A walking tour around Brighton, the ‘gay capital’ of England, looks at this beautiful and historic city through the eyes its LGBTQ inhabitants over the last 200 years as part of Brighton Fringe festival in May.
Piers and Queers is titled after Noel Coward’s quote: “Ah, dear Brighton: piers, queers and racketeers” and takes you on a stroll along the seafront – and through the city’s LGBTQ past.
On the way guide Ric Morris visits locations associated with well-known names such as Oscar Wilde, Dusty Springfield and Lord Byron, each of whom had a special relationship with the city.
The tour also looks at some lesser-known, but equally extraordinary people. One Regency doctor was the first woman to qualify in medicine and performed the first successful Caesarian Section in the English-speaking world. Because women were barred from medicine, she lived her whole adult life as a man.
One Brighton couple, married in 1923, were later found to have been (at least in the eyes of the law) two women. Eighty-two years later, Brighton was the venue for the very first legal same-sex partnerships to take place in an English registry office.
Tours run from April 30 – May 30, 2016 on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays at 12 noon, £8/7
Following todays announcement that Brighton Pier has been sold, The Leader of the City Council asks new owners of the Pier to restore it to the name under which it was known for many years, the Palace Pier.
Brighton Pier
Recognised as one of the UK’s most famous landmarks, the Grade II* listed Pier has been bought by Eclectic Bar Group, whose chairman, ex Pizza Express boss, Luke Johnson, has entered a conditional agreement to buy the Pier for £18m. Other venues owned by the group in Brighton, include Dirty Blonde in East Street and Coalition on Brighton seafront.
Cllr Warren Morgan: Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
Cllr Warren Morgan, who launched a campaign in 2011 to return the old name, said:“Although it has been sixteen years since the name was changed, for many people it is still and will always be the Palace Pier. It was built as the Brighton Marine Palace and Pier during the 1890s, and is a valuable part of our heritage as well as being one of the UK’s top free visitor attractions. I hope that the new owners will continue to preserve and invest in the pier, and will consider a return to the traditional name. I’d be happy to meet with the new owners to discuss how we can work together to ensure the pier’s lasting success.”
Simon Dowe, CEO of the Sussex Beacon has written an Open Letter to Baroness Joyce Gould, Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade, Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion and Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven.
Simon Dowe CEO Sussex Beacon
In the letter he asks them to use their influence to over turn NHS England’s decision to cancel the planned public consultation prior to making the HIV treatment pill Truvada available on the NHS, effectively putting the brakes on the drug being available for clinicians to freely prescribe and “failing those at risk of HIV”.
Simon writes:
“I am writing this open letter in my capacity as Chief Executive of The Sussex Beacon.
“It was with great concern that I read about NHS England’s short sighted announcement regarding the provision of HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drugs on the NHS in England.
“The current proposal is to provide £2million of funding over two years for gay men most at risk of acquiring HIV. This would equate to preventative treatment for approximately 500 people. It is estimated that over 5000 gay men will become infected with HIV over the next two years. Many of these infections would be prevented if PrEP were widely available.
“As you will be aware PrEP could play a key part in the reduction of HIV transmission in England, it therefore seems inconceivable that not prescribing this drug to men most at risk of contracting HIV is even being considered.
“Currently the only way to combat the HIV epidemic in the UK is through regular testing and prevention of transmission. PrEP offers a new alternative in HIV prevention and therefore I see no justification for this decision.
“Clinical trials and 18 months of work have clearly demonstrated the effectiveness and cost benefits of this HIV prevention drug, proven to be successful in stopping HIV transmission in almost every case if taken as advised.
“In the US, Canada, France, Israel and Kenya PrEP is widely available, the UK is world-renowned for its excellent HIV treatment and prevention services, a fact we should be proud of.
“Given the potential benefits of making this drug more widely available, I ask you to use your influence to lobby against this decision, driven purely by short-term financial savings and at the cost of long-term public health. A clear long-term strategy to tackle HIV transmission, which includes funding for access to PrEP, is needed as a matter of urgency.”
When NHS England announced last month that it held no responsibility to commission HIV prevention services, they announced they would instead provide £2m over the next two years to run a number of early implementer test sites for 500 men “most at risk”.
Ian Green
Ian Green, Terrence Higgins Trust CEO called the decision “shameful”: and said:“Over 2,500 men who have sex with men are diagnosed with HIV each year in the UK. This figure has not changed in a decade. It is quite clear that although we have had some huge advances in HIV treatment, HIV prevention is something that we are still struggling with.
“By denying full availability of PrEP we are failing those who are at risk of HIV. Today’s decision by NHS England to depart with due process, and, instead, offer a tokenistic nod to what has the potential to revolutionise HIV prevention in the UK, is shameful.
“£2 million over two years for 500 gay men ‘most at risk’ is an arbitrary figure which seems ill thought out and will still deny the protection that PrEP offers to the people who most need it. We know that PrEP works and already have substantial data from a real world setting from the PROUD trial. PrEP has already been approved in the US, Kenya, Israel, Canada, France.
“And yet, our own government refuses to take responsibility for PrEP. Today’s statement makes it no clearer who is responsible – is it the Department of Health, local authorities, the NHS or Public Health England? We need answers , we need access., and we demand both.”
Peter Kyle MP
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove & Portslade, added:“THT are right to be shocked because during the election Tories were lining up to offer their support to widening the use of PrEP and backing their campaign. To abandon the consultation will deny HIV campaigners and health experts their chance to influence government policy into the future and could very well hinder the fight against HIV prevention for years to come.”
Simon Kirby MP
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven and a former vice chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS said he had raised the issue with Ministers at the Department of Health who said: “We are committed to reducing HIV and sexually transmitted infections. NHS England will be running a number of test sites to use antiretroviral drugs to prevent the spread of HIV.
“These test sites will seek show how PrEP could be commissioned in the most cost effective and integrated way to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infections in those at highest risk.
“Consistent condom use remains the best protection against all STIs, including HIV.”
Caroline Lucas MP
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, concluded:“There is solid evidence to suggest that by widening the availability of PrEP we could cut the transmission rates of HIV. In that context it’s shameful that the Government isn’t putting its weight behind making PrEP fully available on the NHS to those who need it.”
Members of Hove-based running club, The Run Squad, will tackle 100 miles of the South Downs Way, running from Winchester to Eastbourne in three days to raise money for child disability charity, Whoopsadaisy.
The event was the idea of club member Magda Strycharska, a local policewoman who works on patrol in Brighton and Hove. Ten members of the club will run and camp overnight, for three days and two nights.
Magda, who raised over £1,500 last year by running four marathons in four weeks, said:“The South Downs Way is not to be underestimated and we will need to train hard for the next few months before the event in July.”
Up to 200 members of the Run Squad will get involved to support the ten strong running team with refreshments, checkpoints, cheering squads and a fundraising party.
The Run Squad was set up by Jo and Nick Rivett, the owners of Rivett Sport shop, three years ago.
Mrs Rivett said:“Whoopsadaisy is very close to our hearts because of the tremendous work they do for children with motor disorders and their families. We feel very lucky to be able to run and this year the focus of the clubs fundraising goal will be to raise £25,000 for Whoopsadaisy.”
Whoopsadaisy is the only charity in Sussex providing Conductive Education to help children with cerebral palsy and other motor conditions. The charity provides its services for free and relies entirely on donations.
To support the Whoopsa100 running team, click here:
To donate text “OPSA99” £5/£10 to 70070
For more information about Whoopsadaisy, click here:
Dolly Rocket hosted the launch party for The Halloween Horror Show 2016 at the Grand Hotel in Brighton last week with organisers able to announce many of the tables for the event in October were already sold.
The Halloween Horror Show, will take place on Friday, October 28, 2016, to raise valuable funds for The Sussex Beacon – a Brighton based charity offering specialist care and support to men, women and families affected by HIV.
The theme of the event, which will take place at the Grand Hotel Brighton, was revealed to guests at the launch as a Spectacular Circus of Thrills. The identity of this year’s celebrity host, who will play the role of an assistant to the ringmaster, is actor, television presenter and member of the boyband Blue, Duncan James.
Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade, Dolly Rocket & Simon Dowe: CEO Sussex Beacon
Simon Dowe, CEO at The Sussex Beacon, said:“We are really excited to have Duncan taking part in this year’s event. I know that his involvement will take this event to a new level and hopefully raise even more much needed funds for The Sussex Beacon”.
The Halloween Horror Show 2016 is one of a number of events planned during the year that will help The Sussex Beacon to raise the 2.2million pounds it needs to keep its vital services running. Guests at the main event in October, will enjoy a night of entertainment whilst enjoying a three-course Grand Halloween feast followed by dancing until the early hours.
The launch party was attended by the Mayor Elect of Brighton and Hove, Cllr Pete West, Baroness Joyce Gould and Labour MP for Hove and Portslade Peter Kyle as well as representatives from many local businesses in the city. Guests enjoyed a sneak preview of the events’ entertainment, plus drinks and canapés sponsored by the Grand Hotel, Brighton.
The Sussex Beacon is working with leading entertainment design agency the E3 Group to produce the fundraising Ball. The E3 Group were responsible for the production of last year’s event which raised valuable funds for the charity.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the event, click here:
The Sussex Beacon offers specialist care and support for people living with HIV. Based in Brighton, which has the highest proportion of people living with HIV outside of London, the centre is open 365 days a year and helps people manage the everyday realities of living with HIV, a life-long condition that has no cure.
Inpatient and day services help people living with HIV related illnesses, initiating new drug therapies, or supporting those struggling with extreme side effects of HIV medication. The Sussex Beacon supports the people living with HIV to lead independent and healthy lives.
For more information about The Sussex Beacon, click here:
Event: The Halloween Horror Show 2016
Where: Grand Hotel, 97-99 King’s Rd, Brighton BN1 2FW
British Council launches first ever global LGBT influencers list in 2016.
fiveFilms4freedom, the world’s first and largest digital celebration of LGBT film in 2016 reached more than 140 million people in 179 countries globally, with the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands and Germany amongst the countries where the films were watched the most.
From March 16–27, 2016, audiences in London enjoyed the 30th edition of BFI Flare, the UK’s leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) film festival. At the same fiveFilms4freedom made five films from the festival available for free online. They were polished, rough, funny, sad and inspiring, and each had a different voice.
The total reach of fiveFilmsforfreedom was 140.5 million people with more than 1.5 million views of the films. Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iraq were amongst the countries where the films were viewed the most with small participation from countries including Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea and the Maldives.
The films included were:
SWIRL Two girls, young and in love, move backwards through the city in Petersen Vargas’ lyrical short from the Philippines.
XAVIER A film by Brazilian director Ricky Mastro about a father who notices that his 11-year-old son pays a lot of attention to slightly older boys.
BREATHE A British-Irish film by James Doherty, about an Irish traveller who is increasingly concerned that his son is ‘soft’, so sets about toughening him up.
TAKE YOUR PARTNERS In this British short film by director Siri Rødnes, Miss Paterson expects Ollie to make an Easter bonnet like the other girls. But Ollie is not like the other girls.
THE ORCHID A man has something important to tell his son, but can only get through to his voicemail in this film by Spanish director Ferran Navarro-Beltrán.
At the same time the British Council has released the fiveFilms4freedom 2016 Global List which includes 33 inspiring people from around the world promoting LGBT rights every day.
The list is the result of a global social media campaign to help find inspiring people who are using culture to promote freedom and equality, who are provoking debate, or who are risking their lives to promote the rights of LGBT people in their society or country. The list includes inspirational people from India, Italy, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Uganda and the UK.
Alan Gemmell, Director fiveFilms4freedom, British Council, said:“In only its second year, fiveFilms4freedom has become the world’s biggest online LGBT film festival. By bringing the British Council’s global network in over 100 countries together with the British Film Institute and five amazing film makers we’ve helped more than 1.5 million people in 170 countries watch a movie – promoting freedom, equality and people’s right to be who they are.”
Geng Le
Geng Le, founder of China’s leading LGBT web portal and social media app Blued, added:“The films I saw at fiveflims4freedom really reflected my experiences: the confusion I went through about my sexuality, the discrimination I have felt, the importance of equality and fairness. That’s the beauty of the festival – we could all see ourselves in the selection and I hope it encourage more dialogue, debate and acceptance around the world.”
Tricia Tuttle
Tricia Tuttle, Deputy Director of Festivals at the BFI, concluded:“It’s so inspiring to see such a vast global community come together to celebrate fiveFilmsforfreedom and love as a fundamental human right. Working with the British Council to make this happen has been fantastic – bring on 2017!”
Piers and Queers is titled after Noel Coward’s quote: “Ah, dear Brighton: piers, queers and racketeers” and takes you on a stroll along the seafront – and through the city’s LGBTQ past.
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