The magazine, published quarterly by the UK gay charity, the Pink Triangle Trust, also carries a particularly gruelling feature on AIDS.
IN “AIDS: then and now”, Barry Duke, editor of The Pink Humanist writes of how his life was torn apart by HIV in the 1980s, and young American Brandon Griewank recounts the horror of being diagnosed HIV positive in 2006.
The issue also covers the disappointing swing to the right in Australia which has put the country well out of step with nations that have legalised gay marriage, and the continued hostility towards homosexuals from diehard leaders of the Catholic Church are just two of the issues covered in depth in the latest issue.
Other features include an examination of Pakistan’s rampant homophobia, seen through the eyes of an ex-Muslim who has created a book for children – My Chacha is Gay, and there is a fascinating re-examination of the ground breaking 1961 movie Victim, which played a major role in changing Britain’s draconian anti-gay laws in 1967.
And the dangerous power exerted by mainly white evangelicals from the West over politicians in black countries is examined in a report on the latest anti-gay rally staged in Jamaica earlier this month.
Brighton Feminist Collective will be joining sex workers, allies and advocates on Wednesday, December 17, to mark the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers.
THEY WILL be holding a vigil in central Brighton on the evening of December 17, to take a stand against violence towards sex workers, to protest anti-sex worker laws and sentiments, and to remember those who have been lost.
The event will take place on Old Steine by the fountain. There will be speakers, a candlelit vigil, a minutes silence and an invitation to anyone who would like to speak.
Feel free to take along red umbrellas, candles and placards.
A spokesperson for Brighton Feminist Collective, said: “During the week of December 17, sex worker communities and social justice organisations stage actions and vigils and work to raise awareness about violence that is commonly committed against sex workers. The assault, battery, rape and murder of sex workers must end. Racism and economic inequality and systems of colonialist, capitalist violence and oppression must end. The stigma and discrimination and criminalization that makes violence against us acceptable must end. Please join with sex workers around the world and stand against criminalization and violence committed against our communities.”
Event: International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers – Candlelit Vigil
Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club will be holding a New Year Sunday Lunch on Sunday, January 4 at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church.
THE MONTHLY Sunday Lunches will run throughout the winter to give people with HIV additional time to meet and spend time with their peers.
Gary Pargeter
Gary Pargeter the volunteer project manager at Lunch Positive, said:“Following a moving World AIDS Day on December 1,the first Sunday Lunch of 2015 will be one of hope and celebration for a new year ahead”.
“We hope as many as possible from our HIV community will come and join us, new members and old.”
The 3-course lunch will cost £2.50. Doors open at 1.45 pm, with lunch served at 2.15 p.m.
There is no need to book ahead. Sunday Lunches are provided entirely by volunteers.
Rainbow Chorus, Brighton and Hove’s only LGBT choir, will be presenting their Christmas offering, Blame it on the Baubles! tonight, Saturday, December 13.
THE RAINBOW CHORUS is the only Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) choir in the South of England outside of London. The choir aims to provide an enjoyable and supportive environment for LGBT members to sing together, making new friends, developing their community spirit, individual talents and confidence. Through performance, the Rainbow Chorus also raises the profile of the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove as well as providing top quality entertainment.
The choir will be conducted by their musical director, Aneesa Chaudhry, accompanist is Mojca Monte and sign language interpretation will be provided by Marco Nardi.
Event: Rainbow Chorus: Blame it on the Baubles!
Where: St George’s Church, St Georges Road, Kemp Town, Brighton, BN2 1ED
When: Saturday, December 13
Time: 7.30pm doors open 7pm
Tickets: £12, £10 concessions. (Children under 12 – half price)
To book online, click here: or from choir member or on the door on the night
For more information about Rainbow Chorus, click here:
Celebrate the magic of Hove during the festive season with Resound Male Voices.
RESOUND Male Voices will be presenting their next concert,Hove for the Holidays, at 7:30 pm tonight, Saturday, December 13, 2014 at St Andrew’s Church in Waterloo Street, Hove.
Resound will be joined by the Rebelles, a female vocal group in its debut performance, and a quartet of musicians.
The choirs, both led by Stefan Holmström, opera singer and vocal coach, will be performing their very own rendition of Perry Como’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ and a fabulous joint arrangement of the classic ‘Fairytale of New York’.
Resound will also sing two Canadian folk songs, a traditional Swedish carol and Morten Lauridsen’s ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ in a rare version for male voices along with a few of their favourites like Mr Sandman and Hey! Eugene.
The Rebelles will sing several 1940s close harmony songs including Chattanooga Choo-Choo and Dream a Little Dream.
Everyone is invited to go along for what promises to be an atmospheric evening in one of Hove’s most beautiful settings.
Event:Hove for the Holidays with Resound Male Voices and Rebelles
Eddie Izzard returns to the De La Warr Pavilion on Tuesday, December 23 for a special homecoming performance of Force Majeure.
Eddie Izzard
EDDIE HAS toured this show all over the world and is returning home for a special seasonal performance with all profits from the evening going towards the planned Auditorium refurbishment works at the De La Warr Pavilion at the beginning of 2015.
This is a unique opportunity to see Eddie perform in front of his home town audience.
Event: Eddie Izzard: Force Majeure
Where: De La Warr Pavilion, Marina, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TH40 1DP
Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven travelled yesterday (December 11) to the Headquarters of NHS Surrey and Sussex in Horley to discuss the future of the Eaton Place surgery and GP provision in Kemp Town.
SImon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
HE MET with the Sussex area director and other members of NHS England, to discuss the future of the Eaton Place surgery and GP provision in Kemp Town.
Simon said:“I have been working continuously since the announcement about the retirement of the current GPs at Eaton Place Surgery and have been in correspondence with NHS England for many weeks on this issue, making numerous representations on behalf of local residents concerned about the potential loss of a GP surgery in our area. Further to this I organised the face to face meeting with the Director of NHS England and some of her team to stress the need to resolve this issue.
“I have been in contact with concerned constituents and I am aware of how strong the feelings are in the area on this issue. I made this very clear to NHS England, urging them to do all they can to find a solution as soon as possible.”
He continued:“The meeting was very productive and I will continue to work with NHS England going forward to ensure adequate GP provision in the area. There are still a number of hurdles to clear but I am cautiously optimistic that progress will be made and I will continue to work hard to do all I can to ensure the best possible solution is found and that disruption for patients is kept to an absolute minimum.”
Leigh Farrow, Labour Councillor for Moulsecoomb and Bevendean will announce at full council today that he has joined UKIP.
Cllr Farrow, a member of the Labour Party for 30 years was banned from standing as a councillor for Labour and Cooperative at next years local elections in May, at a branch meeting of the Labour and Cooperative Group in September this year, which he described as a “kangaroo court”.
Responding to the news a spokesperson for the Labour and Co-operative group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “Leigh Farrow was removed as a Labour candidate following repeated complaints from council staff and party colleagues of unacceptable behaviour, not for any political reason.
“If he wishes to seek election in May for UKIP then that is a matter for him, although we would question whether he agrees with UKIP policy of removing rights in the workplace, such as sick leave, health and safety, maternity leave, paid holidays and more, as well as their support for the privatisation of the NHS.
“His defection to UKIP is somewhat surprising as until now Leigh Farrow has been on record as describing UKIP as “racist”, “xenophobic”, “further to the Right than the Tory Party” and “acting like the BNP.”
In an email to colleagues in April 2013, Mr Farrow, wrote: “I don’t know whether you saw the article in the Argus on Saturday, “Tory defection is a big boost to UKIP”. Apparently the deputy leader of Tory controlled Horsham District Council has defected to UKIP, saying it is “the real Conservative Party”.
“I won’t be loosing much sleep over Tories moving to UKIP. I am much more concerned about conversations I’ve recently had with residents in Bevendean and Whitehawk. These local people who would normally support Labour are expressing their concerns over the possible immigration, next year, of people from Romania and Bulgaria. UKIP is conducting a campaign playing on the fears of ordinary working people. In this Tory fuelled recession of our economy people are genuinely afraid for their jobs and now their homes. UKIP is behaving like the BNP and blaming “foreigners”.
“Following the Eastleigh by-election and looking forward to next year’s European Parliament elections, UKIP have become emboldened. They think that their brand of xenophobia can be easily sold to British people. Unfortunately there is an element of truth in this. With most of the right-wing press supporting this type of view the fear of eastern europeans is becoming viral.
“As the Labour Party nationally and locally we need to stand up to this racism before it is too late. We need to campaign for equality in the cosmopolitan City and district that we live in. We need to remind people that many British citizens live and work in countries like France, Portugal, Spain, Malta and Cyprus. During the Thatcher recession of the 1980’s, many British people went to work in Germany.
“Without positive action against the UKIP campaign many of our natural supporters will be tempted to vote UKIP. This could mean the loss of our South East MEP seat next year. It could then have serious effects in May 2015. If Labour supporters vote UKIP then the Tories could hold on to the parliamentary seats of Brighton/Kemptown and Hove & Portslade. A swing to UKIP in the City would not help us gain a majority on the Council.
“Our NEC and City & District Party need to build campaigns to take UKIP head on. We need to show our natural supporters that UKIP is just the “Nasty Party” mark 2. Their other policies are further to the right than the Tories and would do even greater damage to the British economy.”
Nancy Platts, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven has written to Simon Kirby MP asking him if he will vote to save firefighters’ pensions in the Parliamentary debate on Monday.
Nancy Platts: Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven
Nancy, who has campaigned for the firefighters throughout the present dispute, said: “Now is the time for action and our local Conservative MP needs to vote to save firefighters pensions on Monday or his latest statement will be just warm words. Anyone can have a meeting and issue a press release about it, but it’s the vote that makes the difference.”
Nancy issued her challenge after the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven met with the Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt MP earlier this week.
In her letter to Mr Kirby, Nancy said:“I note the story in today’s GScene regarding firefighter pensions in which you state, “I am happy to stand up for hard-working firefighters who are genuinely concerned about the future of their pensions.” Your statement to the press did not include any outcome from your meeting with Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt MP. Despite her assurances of “the best possible deal for firefighters”, she has so far ignored the concerns and cooperation of firefighters and the FBU by saying that no further offer will be made.
“The Government’s Firefighters’ pension regulations are based on an assumption about a dangerously low fitness standard, which would put public safety and the lives of firefighters in danger. Firefighters risk their lives to save ours and they deserve better than this.
“You did not sign EDM 454 calling for the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (England) Regulations 2014 (S.I., 2014, No. 2848), dated 23 October 2014 to be annulled, despite requests from local firefighters living and working in your constituency to do so. Thankfully a debate and vote on this issue have now been secured because 270 other MPs were prepared to sign the petition and stand up for firefighters when it mattered.
“The debate and vote on Monday represent a key turning point in the ongoing dispute over firefighter pensions that has resulted in strike action. Now is your chance to make a real difference and I trust that your support for firefighters will translate into concrete action by voting to save their pensions on Monday.
“Please can you confirm how you will vote on Monday at the debate?”
Simon Kirby MP
Responding Simon said:“I will not apologise for being a strong voice for local firefighters and will continue to stand up for them, as I have done consistently. One of the most effective ways to positively influence policy as an MP is by meeting Ministers to have frank discussions about policies/proposed policies.
“It is sad that the Labour candidate doesn’t understand this and that is just one of the reasons she is clearly not ready to be the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven.
“I will leave the empty, gesture politics and hashtags to her and will continue to get on with the job of standing up for residents here in Brighton and Peacehaven and will be following the debate very closely on Monday.”
The dispute over pensions has resulted in ongoing industrial action because regulations put before parliament mean that firefighters will have to pay higher contributions and work longer only to get less in their retirement.
The Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled by the Labour Party called for the regulations to make changes to the firefighter pension scheme to be annulled. It was signed by 270 MPs, but not Mr Kirby.
The Firefighters debate and a vote will take place on Monday, December 15, 2014.
The team organising London Pride in 2015 have added to their expertise and capacity by appointing three new directors to lead on fundraising, strategic delivery and legal affairs and are advertising further senior manager vacancies on their website.
THROUGHOUT JUNE the award-winning#freedomto social media and advertising campaign took the Pride message to millions of people across London and far beyond.
Now London LGBT+ Community Pride, the volunteer organisation that has delivered Pride in London since 2013, is adding to Team Pride so that they can continue to deliver bigger and better Pride events for the capital.
The aim is to continue to increase the impact of Pride, promoting the cause of equality and inclusion and becoming a celebration for the whole of London.
Three new directors have been added to boost Team Pride’s expertise in fundraising (Polly Shute), strategic delivery (Rob Anderson) and legal & secretariat (Mohsin Zaidi).
Team Pride is set to grow further as the Directors recruit more Senior Managers.
Pride in London is currently advertising voluntary roles in the Communications, Marketing & Advertising, and Sponsorship & Fundraising Teams.
For more information about each role and how to apply, click here:
MIchael Salter
Michael Salter, Chair of Pride in London said:“I am delighted that we received so much interest when we advertised the new director roles in September and that we had such a strong field from which to choose. Polly, Rob and Mohsin are fantastic additions to the team as we plan an even bigger and better Pride in London 2015. All of us at Team Pride are volunteers and we are looking for others to join us in a wide range of roles advertised on our website. We will be recruiting to more roles in the New Year and we are always looking for more people to join us on the big day, 27th June 2015, to be part of the team that delivers London’s biggest LGBT+ event and makes a difference for our community far beyond London.”
The Pride in London board is now made up of the following Directors:
• Rob Anderson, Strategic Delivery
• David Bloomfield,Finance & Planning
• Alison Camps,Marketing & Advertising
• Patrick Lyster-Todd,Community Engagement
• Huma Qazi,Team Pride & Organisation
• Michael Salter, Chair
• Polly Shute,Fundraising & Sponsorship
• Stephen Ward,Communications
• Mohsin Zaidi, Legal & Secretariat
The following roles are currently being advertised:
The issue also covers the disappointing swing to the right in Australia which has put the country well out of step with nations that have legalised gay marriage, and the continued hostility towards homosexuals from diehard leaders of the Catholic Church are just two of the issues covered in depth in the latest issue.
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