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Brighton Bear Weekender Quiz night: The sequel!

Are you the brainiest bear in Town? Would you like the chance to win £300 cash?

Bear Weekender Quiz in March at the Camelford
Bear Weekender Quiz in March at the Camelford

It is very simple. Put a team together and trot down to the Camelford Arms on Thursday June 19. Grab a table, answer the most questions right and the prize money is there for the taking.

The quiz starts at 9.00pm but get there at least before 8.00pm to grab a table. Better still have dinner at the Camelford at 7pm which will guarantee you a table.

Businesses, community organisations and social network groups are invited to enter teams. Mark Flood will be asking the questions set by Brighton Bear Weekender’s own Graham Munday. Blame him not Mark for the questions and expect maybe one or two ursine themed ones thrown in.

Easier than the Golden Handbags quiz, and costing just £2.00 a head, all the money raised goes to the Rainbow Fund who make grants to LGBT/HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove.

The Brighton Bears Weekender event proper kicks off at the Royal Oak on Friday, June 20 from 8-11pm with cabaret from Mysterry.

To view the fun from the last one, CLICK HERE:

For more information about Brighton Bear Weekender, CLICK HERE:

 

 

 

 

 

Brighton Trans*formed exhibition trail

The Brighton Trans*formed Exhibition trail tells the stories of 23 Brightonian trans, gender queer and intersex people through photography, audio and object installations.

Alice Denny
Alice Denny: photo by Sharon Kilgannon: alonglines.com

The multi-media, multi-venue trail, runs in the city from July 24 – August 4 and reflects the diversity of  lives in our diverse seaside city and is designed to be high impact and highly visible.

The streets of Brighton will be lined with faces of participants from the project in the largest, real-life, trans documentation project to be seen in the UK.

Jubilee Library, July 24 – Aug 4 – Take a seat on Brighton beach deckchairs and immerse yourself in  Trans* formed’s recorded stories whilst looking at a large scale photographic display of the participants at their favourite locations around Brighton – all framed in rescued wood from the West pier.

Unitarian Church, Saturday Evening, July 26 –  The Unitarian Church in the centre of Brighton will be lit up as the supersized images of trans people are projected onto the the neo-classical building with quotes about the experiences of being trans in Brighton. A massively-scaled display of Trans people’s pride that will physically light up your faces and make our communities visible to the whole town.

St James St Trans Pride Parade, July 25 – July 27 – March up St James Street to Trans Pride in New Steine Gardens, past dozens of shop windows displaying life sized portraits from the project. Reclaiming St James Street as a queer space, this street-lined story is symbolic of us being out and proud ambassadors for our communities, determined to fight transphobia and media misrepresentation through visibility.

Poke Your Face Through the Pier Holes, July 25 – July 27 – Will you poke your face through the body of the muscle man or the lady in her polka dot swimsuit? Or will you be half muscly, half polka-dotted, mix gendered? Mix and match outfits and body parts in a trans take on an old seaside favourite, and have your photo taken to remember how we can actively Trans*form Brighton into a friendly city that is supportive and inclusive of its trans communities!

Gilded Cage Tattoo Studio, St James’ Street, July 25 – July 27 – Enter this avant-garde, LGBTQI tattoo studio to be immersed not only in the store’s taxidermy- but your own! An adult-only, graphic display of actual body parts in formaldehyde, kept after gender reassignment surgery. Displayed alongside photographs and genuine surgical artefacts in a hospital scene recreation emphasising the graphic realities of physical change and the need for ongoing access to treatment on the NHS.

The Marlborough Pub, July 25 – Aug 4– See photographs of everyone taking part in Brighton Trans*formed in this trans-supportive pub, alongside a collection of participant’s favourite things that reflects their trans journeys through their attachments to material things. From boobs and binders to baseball caps and teddy bears, this touching display is a gentle reminder of just how ordinary we can all be.

 E-J Scott, the Curator, of Brighton Trans*formed, said: “It is time for our communities to stand up proud and be counted, so that we can deconstruct the media’s spectacularization of our lives and our bodies that reinforces old-fashioned, out of date myths and malarkey about who trans people really are. This exhibition showcases the bravery of individuals who want to live in a Brighton free of transphobia and violence. By seeing our faces and hearing our stories we share the reality of our world- we are simply people who love, cry and live our lives like everybody else- and want to be respected for it.”

The Brighton Trans*formed project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and run by QueenSpark Books, the country’s oldest community publisher.

The Brighton Trans*formed book will be published in September 2014.

For more information about the Trans*formed project, CLICK HERE:

 

Lack of progress on King Alfred leisure centre

Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative group leader on Brighton & Hove City Council, is disappointed at the continued lack of progress over the development of a new leisure centre at the King Alfred site in Hove.

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, conservative group leader, Brighton & Hove City Council
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, conservative group leader, Brighton & Hove City Council

At Thursday’s (June 12)  Policy & Resources Committee meeting, Cllr. Theobald asked the Leader of the Council, Cllr Jason Kitcat, why, almost a year since the decision to go ahead with a redevelopment of the site was made, no progress has been made in choosing a developer.

Cllr. Kitcat was only able to give a vague commitment about hoping to start the tendering process to choose a developer “later in the Summer”.

Cllr. Theobald said: “I pressed Cllr. Kitcat to give a precise timescale for when a developer is to be appointed but he just fudged it. I simply cannot understand what the hold up is as we have numerous potential developers, with well worked up plans, keen to get cracking. I’m afraid that this just adds to the unfortunate reputation that the city already has of not being business-friendly.”

Central Hove ward councillor, Andrew Wealls, sits on the Council’s King Alfred Project Board.

He added: “This is incredibly frustrating for the residents in my ward, and across the city, who so desperately want a decent new leisure centre to go to. The Project Board has not met for months now and my efforts to get updates and to push things along are just ignored. This is also a prime brownfield site that could deliver some desperately needed new homes for local people, in addition to the leisure centre. There really is no excuse for further delay.”

Development of the King Alfred site has been dogged by controvesy since a decision was made to re-develope the site by the former Labour administration that lost power in 2007. Proposals for a controversial landmark building by the internationally renowned architecht Frank Gehry which included a sports centre and swimming pool received planning permission in late 2006 but was derailed during the Conservative administration elected in 2007.

Frank Gehry's design for King Aldred site in Hove
Frank Gehry’s design for King Aldred site in Hove

 

Dukes Mound warning – zip up during the day!

The sun is shining and Sussex Police are receiving complaints about incidents of a sexual nature taking place at Dukes Mound during daylight hours.

Sussex Police

It is one thing enjoying the benefits of Dukes Mound at night it is another matter during the day when families and children are around and enjoying their holidays.

PC Rich Bridger
PC Rich Bridger

Sussex Police LGBT police liaison officer PC Rich Bridger, said: “Please remember that Dukes Mound is a public place like any other. In response to reports of sexual activity taking place during the daytime, patrols in the area are going to be extended and anyone found committing offences is likely to face arrest and possible prosecution. I would urge people who use the area to do so responsibly and with consideration for others.”

 

 

Transport worker recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

MarkMark Mackenzie honoured for services to Equality.

Mark has been awarded an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for his contribution to the way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) people are treated whilst working on or travelling on London’s transport network.

Sir Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “I would like to congratulate Mark on this special recognition. It is well deserved and demonstrates the commitment and passion our staff have for each other and the communities they serve each day.”

Mark Mackenzie MBE, a HR specialist at Transport for London, has made a huge contribution to the way LGBT staff are treated as well as the wider LGBT community when they are travelling on London’s transport network.

He is a founding member of TfL’s staff network group for LGBT staff and, as past chair of the group, led support for Pride in London. During the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, he worked as a Travel Ambassador and has been a champion within TfL for London’s bid to host the 2018 Gay Games.

Mark is also a representative for OutWest, the support group for the LGBT community in west London. He has led work with British Transport Police to reduce hate crime on public transport. This led to a Hate Crime Best Practice Guide for the force and to the monitoring and reporting of hate crime across TfL’s transport networks.

500 Miles 4 Smiles: Update day 27: Christina arrives at Marble Arch

Christina at Marble Arch
Christina at Marble Arch

Christina Chatfield arrives at Marble Arch on her marathon walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland to Brighton in Sussex.

Award winning dental hygienist Christina Chatfield arrived in London last night on day 26 of her fundraising walk to raise awareness of cancers of the mouth.

Today she is enjoying a rest day to prepare for her final push to Brighton in Sussex where she will finish the walk on Thursday, June 19.

This morning she visited Selfridges for a little retail therapy before going to see a matinee performance of Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue.

Christina is on day 27 of her fundraising walk to raise money for the British Dental Health Foundation and Heart Your Smile.

Christina Chatfield

Yesterdays leg took her from Shenley in Hertfordshire to Marble Arch in central London and tomorrow, day 28 she will be joined by 40 walkers on the next leg to Croydon.

Christina started her walk from Kirriemuir in Scotland on May 19 and has walked down the east coast of the country through Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh, York arriving in London last night. She ends her marathon journey in Brighton on Thursday, June 19.

If you want to join Christina on tomorrows walk, CLICK HERE:

If you would like to make a donation, CLICK HERE: 

Christina said: “Mouth cancer is one of the very few forms of cancer on the rise, and it currently claims more lives than testicular and cervical cancer combined. We all have a responsibility to help beat the disease, and you have the chance to join me and help to make a difference.

“By donating just £10, you could potentially prompt someone into getting checked out, a move that could save their life.”

 

 

Three ways to support the Rainbow Fund right now

The Rainbow Fund benefits from high profile community-based fundraising events including August’s Brighton Pride and Village Street Party and this month’s Brighton Bears Weekend.

Rainbow FundBy buying tickets or wristbands to these events you help raise vital funds for volunteer-led LGBT community groups who rely on donations to keep providing services to local LGBT people.

You can help the Rainbow Fund right now and book your place at three of the summers best LGBT community events. The money raised will be given out to the community groups in early September on a needs-led basis, the more raised the bigger impact the Rainbow Fund can have in our community.

Paul Elgood
Paul Elgood

The Rainbow Fund’s Chairman Paul Elgood, said: “You can help raise vital funds for the Rainbow Fund by supporting three of the best events of the summer. Book your place now and you will play your part in both supporting these events and building a strong and vibrant LGBT community sector.”

• For Pride tickets, where £1 per ticket sold goes to the Rainbow Fund, CLICK HERE: 

• For Pride Street Party pledge bands, where £1 per per band sold goes to the Rainbow Fund, CLICK HERE: 

• For the Brighton Bears Weekend wristband, where profits go to the Rainbow Fund, CLICK HERE: 

 

 

 

Celebrating city’s successful libraries

More than one million people visited Brighton’s Jubilee Library last year securing its place as the top performing library in the region and second most popular in the country.

Jubliee Library

Last year the service attracted 17,000 new members and a survey concluded that library staff are the second most trusted profession after doctors.

Despite these successes, the council intends to improve and enhancing the service to meet the growing needs of library users.

The Library Service has produced the plan Broadening Horizons, Improving Lives, which sets out its priorities for the next 18 months following widespread consultation with library users and looks set to be endorsed by members of the Economic Development and Culture Committee.

The plan itself demonstrates the value of public libraries and how they contribute to health and well-being, reading and literacy, learning, supporting elderly and vulnerable people and providing important, safe and trusted community spaces in local neighbourhoods.

Cllr Geoffrey “Pride is not a sacred cow” Bowden, chair of the Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “It’s wonderful to see how our libraries have evolved from places to borrow books to providing a doorway to the World Wide Web.

“They continue to enrich people’s lives in so many ways, providing a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment for everyone – from the very young, through to the ‘Silver Surfers.’

“Against a national climate when the news so often is of local authorities closing libraries, our neighbourhood libraries continue to have a strong community focus, bringing people together while housebound and vulnerable residents are reached through our delivery service. Most importantly, all our libraries remain open!

“And all this for around 32p per week per person – less than a pint of milk!”

Transport for London paves the way with a rainbow crossing for Pride in London 2014

London is set to see its first ever rainbow zebra crossing as part of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) support for the Pride in London event on Saturday, June 28.

transport for londonThe rainbow crossing, similar to ones that have appeared in Tel Aviv, Sydney and Brighton, will be in place for one day only during the parade at the junction of Pall Mall East and Suffolk Street, on the site of an existing pedestrian crossing. The parade will be passing very close to the colourful crossing, which will provide onlookers with a great photo opportunity.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “We’re delighted that for this year’s Pride in London event, we will be installing the first ever rainbow zebra crossing in London to celebrate the event, and as we continue our Year of the Bus celebrations, it’s only fitting that we continue with the tradition of our iconic open top bus transporting our staff around in the parade.”

Pride in London, one the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender (LGBT) events in the world, is funded by the Mayor of London and this year will see TfL’s iconic open-top bus at the head of the parade.

Rainbow Crossing

TfL’s LGBT+ Network has also commissioned 200 limited edition posters in conjunction with London Transport Museum, which will go on sale in the run up to Pride to celebrate Year of the Bus, and 75 Barclay’s Cycle Hire bikes will carry a special Ride with Pride logo during Pride week.

Martyn Loukes, Chair of TfL’s LGBT+ Network, said: “I promised last year that I would make this happen, and I’m really pleased that for one day, people will be able to compose their very own Beatles photo or selfie on our Rainbow Crossing. They’ll also be able to ride with pride on one of our specially adorned Barclays Cycle Hire bikes. Every year London Pride gets bigger and better and this shows real support from so many organisations to make this crossing happen and is a fantastic thing for the LGBT+ Community.”

The crossing was made possible after an initial approach by Mike Freer, Conservative MP for Finchley and Golders Green, who first suggested the idea in 2012. Since then TfL’s LGBT+ Network has worked with Westminster council, The Metropolitan Police, Underbelly, London LGBT+ Community Pride and sub-contractors Applied Outdoor Media to make the crossing a reality.

Mike Freer, said: “I am delighted that London will have its own ‘rainbow crossing’ to celebrate London Pride. London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and in the year that Same Sex Marriage became legal, it is a wonderful symbol of London’s vibrant LGBT community.”

Around 100 TfL staff, their partners, family and friends will be taking part in this year’s event and will be on the second bus at the head of the parade.

For more information about London Pride, CLICK HERE:

 

Growing older as an LGBT person!

The Last Outing is a project to capture the experiences and concerns of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.

The Last Outing

The purpose of the project is to inform policy and practice for those receiving health and social care services towards and at the end of life.

The project team from The University of Nottingham will present its findings at a workshop on Tuesday, June 17 followed by a discussion to help shape recommendations for future practice.

The study has involved interviewing LGBT people aged 60 or over and people under 60 who have LGBT partners aged 60 or over.

The workshop is on Tuesday, June 17 from 10am-3.30pm in Highfield House on University Park at the University of Nottingham. It is free to attend but places are limited.

For more information, CLICK HERE:

LGBT discrimination

There is a clear need to change policies regarding end of life care for LGBT people as the English End of Life Care Strategy found LGBT people to be the most likely to face discrimination when it comes to end of life care.

Dr Anne PattersonDr Anne Patterson, Research Fellow at the University, hopes that the workshop will help to further develop the project’s recommendations.

She said: “The research team are hoping to gain perspectives and feedback on the findings, working collaboratively with people who have been participants in the research and others interested in the project and its outcomes.

 “Rather than simply presenting a set of findings we want to engage with various audiences, including LGBT people, practitioners and policy makers, to ensure that recommendations are refined in such a way that they are useful and meaningful to both those accessing services and those providing them.”

LGBT people over 60

There has been very little previous research in this area and project lead Dr Kathryn Almack believes this is due to a lack of awareness that end of life care for LGBT people is even an issue. This belief has been reinforced through interviewing LGBT people aged 60 and over.

Dr AlmackDr Almack said: “Very often we’ve found, talking to care providers, they would say ‘oh we don’t have any LGBT clients.’ But statistics say 5-7 per cent of the population is LGBT. They must be using care services — that suggests to us they’re not disclosing sexual orientation or their needs are not being met.”

For more details about The Last Outing Project, CLICK HERE:

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