Gary Hart

Manchester Evening News challenges the ‘Pride Haters’.

Posted on 31/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Thousands celebrated The Big Weekend at Pride in Manchester over the August Bank Holiday, (August 25).

Now in its 25th year, Pride in Manchester organisers estimate 3,000 people paraded through the city centre with thousands more lining the streets to watch. Participants included local businesses, corporates, statutory service providers, political parties and a float from Coronation Street.

Following the parade, the celebrations moved to the gay village where X Factor finalists 5 After Midnight, Melanie C, Pixie Lott, Ultra Nate, Katrina and the Waves, Faithless and Clean Bandit entertained the crowds during The Big Weekend.

Local newspaper, Manchester Evening News took the opportunity to challenge ‘Pride Haters’ on their website.

Gareth81 commented on the Manchester Evening News website report of the event: “I have no problem with gay people. I have gay colleagues and a gay sister who I love very much. But Pride events make a city centre a no-go area for me.

“Heterosexual people don’t celebrate being heterosexual by parading themselves around the town half-naked snogging strangers, so I don’t understand why homosexual people feel the need to do this. It’s like Pride events are more about ‘sticking it to the man’ ie. the heterosexuals, rather than being proud to be gay.”

Manchester Evening News responded with the following statement: “Quite remarkable how many negative comments we have to remove or hide on stories like this.

To those asking when is ‘straight pride day’ or questioning why we still have Pride we’d ask this:

♦ Did you know that homosexuality is punishable by death in 12 countries? Celebrating Pride in those places can literally get you killed.

♦ Did you know there’s been a recent rise in homophobic hate crimes?

♦ Did you know that in Britain homophobic attacks rose by 147% in three months from June last year?

♦ Did you know nearly half of all trans children in this country have attempted suicide?

♦ Or that 80% have self harmed?

♦ Did you know it’s only been 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK?

That is why we still have Pride marches. And Manchester’s is the best in the world.”

James Ledward, Editor of Gscene Magazine, commented: “Well done Manchester Evening News. It is heartening to see a mainstream newspaper take such a strong position on this issue, reminding us why Pride is still important and relevant in 2017.

If all regional newspaper editors demonstrated similar leadership and challenged their own local ‘Pride Haters’ is would help educate readers about the wider issues affecting LGBT+ people all over the world.

“We also have our own ‘Pride Haters’ here in Brighton, especially regarding the Pride Village Party. Businesses who complain that the Pride affects their trade on one day of the year should remember that LGBT+ people spend money in their shops every day of the year. If we collectively choose to withdraw our business, that will be 364 days a year trade suffers and not just the two days it does at the moment. Happy Pride!

Photos by Bobby Dee Photography.

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Record adoptions by same-sex couples in Scotland

Posted on 23/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Ninety seven same-sex couples have adopted in Scotland since records began.

New figures published by National Records Scotland, show that adoptions by same-sex couples accounted for 5.7 per cent – or 1 in 18 – of all adoptions in Scotland in 2016.

This was a rise from 4.4 per cent in 2015. These figures show that adoptions by same-sex couples in Scotland are at their highest ever number of all adoptions in a year. The total number of adoptions in 2016 in Scotland by same-sex couples rose to 30, increasing from 22 the previous year.

Across Britain the total number of adoptions by same-sex couples stands at 2,347 – 2,140 in England, 97 in Scotland and 110 in Wales.

Welcoming the news, Tor Docherty, Chief Executive of New Family Social, said: “It’s fantastic to see the number of same-sex couples adopting increase in Scotland. This means that social workers are considering a wider pool of potential parents for vulnerable children. In every adoption case the child’s needs are paramount and LGBT people can bring a wide parenting skillset to meet those needs.”

To read the full statistics for adoptions in Scotland on the National Records website, click here: and download (Table 2.03).

More to job hunting than meets the eye

Posted on 23/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Looking for work says more about you than you think, according to research at the University of Brighton.

The study revealed how the process is full of challenges related to the job seeker’s identity and to navigating institutions.

Marna de Bruyn’s research, for her MSc Occupational Therapy degree, has been published in the Journal of Occupational Science. Marna, from South Africa, already a qualified occupational therapist, was supported during her studies with a UK Government Chevening Scholarship. Her paper was co-written by her university supervisor Dr Josh Cameron, Principal Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences.

The study explored the meaning of job-seeking as a human experience and occupation, and involved in-depth interviews with a job seeker at various stages of her search.

The 55-year old volunteer had been job-seeking for three months following redundancy. Initially, she was searching for administrative employment but by the end of the research project she had abandoned job-seeking to pursue a year-long, full-time course in counselling with the future aim of completing a university degree.

The research showed how her understanding of herself and her identity influenced how she made sense of job seeking.

The authors said: “This process included encountering threats to her identity.”

There was also analysis of the supports and set-backs she experienced during job seeking, some of which were in her control and some were not.

The authors concluded that job-seeking is a “rich human occupation” influenced by internal and external factors related to the person, their occupations and environment. Future research, they said, could build on these insights by considering the efficacy of these internal and external supports and how job-seeking varies across different cultural and social contexts.

Only here for the beer (and wine)!

Posted on 23/08/201723/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Raise a glass (or two!) to Essex producers of beer, wine and cider.

With CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) choosing Essex as a destination for their festivals, it’s hardly surprising that Essex breweries (and vineyards) are ‘jumping on the beer (and wine) wagon’ and attending food and drink festivals all over the county.

East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel near Colchester has been home to the (Campaign for Real Ale (CAMERA) festivals for over 30 years – the 31st one will take place on September 5-9.

Those who wish to travel by train can take the Greater Anglia Sudbury Line (from Marks Tey) directly to Chappel Station, the destination of the festival, where hundreds of different beers will await you. The weekends have become so popular, it’s become necessary to buy tickets – so don’t miss out.

Grapes are not as fussy about soil types like other fruits and crops, and tolerate a wide range of soil chemistry and conditions. Having the least rainful in the UK, Essex appears to have the perfect soil for them, as there are a vast selection throughout the county.

New Hall Vineyard in Purleigh, (one of the oldest and first vineyards in the UK to grow the Bacchus grape, which is now one of their most popular wines, hold an annual English Wine Festival and Fun Day on September 3 and 4, which features winery and vineyard tours, crafts and food stalls, plus entertainment and lots of fun activities for kids. Don’t forget to visit the Shop whilst your there too, as they’ll be holding a ‘wine sale’!

‘The Only Way was Gold’ for Essex’s newest vineyard West Street, when they won the prestigious award in the World renowned International Wine Challenge in May 2017 – only six were won throughout the UK. The award celebrates all that’s great about West Street – the vines, the great restaurant serving local produce, and of course as much wine-tasting as you can muster.

The wonderful ‘Essex Way’ (footpath from Harwich to Epping or the other way around!), runs through Dedham Vale Vineyard, where you can grab a bicycle and tour the beautiful Essex countryside, before returning to try some of their fabulous wines and cider. There are guided tours and tastings, or just visit and enjoy the surroundings at your leisure.

You may choose to have a glass of wine over-looking the glorious lake, or have your next party there – the vineyard caters for weddings too, affording a wonderful backdrop for treasured memories and those fabulous pics. The vineyard will be hosting their Cider and Wine Festival over the weekend of August 25-27, where there’ll be wine, cider, beer, food, live music, and camping if you desire!

Talking of beer, Billericay Brewery, a micro-brewery and beer shop based in Billericay, produces conditioned, crafted ales that have great taste and character. Selling directly to the public from The Essex Beer Shop, their beers are made from 100% natural ingredients and sold in bottles and casks.

Every second and last Sunday, throughout the year at 2pm, they offer brewery tours and tastings, explaining the brewing process and ingredients used – so you can be sure of going home with a beer that suits your palette. You can even be a ‘Brewer for the Day’ and return 2 -3 weeks afterwards to collect your pint!

Also as a point of interest, Wilkins and Sons of Tiptree, the world-famous preserve makers, now also produce their very special Little Scarlet (strawberry), Raspberry and Sloe Gin – pop it in some Essex sparkling white wine and it will definitely ‘hit the spot’!

For more information about any of the events and attractions above, click here:

Family panto returns to Brighton this Christmas

Posted on 22/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Family pantomime will return to Brighton this Christmas, with a spectacular new production of Cinderella starring a West End cast to be announced shortly.

This traditional family pantomime will take place at The Hilton Brighton Metropole from December 23-27 (no shows on Christmas Day).

Hove based production company, E3, who produce events such as Chestnut Tree’s Snowman Spectacular Ball and The Wilderness Wonder Ball for The Sussex Wildlife Trust, are collaborating with the city’s performance arts college, The Brighton Academy, to produce the show, that producers are promising will have the largest panto cast in the UK.

As part of the production, they will be building a bespoke state of the art theatre with tiered seating and a large stage within the Oxford Suite at the Hilton Brighton Metropole that will accommodate up to 750 people for each performance.

Founder of E3, David Hill, who will co-produce and star in the Show, said: “Brighton and Hove residents lost their traditional family panto over ten years ago and we want to bring it back. If you are a family living in the city, you need to travel to Eastbourne or Worthing to see a pantomime with your children, so now with three car parks on the Hilton’s doorstep you can come and see our magical show”.

The producers will also be launching a Search For Cinders campaign, a countywide talent search to cast Cinderella for the show.

Families will also enjoy a Festive Christmas Fayre and Market before and after the show which will include Santa’s Grotto, merchandise stalls and lots of hot and cold seasonal food options.

Show’s partners include Juice107.2, Donatello, Oliver & Graimes and McKenzie Associates.

To book tickets, click here:

Preston Park rose garden to be restored

Posted on 22/08/2017 by Gary Hart

Herbaceous borders in the Rose Garden at Preston Park will bloom beautifully next summer after winning a public vote for their restoration.

Residents were asked to choose between two potential projects after Brighton & Hove City Council secured around £150,000 funding from car parking fees and local developers to be spent in Preston Park.

The proposed projects were restoring the Coronation Garden (the former blind garden next to Preston Manor) and replanting the herbaceous borders at the edge of Rose Garden.

Around 250 people voted and the results were very close with the Rose Garden winning by just six votes. Work on the garden, which includes clearing existing planting, redesigning and replanting the borders and installing heritage benches in the bays, is due to start soon and be completed by Summer 2018.

There’s also good news for those who voted for the Coronation Garden as the council is hoping to have enough funding left over to begin restoration work next year returning it back to a wildflower meadow.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said: “It’s really important that local people are involved in helping making decisions over how money is spent in their local parks, and I’d like to thank all those who voted.

“The results showed strong support for both projects so I’m very pleased that the funding is likely to cover both the cost of work on the Rose Garden and the beginning of work on the Coronation Garden.

“We will continue to seek opportunities to attract more funding for our beautiful and much-loved city parks.”

The public vote and projects put forward are part of the Preston Park Conservation Management Plan, a joint initiative with the Friends of Preston Park and the council’s Cityparks department. The council hopes to attract further funding to support additional projects identified in the Management Plan.

Rescue movie ‘Lion Ark’ roars into London for free screening

Posted on 15/08/201715/08/2017 by Gary Hart

The award winning rescue documentary Lion Ark – the story of the dramatic rescue of twenty five lions from circuses in Bolivia – returns to London for a free screening at the Royal Horticultural Halls this Saturday, August 19.

The acclaimed film, which will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and rescue team leaders, forms part of This is our world, a charity event raising awareness about wildlife and conservation through a unique collection of life-size paintings and series of talks.

More action adventure than traditional documentary, Lion Ark follows the story of how a shocking exposé led to Bolivia banning animal circuses. Circuses defy the law but are tracked down by Animal Defenders International (ADI), animals saved and a joyous finale sees 25 lions airlifted to freedom.

Lion Ark Director Tim Phillips said: “We wanted people to experience a frontline animal rescue, both the challenges and the joy. The film tackles a serious issue, but is exciting and leaves people with a smile on their face, knowing they can make a difference as they see the lives of these animals transform.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfDbiJy0fQA

Prior to the screening on Saturday, August 19, filmmakers and rescue team leaders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips will also talk about the latest rescue – Operation Spirit of Freedom – where over 100 wild animals were saved from circuses and the illegal wildlife trade in Peru and Colombia. This culminated in a massive airlift of more than 30 lions, from South American circuses, home to Africa. The talk titled “Operation Spirit of Freedom – saving Peru’s circus animals” will be held from 2-4pm.

Event: Screening of Lion Ark

Where: Royal Horticultural Hall, 80 Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PE

When: Saturday, August 19

Time: 5pm

Cost: Free entry

To register for tickets online, click here:

To make a donation to the work of Animal Defenders International (ADI), click here:

Councils warn sexual health services at ‘tipping point’

Posted on 03/08/201703/08/2017 by Gary Hart

NAT (National AIDS Trust) supports LGA calls for Government to reverse cuts to public health.

The Local Government Association (LGA) today warns that sexual health services are at ‘tipping point’ as significant increases in demand have coincided with dramatic cuts in the public health budget.

NAT’s recently published data from FOI requests to all UK local authorities, shows that HIV prevention services are also suffering hugely as a result of these cuts to the public health budget.

In areas with a high prevalence of HIV, NAT found that funding for prevention was down by almost a third in just two years.

Deborah Gold, Chief Executive at NAT, said: “The cuts to public health are short-sighted and store problems for the future. If cuts in HIV prevention continue at their current rate we will lose key services which we know to be effective at reducing HIV transmission. The impact of this will be worsened if wait times also increase for sexual health clinics. A failure to take public health investment seriously will lead to increased rates in HIV and other STIs, alongside further cost to the NHS and local authorities.

“NAT fully supports the LGA’s call for the Government to reverse the cuts to the public health budget. These cuts have been opposed repeatedly by us and others in the health sector, by the Health Select Committee last year and more recently by the Lords Committee on the Long Term Sustainability of the NHS.

“This stark warning from councils on the impact that public health disinvestment will have on the quality of sexual health services shows the pressure the whole system is under. It is now well past the time for the Government to start listening.”

PICTURE DIARY: Trans Pride 2017

Posted on 25/07/2017 by Gary Hart

It is always disappointing when it rains at an open air event and boy did it rain at Trans Pride this year!

Fortunately the rain held off allowing the protest march to assemble at the Marlborough Pub for welcoming speeches before making its way along Brighton Seafront to Brunswick Gardens in Hove.

There was just chance for people to hear a few numbers from Brightons only LGBT+ Community Choir before the heavens opened for a few hours of torrential rain which completely cleared the park sending revellers to take cover in local bars.

Numbers on the march matched last year but with the park clearing so quickly some concessions struggled to make their money back. Community stalls were cleared and packed away by 3pm but as the rain slow down people ventured back into Brunswick Gardens to support the acts still appearing on the main stage.

Here’s to Trans Pride 2018 and lets hope for a return to sunshine and harmony.

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Uncredited photos by Alix Blezard and Stellapix Brighton

Is now the time to resolve the LGBTQI-Muslim divide?

Posted on 17/07/2017 by Gary Hart

Europe’s largest charity for LGBTQI Muslims raises questions about ex-Muslim march at Pride in London

Europe’s biggest charity supporting LGBTQI Muslims, Imaan, today said that it was concerned about photographs that have emerged of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB) bearing Islamophobic slogans at the Pride in London parade last weekend.

The pictures, which were published in the London Evening Standard and which are circulating on social media, bear messages that Imaan says hurt all Muslims – LGBTQI or otherwise.

Chairperson of Imaan’s Board of Trustees, said: “While we understand the frustrations of the CEMB with regard to the perceived stance of mainstream Muslims on homosexuality, Imaan feels that the banners that the group marched with serve only to deepen divisions between communities.

As a charity it is our aim to support LGBTQI Muslims who want to find their place in the Ummah (wider Muslim community) and we extend a welcome to all parties who wish to resolve the LGBTQI-Muslim divide”.

The east London Mosque which was singled out by the CEMB in its protest had reacted with positive comments against homophobia – asserting that Islam does not promote hatred or homophobia and that the mosque had mounted campaigns to condemn ‘gay-hate’ stickers in Tower Hamlets.

Imaan’s Chair continued: “We’d like to formally invite east London mosque to a meeting to discuss ways in which together we can combat the scourge of gay-phobia, lesbian-phobia, bi-phobia and transphobia – perhaps at a joint event for Eid al Adha at east London Mosque.

We’d also like to welcome the CEMB to our future events to show that LGBTQI Muslims and Imaan are a well established community who continue to grow”.

Imaan won Pride in London’s Walking Group Award this year.

Call us now

Author: Gary Hart

Manchester Evening News challenges the ‘Pride Haters’.

Thousands celebrated The Big Weekend at Pride in Manchester over the August Bank Holiday, (August 25).

More to job hunting than meets the eye

Looking for work says more about you than you think, according to research at the University of Brighton.

Only here for the beer (and wine)!

Raise a glass (or two!) to Essex producers of beer, wine and cider.

Family panto returns to Brighton this Christmas

Family pantomime will return to Brighton this Christmas, with a spectacular new production of Cinderella starring a West End cast to be announced shortly.

Preston Park rose garden to be restored

Herbaceous borders in the Rose Garden at Preston Park will bloom beautifully next summer after winning a public vote for their restoration.

Rescue movie ‘Lion Ark’ roars into London for free screening

The award winning rescue documentary Lion Ark – the story of the dramatic rescue of twenty five lions from circuses in Bolivia – returns to London for a free screening at the Royal Horticultural Halls this Saturday, August 19.

Councils warn sexual health services at ‘tipping point’

NAT (National AIDS Trust) supports LGA calls for Government to reverse cuts to public health.

PICTURE DIARY: Trans Pride 2017

It is always disappointing when it rains at an open air event and boy did it rain at Trans Pride this year!

Is now the time to resolve the LGBTQI-Muslim divide?

Europe’s largest charity for LGBTQI Muslims raises questions about ex-Muslim march at Pride in London

Latest News

Call us now

Thousands celebrated The Big Weekend at Pride in Manchester over the August Bank Holiday, (August 25).

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Ninety seven same-sex couples have adopted in Scotland since records began.

Share this:

Looking for work says more about you than you think, according to research at the University of Brighton.

Share this:

Raise a glass (or two!) to Essex producers of beer, wine and cider.

Share this:

Family pantomime will return to Brighton this Christmas, with a spectacular new production of Cinderella starring a West End cast to be announced shortly.

Share this:

Herbaceous borders in the Rose Garden at Preston Park will bloom beautifully next summer after winning a public vote for their restoration.

Share this:

The award winning rescue documentary Lion Ark – the story of the dramatic rescue of twenty five lions from circuses in Bolivia – returns to London for a free screening at the Royal Horticultural Halls this Saturday, August 19.

Share this:

NAT (National AIDS Trust) supports LGA calls for Government to reverse cuts to public health.

Share this:

It is always disappointing when it rains at an open air event and boy did it rain at Trans Pride this year!

Share this:

Europe’s largest charity for LGBTQI Muslims raises questions about ex-Muslim march at Pride in London

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