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Proud Seagulls – A new LGBT+ supporters group

A new football supporters group is in the process of starting at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Proud Seagulls will join the many Premier League and Championship clubs that now have an LGBT+ supporters group.

In fact Brighton & Hove Albion are one of the few clubs that do NOT have an LGBT+ supporters group.

If you support the Albion, go to games or have never been and want to go, but feel you may not enjoy the environment, then let Proud Seagulls help.

If you are sick of hearing homophobic, transphobic or racist ‘chants’ go along and join them, the more the club are aware of the problem the more they can do.

There will shortly be a rainbow flag with the club motif displayed within the stadium for everyone to see, especially the away fans.

Seagulls supporters suffer more homophobic abuse than any other club in the football league, more so at away games and they want to change that, not alone, but with the cooperation  and help of other LGBT+ supporters groups up and down the country.

Also, the FA are very slowly taking a stand against discrimination and racism.

At the moment there is no joining fee for membership and shortly they will be announcing their first formal meeting on social media.

If you want more details, would like to join or help in any way, email Stuart Matthews: proudseagulls@gmail.com

Twitter: @ProudSeagulls (open group).
Facebook: Proud Seagulls (closed group to protect those not out)

 

Green MEP to attend first-ever Basingstoke Pride awareness event

Keith Taylor MEP sends message in support of first-ever Basingstoke Pride ahead of a visit to the festival.

Keith Taylor MEP
Keith Taylor MEP

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, has sent his support and solidarity to everyone attending the first-ever Basingstoke Pride celebrations this week ahead of a visit to the festival.

Mr. Taylor, a member of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT rights, will visit the Pride awareness event at the Basingstoke Discovery Centre on Monday, September 18.

Pride245, the organisation running the festival, was inspired by the story of Michael Dillion, the first trans man to undergo phalloplasty, and formed to promote equality and to celebrate the very best of the LGBT+ communities across the 245 square miles of the borough.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Taylor said: “I am honoured to be invited to join in the festivities at this the first-ever Basingstoke Pride festival. Pride events are vital for ensuring that our towns and cities are safe places where everyone is able to be themselves and love who they love.”

“I want to wish everyone involved in organising the festival, all those attending and the town itself happiness and joy for the upcoming celebrations and I look forward to joining in with them on Monday.”

“As a member of the cross party group for LGBTIQA+ rights in the European Parliament, I understand the importance of protecting the rights of the community, both in my own constituency and beyond.”

“While we know that Britain has made significant progress in stamping out discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, the fight is far from over and people are understandably concerned about the gains that have been made in the face of a Government in hock to a party of homophobic dinosaurs.”

Basingstoke Pride will take place from 2pm on Monday, September 18 at Basingstoke Discovery Centre, Potters Walk, Ground Level, Festival Place Shopping Centre, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS

BOOK REVIEW: We’re queer and we should be here by Darryl Telles.

We’re queer and we should be here

By Darryl Telles.

Darryl Telles’s lifelong passion for his beloved Tottenham Hotspur is a real passion, yet like other gay football supporters, he has had to endure decades of abuse and threats from homophobic fellow fans in a sport where discussing being gay or talk about homosexuality is still so awkward that there is not a single `out’ gay player in the top four tiers of the Football League. Just think about that for a moment, it’s the only sport without any out gay players, the only sport….even golfers are gay these days.

This is the story of his campaign against ugly homophobia in the beautiful game of football world, his work with the Gay Football Supporters Network (GFSN) and his attempts to advance the cause through constant campaigning, personal conversation and commitment and media publicity and TV interviews.  He is a member of Proud Lilywhites, Tottenham Hotspur’s official LGBT supporters group.

Learn more about the GFSN here

Telles tells us his story from his own viewpoint- that of a super fan, who’s also gay and of Asian descent and gives us an intersectional glimpse into the culture of the stands and he offers insight into the changes on the terraces, the changes in the country and the utter lack of change on the pitch. His background of football obsession is carefully played out against the social changes during  the Thatcher years, when being out meant you had to be a political homo. It was a difficult time and Telles suffered some serious challenges and abuse but ultimately overcame them.

Telles says “Most of the crowd are white, so you stick out because of your brown face. They’re singing the sort of chants that make you feel unwelcome, and not only because of your colour – they just can’t stand anyone who’s a poof, an arsebandit, a queer or a raving homosexual. And that’s exactly what you are…”

His ability to put things in context, to move on, to channel his passion for the beautiful game and want it to be beautiful and inclusive for all is empowering. His focus and commitment to what’s right makes this memoir an interesting read. Even if you’re no football fan you’ll find this a curious and engaging book filled with interesting anecdotes, including one where him and Justin Fashanu get drunk in  a Dublin pub, exchange sexual exploits and swap tips on where to pull later on that night.

As Telles himself states, football still has a long way to go in rooting out homophobic attitudes, but in the same way racism has been shoved almost out of the game, Telles shows how football clubs and fans are open to change, change is happening at every game and eventually he hopes to sit and watch gay and straight players on the same pitch playing & scoring for the same side.

We’re queer and we should be here is a compelling and important narrative told with passion.

Out now

£12.99

For more info or to buy the book see the publisher’s website here.

 

A Christmas Open House in Kemptown

After placing in the top three Best Artists’ Open Houses in May, Adam, Dan and Egg the Pug of 11 Rugby Road in Kemptown invite you in to their festively transformed home for Christmas Open Houses from November 25–December 10.

Explore the installation-like displays and discover illustrations and graphics, unique cards and custom baubles, exquisite silver jewellery, ceramic flowers and crochet sprouts!

Dan says: “Every room here is bursting with creativity and gifts, including the ‘has to be seen to be believed’ candy land kitchen where we invite you to share a mulled wine while embracing your inner child as you get into the festive spirit!”

For more information, click here:

Dan and Adam
Dan and Adam

Newcastle Pride boosts local economy by £9.2million

Newcastle Pride 2017, one of the UK’s largest LGBT+ festivals, has helped boost the North East’s economy by £9.2million.

Photo: David Wood

In July, the annual event celebrated its tenth anniversary which was celebrated by more than 73,000 people while a further 650,000 around the world listened live with Pride World Radio.

Organised by regional LGBT charity Northern Pride, festival-goers made the most of 17 satellite events prior to the main weekend, which saw record numbers march through the city in the Pride Parade, and tens of thousands more braving the rain for the free entertainment at the Town Moor.

Mark Nichols
Mark Nichols

Mark Nichols, Chairman at Northern Pride, said: “Despite the weekend of wet weather, Newcastle Pride 2017 exceeded our expectations in terms of visitor numbers – with a record-breaking 16,000 marching in the parade and more than 50,000 lining the streets in support.

“We are also delighted – and overwhelmed – at the £9.2 million generated across the six weeks of Newcastle Pride, and hope it proved a great boost to the accommodation providers – who booked 6,200 overnight guests, as well as the leisure and travel outlets, who help cater to the huge influx of visitors Pride brings each year.” 

For further information, click here:

REVIEW: Deathtrap by Ira Levin @Theatre Royal

Broadway playwright Sidney Bruhl has had 11 years and 4 flops in a row and is getting desperate for another hit. So he thinks his dreams have come to true when aspiring first-time writer Clifford Anderson sends him what Sidney considers a sure-fire Broadway smash of a play called Deathtrap.

But Sidney played by ex- EastEnders and Holby City star Paul Bradley is actually embarking on a roller coaster nightmare where nothing and no-one are truly what they appear to be.

He and his stage wife Myra , played by another EastEnders star Jessie Wallace, become embroiled in a murder plot with more twists and turns than a Cornish country lane.

The young Clifford, played edgily by Sam Phillips, has murderous thoughts of his own and in its 2 hours on  stage Levin’s plot always keeps us guessing and at times gasping out loud with horror and surprise.

Director Adam Penfold creates an ever-suspenseful pace lightened only by the sardonic humour of the dialogue.

It would be wrong to give the detailed plot away but suffice it to say that sometimes people who are murdered don’t stay dead for long !

Levin has a masterful comic genius too and Beverley Klein steals the show at her every appearance as the scatty but totally accurate clairvoyant Helga ten Dorp.

Levin, much admired by the master storyteller Stephen King, is spot on with his one-liners – particularly given to Sidney. So much so that at times you wonder why the on-stage playwright cant write another hit. Considering Clifford’s manuscript he says “A gifted director couldn’t even harm it”  and contemplating his mental block he comments “nothing recedes like success “.

Designer Morgan Large has gone big as his name suggests with an enormous set, solid chunky and authentic – representing a converted beamed stable in the Colonial style.

As Sidney wryly observes “plays aren’t there till some asshole writes them”. Well thanks Mr Levin for bringing this masterpiece into life.

Deathtrap runs till Saturday at the Theatre Royal and then continues an extended UK tour. Catch it if you can – it will take your breath away.

To book tickets. click here:

Holiday on Ice returns to Brighton with new show ‘TIME’

The world-renowned show, Holiday on Ice, which has been running for over 73 years, returns to the Brighton Centre for the 38th time since 1978 in January 2018 with their new spectacular production, TIME.

Celebrating ‘the best and most memorable times of our lives’, the show is described as a photo album filled with ‘snapshots’ of memories we all share in common – falling in love, a first kiss, dancing ‘til dawn, a memorable night on the town, a great vacation, a thrilling adventure, and everyone’s wish to slow down time as it goes by too fast!

Directed and choreographed by David Liu, who is renowned for his innovative and exciting choreography, TIME will open at The Brighton Centre on Friday, January 5 and run until Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Costume designer, Michael Sharpe joins the Holiday on Ice team for this production bringing with him his iconic style after designing for famous stars including Annie Lennox, The Pet Shop Boys, Jessie J, Russell Brand, Vogue UK, Darcey Bussell, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, and The Spice Girls, to name but a new.

For the first time ever, the music, an essential element in the show, will feature well-known songs from the Universal Music Publishing catalogue – a unique and exciting collaboration between companies – as well as the traditional ‘familiar’ tunes that Holiday on Ice fans know and love.

Holiday on Ice has become the most famous brand of entertainment on ice for over seven decades with a record number of 328 hundred million visitors. The well-established production guarantees quality performances from Olympic skaters.

Tickets to see Holiday on Ice’s TIME at The Brighton Centre go on general sale on Friday, August 4 2017 at 10am. Prices start from just £15 for children and £25 for adults. Tickets can be purchased from www.brightoncentre.co.uk or by contacting the box office on 0844 847 1538.


Event: Holiday on Ice TIME

Where: Brighton Centre, Kings Road, Brighton

When: Friday, January 5 till Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Time: For times click here:

Cost: Tickets start from £15 for children and £25 for adults

To book online, click here:

Or telephone: 0844 847 1538

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