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Football v Homophobia

Last Sunday, February 15, Sussex FA hosted a benefit match against BLAGSS in aid of Football vs Homophobia, an international initiative opposing homophobia in football at all levels – from grassroots to professional clubs.

BLAGSS Football Team

BLAGSS football group, part of the Brighton Lesbian and Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS) used the event to celebrate their affiliation to Sussex FA.

The teams played out a 0-0 stalemate, but the game was far from uneventful. BLAGSS had some of the better chances, going just over the top right corner of the goal in the first half, and hitting the crossbar early in the second.

Sussex turned-on the pressure late in the second half and came close to stealing a win, but the BLAGSS goalie, Kurt Matthews did an excellent job between the sticks to keep a clean sheet and win man of the match.

BLAGSS were presented with a commemorative banner by Sussex FA Chairman Mathew Major, and both groups agreed to make this an annual fixture.

BLAGSS Football Rep, Elliot Toms said: “We thank Darren, Ashley and the Sussex team for a great day celebrating diversity in football. Our affiliation marks the positive contribution the LGBT community and our friends can make in the national game, and visa versa. We just want to share our love of football, and we are always looking for new members of all abilities.”

Worthing Football Club were excellent hosts, sacrificing their beautiful pitch in the process. Around 50 supporters turned up give their support and £75 was raised in donations for charity.

For more information about Football v Homophobia, click here: 

For more information about Blagss, click here:

 

Nancy Platts calls for explanation from NHS England about payments for patients from Eaton Place GP surgery

NHS England has contacted Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven to inform her that Eaton Place Surgery will not be continuing after February 28.

Nancy Platts: Labour Parliamentary candidate, Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Nancy Platts: Labour Parliamentary candidate, Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

PLANS for a surgery to be opened by The Brighton Health and Wellbeing Centre announced last month by Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven have fallen through and Nancy Platts has asked for clarification from NHS England if local GPs in Brighton and Hove are being offered £25 per patient to take former Easton Place patients onto their books.

Nancy Platts said: “News from NHS England that the GP surgery in Eaton Place is now going to close is hugely disappointing for local people. In a little over 10 days’ time, around 3,500 patients are going to be left without a GP.

“Premature announcements about a new GP taking over have caused total confusion and this situation has gone from chaos to complete farce. I am concerned that there is a now a high risk people will go to A&E which is already under severe pressure.

“I am also calling on NHS England to clarify whether it is true that a payment of £25 per patient is being paid to any GP willing to take on a patient from Eaton Place surgery.”

Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said: “This news is very disappointing and frustrating. Having worked so hard to put all the interested parties together to enable the approval and ratification by NHS England of the branch application I was very optimistic that local people would continue to enjoy a GP surgery at Eaton Place. It is saddening that the final discussions between these various groups have not been successful.

“I remain committed to finding a solution for patients and firmly believe that Eaton Place remains an appropriate location for a GP surgery. I have therefore offered to host a roundtable discussion with the current GPs, the Dr who wants to take over the practice and NHS England to try and find a way forward for patients, even at this late stage.”

 

 

What makes life ‘liveable’ for LGBTQ people?

And what makes life not liveable?

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A new research projectLGBTQ Liveable Lives – wants to hear from you and to help you share your thoughts, the project has just launched a new interactive website and web-based app you can use on your phone!

Visit liveablelives.org to look around and get involved!

LGBTQ Liveable Lives is an international research project working in the UK and India. The researchers and activists involved are asking what makes life liveable, rather than just bearable, for LGBTQ people.

Kath Browne
Kath Browne

Dr. Kath Browne from the University of Brighton, says: “We are interested in what people think makes their lives liveable.  We don’t know what this might mean, but it is about more than just surviving, what does it mean to live”?

The researchers think that the idea of liveablility for LGBTQ people may have the potential to develop new ways of talking about what would improve life for LGBTQ people, and might help to inform activism and political change.

If you identify within LGBTQ (including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer) and you live in the UK or India, you are invited to sign up to the website and connect with the project in any number of different ways:

• Share your experiences of your liveable (or not liveable) life
• Take part in surveys
• Chat with other LGBTQ people
• Upload photos of where life feels liveable to you

The Liveable Lives research project is looking at how the concept of Liveable Lives plays out in experiences of everyday lives in different places, and how it might be powerful in activism. Researchers think that the concept may have the potential to develop new ways of thinking and talking about the concerns of LGBTQ people, and might help to inform new initiatives and strategies to address issues.

The project is being run by two academics, Dr Kath Browne (University of Brighton, UK) and Dr Niharika Banerjea (University of Southern Indiana, USA), in partnership with Sappho for Equality, a sexuality rights organisation in Kolkata, India (http://sapphokolkata.org/).

They are working with staff recruited to work on the project and activists in Kolkata and in Brighton. A wider group of activists and academics work with the project as an advisory team to guide its development.

This research is paid for by a grant for the Economic and Social Research Council in the UK under its ‘Transformative Research’ programme.

For more information, click here:

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Health will be on the agenda at South West’s biggest Pride event

Preparations are well in hand for the seventh Exeter Pride on May 16, which promises to be the biggest, most colourful event, to date, with more than 2,000 people expected to take part in the largest rainbow flag parade the city has ever seen.

Exeter Pride 2014
Exeter Pride 2014

HEALTH and well-being advice and information will be found at the South West’s biggest free celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.

The Health Zone at this year’s Exeter Pride, will include free HIV testing, free safe sex packs and information about mental health, counselling and other health issues.

Everyone is invited to walk in the Pride Parade in support of Exeter’s LGBT communities. The parade will include community groups, firefighters, police, students, trade union groups, business LGBT groups, individuals and volunteers carrying a 50-metre rainbow flag.

To register a group or organisation on the parade, email:

The parade will begin at the St Sidwell’s Community Centre and make its way down Exeter high Street. After the parade there will be a full programme of family friendly activities at the Exeter Phoenix in Gandy Street for children, young people and adults.

The Pride Marketplace, which will include dozens of stalls from local and national organisations and groups, will be held in Rougemont Gardens.

To book a stall, email:

A full programme of events, will include a family zone, the return of the popular drumming workshop, a ceilidh and a panel debate. Evening events will include live music and DJs.

Admission to some evening activities will be by wristband only, which will be available from selected outlets.

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Devon County Council flag raising ceremony at County Hall,, with councillors, Pride members and guests held in 2014

 

Devon County Council will be raising a flag at County Hall in Topsham Road before the day.

Neil Clements, chairman of Exeter Pride committee, said: “Exeter Pride is a celebration of the the city and county’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans communities.

“It is about us having pride in our contributions to not just a vibrant and diverse city, but all of Devon and the city and county having pride in us.”

He added: “Exeter Pride would not be possible without generous donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals and the fundraising efforts of many volunteers.

“Together with generous sponsorship from our partners, we are able to keep all our daytime events, free-of-charge.”

“Volunteers are a vital part of helping to make things run smoothly and more volunteers are still needed to help steward the parade as well as helping to set up at Exeter Phoenix.

“Anyone who could spare some time to help can make contact through the Exeter Pride website or email: volunteering@exeterpride.co.uk.

“For further details, including how to advertise in the Pride programme, please email: secretary@exeterpride.co.uk.”

For further information about Exeter Pride on May 16 and to sign up to be a volunteer, click here:

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Sheila McWattie R.I.P.

Journalist, community activist and passionate supporter of the Brighton Women’s Centre, Sheila McWattie passed away over the weekend.

Sheila McWattie

Details of Sheila’s funeral will be posted online once arrangement have been made by her family.

Friends have created a facebook group for people to share their memories. click here:

 

 

 

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