11/02/2013 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Volunteers needed for the PROUD Study

Posted on 11/02/201312/02/2013 by Besi

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a new way to reduce the risk of getting HIV. It involves HIV negative people taking a daily tablet that contains drugs commonly used to treat HIV.

PROUD is a two-year study to recruit volunteers across England, who will be placed at random into one of two groups.

One group will use PrEP from the start of the study, and the other group will receive PrEP after 12 months.

Truvada (which contains tenofovir and emtricitabine, also called FTC) is used in this study. Truvada is already widely used and any side effects are usually mild.

Previous studies with gay men found that using PrEP almost halved HIV infections – and there were even fewer infections amongst men who took their pill every day.

Volunteers are needed to take part in the study.

• Are you a gay or bisexual man?
• Have you recently had sex without a condom?
• Are you willing to take part in research that aims to reduce your risk of HIV?

Participation is straightforward and won’t take much of your time.

Click here: to find out more about Volunteering.

For more information contact:

Mark / Elaney
Elton John Research Centre
Tel 01273-523079
E-mail:

Carmen: Theatre Royal: Opera review

Posted on 11/02/201311/02/2013 by Eric Page

Directed by Ellen Kent, this traditionally staged, romantic new production was set in Seville and reflected a Goya painting, with fountains, flowers, orange trees and even a wonderfully calm rescue donkey from Coral Weaver’s sanctuary. It was an evening of passion, romance and tragedy.

Starring mezzo soprano Nadia Stoianova, whose portrayal of Carmen was technically accomplished although not quite as seductive and fiery as I felt Carmen ought to have been, this is the story of a bewitching gypsy girl whose tantalising beauty lures a soldier to desertion and ultimately leads to her own murder. Kent’s personal touch ensured that the evening was full of spectacle and the full theatre royal audience were delighted by this production.

The supporting chorus directed by Victor Donos were good and sang with precision and conviction and Nicolai Busuioc as Don Jose allowed his lyrical voice to fill the theatre with emotion. Maria Tonina in duel roles allowed her pure voice to reach the high notes and enchant the audience.

Nicolae Dohotaru conducted the Chisinau Philharmonic orchestra with passion and allowed this most passionate of Bizet operas to shine musically, teasing out all the nuances of the famous arias and melodies and giving the singers a firm musical base.

The adorable Ellen Kent has been producing Opera for more than 16 years and is accomplished at bringing the most well loved operas to an audience in a traditional and accessible way. See her website for more information on this and up and coming productions.

This was a fun night out at the Theatre Royal and the steely but charming Ms Kent who directs and keeps her beady and very experienced eyes on all the details of these productions continues to provide audiences with what they want, know and love.

For more info on the tour and to book tickets for up and coming Ellen Kent opera productions see the website here:

More info on upcoming shows at the Theatre Royal website here:

Hove MP calls for drugs reform

Posted on 11/02/201312/02/2013 by Besi

A report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Drug Policy Reform is calling for reform of Britain’s drug laws. Mike Weatherley MP for Hove and Portsladewho is a member of the group is giving the report his full backing.

The APPG for Drug Policy Reform, Chaired by Baroness Meacher, has conducted an inquiry into new psychoactive substances (aka legal highs), following a surge in the uptake of the drugs. The report lists a number of recommendations for reform.

To view the recommendations click here:

Mike is keen for the debate on drugs to be dealt with as a priority, especially given that Brighton & Hove remains the drug death capital of the UK. Mike hosted a public debate on the issue at the end of 2011, and is pleased that progress is being made at addressing the issue in Parliament.

Mike said:

“To anyone interested in drug reform, the report released by the APPG for Drug Policy Reform makes compelling reading. Baroness Meacher has done a brilliant job in overseeing this important report, which includes a number of significant recommendations for the Government to consider. That said, a large debate needs to be had to discuss the direction of Britain’s drug law over the next 20 years.”

Gay Classic Car Group celebrates 25 years

Posted on 11/02/2013 by Besi

The Gay Classic Car Group (GCCG) is celebrating its 25th anniversary during 2013, and is planning a bumper year of events. All fourteen local areas around the country are planning laying up lunches, and they will have unique special surprises to celebrate the anniversary. The peak of the celebrations will be Eurotour hosted in Wiltshire in May. Bookings for the event opened in October and all 225 places sold out within one week. This event will see members from the UK joined by classic car enthusiasts from Holland, Germany, France, Spain and the USA.

The GCCG started informally in 1988 when a few classic car enthusiasts decided to go on a run from London to Brighton. Most of the founding members are still around today. During the 1990s the club grew steadily to a peak of around 150 members. With the advent of electronic communications though, membership has increased at a rate of 10% per year over the last five years.

The GCCG held nearly 40 events around the UK in 2012. Historic properties across the country were visited including Homewood in Surrey, Hughenden Manor and Broughton House in the Midlands. Several weekend long trips included a weekend in the Lake District, Easter weekend near Paris, and 10 days in northern Spain. Finally, to expand their repertoire, 40 members enjoyed a day out on a 1963 AEC double-decker bus.
Over in Wales a visit to the National Botanic Gardens was enjoyed despite poor weather. Way up in Scotland several members went along to a historic vehicle gathering. Twenty members attended both the Austin Morris day at Brooklands and the Ford national at Beaulieu. In the Midlands at the annual BMC and BL rally in Peterborough, they had a stand in the winners’ enclosure and displayed 33 cars.

A first for the GCCG was the well attended classic-car-fix-it-session held in Essex.

The Gay Classic Car group have a total membership of 800 people.Most members own one classic car while some members own up to 10. The oldest car is a 1905 Berliet. While ownership of a classic car is not obligatory, the majority of members do possess at least one. Like their owners, these cars vary in age, condition and performance.

The Group is run by a committee. In addition to its program of events it produces a high-quality quarterly magazine, Big End, a monthly email bulletin, All Torque, and maintains a website.

To view the website click here:

The Group also has a number of regional organisers spread across the UK who assist with and host local events and meetings. Internationally, strong links are maintained with sister clubs in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and Australia.

For further information, contact the GCCG in any of the following ways:

Email: press@gccg.org.uk
Website: www.gccg.org.uk
Write: BM Box 5901, LONDON, WC1N 3XX