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Lesbian group ‘Shakes up the scene’

Shake up the scene is a new vibrant social networking group for women that sprung into action with it’s first event in April 2012. The organisers say they Identified that the women’s scene in Brighton was due an injection of fun, a group of lags sharing a shot of tequila decided to organise a good night out.

Inspired by a visit to London’s South Bank surfing, they clinked a glass, picked a date, organised a face book page, and chose a sparkling Brighton venue. ‘

Take 1’, the virgin social, attracted over 160 women, and Take 2,3,4 attracted similar number. The venues chosen to hold the events are thrilled with the business and atmosphere of the evenings; as are the women who have come.

Keeping the ball in motion, Shake up the scene are currently planning the 2013 calender. They aim to organise a social evening every 2-3 months, with an eclectic mix of events, including dance, cabaret, comedy night and a picnic on the beach. They intend to keep it free, simple and and welcoming to all women.

Their vision is to inspire women to mix, socialise and have fun. Simply go along and get to know some new women. As the word has spread Shake up the scene has attracted ‘outa towners’ to  and go along and get a slice of the action, and as the word spreads its getting bigger and more diverse.
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Their last event was held at The Amsterdam Bar , on November 30, 2012  and what a blast!

They secured discounts for the women, and organiser say the staff were friendly and welcoming, creating a great vibe.

Their summer event was held at the Bandstand Café in September 2012. They are now now returning to their original venue, the very popular Merka Bar at MY Hotel to celebrate their anniversary over cocktails.

‘Take 5’ is on January 11 at 7.30pm onwards at MY HOTEL, Brighton

Contact and information. See our facebook page for regular updates on our next events, look out for our flyers

Government encourages firms to employ older people

Minister of State for Pensions, Steve Webb MP, has outlined the steps the Government is taking to encourage firms to employ older people in response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Kemptown MP Simon Kirby.

The Minister highlighted the Department for Work and Pensions ‘Age Positive Initiative’ which provides guidance and case studies to employers and business organisations on employing older workers and the business benefits of adopting flexible approaches to work and retirement.

He also confirmed that the Government is working with leading business and age expert organisations through the Age Action Alliance’s Healthy Workplaces group to develop and promote practical resources to help employers effectively manage the health and productivity of an ageing workforce.

Simon Kirby, MP

Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven has welcomed the Governments efforts.

He said:

“Older people have a wealth of knowledge and experience which can be of great benefit to many businesses.

“However, we know that often they face obstacles in their search for work which often derive from nothing more than misconceptions relating to age.

“It is important that the Government supports those older people looking to get into work, as well as providing guidance and advice for employers, in order to overcome the obstacles faced.

“I am pleased by the Government’s response and the initiatives they have established, and I will be calling on them to do more to help older people who want to get back into the workforce.”

For more information view:
WORK FOR YOU

100,000 Demand Pepsi Oppose “Kill the Gays” Bill in Uganda

Petitioners are demanding that Pepsi’s Africa division release a statement opposing the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill and that their Uganda Director communicate that message directly to Ugandan Members of Parliament.

Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman executive Director of SumofUs.org, said:

“With tens of thousands of lives on the line, Pepsi’s silence is deafening,” said Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, executive Director of SumofUs.org. “We urge Pepsi to immediately and publicly denounce a bill that would punish or kill people based on their sexual preference.”

Despite rumors that the death penalty was removed from the bill, the latest version released to the public includes the death penalty clause. The bill’s author, David Bahati, has said publicly that he believes every single y gay person in Uganda should be killed.

In addition to the proposed use of the death penalty, the legislation creates massive incentives for a person to claim to be a “victim of homosexuality” in order to avoid prosecution if caught engaging in the overly broad definition of homosexual activity. Included in that definition is holding hands or accidentally bumping into someone of the same gender.

 Stinebrickner-Kauffman, continued:

“Pepsi is now silent on one of the most horrific pieces of legislation ever considered, and it won’t speak out against the ‘Kill the Gays’ bill unless we make it. This is an opportunity for Pepsi to stand up against homophobia and for human dignity on the right side of history.”

This isn’t the first time Pepsi has had the chance to distance itself from homophobia in the wake of consumer concern. After Pepsi was caught sponsoring a concert in Kampala by Beenie Man, an artist who became wealthy spouting homophobic lyrics, Pepsi was forced to back away from its sponsorship of the concert.

To sign a copy of the petition, view:

SIGN PETITION

Sing your way into 2013

Rainbow Chorus

The Rainbow Chorus, the South’s only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) choir, is looking for new members to continue to develop their exciting and vibrant sound. This diverse choir sings a range of music from contemporary melodies to choral classics. No matter what your vocal range, there is a place for you within their four sections from soprano to bass.

The choir is an active performing choir and undertakes two annual shows as well as participating in a number of community events, such as recent Trans Memorial Day (November 25), World Aids Day (December 1) and their successful Christmas show ‘Beaux and Belles’.

The Rainbow Chorus is a non auditioning choir, they only ask that their LGBT members are passionate about singing and enjoy having a go!

For your chance to find out about whether the choir is the place for you, go and experience the new members night on January 14, 2013, a relaxed and informal evening where you can meet choir members, have a go and join in with the music.

The choir meets every Monday night at St George’s Church, Kemp Town, Brighton.

New member Nick says:

“I joined the choir just in time to prepare for the Christmas show, I’ve never done anything quite like this before and I’m really looking forward to the thrill of performing live with accompanying musicians. I never saw myself as a singer, and have always wanted to try, the Rainbow Chorus has let me explore my voice in a safe and fun weekly group. It’s also been a great chance to make new friends through the choir’s social activities”.

For more information or to arrange to go along on January 14,  contact David or Duncan at the membership team.

Email: members@rainbowchorus.org.uk.

Event:                 Rainbow Chorus’ new members night.
Date:                   7.15 pm 14 January 2013.
Venue:               St George’s Church, St Georges Road, Kemp Town, Brighton, BN2 1ED.
Membership: An income variable monthly membership fee applies.

For more information about the Rainbow Chorus, view:

RAINBOW CHORUS

 

Brighton’s Gay Men’s Chorus support the Rainbow Fund

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus

The Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus World Aids Day Concert We all live together at St Mary’s Church in Kemptown on December 1 raised a fantastic £1,131.00. for the Rainbow Fund. The chorus were joined during the concert by Brighton’s only LGBT choir, the Rainbow Chorus, Brighton’s female group of ukelele players, Qukelele,  Resound and children from the Theatre Workshop.

Each group performed by themselves then all the choirs came together for the finale to perform the Internaitonal OutPostChoir anthem You Make Me Proud composed by Brighton resident and former singer with the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Howard Alexander. The evening was hosted by local writer, director and performer, Neil Bartlett

Paul Elgood, Chairman of the Rainbow Fund said:

“I’d like to thank everyone involved with this event for their tremendous support and such a large amount raised for the Rainbow Fund. It was both a superb evening and also a remarkable way to mark World AIDS Day. This money will go directly to support the local LGBT and HIV community sector and will make a big difference to its work.”

The Rainbow Fund is administered for the LGBT community in Brighton and Hove by the Sussex Community Foundation and gives grants to LGBT and HIV organisations delivering front line services twice a year. The grants are administered by an independent grants panel which is chaired by Paul Elgood.

For more information about the Sussex Community Foundation, view:

SUSSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

For more information about the Rainbow Fund, view:

RAINBOW FUND

 

 

 

Hove MP finally delivers speech to Students

Demonstrators at Sussex University last month

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, finally delivered his speech to a group of Sussex University Conservative Society students, last week after he was prevented from speaking by a group of violent squatters at the campus in November.

Mike campaigned for squatting to be criminalised after his election to Parliament in 2010 and was supported in his campaign by the Prime Minister. Mike claims squatting is a huge problem in Brighton & Hove, with numerous instances of this organised and frequently menacing behaviour he says blights the lives of ordinary people.

Irate squatters have dubbed the new law “Weatherley’s Law” following Mike’s campaign to introduce the new legislation. Mike is now campaigning for the law to be extended to commercial properties.

Mike said:

“I am pleased that I have finally been able to safely deliver the speech that I intended to give at the debate at Sussex University. Sadly that event was violently disrupted by a bunch of pro-squatting thugs who assaulted two female members of my staff, which meant that a large number of students were not able to hear what I had to say. However, last night the students really appreciated hearing what I was going to say and having a proper debate on the issue – something that the thugs wanted to stop taking place.“

Green MEP highlights train price increases

Keith Taylor, MEP

The Government’s long anticipated rail fare increases have finally been announced. This is the tenth consecutive year of inflation-busting fare increases. At a time when people are being hurt by economic mismanagement, public sector cuts and rising bills, I find it exceptionally unfair that hard-pressed commuters are now expected to take yet another financial hit.

The Government seems happy to allow rail companies to make large profits while doing little to reduce overcrowding, improve the South East’s rail network and invest in a public transport system that could be an affordable and greener option for ordinary people. A quick comparison with other European countries only further highlights how poor our public transport system is. The price of UK rail tickets is extortionate and set to increase by 24% between 2011 and 2015, making them the most expensive in Europe.

As a Green MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, and with a constituency covering the busy South East region, I’m calling for an end to the failed experiment in privatised rail. This latest round of price rises will only strengthen the growing public support to renationalise the railways. Surveys show that three quarters of British voters want more control over our railways and this is something that I will continue to push for.

Yours sincerely,

Keith Taylor
Green MEP for South East England

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