for change. It feels they are winning the fight against HIV, but losing the fight against ignorance.
The astonishing Rock The Ribbon film, in which Sherrie highlights athleticism and artistry to drive home the message of World AIDS Day, has been devised by London advertising agency St Luke’s, and will feature prior to all movies shown at Regents Street Cinema throughout December.
Richard Denney
Richard Denney, Executive Creative Director at St Luke’s said:“Our campaign aims to bring people together through the universal power of dance – and encourage people to publicly show their support for those living with HIV.”
The video aims to combat dominant and negative decades-long voices about HIV by empowering an army of advocates to rise up against HIV, stand together and set the agenda on World AIDS day to stop the virus and its associated stigma in the UK.
Brian Page, a 41-year-old man from North Carolina and his 36-year-old English husband Ben face having their family torn apart just in time for Christmas.
Brian and Ben
THE couple of nearly seven years live in Milton Keynes and were married in New York in June 2014 before moving to England to provide support to Ben’s terminally ill mother.
Ben’s mother lost her battle with cancer in 2016 and shortly after, Ben’s father was subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017. The couple provide emotional and practical support to Ben’s father while he is undergoing a range of treatments including radiotherapy and a course of chemotherapy which is planned for the new year.
Brian and Ben envisaged a very different life together and after Ben’s mother passed away and his father was diagnosed with lung cancer, they hoped to make the UK their home before adopting a child and completing their family.
The Home Office say that having entered the UK as a visitor, Brian cannot expect to remain and settle in the UK despite his being married to a British citizen and their having laid down shared roots in Milton Keynes.
The government have said the couple could move to a third country such as Canada despite neither having any connections there or any rights of abode. Brian returning to the US to apply for the necessary paperwork would involve significant further costs and could take up to two years.
The couple have a final appeal at the Upper Tribunal in December. Just days after Brian’s 42nd birthday, the couple will face the Home Office again and due to the £16,000 already spent in legal fees, they face the prospect of representing themselves again.
Rob McDowall
Rob McDowall a human rights advocate and member of the Equality Council shared his scathing criticism of the Home Office in this case. “Yet again we see another case where the inept Home Office are acting with callous disregard, and, in a manner, which is clearly counter to the interests of the UK. Here we see a strong, supportive and stable family who desire nothing more than laying permanent foundations in the UK and giving a loving home to an adopted child.
“The couple provide essential support to Ben’s father and both have been put under such unimaginable stress that they are being treated for depression and anxiety made all the worse with the prospect of their imminent separation.
“Their MP, Conservative Mark Lancaster has met the couple once for 10 minutes. Call me old-fashioned but isn’t this the type of case you’d expect an MP to be jumping up and down on the benches at the Commons to highlight? The Home Office has long been unfit for purpose and the recent Windrush scandal is but the tip of the Iceberg. We can’t keep putting our heads down and walking on by, to deport Brian and split up this couple would be an absolute travesty and would cause untold damage to this family and both parties within it. I call on the Home Secretary to intervene and restore some common sense!”
Tonight Edinburgh sees the launch of a new book The Children of Harvey Milk: How LGBT+ Politicians Changed the World, by Andrew Reynolds.
UK-based transgender woman searches a manufacturer to help her create ‘functional but feminine’ tucking lingerie, for herself and possibly all transgender women who have not had gender affirming surgery.
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