January 2017 – Page 8 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

PREVIEW: The Bad Book Project with Jane Postlethwaite

Posted on 16/01/201716/01/2017 by Contributor

The Bad Book Project is a free monthly night in Brighton that involves really funny people reading from very bad books.

The night is produced and hosted by Jane Postlethwaite, character comedian and writer. The night has been so successful since it started in July 2015 and in 2017 they have had to move it to a bigger venue at The Blue Man in Brighton. Each month they have new readers who are made up of comedians, musicians, writers and other creative types.

Each event has a competition where the audience votes on their favourite readers and bad book. The prizes are notoriously silly. There is a loyal fan base that turn up each month wearing their ‘I love Bad Book Project’ badges.

Jane Postlethwaite, said: “The idea for the night came about by having to read really bad scripts while doing my acting diploma, finding crap books in charity shops and watching, ‘Celebrity Autobiography’ on Youtube.

The actual inspiration for the night was a video of Kristen Wiig reading from the Suzanne Somers Poem book, ‘Touch me’. After watching this video (repeatedly), I ordered the poem book from America years ago (costing a whopping £25) knowing it would one day be read at a night like this and I wrote in my notebook idea for Brighton night, ‘Bad Book Project’.

When I came to find my notebook years later and wanted to start an alternative comedy night I knew I had to use that title and use The Marwood for a venue. The Suzanne Somers book has been read by various guests throughout the year. It’s like the Holy Grail for this night!!

The night has always been a fusion of ideas from worldwide nights that I think are brilliant such as the American events like ‘Moth’ and ‘Celebrity Autobiography’.

Our readers choose bad sci-fi, celebrity autobiographies, childhood stories or diaries, emails from funny family members, ‘how to’ books, self-help and so many more….the only rule – No 50 shades of Grey nonsense!”

Event: The Bad Book Project

Where: The Blue Man, 8 Queens Road, Brighton

When: January 25, February 16, March 16, April 20, No Bad Book Project in May, June 22

Time: 7.30pm

Cost: Free entry

For more information, click here:

Researchers investigate stigma among gay men

Posted on 16/01/201715/01/2017 by Graham Robson

Two undergraduate students from the University of Exeter need your help to conduct research investigating the impacts of stigma amongst gay men as part of their final year project.

Bethany Rose and Michaela Beauchamp, who are being supervised by Dr David Doyle, a lead researcher in the area of stigma and sexual minorities, hope that completion of the research will add to the growing literature surrounding this issue, help to combat the negative effects of stigma towards gay men, as well as potentially being used to develop preventative measures to protect individuals from the negative effects of stigma and prejudice.

In order to take part in the research you must be male, over the age of 18, homosexual and currently in a romantic relationship. The survey takes 15 minutes, you will remain anonymous and those who complete it will be entered in to a draw to win one of two £50 Amazon vouchers.

To complete the survey, click here:

Manchester Airport to sponsor Birmingham Pride

Posted on 16/01/201715/01/2017 by Besi

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third largest, joins forces with Birmingham Pride to be one of the sponsors at this year’s event in May.

As part of the sponsorship the airport will brand and name the Cabaret Marquee Stage, which will now be known as The Manchester Airport Cabaret Marquee.

As well as sponsoring the stage, airport staff will be in attendance over the weekend to join the parade celebrations and to shout about its 210 global routes, particularly a new direct route to San Francisco.

Patrick Alexander, Manchester Airport’s Head of Marketing, said: “We are delighted to be working with Birmingham Pride for the first time to support such a worthwhile event.

“We have sponsored other Prides in the UK and thought it was time to widen our reach to showcase the great work undertaken by Manchester Airport, with many of our passengers coming from the Midlands.

“We looking forward to working closely with the Birmingham Pride team on what I am sure will be a world-class event.”

Lawrence Barton, Festival Director of Birmingham Pride, said: “We are really looking forward to working with the Manchester Airport team and cannot wait for our partnership to fully take off.

“This year will be bigger and better than ever with a host of exciting announcements to come over the coming weeks and months.

“We’d like to thank Manchester Airport for their support, which helps great causes across the city.”

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

To book tickets, click here:

Birmingham Pride has taken place for the last 20 years and to date has raised in excess of £200,000. It is a not for profit organisation; profits raised go to local LGBT+ charities and projects.

For more information about Birmingham Pride, click here:

National Student Pride 2017: ‘Lets talk about sex’

Posted on 15/01/201715/01/2017 by Besi

Now in its 12th year, National Student Pride returns to London on Saturday, February 25.

Once again it will focus around a daytime festival based at the University of Westminster’s Marylebone campus, with over 1600 LGBT+ students from across the UK taking part in a weekend of festivities from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26.

The evening entertainment will be hosted by the infamous G-A-Y night clubs, culminating with a party at G-A-Y Heaven where performances from the likes of Adele, Lady Gaga and Ellie Goulding continue to set national entertainment headlines.

Last years core theme of Mental Health showed that despite 2017 being the year the UK celebrates the important 50-year milestone since gay sex was decriminalised between consenting men over the age of 21 years – LGBT+ acceptance has far to go.

A host of LGBT+ personalities spoke during the panel debates, including Will Young on his addiction to porn, Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts on the radio industry suppressing sexuality on air and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley on music industry officials insisting coming out would not help their careers.

The discussion showed time and again, a large part of the struggle young people have in coming to terms with their sexual and gender identity, is wrapped up in the British taboo of not talking about sex.

That’s why this year, National Student Pride will put sexual education at the core of the event – this years theme Lets Talk About Sex will blast the cupboard doors open, putting the bedroom front and centre of the discussions.

From love and relationships to the rising levels of HIV, racism in the LGBT+ community and how apps are vastly changing the sexual landscape of a community that has long been seen as one that embraces sexual freedom – along with so much more.

The daytime event will be starting a national conversation about sex. It will be looking towards the Education Secretary Justine Greening, whose office has this month said the time is right “to look again at how schools deliver high-quality personal, social, health and economic education including sex and relationship education”.

In a year that saw the largest mass killing in America at Pulse in Orlando, with reports suggesting that the attack was driven by the toxic shame of his sexuality, National Student Pride want every LGBT+ child to grow up knowing they are truly welcome in society.

They’ll call for sex education to include all narratives, beyond the reproductive to safe same-sex, body image and in a month yet another sex scandal has rocked the national institution of football – National Student Pride look to put consent at the forefront of the conversation.

Chair of National Student Pride Emma Costello, said: “After 50 years since the legalisation of gay sex, it’s time we truly took seriously the power that sex and relationship education has. The government has an opportunity to liberate the young generation it says it champions by lifting the toxic shame barrier thrust upon LGBT+ people who grow up in a world where our rights are protected, but being LGBT+ is still not embraced as something normal which, the life affirming power of the word should not be understated.”

The event starts with an opening night party on Friday 24 featuring drag kings and queens galore, hosted by the fabulous Mary Mac.

Central to the success of the event will be the careers fair during the afternoon of Saturday, February 25, which keeps the daytime event free and is now the largest LGBT+ student Careers Fair in the UK.

Last year, EY, Google, IBM and Clifford Chance took on graduates they interviewed and met at the event.

Already confirmed for this year fair are Ford, Fujitsu, RAF, RBS, Teach First, Ditch the Label and Inter engineering.

To book tickets online, click here:

Tickets go on sale for Brighton Pride ‘Summer of Love’ Festival

Posted on 15/01/201718/01/2017 by Besi

2017 will be a glorious Summer Of Love as Brighton Pride celebrates the landmark fiftieth anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales with a life affirming Carnival Of Diversity and spectacular weekend long Pride Festival.

Brighton Pride’s 2017 Summer Of Love will be a stunning celebration of our LGBT+ community and supporters, bringing together the best of Brighton & Hove under a giant rainbow flag.

A festival like no other, a campaign to inspire, a party to remember and a fundraising weekend to be proud of, Brighton Pride’s Summer Of Love promises to be the most spectacular Pride event of 2017, filled with joy, love, and pride.

The Brighton Pride Festival on Preston Park on Saturday, August 5 2017 will be a glittering, inclusive community celebration that delivers an unforgettable day of Pride. A unique community fundraising event, the Brighton Pride Festival has enjoyed amazing performances from international stars including Sister Sledge, Carly Rae Jepsen, Fatboy Slim, The Human League, Fleur East, Alesha Dixon, Ella Henderson, Boy George, Alison Moyet, Paloma Faith, and Ms Dynamite amongst others.

Described by The Guardian as “the country’s most popular LGBT+ event” Brighton Pride is a vibrant celebration of all that is wonderful about Brighton & Hove’s diverse communities, with visitors from across the globe coming to enjoy the spectacular celebrations each August.

The 2017 Brighton Pride Community Parade on Saturday, August 5 2017 will be a Carnival Of Diversity, an opportunity to reflect the fabulously diverse and unique communities whom we are lucky enough to share our city with. Carnival Of Diversity will fill the streets of Brighton & Hove with love, light and laughter as the colour and cohesion of our communities combine to create an explosion of life-affirming brilliance throughout the Brighton Pride Community Parade.

Not just a time to party, the Pride Festival and Parade are a chance for us to come together as a community to declare our unity as we continue to face the challenges by those around the world who would take the LGBT+ communities back to the days before decriminalisation and equality. Together we can keep moving forward, celebrating, campaigning and connecting with Pride.

Go to Brighton Pride’s Summer Of Love in August 2017 and join the sensational Carnival Of Diversity to help us all declare that, fifty years on from the decriminalisation of homosexuality, love wins.

Brighton & Hove Pride: Friday August 4 – Sunday August 6, 2017

Pride Festival: Saturday, August 5 2017

Pride Community Parade: Saturday, August 5 2017

Pride Village Party: Saturday, August 5 – Sunday, August 6 2017

For Early Bird and First release tickets for the Pride Festival, click here:

Brighton and Hove Pride, the UK’s biggest Pride Festival is operated by Brighton Pride CIC, a not for profit community interest company.

All tickets revenue raised goes directly to the operational and running costs of producing the Pride Festival, LGBT Community Parade, Pride Village Party and community fundraising for the Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund.

In the last four years, Pride have raised over £310,000 for the Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund who both give grants to local groups and organisations in the city.

The Rainbow Fund has a remit to receive donations and to use them to make grants to LGBT+/HIV groups and organisations in Brighton and Hove who deliver effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

The Pride Social Impact Fund benefits local good causes giving grants to a range of local groups impacted by the Pride Festival.

TODAY: Remembering Gary Swan ‘Gloria’

Posted on 15/01/201715/01/2017 by Andy Carpenter

March 8, 1958 – December 18, 2016

Following Gary’s passing on December 18 his family have decided that as Gary, and they, have no religious beliefs Gary will have a simple cremation with no service. His ashes will be returned to his mum to keep at home surrounded by those of Gary’s previous cats.

To mark his passing the family are organising a Farewell Remembrance for friends and colleagues to share their thoughts and recollections of Gary and celebrate his life.

They want it to be a relatively informal affair with a few planned people who were close to Gary talking about him and then an open mic for anyone else who wishes to say a few words.

The Sandringham Suite at The Queens Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton has been booked for 2pm on Sunday, January 15, 2017.

The family would like to invite anyone who knew Gary to attend and ask that the Dress Code is “As you please……… just like Gary would want”.

Gary’s brother Ian has asked if anyone was intending to send any flowers; his mum and especially Gary would prefer if you could please instead make a donation to the Worthing Cat Welfare Trust which Gary and his mum both used to volunteer for and who have helped to re-home their 6 cats at very short notice.

To make a donation to Worthing Cat Welfare Trust, click here:

If you are planning to attend could you please email: rememberinggary@outlook.com to help Ian plan for numbers attending.

Gary’s family is also looking for photos of Gary to include in a slide show on the day so email any you might have to rememberinggary@outlook.com as soon as you can.

PREVIEW: Traumfrau – ‘A Sapphic Affair’

Posted on 14/01/201714/01/2017 by Graham Robson

Traumfrau presents A Sapphic Affair, a wild afterparty for the Lesbian Lives Conference with fierce feminist and inspiring DJs and performance artists at the North Laine Brewhouse in Brighton on Saturday, February 25 from 9.30pm.

Dance your socks off to tunes from the Tesla Girls DJs and Mrs Norman Knows and have your mind blown from performance artists Fancy Chance and Kheski Kobler. If that’s not quite enough, then there will be an installation piece presented by Travis Alabanza which will explore transfeminism.

The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Event: Traumfrau presents: A Sapphic Affair

Where: North Laine Brewhouse, 27 Gloucester Place, Brighton BN1 4AA

When: Saturday, February 25

Time: From 9.30pm.

Tickets: £10/£6

To book tickets online, click here:

Momentum builds for London women’s march on Trump’s inauguration

Posted on 13/01/201715/01/2017 by Gary Hart

Thousands are expected to join The Women’s March on London on Saturday 21 January, as part of a wave of international action timed to take place on the first day of Donald Trump’s US Presidency.

WITH support pouring in from organisations and individuals, the march will take place, along with others around the world, in solidarity with Women’s March on Washington DC.

Presently, women’s marches are being planned in 62 cities in 32 countries from New Zealand to Hawaii with the number increasing daily.

The London march, spearheaded by women from all quarters, has been triggered by widespread apprehension at the threat to human rights anticipated in the wake of recent political events.

Organisers of the London march have already galvanised enormous support and are inviting anyone with any interest in preserving and defending those rights, to take part and show their opposition.

Organisations supporting the event include Amnesty International, Unite, Liberty, CND, Pride London, Black Pride, Women’s Equality Party, The Green Party, Solidarity with Refugees, NUS, British Scientists for the EU, Women 4 Refugee Women and Women for Women International (UK).

Celebrity supporters on social media include Frankie Boyle, Alexa Chung, Charlotte Church, Pixie Geldof, Bianca Jagger, Sir Ian McKellen, June Sarpong and Hardeep Sing Kholi.

The March begins at 12 noon at Grosvenor Square and finishes at Trafalgar Square, where there will be a rally (from 2pm-3.30pm).

Television and radio personality Sandi Toksvig will host the rally, featuring Yvette Cooper, Bianca Jagger, comedian Sajeela Kershi, Sara Pascoe, pop-up choir Holler4 and other performers and keynote speakers from political parties and activist groups.

The day will finish with a live link-up to the US, where millions of people will continue the march in every major city across North America, with the largest in Washington DC, where 500,000 are expected.

Explaining the background to the march on Facebook, the organisers, said: “We, the organisers of the London march, call on people of all genders, all political persuasions, to march in London as part of an international day of action in solidarity.

“We will march, wherever we march, for the protection of our fundamental rights and for the safeguarding of freedoms threatened by recent political events. We unite and stand together for the dignity and equality of all peoples, for the safety and health of our planet and for the strength of our vibrant and diverse communities.

“We will come together in the spirit of democracy, honouring the champions of human rights, dignity and justice who have come before us, in numbers too great to ignore. The politics of fear have no place in 2017”

Pride in London’s Co-Chair Alison Camps, said: “Pride in London is the UK’s largest celebration of diversity and inclusivity. We exist to promote equality, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, faith, ability or sexuality. We stand alongside the organisers of the Women’s March on London, in solidarity with women everywhere, and in defence of the rights that some would deny us. We will be proudly marching on January 21st, under the Pride in London colours, grateful that we live in a city where being a woman is far less of a struggle than it is in other parts of the world, but also mindful that there is still work to be done here to achieve proper gender equality.”

Pride comes to Isle of Wight

Posted on 13/01/201713/01/2017 by Besi

Pride come comes to Ryde on the Isle of Wight for the first time on Saturday, July 15.

Ryde on the Isle of Wight becomes the next town to announce they will stage their first Pride in 2017. A new committee has been formed and organisers are holding a launch party at Coburgs, 70 Union St, Ryde on Friday, February 10 from 7pm. The event will be fully inclusive and open to everyone.

An evening of live music, drag and cabaret is promised to give everyone the perfect opportunity to find out more about how to be involved as Isle of Wight Pride will need lots of volunteers to help make the event a huge success.

Tickets will be £5 payable on the door and all money raised will go towards staging the Pride event in July.

Whether you are a business wanting to sponsor Pride, or you want to set up an information stall, sell items at Pride, or if you are a member of the community who wants to volunteer their expertise and experience; members of the new committee will be available on the night to talk through their plans for the event on July 15.

There will be an opportunity to network from 7pm before you join the party to celebrate the launch of Isle of Wight Pride!

The new committee includes: Chair: Joe Plumb: Vice Chair: Zoe Thompson: Treasurer: John Brownscombe and Secretary: Yve White.

Joe Plumb, Chair of Isle of Wight Pride, said: “I am very excited about Pride coming to the Isle of Wight and the opportunity to help facilitate what I am sure will be a very special event. I am lucky enough to have been born at a time of growing acceptance for the LGBT+ community but I do have a strong understanding of the struggles that led to this point. Pride events are a strong reminder to those who have lived through criminalisation, Section 28, and the prejudice and abuse felt by so many. There is still a lot of work to do internationally as well as making equality in law a reality in this country.

It can also be said that the Isle of Wight lags behind the mainland in support and visibility for the LGBT+ communities. My vision for IWPride is for it to be an opportunity for us to take pride in how far we have come but to also highlight that there is still work to be done.

“We have had over 1000 responses to the questionnaire and we will be sharing the results at our launch event. From the results it is clear that islanders want an inclusive, family friendly, all day event, with a parade. We have set up working parties who are currently looking into how we can make these ideas a reality. There is a lot of support for this event and I look forward welcoming everyone to Ryde for the first Isle of Wight Pride.”

To keep up to date with all the latest news about Isle of Wight Pride, click here:

Or email: info@iwpride.org for more information.

Brighton Council issues freezing weather warning

Posted on 12/01/201712/01/2017 by Besi

Brighton and Hove City Council expect treacherous road conditions this evening and are advising people to avoid travelling wherever possible during the severe weather.

A full gritting round of the city was conducted last night (Wednesday), however the situation is constantly changing which the council say they are closely monitoring.

A council spokesperson said: “A concern is that if we have rain today this will wash grit and salt away. A subsequent drop in temperature, possibly combined with any snow, sleet or rain, could lead to dangerous road conditions. We will be undertaking another full gritting round from 4pm. As always this covers all ‘A’ roads and other busier roads along which most journeys are made. It cannot cover many lesser routes and residential streets, where extreme care should be taken.”

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Month: January 2017

PREVIEW: The Bad Book Project with Jane Postlethwaite

The Bad Book Project is a free monthly night in Brighton that involves really funny people reading from very bad books.

Researchers investigate stigma among gay men

Two undergraduate students from the University of Exeter need your help to conduct research investigating the impacts of stigma amongst gay men as part of their final year project.

Manchester Airport to sponsor Birmingham Pride

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third largest, joins forces with Birmingham Pride to be one of the sponsors at this year’s event in May.

National Student Pride 2017: ‘Lets talk about sex’

Now in its 12th year, National Student Pride returns to London on Saturday, February 25.

Tickets go on sale for Brighton Pride ‘Summer of Love’ Festival

2017 will be a glorious Summer Of Love as Brighton Pride celebrates the landmark fiftieth anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales with a life affirming Carnival Of Diversity and spectacular weekend long Pride Festival.

TODAY: Remembering Gary Swan ‘Gloria’

March 8, 1958 – December 18, 2016

PREVIEW: Traumfrau – ‘A Sapphic Affair’

Traumfrau presents A Sapphic Affair, a wild afterparty for the Lesbian Lives Conference with fierce feminist and inspiring DJs and performance artists at the North Laine Brewhouse in Brighton on Saturday, February 25 from 9.30pm.

Momentum builds for London women’s march on Trump’s inauguration

Thousands are expected to join The Women’s March on London on Saturday 21 January, as part of a wave of international action timed to take place on the first day of Donald Trump’s US Presidency.

Pride comes to Isle of Wight

Pride come comes to Ryde on the Isle of Wight for the first time on Saturday, July 15.

Brighton Council issues freezing weather warning

Brighton and Hove City Council expect treacherous road conditions this evening and are advising people to avoid travelling wherever possible during the severe weather.

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Call us now

The Bad Book Project is a free monthly night in Brighton that involves really funny people reading from very bad books.

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Two undergraduate students from the University of Exeter need your help to conduct research investigating the impacts of stigma amongst gay men as part of their final year project.

Share this:

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third largest, joins forces with Birmingham Pride to be one of the sponsors at this year’s event in May.

Share this:

Now in its 12th year, National Student Pride returns to London on Saturday, February 25.

Share this:

2017 will be a glorious Summer Of Love as Brighton Pride celebrates the landmark fiftieth anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales with a life affirming Carnival Of Diversity and spectacular weekend long Pride Festival.

Share this:

March 8, 1958 – December 18, 2016

Share this:

Traumfrau presents A Sapphic Affair, a wild afterparty for the Lesbian Lives Conference with fierce feminist and inspiring DJs and performance artists at the North Laine Brewhouse in Brighton on Saturday, February 25 from 9.30pm.

Share this:

Thousands are expected to join The Women’s March on London on Saturday 21 January, as part of a wave of international action timed to take place on the first day of Donald Trump’s US Presidency.

Share this:

Pride come comes to Ryde on the Isle of Wight for the first time on Saturday, July 15.

Share this:

Brighton and Hove City Council expect treacherous road conditions this evening and are advising people to avoid travelling wherever possible during the severe weather.

Share this:

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