Popular couple raise £650 for Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.
KIM and Graham Hobson, known to many as Captain Cockroach, celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, Graham’s 60th birthday and their company’s 25th birthday at a very special evening at the Queens Hotel on Saturday, May 4.
Entertainment was provided by Kara Van Park and Jason Lee as well as many scene personalities present including Jason Sutton, Davina Sparkle and David Raven who all made contributions to the evenings fun.
Rather than receive gifts, Kim and Graham asked for donations to be made to the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.
Pictured: Kim is presented with a certificate of thanks from Safety Forum volunteer, Louise Whittingham for the £650 raised on the night.
Billie Lewis Volunteer Chair of the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum said:“Kim, Graham and their family are genuinely compassionate and supportive of the communities they live in. We are truly grateful for the support they continue to give the Forum.”
Bizarre Bazaar, a two day sale of new and used items with a fetish/kinky twist will be staged to raise funds for The Sussex Beacon at end of May.
The first sale on Sunday, May 26 from 2-6pm will be at Subline, 129 St James St, Brighton. Admission: 1st 50 get through the door for £2 then £1.
There is no disabled access to Subline but a Personal Shopper service will be available at the Sussex Beacon Charity shop upstairs.
Then on Monday, May 27 from 11am-4pm the sale moves upstairs to the Sussex Beacon Shop, 130 St James Street, Brighton.
Subline
If you are able to donate any of the following items please take them to either of the Beacon Shops in St James St or London Rd (72-73 London Rd) or to arrange a collection call the St James St shop on 01273 682992.
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus have been invited by the Embassy of Sweden to celebrate Brighton as the city that launched ABBA’s global success and raise money for the Rainbow Fund.
FORTY-five years have passed since April 6, 1974 when ABBA took the world by storm and won the Eurovision Song Contest at the Brighton Dome with their song Waterloo.
The concert takes place in the beautiful setting of the Brighton Spiegeltent on Old Steine and will raise funds for The Rainbow Fund, a Brighton & Hove based grant-giving fund for local LGBT+ and HIV organisations.
Start off your bank holiday weekend supporting Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus as they return once more to Brighton Fringe with all your favourite ABBA tunes, while raising money for a great cause.
The Rainbow Fund give grants to local LGBT+ and HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to LGBT+ people in Brighton & Hove.
Event: Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus sing ABBA
Where: Brighton Spiegeltent, Old Steine, Brighton
When: Saturday, May 25
Time: 5pm – 5.45pm
Cost: Free entry donations requested for Rainbow Fund.
To reserve at place in the Spiegeltent, click here:
Brighton & Hove Pride announce City Angels, a new initiative to promote closer working partnerships between local retailers, restaurants, hotels other city businesses and Pride.
THE year-round campaign will see Brighton & Hove Pride promote Brighton’s retail and hospitality economy, whilst asking those businesses that benefit from the £20.5m+ that is spent over the Brighton Pride weekend to engage their civic pride and get involved through the Pride City Angels programme.
Some of the Benefits members will receive include:
♦ Official City Angel merchandise material to display their support and stand out from the crowd – rainbow flag, window sticker and digital versions for social media and websites.
♦ Listing on the City Angels page on Brighton Pride website as well as on the City Angels website
listings on advertisements and in editorials celebrating City Angels in Brighton media outlets and in the annual Pride Magazine.
♦ Inclusion in social media campaigns around City Angels with links to supporters pages.
♦ Increased visibility to city visitors identifying you as a City Angel.
City Angels will be asked to commit to uphold the Pride City Angel pledge that includes:
♦ Keeping the front of their business area clean, tidy and litter free and encouraging customers and staff to dispose of their litter responsibly
♦ Being vigilant to hate crime incidents and actively report incidents to the police
♦ Being fully supportive of LGBT+ initiatives and events that take place in Brighton & Hove
♦ Being a City Angel champion and encouraging other businesses to sign up
Starting at just £100, annual memberships costs will bedependent on the sector and size of your business.
100% of the profits from City Angels memberships is reinvested in to city and communities. Whether it is through reducing waste in events supply chains, silent disco beach cleans, sponsoring bins, or consumer-focused campaigns to reduce littering – there is plenty for everyone to do – and as everyone focusses their efforts greater benefits are bought for everyone.
Funds raised to support these initiatives, and a range of existing good causes that have local social impact (for example, those already funded through Pride’s Social Impact Fund) will be done transparently and easily using existing funding mechanisms.
The City Angels Pledge – Respect · Pride · Unity
♦ RESPECT (IN) OUR CITY – respect for the city (environmental), also respect for each other and for people in the city
♦ PRIDE IN OUR CITY – we’re proud of our city and want to look after it; this also represents Pride.
♦ UNITY IN OUR CITY – we’re united with each other in the city – we look out for each other and won’t tolerate hate
Founding members of the initiative include: The Hilton Brighton Metropole, Brighton & Hove Albion, Legends, Brighton & Hove Buses, Shooshh.
Supporting organisations include: Visit Brighton and Brilliant Brighton
Over twenty swimmers from Out to Swim South, braved their first sea swim of 2019 in water temperatures of 13c at Hove seafront last month.
THEY were joined by team members from London and a few from the local Salty Birds swimming groups.
A mixed variety of swimmers took to the sea in Hove, with some completing over a mile, while others swam a short distance, or just a few minutes for a splash around.
It was all about being together and getting in the sea followed by a hearty lunch.
Future dates for sea swims will be announced soon on social media.
Out to Swim South was established in 2006 as part of the main London aquatic group. They are a group of sociable LGBTQ+ and allies who swim for fun, fitness or competitions, and provide a friendly environment for those who prefer the social aspect of the club, in the Brighton & Hove and Sussex area.
There are three sessions a week of which at least two are coached.
All members share an enthusiasm to improve with like minded people and be part of an LGBT+ inclusive club.
Women and men swim inclusive and non gender specific, Out to Swim South, has people of all ages, from 20s to 60s.
Out to Swim South is open to everyone with a positive attitude. The club is for adults and those under 18 are not able to participate.
New members are always welcome to share in the strong social aspect to the club with weekly pub sessions on Saturdays and regular socials.
Feel free to go along to any of their sessions on Mondays from 8.30pm – 9.30pm, Thursdays 7.30 – 8.30 at Prince Regent Pool in Brighton and from 5pm-8.30pm on Saturday at Roedean School Pool.
Funeral Director Chris Sarson successfully completes abseil from top of the British Airways i360 on Saturday (May 18) morning, raising £1,801.28 (£2,199.10 with gift aid) for Lunch Positive the HIV Lunch Club.
FRIENDS and supporters turned out at 8am in the morning to support Chris and cheer him down the 162 meter drop in his quest to raise funds for the popular HIV lunch club.
Chris said: “All funds will go to supporting the good work of this amazing charity that I’m privileged to be a trustee of. I would in particular like to make sure the new evening super club is able to carry on in the future as this gives vital access to many service users unable to make lunch club on a Friday lunchtime due to work commitments. The evening super club meets once evey 6-8 weeks but it would be great to get enough from my sponsorship for it to be made possible on a more regular basis.”
UK’s biggest study of the bear scene comes to Brighton Bear Weekend 2019!
BRIGHTON’s bears, otters, cubs, chubs, and chasers are invited to take part in a first-of-its-kind study on June 15th 2019, when the Bearspace project comes to the Brighton Bear Weekend!
Funded by the University of Brighton, Bearspace is researching the experiences of men with different body types/sizes in bear bars, pubs, clubs, and events across the UK.
People attending Bear Weekend can share their thoughts and experiences in two ways:
♦ A relaxed pre-Garden Party focus group (Sat June 15, 11am to 12 noon @ the Camelford Arms)
♦ A private, one-on-one interview (Thursday June 13 to Sun June 16, time of your convenience @ a private location)
Bearspace is the UK’s biggest empirical study of bear communities, with bears in Manchester, Edinburgh and London having already shared their stories. The project will also visit 2 other UK sites soon – so keep your eyes peeled!
Dr Nick McGlynn
The project is the brainchild of University of Brighton researcher (and bear) Dr Nick McGlynn.
From May 2018 Nick has been compiling a database of every bear venue in the UK, and used this to find out where the project should visit. Nick has an extensive track record of LGBTQ-related research, including working on the EU-wide Health4LGBTI project and Brighton’s own award-winning Count Me In Too research.
Dr McGlynn, said:“This is the first time I have studied bears specifically, and was surprised to find so little empirical research on such a big global community. Although bears come in all shapes and sizes, the idea of Bear spaces as ‘safe spaces’ for bigger gay/bi/queer men jumped out from this limited research and I wanted to investigate further.”
Graham Munday
Graham Munday, chair of Brighton Bear Weekend, added:“It is a privilege to have an honoured academic joining us this year for the first time. We feel the more that is understood about gay men their relationship with themselves and each other the better our communities will be. It will help with all aspects of LGBT+ society. I find it fascinating and a great opportunity for people to talk about their experiences and be listened to. A rare treat these days. If that wasn’t enough, the breakfasts in the Camelford are amazing and a perfect way to set yourself up for the Garden Party in the afternoon.”
If you want to secure a seat at the focus group or book an interview slot email:n.mcglynn2@brighton.ac.uk or call 01273 642278
For more information about the project, click here:
Or view @bearspacestudy on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
Latest polling from highly respected YouGov shows the Greens in the South East are on track for the election of two Green MEPs in todays European elections.
THIS would mean thatElise Benjamin, former Lord Mayor of Oxford, would join the new Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Alexandra Phillips in the European Parliament as MEP from July.
It would also mean that Remain parties in the South East would occupy four EU seats, instead of the current two, depriving pro-Brexit parties of a seat.
Cllr Alexandra Phillips
Lead Green candidate in the South East, Alexandra Phillips, said:“The polls also show that people are leaving behind the discredited idea of voting tactically, as under the proportional system, that won’t guarantee more Remain MEPs and could actually split the vote further, to the benefit of Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party. Instead, people are intending to vote for who they really believe in: the party that will really address the greatest crisis we face – the climate – as well as saying no to Brexit.”
Elise Benjamin
Elise Benjamin, second candidate on the Greens’ South East list, added:“As we’ve toured the South East in our all-electric Stop Brexit Bus, as we’ve held rallies, knocked on doors and received a great deal of warm applause in hustings, it’s been clear that support for Greens has been growing rapidly. It’s support for our Green message that says no to Brexit and yes to working with fellow Green MEPs across the entire continent of Europe, to lift the world out the climate crisis.
“It’s vital now that the UK elects as many Green MEPs as possible because if there’s enough of us in the EU, we can do this. We can make the difference the world needs.”
The poll also has the Green Party nationally at 12%, well ahead of the Conservatives’ 7% and within overtaking distance of Labour’s 13%. The Lib Dems nationally are polling nationally at 19% following a late surge after their showing in the recent local election.
The Greens’ all-electric Stop Brexit Bus will be in Brighton and Lewes today (May 23), accompanied by Caroline Lucas MP after touring yesterday in Kent, Nigel Farage’s back yard.
They’re not just pretty faces and tight leather trousers down at Prowler on St James Street they are pretty good at general knowledge too!
Winners of the Golden Handbags Community Quiz 2019 Prowler
PROWLER came out top of the class with 89 points at the annual Golden Handbag Community Quiz 2019 at Charles Street Tap last night (May 21) which was hosted in majestic style by Lola Lasagne.
Bear-Patrol and Sea Serpents Ruby Football Club came joint second (88 points) with Bar Broadway and Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus in joint third placed (84 points).
Twenty six teams battled it out to win the first Golden Handbag of the season with the new Eurovision style voting bringing the evening to an exciting nail-biting climax with Prowler triumphant by one point.
All registration fees paid by the teams (£540) will be donated to the Rainbow Hub in St James Street, a new charity in its first year, to help deliver their volunteers programme.
Lola’s little helpers
Lola Lasagne said:“What a marvellous evening. I want to thank Sam, Ed, and all the staff at Charles Street Tap for their help making the evening go so smoothly, Nicki Delmege and Chris Goddard for their help adjudicating, Claire Fuller for sound, Rupert Ellick and DWNN for music and picture rounds, Kim Hobson, Robert James Taylor and the lovely audience. This is my favourite gig of the year and a community event we can all be very proud of.”
The purpose of the evening was to launch the voting for the Golden Handbag Awards 2019 which will be held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Sunday, June 23.
To vote in the Golden Handbags, click here. and click the Golden Box at the top right of the website home page.
Drag royalty collaborate to bring a Seaside Special to The Grand hotel, Brighton on July 19.
A spectacular variety show, SEASIDE Special will be hosted by Miss Jason, Maisie Trollette, Miss Pooh La May and Davina Sparkle, with games, magic, prizes and a traditional seaside supper.
All proceeds will be donated to The Sussex Beacon with more exciting acts being announced shortly!
Tickets cost just £40 per person and will include an evening of entertainment and The Grand Hotel’s famous fish and chips.
The Brighton based Sussex Beacon charity, provides specialist care and support to people living with HIV. All proceeds raised from this event will support the charity to continue providing its vital services, which include a ten bed inpatient unit.
For more information about the charities work, click here:
Event:Seaside Special – A fundraiser for the Sussex Beacon
Where: The Grand Hotel, 97-99 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2FW
When: Friday, July 19
Time: 7pm-11pm
Cost: £40
Tickets are available from the Sussex Beacon charity shop, St James Street, 130 St James’s St, Brighton BN2 1TH and The Grosvenor Bar, 16 Western St, Hove, Brighton BN1 2PG
The City Angels Pledge – Respect · Pride · Unity
UK’s biggest study of the bear scene comes to Brighton Bear Weekend 2019!
Drag royalty collaborate to bring a Seaside Special to The Grand hotel, Brighton on July 19.
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