Call us now

Author: Contributor

Global Pride 2020 announce superstar performers and speakers for online event

Posted on by Contributor

Global Pride 2020, a free, worldwide LGBTQ+ Pride event, has announced the first wave of speakers and acts, including legendary singer/songwriter Olivia Newton-John and Brazilian superstar singer/songwriter Pabllo Vittar, appearing at the online event on Saturday, June 27, which is organised by European Pride Organisers Association, InterPride, OLA Orgullo Latinoamerica, CSD Deutschland, Svenska Pride, UK Pride Organisers’ Network and representatives of Prides in regions where no network yet exists.

Speakers include Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica , which this week legalised equal marriage, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, and Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India. All were approached by Pride organisations in their own country. More leaders will announce their participation in the coming weeks.

Global Pride was launched by national and international Pride networks after hundreds of Pride events were cancelled or postponed due to Covid-19. A team of more than 100 volunteers – all experienced Pride organisers – from across the world are giving up their time to organise and deliver the event, which will run for 24 hours and feature speeches from world leaders, activists and human rights defenders, reflecting the organisers’ statement that ‘Pride events might be cancelled but the spirit of Pride will live on’.

Organisers estimate that there are more than 1,500 Prides globally, and all are invited to be a part of the virtual event.

Kristine Garina, President of European Pride Organisers Association, said: ‘Every Pride organiser in the world can tell you a story of someone whose life changed when they visited Pride, and so with so many Prides being cancelled or postponed, as organisers we felt we had a responsibility to come together and deliver Pride online. We’re tremendously excited for the potential for Global Pride to bring people together in the biggest Pride there has ever been.”

Julian Sanjivan, Co-President of InterPride, added: ‘By taking Pride online, not only are we making sure that LGBTQ+ people everywhere can still experience the joy and community of Pride, but we also for the first time are enabling people to take part in Pride wherever they are. This means people who aren’t out, or who are living in socially conservative countries, can take part. The support of these incredible world leaders and performers will mean so much to marginalised LGBTQ+ people everywhere.’

The show will be live-streamed on Saturday, June 27 on the Global Pride website, on YouTube and on other platforms to be announced, and will be free to view.

Councillor thanks Food Hub volunteers

Posted on by Contributor

Labour Councillor Anne Pissaridou, the lead member for food, visited the Food Distribution Hub at Hove Park School during Volunteers’ Week to thank volunteers for the work they have been doing during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Pissaridou was shown around by Vic Borrill, the Director of Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, who is leading the city’s efforts to provide the food needed by vulnerable people in the city in response to the pandemic.

The current pandemic has led to a step change in the scale, coordination and the efforts of the volunteers themselves resulting in an overwhelming response from the city to the crisis, with many people giving up their time to put others first.

Food projects across the city, almost entirely run by volunteers, have been ensuring that the most vulnerable people in the city are supported and that no-one in Brighton & Hove will go hungry.

There is a large network of community projects across the city that make up the emergency food network, including the 21 food banks that were already in operation supporting vulnerable people and the 21 new food projects that have joined this effort due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can take a look at the work being done at the Food Hub here in this short film from BHCC

The Food Hub at Hove Park School has been set up to distribute food parcels directly to vulnerable residents as well as sorting bulk deliveries to be delivered to community run food projects in the city.

The support being provided by the food projects across the city continues to be delivered at a phenomenal scale. In the week commencing May 18 neighbourhood food hubs provided food parcels for 4,613 people in 2,112 households across the city, including 1,387 children.

This mammoth effort was the result of 548 volunteers giving up 3,270 hours of time to help their fellow residents.

Councillor Anne Pissaridou, said: ‘The scale of the support from volunteers in Brighton & Hove has been inspirational during Covid-19, with some dedicating their time to help while they may be experiencing difficulties in their personal circumstances.

‘This Volunteers Week, I would like to thank every single volunteer in the city for the work they do on a daily basis to help others in need.

‘This includes the volunteers that have recently stepped up to the challenge of supporting the city through the crisis, and all volunteers that were already supporting the city before the pandemic.

‘Volunteers’ Week marks a well needed celebration of all that volunteers do, and the community response in my adopted home of Brighton & Hove, is something I will always be proud of.’

For more info on the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, visit: www.bhfood.org.uk

LGBT Switchboard seeks new Treasurer and Trustees

Posted on by Contributor

LGBT Switchboard, the charity for LGBTQ+ people looking for a sense of community, support or information, is looking for a Treasurer and two general Trustees who are passionate about their vision for an inclusive and diverse society in which all LGBTQ+ people can realise their own unique potential.

Switchboard’s dedicated staff team run a number of services that offer information and support, befriending and social prescribing for LGBTQ+ communities. The services include: the volunteer-run helpline, older people’s project, health and inclusion project, disabled people’s project, Rainbow Dementia Café, trans link project and a trans survivors’ helpline. Due to to the coronavirus pandemic, all services are currently being delivered remotely, via the telephone, email and digitally (group Zoom sessions).

LGBT Switchboard would love to hear from you if you have strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment. The charity would especially welcome individuals with previous experience of human resources, fundraising, the voluntary and community sector or being a trustee. Trustees aren’t paid, but it’s a rewarding experience and you can easily make an impact. Currently the Trustee Board are meeting (virtually) monthly.

To be considered for the role of the Treasurer or a Trustee, send a brief CV and covering letter to LGBT Switchboard Chair Dawn Draper by Tuesday, June 30 as to why you would like to be a Trustee at Switchboard and what skills and experience you will bring to the role.

For more information or an informal discussion on the role of trustee, contact Dawn by email: dawn.draper@switchboard.org.uk

Postal address: Switchboard, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG

Applicants are asked to read the role description before applying:

Switchboard Treasurer Role Description

Trustee Recruitment Information Pack

For more general info, visit: www.switchboard.org.uk/were-recruiting-trustees-3/

Closing date is Tuesday, June 30. Interviews are TBC and will be held remotely.

Apply for small business discretionary grant from City Council

Posted on by Contributor

Small businesses in Brighton & Hove are now able to apply for discretionary business support grants, which do not have to be paid back and are available to those who have not been eligible for the government’s small business grants during the coronavirus pandemic.

There is a total fund of £3.7 million and three levels of grants: 

  • £25,000
  • £10,000
  • Any amounts under £10,000.

The following types of small businesses could apply: 

  • Events
  • Arts, culture and creative industries
  • Retail
  • Businesses in shared workspaces and those who manage shared workspaces
  • Charities, community interest companies and third sector organisations who undertake commercial work
  • Businesses with high fixed costs that do not pay business rates
  • Locally-based businesses in leisure, including B & B guest houses
  • Long established companies in the city that have invested in their business
  • Market traders with fixed locations and costs in Brighton & Hove
  • Businesses employing 20 to 50 employees or with high turnover

An online form is now available and a discretionary grant guide with information about who can apply and how to meet the criteria.

As part of their application, businesses will be asked to provide supporting information about how they contribute to:

  • Local economic importance
  • Supporting the city’s economic success
  • Supporting key sectors and sub-sectors
  • A carbon neutral city

They will also be asked what impact the loss of their business will make to the city, what they will use the grant for and their investment plans.

Businesses will also be asked to provide business accounts in support of their application, which will be assessed by an independent advisory panel which includes representatives from business organisations.

The closing date for the first round of applications is Friday, June 12.

For more info and to apply, see here: 

Run, jog or walk for city Samaritans

Posted on by Contributor

Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans is inviting supporters to run, jog or walk a marathon in their own time and at their own pace for their branch over the month of July to raise valuable funds to ensure the charity can deliver their critical service.    

Samarathon aims to motivate more people to get active to improve their mental wellbeing, rather than focus on a single physical endurance challenge that requires participants to run 26.2 miles in one stretch.

Susie McGowan, Branch Director at Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans, said: ‘While we don’t know how long we’ll be observing social distancing and Government guidance on daily exercise, this is a challenge you can do on your own, with members of your household, or join with friends, family and work mates virtually, supporting each other’s progress wherever you are. 

‘Now more than ever we know getting active works wonders for your mental wellbeing. Samarathon is a great goal to motivate people to go at that their own pace. Whatever your age or ability, it’s a challenge to do in your time, at your pace, wherever you live or work. This fitness-fundraising initiative is focused on feeling good. We hope supporters will encourage their friends and family of all ages to take part as it’s an achievable challenge they can share and enjoy.

‘In this current climate we really need the public’s continued support. Due to the cancellation of many of our fundraising events, we’re facing a significant loss of funding, so we’re urging the public to help us ensure that we continue to be here for anyone who needs support. It’s free to sign up to Samarathon, but we’d love for everyone to raise whatever they can to support their local branch of Samaritans and help us be there for anyone struggling to cope.’

Supporters can sign up for free by visiting the Samaritans website is calling on people to be kind to themselves, to get active and boost their wellbeing!

For more info on Brighton, Hove & District Samaritans, visit their website

boohoo & boohooMAN launch fundraising Pride collection

Posted on by Contributor

Online retailers boohoo & boohooMAN have created an exclusive capsule collection of clothing for Pride called Love is for Everyone with a portion of the proceeds divided between two charities: the Brighton Rainbow Fund and OutRight Action International.

The inspiration behind the collection and messaging derives from uniting as a community and standing together in spirit even when we’re physically unable to.The range sees a neutral, monochrome colour palette and streetwear silhouettes mixed with slogan prints and rainbow accents. Simple yet powerful in meaning, the collection is here to celebrate everyone, and this is shown by one of the t-shirts that reads LOVE. You, me, him, her, they, them, us, whoever, EVERYONE.

A spokesperson from boohoo & boohooMAN, said: ‘Each year, Pride is an incredible time for bringing people together. We may not be able to go to concerts, carnivals and parties this year, but the pride of our community will still be out in force. Pride is not just a party, it is a spirit we all feel and a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’ .

Funds will be divided between OutRight Action International, the LGBTQ+ human rights organisation, and the  Brighton Rainbow Fund, who give grants to local LGBTQ+/HIV groups who deliver effective frontline services to LGBTQ+ people in the city.

Chris Gull, Chair of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, said: ‘This is going to be a tough year for the vital local LGBTQ+ and HIV projects that we support, so we are delighted that together with Brighton & Hove Pride boohoo & boohooMAN are donating funds for us to distribute.’

Brighton & Hove Pride is the biggest fundraiser of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, with a minimum of £1 per ticket for the park, and £1 per wristband for the Pride Village Party donated to the Fund.

Paul Kemp, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Pride, added: ‘Without the physical event this year to celebrate Brighton & Hove Pride, it’s more important than ever to raise money for the Brighton Rainbow Fund. We’re pleased our partners at boohoo & boohooMAN are donating much needed funds through their Pride range this year and helping Pride with our community fundraising effort.’

The collection, available in sizes XS – 4XL, ranges from £5 – £45 and can be viewed here: 

See here for more info on the Brighton Rainbow Fund.

To learn more about Brighton & Hove Pride

For more info on OutRight Action International, visit their website

Regency Tavern: takeaway pies & sides on Uber Eats

Posted on by Contributor

Regency Tavern Brighton, the fabulously flamboyant LGBTQ+ hot spot, is now serving a range of scrummy pies and sides through Uber Eats for you to pick up at the venue, which is located at 32-34 Russell Square, Brighton BN1 2EF.  Order here

Pick one of the Regency’s delicious pies from Pulled Pork & Apple, Steak & Mushroom, Chicken Madras, Chicken & Mushroom, Vegan Smoked Tofu, Sweet Potato & Spinach, or Spinach, Red Pepper & Feta.

Then top it off, with two sides, from Mash, Triple Cooked Chips, Mushy Peas, Mixed Baked Beans, Garden Peas or Extra Gravy.

One pie and two sides only £11, served from 12 –9pm, 10–20 minutes wait.

To order, visit www.ubereats.com and type ‘Regency Tavern’ in the search bar. Or click here

The owners of Regency Tavern have been busy bees since lockdown, they’ve made some improvements inside, hosted a Movie Night over Facebook with Chris Hide, and hung flags from their façade to thank the NHS & other keyworkers, and to mark VE Day on Friday, May 8.

Regency Tavern, say: ‘We are still here, as fabulous as ever and we can’t wait to see you fabulous people soon. Keep safe, lots of love Louie, Simon, Leah and all the team.’

Regency Tavern is based at 32-34 Russell Square, Brighton BN1 2EF.

More info: www.regencytavern.co.uk

Facebook @trtbrighton 

Trans Vegas goes Digital

Posted on by Contributor

In the light of the COVID-19 lockdown, the fourth annual Trans Vegas arts festival in Manchester will go digital from June 19 – 21.

Curated by Trans Creative, Trans Vegas is an annual trans arts festival where trans people get to tell their own stories.  Over the last three years, the festival has devised, curated and supported work from hundreds of trans and non-binary artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. 

The festival delivers an exciting programme of new and original work curated by the Trans Creative team with support from Arts Council England, Manchester Pride and Manchester City Council, including films, Q&As, interviews, an online art exhibition, a podcast and a virtual rally – all created by trans artists during the COVID-19 lockdown. 

Kate O’Donnell, artistic director for Trans Creative, said: ‘125 zoom calls later, we managed to contact trans artists around the world, meet them in their homes during this lockdown and create the UK’s first online trans arts festival.

‘Having my trans creatives with me during this difficult time has been special and I am so proud to share what we have made together with you.’

Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said: ‘I am really excited to be able to work with Trans Creative to bring this vital and engaging festival online. Each year it enables our trans family to share its many talents and voices to the wider LGBTQ+ people of Greater Manchester and by taking the 2020 festival online I hope that we are able to reach an even bigger audience regionally, nationally and internationally.’

The festival has a strong commitment to supporting trans people throughout and has actively sort out trans technicians, producers, marketing experts and designers; mostly based in the North West. Visuals for the festival have been created by trans illustrator Jamie Neville, the digital producer is Alex Hewitt, web designer is Danni Thompson, marketing strategist Campbell x, producer for the Trans Rally is Adyn Quinn-Davis and the sound engineer is Eliyana Evans. 

For more information and the programme check out the cool website here

GMB demands Public Enquiry over BAME workers’ deaths

Posted on by Contributor

GMB, Britain’s general union, has spoken out following Public Health England’s (PHE) delayed publication of its review of the coronavirus outbreak, which shows that higher infection and mortality rates in BAME communities could be attributed to poor housing conditions, lower incomes, occupations with higher risk profiles, inadequate access to public services, and a greater risk of underlying health conditions.

To see PHE’s report, click here.

GMB represents tens of thousands of workers in occupations that PHE has said have the highest rates of excess deaths, including care, nursing, security, and professional driving.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said: ‘Matt Hancock has lost valuable time by commissioning a report on facts that were already in the public domain.  

‘Either BAME lives matter or they don’t, and Ministers have lost valuable time in commissioning a report that doesn’t set out how working lives are to be protected.  

‘This report confirms what we already knew – BAME workers have made a disproportionate sacrifice during this pandemic. 

‘In the context of global events, with the spotlight on structural and institutional racism, the publication of this report which carries no recommendations is just going to heighten distrust of the claim that all lives matter to the government.  

‘People are dying and Ministers have been too slow to protect lives.  

‘They say that this virus doesn’t discriminate, but the response to this virus and the lives it has taken most definitely experienced a discrimination that ended in their deaths.  

‘No plan is in place that gives confidence that the government is going to protect lives of people disproportionately impacted by this terrible disease. That’s why GMB has joined the call for an independent public inquiry into the government’s response.’

To see PHE’s report, click here.

For more info on GMB, visit their website 

Bristol Pride Online- September 1-12

Posted on by Contributor

The organisers of Bristol Pride Festival have announced that this year’s Pride event will go online as a series of colourful Pride events from September 1–12.

Bristol Pride, which was set to take place in July of this year before being postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, is a unique and important event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and offers the chance to connect and bring people together.

As part of Bristol Pride Online the team will move some of the events and activities you’ve come to love from the annual festival online including their dog show, film festival, comedy night, family and wellbeing activities and a showcase of the stalls and groups usually found in the festivals community area.

The digital festival will culminate with an exciting Pride Day celebration, which will see a virtual parade and performances as well as special messages of support. There will also be afterparty DJ sets to keep the celebrations going into the evening.

Eve Russell, Festival Director, said: ‘This was not an easy decision to make, we’ve closely followed the developments with Covid-19 and carefully considered the impact this will have on our community and our ability to deliver the festival.

‘Last year 40,000 people attended Pride Day and people travelled from all over the UK and overseas to celebrate Pride in Bristol. We consider the health and safety of our attendees, staff and city of upmost importance and with a restriction on mass gatherings looking to continue we’re just not able to deliver a physical festival this year.

‘But Pride is such a vital part of many people’s lives the show must go on and we’re really excited and energised at the thought of mixing it up and delivering a great show online.’

As well delivering an exciting programme of online events the team will continue to work on plans for an even bigger and better event in 2021, which will take place on Saturday, July 10.

For more information visit the Bristol Pride website and follow them on social media:

Twitter: @bristolpride
Facebook: @brispride

Latest News

Community News Scene to publish your memories of Miss Jason in May issue
Sport Multiple footballers in German football to come out on May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – claims German newspaper
Television The very colourful life of Miriam Rivera to be explored in new Channel 4 documentary
Arts REVIEW: ‘F*cking Men’ at Waterloo East Theatre
LGBTQ+ News Grindr accused of sharing personal data, including people’s HIV status, with third parties
X