11/04/2013 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Public meeting against racists tonight

Posted on 11/04/201311/04/2013 by Besi

In the build-up to the far-right march through Brighton, which takes place at the end of April, speakers from Unite Against Fascism (UAF), the Green Party, the Labour Party and the trades union movement will address a meeting called ‘Standing together: why the far-right mustn’t divide us’ from 7pm on Thursday, April 11, at Community Base on Queens Road in Brighton.

Speaking will be Weyman Bennett, joint national secretary of UAF who has been at the forefront of UAF’s action against fascist groups, including the BNP (British National Party) and EDL (English Defence League).

Another speaker will be Labour Party activist Sarah Owen who is the Labour candidate for Hastings and Rye. If elected Sarah will be the first Chinese MP elected in the UK and is a strong opponent of fascism and racism and has spoken at UAF meetings in the past.

Leading members of the Green Party took a principled stand against March for England last year joining the many others from Brighton who lined the streets to oppose the far-right. Green councillor. Deputy leader of the city council, Phelim Mac Cafferty will also be on the platform at the meeting.

Around one thousand Brighton residents turned out to show opposition to last years march. This year UAF believe many more will take part, and the meeting on April 11th is intended to provide an opportunity for locals to come together and build opposition in the city.

Roland Ravenhill of Brighton and Hove Unite Against Fascism said:

“The far-right is on the rise across Europe, but where they are opposed they fail. When the racists held their march through our city last year the reaction of Brighton people was truly inspiring. The more local people join the opposition to this far right group, the greater the chance it will not return.”

March for England takes place on the April 21, and this year it will be marching along the seafront. Opponents will be gather near Brighton Pier, and along the route of the march from 11am.

We all love Brighton

Posted on 11/04/201311/04/2013 by Besi

The recent City Tracker survey has shown that there is a high level of satisfaction with Brighton and Hove and the local area as a place to live, particularly amongst 35-44 year olds. The level of satisfaction with the local area as a place to live remains higher than national statistics.

In the third wave of the City Tracker survey, 1,000 residents city wide were interviewed over the phone.

The survey was commissioned by Brighton & Hove Local Strategic Partnership to find out what residents think of Brighton and Hove as a place to live, and to track how satisfied people are with key services.

The survey found that the greatest concern for people in relation to their street was still road safety (as found in previous waves). In relation to issues affecting their street, residents were most satisfied with the level of noise in their street (84% of people interviewed stated they were satisfied).

Results also showed that 77% of people interviewed were satisfied with how clean and green their street is; and that 75% of people interviewed were satisfied with how well the council looks after their street.

Tony Mernagh, Executive Director of the Economic Partnership and Chair of the Strategic Partnership, said:

“The City Tracker survey is important because it highlights where residents feel improvements should be made, so key service providers can prioritise accordingly.”

Cllr Jason Kitcat, leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said:

“These results show we’re on the right track. Brighton & Hove is a great place to live and through the City Tracker we know satisfaction levels with the services we provide are good. In a tough economic climate we will continue to work hard to provide efficient, value for money services which meet the city’s needs.”

Young writers scheme

Posted on 11/04/201320/05/2013 by Graham Robson

Theatre Royal Brighton Young Writers, a partnership between Theatre Royal Brighton and New Writing South, has launched a new project for young writers aged 16–25 who are passionate about writing.

Sixteen writers will be selected to work with professional writer Dinos Aristidou over the course of 14 workshops on alternate Saturdays between September 2013 to May 2014. This will conclude with a celebration of different examples of written work as part of the Brighton Festival 2014.

To apply send a maximum of two A4 sides of creative writing to debo@newwritingsouth.com; or via post: Debo Amon, New Writing South, 9 Jew St, Brighton, BN1 1UT.

Application is free and must be made before Sunday, June 16, which will be followed by a selection workshop on Saturday, June 29 at the Theatre Royal Brighton.

If successful, applicants will be required to pay £75, though a limited number of bursaries are available.

For more info, EMAIL: jackiealexander@theambassadors.com

Film fans invited to play a part in restoring cult fetish scene film

Posted on 11/04/201320/05/2013 by Graham Robson

Fans of the cult British film Preaching to the Perverted, the first mainstream film set squarely on the fetish club scene, have been invited to play a part in its digital restoration.

Written and directed by double Bafta-winner Stuart Urban in 1997, this high camp British romp, which was dropped by the BBC as being too racy, was inspired by actual trials of kinksters and people practising consensual BDSM, and features Christien Anholt and lesbian icon Guinevere Turner, alongside a cast and crew drawn from the fetish, BDSM and LGBT scenes.

Sadly, the technology used to make it has meant that a revival on Blu-ray and HD digital download requires extensive restoration work, and so the production company have launched a campaign on crowd-funding website, Kickstarter, to restore and remaster the 35mm original, a project expected to cost £18,000.

Tim Woodward of fetish/BDSM magazine Skin Two, said:

“This is the only really good film ever made that’s set in the BDSM/fetish world. Every fetish person should see it”.

The cast and director are reuniting for this appeal and are offering over £2,000 worth of rewards and prizes to get people active on social media to promote the campaign. Amongst the incentives offered to donors is ‘dinner with a dominatrix’ as well as opportunities to take part in events planned to celebrate the revival.

Stuart Urban, said:

“Unlike the studios, we indies don’t have deep pockets to remaster our 35mm work, so crowd funding to our loyal fans represents the fresh and ideal way to save this film.”

To donate anything from £1, CLICK HERE: