GSCENEmagazine ) www.gscene.org t @gscene f GScene.Brighton
PUBLISHED BY Peter Storrow
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EDITORIAL info@gscene.com
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EDITORIAL TEAM
James Ledward, Graham Robson, Sarah Green
ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman
SUB EDITOR Graham Robson
DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER
PHOTOGRAPHY www.boygender.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Craig Hanlon Smith, Enzo Marra, Netty, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Keith Sharpe, Rory Smith, Gay Socrates, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Phil Bailey ukmomentcatcher.com, Tim Burden, Nick Ford Photography, Michael Hootman, Lacey-Cross Photography, James Ledward, Peter McEachern, Toms Udris
GOVERNMENT PLAN DEVASTATING CUTS TO NATIONAL HIV PREVENTION FUNDING
Proposals will see funding halved in England for the year commencing April 2015 and there is as yet no commitment to fund further years of the programme.
) The current programme, HIV Prevention England (HPE), is coordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and is focussed on the needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) and black African men and women.
Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive at THT, said: “This is not the right time for the Government to pare back spending on HIV prevention. In recent years, we have made good progress in driving down rates of undiagnosed and late-diagnosed HIV. However, tens of thousands of people with HIV across England are still undiagnosed and at increased risk of passing the virus on unwittingly. We have not yet reached the tipping point in our fight against the epidemic, and halving government spending on HIV prevention now would be a regressive step that risks undermining the headway we have made.”
The £1.2million allocated for 2015/16 is equivalent to less than £1 for each person targeted by the programme. Only recently, Public Health England released data showing that rates of HIV transmission show no signs of decline, while 2013 saw 6,000 new HIV diagnoses in the UK, including the highest ever number of diagnoses among gay and bisexual men. One in four people living with HIV remain
undiagnosed. National AIDS Trust’s (NAT) recent poll, commissioned from Ipsos MORI, showed that only two thirds of British adults can correctly identify the three main routes for HIV transmission and an increasing number think you can get HIV through impossible routes, such as kissing and sneezing.
Deborah Gold, Chief Executive of NAT, added: “This decision is simply staggering. HIV transmission shows no signs of decline, with the highest number of diagnoses among gay and bisexual men ever in 2013. Public knowledge of HIV is far too low, and myths about HIV are on the increase. We are at serious risk of going backwards on HIV if national-level investment is not made in HIV prevention. We urge the Government to think again.”
This decision is in direct contradiction to Simon Stevens’ NHS Five Year Forward View, released last October, and welcomed by all main political parties, in which he said: “…the future health of millions of children, the sustainability of the NHS, and the economic prosperity of Britain all now depend on a radical upgrade in prevention and public health. Twelve years ago Derek Wanless’ health review warned that unless the country took prevention seriously we would be faced with a sharply rising burden of avoidable illness. That warning has not
been heeded – and the NHS is on the hook for the consequences.”
The cuts will only affect HIV prevention work in England, not Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland.
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “This is completely unacceptable. The UK could play a pivotal role in making new HIV infections a thing of the past – but these proposals seriously jeopardise all the work that’s been done to date and risk turning the clock back on the fight against HIV and AIDS. Brighton & Hove still has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the country, with too many people still deterred from being tested by fear of being stigmatised and by the fear of the consequences of a positive diagnosis. We urgently need to do much more to prevent lives being lost to HIV/AIDS, and to improve education and awareness. These funding cuts would risk all that – it’s breathtakingly irresponsible.”
SImon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown said: “As the Vice-Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS I was very concerned to read the reports of a cut in HIV prevention funding. That is why I immediately made a number of representations to Ministers at the Department of Health to stress the importance of HIV prevention in the continued fight against HIV/AIDS.I am delighted that following my lobbying efforts, the Minister for Public Health has confirmed that the Government is protecting funding for HIV prevention and will not be reduced.”
NAT’s activist network are working to defend the national HIV prevention funding. To join their campaign, view: http://act.lifewithhiv.org.uk/lobby/HPE
COUNCIL COMMITS TO EARLY HIV TESTING
) Brighton & Hove City Council has committed to halving late and undiagnosed HIV by passing a motion on HIV testing in support of the Halve It campaign. The motion which was passed unanimously at Full Council on Thursday, December 11 recognises the importance of local action in coordinating and commissioning accessible and effective HIV testing, and outlines a commitment by the council to strengthening its own provision of HIV testing services through working with local NHS partners, HIV charities and patient groups.
The motion to Full Council was tabled by Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, the leader of the Conservative Group, who said: “HIV is a significant public health issue in Brighton & Hove and we are committed to taking practical steps to tackle this in partnership with local service providers, patients and advocates. I am proud that Brighton is leading the way with supporting 'Halve It' and its objectives, and I strongly encourage other councils across the country to do the same.”
The motion received the support of local MPs, including Simon Kirby, Mike Weatherley, and Caroline Lucas Mike Weatherley, himself a supporter of the Halve It campaign, added: “Brighton & Hove council’s commitment to HIV testing is vital in tackling the epidemic in our area. We know that early testing for HIV saves lives as well as money,
and that the sooner HIV is diagnosed, the sooner appropriate care can begin.”
Halve It is a national coalition that focuses on the expansion of HIV testing services, on the basis that early testing of HIV saves lives and also results in substantial savings to the public health budget. Since its inception in 2010, Halve It has galvanised national and local cross-party support for HIV testing, and is supported in its aims by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
Brighton & Hove Council’s action on HIV testing follows comments on World AIDS Day from Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison, who said: “I fully support the aims of the Halve It campaign, the Government is committed to reducing late diagnosis and the number of people who are unaware that they have HIV. People living with HIV can expect to live a long and healthy life if they are diagnosed early which is why our sexual health strategy focusses on prevention and testing. We are testing more people than ever, with fewer diagnoses, which shows we are moving in the right direction.”
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for HIV/AIDS, says he is “delighted” at the decision taken by Brighton & Hove Council. In early November, Mr Kirby reached out to the leaders of the three political groups on the City Council, pressing them to introduce a council motion that would see the council acknowledge the prevalence of HIV in the area, and commit to
CAROLINE
LUCAS MP
DEBORAH
SIMON KIRBY MP
LGBT TRUST & CONFIDENCE SURVEY 2013/14 GOES LIVE
) A community survey to test and establish the levels of trust and confidence in Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) is now live.
The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is an elected, independent group of LGB&T people in Brighton & Hove. The group aims to ensure effective accountability between the LGBT communities of Brighton & Hove and the statutory authorities, including Sussex Police and BHCC.
The short survey is about your trust in the police and council services (including the Partnership Community Safety Team), and your confidence in reporting issues around abuse, discrimination and your safety within Brighton & Hove and includes educational establishments, care services, private businesses or at home.
There are a series of multiple choice questions about your experiences followed by some optional questions all about you. All personal information given is strictly confidential, will not be shared with third parties and will not be kept with your answers.
To complete the short survey, view: www.lgbt-help.com/t-c-survey-13-14 If you would like a printed version of the survey or need assistance completing it, telephone: 01273 231189, or text: 07827 811454
The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office under registration reference ZA061193.
provide more HIV testing services. The motion would also see the council commit to halving both the percentage of people diagnosed late and the proportion of people living undiagnosed in the area by 2020.
Speaking about the vote, Mr Kirby said: “As both MP for Brighton Kemptown, and also in my role as Vice Chair for the APPG HIV/AIDS, I work hard to stand up for those living with HIV/AIDS across Brighton and the rest of the UK, and also to raise awareness of the importance of regular testing.
"I reached out to the political leaders on Brighton & Hove City Council about this matter, as it was something that I care greatly about, and also as I knew that it would make a huge difference to everyone living with HIV in Brighton.
"Early diagnosis really can make a considerable difference to both life expectancy, and quality of life, and this is why this commitment is so important.
“I am delighted that the councillors voted to implement this motion, and I am proud to have been involved in putting this on the council’s agenda.”
Cllr Warren Morgan, Leader of the Labour and Cooperative group on the City Council, said: "We support all efforts to improve HIV testing that builds on the investments in services made under the last Labour Government.
"I would hope that Mr Kirby can persuade his Conservative colleague in London to reverse the proposed 50% cut in funding to HIV/AIDS prevention services revealed in this month’s Gscene."
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TEN COUPLES MAKE HISTORY AT BRIGHTON TOWN HALL
At 10am on December 10, 2014, at Brighton Town Hall, ten couples made history when they were all married at the same time on the first day the law allowed Civil Partnerships be converted to Marriage.
) The Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Act came into effect on Saturday, March 29, 2014. At that time there was no legal way for couples already in civil partnerships to be married. This inequality was rectified on December 10, 2014 when it became legal for any civil partners to take up the option to be married.
One of the couples getting married, Ian Scott and Ron Williams, had been together for 52 years and became civil partners in 2006. They met in the 1960s and had no idea five decades ago that they would ever be legally able to marry in 2014. Ian explained: “When I first met Ron in 1962 I knew that there was something special and I felt that we would be together for the rest of our lives. Never, ever, did I think that it would be possible for us to be married. Now here we are 52 years later doing just that. At the time of our civil partnership in January 2006 it seemed as if that was as far as we could go. Not so. December 10 is a very special day indeed.”
Ron added: “When I met Ian in the spring of 1962, I wouldn’t, in my wildest dreams, have imagined that one day we’d be able to marry. Now 52 years on, we have equality of opportunity with straight people. We must thank all the campaigners who struggled for LGBT equality over many years. Now we see some religions coming round to acceptance of gay
marriage. Better late than never. Maybe a long wait for other cultures around the world to reach this stage.”
Both Ian and Ron attended the Gay Elderly Men’s Society (GEMS) Christmas dinner on Friday December 5 where the Mayor of Brighton, Cllr Brian Fitch, and the Mayoress, his wife Nora, led a toast to the pair in advance of their special day. The Mayor said: “What a wonderful story. Ian and Ron met and fell in love in Brighton in the 1960s and they are now finally realising their dreams in one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Both Nora and I send them both our sincere congratulation and we feel privileged to share their day with them.”
Another local couple who tied the knot were Paul Thompson and Peter Heron who became civil partners in June 2013. Paul said: “Peter and I would like to send all the couples today our very best wishes. What a wonderful day this is for everyone and to top it all, the Mayor called me by my camp name, Polly!”
Linda Holm, Brighton & Hove City Council Superintendent Registrar, said: “It’s been an absolute privilege to lead the registrar team through this year of historic changes in the law and to achieve greater equality for same-sex couples.
“We have been contacted by many couples keen to book with us to convert their civil partnership to marriage. So we chose to offer the chance to be the first to do so to as many couples as possible. We have had an enormous amount of interest with bookings from about 150 couples so far. We are delighted that we are able to have such a key role in helping civil partners become legally married.”
Following the ceremony, the newly weds were treated to a champagne reception with sushi at Moshimo in Bartholomew Square.
The ten couples who married were:
• Jim and Raymond (Civil Partnered in December 2005, Bournemouth, Dorset)
• Ian and Ron (Civil Partnered in January 2006, Brighton)
• John and Ion (Civil Partnered in May 2006, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire)
• John and Aaron (Civil Partnered in November 2007, Brighton Town Hall)
• Michael and Francis (Civil Partnered in January 2008, Brighton Town Hall)
• Diane and Angela (Civil Partnered in June 2010, Brighton Town Hall)
• Neil and Tom (Civil Partnered in August 2011, Sandon, Staffordshire)
• Peter and Philip (Civil Partnered in December 2011, Wandsworth, London)
• Krysten and Faye (Civil Partnered in March 2013, Shoreditch, London)
• Paul and Peter (Civil Partnered in June 2013, Brighton Town Hall)
BRIGHTON PRIDE ANNOUNCE THEME FOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY:
'CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY'
) 2015 marks 25 years of Pride celebrations in Brighton & Hove. That’s a quarter of a century of out and proud celebrations and visibility of our diverse LGBTI communities and the outstanding work done by our community groups. To mark this important milestone, and in recognition of Brighton's diverse and inspirational community, the theme for Pride in 2015 will be Carnival of Diversity
With over 160,000 participants and spectators expected to attend, watch and participate, the Brighton Pride Community Parade is a celebration of every aspect of the LGBT community, its supporters and allies.
2015’s Carnival of Diversity will encompasses everything that has become iconic about the diverse, creative and open-minded community that makes Brighton internationally famous. The community parade is the spectacle of the year and a chance for you to join with others in what is the liveliest, most colourful, uplifting and empowering visual showcase in the city.
Dulcie Weaver, Pride Director, said: “The Pride Community Parade perfectly reflects the diversity of the city as organisations, businesses and community groups come together for a truly unique event. It’s essential that Pride continues to have a campaigning message, so alongside the celebrations, Pride will continue to highlight the plight of LGBT communities across the globe that are criminalised and denied their Freedom to Live. Thousands watch the parade every year and it’s the best ‘shop window’ for community groups and businesses to get their message of support for Pride and message of equality and diversity across. As Pride celebrates its 25th Anniversary, there’s no better time to celebrate Pride in our City.”
For guidance of creative ideas, Pride participants will be able to download a Parade briefing and attend creative workshops. Parade entries will open early 2015 with discounts for early entries. To register your interest, view: www.brighton-pride.org
PRIDE TENDERS FOR 2015
) Brighton Pride CIC are tendering for two exciting roles to help deliver Pride 2015 which takes place on August 1-2. Invitations to tender for a Production Manager for the Pride Village Party event and a Parade Manager for the Brighton Pride Parade can be found at: www.brighton-pride.org/downloads.php
Full information can be found in the tender documents. If you require further information, email: operations@brighton-pride.org
PRIDE 2015 EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE
) Pride 2015 Super Early Bird and Early Bird ticket prices have been frozen for the third year running with prices starting from just £9 Tickets went on sale in December 2014 with Super Early Bird tickets at £9 and Early Bird tickets at £12.50
Pride 2015 will celebrate 25 years of Pride in the City and organisers expect it to be the biggest Pride celebrations in the city to date. 2014’s Brighton Pride Festival on Preston Park and the Pride Village Party were hailed a resounding success by Sussex Police, local businesses and resident groups, smashing fundraising targets and raising over £110,000 in the last two years for the Rainbow Fund, a grantgiving organisation that makes grants to LGBT/HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove.
Community tickets for £9 will also be available to parade entries and community groups and children under 12 will be free with an accompanying adult. Other tickets prices will have a small £1 increase to keep up with inflation and operational costs such as power, security and policing costs.
You can volunteer to help Pride for as little as two hours and receive a free ticket. Free tickets are also available for those with health problems who are unable to volunteer and can be applied for through the Rainbow Fund. Weekend tickets will also be available to include entry to Preston Park and the Village party over two days.
Paul Kemp, Pride Director, said: “As a not-for profit Community Interest organisation (CIC), Brighton Pride is committed to a campaigning Pride with purpose, a community Pride with
fundraising aims and a Pride that is accessible to all!
“As with the cost of living, regrettably the costs of staging the biggest UK Pride festival will go up. In the last two years we’ve managed to absorb increased costs for power and policing as well as extra infrastructure and security that helped us deliver a vastly improved entry onto Preston Park as well as producing a world class Pride event.
“We’re pleased to be able to again freeze Early Bird tickets due to the continued support of people purchasing Pride festival tickets and the VIP tickets that help subsidise the discounted tickets. £9 community tickets remain available to our community groups and we’ll continue to offer free tickets for volunteers and people who help us deliver Pride’s community fundraising.”
Brighton Pride Festival ticket money pays for all infrastructure and services across Preston Park to ensure a safe and enjoyable day for everyone, from entertainment and well-being to security and production. According to Pride 2014 management accounts Pride spent £30,117 on power; £51,190 on sound and lighting; £33,477 on crew costs; £25,685 on toilets; and £15,685 on waste management; whilst £10,057 was spent on police; £18,324 on St Johns Ambulance; and £93,357 on Parade and Park security and stewarding, and that’s just a fraction of the overall costs of staging a world class Pride.
To book tickets online visit: www.brighton-pride.org
PAUL KEMP
MAYOR HOSTS RECEPTION FOR EUROGAMES ORGANISERS
The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Brian Fitch, and the Mayoress, his wife Nora, hosted a reception last month in conjunction with BLAGSS for the organisers of The EuroGames in Stockholm, 2015.
) The EuroGames is an LGBT sporting and cultural festival which takes place in Europe for three years out of every four. The fourth year is reserved for the Gay Games and Out Games which are often staged outside of Europe. The Swedish organising team had visited Manchester and London before arriving in Brighton, to encourage people to register for the EuroGames 2015, which open in Stockholm on August 5, 2015
EuroGames encourage participation from everyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status. The purpose is to offer a safe environment for an expected 5,000 LGBTQ competitors and participants.
The EuroGames Stockholm cultural programme offers exhibitions, activities, attractions and a film festival. The political programme hosts a conference with seminars, workshops and lectures, as well as an opening dinner at the City Hall of Stockholm for national and international participants and a closing ceremony in the art deco Olympic Stadium which staged the summer Olympics in 1912. The sports programme consists of over 25 sports such as volleyball, track & field, same-sex dancing, badminton, swimming and many more.
Jakob Jansson, President of EuroGames Stockholm 2015, said: "BLAGSS are a great organisation doing a great job here in Brighton and we look forward to welcoming them to Stockholm next summer. We want to make the UK contingent the largest one at the games – beating France and Germany. The UK has such great heritage and strength at sports and we know its LGBT teams and individuals will really enjoy EuroGames in Stockholm.”
For more info about the Stockholm EuroGames, view: https://eurogamesstockholm.com/eurogames-stockholm For more info about BLAGSS: www.blagss.org
LOCAL WRITER IS HIV HAPPY
Paul Thorn’s eagerly anticipated eBook, HIV Happy, will be published January 5 on Amazon Kindle.
) The eBook presents a tried and tested methodology on how to improve your day to day life living with the virus. It expands on many of the ideas that were presented in Paul’s award-nominated GT magazine column called Recipes for Life. The column had been noticed by many for its very different approach to HIV writing and the eBook, although concise, is no different.
Paul said: “I wanted to move away from a purely health-orientated focus and that awful veiled HIV prevention writing we have come to know over the years. There is so much more that could be written about and is relevant to those surviving with the virus, rather than ‘be good, don’t be naughty, always wear a condom’. HIV can be an amazing catalyst that enables people to think about and change aspects of their lives for something better and more fulfilling. Half the challenge is making the choice to change in the first place, and it isn’t necessarily the obvious external stuff. As I like to say, ‘it’s an inside job’. It’s about a mental shift on how we perceive ourselves more than anything else. The book is really just a simple philosophy on living with the virus and on how to make the most of the second chance that treatment gives many of us.”
HIV Happy offers advice on everything from making minor adjustments to your life, to complete self-reinvention. It covers a multitude of subjects ranging from home-life, self-esteem, relationships, finances, work and career. Ultimately it aims to assist people with HIV to improve their quality of life and find a happier way of co-existing with the virus. HIV Happy is an eBook and will be published on Monday, January 5, by E-MPress on Amazon Kindle, price £3.99. For more details about the book, view: www.hivhappy.co.uk
To pre-order at the special discounted price of £1.99 before January 5, view: www.amazon.com/dp/B00QLEBKIU
ARTS COUNCIL FUNDS NEW PLAY BY LOCAL AUTHOR
) Brighton-based writer and performer Rose Collis has been awarded funding from Grants for the Arts, supported by the Arts Council England, to create a new stage play about 1950s media stars Nancy Spain and Gilbert Harding. The Research & Development project will culminate in two ‘script-in-hand’ performances in late February 2015 in both Brighton and London, to which theatre industry professionals and other interested groups and individuals will be invited. Collaborative partners for the project include Shelley Silas, Kinny Gardner, Thea Bennett, Keith Drinkel, the Marlborough Theatre (Brighton), Bread and Roses Theatre (London) and Sussex young people’s organisation Blueprint 22
Rose said: "In the 1950s, Gilbert Harding − a guilt-ridden and unhappy gay man who lived in Brighton − was the most famous personality on British television who loathed his fame. Nancy Spain – an ex-Roedean pupil − was the most famous female all-media personality, at ease with her sexuality and her celebrity status. I’ve always thought their unlikely friendship – including the long-running and hilarious rumours that they might marry − was a subject worthy of dramatisation.
"I’m enormously grateful to the Arts Council for this grant – the first public funding I’ve ever received – and also to the Peggy Ramsay Foundation, which contributed vital match-funding. I am also thrilled to be collaborating with project partners of the highest calibre who will make valuable contributions to the creative process and the outcomes."
For more information about Rose, view: www.rosecollis.com
NEW YEAR SUNDAY LUNCH FOR PEOPLE WITH HIV
) Lunch
Positive, the HIV lunch club, are holding a New Year Sunday
Lunch on Sunday, January 4 at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church
Gary Pargeter, Lunch Positive volunteer project manager, said: “Following a moving World AIDS Day on December 1, the first Sunday Lunch of 2015 will be one of hope and celebration for a new year ahead. We hope as many as possible from our
HIV community will come and join us, new members and old.”
The three-course lunch costs £2.50 and doors open at 1.45pm, with lunch served at 2.15pm. There is no need to book ahead. Sunday Lunches are provided entirely by volunteers.
Monthly Sunday Lunches will run throughout the winter to give people with HIV additional time to meet and spend time with their peers.
For more information, view: www.lunchpositive.org
RAINBOW FAMILIES MEET MOTHER CLAUS
) Rainbow Families is an informal non-profit social group for lesbian, gay and other LGBT parents and their children in Brighton and the surrounding areas. On Saturday, December 6, more than 60 same-sex families and their children attended
the Rainbow Families Christmas Party at BHASVIC sixth form college on Old Shoreham Road. More than 100 children were present to enjoy the buffet and games before Santa (or was that Mother Claus?) made an appearance and gave a present to each child.
Sam Colderwood, mum of six children and committee member of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: "What a wonderful event. It’s fantastic to see so many happy contented childen here enjoying themselves."
For more information visit: www.lgbtgroups.org/rainbow-families/
LGBT COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK UPDATE
) Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Groups Network met for its third quarterly meeting in November 2014
The network exists to bring smaller community groups together, share peer support, access advice and information and currently has 16 member groups. The meeting looked at training and support needs, included members’ updates, identified peer support activities and provided information on funding opportunities and support.
Chris Gull, the Chair of the Rainbow Fund, was present to talk through the fund’s work and answer questions about future grant applications.
Gary Pargeter, Community Works LGBT Rep and Network Facilitator, said: “As all meetings, this was extremely positive. It’s proving very useful to us all to get to know each other, talk and understand what our groups are achieving, and discuss any challenges. Sharing experiences, information and insight is incredibly helpful. Access to
new training to help with running groups is being planned for 2015, together with some that we intend to provide amongst ourselves. At a previous meeting a member highlighted the Network as something organic, which it’s proving to be. There’s a real spirit of cooperation and supportiveness that will benefit us all and the people we involve and support “
Groups attending were BLAGSS, Clare Project, LGBT Community Safety Forum, Lunch Positive, Peer Action, Rainbow Chorus and Trans Alliance For more info: www.lgbt-groups.org
PAUL THORN
GARY PARGETER
THANK YOU BAR REVENGE!
) The second annual staff auction at Bar Revenge for World AIDS Day raised a brilliant £2,107 for the work of national sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
Ross Boseley, Health Promotion Coordinator and Community Engagement & Outreach worker at THT, said: "Thanks from everyone at THT for this fantastic amount. The money raised will go towards HIV prevention, HIV testing, support services and challenging HIV stigma.”
OLDER & OUT CHRISTMAS PARTY
) Older & Out the project for Older LGBT people had their Christmas social at the Somerset Day Center in Kemptown last month. The event brought together friends old and new including Marion Price and Michael James who were both original members of the Gay Liberation Front in London many moons ago.
PEER ACTION JANUARY DIARY
SUN 4TH BENT DOUBLE
7.30PM: Komedia (see website or facebook page for details)
TUE6TH/13TH/20TH/27TH SWIMMING
12:20PM: lunch time swim at Kemptown swimming pool, £4
TUE6TH/13TH/20TH/27TH YOGA
6PM: with Dan Noquet, Hampshire Lodge, St James’ St, £3
SUN11TH HOLLISTIC THERAPIES
2–4.30PM: Sussex Beacon
FRI16TH GALA BINGO
6.30PM: early game 7PM: main game, Kemptown, £10
SAT24TH HOLLISTIC THERAPIES
1.50PM: THT, Ship Street
TUE27TH CREATIVE WRITING CLASS
6PM: Drop in with Alice, Hampshire Lodge, St James’ St, £3 (see website or facebook page for details)
WED28TH SOCIAL GAMES NIGHT
7.30PM: with Chris & Julia at the Barley Mow Pub
Happy New Year! Peer Actionisa group for all those affected by HIV and provides a range of holistic and social activities to break down isolation, build friendships and share experiences. Fancy volunteering? We’re looking for volunteers to help trustees with some day-to-day tasks that keep Peer Action running. Help out as little or as much as you want. Giving your time for your fellow peers is extremely rewarding, worthwhile and fun!
If you’re interested, please reply to peeractionmail@gmail.com
For info about events see: www.peeraction.co.uk
Counting
Brighton & Hove LGBT Trust & Confidence Survey 2013/14
on you to tell us what matters!
The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an independent group of LGBT people in Brighton & Hove. Our aim is to ensure effective accountability between the LGBT communities of Brighton & Hove and the statutory authorities, including Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC).
This short survey is about your trust in the Police and Council services (including the Partnership Community Safety Team), and your confidence in reporting issues around abuse, discrimination and your safety within Brighton & Hove. This includes educational establishments, care services, private business or home. This questionnaire is confidential. There are 19 questions about your experiences followed by optional questions all about you.
To complete the survey visit www.lgbt-help.com/t-c-survey-13-14
For printed copies of the survey email info@lgbt-help.com or call 01273 231189.
Survey closes 31st January 2015. Survey funded by:
The next LGBT Community Safety Forum Public Meeting is on Wednesday 11th February
BRIGHTON
STUDENTS NOW ABLE TO REPORT HATE CRIMES ON CAMPUS
Sussex Police and the University of Sussex have been working together to make it easier for victims to report hate crime and get advice and support.
) Students can now report incidents of hate crime via the Hate Crime Hub situated on the Falmer campus, through Activities Officer Lyndsay Burtonshaw, Education Officer Bethan Hunt, Welfare Officer Rianna Gargiulo, Operations Officer Dan Greenberg and Student Voice Advocate Kathy O'Regan, who have received specialist training from Sussex Police's LGBT Liaison Officer Rory Smith. This provides an alternative option for students who’re reluctant to report direct to the police.
Rory Smith, LGBT Liaison Officer at Sussex Police, said: “I’m delighted that we've been able to work with the university to provide another avenue through which victims of hate crime can make a report. Sadly many incidents of hate crime go unreported, sometimes because victims are unaware that an offence has taken place or are unsure of the action that police will take. If you or someone you know is experiencing hostility or prejudice because of your disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender identity this is hate crime. By reporting it to us directly, via the university or through True Vision, we can take action to support you and work towards bringing the offender to justice. Reports made to us also act as a deterrent for hate crime within our communities.”
Rianna Gargiulo, Welfare Officer for the Students' Union, added: “I’m really grateful to Sussex Police for making this possible for us at the Students' Union. Hate crime is a disgusting problem that undoubtedly will affect some of our students in their time here at Sussex, and the impact of hate crime on the victim can be huge. By allowing our students to report these crimes here at the Students' Union, they are able to come to an environment which feels familiar and safe, instead of feeling that they've got to go to the police. Once here, we can also provide them with the welfare support and signposting that they need. I want to encourage as many students as possible to come to us in these situations, even if they feel that the incident isn't a 'big enough deal' to report.”
HOW TO REPORT HATE CRIME:
• University of Sussex campus at the support and advocacy department of the Students' Union
• Online to Sussex Police
• By calling Sussex Police on 101
• By visiting your local police station
• To True Vision on the following link: www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force
You should always call 999 immediately if a crime is being committed now, the offender is still there or nearby, people are injured, being threatened or in danger.
BRIGHTON & HOVE LABOUR COUNCILLOR DEFECTS TO UKIP
) Leigh Farrow, Labour Councillor for Moulsecoomb & Bevendean, announced at full council last month that he had joined UKIP. At a branch meeting of the Labour & Cooperative Group in September 2014, Cllr Farrow, a member of the Labour Party for 30 years, was banned from standing as a councillor for Labour & Cooperative at this year’s local elections in May. At the time Cllr Farrow described the meeting as a "kangaroo court"
Responding to the news, a spokesperson for the Labour & Co-operative group on Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “Leigh Farrow was removed as a Labour candidate following repeated complaints from council staff and party colleagues of unacceptable behaviour, not for any political reason.
“If he wishes to seek election in May for UKIP then that is a matter for him, although we would question whether he agrees with UKIP policy of removing rights in the workplace, such as sick leave, health and safety, maternity leave, paid holidays and more, as well as their support for the privatisation of the NHS.
“His defection to UKIP is somewhat surprising as until now Leigh Farrow has been on record as describing UKIP as ‘racist’, ‘xenophobic’, ‘further to the Right than the Tory Party’ and ‘acting like the BNP’.”
In an email to colleagues in April 2013, Mr Farrow, wrote: “I don't know whether you saw the article in the Argus on Saturday, ‘Tory defection is a big boost to UKIP’. Apparently the deputy leader of Tory-controlled Horsham District Council has defected to UKIP, saying it is ‘the real Conservative Party’.
“I won't be losing much sleep over Tories moving to UKIP. I’m much more concerned about conversations I’ve recently had with residents in Bevendean and Whitehawk. These local people who would normally support Labour are expressing their concerns over the possible immigration, next year, of people from Romania and Bulgaria. UKIP is conducting a campaign playing on the fears of ordinary working people. In this Tory-fuelled recession of our economy people are genuinely afraid for their jobs and now their homes. UKIP is behaving like the BNP and blaming ‘foreigners’.
“Following the Eastleigh by-election and looking forward to next year’s European Parliament elections, UKIP have become emboldened. They think that their brand of xenophobia can be easily sold to British people. Unfortunately, there’s an element of truth in this. With most of the right-wing press supporting this type of view the fear of Eastern Europeans is becoming viral.
“As the Labour Party nationally and locally we need to stand up to this racism before it is too late. We need to campaign for equality in the cosmopolitan city and district that we live in. We need to remind people that many British citizens live and work in countries like France, Portugal, Spain, Malta and Cyprus. During the Thatcher recession of the 1980s, many British people went to work in Germany.
“Without positive action against the UKIP campaign many of our natural supporters will be tempted to vote UKIP. This could mean the loss of our South East MEP seat next year. It could then have serious effects in May 2015. If Labour supporters vote UKIP then the Tories could hold on to the parliamentary seats of Brighton/Kemptown and Hove & Portslade. A swing to UKIP in the city would not help us gain a majority on the council.
“Our NEC and City & District Party need to build campaigns to take UKIP head on. We need to show our natural supporters that UKIP is just the ‘Nasty Party’ mark 2. Their other policies are further to the Right than the Tories and would do even greater damage to the British economy.”
Cllr Farrow has not responded to Gscene's request for a comment.
RIANNA GARGIULO
LEIGH FARROW
WORLD AIDS DAY
World AIDS Day (WAD) Candle-lit Vigil and 'Reading of Names' ceremony at New Steine Gardens.
) 2014’s World AIDS Day (WAD) Candle-lit Vigil and Reading of Names ceremony at New Steine Gardens was staged by the Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Partnership. The partnership includes: Lunch Positive, the Sussex Beacon, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy, Peer Action, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, THT Brighton and Gscene Magazine
A huge volunteer effort contributed to the success of this meaningful and important annual event. Following four months of planning meetings, the partnership groups became involved in a range of activities. The volunteer charity Lunch Positive led on the staging of the vigil with funding for equipment received in 2013 from Community Development Fund, Queen’s Park First Programme, and funding for WAD 2014’s transport, promotion and incidental costs from the Rainbow Fund
Lunch Positive set up the vigil area and with the help of 12 young people volunteering from the Prince’s Trust provided a café area, and closed the area at the end with staff and volunteers from the Sussex Beacon and THT
James Ledward, editor of Gscene Magazine welcomed Cllr Denise Cobb, the Deputy Mayor of Brighton & Hove, to the vigil and read the HIV Stigma Statement produced for World AIDS Day by THT. He explained that New Steine Gardens was chosen as the home for the AIDS Memorial because it was in the heart of the Gay Village and emphasised the importance that the gardens remain "neutral" for future generations to come to remember those lost to HIV and AIDS. He also explained that the readers of the names were not being announced because everyone who attended the vigil was equal, be they businessman, politician or resident.
Thirty readers from community groups and organisations, and local politicians, went along to read the names of 300 people lost locally to AIDS. The final reader movingly acknowledged the many more people who have died, but whose names are not represented at the Brighton Vigil. The names of people that are read at the vigil were coordinated and are maintained by the Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy. Readers of the names were administered by THT staff, with coordination on the evening from Lunch Positive volunteers and the Sussex Beacon.
Brighton & Hove City Council, Partnership Community Safety Team supported the sound and stage management for readers. Volunteer stewards from Lunch Positive and Peer Action, together with the Sussex Beacon and THT, gave candles to people attending and helped the event run smoothly and safely.
The New Steine Hotel kindly provided snacks and refreshments to volunteers and the owners of the Brighton Wheel agreed to light the wheel red to mark WAD.
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, the Rainbow Chorus, the Brighton Belles, Resound Male Voices and Qukulele performed at the World AIDS Day Concert We All Live Together in St Mary's Church following the Vigil. Each music group performed a few numbers alone and then came together to sing Barry Manilow's One Voice for a rousing finale. The concert was raising moneyfor Lunch Positive, the HIV charity who provide a healthy meal for HIV positive people every Friday.
DISCLOSURE
(by ashley from Peer Action’s creative writing group)
Once upon a time - I was alone
With nerves of steel and a heart of stone
But times have changed and I want you to see
That the me standing here has HIV.
We all have our issues, and I’ve named mine
For it seems right and now’s the time.
The diagnosis itself is not all bad
But it gets in your head and it drives you mad
For even when my subconscious is silent
That voice within can seem dark and violent
Death lurks in the shadows and bides his time
And he daren’t show his head while I’m doing fine
It’s certain he’ll spoil my fun one day
But my spies are watching and keep him at bay
With a range of tablets, potions and pills
Designed to combat the range of ills.
I don’t expect you to understand
But I’d like you here to hold my hand.
For it’s not my enemy and it’s not my friend
But will you like it, please stay till my end?
THT HIV STIGMA STATEMENT
In the lead up to World AIDS Day 2014, THT, the national sexual health charity, produced a HIV STIGMA statement.
) It reads: "HIV is still a stigmatised condition and discrimination and prejudice remain issues of concern for people living with HIV.
“Fear of stigma and experiences of injustice can have a profound effect on individuals, causing isolation for those affected, which in turn can have significant implications for society as a whole. Stigma prevents people being open about their condition and inhibits the kind of open discussion that is needed to challenge society’s lack of knowledge and understanding about HIV.
“People have been bullied, intimidated and even threatened with violence because of their HIV status. Stigma and prejudice can compromise personal relationships, and fear of disclosure can prevent people from accessing the kind of basic support that other people living with long-term conditions can expect from family and friends.
“The fear and isolation this creates can have a harmful effect on a person’s physical and emotional health. In many instances, people living with HIV can require more support in dealing with the stress and anxiety caused by HIV stigma, than with the physical impact of the virus. Mental ill health and depression in particular are common experiences for people living with HIV.
“From a public health perspective, HIV stigma also acts as a major barrier to HIV testing. It discourages people from coming forward for testing and can be a barrier to doctors recommending tests to people who may be at risk. This undoubtedly has an impact on the numbers of people who receive a late diagnosis in the UK which currently stands at about 50% of all diagnoses.
“We can all play a part in tackling HIV stigma, by learning the facts about HIV and recognising that people living with HIV have equal rights and should not be defined by their HIV status.
“We stand together to ensure that everyone has access to support, services, information and advice which can help to defeat HIV infection and HIV Stigma.”
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP AT MILLIVRES PROWLER GROUP
) Millivres Prowler Group (MPG) , Britain's biggest LGBT business whose activities include: Gay Times (GT); DIVA ; Prowler Stores; Prowler Distribution and Expectations, is changing ownership. Chris Graham-Bell, previously the Chairman of the MPG Board, has now retired from the company he founded 40 years ago. At the same time all shareholdings in MPG have been sold and a new holding company has been formed. This company now incorporates some of the previous minority shareholdings together with two major shareholders: current CEO Simon Topham, and a new investor, James Frost, CEO of Coast Digital.
In the past three years Simon Topham has led the company in a process of restructuring and transition which has restored the company to profitability. He will remain CEO and lead the Executive Director team, which includes Kim Watson, Media and Marketing Director; Robert Hanwell, Operations Director; and Anthony Martin, Finance Director. James Frost, who joins MPG as Strategy Director, brings with him a proven record in online and digital business and, together with Coast’s digital expertise, MPG is set to benefit from working very closely on plans to greatly expand its digital media and online retail businesses.
As well as developing online and media brands, MPG will continue to invest in their flagship retail stores: Prowler (in London and Brighton) and Expectations, including this year a much expanded Mister B store. There will also be ongoing investment in new products by Prowler Distribution. MPG will remain a communityfocused operation, but as a revitalised digital company, will build on its wealth of talent and experience of LGBT business. Plans have already begun to invest and develop its market-leading brands to continue the growth of its international business interests.
CHRISTMAS SPRUCE UP FOR PROWLER
MR SUBLINE 2014
) The boys at Subline got together with Wilma Fingadoo and The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) in November for Brighton's Biggest Annual Beauty Pageant - Mr Subline 2014! Seven plucky contestants faced a roasting from Wilma, but only one could be crowned champion; and this year the lovely Rob, from Worthing, was elected by the assembled crowd. The night raised £477.50 in donations and door money for THT.
) Prowler in St James’ Street has recently had a facelift. To celebrate, in December they held a Christmas shopping night for local businesses and customers, complete with the odd complimentary tipple or two, which brought a rosy flush to many a happy face. The sales counter has been relocated and new walls and fixtures installed, which have dramatically improved the overall look of the shop. The same knowledgeable team, who know their ‘water-based from their silicone’, are still on hand to make sure you can slip in and out with ease in the privacy of your own home. It's always reassuring when local LGBT businesses invest in their operations to keep things tip top in the Gay Village.
You will find Prowler at 112-113 St James’ Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH
RADIO REVERB OPEN NEW STUDIOS IN BRIGHTON
Last month RadioReverb invited people to see their new studios in Brighton, have a drink, a chat and see their new facilities.
) RadioReverb is one of the largest voluntary organisations in Brighton with more than 100 volunteers working on programmes and behind the scenes. They have no paid staff to manage or run the station. RadioReverb broadcasts throughout Brighton & Hove and westward to Worthing, Littlehampton, and Chichester. They estimate to have at least 70,000 adult listeners who are mostly professionals, listen to Radio 4 and BBC 6 Music and are engaged socially, culturally and politically with what’s happening in Brighton & Hove, Melita Dennett, RadioReverb Chair, said: "We’re dedicated to making the kind of radio you won't hear anywhere else on the airwaves in Brighton & Hove, not only with music but the way we do our speech content. We don't have adverts or playlists and want our presenters and contributors to sound like real people, not stereotypes or cliches.”
Kathy Caton, presenter of Out in Brighton, the city’s only LGBT show on FM, was named as one of the UK’s 100 most influential LGBT people in last year’s Independent on Sunday Rainbow List, up from 81 in 2013 to number 45 in 2014. She has also recently been presented with a MindOut award for her broadcast coverage of mental health issues in the LGBT community. Kathy, along with Claire Parker, producer and presenter of Time 4 T, the UK’s first and possibly only regular transgender show on FM, were both finalists in the 2014 Ultimate Planet AwardsLBQ community awards for Radio Show of the Year. RadioReverb was recently shortlisted in the Radio Production Awards for the Production Hero Award alongside some major national players and they are now an approved Creative Skillset training provider for the South East and offer courses tailored to specific groups’ needs and also for the wider community.
Recently they have been awarded a grant to employ Kathy Caton as a part-time training manager and they have now started running training workshops, aimed both at people in the wider community, and also for specific groups such as people with mental health issues, LGBT people, and others whose voices and life experiences are traditionally marginalised from mainstream media.
RadioReverb is alway looking for financial support and promise that every penny goes back into the running of the station. There are no shareholders and at present nobody is paid a penny to produce programmes or run the station. To sponsor a show or become a station sponsor, view: www.radioreverb.com/contact-us
raised from the weekly quiz night, the lottery bonus ball, raffle, regular collections and a recent charity night.
BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS IN JANUARY
) Want to make new friends and sing in a chorus with like-minded people? Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will be holding a New Members’ Evening on Tuesday, January 6 at 7.30pm at the Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton.
Fresh from the success of their Putting on the Glitz show at the Theatre Royal, they’re preparing for their next season and new members
are always welcome!
Organisers say it’s always best to get involved at the start of the season, so if you’re interested to know what it’s like being in the chorus, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Membership is open to all those who identify as gay or gay-friendly men.
For more info view: www.brightongmc.org/join-us/
CALLING ALL LGBT SHOWER SINGERS!
) If you belt out big show tunes and Glee numbers in the privacy of your bathroom, the Rainbow Chorus want to hear from you! On Monday, January 12 at St George's Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, they are holding a New Members’ Night at 7.15pm (doors open at 7pm). Basses and baritones are especially welcome to go along and feel the warmth of the Rainbow Chorus, but all voices are welcome also.
The chorus has grown considerably in numbers in the last year and recent performances at Trans* Memorial Day, World AIDS Day and their Blame It On The Baubles Christmas concert have received critical acclaim. All members are amateur singers, professionally led by Musical Director, Aneesa Chaudhry, and virtuoso pianist, Mojca Monte.
Take the opportunity to experience a typical rehearsal evening with the chorus and find out if you’d like to join them. No audition is necessary and the evening is free. If you decide to join the chorus there is a monthly membership fee.
The Rainbow Chorus is the only LGBT-mixed choir on the south coast. Based in Brighton & Hove, the choir aims to provide an enjoyable and supportive environment for LGBT members to sing together, make new friends, develop community spirit, individual talents and confidence. Through performance, the chorus also raises the profile of the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove as well as providing top quality entertainment.
For more information see: www.rainbowchorus.org.uk
) Chris and Lee, landlord at The Marine Tavern, handed over a cheque for £1,047.63 to Sussex Air Ambulance. The money had been
LUNCH POSITIVE VOLUNTEER RECEIVES CITIZEN AWARD
) Last month Lunch Positive volunteer Phil Ingles received a Rotary Club of Brighton Citizen Award for Unsung Heroes from the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Chris Gebbie. Phil was nominated by the Lunch Positive Trustee Board for his contributions to the charity’s work. Phil has volunteered to support people with HIV for over 10 years and has been part of Lunch Positive since it started in 2009.
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, said: "We're incredibly pleased and proud of Phil for gaining this award. He exemplifies everything that’s good about volunteering, working well as part of a team, being willing to get involved in new tasks and responsibilities, empathy and understanding of people he volunteers with and supports. He's worked incredibly hard, housekeeping to keep the wheels turning in an increasingly busy kitchen, maintaining our equipment and has been key to staging all of our outdoor community and fundraising events. From all of us, well done Phil – you deserve it!"
LUNCH POSITIVE SAYS THANK YOU
) Lunch Positive has published its 2014 Supporters Thank-You List online at www.lunchpositive.org. Lunch Positive is a smaller charity that is volunteer-led, with a team of 26 volunteers. At a time when grant funding is becoming increasingly harder to secure, wide support has come from the public, LGBT groups, performers, local businesses, service users and partner organisations, helping them deliver their weekly Lunch Club service, reach new members and volunteers, and start planning new ways it can help more people in the future.
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, said: "The support we received last year is fantastic, and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped. Despite improvements in HIV treatment, there’s still a great need to have an informal, safe and supportive space for people with HIV to meet with their peers, and to share mutual support. It’s a great reflection of community spirit when people understand and support projects like ours. It makes a huge and long-lasting difference to all of us. Thank you!"
BIG GAY DISCO AT THE BULLDOG
) Brighton's oldest and longest establish gay bar, the Bulldog, is launching a new Friday night starting Friday, January 2. The BIG GAY DISCO will be hosted by DJ Marcia, probably Brighton's oldest DJ (although she’s still banging out great tunes and looks fabulous for 72!).
It starts downstairs at 10pm where she will be playing five decades of dance floor divas featuring the stars of today and wonderful remixes of disco classics. The party continues in the upstairs bar at midnight where you will be treated to Glitterball, Videoteque and Cabaret: deliciously camptastic videos from all over the world from Nancy's Boots to the Nolan's hip action, a touch of Eurovision, a sprinkle of HRH Jane McDonald and top line cabaret at half past midnight every week, bringing a much needed touch of G.A.Y. to Brighton to get the weekend started.
BEAR PATROL RAISES MORE THAN £10,000 FOR BEACON
) The Hibernation Luncheon, organised by Danny Dwyer and Bear Patrol at the Old Ship Hotel on Sunday, November 2, 2014, raised £10,082.61. The money will be put towards refurbishing the reception at the Sussex Beacon this
summer. The first Hibernation event in 2013 raised just under £6,000 for the Sussex Beacon, so the 2014 total is especially impressive.
Danny Dwyer said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in the event for creating such a wonderful day and raising a fantastic amount which will be utilised to re-furbish the main reception at the Sussex Beacon in the summer of 2015.”
Date for the next Hibernation Luncheon in 2015 is Sunday, October 25 from 12pm at the Old Ship Hotel
UNIQUE WIFE & WIFE BUSINESS OPENS IN NORTH LAINE
) Two months after their marriage, wife and wife team Hizze FletcherKing and Jojo King have combined their skills to bring a new concept in creativity. Brush is their brand new independently-owned boutique featuring an art gallery/shop and a
one-chair hair salon in the heart of central Brighton's historic North Laine. The salon offers a high standard of hair cutting and colouring services, a fair and gender neutral price structure and is trans*friendly. The artist run gallery represents Brighton's mightiest emerging and established artists and makers, including LGBT artists Romany Mark Bruce, Kitty Finegan, Precious Murphy, Fox Fisher and more.
Jojo has always had a thing about cutting hair, travelling with her clippers and cutting anyone's hair who would allow it. After an inspiring stint working in Australia with the WeirdSistas, an ethical and professional dreadlocking business, she decided to train to become a hairdresser. Jojo now has over five years’ experience, and completed her training at The Bomb and Forde Hair before going solo in 2013. Hair By Jojo established itself as a one
chair salon in an emporium of selfemployed businesses within a tattoo parlour in Brighton in October 2013. During her time there Jojo built up a loyal clientele due to her fair price structure, consistent high standards and friendly manner.
Since graduating from Central St Martin’s School of Art, Hizze has had a varied and extensive career in the creative industry spanning over 25 years involving her with the likes of Vivienne Westwood, MTV and BBC TV. After moving to Brighton in 2006 Hizze formed her own company, Thirteen Art Productions, and has collaborated with the arts community organising group-art shows and events while helping to raise money for charities including the Sussex Beacon, THT and the Rainbow Fund. Hizze is also a curator for Brighton Pride Arts & Film Festival and an independent grant panel member of the Rainbow Fund. Added to this she is a fine artist in her own right, exhibiting in the UK and internationally.
brush: hair + art, 84 Gloucester Road, Brighton, BN14AP. Open for Hair: Tue-Sat 10-6pm, Tel Jojo: 07852220613; open for Art: Tue-Sat 10-6pm: www.brushbrighton.co.uk
GEMS
GAY ELDERLY MEN’S CHRISTMAS DINNER
) The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Brian Fitch, and the Mayoress Nora, were the guests of honour at the Gay Elderly Men's Society (GEMS) Christmas dinner held in the Gallery Restaurant at the City Catering College in Pelham Street last month. In their speeches both the Mayor and Mayoress highlighted the importance of social network groups for older people and congratulated two GEMS members present, Ian Scott and Ron Williams, who had been partners for 52 years and would be converting their civil partnership to marriage on Wednesday December 10 along with nine other couples at Brighton Town Hall. Students from the college designed the four-course menu and cooked and served the meal.
For more information about GEMS, view: www.brightongems.com
“Being accepted for who you are will give you the strength to stand up and be counted”
Bullying takes shape in many ways, name calling is the most hurtful but being rejected from the pack is harder to take. It is lonely when you just don’t fit in. I found myself feeling frustrated and that came out as anger, mainly at the people who loved me the most.
Luckily for me I had a mum who sort of got it, having rebelled herself at a similar age she saw what was going on. She told me to front it out with humour, so if someone said “Hey you, you raging woofter” I would reply; “How clever you are to notice!” or “Can’t get one past you can we?”….
It’s no fun bullying someone who won’t be a victim and laughs with you…
DANNY GOGO’S WORLD
Danny talks to James Ledward about bullying
) At school Daniel Richard Eade was relentlessly bullied. Through those dark times he was very miserable and made it his ambition to appear on the front cover of Gscene to show the bullies he was strong and proud. He appeared on the cover in November 2011 and Danny GoGo was born. In September 2014 he appeared on our Pride 2014 cover which was followed by shocking bullying comments from people on Facebook. I asked Danny to write a few words about his experiences of being bullied and his approach to being gay on his terms in Brighton & Hove in 2014. For those of you who fired your bullets from the safety of your Facebook profiles, shame on you!
Danny says:
“You would think that growing up in the city of Brighton & Hove, recognised by many as the gay capital of England, that it would be easy to come out... but, the reality is quite different.
For example, at the school disco, there I was with a girl who lived around the corner making gooey eyes at me and trying to look interested – when the only thing I wanted to do was dance crazily to 1980s disco tunes and wear pink in my hair.
Of course back then, there was no way I was going to let on to the others in my class that this was how I felt.
The easiest part of coming out is actually telling people, in fact you only have to tell one person, as they will do a wonderful job of telling the entire school that they knew you were gay all along!
It’s funny being asked to write this, as it makes me remember the dreaded PE lessons, the name calling and boys saying “You looking at me, fancy me do you?”. It makes you want to disappear and not mix with anyone.
It does get easier over time though and I decided to embrace my gayness, almost to overdo it… sort of shove it in their faces…. I now have become super confident (even if I don’t always feel it), wearing flamboyant clothes and seeking attention wherever I go…
So much so, that I got to be on the Snog, Marry, Avoid telly programme and I have to admit that Brighton’s Gay Pride is the highlight of my year!
My message to others who may be being bullied is to find someone you can trust to confide in, the support and being accepted for who you are will give you the strength to stand up and be counted. I did, you can also.”
QUEENS ARMS
CABARET FUNDRAISER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY
) The Queens Arms raised a fantastic £2,484.97 at their World AIDS Day Fundraiser for the Sussex Beacon at the end of November. The event was organised and hosted by Davina Sparkle and Patti O'Dors with guest appearances by Dave Lynn, Sally Vate, Maisie Trollette, Miss Jason, Laurie La Mour, Jason Lee, JP Kristian, Diane James and Jennie Castell.
Queens Arms boss Barry Nelson, would like to thank the following who provided the raffle prizes: Hugo Michiels, Paul ‘Secret-chef’
Marcham, Kristian at HT Whites, Cheetahs Gym Hove, The Queens Hotel, Martine & Dallas, Punch Taverns and Heals.
The total raised included a percentage of the bar take.
JANUARY LISTINGS
A-BAR
) NYE Wed (31) SANFRANDISCONYE Special with DJ Mick Fuller & guests at 9pm, free
) REGULARS SatSANFRANDISCO with DJ Mick Fuller at 8pm ) Sun, Mon, Tue & ThurTRIFARI’S KARAOKE at 6pm ) WedOPEN MIC PIANO BAR at 8.30pm
) FOOD bar food served Mon–Sat 12–4pm; Golden Handbag award winning Sunday roasts served 12–5pm (last orders 4pm), to book call 01273 696691
) DRINK DEALS house wine £12 every day; double-up on spirits for extra £1.50 all day, every day; Sun–Thur, buy one cocktail get the other half price all day.
) OPEN Sun–Thur 12pm–12am; Fri & Sat 12pm–2am. Unrivalled sea view, large smoking & sun terrace. ) www.abarbrighton.co.uk
Information is correct at the time of going to press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
) NYE Wed (31) Scottish NYE Broadway Hogmanay, create your countdown at www.barbroadway.co.uk at 4pm, free ) Thur (1) Black Bun & Madeira Cake4pm ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (4) Alasdair’s Birthday & special FIREPLACE SESSION with Frank Sanazi at 6.30pm, Corrine Williams at 7.30pm, Said the Ghost at 8.30pm and Denise Black with pianist Mark Russell at 9.30pm
) REGULARS Mon AFTER WORK SHOWBIZ QUIZ fundraiser for Rainbow Fund at 6.30pm; rollover jackpot, £50 bar tab for winner. ) Wed theme SING-ALONG MOVIE at 7pm: Grease (7), Moulin Rouge (14), Sound of Music (21), The Producers (28). ) ThurOPEN MIC at 9pm, to perform email info@barbroadway.co.uk ) Fri (30) MindOUT Charity Fundraiser with top cabaret 7.30pm ) SunFIREPLACE SESSIONS at 9pm: Alice Rose (11), Best of Broadway:Ross Cameron, Paul Chirnside & Jason Thorpe (18) and Sophie Causbrook (25).
) FOOD Exciting new menu coming this month.
) DRINK DEALS Mon & Tue all day; Wed–Sun 4–8pm; all day every day for theatregoers with valid stub or Canal Street cardholders. Industry night Mon 20% discount for all hospitality staff (incl theatre), excludes draft beer and Happy Hour offers. ) OPEN Sun–Thur 4pm–1am, Fri & Sat 4pm–3am ) www.barbroadway.co.uk
l DR BRIGHTON’S 16-17 Kings Rd, BN1 1NE, Tel: 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk
Dog-friendly seafront bar, DJs & pool table
OPEN: Mon–Thur 3pm–12am, Fri & Sat 1pm–2am, Sun 1pm–12am, closed NY’s Day
DRINK PROMOS: Sun–Thur all day, Fri & Sat 1–7pm
l GROSVENOR BAR 16 Western St, Hove, BN1 2PG www.thegrosvenorbar.com
) NYE Wed (31) NYE-THEMED PARTY with DJs at 8pm, open till 4am
) REGULARS Thur is BOOGIE NIGHTS with DJ Claire Fuller at 9pm ) Fri has DJs at 10pm, entry free before 11pm, £3 after. ) Sat has DJs at 10pm, entry free before 10pm, £3 after. ) Sun is KARAOKE at 7.30pm, free entry.
) DRINK DEALS Wed 6–9pm, Thur all night
) OPEN Wed-Sun from 6pm ) www.7crawley.co.uk
OPEN: Thur-Sun from 1pm; closed Mon
DRINK PROMOS: Tue-Sat 1-5pm
l IRON DUKE 3 Waterloo St, Hove, BN3 1AQ, Tel: 01273 734806
) ONE FOR THE DIARY January Sale 50% off when you visit Mon & Tue all day throughout January, with entry just £7.50. (Offer not available with any other promotion)
) REGULARS Wed & Sun is NAKED DAY all day, no towels to be worn.
) DRINKS licensed bar 7 days a week; Sun–Thur 11–1am and Fri & Sat 11–2am
) OPEN For listings visit: www.thebrightonsauna.com
BULLDOG
) MEMBERSHIP Free entry for members only, door charge for non-members. For membership visit www.bulldogbrighton.com/membership-application
) NYE Wed (31) Dec 42-Hour Non-Stop NYE PARTY with DJ Marcia at 10pm and Lil Rob at 3am; AMY’S KARAOKE is in the top bar at 10pm. Closes 5am on Fri (2).
) REGULARS Fri DJ Grant Knowles at 10pm; DJ Marcia hosts the BIG GAY DISCO with CABARET upstairs at midnight: Sandra (2), Mrs Moore (9), Miss Jason (16), Jennie Castell (23) and Topsie Redfurn (30). ) Sat DJ V John at 10pm, DJ Lil Alex at 3am, KARAOKE upstairs at 10pm ) SunKARAOKE in top bar 9pm; DJ Grant Knowles in main bar at 10pm ) TuePOPTASTIC at 10pm
) Wed is DIVA RUSH with DJ Marcia, all drinks £1.99 when select artist plays and traffic light goes green, 10pm–2am ) Thur is RELEASE with DJ Grant Knowles at 10pm ) Mon is DJ Marcia’s GLITTER BALL 70s/80s tunes at 10pm
£1.99 9-11pm; Sat Deal or No Deal8pm-1am: £9.99 for 4 pints of Carling + 1 shot or 4 doubles & splash + 1 shot; Sun every other hour from 11am. Students get £1.99 drinks any time.
) OPEN daily from 11am–very late www.bulldogbrighton.com
food, sun terrace
OPEN: daily 11–5am
DRINK PROMOS: Mon-Fri 5-9pm
l MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ
Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk
Friendly bar with regular quiz nights
OPEN: 7 nights a week from 12pm
DRINK PROMOS: Wed & Thur 7-11pm
l PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF
Tel: 01273 724195
www.parishousebrighton.com
French style cafe/bar
OPEN: daily from 12pm, from 3pm NY’s Day
l POISON IVY 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH
Tel: 01273 604076
Drag hosts & karaoke 7 nights a week
OPEN: daily from 11am
DRINK PROMOS: Tue, Thur, Fri & Sat all
night; all day & night on Sun
l QUEEN’S ARMS 7 George St, BN2 1RH
Tel: 01273 696873
www.thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
Cabaret & karaoke bar
OPEN: 4pm Tue-Fri; 2pm Sat & Sun; closed every Mon
l ROYAL OAK 46 St James’s St, BN2 1RG
Tel: 01273 621093
Cabaret, cask conditioned ales, food, beer garden, dog friendly
OPEN: Mon–Thur 12–11pm, Fri & Sat
12pm–1am, Sun 12–10.30pm
l SUBLINE 129 St James's St, BN2 1TH
Tel: 01273 624100,
www.sublinebrighton.co.uk
Cruising bar, regular DJs & theme nights
OPEN: Wed–Sat from 9pm, Sun from 8pm
DRINK PROMOS: Wed & Sat
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS
59 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YD
Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com
OPEN: Mon–Sat from 12pm, Sun from 1pm, closed New Year’s Day
Dog-friendly central food pub
l ZONE 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF
Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebar.co.uk
Friendly bar, live music, karaoke & cabaret
OPEN: daily from 10am; from 12pm NY’s Day
DRINK PROMOS: every day and night, excl weekends
CLUBS
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Nightclub below Legends Bar & Hotel www.legendsbrighton.com
OPEN: Wed & Fri–Sun from 11pm
ENTRY: free entry daily
DRINK PROMOS: Wed, Fri & Sun all night
l ENVY Nightclub above Charles Street www.charles-street.com
l FUNKYFISH CLUB 19 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, Tel: 01273 698331
www.funkyfishclub.co.uk
DJs, 70s/80s/90s funk/soul classics
OPEN: Closed in January
JANUARY LISTINGS
CAMELFORD ARMS
) NYE Wed (31) Dec is the NYE PARTY at 8pm, free entry. Thur (1) is the HANGOVER PARTY all day from 12pm; then it’s the £300 BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm ) REGULARS Thur is the £300 BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm ) FRIDAY CLUB is at 6pm ) Sun (4 & 18) BEAR BASH at 5pm; free raffle every Sun at 5pm
) FOOD Wed is SENIORS' LUNCH with two courses for £5.50 served 2–3.30pm; home-cooked menu & manager's specials Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roast & select menu 12pm–till gone! ) 12–9pm on NY Day. ) Sun (25) is Burns Night with Haggis, Neeps & Tatties plus regular Sun fare. ) OPEN daily from 12pm. The Camelford is a dog-friendly pub
l REVENGE 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk
Top DJs & PAs (student friendly)
OPEN: Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10.30pm
ENTRY: Tue: £1 with flyer/£2; Thur: free b4 11.30pm with flyer/£4/£3 NUS; Fri & Sat: free b4 12am with flyer or £5/£4 NUS
DRINK PROMOS: Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat all night
SAUNAS
l THE BRIGHTON SAUNA 75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA, Tel: 01273 689966 www.thebrightonsauna.com
Gay sauna with licenced bar
OPEN: Mon-Thu 10am–1am, Fri 10am then 24 hours to Sunday night 1am
ENTRY: standard £15, weekend pass £20 (3
CHARLES STREET BAR
days), under 25s £5 Mon-Thur
LICENSED BAR: Sun–Thu 11–1am, Fri & Sat
11–2am
l TBS2 84-86 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3
3TJ, Tel: 01273 723733, www.tbs2.com
Gay sauna in Hove with licenced bar
OPEN: 10am-11pm every day of the year
ENTRY: £14 standard, £10 with VIP membership, £20 weekend pass, £5 under 25s every day
FOOD
l A-BAR Tel: 01273 696691
FOOD: Mon–Sat 12–4pm; Sun roast 12–5pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tel: 01273 609777
FOOD: coming soon
l BAR REVENGE
FOOD: free pizza on Sunday
l BEDFORD TAVERN
Tel: 01273 739495
FOOD: Sunday roasts served from 12.30pm
l BETTY LA LA’S
22 St James’ St, Brighton, BN2 1RF
Tel: 01273 693444, www.bettylalas.com
FOOD: Tue–Sun 12pm–late
l CAMELFORD ARMS Tel: 01273 622386
FOOD: Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 6–9pm; New Year’s Day 12-9pm; Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roast & select menu 12pm–till gone; seniors' lunch Wed 2–3.30pm
l CHARLES ST Tel: 01273 624091
FOOD: Mon–Sat 12–8pm; Sun lunch 12–7pm
l IRON DUKE Tel: 01273 734806
FOOD: Mon–Thurs: 12–3pm and 5–9.30pm, Fri & Sat: 12–9.30pm, Sun: 12pm till gone
l LEGENDS BAR Tel: 01273 624462
FOOD: Mon–Fri 12–3pm; Sat 12-4pm; Sun
) NYE Wed (31) Dec is the CIRCUS CIRCUSNYE party with Big Top décor, hostess Ms Joan Bond, free b4 10pm, £4 advance tickets include glass of bubbly at midnight. Thur (1) is the MAD COW’S NEW YEAR’S DAY special at 9pm ) ONE FOR THE DIARY SunCABARET at 7.30pm: Sandra (4), Nan (11), Maisie Trollette (18) and Myra Dubois (25); tTRANNY ROCK & ROLL BINGO with Sally Vate and rolling jackpot at 8.30pm ) REGULARS ThurMAD COW TEA PARTY with Alice in Wonderland décor, tea pot cocktails, shots & hostess Ms Joan Bond at 9pm, entry £1 ) FRUITY FRIDAY FIX with DJ Leeroy, dance/funky house, at 9pm ) SatBOYS IN THE BAR with allmale DJ line-up inc Lil Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy on rotation, free ) Mon is STUDIO 150 student night at 10pm
) FOOD served 12–8pm Mon–Sat; two for £6.95 on select mains, 2-4-1 gourmet hotdogs at Dog Tails on Tue Sunday Lunch: roast beef, chicken or veggie served 12–7pm, £6.95, or two for £10
) DRINK DEALS January saleall dayevery day: pint of Fosters, select spirits & mixers, all flavours WKD & bottles of Becks all £2.95. All drinks 50% off Mon–Sat 5–9pm; from £1.50 at Studio 150 on Mon; from £1 and win bar tab for night on Thur; Sun from 8.30pm, after the show. All deals excl sparkling wine & cocktails & not in conjunction with other offers. Cocktails: two for £8 on Tue & Fri 9pm–close ) OPEN daily from 12pm, 12pm–5am NYE, 5pm–2am NY Day. Sea-facing sun terrace. ) www.charles-street.com
lunch 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Tel: 01273 905578
FOOD: 12-9pm daily
l NEW STEINE BISTRO
10/11 New Steine, Brighton, BN2 1PB Tel: 01273 681546, www.newsteinehotel.com
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY NY Day Black Bun & Madeira Cake 4pm
l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS NY Recovery Party: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BULLDOG 42-Hour NYE Party all day
l CAMELFORD ARMS NY Day Hangover Party 12pm; £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l LEGENDS BAR NYCabaret: Miss Jason 3.30pm
JANUARY LISTINGS
DR BRIGHTONS
) NYE Wed (31) NYE BLACK & WHITE BALL with DJ Tony B at 9pm ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (17) is a special SEXY SATURDAY for Charles’s Birthday with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm ) REGULARS FUNKY FRIDAY is with DJ Nick Hirst at 9.30pm, free entry. ) Sexy Saturday with DJ Tony B is at 9.30pm, free entry.
) DRINK DEALS from Sun–Thur all day and Fri & Sat from 1–7pm: Fosters & Carling £3.30 a pint, Smirnoff & mixer £3.20, large Smirnoff & energy £5, large wines £4.30. 2-4-1 cocktails Sun–Fri 3–9pm ) Free game of pool every day with every round of drinks purchased during happy hour.
) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight; closed NY Day. ) Reservation areas available for private parties midweek and weekends. ) www.doctorbrightons.co.uk
l MARINE TAVERN New Year’s Day
Throwback Thurs 8pm
l POISON IVY Stacy Swallows’ karaoke party with top cabaret 9.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS New Year’s Day
Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
l ZONE New Year’s Day chill 12pm
FRIDAY 2
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Shameless Warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Karaoke 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm; DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco + Sandra midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst
9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Krissie DuCann
9.30pm
l REVENGE Shameless: DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Collusion 10pm
SATURDAY 3
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller
8pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Lee Harris 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; top bar karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Marine Late: 80s disco 1am
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: resident DJs & LED box bar 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Gabriella Parish 10pm
SUNDAY 4
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 4pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 7.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Alasdair’s Birthday & Fireplace Sessions: Frank Sanazi 6.30pm; Corrine Williams 7.30pm; Said the Ghost
8.30pm; Denise Black & pianist Mark
Russell 9.30pm
l BAR REVENGE karaoke: DJ Dana & Lou Bag 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
LEGENDS BAR
) NYE Wed (31) NYE COUNTDOWN to 2015 with DJs Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller on 2 floors playing best tracks of 2014, tickets £5 from 8pm Thur (1) NY day CABARET with Miss Jason at 3.30pm
) REGULARS Mon AN EVENING WITH MAISIE & JOSH at 9.30pm ) Wed is Lola & Dave’sMIDWEEK MENOPAUSE at 9.30pm ) Sat pre-club DJs at 7pm
) SunCABARET at 3.30pm: Topsie Redfurn (4), Mrs Moore (11), Lola Lasagne (18) and Titti La Camp (25).
) FOOD served Mon–Fri 12–3pm; Sat 12–4pm; Sunday Roasts served 12–3pm with top quality locally sourced meat, poultry & vegetarian options.
) DRINK DEALS Mon–Fri 5–9pm, inc pint of Grolsch £2.50 & double spirit & mixer, £4. Wine promo: Fri 12–11pm, buy any bottle of quality wine and get 2nd half price. ) OPEN daily from 11–5am ) Free entry, all day smoking terrace. ) www.legendsbrighton.com
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG karaoke 9pm; DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Raffle & Bear Bash 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Sandra 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Topsie Redfurn 3.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Big Afternoon Session 3pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke with hosts noon; cabaret 5.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Cassidy Connors 6pm & 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 4pm
l ZONE Marty’s karaoke 7.30pm
MONDAY 5
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz & Industry Night 6.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR An Evening with Maisie & Josh 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke: guest host 7pm
l ZONE Rachel’s Manic Mon 10am
TUESDAY 6
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of Fortune Karaoke: Nathan & Dana 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 8.30pm
l POISON IVY Bar150: Betty Swollocks karaoke 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate’s Games Show 9.30pm
l REVENGE Drop Out: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 7
l A-BAR open mic piano bar 8.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Singalong Grease 7pm
LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB
) FREE ENTRY to the club every day, excluding NYE.
) NYE Wed (31) NYE COUNTDOWN with DJs Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller on 2 floors, best of 2014 at 9pm, £5 ) Thur (1) NYRECOVERY PARTY with DJ Claire Fuller, chart/house/r&b.
) REGULARS WedICE with DJ Claire Fuller, chart/house/r&b. ) FriFAST FOWARD with DJ Peter Castle, dance/chart. ) SatFUSION with DJ Peter Castle, Lee Harris (3), house/chart. ) SunPOP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller, recent/classic pop.
) DRINK DEALS selected shots £1.50/£2 drink deals all night on Wed; promos inc £1.50 shots on Fri; £2 drinks on Sun
) OPEN Wed & Fri–Sun 11pm. Open 9pm–5am NYE, 11pm–3am New Year’s Day www.legendsbrighton.com
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night + Gloria Hole’s karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
l ZONE Wii Night 7.30pm
THURSDAY 8
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY open mic 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
JANUARY
MARINE TAVERN
) NYE Wed (31) NYE PARTY; no tickets required, 8pm–4am ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (3) is MARINE LATE the 80s gay bar and disco with DJ Little Rob from 1am-3.30am
) REGULARS MONDAY MADNESS at 9pm ) TueNAT’S QUIZ and free buffet at 8.30pm ) Wed is BOUDOIR, night for trans* community and admirers at 9pm ) THROWBACK THURSDAY you’re the DJ 8pm ) FriJUKEBOX DISCO SPECIAL at 8pm ) SatDISCO at 8pm ) SunBIG AFTERNOON SESSION at 3pm
) FOOD daily from 12–9pm
) DRINK DEALS Fri & Sat from 9pm Thur free Sourz shot with every drink ) OPEN daily from 11–1am. Open till 3.30am on Sat (3).
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thurs 8pm
l POISON IVY Stacy Swallows’ karaoke party with top cabaret 9.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Let’s Get Quizzy 7.30pm
l ZONE 80s night 7.30pm
FRIDAY 9
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Clique Warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Karaoke 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm; DJ Marcia’s
Big Gay Disco + Mrs Moore midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy
9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst
9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Candy Slag in Drag 9.30pm
l REVENGE GOT pres Clique on level 2; Shameless on level 1 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE live music: Paul Diello 10pm
SATURDAY 10
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex
3am; top bar karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN disco 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful
Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: resident DJs & LED box bar 10.30pm
l ZONE cabaret: Mrs Moore 10pm
SUNDAY 11
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 4pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 7.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace SessionsL Alice Rose 9pm
l BAR REVENGE karaoke: DJ Dana & Lou Bag 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG karaoke 9pm; DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Raffle 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Nan 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Mrs Moore
3.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Big Afternoon Session 3pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke with hosts noon; cabaret 5.30pm
JANUARY LISTINGS
POISON IVY
) NYE Free entry to the NYE PARTY at 7pm ) REGULARS KARAOKE 7 nights a week. ) MonKARAOKE guest host at 7pm ) TueBAR150 with Betty Swollocks’ KARAOKE SHOW at 7pm ) WedTABOO, Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night with prizes, free shots & shower pole dancing round at 8pm ) Thur is Stacy Swallows’ KARAOKE; then CABARET at 9.30pm ) Fri & SatCAMP ATTACK with Gloria Hole, non-stop karaoke, pole dancers, laser show 7.30pm ) SunKARAOKE at 12pm; CABARET at 5.30pm ) DRINK DEALS over 70 happy hours a week inc: all day & night on Mon; £1.50 all night on Tue; 2-4-1 cocktails Wed; 2 bottles for £5, vodka slush puppy & coke £2.50 Thur; £1 drinks Fri & Sat; 11am–midnight on Sun. Shots £1 during karaoke. ) OPEN daily from 11am http://tinyurl.com/poisonivybar
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6pm & 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 4pm
l ZONE cabaret: Jason Howlett + karaoke 6.30pm
MONDAY 12
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz & Industry Night 6.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR An Evening with Maisie & Josh 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke: guest host 7pm
l ZONE Rachel’s Manic Mon 10am
TUESDAY 13
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of Fortune
Karaoke: Nathan & Dana 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 8.30pm
l POISON IVY Bar150: Betty Swollocks karaoke 7pm
PARIS HOUSE
) NYE Wed (31) NYE PARTY with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat free live jazz at 4pm; TC's Joyful Noise with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry.
) FOOD platter of French food to share & large carafe of wine £15
) OPEN daily from 12pm ) www.parishousebrighton.com
QUEENS ARMS
) NYE Wed (31) is the huge NYE PARTY and CABARET with DJ Little Rob & Tiara Thunderpussy’s double show at 9.30pm & 11.45pm Thur (1) is New Year’s Day CABARET with Lola Lasagne at 9.30pm ) REGULARS Wed (7) is CABARET with Maisie Trollette at 9.30pm; from (14) it’s DON’T MISS JASON at 9.30pm ) ThurCABARET at 9.30pm: Stephanie Von Clitz (8), Cassidy Connors (15), Topsie Redfurn (22) and Dave Lynn (29). ) Fri CABARET at 9.30pm: Krissue DuCann (2), Candy Slag in Drag (9), Deborah D’Arcy (16), Laura La Mour (23) and Saucy Sophie (30). ) SatCABARET at 9.30pm: Sally Vate (3), Lola Lasagne (10), Dave Lynn (17), Jason Lee (24) and Myra Dubois (31). ) Sun is DOUBLE CABARET at 6pm & 9.30pm: Cassidy Connors (4), Davina Sparkle (11), Lucinda Lashes (18) and Kara Van Park (25). ) Tue is Sally Vate’s GAME SHOW at 9.30pm ) OPEN from 4pm Tue–Fri;from 2pm Sat & Sun http://thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate’s Games Show 9.30pm
l REVENGE Dropout: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 14
l A-BAR open mic piano bar 8.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Singalong: Moulin Rouge 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night + Gloria Hole’s karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
l ZONE Wii Night 7.30pm
THURSDAY 15
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY open mic 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thurs 8pm
l POISON IVY Stacy Swallows’ karaoke party with top cabaret 9.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Cassidy Connors 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
l ZONE 80s night 7.30pm
FRIDAY 16
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Doggy Style warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Karaoke 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm; DJ Marcia’s
Big Gay Disco + Miss Jason midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Deborah D’Arcy 9.30pm
l REVENGE Doggy Style on level 2; Shameless on level 1 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Back Beat 9.30pm
JANUARY LISTINGS
BAR REVENGE
) NYE Wed (31) official pre party for HOLLYWOOD NYE PARTY at 7pm
) REGULARS Fri warm-up parties with resident DJs at 9pm: Shameless (2) & (23), Clique (9), Doggy Style (16) and Fat Lip (30). Sat is with DJ Fifilicious spinning chart & urban at 9pm ) Sun is KARAOKE with DJ Dana & Lou Bag at 7.30pm ) Mon is the QUIZ WITH LIZ big prizes and rolling jackpot at 8.30pm, £1 entry per person. ) Tue is WHEEL OF FORTUNE KARAOKE with Nathan & Dana at 8pm ) Wed is CRASH with DJ Dana chart faves & alternative anthems at 7pm
) THROWBACK THURSDAY is 90s/00s house/dance at 9pm
) FOOD free pizza on Sun
) DRINK DEALS 2–4–1 on all drinks everyday 5–10pm; drinks fall as low as 70p on Wed; roll the dice on Sun to win a free drink.
) OPEN daily from 12pm; closes at 6am on Fri & Sat ) Revenge Passes: £1 discount passes on Tue, Thur, Fri & Sat www.revenge.co.uk
SATURDAY 17
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; top bar karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat & Charles’s Birthday: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN disco 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn
9.30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: resident DJs & LED box bar 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 18
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 4pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 7.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Best of Broadway:
Ross Cameron, Paul Chirnside, Jason Thorpe 9pm
l BAR REVENGE karaoke: DJ Dana & Lou Bag 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG karaoke 9pm; DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Raffle & Bear Bash 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Maisie Trollette
7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lola Lasagne
3.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Big Afternoon Session 3pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke with hosts noon; cabaret 5.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 6pm & 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 4pm
l ZONE Marty’s karaoke 7.30pm
MONDAY 19
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz
Quiz & Industry Night 6.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR An Evening with Maisie & Josh 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 9pm
REVENGE
) NYE Wed (31) HOLLYWOOD GLAM NYE party, 6 all-star DJs on 2 floors, red carpet, paparazzi, celeb lookalikes, pyrotechnics 9pm; £10 advance Qjump tickets from www.revenge.co.uk, free b4 10pm
) REGULARS FriSHAMELESS on level 1; level 2 Girls on Top present CLIQUE (9) and Doggy Style r&b night (16); FAT LIP alternative/pop/punk/metal night (30) with DJs Dana & Fifilicious; £1 b4 12 with pass,£5/£4 NUS. ) Sat SWEET REVENGE, resident DJs, messed-up pop on level 1, bouncy house on level 2 at 10.30pm, £1 b4 12am with pass, £5/£4 NUS. ) TueDROP OUT with DJs Trick & Dana, old & new pop, £1 with flyer/£2 ) Thur is FOMO with DJs; free b4 12am with Facebook guest list, £1 b4 12 with pass, £4/£3 NUS.
) DRINK DEALS bottles of Fosters & shots from £1.50 & all main-line drinks £2 on Tue; £1 drinks b4 midnight then all drinks £1 during song after FOMO alarm on Thur; double-up for £1 on all main-line spirits, all main-line drinks from £2.50 b4 12am on Fri; double-up for £1.50, all main-line drinks £2.50 b4 12am & Jagerbombs £2.50 all night Sat. All drink specials exclude champers & doubles (excl doubling up). ) OPEN 11pm Tue, 10.30pm Thur, Fri & Sat ) Discount entry passes available from Bar Revenge or from www.revenge.co.uk
l POISON IVY karaoke: guest host 7pm
l ZONE Rachel’s Manic Mon 10am
TUESDAY 20
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of Fortune
Karaoke: Nathan & Dana 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 8.30pm
l POISON IVY Bar150 karaoke 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate’s Games Show 9.30pm
l REVENGE Drop Out: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 21
l A-BAR open mic piano bar 8.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Singalong Sound of Music 7pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night + Gloria Hole’s karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
l ZONE Wii Night 7.30pm
THURSDAY 22
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
JANUARY LISTINGS
SUBLINE
) NYE Wed (31) NYE PARTY, DJs, 9pm, early bird tickets £5, £8 on the night.
) REGULARS Sun is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJ Screwpulous finishing off your weekend. Sun (25) COME IN YOUR PANTS with DJ Nude ) WedFAG MACHINE LGBTQ alt night with live music. ) Thur is LEATHERED with free lockers. ) Fri is STEAM with free entry before 11pm Fri (30) DIRTY TACKLE sportswear night, free entry in kit ) SatMEN'S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous; free entry for members till 11pm, Sat (31) is LEATHERMEN SOUTH with free entry in leather.
) DRINK DEALS selected drinks £3 on Wed for members, cheap drinks on Sat ) OPEN Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat from 9pm, Sun from 8pm www.sublinebrighton.com
l BAR BROADWAY open mic 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms
Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm
l POISON IVY Stacy Swallows’ karaoke party with top cabaret 9.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Topsie Redfurn
9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
l TBS2 Naked Day 10am
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Let’s Get Quizzy 4pm
l ZONE 80s night 7.30pm
FRIDAY 23
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Shameless warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm; DJ Marcia’s
Big Gay Disco + Jennie Castell midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst
9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l REVENGE Shameless: DJs 10.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Laurie La Mour
9.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Gabriella Parish 10pm
SATURDAY 24
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm
THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS
) REGULARS Thur (8) & (22) is the LET’S GET QUIZZY with £150 cash prize at 7.30pm ) Sun is the JAZZ ROAST at 4pm, free entry.
) FOOD 12–3pm & 6–9pm, 2 burger meals £15 Sunday roast from 1pm ) Sun (25)Burns Night special with Haggis, Neeps & Tatties plus regular Sunday fare.
) OPEN from 12pm on Mon–Sat, 1pm on Sun, closed NY Day. ) Private function room available for parties, call 01273 608571 ) www.3jollybutchers.com
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; top bar karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN disco 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s
Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Jason Lee 9.30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: resident DJs & LED box bar 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Vicky Vivacious 10pm
SUNDAY 25
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 4pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 7.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Sophie Causbrook 9pm
l BAR REVENGE karaoke: DJ Dana & Lou Bag 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG karaoke 9pm; DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Burns Night 12pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Myra Dubois
7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabareet: Titti La Camp 3.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Big Afternoon Session 3pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke with hosts noon; cabaret 5.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Kara Van Park 6pm & 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Come in your Pants: DJ Nude 8pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz
Roast Burns Night special 4pm
l ZONE Burns Night singalong & karaoke 7.30pm
MONDAY 26
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz
Quiz & Industry Night 6.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR An Evening with Maisie & Josh 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke: guest host 7pm
l ZONE Rachel’s Manic Mon 10am
TUESDAY 27
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of Fortune Karaoke: Nathan & Dana 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm
l POISON IVY Bar150 karaoke 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate’s Games Show 9.30pm
l REVENGE Drop Out: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 28
l A-BAR open mic piano bar 8.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY Singalong The Producers 7pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night + Gloria Hole’s karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
l ZONE Wii Night 7.30pm
THURSDAY 29
l A-BAR Trifari’s karaoke 6pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY open mic 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm
l POISON IVY Stacy Swallows’ karaoke party with top cabaret 9.30pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm
ZONE BAR
) NYE Wed (31) NYE PARTY with Sally Vate at 8pm;raffle after midnight. Thur (1) is the New Year’s Day chill out from 12pm ) REGULARS FriLIVE at 10pm: Collusion (2), Paul Diello (9), Back Beat (16), Gabriella Parish (23) and Stone & Street (30). ) SatLIVE at 10pm: Gabriella Parish (3), Mrs Moore (10), Sally Vate (17) & (31) and Vicky Vivacious (24).
) SunLIVE at 6.30pm: Jason Lee (11), Burns Night Singalong (25); KARAOKE is every Sun with Marty at 7.30pm ) Thur is the 80S NIGHT at 7.30pm
) DRINK DEALS all day and night through the week, excl the weekend.
) OPEN daily from 10am New Year’s Eve10–3am, NY day 12pm–12am www.zonebar.co.uk
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
l ZONE 80s night 7.30pm
FRIDAY 30
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY MindOUT Charity Fundraiser: top cabaret 7.30pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE Fat Lip warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm; DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco + Topsie Redfurn midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst
9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke noon; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Saucy Sophie
9.30pm
l REVENGE Fat Lip: DJs Fifilicious & Dana on level 2; Shameless on level 1 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Dirty Tackle 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Stone & Street 10pm
SATURDAY 31
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BAR RED DJ 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; top bar karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN disco 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful
Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY non-stop karaoke 12pm; Camp Attack 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Myra Dubois 9.30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: resident DJs & LED box bar 10.30pm
Friendly bar with regular cabaret, DJs & food OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thur 12-12.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 12-11.30pm; 7.30pm-3.30am NY eve, 12.30pm-4pm NY day
l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 02380 366163, www.theedgesouthampton.com
Club with 2 floors & 3 bars
l PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St TEL: 02380 238804, www.pink-broadway.com
THURSDAY 1
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL NY day 12.30pm
FRIDAY 2
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm
SATURDAY 3
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley, guest Ria Osbourne & Ray’s birthday 10pm
SUNDAY 4
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sun Service: Lea Martin & CJ 3pm;
Drag DJ & hostess Cassie 9pm; cabaret 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Mary Mac 8pm
MONDAY 5
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 6
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 7
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 8
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm
FRIDAY 9
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Miss Penny 10.30pm
SATURDAY 10
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 10pm
SUNDAY 11
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Martin & CJ 3pm; Drag DJ & hostess 9pm; cabaret 10pm
LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON
) NYE Wed (31) Dec is the COCKTAILS & DREAMS NYE party with DJ Lucinda Lashes & special guest Sam Solace; tickets £10, doors at 7.30pm, open till 3.30am Thur (1) New Year’s Day food served 12.30–3pm, closes 4pm ) REGULARS Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ Ruby Roo at 9pm, CABARET10.30pm: Miss Penny (9), DJ Claire Fuller & Mrs Moore (16), the Boy George Experience (23) and Tanya Hyde (30).
) Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs at 8.30PM: Neil Sackley & Ria Osbourne celebrate Ray’s Birthday (3), Tiny (10), Neil Sackley (17), Claire Fuller (24) and Lucinda Lashes with CABARET from Jacquii Cann (31).
) Sun is ON THE LONDON PODIUM from 8pm with Mary Mac and CABARET: Drag With No Name (11), Topsie Redfurn (18) and Cassidy Connors (25).
) Thur is KARAOKE CRUISING with Sally Vate at 9pm
) FOOD served Mon–Sat 12–3pm; two course Sunday lunch12–3.30pm
) OPEN daily from 12pm www.the-london.co.uk
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Mary Mac + Drag With No Name 8pm
MONDAY 12
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 13
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 14
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 15
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm
FRIDAY 16
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm; cabaret: Mrs Moore 10.30pm
SATURDAY 17
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm
SUNDAY 18
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Martin & CJ 3pm; Drag DJ & hostess 9pm; cabaret 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Mary Mac + Topsie Redfurn 8pm
MONDAY 19
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 20
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Xmas Karaoke 8.30pm
WEDNESDAY 21
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 22
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm
FRIDAY 23
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Boy George Experience 10.30pm
SATURDAY 24
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Claire Fuller 10pm
SUNDAY 25
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Martin & CJ
3pm; Drag DJ & hostess 9pm; cabaret 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Mary Mac + Cassidy Connors 8pm
MONDAY 26
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
TUESDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 28
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL NYE: Cocktails & Dreams with DJs Lucinda Lashes & special guest Sam Solace 7.30pm
THURSDAY 29
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm
FRIDAY 30
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Tanya Hyde 10.30pm
SATURDAY 31
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Lucinda + guest Jacquii Cann 10pm
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
January; the start of a new year –and if you follow this simple Wildblood & Queenie divine disco plan, the start of the new you.
) Firstly administer plenty of laid-back beats (horizontally if possible) and immerse yourself in the rich sound landscapes of Lake People’s Purposely Uncertain Field on Permanent Vacation Records and the delightful Vitalik A Retrospective Of One on Vitalik for a charmed life and repeat when needed. Top up your January techno or house needs with Soul Wagon 01 on Sub Urban and the brilliance of Blue Six Signs & Wonders on Naked Music NYC to ensure full NYE recovery. If your levels need readjusting for a smile-filled month, apply lashings of Glasgow Underground 97-07 on Glasgow Underground Records.
) To work up a healthy sweat and your way out of a bleak midwinter, dose yourself up with
plenty of ReUP Nelcorpo on Dissonat – vinyl or download format will suffice and add plenty of must hear Berlin beats to the mix courtesy of Wilde Freiheit on the Wilde Label.
) To ensure your bod remains hot for the entire month, medicate with the following albums: a high dose of MadTech 01 on MadTech Records will ensure a healthy wiggle, whilst the genius that is Dance Mania’s reissued compilation Ghetto Madness on Strut Records will put a sparkle in your eye regardless of what winter throws at you. Finally we prescribe the sensational Jimmy Edgar’s FABRICLIVE 79 on Fabric Records. Follow doctor’s orders and make the Detroit sounds of Jimmy your first port of call. The ultimate X Factor detox, it’s almost too good for you. Have a sound and healthy January.
Catch Wildblood & Queenie at Traumfrau, DSD and on Radio Reverb’s Home Service www.perfectdistractions.com
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S 12” OF JAN JOY
) HAUSWERKS It's You Moda Black
It’s got late night sensation written all over it.
) SANDEMAN& John Monkman A French Girl In Berghain Rebellion
The acapella of the year – and it’s only January.
) BRODANSE Secret Service Danse Club
The boys continue to deliver with another class outing
) MINEO Disappear Leftroom Limited Goosebumps with one play. Magical.
) STEVE LAWLER House Record Hot Creations
The brilliance continues as Steve comes up house trumps. Again.
) WOUTER S & LOCKLEAD Stutter Hot Haus Records 5mins and 10 seconds of house madness.
) MAT PLAYFORD ISON Black Rock Records
It’s all about the piano on this playful wonder.
) OGGIE B People Dancin' Fetch Records Get. Your. Funk. On. Now!
) BERKSON & WHAT feat JOJO DE FREQ Make It True Play It Say It
A lesson in house music you’ll wanna learn.
) DEMARKUS LEWIS When I Get (What I Want) Lost My Dog House that swishes into you soul and makes it sparkle.
DJ PROFILE: MICHELLE MANETTI
Okay, so it’s January and the joy (or hideousness) of Xmas is fading away along with your numerous New Years’ resolutions, so bring some bounce back into your life as you find delight on the dancefloor. This month Queen Josephine catches up with ex-Brighton Belle, Michelle Manetti, now an extremely busy lady up in London village. Get on the train and have a wiggle with her at one of her numerous residencies. And if you want to see her grin pass her a hob-nob and ask for Whitney Houston! Where can we catch you DJing? I’ve a few weekly residencies in London playing pretty commercial music: every Tuesday at Bar Soho; every Wednesday at Dirty Martini at St Pauls; every Thursday at Gem Bar; and every Friday at The Warwick. I play once or twice a month at She Bar in Soho and Topshop Oxford Circus, as well as guest sets where I play more underground stuff, mostly in London, occasionally in Brighton but also internationally too.
DJ style? Eclectic. I like to vibe off the crowd and take them on a little journey, I play a lot of retro-influenced stuff, but my sets are fairly free and fluid and I don’t confine myself to genres.
Favourite tune ever? Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody It never fails to make me smile.
Tune which always fills your dancefloor? It depends on the vibe I’m playing and the crowd, sometimes you need to throw in one of the biggest current hits to get them excited, sometimes a good retro classic or remix does the job.
Ultimate dream gig? At the Panorama Bar at Berghain in Berlin
Guilty pleasure? Caaaaaaake. Or biscuits. Or ice cream… I have a sweet tooth!
Best ever gig? There have been so many great gigs it’s difficult to narrow it down but certainly one of my faves is when I played for Salvation at Ministry of Sound in Taiwan. I was DJing as well as doing a live vocal PA and there were 4,000 Taiwanese gay guys going absolutely crazy! It was completely insane and such a buzz.
Tell us a secret? A lady doesn’t kiss and tell ;)
CURRENT TOP FIVE
) TIGA Bugatti (Torren Foot Remix) Free Download
) OLIVER HELDENS Last All Night (Koala Mix) FFRR
) SUGAR HILL & WASABI It’s On You (Purple Disco Machine remix) Toolroom
) JILL SCOTT Golden (Royce Remix) Free Download
) BLACK COAST TRNDSTTR (Lucian Remix) Free Download
COME DINE WITH JAMES
BY JAMES LEDWARD
BRIGHTON ROCKS
6 Rock Place, Brighton,
Tel: 01273 600 550, www.brightonrocksbar.co.uk
Food served: 4-10pm Mon-Fri; 12-10pm on Fri & Sat; 12pm-till sold out on Sun.
) Many restaurants make the mistake of offering a complicated menu with too many options to choose from. Brighton Rocks don’t fall into that trap. Their menu is streamlined and falls into four main sections.
TAPAS: A selection of small tapas plates at £3.95 each or £10 for 3 dishes. There are 6 fish dishes to choose from, 4 vegetable dishes, 3 meat dishes and a section of 'other bits' which includes Welsh rarebit, olive bread and dips, roast potatoes and gravy and French fries with mayo. I tried tiger prawns, sesame salad with wasabi mayo, meatballs and broccoli and cauliflower tempura with honey mustard or wasabi mayo. All three were delicious and the use of wasabi sauce really gave the dishes a kick.
SHARING PLATTERS: If you just want to graze rather than have a full meal there are five platters to choose from costing just £7.95 each: a traditional ploughmans, a fish platter, a meat charcuterie platter, a vegetarian platter and a cheese platter. I had the meat charcuterie platter, excellent quality and excellent value for money, I can't recommend it highly enough.
MAINS: There is a choice of six dishes in the mains section each at £9.95. My dining partner tried the catch of the day fish & chips which he said was excellent, especially the crispy batter. I pushed the boat out and had the 'house special', a fillet steak served with fries and seasonal vegetables served as requested rare to medium and it was an excellent piece of meat, tender, full of flavour and well worth £19.95.
DESSERTS: We were able to manage one of the three deserts on the menu at £5.95 each. We chose strawberry and passionfruit pavlova which was first class. Other choices included a chocolate tart and an iced hazelnut praline terrine.
The menu at Brighton Rocks is seriously good value for money.
If you’re in the mood treat yourself to one of the many cocktails available, all expertly shaken. Cocktail classes are also on offer at the bar or better still you can book the cocktail team to come and mix cocktails for parties at your home (minimum of 6 people).
I am not a great fan of eating in bars because too many play loud music. Not here, the dining experience was great and I had a nice relaxing evening out able to chat with the people I was dining with.
I have since been back to try Sunday lunch, which was top notch. Tender, flavoursome beef, perfect crunchy roast potatoes and tasty gravy for just £10.95. Treat yourself to the extra cauliflower cheese dish at £2
) Charles Street's new winter menu is presented in clear categories and is easy to navigate. There is something for everyone; starters & sides, sharing platters, burgers, pasta and rice and HOME COMFORTS and STREET FOOD sections. Pizzas make a welcome return to the menu ranging in price from £6.95 to £8.95. We tried the Dallas Deli with pepperoni, sweet cured streaky bacon, ham, mushroom and red pepper costing £8.95. Excellent pizza, crispy base and great value.
The SHARE section features excellent value sharing platters. We tried the All America Platter costing £8.75 with half potato shells loaded with cheese and bacon, BBQ chicken wings, slider cheese burgers, chilli slaw and deep fried pickled gherkins. Excellent value and worth trying just for the gherkins. Naughty but very nice. Other platters include The Ultimate Combo at £8.25 and the Chicken Wing Challenge costing £9.95 which gives you 50 chicken wings to dip into your favourite sauce.
HOME COMFORTS includes all the regular favourites including traditional fish & chips. We tried the tasty Carolina-Glazed pork belly with chips, BBQ beans and tangy gold BBQ sauce at £6.75. A real winner!
From the RICE and PASTA section we tried the Chicken Tikka Masala served with rice, naan bread, a poppadom and mango chutney. Great value at £5.95 and as good as you will get in any Indian Restaurant. Charles Street burgers have a well earned reputation. They start at £5.95 for a classic burger and rise to £7.70 for the Pulled Pork Burger and Sloppy Mac Burger with chopped bacon and macaroni cheese. All burgers are served with salad, mayo, a bowl of chips and a gherkin spear.
All dishes in the STREET FOOD section are served with chips and a drink for just £5. Drinks on offer include pints of Guinness, Carlsberg, John Smiths, Greene King IPA, Strongbow and a selection of soft drink options. We tried the Southern Fried Style Chicken Goujon Wrap, which is the most popular dish on the menu and deservedly so. I can also recommend the Classic Hot Dog served with fried onion and American mustard and the BBQ pig flatbread
If you’re looking after your waistline there’s a selection of dishes with less than 500 calories available, such as the chicken fillet burger at just £5.75. We finished our evening tasting with a wonderful Espresso Martini from the new cocktail menu at £7.95
The 2 meals for £6.95 deal remains, which includes dishes marked with the special icon. For £6.95 you can have fish&chips and a cheese & bacon burger. Couple that with the 2 desserts for the price of one deal and two of you can have two courses for just £11. Better still two Sunday Dinners are still just £10!
ARTS
BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN
BRIGHTON CENTRE
Kings Road, Brighton, www.brightoncentre.co.uk
Box office: 0844 847 1515
) HOLIDAY ON ICE: PLATINUM (Tue 6–Sun 11). This is a tribute to 70 years of HOLIDAY ON ICE, featuring Dancing on Ice All Stars winner, Ray Quinn. Your special guest MC will be your guide as the show gracefully glides through skating traditions past and present. Popular elements and surprising moments come together on the ice for an incomparable show experience, which will enchant audiences of all ages. The journey will be accompanied by an original musical score mixing electro-pop and waltz, swing, gospel and samba and features footage of the biggest ice stars of the past and live performances from star figure skaters of today. Mix this with glamorous costumes, explosions of colour, a huge variety of traditional and modern settings and PLATINUM is a firework of energy, grace and joy!
DOME STUDIO THEATRE
New Road, Brighton Box office: 01273 709709
www.brightondome.org
) THE MAGICAL ROAD TO OZ (Jan 28–Feb 8). Brian Ralfe's alternative adult panto is billed as being 'not for the faint-hearted'. The show stars Miss Jason as Dorothy, Phil Harlequeen as the Good Fairy, Lee Tracey as the Wicked Witch of Brighton, Wezley Sebastian as the Wizard and Madame Mystic, Allan Jay as The
Scarecrow, Jason Lee as the Tin Man, Marc Yarrow as Toto, Chris Howard as the Cowardly Lion and Brian Ralfe as himself and the Magic Board. The show is written by Andrew Stark, directed by Lee Tracey, stage managed by Mike Medway with musical direction by Lawrence Knight.
EMPORIUM
88 London Road, Brighton www.emporiumbrighton.com
) SLEEPING BEAUTY by Doug Devaney (until Sat 17). “All she has to do is dream…” As the nights draw in and the winds turn
chill, Emporium bring you a world of winter wonder with their brand new interpretation of the timeless classic, Sleeping Beauty. A knight, a princess, a witch and a dragon –all are present and correct in a merry mix of myth and magic for all the family from the venue that brought you last year’s yuletide hit, Cinders. ‘Refreshingly oldschool fun’ The Stage
) AN AUDIENCE WITH AIMI
MACDONALD (Mon 26). Direct from a sell-out performance at The Pheasantry, London, 'The Lovely' Aimi Macdonald will regale you with stories about her journey through life in and out of 'the biz' and we may be lucky enough to have Aimi perform a few of her favourite songs, accompanied by her MD Trevor Defferd. Presented by The Misty Moon Film Society.
) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 4). Headliner Jen Brister, 'Outrageously Funny' Metro, makes a welcome return to the irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow). There's support from Allyson June Smith – Canadian comic now delighting crowds internationally; Amy Howerska'Like Mary Poppins on a comedown' Superego comedy New York; and
Stephen Bailey - 'warm and affectionate yet no less biting in its wit' The Gay UK.
) SPELLBOUND (Sat 17) The '80s club night for people who HATE 80s nights, with Jenna Allsopp and Simon Price.
) FUNNY WOMEN: BRIGHTON NIGHTS (Sat 31) Funny Women features the newest and most exciting female stand-up in the UK, from the Funny Women Awards and beyond! January's line up features headliner Abigoliah Schumann with MC Suzy Bennett,
plus Deborah Jane Appleby, Gemma Whelan and Jo Public Supporting local charity RISE, which provides essential services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence, with a raffle and collection.
STEPHEN
ZOE
ART MATTERS
BY ENZO MARRA
This month I’ve sourced two Brighton related events that will involve a bit of travel, but that will very much reward you for your efforts.
LONDON ART FAIR
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH, www.londonartfair.co.uk
) Beginning with the LONDON ART FAIR (Wed 21–Sun 25), which annually launches the art world’s year, and provides a supportive environment for collectors and viewers of all levels. With museumquality Modern British art presented alongside contemporary work from today's leading artists, this fair covers the period from the early 20th century to the present day.
CONNAUGHT THEATRE
3 Union Pl, Worthing, West Sussex ) ALADDIN (until Sun 4) Lola Lasagne is appearing just down the coast in Worthing’s traditional panto, Aladdin, this Christmas. Fasten your seatbelts for a magical ride of mystery, sparkling romance and dazzling adventure with this year’s lavish production, where everyone can escape to a world of magic, where adventure beckons on this pantomime flight of spectacle, slapstick and song! Cheer on Aladdin, Wishee Washee and Widow Twankey as they do battle with the evil sorcerer Abanazar. Will our handsome hero find true love with the delectable Princess Jasmine? Maybe with a little help from the Slave of the Ring and the Genie of the Lamp we’ll reach a happy ever after ending! Starring Jon Lee (S Club 7) as Aladdin, Tom & Jack (Heart Breakfast) as PC Ping and PC Pong, Kieran & Sarah (Britain’s Got Talent) as the Genie of the Lamp and Slave of the Ring, Stephen Richards aka Lola Lasagne as Widow Twankey, Terry Gleed as Wishee Washee and Jade Chaston as Princess Jasmine.
DE LA WARR PAVILION
Bexhill on Sea, www.dlwp.com ) LADYBIRD BY DESIGN (Sat 24 Jan–Sun 10 May). For 100 years, Ladybird books have delighted children, their parents, grandparents and teachers alike, taking readers on a journey of discovery and enlightenment. Affordable and accessible, Ladybird books hold a significant and affectionate place in the collective psyche of the nation, conjuring up, through written word and illustration, life in Britain in more innocent times.
The De La Warr Pavilion has a display of over 200 original illustrations that cover a selection of Ladybird books from the late 1950s to early 1970s. Focusing on those books, which reflected the world in which the reader lived, the exhibition will feature selections from the People At Work series, Shopping With Mother, the Science and Nature series as well as the Well Loved Tales and Key Words series. The exhibition takes its title from the new book Ladybird by Design, written by Professor of Illustration and Dean of the School of Design at the London College of Communication, Lawrence Zeegen. The book portrays a unique slice of Britain’s social and design history, as seen through the eyes of Ladybird.
Brighton-based Ink_d Gallery will be located at stand number G12. Established in 2007 in the heart of Brighton, Ink_d Gallery & Studio shows both collectable and affordable art. With an ethos that supports and nurtures local talent alongside rising stars and established artists, the gallery shows a diverse range of paintings, prints, sculptures and ceramics with an emphasis on the cutting edge. Exhibiting artist at the fair include Carne Griffiths, Carrie Reichardt aka The Baroness, David Ross, Enzo Marra (me!), Jake Wood-Evans, Magnus Gjoen, Matt Smith, Mike Ballard, Miss Bugs, Paul Scott, Pure Evil, Ryan Callanan aka RYCA, Sarah Shaw and Tom French
Photography Focus Day (Wed 21), with talks and tours examines contemporary photographic practice. The fair also stays open until 9pm for a special event Thursday Late, the perfect opportunity to explore art after work while enjoying evening performances, tours and film screenings and complimentary drinks served by Peroni Nastro Azzurro. Entry: £20 on the door or £35 for all six days; or £25 in advance for preview and £14 day entry; or £30 for six days. With the number of galleries on show in the main fair and in the two curated sections focusing on younger galleries, new work and contemporary photography (Art Projects and Photo50), as well as a unique exhibition from their 2015 museum partner Pallant House Gallery, the time will fly by filled with too many delights for your eyes.
WAVELENGTHS
Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Homerton Row, London, E9 6SR ) Also in London, WAVELENGTHS (from end of Jan for 3 months), is an exhibition of works by Brighton-based painter Patrick O'Donnell. The work has been specially created by Patrick for the Education Centre at Homerton Hospital. On display will be a combination of oil paintings and ink works that explore notions of transition and ideas of perception through his focus on colour and abstract forms. For more information on visiting hours, etc, contact art curator Shaun Caton on 020 8510 5028/7990 or email shaun.caton@homerton.nhs.uk.
ENZO MARRA FRANCES BACON
CLASSICAL NOTES
BY NICK BOSTON
REVIEWS
) The latest disc from the Heimbach Festival begins with Dvořák’s great Dumky Piano Trio, with Artistic Director of the festival, Lars Vogt, on piano and Christian and Tanja Tetzlaff (violin and cello). The Dumka is a Ukranian dance, with the characteristic of shifting between slow melancholy and lively exuberance, and Dvořák uses this principle throughout this six movement trio. This performance is very touching in the slow sections, with real sensitivity particularly from Tanja Tetzlaff on the cello. The boisterous sections once or twice become a little overblown acoustically, understandable in the context of a live performance. However, this is a lively performance of a colourful piece, full of emotional contrasts. The disc continues with a selection of six pieces from Dvořák’s Zypressen for String Quartet. The performers are Alissa Margulis, Byol Kang (violins), Tatjana Masurenko (viola) and Gustav Rivinius (cello). Dvořák arranged 12 of the cycle of 18 songs he had written to express his unrequited passion for Josephina Cermáková, and six are performed here. No. 2 has definite echoes of Dvořák’s American String Quartet, and No. 11 has a delightfully bouncy rhythm, which the performers enjoy to the full. Shostkovich’s Piano Trio No. 1 dates from 1923, and was a student work, dedicated to his beloved at the time, Tanya Gilvenko. It is a rather rambling single movement work, but contains music of great passion. The performers Aaron Pilsan (piano), Alissa Margulis (violin) and Marie-Elisabeth Hecker (cello) give an especially ardent performance, and the energy of their live performance disguises the somewhat disjointed nature of this youthful work. Avi 8553265 ) George Onslow (1784-1853), born to an English father and French mother, was known by many as the French Beethoven. But after his death, his music
suffered from being seen as too conventional – and good old Wagner didn’t help, branding some of his music as trivial. Yet, whilst there isn’t the depth and transcendence of some Beethoven or Schubert, say, Schumann said that only Onslow and Mendelssohn approached Beethoven’s mastery of the string quartet. The Trio Portici from Belgium have recorded a pleasing selection of Onslow’s smaller scale chamber works, beginning with the Piano Trio, Op. 14 No. 2. The Trio is perhaps the most obviously Beethovian work here, with the spiky, off-beat rhythms of its Minuetto vivace, and the emphatic and confident two outer movements. The composer’s individual voice is strongest in the slow movement, variations on an Air Populaire Des Montagnes D’Auvergne. The delightful Duo for Piano & Violin, Op. 15 opens with a heartfelt and slightly mysterious slow introduction, leading into an energetic display in the brisk first movement. After a fun Minuet, a pleasing set of variations on Au Clair De La Lune follows, before a sprightly finale. After another lively opening movement, the Sonata for Piano & Cello, Op. 16 No. 1’s core is the lyrical, Schubertian central slow movement. It finishes off with a bouncy yet tightly constructed contrapuntal exchange of one main idea between the two instruments. The Trio Portici give confident performances throughout, and this seldom heard music could not ask for stronger advocates. Pavane ADW7545
) Pianist Peter Donohoe has released his second volume of Prokofiev Piano Sonatas. Following the three emotionally heavy War Sonatas, Prokofiev returned to a more outwardly straightforward style for his final completed work for the piano, the Sonata No. 9. Yet this apparent simplicity is deceptive, with increasingly complex contrapuntal writing growing from relatively
small scale ideas. Donohoe achieves the perfect balance of introspective reflection with the sudden occasional bursts of controlled drama, particularly in the wry final movement. The brief fragment of the incomplete Sonata No. 10, with just under one minute of emphatic, confident music, manages to show that Prokofiev still had much to say right at the end of his life. For the Sonata for Cello & Piano, Op. 119, Donohoe is joined by Raphael Wallfisch. The opening movement is by far the most substantial, and it carries the serious weight of content, followed by the lighter short middle movement, with Prokofiev’s trademark sardonic wit, and a lyrical central seciton. The finale starts off lightly, but gains in grandeur and on the build to the climax, the writing for both players becomes increasingly dramatic, before a reference to the opening first movement cello theme brings things to a virtuosic close.
Wallfisch and Donohoe play together with evident mutual respect and close communication, and Wallfisch produces a beautifully warm tone when needed, as well as humour, and a more angular, spiky sound for the final movement. Prokofiev’s two Sonatinas, Op. 54, appear slight, particularly in comparison to the the Piano Concertos 4 & 5 which he composed either side of them. Yet these introverted miniatures, are in fact extraordinary in their
CONCERTS
BRIGHTON DOME
development of key relationships and expression within three brief movements each. I am not sure if Donohoe plans to revisit the War Sonatas for a final volume, but these two volumes have proved to be a real delight. Somm SOMMCD256
CINEMA
) Umberto Giordano’s opera Andrea Chénier is broadcast live from the Royal Opera House (Thurs 29), repeated in cinemas on other dates thereafter. Cast includes Jonas Kaufmann, EvaMaria Westbroek and Željko Lucic, directed by David McVicar.
) You can also see Lehar’s The Merry Widow, from The Metropolitan Opera, with Renée Fleming, Nathan Gunn and Kelli O’Hara. Various dates in January. In a range of local cinemas including: Duke’s@Komedia, Brighton, the Odeon Cinema, Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne, and the Connaught Cinema, Worthing. Check for times and dates.
Reviews, comments and events: nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
01273 709709, www.brightondome.org
) The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Gourlay (2.45pm, Sun 11), perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with Martin Roscoe (piano).
) The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Rory Macdonald (7.30pm, Sat 17), play Humperdinck, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, and Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Lambis Vassiladis (piano).
) The Heath Quartet (11am, Sun 18) perform Wolf, Bartók and Beethoven at Corn Exchange SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE Lewes, www.nyslewes.org.uk
) The Nicholas Yonge Society welcomes the London Haydn Quartet (7.45pm, Fri 23) to play Haydn and Beethoven, on period instruments.
ST LUKE’S CHURCH
Queen’s Park Rd, Brighton, www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk
) Ellie Blackshaw (violin) and Rachel Fryer (piano) (7.30pm, Fri 30) perform world premières by Julian Broughton and Guy Richardson, and sonatas by Elgar and Janáček
ANDREW GOURLAY
ELLIE BLACKSHAW
THE MERRY WIDOW
FILM
BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING
Dir: James Marsh
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior
Plot: A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. Word on net: “Exceptional, not because of its protagonists' impressive triumphs, but because it honours their struggle.” ) “A study of human vulnerability and love's way with us all... a handsomely mounted, slightly hollow picture by the end becomes a very affecting one.” ) “What Redmayne does is breathtaking and it never feels like a performance.”
BIRDMAN
Dir: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Stars: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton
Plot: A washed-up actor who once played an iconic superhero must overcome ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory.
Word on net: “White elephant of a movie that conceals a mouse of timid wisdom, a mighty churning machine of virtuosity that delivers an utterly familiar and unoriginal drama.” ) “Regardless of his connection to the role, Keaton is transformative and mesmerizing.” ) “Giddily watchable, a chain of firecrackers driven by director's surprising and heretofore entirely untapped facility with comedy.”
ENEMY
Dir: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent, Sarah Gadon
Plot: A man seeks his exact look alike after spotting him in a movie. Word on net: “If Terrence Malick made a Twilight Zone episode, with a quick rewrite by David Cronenberg...” ) “Fitfully successful as a mood piece, though
the dream imagery is heavyhanded, the characters sketchily realised, and the high-toned dialogue comes out stilted more often than not.” ) “In one of the most striking and perplexing final scenes of a film in recent memory, movie is at its most enigmatic.”
LAST OF THE UNJUST
Dir: Claude Lanzmann Plot: Based on filmed interviews with Benjamin Murmelstein, the last and only surviving president of the Jewish Council in the Theresienstadt ghetto during WW2.
Word on net: “Demanding and deeply rewarding.” ) “A powerful reflection on the beginning of Hitler's Final Solution is seen through the intelligent, sardonic eyes of an aged eyewitness.” ) “A startling double portrait of the will to endure.” ) “Those who think this is a black and white issue will be surprised, as Lanzmann appears to have been, by what’s said here.”
FOXCATCHER
Dir: Bennett Miller
Stars: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo Plot: Set in the world of American
wrestling, film is a true story of fragile men who pinned their hopes for love and redemption on a desperate obsession for greatness that ends in tragedy.
Word on net: “The story may have been worth a movie, but it's so diluted over a long and repetitive 134 minutes that's it's really hard to tell.” ) “Grapples, bluntly, with subjects of class and money, and what some people do when they can't buy off their unhappiness.”
) “Despairing, intentionally disturbing film that draws us into a maelstrom of desperate emotions.”
AMERICAN SNIPER
Dir: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes
Plot: True story of a Navy SEAL who recounts his military career, which includes more than 150 confirmed kills.
Word on net: “Harrowing and intimate character study offers fairly blunt insights into the physical and psychological toll exacted on the front lines.” )
“Like most recent era Eastwood directed movies: good enough, but could have been even more.” )
“Not unlike watching a suspenseful but highly repetitive video game.”
WHIPLASH
Dir: Damien Chazelle
Stars: Miles Teller, JK Simmons, Melissa Benoist
Plot: A promising young drummer enrols at a cutthroat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing
to realise a student's potential. Word on net: “Intense, unmelodious, highly amped and probably unrealistic drama.” ) “Quite simply one of the year's best films.” ) “Tense, but somewhat hollow, psycho-thriller that features a ferocious performance to remember from Simmons.” ) “Its climax is the most exhilarating stretch of film you'll see all year.”
ALSO OUT...
) THE WOMAN IN BLACK 2: ANGEL OF DEATH is set 40 years after the first haunting at Eel Marsh House. A group of children evacuated from WW2 London arrive awakening it's darkest inhabitant. ) Based on Vera Brittain's autobiography, TESTAMENT OF YOUTH has a woman recalling her coming of age during WW2. Stars Hayley Atwell, Kit Harrington and Dominic West.
) KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE stars Michael Caine, Samuel L Jackson and Colin Firth in a comedy thriller about a veteran secret agent who takes a young upstart under his wing. ) Mark Wahlberg takes the title role of THE GAMBLER. A literature college professor and high stakes gambler runs afoul of a loan shark and his bodyguard-like gangsters while he has an affair with one of his students.
FILM COMPETITION
) INTO THE WOODS is the film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's dark fairytale musical. Stars Johnny Depp as The Wolf, Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife and Meryl Streep as The Witch. To win two tickets to the Odeon Brighton send the answer to the following question on a postcard along with your address to: Gscene Film Competition, 111 Western Rd, Hove, BN3 1DD: Sondheim won his sole Oscar for a song composed for which film?
December Competition: Alberich
ARTS DVDS
) DIARY OF A LOST GIRL (Eureka blu-ray). GW Pabst's story of a middle-class German girl's descent into prostitution is a magnificently realised drama which eschews the eye-rolling hamminess of many silents for something more nuanced and naturalistic. Louise Brooks plays the eponymous heroine whose pregnancy leads to disgrace and a spell in a girls' reformatory (the exercise class conducted to symbolic orgasm by the lesbian proprietor is an incredible, though agreeably campy, piece of film making). Against the director's wishes it ends weakly on a trite homily, but it's a gripping ride nonetheless. Michael Hootman
) LES MISERABLES (Eureka bluray). Raymond Bernard's 1934 version of Hugo's novel is undoubtedly the most faithful: originally released in three parts, its total running time is five hours. In its depth, accent on character and pacing it feels like the forerunner of the HBO boxed set. Harry Baur has the gravitas
that Valjean demands, whilst Charles Vanel's Javert is impressively steely in his cruel upholding of the law. The movie's production design and Expressionist framing makes it visually stunning. The perfect immersive treat for the long winter nights. Michael Hootman
) LOOKING (Season 1, DVD & blu-ray, £24.99, released January 15). Even if you haven’t got SKY you’ve certainly seen the snippets doing the rounds of Russell Tovey’s sexy body. The HBO comedy drama show created by Michael Lannan, with writing and directing credits including Andrew Haigh (Weekend), gives us the unfiltered experience of three friends living, loving and hoping in modern day San Francisco. Friendship binds them together at different points in
their lives.
Geek boy Patrick, Jonathan Groff (Glee), is the 29 year-old getting back into the dating world in the wake of his ex's engagement; aspiring artist and neo-slut Agustín, (Frankie J Alvarez), 31, is questioning the idea of monogamy amid a move to domesticate with his boyfriend; and Dom, (Murray Bartlett), 39, is facing middle age with his dreams still unfulfilled. Stick this and blend hard, add in hook-ups bitching and parties and it’s our modern hipster gays’ lives reflected back.
While it’s no Queer up North, it’s fun, engaging and honest and it’s perfect for tucked up on the sofa binge DVDing. Eric Page
ARTS BOOKS
) COOKING WITH THE BEARS Healthy Recipes by Hairy Men by Angelo Sindaco (£29.99). Angelo Sindaco has given us this curious kitchen cookery book, it’s full of tasty instructions fresh from the hot sweaty recipe books of some sexy semi-naked hairy men, who appear, like Nigella, stripped,
plumped and lightly powdered, hiding their blushes behind aprons, oven gloves and some impressive ranges. There’s no fat shaming here, but creams, butters and oodles of oil; minced, pounded and kneaded into some rather mouthwatering creations. All the food is ruthlessly healthy and creatively planned. The men are tasty enough to enjoy even if you never get round to making any of the delicious food. The book features a preface by Mike Enders, founder of AccidentalBear.com, that fun website for queer art, culture and music. Eric Page
) THE SPIRIT OF GIN by Matt Teacher (£15.99). A stirring miscellany of the new gin revival from the delightful Mr Teacher brings us bang up to date with Hogarth’s favourite tipple, Great
Britain’s secret shame and the most modern and chic way to ruin one’s mother in Shoreditch, Swansea or Seville. The Spirit of Gin is an entertaining, illustrated guide to the classic spirit, with a sharp focus on the modern gin revival led by innovative craft-gin distillers with their new fusions and ultra-modern blends. The book details the colourful sordid history of gin from its invention in eighteenth century London to today’s worldwide resurgence; provides detailed coverage of the methods, ingredients, and accoutrements of modern makers and purveyors; gives coverage to popular gin bars and classic cocktails with eclectic sidebars and interviews; and provides a complete catalogue of commercial and craft distilleries worldwide. So grab a bottle and as the Queen Mother used to say; bottoms up! Eric Page
) THE RUBBISH LESBIAN by Sarah Westwood (£9.99). Sarah Westwood’s “The Rubbish Lesbian” column is a regular highlight of Diva magazine. She shares in cringe-worthy honest detail the highs and lows of a lady loving life. Her seemingly endless columns have been gathered and bound into one volume, with the themes chosen by Westwood’s ongoing concerns and obsession with added commentary from the author. Sure there are a few lesbian clichés, such as the ongoing presence of a cat, but in a way that adds to the charm. The whole point is a knowing wink to the clichés because Westwood claims to be rubbish at them, but in reality nobody can live up to them
to be a ‘good’ lesbian, because such a notion is nonsense. It’s a great book, with foreword by Harriet Braun and full of wry sideswipes at modern lesbian lifestyles, while keeping the warmth of her writing and delicious ironic take on life firmly at the fore. See her delightful website too: www.rubbishlesbian.com. Eric Page
) DEATH ON THE ISLE by Max P Lomas. The heat is rising in the gay playgrounds of Gran Canaria. Men from all over Europe are flying in to pursue hot sex and cool
drinks in the sunshine. Adam, Barney and Connor are escaping winter, only to find themselves embroiled in dead bodies and the cold hand of the law. Murder charges and prison cloud their blue skies unless they can find the killer... Death on the Isle by Max P Lomas is just the ticket to warm your cockles this winter. A raunchy read that sees action at the dunes, pool parties and the infamous Yumbo Centre. Featuring cover art by Brighton artist Peter Spence, this hot mystery is available now on Amazon Kindle.
) HIV HAPPY by Paul Thorn, (£3.99 on Amazon Kindle). The ebook presents a tried and tested methodology on how to improve your day to day life living with the virus. It expands on many of the ideas that were presented in his award-nominated GT magazine column called Recipes for Life, noticed by many for its very different approach to HIV writing. HIV Happy offers advice on everything from making minor adjustments to your life, to complete self re-invention and covers a multitude of subjects ranging from home life, selfesteem, relationships, finances,
work and career. Ultimately the book aims to assist people with HIV to improve their quality of life and find a happier way of coexisting with the virus. To preorder at special discount price of £1.99before January 5, go to: www.amazon.com/dp/B00QLEBKIU
James Ledward
) I AM ALESSIA by Persia West is a story of abandoned dreams, compromise, betrayal, passion, flight, love, and redemption of the power and wisdom of the feminine self, about what it is to love. It's a tale for many women, gay, straight, trans, and men too; in fact it's everyone's.
Michelle compromises her vague, glittering dreams, and surrenders to marrying the good man, with his apparent certainties and securities. This act unleashes another destiny, when she falls in love with her long-lost cousin Alessia on the day of her wedding, and flees with her into the night; everything she thought was her destiny shattered, opening up another fate, which leads swiftly to being herself in a way she never knew. The exotic story is held together by a passion that transforms a life. The first chapters are free as podcast or streaming at: www.persiawestwords.net Available in paperback or ebook.
2015 (£19.99) For the third issue of the superb, raunchy and provocative calendar this talented group of men, photographers and designers use the crumbling churches and icons of Russia and the Orthodox Church as background for their sublime sexy photography. This hot and sexy art is challenging bigotry, promoting social tolerance and defying the views that are coming out of some powerful Orthodox Christian mouths that LGBT people are an omen of the end of the world. How can such handsome, superb men like these be demonic and how can love ever be wrong? Ponder on these thoughts and perhaps a few more for 365 days this year by getting this rather special and unusual calendar. There’s also a making of DVD too, if you want to see more of these models in action. For more info or to order from their website: www.Orthodox-Calendar.com
) Tea
from £6.95 (Papillon, 23 Ship Street, Brighton, 01273 774478)
Happy New Year geeks and gamers! With a new year comes new games and this one looks to be an awesome year for gaming. Let’s look at the titles I’m most looking forward to and why they’re going to rock!
) After the huge success of DC fighting game Injustice: Gods Among Us, developer NetherRealm Studios return to their roots with the next entry in the Mortal Kombat series, Mortal Kombat X. Starting where the last game left off, the story then jumps 25 years into the future and focuses on aged veterans like Sub Zero and Scorpion as well as the next generation, offspring of previous fighters like Cassie Cage. Series staples such as Fatalities and X-Ray moves are joined by interactive arenas and character variations: a feature that means three different sets of moves that can used during the match. For example, Scorpion features a ‘Ninjutsu’ variation, in which he wields dual swords and a ‘Hellfire’ variation, which relies more on fiery special moves. Out April 14 for PC, PS4 and Xbox One with last gen ports coming later down the line.
) Next we have one of the most anticipated games of the last few years: Batman: Arkham Knight. Originally slated for release in 2014, the game was pushed back to mid-2015 so that Rocksteady could, and I quote, “absolutely nail it” and to make sure that the last entry in the series is the best it could possibly be. The game's main storyline is set one year after the events of 2011's Batman: Arkham City and follows Batman, as he confronts the Scarecrow, who has returned to Gotham City to unite Batman's enemies in a plot to finally kill the Dark Knight. Many of the main villains return such as Harley Quinn and Two Face and are joined by the mysterious Arkham Knight, a brand new character based on a militarized version of the Dark Knight who wants to bring Batman down once and for all. Out June 2 for PC, Xbox One and PS4.
) With both entries in the series so far being a runaway hit, Polish video game developer CD Pojekt RED release their magnum opus with The Witcher 3, slated to be the final game in the series. The plot follows on from the previous game in the series and aims to conclude the story of Geralt of Rivia, the titular Witcher of the series. Witchers are monster hunters who have their bodies modified in childhood to provide them with supernatural abilities with which to take down the most dangerous of enemies.
The Witcher 3 will introduce a huge, open living world said to be much larger than any other in modern gaming history and 30 times larger than the previous games. Add deeply rewarding combat, lush graphics and sound and it’s a game you simply have to own. Out February 24 for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
COMICS
Now that the twelfth Doctor Who, brilliantly played by Peter Capaldi, has had his first series come to a stunning conclusion, let us take a look back at some of the finest comics featuring the heroic Time Lord and why you should read them and add them to your collections.
) First up is The Forgotten, a comic published by IDW from 2008 to 2009. The plot follows the tenth Doctor as he and his companion Martha Jones discover a museum dedicated to his many different lives upon which he starts to lose parts of himself to amnesia. The Doctor has to remember events from his previous incarnations in order to restore his fading memories whilst uncovering just who would want to tear him down and strip away his past lives and incarnations.
Brilliantly created by seasoned Doctor Who comic writer Tony Lee the plot weaves in and out of all the Doctors incarnations keeping you guessing about just who could be behind the attack until the very end and even manages to throw in a few past companions like Susan, Ace and Tegan appearing with their versions of the Doctor.
) The Only Good Dalek was the first graphic novel to feature a ‘new’ Doctor, in this case the eleventh since the series returned in 2005. It was also the first graphic novel since the sixth Doctor’s Age of Chaos back in 1994 which itself was a first of its kind being the first full colour Doctor Who comic produced by Marvel.
The Doctor and Amy Pond find themselves on the top secret Station 7 where the Earth Forces send all the equipment captured in their war against the Daleks. With the Doctor worried about the direction that the Station's Dalek research is taking, the commander of Station 7 panics that the Doctor will find out the huge secret of Station 7, the fact that it's also a prison for the most feared beings in the entire Universe.
Written by the hugely experienced and talented Justin Richards, the story has many great action scenes and even follows the continuity of the fifth series with there being a secret crack in time that nobody notices. This was something that seemed to follow Amy and the Doctor around before they realised the cracks in time were created by the Doctor’s own exploding TARDIS in the fifth series’ stunning finale. Seriously if you haven’t watched it yet then you need to experience the greatness of those two episodes!
) Make sure you also keep an eye on Titan Comics’ continuing Doctor Who series as it is pretty awesome. The publisher has released its third ongoing series that focuses on the brilliant twelfth Doctor whilst the other two series follow David Tennant’s tenth and Matt Smith’s eleventh Doctors respectively. It debuted on October 1st and is currently being fantastically written by Robbie Morrison. I suggest that if you are a fan of Capaldi’s Doctor then you should be reading this series!
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS CRACK ON
OR IT’S BETTER TO RECEIVE. TREAT ME LIKE A BAD GIRL
SAYSCRAIG HANLON-SMITH
@craigscontinuum
) Almost 200 years after its official abolition in the British Parliament, slavery is on the increase, or so we’re told. The number of individuals held captive against their will and/or forced into domestic servitude now runs into the thousands, and all within these the shores of our land of hope and glory. Of course, it isn’t on the increase. There are unlikely to be any more victims of slavery in 2014 than there were 10, 20 or even 50 years ago, chances are we’re just better at spotting it. And, at the risk of sounding like a UKIP candidate, modern slavery in the UK is directly linked to, often legal, immigration and certainly illegal human trafficking. At best the majority of slaves in the UK have been brought in by unscrupulous families arriving with their maltreated and unpaid domestic ‘help’, at worst dragged and drugged into our hidden sex trades on the promise of a better life; if this is better, then one can only imagine where or what circumstances they might have come from. In which case the normal and indigenous amongst us can rest up guiltless and smug in our free and liberal society.
That said, in a parallel universe, the Western Hemisphere, that beacon of freedom, hope and opportunity has spent the past few years mired in celebrity-led sex scandals. Stalwarts of the Saturday night arm-chair and Seaside Special are now subject to the raking up of a past they thought was long forgotten but thanks to a drag and drop culture onto our front and internet pages, suspicions and ultimately convictions appear to be all but out of control. And it’s not about to stop there. American comedy legend Bill Cosby is wading through allegation upon allegation of the drugging and raping of young women on the promise of an American Dream television career. Canadian radio host Jian Ghomeshi has been fired amid reports of his sexually-motivated (alleged) attacks on a range of celebrity women. Claims both men firmly deny.
In the case of Cosby and his British contemporaries, the majority of these crimes are ancient; they were perhaps conducted right in front of our noses (who can fail to shiver at the sight of Savile with his jewellery-weighted arms around those teenage girls on TOTP2), but something in the modern psyche now appreciates the inappropriate, nay horrific nature of some of this behaviour and smells blood. These crimes, alleged or otherwise, their perpetrators innocent or not, are often lost in the sexual misconduct of the detail. What these behaviours have in common is a domination of the vulnerable, weaker, generally more submissive in society and the need for those wielding the axe to bully and intimidate. And yet in the shadow of our collective disgust,
many of us flirt with the roles associated with these practices, regularly.
Our heterosexually-dominant culture has gorged on a daily diet of page three and Sunday Sport images for decades. Twenty-three-year-old busty babes in knee-high white socks, a matching baseball cap and crotch shielding tennis racquet, the ponytail hairpiece and tie draped between the naked breasts confirming an adoption of the sl*tty school girl role; images published in our daily mainstream press. The half, sometimes butt, naked gentlemen that adorn our gay magazines appear younger by the issue and those wearing pants often find a surprising yet gaping hole has appeared in the cut of the cloth between the bum-cheeks. Again, knee-high American Apparel socks are commonplace and the uniform baseball-cap the appendage of an assumed youth. And whether our het or homosexual media, none of this is considered odd, pornographic or anything other than run of the mill standard photographic fare. Our mainstream cultures are now driven by an expectation that we should see all of our celebrities in a state of undress, or our faceless unknowns in potential vulnerable sexual servitude.
I am not for a moment suggesting that the abstract young lad or lady are in anyway responsible for the monstrous tendencies of a powerhungry international celebrity rapist or sex trafficker, but as consumers, are we truly innocent?
“Whether in het or homosexual media, none of this is considered odd, pornographic or anything other than run of the mill standard photographic fare”
We are not merely bystanders either, we actively participate and have for decades. The submissive descriptors that used to adorn the personal ads in the back pages of our scene guides now pepper our dating apps and websites. Passive, submissive, f*** sl*t, cum whore, pig boy amongst the attention grabbing headlines. Thumbnail photographs inviting a pounding at the hands of a dominant master, descriptors detailing in no uncertain terms the depths of servitude some are prepared to crawl around on broken glass for, wearing only a butt-plug, dog-collar and the splash of pissy cologne. And of course the opposite; the dominant, the master, the gloved fist, the phlegm, the promise of bondage, beatings and a lockable cockfighting cage. Daddys requesting ‘sons’, total tops demanding a greedy bottom; bullies requesting a willing happy victim.
The cultural distance between those that are requesting such practice, and those who find themselves subjected to it irrespective of their wishes cannot be so great in a world where we openly encourage and invite such behaviours to be part of our consensual lives. From which dark deep corner of our complex minds did the desires first rear their head? And what was the source of the switch that determined whether to give or take the cane? Of course one would hope that the clear difference is one of consent.
The recent release of convicted rapist footballer Ched Evans has invited much debate not only of when is a sentence served and what next for such an individual post-prison term, but also the original case and the idea of consent. If I might offer a moment of advice to Mr Evans it would be to assume that if a casual partner is so blind drunk that they are unable to stand, it’s probably best to err on the side of caution and avoid the potential risks or consensual misunderstanding altogether. And have we honestly reached the time in our lives when all we are really happy with is consent when surely we should be striving for wild and unabandoned enthusiasm?
By all means, whip-crack away. Just make sure your other half knows in advance that they’ve got it coming.
CHARLIE SAYS
IT IS TIME TO SEEK COVER AGAIN, SAYS
CHARLIE BAUER PhD
http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk
So, for the first time in years, I’ve decided to stay on-topic.
Homophobic bullying is everywhere in the press and something we’ve been exposed to at some point or other. Thank God we can seek solace with our own community.
But what happens (young and old) when you’re singled out within your own group, banned ostracized, shat on, lied to and ridiculed? Do you fight back in that spirit of queer perseverance we’ve been used to all these years? Do you feel stronger in a mass of queer radicals having spent a life on the ‘outside’ of so-called normalcy?
So, what exactly is happening when people judge, ridicule and despise from within the LGBTI community? (Hang on, gay people don’t do that, do they - with their history of all things oppressive?)
When you witness those poor, depressed and suicidal gay teens out there, just spare a thought to the fact that their parents and wider society only make up a portion of the misery – their gay peer group makes up the rest. And since this will be their loving community of their future - it will continue to do so, forever. A life of sexual freedom on the scene will also encompass all the judgment, rejection and ridicule that exists for everyone else but on the gay circuit it’s more amplified, unmodified, self-regulated, bitchy and evil. And this fellow-hate goes on well into old age - should you choose to stay on the scene that long. That’s why people choose to duck and dive into it. How can it be this safe stronghold when the very yard-posts of being gay (or LGBTIQ or whatever) on the scene, are regulated by such hierarchical, narcissistic power freaks? But I have all these friends telling me I’m godlike?
“A life of sexual freedom on the scene will also encompass all the judgment, rejection and ridicule that exists for everyone else but on the gay circuit it’s more amplified unmodified, self-regulated, bitchy and evil”
Exactly why does bullying still go on in most aspects of the gay scene? At any age? At any time? I know, it goes on with straight people too, but they are not governed by the same banana republic autonomy that the gayers are. We may have been sold this as a freedom but it’s really just some plutocratic, gay industrial model. If people are, say, claiming homophobic bullying in the workplace, they cannot do the same from within their own community because it’s not regulated in the same manner. Straight society is terrified to try and police this (what they see as a white) minority, thus leaving us with the monstrous elders representing the like of me. Me? The
poster boy has now shifted from the likes of Tatchell to Massow (a political 180) in a relatively short space of time.
Anyway, count me out. No more sex shall I have as a definition of my sexuality - rather than be labelled this LGBTI or whatever they are now. Part of gay bullying politics today is that you just have to put up with the endless cliques and ageing refuseniks that all the Botox and fillers in the world can no longer support.
These are the ones getting their own back for being bullied at school by becoming the same within their own middle-aged classrooms. Not forgetting that judgement and so-called ‘support’ can be just as bullying. And the now gay community via the clothes, drugs, music, alcohol, staying power, private club nights, venues, surgery, fast tanning, loft conversions, salons, new bathrooms and culture does the exactly same. But not in a powerful way against the constraining forces of that nasty heteronorm, but to themselves and each other in an endless game of narcissism and one-uppersonship - while the rest of the world looks on, horrified. The police, the law courts, the people who sleep with their own sex and others, the media, the world all look on horrified, at the maquette of this supposed homosexual. So solipsistic, they are unable to see that their fabulousness is a pastiche, as they hold up the vaselined mirror of self-importance, blending away every edge and line into a mass of consumerism. This isn’t even the opposite of gay. There is no opposite of gay. In fact, there is no gay anymore - just this ersatz industrial model slowly panting for breath.
Homophobia is over because we’ve all been nicely included into this comfy fiscal society. Financial bullying - the labels and the postcodes – the affluent, plutocratic autonomy against the rest of the people, is the typical hubris of a peacock republic about to crash. And those golden boys will drag all the good folk down with them.
It’s time to seek cover again – it is now the time to become un-gay. Away from the down-your-throat gays who still believe that their brand of fabulousness isn’t without tragedy. That they believe themselves to have fought for their own right to be facile, that they have won the contest to live how they think they should, and continue to set a wobbly demarcation for everybody else. One of media consumerism, shitting on the poorer people, irrespective of sexuality or gender. All in the name of fabulousness.
And here comes the sticky third prong of this dialectic - the likes of moi own self, replacing all that gay nonsense with the honour of being a complete outsider from it. Just like I was when I was growing up, feeling individual, creative and bloody marvelous in my own right, thank you Mary. Only, today the oppressors are no longer the Thatcher Government, James Anderton or AIDS but all those vile uber-class gays and their haute media consumptions, masked as collective culture.
I just don’t want to be a part of any gay scene that would include me as a gayer.
I loved you all.
HYDES HOPES
BY REV MICHAEL HYDES
A CHURCH FOR ALL
) Bully: someone who hurts or frightens someone who is smaller or less powerful, often forcing them to do something that they do not want to do (Cambridge Dictionaries online)
As I write this, around 15 of us have gathered together to create a new church in Brighton; the Village Metropolitan Community Church, a church born out of the LGBTQ community called to empower and serve the LGBTQ community.
Why another church when there are already so many in Brighton where LGBTQ people are welcome? Because I believe that only queer people have the right to define what a safe space for queer people looks like. Because I believe that LGBTQ equality is more than acceptance; it is our stories, our music, and the way we interpret the Bible. Because I believe that we have been called to do this. When people of privilege set the liturgy, define the theology, create both implicit and tacit rules, they inevitably empower their own positions and culture. The Church becomes a 'straight' place where LGBTQ people are invited in.
I believe that a really inclusive church is one where the culture is defined by the whole community. It is lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, straight, and other. It is a place where same-sex couples are truly equal to opposite sex couples; not with two laws but with one. A place where people of all sexualities and gender expression find that their stories are honoured in scripture and by others who have lived their faith in the world.
Too many people are bullied in churches. They are told that talking about their relationships and lifestyle openly, from the pulpit, in the worship prayers, makes some straight people feel uncomfortable. This form of censorship is bullying, nothing less. It's no wonder so many LGBTQ people feel very negatively about the Church - it's rarely been a truly friendly place for us, even when we've served it well. Even when individual churches have proved to be the exception they have often had to live quietly under the ecclesiastical radar or risk denominational censorship.
“LGBTQ equality is more than acceptance; it is our stories, our music, and the way we interpret the Bible”
There are those who would disagree with me, who would say that 'the Church' on the whole is changing, and that we are now being invited to the table. That's great, but I want more. I want a truly open table where only God issues the invitations.
I want a place where we celebrate what it is to be queer and serve the community of which we are a part. I want a church where we pray for drag queens and celebrate leathermen, a church where we give out condoms and talk about safer sex, a church where we are able to practice what we preach because it's relevant and real. I refuse to be bullied into pretending that God is more straight than gay, that the Holy Spirit can be dictated to in any way, or that Jesus has stopped walking on the margins where 2,000 years ago he also refused to be bullied by those with privilege.
HOMELY HOMILY
BY GLENN STEVENS
MY BED
What was that noise, did the bed break or me?
I lay quite still, too scared to open my eyes
Waiting for the next blow
Nothing.
Slowly my anxious eyes open
His face pale, is that fear I see?
How out of place it looks
Soon it’s replaced with relief
Yes, you can see, no harm done…
Except you broke my bed
And you chipped away at my heart once again
But that damage is not visible to you
Only if you look closely would you notice
That the colour has drained from my eyes
Strange, all I need is for you to say you love me.
No, I promise, I won’t say a thing
I won’t say how it hurts deep inside
But you must know your violence
Is almost pain-free, compared to your silence
And worse your inability to hold me, hug me…
Love me.
I look up again to see if you have forgiven me
But I see you have long gone
Only the electric smell of your sweat and aftershave
Still linger in my room.
I curl up on my bed, hold my pillow close
And pray
I pray for your violence to stop
And one day you will forgive me
For being,
Your seven-year-old son.
KEITH SHARPE
A NEW HOPE?
IS HONESTY THE BEST POLICY? ASKSDR KEITH SHARPE
CHANGING ATTITUDE SUSSEX
) The New Year is a time for hope, and as we begin 2015 there are some grounds for optimism about the development of relationships between the Church of England and the LGBTI community.
At the local level we continue to benefit from the openness and humanity of our diocesan bishop in Chichester, the Very Reverend Martin Warner. This is the man, you may recall, who in his first year in the job personally welcomed everyone to the national conference of the Lesbian & Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) being held in central Brighton and told them that in his diocese they were 'among friends'. And who then went on in August to preach at the Service of Welcome to Pride held in St John's Church, Preston Park. And who at the end of last year issued a public statement condemning the homophobia implicit in the remarks made by Andrea Minichiello Williams, the evangelical Chichester Diocesan member of General Synod who had gone out to Jamaica to urge the Government there to retain its barbaric laws which condemn men having gay sex to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour. Ours is an unusually supportive bishop.
Well, the LGBTI Working Party of the Brighton Deanery, which includes representatives of Changing Attitude Sussex and Brighton & Hove LGCM, had a meeting with Bishop Martin in November at which he spoke of 'initiating a wide-ranging examination of the levels of alienation between the Church and large sections of the population of Brighton'.
He understands that a significant number of LGBTI people feel a sense of alienation from the Church because of the harsh and judgemental statements made by many church leaders about so-called 'gay lifestyles'. And he is fully aware that this feeling of being unwelcome in the Church 'goes much deeper, enveloping friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues of LGBTI people‘. The statement about the meeting which the Diocese of Chichester produced goes on to say that ’the aim of the working party is to open dialogue and build trust with all who live in the City of Brighton & Hove, exploring with openness and humility what damage has been caused by homophobia as it is perceived to exist, and has been experienced, within the Church‘.
“Because the church is perceived as homophobic many people, especially young people, want nothing to do with it and are therefore beyond the reach of the Christian gospel”
Brighton & Hove is one of the most unchurched cities in the whole country. Who can doubt that this is at least in part due to the disaffection from religion felt by the city's large gay population? The problem from a Christian point of view is that the hostility experienced by LGBTI people in dealing with the institutional church then comes to represent a barrier to any possible evangelisation. As the bishop says, ‘this dialogue arises out of local pastoral concern and commitment to ensuring that the gospel of Jesus Christ is accessible to everyone’ In saying this he is repeating at local level what the Archbishop of Canterbury himself has been saying at a national level, i.e. because the
Church is perceived as homophobic many people, especially young people, want nothing to do with it and are therefore beyond the reach of the Christian gospel. For perfectly understandable reasons they throw the baby out with the bathwater. They refuse to listen to the Church and so simultaneously reject the Christian message. You could say that Jesus has not been well served by his followers, a fate that does so often seem to befall prophets.
So what exactly is going to happen in the Diocese of Chichester to address all of this? The details at the moment are somewhat in a state of limbo awaiting the arrival of the Reverend Martin Lloyd Williams, who is the incoming Archdeacon of Brighton & Hove with an ETA of approximately February 2015. This archdeacon's job is a newly created post, and one of its specific responsibilities will be the development of more positive relationships between Brighton's Anglican churches and the LGBTI community. It is on this post and its first incumbent that Bishop Martin is pinning his hopes. Let us hope that Archdeacon Martin arrives with some good ideas and a willingness to listen. I will let you know how things go.
In last month's column I explained how the Church of England has begun to set up a national programme of 'facilitated conversations' about homosexuality which will be carried out on a regional basis over the next 18 months. In these conversations, which have come also to be described as a process of mutual listening, there is an expectation that people with different backgrounds and sexualities will talk openly and honestly to each other in order that a better understanding on all sides might emerge. The hope is that the Church of England might then be able to adapt its teaching and practice so that people with divergent views can continue to live and work together.
There are two models for this process. The first is Northern Ireland where facilitated conversations were used to bring the two sides together. The second is the issue of women bishops where the Church of England has finally reached an accommodation in which those who support women in the episcopacy and those who cannot accept female bishops can nevertheless remain in the same church. It remains to be seen whether anything comparable can be achieved on the gay issue.
Unfortunately some recent national developments seem to have made this harder to imagine. It is widely believed that the openly gay Dean of St Albans, Jeffrey John, has yet again been blocked from becoming a bishop in recent vacancies, despite being probably the best qualified candidate and being the person that people in the diocese wanted. It is thought that the Archbishop of Canterbury does not want Dr John as a bishop because it would upset homophobic Anglican bishops in other parts of the world, especially in Africa.
At the same time there are extensive rumours about gay bishops in the Church of England about whom the Archbishop of Canterbury says nothing because they seem intent on hiding their sexuality.
All of this sends out a terrible message: if you are open and honest you will not be promoted, if you are not you can expect preferment. It can only be hoped that the Anglican hierarchy will come to see that such an implicit message undermines the chances of real mutual listening happening during the 'facilitated conversations'.
OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCHES
Changing Attitude Sussex is committed to telling the truth about Christian teaching on homosexuality, and works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in every province of the Anglican Communion and more widely in all Christian Churches. For more information, view: www.changingattitudesussex.com and www.thegaygospels.com
NETTY’S WORLD
BULLY SHIT
) Bullying is everywhere, that’s a bit shit isn’t it? We don’t have to accept it though. It’s a sad part of the human social condition, but we’re getting wise to it. I pray one day we humans will consign the inevitability of ‘bullying’ to the past, along with the Bay City Rollers and white dog poos.
Although the UK currently has no legal definition of it, the dark act of bullying can be emotional, verbal, physical, and since the 1990s it can now be cyber too.
The etymology of the word is a bizarre affair. It’s first used in the 1500s to mean sweetheart (from the German ‘buhle’ meaning lover), morphing into ‘fine fellow’ then becoming ‘blusterer’ in the 1700s, before eventually deteriorating into “harasser of the weak”, where it pretty much remains to this day. Interestingly mass bullying is called ‘mobbing’ which perfectly describes the overwhelming force of many stupid or desperate people acting as one.
It’s not always a ‘gang up against one’ situation. Recently the little mews where I happily live was temporarily ruined by a bully who moved in for 18 months and subjected us all to her loud music, barking dogs, feral kids, multiple car parking and dangerous chaotic and aggressive behaviour. When confronted by some of us she played the victim (badly) and like most bullies she managed to enlist the help of ‘lieutenants’ in the form of a thug boyfriend fresh from an internet dating site and a new female tenant who she groomed to behave as abusively as her. I felt afraid in my own home and considered moving.
“Mass bullying is called ‘mobbing’ which perfectly describes the overwhelming force of many stupid or desperate people acting as one”
It took courage and stamina to stand up to this unholy alliance, but most of us did, and last month she left for London in a puff of smoke because in her words “You lot never give up do you?” That’s right, and the only reason she got away with it for so long was because there was, and always will be a proportion of cowardly neighbours who refuse to ‘get involved’.
And that’s where my own personal reoccurring nightmare must rear its ugly head. When I was 15, I took the last tube to Richmond one night, a journey I shared in a carriage consisting of me, one black girl at the other end, and then suddenly to our mutual horror… five drunk skinhead blokes with swastika tattoos.
The thugs sat, feet on seats, surrounding the girl intimidatingly, spitting, chucking objects near her, taunting her with racial slurs. When the tube pulled into Kew Gardens I calmly got off. As the train moved away I saw her turn and look out at me. I will never know what became of her, I was so scared, I can never forgive myself.
The past has long shadows. Now I’m 47 and the incident on the tube has served me well as a life-lesson. Whenever I see bullying, however dangerous, I always intervene in some way, because for evil to succeed, from playground, to tube train, to Holocaust, all it takes is for good people to do nothing.
QUEENIE’S STRIP SERVICE
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE
DAD & DADDY
OUR JOURNEY
DREAMS COULD COME TRUE, COULDN’T THEY? SAYSSYD SPENCER
) It’s a new year and many of us will have dreams to achieve, whether it’s to be thinner, richer or a new job. None of them will be more important than a child dreaming of having a family, but with the help from people like us and you that could all change and their dreams could come true, couldn’t they?
I remember in January 2011 when we decided to put out the feelers and see whether a couple of guys like us would ever be considered suitable to become foster carers and then parents. We pretty much expected to be told there was little chance due to my childhood in care and the fact that we weren’t rich enough, but we were wrong.
Now in 2015, we’re proud parents to our two amazing kids and for the first time we feel able to pause and take a breath. Katy’s adoption is now complete and we’re but a few weeks away from Bradley’s also being finalised. We’re planning a celebration day in April for all our family and close friends to come together to celebrate our little family and recognise the end of a long journey. We’ll have our Civil Partnership changed to a marriage and have a Naming Ceremony for the kids followed by a love-fest of a family party.
Our journey has been many things: amazing, scary, educational, intrusive, magical, life-changing and we’re proud that we took that first step to achieving what we all now have. Our two kids have come from abusive beginnings, where they never dared dream of a future with a family like ours. We’re a family that loves, that makes mistakes and that gives out second chances. With a close, strong network of friends, we’re a family that encourages each other to step out of their comfort zones and experience many different things.
At times we’ve been, exhausted and emotional, human sponges that absorbed the hatred and fear that these damaged little lives had lived through. We took it on the chin, we dealt with it and with each time we
knew that they would have a little less fear in them afterwards. Is it hurtful at times? Yes. Do the kids really hate us when they say it in a storm of emotion? No. How do we move on from it? We have to, we do it because we care, because we’ve educated ourselves to learn that for children in care, from abusive families, forgiveness and love is scary for them. They have to learn to trust and I think that’s a harder lesson for them than us learning not to take what a seven-year-old says to you in a temper tantrum to heart. We laugh as a family, we hug, we dance and we sing, we disagree, we make mistakes and we move on together too.
The kids are settled, happy and achieving well now. We’re learning every day how to parent and there seems to be an endless list of lessons to experience. We learn everything together, the kids teach us, and we teach the kids. I’ve learnt that I’m a good person, that I’m so much more than my insecurities and I’m now comfortable with who I am. Kevin has learnt that he has a lot to give these kids, that his experience of a stable family life gives him the ability to care for us all and to keep things real. What we give the kids is no different to what you could give a child and that is simply LOVE.
So why not, at the beginning of this new year, pick up the phone and take that step to not only enrich a child’s life but also to change yours. Experience the joy of seeing how, with love, boundaries and laughter you can help a child achieve so much more.
It doesn’t matter if you’re single or in a relationship, it doesn’t matter if you own or rent your home or if you’re employed or not, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been unwell, if you have had a history of mental health problems, you could still be a parent to a child. What I’m trying to say is please don’t assume you can’t be a good parent. It’s important that people don’t make the assumption of whether they’re able to offer a future to a child without making that first initial contact with an agency or your local authority; if one doesn’t accept you, then keep trying. We had delayed becoming parents for two years before taking that first step for exactly that reason, because we felt we knew we would be turned away because of things in our pasts.
The Beatles wrote a little song called All You Need Is Love and although simplistic in its words there is something very true about the lyrics; ‘There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be, It's easy… All you need is Love’.
With the love from you the child will thrive, they’ll become the best that they can become, with the love from your family and friends you’ll become the best parent you can be. Believe it and make it happen this year.
SUCHI’S WORLD
BY SUCHI CHATTERJEE
INVISIBLE BULLIES
) The world I am sad to say is full of bullies. And not all bullies are oblivious to the naked eye. Bullies make you think of angry people screaming abuse in your face, or a person being physically violent or even threatening you. Then there are internet trolls who hide behind their computers as they spew out vile things on social media. These are the bullies we all know about.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICE
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
) We’re very fortunate in Brighton & Hove to have schools and a city council taking homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying seriously. Local schools report high levels of bullying but equally are proactive in adopting diverse methods to tackle it. Most of these schools commission Allsorts LGBT Youth Project to come in and offer both anti-bullying workshops to the pupils and LGBT inclusion training to staff. Allsorts staff and peer educators also regularly go and speak at school assemblies as well as to the whole school and staff about the impact bullying has on LGBT children and young people.
But what about the invisible bullies? The ones who covertly bully, and who will deny to their dying breath that they are any kind of bully and that we their victims are over-sensitive to their kindly words of advice they are giving and should get a thicker skin. Give me a bully I can fight with my rage and my righteous anger, not this person who hides behind sugary sweet words and ‘kindness’ because fighting them is like trying to fight the ghost army in the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with a plastic sword and a pair of brown pants.
So what does an invisible bully look like, sound like, behave like I hear you say? Well have any of you ever met the girl who tells you that you are really fat, but she likes you just the way you are, but she never wants to be seen with you? She is I am sad to say a invisible bully and NOT your friend.
Also an invisible bully is the boy who says that he doesn’t like queers and tells them to f**k off when he sees them, but he likes you so he won’t say that to you. He’s also homophobic and should be persona non grata in any of the circles that you frequent.
The supervisor at work who smiles kindly at you, takes you aside and says, “You don’t quite fit in here do you? You need to try harder, be more like us, and how about wearing something less colourful… less ethnic to work…” is an invisible bully too.
“What about the invisible bullies? The ones who covertly bully, and who will deny to their dying breath that they are any kind of bully”
So what do you do with invisible bullies? Smacking them over the side of the head with a frying pan is an absolute no-no, any kind of assault is totally against the law and I for one would not condone it. Violence only begets violence and God only knows the LGBT community have been at the sharp end of that sword for hundreds of years.
Ranting and raving at invisible bullies is equally off the menu. All that will happen is that most people, even your closest friends, will look at you as if you have lost the proverbial plot and when you try to explain to them that you are being bullied, most will not understand and the ones that do, will more than likely be in the same position as you are, not sure what to do next.
So what can you do? Well for me, it is to cut those people out of my life. Not easy as invisible bullies are often people you perceive to be good friends. Do the deed quietly, do it with dignity, don’t get angry, don’t show you are upset, or hurt, just move on with your life, with them well and truly excluded.
As She Who Will Be Obeyed once said to me, “You can choose your friends, so choose them wisely and cherish them as much as they will hopefully cherish you…”
This is one teacher’s feedback about the impact these workshops led by LGBT young people have: “I want to say thank you and what a great experience it was having you in to talk to two year 10 classes today. It was insightful and informative and the students thoroughly enjoyed it. To come in and talk openly and honestly about your personal experiences to other young people was very brave and the students had a huge amount of respect for you doing it. The question and answer sessions you held reflected this and all students got a real insight into not just how it is to be young and gay but also where they can go for support and advice.”
Peer education also benefits the LGBT young people who deliver it, with one peer educator commenting: “Peer Ed was the best thing about Allsorts for me... it was not just helpful for my speaking confidence and ability, it gave me skills I would otherwise not have had. It helped me to face the baggage we carry from our school years at the hands of bullying which isn’t easy to shake and it doesn’t go away quickly.”
Pupils tell us that the workshops really help them to understand why bullying is so damaging, here are some examples of their comments: “I now know a lot more about LGBT people and the difficulties they can face.”
“I didn't really think that saying 'that's so gay' would be offensive to people until today. Now I know I will not say that anymore.”
“I really enjoyed the Allsorts people coming into our school and I really appreciated how honest they were with us.” (Year 5 student)
Allsorts also offers 1-2-1 support and advocacy to pupils as part a diverse support package to make our schools safer and more inclusive for our children and young people. Last year Brighton & Hove came first place in Stonewall’s Education Equality Index. Councillors Jason Kitcat and Sue Shanks said “We recognise there’s more work to do as we continue to support and challenge schools to support their vulnerable LGBT pupils and students and increase the visibility of LGBT people in the curriculum and school environment.”
So while there is more to do, our schools are leading the way nationally and we are very proud to work with them.
ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
Allsorts Youth Project supports young people under 26 who’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) of their sexuality and/or gender.
I CAN’T EDUCATE THEM ALL, BUT I’LL CERTAINLY DO MY DAMNDEST SAYSDR SAMUEL JAMES HALL
) When I first moved to Brighton, I did so because I knew I needed to transition, and something about living and working here was going to make it easier. Or so I thought. The thing is, Brighton has a growing reputation for being a trans*-friendly city, with a thriving and supportive community. So to some degree my instincts were right. I’d found the Clare Project online and although it took me some time to set foot in the door, I knew this level of support was going to become essential. And it was. It still is. Not just Clare Project but FTMBrighton, Trans*Pride, the brilliant Brighton Transformed book project, and other groups such as the fantabulous Rainbow Chorus, have formed the backbone of my support network over the last four years. These initiatives and groups have given me, in varying degrees, pride, self-esteem, a sense of belonging and “not-aloneness”, new friends, a heart and the courage for activism, a voice, therapy, a sense of self, and the ability to let go of my need for recognition as I walk this path.
There’s a certain irony as I transition that hasn’t escaped me - as I become more of who I am, and have always been, I feel so much at more home with myself, comfortable in my skin for the first time in my life. Yet at the same time I’ve become an object of ridicule, scorn, pity, and mistrust. The underlying message, the subtext in people’s dealings with me, has been hard to stomach.
It goes something along these lines:
“Whatever it is that makes you want to do this, it’s not ‘normal’ and if I’m seen with you, or seen to be supporting you, then I too am not ‘normal’ “
“People like you shouldn't be around _________ “(insert word of your choice although I suggest ‘children’ is the most common thought) “I know you insist you’re not mentally ill, but there’s something of a madness about what you’re doing - I mean it’s not a sane thing to do is it?”
“Whatever you think you are, it’s clear to me that you’re actually not that”
Against transwomen:
“You can’t fool me mate, I can see through your disguise”
And dangerously, in Christian circles:
“There are places where you can go to get this healed”
Even the most supportive of friends, colleagues, officials and family
Based in central Brighton, the CLARE PROJECT
WEEKLY DROP-IN
is a safe and confidential space to explore issues around gender identity. Facilitated peer support is an important element, as well as providing access to low-cost psychotherapy and speech therapy.
members, and yes, lovers too, have some of this going on. At some level the experience of a trans* person is totally incomprehensible to those for whom gender identity is not an issue. I get it. The experience of an amputee war veteran, cancer survivor, or any person with physical disability, to name but a few examples, are largely incomprehensible to those who don’t share the experience. This is why I fail to get angry when I encounter transphobia. They’re just scared, these people. I’m scared by experience I have no knowledge of too. And I may subconsciously denigrate such a person by accident. In fact I did this very publicly only last year, and learned a valuable lesson from it. I’ve been forced to encounter my own prejudice and capacity for discriminatory behaviour. It’s painful.
Most transphobic bullying that I’ve encountered is of this nature. Unintended, acted out of the subconscious mind, from a place of ignorance and fear. But it’s no less destructive. It’s the impact of such behaviour that counts, not the intent. I know this, because I’ve publicly said something that was interpreted as racist. I said it with the very best of intentions, seeking solidarity in a moment of empathy. I was shocked and horrified to discover that the impact was completely other than I’d intended.
I learned through this incident that no matter what I had intended, the impact was what mattered and that I couldn’t negate that impact, by reassuring myself or those offended that I hadn't meant it. It was pointless, the damage was done, whether deliberate or not, once the words were out of my mouth, the deal was sealed, and all I could do was apologise sincerely for the hurt I’d caused. “I didn't mean to…” just doesn't wash. That’s what my ex-partner used to say after a punch. Either that, or that I deserved it.
Which brings us to the far more dangerous type of bullying. Where the intent is there. And it’s conscious. People have deliberately chosen to take action, speak out, fire a verbal weapon of some sort. Often when you look closely at these incidents, they’re carefully disguised. Covert. Although transphobia can be very overt, unsubtle, there are far far more incidents that are cleverly manufactured to look like something else. A doctor refusing to refer a patient. A colleague making a complaint, a housing agency turning down an applicant, oh there are so many possibilities. These incidences are way, way more dangerous because there is usually some kind of structure to them, a thought process behind them, and most certainly an intent. Usually to exclude.
This I’ve certainly been on the receiving end of, and sadly in many different ways, mostly in the context of being an employee in the health service, or indeed at the hands of my colleagues. It’s been excruciating. I’ve moved from being one of the privileged to someone very much on the fringes of society, and as such it would appear that I’m no longer taken seriously as a doctor. Or even as a person.
I’m determined to see this change, if not for my own sake then for others who come after me. If in my profession, in medicine, we can’t get this right, then what possible hope is there for others? It’s a lifetime mission for me to see this change. I can’t educate them all but I’ll certainly do my damnedest.
CLARE PROJECT
meets every TUESDAY 2.30– 5.30PM at
DORSET GARDENS
METHODIST CHURCH
Dorset Gardens (off St James Street) Brighton BN2 1RL
Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in from 5–7.30PM
COFFEE MORNING
Welcoming all trans & questioning people every 4TH SATURDAY of the month 11AM–1PM at CHAPEL ROYAL North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EA
For more details see: www.clareproject.org.uk or facebook Clare Project or email clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
POLICE LGBT LIAISON TEAM
BY PC RICH BRIDGER & RORY SMITH
BULLYING - THE SHAME OF US ALL
) It has always struck me as somewhat ironic that, as minorities within a minority, we the LGBTQI community are so ready to tear into each other with almost casual ease. The increasing popularity of the internet, anonymous ‘apps’ and of course, good old Facebook (other social platforms are available) have led to a commensurate rise in what I call ‘keyboard heroes’; the trolls whose sole purpose appears to be to cause as much pain, upset and distress to our fellow beings as possible. As a police officer I can recount a long and saddening list of examples where people minding their own business have been subjected to frankly quite revolting abuse, a lot of it from within our own community. The armchair psychologist in me would assert that maybe this is an insecurity manifesting in the form of attack, in order to create a sense of superiority for the perpetrator, but whatever the reasoning, the effects can be quite devastating.
“Giving them an almost comedic name like ‘trolls’ seems to detract from their poisonous deeds – these are bullies, pure and simple”
We can all recount stories from the media where ‘internet trolls’ have hounded people, sometimes even to their deaths. Giving them an almost comedic name like ‘trolls’ seems to detract from their poisonous deeds – these are bullies, pure and simple. In a world where being overweight, trans*, HIV+, disabled, even ginger-haired, makes you a target for abuse then something is going very wrong.
Certain luminaries from our community have come in for heavy fire in the past, most notably in certain local mainstream press articles that allow ‘free speech’ (which so often seems to translate into ‘be as vile as possible for the sheer fun of it’) for respondents in their online articles. Some of these have crept into the realms of being unlawful or libellous, but tracing the perpetrators can be an arduous and sometimes impossible task. Add to that similar comments and abuse from within our own community, and it seems even worse. If we ourselves can be so foul to each other, how can we expect different from anyone else?
The basic message should be that bullying is wrong. From the schoolyard, to the workplace, to the pub, to the paper, freedom of speech does not mean the right to insult, degrade or humiliate each other. We live in a delightfully diverse world where people have died (and continue to) so that we may live freely and without constraint. If you see bullying going on, reject it. Defend each other. Stand together and let our detractors know we will not be treated like that.
THIS MONTH’S FIGURES
) In November we recorded 13 LGBT crimes and incidents. Including 2 assaults believed to be homophobically motivated and another transphobic. 6 public order offences where homophobic language was used, 2 of which have led to charges against the suspect. The remaining 3 were related to harassment and we received a third party report of homophobic language.
CONTACT INFORMATION
) We both have Facebook profiles and a page – our usernames are PC Rich Bridger and LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith, and Brighton and Hove LGBT Police Team. We tweet @PoliceLGBT Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – please call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999
SERVICES DIRECTORY
LGBT SERVICES
) ACCESS 4 ALL
LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness. Tel: 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net
) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm. Tel: 01273 721211 or email info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE
Report all homophobic and transphobic incidents to:
• The Sussex Police 101 (for emergencies 999) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk
tweet: @policeLGBT
• LGBT Officer PC Rich Bridger on 101 ext 550727
• LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith on 101 ext 550727 or 07775 546548
• Facebook: Brighton LGBT Police
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
Independent LGBT forum working with the community to address and improve safety issues in Brighton & Hove. info@lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD
Phone helpline, hate crime reporting, counselling service, Proud2connect (relationship counselling in partnership with Brighton Relate). www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton
• Helpline from 5pm daily: 01273 204050
• Services info: 01273 234009
• email: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk
• or brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk
) BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE
Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups. Tel: 01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.org.uk
) FTM BRIGHTON
Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender-queer people. Every 3rd Fri of month, 7-9pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info email info@ftmbrighton.org.uk or visit www.ftmbrighton.org.uk
) BRIGHTON GEMS (GAY ELDERLY MEN’S SOCIETY)
Social group for mature gay men, meet 7–10pm every last Fri of month at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church Hall. Tel: 01273 385000 or info@gems-bh.org.uk www.brightongems.com
) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON
Local social group offers friendship, social events, meets 1st Thurs at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. Tel: 07594 578035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
) LESBIAN & GAY AA
12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions. Sun 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). Tel: 01273 203343 (general AA line)
) LGBT NA GROUP
Brighton-based LGBT (welcomes others) Narcotics
Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. Tel: 0300 999 1212
) LGBT MEDITATION GROUP
Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton. Tel: 07789 861367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk
) LUNCH POSITIVE
Lunch club for people with HIV to meet/make friends, find
peer support in a safe environment. Every Fri, noon–2.30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton. Lunch £1.50. Tel: 07846 464384 or www.lunchpositive.org
) MINDOUT
Independent, impartial info, guidance for LGBT people with mental health problems. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk
) PEER ACTION
Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk
) RAINBOW FAMILIES
Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents. Tel: 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
) SOME PEOPLE
Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, every Tues, 6-8pm, Hastings. Call/text Nicola Tel: 07974 579865 or email Neil or Nicola: somepeople@eastsussex.gov.uk
) VICTIM SUPPORT
Practical, emotional support for victims of crime. Tel: 08453 899 528
HIV PREVENTION, TREATMENT & CARE SERVICES
) AVERT
Sussex HIV & AIDS info service, available by phone Tel: 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. Tel: 01273 664721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
) LAWSON UNIT
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. Tel: 01273 664722
) SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE
CRI / Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust. Open access drop-in, assessment, support, advice, info on drug & alcohol issues. Tel 01273 607575
LGB&T worker provides confidential, non-judgemental outreach service. Support for people over 18 wishing to address substance misuse. Tel 07717 774 658
) SUSSEX BEACON
24 hour nursing & medical care, day care. Tel: 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
) TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SERVICES
For more info about these free services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5.30pm. Tel:01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk
• Venue Outreach: info on HIV, sexual health, personal safety, safer drug/alcohol use, free condoms/lubricant for men who have sex with men.
• The Bushes Outreach Service @ Dukes Mound: advice, support, info on HIV, sexual health, personal safety. Free condoms, lube, tea/coffee from Outreach van parked next to ‘The Patio’ at the Bushes.
• Netreach (online Outreach in Brighton & Hove): info/advice on HIV/sexual health/local services. THT Brighton Outreach workers online @ Gaydar: Thur 7–10pm, Sat 6pm-12am, chatroom HEALTH INFO THT.
• Condom Male: discreet, confidential service posts free condoms/lube/sexual health info to men who have sex with men without access to commercial gay scene in East Sussex.
• Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV.
• Fastest (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in an hour. 10 men max tested per session. Mon: 6–8pm. (Full sexual health screen available)
• Sauna Fastest at The Brighton Sauna (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in 30 minutes. Wed: 6–8pm. (STI Testing available).
• Face2Face: confidential info & advice on sexual health & HIV for men who have sex with men. Face-2-face or phone. Up to 3 one hour appointments.
• Specialist Training: wide range of courses for groups/ individuals. Specific courses to suit needs.
• Counselling: from qualified counsellors for up to 12 sessions for people living with/affected by HIV.
• Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out field research in B&H on issues affecting men’s sexual health. Extensive training provided.
• Lounge (Group for Gay Men Living with HIV): fortnightly peer support group for gay men.
• What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men.
• HIV Support Services: info, support & practical advice for people living with/affected by HIV.
• Volunteer Support Services: 1-2-1 community support for people living with or affected by HIV.
• HIV Welfare Rights Advice: Find out about benefits or benefit changes. Advice line: Mon–Thur 1:30-2:30pm. 1-2-1 appts for advice & workshops on key benefits.
) TERRENCE HIGGINS EASTBOURNE
Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, Tel: 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk
• HIV Services support for HIV diagnosis, managing side effects, sex and relationships, understanding medication, talking to your doctor, finding healthier lifestyle. Assessment of support needs and signposting on to relevant services. Support in person, by phone or email.
• Support for people at risk of HIV confidential info and advice on sexual health and HIV for men who have sex with men. Up to 3 one hour appointments depending on need. Sessions in person or on phone.
• Web support & info on HIV, sexual health & local services via netreach and myhiv.org.uk
• Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV.
• Positively Social Informal peer support groups for people living with HIV, monthly meets in Eastbourne & Hastings.
) WARREN BROWNE UNIT
Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Shoreham based. Tel: 01273 461453
) LONDON LESBIAN & GAY SWITCHBOARD Tel: 02078 377324
) POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm Tel: 0800 1696806
) MAINLINERS Tel: 02075 825226
) NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123
) NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600
) THT AIDS TREATMENT PHONELINE Tel: 08459 470047
) THT DIRECT Tel: 0845 1221200
JAN 2014 CLASSIFIEDS
FREE LIFE COACHING SESSION to explore what you want to achieve in 2015
New job/Career? Better Health/Finances? Make a decision about a relationship/ friendship? Be more confident/positive? Or stuck in a rut and don’t know what to do?
These are just some areas I can help you with to create an action plan and see them through - unlike most New Year’s Resolutions that get put off year after year!
Contact me NOWto arrange your FREE SESSION on 07836 243391 or email: bfortt@gmail.com www.bobfortt.com
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) PUBS & BARS
1A-BAR
11–12 Marine Parade, 696691
2BAR REVENGE
7 Marine Parade, 606064
3BAR BROADWAY
10 Steine Street, 609777
4 BAR RED @ New Madeira Hotel
19-23 Marine Parade, 698331
5BEDFORD TAVERN
30 Western St, 739495
6BULLDOG TAVERN
31 St James’ St, 696996 7
The Drive, Hove, 731055 31
HOTEL 12 Upper Rock Gdns, 692677
32 GRANVILLE HOTEL 124 Kings Rd, 326302
33 GULLIVERS HOTEL 12a New Steine, 695415 34 HUDSONS 22 Devonshire Place, 683642 12 IRON DUKE 3 Waterloo St, 734806
13 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462
35 NEW STEINE HOTEL 10/11 New Steine, 681546
36 QUEENS HOTEL 1/3 Kings Rd, 321222
37 INFINITY FOODS SHOP 25 North Road, 603563
38 MANZONE BARBERS 2 Pool Valley, 719273
39 PROWLER 112 St James’ St, 683680
40 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 130 St James’ St, 682992
41 SUSSEX BEACON Home Store 72-73 London Rd, 680264
42 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemptown) 118 St James’ St, 692424 43 JUSTIN LLOYD (Brunswick) 111 Western Rd, Hove, 692424
50 MINDOUT Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 234839 www.mindout.org.uk
50 SWITCHBOARD Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 204050 (5–11pm)
Montpelier Street, Brighton £ 679,500
Grade II listed three bedroom Victorian house in Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Area.
Wyndham Street, Brighton £ 569,950
This stunning Grade II listed Regency four bedroom house is situated just off Marine Parade.
£ 300,000
Wincombe Road, Brighton £ 649,500
Well presented three/four bedroom semi-detached house on a quiet road adjacent to Dyke Road.
Cliff Road, Brighton £ 525,000
Newly constructed three bedroom end of terrace house in Roedean, near the Marina and seafront.
New Church Road, Hove £ 195,500
One bedroom ground floor apartment moments from the seafront and Hove railway station.
Montpelier Place, Brighton £ 850,000
A beautifully presented and impressive three/ four bedroom Victorian house set over four floors within the prestigious Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Area moments from trendy Seven Dials and North Laine and within walking distance of Brighton Train Station and the seafront.
On the ground floor of this unique property is a bright and welcoming sitting room opening onto a south facing rear study. On the lower ground floor is a substantial and inviting kitchen/breakfast room, additional reception room, utility room, cloakroom and boiler room.
The first floor is made up of a spacious master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling sash
windows and balcony; and a stylish family bathroom.
The property has been immaculately refurbished and boasts many original period features. The second floor has a further two double bedrooms, one with rooftop and sea views, and shower room.
bay
Dyke Road, Brighton £ 480,000
First floor luxury two bedroom apartment, balcony and en-suite shower room, with secure parking.
Preston Park Ave, Brighton £ 440,000
Stunning two bedroom contemporary apartment in Preston Mansions, with balcony and secure parking.
Other benefits include two off street parking spaces to the front and a pretty rear south facing courtyard garden.
Grand Parade, Brighton
Two bedroom balcony apartment near all central Brighton's landmarks, amenities and seafront.
