Community group, Hangleton & Knoll LGBT, have organised an open meeting to celebrate being LGBT and to meet like-minded people in the area at The Downsman Pub in Hove on Friday, February 22 at 7pm.
Everyone is welcome, food will be provided, and attendees will have the opportunity to make their views heard and find out more about Hangleton & Knoll LGBT’s plans for 2013.
Where: The Downsman Pub, 189 Hangleton Way, Hove, BN3 8ES.
Brandon Lewis, MP (left) and Mike Weatherley, MP (right) at “Off the fence” homeless charity in Hove today
Brandon Lewis MP, a Minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government was in Hove today and paid a visit to Off the Fence, a local homelessness charity. He was accompanied by Mike Weatherley, MP Hove and Portslade.
Brandon and Mike met with staff and volunteers at Off the Fence in Portland Road, Hove, and discussed the issues and challenges facing the charity. As part of his portfolio Brandon is responsible for local government, which includes homelessness.
Mike said:
“Today’s visit was a fantastic showcase to the Government of what a successful homelessness project can do. I know that Brandon was particular impressed with the programmes that Off the Fence offer and will certainly be feeding back this information to the Department for Communities & Local Government.”
Brandon commented:
“Off the Fence is a wonderful local charity that is doing a tremendous job working with homeless people in Hove and I will certainly be taking a number of issues back with me to my Department. Of course, all of this would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of the staff and volunteers at Off the Fence.”
Simon Kirby MP signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons this week, to pledge his commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honour those who died during the Holocaust.
Sunday January 27th marks the 68th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history. In the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust and encouraging constituents to work together to combat prejudice and racism today.
In signing the Book of Commitment, Mr Kirby paid tribute to those who perished during the Holocaust and honoured the extraordinary Holocaust survivors who work tirelessly to educate young people about what they endured, through the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Outreach programme.
In the weeks leading up to and after Holocaust Memorial Day, thousands of commemorative events will be arranged by schools, faith groups and community organisations across the country, remembering all the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. This year, people will also be encouraged to honour those communities that have been destroyed by genocide and reflect on the importance of coming together to oppose prejudice and hatred. Simon said:
“Holocaust Memorial Day is an important opportunity to remember the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. I encourage all constituents to mark the day and to join members of community in the fight against prejudice and intolerance.”
Karen Pollock MBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:
“We are proud that Simon is supporting Holocaust Memorial Day this year. It is vitally important that we both remember and learn from the appalling events of the Holocaust – as well as ensuring that we continue to challenge all forms of hatred and bigotry.”
330 MPs have confirmed they will vote in favour of same-sex marriage legislation when it is introduced at Westminster later this year according to the Coaltion for Equal Marriage, a grass roots organisation for the introduction of same-sex marriage.
In contrast, just 126 MPs have publicly stated that they remain opposed to a change in the law, making a clear parliamentary majority for equal marriage.
The survey, conducted by the Coalition for Equal Marriage, is based on public declarations of support or opposition from MPs, including letters to constituents.
James Lattimore and Conor Marron, co-founders of the Coalition for Equal Marriage, said:
“We welcome the news that MPs favour the introduction of same-sex marriage by a margin of 3-1 and hope that even more will announce support in time. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are entitled to full equality, including equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. The UK Government has the green light to push ahead with this fair and progressive change which has the support of an overwhelming majority of the public and now Parliament too.”
Key figures from across the political spectrum have said they will personally be voting for the proposals, including the three main party leaders.
The news comes as polling shows increasing support for same-sex marriage amongst the public. A recent poll carried out by ICM for the Guardian in December showed 62% of people in favour, with just 31% opposed. Similar polls for YouGov, Populus, ComRes, and Ipsos MORI have shown consistent public support for a change in the law to allow same-sex marriage.
In December, the Government released its response to the public consultation on same-sex marriage in England and Wales. With over 228,000 responses, it represented the largest consultation ever carried out by the UK Government. Despite a well-funded campaign by opponents of LGBT equality to encourage negative responses to the consultation 53% of respondents voiced support for same-sex marriage while 46% opposed. 72% of respondents who stated they were Christian supported the proposals, alongside 99% of those who identified as lesbian or gay.
The news that a majority of MPs support same-sex marriage was welcomed by politicians, secular groups and religious representatives.
Nick Herbert, MP
Nick Herbert MP, Founder of the “Freedom To Marry” campaign, said:
“With the polls showing that a clear majority of the public support equal marriage and now evidence that a majority of MPs will back it, too, this is a reform whose time has come. Its opponents should recognise the democratic will and focus on ensuring legitimate protections for religious freedom rather than trying to frustrate a change that is so widely supported.”
Yvette Cooper, MP
Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities, said:
“The Labour Party strongly supports same sex marriage. When couples love each other and want to make a commitment, it should be a cause for celebration, not discrimination. Those couples should be able to marry, regardless of their gender or sexuality. My Shadow Cabinet colleagues and I will continue to be loud and proud supporters of same sex marriage, and I’m pleased there is a clear parliamentary majority in support of the forthcoming legislation. Labour votes will ensure that this measure is passed in the House of Commons and we hope the Government brings forward legislation as soon as possible.”
Stephen Gilbert, MP
Stephen Gilbert MP, Liberal Democrat MP for St Austell & Newquay, said:
“Liberal Democrats have long fought for equal marriage and now we’re in government we’re committed to making it happen. That a majority of MPs have come out in favour of is a very significant step forward. The right to love and commit to who you chose is a fundamental one and whether you’re straight or gay, the civil institution recognising that love and commitment should be the same.”
The British Humanist Association (BHA) said:
“Equality before the law is a vital civil right and the rights of one class of person to equal treatment should never be compromised because of the unshared religious beliefs of anyone. There is no suggestion that religious organisations should perform marriage against their will; all that is asked is that we all demonstrate some basic humanity and toleration, and do not obstruct same sex couples who wish to have legal equality for their relationship. We hope that the majority of parliamentarians will think the same and vote accordingly.”
The UK Government is expected to launch same-sex marriage legislation for England and Wales by summer 2013. Separate legislation for Scotland has already been launched in December 2012 by the Scottish Government, and already has the support of over two-thirds of MSPs.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) has been named in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers Index for a third successive year at number 82, becoming the first sports organisation ever to complete a hat-trick of appearances on the list which benchmarks Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) staff.
The listing comes just two months after the RFL won the Stonewall Sports Award of the Year in recognition of the game’s progressive work to embrace LGB inclusion and tackle homophobia within sport. It also follows a 12-month period in which Super League champions Leeds Rhinos dedicated a regular season game to celebrating LGBT inclusion, London Broncos hosted an LGBT game as part of the Olympic Pride House events and the RFL became the first UK sporting governing body to produce a resource that tackles all six key equality strands: race, sexuality, gender, disability, age and religion.
The RFL became the first sporting organisation ever to be named in the Stonewall Top 100 Index in 2011.
RFL Equality and Diversity Manager Sarah Williams, said:
“We are delighted to be listed in the Stonewall Top 100 for a third consecutive year and are very proud of this tremendous achievement, which is a great reflection of everyone involved with the RFL and Rugby League in general.” “We’ve put a lot of hard work into our policy implementation and to developing resources and supporting our clubs in recent years and it is great to see the RFL once again receiving public recognition for the efforts of everyone involved. To see the RFL up there with huge corporations is a huge boost for us all.
“The RFL is committed to becoming one of the most LGB-inclusive organisations in the country and the challenge for us now is not to rest on our laurels, but to keep developing our entire equality and diversity programme and continue the impressive progress we have made in recent years.”
Stonewall Director of Workplace Colleen Humphrey, said:
‘The RFL continues to lead the way in tackling homophobia in sport. The commendable work done by the governing body and teams like the Sheffield Eagles and the Leeds Rhinos help prove that no sport need tolerate homophobia.
“Competition for a place in the Top 100 was fiercer than ever this year and every employer securing a position in the Top 100 has performed impressively.
“Gay Rugby League fans across the country will be proud to know that anyone can aspire to join a team and play the game.”
National Walking Month in May is dedicated to highlighting the benefits of walking, and includes Walk to Work Week (May 13-17) and Walk to School Week (May 20-24).
In National Walking Month 2012, the UK public collectively logged 128,271 miles – that’s 146.76 times between Land’s End and John O’Groats. Workplaces logged 70,000 miles during Walk to Work Week alone!
However, not everyone is enjoying the benefits. National Travel Survey results published in December 2012 showed a 24% decline in the number of walking trips per person since the mid-90s.
This trend is being passed on to children. Over the past couple of decades, the number of children walking to school has fallen sharply. In 2011, 49 per cent of primary school aged children and 38 per cent of secondary school aged children walked to school, down from 62 per cent of primary and 48 per cent of secondary school aged children in 1991.
As well as the escalating financial cost, physical inactivity now rivals smoking as a leading risk factor for global mortality.
The national charity Living Streets want to turn this around in May, and encourage people to walk more by logging their walks to school, on the commute to work, or even taking the dog for a walk round the park.
Free registration for National Walking Month opens from April 1.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, said:
“This May, we want to get the whole of the UK buying a ticket to stride. As part of National Walking Month we’ll be asking employees and school children to give walking a go for at least a week.
“It can be as simple as walking all or part of the journey to school, stepping out of the office for a lunchtime walk, or getting off the bus a few stops earlier on your way home from the office.
“You don’t need costly gym sessions, or marathon running attempts to get fit and active. Walking is a free and easy way to work more exercise into your daily routine, and logging your walks on www.livingstreets.org.uk this National Walking Month is a great way to get started.”
Following a successful Christmas season, the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink have announced that the rink will stay on in Brighton for an extra five weeks this year, remaining open until February 24.
Stella Parkin MD of Laine Ltd who manages the rink, said:
“We are thrilled to be staying on and will be offering a 20 per cent discount this Sunday January 20 to support the Royal Pavilion’s Free Day celebration of the anniversary of the City purchasing the stunning palace in 1850,”
The rink will be extending its off peak hours Monday – Thursday all day and on Fridays until 4.15pm from February 21.
The restaurant and bar, run by Jamie Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts, will also be ‘upping the ante’ by introducing some new food, drink and cocktails which can be enjoyed by skaters and spectators alike.
Organisers are also putting together an exciting free music programme for people to enjoy over the coming weeks. This Saturday (19th) features a live set from Barney Porter!
Royal Pavilion Ice Rink tickets cost from £10 for adults and £7 for children under 12 and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily.
Schools can buy tickets for £4 per student and the Box office is open from 9.30am to 9.45pm.
Community group, Hangleton & Knoll LGBT, have organised an open meeting to celebrate being LGBT and to meet like-minded people in the area at The Downsman Pub in Hove on Friday, February 22 at 7pm.
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