The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Mo Marsh officially opened the 2018 B RIGHT ON LGBT Community Festival last night (February 16) celebrating Brighton’s contribution to LGBT History Month.
Local Labour MPs Peter Kyle (Hove & Portslade) and Lloyd Russell-Moyle (Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven) were in attendance along with Cllr Tony Janio, the Leader of the Conservative group on Brighton & Hove City Council and Linda Hyde, Conservative Councillor for Rottingdean.
Entertainment during the evening was provided by the Rainbow Chorus, Brighton’s LGBT Community Choir and Jennie Castell and her band Reload with guest spots from Krissie Du Cann and Gabriella Parrish.
Billie Lewis, chair of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, AJ Paterson, a committee member on the Forum and Finola Brophy former Chair and trustee of the Rainbow Chorus spoke passionately about the importance of the community development work the Forum were engaged in.
Jonathan Spencer Coetzee an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe was helped off the streets and found accommodation by the Forum. He is currently being helped with his claim for asylum and he spoke about how he was repaying the unconditional support and kindness he had received by volunteering and giving something back.
In the audience were many local business owners and entertainers including Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason, Stephen Richards aka Lola Lasagne and David Pollikett aka Davina Sparkle, who said: “Billie Lewis and his amazing team of volunteers have worked so hard pulling this Festival together. There are so many events planned over the next two weeks, both during the day and in the evening. Why not pop along and see if there is anything you want to see, or just pop in for a coffee and a chat, and hear about the fabulous work the Forum are delivering.
“I’m so proud of Billie and in awe of the Forums commitment to our scene, especially the help they provide to the most vulnerable in our community. Please, please, please, support them, and make this festival the best ever.
There is everything from Abba, and Dine with the Stars Cabaret Dinner, to productions like Twinkle and the World Premier of Andrew Stark’s new show, Expenses the Musical.”
For a full programme of events, click here:
Photos by StellaPix, Brighton
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