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Local women host free event against Government cutbacks

Caroline Lucas MP
Caroline Lucas MP

Voices Against the Cuts: Women and Austerity is a free event on Saturday February 2, from 1-4pm at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton. Doors open 12 30.

Local campaigning group Brighton & Hove Women against the Cuts (BHWAC) aim to bring together those affected by and who care about effects of the sustained government attack on the poorest in society, particularly women. The group’s booklet,  Voices against the Cuts – an overview of the impact of Coalition policies and cutbacks on women and the many alternatives to austerity, will be launched and available free at the event.

Chaired by Brighton Women’s Centre director Lisa Dando,  the panel of speakers includes: Caroline Lucas MP; Olufemi Hughes (Community Dialogue for Change), Gail Grey, Chief Executive of RISE (local refuge, information, support and education project), Rehana Azam – GMB national officer for public services, trustee Shana Pezzaro and advice officer Katie Love, from Brighton’s Fed centre for Independent Living, and Mary Ann Stephenson, Coventry Women’s Voices co-ordinator and author of TUC Women and the Cuts toolkit.

Workshops will focus on using the media; benefits – support and campaigning; art & activism; setting up a women’s network; women& safety; women & the public sector; NHS – building the local campaign; and non-violent direct action.

Spokeswoman Madeleine Dickens said:

“Cuts in benefits and tax credits are impoverishing and set to impoverish millions more non-working and working people – women and men, black, minority ethnic and white, young and old, people with disabilities. The only employment options for many are workfare schemes or temporary low-paid jobs. Our NHS is being broken up and handed over to private companies. Local authority funding is being slashed and thousands of public sector workers are losing their jobs.

“Advances women have made over the past century are being reversed. We are being forced out of the labour market or into the lowest paid, short-term jobs. Single parents, women with disabilities, public sector workers, women who suffer domestic violence, who are home carers are being deprived of benefits, living incomes and essential services. ”

The event will provide a forum for people to express their views and to share ideas for  challenging the Coalition’s austerity measures.

Everyone is welcome.

The event will be sign language interpreted and a crèche is provided by Threshold Women’s Counselling Service.

 

Brighton: The Graphic Novel – QueenSpark Books

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QueenSpark Books is a small Brighton based community publisher, which over the years has given a voice to Brighton’s lost past, including stories drawn from the winding back streets of Whitehawk and the forgotten cinemas and theatre joints, that once dominated the town centre.

QueenSpark Books’ latest project is to highlight some of the lesser known histories of Brighton and Hove and the characters that helped put the city on the map.

However, rather than approach the project in the traditional way, QueenSpark Books decided to create a graphic novel. At the beginning of 2012, the publisher put a call out for writers to submit fictional stories based on Brighton and Hove’s history, past and present. Thirteen writers were then each paired with an artist, whose job it was to interpret their story graphically.

Brighton: The Graphic Novel spans 300 years in the history of the city. Stories include the tale of a magical moment combining first love, Twelfth Night and the Palace Pier; the demon barber, Mr. Cooper; renowned for his ill temper and his hatred of hippies…. And then there’s Brighton’s Angels starring Dave Lynn, Lola lasagne and Maisie Trollette (as the forenamed Brighton Angels), alongside a host of other famous and in some cases infamous faces.  The Angels’ sweeping story includes Mark Bruce and the creation of the Aids Memorial; The Golden Handbag Awards meeting the Moulin Rouge, and the Hankie Quilt Project, swinging into action via a helicopter! The story concludes in Preston Park on Brighton’s LGBT Pride Day.

QueenSpark is fundraising to produce this wonderful book and are inviting people to pledge money in return for some great offers. People who pledge £20 will receive the book (which will retail at £15.99) plus an invite to the book launch. And that’s just for starters! QueenSpark Books only have 28 days to raise £600, can you help?

For more information about the project and how you can get involved, view:

Peer Action events in February

WEB.600Peer Action, a group for all those living with or affected by HIV are once again offering a wide range of social events throughout February, including.

Sunday February 3Bent Double with Zoe Lyons on hosting duties and Tom Allen (very funny, Google him) as the headline act. Discounted priced tickets available from Peer Action; show starts at 7.30.

Monday February 18: Come and meet new friends with Peer Action at the Gala Bingo Hall, Eastern Road; eyes down for the early bird session at 6.15 and later session at 7.00.

Saturday February 23:  Complimentary therapies include: No Hands Massage, Energy Healing, Shiatsu, Bowen Therapy and Ear Acupuncture.

All therapies cost £5.00. and take place at THT building, 61 Ship Street, Brighton.

For more details on times and how to book, view:     

 

 

TAGS Pink Party in Littlehampton

03 CLub Littlehampton
03 CLub Littlehampton

TAGS, The Arun Gay Society are holding a celebration “Pink” party at the 03 club in Littlehampton on Saturday, February 23. The “Pink” theme is optional but people are encouraged to dress up.

There will be a disco, buffet and charity raffle. The doors open at 7.30pm and tickets cost £8. The club has a fully licensed bar.

For more information telephone: 07539513171

Or email: info@tagsonline.org.uk

Local MP to speak on Equal Marriage

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby will be addressing an audience at the University of Sussex on the subject of equal marriage on Friday, January 25.

The prospect of a change in the law to allow same-sex marriage has attracted widespread media attention recently, with an Equal Marriage Bill expected to be introduced in the House of Commons in the near future.

Simon has been a vocal supporter of such a change in the law, and in his capacity as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport has been closely involved in preparing the ground for possible legislation.

Simon said:

“I am looking forward to having the opportunity to outline my position on same-sex marriage, as well as addressing some of the wider issues raised by what I understand is a controversial topic.
 
I support equality because I believe the institution of marriage strengthens families and society and I think that the benefits of a legally defined marriage should not be excluded to anyone because of their sexuality.
 
At the same time, I accept that no religious institution should be forced to conduct a marriage if doing so conflicts with their beliefs. The Government has been very clear that the strongest legal safeguards will be in place to prevent that from happening.
 
I am extremely proud of everything this Government is doing to advance equality, and I will be doing my utmost to support the cause of equal marriage in Parliament the weeks and months ahead.”
 

Passion Play returns to Brighton

 

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Soul by the sea the team that produced and performed the Passion of Christ on Brighton seafront last year returns to perform the Passion Play on the lawns of St Peter Church on Good Friday, March 29, Saturday 30 and Easter Sunday, March 31.

Four supporting roles are up for grabs in the production for men or women and one principle role for a man with a strong voice. No experience is required as full support and direction will be given and everyone is welcome to apply.

Rehearsals are in Brighton from Sunday January 13 – Sunday March 24 from 1pm-5.30pm at One Church, Gloucester Place, Brighton BN1 4AA and performers are invited to join the cast and take this opportunity to share the birth, teachings, passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ with all of Brighton.

The play stays faithful to the original scripture of the days leading up to the arrest, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is written and directed by James Burke-Dunsmore who played the role of Jesus last year.  He  has handed the title role over to a younger actor this year.

James is working alongside a group of theatre professions and a local amateur cast who represent an array of denominations, nationalities and sexualities.

There will be three performances of the play on the southern lawn of St Peter’s Church, York Place, Brighton BN1 4GU.

For more information view:

To contact James Burke-Dunsmore email:

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