menu

Gay Manchester – Clean Up ‘Our Village’

Manchester’s Village Business Association (VBA) is holding ‘Our Village Clean Up’ on May 31 2014 in Manchester’s Gay Village.

Manchester Gay Village

They are calling for help from anyone with green fingers or artistic flair, as well as those willing to get their hands dirty with a mop and a jet wash!

Manchester’s Gay Village is historically renowned as a space offering unique resources, services, social experiences and homes for the LGBT community. However, recent times have seen a deterioration in the cleanliness of the area. The introduction of a new brand – ‘Our Village’ – aims to instill a sense of ownership amongst residents and visitors, whilst highlighting the need for people to look after and take pride in the area.

‘Our Village Clean Up’ on Saturday May 31 will see the launch of the ‘Our Village’ brand.

More than 100 hanging baskets will be put up around the village alongside new rainbow flags and banners. With the help of graffiti artists, the community will come together to tidy the area, helping to re-create the vibrant space the village used to be.

Jackie Crozier
Jackie Crozier

Village Business Association chair, Jackie Crozier said: “As the newly elected chair of the VBA, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the ‘Our Village’ brand. Having been an advocate of Manchester’s LGBT community for many years, I believe that placing an emphasis on the importance of unity within our community is an essential move in the journey toward improving Our Village. The ‘Village Clean Up’ event is not only a fantastic way to bring people together and reinforce the brand, but is also sure to be a fun-filled day, and a task that everyone can take pride in.”

The ‘Village Clean Up’ will commence at approximately 11am on Saturday, May 31 in Sackville Gardens.

Manchester Gay Village

LGBT charity welcomes CPS guidance on Domestic Violence

Broken Rainbow UK, the LGBT domestic violence charity, has welcomed inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) peoples’ issues in draft guidance published on Tuesday by The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

Broken Rainbow

As well as including a specific section on ‘same sex or transgender relationship abuse’ the draft guidance also looks at the issues of young people, social media and older people, to help prosecutors adopt a tailored approach taking into account their particular support needs.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Alison Saunders, said: “Some teenagers may not consider themselves victims of domestic violence, especially if they are not being physically abused but are being targeted on social media….Young people can also be reluctant to report abuse for fear of getting into trouble with their parents, being bullied at school or because they are scared of their abuser.”

Broken Rainbow’s work shows how it is particularly important that those supporting survivors through the legal process have an understanding of the varied and sometimes specific types of abuse that LGBT people face and are able to advocate in a supportive and sympathetic way.

Wendy Wilde, Service Delivery Manager, Broken Rainbow UK, said: “Callers to our helpline engaged in a legal process still too often feel it is not helping them and in some cases is making things worse. This secondary victimisation by the very institutions victims look to for protection is extremely hard for survivors to come to terms with. Frequently it is only specialist organisations such as ourselves that can offer the understanding they need.”

 

A pocket full of Rye!

Roger Wheeler visits one of the real treasures of Sussex

Rye

The ancient town of Rye is undoubtedly one of the historic gems of Sussex, just 55 miles from Brighton and 76 from London and on the main Brighton – Ashford International railway line it’s really quite accessible.

Never having been there to take a serious look, as a birthday treat we booked into one of the two four star hotels – The George in Rye, as they call it – with a deal from Booking.com at £100 for a luxury room with breakfast.

Rye is a beautiful place, with just 4,000 inhabitants, all living in what look like listed houses and with a history dating back over 1,000 years.  Rye is a must see on any tourist trail and survives on tourism. During the day the town is packed with visitors from all over the world, even some from the UK, although most it seems come from the US and Europe.

Rye

During our initial stroll we overheard someone on her phone saying “we’ve been here just over half an hour, I think we’ve seen it all now”. That comment pretty well sums the place up, once you have walked around and admired the many stunning houses, the obligatory church with a great view from the tower and looked at the many ‘gift’ shops packed with interesting souvenirs and art, all that’s left is to have lunch and head off.

Of course purist historians would strongly disagree as there is a lot of fascinating history. Rye was one of the original Cinque Ports, and was a very important sea port, although the river and harbour silted up and the sea is now over two miles away.

During the threat of Napoleonic invasion in 1803 it was thought to be one of the main places the French would aim for. Rye Harbour was recently upgraded and is still quite a busy fishing port although most of the fish is now sold in Boulogne.

There is of course an excellent Heritage Centre by the river which has a superb model of the town and a popular sound and light presentation. The little Tourist Information centre seemed to be staffed by only one, very helpful, but very busy lady.

It seems that although the town’s official population is just over 4,000 about 50% are there just for weekends or have holiday homes, so a more accurate number would be fewer than 2,000.

Rye

Rye’s only real problem is that apart from endless art galleries, an Arts Festival in September and souvenir shops there is only one food shop and that is quite small. The residents have to travel the 12 miles to Hastings or 11 miles to Tenterden to shop. Someone wryly smiled and said that there had been talk of a Sainsbury store some years ago but it would detract from the quaint atmosphere of the town and so was abandoned.

Rye has featured in several famous books not the least being EF Benson’s Mapp & Lucia series, in which the town is renamed as Tilling. The television series was shown in 1986 and the BBC are about to film another adaptation in 2014. Paul McCartney has a farm in nearby Peasmarch, in fact lots of quite famous actors, writers and celebs choose to live close to Rye, and they probably don’t mind driving 12 miles to do their shopping.

Rye today is well worth a visit, without doubt it has all the charm you could wish for, but after the last tourist heads home the town drifts off to sleep. The cobbled streets are virtually deserted; you can wander around and have the place to yourself.

Rye

There are a several decent pubs and restaurants but what life there is can be found in the hotels. There are several very good hotels and guest houses, the Mermaid Inn is possibly the oldest built in 1420 and it looks amazing.

We stayed in The George a newly renovated hotel dating from 1545; it is very pleasant, full of interesting character and some equally interesting characters. If you’re thinking of booking avoid rooms at the rear of the hotel as the kitchen extractor fans run all night and are quite noisy. But our room, one up from the basic, was fine with a fabulous four poster bed, great bathroom, TV and WiFi of course. In fact all the usual amenities you would expect from a four star establishment. The restaurant was very good, service, food, wine all excellent and the breakfast was first-class. Our total bill was just over £200, which considering the overall quality was very good value.

Rye remains in a time warp, its like stepping through a portal to a bygone age where nothing has changed for hundreds of years, which is its attraction. Visitors flock to the town in their thousands, admire the medieval architecture, buy a few souvenirs and leave.

http://www.ryesussex.co.uk/

http://www.visit1066country.com/explore-1066-country/rye

http://www.thegeorgeinrye.com/

http://www.mermaidinn.com/

 

PREVIEW: Romeo & Juliet

The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company bring their UK premiere production to the Marlborough for the Brighton Fringe.

Pocket Oxford Theatre Company

Teds Walker has been performing on the queer scene for the last 20 years. However six years ago he started the Pocket Oxford Theatre Company and has been touring ever since.

This year they are performing their UK premiere, Romeo & Juliet, as part of Brighton Fringe at The Marlborough Theatre.

The show includes song, dance, drag, plenty of interaction and hardly any Shakespeare!!

Although the content is queer, the kids don’t have to be! Its queer theatre for kids, and something queers can bring take their under age friends and families to.

What: The Pocket Oxford Theatre Company – Romeo & Juliet

Where: Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton

When: Wednesday, May 28 – Sunday June 1

Time: 2.30pm

Tickets: £8: Kids £6

 

Gay candidate to stand in Goldsmid ward in 2015

Matt Irish to stand in Goldsmid ward for the Labour Party in next years Council elections.

Matt Irish prospective Labour candidate for Goldsmid
Matt Irish prospective Labour candidate for Goldsmid

Matt blogs about being an LGBT candidate and what he has experienced so far when meeting residents.

He says: “Since being selected to represent Labour as a candidate in the council elections next year, I’ve been asked several times what being an LGBT candidate means to me.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m standing on the shoulders of many inspirational people who have put themselves on the line (and sometimes at considerable physical risk) to stand up for the right to be treated as equals.

“I grew up in the 1980s and 90s when times were less tolerant – particularly in the rural community that I left for university. Had I grown up in a more tolerant time, I might never have migrated to Brighton & Hove in 1997 – a place I now call home after being accepted by the community. Back then Brighton and Hove were run as two separate council areas – we are now one city under one administration. An administration I would very much like to see return to the Labour party.

He continues: “I’ve decided to stand for Brighton & Hove City Council to give something back to the city I’ve called home for over 18 years by serving as a local councillor.

“I’ve already done a fair bit of community work – supporting the worthwhile work of the THT which helps people in the city living with HIV, working with Stonewall in my role as a workplace equalities representative with Unite the Union and various other community projects in which I have had the pleasure to be involved over the years.

“It’s a little daunting to step out from relative anonymity to stand for an elected position – but when I saw the fantastic team of people who (subject to election!) are hoping to look after the interests of everyone who lives and works in our city, my concerns melted away.

“I’m standing for election because, like many other residents in our city, I’m also a little sad at how things have turned out with our Green led council. I feel sad when I see great achievements eroded.

“Brighton & Hove City Council once ranked in the Top 10 of Stonewall’s annual equality index of employers. Now it has dropped out of the index altogether. How embarrassing for a city that prides itself on its commitment to diversity. I’m also sad when I think of the hope voters had in the Green party to deliver something different in the 2011 election.

“Unlike many other places in the UK, our residents were open-minded enough to try something that they felt broke from the usual mould of councils led by mainstream parties and elected a minority Green administration.

“Back in 2011 there was an expectation the Greens would deliver something new – now all I hear on the doorstep is disappointment in their failure to deliver anything of significance and a belief that getting even this basics right is something that has proved a little too difficult in many areas.

“So what does being an LGBT candidate mean for me? Simple. Not being defined as an LGBT candidate but instead for what I believe in and stand for.

“Society had made massive leaps in accepting LGBT people as being equal, with sexual orientation not being the defining point of difference. Much of this step change happened under a Labour government and I remain convinced that had Labour not made bold but important changes to many areas of legislation covering LGBT rights, the coalition would not have taken their recent steps to push equal marriage into law.

“In the next year I hope to convince the people of Goldsmid that a vote for me and my fellow Labour candidates is one that will help get the city back on its feet.”

 

Greens launch LGBTIQ Euro manifesto

Green MEP and Euro candidate Keith Taylor, together with Green Euro candidate Cllr Alexandra Phillips, launched the LGBTIQ Greens European Election Manifesto 2014 at the Bedford Tavern, Western Street, Brighton today.

Keith Taylor, MEP
Keith Taylor, MEP

The LGBTIQ manifesto makes three pledges for elected Greens, who promise to:

• Make EU membership conditional upon granting rights for LGBTIQ citizens. Greens also support making LGBTIQ rights a core European competency, and would argue for a vote to enshrine a set of minimum rights for LGBTIQ people via legislation in Parliament.

• Support LGBTIQ rights, oppose racism, ableism, sexism and all other forms of oppression around the world.

• Encourage the EU to work with and hear the voices of discriminated-against groups and their chosen representatives.

The manifesto also champions an inclusive economy for LGBTIQ people; takes a lead in calling for an end to the widespread legal requirement that trans people must identify as male or female; advocates a humane asylum system that offers protection for LGBTIQ asylum seekers; and strongly opposes cuts to the NHS, which will make it harder for trans people to access gender reassignment services.

Keith Taylor MEP said: “Greens have an incredibly strong track record in fighting for LGBTIQ rights in Europe, and helping the EU to move successfully towards true equality. The Green Group of MEPs, more so than any other group, is completely committed to LGBTIQ equality.

“And as part of the European Parliament’s LGBT Rights Intergroup I have worked towards a world free from homophobic prejudice and will continue to do so if re-elected. Candidates must stand in solidarity with the struggles of all LGBTI people; we must continue to fight for equality across the world, whilst not forgetting the continued discrimination and prejudice faced by many.”

Cllr Alex Philipps

Green Euro Candidate and Green City Councillor Alexandra Phillips, said: “The EU is strong in advancing LGBTIQ rights and the Greens have always been in the forefront of that. Voting Green means more voices in Europe being raised in support of true LGBTIQ equality. It’s one of the reasons why the Green Party is in favour of EU membership – to help us continue our track record of fighting for LGBTIQ rights across the continent.”

Both candidates have also signed ILGA-Europe’s Coming Out pledge to show their commitment to human rights and equality for LGBTIQ people throughout Europe. More Green candidates than from any other party have signed the pledge.

The ‘Gay Friendly’ credentials of the local Green Party in Brighton & Hove recently took a sever setback after the local party attempted to remove the annual grant of £25,000 to the organisers of Brighton Pride.

During the debate to set the City budget for 2014-15, Cllr Geoffrey Bowden, Chair of the Council’s Economic Development & Culture Committee and a former trustee of the Brighton Pride Limited Company that crease trading in 2012 with debts of over £200,000 lectured Conservative and Labour councillors during the debate telling them ‘Pride is not a scared cow’ in trying to justifty his decision to remove of the hard fought for annual grant to Pride.

His leader Cllr Jason Kitcat twittered the following day that Cllr Bowden’s speech “was very brave”.

Conservative and Labour councillors did not agree and voted for an ammendment to keep the money in place for another year.

Brighton Pride CIC raised £43,000 for local volunteer LGBT organisation last year which was distributed through the Rainbow Fund grants programme and the City Council estimate that the weekend event brings in an estimated £13 million pounds of benefit to the local economy annually.

Numberous requests by Gscene Magazine to the leader of the Green Group, Cllr Jason Kitcat to explain if anyone from the Green Party or from the City Council had asked to see the Pride accounts before making the decision to cut the grant, remain unanswered.

During the Greens term in office, Brighton and Hove City Council have dropped out of the Stonewall Top 100 Gay Friendly Index, from a position of 4th in 2010 to 105 in 2014.

Speaking at the time Council leader Jason Kitcat, said: “The Stonewall Index is not reflective of the huge amount of work that goes on in the council and the community. I am confident we are supporting all of our equality groups and leading pioneering work in some areas. However, we are not complacent and look forward to receiving feedback which will help strengthen our work.”

James Ledward
James Ledward

James Ledward, editor of Gscene at the time responded: “From the lofty highs of being placed third in the index in 2009 and revelling in the acolades that followed, to completely drop out of the published index top 100 companies in 2014 should maybe be viewed more humbly by the Green administration who seem to have lost sight of the fact that the LGBT community is a community with complex needs and not a financial commodity to barter with.

 

 

 

78 Countries Countdown to Brighton Pride

Brighton and Hove’s campaigning theme for 2014 is Freedom To Live and highlights the plight of those LGBTQ communities living across the globe in countries where homosexuality is criminalised.

78 Countries Countdown to Brighton Pride

There are 78 countries, many within the Commonwealth, who currently have a form of state sponsored homophobia on their statute books. LGBTQ people can be imprisoned, whipped, stoned or hanged in the name of these laws.

From Algeria to Egypt, Brunei to Pakistan, Barbados to Papua New Guinea, Russia to India, LGBT people can find themselves in court facing long prison sentences and worse due to accusations of homosexual acts, unnatural sex, sodomy, buggery or gross indecency. Just because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

From May 16 2014 until Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 2, the 78 Days Countdown will feature the 78 countries where homosexuality is criminalised. Working in conjunction with The Kaleidoscope Trust, a UK based charity that works to uphold the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people internationally, the countdown will highlight the laws affecting the lives of LGBTQ communities around the world.

The laws quoted in the Brighton Pride 78 Days Countdown can be shocking at times, the language barbaric, fuelled by past empires or unforgiving religious doctrine, whilst the countries featured are within our reach, often just a few hours flying time away. But their very closeness is a reminder of our connections as a LGBT global community and how working together we can make a change.

The 78 Days Countdown is part of Brighton Pride’s 2014 Freedom To Live campaign that will include Pride Matters blogs from LGBTQ activists, the inclusion of 78 Countries Freedom To Live placards on the Pride Community Parade and speakers on the Preston Park main stage.

As we countdown to Pride 2014, Brighton Pride believes its time to make the global connections, keep campaigning and call for LGBTQ equality. Its time for Pride to have a purpose. Because everyone, regardless of sexuality or gender, deserves the Freedom To Live.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

Brighton Pride 2014
Brighton Pride 2014

WEB.600.91

Historic reforms to create New State Pension

Major reforms to the state pension which will simplify the system are a step closer today after the legislation became law.

Steve Webb,Minister of State for Pensions
Steve Webb,Minister of State for Pensions

The reforms will create a simple, flat rate pension, the full level of which will be set above the basic means test, currently £148.35.

In particular, women, carers and some low earners who haven’t previously received much in way of additional pension will benefit. And self-employed people, who miss out on any additional pension under the current arrangements, will be brought fully into the state pension system for first time, helping millions to secure a more comfortable retirement.

The Government expects that in the first 10 years after implementation, around 650,000 women will benefit from the single-tier valuation of their pension at 2016, receiving on average £8 a week more in state pension.

Minister for Pensions, Steve Webb, said: “The new state pension will replace the current complex mix of basic and additional state pension which successive governments have tinkered with so much over the decades.

“It will give people clarity and confidence about what income they will get from the state in their retirement. In addition, the state pension reforms will benefit those who have historically done poorly under the current two-tier system.

“I want to see us build a fairer society within a stronger economy. That means ensuring people have a simple, better state pension in retirement which protects them from poverty and provides a solid foundation for them to save for their future.”

Ten qualifying years of National Insurance contributions will be required to receive any State Pension under the reforms, and for people who start their National Insurance record after the reforms are introduced, the full level of the new state pension will be based on 35 years of National Insurance contributions.

Transitional arrangements have been designed to protect people’s contributions prior to 2016, provided that they meet the minimum qualifying period.

The Government has also introduced the triple lock guarantee to ensure value of basic state pension will rise by highest of inflation, earnings or 2.5 per cent for the duration of this Parliament. And the state pension now is a higher share of national average earnings than at any time in more than 20 years.

The new state pension legislation is contained in the Pensions Act 2014, which also provides for other reforms to the State Pension age, bereavement benefits and private pensions. More information on the Act and what it means for individuals can be found on w

‘It Starts With Me’ highlights increased HIV risk during recent infection

New campaign highlights the risk of recent HIV infections and encourages gay and bisexual men in England to use condoms.

THT Infectious Campaign

Research shows that as many as half of new HIV transmissions take place during the period known as primary infection. During this period, it is estimated that someone with HIV may be up to 26 times more infectious than at any point afterwards, dramatically increasing the risk of a transmission taking place. This peak of infectiousness occurs within the first six weeks after contracting HIV.

Cary JamesCary James, Head of Health Improvement Programmes at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Recent infection is a huge driver of HIV transmission. There’s a time immediately after infection when the level of HIV in the body skyrockets and the person is at high risk of passing on HIV. This happens before most tests are able to detect an infection. So if two guys who previously tested negative decide not to use condoms because they think they’re both negative, they could not only be wrong but also having unprotected sex when one of them is super-infectious. Condoms are by far the best way to protect yourself and others from HIV.”

Gay and bisexual men remain one of the groups most at risk of HIV infection in England, and undiagnosed HIV has been identified as a key factor driving the epidemic. It Starts With Me focuses on a combination approach of condoms, testing and treatment to halt the spread of infection among the gay community. Using condoms and lube when having anal sex significantly reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, being passed on.

The new stage of the campaign will be promoted through the website at www.startswithme.org.uk, along with press and online adverts, leaflets and posters in gay venues. The campaign will also be rolled out across England through a network of regional organisations, funded by HPE to promote the campaign in their local communities.

HIV Prevention England is a partnership of community organisations headed by Terrence Higgins Trust and funded by the Department of Health to carry out national HIV prevention work in England among communities at an increased risk of infection.

Gay and bisexual men are invited to sign up to It Starts With Me by visiting www.startswithme.org.uk.

FACEBOOK:

TWITTER:

 

Kemptown MP questions South Downs National Park Authority CEO

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven seeks clarification on Meadow Vale development in Ovingdean.

Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven
Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven

Simon has contacted the Chief Executive of the South Downs National Park Authority to seek clarification as to what contact the Authority has had with developers Lightwood Property and Pegasus Planning Group Ltd, regarding sites in the Ovingdean, Rottingdean and Woodingdean area.

Simon said: “This issue is hugely important to local people, this is clear in my post bag every day and I continue to stand side by side with residents seeking to protect this valuable green space.

I am seeking clarification from the South Downs National Park Authority as to what, if any, communications they have had with either Lightwood Strategic or Pegasus Planning Group, regarding sites in the Ovingdean Woodingdean and Rottingdean area.”

He continued: “It is important that any discussions surrounding the future of these important areas of green land are as transparent as possible.”

Simon maintains he has consistently called on the City Council to prioritise brownfield sites, city centre sites and reconsider sites such as Shoreham harbour to meet housing targets rather than develop of green belt sites.

 

X