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Author: Besi

Queen of the high seas invites her fans on cruise

Posted on by Besi
Sail Away with Jane McDonald
Sail Away with Jane McDonald

Queen of cruising Jane McDonald charters her own ship for fans to join her on an exclusive week on the high seas.

Sail Away with Jane McDonald sees everyone’s favourite cruise star charter Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas in September 2020.

Jane’s exclusive charter of the ship will allow passengers an unprecedented Jane McDonald experience including guaranteed entry to see Jane perform two different exclusive headline shows, a one-of-a-kind Audience-With event and a seven-night holiday.

Sail Away with Jane McDonald is a Southampton round-trip visiting Cherbourg, Vigo and Lisbon.

To secure an exclusive pre-sale cabin on this exclusive cruise from 10am today (June 29), click here:

You can make a phone booking from 12midday by calling 0333 300 3455.

Jane said: “I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to be having my own special cruise.

“As everyone knows, I’m just a true Yorkshire lass who loves performing and enjoying a cruise or two, so it makes perfect sense to charter my own ship.

“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time so to finally have the opportunity to invite everyone to come on holiday with me is very exciting.

“We’ll have a whale of a time and I can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Jane McDonald won a place in the nation’s hearts and became an instant star in the BBC’s documentary series The Cruise back in 1998.

Since then she has toured extensively and released 8 studio albums. While Jane has made a couple of one-off performances on cruise ships, Sail Away will be the first time everyone’s favourite cruise star has chartered a ship for her own dedicated cruise.

As well as seeing Jane perform during the cruise, passengers will also get to enjoy a special ‘Audience With’ event where Jane will be interviewed live on stage about her life and career.

And if that isn’t enough, Jane will be onboard for the duration of the cruise making special appearances throughout the ship.

Sail Away with Jane McDonald departs Southampton, September, 20, 2020. Passengers will enjoy Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Anthem of the Seas with full board dining and amazing features including the incredible Bionic Bar – where you can order cocktails mixed by robots, the FlowRider surf simulator, the signature Royal Caribbean Rock Wall, SeaPlex – the largest indoor active space at sea, RipCord by Ifly – the first skydiving experience at sea and North Star, providing 360-degree views 300 feet above sea.

For more information click here:

Supporting global LGBT+ human rights at World Pride

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This year’s Pride is one of reflection as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.

WHILE we’ve certainly come a long way since the first Pride march was born from the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and we continue, despite backlash in some countries to make progress – progress has simply not come fast enough in other parts of the world.

Sixty-eight countries still criminalise same-sex relations. Sixty-eight places where being Queer is not only unsafe: it’s illegal.

As we celebrate Pride, so many members of our global LGBT+ communities suffer in a variety of unjust, illegal, and even brutal ways all over the world.

In Chechnya, attacks against our communities began anew earlier this year. People “perceived” to be anything but straight have been incarcerated, interrogated, and sometimes even tortured.

In the Caribbean, same-sex relations are still illegal in nine countries, with hate groups regularly rallying supporters to abuse members of the LGBT+ communities.

In Brunei, the Sultan recently expanded the criminalisation of same-sex relations to be punishable by death. People can be sentenced to death by stoning, just for being who they are.

Jessica Stern
Jessica Stern

Jessica Stern Executive Director of OutRight Action International, the LGBTIQ Human Rights Organisation said:  “This is egregious. But together we can and are standing up against discrimination and violence, and when do – we win.

“Think of Bhutan and Botswana, which recently struck down their anti-homosexuality laws. Think of Taiwan and Ecuador, which have become the most recent countries to legalise marriage equality. And this year, for the first, time, the World Health Organisation depathologised being transgender – which is no longer classified as a mental illness. 

“Now more than ever, during World Pride, is the time to think globally. What happens in one country can directly affect what happens in another.

“Unite with us and support our critical global work during Pride month? We need you, and we are so grateful for your solidarity and your support!”

For more information about World Pride, click here:

 

Seaside Special – a fundraiser for Sussex Beacon at The Grand

Posted on by Besi

Britain’s Got Talent impressionist, Drew Cameron, vocal trio and stars of The Voice, The Flat Pack, have been added to the line-up for a benefit at The Grand Hotel, Brighton.

Seaside Special, a fundraiser for The Sussex Beacon will be hosted by Miss Jason, Maisie Trollette, Davina Sparkle and Poo La May. 

Wear your best ‘seaside outfit’ and you could be a SEASIDE STAR!

Drew Cameron
Drew Cameron

Have Mystic Maisie tell you your fortune! Meet Mr. Punch.

Enjoy traditional fun fair games, raffles, prizes as well as a three-course sea-side fish and chip supper!

Tickets for this fun packed evening cost just £40pp and are available from The Sussex Beacon Shops (London Rd., St. James’ St.) and from The Grosvenor Inn, Western St., Hove BN 1 2PG

For more information about the Sussex Beacon, click here:

 

Whitehawk FC host ‘Football United, A Celebration of Togetherness’

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Football United – A Celebration of Togetherness, is a ground breaking football match featuring Premier League All-Stars; Former Champions League winners and Internationals, playing against ‘Rainbow Rovers’, a team comprised of  LGBTQ+ sportspeople, activists and celebrities.

THE Football Industry continues to embrace diversity and Inclusion within its sport, and more and more people are challenging outdated perceptions, and making a stand…

One of the most hi-profile mixed -gender matches ever played,  Football United will kick off at Whitehawk FC’s  TeraPura Ground in East Brighton at 3pm on the Sunday of Brighton Pride weekend.

The ex-Premier League All Star team features ex-players from Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur and the LGBTQ+ team is player managed by transgender writer and broadcaster, Sophie Cook.

Sophie Cook said: “When I came out as transgender in Premier League football I had friends that were concerned for my safety, there’d never been a trans woman working within the game. But rather than abuse and hatred I was greeted with love and respect from fans, players and management alike. Yes there were still those that held on to their bigotry but they were the minority. Football holds a unique position within our society to carry the message of diversity and equality into areas that are often ignored and written off. The game is a universal language that transcends social barriers and this game will send out the message that the beautiful game belongs to everyone regardless of sexuality, gender identity, race, religion or gender. Football United? It’s bigger than that, it’s People United!”

Maria Horner from The Football Supporters Association added: “The FSA is all about showing people that live football is on their doorstep. Fans for Diversity helps those who may not think football is for them get along to the game.

“That’s why we’re proud to support and take part in this event at Whitehawk FC– it promises to be an excellent occasion demonstrating just how welcoming football can be.”

For Whitehawk Football Club, Kevin Miller said: “We’re proud to be hosting such an inspirational game, and on behalf of the club I’d like to thank everyone who has helped put this together. We look forward to welcoming fans from the world of football and beyond. This match is an invitation to all ages, colours, races, faiths, and genders, to join us and celebrate Inclusion through football, on a weekend where The City of Brighton lights a beacon for inclusivity around the world…”

Event: ‘Football United, A Celebration of Togetherness’

Where: Whitehawk Football Club, The TerraPura Ground, East Brighton Park, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5TS

When: Sunday, August 4, 2019

Time: from 12:30pm (kick off 3pm)

Disability Pride returns for third year – And… they are also coming out!

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The third annual Disability Pride Brighton celebration takes place on Hove Lawns from noon to 6pm on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

THE event is organised to raise awareness of the diversity and value of disabled people with all (visible and invisible) impairments or conditions and is organised by a diverse committee of disabled people.

Jenny Skelton, Founder and Chair, says: “We want to celebrate our identities and feel less isolated in the city, as well as engage with non-disabled people, by hosting a great day out for all!”

Disability Pride Brighton was the first Disability Pride event in England and held its inaugural event in July 2017, with more than 2,000 people attending. Almost 3,000 visitors attended the second event in 2018.

The 2019 event will begin with a short parade along the promenade at 11:30am, led by Unified Rhythm – a carnival band with over 80% disabled members.

The event will then be officially opened by Alison Lapper MBE; Brighton & Hove Mayor, Cllr Alexandra Phillips; Caroline Lucas MP; and Jenny Skelton, Chair of Disability Pride.

Throughout the day, there will be live music, acts, performances, and speeches from disabled people; work from disabled artists; activities, and stalls from organisations who offer support to local people and families, friends, and carers who are part of this diverse community.

Disability Pride Brighton has support from some well-known disabled people – Alison Lapper MBE and Eddie Kidd OBE being two of them who will be there on the day. Eddie is a Brighton resident and says he very much supports the cause.

The idea for Disability Pride came from disabled Brighton mum, Jenny Skelton, who has three adopted children with various disabilities, after one of her children suffered an incident of disability discrimination.

Since the first year, the group has grown significantly and has now launched a People’s Health Trust – funded supported volunteering programme so that more people with both visible and invisible impairments or conditions can get involved and help break down barriers.

Jenny and the team will also be launching the hashtag #ComingOutAsDisabled at the event and, if they wish, visitors can pose for a photo in the specially-made, giant #ComingOutAsDisabled selfie frame.

Jenny Skelton
Jenny Skelton

Jenny says: “It is a fun idea but with a serious message. One in four employers have expressed reluctance at employing a disabled person which makes it difficult for the 19% of working age adults who are disabled. Several of my friends and committee members have faced disability discrimination in the workplace and in their day to day lives. Disabled people should feel free to ‘come out’ and be accepted for themselves as a natural part of human diversity without the fear of discrimination.”

Martin Harris
Martin Harris

Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton Hove Buses, said: “We work closely with community groups and national bodies to make our services accessible for everybody, so it makes perfect sense to support such an inclusive and joyful event like Disability Pride.  

“We’re very proud to help everybody get around more easily on the day by running a free shuttle bus from Brighton Station to Hove Lawns, in partnership with Community Transport. 

“Our Accessibility and Communities Manager, Victoria Garcia MBE, who is also a Disability Pride committee member, has helped develop our partnership with Disability Pride right from its beginning and helped organise the shuttle bus.”

Disability Pride Brighton is grant funded by Brighton & Hove Buses, Chalk Cliff Trust, Brighton & Hove City Council, The Local People Project in Hove, which is supported by Scope and funded by People’s Health Trust using money raised by The Health Lottery in the South East. People’s Health Trust, using money raised through The Health Lottery in the South East, Laine Pub Company and South East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (SE AAN).

For more information about Brighton & Hove buses, click here:

For more information about Disability Pride Brighton, click here:

 

Northern Pride launches ‘Pride in Schools’ campaign

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LEADING North East LGBT+ charity launches new initiative to promote inclusivity within schools.

Photo Rob Chambers
Photo Rob Chambers

NORTHERN Pride, which organises the annual Pride festival in Newcastle, has revealed plans for its Pride in Schools campaign, sponsored by Your Homes Newcastle, to deliver outreach services to students around the region.

The charity will provide schools with workshops, seminars and group exercises to support LGBT+ young people and their families, along with pupils coming from LGBT+ households.

The campaign was created in response to changes to the relationships and sex education curriculum, which comes into place in September 2020.

Under the new guidelines, all secondary schools will teach students about sexual orientation and gender identity, while primary school pupils will be taught about different types of families, which can include LGBT+ families.

Lou Liddle McGhee, family and youth engagement manager at Northern Pride, believes the campaign will have a positive impact. “Stonewall reports that 45 per cent of LGBT+ young people experience bullying at school and the only way this will change is by challenging these attitudes with open channels of communication,” said Lou.

“Those growing up LGBT+ or in LGBT+ households deserve to have a safe, comfortable and fun school experience just as much as their peers and we hope our Pride in Schools initiative will help to facilitate this.”

Tina Drury, Managing Director at Your Homes Newcastle, said: “The Pride in Schools campaign is a really important cause that we are delighted to be supporting.

“School years can be a confusing time for many young people, but opening up the conversation about different types of families and attractions will hopefully mean a lot of students will feel less alone.”

Northern Pride has created a survey for schools to complete, which will help the charity plan their sessions around the most relevant topics.

To complete the survey click here:

The deadline for responses is July 19.

an be found at www.northern-pride.com and the deadline for responses is July 19.

For more information about Northern Pride, search northernprideuk on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

 

Rainbow Chorus commission video for Deaf community

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Rainbow Fund supports the the Rainbow Chorus to make their concerts accessible to the Deaf community.

A singing group supporting the Deaf community might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s an initiative the Rainbow Chorus has been doing for some time, in recognition of the fact that the Deaf are one of the most marginalised groups in the LGBT+ communities.

Regulars to concerts by the Rainbow Chorus will know that Marco Nardi has sign-interpreted their concerts for several years, catering to a small but growing Deaf following as well as highlighting the choreographic beauty of sign language to hearing audience members.

In addition, at each concert the choir performs a few songs accompanied by basic Sign Supported English in a bid to make the show more inclusive.

Thanks to a grant from the Rainbow Fund, the choir commissioned Marco to create this video to encourage more of the Deaf community to go along to the Rainbow Chorus’ concerts.

In the video, Marco is interpreting Time to Say Goodbye to show that Rainbow Chorus concerts can be interesting to those who are deaf. He talks about other songs in the repertoire and then goes on to give details about the date and other important information about the concert.

Feedback from the Deaf community is positive, individuals appreciating the Brighton-based choir’s approach which makes them feel part of a community from which they previously felt excluded.

The next plan is to form a working group to come up with other ideas to further increase inclusivity for the Deaf community.

Peter Tatchell recognised by United Airlines

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United Airlines recognise Peter Tatchell’s fifty years of Campaigning for Equality and Human Rights.

UNITED Airlines presented Peter Tatchell, gay rights activist and human rights campaigner, with a United EQUAL award in recognition of his commitment to campaigning for equality over the past fifty years.

“I am honoured and delighted to receive this award from EQUAL, and salute its work in supporting United Airlines’ LGBT+ staff and the wider LGBT+ community,” said Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. “My sincere gratitude. I look forward to seeing EQUAL march at World Pride in New York and in Pride London.”

EQUAL is United’s LGBT+ business resource group committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at the airline.

This week, Ruth Hunt, former CEO of Stonewall addressed United employees at London Heathrow, while more United employees than ever before are set to take part in this year’s London Pride march.

Coffee pick-me-up for Brighton & Hove Pride

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Brighton Coffee Roasters Trading Post to share profits with Pride in Brighton & Hove.

WHAT started as a business-project to rejuvenate a troubled restaurant-site in central Brighton has grown to become one of Sussex’s most dynamic start-ups.

Now Trading Post Coffee Roasters are set to take a leap forward this July in sharing the profits from the firm’s growth with the county’s charitable and non-profit sector – in what is set to become an annual profit-sharing tradition.

From July 15 to August 11 – focussed around Brighton Pride Month – the local firm will donate 25p from every take-away cup of coffee to Brighton & Hove Pride’s community fundraising, the first annual charity recipient.

The scheme will run across the group’s three venues located in Brighton’s Ship Street, Kensington Gardens and Cliffe High Street, Lewes.

The campaign is about more than just raising cash funds too. Special ‘Pride Month’ cups have been printed – which, like Trading Posts’ regular disposable vessels, are formed of a 100% compostable cup and lid.

The celebratory design is emblazoned with a pride flag inspired design to increase awareness and visibility – which the firm has a year-round commitment to.

The team behind Trading Post Coffee Roasters are no strangers to working with the LGBTQ community.

Michael Deol
Michael Deol

Founder Michael Deol said: “Having run Brighton’s largest gay venue [Club Revenge] for twelve years and stepped in to help with the city’s Pride in 2012, I wanted to keep that tradition alive with our new venture. As with so many of the great businesses across Sussex, inclusivity in our workforce is so important – staff-members from the LGBT communities have been a core part of our success. The choice of Brighton & Hove Pride as our first charity partner seemed a natural one, and a great chance to raise a glass (or cup of coffee) to our city’s diversity”.

Harry Woodhams, group Operations Manager added: “Working in a dynamic, local, family-run business in Brighton & Hove is great, and it’s been amazing to see the support we’ve been given by the local community. As we grew, we knew – as a management team – that the moment was right to give something back to those who have helped us become a core part of the city’s community.”

Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp

Paul Kemp, Managing Director at Brighton & Hove Pride said: “We are thrilled that Trading Post Coffee Roasters have come onboard to support Brighton Pride’s fund-raising for local charities and community groups through their coffee sales during Pride month. We are delighted to have been chosen as the first benefactor for the great scheme. We are always happy to engage with businesses who want to support Pride and the local community.”

The 2019 Bristol Pride Festival starts this weekend

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Events for the 2019 Bristol Pride Festival start this weekend with the biggest ever festival and programme of events to date.

MeL C and Sink The Pink
MeL C and Sink The Pink

AS the organising team celebrate their 10th anniversary of making Pride happen they have pulled out all the stops to deliver two weeks of events to celebrate and showcase the LGBT+ communities, and moved Pride Day to The Downs making it one of the biggest festivals in Bristol this year.

Celebrations start this Friday, June 28, with a flag raising at 5pm at City Hall to open the festival and remember the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, seen as the birth of the global LGBT+ equal rights movement.

An impressive thirty events will then take place across two weeks in the lead up to the main festival day on Saturday July 13 with events ranging from comedy, poetry, films, gaming days, circus night, dog show, theatre, talks, and more.

Peppermint
Peppermint

The expansion doesn’t stop there for the festival; which this year was named in the Global Top50 Pride events.

After 36,000 people attended the festival last year, this years event will have double the previous capacity at their new larger home at the top of Whiteladies Road.

It’s their biggest and most diverse line-up ever with Spice Girl Mel C performing along with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sonique, boyband A1, US rapper LE1F, NINA, Saara Aalto, Boney M, Four of Diamonds, Hazell Dean, and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Peppermint to name just a few.  In fact over 100 acts are taking part in the festival this year. With more space the team have also introduced new areas and activities, including the New Stage, a giant Circus Tent, Silent Disco and a Wellbeing and Mindfulness area with yoga and meditation workshops.

The colourful Pride Parade will still take place in the City Centre, departing Castle Park at 10.45am and making its way to the Amphitheatre. Marching for visibility and to make a bold and positive stand against hate and prejudice, it’s a message that is more important than ever following the release of recent statistics showing that LGBT+ Hate Crime has surged in recent years, 144% nationally in 4 years and by 23% in the wider Bristol region in the last year alone.

Daryn Carter
Daryn Carter

Daryn Carter CEO of Bristol Pride said: “I’m so proud of how far Bristol Pride has come in the last 10 years and while we celebrate our success and the great progress being made in equal rights it’s clear how much Pride is still needed.

“Recent statistics and violent attacks nationally on members of the community are a sobering shadow over our celebration but one that should be a rallying cry for all that want to create a better society for all. Get involved, join us and stand up to hate, don’t be a bystander and let those with prejudice and bigoted views that there is no place for them.

“Moving to The Downs not only means that we can deliver a bigger festival for everyone wanting to attend but allows us to develop new festival area and present our biggest and most diverse line-up to date.”

Bristol Pride hope that their programme of events will help engage wider audiences with the message of equality, showcasing issues that affect the LGBT+ communities, highlight the fight for equality over the years and that LGBT+ people exist in all communities everywhere.

Highlights include the return of the Pride Circus Night at Circomedia and Milk Poetry at the Wardrobe.

Also returning is the Pride film festival, Queer Vision, at the Watershed screening best LGBT+ films with a selection of shorts and a special preview screening of upcoming film Tell It to The Bees, starring Anna Paquin, on Monday, July 8.

For a dose of history check out the award-winning theatre on offer at The Wardrobe Theatre with Riot Act on Wednesday, July 10 telling the accounts of three people from the Stonewall Riots through to the present day, or see the person behind the image with the Scandalous Love of Oscar Wilde on Thursday, July 4.

Bristol Pride Dog Show
Bristol Pride Dog Show

One of the cutest events on offer will be the Pride Dog Show in Castle Park on Saturday,July 6.

For all the information about this year’s festival including all the events and acts, click here: where you can also pick up your £7 Supporter Wristbands.

As well as keeping the festival going wristbands offer rewards such as money off the festival bars and free travel on Pride Day with First Bus services in the Bristol Zone as well as a new shuttle service from the end of the parade.

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