The day after Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady announced their support for the campaign to make the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) the UK’s first building to get listed status in recognition of its contribution to LGBTQ heritage, Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, adds his support to the campaign.
Boris Johnson: Mayor of London
Boris said:“The Royal Vauxhall Tavern has been a lynchpin at the heart of London’s LGBT community for more than six decades. This week, New York gave the Stonewall Inn landmark status, recognising its place in that city’s history. The RVT’s unique contribution to the vibrancy of London life should also be celebrated.
“It is a beacon that is known around the world and must be made a listed building so it can continue to shine for years to come.”
Amy Lamé
Amy Lamé, chair of RVT Future, the campaign that aims to ensure a thriving future for the RVT, said:“We are absolutely delighted to have Boris’s support. It’s great to know he takes the LGBT community’s interests seriously and loves the Royal Vauxhall Tavern as much as we do. We hope Historic England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport give the Mayor’s view due consideration as they consider the listing application.
McKellen and O’Grady, who developed his legendary character Lily Savage during a long-running residency at the Tavern, are among more than 30 performers, producers, local residents, LGBTQ charities, architects, historians and politicians who have written to Historic England (formerly English Heritage) to back the listing.
The RVT was built on the former grounds of the Vauxhall pleasure gardens around 1862, and has been a site of LGBTQ community and culture since the 1950s, if not earlier.
It was bought last year by Austrian property development company Immovate, which has repeatedly declined to give details of their plans for the site or meet members of the RVT community.
Immovate opposes the listing, claiming it would make even minor repairs so expensive that it would have to close the Tavern. The company has not given any evidence to support this claim. Hundreds of London pubs and businesses operate successfully from listed buildings.
Russia, Nigeria, Uganda, Egypt and Ghana will feature at the front of the parade – Nigerian born Londoner Bisi Alimi will carry the England flag.
In a display of solidarity for LGBT+people worldwide, over 200 international flag bearers will lead the Pride in London Parade this Saturday, June 27.
Representatives from countries including Russia, Nigeria, Uganda, Egypt and Ghana will be featured at the front of the procession to send a strong message of solidarity and support to those who still face oppression and lack of freedom in countries around the world.
Nigerian born Bisi Alimi, 40, who lives in Southwark, London will be carrying the England flag.
Bisi said:“It’s an honour to carry the English flag – it represents a place where I feel safe and a country which I now call my home. It makes such a powerful political statement to be from Nigeria – where same-sex relationships are criminalised – but to carry the flag of the country where I am an immigrant and am accepted and welcomed as myself.”
Sonya Woodruff, who is half Russian, half American born and lives in Wimbledon will be carrying the Russian flag.
Sonya said: “I’m half American, and half Russian but have always grown up in a very Western society. As a bisexual it’s shocking to me to know that if I had grown up in Russia, I would not be accepted for who I am.”
At the forefront of the procession, and flying the Union Jack, will be 17 year old ally and student Sasha from North London, who set up the first LGBT+ support group at her school.
Sasha said:“Since becoming aware of the daily struggles that so many LGBT+ people face, including some of my friends at school, I have been dedicated to helping eradicate this discrimination. I want to be as involved as possible in the promotion of equality for all, and it is an honour to lead the flagbearers in this year’s Pride Parade.”
Sasha cites the relationship between characters Kurt and Blaine on the hit television show Glee as inspiring her commitment to campaigning for LGBT+ rights and acceptance, saying it “broke [her] heart whenever they faced hate or discrimination.”
The theme of this year’s Pride Parade is Pride Heroes celebrating individuals who have contributed to LGBT+ rights over the years.
Participants and members of London’s LGBT+ community, including its straight allies, are being asked to nominate their own Pride Heroes, from the famous to the unsung, and to share their suggestions via the hashtag #PrideHeroes.
#PrideHeroes follows the success of last year’s award-winning #FreedomTo campaign, which ran across social, digital, OOH and PR channels.
This year’s over 250 community groups, charities, businesses and organisations have signed up to take part in the parade – 20% of them new to Pride this year.
Pride in London is a week-long festival from 20th to 28th June, celebrating all aspects of the LGBT+ community and is one of the city’s biggest one-day events, second only to the London Marathon.
The Parade leaves Baker Street at 1pm and will end up at Whitehall at approximately 4.30pm.
Attention dog owners, dog lovers, and everyone in-between…!
Brighton Big Screen organisers will be staging a dedicated ‘Doggy Screening’ for dog lovers in association with the South Downs National Park’s, ‘Take the Lead’ campaign, encouraging responsible dog walking.
The screening will take place on Sunday, August 16 from 2pm. take along you furry friend to watch this much-loved canine classic, 101 Dalmatians and hear stories from Mark Williams, also known as ‘Horace’, one of Cruella De Vil’s horrible henchman in the 1996 classic.
General admission is free or prices start from £4 for the Premium experience, which includes guaranteed covered seating.
Click here to book your tickets now and reserve your spot!
Residents in Hollingdean will be celebrating the launch of a new community café tomorrow (Saturday, June 27).
The new café, at Hollingdean Children’s Centre, will open every Saturday from 11am to 3pm for nine weeks, selling hot and cold drinks and cakes.
Run by volunteers, the café is being launched, in conjunction with the local “T in the Park” community picnic event run by Active for Life.
The café has been set up following requests from local residents who hope a weekend café at the centre will encourage more use of Hollingdean Park next door.
During the week a café is run by ‘The Bridge’ in the front foyer of the Children’s Centre, but until now the centre has closed at weekends.
Brighton & Hove City Council officers worked with members of the Hollingdean Development Trust, to set up the café for a trial period of nine weeks.
To help promote the new facility, volunteers have been busy organising other community initiatives over the summer months, including library events, a clean-up day organised by CityClean and “meet your local councillor” drop-in sessions.
If successful the café could pave the way for similar initiatives with community groups across the city.
Cllr Emma Daniel
Councillor Emma Daniel, Chair of the Neighbourhood, Communities and Equalities Committee said:“I am delighted that we have been able to work with residents and community groups to provide this new café which I’m sure will become a popular meeting place for local people over the coming weeks.”
The Green Party are holding a Fundraising Quiz at the Marlborough tonight, Friday, June 26 to raise money for the Green Party to take part in the Brighton Pride Parade on August 1.
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty “and your starter for 10”
Brighton & Hove Green Party say they have long been championing the rights of the LGBTIQ community both here and abroad.
Phélim Mac Cafferty, Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors said:“The Green Party has always been a leader on equality. Many LGBT people believe equality is a battle which we’ve won, yet in new research from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, almost 9 in 10 LGBT people had experienced ‘some form of hate incident leaving them with emotional and physical scars’.
“LGBT housing services are being devastated by government cuts, while pension equality for gay couples, mandatory sex and relationship education, and stronger legislation against hate crime all remain so important for LGBT equality.
“At a period of time when blood stocks with the National Blood Service are again low, locally we have lobbied government ministers to reduce the timescale for gay men to give blood. Our work for Trans equality continues unabated and Brighton and Hove is the first area in the country to have trans health included in our important Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.
“So far from achieving equality we are still on the path. Therefore Pride and events like it are incredibly important in terms of once again taking to the streets to call for equality. On Friday, June 26 we are raising funds so that the Green Party can have a vivid presence at the Pride march in August. Join us.”
Phélim Mac Cafferty will be the Quiz Master for the Green Party’s Pride Quiz Fundraiser tonight, Friday, June 26, from 7.30pm at The Marlborough, 4 Princes Street. All proceeds are to go towards this year’s Green Party Pride presence.
Entrance to the quiz is £3 which includes nibbles and prizes include tea and cake for five at Café Salvage, Western Road, Hove. There will also be a raffle with prizes including a £40 voucher for coach travel tickets to a festival of your choice donated by The Big Lemon as well as an Infinity Foods voucher.
In 2013 the Green Administration running Brighton and Hove City Council attempted to remove the council’s annual grant of £25,000 to Brighton Pride.
Former Green Cllr Geoffrey Bowden said: “Pride is not a sacred cow”
The Green lead on Pride, Cllr Geoffrey Bowden said during the council’s budget debate at the time: “Pride is not a sacred cow” and should not be treated as a special case. The Conservative and Labour group disagreed and joined together to secure the Pride funding continued for another year.
In the last two years, Brighton Pride have raised more than £110,000 for the Rainbow Fund to distribute to LGBT/HIV organisations providing effective front line services to the LGBT communities in Brighton and Hove.
Event: Greens Fundraising Quiz
Where: The Marlborough, 4 Princes Street, Brighton
Brighton & Hove City Council has allocated £6,000 from its Discretionary Grants Programme as small grants in support of Brighton & Hove Pride 2015.
Grants usually up to £500 are available to local community groups and voluntary organisations that are planning parade and/or park activities on August 1.
The following criteria will apply to all successful applications:
♦ You are a constituted group
♦ The activity will take place on August 1 on the Pride Parade or in Preston Park
♦ The activity is of a community/educational benefit to residents of Brighton & Hove
♦ The application is for up to £500, or a clear explanation is provided if an exceptional award of up to £1,000 has been requested
♦ You are prepared to participate in a simple monitoring exercise
To find out more and download an application form, click here:
Vogue face LGBTQ backlash following interview with model, singer and actress, Cara Delevingne.
More than 10,000 people have signed a Care2 petition demanding that Vogue Magazine apologise for publishing harmful stereotypes about bisexual women.
In their July 2015 issue, Vogue interviewed English model, actress and singer Cara Delevingne. During the interview she revealed that she is in a committed same-sex relationship with musician Annie Clark (also known by her stage name, St. Vincent.)
In response to the interview, more than 10,000 people have signed a Care2 petition demanding an apology from Vogues Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour for publishing the piece.
The petition takes the article’s writer. Rob Haskell, to task for characterising Delevingne’s relationship with women as a ‘phase’ – a harmful LGBTQ stereotype.
Haskell writes:“Her parents seem to think girls are just a phase for Cara, and they may be correct… When I suggest to Cara that to trust a man, she might have to revise an old and stubborn idea of hers – that women are perennially troubled and therefore only women will accept her – her smile concedes the point.”
Julie Rodriguez, author of the Care2 petition, says that it’s wrong of Haskell to equate same-sex relationships with childhood trauma or to characterise them as a phase.
Julie writes: “The idea that queer women only form relationships with other women as a result of childhood trauma is a harmful (and false) stereotype, that lesbian and bisexual women have been combating for decades.
“How could Vogue’s editorial staff green light this article and publish it without anyone raising concerns about this dismissive and demeaning language?”
Many of those who have signed the petition have added comments along with their signatures:
“Dear Vogue, I have been in a queer ‘phase’ for the entire 50 years of my life. I think it is much more than a phase for millions of us. And I would have thought that you would know better than to perpetuate such dismissive, demeaning, and harmful stereotypes. I am deeply disappointed and believe a full, prominent apology is the very least that you can do for your readership.” – James Ferguson, NY
“My daughter is gay and it is NOT a phase; it is an integral part of who she is and I love and accept her, for who she is! – Robert Wallace, CA
“As a longtime subscriber to Vogue, I am very disappointed in the lack of empathy and care that Rob Haskell shows in his interview with Cara Delevingne. Surely Mr. Haskell is a better listener, interviewer, and writer than this piece of his demonstrates. Vogue has made efforts to support the LGBT community; however, allowing this article to go to print makes me question how sincere this support is on their behalf. Vogue, please apologise for publishing such a careless and offensive piece in your pages. Thank you.” – Michelle Sorensen, TN
LGBT activist filmmaker Carmine Amoroso launches crowdfunding campaign for post production cost on his documentary, PORN TO BE FREE.
PORN TO BE FREE is a provocative political documentary that explores the sexual revolution from the 70s and 80s, through the genesis of porn, from the first magazines and photoshoots to the first porn stars.
Directed by controversial gay Italian director Carmine Amoroso, the film is an entirely independent production. PORN TO BE FREE documents the generation who fought for freedom of expression and sexual liberation.
The production is still ongoing, and a crowdfunding campaign has now been launched on Indiegogo to help fund post-production costs and complete the title so it’s ready for festivals and theatrical distribution.
Carmine Amoroso, is a writer, screenwriter and director. After writing numerous award-winning screenplays, he marked his debut with Embrasse-moi Pasqualino starring Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci – the first Italian movie to talk about the life of being transgender.
His second feature film, Cover Boy, which represented Italy in more than 90 film festivals worldwide, won multiple awards and was one of the 3 finalists to represent Italy at the Academy Awards in 2009.
From Italy, to Denmark and California, PORN TO BE FREE follows those who have made the sexual revolution possible. It is an archive and a social commentary on being sex positive in a society that prevents us from being sexually free. The film aims to present this in a light-hearted, yet deep and political way.
In the wake of the protest movement of 70s and 80s Europe, a freedom group of porn stars and filmmakers fought to break down social barriers and taboos in a continent that was still a prisoner of the catholic and communist sexual hypocrisy.
The film features the main protagonists of that time, including porn star Cicciolina and her mentor and pornographer Riccardo Schicchi, pioneer director Lasse Braun, LGBT activist Helena Velena as well as key feminist figures Giuliana Gamba and Lidia Ravera. The film also reveals the story of an unpublished short porn animation by Charlie Hebdo’s caricaturist Siné.
Fans and supporters who pledge towards the project can be amongst the first to see this revolutionary documentary as well as receiving very rare films such as Amoroso’s LGBT movies Embrasse-moi Pasqualino and Cover Boy, the cult porn Cicciolina and the Nuclear Orgy or even the first feminist porn film directed by Giuliana Gamba. Other perks for people who make financial pledges include invites to the film premiere and a weekend of debate in the extravagant Repubblica di Frigolandia in Italy.
Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady back Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) Future’s campaign to make the RVT a listed building.
On Wednesday, (June 24), New York’s Stonewall Inn was awarded Landmark Status in recognition of its role in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) history.
As London Pride approaches this weekend, Sir Ian McKellen and Paul O’Grady have given their support to a community campaign to make the Royal Vauxhall Tavern – believed to be the UK’s oldest LGBTQ pub and iconic performance space – a listed building for the same reason.
McKellen and O’Grady are among more than 30 performers, producers, local residents, LGBTQ charities, architects, historians and politicians who have written to Historic England (formerly English Heritage) to back the listing application made by RVT Future, a group of performers, producers and punters concerned by the RVT’s purchase by property developers last year. The pub’s local vicar is also on board with the campaign.
Paul O’Grady developed his legendary character Lily Savage at the RVT during a longrunning residency in the 80s.
Paul O’Grady
Paul writes:“I consider the venue to be my very own school of dramatic art,” O’Grady writes.
“The Vauxhall Tavern was our village hall” during a turbulent era marked by homophobia, police raids and the AIDS crisis.
He notes that following the closure of LGBTQ spaces across London, including the Black Cap in Camden, Madame Jojo’s in Soho and the Joiners Arms in Hackney, the RVT “is now one of the few remaining venues to showcase new and old talent every week”.
He believes the RVT: “should be offered protection to withstand today’s developers…
“Without listing, the threat to its future is all too real. With listing I know the community will rally round and ensure it remains an important venue for many decades to come.”
Sir Ian McKellen has also written to Historic England to support the application.
Sir Ian McKellen
“I support the campaign to grant the Royal Vauxhall Tavern listed status”, says Sir Ian, who was one of the original founder of Stonewall UK in 1989 and is himself co-owner of a listed pub, The Grapes in Limehouse.
The RVT was built on the former grounds of the Vauxhall pleasure gardens around 1862, and has been a site of LGBTQ community and culture since the 1950s, if not earlier and featured in last year’s international hit film Pride, ‘playing itself’ as a hub of community activism.
In the 1980s, RVT regulars Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett took Princess Diana to the Tavern for a night out, having dragged her up as a boy so she wouldn’t be recognised.
Famously in 1984, during a Lily Savage show, the pub was raided by police wearing rubber gloves because they were afraid of catching HIV. Savage and ten others were arrested in the ensuing melée.
A vital site of community and activism for decades, the RVT remains the home of longrunning drag and experimental performance nights including Olivier award-winning performance company Duckie, whose Saturday night residency began in 1995.
The RVT was bought last year by Austrian property development company Immovate, which has repeatedly declined to give details of their plans for the site or meet members of the RVT community. This prompted the formation of RVT Future.
Immovate opposes the listing, claiming it would make even minor repairs so expensive that it would have to close the Tavern. The company has not given any evidence to support this claim. Hundreds of London pubs and businesses operate successfully from listed buildings.
Historic England makes its recommendations on listing to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which has ultimate authority over listing designations.
The result of the RVT application is expected at some point this summer.
Claire Parker, is a stand up comedian, blogger, radio presenter, BBC writers consultant, project lead, oh and is a woman who also happens to be trans.
SHE is also effortlessly calm and on her BBC writers room blog states: Why don’t we all put down our mud. Draw a line under it all and invite each other to the party.
Making the trip to Brighton via Redhill, I began by asking Claire how she first developed an interest in performing on the stand up comedy circuit: The comedy started around seven or eight years ago. I’d wanted to do some acting and dabbled in amateur dramatics, some directing and sound and lighting, but then I took the Jill Edwards course in Brighton and it went from there to Edinburgh and all around the country. As part of the BBC writers room blog, Claire writes: I realised a long time ago that people were fed up with the myriad of documentaries and shock, voyeuristic programs purporting to show the trans experience. Contrary to the popular tropes and memes on telly, I do not spend sixty-two percent of my time in front of a mirror putting on make up. Neither do I supplement my pension by working the streets for money. She explained to me that When I started I did that whole trans-angst thing but quickly realised people didn’t want to know about the gory side of what my life might mean to me, people are much more engaged in your comedy, and conversation, when they discover the bits in the middle. What helps people come over to your side are the bridges you’re able to build between people and as a comedian I accept that some just don’t want to hear about the trans stuff. Eddie Izzard used to talk about his transvestism in his act but he doesn’t now, not that Transvestism and Trans issues are at all the same, they’re not.
And how do audiences receive you?Do you notice much of a change depending on where you are in the country?Where I am can determine how the material lands, sometimes, the further I am away from the culture the jaws drop and I can hear the gasps, but to be honest it’s only the Daily Mail reading chattering classes that are really difficult. If an audience starts to go quiet you know you’re losing them, if they start talking it’s getting worse and then once the heckles come you just have to say ‘hey – I tried’. Sometimes the audiences you think might be trouble are not at all. Such as?I’ve had some great gigs in what are essentially builders pubs. Most people are quite matter of fact, skin deep. Loads of guys want to come up and say hello but they do what I call the“I’M NOT GAY handshake”. What’s that?? They thrust their upper body forward but push their arse as far away as possible because they don’t see that there’s a difference between homosexuality and trans. Preference and gender are just not the same thing.
It must take guts to stand up on stage in that kind of environment does the safety factor never cross you mind?I’ve only been physically attacked once. You know the scene in Crocodile Dundee where he [Paul Hogan] grabs the crotch? After a gig, this guy came up to me and, well he thought he had the right to re-enact that Croc Dundee scene. As he grabbed me he even said “Crocodile Dundee!” as though that made it acceptable, explaining why he was doing it you know?
Have you noticed attitudes begin to change over the years?Caitlin Jenner has received a lot of attention in the past couple of weeks, does this kind of international attention help at all?Look, it’s been great for her although I understand there’s a little backlash happening right now. I just wish celebrities would come out sooner and not wait until it’s safe to ride on the established bandwagon. Is it right for the trans community to only get this level of attention in the celebrity domain? Let me ask you Craig; what do you think of it? Does this attention push our message on or normalise what it’s like to be trans?
I thought Jon Stewart’s comments were interesting, the ‘welcome to what it means to be an American woman’ approach. Your athletic achievements no longer have meaning it’s all about your appearance, and give it two years, as soon as you’re sixty-five you’ll disappear from view like all older women who are no longer considered young enough to be attractive.Exactly, the danger with Caitlin Jenner being the celebrity face of trans is an expectation that all trans women must conform to a particular type of what is considered beautiful. It’s just not realistic.
Why do you think it took Stonewall so long to add the ‘T’ into their organisation?I would love Ruth [Hunt, Chief Executive of Stonewall] to come onto my radio show so that I can ask her exactly that question. It is great that they are recognising the T aspect of LGBT and I don’t want to be negative about what happened in the past. I guess they were getting to a particular stage with the LGB, I don’t believe they were intentionally exclusive, they just didn’t have that experience of being exposed to the everyday life of the trans community.
What do you think changed for them?When enough pressure builds up it just washes in and whilst it would be fantastic to know what changed, it’s fantastic to have that credibility now.
Claire can be heard on her monthly outing on Radio Reverb with Time 4 T, Europe’s only dedicated transgender FM radio show, 97.2FM and you can follow her blog at www.transcomedyaward.org
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