Police appeal for witnesses after man was the victim of homophobic abuse and hit by a stone near the nudist beach at Hove.
THE 42-year-old victim had been on the nudist beach on Saturday June 29 at about 4.30pm when he went looking for a friend on the neighbouring non-nudist beach in Basin Road South while he was still naked.
A man shouted abuse at him and as the victim left to go back to the nudist side of the beach, the suspect picked up a stone and threw it at him, bruising his arm.
The suspect is described as white, bald, aged in his 50s and was wearing shorts and a white shirt. He was with a woman who is described as white with dark, shoulder-length hair aged in her late 40s or early 50s and was wearing shorts and a light blue top. They both cycled off but did not wear cycle helmets.
PC Adam Parris said:“The victim was shaken and scared by the attack. We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault or recognises the description of the suspect. Please get in touch if you can help with our investigation.”
Anyone with information should report online or ring 101 quoting serial 1018 of 29/06.
Since launching on March 1, LesFlicks has grown fast establishing there is an audience for lesbian and bisexual stories on the big and small screen.
FOLLOWING the successful launch of three film clubs, a number of private collaborative screenings and the creation of the comprehensive film database; the video on demand platform is launching on Saturday, July 20 a wide selection of short films, webseries, documentaries and feature films. They all have one thing in common – a central lesbian or bisexual story.
There are plans to add more content on a regular basis as membership grows and more films get released. The platform is also launching festival channels to help promote the various film festivals that showcase lesbian films.
A number of film events have already taken place across the UK. LesFlicks is curating and hosting a cinema at the UK’s lesbian arts festival, LFEST in Wales in July with 3 days of cinema between July 19 and 21.
Laura Dern as Laura Albert and Kristen Stewart as Savannah Knoop in the new film ‘JT LeRoy.’
They are planning a cinema screening of JT LeRoy with Manchester Pride over the August bank holiday weekend and a shorts film night with Queer Cinema in East London.
LesFlicks has already collaborated with existing film clubs including Unicorn Nights to screen But I’m a Cheerleader in a cinema for the first time in the UK; hosted a rooftop cinema at Pride in London with MINT Events; supported London International Lesbians Meetup group to host a private preview screening of Tell it to the Bees in North London; and 6 film clubs across London, Birmingham and Manchester have met and seen several films across several months, including Olivia Wilde’s debut film Booksmart in all three locations.
Naomi Bennett
Naomi Bennett, CEO and Founder of LesFlicks said:“Whilst I knew that this was an area where I could make a real impact, I’ve been bowled over by the momentum of interest and opportunities, and the number of films available. The film clubs are providing an important social aspect and we are collecting great data to show that there is an audience for these films which hopefully will help lead to more funding in the future. I’m looking forward to many more collaborations, partnerships and events as we continue to grow our reach and offering across the UK and into Europe.”
Cindy Edwards
Cindy Edwards, director of LFEST added:“The cinema is an important part of LFEST and is extremely popular, in fact it returned this year purely due to numerous requests by festival attendees, as for many women it is one of the few opportunities they get to watch films on a big screen in a room full of other women who appreciate these films. As the UK’s only lesbian arts festival, we’re delighted that Naomi has chosen this festival to launch the LesFlicks video on demand channel. We’ve worked with Naomi for several years and her dedication to the community always shines through.”
Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, published this week, reveals that the Conservative Government cut funding to Sussex Police by 6.2% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
ACCORDING to Liberal Democrat analysis, total government funding to all 43 forces (in 2019-20 prices) fell from £8.48 billion in 2015-16 to £7.99 billion in 2019-20.
Thirty two of the forty three forces across the country experienced cuts of 6% or more. In Sussex that represents a cut from nearly £180 million to less than £169 million.
Ed Davey MP
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson and leadership candidate, Ed Davey said: “Across the country, we are seeing rising crime and falling police. Far too many people now feel unsafe walking down their own streets.
“Taking 5,000 police off our streets in the last four years and cutting funding in real-terms by £490 million from 2015-16 to 2019-20 are big Tory crimes.”
Beatrice Bass
Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson and Parliamentary Candidate for Hove and Portslade, Beatrice Bass added: “Inflicting over 6% cuts on our local police force over the last four years when our city is facing serious knife crime issues, shows just how out of touch the Tories are.”
“The Liberal Democrats demand better. We will give police forces the resources they need to recruit more officers and restore community policing, so that we can make our streets safer and make people feel safer too.”
Despite recent setbacks and problems, Pride Glasgow 2019 has taken a step forward and announced it will take place this year from Thursday, August 15 to Sunday, August 18.
ONE hundred organisations have signed up to participate in the march and seventeen confirmed events have been announced, some are free to attend, locations based from east end to west end of Glasgow.
The march will start at Clyde Place and will end on the Broomielaw, where there will be information stalls.
Chris Lang, Pride Glasgow chair, said: “We’ve worked hard, as we always said we would, to mark the milestone year for the Pride movement across the world.
“Our low-risk approach to our event programme, and collaborative approach with the many city supporters we have, has allowed us to design a great programme of events for the LGBT community across Glasgow.
“We were obviously devastated when our deal with the Council fell through, but we were in a chicken an egg situation of not having funds to pay the deposit, sponsors on standby for when the event was confirmed and despite best efforts, we couldn’t make that particular event happen.
“We have apologised to our community on several occasions, and as we said, our actions would speak louder than our words…
“I’d also like to send best wishes to the other two Pride events in Glasgow which take place soon. It’s great to have diversity across the three events but it would also be great if we could all work more closely together in the future.
“Thanks to our sponsors for sticking by us and thanks to the community for its amazing support and encouragement.”
Registration via the website is essential for anyone who would like to take part in the march, especially groups.
Taxi drivers given free safeguarding training to prevent child sexual exploitation in the city.
BRIGHTON & Hove City Council has held eight free awareness raising sessions for the city’s licensed taxi drivers so they know how to spot the signs of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) & Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and how and where to report cases.
Most licensing authorities are now either in the process, or will be shortly, of introducing compulsory safeguarding training for licensed drivers which will be charged to the driver.
However, Brighton & Hove City Council have led the way by providing a limited period of training for free available to all licence holders. In total, 563 drivers attended voluntarily over two days.
Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults is a criminal offence and it can happen to any child, young person or vulnerable adult from any background. The process means victims often do not realise that they are being exploited and so it is vital that everyone takes responsibility for identifying people at risk. Reporting can help victims get support and be safeguarded and help bring the perpetrators to justice.
Cllr Jackie O’Quinn
Chair of the council’s Licensing Committee, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, said:“Taxi drivers are the eyes and ears of what is happening within our city. Exploitation can be hard to identify and therefore being aware of the signs and acting upon them early can prevent abuse happening or escalating.
“This course aims to equip the city’s drivers with the necessary skills so they can spot the signs and act quickly to report them. We are pleased to be able to offer this training for free so that all of the city’s licensed taxi drivers have the opportunity to attend.”
The council worked with the local taxi trade and community organisation YMCA Downslink Group, on the content for the CSE training course.
As Father’s Day approaches, one dad is reflecting on how he and his husband’s lives have changed since adopting their sons five years ago.
GEORGE and Martin Lusty met in 2005, which was also the year that it became possible for LGBT couples to adopt in England and Wales. They both knew very early on into the relationship that they would like to adopt and, after getting married in 2010 they decided to make their dream of becoming dads a reality.
They reached out to Barnardo’s and, after going through the adoption approval process and undertaking the necessary training, they adopted brothers Oliver and Tom, then four and two.
The couple, from South East London, are now looking forward to marking Father’s Day and, more importantly, to celebrating five years since the boys moved in and they became a family on June 20.
Reflecting back on the last five years, George said: “I always dearly wanted to be a parent. I didn’t think being a dad was something which would be able to happen – this is such a difficult thing to think about when you know you would be a really good dad.
“So it was momentous, life-changing news when LGBT couples became able to adopt. I met Martin the same year this became possible and it soon became clear that the journey to be a parent was one we wanted to go on together.
“When we were ready, adoption was the way forward for us – Martin had been raised by his step-mum, with whom he has a wonderful relationship, so he knew the kind of love you can experience from someone you are not related to by birth.
“We wanted to adopt siblings and we are so lucky that Oliver and Tom, now 9 and 7, came into our lives – to be a dad is just such a huge joy.
George and Martin with their children at the beach
“So many things have changed – from the big, life altering changes that having children brings, to the smaller but still significant things like marking Father’s Day.
“When I was growing up, we never really celebrated Father’s Day. In fact, the first time I sent my dad a Father’s Day card was after becoming a dad myself – it’s taken on a greater significance for us since we’ve welcomed them into our lives.
“Being a dad is a challenge and Father’s Day is a really nice way of showing some appreciation for everything your dad has done for you.
“But for us the bigger celebration will come a few days later this year. June 20 will mark five amazing years since our sons moved in with us and we just can’t imagine life without them now.
“When we met them for the first time it was really nerve-wracking! The door opened and Oliver ran up to us saying ‘hello daddy’. Tom was much more reserved, slightly suspicious. We gradually spent more time with the boys at their foster parents’ house, playing with them and chatting so they could get to know us.
“Then came the amazing day that we picked them up from their foster carers and brought them to their new home where we would all start our new life together. I had butterflies in my stomach, it’s an odd sensation when you have two little people in the back of the car for that first time, but it was a lovely experience.
“It’s just utterly brilliant; your life goes from focusing on your own concerns and your life and then it suddenly becomes all about these little people and helping them to enjoy their lives, supporting them at school and with their friendships, it’s about doing what you can to help them become the best grownups they can be in the future.
“I have also been able to see the wonderful relationship develop with our sons and my dad – not having a blood connection to each other has made no difference at all. They love spending time together and now share his love of sailing. Their relationship will be one more thing I’ll be thinking about and be grateful for this Father’s Day.
“To any LGBT couple who are considering adoption, I really would urge them to contact Barnardo’s. This is the most life changing decision you can make – adopting our two boys has turned our lives upside down in a good way. It’s the biggest challenge you could take on but it’s so worth it.
“We now have two cheeky, kind boys who have been the centre of our lives for the last five years and we are so excited about what the future will bring.”
Barnardo’s, the leading children’s charity, wants more adopters to come forward and welcome a child into their lives. Whether you are single, an LGBT couple, someone with grownup children or have just always wanted to start a family, they want to hear from you.
Police and Council to hold a public event to talk to people about the St James’s Street area of the city.
THE statutory authorities want to find better ways to work with residents and businesses to improve the area so that it feels a safe and welcoming place for everyone – to involve those who live and work there more closely in decisions about how services operate – and to look at ways the police and council can collaborate more closely with the local communities to enable them to develop local ideas and ambition for the neighbourhood.
If you want to have your voice heard join Chief Inspector Rachel Swinney, Brighton & Hove Prevention at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church on Thursday, June 27 from 10am to 12 noon for a Community Conversation, to look at the issues, opportunites and ambition for the area and to think about how everyone can work together to bring about improvements.
Home Office make additional £1million funding commitment to support a law enforcement surge in Sussex to tackle serious violence including over the coming Easter weekend.
PCC Katy Bourne
THE detailed funding allocations follow high level talks between PCCs, Chief Constables and Ministers earlier this year and discussions within the Serious Violence Task Force which led to £100m being made available to tackle knife crime in particular.
Sussex is one of 18 forces that have now been provided with an immediate share of £51m by the Policing Minister to target serious violence.
Katy Bourne the Sussex Police Crime Commissioner said:“The Chief Constable assures me that Sussex Police is developing an operational plan that will mean the force will be ready to step up targeted actions across the county supported by this immediate funding boost.
“This is great news for Sussex Police and Sussex residents and perfectly complements the work we have already begun through our Early Intervention Youth Programme – REBOOT- which in just two weeks has already engaged with 15 young people to steer them away from crime and violence.”
ACC Nick May
Assistant Chief Constable Nick May said: “We welcome additional funding which has been secured through the Home Office. During the Operation Sceptre week of action for knife crime last month, we were clear this wasn’t one week of action but continues to be part of everyday policing. The additional funding will allow us to build on this and make a real difference to communities across the county.
“We are carrying out patrols in hotspot areas, targeting repeat victims and offenders, using our stop and search powers, working with trading standards and with partners to prevent crimes and educate young people. Action on violent crime and knife crime cannot be tackled by police alone and we continue to work with other agencies to take positive action when knife crimes occur, focusing on engagement and prevention, especially with young people.”
Liberal Democrat leadership candidate visits Brighton and Hove.
ED Davey MP, the Liberal Democrat leadership candidate and spokesperson on home affairs visited Brighton & Hove on Thursday, April 11 to support the local Liberal Democrats in launching their manifesto for the local council elections.
He joined party members and supporters at an informal get together where he discussed Brexit, climate change and equality.
Mr Davey had previously campaigned to remove Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 which prohibited the “promotion of homosexuality” from the statute book in 2003, and was impressive as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change in the Coalition Government from 2012-15. He set up the Green Growth Group in the EU which led the EU’s target to reduce its carbon footprint and invest in green energy.
Beatrice Bass
Beatrice Bass, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Hove & Portslade, said:“I am proud to be in a party that puts action on climate change as its top priority. Ed has achieved that the UK doubled renewable electricity and became a world leader in offshore wind technology. Following his good work, we can continue to boost renewable energy and reduce our carbon footprint – we owe it to future generations that we take urgent action now to safe this planet.”
The Rampion offshore wind farm outside Brighton & Hove is also one of his realisations.
Two critically ill kittens illustrate the dangers of buying online, warns cat charity.
BUYING cats or kittens from private sellers online is a risky business says Cats Protection after they were contacted by the owners of two very sick white kittens asking for help.
The charity’s Bridgend Adoption Centre in Wales recently took in Daffan and Dill who were sold for £360 the pair and advertised as being eight weeks old.
When the new owners got the kittens home, they quickly realised that something was wrong as they were still trying to suckle and had raging diarrhoea.
They took the kittens to the vet who advised them that they were in fact around five weeks old, had a huge burden of worms and one was slightly jaundiced.
The vet also warned them they might die so they called on Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre for help.
“We were really shocked at how ill they were,”said Sue Dobbs, manager of the centre. “The little girl Daff was particularly bad as she was very cold and very lethargic. As well as diarrhoea, the kittens went on to develop flu and we soon discovered they were deaf too. It took four weeks and a lot of energy and money to get the kittens back to full health.”
To offer cats the same welfare protection as dogs, Cats Protection is urging the Government to consider regulating cat breeding so that potential buyers are able to go to a licensed cat breeder.
It welcomed the recently announced Welsh Government consultation considering how best to address issues related to cat breeding and selling and is also calling for an update to the law on selling cats to reflect the modern age – recognising that the majority of kittens and cats are now advertised for sale online.
It’s asking that this should include a ban on the commercial sale of kittens under eight weeks which could have prevented Daffan and Dill from being sold at such a young age.
“Our branches across Wales still regularly tell us harrowing stories of kittens bred and sold that are very sick,”said Madison Rogers, Advocacy & Government Relations Officer. “It’s vital that the breeding of cats is regulated and the law on selling cats in Wales is updated to avoid such tragedies.”
“By choosing to adopt, rather than going to a breeder, you are caring for a kitten that already needs support instead of bringing another one into the world,” said Madison. “It’s also beneficial for you because you’ll have peace of mind that your cat or kitten is a healthy pet.”
All cats and kittens adopted from Cats Protection are health-checked, wormed, vaccinated against cat flu and enteritis, neutered where appropriate and come with a free period of pet insurance.
This year Cats Protection’s cat care assistants – who help look after cats like Daffan and Dill at Bridgend Adoption Centre – are being funded thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised £404 million to-date for similar good causes.
Liberal Democrat analysis of new Home Office figures, published this week, reveals that the Conservative Government cut funding to Sussex Police by 6.2% in real terms between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
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