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Month: February 2015

Justice Minister promises pardons for people with historic convictions

Posted on by Besi

Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes today promised legislation before the May General Election to pardon those with historic convictions for being homosexual.

Justice Minister: Simon Hughes MP
Justice Minister: Simon Hughes MP

Mr Hughes made the promise this afternoon during a political hustings event at National Student Pride at the University of Westminster in Marylebone.

He said if there is not enough parliamentary time to change the law, it will be part of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto.

Around 49,000 men were convicted of gay sex with people over the age of 16 before the law was repealed in 1967.

The campaign was spurred on after, in 2013, the Queen pardoned Alan Turing, the World War Two codebreaker, who was prosecuted in 1952 for ‘homosexual acts’.  Turing underwent chemical castration before committing suicide in 1954.

The National Student Pride panel debate was chaired by BBC Newsnight anchor Evan Davis, who gave representatives from the major political parties the opportunity to compete for the LGBTI student vote. UKIP snubbed the invitation to send a representative.

The Green party were popular with the audience and Evan Davis noted even Labour supporter and columnist Owen Jones seemed to agree more with the Greens than Labour. The Greens’ key pledge was to scrap tuition fees,

Stonewall co-founder Lord Michael Cashman called on people to fight for the future of the National Health Service.

Conservative MP Mike Freer told the students: “The most important thing, whether you are gay or straight, is the economy. This government has delivered and will continue to deliver.”

A show of hands at the end of the discussion indicated most students will vote Labour or Green – and crucially the fact that none will back UKIP received a round of applause.

Student Pride is an annual national event which this year celebrated its tenth anniversary and was hosted at the University of Westminster, Marylebone, for the second year running.

 

 

 

Calling gay men everywhere

Posted on by Alice Blezard

Experience the world’s only gay meditation dance retreat!

VacationTHIS May will see the world’s only meditation run for and by gay men take place in Turkey. Led by skilled gay teachers, Vacation will run for five days between May 20 and 25 and costs £295 per person.

The event aims to offer a rare chance for gay men of all ages from across the UK to get away and dance together as a community. No previous experience is necessary in order to take part.

Vacation offers gay men the chance to experience the healing power of meditative dance. Tucked away in a beautiful Turkish eco-resort, the 2015 event will be the third annual five-day workshop.

Vacation means to vacate oneself, and has traditionally been seen as a spiritual journey or retreat – to stand back, reflect and find a deeper connection with our physical, emotional and spiritual selves.

Throughout the five days you will move from ‘doing’ to ‘being’, as you take refuge from your daily lives and kick-start your summer, relaxing by the sea.

Vacation

There will be plenty of free time to enjoy the wonderful eco-beach resort as you take time to share, create, swim and dance. There are no prerequisites for this retreat, and guys with no prior dance, movement or meditation experience are very welcome to join.

Anyone can do meditative dance – there are no rules, you can come as you are. As well as the physical benefits, people have reported that dance meditation has led to increased self-esteem and improved relationships with themselves and others.

Vacation’s past participants are a diverse group and come from all walks of life. The men who come to the Vacation retreats are keen to explore the chance to connect deeply with each other and build community, creating a new circle of friends along the way.

For more information contact, Neil Young on: 07940 112142

Or email: vacation@freedom-dance.com

 

Lib Dems in Regency bid

Posted on by Alice Blezard

The Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the Regency ward at the coming council elections.

Trevor Freeman and Beth Johnson-Dawes
Trevor Freeman and Beth Johnson-Dawes

THE Regency ward seats are currently held by the Green Party council leader Jason Kitcat and his wife Ania, however the Liberal Democrats have their eyes set on taking back the seats they previously held.

The newly appointed candidates are a long-standing Regency ward resident and a 21-year-old University of Sussex student.

Trevor Freeman, 67, is an accountant who was born in Brighton and has lived in the Regency ward since 1977. “If elected, I will work with Regency residents to make sure their needs are high on the list of council priorities,” he said. “We particularly need to get a grip on waste and recycling, as well as work to get a new secondary school.”

Trevor is joined by Beth Johnson-Dawes, who is two thirds of the way through an economics and politics degree at the University of Sussex.

She says: “I believe strongly in political participation and communication in working towards reform. Residents need to feel they can contact their councillor easily, so if elected I will work to keep a regular dialogue with residents and make it easier for all the parts of the Regency community to communicate with me and the wider council.”

The Lib Dem candidates have traditionally done well in Regency. It is their most successful ward in the area covered by the Brighton Pavilion constituency, currently represented at parliamentary level by the UK’s only Green MP Caroline Lucas.

 

EastEnders to create trans* storyline

Posted on by Besi

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, executive producer of EastEnders, revealed during National Student Pride this afternoon that he is set to create a trans* storyline for the iconic British soap.

Dominic Treadwell-Collins
Dominic Treadwell-Collins

 

HE told a packed audience at the University of Westminster, which was hosting the event: “I am planning to write a trans storyline. Pen hasn’t hit paper yet but research is in the planning.”

Treadwell-Collins announced the plans during the event’s Representation in Film and TV discussion, which also featured Emmerdale’s Alicia Eyo, Waterloo Road’s Heather Peace and Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black.

Although he said that writing hadn’t started, he added: “The power of EastEnders is that we can change the world a little.”

The producer, who’s just finished #EELive, said that he would be keen to cast a transgender actor in the role.

Trans activist Paris Lees said: “It’s more authentic for a trans* person to play a trans* character.” She also told Treadwell-Collins she would hold him to his plans.

Treadwell-Collins realises that there will be some challenges in tackling such a storyline.

Talking about Eddie Redmayne’s new role in the Danish Girl, he said: “We have to be very, very careful about what we say. With EastEnders you’re preaching about LGBT issues to a lot of people who don’t want to hear it.”

Student Pride is an annual national event which this year celebrated its tenth anniversary and was hosted at the University of Westminster, Marylebone, for the second year running.

Same-sex couple turned away from popular Scottish wedding venue

Posted on by Besi

The provisions of the Equality Act 2010 make it illegal for a provider of goods, facilities or services to deny someone a service because of their sexual orientation, race, religious beliefs, and other protected characteristics. This includes hotels and wedding venues.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 came into effect on December 16 2014, allowing same-sex marriage in Scotland. Over 500 same-sex couples have already made use of the new law.

The Equality Network has produced a guide to the new law informing same-sex couples and LGBTI people of their rights, including protections from discrimination:

To download a copy of the guide, click here:

 

Councillors fail to set a budget

Posted on by Besi

Following the failure of Brighton and Hove City Council to set a budget for 2015-16 at the Council’s budget meeting on Thursday night (February 26), the Labour leadership is calling on Green and Conservative councillors to come to an agreement when the council reconvenes on Tuesday so that residents, services and businesses are clear about the future.

Cllr Warren Mogan: Leader of Labour and Cooperative Group
Cllr Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Co-operative group

Councillor Warren Morgan, leader of the Labour and Co-operative group, said: “There is an agreement on the table that keeps our children’s centres open, funds important voluntary groups, freezes essential parking charges, protects some services for children with special needs and a good deal more.” 

“All parties on the council will get something from this deal, and most importantly, residents and services will get a lot out of it. Alongside an affordable increase in council tax, I believe this is a reasonable and sensible compromise we can all unite around.”

“The alternative is to vote down the budget entirely and hand control of our local services to government appointed Whitehall bureaucrats, which would be a disaster for our city. It’s time to show some leadership and common sense.”

The Conservative group have responded by urging the Labour Party to back them in supporting a council tax freeze for residents after this, they say, emerged as the most popular budget option with councillors at Thursday’s budget meeting, which ended in stalemate.

In the substantive vote on the 3 budget options on the table, 17 councillors voted for a council tax freeze, with just 13 councillors each voting for a 2% increase and a 5.9% increase.

Conservatives are also calling on Independent councillor Christina Summers and UKIP councillor Leigh Farrow, who voted against all 3 proposals on the table, to back the freeze in order to pass a lawful budget when the Council reconvenes next Tuesday (March 3).

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald:
Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Conservative group

Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, leader of the Conservative group, said: “It was clear on Thursday that the council-tax freeze option had the greatest amount of support among members of the Council. I, therefore, feel very strongly that it is incumbent upon Labour group members in particular to compromise when we meet again next week to try and set a lawful budget.

“Labour’s 2% increase proposal would only raise an extra £900k – a tiny fraction of the Council’s overall £750 million budget – after taking into account the council tax freeze grant from the Government of £1.2 million. And as I pointed out at Thursday’s meeting, a 2% increase would be 7 times the current rate of inflation, and at a time when most household bills are falling this is simply not justifiable. I urge the Labour group, the smallest political group on the Council, to compromise and help us deliver what the residents of this city clearly want – a council tax freeze.”

 

Police and Crime Commissioner opens new LGBT Community Safety Forum office

Posted on by Besi

Katy Bourne the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Sussex Police cut the tape to open the new office of the LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) on Wednesday (February 25).

Kary Bourne PCC opens the new office for the LGBT Community Safety Forum office
Kary Bourne PCC opens the new office for the LGBT Community Safety Forum office

THE Commissioner was joined by Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp the Divisional Commander for Brighton and Hove, Peter Kyle the Labour parliamentary candidate for Hove & Portslade and Billie Lewis the elected chair of the LGBT CSF.

The office space is provided free of charge to the LGBT CSF through a Charity accommodation initiative.

The LGBT Community Safety Forum is in receipt of a grant of £8,376.20. from the Police and Crime Commissioners’ Safer in Sussex Community Fund to help fund the LGBT CSF Report It initiative and is funded through a grant from the Rainbow Fund.

Billie Lewis, volunteer chair of the LGBT CSF, said: “Having an office space has made us even more accessible to the community. We can now assist the community in reporting Hate crime and other incidents through our Report It initiative via a safe and independent space. We are truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to develop our work programme and strengthen our relationships with other small community organisations.

“We do not have to spend a single penny of our funding on rent, parking or utilities. The only costs incurred are for our telephones and internet. Even our furniture has been donated via recycling organisations like Freegle. In fact 98 percent of our total office structure has been donated. We would like to thank Cat Fletcher from Freegle in particular for all of her support during the set up of the new space.”

The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum are located on the 6th Floor of Prestomex House, 171-173 Preston Road. Brighton. BN1 6BN.

For more information about the LGBT CSF, click here:

To contact the LGBT CSF, telephone: 01273 231189 or text 07827 811454                                           or email: info@lgbt-help.com

 

Benefit fraudsters avoid jail

Posted on by Besi

A Hove couple who fraudulently claimed nearly £54,000 in benefits while running a lettings agency were handed suspended jail sentences at Brighton Crown Court today, Friday, 27 February.

Brighton & Hove City CouncilHIS Honour Judge Tain sentenced James Furness, 50, formerly of St Aubyns, Hove, to a term of 16 months in prison suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £2,698.75.

The judge sentenced Sonja Pullan, 55, to 11 months prison suspended for two years and 100 hours unpaid work. She will also have to pay £2,698.75 costs.

Mr Furness told the council he only had one bank account but a joint investigation by Brighton & Hove City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions revealed he also had three business accounts for a company called Hove Properties.

He neglected to declare his partner Ms Pullan who was also in receipt of benefits. Mr Furness’s business accounts were all registered at 41 Goldstone Way, Hove, which was Ms Pullan’s address.

Between them the couple claimed £22,000 in Housing and Council Tax benefits. The rest of the benefit money was for Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance.

The council’s investigation uncovered at least 18 properties being managed by Hove Properties and 66 documents linking Mr Furness to the lettings agency. There were also documents linking Ms Pullan and Mr Furness to the running of Hove Properties.

Mr Furness claimed he was paying rent when he wasn’t and Ms Pullan produced false receipts purporting to be for rent received from him. He also produced a tenancy agreement for the flat in St Aubyns when he was not living there. Investigators found a third party living at the property.

The investigation revealed that Ms Pullan received income from foreign students as well as money from her work at Hove Properties.

Tony Barnard, Corporate Fraud Manager for Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “This was a blatant abuse of welfare benefits but thanks to the diligent efforts of officers from the council and DWP, we were able to prove overwhelming evidence of fraud. We will now be taking steps to recover the money for taxpayers.”

Reverbathon is back!

Posted on by Besi

RadioReverb celebrates its 8th Birthday with an all live marathon weekend starting March 6.

Radio Reverb Team

RADIOREVERB,  a community radio station is run entirely by volunteers and turns eight this March. To celebrate, the station will be broadcasting a Reverbathon live from the evening of Friday, 6 March to midnight of Sunday, March 8 2015 on 97.2FM or to listen online, click here: 

The Reverbathon is RadioReverb’s annual fundraiser and allows the station to produce special one-off programmes, either from regular presenters, or for new producers. As well as featuring live music sessions from local bands, reporters will be out making location features and studio guests will provide lively conversation about local events and matters.

Other regular favourites will be Frockabilly, the UK’s only female-fronted rockabilly show, Out In Brighton, the city’s award-winning LGBT show, The Comedy Social, a lively hour of comedy guests, music and sketches, and Time 4 T, the UK’s only Transgender show on FM.

Some of the presenters will pair up to create a new show that brings together the best of their regular shows, and new programmes include a pilot for a monthly food programme, featuring the best in local food and drink.

Melita Dennett, Chair of RadioReverb, said: “The Reverbathon gives us an opportunity to engage with listeners and sponsors in a different way, all being part of a rolling fundraiser. Last year we raised £2,000 in 36 hours and this year we plan to smash that. All money raised goes directly back into the running of the station, upgrading equipment and giving an opportunity to bring in new shows and new local voices.” 

As well as celebrating eight years, Sunday, March 8 is also International Women’s Day so from 8am to midnight the station will feature 100% female presenters in a Women’s Takeover Day.

Melita added: “Nobody is paid to work on RadioReverb – we’re all volunteers and we do it because we have a passion for radio, and we love Brighton and Hove and believe the city deserves a radio station that really reflects its character, communities and interests.” 

As well as the music there will be an opportunity to become an ‘Official Supporter’ of Radio Reverb as they are launching their initiative to create 100 supporters over the weekend.

Names and recognition will be added to the website as financial support enables the station to operate throughout the year. To qualify, listeners and supporters are asked to donate anything between £20 and £500 via the DONATE button on the home page of the website.

The Reverbathon starts broadcasting live on Friday evening, March 6.

If your a business and would like to be part of the 2015 Reverbathon, click here:

Stonewall launches young writers’ competition

Posted on by Besi

Judges include best-selling author S J Watson, poet Dean Atta and Stonewall CEO, Ruth Hunt.

S J Watson
S J Watson

STONEWALL, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality charity, has launched its first Young Writers’ competition for budding authors between the ages of 14 and 17.

The competition invites young people to submit short stories and poems that support the theme of ‘LGBT equality: changing hearts and minds’.

Entries will be judged by best-selling author S J Watson (Second Life and Before I Go to Sleep), poet Dean Atta and Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt.

S J Watson, a Stonewall Ambassador, launched the competition last night at Foyles’ stylish new event space in London.

He said: “I’ve been a Stonewall Ambassador for three years and was thrilled to be asked to judge this writing competition. Changing Hearts and Minds is an important theme to reflect how much progress has been made for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality, and I look forward to seeing how our young entrants capture that in their writing.”

Dean Atta, who will judge the competition alongside Watson, has written about homophobia in hip hop and his own experiences of growing up gay. He has been commissioned to write poems for the Damilola Taylor Trust and the National Portrait Gallery, and was named one of the most influential LGBT people in 2012 by the Independent on Sunday’s Pink List.

Dean Atta said: “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans equality is an issue that so many young people feel passionate about, and this competition gives them a great platform to communicate that. I’m a huge advocate of Stonewall’s work and am thrilled to be a part of this with them.”

The competition has been funded by S J Watson and Nic Ib, and The Shelagh Anne Venning Trust, which was set up by Stonewall Ambassadors Kath Gotts and Maureen Chadwick (Chad), in memory of Chad’s sister.

Ruth Hunt, Stonewall CEO said: “Young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, and their allies, are the future of the LGBT equality movement. As Stonewall looks to change hearts and minds, it’s important we hear from young people so we can all continue on that journey together. We look forward to reading those thoughts, experiences and perspectives through short stories and poems, and are delighted to have huge writing talents like Dean Atta and S J Watson judging the competition.”

Entrants can submit their work into two categories: poetry or short stories. A winner will be picked from each category, and prizes include a £150 book token.  Two runners-up from each category will receive £50 book tokens.

The deadline for entries is May 22, 2015, with the winners are expected to be announced on June 15, 2015.

For more information on the competition and how to enter, click here:

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