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Author: Graham Robson

Celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ families with the 13th annual International Family Equality Day on May 5

Posted on by Graham Robson

Celebrate and honour the diversity of LGBTQ+ families across the globe with the 13th annual International Family Equality Day (IFED).

On May 5, LGBTQ+ people and their families and friends will get together across the globe to celebrate the 13th annual IFED – an awareness day that highlights family diversity and advocates for equality for everyone. This year’s motto, We Are Family, aims to honour all families regardless of how they are created.

“We all belong to a family,” says IFED Co-President Benny Odongo (Kenya). “And while not all families are the same, what matters is that we are part of and contribute to one. Therefore, even if it can’t be written in official documents, even when the laws ignore or discriminate us, even if somebody says we shouldn’t exist, all families are families worthy and deserving of recognition and protection. This is the message we will be getting across with this year’s IFED.”

According to IFED Co-President Matcha Phorn-In (Thailand), it’s clear that it’s love that forms a family, that the definition of marriage as union between one man and one woman must be challenged, and that the right to parent children and co-adoption must be granted regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics.

“That’s what this year’s IFED motto is all about,” says Phorn-In. “With Thailand being right on its way to becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to pass a bill legalising marriage for LGBTQ+ couples, this year’s motto has an extra special meaning.”

“All families, including LGBTQ+ families, deserve to be celebrated and protected,” added Tonya Agnew (United States), IFED board member and Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Family Equality, the leading organisation that works for LGBTQ+ families in the US. “Family is the ultimate uniter. Regardless of a person’s background or political views, each of us knows what it means to be part of a family. We all want to be loved, supported, and to feel like we belong. That is what is means to be a family. IFED is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ families around the globe to be recognised and celebrated.”

Since its beginnings in 2012, IFED has grown into a world-wide movement. Last year, the event was commemorated in 258 cities in 78 countries – another record!

“It is truly humbling, and inspiring to see the IFED family grow the way it does,” says IFED-founder Maria von Känel. “To see all these people coming together, spreading joy, supporting one another, and standing up for what’s needed most in this world – love and respect for the human condition, which is diverse and colourful. I’m beyond excited to celebrate again this year and to watch all these brave, wonderful people setting an example by cherishing and supporting the ones they love. To me, that’s IFED and I invite people from around the globe to join the IFED family and help change the world!”

Get involved HERE

Get in on the ‘Love Action’! The Human League to headline this year’s Bristol Pride

Posted on by Graham Robson

Bristol Pride has announced that pop icons The Human League will be headlining the Main Stage at this year’s festival, which returns to The Downs this summer on Saturday, 13 July.

With an incredible 44 years in the business, synthpop legends and hit makers The Human League will close the Main Stage ‘in style’ as they perform at Bristol Pride ahead of their Generations tour across Europe later this year. Their legacy continues with new albums and being sampled or covered by many acts. To date, the Brit Award winning band have released nine studio albums as well as EPs, remixes and greatest hits, earning six top 20 albums, 13 top 20 singles in the UK and have sold more than 20 million records including hit singles: Together in Electric Dreams, Mirror Man, (Keep Feeling) Fascination, Tell Me When, Human, Love Action and Don’t You Want Me – the biggest selling single of 1981.

Alongside The Human League, Bristol Pride – the LGBTQ+ charity – has released the rest of the Main Stage line up including dance star Georgia, ’90s legend Rozalla, MantarayBryn, synth band CatBear, Basement Jaxx singer and Ronnie Scott’s resident Vula Malinga, Sing Out Bristol, Swedish pop royalty Charlotte Perrelli and BBC Project Ikon winner Dylan and The Moon. Bringing euphoric pop to the stage Claire Richards from STEPS also joins the festival this year along with global icons and electro band Ladytron.

Ladytron

Organisers have also revealed a new stage name with the Uplift Stage aiming to showcase the diversity of music and performance in Bristol. Teaming up with local event makers, Punka and Brizzle Boyz, acts on the stage include music performances from Bled, Luna Kali Kerensa and Bristol legends, The Menstrual Cramps. Whilst acts like Laddie Gaga, Kurt Sovain, Oliver Assets, House of Xanarchy, Fluxx Wyldly and Small Willy Nelson show just how exciting Bristol’s performance and cabaret scene is.

Bristol Pride marks its 15th Anniversary in 2024 and continues to grow and win awards, including Best Event in the Bristol Pride Life Awards (2020, 2022 and 2023) and this year the team won ‘Best Pride Organisation’ in the national Gaydio Awards. Pride, which continues to grow partnerships and events across the city, expects more than 46,000 people to attend events across the two weeks and Pride Day this year. Last year the team welcomed a record breaking 25,000 people to the Parade March through the city centre that kick starts Pride Day.

Organisers have already announced the Cabaret Stage line up with stage headliners Heidi n Closet and Pixie Polite from RuPaul’s Drag Race along with over 20 other Drag Kings, Queens and everything in between performing on the day. The event on The Downs will also be home to bustling Community Area, home to over 60 community, social and support groups, dedicated Youth and Family Areas and five performance stages including Circus Tent and Dance Performance Stage. Pride Night will see the events continue with the Official Bristol Pride afterparty at the O2 Academy Bristol which will be headlined by Glastonbury performers and party starters, the Confidence Man DJs.

PIXIE POLITE

Daryn Carter MBE, Director of Programming and Partnerships, said: “We are all so incredibly excited to announce The Human League as headliners for the festival this year. They are absolute legends and I’m so proud to have them join us for our biggest ever line up for the festival as we mark our 15th Anniversary. Pride is as important now as it has ever been and we’ve got an amazing two weeks of events planned to help bring the community together to stand strong, to raise our collective voices and of course to make space to celebrate and share our collective resilience and joy.”

Bristol Pride Day remains a donation entry festival, ensuring that it remains financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend Pride; however, Supporter Wristbands for this year’s festival are already available online and are on sale from £9. Not only do they support Pride happening and help enable future events, they offer great rewards including free bus travel all day on Pride Day via First Bus and Pride’s dedicated shuttle service to The Downs, 50p off bar prices at the festival, dedicated quick access entry to the festival and discounts or freebies with the onsite food traders.

For more information about Bristol Pride, how you can support the Festival, and all the latest news and events click here and sign up to the mailing list. 

Queefing Championships to Queer Rights: Gay Thoughts Pod, which dives deep into lesbian life, launches during Lesbian Visibility Week

Posted on by Graham Robson

Launched during Lesbian Visibility Week, Gay Thoughts Pod champions the visibility and rights of lesbians and the wider LGBTQ+ community through engaging discussions led by the Paris Munro and Helen Scott.

Whether it’s the raucous hilarity of the ‘Queefing Championships’, or the impactful stories of Paris Munro’s personal transition journey, this podcast covers the full spectrum of queer life with authenticity and flair.

With episodes that delve into everything from navigating complicated relationships to breaking down stigmas around sexual health, Paris and Helen empower their listeners to embrace their identities and discuss topics often left out of mainstream conversations.

Of the launch, Paris Munro said: “Kicking off during Lesbian Visibility Week, Gay Thoughts Pod is your new go-to for everything from the politics of dating to the finest pop culture debates—think of it as your weekly dose of rainbow sparkle! We’re here to mix up your podcast feed with vibrant discussions, celebrity gossip, and a cheeky twist on the usual LGBTQ+ narratives. Let’s make visibility fabulous!”

Helen Scott added: “Gay Thoughts Pod is ready to light up your lives during Lesbian Visibility Week, and we promise it’s as exhilarating as finding your favorite lipstick in the back of the drawer! Join Paris and me as we dive into the hilarious highs and emotional lows of LGBTQ+ life. We’re all about celebrating the diversity of our community, one laugh-out-loud moment at a time. Tune in and turn up the volume on lesbian visibility!”

Gay Thoughts Pod promises to be a dynamic addition to LGBTQ+ media, providing a platform for discussions that are as varied as they are vital. Available on all major podcast platforms, Paris and Helen invite listeners to join them in exploring the complexities and joys of LGBTQ+ life.

For more info, CLICK HERE or follow on social media at @gaythoughtspod.

Making Brighton ‘POP!’: local artist Dave Pop! and city centre businesses team up to dress city centre for the summer

Posted on by Graham Robson

The city centre’s streets of Brighton are brightened up this summer by colourful and fun banners, created by Brighton artist Dave Pop! with the support of local businesses, to signal the start of a celebratory season of creativity.

Dave Pop!’s playful illustrations, which take inspiration from traditional, decorative fairground imagery (and a sprinkle of seaside sauce!), are displayed across the city centre on Preston Street, Western Road, North Street, Market Street and Bond Street.

“I fell in love with the decorative fairground style found on Palace Pier when I first visited Brighton many years ago,” Dave Pop!, who was a former chocolatier at iconic Brighton institution Choccywoccydoodah, and is now a full-time artist says. “I want my designs to capture the fun and joy of Brighton, so using traditional fairground, circus and tattoo style feels like a natural fit. I’m really chuffed to be showing my art all over Brighton this summer. I love living in this city and it’s a constant inspiration to my work.”

The artwork has been commissioned and organised by the 517 businesses who form Brilliant Brighton (also known as Brighton’s Business Improvement District), who each year aim to add extra colour to the city centre streets, from early May through to September, and supported by Gaydio.

The banners are part of Brilliant Brighton’s dressing the city campaign, which aims to brighten up the city centre during the summer months for visitors, holidaymakers and residents alike to enjoy. The campaign also includes cheerful bunting displayed in North Laine and The Lanes and blooming floral hanging baskets.

This year, to further celebrate the creativity and colour on the city centre’s streets, Brilliant Brighton is asking members of the public to share their images of the banners, bunting and flower baskets on Instagram – with one photograph each month winning a £50 Brighton Gift Card to be spent in many city centre businesses, between May and September.

Shelley Welti, Brilliant Brighton’s Marketing and Events Manager, says: “We absolutely love dressing the city in the summer, and hope Dave’s fun, tongue-in-cheek, playful designs make you smile whether enjoying a Fringe or Festival event, or are out and about enjoying all Brilliant Brighton has to offer this summer! Don’t forget to share your photos of the banners, bunting and hanging baskets with us on Instagram – @BrilliantBrighton – as we’ll be choosing an image each month to win a £50 Brighton Gift card!”

See the Brilliant Brighton banners, designed by Dave Pop! on Western Road, North Street, Preston Street, Market Street and Bond Street (and supported by Gaydio), as well as bunting in North Laine and The Lanes, and hanging baskets throughout the city centre, between May and September.

Legends and Two Brewers launch fundraisers ahead of events in Brighton and London to celebrate the life of Miss Jason

Posted on by Graham Robson

LGBTQ+ venues Legends in Brighton and Two Brewers in London have launched fundraisers ahead of events in Brighton and London to celebrate the life of cabaret and LGBTQ+ community star Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason, who we sadly lost on Monday, April 22.

Both venues are hoping to raise £10,000 to “ensure that Jason gets the send off they deserve”.

Two Brewers and Legends said: “Miss Jason was an icon and legend of the LGBTQ+ community, and we have been devastated by their loss. We understand that people want to show their love and support, therefore we have set up these fundraising pages ahead of our fundraising events in May.

“All money raised from these fundraisers and the two events to celebrate Jason’s life will go towards the cost of the funeral. Anything additional will be given to Jason’s partner, Terry, to give him peace of mind at this hugely difficult time.”

The Legends event takes place on Sunday, May 5; the Two Brewers event takes place on Sunday, May 12.

Donate to the Legends fundraiser HERE and the Two Brewers fundraiser HERE

Robbie Currie announced as new CEO of National AIDS Trust, taking over from Deborah Gold

Posted on by Graham Robson

National AIDS Trust, the UK’s HIV rights charity, has announced Robbie Currie will become new Chief Executive in July.

Robbie, who brings over 20 years’ experience working in HIV, sexual and reproductive health, has led the London HIV Prevention Programme since August 2022. Prior to that he was the Sexual and Reproductive Health Commissioner at the London Borough of Bexley. During his tenure at Bexley, he was the Chair of English HIV and Sexual Health Commissioners Group for five years, as well as London’s Strategic Lead for Sexual Health for two years.

Welcoming Robbie’s appointment, Professor Jane Anderson, National AIDS Trust’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Robbie will be leading National AIDS Trust into the future. Through his career-long dedication to HIV prevention and treatment, he brings enormous insight and expertise to the continuing challenges and opportunities we face in the HIV response. Robbie’s collaborative approach will be a huge asset to the organisation and across the HIV sector.

“The Board of Trustees and all the staff at National AIDS Trust look forward to working alongside Robbie, as the charity enters the next chapter of its rich history.”

Robbie will succeed Deborah Gold, who will be leaving as Chief Executive after a decade in post.

Robbie said: “It is an honour to be appointed to lead such an illustrious organisation, that has consistently championed the rights of people living with and affected by HIV.

“I am naturally nervous to be taking up the role following Deborah Gold’s incredible legacy, but extremely excited to continue the vital work undertaken during her tenure, alongside the exceptional National AIDS Trust team. I will look back on my time leading the London HIV Prevention Programme with great pride and look forward to working with colleagues in London and across the country to improve HIV outcomes.

“This is a crucial point in the HIV response. As we get closer to the target of ending new transmissions by 2030, we must also look beyond this target and continue to focus on the everyday lives of people living with, and the communities affected, by HIV. National AIDS Trust continues to be instrumental in addressing health inequalities and dismantling stigma and discrimination, and I am committed to furthering these efforts to achieve meaningful and lasting change.”

UK Black Pride to return on Sunday, August 11

Posted on by Graham Robson

On Sunday, August 11, UK Black Pride once again brings the community together for a party and protest at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London. Now officially the world’s largest celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent, the event will see a range of performances, talks, community stalls and workshops.

The world’s largest Pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent has continued to grow year-on-year. From a bus-load of attendees travelling to Southend-on-Sea to 10,000 people in Haggerston Park, UK Black Pride is proud to return to Newham, the largest space the organisation has occupied since its inception.

Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride CEO, said: “It is with such joy that we can announce our return to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the third year running. It is slowly becoming a great home for our event as we grow bigger and bigger. As we reflect on previous years, we are planning to make this the biggest and the boldest UK Black Pride yet. We are working on the theme for this year and it is going to be a powerful one”.

The application for performers, community stall-holders, food and drink vendors and workshop hosts will soon open and a separate announcement will be made with the theme of this year’s event.

LGBTQ+ veterans charity awarded grant to create UK’s first memorial to “lost legion” of LGBTQ+ veterans

Posted on by Graham Robson

Fighting With Pride (FWP), the LGBTQ+ veterans’ charity, has been awarded a £350,000 grant to create the UK’s first memorial dedicated to the “lost legion” of LGBTQ+ people who have served in the armed forces.

The memorial, which will be built  at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, has been created following a review, led by Lord Etherton, into historical mistreatment of service personnel.

FWP spearheaded efforts to get justice for veterans affected by the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.

The charity said the memorial will be “representative” and a “place for peace and reflection”, but urged the Government to move quickly on other steps to make amends.

The ban saw thousands of members of the armed forces removed from service, some of whom faced violence and abuse because of their sexuality.

Craig Jones MBE

Craig Jones MBE, chair of FWP, said: “In the coming weeks Fighting With Pride will invite the views of the community to ensure the memorial is representative and a place for peace and reflection for today’s Armed Forces family.

“We are delighted and proud to have the opportunity to create this important memorial, our work on it will start quickly.

“We’re committed to delivering a fitting memorial, but a great deal of work remains to be done to lift the veterans most affected by the ban from the poverty inflicted upon them after the loss of careers.

“Too many face crippling debt, poor housing, social isolation and live with poor health and wellbeing. 2024 must be the year in which all 49 of Lord Etherton’s recommendations for reparation are delivered.”

Museum of Transology to hold Trans Pride archiving day at Brighton’s Trans Pride Centre this weekend

Posted on by Graham Robson
The Museum of Transology has been collecting items from Trans Pride Brighton & Hove over the last ten years. This weekend – Saturday, 27 April – they are holding an archiving day at the Trans Pride Centre (93 St James Street, Brighton BN2 1TP) and you’re invited!

Pop along to see the collection and help out with the process of preserving, labelling and cataloging it. You’re welcome to bring your own items to add to the collection too. No prior experience needed, no need to book. More info HERE

The Museum of Transology has been collaborating with Trans Pride UK to build local trans collections for local trans communities right across the UK and Ireland.

They said: “Wherever there’s a Trans Pride festival, there’ll be a transology collection.

“If you’d like to have your voice saved in transcestry, all you need to do is turn up with your object to your local collection point.

“We’ll give you a brown tag to write your story onto and show you how to archive your precious artefact in your own words.

“Objects will be chosen from every Trans Pride collection to be included in the Museum of Transology’s 10 year anniversary exhibition in 2025. You can co-curate your object’s place in the exhibition in our free online UK-wide transology curation workshops.

“Trans rights might be under attack, but we’re fighting back by protecting, saving and celebrating our culture for future genderations.

“Donate your object to ensure we leave a legacy of trans joy for the future.”

More info HERE

Multiple footballers in German football to come out on May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia – claims German newspaper

Posted on by Graham Robson

German weekly newspaper Preussische Allgemeine Zeitung is claiming that multiple male footballers in German football will come out as gay on May 17, which is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

The outlet claims a group of professionals across the country will publicly declare their sexual orientation during the German domestic season, with the penultimate weekend of the Bundesliga action, its top-flight, taking place across that weekend.

While it is believed that all of the clubs the reported players are aware of the planned proposal, Preussische Allgemeine Zeitung has stated that some players still have reservations about revealing their homosexuality and could still make a U-turn in doing so.

Marcus Urban

Marcus Urban, a former footballer in Germany who came out as gay in 2007, hopes the plans come to fruition.

“I think they are respected and celebrated for that. Not by everyone, that’s clear. But hate speech cannot be a criterion for a life,

“May 17 is an offer,” he told the Editorial Network Germany (RND). “A date that you could use as a guide and get together as a group.

“There is controversy there. Do I still want to wait until the world of football becomes the way I want it to be? Why should I wait? An interesting dynamic has come into play, you can see that people’s minds are starting to move and are thinking about whether it really makes sense to continue to hide and deny themselves.

Urban went on to reveal that there are gay couples playing in the Bundesliga too – declaring it would be ‘liberating’ if they came out.

“There are also gay Bundesliga couples who are in hiding,” he continued.

“That would be so liberating. What’s wrong with it.”

At present there are no active male professional footballers in Germany who are openly gay.

Thomas Hitzlsperger

Former Germany international, Thomas Hitzlsperger, who played in the Premier League for Aston Villa, West Ham and Everton, came out as gay in 2014 a year after retiring.

In October 2021, Adelaide United midfielder Josh Cavallo became – at the time – the only known current top-flight male football player in the world to come out as gay. Then 21, the Australian – now 24 and recently engaged to his fiancé – told the world he was tired of ‘living a double life’.

Since Cavallo’s reveal, three other footballers have come forward as gay, including Blackpool forward Jake Daniels, Cagliari’s Jakub Jankto and San Diego Loyal midfielder Collin Martin.

Justin Fashanu

The first professional player to come out while still playing was Britain’s Justin Fashanu in 1990, but he never found acceptance in the game and tragically took his own life 1998.

A charity set up by Fashanu’s family last year released a letter from an unnamed gay player in the Premier League which highlighted how little football’s culture had changed.

Latest News

International News Celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ families with the 13th annual International Family Equality Day on May 5
Pride Get in on the ‘Love Action’! The Human League to headline this year’s Bristol Pride
LGBTQ+ News Queefing Championships to Queer Rights: Gay Thoughts Pod, which dives deep into lesbian life, launches during Lesbian Visibility Week
Community News Making Brighton ‘POP!’: local artist Dave Pop! and city centre businesses team up to dress city centre for the summer
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