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Princess Victoria to open Stockholm Pride Digital Parade

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HRH Crown Princess Victoria has been announced as keynote speaker for this year’s Stockholm Digital Pride Parade, the first time anyone from the Swedish Royal Family has participated in a Stockholm Pride event, on Saturday, August 1.

Vix Herjeryd, President of the Stockholm Pride, said: ‘It feels wonderful that the Crown Princess wants to open our Digital Pride Parade with a keynote speech and make a statement to stand up for LGBTQ+ people’s rights, in a time when we believe we need it more than ever.

‘We are very thrilled to receive this support, which means so much to us in Sweden but also sends important signals to the LGBTQ+ community internationally.’

Stockholm Digital Pride will be live-streamed between Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 2. The parade, which normally is one of the biggest events in Stockholm with around 50.000 participants and 500.000 people in the audience, will take place on Saturday, August 1 and goes by the name of Stockholm Digital Pride Parade. The broadcast will be live between noon-2pm (GMT+2) and will be hosted by the actor and pride veteran Robert Fux and the award-winning comedian Petrina Solange. The Crown Princess Victoria will start off the digital manifestation with a keynote speech and the broadcast will consist of Pride greetings from both well known LGBTQ+ profiles, artists and contributions from the Swedish LGBTQ-community.

Gunn Lundemo, project manager for Stockholm Pride Summer Stream, said: ‘We have an amazing itinerary and it will be both a colorful celebration and an important demonstration for human rights. We hope that people all over Sweden participates and shows their support and pride, even at a safe distance.’

The broadcast can be viewed by visiting their website here and the audience is encouraged to check into the Parade event on Facebook and share their own Pride celebration under the hashtags #taggaochflagga and #tagandflag.

June 30: a day for the worldwide promotion of family equality

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On Tuesday, June 30, International Family Equality Day (IFED) and the Global Interfaith Network for People of All Sexes, Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Expressions (GIN-SSOGIE) will co-host the United Nations (UN) online side event The Recognition and Respect of Diverse Families in Times of a Global Pandemic, held during the 44th session of the Human Rights Council, and co-sponsored by the delegations of South Africa and Switzerland.

This UN side event was initially going to be carried out during the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council but was postponed due to the pandemic. IFED and GIN-SSOGIE believe it is essential to still organise it and underline the ongoing impact of Covid-19. More specifically, with this side event, they aim to provide information and fostering discussion regarding the varied realities of family life all over the globe and how they have been especially impacted by the Covid-19 worldwide crisis.

Derricia Castillo-Salazar (Belize), IFED Co-president, said: ‘It is our objective to make family diversity increasingly visible and represent experiences and realities from rainbow families in different regional, cultural and religious contexts. There is not one model of family formation and promoting this discourse is deeply harmful and undermine our efforts to promote all human rights.’

The upcoming event will be the perfect opportunity for IFED and GIN-SSOGIE to forge new alliances and connections. ‘We are optimistic that the discussion and the personal exchange of experiences with our partners will not only strengthen our coalitions, but also create new ones and thereby enhance our efforts to advocate for broad and inclusive definitions of family,’ added Andrea Rivas (Argentina), IFED Board Member.

This UN side event will be online and you can pre-register by clicking here. 

Find more info, click here.

For extensive background information on IFED click here and GIN-SSOGIE click here,

London Black Trans Lives Matter protest today.

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Today’s march will begin at Wellington Arch and end at Downing Street

London Trans+ Pride will lead a peaceful protest for Black Trans Live Matter today, June 27th. The march will be a demonstration against transphobic legislation proposed by the government, a commemoration of Black Trans lives that have been lost and a celebration of the Black Trans community.

Starts Wellington Arch at 2pm and end with speeches at Downing Street at 3pm.

The organisers of Saturday’s march have asked attendees to bring flowers, wear masks and keep to social distancing as much as possible.

“We’re expecting a few thousand. We’re expecting this to be even bigger than London Trans Pride given the momentum around Black Lives Matter.

“As both a black and trans person I never thought I’d be living to see a point in time when almost the entire world came together as one to say this is not acceptable, black people deserve better and we should’ve always known that they deserved better.

“We should’ve always been fighting harder and we didn’t, so we’re going to do that now and we’re not going to stop.”

Two of the most recent black trans women deaths occurred in the US within the same 24 hours earlier this month on 9 June.

Dominique Rem’mie Fells, a black transgender woman was killed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and 25-year-old Riah Milton, also black and trans, was killed in Liberty Township, Ohio. Both were misgendered in the press reporting on their deaths.

London Trans+ Pride said: ‘Our government has brutally attacked trans rights, but this cannot detract from the black lives matter movement. All black lives matter, black trans lives need to be valued. Fighting for black lives MUST INCLUDE BLACK TRANS LIVES.’

More info on the London Black Trans Lives Matter Protest here: 

Trans author needs help to publish book, ‘Gender Euphoria’

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Trans author Laura Kate Dale, who previously published Uncomfortable Labels, is currently crowdfunding a book project, Gender Euphoria: Stories of Joy from Trans, Non Binary, and Intersex Writers.
The book, a 70,000 word anthology, features 15 contributors from different backgrounds, and is a platform for  non-cisgender people to share their stories of how embracing their gender identity brought them joy.
Laura, says: ‘Given all the recent anti-trans fear-mongering online and in the news, I wanted to bring together a project all about positive happy stories, to try and change the narrative a little around transition, to focus on how wonderful a thing it can be.’
You can read a full synopsis of the book and pledge by visiting the Unbound website here.

Damian Barr presents Literary Salon tonight!

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Damian Barr presents an online Literary Salon with LGBTQ+ debut novelist Douglas Stuart this evening, Friday, June 26, from 8pm.

Douglas is making waves at the moment – his first ever short story was published in The New Yorker in January, he’s been named one of the Observer’s ‘best debut novelists of 2020’, Elle and Vogue have listed him as one of the best books of the year, and USA Today have named his as one of the top ten authors to read during Pride month.

Shuggie Bain is the first novel from Douglas, who was born and raised in Glasgow. The book is the story of a little boy growing up in 1980s Glasgow whose world is Agnes, his glamorous, calamitous mother, drinking herself ever so slowly to death. Shuggie tries to save her and find himself in a city that’s both bleak and dazzling. It’s the world Damian Barr grew up in and wrote about in his bestselling memoir Maggie & Me, but here it’s brought to life in fiction, albeit it partly autobiographical.

The New York Times said: ‘The book would be just about unbearable were it not for the author’s astonishing capacity for love. He’s lovely, Douglas Stuart, fierce and loving and lovely. He shows us lots of monstrous behaviour, but not a single monster―only damage. If he has a sharp eye for brokenness, he is even keener on the inextinguishable flicker of love that remains.’

Join Douglas Stuart and Damian Barr for an intimate and exclusive conversation online via Zoom webinar on Friday, June 26 from 8pm. Tickets are £5 (plus booking fee). To purchase, visit this website

Plans for EuroGames 2021 ‘Twin Games’ abandoned

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Due to the coronavirus pandemic, EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf will not take place from August 5 to 9 as planned.

Already since the beginning of the crisis in March, those responsible have been looking for a solution to postpone the EuroGames in Düsseldorf and save the years of work of the many volunteers. Of the expected 4,000 participants in the international sports tournament of the European Gay & Lesbian Sport Federation (EGLSF), more than half had already registered by then.

The aim was to organise a twin tournament in 2021 – together with EuroGames 2021 in Copenhagen, which would have made it possible for the people of Düsseldorf to realise their dream of EuroGames in their own city, even if this would have meant fewer participating athletes for both organisers.

A release from EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf, said: ‘In Copenhagen the EuroGames take place at the same time as WorldPride, which would probably have led to far fewer participants. But soon it was clear: For the Danes this was not an option.’

The release continued: “Even the EGLSF board of directors was not able to provide support during the crisis. There were contradictory statements and in the end there was no support for the Düsseldorf compromise proposal, especially as there was a fear of infringement suits from the Copenhageners.

‘The Düsseldorf member clubs of the EGLSF are now calling for personnel consequences and above all for a fundamental reform of the European LGBTQ+ sports association. There are already numerous proposals to prevent a disaster such as the EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf in the future.’

Goetz Fellrath, Co-Managing Director of EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf, added: ‘It‘s over. Out of the coronavirus crisis there would have been the chance to create something new, to support each other. We all couldn‘t do that together.

‘With the now cancelled EuroGames in Düsseldorf, we do not want to leave behind ruins, but a positive legacy for the future. The values and goals that the EGLSF represents remain close to our hearts.’

Those responsible for EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf would like to thank all the volunteers who have committed more than 20,000 hours, the City of Düsseldorf, and the State of NRW for their support, all the partners and above all the participants who had a desire to see the EuroGames in Düsseldorf succeed.

For more info, visit the EuroGames 2020 Düsseldorf website here.  

Song to raise funds for MindOut

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Ty Jeffries, aka Miss Hope Springs, has teamed up with powerhouse dance music diva Katherine Ellis to perform the song A Little Bit of Hope.

100% of all proceeds from downloads of the song will be donated to MindOut as its services have been impacted significantly by the current pandemic.

Ty and Katherine recorded the track virtually in lockdown and have filmed a socially distanced video which can be seen below, but  here is the link to share

Katherine sang the song as part of Brighton Pride’s first ever digital event and Ty Jeffries, who also wrote the song, accompanied her on keyboards. The video can also be seen on MindOut’s website and the charity is fundraising as part of a JustGiving campaign.

You can also donate to MindOut here, please be generous.

Win a trip to Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam

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Comic Relief and Sink the Pink have teamed up to offer one lucky Eurovision fan and a guest the chance to win a once in a lifetime trip to next year’s Eurovision Grand Final in Rotterdam, which is set to take place in May 2021.

The exciting prize includes two entry tickets, return flights (from the UK), and a hotel stay in Rotterdam. The would-be winners can enter by visiting this website for £5 per entry with all money raised from the prize draw going to fund projects that support LGBTQ+ people in the UK and around the world. Entries close on Sunday, July 26.

The announcement comes as part of a collaboration between Comic Relief and Sink The Pink – the largest LGBTQ+ collective in the UK – to celebrate Pride month. The prize has been made possible by Netflix and coincides with the launch of their epic new film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga which stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.

For more info on Sink the Pink, visit their website. 

Gareth Thomas and Viiv Healthcare launch Tackle HIV campaign

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Gareth Thomas, the Welsh former professional rugby player, and ViiV Healthcare have announced the launch of the Tackle HIV campaign, an initiative aimed at improving levels of public understanding of HIV and breaking the stigma around it.

Results of the recent Tackle HIV survey, conducted amongst 4,000 adults in the UK, demonstrated that misunderstanding and stigma continue to exist despite advances in science and medicine.

61% of people surveyed said if they found out a potential partner was HIV positive they would or might end the relationship, the main reason given being worried about contracting HIV themselves (81%).  Also, 17% said they would be embarrassed if someone found out their partner had HIV. Fewer than one in five people (19%) know that if a person living with HIV is taking effective treatment, they cannot pass it on to their sexual partner.

The Tackle HIV campaign will work to change negative perceptions and make HIV better understood and accepted by the general public through media, social media, and on-the-ground initiatives.

National AIDS Trust (NAT), the charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV, has lent their support for the campaign.

Deborah Gold, NAT Chief Executive, said: ‘Science and the treatment of HIV have come so far, but public knowledge has not kept up. It is saddening that in this recent survey 61% of people said they would or might end a relationship if they found out a potential partner was living with HIV.” 

‘Many people living with HIV enjoy healthy, happy relationships, but mindsets like those reported here can have a significant impact. In 2017 one in eight people with HIV had never told anyone outside of healthcare. Poor mental health, loneliness and isolation all disproportionately affect people living with HIV. Seeing these survey findings, it’s not hard to see why. We must get to the heart of these underlying attitudes and address them, starting with making sure that people know basic facts about HIV, like the fact that you cannot acquire HIV from someone on treatment.

‘We welcome the launch of the Tackle HIV campaign and applaud the contribution Gareth is making to improve the public’s understanding of HIV. The Government must take heed of these findings and do their bit to ensure that people living with HIV have access to support and have proper protection from discrimination in law.’

For more info on the Tackle HIV campaign, visit their website.

For more info on NAT, visit their website.

Stephen Bailey & Zoe Lyons to host Brighton & Hove Pride Online – We Are FABULOSO!

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Brighton & Hove Pride has announced comedians and broadcasters Stephen Bailey and Zoe Lyons will host We Are FABULOSO!, Brighton & Hove Pride’s Digital Festival live from a purpose-built studio on Saturday,  August 1 with pre-records from Stephen and Zoe for the Warm-Up Show on Friday, July 31, and Highlights Show on Sunday, August 2, 2020. All shows will be streamed on the Brighton & Hove Pride website, YouTube, Twitch and other platforms TBA.

Stephen Bailey is a cocktail of class, caring and comedy, with the most flamboyant umbrella to top it all off. He is a comedian, presenter, television personality and writer, whose friendly and open brand of gossipy humour has made him one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming comedy acts and an in-demand talent for all things showbiz/entertainment.

Currently, he is the narrator of ITV Be’s Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, the host of Takeshi’s Castle on Comedy Central, and has done loads of other telly including The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Live at the Apollo, Mastermind, Coronation Street and Good Morning Britain… but he still cannot get on Strictly.

Zoe Lyons has been a regular on the comedy circuit for many years and runs and hosts the very popular Bent Double night at Brighton Komedia. As well as many regular radio appearances, her television appearances include Have I Got News for You, Celebrity MasterChef and being a series regular on Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Room 101, Hypothetical, Dave Gorman’s Terms and Conditions Apply, Pointless Celebrities, and winner of Celebrity Mastermind.

Marking 30 years of LGBTQ+ campaigning, protest and celebration while helping raise essential funds for our LGBTQ+ community groups, We Are FABULOSO! will feature live, recorded and archive footage of local and international artists, performers, activists and DJs.

As with every Brighton & Hove Pride, the day itself will kick off with a ‘virtual’ LGBTQ+ Community Parade featuring a procession highlighting the amazing work of our essential community groups and charities.

Brighton & Hove Pride has hosted some of the world’s biggest artists, including Britney Spears, Kylie, Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones and many more, and viewers will be taken on a virtual tour of the Pride Festival in Preston Park site to drop in at all the stages and tents to sample the atmosphere and flavour of this jewel in the LGBTQ+ crown as well as looking at highlights from years gone by.

Live audiences via Zoom will provide colour and atmosphere for most segments and anyone can apply to be onscreen at www.brighton-pride.org/audience-wanted/

With an extensive schedule of events centred around the original Pride weekend, there will also be a host of online warm-up events and house parties to get you ready and in the mood for the main We Are FABULOSO! digital festival!

All the entertainment will be free to view so viewers across the world should start planning their Pride parties now. Whether from the comfort of your own homes or gathering a group of friends in the garden; as lockdown restrictions are relaxed, it is hoped that some bars will be able to stream the festival live on big screens too. A full schedule will be released nearer the time so viewers can plan their day.

Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride, said: ‘Brighton & Hove Pride is such an important community fundraiser for our LGBTQ+ groups and to not have a Pride event this year really affects our ability to raise these essential funds and could seriously jeopardise the future of some groups. We really hope everyone gets behind this fundraising effort.

‘Brighton & Hove Pride is a time to come together to celebrate and embrace diversity and inclusion in our great city, and just because we are not able to meet in person doesn’t mean we can’t support and celebrate our fantastic LGBTQ+ communities.’

Brighton & Hove Pride’s sole ethos is to promote respect within our community and support local charities and causes through fundraising. In the last six years they have raised over £920,000 for neighbouring charities, projects and community groups, distributed through the Brighton Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund.

Viewers are encouraged to make a donation so Brighton & Hove Pride can continue its essential fundraising for our community organisations that provide so much support throughout the year.

MORE INFO

Facebook @brightonpride

Twitter @PrideBrighton  

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