Paul Gustafson

Free speed dating event to take to London’s river and skies

Posted on 03/02/201508/02/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Transport for London (TfL), MBNA Thames Clippers and MySingleFriend.com are joining forces to offer you the chance to take part in a unique free dating event, where you’ll see the sights of London by air and on the water – and maybe find romance!

ON Thursday February 12, singletons plus their chosen friends are invited to enjoy a moonlit boat ride courtesy of MBNA Thames Clippers before boarding London’s only cable car, the Emirates Air Line, for some speed dating with a twist.

The evening kicks off at 6.45 p.m. at the London Eye Pier. Daters will then sail down to North Greenwich, with a host and comedian on board to entertain the crowd and get everyone ready for a memorable night.

After disembarking at North Greenwich, singles and their ‘wingmen’ and ‘wingwomen’ will then take to the skies on the Emirates Air Line, mingling with other pairs on a 20 minute round trip and taking in the views of the London skyline at night. Guests can then continue getting to know each other at All Bar One in The O2, where they’ll receive discounted beverages and promotions.

Danny Price, TfL’s Head of the Emirates Air Line said: “Romance isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when most people think of transport, yet a boat trip along the Thames and a cable car flight above it are two very romantic ways to experience inspiring views of London after dark. In fact, both have seen a couple of marriage proposals before. We hope the evening provides a dating event with a difference and that the sparkling lights of London set the mood for romance.”

A recent survey of MySingleFriend.com members highlighted that 86 per cent of singles believe it is important that their friends like the person they are dating, while 72 per cent said they would enjoy a dating event more if they attended with a friend.

Sarah Beeny, well known TV presenter and founder of MySingleFriend.com added: “We wanted to offer a completely unique dating event which people would never forget. What could set the scene for romance more than a boat ride before taking to the skies and admiring the view below? Experiencing something completely different makes people more open to new possibilities, so it’s the perfect environment for meeting people. Plus with a wingman in tow, it makes it even more fun. Our wingmen might not have Cupid’s wings, but London’s only cable car comes a pretty close second.”

To register for this free event, and for full details, click here:

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS seek support for Russian writer and LGBTI activist

Posted on 31/01/201504/02/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Front Line Defenders, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is appealing for people to show their support for a Russian author and LGBTI educator and activist.

LENA KLIMOVA, a journalist based in the city of Nizhny Tagil, is the author of a series of articles on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) teenagers. She also published a book on the subject in 2014.

In 2013, Lena set up Children-404, an online community with a presence on Facebook and on Vkontakte, a Russian social networking site. Children-404 aims to provide a safe space for teenagers to discuss LGBTI issues and support each other. The community, which lists up to 45,000 members, also organises online discussions with leaders of the LGBTI movement and has a network of voluntary psychologists who provide online support.

In 2014 Lena received the International GALAS award. The GALAS is presented annually to one human rights defender chosen by the Lesbian and Gay Federation of Ireland as international activist of the year.

However, in July 2013, a Russian federal law banning ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations’ among minors was adopted. Despite some vague wording, the bill was passed on its first reading.

Under this law propaganda was broadly defined as:

• spreading information in order to form non-traditional sexual desires in children

• describing such relations as attractive

• promoting a distorted understanding of the social equality of traditional and non-traditional relations

• providing unwanted exposure to information that could provoke interest in such relations.

Last week (January 23) a court found Lena Klimova guilty of “propagating non-traditional sexual relations among minors” via the Children-404 site, and fined her 50,000 roubles (the equivalent of 650 euros).

In 2014, local authorities in Nizhny Tagil had brought a similar case against her based on previous publications but the charges were subsequently dismissed.

Lena is appealing against the current fine. Meanwhile there is a possibility that the Russian authorities will request that the Children-404 pages are taken down. In the meantime Lena has received homophobic death threats because of her work.

A spokesperson for Front Line Defenders writes: “Lena Klimova is the victim of homophobic threats, including death threats, for her peaceful and legitimate human rights work in support of LGBTI teenagers in the Russian Federation. Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned that the authorities are attempting to restrict the rights of Lena Klimova due to her human rights activities, rather than protecting her from such threats.”

Front Line Defenders was founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of protecting human rights defenders at risk for their non-violent championing of any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

To support Lena Klimova, visit her page on the Front Line Defenders website.

To view the website, click here:

New app for trans* people

Posted on 27/01/201529/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

In development – an innovative mobile app aiming to educate and inform about transgender people and issues.

AN AMERICAN technologist based in Columbus, Ohio, is developing a cutting-edge, interactive mobile app which he hopes will help people understand and learn about transgender and gender non-conforming people and issues.

Brad Henry has spent the last 12 months working on Transfigure8, an ‘artificial intelligent transgender friend application’ which is designed to mimic human conversational interactions. The application provides users with the experience of speaking to a transgender person through an interactive ‘3D agent’.

Users simply open the application, select a transgender friend (agent) and ask questions. The transgender agent responds, in essence creating a two-person conversation, much as people might use Siri or Cortana on their phones and tablets, but with the addition of a visual 3D person that interacts with you.

The developers are aiming for content that is real and not edited for public perception, working with transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to create the interactions and conversation topics.

By developing an accessible tool with members of the community, they hope to reach individuals who may not have access to other resources. And with gender identity and gender expression still often perceived as a taboo topic, or something that might be hard to discuss openly, Transgender8 allows anyone to have a personal conversation in complete privacy.

Brad Henry writes: “We are a group of dedicated programmers, artists, community leaders and transgender/gender non-conforming individuals who believe in making the world a better place through understanding and education. Our goal and primary objective is that one day no one will have to read and share a story of someone being bullied or committing suicide because they could not find the resources to speak to someone about gender identity.”

“The application was created to assist families and friends of transgender/gender non-conforming individuals who are learning what it means to have someone who is transgender or gender non-conforming sharing your life. Learning to appreciate differences between us will help us to realize being human is the real norm.”

He adds: “This project is being developed by dedicated people who are volunteering their time and money from other projects to make this one a reality. We are asking for assistance to help us raise the funds to complete the work for this project as well as to make it accessible, for free, for anyone.”

To learn more about the app, click here:

PREVIEW: LGBT photographic exhibition set for Brighton this August

Posted on 26/01/201526/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

A photographic exhibition featuring portraits of gay, lesbian, bi and transgender (LGBT) people from a variety of backgrounds and professions, and with a range of interests, experiences and passions, is set to come to Brighton in the summer.

#Outcome: Growing Up. Coming out. Living Life. is a project by Greenwich-based photographer Tom Dingley, consisting of a series of portraits of LGBT people, where each subject holds a personally chosen printed photograph of themselves as a child. Tom’s photographs demonstrate the subjects’ transition from the children they once were to the adults they have become after coming out, the ‘outcome’ being that they have grown up, and are living fulfilling lives where their sexuality, gender and the process of coming out has not held them back.

The photographer’s primary aim is to inspire and give hope to anyone who is starting to question or come to terms with their sexuality and is afraid of the journey that lies ahead of them.

Says Tom: “The process of coming out can understandably be a daunting one. I want people to know that although times may seem hard, and although they may feel isolated, there are so many people out there in the LGBT community who are happy, successful, and optimistic about the future. I want #Outcome to show that there are countless opportunities out there for everyone, no matter who they are or where they’ve come from!”

Event: #Outcome: Growing Up. Coming out. Living Life

Where: Brighton Jubilee Library, Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE

When: August 4-10

If you’d like to be part of the project, email: tomdingley@hotmail.co.uk or follow on Twitter @TomDingleyPhoto, facebook.com/tomdingleyphotography or visit www.tomdingleyphotography.com/outcome-portraits.

City Tories question legality of parking charge hikes

Posted on 24/01/201525/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Conservative counsellors in Brighton and Hove are querying whether proposed hikes in parking charges of up to 100% are legal in the wake of a recent High Court judgement against Barnet London Borough Council.

Cllr Graham Cox: Conservative Group Transport Spokesman

BUDGET PAPERS presented to the Council’s Policy & Resources Committee last month reveal that the Administration is seeking to raise £571k in extra revenue as a result of a “review of pay and display and permit tariffs”.

However, in 2013, a High Court Judge ruled that Barnet Council did not have the power under the 1984 Road Traffic Regulation Act “to charge local residents for parking in order to raise surplus revenue for other transport purposes” and added that it was not allowed “to budget for a surplus at any level which it considered appropriate in order to generate income for other transport purposes which it wished to fund.”

Conservative Group Transport Spokesman, Cllr. Graham Cox, said: “It is quite clear from the case law that it is unlawful for councils to set charges for the ‘express purpose of creating a surplus’ yet that is exactly what this Council is proposing through its latest price hikes. Interestingly, Barnet proposed raising the cost of their resident permits to £100, a level that the judge considered unlawful yet our residents are being expected to fork out £166 if they pay quarterly.”

Group Leader, Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, further added: “It is quite obvious to me that they are using charges and permits to help fill their Budget black hole and that is not allowed. Brighton & Hove has gained the unenviable reputation as a ‘rip-off city’ when it comes to parking charges and that is extremely damaging to local businesses. I would urge the Council in the strongest possible terms to think again.”

The Tories’ challenge comes amid news that the council has decided to defer the decision on proposed increases until next month.

It’s Showtime!

Posted on 24/01/201524/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Still time to design the cover for this year’s Brighton Fringe Family Guide.

BRIGHTON FRINGE, the largest arts festival in England and one of the largest fringe festivals in the world, has extended the deadline on its competition for teenagers and kids to design the front cover of the Brighton Fringe Family Guide.

ENTRANTS now have until January 30 to submit their designs.

The organisers are calling for budding artists and designers to get paints, felt tips or pencils out and draw, paint, craft or design their interpretation of ‘It’s Showtime!’ – the title of this year’s guide.

The winning design will appear on the front cover of 80,000 copies of the guide. The winner will also receive a VIP Family Pass to all children’s events at award-winning venue The Warren, during Brighton Fringe 2015.

Five runners-up will also be awarded two tickets each to a Brighton Fringe kid’s show of their choice.

To enter, designs must be submitted by January 30 on an A4 piece of paper, and sent along with the designer’s name, age, school and contact details – including a telephone number or email address – to:

‘It’s Showtime!’ competition

Brighton Fringe Ltd, 5 Palace Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1EF

UK’s first Pagan same-sex wedding takes place in Edinburgh

Posted on 21/01/201522/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality charity, has announced that the UK’s first Pagan same-sex wedding took place in Edinburgh on January 18.

Tom Lanting (34) and Iain Robertson (39) were married in a ceremony which saw them literally tie the knot.

The couple, who have been together for 12 years, are both Hedge Witches and live in Scotland’s capital city. They were married in front of family and friends in the 16th century vaulted cellars of Marlin’s Wynd by Louise Park, Presiding Officer for the Pagan Federation (Scotland). The ceremony encompassed ancient Pagan traditions including casting a circle, invoking the elements of earth, air, water, fire and spirit, exchanging rings, and jumping the broom.

The Equality Network, which attended the ceremony, has hailed the marriage a “mark of equality and freedom of belief in Scotland”.

Scotland is the only part of the UK that allows Pagan and other minority religious and belief bodies to solemnise legal marriages. The Pagan Federation (Scotland) has been able to conduct hundreds of legal mixed-sex marriages since 2005. Following the passage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014, the Pagan Federation (Scotland) was one of the religious and belief organisations that opted in to conducting same-sex marriages.

Speaking after their marriage ceremony, Tom and Iain said: “Getting married in a legal Pagan ceremony means so much to both of us. The new equal marriage law means that we finally have equal recognition and acceptance of our relationship, and it opens the door for all LGBTI couples to take the same step. As Hedge Witches we always wanted to have a Pagan marriage ceremony in line with our beliefs”.

Other religious and belief organisations that have opted in to conducting same-sex marriages in Scotland include the Unitarians, the Quakers, the Metropolitan Community Church, the Liberal Jewish community, the Open Episcopal Church in Scotland, the Humanist Society Scotland, various other smaller Humanist bodies, and One Spirit Interfaith Foundation. A number of these bodies are also expected to conduct same-sex weddings in the coming months.

Louise Park, Tom and Iain’s marriage celebrant and Presiding Officer for The Pagan Federation (Scotland), said: “Equality for people of all faiths is something that is very dear to the vast majority of Pagans, and the Pagan Federation (Scotland) has made equal marriage for all Pagans in Scotland one of our biggest campaigns over the last 10 years. We feel that, if any couple wish to, they should be able to make their marriage vows before their own personal Gods, friends, and family, in a religious ceremony tailored to suit their own beliefs”.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 requires local authorities to register same-sex marriages and also allows religious and belief organisations to opt in to doing so if they wish. In England and Wales Pagans, Humanists and other minority religious and belief groups are not allowed to conduct legal marriages, though they continue to campaign for the right to do so. In Northern Ireland same-sex marriage continues to be illegal in all forms.

Tom French, Policy and Public Affairs Coordinator for the Equality Network, said: “Religious and belief groups played an important role in the campaign for equal marriage and today’s ceremony is a mark of equality and freedom of belief in Scotland.

“The new law was not just about ensuring equality for LGBTI people, but also securing greater freedom of belief for the many religious and belief groups who want to conduct same-sex marriages, in line with their deeply held beliefs, but were previously denied the right to do.”

In February, Scotland became the 17th country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage after the Scottish Parliament passed the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 by an overwhelming 105 votes to 18, the third strongest majority for any same-sex marriage legislation in the world. The Act received Royal Assent in March and, following the passage of the necessary secondary legislation, the law came into effect on 16 December 2014.

The Equality Network has published a guide to same-sex marriage and civil partnership law in Scotland, with a Foreword from Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. A digital version of the guide has been published online and 10,000 copies of a printed edition are now being distributed across Scotland.

To view a copy of the marriage guide online, click here:

University of Nottingham to celebrate LGBT History Month

Posted on 20/01/201523/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

The University of Nottingham is marking LGBT History Month with a series of events celebrating its LGBT staff and research.

THE EVENTS programme is a collaboration between the University’s Human Resources (HR) and Professional Development departments, the LGBTQ Staff Network, and schools and departments across the institution.

Film screenings, music, spoken word, panel discussions and public lectures will explore the diverse aspects of LGBT culture and history — from local musicians and poets to debates on the public image of bisexuality and participation by trans people in sport at a grassroots, national and international level.

Some of the key events throughout the month include:

• Thursday 12 February: Call Me Kuchu at the New Art Exchange. A screening of this documentary examining the lives of LGBT men and women, or ‘kuchus’, in Uganda, in the shadow of the country’s strict anti-homosexuality laws. The screening will be followed by a talk by Bisi Alimi, a Nigerian gay rights activist and HIV/LGBT advocate, and the first man to publicly come out as gay on Nigerian TV.

• Monday 16 February: Bambi, Nottingham Lakeside Arts. University of Nottingham history academics Dr Karen Adler and Dr Onni Gust introduce and discuss a screening of the documentary Bambi. The film profiles Marie-Pierre Pruvot, an Algerian-born trans woman who had a long career as a dancer and showgirl in Paris in the 1950s and 60s.

• Saturday 21 February: Read Hear at Nottingham Central Library. A collection of short performances from LGBT musicians and poets, aimed at the whole family.

• Wednesday 25 February: The Enigma Problem: Alan Turing and the British Establishment, Jubilee Campus. Dr Max Biddulph, Chair of the LGBTQ Staff Network and Associate Professor in the School of Education, and Professor David Brailsford of the School of Computer Science examine the life and work of Alan Turing in this public lecture.

Dr Max Biddulph said: “LGBT History Month is a great opportunity for the University to celebrate and highlight both our LGBT staff and our research. We hope to give people a chance to learn more about LGBT issues, culture and history, to challenge and debate their current thinking, and to be entertained.”

The full events programme is available on the University’s LGBT History Month blog.(http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/lgbthistorymonth) which will be updated regularly throughout February with more detail about events, and with blog posts from staff whose research touches LGBT culture, history, politics and health.

Many of the events will also have live Twitter feeds @UoNresearch.

The majority of events taking place, both on campus and in the city and county, will be free and open to all unless otherwise stated.

Local Credit Union introduces reduced interest rate for month of January.

Posted on 20/01/201521/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

East Sussex Credit Union (ESCU), a locally based not-for-profit savings and loans co-operative, has launched ‘New Year, New You’ a month long campaign that will reduce the cost of larger loans by a full 1.00% AER – throughout January 2015.

THE CAMPAIGN aims to help tackle the issue of post-Christmas spending and debt, helping individuals and families by providing an ethical alternative to expensive credit card borrowing, high interest or payday lenders.

Ann Hickey, General Manager at ESCU, says: “January is generally a time of financial reckoning for most people as they look to balance the books and plan ahead for major items of expenditure. We want to help people with this challenge by offering even more affordable loans and at the same time keeping them from the clutches of predatory, high interest lenders”.

The scheme does not charge any arrangement fees and all loans include a mandatory savings element, meaning that come the end of the loan period there is a cash sum that can help create a buffer in the event of unexpected future bills.

The reduced rate loans can be used for consolidating existing loans so that payments become more affordable. Alternatively they can offer a competitive option for those looking to fund future home and family projects.

The ‘New Year, New You’ reduced rate offer is exclusively available for loans agreed from 1st-31st January 2015 for new and existing members of East Sussex Credit Union and for loan values from £4,000 up to £15,000 net.

Anyone can join as long as they either live or work in East Sussex or Brighton and Hove, or are a member of the UNITE union in the South East of England. Membership is also available to unemployed people and people without a clean credit history.

To find out more, click here:

Or call the loan-line on: 01273 234 858.

GAY STAR TRAVEL EXPO to include panel debates on worldwide LGBTI issues

Posted on 16/01/201519/01/2015 by Paul Gustafson

Media company Gay Star News’ one stop travel show, now in its second year, will this year include two Question Time-format debates on worldwide LGBT issues.

GAY STAR TRAVEL EXPO 2015, which takes place this Saturday, January 17, at Heaven nightclub in central London, will include sessions entitled “Global LGBTI rights: What is Britain’s role?” and “Are we winning or losing the fight for LGBTI rights worldwide?”

Among the speakers will be Lord Cashman, Peter Tatchell, Baroness Parker and Edwin Sesange.

The free one day event will also include a host of lifestyle exhibits, features and entertainment, including an exhibition area, catwalk shows, a free ski simulator, and a beach picnic zone.

Drag star La Voix will also be performing with the London Gay Big Band, and Andrew Hayden-Smith, star of the eagerly awaited C4 gay series Banana, will be making a personal appearance.

There will also be a chance to win tickets to the televised Eurovision final in Vienna, complete with hotel stay, flights and more.

After a break, the event will reopen at 10.30 p.m. as the expo G-A-Y party.

Entry is £1 with a wristband in advance from G-A-Y Bar.

To register, click here:

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Author: Paul Gustafson

Free speed dating event to take to London’s river and skies

Transport for London (TfL), MBNA Thames Clippers and MySingleFriend.com are joining forces to offer you the chance to take part in a unique free dating event, where you’ll see the sights of London by air and on the water – and maybe find romance!

FRONT LINE DEFENDERS seek support for Russian writer and LGBTI activist

Front Line Defenders, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is appealing for people to show their support for a Russian author and LGBTI educator and activist.

New app for trans* people

In development – an innovative mobile app aiming to educate and inform about transgender people and issues.

PREVIEW: LGBT photographic exhibition set for Brighton this August

A photographic exhibition featuring portraits of gay, lesbian, bi and transgender (LGBT) people from a variety of backgrounds and professions, and with a range of interests, experiences and passions, is set to come to Brighton in the summer.

City Tories question legality of parking charge hikes

Conservative counsellors in Brighton and Hove are querying whether proposed hikes in parking charges of up to 100% are legal in the wake of a recent High Court judgement against Barnet London Borough Council.

It’s Showtime!

Still time to design the cover for this year’s Brighton Fringe Family Guide.

UK’s first Pagan same-sex wedding takes place in Edinburgh

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality charity, has announced that the UK’s first Pagan same-sex wedding took place in Edinburgh on January 18.

University of Nottingham to celebrate LGBT History Month

The University of Nottingham is marking LGBT History Month with a series of events celebrating its LGBT staff and research.

Local Credit Union introduces reduced interest rate for month of January.

East Sussex Credit Union (ESCU), a locally based not-for-profit savings and loans co-operative, has launched ‘New Year, New You’ a month long campaign that will reduce the cost of larger loans by a full 1.00% AER – throughout January 2015.

GAY STAR TRAVEL EXPO to include panel debates on worldwide LGBTI issues

Media company Gay Star News’ one stop travel show, now in its second year, will this year include two Question Time-format debates on worldwide LGBT issues.

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Call us now

Transport for London (TfL), MBNA Thames Clippers and MySingleFriend.com are joining forces to offer you the chance to take part in a unique free dating event, where you’ll see the sights of London by air and on the water – and maybe find romance!

Share this:

Front Line Defenders, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is appealing for people to show their support for a Russian author and LGBTI educator and activist.

Share this:

In development – an innovative mobile app aiming to educate and inform about transgender people and issues.

Share this:

A photographic exhibition featuring portraits of gay, lesbian, bi and transgender (LGBT) people from a variety of backgrounds and professions, and with a range of interests, experiences and passions, is set to come to Brighton in the summer.

Share this:

Conservative counsellors in Brighton and Hove are querying whether proposed hikes in parking charges of up to 100% are legal in the wake of a recent High Court judgement against Barnet London Borough Council.

Share this:

Still time to design the cover for this year’s Brighton Fringe Family Guide.

Share this:

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality charity, has announced that the UK’s first Pagan same-sex wedding took place in Edinburgh on January 18.

Share this:

The University of Nottingham is marking LGBT History Month with a series of events celebrating its LGBT staff and research.

Share this:

East Sussex Credit Union (ESCU), a locally based not-for-profit savings and loans co-operative, has launched ‘New Year, New You’ a month long campaign that will reduce the cost of larger loans by a full 1.00% AER – throughout January 2015.

Share this:

Media company Gay Star News’ one stop travel show, now in its second year, will this year include two Question Time-format debates on worldwide LGBT issues.

Share this:

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