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Mayor opens LGBT History Month

Mr Mayor, Lady Mayor and Mr Vince!
Mr Mayor, Lady Mayor and Mr Vince!

LGBT History Month got off to an impressive start yesterday (Friday 1) at Brighton Town Hall with an event organised by radical poet and campaigner Vince Laws who presented his happening I am a poem  first premiered in Folkestone during LGBT History month last year.

Vince read some of his poems including I am a poem.

Mr Mayor blesses the Pink Triangle
Mr Mayor blesses the Pink Triangle held by poet Mary Webb

The Major of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Bill Randall officially opened LGBT History Month and spoke about the work of the council’s LGBT workers forum. Poet, Mandy Webb then asked the Mayor of Brighton to bless the ‘Pink Triangle’ a symbol of the oppression and murder of LGBT people by the Nazis during the second world war.

Mr Mayor and Hankie Quilt organisers
Mr Mayor and Hankie Quilt organisers

Organisers of the Hankie Quilt hung the memorial to those who have died from HIV from the first floor gallery and the Quilt will remain on view at the Town Hall from Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm for the whole of February.

Hullabaloo Quire
Hullabaloo Quire

The Hullabaloo Quire sang some numbers including George Michael’s Freedom from the first floor gallery at the Town Hall. They also gave the first performance of  I am a poem a new song composer especially for the event, with words by Vince Laws.

The Town Hall proved a wonderful venue for this event, especially the singing by the choir.

The acoustics were perfect.  Maybe the city has found a new 100 seat venue for the performance of live classical chamber music.

Adopt a Pansy for £5
Adopt a Pansy for £5

Bear Patrol’s Adopt a Pansy stall proved very popular. Visitors could adopt a named Pansy plant in a red plant pot for £5. All proceed  going to the Sussex Beacon.

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Lunch Positive helped Mr Page eat cake

Lunch Positive sold fairy cakes for £1 each. With all proceeds going to their fundraising fund programme.

Barefoot Wine who kindly helped sponsor the event provided those attending with a glass of wine.

The event was staged with the help of an Arts Council grant.

For full details of events during LGBT History Month and the B.Right.On Festival view pages 6-11 of February Gscene:

I am a poem
Vince Laws reads ‘I am a poem’

 

 

 

Hove MP to vote yes for marriage equality

Mike Weatherley, MP
Mike Weatherley, MP

Ahead of next week’s vote in the House of Commons, Mike Weatherley, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Hove and Portslade, has reiterated his support for the Prime Minister’s upcoming marriage equality legislation.

It is expected that there will be a vote on the second reading of the The Governments recently introduced Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill in the House of Commons on Tuesday, February 5.

Mike Weatherley the MP for Hove & Portslade has made clear ahead of the debate that he will be supporting the Prime Ministers proposed marriage equality legislation and will be strongly supporting the legislation and voting for the Bill.

Mike said:

“I first raised the issue of unequal marriage rights for same-sex couples back in 2011. I am delighted that legislation is now before the House and I look forward to voting on this important Bill, which will be of huge significance to thousands of my constituents. While still slightly contentious now, I know that in a just a few years down the line, like Civil Partnerships, everyone will be wondering what all the fuss was about.”

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