07/11/2014 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Dancing on Ice celebrity launches Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

Posted on 07/11/2014 by Besi

Over four hundred celebrities, journalists and dignitaries last night (November 6), enjoyed the fifth birthday party of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which opens to the public from November 8 to January 18.

THE PARTY was hosted by Heart FM’s breakfast team and featured Dancing on Ice and X-Factor star Ray Quinn, who sang a number from his new EP, Old Soul, Young Blood.

Ray’s was joined on the ice by professional figure skater, Iain George who will be appearing with him and the Holiday on Ice team who return to the Brighton Centre from January 6-11, with their new show Platinum.

The rink’s Bar & Kitchen served up drinks and canapés taken from its new winter menu, before guests took to the ice for the first time this winter.

The 840 square metre rink has space for 260 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult.

For those who prefer to sit and soak up the atmosphere there’s no charge for spectators. Try a mouth-watering patisserie or toffee apple at the rinkside Bar & Kitchen or drop in for a quick drink after work, enjoy the best view in the City or a full three-course meal with family and friends.

Tickets can be booked now and prices remain the same this year. Ice skating tickets cost from £10 for adults and £7 for children under 12 and students. One-hour skate sessions run from 10am to 10.15pm daily.

Off peak prices are on offer Monday – Friday until mid December up to 5.15pm, to allow school children to enjoy the rink, and concessions are also available for students.

The box office is open from 9.30am to 9.45pm, but it is advisable to book tickets in advance.

To purchase tickets, click here:

Or telephone: 0844 8472352

For group bookings of ten or more telephone 0844 8471512.

To book a table at the Bar & Kitchen, telephone: 01273 675756 or email

For more information about the Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, click here:

To book tickets for Holiday on Ice and Platinum at the Brighton Centre, click here:

Or telephone the box office: 0844 847 1538.

Lord Cashman, Pepe Julian Onziema and Sarah Waters lead 2014 Stonewall Award winners

Posted on 07/11/2014 by Besi

Ugandan activist Pepe Julian Onziema was named Hero of the Year at the annual Stonewall Awards in London last night.

Ed Miliband MP, Michelle Collins and Lord Cashman

ENTERTAINER of the Year went to Emmerdale’s Alicya Eyo, Liz MacKean of Dispatches scooped Journalist of the Year and Lord Cashman and Lynn Featherstone MP shared the award for Politician of the Year.

Ugandan activist Pepe Julian Onziema was voted Hero of the Year by thousands of Stonewall supporters for his tireless work campaigning for equality for LGBT people despite threats of violence. Pepe has previously been named Global Citizen by the Clinton Global Initiative for his human rights advocacy work.

More than 500 people, including celebrities, sports stars, politicians and writers, joined host Julian Clary at the ceremony to honour those who’ve made a positive contribution to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (LGBT).

Emmerdale’s Alicya Eyo took home the accolade of Entertainer of the Year for her portrayal of lesbian character Ruby Haswell and her advocacy as an openly-lesbian role model.

Stonewall founder Lord Cashman was jointly named as Politician of the Year alongside Liberal Democrat Home Office minister Lynne Featherstone. When presenting the award, Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to Michael Cashman’s partner, Paul Cottingham, who passed away in October. He praised them both for their relentless work to promote equality in both Britain and around the world.

The Older Lesbian, Gay and Trans Association (OLGA) was named Community Group of the Year by Stonewall supporters for their work to support older members of the LGBT community. The group received a cheque for £5,000 – provided by State Street – to continue their work.

Channel 4’s Liz MacKean was named Journalist of the Year for the hard-hitting Dispatches documentary Hunted that exposed the brutal treatment of gay people in Putin’s Russia while the i newspaper was named Publication of the Year for its coverage of gay issues throughout the year including coverage of the Sochi Winter Games and Thomas Hitzlsperger’s coming out.

Pride House scooped this year’s Sports Award for their work to support LGBT athletes and fans during this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Being gay is illegal in 42 of 53 Commonwealth countries – making it vital to send a powerful signal to visitors and athletes from around the world.

This year’s judging panel, featured: Baroness Barker, Charlie Condou, Jonathan Harvey, Paris Lees and Dr. Ranj Singh.

Stonewall Chief Executive Ruth Hunt, said: “Stonewall’s 2014 Award winners really do demonstrate the passion, commitment and diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and their allies, who together make the world a better place.

“Our Hero of the Year, Pepe Julian Onziema, is a global beacon of hope who inspires and influences so many people – not just those in his home country of Uganda, but all those fighting for equality around the globe.”

The winners winners:

Hero of the Year (supported by E.ON) – Pepe Julian Onziema

Broadcast of the Year (supported by Bloomberg) – Pride

Entertainer of the Year – Alicya Eyo (Emmerdale)

Journalist of the Year (supported by Bloomberg) – Liz MacKean

Politician of the Year – Lord Cashman and Lynne Featherstone MP

Publication of the Year – i

Sports Award of the Year (supported by Paddy Power) – Pride House

Writer of the Year – Sarah Waters

Community Group of the Year (supported by State Street) – OLGA (Older Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Association)

Advert of the Year – London Pride and Barclays (#FreedomTo)

Kemptown MP urges local Councils to support motion on HIV testing

Posted on 07/11/2014 by Besi

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has written to the leaders of the main political groups on both Brighton and Hove City and East Sussex County Councils to urge them to support a Council Motion on HIV Testing.

Simon Kirby MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven

RESEARCH SHOWS the earlier you test the better your prognosis. Recent statistics indicate that late diagnosis figures for HIV were at 42 per cent in 2013, which is down significantly from 54 per cent in 2008, but still shows that there is much more to do.

If diagnosed early, and treated correctly, those living with HIV have improved life expectancy and live healthy, active lives, which is why Mr Kirby says it is important for all Local Authorities, in particular, Brighton and Hove, to continue to push forward in working towards further reducing these figures.

The proposed Council Motion would see both Councils acknowledge the prevalence of HIV in the area, and commit to provide more HIV testing services. In 2012 there were an estimated 22,000 people living in the UK who were unaware of their HIV Positive status, further demonstrating the need for work to be done on this matter.

Simon said: “Through my work as both the MP for Brighton Kemptown, and the Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group HIV/AIDS, I have been a strong and vocal supporter of strengthened HIV testing.

“The figures clearly show that, whilst the situation is improving, there is still significant work to be done to reduce the proportion of late diagnoses, which have both a huge impact on quality of life, and are also a strain and cost for local services.

“I have written to the leaders of the political groups at Brighton and Hove City and East Sussex County Councils to urge them to support a Council Motion on HIV Testing, and I sincerely hope that this will be implemented.”

“I am willing to work with everybody that wants to in order to make a difference on this important matter. This is not about party politics, but about seeing a tangible difference to the lives of those living with HIV in the area.”

The fact remains that, if diagnosed late, there is a much higher likelihood of a need for more complex, expensive treatments, meaning that investing in early diagnosis will not only give many people a better quality of life and a longer life expectancy, but reduce the cost and strain on local healthcare services.

Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said Labour would support the Motion.

He responded to Mr Kirby, saying: “We support all efforts to improve HIV testing that builds on the investments in services made under the last Labour government” click here:

“I would hope that Mr Kirby can persuade his Conservative colleague in London to reverse the 50% cut in funding to HIV/AIDS services” click here:

If passed by the Local Councils, the Motion would see them openly pledge to halve both the percentage of people diagnosed late and the proportion of people living undiagnosed in the local area by 2020.

Make the first memory of a child waiting for adoption a happy one

Posted on 07/11/201407/11/2014 by Besi

Adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) is asking people to share their first memory for National Adoption Week (November 3-9).

MOST people’s earliest memory is from the age of three or four and PACT is running the My First Memory campaign to highlight the need for adopters for children aged four or over.

In the past year, 18 children adopted by PACT families were four years old or over. According to Adoption Link, more than half of children (58%) waiting to be adopted are aged four or older and will have started primary school without knowing who their permanent family is.

Many prospective adopters expect to adopt children under two years old, but PACT aims to find adopters for priority children including those that are older, in sibling groups or who have additional needs.

PACT Director for Adoption and Fostering, Shirley Elliott, said: “Older children and sibling groups are waiting to be adopted and we encourage families to be open to choosing children who may be past the baby or toddler stage.

“We would like to find families for all the children waiting, so they can come out of the care system and enjoy the family life they deserve.”

PACT Adoptive mum Sadie who adopted four-year-old twins Michelle and Matthew with her husband Darren said: “We felt drawn to these two, and as we read through their profiles, we could see they liked doing things we would enjoy helping them with such as playing with board games, walking and feeding the ducks.”

Darren said: “I hope that Matthew and Michelle will have lots of happy family play time memories to choose from when they are older.”

PACT is inviting people to contribute their earliest childhood memory, along with a photograph of themselves as a child, for its wall of memories.

To contribute, click here:

PACT is aiming to have 50 memories on its wall by the end of National Adoption Week (NAT) which runs from November 3-9.

Participants are encouraged to change their social media profile pictures to their childhood picture and to use the hashtag #MyFirstMemory to raise awareness of the need for adopters for older children during NAT.

People can choose to support PACT’s work during National Adoption Week and beyond by texting PACT10 £3 (or an amount of their choice) to 70070.

All money donated via text will be used to fund PACT’s award-winning therapeutic services FACTS that support adopting and fostering families.

The wall includes a contribution from TV presenter and PACT adopter Saira Khan who said: “My first memory was was when I was four and I was playing with my cousins in Kashmir.”

Among the children currently waiting for adoption are five-year-old twins Emma and Katie.

For more information about these children, click here:

For information about PACT’s adoption service and for dates of PACT Information evenings, click here:

Or telephone: 0300 456 4800

PACT supports vulnerable families through outstanding adoption services, permanent fostering, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects in London and the south.

Brighton Tinnitus Support Group meeting

Posted on 07/11/201406/11/2014 by Besi

After two very successful meetings, the newly formed Tinnitus Support Group in Brighton will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton from 6-7.30pm.

TINNITUS is defined as the experience of sounds with no external source, most commonly ringing or buzzing, but sometimes experienced as whooshing, clicking or even music. Many people aren’t troubled by sounds they hear, but for around 10%, the condition has a significant impact on their quality of life, often linked to stress, anxiety or sometimes depression.

Supported by the Audiology Department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, the group formed to ensure that people in the area are able to meet others with the condition and access information. Offering anyone troubled by tinnitus the chance to meet other sufferers in a supportive environment is vital to people both new to the condition and those who may have experienced it for some time.

Saskia Harden, Hearing Therapist from the hospital said: “We meet in the comfortable and calm atmosphere of the Friends Meeting House in central Brighton and have had two really successful meetings since we began our group in July. We welcome anyone from near or far to join us for an informal discussion of how tinnitus has impacted on the lives of our members and to share ideas on things that help. People attending previously have been diverse in terms of age and gender – so if you need help and support please do come along.”

Being amongst people who have tinnitus, listening to their experiences and how they have managed to handle things, is a tremendous help for the individual. It is amazing seeing the difference it makes to people, especially those who have recently been diagnosed.

Laura White, BTA Groups Project Manager, added: “Tinnitus can be an isolating condition, with friends and family sometimes finding it hard to understand how it feels to adapt to the presence of loud or persistent noises. Some people choose to bring a partner or family member to the meetings, which can often help both parties understand more about the condition and the experiences or behaviours it can bring”.

If you would like to attend the meeting, email:

Or telephone Saskia Harden on: 01273 664809

If you require communication support or an interpreter please email Saskia in advance of the meeting in order that this can be arranged.

Call us now

Day: November 7, 2014

Dancing on Ice celebrity launches Royal Pavilion Ice Rink

Over four hundred celebrities, journalists and dignitaries last night (November 6), enjoyed the fifth birthday party of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which opens to the public from November 8 to January 18.

Lord Cashman, Pepe Julian Onziema and Sarah Waters lead 2014 Stonewall Award winners

Ugandan activist Pepe Julian Onziema was named Hero of the Year at the annual Stonewall Awards in London last night.

Kemptown MP urges local Councils to support motion on HIV testing

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has written to the leaders of the main political groups on both Brighton and Hove City and East Sussex County Councils to urge them to support a Council Motion on HIV Testing.

Make the first memory of a child waiting for adoption a happy one

Adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) is asking people to share their first memory for National Adoption Week (November 3-9).

Brighton Tinnitus Support Group meeting

After two very successful meetings, the newly formed Tinnitus Support Group in Brighton will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton from 6-7.30pm.

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Over four hundred celebrities, journalists and dignitaries last night (November 6), enjoyed the fifth birthday party of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Ice Rink, which opens to the public from November 8 to January 18.

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Ugandan activist Pepe Julian Onziema was named Hero of the Year at the annual Stonewall Awards in London last night.

Share this:

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has written to the leaders of the main political groups on both Brighton and Hove City and East Sussex County Councils to urge them to support a Council Motion on HIV Testing.

Share this:

Adoption charity Parents And Children Together (PACT) is asking people to share their first memory for National Adoption Week (November 3-9).

Share this:

After two very successful meetings, the newly formed Tinnitus Support Group in Brighton will be holding its next meeting on Wednesday, November 12 at the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton from 6-7.30pm.

Share this:

Latest News