28/01/2013 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

BANNED!

Posted on 28/01/201328/01/2013 by Besi

During the B.Right.On LGBT Festival in February, 76 faces will be painted to highlight that homosexuality remains BANNED in 76 countries throughout the world.

Each face will be painted with the name of a country as listed on the 76 Crimes website. To VIEW:

The event will be filmed during the artistic launch of Vince Laws show, I Am A Poem, at Brighton’s Jubilee Library on Friday, February 1 from 7-9pm which is the curtain raiser for this years LGBT History Month events.

To take part, turn up for 7pm at the Jubilee Library. There will be community tables, Bear Patrol selling Adopt-A-Pansy for the Sussex Beacon, Lunch Positive selling Make Them Eat Cake as a fundraiser, BANNED artworks, and refreshments provided by Barefoot Wine who have kindly helped sponsor the event.

Everyones face will be painted in the first hour. You can help face paint each other with the name of one of the 76 countries where homos are illegal using MAC eyeliner pencils in bright red, which will be supplied by the organiser.

This will be followed by a photo call at 8pm with all 76 faces being photographed under a huge sign that says BANNED and a 30 minute performance with poetry a choir, queer calypsos, and much much more…

Face wipes will be provided so you can wipe off the face paint, ready for carriages at 9pm.

If there’s a particular country you want to highlight, let the organiser Vince Laws know, otherwise names will be picked one out of a hat. For example, Gary wants to be ‘St Vincent and the Grenadines’ because he’s half Vincentian and knows how bad homophobia is there.

Bring along your friends to take part. Everyone will get a numbered certificate signed by the artist!

Text on faces has been used as a method of protest before. VIEW:

For more information VIEW:

VIEW:

To contact Vince Laws, EMAIL:

EMAIL:

Book Review: The Bible of Gay Sex

Posted on 28/01/201328/01/2013 by Eric Page

The Bible of Gay Sex

No this isn’t a compendium of all the man on man action in the Book of God, although that might be fun, but this is a fully comprehensive A-Z of gay sex, all the types of coupling, shagging, getting it on, or off you can imagine and a lot more besides.

It’s a thick and juicy book with lots of clear colourful pics, illustrations and photo’s which help to both illustrate the points being made and back up the suggestions, positions, ideas and explanations talked bout in the text.

The text is clear and easy to understand and the book is very much in the ‘Joy of Sex’ mould but much better, more fun, with a fat dash of humour, lot’s of serious stuff, an examination of the steamer sides of sex, a candid look at the fetish world and a no holes barred assessment of bare backing and condom less sex. The author looks closely at porn and drugs and how to use them responsibly and what to do if you think you’re addicted to them. He also takes an honest look at healthy ageing in gay men and the way ageing can change our sex lives and us.

With 272 pages and 18 chapters this is a pretty good book to give someone as a present if they have an interest in sex, well that’s all but 4 of you then.

You can flip through it here:

I learnt a few things (and I’ve been round the block so often I’ve worn the corners away) and the book both turned me on and made me think, a good combination. It’s as easy to pick up and flick through as it is to sit down and methodically work your way through it with a lover, or group of horned up friends. It will give you some good ideas, make you think about things you already thought you knew about and perhaps challenge you a bit about your own behaviour too.

Stephan Niederwieser is the author of various sex guides and his friendly writing style informs you about everything you need to know, “The Bible of Gay Sex” is richly illustrated; it’s a competent and entertaining book about everyone’s favourite pastime. Hallelujah! Finally there is a book that tells you ALL you need to know about gay sex, recommended.

Out now £19.99

Hardback

From those purveyors of quality gay books Bruno Gmunder

For more info or to buy the book check out their website here:

Video campaign launched against transphobia in the media

Posted on 28/01/2013 by Besi

Scotland’s leading transgender equality charity has welcomed the release of a video campaign in response to recent transphobic attacks in the press, including a column in the Observer by Julie Burchill.

“Trans Cabal: Right to Reply” features individual transgender people and their allies telling of the impact of Burchill’s comments and the media furore which followed.

TransBareAll, an organisation working to improve the health and wellbeing of trans people, decided to launch the video campaign “to show the real impact of the way language is used and how it affects the people it targets.”

Jay McNeil, co-founder of TransBareAll, said:

“Some of the terms published are so deeply rooted in discrimination, violence and hatred that it is just not ok to say them. It refers to me. It refers to many of the people in this film. It harms all trans people, and the people who love us.”

The Scottish Transgender Alliance said of the article:

“Such offensive language was used purposefully to attack the identities of trans people. We know that transphobia has a hugely negative impact on the mental health of transgender people, and in this case it was directed at them using the British media.”

McNeil co-authored the largest UK study into the mental health of transgender people and discovered the true extent of the problem.

A shocking 48% of respondents had tried to take their life at some point with 33% attempting to kill themselves on more than one occasion. The majority of those surveyed felt that media portrayals of transgender people had a direct and negative impact on their mental health.

Since Observer editor John Mulholland withdrew Burchill’s article from publication amid mounting criticism, discussions in the mainstream media have focussed on freedom of speech. The press complaints commission has launched an investigation into the publication of the article after receiving over 800 complaints.

Rather than debating freedom of speech or the rights and wrongs of different sides of this argument TransBareAll are encouraging people to upload videos which simply explain how transphobic comments in the media have made them feel. It is hoped that the campaign will highlight the very real impact that transphobia has on the lives of trans people, and encourage others to think more carefully about the language they use.

To view the video, click here:

Registration now open for summer’s toughest walking challenge

Posted on 28/01/201328/01/2013 by Besi

Registration is now open for the Blind Veterans UK’s 100k London to Brighton walk.

This memorable 24 hour walk over the weekend of June 22-23, 2013 takes walkers from a starting point in south London, along the banks of the Thames, through countryside paths in Surrey, Sussex and the North and South Downs, and ends at the charity’s centre in Ovingdean, Brighton.

All money raised will help Blind Veterans UK, formerly St Dunstan’s provide rehabilitation, training and recreational facilities to blind veterans, regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight.

Spaces are available for Gscene readers to join the walk. If you are either an experienced walker or a recreational stroller who is up for a tough personal challenge, and you want to do something great for yourself and for charity, then look no further.

If you would like to take part contact Blind Veterans UK for more information at 0207 6167927.

Or email:

Or view:

Hove MP holds a constituency surgery in doctors surgery

Posted on 28/01/2013 by Besi

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Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade, took his constituency surgery to Hangleton’s busy doctor’s surgery in Burwash Road to discuss the future of the practice.

Dr David Henderson and Dr Elle Turlini from the Burwash Surgery, along with practice manager Nicky Blackmore, requested a meeting with Mike to discuss council plans to build over Toad’s Hole Valley. The plans have the potential to completely change the nature of the practice in a number of different ways. During the meeting, Mike and the Burwash Surgery team discussed the implications of the proposed development on the surgery, and ways in which views can be put forward.

Mike said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet the team at Burwash Road and I welcome Dr Elle Turlini to Hove. This is a thriving and lively surgery, and a successful community hub. We had a good chat about Toad’s Hole Valley and a number of different medical issues. The proposal to develop this green space has implications for so many so it is vital that we discuss every angle with absolute thoroughness.”

Have your say on Shoreham Harbour sites

Posted on 28/01/2013 by Besi

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Development Briefs have been prepared for Aldrington Basin and South Portslade Industrial Estate (in Brighton & Hove) and the Western Harbour Arm (in Adur).

The briefs are designed to guide development and stimulate investment and, once adopted, will be used to assess planning applications for the area.

The strategy for Shoreham Harbour is to deliver high quality mixed-use developments, including new housing, employment space, leisure facilities and supporting infrastructure including sustainable transport and flood defences.

It also recognises the importance of Shoreham Port and the role it will play in the local economy.

One of the features of the briefs is to create new low carbon developments that are energy efficient, use sustainable materials and renewable technologies and reduce waste.

Residents and businesses are invited to give their views from Monday, January 28 until Friday March 8.

Copies of the development brief will be available in public buildings in Shoreham, Southwick, Portslade and Hove.

To contribute through the website click here:

There will also be the opportunity to take part through public exhibitions at:

• Hove Town Hall (January 28 to February 8);

• Adur Civic Centre (February 11 to 22) and the

• City Coast Centre, Portslade (February 25 to March. 3)

Brighton & Hove’s deputy leader councillor Phélim Mac Cafferty, said:

“This blueprint will guide future development of the Shoreham Harbour area, taking advantage of its valuable location. It has tremendous potential for creating new jobs and building new homes, and we have the opportunity to open up access to this part of our seafront. Along with our colleagues in Adur we will set the ground rules to encourage developers to come forward with high quality plans to make the most of this site.”

Councillor Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council said:

“It’s good to see the hard work put in by the Shoreham Harbour Project Board consisting of Brighton & Hove City Council, Adur District Council, West Sussex County Council and Shoreham Port Authority is now getting closer to fruition. Residents in the locality are encouraged to give their views on this exciting project which will do much to regenerate a large area of this coastline including much needed homes for Adur.”

Once the consultation has been reviewed, the development brief will be updated prior to being adopted.

Stonewall ask people to lobby MPs on ‘Same-Sex Marriage’ Vote

Posted on 28/01/201328/01/2013 by Besi

Ben Summerskill, the Chief Executive of Stonewall, the LGB Equality Charity has sent a personal email to all Stonewall supporters asking them to lobby their MPs before the first commons vote on the Marriage (Same Sex) Bill on Tuesday, February 5

His message reads:“

The Government finally published its Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill on January 24. It is the final modest measure which will complete the legislative jigsaw for gay people.

“Sadly, we’ve already seen well-funded and vitriolic opposition to these proposals. In recent months we’ve heard loving, committed same-sex relationships compared to slavery, bestiality and child abuse. This makes it all the more important that supporters of marriage equality make their voices heard.

“MPs will get the chance to vote on the Bill for the first time on Tuesday 5 February. This means that you have just ten days to tell yours why equal marriage matters to you. Perhaps you want to marry your partner or have a brother or sister, an auntie or an uncle or a Mum or Dad that you’d like to see marry the person they love.

“Please make sure you write to, email or tweet your MP so you can make your voice heard.

“Visit our website now to find out how. Click here:

With very best wishes,

Ben Summerskill
Chief Executive
P.S. This campaign will only intensify over the coming weeks, making it critical that we ensure the voices of those who support equality are heard above the bigotry and ignorance. You can donate £2 to help us do this by simply texting STAR28 £2 to 70070.