Besi – Page 411 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Brighton trans*formed project nears completion

Posted on 17/06/2014 by Besi

The Brighton Trans*formed oral history project goes from strength to strength as it moves in its final months.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has backed the project which was set up by community publisher QueenSpark Books to document and record the histories of contemporary trans people in Brighton and aims to preserve the stories of some of Brighton’s trans residents at what many hope is a tipping point in trans history.

The project is unique in that it is the participants who are setting the editorial priorities and making the decisions about how their stories, and the stories of their peers, are treated. Twenty-three oral histories have been recorded with participants aged from 18 to 81.

The editorial team, led by Dr Sam Carroll of the University of Brighton and Maeve Devine of Transformers (Allsorts Youth Project), are currently editing the interviews for the book, due to be published in September. The book will be illustrated with a specially-commissioned series of portraits from the photographer Sharon Kilgannon, with design work from Fox and Stella Cardus.

Volunteers are also working with curator E-J Scott on an Exhibition Trail which will run over the weekends of Trans Pride Brighton and Brighton Pride.

Highlights of the Exhibition Trail will include shop fronts of St James’ Street being filled with Brighton Trans*formed portraits, the Cabinet of Curiosities at The Marlborough Pub & Theatre, featuring artefacts of great significance to participants, and a photographic and audio installation at the Jubilee Library, where you can take a deckchair and listen first-hand to people’s experiences.

Darcy Heston has been involved in many different aspects of the project.

He says: “This project has given me the opportunity to record a very personal part of my life, in a way that I have control over. Our community is often misrepresented in the media and erased in conventional histories. This project actually gives us a voice and I’m proud to be part of that”.

He goes on to say, “It’s been great to see a wide section of the trans community work together on this; it’s amazing to see it all coming together now! Working on the exhibition is super-exciting and I seriously can’t wait to see our faces and stories all over Brighton! I hope this will encourage more trans people to take control over their narratives in Brighton and beyond”.

The poet and activist Alice Denny has been involved as an interviewer, interviewee, book editor and has also been learning how to edit audio and radio.

She says: “Within and beneath each interview in Brighton Transformed lies a whole lifetime experience of joy and pain; frustration, humiliation, struggle, determination and triumph presented with a rarely-seen unadulterated intimacy and honesty that has been a privilege to be entrusted with. It has been a moving and energising experience.”

To find Brighton Trans*formed on Facebook, CLICK HERE:

On Twitter:

To find out more about QueenSpark Books, the UK’s oldest community publisher, CLICK HERE:

For full details of the Brighton Trans*formed Exhibition Trail, CLICK HERE:

#FreedomTo… be Proud

Posted on 17/06/201417/06/2014 by Besi

Pride in London 2014 launches nationwide selfie campaign celebrating British Freedom & Equality.

Pride in London, London’s annual festival championing the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, has launched a new campaign “Freedom to…”, calling for Londoners to communicate what Freedom means to them in celebration of equality and diversity.

The campaign, which aims to reach millions of people through Facebook and twitter – as well as a two week advertising campaign across London – will encourage people to express what freedom means to them by writing a short message on a piece of paper or card, taking a selfie and posting it under the hashtag #FreedomTo.

The campaign has already secured engagement from celebrities such as TV presenter Graham Norton, BBC news presenter Jane Hill, Harry Derbidge (The Only Way is Essex), Angela Eagle MP (Britain’s first openly lesbian Member of Parliament), Kieron Richardson (Hollyoaks), Peter Tatchell, Louie Spence, Sinitta and Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood), all of whom have supported the campaign with their own ‘#FreedomTo…’ statements.

Graham Norton posted “#Freedom to … be camp!” whilst Jane Hill posted “#Freedom to … be a great wife” whilst standing next to her wife in her selfie. Harry Derbidge stated his freedom was to be equal, Kieron Richardson said freedom allowed him to kiss his boyfriend, whilst Sinitta stated “#FreedomTo… strut my stuff down Regent Street!” in reference to the annual Pride Parade through central London.

TV Presenter Graham Norton, said: “Right now we have so many freedoms and yet suddenly all sorts of weird issues are coming up – issues like transphobia or the idea that camp people are somehow betraying the gay community … and I just feel like, actually, no! There’s room for everyone. I just think you’ve got to let a diverse community be diverse.”

Angela Eagle MP, added: “It’s important for everyone to have the #FreedomTo be who they are and to live their lives free from the fear of bigotry and prejudice. A good society is about allowing people to reach their full potential and be happy in all areas of their life.”

Inspired by the current ‘selfie’ trend, the “Freedom to…” campaign provides a simple, fun but creative platform for individuals and community groups to celebrate the role freedom plays in their daily lives – the freedoms that make Britain the best country for LGBT+ people to live in according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).

It is hoped the campaign will also draw attention to the millions around the world for whom freedom is denied, and act as a reminder of why the high-profile and inclusive celebration of Pride is still so important for the LGBT community – not only within London but around the world.

Michael Salter, Chair for Pride in London, said: “Pride in London is not just celebration of our capital’s brilliant diversity – it’s an opportunity to acknowledge how much we have achieved whilst also recognising there is still much work to do to win true freedom for everyone … not just in London, but around the world.

“Our new campaign is about making sure that everyone has a chance to tell their story and be part of the celebration and campaigning of Pride in London. The ‘Freedom to…’ theme celebrates the freedoms that Londoners have fought for, enjoy, and campaign to extend, allowing people to make a really personal statement about what freedom is most important to them and why; Whether it’s freedom to campaign for international rights, freedom to continue changing attitudes in the UK, or the simple freedom to kiss their partner goodbye at a bus stop without the need to self-censor.

“It also gives us a reason to pause and be proud of London, the UK and the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis, remembering those around the world who can’t be themselves and live in fear in those 77 countries where homosexuality is illegal and in communities everywhere that are oppressive or intolerant of all kinds of minorities.”

You can get involved with the Pride in London #FreedomTo campaign in three simple steps:

· Step 1: Decide on your #FreedomTo message. What does freedom mean to you? It doesn’t have to be profound, but it should be something you care about.

· Step 2: Get a whiteboard or a large piece of A3 card and write your message in marker pen, starting with #FreedomTo…. Next, find a nice friend to take your photo.

· Step 3: Upload your photo to Facebook or Twitter. Add a little explanation of why this freedom is important to you, tagging it with #FreedomTo and then post it.

The ‘Freedom To’ theme will also inspire Pride in London’s first ever advertising campaign, which is set to be featured across London Underground and London Buses in the two weeks up to and throughout Pride Week. Through a combination of social media activity and live interaction with digital posters on the Underground, the campaign will highlight the diversity of the LGBT community and offer members of the public the chance to appear within the campaign.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell concluded, saying: “The #FreedomTo love and be loved is one of the most important of all human rights. Love and relationships are central to most people’s lives, yet no human rights agreement in the whole world, so far, acknowledges that right specifically. That has to change.”

Pride in London is a week-long festival celebrating all aspects of the LGBT community that takes place in the London from June 22-29, with the central London parade, festival in Trafalgar Square and activities in Soho taking place on Saturday, June 28.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Eva Iglesias joins line up for Golden Handbag Awards on Sunday

Posted on 17/06/201417/06/2014 by Besi

Eva Iglesias, the diva who wowed the judges on this years Britain’s Got Talent with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s classic hit ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ has been added to the final line up at this years Golden Handbag Awards.

Eva will be joining fellow semi finalist on Britain’s Got Talent, La Voix presently the toast of the London cabaret circuit after her performances on ITV’s top rated entertainment show. La Voix will be appearing on stage with her dancers.

Vocalist Jason Lee Howlett has a huge repertoire and can sing anything from modern pop to Musical Theatre. He also performs a brilliant tribute to Frankie Valli with a resounding clear falsetto.

Stage Magazine recently said of Jason: “If the future of light entertainment lies in the hands of young performers such as Jason Lee Howlett, then it’s in very safe hands indeed. He’s a bundle of energy when on stage, packs a fine, versatile voice and clearly loves being on stage and entertaining audiences.”

Finally drag queen Lucinda Lashes from Southampton will be bringing her edgy humour and brilliant vocals to the Golden Handbag stage for the first time. Lucinda aka Ben Hathaway has a fabulous vocal range and her hard hitting observational comedy will make for an interesting evening.

The Golden Handbag Awards are acknowledged nationally and internationally as Brighton’s Gay Oscars. They were created by Gscene magazine in 1995 to acknowledge everything that is positive and fabulous about the Brighton Commerical Gay Scene and to highlight the work delivered by LGBT and HIV voluntary sector organisations in the city. Over the years the Awards have raised more than one hundred and seventy five thousand pounds for local organisations. During the evening 22 awards will be presented to the finest and best on the Brighton Gay Scene as voted by the readers of Gscene magazine and the evening will be compered by Lola Lasagne in her own inimitable style.

All VIP tables have sold out.

Some individual tickets priced at £20 each are still available on the the public tables and can be obtained in person from Prowler in St James Street. Prowler don’t charge a service fee for this service and all payments must be settled in person in cash. These tickets are not reserved and are allocated on a first come first served basis on the public tables on the night.

What: The Golden Handbag Awards

Where: Metropole Hilton Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton

When: Sunday, June 22

Time: Doors open 6.30pm show starts 7.30pm

Tickets: £20 available only from Prowler in St James. To be paid in person in cash.

Gay men and young adults most at risk from sexually transmitted infections in England

Posted on 17/06/2014 by Besi

There were 446,253 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in England in 2013, according to new Public Health England (PHE) data out today – close to the number diagnosed in 2012 (448,775 cases).

Chlamydia was the most common STI, making up 47% of all diagnoses (208,755), while gonorrhoea diagnoses saw a large rise, up 15% from 2012 to 2013 (29,291).

Among heterosexuals diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in 2013, young people (15-24 years) experienced the highest STI rates – 63% of chlamydia cases (56,034), 54% of genital warts (36,312), 42% of genital herpes (12,450) and 56% of gonorrhoea (8,122).

Gay men were also disproportionately affected, accounting for 81% of syphilis (2,393) and 63% of gonorrhoea (13,570) cases in male GUM clinic attendees. Gonorrhoea diagnoses rose 26% in this group, nearly double the national rate, which is of particular concern as harder to treat gonorrhoea strains emerge.

Dr Catherine Lowndes, consultant scientist in PHE’s STI surveillance team, said: “Sustained efforts to encourage people to regularly get checked for STIs means we are now finding and treating more infections – which is good news. Nevertheless these data show too many people are still getting STIs each year, especially young adults and gay men.

“Investment in promoting good sexual health awareness, contraception and condom use, and STI testing is vital, as is ongoing investment in easy to access sexual health services that meet the needs of local populations. Not only will this help bring down STI rates but abortion rates and under 18 conceptions as well.”

National guidance recommends local services routinely offer chlamydia screening to young adults but only 15% of young men and 35% of young women were tested in 2013. Wide variation across the country were seen in rates of chlamydia testing and diagnoses – with only around 1/3 of local authorities reaching the recommended chlamydia screening outcome (2,300 diagnoses per 100,000 young adults per year).

Dr Lowndes, continued: “Chlamydia can have serious consequences, including infertility, if it’s not treated. These data show we need to do more to encourage young adults to ask for testing every year when they attend health services.

“Local areas can look at embedding screening into a variety of settings to make it as easy as possible for this group to get tested. Offering a young adult a chlamydia test opens the door to conversations about other important aspects of good sexual health, such as contraception and condom use.”

Individuals can significantly reduce their risk of catching or passing on an STI by consistently and correctly using condoms until all partners have had a sexual health screen, by reducing the number of sexual partners, and by avoiding overlapping sexual relationships.

For anyone in the highest risk groups, getting screened regularly will lead to early identification and treatment, as these infections are frequently asymptomatic:

· Sexually active under 25 year olds should be screened for chlamydia every year, and on change of sexual partner

· MSM should have an HIV/STI screen at least annually or every three months if having unprotected sex with new or casual partners

· Black African men and women should also have an HIV test and a regular HIV/STI screen if having unprotected sex with new or casual partners.

Cary James, Head of Health Improvement at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “These figures show we now have more gay men testing more regularly, and that’s a good thing. However, it’s not the whole picture. Too many men are taking risks with their sexual health, more often than not because they believe they share a HIV status with their partner. Even if they’re right – which many of them aren’t – eliminating HIV risk does not make you immune to other STIs. The sharp increase in rates of both gonorrhoea and syphilis is concerning, especially in the context of emerging drug-resistant strains of gonorrhoea.

“Part of the problem is that the current approach to sex education in schools is leaving gay and bisexual men out in the cold. Gay men will continue to be disproportionately affected by sexual ill health until we have a proper programme of sex and relationships education in all schools, that is fit for the 21st century and covers all types of relationship. Taught properly, sex and relationships education has been shown to delay sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase the use of condoms. Having that bedrock in place is a vital step to give gay and bisexual men the confidence as adults to make healthy decisions about sex.”

‘Action for rail’ campaign

Posted on 17/06/201417/06/2014 by Besi

Campaigners protest against new private rail franchise which could see hundreds of jobs cut.

Rail campaigners are protesting today against government plans to create a new giant private rail franchise which they claim could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.

From September private company Govia – a joint venture between French company Keolis, which is majority owned by French state railways and Go Ahead – will be given control of Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern railways, which together make up around a third of England’s passenger network.

The TUC’s Action for Rail campaign says the new franchise has been rushed through without proper consultation and its creation will be bad for both passengers and taxpayers.

Under the new contract – signed off by the Department for Transport campaigners say Govia and Go Ahead will be allowed to reduce the number of guards on trains, introduce driver-only trains and cut station staff. The Action for Rail campaign fears this will leave to a less safe railway – putting women and disabled passengers especially at risk.

Unions also fear that when Siemens takes over the rolling stock contract for Thameslink hundreds more jobs could be lost – especially amongst existing rail maintenance crews.

Govia, which currently runs Southern, Southeastern and London Midland, last year received over £700m in net public subsidies from taxpayers, and paid out £21m in dividends to shareholders.

Govia is part-owned by France’s state railway, and Action for Rail says profits generated by the new franchise could end up being re-invested across the Channel instead of being spent improving domestic services.

Recent research by the think tank Transport for Quality of Life (TQL) has shown that rail privatisation costs taxpayers around £1.2bn a year, with train operating companies making large profits off the back of these public subsidies. The TQL analysis also shows that eliminating this £1.2bn-a-year cost to the public purse could result in an 18 per cent cut in rail fares.

Rail campaigners, passengers and rail unions were outside London’s Victoria mainline station in Terminus Place for an hour from 7.45am today handing out action cards to passengers, asking them to contact their MPs to raise these concerns in Parliament, and to show support for a publicly-owned rail network.

At 9.15am campaigners went to the Go Ahead offices in Westminster to hand in a letter raising their concerns.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Govia’s shareholders will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of the huge dividends that will flow from controlling such a huge swathe of the English rail network.

“But with the profits likely to end up being ploughed into French railways, when the investment is needed in the network here, taxpayers’ and passengers will be getting a raw deal.

“Not only are there likely to be huge job cuts across the area controlled by the growing Govia empire, the prospect of driver-less trains and the loss of staff at stations across a third of the network will make travelling, especially late at night, a less safe experience for passengers.”

Acting RMT General Secretary Mick Cash added: “It is scandalous that the logical and popular option of bringing the massive Southern/Thameslink franchise under public ownership has been ignored and instead it has gone to a consortium involving the French state operator. Fares in London will go up to subsidise fares in Paris. This government is quite happy to have state ownership of our railways as long as it isn’t the British state.

“Regardless of who won this particular round of the great rail franchise lottery the bottom line is that those taking charge will have the green light to axe nearly 500 safety-critical guards and move the entire service to a driver-only operation – all in the name of greed and profit.

“Commuters forking out up to £5,000 a year will end up paying through the nose to travel on de-staffed, unreliable, overcrowded and unsafe trains. The only safe and sensible option was to bring the whole lot under public ownership but this government would rather carry on with the great rail privatisation rip off.”

Supporting the ‘Action for Rail’ campaign, Labour PPC Nancy Platts, said: “It is time that the interests of passengers were put before profit. Passengers are facing increasingly high fares but at the same time, the service they receive and their safety is being compromised. There is huge public support for rail franchises to be brought back into public ownership so that we have one railway again that offers a better deal for passengers.”

500 miles 4 smiles: Update day 29

Posted on 16/06/201416/06/2014 by Besi

Award winning dental hygienist Christina Chatfield is three days away from completing her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

Following a rest day in London on Saturday, Christina walked to Croydon yesterday and today has been on the road to Horley.

Christina is on day 29 of her fundraising walk to raise money during National Smile Month for the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.

She left Kirriemuir on May 19 making her way down the east side of the country passing through Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh, York and London. She ends her marathon journey in Brighton on Thursday, June 19.

Christina said: “We will be arriving in Brighton around 4pm on Thursday with over 40 walkers supporting me which is fantastic. I would love to see as many of you there as possible as I have missed you all. The Big Beach Cafe are laying on a BBQ and Brighton’s Juice 107.2 – Radio Made in Brighton will be broadcasting live from 3pm, it’s going to be emotional!”

If you want to join Christina on tomorrows walk from Horsham via Rusper to Horsham, CLICK HERE:

If you would like to make a donation, CLICK HERE:

Queer film icons exhibition opens at Hackney Picturehouse

Posted on 16/06/2014 by Besi

Queer Cult Camp, an exhibition by two leading artists from the ‘queer’ London underground art scene, Kev Clarke and Sina Sparrow, will run until July 5.

The exhibition features 12 posters (6 by each artist) exploring queer icons from pop culture in a comic book style.

Kev Clarke’s work is focused on cult pop culture past and present. Kev Clarke is an artist and designer and sells his work through his company The Face of Pop which sells Tshirts, zines, prints and original art work. Kev Clarke is also working on The pop therapee project which harnesses pop culture as a tool for therapy. Kev Clarke’s work blends iconic images and pop culture together in a witty way using image and icons as a language to connect. His works in the show include Bill and Ted’s Homosexual adventure, Querelle (featuring the Thunder Cats) Cyn versus Lyn (this poster is based on Cyn from Working Girl and Lynne from Girls Just Want To Have Fun) and the Desperately Seeking Susan comic strip.

Sina Sparrow’s self-published comics – such as ART FAG, DIRTY MIND and PRETTY BOYS IGNORE YOU – explore autobiography, sex, emotions, relationships and queer life in the city. His pop culture icons adorn the flyers and posters for his clubnight DEBBIE, a dance party dedicated to female-fronted rock and pop. Sina’s work features comic strips including Suspiria, Weekend, Stranger by the Lake, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion, and Clueless.

Kev said: “All my work is based on personal experience and I use reference films and characters from my youth that have made an impression on me, like in the ‘Querelle Thunder Cats’ picture (based on the Andy Warhol film image) depicting Lion-O and Panthro in a hot embrace. This is based on my childhood fantasies, who occupied a homerotic queer space long before I showed up, I play with the imagery and have fun with it. I want my work to lift the viewer up. I want my work to connect with people and mean something. Mainly its based on my childhood perversions that I’m still living out through my artwork.”

Sina added: “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” is about two outcasts who are trying to impress the people that bullied them, but they ultimately realize that that’s worthless and it’s more important to be authentic to themselves – so even though there’s no overt gay content it’s a movie that’s always resonated with me. I see a film like “Weekend” as a movie version of the kind of personal things I share in my own work, which is personal, and about sex, love and relationships.”

Together Kev and Sina present this joint exhibition – Queer Camp Cult – spotlighting works based on their favourite cult, kitsch and queer movies.

What: Queer Cult Camp

Where: 2nd and 3rd floor of The Hackney Picturehouse, 270 Mare St, London E8 1HE

When: Till Saturday, July 5

The artists are available for interview and high res images can be obtained by contacting Kev Clarke (thefaceofpop@gmail.com) or Sina Sparrow (sinasham@gmail.com) or calling 07882 432926. Please get in touch if you would like a guided tour of the exhibition by the artists.

Strike A Brighton Pose!

Posted on 15/06/201415/06/2014 by Besi

A snapshot of LGBTQ clubbing in Brighton and Hove for the Brighton Pride Arts and Film Festival.

A rite of passage for so many, LGBTQ clubbing has provided us with more than just a soundtrack to our lives in Brighton and Hove. The disco became our family, helped us forget our identities and connected us to community, friends and lovers. Disco is where the homo is. Disco is our home.

Strike A Brighton Pose will examine our city’s LGBTQ clubbing history, through flyers, artwork, photography and the memories of those who where there.

From clubbers to promoters, venue owners to DJs, hosts to designers, Strike A Brighton Pose will provide a personal snapshot of our city’s most fabulous dancefloor moments.

An exhibition from a clubbers point of view, Strike A Brighton Pose will reflect the thirty plus years creators Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine have spent in the LGBTQ discos of Brighton. By repositioning the humble flyer as artwork and the clubber as social historian, Strike A Brighton Pose will transform the disco into a vital beat slice of queer history.

The Strike A Brighton Pose exhibition will include original collages by Kate Wildblood, framed original flyer artwork from some of Brighton and Hove’s finest LGBTQ club nights, a 12” box filled with tales, photographs and flyers from our dance floor favourites, a chance to relive your disco adventure through the 7” memory box and plenty of opportunities to Strike A Brighton Pose. Plus, of course, the obligatory disco ball.

Conceived and curated by Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine, Strike A Brighton Pose is part of the 2014 Brighton Pride Arts and Film Festival and is a fundraising event for Brighton Pride and The Rainbow Fund, a grant-giving fund for local LGBTQ and HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove.

What: Strike a Pose

Where: Jubilee Library, Jubilee St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1GE

When: Monday, July 21 – Sunday, August 3 2014

Time: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-7pm, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

FACEBOOK:

For more information about the Rainbow Fund, CLICK HERE:

Local broadcaster nominated for National Diversity Award

Posted on 15/06/2014 by Besi

Kathy Caton, a Brighton-based radio presenter and producer has been nominated in the Positive Role Model category at the 2014 National Diversity Awards.

Kathy present’s Brighton’s only LGBTQ radio show, Out in Brighton on RadioReverb 97.2fm where she champions LGBTQ artists and musicians. She is a big supporter of Brighton’s burgeoning community and voluntary sector, helping get stories and contributors on air that tend not to be heard on other broadcast media.

Over the three years the show has been on air it has become the number one LGBTQ show on international podcast directory Podomatic with listeners from around the world tuning in to get a genuine snapshot of LGBT life in Brighton.

Kathy helps run the BBC’s LGBT staff network BBC Pride and also works behind the scenes with the BBC’s Diversity Centre in their work on improving on-screen portrayal and engaging with LGBT audiences. She is currently working with Brighton’s Trans community on the Brighton Trans*formed oral history project with QueenSpark Books.

She said: “I am absolutely honoured (and quite embarrassed!) to have been nominated for the National Diversity Awards and feel pretty humbled to be up there in such great company in the Positive Role Model category. I’m delighted too that these Awards recognise grass-roots work and activism – it’s an honour to be nominated!”

Paul Sesay, Chief Executive of The National Diversity Awards, said: “It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain’s unsung diversity heroes, and we will continue to recognise their extraordinary achievements during 2014”.

Nominations are open now and close on July 18th.

To vote for Kathy, CLICK HERE:

Scottish charity gives voice to Commonwealth LGBT people during the Glasgow Games

Posted on 15/06/2014 by Besi

Next month Glasgow will host the twentieth edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Pride House to be staged in Glasgow during Commonwealth Games

The Equality Network, the Scottish equality charity will be working with the Scottish Government and LGBT groups across the Commonwealth to highlight the challenges many LGBT people continue to face.

LGBT people of the Commonwealth Exhibition to be held in Pride House during the Commonwealth games alongside an International LGBT Human Rights Conference to be held at Glasgow University.

The Equality Network, the Scottish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality charity, secured funding of £9,992 from the National Lottery Celebrate Fund to prepare and hold an Exhibition on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people of the Commonwealth, to be held during the Glasgow 2014 games.

LGBT people of the Commonwealth is a project which will celebrate and recognise the contribution of LGBT groups and organisations from the 53 countries that make up the Commonwealth, and ensure the visibility of LGBT people and their lives during the Commonwealth Games.

The charity has also announced a partnership with Pride Glasgow, Glasgow’s annual LGBT pride festival and the Glasgow Human Rights Network to hold an international LGBT Human Rights Conference at Glasgow University on the July 18, five days before the opening ceremony and a day before the Glasgow’s annual pride celebration.

Scott Cuthbertson, Community Development Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “The Commonwealth Games offers us a unique opportunity to reflect on and support LGBT human rights around the Commonwealth and the world. As the eyes of the world fall on Scotland for the games we have the chance to give a voice to the successes and challenges faced by LGBT people in every part of our world. We are delighted to receive this grant which will help us to celebrate the contribution of LGBT people to culture and human rights, while also standing up against criminalisation and violence against LGBT people around the globe.”

The Equality Network points out that while Scotland has made significant progress towards achieving LGBT equality in the law and society, the situation for LGBT people is deteriorating in some Commonwealth countries, with anti-gay laws being passed recently in Uganda and Nigeria, and recriminalisation of homosexuality in India after a recent Supreme Court appeal.

41 of the 53 members of the Commonwealth criminalise homosexuality, and that more than half of the 78 countries worldwide that criminalise homosexuality belong to the Commonwealth.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

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Author: Besi

Brighton trans*formed project nears completion

The Brighton Trans*formed oral history project goes from strength to strength as it moves in its final months.

#FreedomTo… be Proud

Pride in London 2014 launches nationwide selfie campaign celebrating British Freedom & Equality.

Eva Iglesias joins line up for Golden Handbag Awards on Sunday

Eva Iglesias, the diva who wowed the judges on this years Britain’s Got Talent with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s classic hit ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ has been added to the final line up at this years Golden Handbag Awards.

Gay men and young adults most at risk from sexually transmitted infections in England

There were 446,253 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in England in 2013, according to new Public Health England (PHE) data out today – close to the number diagnosed in 2012 (448,775 cases).

‘Action for rail’ campaign

Campaigners protest against new private rail franchise which could see hundreds of jobs cut.

500 miles 4 smiles: Update day 29

Award winning dental hygienist Christina Chatfield is three days away from completing her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

Queer film icons exhibition opens at Hackney Picturehouse

Queer Cult Camp, an exhibition by two leading artists from the ‘queer’ London underground art scene, Kev Clarke and Sina Sparrow, will run until July 5.

Strike A Brighton Pose!

A snapshot of LGBTQ clubbing in Brighton and Hove for the Brighton Pride Arts and Film Festival.

Local broadcaster nominated for National Diversity Award

Kathy Caton, a Brighton-based radio presenter and producer has been nominated in the Positive Role Model category at the 2014 National Diversity Awards.

Scottish charity gives voice to Commonwealth LGBT people during the Glasgow Games

Next month Glasgow will host the twentieth edition of the Commonwealth Games.

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The Brighton Trans*formed oral history project goes from strength to strength as it moves in its final months.

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Pride in London 2014 launches nationwide selfie campaign celebrating British Freedom & Equality.

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Eva Iglesias, the diva who wowed the judges on this years Britain’s Got Talent with her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s classic hit ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ has been added to the final line up at this years Golden Handbag Awards.

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There were 446,253 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in England in 2013, according to new Public Health England (PHE) data out today – close to the number diagnosed in 2012 (448,775 cases).

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Campaigners protest against new private rail franchise which could see hundreds of jobs cut.

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Award winning dental hygienist Christina Chatfield is three days away from completing her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton to raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

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Queer Cult Camp, an exhibition by two leading artists from the ‘queer’ London underground art scene, Kev Clarke and Sina Sparrow, will run until July 5.

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A snapshot of LGBTQ clubbing in Brighton and Hove for the Brighton Pride Arts and Film Festival.

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Kathy Caton, a Brighton-based radio presenter and producer has been nominated in the Positive Role Model category at the 2014 National Diversity Awards.

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Next month Glasgow will host the twentieth edition of the Commonwealth Games.

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