The Ledward Centre, Brighton & Hove´s new LGBTQ+ Community and Cultural Centre, has recently finished upgrading its comfortable Cafe, and is looking for an experienced manager to lead them through developing the extended food offer, bring fresh ideas for cafe based events, and to manage the team of volunteers in providing excellent customer service in this safe, comfortable LGBTQ+ space
Interviews will be held, on Zoom or in person at TLC week beginning June 5th, with a start date asap.
If this role interests you there is a link to the job description and application here
The Ledward Centre (TLC) is hosting watch parties for the Eurovision Semi Finals, the EurovisionGrand Final, and supporting Stand For Ukraine Brighton & Hove, which is a local community group created to support the Ukrainian community of Brighton & Hove and promote Ukrainian history and culture.
The parties will take place in the comfortable TLC Cafe, with drinks and delicious snacks. As with all TLC events, everybody is given a warm welcome, especially if you come on your own. The cafe is an alcohol free venue, an alternative to pubs, clubs and bars.
Eurovision Semi Final 1: Tuesday, May 9
The watch parties kick off on Tuesday, May 9 with the FirstEurovision Semi Final from 6.30pmandBillie’s Big Bouncing Bona Bingo. Entry is free; space can be reserved HERE
Eurovision Semi Final 2: Thursday, May 11
The watch parties continue on Thursday, May 11 with the Second Eurovision Semi Final from 6.30pmandKai’s Great Big Eurovision Quiz –£2 pp to enter, up to six per team. To reserve a space, CLICK HERE
Eurovision Grand Final: Saturday, May 13
Get your Cha Cha Cha ON for the BIG Eurovision Grand Final on Saturday, May 13 from 6pm with a live DJ. Reserve your space HERE
Good luck Mae!
For more info on Stand With Ukraine Brighton & Hove, CLICK HERE
The Ledward Centre (TLC), in conjunction with Brighton & Hove Albion, will be showing live Women’s team matches on the big screen in the TLC Cafe.
The first match to be screened live is Brighton & Hove Albion WFC vs Everton on Wednesday, April 19 at 7pm. The comfortable cafe will be serving teas, coffees, soft drinks and snacks.
The Brighton Rainbow Fund is inviting everyone to join in the celebrations to mark a milestone birthday of a remarkable man and his remarkable career, and to raise funds to distribute as grants to local LGBTQ+ and HIV projects.
David Raven is known throughout the nation as Maisie Trollette, and is the subject of the award-winning documentary Maisie: Britain’s Oldest Performing Drag Artiste, and is of course a much loved resident of Brighton.
The show, at the Brighton Dome on Sunday, July 23, features music from all nine decades of David’s life so far, and brings together performers, friends and admirers to pay tribute to a unique, trail blazing talent. It will, of course, also feature David.
After show party add-on
The main show starts at the civilised time on a summer Sunday evening of 6pm, allowing plenty of time to continue the celebrations with an after-show party in the Dome foyer and bar, gathered around a piano with cast and fellow audience members.
’90 for 90′ package
90 front centre stalls seats have been reserved for this package
Prosecco and canapé reception before the show in the Founders Room, with some special hosts
Interval drinks waiting for you in the Founders Room
Signed Souvenir Programme
The after show party is included in the package
The performance will be BSL interpreted.
Tickets available from the Dome Box Office from Friday, March 24 at 10am or CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS
The Ledward Centre (TLC), Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ centre, is aiming to start broadcasting its LGBTQ+ community radio station this summer to bring relevant news, features, and entertainment from the centre to those unable to be at there in person.
The aim of TLC is to reduce loneliness and social isolation in the community, and they are aware that there are many in the LGBTQ+ community don’t have (and may not want) access to an internet connection. To make communication possible, TLC is asking for nominations for people to receive a DAB radio on long-term loan to tune into TLC radio, as well as a host of other stations.
If you know somebody who you think would benefit, and even if you want to nominate yourself, please complete this short form.
TLC radio will be broadcasting on a local DAB channel (hence the radio) and also via the website, and will be mostly talk-based, including live transmission of events at TLC, and call in programmes, quizzes and more.
We asked Billie Lewis, from The Ledward Centre, who is organising the event, to explain:
Billie Lewis, Centre Manager The Ledward Centre, is organising The Living Library
” The Human Library, or “Menneskebiblioteket” as it is called in Danish, was created in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 by Ronni Abergel and his brother Dany and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen.
The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty human “books”
A book is a person that volunteered to represent a group in the community and based on their personal experiences can answer questions from readers to help challenge what is being said/told/understood about a given topic. To help shed light on the facts as you know them. Books are not political or on a mission, but rather able to surrender to the agenda of the reader and allow them control of the conversation
The broad selection of books provided readers with ample choice to challenge their stereotypes and so more than a thousand readers took advantage leaving books, librarians, organisers and readers stunned at the reception and impact of the Human Library.”
And how will that work on Thursday for this LGBTQ+ Living Library?
Attendees (readers) will be met at the Library and taken to their ‘book’.
‘Books’ will be spaced out in the lounge areas of the Library so that they can enjoy their one to one sessions in comfort.
What does a “reader” get?
They get to hear from some the most diverse groups in the community. They get to meet and learn about people that will inspire and lift them.. Perhaps make new friends and for sure gain insight into what others think, believe and dream of. They will become rich on humanity and may gain a greater understanding of themselves also. Part of the rewards in this work is realising that the only thing that is not reduced when shared, is knowledge
Who takes care of the readers?
Our friendly librarians and the book depot manager Billie are always there to help and make sure our ‘books’ are kept in mint condition. They are there to ensure that everyone has a good experience on the day.
What are the ‘rules for readers’?
The ‘Rules for readers’ are simple, respect the book, be curious, bring the book back on time and in the same condition it was given . Both parties have the right to end the loan at any time.
How can I book a session?
Sessions are being booked via email: billie.lewis@ledcen.org.uk, in person at The Ledward Centre or by calling 01273 077116. Sessions can be booked in advance or on the day.” The Living Library will be open from 1:30 to 3pm
Proposals for an LGBTQ+ Assembly (working title – the name will be amongst items discussed) will be discussed at an open meeting at the Ledward Centre, Brighton today: Sunday, March 5 at 3pm.
The proposals can be seen here and include suggestions for a monthly meeting open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. and will follow on and expand on the role of the Community Safety Forum, which was disbanded during the pandemic.
The aim is to give a voice for all parts of our diverse community.
Have a look at the proposals, and come along on Sunday, March 5 to listen and / or contribute.
Tuesday, November 1 saw the return of the Brighton Rainbow Fund (BRF) Grant Presentations event for the first time in three years. Venues and fundraising events were also recognised with the Brighton Rainbow Fund Fundraising ChampionAwards.
The evening was hosted by Lola Lasagne, back in Brighton from their new home in Manchester, especially to continue their tradition of fronting this event.
(All photographs by generous permission of Nick Ford Photography)
Lola Lasagne, and BSL interpreter Katie
The event took place at Ironworks Studio; Brighton & Hove Pride provided wine for a reception, with food prepared by local HIV charity Lunch Positive.
First order of the night was the presentation of those 2022 Fundraising Champion Awards to Brighton & Hove Pride, which raised £220,000 for BRF to distribute this year; Brighton Bear Weekend, which raised £6,000 for BRF; Legends, which raised £3,000 over Pride Weekend (with thanks due to the performers who gave their time and talent for the Sunday Cabaret too); Revenge, which raised £3,000 over Pride Weekend; Rockwater, which raised £2,800; and The Bulldog, which raises funds for BRF most evenings of every week, with the 2022 total currently in excess of £4,000.
Erika, new boss at Legends
Paul Kemp – Brighton & Hove Pride
Sam and Peter – The Bulldog
Graham and the team from Rockwater
The Brighton Bear Weekend team
At the beginning of October this year, to mark the third anniversary of the death of James Ledward, who founded BRF back in 2010, the first of an Annual Online Raffle was held. The prize was a high quality framed print of a photograph taken by Nick Ford at a photoshoot with cast members of an Alternative Pantomime, all of whom signed the print.
The lucky winner was Kim Hobson, and two of those cast members presented her with the print, along with photographer Nick Ford.
L to R, Lola Lasagne, David Polikett, Kim Hobson. Nick Ford took the picture!
Proceedings then moved onto the presentation of the grants that were approved at this year’s Annual Main Funding round.
The Rainbow Chorus was awarded a grant of £1,800 for outreach and support for Sign Language Users. Presented by Jane Pritchard, a trustee of the Brighton Rainbow Fund
A further grant for the Rainbow Chorus: £7,000 for continuing support of the RC+ project. Presented by Jane Pritchard, a trustee of the Brighton Rainbow Fund.
MenTalkHealth was awarded £7,000 to train volunteers to carry out training in LGBTQ+ groups and organisations. Presented by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Lizzie Dean
TransSober was awarded a grant of £8,000 for One to One outreach support. Presented by Maria Baker, a trustee of the Brighton Rainbow Fund.
The Clare Project was presented with two grants this year. The first was £10,000 to support the Nourish Project; the second was £10,000 to kickstart a TNBI Voluntary Community Support Project. The presenter was Dermot Torney, diversity and inclusion manager at Sussex Police
Radical Rhizomes received a £10,700 grant for continuing support of the QTIPOC project. Presented by Richard Butcher Tusset, a member of the independent grants panel.
Lunch Positive received two grant awards this year. The first – £9,360 – as kickstart for a new Tuesday ‘Warm House’ drop-in, in response to the cost of living crisis. The second grant is for £18,900 as continuing support for the Friday HIV Lunch Club. Presented by Carol Todd
MindOut received a grant of £15,000 for continuing support of the Counselling Project. Presented by Zack LeCheminant (Lovinia Belle)
Trans Pride received £19,000 to recruit a Trans Centre Co-ordinator to increase capacity. Presenters: Meg Brosnan and Billie Lewis, Centre Management Team at The Ledward Centre.
Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard received funding of £30,000, together with Stonewall Housing and the Outside Project, to pilot an LGBTQ+ Night Shelter for Brighton & Hove. Presented by David Polikett (Davina Sparkle)
RuPaul’s Drag Race legend Willam will be returning to Death Drop: Back In The Habit for the second week of Theatre Royal Brighton’s run, from December 19 to 24.
Willam joinsRuPaul Drag Race UK stars Cheryl Hole, River Medway and Victoria Scone together with Drag King LoUis CYfer and a full drag supporting cast. Death Drop: Back in The Habit plays at Theatre Royal Brighton from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 24 December 2022. Tickets are on sale from ATGTickets.com/Brighton.
The Ledward Centre have announced the launch of a new LGBTQ+ Meet Up group called Matinee Idols, and their first event will be to see the Cher Show at Theatre Royal Brighton.
Chris Gull, Director of The Ledward Centre, the LGBTQ+ Community and Cultural Centre is enthusiastic about this first MeetUp Group based at TLC.
“We´ve partnered up with The Theatre Royal Brighton to enable our members to get together as a group to watch shows. We meet Up in the TLC Cafe at 2pm and then walk the short distance to The Theatre Royal at 2:15 in time to settle into our stall seats for the 2:30 Matinee Show. At the interval we have a private room to avoid the interval crush, and after the show we walk back to TLC to enjoy tea or coffee and a pastry, and most importantly a chat with our fellow theatre lovers. We get the advantage of reduced prices for group bookings and no booking fee, plus the chance to meet new people with shared interests”
Tickets for The Cher Show are £40 including the post show refreshments at TLC, and can be bought here
To join Matinee Idols Meet Up group, and to receive news about future events, you need first of all to join MeetUp.com which is free, and then search for “The Ledward Centre LGBTQ+ Meet Up Groups”
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