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Day: September 24, 2015

‘Humans of Kemptown’ a living encyclopaedia of people

Posted on by Alice Blezard

Brighton is a city long-famed for its vibrant and diverse communities, with Kemptown the jewel in city’s colourful cultural crown.

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Diversity is something that can often be under-appreciated, when it instead deserves to be celebrated. With record crowds flocking to the 25th Anniversary of Pride in Brighton this year we are launching a new photography project which aims to do just that.

Our new project will combine street photography with human geography, using quotes and snapshots to create a catalogue of stories that showcase the vibrance of everyday life for those living, shopping and socialising in Kemptown. The collection of stories, past and present, will celebrate the people who come together to make Brighton such a brilliant city.

The history of LGBTQ+ culture in Brighton & Hove is both rich and extensive – lets keep it alive, and celebrate the differences which make each and every one of us unique. By sharing images and stories, the project aims to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of Kemptown village and it’s inhabitants.

Would you like to be featured as a part of this project?

If you have a story to tell, big, small or tall, then get in touch by sending us an email – please include some details about you, your story and ideally a photo.

Email: info@gscene.com

You can also follow the project on Instagram: @gscenemag

Brighton & Hove Lib Dems win Penhaligon Award for recruitment of new members

Posted on by Gary Hart

Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats have won the Penhaligon award in recognition of their ability to recruit and enthuse new members.

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L to R: Liberal Democrat President Sal Brinton, local party activist Jeremy Gale, local party Chair Paul Chandler

The award was presented by Liberal Democrat President Sal Brinton at the national party conference in Bournemouth on September 23. It recognises the local party’s recent achievements, which include doubling membership numbers, forming a partnership with Liberal Youth and the appointment of new ward leaders to launch a strong campaign for the next council elections in 2019.

Baroness Brinton said; “The Penhaligon Award is awarded to the local party which demonstrates the greatest increase in party membership together with activities to deliver and involve members and activists. This has been more than amply demonstrated by Brighton & Hove local party. 

The trophy was presented to Chair of the local party Paul Chandler and active local campaigner Jeremy Gale, who accepted the award on behalf of all members of Brighton & Hove Liberal Democrats. 

Speaking after the presentation, Paul Chandler said: “This is an honour and a surprise. Jeremy and I are delighted to represent all the officers and members of Brighton and Hove Lib Dems who have worked so hard to fight back after the shocking defeat in May.”

Brighton Kemptown MP urges Council and Police action on new traveller settlement

Posted on by Sarah Green

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven urges both Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council to move on travellers just arrived in Woodingdean.

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The MP has written to Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police urging them to move on travellers who have just arrived, once again, on the land adjacent to the Woodingdean Lawn Memorial.

Mr Kirby says he is calling for action following representations from many concerned constituents who have contacted him about this latest unauthorised encampment.

Mr Kirby said; “This is not the first time that we have had unauthorised traveller presence on the land adjacent to the Woodingdean Lawn Memorial and my constituents are worried that we will have a repeat of the disrespectful incidents that happened last time.  

“Local people in Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven are very concerned about the continual unauthorised traveller encampments we have had recently and also the time it takes for the Council and the Police to move them on.

“I need to reassure my constituents by advising them when this will happen and I have asked the Council and the Police to advise me accordingly.”

Rupaul’s Drag Race winner to appear at Revenge

Posted on by Graham Robson

Jinkx Monsoon the winner of Season 5 of Rupaul’s Drag Race, is coming to The Powder Room at Revenge on October 9.

Jinkx Monsoon
Jinkx Monsoon

Recognised as one of the hardest working women in showbiz Jinkx will bring her signature cocktail of cabaret to Brighton, with support from Powder Room’s own talentless trio the House of Grand Parade, the fabulous Prudence Rae and all hosted by Joe Black.

Advance tickets are available from £15 online in what looks set to be another sell-out show at Revenge.

Event: The Powder Room presents: Jinkx Monsoon

Where: Revenge

When: October Friday 9

Time: Showtime is 9pm, 18+ only

Tickets: £15

To book online, click here:

New patron for Brighton bears group

Posted on by Graham Robson

2015 has been a record-breaking year for Brighton Bear Weekender (BBW), with more men, more events and more money raised for the Rainbow Fund than ever before.

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Chris Murphy who originally had the idea for the BBW has been appointed as the organisations first Patron.

Chris said; “BBW started in 2009 when the original Kings Arms was around. At that point, it was Brighton’s bear bar. I was going to call it BBC, Brighton Bears and Cubs. Unfortunately, the King Arms closed and that put a kibosh on that. It was a transitional time and The Camelford Arms was just opening and establishing itself. I contacted David Silver. Initially, he did not take me that seriously. The first one had to happen to prove that it could be done. No money was made that year, but by year two we were able to show that we could bring guys into the city for the weekend which resulted in 2015 with us raising the most money we ever have for the Rainbow Fund, £5,653. In total to date over the 6 years £15,000 has been raised for The Rainbow Fund

A spokesman for Brighton Bear Weekend, said; “Without the hard work and struggle over the first 2 years of BBW we would not be here now with a city-wide event that attracts bears from all over Europe to Brighton and Hove. BBW has blossomed into the second biggest weekend on the LGBT community calendar in Brighton after Pride and a major fundraiser for The Rainbow Fund. The committee have been close friends with Chris and we will miss his contributions at committee meetings. We know we have Chis‘s support and look forward to seeing him at events in future and in our promotional photos.”

The Rainbow Fund give grants, through an independent grants programme to LGBT/HIV organisations who deliver effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton and Hove.

Scottish setback on future of civil partnerships

Posted on by Gary Hart

The Equality Network, Scotland’s national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality charity, has expressed surprise and disappointment at the position taken by the Scottish Government on the future of civil partnership.

Equality NetworkThe charity was responding to the Scottish Government’s publication today of a consultation paper on possible changes to civil partnership law.

Tim Hopkins
Tim Hopkins

Tim Hopkins, Director of the Equality Network, said; “We welcome the publication of the consultation paper. But we are surprised and disappointed that the Scottish Government appear to have decided already to oppose equal civil partnership, that is, making civil partnership available to all couples regardless of gender.

“In our view, that is the only option that respects both equality and diversity. We know that a significant minority of mixed-sex and same-sex couples would prefer a civil partnership to a marriage, and at the moment only same-sex couples have that option. Equality means making that available to all.”

The Scottish Government’s consultation paper presents three options. These are:

♦ to keep civil partnership as it is, available only to same-sex couples

♦ to phase it out altogether

♦ or to make it available to all couples regardless of gender

However the paper also says; “The Government is not persuaded that opposite sex civil partnership should be introduced in Scotland”, although the paper does invite views on that position. The paper makes clear that the Scottish Government prefers the first two options.

The Equality Network say they have consulted with hundreds of LGBTI and non-LGBTI people, and there is a clear demand from a significant number of mixed-sex and same-sex couples who would prefer a civil partnership to a marriage.

In that consultation, several hundred people told the Equality Network why they would prefer a civil partnership.

In a typical response, one person wrote: “Marriage comes with many traditions, teachings and connotations that I heavily disagree with. Not wanting to be part of that system means that I will not get married. However, that will mean that I don’t have the same rights as a married person even if everything else about our lives is exactly the same. A civil partnership would allow me to live a better, fairer life without compromising my beliefs and values. It allows me the option of making a formal partnership with my significant other and it being seen as a true partnership.”

An Ipsos MORI opinion poll in 2012, conducted on behalf of the Equality Network, found that 71% of people in Scotland agreed that civil partnership should be opened up to mixed-sex couples.

For more information about Equality Network, click here:

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