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‘Uniform’ themed night for THT in Eastbourne

THT

Staff and volunteers from HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will be mingling with all manner of policemen, doctors, and sailors at a special event at The Hart Pub in Eastbourne on June 29.

A team from the charity’s centre in East Sussex will be attending The Hart’s ‘uniform’ themed night to raise awareness of HIV and sexual health issues and services available locally

The themed party, which is free to attend, starts at 9pm on Saturday, June 29 and will feature a live show from resident drag queen Fonda Cox as well as a selection of music to fill the dance floor. THT staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout the evening, distributing safer sex resources and condoms and answering any questions about contraception, sexual health and getting help locally.

Daniel Murray, Acting Centre Manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in Eastbourne, said:

”Getting out and about in the community is crucial in the effort to raise awareness and promote better sexual health, particularly among those groups at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. It’s great to chat to people in an informal and fun environment and we are very grateful to The Hart for giving us this fantastic opportunity to meet the crowd. We look forward to getting suited and booted for what promises to be a great night out!”

Event: Uniform party

Where: The Hart, 89 Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3RR

When: Saturday, June 29

Cost: Entry free

For more information about The Heart, CLICK HERE:

Brighton Samba School seeks Drag Queens for Pride Parade

Brighton Samba School
Brighton Samba School

The Brighton School of Samba are seeking sequined, glamorous and fabulous Drag Queens to join their  ‘Ala Travesti’ (Transvestite group) on this years Pride Parade.

The Brighton School of Samba (GRES Cidade Brilhante) was formed in May 2007 as a non-profit organisation. Created in the traditional structure of the Rio Samba Schools, Cidade Brilhante is committed to community values and an inclusive policy. The School brings a taste of the vibrant Rio Carnival to the streets of Brighton for members, audiences and the wider community.

Colours chosen this year are navy, turquoise, gold and white. So as long as your outfit is suitably audacious and in keeping with their colours you can join them on the parade, strut your stuff and shimmy to the sizzling hot samba beats they will be playing!

If you want to be involved in their Pride parade as a non-performer, they’d love to hear from you too!

Help is needed with costume-making, stewarding and some cyclists’ pedal-power for the mobile PA system.

Beyond Pride 2013, if you would like to be a regular dancer with the Brighton School of Samba, go along to one of their dance workshops?

If you can’t dance, you can drum by joining their drumming workshops.

To register your interest, EMAIL: 

For more information about Brighton School of Samba CLICK HERE:  

Landslide support for Marriage (same sex couples) Bill

MPs have again voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill which tonight passed its Third Reading vote in the House of Commons by 366 votes to 161.

The Bill will extend the legal form of marriage to lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people and permit religious denominations to celebrate such marriages should they wish. It now heads to the House of Lords for debate in June.

Ben Summerskill
Ben Summerskill

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said:

‘This evening’s vote shows MPs are on the public’s side, as poll after poll shows a clear majority of people in Britain support equal marriage. Now that the Bill has cleared the Commons without any of the wrecking amendments tabled by opponents, we hope peers will show the same respect to public attitudes.

“Sadly in recent weeks several peers have expressed deeply unpleasant views about gay people. Stonewall expects one of our toughest fights yet ahead of us. We’ll continue to work tirelessly every day to help secure this final modest measure of legislative equality.”

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill passed its Second Reading with a majority of 225 votes on February 5. MPs rejected a wrecking amendment – by 375 votes to 70 – during the Bill’s Report Stage in the House of Commons on 20 May 20.

For more information about Stonewall’s campaign for equal marriage, CLICK HERE:

Help save Suffolk’s only gay pub!

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Can you imagine it? A whole county and only one gay pub? And now they’re taking that away from us.

James Iannone took over The Grinning Rat in Ipswich just four months ago, providing a lifeline for a marginalised and faceless community. He has invested thousands on creating a vibrant environment and has brought previously isolated people together for a range of events and themed nights. Without The Grinning Rat there is quite literally nowhere else in the county for gay people to go, relax, meet people and more importantly, feel safe in a town not known for embracing diversity.

And now this is all under threat. In fact, James has been given just one weeks’ notice to vacate the premises.

James says:

“All my hard work has been taken away and I don’t know why. I never did anything wrong, I did everything by the book and we never had any trouble with the police.”

With no explanation offered we are left to wonder exactly why he has been treated so badly. The pub is thriving, a community is blossoming; the brewery can only lose now by ejecting him, so what is the reason behind this? Did they simply use James for the thousands he invested, dangling a carrot in front of him with a five-year contract pinned to it, only to take it away again?

Was it always their intention to encourage him to build his community on quicksand only to watch it sink?

Should we all be rallying at the bar with our rainbow flags ready to take on the homophobes?

I guess we’ll never know, especially since Punch Taverns’ response in a local news report on the subject acknowledges none of the issues (“We have every confidence that he (the new licensee) will be able to take the pub from strength to strength…”)

What we do know is that we’re not going down without a fight and we need your help to save our pub. Punch Taverns can still be persuaded to change their minds if we all email them and tell them that we won’t stand for it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never even been to Ipswich; you know how important it is to feel part of a community and we need your support.

Please email john.price@punchtaverns.com and give him hell!

A petition has been set up to support the pub.

To sign, CLICK HERE:

The Suffolk LGBT community is relying on you!

A spokesperson for Punch Tavern, said:

“We have worked in close partnership with Mr Iannone and as his short-term agreement was on a temporary basis, it gives the right for either party to give immediate notice. After reviewing a business plan from another interested party, the commercial decision was made to recruit Mr Hughes on a similar short-term lease agreement.

“We are in regular dialogue and continue to work closely with Mr Iannone. In our recruitment process, we select licensees we believe to be the best operators and base our decision only on proposed business strategies. We feel that the newly recruited licensee, Mr Hughes, will be able to take the Grinning Rat from strength to strength and continue to serve the local community, regardless of sexual orientation. We look for a smooth transition without the need to close the pub.

“Any allegations of homophobia are completely unfounded and potentially libellous.”

James Iannone responded:

“Well, I still haven’t had anything from them in writing to say about leaving. They told me the new operator would not be carrying on the gay venue and the acting area manager is still refusing to come out and see me despite the fact he was meant to be in Ipswich today to do the handover’.”

 

An historic occasion beckons

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

When my Great Grandmother chained herself to railings in Sussex nearly one hundred years ago, it was to protest at a time when women were not allowed the vote. I wonder if Mrs Marchant, as she was called, thought that she was campaigning to redefine democracy or just to extend it?

I’m pretty certain that she would have thought it most unfair that people, men or women, should be treated differently by the State and that allowing women to vote would extend and enhance democracy not redefine or undermine it.

Nearly everyone, looking back today, cannot understand what all the fuss was about in the last century. The movement to universal suffrage was at the time met with outrage by some sections of society, however it was through people like my great grandmother that we see equality does not destabilise the status quo or bring about moral decline.

On the contrary, these changes follow the ever evolving social landscape and this strengthens the institutions and attitudes of fairness, justice and harmony that we wish to espouse as a modern democracy.

I see many parallels in the Same Sex Marriage debate. Marriage is a great institution and should be available to everyone. Extending marriage to gay couples sends a message about our society and democracy today, much as extending the franchise to women did in the early Twentieth Century.

Surely in 10 or 20 years time marriage will perceived by wider society as an institution that should be open to all without prejudice or intimidation.

That is to say that those not in favour should be outcast or subject to prejudice, but we should be thankful that our democracy allows us to disagree and argue from all sides freely without fear of persecution. But the vote at the Second Reading showed that certain attitudes have less influence on society and in turn on the Government and common law.

With an increasing number of countries adopting similar legislation, we cannot be left behind, by a mist of nostalgia for a world that has long since passed. Those 15 countries that have legalised gay marriage have not declined as some people would have you think. These are countries where love is embraced as a universal principal, which no doctrine or movement can alter or affect. Some of these countries, like Spain, have a large religious community but introduction of gay marriage has not been followed by mass demonstrations or revolution but instead Government and law has simply caught up to societies changing attitudes.

Whilst canvassing in Brighton Kemptown I sometimes meet women who can’t be bothered to vote.  I tell them about my Great Grandmother and the foresight of the Members of Parliament in 1918 and 1928 who had the courage to extend democracy to everyone.

Today, as a Member of Parliament elected to serve my constituents and to be a Lawmaker, I shall be joining the vast majority in the Commons and shall be voting for David Cameron’s legislation for Same Sex Marriage. The State treating everyone equally under law, extending the important institution of marriage to all loving couples, whist providing protection for churches who disagree, is the right thing to do.

I strongly support this Bill because I am a Conservative, not in spite of it. I believe in individual freedoms and the right to live one’s life as he or she chooses without negatively impacting on others. This is a central principle of conservatism and one that at times is forgotten in the heat and tough & tumble that is day-to-day politics. This legislation will not change the mutual love of those who are already married just as the male vote and democracy was not undermined by universal suffrage.

I am sure that my Great Grandmother would be proud of me.  Who knows? Perhaps a distant descendant of mine, whilst knocking on doors in the future will be able to say that Simon Kirby did the right thing and voted for equality, for extending marriage.

As I cast my vote in the House I will be imagining a future where 2013 is remembered as a year that not only allowed gay couples to marry but strengthened our democracy and the core values that make this country great.

Simon Kirby MP
Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.
Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rt Hon Hugh Robertson MP, Minister of State for Sport and Tourism.

Speakers for King Alfred public meeting announced

Mike Weatherley, MP

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove and Portslade has announced the names of the panelists for the King Alfred public meeting that he is hosting on Friday, May 24 at Hove Town Hall.

The first panel from 2pm to 3pm will feature:
Carolyn Dwyer (Lambeth Council – Streatham Hub Leisure Development)
James Appleton (Adur & Worthing Councils – Splashpoint Leisure Centre)
John Reed (Reigate & Banstead Council – Horley Leisure Centre)
Mark Cannon (Chairman of the Shiverers Swimming Club)
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald OBE (Leader of the Conservative group on Brighton & Hove City Council)

The second panel from 3:30pm to 4:30pm will feature:
Emma Andrews (PR manager for Simon James)
Ed Allison-Wright (Centurion Group)
Adrian Black (Totem Commercial)
Kevin Doyle (City Partnerships)

Mike said:

“I hope to see anyone who is interested in the future of the King Alfred at the meeting. The meeting represents a great opportunity for residents to share their views on how the King Alfred Leisure Centre should be redeveloped, as well as to hear from interested developers. Residents will also be able to hear how three councils have gone about redeveloping leisure centres of their own. Remember that there is no need to book so please just turn up.”
 

Event: Public meeting to discuss future of King Alfred Leisure Centre        A summary of the event details is below:
When: Friday, May 24
Where: Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 4AH
Time: Doors will open at 1pm for a 2pm start

Just turn up – no need to book. Refreshments will also be served.

Peer Action events in June

Peer ActionPeer Action, the Brighton charity peer support group for those living with HIV have another action packed month of activities to suit all tastes in June

As well as their regular line up of yoga, meditation, bingo night at the Brighton Gala Bingo, games night at the Barley Mow, afternoon swimming club and therapy day at the THT building in Ship Street, Peer Action are also organising a minibus trip for this year’s Sussex Beacon, Open Gardens (formally known as the Garden Gadabout).

On Sunday June 30, join Peer Action for a ‘through the keyhole’ tour around Brighton & Hove’s best kept private gardens. Take the leg work out of it and travel by minibus to enjoy tea, home-made cake and even a glass of Pimms. They’ll be stopping off at points around the city to explore and enjoy some secret garden paradises not normally open to the public.

Tickets are £10 with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the Sussex Beacon.

Pick-up is at noon from the Big Wheel on Madeira Drive.

For more information on times, places and how to get involved with Peer Action, CLICK HERE: 

 

Shoreham MPs ‘spoiling’ amendment defeated

Tim Loughton, MP
Tim Loughton, MP

A ‘spoiling’ amendment tabled by Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham to delay and possibly wreck the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was defeated in a commons vote last night.

In an amended calling for Civil Partnerships to be made available to straight couples Mr Loughton complained that it was just not fair to extend marriage to gay couples, but not allow straight couples to have the same civil partnerships that were available to same-sex couples. The MP who has backed several amendments to the bill claims he is a great supporter of all sorts of equality and he did back the introduction of civil partnership for gay couples in 2005. His amendment was defeated by 375 votes to 70.

Peter Tatchell
Peter Tatchell

Human Rights Campaigner Peter Tatchell has argued for civil partnerships for straight couples for many years, however Mr Loughton’s amendment was seen by many as a tactic employed by the Tory right wing to delay the introduction of the new legislation.

Peter Tatchell came to national prominence in 1983 when as an openly gay candidate he was beaten in a bitter by election contest by Liberal Party candidate, Simon Hughes MP.

Simon Hughes MP was one of the MPs who voted for Mr Loughton’s amendment last night.

Ben Summerskill
Ben Summerskill

Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall the LGB Equality Charity said:

“The amendment tabled by vocal opponents of equality would have resulted in significant delays to the Bill’s implementation. Last nights success means that the BIll has survived all of the attempts made thus far to undermine it.

“Today the Bill will have its Third Reading in the Commons before it heads to the House of Lords where, as always, we expect a very tough fight.

With your help we’ll continue to make the case that loving, committed same-sex couples should be able to celebrate their relationships in exactly the same way as their heterosexual friends and family.”

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown, today reaffirmed his support for equal marriage.

Simon, who has been a strong supporter of equal marriage, said:

“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.”

He added:

“The Government listened closely to the contributions to the debate during the Second Reading of the Bill in February of this year and has worked hard to ensure watertight legal safeguards will be in place for religious institutions.

“Yesterday’s report stage debate was another good opportunity for MPs from all parties to further scrutinise that Bill. The Government showed that they are listening to people’s contributions to the legislation and they have committed to a review on extending civil partnerships to heterosexual couples. This review is in keeping with the fundamental principle of equality which underlies the Same Sex Marriage Bill , and I am pleased that the House was able to support it so strongly and the progress of equal marriage was not obstructed.” 

He concluded:

“If, as I hope, this Bill passes into law, no harm will be done, but in allowing loving couples to be admitted to one of our most important institutions, and sending a signal about the place of gay people in society today, we will have done much good.”
 

The following MPs voted for Mr Loughton’s spoiling amendment:

Conservative: 56
Adam Afriyie (Windsor), Peter Aldous (Waveney), Steven Baker (Wycombe), Andrew Bingham (High Peak), Graham Brady (Altrincham & Sale West), Andrew Bridgen (Leicestershire North West), Steve Brine (Winchester), Robert Buckland (Swindon South), Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase), Christopher Chope (Christchurch), Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswolds, The), David Davies (Monmouth), Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire), Philip Davies (Shipley), Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North), Roger Gale (Thanet North), Cheryl Gillan (Chesham & Amersham), James Gray (Wiltshire North), Charles Hendry (Wealden), Philip Hollobone (Kettering), Stewart Jackson (Peterborough), Gareth Johnson (Dartford), Marcus Jones (Nuneaton), Chris Kelly (Dudley South), Pauline Latham (Derbyshire Mid), Andrea Leadsom (Northamptonshire South), Phillip Lee (Bracknell), Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater & Somerset West), Tim Loughton (Worthing East & Shoreham), Karen Lumley (Redditch), Karl McCartney (Lincoln), Anne McIntosh (Thirsk & Malton), Esther McVey (Wirral West), Anne Main (St Albans), Paul Maynard (Blackpool North & Cleveleys), Nigel Mills (Amber Valley), David Morris (Morecambe & Lunesdale), David Nuttall (Bury North), Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury), Matthew Offord (Hendon), Chris Pincher (Tamworth), John Redwood (Wokingham), Jacob Rees-Mogg (Somerset North East), Andrew Robathan (Leicestershire South), Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet & Rothwell), Henry Smith (Crawley), Caroline Spelman (Meriden), Bob Stewart (Beckenham), Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes), Ben Wallace (Wyre & Preston North), Robert Walter (Dorset North), Heather Wheeler (Derbyshire South), Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley), John Whittingdale (Maldon), Bill Wiggin (Herefordshire North), Gavin Williamson (Staffordshire South).

Labour: 8
Joe Benton (Bootle), Rosie Cooper (Lancashire West), David Crausby (Bolton North East), Jim Dobbin (Heywood & Middleton), Frank Field (Birkenhead), Mary Glindon (Tyneside North), Paul Murphy (Torfaen), Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East).

Liberal Democrats: 3
Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed), Simon Hughes (Bermondsey & Old Southwark), Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West).

Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP): 3
Mark Durkan (Foyle), Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South), Margaret Ritchie (Down South).

Plans for London Pride 2013 unveiled!

Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova

Pride in London, London LGBT+ Community Pride will go ahead in 2013 with a week long festival starting on Sunday, June 23 and culminating with the Pride Parade a musical festival in Shoreditch Park and National Black Pride in Soho on Saturday, June 29.

Since the Mayor of London gave them the go ahead for the event, organisers have in just three months obtained funding, volunteers support and completed all necessary operational plans to stage the festival.

As the Equal Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill continues to be debated in Parliament the organisers of Pride in London believe the event offers the LGBT+ community a unique chance to be seen and heard with the theme “Love (and Marriage)” uniting the community.

Clare Balding
Clare Balding

Record nine times Wimbledon Singles Champion, international LGBT+ champion and Global Foundation Patron of Pride in London, Martina Navratilova gets the festival off to an impressive start on Sunday June 23 at the St James’ Theatre with a special Audience with Martina Navratilova hosted by TV presenter, Clare Balding.

For tickets and details of the Pride in London events CLICK HERE: 

The Festival programme includes:

• A Gala dinner with Boris Johnson on 25 June at Claridge’s
An Audience with Martina Navratilova hosted by Clare Balding on Sunday 23 June at the St James’ Theatre
• Summer Rites Pride in the Park music festival in Shoreditch Park
• Special Pride film screenings at the BFI and Channel Four
• A Gay Photographers’ Network exhibition at Foyles
• A London Gay Symphony Orchestra Concert
• A Chavurah at St John’s Wood Synagogue
• Panel events on LGBT+ health and campaigning issues
• Polari’s tour of Tate Britain, Queer Britannia

For many the highpoint of the week will be the Parade on Saturday June 29. The parade starts at 1pm and will follow the now traditional route from Baker Street along Oxford Street, down Regent Street and ending in Trafalgar Square.

With over 120 groups already signed up to take part this year’s march looks set to bring over well over 10,000 marchers, roller-skaters, dancers and singers into the heart of the capital. The organisers believe that the Parade will be a highly visible way to continue to fight for equality.

The organisers of Pride hope that the LGBT+ community will come together in Trafalgar Square and Soho to enjoy the entertainment there, which will feature the best of the LGBT+ community and other well-known performers – details will be announced soon.

Pride in London is also partnering with UK Black Pride who will stage their own celebration in Golden Square for a free ticketed event, for details view: www.ukblackpride.org.uk

For the later in the afternoon and evening, Pride in London has teamed up with Summer Rites for the official Pride music festival, Summer Rites – Pride in the Park in Shoreditch Park. Six official after-parties will soon be announced.

Commenting on her involvement Martina Navratilova said:

“London holds a very special place in my heart. But it’s not just Wimbledon I love, it is the city itself, which is so welcoming and energetic. I am proud to be part of the first Pride in London to be organised by London LGBT+ Community Pride. I want everyone to come out and support the events and remember that Pride is about campaigning as well as celebrating.  The campaign for Equal Marriage in the UK and in the US is an important one and we should show solidarity and work together for greater acceptance and equality for all.

“I am looking forward to taking part in the pride event on 23rd June with Clare Balding and I think it’s great that the opening event is focused on women. I am also honoured to be Global Foundation Patron of Pride in London.

 “The team who have put together Pride this year have done an incredible job in a really short time and now they need your support; so please buy a ticket, sponsor an event, make a donation and participate in the Parade. This is YOUR Pride and with your support Pride in London can become a beacon to the world.”

Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘

“Our Pride celebrations are one of the biggest events of the year as befits a city with a large LGBT population. The diversity of people taking part encapsulates why our city is one of the most exciting places on earth to live. I’m delighted to support this fabulous event. Here’s to it being a massive success.”

Chairman of London LGBT+ Community Pride Michael Salter said:

“I am honoured to be part of an amazing team that in record time has put together Pride in London.  Over the last four months a huge amount of hard work has gone in to recruit over 1,200 volunteers, raise sponsorship money and plan the event.  I want to thank everyone involved, our suppliers, contractors, sponsors and supporters for all they have done and continue to do. I also want to specifically thank Martina, Clare and Boris for being part of this year’s Pride in London and showing their commitment to the LGBT+ community and our City.

“London deserves a great Pride celebration – we are a truly global city and have much to be proud of but we should never forget our history of campaigning for equality. I want this year’s Pride in London to be an amazing celebration of our community but also a moment for us to think about and champion “Love (and Marriage)”. 

“We now need everyone to get involved in order to make Pride and its festival of events a success.  Please start planning your Pride now, book tickets for the events in the week running up to the Pride Saturday and on the day come and join or watch the Parade and join together as one community in Trafalgar Square. Whether you’re making costumes for your Parade group, attending a film screening or debate, performing on one of our stages, partying in Soho, enjoying yourself at Summer Rites or dancing the night away at one of our after-parties you are the people who make Pride, so let’s give London and ourselves the brilliant Pride we deserve!” 

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