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New campaign from THT for gay and bisexual men

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) launches new campaign in Brighton for gay and bisexual men who mix sex, drugs and alcohol.

THT has launched a new campaign offering advice, information and support to gay and bisexual men in Brighton and Hove who may be worried about their relationship with sex, drugs and alcohol.

The campaign encourages men who have sex with men, who are affected by drug or alcohol use, to look after their sexual health and ensure that they are protecting themselves, as well as their sexual partners, against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

The local campaign will help address the high rates of HIV and STIs in the area by offering resources, information and support so men can maintain good sexual health.

According to Public Health England, 404 men who have sex with men were newly diagnosed with HIV in the South of England in 2015.

Tom Boyt
Tom Boyt

Tom Boyt, Senior Community Engagement Officer at Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton, said: “We know that gay and bisexual men in Brighton and Hove who mix sex, drugs and alcohol may be worried about their sexual choices and risks, but mainstream addiction services may not be right for them. That’s why we’re launching this brand new local campaign to provide tailored support, advice and information.  

“We’re working alongside local LGBT+ bars and clubs, as well as GP surgeries and dating apps, to encourage condom use, the most effective way of preventing HIV and STI transmission, as well as offering information around HIV testing and other prevention methods.

“We’re also offering one-to-one support with our Fresh Start Programme, which provides a safe and non-judgemental environment so men can make the first steps into regaining control by exploring triggers and consequences of their drug or alcohol use.”

This new local campaign is an extension of the charity’s national Friday-Monday service, which offers advice and support, including new online group and one-to-one counselling services for gay and bisexual men in rural areas – the first of its kind.

THT in Brighton is based at 61 Ship Street, Brighton and provides support, information and advice services for those living with or affected by HIV and promoting better sexual health for everyone.

For more information call 01273 764 200. The charity offers rapid testing for HIV and syphilis, with results delivered in less than 15 minutes.

If you have any questions about HIV, you can also call Terrence Higgins Trust’s free, confidential helpline THT Direct on 0808 802 1221 or click here:

North West adoption project calls for more LGBT+ adopters to come forward

Adopt North West (ANW) is a collaborative regional adoption recruitment project that is funded by 22 local authorities and three voluntary adoption agencies in the North West.

The North West faces a shortage of adopters for older children, siblings and those with additional needs. There are many children especially from these groups that can wait over a year after it has been decided that adoption is the best route for them.

John Daly, Bolton Council, spokesperson for Adopt North West, said: “We are keen to encourage potential adopters from the LGBT+ community to get in touch with us. With many adopters looking for babies in our experience LGBT+ adopters are much more likely to be open to taking a child from the ‘harder to place’ groups including children over 3, brothers and sisters and children with additional needs.

Children from these groups can wait longer to be placed but can bring a great deal of joy to their forever family. We understand getting in touch for the first time can be a big step but Adopt North West are available to answer any questions you might have and talk you through the process if you’d like to make an application.”

10% of adoptions in the UK in 2016 were same-sex couples and in the North West this was 13.4%.

There are currently around 130 children waiting for adoption in the North West.

♦ In the last year ANW placed children in 57 LGBT+ families in the North West

♦ ANW approved 65 LGBT+ households in the North West

♦ There are around 130 children waiting for adoption in the North West

♦ 83 of these children are waiting to be adopted with their siblings

♦ There are almost twice as many boys waiting over 12 months than girls (22 boys and 14 girls)

♦ Children over 7 are likely to wait longer to be adopted with 64% waiting over 12 months compared to 19% of under 2s

Antony from Salford adopted his son after seeing a child on breakfast TV.

He said: “Connor is such a bright and clever little boy, intelligent and engaging – people comment on that when they meet him and my father adores him.  Connor had been in foster care for three years and we saw him in the matching magazine at the end of November. If he hadn’t been adopted by December he would have gone into long-term foster care. I’d advise people not to rule out older children.

I’d advise people not to rule out older children. After being in care for three years Connor is learning to adapt and do things differently. He’s got some issues with attachment. Walking to school I might say ‘You can hold my hand today but tomorrow you won’t because you’re a big boy’ – it becomes quite natural.

Being a parent is very rewarding in lots of ways and there are a lot more ups than there are downs.”

Michael and Les
Michael and Les

Michael and Les from Cheshire adopted their child through an independent agency.

They said: “The joys of adopting! Wow we have so many, not only becoming a family of three. We have made lots of new friends within our community. We also have a very busy social calendar now; Weekends are pretty full on! Parties, play dates etc. but the main joy has to be seeing through your own eyes, a child growing and developing in to their own individual little personality.”

To find out more about children waiting for adoption in the North West or to enquire about becoming an adoptive parent, click here:

Human Rights organisation speaks out on Trump ‘Muslim ban’

Trump’s Executive Order will Lead to persecution of LGBT+ people globally says Jessica Stern, Executive Director, OutRight Action International.

Last Monday, March 6, President Donald Trump signed into power an Executive Order to block citizens of six majority Muslim countries from entering the United States.

This comes on the heels of President Trump’s directive on January 27, which received widespread criticism and was halted by a federal appeals court. The Order puts a 90 day ban on travel from citizens from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Libya. The ban also halves the number of refugees to be allowed into the country to 50,000. The Executive Order which is being challenged by a Federal Court in Hawaii will take effect on March 16, 2017.

Jessica Stern, Executive Director, OutRight Action International, said: “President Trump has again sought to institutionalise xenophobic, anti-Muslim, anti-refugee, and anti-immigrant policies, continually putting at risk those who most need safety and security. Of course, these policies are also homophobic and transphobic because LGBT+ people belong to each of these groups.

Jessica Stern
Jessica Stern

If the White House thinks this travel ban will make Americans safer, that’s only because it ignored logic and facts. The way to make Americans safer is by demonstrating respect for people from every country. We categorically reject the notion that scapegoating 6 Muslim nations, refugees and asylum seekers in the name of so-called counter-terrorism makes Americans safer. This is discrimination by another name.

By closing the doors to LGBT+ asylum seekers and refugees, Trump is effectively endorsing persecution and violence targeting this community and allowing some LGBT+ people to die.

This ban could have life-changing impact on LGBT+ activists who have turned to the United Nations as a port of last call when their own government fails them. The US government must ensure that human rights defenders traveling to UN meetings are not blocked by this heinous ban. If it comes to that, the US will be destroying the international system and violating the traditional American value of free speech.

Trump joins populist politicians in Europe and around the world in trying to pitch minorities against each other, even claiming to “protect” LGBT+ people from Muslims. The LGBT+ community does not want this “protection” and rejects any attempts to divide us from immigrants, Muslims, refugees and asylum seekers.”

Brighton Bear Weekend merchandise now available at Prowler

Brighton Bear Weekend 2017 merchandise featuring this years logo designed by Eion Norton are now on sale at Prowler in St James Street.

Navy T-shirts and black polos are available from size small to 3XL. T-shirts cost £12 and polos £15.

As always Brighton Bear Weekend will be raising money for the Rainbow Fund who make grants to local LGBT+ community groups and HIV/AIDS charities providing effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

Graham Munday
Graham Munday

Chair of Brighton Bear Weekend, Graham Munday, said: “We are grateful and delighted to have Prowler stock our clothing again this year. It really helps us to raise more money for The Rainbow Fund and gives people a chance to buy straight away for themselves or as a great gift. We wish to thank the handsome Bruce McCrann for modelling for us.”

Clothing is also available at www.brightonbearweekend.com

PREVIEW: Boyzlife @ Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel

Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, part of the multi-platinum, record breaking bands, Westlife and Boyzone, joined forces last year to create Boyzlife.

After the huge success of their sold out October 2016 tour, the lads go back on the road in April 2017, continuing their successful partnership with Hilton Hotels & Resorts, with two shows at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel on Sunday, April 30 and Monday, May 1 at 7pm.

The new show will be packed full of untold stories, further Westlife and Boyzone hits not yet performed by Brian and Keith together, as well as many favourites from the previous tour…. plus a few surprises!

Tickets £35 and £45. VIP Packages £200

To purchase tickets online and for details of VIP packages, click here:

PREVIEW: Resound Male Voices present ‘Soundtrek’

Resound Male Voices make their Brighton Fringe debut in May with Soundtrek, a devised show of choral music from all over the world set in….a pub!

The group will explore vocal music from all over the world including African, Irish and Swedish folk music, Indian raga,  bossa nova from Brazil and bluegrass from Tennessee.

 Stefan Holmström
Stefan Holmström

Musical Director Stefan Holmström, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for us to work on performance skills. Musically it’s also a challenge with so many different styles, and singing in 8 different languages!”

This is the first time Resound will perform in their own show during the Brighton Fringe and also its first time they will be working closely with a theatre director, Julia Roberts, to create a show built on the guys and the music they love to sing.

Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts

Director Julia Roberts, said: “It is such a joy to be working with Resound!  They are a fantastic group of singers who are constantly challenging themselves to develop their sound.  Now we are working to develop a new performance which aims to move away from the traditional ‘stand and sing’ format and we hope that the Brighton Fringe audience will love the concept and style of this new show as much as we have enjoyed creating it together.”

Founded in 2011, Resound Male Voices are based in Brighton & Hove and perform a diverse repertoire from baroque to bee bop. They actively welcome new members and run a thriving Facebook page.


Event: BRIGHTON FRINGE: Resound Male Voices present: Soundtrek

Where: The Old Courtroom, 118 Church Street, BN1 1UD

When: Friday May 5 and Saturday May 6

Time: 7pm

Cost: Tickets are £8/£7

To book online, click here:

For more information about Resound Male Voices, click hmalevoice.orgere:

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