James Ledward, Graham Robson, Gary Hart, Ray A-J SPORTS EDITOR Paul Gustafson
COVER
MODEL Sugar Swan
PHOTOGRAPHER Kenny McCracken
STYLING Hair: Daniel Leo Stanley @ Simon Webster Hair, Make Up: Xoë Kingsley
CONTRIBUTORS
Simon Adams, Ray A-J, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Brian Butler, Suchi Chatterjee, Richard Jeneway, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel Hall, Lee Henriques, Adam Mallaby, Enzo
Marra, Eric Page, Simon RobinsonStynes, Del Sharp, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Michael Steinhage, Sugar Swan, Glen Stevens, Duncan Stewart, Craig Storrie, Violet Valentine (Zoe Anslow-Gwilliam), Mike Wall, Netty Wendt, Roger Wheeler, Kate Wildblood
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Graham Atack, Jack Lynn, Creag Aaro, James Ledward, Peter McEachern
All work appearing in Gscene Ltd is copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated on the page concerned No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or other retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers
The appearance of any person or any organisation in Gscene is not to be construed as an implication of the sexual orientation or political persuasion of such persons or organisations
FEATURES 20 PRANCING ELITES
US dance troupe to lead the Brighton Pride Community Parade 22 FOOD
ADDICTION
Bunmi Aboaba looks at the link between mental health and food addiction 24 TRANS
PRIDE 2019
Trans Pride Brighton programme of events 26
TRANS GROUPS ON THE MARCH
Grace Cummings looks at services provided for the TNBI communities locally
27 GENDER FREE WORLD
Eric Page chats to Lisa Honan of Gender Free World Clothing
28 GRESHAM BLAKE
Brighton’s bespoke tailor celebrate 20 years, by Sugar Swan 30
BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND
Fur fest highlights with those naughty bears and cubs at BBW
34 WHAT LIES BENEATH
Karol Michalec chats to Craig Hanlon-Smith about Marcin Zarowny’s death
55 SEX ADDICTION
Eight things you need to know, by psychotherapist Christophe Sauerwein
TRAINS TO RUN ALL NIGHT DURING PRIDE 2019 CELEBRATIONS
Trains will run all night to make exit from the city for visitors smoother following this year’s Brighton & Hove Pride celebrations
) Govia Thameslink will run longer trains all day and throughout the night during Brighton & Hove Pride this year while operating a ‘rainbow themed’ queueing system to help disperse crowds quickly and safely from Preston Park Last year, following the appearance of Britney Spears on the main stage at Pride, the train company struggled to disperse the crowds from Brighton Station quickly and effectively after Sussex Police gave the order to lock the gates to Brighton station, leaving depar ting trains running empty from the station
This year, a new queuing system with rainbow signs will be in operation to help crowds disperse quickly after the appearance of Kylie Minogue at Preston Park on Saturday, August 3
Angie Doll, Passenger Services Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “ We’re really proud to play our part in making sure travellers can get to and from this year’s Pride, which promises to be another dazzling
THE BIG PRIDE SILENT DISCO BEACH CLEAN
) To help keep the city clean over the Pride weekend, Brighton & Hove Pride will sponsor the Big Pride Silent Disco Beach Clean on Sunday, August 4 The beach in Brighton is the city's crowing glory and, whilst Pride don’t manage or organise events on the beach, organisers feel we all have a responsibility to keep the city clean, not just on Pride weekend but all year round
Brighton & Hove Pride have par tnered with a number of other local community organisations to suppor t and sponsor the first ever Big Pride Silent Disco Beach Clean to be delivered by Ocean's 8 Brighton, suppor ted by Brighton Waterspor ts and the Bird & Blend Tea Co with more to be announced soon
Sign up and volunteer to be par t of this massive Sunday clean-up effor t on Brighton beach while dancing along to generations of pop hits through wireless Bluetooth headphones! Every beach cleaner will also be rewarded with a FREE pass to Love BN1 Festival on Sunday, August 4 in Preston Park which is headlined by Jessie J and Grace Jones
celebration of inclusivity This year, we’re really pleased to support the organisers and partner agencies with an enhanced queuing system which will really help get people safely away from the event towards the train station We’re providing extra services but as you would expect for such a popular event, it will be very busy, so I would ask everyone coming to the event to plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get home ”
A spokesman for Govia Thameslink, added: “ We have additional trains late into the night from Brighton which will provide capacity for 10,000 extra passengers into London af ter 10 30pm on Saturday, A ugust 3 All our London trains except one will be full-length, 12-carriage services (normally many are eight-to-10 carriages long) "
Paul Kemp, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Pride 2019, said: “Pride is an important event for our city with visitors coming in from across the UK and worldwide We are extremely heartened by the positive working partnership and support over Pride weekend and the enthusiasm from all at Govia Thameslink ”
For more info view: http://brighton-pride.org
Visit one of the two beach clean stations outside the Tempest Inn and Brighton Dolphin Project for any of the three sessions:
• Early Bird: 7-9am
• Morning Stroll: 10am-12pm
• Afternoon Dip: 1-3pm
NEW ROUTE FOR BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE COMMUNITY PARADE IN 2019
) The Brighton & Hove Pride Community Parade - Generations of Love, celebrating 50 years of campaigning with Pride, has a new route in 2019 Due to Brighton & Hove City Council car r ying out landscaping work around Old Steine and Victoria Gardens as par t of the controversial Valley Gardens Scheme, the Brighton Pride Community Parade on Saturday, August 3 has been re-routed Star ting as usual at 11am on Hove Lawns seafront by the Peace Statue, the parade will pass easterly along Kings R oad seafront tur ning lef t up West Street
As Pride celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Inn uprising that ignited the Pride movement, Pride’s Generations of Love theme will be carried through into the beach clean, with 50 years of pop hits played on your headphones from 1960s’ flower power, 1970s’ disco and 1980s’ New Romantics to the poptastic 1990s and noughties! Dressing up is encouraged!
The beach clean is free to attend, but you will need to take along a refundable cash deposit or ID card to use the Silent Disco headphones To sign up for the Beach Clean and get your free ticket to the Love BN1 Festival on Sunday, August 4 in Preston Park, view: www.brighton-pride.org/beach-clean/
The Parade will progress past the clock tower along Queens R oad towards Brighton Station, tur ning right down Nor th R oad just past Community Base At the bottom of Nor th Road, the parade will tur n lef t to re-join the old route and progess up Gloucester Place and London R oad finishing in Preston Park. Brighton & Hove Pride raises money for the Brighton R ainbow Fund who give grants to local LGBT+/HIV organisations delivering effective frontline ser vices to LGBT+people in the city The present Pride organisers have raised more than £705,000 for good causes in the city
For more infor mation about the Brighton & Hove Pride Community Parade, view: www.brighton-pride.org/pride-parade/
BRIGHTON TRANS, NON-BINARY AND INTERSEX CONFERENCE 2019 POSTPONED
) The Brighton Trans, Non-Binary & Intersex Conference, provisionally scheduled for July 18 and 19, will not go ahead this year In the past, the conference has been facilitated by Brighton University, but earlier this year it was put out to tender The successful bidders were Trans Pride Brighton & Hove, who felt the conference was a key par t of the Trans Pride season Unfor tunately, due to health and personal issues affecting some of the Trans Pride committee and trustees, the difficult decision was made to cancel the conference as organisers felt they didn’t have the capacity this year to allocate the amount of time and attention needed to deliver an international conference on this scale
A spokesperson for Trans Pride, said: “ We’ve had several health and personal issues and we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the conference We wanted to make sure that we could give it the time and attention it needs to make it a success, which given our current commitments, we can’t in good conscience do because we don’t have the capacity We hope that the conference will be able to go ahead in future years and that this valuable resource can return for 2020 "
The Trans Pride march and main event takes place on Saturday, July 20 For more information, view: transpridebrighton.org
TRANSLIFE DRESSING SERVICE AND B&B
) Labels and normality statements are thrown at the crossdressing community on an all too frequent basis by those who sadly may have limited or no understanding of the emotions or driving forces involved Translife are free of such issues and offer a warm and embracing welcome to all those who cross their threshold They provide a comprehensive Male to Female Dressing Ser vice and Bed & Breakfast located at 35 Brunswick Street in Hove for those who may be on a journey of discovery or simply wishing to embrace their feminine side
Sadly we’re not all born with the skills and knowledge needed to embrace life fully and may benefit from a guiding hand to point us in the right direction This is exactly what Translife are all about Simple make-up advice and techniques can make a world of difference to both your look and, more impor tantly, your confidence A journey of discovery doesn’t have to be fraught with danger and fear but hope and pride
To find out more about Translife visit: www translife uk or call 01273 779467 and they will be delighted to assist you
BRIGHTON-BASED OLDER PEOPLE’S PROJECT TO CLOSE DOWN
) Brighton GEMS, the social networking group for older gay men, is to close down af ter failing to elect a new committee Since 1997, Brighton GEMS has provided a safe and friendly environment for gay men over 50 to meet and make friends
At a special EGM on Friday, May 31 at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, the decision was taken to close down af ter no one came for ward to chair the organisation and fill the executive posts of secretar y and treasurer Ian Scott,
the treasurer, self nominated himself as chair to help keep the group going, but no one came for ward to fill the posts of secretar y and treasurer Gar y Pargeter, Ser vice Manager at Lunch Positive and for mer chair of the Working to Connect LGBT+ Small Groups Network, the organisation that brings small LGBT community groups to work together, attended the meeting as an advisor
The members present voted that any funds lef t in the Brighton GEMS bank account would be shared equally between Older & Out, the Brightonbased fully inclusive social group for local older LGBT+ people, and Switchboard Older People's Project
NEW INCLUSIVE MEMBERS’ GROUP FOR THE CITY
) One Planet, a new members’ association in Brighton & Hove for men and women aged over 18, inclusive of all sexualities from gay to mixed and straight people, aims to be welcoming, inclusive and community/outward looking
One Planet will be launched at the Cornerstone Community Centre, Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL at 1.30pm on Saturday, July 20 The venue is near to a bus stop, on many bus routes and close to Palmeira Square At the meeting, a committee will be elected, a constitution agreed and plans for future gatherings, including trips and
eating out oppor tunities, will be discussed.
The new association aims to offer good companionship in safe environments, including open venues and members’ homes enabling members to make new friends and contacts There is no membership fee and events are intended to be low or no cost Ever yone is welcome to attend, including unwaged, disabled and homeless people
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS RAISE OVER £1,000 FOR RAINBOW FUND
) The Brighton Fringe Festival turned out to be an exceptionally busy and exciting time for the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) After performing its own successful show, Opening Up, on the opening weekend of the Festival, BGMC was thrilled to be invited by the Ambassador of Sweden to celebrate Brighton as the city that launched ABBA’s global success The sold-out concer t took over the sumptuous Spiegeltent in the hear t of the city
Both events were extremely well received, by audience and press alike, and they proved excellent oppor tunities for the Chorus to maximise its fundraising effor t for the R ainbow Fund, raising £1,086 13 in total The ABBA concer t also helped to raise awareness, amongst an entirely new audience, of the work this unique, grant-giving charity does
Vaughan Leyshon, Chairman of BGMC, said: “ We were delighted with the incredible support and rave reviews we received for Opening Up, our Fringe show Af ter whichand in less than three weeks - we pulled out all the stops, under the energetic direction of our Chorus Director, Joe Paxton, to deliver another entertaining evening It was a tremendous honour to sing for the Swedish Ambassador and his delegation But then, how could we possibly say ‘no’ to an invitation to present an evening of ABBA songsparticularly when we knew that every penny raised will be awarded by the Rainbow Fund to local deserving LGBT+ and HIV/AIDS organisations?”
The Chorus will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall with its Pride show, In Time For Pride, on Friday 26 and Saturday, 27 July at St George’s Church, Brighton
The Rainbow Fund give grants to LGBT+/HIV groups and organisations who deliver effective frontline services to LGBT+ people across the city
SEA
SERPENTS
CYCLE 500 MILES TO RAISE FUNDS TO ATTEND NEXT BINGHAM CUP IN CANADA
) Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC will be fundraising on Sunday, July 21 at Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen to help towards the cost of playing at the 2020 Bingham Cup in Ottawa, Canada The Sea Serpents were the winners of the challenger bowl at the 2018 Bingham Cup in Amsterdam To defend their title in 2020, and hopefully finish higher than they did in 2018, they need to field a full team of local players at the tournament in 2020 which will be hosted by the Ottawa Wolves RFC
For the first of many fundraising activities planned for the Sea Serpents RFC this summer, there will be four static bikes loaned by Pure Gym on the terrace to help members cycle on the spot for 500 miles Drop by to see them (members of the team and club membership!) compete in the challenge and raise loads of money towards the cost of making the trip
Go along, learn more about the club, buy some raffle tickets, sponsor the riders and put some money in the
buckets while enjoying a pint on the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen patio
The Sea Serpents recently played in the Union Cup in Dublin, where they reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by the London-based Kings Cross Steelers
For the last two years the club have been voted Brighton's Favourite LGBT+ spor ts group by the readers of Gscene at the Golden Handbag Awards
Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents are sponsored by Bar Broadway, and are members of the Sussex RFU, the RFU and IGR - the body that encourages inclusive rugby around the world
Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC’s 500 mile static cycle ride fundraiser on Sunday, July 21 at Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen, 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL It’s a free event and it’s on all day so pop along at any time sponsor the cyclists, put money in the buckets and buy some raffle tickets Every penny helps!
LGBT+ AND HIV ORGANISATIONS
CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERING AT ‘ WORKING TO CONNECT’
SHOWCASE
) Four teen local LGBT+/HIV organisations attended the Working to Connect showcase event on Thursday, June 6 at the Friends’ Meeting House in central Brighton Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, was present, but sadly local councillors were scarce on the ground except for Cllr Phelim MacCafferty, the Convenor of the Green group on Brighton & Hove City Council, and last year's Mayor, Dee Simson, the Conservative councillor for
Woodingdean ward Finola Brophy, chair of Working to Connect, welcomed everyone to the showcase, introducing Sam Hall, chair of Clare Project, Angela Green from Trans Pride, John Moore, chair of BLAGSS, and Gary Pargeter from Lunch Positive, who all spoke of the benefits of membership of Working to Connect The evening concluded with a wonderful buffet provided by Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club, giving everyone the chance to chat and get to know each other better
Working to Connect was established in 2014 with the aim of creating a network of smaller LGBT+and HIV+ groups and charities based in Brighton & Hove The network operates primarily to encourage peer suppor t to member organisations, advocate for equality in the statutory and third sector, and provide a mechanism for distribution of public infrastructure funds Working to Connect meets four times a year to share experiences, information, resources and to suppor t capacity building
Groups interested in membership must be not-for-profit, mainly volunteer-led, provide services to the LGBT+/HIV+ communities and aspire to a formal constitution with an Equality & Inclusion policy To apply for membership, contact via www.lgbtgroups.org or by post: Working to Connect, c/o Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
Groups at the showcase, included: Accessibility Matters, BLAGSS, Brighton
Bothways, LGBT Community Safety Forum, Lunch Positive, MCC Brighton, Navigate Brighton, Older & Out Brighton, Peer Action, Rainbow Chorus, the Clare Project, Trans Pride Brighton, Trans Can Sport and Village MCC
QUEEN HONOURS TOP LIBRARIAN
) The head of Brighton & Hove’s library service has been recognised in the Queen’s Bir thday Honours list
Sally McMahon, Head of Brighton & Hove’s Libraries & Information services, has been recognised in the Queen’s Bir thday Honours list and awarded the British Empire Medal for her services to libraries
Sally, who initiated the library service's first dedicated LGBT+ book collection, almost cer tainly the first in the UK, has worked in the city’s libraries for more than 25 years Her most significant achievement has been the success of the Jubilee Librar y, which has been voted in the top six most popular of all public libraries in the country every year since it opened in 2005
Sally praised the work of her
colleagues working in libraries across the city She said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded the British Empire Medal for my contribution to libraries My love of libraries started when I was at school and throughout my career I have been passionate about them Libraries are at the heart of local communities, and support people’s learning, health and wellbeing in many different ways I‘ve always sought to deliver the best service possible, and promote the positive impact of libraries on local people ”
Among her many achievements, Sally introduced innovation and new technology to extend access to library buildings and library resources through, for instance, Libraries Extra giving most city libraries seven days a week access
Cllr Nancy Platts, the council leader, said: “Sally’s honour is well deserved and a tribute to her dedication and commitment ”
There are 14 libraries across the city from Saltdean in the east to Por tslade in the west
For more information about the Council’s Library Service, view: www brighton-hove gov uk/libraries
BBW QUIZ NIGHT RAISES £500 FOR BRIGHTON RAINBOW FUND
) The Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) quiz night at the Camelford Arms on Thursday, June 13 was the cur tain raiser to the annual BBW series of fundraising events The quiz raised a record breaking £500 for the Brighton R ainbow Fund Winners on the night were Crouching Homo Hidden Marrow!, a team of guys who met for the first time at the quiz and included DJ R ob C and Richard Denslow from
the Sea Serpents RFC along with some guys who travelled down from Dunstable for BBW They narrowly missed the £300 star prize but kindly donated the £25 second prize they won to the fundraising total on the night, all going to the Brighton Rainbow Fund
The Brighton Rainbow Fund give grants to LGBT+/HIV groups who deliver effective frontline services to LGBT+ people across the city
NEW SERVICES AVAILABLE AT
SUSSEX BEACON
The Sussex Beacon offer a range of new services to people living with HIV and their suppor ters:
POSITIVE LIVING
) Exercise and active living can improve physical and emotional health and help build resilience and confidence This programme provides a combination of exercise and learning, in an inclusive and non-competitive setting The classes are weekly, for one and half hours at the Sussex Beacon (in Bevendean Road)
Everyone who attends star ts with an assessment from a physiotherapist to ensure that the content of the class is appropriate for them and meets their needs
Feedback from people attending the course repor ts how their mood, as well as their physical wellbeing, has been lifted by the exercises, many of which they can also do at home You can apply for the course yourself or ask your GP , consultant or other health worker to make a referral For more information, view: www sussexbeacon org uk/ser vices-we-provide/positive-living-programme/
MINDFULNESS FOR CARERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
) Mindfulness courses, funded by the R ainbow Fund, are some of our most popular run at the Beacon In August they will be star ting a new course especially for carers and family members of people living with HIV These courses offer time out to consider mindful living and to look at some of the ways of thinking and reacting that we tend to fall into, that may not serve us well For more information about the course, view: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk/ser vices-weprovide/wellbeing-groups-and-mindfulness/
NEW DAYTIME SERVICES FOR EAST AND WEST SUSSEX
) The Sussex Beacon has recently been awarded funds from the National Lotter y Community Fund to extend their well used group work and case work services to people from East and West Sussex Keep watching their website for news on this development
VOLUNTEERS
) The Sussex Beacon are always looking for new volunteers and have a range of vacancies: reception, driving, working in their shops in Brighton and fundraising among them The Beacon are very proud of Team Beacon, the dedicated group of volunteers that are at the hear t of the Sussex Beacon They'd love to have you join them They are always looking for Peer Mentors, people living with HIV who are prepared to give some time to mentor someone else who needs some suppor t in their life with the virus For more information about volunteering for the Sussex Beacon, view: https://www sussexbeacon org uk/volunteer-with-us/
SEASIDE SPECIAL
) Finally, don’t forget their Seaside Special event at the Grand Hotel on Friday, July 19 Hosted by Miss Jason, Maisie Trollette, Pooh La May and Davina Sparkle, this is the must-have ticket of the summer season! Tickets available from the Sussex Beacon shop on St James’s Street, Kemptown
TOM ADAMS 22/7/1957–5/6/2019
) Tom Adams passed away in the early hours of June 5 in the Mar tlets Hospice, Hove after a long illness
Tom, a proud Scot, came to live in Brighton in 1996 after selling the successful Why Not Sauna in Amsterdam He bought the rundown Kennedy Palace Hotel on Brighton seafront, completely gutted it, and launched the Amsterdam Hotel, Bar & Sauna on to an unsuspecting Brighton public in 1999 It was an instant success
The Amsterdam brought a continental vibe to Brighton’s commercial gay scene It was loud, bold, visible and was crucial to the development of the commercial LGBT+ scene on Brighton seafront at the end of the 1990s City centre bars, such as Charles Street and Kruze followed very quickly helping earn Brighton the title of ‘Gay Capital of Europe' However, he never really settled
in Brighton and didn’t like having to deal with the commercial scene’s ‘chattering classes’
Tom was one of those rare people who could star t an argument in a room with only himself in it and over the years he had some legendary clashes with the local authorities and difficult customers Many’s the time I’d be asked by the local radio to defend the Amsterdam and Tom who felt that Brighton Council did everything in their power to make his life running a high profile LGBT+ venue on the seafront as difficult as possible Tom loved it all, and more impor tantly loved the free publicity he got every time the BBC ran with a news story about the Amsterdam and his battles with authority The Amsterdam was pivotal to the successful emergence of the commercial gay scene in Brighton around 2000 and my memories of those times are all happy ones
Tom sold the Amsterdam and decided to travel the world, but never found anywhere that he liked to live He eventually settled back here in Brighton
Tom was decent, honest and fair, always loyal to his friends and always suppor tive behind the scenes of LGBT+ organisations when asked He was also very stubborn and would never concede his position
His husband, Tommy, and his former manager at the Amsterdam, Matthew Warren, were with him when he passed on James Ledward
£1,953.22 RAISED BY EASTER BONNET PARADE & DRAG RACE
) Danny Dwyer, the Donation Coordinator at the Brighton R ainbow Fund, presents Adam Brooks with a cer tificate of thanks for the £1,953.22 raised at this year’s Easter Bonnet Parade and Drag R aces on Easter Sunday
LUNCH POSITIVE CELEBRATE 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE WITH MAYOR
) Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club, celebrated their 10th anniversar y on Friday, June 7, with a special lunch and a visit from the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Alexandra Philips who is also the new Green MEP for the South East Lloyd R ussell-Moyle, the local MP for Brighton Kemp Town & Peacehaven, also joined in the celebration which attracted over 80 people to the weekly lunch club at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church in Kemptown
Lunch Positive was formed in 2009 to fill a much needed gap in local HIV service provision following the closure of the long-standing Open Door project Lunch Positive brings people together to find social and peer suppor t, share a healthy meal, find advice and information, and access to a wide range of other suppor t and services The HIV lunch club has been built on the involvement of its members and contributions of volunteers Volunteers have given over 50,000 hours of time since the service star ted The service remains strongly grassroots, involves and suppor ts an increasing number of people each year, and is expanding the activities provided
Gar y Pargeter, Service Manager said: "It has been an amazing ten years so far, with everything we do based upon the amazing contributions of volunteers, our members, the community, friends and supporters For all of us involved at Lunch Positive it is an immensely rewarding thing to actively be part of something that is based on values of supportiveness and caring about our community Thank you everyone who has supported us and who has helped us to deliver our work The lives of many hundreds of people have been touched by the contributions you have made "
For more information about Lunch Positive, view: www.lunchpositive.org
£323.89 RAISED BY REGENCY TAVERN CUSTOMERS FOR RAINBOW FUND
) Louis Fear, Jason Thorpe and Simon Ebers receive a cer tificate of thanks for the £323 89 that R egency Tavern customers raised on Good Friday for The Brighton R ainbow Fund
WORTHING PRIDE RECEIVE 10K BIG LOTTO GRANT
) Wor thing Pride organisers are “absolutely overwhelmed and delighted” after receiving a Big Lotto grant of £10k to help fund the towns second Pride event on Saturday, July 13, 2019
The grant was secured following the positive reaction of the local communities and businesses who embraced the towns first Pride in
cover many essential costs for this years Pride, but also ensures we have funds to cover costs for Pride 2020 ” Wor thing Pride’s chosen charity, Horsham-based HOPE Charity Project, who suppor t young and vulnerable children suffering from mental health issues, were also an integral par t of the Lotto grants’ decision to award the event
2018 which helped change perceptions of the seaside town
Josie Kelly, founder of Wor thing Pride, said that the self-funded event relies on the generosity of suppor ters and sponsors to cover essential setup, build and services costs as income from ticket sales is not released till one week after the event
She added: “with this amazing funding generosity from Big Lotto, not only has this given Worthing Pride a lifeline to
Claire Sparrow, founder of HOPE charity, said: “This is an incredible award for Worthing Pride, thanks to their generosity, this also means that more proceeds from the event can be donated to the charity, and will ensure that more local children, and their families receive the care and support they urgently need now Thank you Big Lotto, we are so grateful ”
For more information about Wor thing Pride, and to buy tickets online, view: www.wor thingpride.co.uk or check out their Facebook page
BL AGSS SOCIAL
) It was dancing room only at BLAGSS’ Summer Social at the Queens Hotel on Saturday, June 8 with members and friends dancing all night to the fabulous Dusty Springfield tribute act Tina Oberman and DJ Louise from Loutina playing retro disco classics and iconic tunes from the 1960s to the 1990s, with some Motown classics thrown into the mix BLAGSS (Brighton Lesbian & Gay Spor ts Society) is an LGBT+ spor ts group that has around 450 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members from across Brighton & Hove, Sussex and beyond Members come in all different shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, and par ticipate in spor ts as varied as badminton, tennis, squash, golf, table tennis, running, ten pin bowling, football, dancing, cycling and many, many more
There's also a fantastic social side to BLAGSS with over 700 spor ting and social meetings every year Have fun playing spor t and then a good old chat about it in the pub afterwards BLAGSS is a great way to meet people, keep fit, and have fun You can try BLAGSS for free! You can go along to your spor t of choice with a FREE one-day membership (cour t fees may apply), try it out and see if you enjoy the experience Just go to the relevant spor t page on www.blagss.org and message the organiser After you’ve tried a BLAGSS spor t for free you must join in order to continue - membership is just £15 per year
To join BLAGSS, view: www blagss org/join/
PRANCING ELITES
American dance troupe fights prejudice and discrimination to lead the Brighton Pride Community Parade.
) Prancing Elites are a seven-piece black male dance troupe based between Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. During 2015 and 2016, the group appeared in the reality TV show The Prancing Elites Project, which was broadcast on All 4 After Pride shared their social posts last year showing the prejudice and discrimination they received from some of the community in Alabama, and the hugely supportive response they received from the global Pride family, Brighton Pride organisers invited them to Brighton to appear on the main stage of Pride in the Park for their first ever UK performance to strut their stuff and lead the Brighton Pride Community Parade.
The troupe's members include: Adrian, a classically trained dancer who turned down an invitation to join the famed Alvin Alley Dance Theater; captain Kentrell, who is devoted to the group's growth; former football player Kareem, who wants to be a role model to others; Jerel, who believes the Elites have a deeper message to share than just dance; and Tim, who is often at the centre of any drama.
We caught up with the group ’ s founder Kentrell Collins to talk about how they deal with the haters, Beyonce’s legendary Coachella performance, and how he got on during his time in the army
How did the Prancing Elites come to be?
“Back in high school, I always wanted to dance as part of the dance team but males weren’t allowed to audition, yet we were often the ones teaching the girls behind the scenes I was in the band and my senior year was very much something I was tired of So I decided to rebel and start the group I just felt why can’t we do it? Why can’t we be ourselves? Just because the school system says so?”
What was the response like?
“Back then, in 2004, people didn’t respond well at all We got a lot of looks and called a lot of names; it wasn’t something anyone was
too fond of. We used to dance at football games and there were times when the police escorted us out of the stadium ”
Do you still get bad responses?
“Yeah, I can give you an example of a parade. We were just dancing and marching and we got to a particular area and someone in the crowd threw a beer keg and we didn’t know what was happening until we looked up and we ’ re all wet with beer That was a moment for me when we had to sit back and think ‘did we do something wrong?’ It was embarrassing but it kept us going ”
How do you deal with negative reactions?
“There’s never really honestly an easy way to deal with them besides just dealing with it, you know? We’ve never got to the point where we just gave up When people do things like that it just motivates us to keep going ”
Do you get a different response depending on where you perform?
“When we go to California, we get major love In New York, it’s major love In Atlanta the response is a bit iffy. In New Orleans it’s a little better. I’ve learned that different parts of the world are more open to things compared to how it is down south where we ’ re all from. We’ve performed in Canada. That experience was something else. It was very friendly. The police even had rainbow flags on their cars. ”
How did the TV show come about?
“We were all just doing what we normally do and a video that we posted on social media went viral on Facebook – back when viral wasn’t even a thing. You really had to be doing something in order for a video to go viral We posted it to Youtube and Shaquille O’Neal tweeted it and him being this big masculine basketball player, everyone retweeted it Shortly after, we had tons of emails and phone calls from production companies After speaking with a few different companies, we narrowed it down and ended up being on [US network] Oxygen."
What was your response when Shaquille O’Neal tweeted the video?
“It felt unbelievable We still haven’t met him yet But it just feels unreal The question I’ve always wanted to ask is ‘how did you find us?”
How did the TV show change your life?
“The notoriety is still there I can still go to a Walmart and fans want to take my picture I can go to a nightclub and people will recognise me. The success of the show also allowed me to create a non-profit organisation called HCBU Dance Affair, which I’ve taken to six different cities and put on dance shows. I believe all kids should be able to see dance shows and know they can take part if they want to.”
Are there many other all-male dance groups?
“I’ve seen plenty of people trying to do what we do and create their own team – but it’s nothing like the original, if that makes sense. ”
How often do you practice?
“Usually when people ask us to perform. It’s probably once or twice a month we get to practice now. It’s difficult for us to rehearse like we want to because three of us live in a different state so we travel back and forth every weekend or every other weekend They live three hours away but with our passion for the dance we drive those three hours ”
Where do you get inspiration?
“I guess it all comes from within We all pretty much have our own thought process when we come to dance We all just love it and want to do it Musicians we love are also inspirations ” Beyonce…?
“Yes, Beyonce of course We’ve actually taken some of what we’ll be performing at Brighton Pride from her Coachella performance ”
Did you do the whole club thing and take inspiration from watching how people dance?
“I definitely did the whole club thing I may take inspiration from people dancing in the club but usually we ’ re the ones dancing all night ”
You spent time in the army. Did you enjoy it?
“Yes I enjoyed my time in the army as far as the training I was posted in Germany and that was cool It was just not something I wanted to do at the time (I was 17, 18) But the experience really inspired how I train for dances – everything has to be right and correct.”
Any exciting projects lined up?
“We’re in talks to work on something Our show was never cancelled. Basically what happened was the network changed format and pulled everything that wasn’t a crime show. We had the highest rated show on the network though, so watch this space. ”
MORE INFO
) The Prancing Elites will perform on Friday, August 2 at the Pride Opening Party in the Pride Pleasure Gardens; and on Saturday, August 3 they will lead the Pride Community Parade and then perform on the main stage at Pride In The Park in Preston Park.
WHAT ’S THE LINK BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND FOOD ADDICTION?
Bunmi Aboaba, a Recover y Coach specialising in food addiction, discusses the link between poor mental health and food addiction.
) As the famous saying goes: “You are what you eat” Not-so-famous is: “What you eat affects who you are on a day-to-day basis” We have a strong psychological connection with food, which can be positive and negative Some foods evoke warm memories of childhood, such as a homemade stew or a certain chocolate bar you used to buy after school, but they all come with a biochemical and physical connection, affecting our mental health.
The connection between stress and eating can, sadly, start at childhood. A study by Dr Hill at School of Psychology, University of Leeds, looked into this further (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29203444).
Dr Hill said: “It is well established that stress is linked to changes in eating behaviours. The current findings are concerning as they suggest the impact of stress on unhealthy eating may begin as early as eight or nine years old ”
Many people don’t realise the significant correlation between food and mental health... and how damaging it can be It’s essentially a vicious cycle, so it’s crucial to know why our mental health is affected by food and what we can do about it
Sugar
Using sugar as an example: sugar causes diabetes and heart diseases such as high blood pressure and hyperlipidaemia (high levels of fat in the blood that can ultimately block arteries). All of these can cause strokes, heart attacks and more It’s one of the most dangerous food substances in terms of the effect it can have on your body physically It also has a big effect on your brain and, in turn, your mental health
A recent investigation comparing sugar and cocaine consumption in rats revealed something remarkable (https://journals plos org/plosone/article?id=1 0 1371/journal pone 0000698) The rats took small amounts of cocaine until they were addicted and dependent on it They were then given a choice between carrying on with the cocaine or switching to sugar. A staggering 94% of rats opted for sugar and demonstrated a lot more interest in the sweet stuff compared to cocaine!
Physical effects
The physical long-term effects of food addiction can also lead to poor mental health Coping with diabetes, weight gain, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, reproductive problems, heart disease and gallstones will
have a detrimental effect on the person ’ s psyche and self-esteem
We can use stress eating and sugar as a benchmark for the link between food addiction and mental health As you probably know, sugar can induce a very short-term rush of dopamine, but it also means you’ll get the dreaded ‘ sugar crash’ where your body tries to bring your blood glucose back to normal by triggering more insulin This can make some of us crave even more sugar, leading to a vicious cycle of binge eating. Your adrenal gland is also working overtime and pumping out cortisol and adrenaline at an alarming rate. These are the famous ‘stress hormones’. Many of us turn to sugar to get this quick fix. As a result, ‘stress eating’ sugary foods can actually greatly increase stress.
Food addiction is a one-way ticket to setting up a vicious cycle where the person will binge again just to make themselves feel better. They do it to release the serotonin and the dopamine to get the endorphins rushing... to create that high, only to crash again and feel depleted and crushed, and round we go again
And what happens when you feel crushed? Psychologically you may feel disgust in yourself, asking “Why did I do it? I don’t feel too great” This is only a fraction of what someone who is suffering from food addiction will feel
Food addiction and mental health
Studies suggest that there is a solid link between food addiction, depression and anxiety disorders and there are higher rates of depression within the food addicted group than individuals who aren’t addicted (www.camh.ca/en/camh-news-and-stories/theemerging-link-between-food-and-mentalhealth).
Conversely, food addiction might also be the result of psychological factors. Factors included in this category are emotional or sexual abuse, being a victim or survivor of a traumatic event, having an inability to healthily cope with negative situations, chronic low self-esteem, or experiencing grief or loss. Psychological factors such as these can influence an individual to use food as a coping mechanism to relieve the painful emotions that may have resulted
Binge eating will initially lead to feelings of relaxation and comfort, which I call a “carb high”, followed by what can only be described as severe emotional distress You may find
yourself using words used such as ‘shame’, ‘disgust’, ‘guilt’ and even ‘I loathe myself ’
The effort it takes for many to keep this going is monumental, from the minute the person wakes up, the obsession and compulsion is there Food is the predominant, overriding thought of the day Not only does binge eating itself damage your mental health, it takes up a lot of mental energy to plan a binge whilst going about daily routines. Procuring food is a ritual and a military operation.
On top of all that, people may feel exhausted in the morning after a carb hangover, this all leads to poor mental health. Anxiety and stress sets in and life becomes unmanageable. The person finds it harder and harder to cope with daily life, leading them to binge even more.
Chicken or egg?
Overall, it is definitely a chicken and egg scenario Some specialists choose to treat the psychological factors first before the addictive behaviour around food and others treat the food addiction first before addressing the person's psychological issues.
I lean towards approaching the food side of things first with a support system in place so mental health issues can be addressed
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
) Dr Bunmi Aboaba is a Recovery Coach specialising in Food Addiction, helping clients to achieve a healthy relationship with food to meet long-term health goals Dr Aboaba’s work covers the full spectrum of disordered eating, including overeating, compulsive eating, emotional eating, addicted eating and other associated patterns. Dr Aboaba is also creator of the first Certified Food Addiction Certification to support nutritionists, personal trainers, dieticians and clinicians to help their clients achieve long-lasting results Dr Aboaba also runs seven-day Self-care Retreats for clients suffering from disordered eating ) www.thefoodaddictioncoach.co.uk ) www.linkedin.com/in/bunmiaboaba/ f /thefoodaddictioncoach/
)
Since Trans Pride Brighton & Hove commenced in 2013, organisers have endeavoured each year to produce a bigger and better event with more variety and choicethis year is no different! Trans Pride Brighton & Hove (TPB&H 2019) have partnered with more people this year to bring something for everyone, including favourites such as the Film Night, the Park Event and the Afterparty This year sees the return of the highly successful After-Gig, a punk night presenting some of the not-so-family-friendly bands that can't be featured on the main stage at the Park Event as well as the introduction of a brand new punk, metal, rock DJ night to cater for those with alternative music tastes.
This year ’ s focus has been on increasing what’s on offer to include several sports activities too. The programme will feature wheelchair basketball, where you get to have a go at whizzing around a basketball court with Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball; the much-loved long-running Trans Swimming Evening; and Beach Volleyball with Trans Can Sport This year sees the return of the Sports Area at the Park Event, which this year will feature demonstrations from sports people, personal trainers and fitness groups from the trans communities For the first time ever, there will also be a Trans Pride Fun Run - the very first fun run organised by and for people in the trans communities. You can choose to do 2.5km or the full 5km and because it’s a flat tarred route, the run is open to wheelchair users too. After the Fun Run, you can pop along to the annual picnic to wind down, hang out and relax TPB&H 2019 remain true to their grassroots beginnings and are committed to make sure that their main Park Event is always free and all their events remain affordable
In order to balance these priorities against the ever-growing cost of staging the event, TPB&H 2019 have had to seek funding from outside of the community The vast majority of funding this year has come from grants, with organisers being very selective and only accepting grants and sponsorships from ethical sources that have proven track records supporting the TNBI communities. They also try and consider the environmental impact as well. This year, grants have been received from Brighton & Hove City Council; Sports England, specifically to support the sports events happening throughout the week; the National Lottery Community Fund, specifically to replace the ageing infrastructure; the Co-op Community Fund; and Bupa Healthcare Disabled toilets have been sponsored by UNISON while the stage and all its surrounding infrastructure has been sponsored by Unite South East Region LGBT in memory of Rianna who was a member of Unite South East Region LGBT
TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON 2019 JULY EVENTS
TUESDAY 16
) TRANS WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL with SUSSEX BEARS
TIME: 8–9pm
WHERE: Manor Gym, Hove, BN2 5EA
TICKETS: Free
ACCESS INFO: Wheelchair accessible, sports wheelchairs will be provided
TPB&H 2019 have paired up with Sussex Bears Wheelchair Basketball to host a taster session for the communities This is part of their countdown to the Paralympics and marks 406 days to the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Sports wheelchairs will be provided, and the event is open to wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users. You’ll get instructions on how to use a sports wheelchair, do some drills and shoot hoops followed by a quick game. Spaces are limited, so to sign up send an email to sports@transpridebrighton.org
WEDNESDAY 17
) TRANS SWIMMING
TIME: 8.30–9.20pm
WHERE: St Luke’s Pool, St Luke's Terrace, Brighton BN2 9ZE
TICKETS: £4.95/£2.95 concessions
ACCESS INFO: Adapted for wheelchairs, wheelchair poolside facilities, ramp access.
TPB&H 2019 join up with Trans Swimming hosted by Freedom Leisure and Brighton & Hove City Council It's a dedicated time slot for trans people to feel comfortable
) TRANS VINYL UNDERGROUND
TIME: 8–11pm
WHERE: Dead Wax Social, 18A Bond St, Brighton, BN1 1RD TICKETS: Free
ACCESS INFO: The venue main entrance is wheelchair accessible to the lower bar area only. To enter the upper event space, speak to a volunteer or staff member.
Record Auction raising money for TPB&H 2019 with members of the Trans Pride Committee on the decks You have the length of the track to bid Winner takes home the disk
THURSDAY 18
) TRANS CAN VOLLEYBALL
TIME: 8–9pm
WHERE: To be disclosed on booking TICKETS: £6 to book by email: transcansport@gmail.com
Trans Can Sport collaborates with TPB&H 2019 to bring Trans Can Volleyball to you during Trans Pride! Organisers are excited to offer twice as many spaces at this session, which will be run by a qualified coach and supported by Trans Can Sport facilitators The emphasis is on having fun whilst learning the key skills needed to play the game The session will incorporate a warm-up, fun drills and match play
WHO CAN JOIN: All levels of skill and fitness are welcome, but you must be 18 or over Trans participants will be offered spaces first, with remaining spaces being offered to allies closer to the date. All participants will be required to register to Trans Can Sport via an online health questionnaire.
FRIDAY 19
) TRANS PRIDE FILM NIGHT with MY GENDERATION
TIME: 6–8pm
WHERE: Duke of York’s Picture House, Preston Rd, Brighton BN1 4NA
TICKETS: £7.50
ACCESS INFO: There is step-free access to the entire downstairs of the venue, via the main entrance into the foyer and the auditorium. My Genderation is an ongoing film project that celebrates trans lives and experiences. What makes My Genderation unique is that they produce films made by trans people, about trans people, for a much wider audience As trans people that are heavily involved in the fight for equality, the organisers are aware of the diversity of the trans communities, along with the challenges and inequalities that trans people face in society
) TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON GAMES NIGHT hosted by B&H LGBT GEEKS
TICKETS: Free but there will be donation buckets for TPB&H 2019 in the venue.
ACCESS INFO: Loading Brighton is wheelchair accessible, has an accessible toilet and nongendered toilets.
Members of Brighton & Hove LGBT Geeks welcome all levels of gamers and will be on hand to go through the rules of the games with you There will be a variety of games played in terms of skill level and duration, and feel free to take along any games you have been wanting to try There will also be outside seating for those who just want to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere Loading Brighton serves food and drink, including veggie and vegan options with a good range of nonalcoholic drinks available too.
ACCESS INFO: Wheelchair accessible entrance that leads to the lift to the basement venue
Gal Pals are here to make your queer dreams come true <3 <3 <3. Say bi bi bi to your queer blues, throw some glitter on and go dancing! Gal Pals is a girl-run girls’ night playing the best in female-fronted pop, hip-hop, rock, R&B and bangers! A queer dance party for LGBT+ folks and their friends. All babes, all night, take along your gal pals!
Gather at 11.30am for the protest march from the Marlborough Pub in Brighton to the park in Hove. Be surrounded by thousands of your siblings and allies to show the world that trans people are visible and proud
) TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON PARK EVENT
TIME: 1–6pm
WHERE: Brunswick Square, Hove, BN3 1EH
TICKETS: Free entry
TPB&H 2019 returns to Brunswick Square with community and food stalls, a stage featuring trans bands, musicians and spoken word artists as well as a Sports in the Park programme:
• 1.15pm Yoga
• 1.50pm European Martial Arts
• 2.40pm Circus
• 3.30pm Creating long term change and return benefits
• 4.05pm Upper Body Workout
• 4.40pm Boxing & Kickboxing Taster Session
) TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON
OFFICIAL AFTER PARTY TRAUMFRAU
TIME: Punk DIY Gig: 8–10.30pm in club; performances 11pm–3am
WHERE: Envy, Charles Street Tap and Patterns, Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TA
TICKETS: Standard ticket £8, Chaperone £0, Pay it Forward: donation, Free ticket: people can claim a free ticket, no questions asked Traumfrau hosts the official TPB&H 2019 afterparty extravaganza at the DIY Punk Gig (8–10pm), followed by clubbing, dancing, live art, live performances, a community-led arts project and installation. The night spans three venues and will be epic! Performances at Charles Street Tap (from 9pm): Creature Cramps, Noe Warren, Monsur Mansoor, Lucille Power & Emma Frankland, plus DJs S/HE and El Tuma; live music at Envy (from 7.30pm): the ED Fowler Band, the JARs and Byenary, plus tunes from DJs Katie Conkie and Clara Barker Buy tickets from DICE
SUNDAY 21
) FUN RUN
TIME: Registration 8.30am, run starts 9.30am
WHERE: Near the Lawns Café on Hove Lawns, Hove, BN3 2FR
TICKETS: £8/£3 conc, limited number of £0 concs from sports@transpridebrighton.org
TPB&H 2019 is hosting its first ever fun run. You don’t have to run, you can walk it if you prefer The route is flat and asphalt, so it’s fully accessible for people in wheelchairs The course can be run either as 2½km or 5km The fun run is open to all trans, nonbinary, intersex people, friends, family and allies
ACCESS INFO: Wheelchair accessible, with accessible and non-gendered toilets
Wind down from a full-on week of activities on the beachfront at Loading Brighton, which serves food and drink, including veggie and vegan options with a good range of non-alcoholic drinks. There is outside seating and you ’ re within throwing distance of the sea for those who want to brave the pebble beach.
MORE INFORMATION
) www.transpridebrighton.org f Trans Pride Brighton t @TPrideBrighton
PARIS LEES APPOINTED NEW UK AMBA SSADOR FOR PANTENE
) Paris Lees, ‘Britain’s leading trans activist’, has been appointed by Procter & Gamble as its new UK Ambassador for Pantene At Fortune’s Most Powerful Women International Summit in London last month, Alexandra Keith, CEO of P&G Beauty, bestowed the accolade on the multi-award winning writer, campaigner and broadcaster. Paris has been described as ‘The voice of a generation’ by i-D magazine, ‘Britain’s leading trans activist’ by The Evening Standard, and one of Britain’s ‘New suffragettes’ by British Vogue, where she is now a regular columnist.
Alexandra Keith said: “We’re really trying to bring back the mission and purpose of our brands, so for Pantene, which is all about giving women healthy, beautiful hair, we did a study with Yale University. Following studies with 8,000 women, in 11 countries, we found that across the world, hair is more important than almost anything else to the way a woman expresses herself. So our new platform is about the transformative power of hair. Here in the UK, I’m really proud to announce our partnership with Paris to help bring to life Paris’ story and journey, and the role that her hair has played ”
The Fortune Most Powerful Women International Summit is an opportunity to connect with female change makers in the UK, Europe, and beyond to exchange ideas and forge new alliances. The theme of the 2019 programme was Leading Together. Paris added: “When I first transitioned as a teenager, I was messed about by the NHS like many trans people are I wasn’t actually getting the support that I needed, and I didn’t have any medical interventions or hormones at that point [So] the way that I was communicating to the world that I was female… was through my hair, make up and clothes. These things don’t make us women, but it was just such a powerful way for me to express myself. There is such an emotional element to hair It’s such a powerful expression of femininity For me, my hair is my crowning glory because it grew out of my head – it’s me, it’s indivisible from me
"When I was growing up the only time I saw trans people in the media was when we were presented as objects of pity, ridicule or disgust. We were never celebrated and there was a caricature of ‘too much make up, fake hair, fake boobs’ – this idea that you were artificial. I never thought that trans people would be celebrated – I thought that we could maybe reduce the stigma, but I didn’t realise we would be winning awards and appearing on the front of magazines What a great message for kids that when they are turning on the TV or looking online, brands are celebrating [people like me] ”
TRANS GROUPS ON THE MARCH
With Trans Pride upon us, we’re showcasing the personal and organisational work and developments in a safe inclusive space, provided for our trans, non-binar y, intersex and gender-variant (TNBI) community. By Grace Cummings
) Although we ’ re far from an accurate and intersectional representation of our wonderfully diverse TNBI community citywide, there are acorns of growth. Where safe, growth we need to make visible to the wider public and to celebrate - beyond the season and throughout the year. For many of us, survival is our first step of activism in existence. A traumatic and exhausting, personal, daily struggle; with further marginalised groups in our community including BAME/TPOC, those with disabilities and/or neurodiverse, sex-workers and survivors of violence, even more so Yet celebration and engagement with TNBI communities are absolutely crucial in ensuring and enabling progress
Even more so recently, the vast majority of the coverage that we see of our community is grossly negative Following a significant boom in awareness surrounding gender-identity and NHS referrals, sensationalist media coverage, attacks by anti-trans groups, experiences of transphobia and hate incidents are sky-high. These awful experiences have always been prevalent but now, it’s arguably at its worst. The current attack is explicit in its visibility.
In the same week that model and TNBI activist Munroe Bergof got booted from the NSPCC’s role models campaign after being targeted by anti-trans groups, Captain Hannah Graf, TNBI campaigner and advocate for Mermaids, received an MBE at Buckingham Palace, and became the highest-ranking TNBI Officer in the British Army Earlier this year, following another anti-trans attack, reconsideration of National Lottery Funding to TNBI charity for young people, Mermaids, versus the tens of thousands raised in retaliation What did we see more coverage of?
With the ongoing support from funders such as the Rainbow Fund, Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC), online donors and those who contribute to our fundraising, many TNBI projects in our area continue to grow, to develop and diversify our engagement and support of the community. Beyond this, we have the continued support and guidance from our collective peers at Brighton & Hove Community Works, Working to Connect and the LGBT Consortium.
THE CL ARE PROJECT
Brighton is nationally recognised as home to the UK’s longest standing, most regular TNBI support service, the Clare Project Founded in 1990, the charity facilitates a drop-in every
Tuesday; a recently founded monthly workshop and discussion group called TNB and various other socialising activities including meals out, volunteering opportunities and activities. Having seen thousands of TNBI people from all walks of life come through their doors, the Tuesday drop-in has proved to be a lifeline for many, offering regular opportunities to socialise, laugh, cry, and be part of what so many of us rely on – a community
Supported by the Rainbow Fund and BHCC, the Clare Project has undergone a significant developmental shift, which continues to enable sustainable growth and support for years to come In recent months we ’ ve seen the opening and launch of TNB, successful recruitment of new trustees, new resources and information for service users, alongside research and engagement with local organisations and communities. It’s early days, but we ’ re going in the right direction, while continuing to see our TNBI engagement increase and diversify throughout our services.
SWITCHBOARD
Opportunities in partnership between the Clare Project and LGBT+ organisations have also arisen, including Switchboard’ s Trans Engagement role in relation to Health & Inclusion work, which provides huge insight into TNBI experiences of healthcare in our area. Further to this, the Clare Project has recently become named-partner in a BHCC-funded Working Smarter initiative. Chris Brown, Project Lead, says: "We're excited for the project that will bring together Switchboard, the Clare Project, Allsorts and MindOut to streamline pathways to our training offers and inclusion awards We will be holding a couple of Training for Trainers courses to develop a pool of trainers that we can all use, and will have a particular focus on recruiting, working with and supporting TNBI workers "
Alongside this, TNBI affirmative projects and services continue to grow and become Sussexwide Alongside their Trans Engagement work, Switchboard provide the social-prescribing TransLink service in partnership with Brighton & Hove Impetus, with the core focus of decreasing social isolation among our community.
Recent achievements of Switchboard also include crowdfunding over £2,300 for their Older People’s Project, and securing funding for a further three years for the Disability Project, which supports areas of our community
further under-represented. Sarah-Kye, Project Lead, highlights how the Disability Project “Endeavours to create a space where our multiple identities are accepted and celebrated,” and ensures accessibility is priority: “Hoping that in the near future, accessibility issues will no longer be an afterthought.”
ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
Despite the recent backlash concerning young people’s education, Allsorts Youth Project continues to stand on the frontline in supporting our young TNBI communities. Ryan Gingell, Project Manager, highlights their recent achievements in expansion of services: “The last two years has seen Allsorts continued to expand its services into West Sussex, now running LGBTU services in Horsham, Chichester and Worthing, reaching a wider area to meet the needs of young people in rural locations ”
TRANS PRIDE BRIGHTON & HOVE
Vitally, TNBI-led grassroots and smaller community groups continue to provide irreplaceable opportunities for empowerment and visibility of our community. Last year, Trans Pride Brighton & Hove saw its biggest turnout yet, welcoming thousands to their march and park event. As it prepares itself for another busy season for its seventh year, their week-long event programme now includes a diverse range of activities including sports, gaming nights, Trans Pride Season at the Marlborough Theatre, while continuing to host its social group Trans Pride Brighton Friends
NAVIGATE AND TRANS CAN SPORT
Navigate, Brighton’s trans-masculine and nonbinary group, is re-launching its monthly support groups, and Trans Can Sport continues to go from strength-to-strength providing subsidised activities for our community.
Although Pride season comes once a year, our TNBI organisations, frontline services and community groups are here year-round. Our fight for equality isn’t part-time. Our existence isn’t part-time. Our desperate need for positive representation, support from our allies and empowerment from privileged groups, isn’t part-time All our groups rely on volunteers, donations and ongoing support from allied communities Allyship and support can commit itself in a variety of ways Our challenges, achievements and developments happen behind the scenes. Please recognise our ongoing struggles and our accomplishments with us; and ensure we ’ re recognised, visible, empowered, and celebrated beyond one season a year.
MORE INFO
) For info on all of the organisations mentioned, visit the Rainbow Hub website: www.therainbowhubbrighton.com ) Or email: tcpbrighton@gmail.com
GENDER FREE WORLD
Eric Page catches up with Lisa Honan, founder and director of Gender Free World Clothing, established in 2015, now an international brand based in the city.
) From clothing to gifts, toys and toiletries, we ’ re forced to define a gender before making purchases Gender Free World aim to bring quality, comfort and choice to their customers with no added gendered nonsense
What has gender got to do with pants?
”Haha! Wow that’s a corker of an opening question Gender has nothing to do with pants we can all like different styles of underwear: lacy, boxer, tighty whities, and that has nothing to do with gender but style preferences.”
What else do you sell?
”We began with shirts in 2016 as that’s my personal passion. I always bought men ’ s shirts and adapted them to fit my shape as I couldn’t see stuff I liked in the women ’ s aisles. The unisex boxer was launched in November 2018. We also have a new range of slogan T-shirts made from 100% recycled material: 40% organic cotton/60% polyester from plastic bottles.”
Was it easy to find garment makers?
“We decided that we’d work with British shirt manufactures so we could keep an eye on the production process. My business partner, Nel, researched patterns and bodies to develop our initial body shapes When we launched we had three different shapes and seven sizes per shape, making 21 variants Most shirts come in seven sizes so finding someone who was happy to do a relatively small run with lots of variants at a cost which wasn’t too prohibitive was a challenge A factory in Tottenham worked with us to produce our first runs. The underwear is made in a factory in Manchester, by the same company who makes Mary Portas' Kinky Knickers range. ”
Your marketing is very polished, who do you see as your customers?
“Thanks, we ’ re keen to have models from within our local communities, as LGBT+ is under represented in all advertising. People
want to see people who look like them, not tall skinny models How can you tell how the shirts or boxers will fit if you can’t see it on a similar body to yours?
“Our customers are majority LGBT+ but not exclusively If you like a fun, well-fitting shirt we ’ ve got you covered If you ’ re forced to shop in the women ’ s section on the high street because of the shape of your body it can be a very dispiriting process. Women’s shirts can be overly fitted, have the odd lacy frill, or strange collars and often in muted or dull fabrics… nothing wrong with that if you like that style, but what if you want a more classic cut with bold and bright patterns?”
You’ve an international brand but are based in Hove, what attracts you to Sussex?
‘My business partner and I both live around the corner so we can walk to work – nice We love Brighton & Hove and its diversity, so no need to go anywhere else Seriously though, when you ’ re selling online it doesn’t matter where you ’ re based, 30% of our customers are from the USA ”
You have a very clear commitment to quality, durability and honest locally produced products, why is this important?
“I don’t want to get on a soap box but fashion is a very polluting industry and fast fashion is horrific Why do people buy anything only to be worn a couple of times? New Look and
Primark have a lot to answer for especially with regard to pricing and influencing consumers ’ expectations of what to pay How can they afford to sell a shirt for £14? How much did the fabric cost? How much were the workers being paid? We produce shirts in limited edition runs, which provides customers with a unique product but also eliminates much left-over waste in the production process. Parliament (with the help of Extinction Rebellion) has declared a climate emergency and we all have to do what we can. We have big ambitions and yes, why not the next gender free Johnnie Lewis "
Describe the design nuances in your garments.
“Of our first shirts, four were fairly traditional, checks, black and a denim look and one was wacky – a penguin print The penguin print sold more than all the others combined and we realised that people of all genders were crying out for fun shirts We’ve retained the fun element through all our subsequent ranges, so even if it’s a plain fabric it’ll have a pop of colour on the collar, cuff or stitching The clothes you choose are an expression of your style, which may or may not tie in with your gender identity. For us, gender is irrelevant, we just want to make well-fitting clothes.”
What would your grandmother say about your pants, would she wear them?
“I never saw my grandmother’s pants! But I would say that comfort was important to her so I reckon she would give them a go. ”
Is comfort more important than style?
“I’d say both are important. Something that looks good doesn’t need to be uncomfortable. If something is well designed it should be comfortable. Garments that are designed to be thrown away after a short life don’t have a lot of thought put into them (back to the point about fast fashion).”
Worst item of clothing ever given to you?
“A brown corduroy pinafore dress when I was eight. I suspect it’s the height of fashion now. ”
Who are the most interesting designers working with a post-gender world in mind?
“To be honest we don’t pay much attention to high fashion designers, we beat our own path.”
MORE INFO
) Check out the full range of GFW Clothing at: www.genderfreeworld.com or pop into their shop at: 102 Portland Road, Hove, BN3 5DN. ) @genderfreeworld
GRESHAM BL AKE
A man? A concept? A fashion designer? A business? All four, and then some...
By Sugar Swan
) Gresham Blake arrived in Brighton from Tunbridge Wells at 19 years old with a backpack, £40 cash and the shirt on his back He hid his belongings under the pier and made his way to the queer scene of the time and was embraced by the family of the Zap Club The local queers took him in, he sofa surfed his way through his formative years in Brighton and this year he is celebrating his 20th year in business Gresham Blake is one of our city’s homegrown success stories and as part of his 20th year celebrations he is releasing a coffee table book. I had the privilege to be asked to feature.
I went to meet Gresham at his Brighton shop in the Lanes and was transported into a world of high-end tailoring in a quirky shop of ready to wear fashion. The comforting smell of wool hung in the air and I was surrounded by mannequins dressed in Gresham’s now familiar style. Upstairs in the consulting rooms I sat with Gresham and his head tailor and area manager, Nathalie May, where photos of high profile clients wearing Gresham’s creations hang on the walls. Nathalie has been with
Gresham for five years and brings with her 18 years of experience in tailoring Over coffee and swatches of wool and silks we agreed upon the style of suit that I’d feel not only comfortable, but empowered in Fal Blake, co-founder and director, and experienced tailor with 17 years ’ experience, took detailed precision measurements of my body from which my suit would be made.
Over subsequent visits to the tailor shop, where we pinned, chalked, pinched, hemmed, chatted and laughed, I began to get to know the man who started as a sofa surfing club kid and now lends his name to a chain of tailors and workshops. Gresham did an art foundation course and then a fashion and business degree at Brighton Uni where he met his wife, Fal, who was studying chemistry at the time.
He opened the original Brighton shop in the Lanes, a small premises on Bond Street, which expanded over the years as neighbouring shops came onto the market. With a sentimental smile he speaks of his first high profile client, J-Kay, of Jamiroquai fame. He fondly recalls his first press
was in Latest Homes in 1999. Fast forward 20 years and it is Rag'n'Bone Man hanging on the walls.
Gresham Blake has tailor shops in London and Brighton and workshops in Leeds and Aldgate. His corporate clients include the Brighton Grand, the Savoy, the Hard Rock Hotel and Soho House. A famous part of Brighton seafront is the entrance to the Grand Hotel where its doormen are beautifully turned out in Gresham’s designs.
Corporate and high profile work for televisual appearances aside, it’s clear that the people that work for Gresham Blake, and Gresham himself, really care about their clients’ needs and expectations. Over the multiple visits I made to the Bond Street shop I saw many a happy client and tailor working together to create something special. Part of the business that is ever-evolving is the wedding business, particularly Queer Weddings. The team relish being challenged by those in love who want help creating something bespoke which has sentiment to them. Congratulations on your 20th anniversary, Gresham Here's to the next 20 Cheers!
CREDITS:
Design: Gresham Blake
Tailors: Fal Blake and Nathalie May
Creative Assistant: Stephanie Simmonds
Hair: Daniel Leo Stanley @ Simon Webster Hair
Make Up: Xoë Kingsley
Photography: Kenny McCracken
BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND 2019
) For the second year running the weather wasn’t kind to Brighton Bear Weekend organisers The heavens opened during the Garden Par ty in Dorset Gardens giving everyone a soaking However, the weather didn’t deter the ar tists who valiantly carried on performing while the crowds took cover under the trees and ate homemade burgers cooked by Lunch Positive the HIV Lunch Club
The three day festival, featured a full programme of events star ting with the annual BBW Quiz at the Camelford Arms, which got the fundraising weekend off to a great star t, raising £500 for the Brighton R ainbow Fund The rain held off for the opening par ty at the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen on the evening of Friday 14 which was mobbed, as was the Mr Brighton Bear competition later in the evening at Subline, won in style by trans bear Taylor Leigh with Thad Evans coming second and Andreas Sandfalt third
A tour of the R oyal Pavilion on the morning of Saturday 15 proved a popular prelude to the Garden Par ty in Dorset Gardens hosted by Jon B with enter tainment from Krissie Ducann, Colin Blanchflower and Zoe, Pat Clutcher, Jason Thorpe, Chris Hide, Kara van Park, Sally Vate, Dave The Bear, Lola Lasagne and Dave Lynn, who all donated their services free as did the R ainbow Chorus and Actually Gay Men’s Chorus who battled against the elements and entered into the community spirit of the afternoon Following Bear-a-oke at Bar Broadway the bears moved on to the Rialto Theatre for Beefmince who made their first appearance in Brighton Events on Sunday 16 included an LGBT walking tour of the city, roast dinners served at the Amsterdam and Camelford Arms, and cabaret sessions at the Amsterdam Bar & Kitchen, Charles Street Tap and Affinity Bar with Dave The Bear, Sally Vate and Kara Van Park The weekend was brought to a raunchy end with an Underbears par ty at Subline
BBW is organised by an enthusiastic team of volunteers, chaired by Graham Munday No-one gets paid and all effor ts go to raising money for the Brighton R ainbow Fund who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations providing effective front line services to LGBT+ people in Brighton & Hove Money raised will be distributed in the Brighton Rainbow Fund's annual grants round at a ceremony at the Old Ship Hotel in September
BBW QUIZ @CAMELFORD ARMS
BBW QUIZ @ CAMELFORD ARMS
BBW QUIZ @CAMELFORD ARMS
BBW BEEFMINCE @THE RIALTO THEATRE
BBW BEEFMINCE @THE RIALTO THEATRE
BBW BEEFMINCE @THE RIALTO THEATRE
BBW BEEFMINCE @THE RIALTO THEATRE
GARDEN PARTY
BBW GARDEN PARTY
BBW GARDEN PARTY
BBW GARDEN PARTY BBW GARDEN PARTY BBW GARDEN PARTY LUNCH
BBW GARDEN PARTY - JON
BBW MR BRIGHTON BEAR @SUBLINE
BBW MR BRIGHTON BEAR @SUBLINE
WHAT LIES BENEATH
Marcin Zarowny and Karol Michalec were living a seemingly idyllic life together in the welcoming gay friendly haven of Brighton & Hove. By Craig Hanlon-Smith
) Having escaped a lifetime of homophobia in their native Poland, Marcin and Karol had found not only love in one another, but the freedom here in the UK to live openly and freely with their relationship on show for the world to see. From their UK base during the four years of their relationship they had travelled the world together most recently returning from a trip to Thailand Their Instagram friendly looks were not merely for show, they presented daily an impenetrable ideal of togetherness not only to those around them, but also to one another
Last month, the day after his 35th birthday, Marcin left the home in Hove that he shared with Karol to go for a walk Upon discovering Marcin had left behind his keys and his phone Karol instinctively knew something was wrong and was overcome with a sense of fear as he ran out of the house turning left to run to the seafront to search for his partner, lover and best friend. Marcin had turned right and unbeknown to Karol, hung himself in nearby Hove Park. He was discovered early the next day and died later that afternoon in hospital as Karol stroked his hand for the last time
Since Marcin’s death Karol has been piecing together segments of the past few weeks which didn’t hold such weighted significance until now “I wish I had seen the signs more clearly Marcin would say ‘will you look after yourself when I’m gone?’, which I used to brush off and say ‘what are you talking about?’, but now I see that he was thinking about this [suicide] all along”
Marcin’s former partner, with whom he owned a house in Poland, died in May of this year from alcohol related health complications He had racked up considerable debt on the property having re-mortgaged without anyone ’ s knowledge and Marcin had found both news of his friend’s death and the property debt devastating
“Marcin did appear to be spiralling out of control these past few weeks, drinking a lot and saying things which didn’t appear to make any sense ” Marcin was given up by his birth mother at eight months old and Karol says that he always felt he didn’t have a home. “When his friend died and the house was lost, I guess it was too much for him to lose everything, especially never having a family home in the first place.”
Karol and Marcin both experienced extreme homophobia in their country of birth, punched in the face in the street for having an eyebrow piercing and Karol’s father threatened to kill himself when he found a photograph of his son kissing a man
Before meeting Karol, Marcin would travel across Europe to meet gay men as he didn’t want to meet them in Poland “In Poland we would never be able to walk around holding hands or be openly gay Over the past few years of living in Britain it was my saving grace to have a Polish boyfriend and now that rock is gone ”
Karol also speaks about the impact of the Brexit debate upon Marcin “Marcin had a strong Polish accent and his English wasn’t as confident as mine He has been threatened many times which he found terrifying This is not the Britain it was when I arrived here 14 years ago and yet we can’t go back People say we ’ ve come here to take their jobs but I’m an artist, just whose jobs am I taking by making art?”
Karol goes on to describe the current situation in Poland for LGBT+ communities: “There is now an ultra conservative government in Poland, people have been arrested at 6am in their houses for posting a photograph of the Virgin Mary with rainbow colours around her. It’s not safe.”
Following Marcin’s death, Karol has been surrounded by friends who have cared for and supported him. He is accessing local mental health support through MindOut, the LGBT+ Mental Health Service, to help him manage his own feelings during his time of grief, support he had previously sought some years ago when he too found himself in crisis However, he fears this may not be enough: “I may leave Brighton for a time as we built a life here together Marcin is going to be a constant memory for me here in every restaurant, café, every pebble on the beach We didn’t seek emergency help, had I known it was this severe I would have done something more He wasn't just my partner - he was my best friend, companion and soul mate.”
Karol’s message to the Brighton communities is clear “Please, look out for each other Seek help Talk to each other In the modern day of rage politics, building walls and creating enemies, only through sticking together and looking after one another will we make sense of the world around us. ”
MORE INFO
) Karol has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for Marcin’s funeral and to cover the cost of sending his ashes back to his family in Poland If you would like to make a donation, view: gofundme.com/for-karol
AFFINITY BAR
l 129 St James’s St, BN2 1TH, Tel 01273 567935 www affinitygaybar com
f Affinity Bar Brighton Text Aler ts: text ‘Affinity’ to 88802
l OPEN daily from 12pm–12am
l DRINK PROMOS Thirsty Thursday: £3 50 drinks including Fosters, double house gin/vodka/rum and house wine
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday CAMP CABARET at 6pm: Pat Clutcher (6, 13 & 27) and Miss Jason (20) Stick around for KARAOKE with Pat Clutcher from 7pm! Miss Jason (20) has been enter taining audiences up and down the country and abroad for many years with his hysterical mixed cabaret show! Expect quick wit, and camp ditties to get you chuckling Affinity Bar say: “The legendary Miss Jason is back at Affinity Bar Get down early so you don't miss out on the amazing talent that is Miss Jason Comedy, innuendo, laughs and much more is guaranteed Make Affinity Bar your Saturday entertainment venue!”
l REGUL ARS Mon & Wed: KARAOKE with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) at 7pm l Thur is LYDIA L’SHOWBIES with Queen of Flea herself Lydia L’Scabies at 10pm and 11pm Affinity Bar say: “The award winning bimbo performs her greatest homages to TV, film and musical theatre! Cheap dinks and shot specials to keep you lubricated ” l Fri is WIGS & BEADS KARAOKE from 8pm Select a song, pick a wig, choose your accessories and the stage is yours! l Sunday CAMP CABARET with some of the brightest stars of the cabaret scene at 5pm: Spice (7), Dave Lynn (14), Pat Clutcher (21) and Stephanie Von Clitz (28)
Information is correct at the time of going to press Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
MONDAY 1
l AFFINITY BAR all day karaoke 12pm; karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Classics Jukebox 6pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter Curious: sing-along par ty with Patrick Cawley & Maria Gardner 11pm
l BULLDOG Monday Glitter Ball: 60s00s tunes 4pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles/board games 8 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Sarah Harris Trio 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Kara Van Park’s Musical Mondays 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live football: Women’s World Cup Semi Final 8pm
WEDNESDAY 3
l AFFINITY BAR Karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Midweek Chill 7pm
AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN
l 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, Tel: 01273 670976, www.amsterdambrighton.com
l OPEN daily from 11am–late
l FOOD Mon-Fri from 11am–8pm; Sat from 10.30am–8pm; Sunday roasts from 12 30pm till they run out, booking recommended: 01273 670976 Full tea and coffee menu available
l DRINK PROMOS Bottle of house wine £10 90, 2 cocktails £15
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Thursday (25): The Write R elease host an evening of enter tainment to raise money for HIV charity, the Mar tin Fisher Foundation, from 7 30pm Expect a raffle with brilliant prizes and enter tainment hosted by Stella Pint, including: a number of pre-bookable open mic slots, spoken word ar tists, improv, drag, comedy and more! Entry is free and donations in the collection buckets welcome
l REGUL ARS CABARET FRIDAYS with top enter tainers at 9 30pm: Spice (5), R ose Garden (12), Poppycock (19) and Kara Van Park (26) l Saturday is KARAOKE with Jason Thorpe at 9 30pm Get up and sing your hear t out, or, if you ask him nicely, Jason might just sing your favourite song for you! l Sunday enter tainment with Brighton’s best singers serenading you after lunch from 5pm: Paul Middleton (7), Jamie Watson (14), Chase Adams (21) and Gabriella Parrish (28)
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Student Sessions 8pm
l BULLDOG Green Light Cruise Night 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Mrs Moore’s Bona Bingo Bonanza: THT fundraiser 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Pink Pound 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: the Jam Session 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate Show 10pm
l SUBLINE Joystick Jockeys gaymers night 8pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live football: Women’s World Cup Semi Final 8pm
THURSDAY 4
l AFFINITY BAR Lydia L’Showbies: Lydia L’Scabies performs homages to TV, film & musical theatre 10pm & 11pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Weekend WarmUp 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Ross Cameron’s Big Quiz with prizes 8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve: camp karaoke & queens with Wonda Starr & Sam Pink 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Tres Amigos 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Brighton’s Leading Ladies cabaret: Spice 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open Mic with Jason Thorpe 9pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
FRIDAY 5
l AFFINITY BAR Wigs & Beads Karaoke 8pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Spice 9.30pm
BAR BROADWAY
l 10 Steine Street, BN2 1TE, Tel: 01273 609777, www.barbroadway.co.uk
l OPEN Mon–Thur 6pm–1am, Fri 5pm–3am, Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Mon (from 8) is New COMEDY JUKEBOX with those musical songs that make you laugh and smile from 6pm; then Charmaine Davies’ COMEDY NIGHT at 9pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY BAR BROADWAY’S 5TH
BIRTHDAY WEEKEND: Thur (25) is Bar Broadway’s BIRTHDAY QUIZ with R oss Cameron hosting and a £500 jackpot from 8 30pm l Fri (26) is LIVE MUSIC from Nikki R ed & Burgandy Williams at 9pm Bar Broadway say: “From Broadway, NYC to Broadway BTN From last year’s X-Factor, Burgandy flies in to perform with Nikki Red - two powerhouses on one stage!” l Sat (27): is LIVE MUSIC from Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus at 9pm l Sun (28) is LIVE MUSIC from Eurovision act SuRie performing Storm and songs from her latest album Dozen at 8 30pm Bar Broadway say: “Hey, Hey Broadway, do you remember the time we all sang to SuRie? A ‘Dozen’ months on and SuRie is back on the Broadway stage!”
l PRE PRIDE TALKS Mon (29) is THIS IS ME – A Trans Veteran’s Stor y, an inspiring and insightful true story from Vicky at 6 30pm l Tue (30) is THEN ALL THE WORLD – The Gilber t and Gordon Stor y at 6 30pm Gilber t Bradley and Gordon Bowsher wrote more than 600 letters to each other from the front line At the time, homosexuality in Britain was illegal These letters are a fascinating historical insight into love, war and society Bar Broadway say: “Please join us for the second of our Pre-Pride talks; a forbidden love story set to the back drop of WW2 ”
l REGUL ARS Tue is Bar Broadway’s PIANO SING-ALONG from 9pm l Wed is Tabitha Wild’s KARAOKE at 9pm l Thur is Bar Broadway’s BIG QUIZ with host R oss Cameron and prizes at 9pm l Sun: FIREPLACE SESSIONS present top acts from 8 30pm: Chris Hide (7), KICKING OFF THEIR HEELS with Tom R edgrave aka Pat Clutcher (14) and Debbie Bridge (21)
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer Sessions with DJ Cee 7pm
l BULLDOG Friday Night Live: camp karaoke & DJ Glynn-Sing 9pm; ShowTime with Domina Tryx 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l ENVY Polyglamorous club night 10pm
l FALLEN ANGEL Disco 7pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Brighton Belles: local cabaret stars & guests 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Linda Gold’s Eurovision Drag Contest 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Chris Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Big Friday Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Caba Regency: Brighton students perform 9pm
BAR 7 CRAWLEY
l 7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG, Tel: 01293 511177, www 7crawley co uk
l OPEN daily from 6pm l DRINK PROMOS Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun all night
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday (26) is CABARET from drag superstar Miss Thunderpussy, plus tunes cour tesy from DJ Patrick Cawley from 8pm, £5 entry
l REGUL ARS Fri is 7-UPSTAIRS with DJs pop/ dance/ guilty pleasures at 8pm, free b4 11pm l SUBMISSIVE SATURDAY par ty with tunes at 9pm, free b4 11pm l SUNDAY SOCIAL KARAOKE at 6pm l Tues
CREWSDAY with DJ Lewis Osborne at 7pm l Wed is MIDWEEK CHILL at 7 30pm l Thur is WEEKEND WARM-UP with DJ Lewis Osborne at 7pm
BOUTIQUE
l 2 Boyces St, West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com
l OPEN 8pm–late Wed, 7pm–late Fri, 1pm–late Sat
l DRINK PROMOS Summer Sessions on Fri: two cocktails for £10
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday: ROOF TERRACE
PARTY with DJ/live bands from 1pm, then free cocktail making in bar 2 and cool vibes and hefty beats from superstar DJ King Sol; free cocktail making (6), free shot drops on the hour till 3am (20)
l REGUL ARS Wed STUDENT SESSIONS with tunes, student prices and vibes from 8pm l Fri is PARTY TIME with DJ CEE bringing the house down with old school bangers from 8pm
l SUBLINE Steam 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 10pm
SATURDAY 6
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Pat Clutcher 6pm; karaoke with Pat Clutcher 7pm
l AMSTERDAM Karaoke with Jason Thorpe 9 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Submissive Saturday 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer roof terrace par ty: live band/DJ 1pm; Saturday Night Fever: DJ King Sol & free cocktail making 6pm
l BULLDOG Wonda Starr’s Qween of the Night: camp karaoke, prizes & tunes 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce DJ 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Spice 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Candi Rell’s
Karaoke & Cabaret Par ty 8 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE All that Jazz: Jorges
Hot Club Trio 4pm; DJ Andy the Dandy 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS QA Triple cabaret: Poppycock 6pm, Betty Swollocks 8pm, Stephanie Von Clitz 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Kara Van Park 9pm
l SUBLINE The Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 7
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Spice 5pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Paul Middleton 5pm; roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions presents: Chris Hide 8 30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BULLDOG Sunday Funday 12pm; camp karaoke 5pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash: free food/raffle 5pm; roasts/select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: host Sally Vate + Mar tha D’Ar thur 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8 30pm; roasts 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn
3 30pm; roasts 12 30–4pm
l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic: Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l ROT TINGDEAN CLUB Governer’s Ball: garden par ty for landlord Paul with Miss Jason, Jo Alexander as Dolly Par ton & Bermondsey pie & mash pop-up 12pm
l SUBLINE Guilty-Free: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
BULLDOG
l 31 St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1RF, tel 01273 696996, #BulldogBTN
l OPEN Mon from 4pm-midnight, Tue–Thur from 3pm–midnight, Fri & Sat from midday–3am, Sun from midday–midnight
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri from 4–7pm, Sun from 12–4pm; student discount all night on Mon, Green Light drink promos, including shot specials & double up on house spirits for £1, on Wed
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday is Wonda Starr ’s QWEEN OF THE NIGHT with outrageous karaoke, fab prizes and all your favourite par ty tunes/floor fillers from 9pm Bulldog Bar say: “ Wonda Starr returns to the all new Bulldog Bar for another fun filled Qween of the Night with camp karaoke and prizes to be won and the title of Qween of the Night! It's another #getinvolvedsue in the heart of Gay Brighton!”
l REGUL ARS #TRANSVOLVE TUESDAYS with Sam Pink and Wonda Starr bringing camp, karaoke and queens live from 8pm l Wed is GREEN LIGHT CRUISE NIGHT from 8pm When the lights go green and a specified ar tist plays on the screens selected drinks drop! l Thur is #TRANSVOLVE with outrageous camp karaoke, queens and the fabulous Wonda Starr and Sam Pink live from 8pm l FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with camp karaoke and par ty faves from DJ GlynnSing at 9pm; then SHOWTIME with Domina Tr yx at 11pm l SUNDAY FUNDAY: end the weekend on a high (note) with CAMP KARAOKE at 5pm l Mon GLIT TER BALL: chill out with classics from the 70s/80s/90s/00s
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live football: Women’s World Cup Final 4pm
MONDAY 8
l AFFINITY BAR all day karaoke 12pm; karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Comedy Jukebox 6pm; Charmaine Davies’ Comedy Night 9pm
l BULLDOG Monday Glitter Ball: 60s00s tunes 4pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles/board games 8 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Oli Howe Trio 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Kara Van Park’s Musical Mondays 9pm
TUESDAY 9
l AFFINITY BAR Free Jukebox 12pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Piano Singalong 9pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve Tuesday: Wonda Starr & Sam Pink bring camp, karaoke & queens 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP new food, gin & cocktail menu launch 10am
l MARINE TAVERN Curry & Quiz with Nat 7 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Scott Booth 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Lola Lasagne’s Summer Camp 9 30pm
WEDNESDAY 10
l AFFINITY BAR Karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Midweek Chill 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Student Sessions 8pm
CAMELFORD ARMS
l 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ, Tel: 01273 622386, www camelfordarms com
l OPEN daily from 12pm The Camelford is dog friendly
l FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; seniors’ lunch Wed
2–3 30pm, two courses £9 50; Sunday roasts and select menu served 12pm–till gone
l LIVE SPORT Wimbledon on the big screens in July
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (14) is the Wimbledon Men’s Final with free strawberries & cream from 12pm
l REGUL ARS Thur is the BIG CASH QUIZ with a £300 cash prize, free sarnies and great atmosphere at 9pm l Sun is the BEAR BASH with free food & raffle at 5pm
l BULLDOG Green Light Cruise Night
8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Mrs Moore’s Bona Bingo Bonanza: THT fundraiser 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Pink Pound 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Chris Coull & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate Show 10pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
THURSDAY 11
l AFFINITY BAR Lydia L’Showbies: Lydia L’Scabies performs homages to TV, film & musical theatre 10pm & 11pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Weekend WarmUp 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Quiz: Ross Cameron & prizes 8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now
That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve: camp
karaoke & queens with Wonda Starr & Sam Pink 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Miguel Ramirez & guests 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Brighton’s Leading
Ladies cabaret: Dave Lynn 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open Mic with Jason Thorpe 9pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
FRIDAY 12
l AFFINITY BAR Wigs & Beads Karaoke 8pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Rose Garden 9.30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes & guest DJ Lee Dagger of Bimbo Jones 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer Sessions with DJ
Cee 7pm
l BULLDOG Friday Night Live: camp
karaoke & DJ Glynn-Sing 9pm;
ShowTime with Domina Tryx 11pm
CHARLES STREET TAP
l 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www charles-street com
l OPEN daily from 10am, closed 7–9pm Sat (20) to prep for Trans Pride Par ty
l FOOD daily from 10am–10pm, inc: breakfasts from 10am; Tue 4 chicken wings or vegan cauliflower wings £1; homemade Sunday roasts for £9 from 12pm: hand carved roast beef/turkey, roast pork with crackling, nut roast, roast lamb shank £11
l NEW MENU Tue (9) is the launch of the new food, gin and cocktail menu Charles Street Tap say: “ We’ve got some amazing new dishes including eight new vegan dishes, some incredible new offers and introducing the all new pizza cone wrap, which has to be seen to be believed! All this plus some beautiful new long drinks!”
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Thur 5–8pm all cocktails £4 95, Mon from 5pm pints craft draught beer/cask ale £4; Thur all day: 50ml gin of the month & fever tonic £5; Fri 5–9pm bottles of Prosecco £15 all night & half price drinks; Sunday Craft Club from 5pm: any two craft cans or bottles £6
l TRANS PRIDE Sat (20): Traumfrau presents the TRANS PRIDE PARTY at Charles Street Tap and Patterns from 9pm –2 buildings, 3 venues and 1 ticket for a night-long festival of top enter tainment with performances from Creature Cramps, Noe Warren, Monsur Mansoor, Lucille Power and Emma Frankland, plus tunes from DJs S/HE and El Tuma Tickets: free/£8/£10/£12 from DICE Charles Street Tap will be closed from 7–9pm for prep, they apologise for any inconvenience
l REGUL ARS FABULOUS FRIDAYS with DJ Morgan Fabulous spinning house tunes from 9pm l Sat is FIERCE with Brighton’s best DJs and your favourite dance/ house anthems from 9pm l Sun CABARET with host Sally Vate at 7 30pm: Mar tha D’Ar thur (7), Spice (14), Drag With No Name (21) and Sandra (28) Stick around for Sally Vate’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO right after! l Mon is GAYMERS night: board games, consoles, card games and tournaments at 8.30pm l Wed is Mrs Moore’s BONA BINGO BONANZA raising money for THT from 8 30pm
ENVY CHARLES STREET TAP
l POLYGL AMOROUS Friday (5) is the POLYGLAMOROUS queer club night from 10pm, entry
£5/£7 Envy say: “The club that everyone is talking about is back! Make sure you’re early as we will go to capacity!”
l TRANSPRIDE Sat (20): Traumfrau presents the TRANS PRIDE ALTERNATIVE PARTY with live music from the E D Fowler Band, the JARs and Byenar y, plus DJs Katie Conkie and Clara Barker Doors 7 30pm, tickets
£0/£8/£10/£12 from DICE
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l FALLEN ANGEL Disco 7pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Brighton Belles: local cabaret stars & guests 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Chris Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Big Friday Cabaret: Saski 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Caba Regency: Brighton students perform 9pm
FALLEN ANGEL
l 24 Grafton Street, Kemptown BN2 1AQ Tel: 07949590001
l OPEN Tue–Fri from 3pm, Sat & Sun from 2pm Fallen Angel is dog friendly
l DRINK PROMOS daily specials, pop in for more info
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Fallen Angel is the new name of the Crown Kemptown The owners say: “ We have transformed The Crown little by little during the past two years; now we feel that it’s the right time for this rare independent pub to have a new name to fly with our ethos A little bit of heaven in Kemptown that deserves a heavenly name - Fallen Angel - a lovely and charming little pub ”
l REGUL ARS Friday DISCO with up-tempo ditties from 6pm
l SUBLINE Dir ty Tackle: spor tswear par ty 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Topsie Redfern 10pm
SATURDAY 13
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Pat Clutcher 6pm; karaoke with Pat Clutcher 7pm
l AMSTERDAM Karaoke with Jason Thorpe 9.30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Submissive Saturday 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer roof terrace party:
live band/DJ 1pm; Saturday Night Fever: DJ King Sol & free cocktail making 6pm
l BULLDOG Wonda Starr’s Qween of the Night: camp karaoke, prizes & tunes 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fierce DJ 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Candi Rell’s Karaoke & Cabaret Par ty 8 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE All That Jazz: the Monday Boys 4pm; DJ Andy the Dandy 9pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Trudi Styles & the Piano Man 9pm
G R O S V E N O R B A R
l 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com
l OPEN daily from 1pm–late
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri from 1–5pm, all pints £3 50
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday it’s CABARET with the legendary Dave Lynn sparkling up the Grosvenor stage every week from 9 30pm Drag queen of drag queens and star of stage and screen, Dave has been bringing his distinctive cabaret shows to audiences in Brighton, the UK and abroad for more years than he would care to remember! With cocktail of song and caustic wit, which hits the right spot every time, this is one superstar you don’t want to miss!
l REGUL ARS Thur is ABEL MABEL’S BINGO at 8 30pm l Sat is top-flight CABARET with stars of the cabaret scene at 9 30pm: Spice (6), Davina Sparkle (13), Miss Jason (20) and Trudi Styles & the Piano Man (27)
l SUBLINE The Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS
Wimbledon: Women’s Final 12pm
l ZONE cabaret: Chris Hide 10pm
SUNDAY 14
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 5pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Jamie Watson 5pm; roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions
pres: Tom Redgrave aka Pat Clutcher
8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BULLDOG Sunday Funday 12pm; camp karaoke 5pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Wimbledon Men’s Final with free strawberries & cream 12pm; Bear Bash: free food/raffle 5pm; roasts/select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: host Sally Vate & Spice 7 30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo; 8.30pm; roasts 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Topsie Redfern 3.30pm; roasts 12.30–4pm
l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic: Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Bastille Day
Celebrations: Lo Polidoro with band & Can Can girls 4pm; Marilyn du Sax 7 30pm; Andy the Dandy DJ 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Wimbledon: Men’s Final 12pm
MONDAY 15
l AFFINITY BAR all day karaoke 12pm;
L
E G E N D S B A R
l 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, T: 01273 624462, www legendsbrighton com
l OPEN daily from 11–5am
l FOOD Mon–Sat breakfasts & lunch served 11am–5pm; Sunday breakfasts from 11am, lunch from 12 30–4pm: choose beef, belly pork, chicken supreme or nut roast served with roast potatoes, seasonal veg, homemade Yorkshire pudding and real stock gravy Make sure you leave room for one of the moreish desser ts
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri from 12–11pm: buy one bottle of wine and get 2nd half price
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday CABARET at 3 30pm: Dave Lynn (7), Topsie R edfern (14), Davina Sparkle (21) and Lisa Q Jones (28) The creation of RuPaul's Drag Race star Charlie Hinds, Lisa Q Jones (28) is the owner of the Curl Up & Dye Hair Salon, a mother of three and an amateur theoretical physicist She's here to tell you some outrageous stories and expound upon her unique view of the world!
l REGUL ARS Friday is The Brighton Belles with legends of the Brighton stage live at 9 30pm l Saturday: PreClub DJs from 7pm Miss Jason’s MONDAY MADNESS returns from 9.30pm
karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Comedy Jukebox 6pm; Charmaine Davies’ Comedy Night 9pm
l BULLDOG Monday Glitter Ball: 60s00s tunes 4pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles/board games 8 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Sharp Nines 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Kara Van Park’s Musical Mondays 9pm
TUESDAY 16
l AFFINITY BAR Free Jukebox 12pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Piano Singalong 9pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve Tuesday: Wonda Starr & Sam Pink + camp karaoke & queens 8pm
l MARINE TAVERN Curry & Quiz with Nat 7.30pm
L E G E N D S B A S E M E N T C L U B
l 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, T: 01273 624462, www legendsbrighton com
l OPEN Mon (1), Wed–Sun 11pm
l DRINK PROMOS from £2 on Mon (1) & Fri, selected bottles and house spirit & mixer £2 50 on Wed, from £2 50 on Thur & various promos on Sun
l PARIS HOUSE live blues: John Crampton 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Lola Lasagne’s Summer Camp 9 30pm
WEDNESDAY 17
l AFFINITY BAR Karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Midweek Chill 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Student Sessions 8pm
l BULLDOG Green Light Cruise Night 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Mrs Moore’s Bona Bingo Bonanza: THT fundraiser 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Pink Pound 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Will Gardener Trio 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate Show 10pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday (12) is GLIT TER with DJ David Noakes & guest DJ, the Grammy-winning Lee Dagger of Bimbo Jones spinning dance and char t tracks, free entry From Miami to Marrakech, Hong Kong to Helsinki, Australia to Russia, South Africa to Ibiza, Lee Dagger has played the hottest clubs in the world alongside the world’s biggest names, including: Faithless, Eric Morillo, Paul Oakenfold, David Guetta, Tenaglia, Carl Cox and Bob Sinclair He’s performed at Glastonbury, headlined the 2010 Mardi Gras Harbour Festival in Sydney, Australia, sharing the bill with David Guetta, Carl Cox, Kelly Rowland and George Michael Bimbo Jones is the studio par tnership between Lee Dagger and Marc JB, one of the UK & USA’s top remix production teams with over 80 No1s on the club char t and two weeks at No1 on the UK national char t with co-production of Meck ft Leo Sayer’s Thunder In My Heart Again They’ve reworked tracks by Lady Gaga, Rihanna, The Killers, Keri Hilson, Kanye West, Britney, Usher, Tom Jones, Annie Lennox and many more!
l REGUL ARS Fri is GLIT TER with DJ David Noakes sparkling up the venue with a shimmering set l Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle spinning char t /club remixes l Sun POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller’s pick & mix of new and retro pop tunes
l Mon (1) is GLIT TER CURIOUS, a monthly queer singalong par ty with curators Patrick Cawley & Maria Gardner at 11pm, free entry, cheap drinks and fab giveaways / surprises in store l Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller melting the dancefloor with char t/house/r&b l Thur: NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL LEGENDS with DJ Claire Fuller taking you on a journey through the 70s/80/90s!
THURSDAY 18
l AFFINITY BAR Lydia L’Showbies: Lydia L’Scabies performs homages to TV, film & musical theatre 10pm & 11pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Weekend WarmUp 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Big Quiz: host Ross Cameron & prizes 8 30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve: camp karaoke & queens with Wonda Starr & Sam Pink 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback
Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Babou with Abraham de Vega 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Brighton’s Leading Ladies cabaret: Vicki Vivacious 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Open mic with Jason Thorpe 9pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
FRIDAY 19
l AFFINITY BAR Wigs & Beads Karaoke 8pm
M A R I N E T A V E R N
l 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk
l OPEN daily from 12pm
l FOOD daily from 12–9pm: Curr y & Quiz £1 on Tue from 7.30pm (quiz star ts 9pm), roasts £8 each every Sunday 12–5pm, booking advised
l DRINK PROMOS Wed from 7pm: Pink Pound night with drinks from £1
l TWO FOR THE DIARY Fri (5) is Linda Gold’s EUROVISION DRAG CONTEST from 8pm l Fri (26) is CABARET with Miss Disney from 8pm When you wish upon a star, you get Miss Disney, the colourful performer with the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious voice Miss Disney is a must see; she adds Disney sparkle to every stage!
l REGUL ARS Sun is DRAG OPEN MIC hosted by Stephanie Von Clitz at 9pm
l THROWBACK THURSDAY 1980s tunes from 8pm l Fri is JUKEBOX DISCO from 9pm l Sat is CABARET & KARAOKE with Candi R ell from 8 30pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Poppycock
9 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer Sessions with DJ Cee 7pm
l BULLDOG Friday Night Live: camp karaoke & DJ Glynn-Sing 9pm; ShowTime with Domina Tryx 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l FALLEN ANGEL Disco 7pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Brighton Belles: local cabaret stars & guests 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Chris Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Big Friday Cabaret: KY Kelly 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Caba Regency: Brighton students perform 9pm
l SUBLINE Filth full fetish par ty 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm
P A R I S H O U S E
l 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, T: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com
l OPEN daily from 12pm
l FOOD served daily from 12pm–close
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (14): BASTILLE DAY Celebrations with Lo Polidoro, a full band and Can Can girls from 4pm; Marilyn du Sax from 7 30pm; then Andy the Dandy DJ spinning tunes from 9 30pm
l REGUL ARS FREE LIVE MUSIC: l Mon JAZZ: Nils Solberg-Mick Hamer Trio at 2pm; then at 8pm: Sarah Harris Trio (1), Oli Howe Trio (8), the Sharp Nines (15), Simon Spillet & band (22) and Andy Panayi & band (29) l Tue at 8pm: Ben Fiddler Blues (2), Scott Booth (9), John Crampton (16), Smokestack (23) and Dr Mike Blue (30) l Wed at 8pm: the Jam Session (3), Chris Coull & band (10), Will Gardener Trio (17), Amuse Manouche (24) and Sara Oschlag Band (31) l Thurs WORLD MUSIC at 8pm: Tres Amigos (4), Miguel R amirez & guests (11), Babou with Abraham de Vega (18) and Son Gauranchando (25) l Fri is PARTY TIME with DJ Chris Havoxx at 9pm
l Sat is AND ALL THAT JAZZ at 4pm: Jorges Hot Club Trio (6), the Monday Boys (13), Lawrence Jones & band (20) and Gabriel Garrick & band (27); Andy the Dandy DJ at 9pm l Sun at 6pm: Sam Chara & band (7), Dave Williams & band (21) and Louis Checkley & band (28)
SATURDAY 20
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 6pm; karaoke with Pat Clutcher 7pm
l AMSTERDAM Karaoke with Jason Thorpe 9 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Submissive Saturday 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer roof terrace party: live band/DJ 1pm; Saturday Night Fever:
DJ King Sol & free cocktail making 6pm
l BULLDOG Wonda Starr’s Qween of the Night: camp karaoke, prizes & tunes 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP & PAT TERNS
Traumfrau pres Official Trans Pride Par ty: performances from Creature Cramps, Noe Warren, Monsur Mansoor, Lucille Power & Emma Frankland, DJs S/HE & El Tuma 9pm (closed to general public for prep 79pm)
l ENVY Trans Pride Alternative Par ty pres by Traumfrau with live music from the E D Fowler Band, the JARs & Byenary + DJs Katie Conkie & Clara Barker 7 30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJ 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Candi Rell’s Karaoke & Cabaret Par ty 8 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE All That Jazz: Lawrence Jones & band 4pm; DJ Andy the Dandy 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS QA Triple cabaret: Poppycock 6pm, Betty Swollocks 8pm, Dr Beverly Ballcrusher 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Pat Clutcher 9pm
l SUBLINE The Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 21
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Pat Clutcher 5pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Chase Adams 5pm; roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres Debbie Bridge 8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
Q U E E N S A R M S
l 7 George St, BN2 1RH, T: 01273 696873, www.theqabrighton.com
l OPEN Mon–Fri from 5pm, Sat & Sun from 2pm
l DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri from 5–9pm, Sat & Sun from 2–6pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday is QA TRIPLE
CABARET with Poppycock at 6pm, Betty Swollocks at 8pm and then at 10pm: Stephanie Von Clitz (6), Cherr y Liquor (13), Dr Beverly Ballcrusher (20) and Miss Jason (27) Call 999 and you may be surprised who turns up on the scene! Dr Beverley Ballcrusher (20), one of the most established drag queens in the UK, comes with a big voice to match a big attitude so hecklers beware, as this is one Doctor who doesn’t pull her punches A lover of the impromptu gag and a mistress of unplanned comedy, Bev will leave you wondering “Did she just say that?”
l REGUL ARS Pitch up for Kara Van Park’s MUSICAL MONDAYS at 9pm Kara is an all round enter tainer who s all about the bass! Bringing glitz, glamour and EUPHORIA to the QA stage l Tue is Lola Lasagne’s SUMMER CAMP warming you up for Pride at 9.30pm The QA say: “Join Ms Lasagne every Tuesday night for a camp romp through music, comedy and interpretive dance!” l Wednesday is the SALLY VATE SHOW with the Nor thern Powerhouse getting you over the hump from 10pm l Thursday is cabaret with BRIGHTON’S LEADING LADIES at 10pm: Spice (4), Dave Lynn (11), Vicki Vivacious (18) and Laura Nixon (25) l QA BIG FRIDAY CABARET at 10pm: Lola Lasagne (5), Saski (12), KY Kelly (19) and Pat Clutcher (26) l SUNDAY FUNDAY featuring Double Cabaret at 6.30pm & 10pm: Davina Sparkle (7), Fanny Burns (14), Lucinda Lashes (21) and Jade Justine (28) Buckle up and prepare to be ‘Gagged’ by the fabulous award-winning drag sensation Jade Justine (28) a one of a kind ‘Stagey Ass B*tch’! With live vocals, show stopping looks, and a quick wit that will blow you away, this promises to be one crazy rollercoaster ride!
l BULLDOG Sunday Funday 12pm; camp karaoke 5pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash: free food/raffle 5pm; roasts/select menu 12pm– till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: host Sally Vate + Drag With No Name 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8 30pm; roasts 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 3.30pm; roasts 12.30–4pm
l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic: Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Dave Williams & band 6pm
l AFFINITY BAR all day karaoke 12pm; karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Comedy Jukebox 6pm; Charmaine Davies’ Comedy Night 9pm
l BULLDOG Monday Glitter Ball: 60s00s tunes 4pm
R E G E N C Y T A V E
R N
l 32-34 Russell Sq, Brighton BN1 2EF T: 01273 325 652, www.regencytavern.co.uk
l OPEN Sun–Wed from 12–11pm, Thur from 12pm–12am, Fri & Sat from 12pm–1am
l FOOD Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 5–9pm, Sat & Sun 12–9pm; l Wed: 2 PieMinister pies £10 from 6–9pm; l Sun from 12–6pm, 2 roasts for £19.95 booking advised
l DRINK PROMOS 20% off beer and spirits Tue 6–9pm
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri is CABA-REGENCY with the best of Brighton’s student and recently graduated community from 8 30pm Regency Tavern say: “Come and be entertained by musical theatre, jazz, comedy and much more!”
l REGUL ARS Thur (4, 11 & 18) is OPEN MIC with Jason Thorpe at 9pm; (25) is the GAME SHOW BINZANZZA with Jason Thorpe and £100 top prize at 8pm l Sat has top acts at 9pm with: Kara Van Park (6), Trudi Styles & the Piano Man (13), Pat Clutcher (20) and Chris Hide (27), free entry all night
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles/board games 8 30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Simon Spillett & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Kara Van Park’s Musical Mondays 9pm
TUESDAY 23
l AFFINITY BAR Free Jukebox 12pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Piano Singalong 9pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve Tuesday: Wonda Starr & Sam Pink bring camp, karaoke & queens 8pm
l MARINE TAVERN Curry & Quiz with Nat 7 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live blues: Smokestack 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Lola Lasagne’s Summer Camp 9 30pm
WEDNESDAY 24
l AFFINITY BAR Karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Midweek Chill 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Play Your Cards Right 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Student Sessions 8pm
l BULLDOG Green Light Cruise Night 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Mrs Moore’s Bona Bingo Bonanza: THT fundraiser 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Pink Pound 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Amuse Manouche 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate Show 10pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
THURSDAY 25
l AFFINITY BAR Lydia L’Showbies: Lydia L’Scabies performs homages to TV, film & musical theatre 10pm & 11pm
l AMSTERDAM The W rite Release host evening of enter tainment for the Mar tin Fisher Foundation 7 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Weekend WarmUp 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Bar Broadway’s 5th
Bir thday Big Quiz: Ross Cameron & £500 jackpot 8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Now That’s What I Call Legends: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
R O T T I N G D E A N C L U B
l 89 High St, Rottingdean, BN2 7HE, Tel: 01273 309529 f therottingdeanclub
l FOOD served daily; ask at the bar for full menu
l MEMBERSHIP The Rottingdean Club, a members’ bar in the hear t of the village, is the perfect place to meet with friends and clients, work remotely with a coffee or mix and mingle with other like-minded members With regular enter tainment, a large sunsoaked garden with lager and cider on draught and free Wi-Fi The Rottingdean Club says: "We’re a private members’ bar where there’s always a warm welcome We offer the comforts of a traditional pub with modern standards of service and superb food!” The Rottingdean Club is a unique venue so pop in and ask at the bar for membership details or email bar@therottingdeanclub.co.uk
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (7) is the GOVERNOR’S BALL in the garden for Paul (the friendly landlord’s) bir thday with drag royalty Miss Jason plus Jo Alexander as Dolly Par ton and a Bermondsey Pie & Mash popup from 12pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve: camp
karaoke & queens with Wonda Starr & Sam Pink 8pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Throwback Thursday 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Throwback
Thursday 80s Night 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE World Music: Son Guarachando 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Brighton’s Leading Ladies cabaret: Laura Nixon 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Game Show
Binzanzza: Jason Thorpe / £100 prize 8pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
FRIDAY 26
l AFFINITY BAR Wigs & Beads Karaoke 8pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Kara Van Park
9.30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY cabaret: Miss Thunderpussy + DJ Patrick Cawley 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Bar Broadway’s 5th
Bir thday: live music from Nikki Red & Burgandy Williams 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer Sessions with DJ Cee 7pm
l BULLDOG Friday Night Live: camp
karaoke & DJ Glynn-Sing 9pm; ShowTime with Domina Tryx 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Fabulous Friday: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm
l FALLEN ANGEL Disco 6pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Brighton Belles: local cabaret stars & guests 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN cabaret: Miss Disney 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE DJ Chris Havoxx 9pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Big Friday Cabaret: Pat Clutcher 10pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Caba Regency: Brighton students perform 9pm
l SUBLINE Steam 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Stone & Street 10pm
SATURDAY 27
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Pat Clutcher 6pm; karaoke with Pat Clutcher 7pm
l AMSTERDAM Karaoke with Jason Thorpe 9 30pm
S U B L I N E
l 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, T: 01273 624100, www sublinebrighton co uk
l OPEN Sun, Wed & Thur from 9pm, 10pm Fri & Sat
l DRINK PROMO Wed: beers/wines £4, 2 cocktails £12
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday (19) is FILTH full fetish night for all genders, advance tickets recommended Filth was dreamed up by Kitten Skye (of Dungeon Bar infamy) who longed for something darker, rawer filthier! The organisers say: “ We hope to send you on a sensation overdrive every time you come to our night and be there when you fulfill your life long fantasies, sate your creative drive, evolve your sexuality and realise new desires over and over It’s the party your mother warned you about and everything you’ve been afraid to let yourself want For the newbie nymph, the confident connoisseur, the eager exhibitionist and the just as valuable voyeur there’s #FILTH ”
l REGUL ARS Wed (3) is JOYSTICK JOCKEYS gaymers night at 8pm, raucous trivia, par ty games, intense Street Fighter bouts, frenetic Bomberman tournaments, tuneful Rock Band renditions, and more, as Subline gets geeky for the night! l Wed is Hump Day, members free l Thur is BRACE YOURSELF, free l Fri turn up the heat at STEAM, £3/£5 l Fri (12) is DIRTY TACKLE spor tswear night, £3 in kit/£5 otherwise Subline say: “Dirty Tackle is back at Subline, for all sportswear enthusiasts, with DJ Screwpulous providing the sonics, and as many athletic adonises as we can muster ” l Saturday: head downstairs for MEN’S ROOM, £3/£5 entry
l Sun is GUILT FREE pleasures with top tunes, members free for or £5 l Sun (28) is CUM IN YOUR PANTS underwear only par ty, members £3 or £5
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Submissive Saturday 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Bar Broadway’s 5th Bir thday: Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus live 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Summer roof terrace par ty: live band/DJ 1pm; Saturday Night Fever: DJ King Sol & free cocktail making 6pm
V E L V E T J A C K S
l 50 Norfolk Sq, BN1 2PA, Tel: 07720 661290 tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks
Miss Jason 10pm
l OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11 30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11 30pm, Sun 1–11pm
l FOOD Indian Street Food every Thur, Fri & Sat
l DRINK PROMOS 4–7pm daily: £4 Oranjeboom, two cocktails £12
l LIVE SPORT Wimbledon shown on the big screen
l REGENCY TAVERN cabaret: Chris
Hide 9pm
l SUBLINE The Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Cosmic 10pm
SUNDAY 28
l AFFINITY BAR cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 5pm
l AMSTERDAM cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 5pm; roasts 12pm-till gone
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR BROADWAY Bar Broadway’s 5th
Bir thday: SuRie live 8.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
Vate + Sandra 7 30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8 30pm; roasts 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lisa Q Jones
3 30pm; roasts 12 30–4pm
l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-5pm; Drag Open Mic: Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Louis Checkley & band 6pm
l BULLDOG Wonda Starr’s Qween of the Night: camp karaoke, prizes & tunes 9pm
T H R E E J O L L Y B U T C H E R S
l 59 Nor th Rd, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www 3jollybutchers com
l OPEN daily from 12pm
l FOOD Check out the new TJB’s Thai food menu served Mon-Sat 1-9pm: all star ters £4.50, all mains (inc rice) £7.50, 2 courses £9.90 and lunch mains
just £5 95 (inc rice) till 4pm Loads of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options
l LIVE SPORT Live football, cricket and Wimbledon shown on the big screens in July - see listings for fixtures
l BULLDOG Sunday Funday 12pm; camp karaoke 5pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash: free food/raffle 5pm; roasts/select menu 12pm– till gone
l CHARLES ST TAP cabaret: host Sally
l AFFINITY BAR all day karaoke 12pm; karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Pre-Pride Talk: This is Me - A Trans Veteran’s Story 6.30pm
l BULLDOG Monday Glitter Ball: 60s-00s tunes 4pm
T H E Z O N E
l 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebrighton.co.uk
l OPEN 11am Sun–Thur, 10am Fri & Sat
l DRINK PROMOS every day - check at the bar for details
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday CABARET with sensational acts at 10pm: Sally Vate (6 & 20), Chris Hide (13) and Cosmic (27) Expect a raucous night of enter tainment from wisecracking cabaret ar tiste Cosmic (27), the sequinned sassy mouth from the south and musical theatre devotee who proudly flies the flag for bawdy traditional drag! Cosmic says: “I can remember watching legends like Dave Lynn and Maisie Trollette in Brighton and just loving their energy and showmanship I wanted a piece of the fabulousness! For audiences, I like anyone who likes a sing-along and a bit of camp!”
l REGUL ARS Friday with top CABARET on stage at 10pm: Stephanie Von Clitz (5), Topsie R edfern (12), Davina Sparkle (19) and Stone & Street (26)
l CHARLES ST TAP Gaymers Night: consoles/board games 8.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Nils SolbergMick Hamer Trio 2pm; Andy Panayi & band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Kara Van Park’s Musical Mondays 9pm
TUESDAY 30
l AFFINITY BAR Free Jukebox 12pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Pre-Pride Talk: Then All The World - The Gilber t and Gordon Story 6 30pm
l BULLDOG #Transvolve Tuesday: Wonda Starr & Sam Pink bring camp, karaoke & queens 8pm
l MARINE TAVERN Curry & Quiz with Nat 7.30pm
l PARIS HOUSE live blues: Dr Mike Blues 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Lola Lasagne’s Summer Camp 9 30pm
WEDNESDAY 31
l AFFINITY BAR Karaoke with Tommy Tanker (aka Pat Clutcher) 7pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Midweek Chill 7pm
l BAR BROADWAY Tabitha Wild’s Karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Student Sessions 8pm
l BULLDOG Green Light Cruise Night 8pm
l CHARLES ST TAP Mrs Moore’s Bona Bingo Bonanza: THT fundraiser 8 30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Pink Pound 7pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Sara Oschlag Band 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate Show 10pm
l SUBLINE Hump Day 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 02392 297509
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR
Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163
MONDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20Something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Mates Rates: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 2
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cherry’s Bingo & cabaret: Mary Golds 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Time Out DJs 11pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ Black Feather 11pm
WEDNESDAY 3
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night Out with Aura Jay’s karaoke 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Beauty and the Balls Bingo: host Miss Disney & prizes 8pm; Bella Black’s karaoke 10.30pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Missy B & Lee Harris 10pm
THURSDAY 4
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke & tunes 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Double Trouble Quiz: drag hosts Aura Jay & Bella Black 8pm
l EDGE Get Dir ty: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 5
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD We Love Fridays:
www theedgesouthampton com
l EDGE
Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163
www theedgesouthampton com
l LONDON HOTEL
2 Terminus Terrace, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652, www thelondon co uk
DJ Toby Lawrence 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW DJs 10pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJs & UV lights 10pm
SATURDAY 6
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Blank: DJs Missy B & Rob Davis 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 11pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Morgan Fabulous & Neil Sackley 10pm
SUNDAY 7
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 90s-Now 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Aura Jay Cabaret v Karaoke 10pm
MONDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20Something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Mates Rates: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
TUESDAY 9
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cherry’s Bingo & cabaret: Davina DaCampo 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Time Out DJs 11pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ Black Feather 11pm
WEDNESDAY 10
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night Out with Aura Jay’s karaoke 9pm
HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD PORTSMOUTH
l Hampshire Terrace, Southsea, PO1 2QN, Tel: 02392 297509
l OPEN Sun & Mon from 9pm, Tue–Sat from 7pm
l DRINK DEALS various deals on Sun, £1 50 drinks on Mon
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Win up to £500 every Tuesday at CHERRY’S BINGO with drag acts on the stage from 8pm: Mar y Golds (2), Davina DaCampo (9), Cr ystal Lubrikunt (16), Drag With No Name (23) and Davina Sparkle (30)
l REGUL ARS Thur is A NIGHT ON THE LASHES with the legendary Lucinda Lashes hosting KARAOKE and dishing out the ditties from 9pm, free entry l WE LOVE FRIDAYS with DJ Toby Lawrence spinning tunes to get you moving, entry £3 till 10pm/£5 after l Sat is BLANK with DJs R ob Davis & Missy B cranking up the par ty vibes with the latest char t remixes from 9pm l Sun is 90S–NOW, free entry l Mon is 20SOMETHING with banging tunes cour tesy of DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor, entry £5 l Wed is BIG NAVY NIGHT OUT with host Aura- Jay’s KARAOKE, free entry
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Beauty and the Balls Bingo: host Miss Disney & prizes 8pm; Bella Black’s karaoke 10 30pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Missy B & Lee Harris 10pm
THURSDAY 11
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes, karaoke & tunes 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Double Trouble Quiz: drag hosts Aura Jay & Bella Black 8pm
l EDGE Get Dir ty: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 12
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD We Love Fridays: DJ Toby Lawrence 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW DJs 10pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJs & UV lights 10pm
SATURDAY 13
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Blank: DJs Missy B & Rob Davis 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 11pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Adam Foster & KT 10pm
SUNDAY 14
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 90s-Now 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Aura Jay’s Cabaret v Karaoke 10pm
MONDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20Something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
l Compton Walk, SO14 0BH, Tel: 023 8036 6163, www theedgesouthampton com
l OPEN The Edge: daily from 10pm l The Box Bar: Tue–Sat from 7pm
l HAPPY HOURS The Box Bar: 2-4-1 cocktails 7pm–late Tue & till 8pm on Sat; The Edge: £1 50 shots & £2 house doubles on Mon, £1 50 drinks on Wed, half price drinks till midnight on Thur, £1 50 singles/£3 doubles on Sun
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday is THE BIG ONE from 10pm with 3 bars, 2 dancefloors & DJs: Morgan Fabulous & Neil Sackley (6), Adam Foster & KT (13), Phil Marriott, Darcy Buckland & Neil Sackley (20) and Claire Fuller & Trick (27) Edge say: “ We're open this evening with a whole lot of mischief to make your night one to remember! Expect all the biggest hits from your favourite artists and some of the best drink prices you can get your naughty little hands on!”
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Phil Marriott, Darcy Buckland & Neil Sackley 10pm
SUNDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 90s-Now 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Aura Jay’s Cabaret v Karaoke 10pm
MONDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20Something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Mates Rates: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm
FRIDAY 26
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD We Love Fridays: DJ Toby Lawrence 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW DJs 10pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJs & UV lights 10pm
SATURDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Blank: DJs Missy B & Rob Davis 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJ 11pm
l EDGE The Big One: DJs Claire Fuller & Trick 10pm
SUNDAY 28
l REGUL ARS Sun is CABARET v KARAOKE with drag host Aura Jay Monday is MATES RATES with DJ Darcy Buckland l Tue is TIME OUT with DJ Black Feather spinning pop & char t Edge say: “It's time to get loose and let your hair down because we're open and ready to perk up your Tuesday night! The forever- fabulous DJ BL ACK FEATHER is playing all the biggest hits all night!” l Wed is BEAUTY & THE BALLS BINGO with host Miss Disney, prizes every round from 6pm, KARAOKE after with Bella Black 10 30pm Stick around for BAR 150 with DJs Missy B, & Lee Harris from 10pm l Thur is DOUBLE TROUBLE: WHICH IS WITCH? quiz with drag host duo Aura Jay & Bella Black at 7pm Stick around for GET DIRTY with DJ Liam Searle spinning all your faves to get you dancing dir ty!
l Fri: kick-star t the weekend GLOW with top guest DJs and UV lights from 10pm
WEDNESDAY 17
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night Out with Aura Jay’s karaoke 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Beauty and the Balls Bingo: host Miss Disney & prizes 8pm; Bella Black’s karaoke 10 30pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Missy B & Lee Harris 10pm
THURSDAY 18
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes + karaoke & tunes 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Double Trouble Quiz: drag
hosts Aura Jay & Bella Black 8pm
l EDGE Get Dir ty: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
FRIDAY 19
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD We Love Fridays: DJ Toby Lawrence 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR GLOW DJs 10pm
l EDGE GLOW: DJs & UV lights 10pm
SATURDAY 20
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Blank: DJs Missy B & Rob Davis 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR The Big One: DJs 11pm
TUESDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cherry’s Bingo & cabaret: Drag With No Name 8pm SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Time Out DJs 11pm
l EDGE Time Out: DJ Black Feather 11pm
WEDNESDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night Out with Aura Jay’s karaoke 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Beauty and the Balls Bingo: host Miss Disney & prizes 8pm; Bella Black’s karaoke 10.30pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Missy B & Lee Harris 10pm
THURSDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD A Night on the Lashes: Lucinda Lashes + karaoke & tunes 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Double Trouble Quiz: drag hosts Aura Jay & Bella Black 8pm
l EDGE Get Dir ty: DJ Liam Searle 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 90s-Now 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Aura Jay’s Cabaret v Karaoke 10pm
MONDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20Something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor 9pm SOUTHAMPTON
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Big Navy Night Out with Aura Jay’s karaoke 9pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l BOX BAR Beauty and the Balls Bingo: host Miss Disney & prizes 8pm; Bella Black’s karaoke 10 30pm
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Missy B & Lee Harris 10pm
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
) Here’s some hot July jumpers to warm you up as we banish soggy June and head towards a summer of scorchers Be it the swell house of Rasmus Faber and his sweet Swedish beats thanks to his longplayer Two Left Feet on Fairplay, or the stylish house music transmission that is Anthony Naples new Fog FM on Incienso/ ANS, each signal a sound summer ahead. As do the compilations Ten Years of Little Helpers on Butane and Someone Else’s label Little Helpers with its spectrum of electronic spheres, and the masterpiece that is 15 Yrs Systematic from Marc Romboy’ s esteemed imprint, Systematic Recordings, with tracks from John Digweed, Fideles, ARTBAT and many more.
Add the epic reissue that is Acid LP on Still Music starring Chicago pioneers Mickey Oliver and his Hot Mix 5 Records, Larry Heard aka Mr Fingers, Pierre, Phortune and
Armando, or the magical once lost now thankfully found collection that is Paul Woolford aka Special Request’ s Bedroom Tapes on Houndstooth and you have summer soundtrack destined to impress
The July gems destined to captivate you this summer Be it the enchanting electronica of The Juan Maclean’ s The Brighter The Light, a compilation LP of 12” singles they’ve released over the past six years re-edited, remastered, and ready to be loved all over again, or the Girls of the Internet’ s sublime Syrup with its reassuring deftness of beat, bass and beauty, you will be spun into sound heaven this July Enjoy
) Catch Wildblood and Queenie doing their disco thing on 1BTN 1st & 3rd Fri 1-4pm 101.4FM 1btn.fm and at Zanzibar Reunion, 100% House with Cromby at Patterns and throughout Brighton Pride weekend including at the Diva Dance Tent, Pride at Patterns, B,Please! Pride at Tempest and the legendary Sunday Sundae Pride Reunion. ) wildbloodandqueenie.com
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S JUICY JULY 12”
) EDITR The Vaughan Groove (Original Mix) Ammo Recordings
A lazy loopy groove guaranteed to bring the sweat to the dancefloor
) SLEAZY MCQUEEN Ready 4 Luv Samosa Records
A spicy slice of Samosa’s Funk Purpose Vol 2 EP action brings the heat
) THE JUAN MACLEAN ZONE Non Linear (Pagliara remix) DFA
Joyful and jumping Just how we like our electrifying electronica
) ARTHUR BAKER ft Minnie Gardner Reachin' Midnight Riot
A slice of disco perfection from a talent of four-way fabulousness.
) PART TIME LOVER ft Danielle Moore Tied Crosstown Rebels Crazy P queen takes us to vocal heaven with this deep house diamond.
) DEMUJA Aaj Shanibar (Demuja Edit) Muja
One listen and life is filled with grins courtesy of Demuja’s Disco Cuts #2.
) BEN STERLING Fantasee (Jansons Remix) Hot Creations
Jackin’ brilliance demolishing our B,Please! dancefloor with every beat.
) DJ COUNSELLING One With The Sun SoSure Music
Tomorrow's World EP delivers must hear marvels for today
) INFINITY INK ft Mr V The Rush (Alternative Mr V version) Cooltempo
Nothing brings the beats like Cooltempo Feel the rush people
) RIKKY DISCO Getting High (Kim & Buran Discohigh remix) Bearfunk
One for those Pride terrace parties as rainbows fly as high as the disco
DJ PROFILE: DJ SCREWPULOUS
It’s that time of year, folks Pride is just around the corner and the evenings are deliciously warm and promising (well – most of the time anyway) Time to wiggle and perfect those moves then! And where better to do this than at Subline, to the sublime sounds of the glorious DJ Screwpulous? So, this month Queenie has a long overdue chat with Daddy Cool himself to catch up on his news and views…
How are you? I’m full of beans thanks - been concentrating on my DJing and working on new mixes and edits and having a great time doing it! Where can we catch you DJing these days? As well as out of town gigs I’m a regular face in the DJ booth at Subline on St James’s Street.
Not long until Brighton & Hove Pride… What are your plans for the big weekend? This is one of my busiest weekends of the year and it’s very unusual for me to get out from behind the decks over that weekend so I’m already planning some musical surprises and thrills for everyone Any exciting projects going on? In the autumn I’ll be dividing my time between Brighton and my old haunt Bristol, so I’m reconnecting with my DJ partner there to come up with a new club night plus some fantastic new remixes. I’m also going back into radio work too.
What music is rocking your world these days? I’m always on the lookout for the new and exciting and have been impressed by releases from people like Fisher, CamelPhat and Block & Crown I also keep going back to some of the great soul, funk and disco voices and some of the house greats like Seamus Haji, Joey Negro and their ilk.
What’s your favourite tune of all time? Haji & Emanuel’s Take Me Away stands out as one of my all-time favourites!
Most memorable gig and dream gig? Last year DJing with Lee Harris in Vauxhall was an unforgettable night. I’d still like to play to a packed Mediterranean beach as the sun goes down
Tune you wish you’d never played? Gangnam Style, I was pressured to play it at a private event and vowed never ever again, not even a remix Guilty pleasure? Boney M (I am Daddy Cool and they are at Bristol Pride this year!).
Describe yourself in three words. Hopeful Foolish Happy
DJ SCREWPULOUS’S CURRENT TOP FIVE
) DENNIS CRUZ, Morrison, Simon This Is Serious Elbow Music
) FISHER (Oz) You Little Beauty (Extended Mix) Catch & Release
) D.J.S.K.T Ballers (Original Mix) Stashed
) FISHER (Oz) Losing It Catch & Release
) MADONNA Medellin (Jasmin’s Reconstruction) Interscope
) PEOPLE ON SUNDAY (BFI blu-ray). Filmed in Weimar Germany, and made by future Hollywood luminaries including Billy Wilder, Robert Siodmak and Fred Zinnemann, this is a freewheeling, semi-improvised movie which feels way ahead of its time In terms of plot it’s basically two men and two women going for a day at the beach – though one of the men has come without his wife They flirt, they have petty arguments and in the background we see ordinary men and women going about their lives in Berlin in the lat 1920s It’s a revolutionary movie, and its influences on later European films are obvious. But above all it’s har to watch a frame without seeing the faces of the ordinary Germans who populate the film a what was to happen to them a mere decade later. It’s perhaps this which g Sunday a poignancy its makers could never have foreseen.
) New Prowler red leather range from £35 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's Street, Brighton, 01273 603813)
) Gluggle Jug with natural pouring sound effects, £31.99 (England at Home, 22b Ship Street, Brighton, 01273 205544)
) Brighton born and bred Lowe And Behold have a very gay friendly range of drag cards, Life’s A Drag, which sell well in Brighton and across the country, retailing at £2.50 (approx). Distributed by
online from Kissmekwik.co.uk and in
and
Kissmekwik, the complete range can be bought
Brighton from Creased Cards, Kerfuffle in Kemptown, Pussy Home Store
Malarkey in the Lanes
SEX ADDICTION
– 8 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
By Christophe Sauer wein, Psychotherapist and Academic Director of iCAAD
) It can seem that sex addiction is the preserve of the celebrity – something that somehow affects A-listers, not us ‘ mere mortals’. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Sex addiction can affect anyone.
Let’s start by remembering that sex is not only great, but it is also needed and healthy Some people make it a strong priority, others may experience it with difficulties, and some tend to minimise sex in their life. For most of us, in the middle of this spectrum, we enjoy it as a life and couple activity, with reasonable ups and downs.
Sadly, that’s not the case for an estimated 10-12% of the adult Western world population; they are painfully or shamefully on the diagnosable spectrum of ‘ sex addiction’ or sexual compulsive disorder. For them, sexual behaviours have entered the scary realm of ‘mental disorders’ Yes, sex addiction is a mental disorder, not just a genital impulse disorder
For the last thousands of years, starting with the ancient Greek philosophers, we have looked at sexual behaviours from religious, moral, and social grids as Michel Foucault beautifully described it in his History of Sexuality: “People will be surprised at the eagerness with which we went about pretending to rouse from its slumber a sexuality which everything - our discourses, our customs, our institutions, our regulations, our knowledges - was busy producing in the light of day and broadcasting to noisy accompaniment.”
Over the last century we have allowed science to step into the arena of the Sexual Question. And in the summer of 2018 the UN’s World Health Organisation (WHO), officially endorsed a scientific diagnosis for sex addiction.
Dr Stefanie Carnes recently commented on this breakthrough in an iCAAD blog: “For years the sexual health field has lacked a legitimate diagnosis for sexually compulsive and addictive behaviour, causing many to wonder, ‘Is sex addiction real?’ Recently, in a groundbreaking decision, WHO decided to acknowledge Compulsive Sexual Behaviour Disorder as a legitimate condition in the latest edition of its International Classification of Diseases (the ICD-11) This important move is a critical first step in de-stigmatising this
common problem. As a result, treatment and research can be advanced and more resources can be developed for our sexually addicted clients.”
Before jumping on the internet to score yourself on the available online scales and self-assessment tools, there are some important points we should all be aware of:
) 1 - For a sex addict, sex operates as a very strong stimuli to the brain - absolutely similar to a drug, creating incredible chemical ‘highs’ in the brain. It is a true dysfunction of the brain, often resulting from very sad and adverse early life experience such as sex abuse and abandonment.
) 2 - Sex addiction is not at all about sexual preferences and flavoured practices and surely not about gender preferred orientation and identity. Paula Hall highlighted it in Understanding and Treating Sex Addiction: “It is not the sexual behaviour itself that is the problem, but the relationship to the sexual behaviour Sex addiction is not a moral issue, it is a mental health issue ”
) 3 - Sex addiction is not at all about cheating: it deploys very often inside the couple when one of the partners is abusively imposing sex as a condition to the relationship, putting a strong strain on the relationship’s stability and quality, leading to frustration, sadness, arguments and break ups.
) 4 - Sex addiction is not a one-size fits all box: it regroups very different sub-scales such as hypersexuality, fantasy obsession, romantic obsession, seductive control, pornography, compulsive masturbation, exhibition and voyeurism, etc However, the withdrawal symptoms are usually common, ranging from depression to emotional distress and anger issues. Sometimes it can also lead to physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking or sickness, creating a significant craving and acting out in a similar fashion to drugs
) 5 - Sex addiction is not a ‘guy-thing’, the gender spread is stable, slightly in favour of men (these stats are somewhat biased since women talk less about it) However, males and females tend to engage in sex addiction with significantly different patterns of gender-specific preferred behaviours In broad terms, men will often objectify partners, seeking for a quick fix, whereas women are more prone to play relational and
sexual seductions and controlling games
Both can provide a ‘high’ In women this behaviour can develop into what we call a Female Sex and Love Addiction (FSLA) subcategory of sex addiction.
) 6 - Sex addiction is very often associated with, or hiding behind, substance misuse and other behavioural addictions Dr Patrick Carnes, world prominent specialist in sex addiction, stated in his paper Bargain with Chaos (2006) that 84% of sex addicts present other co-adjunct addictions (and not viceversa), masking or facilitating sex addiction.
) 7 - Sex addiction is nowadays less and less about physical sexual intercourse: The surge of internet pornography has shape-shifted the traditional expressions of sex addiction. Dr David Greenfield, a specialist in internet addiction from the Centre for Internet and Technology Addiction, speaks of “The pornification of the internet” and recently highlighted that 33% of web traffic is pornographic The combination of addictive characteristics of internet browsing and sexual stimuli hits the brain at its core with incredible ‘highs’
He also recently observed that young women are now using porn as much as young men, under 30 years old, and even more frequently The main negative consequence of porn is that it inhibits ability to have physical intercourse (fear of intimate closeness and erectile dysfunction mainly).
) 8 - Sex addiction is a damaged psychosexual state, it requires the help of a specialist, including assessing it. In case of concern or doubt, asking for help is far better than trying to self-assess and self-medicate. It is not easy to talk about it in a consulting room but it is by far the best way to start dealing with it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ) Christophe Sauerwein is a psychotherapist specialised in addictive behaviours, relational trauma and attachment disorders.
) He is also the Academic Director of iCAAD (International Conference on Addiction and Associated Disorders) www.icaad.com
) HEARTY (Tue 9). Bearing wings made of sharp knives and shooting fireballs into the air, Emma Frankland tackles the current fascination with trans lives and interrogates the controversial biotechnology of HRT It’s messy, it’s on fire and it’s politically-charged ) MUM, I’M IN THE FOURTH DIMENSION, SEE! (Thu 11) Combining spoken word, drag and Es Morgan’ s hallmark hypnotic movement, the show is a dance, a poem, a wild torrent of melodrama.
) TRANS FATS (Fri 12). A night of fat positive performance from FAT Cabaret’ s favourite trans, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming fatties, hosted by cabaret artist and fatbassador, Chub Rub. ) I TRIED TO F**K UP THE SYSTEM BUT NONE OF MY FRIENDS TEXTED BACK (Sat 13) New work by Travis Alabanza looking at the ways in which intimacy has been left out of our political discourse The show places the audience into Alabanza’s internal dialogue and waits for the moment where we decide that we care, asking “ can we really change the world if we are still afraid of everyone we do not know?”
) UNAPOLOGETICALLY MONSTROUS: QUEER ALIENS, FREAKS & MYTHICAL CREATURES (Sat 13–Sun 14). Two free workshops where you can explore the connection between monstrosity and queerness; looking at artists who employ their inner (or outer) aliens in their work and create self-portraits in response
) KRISHNA ISTHA BEAST (Wed 17) Stand-up comedy by transgender performer, exploring what it means to be trans ‘masculine’ without becoming the men we hate and how taking testosterone can transform you into a social renegade, a beast
) TRANS SWEARING NIGHT (Wed 17) Feminist Swearing Nights have begun popping up all over Europe, now in solidarity they’re handing over the mic to those under the trans, non-binary, intersex and gender variant umbrella to stand up and say their piece.
) TRANS PRIDE ART NIGHT (Thu 18). A celebratory showcase of trans, non-binary, intersex and gender variant performers.
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS
St George's Church, Kemptown, tickets.brightongmc.org and from Prowler, St James’s St ) BGMC: IN TIME FOR PRIDE (Fri 26 & Sat 27). Pride is approaching
and the boys at BGMC are keen to get their hot pants on and party! It’s Christmas for gays and the bunting is up, but who is this strange man claiming he can travel through time? And where is he taking us? And just how long is his scarf? Join the Chorus as they explore the history of Pride and the music that ran along side it. With songs by ABBA, Alice Cooper and Diana Ross, this is a once in a lifetime event! Or is it? Doors 7pm for 7.30pm start, £15/£12 concs.
) FUNNY GIRLS (Fri 12) Julie Jepson hosts a night of fabulous female funnies with stand-up, musical comedy and improv
) SLEEP PARALYSIS (Sun 21) Join Fuchsia Von Steel and guests for an unforgettable evening of glamour, grotesque and comedy
EL GEEBEE TEA QUEUE
The Brunswick, Holland Rd, Hove www.thebrunswick.net/buytickets
) EL GEEBEE TEA QUEUE (Sun 14)
An evening of LGBT+ comedy and cabaret featuring: comedian Michael Elridge; Georgie Femme: fresh queer modern guitar-pop;
Hannah Brackenbury: comedy songwriter and performer, winner of Broadway Baby Bobby Award for Victorious, musical tribute to Victoria Wood; Matt Lowes: perfectionist with a f**k-it-that’lldo attitude; drag king Adam All, creation of Jen Powell; Ross Spiller: young gay comedian who looks at gay culture, dating and his experience of living life being partially sighted
k. d. lang
The Dome, New Road, Brighton Box office: 01273 709709
) k.d. lang (Tue 16). Celebrates the 25th anniversary of her platinum selling breakthrough album, Ingénue. 'Few singers command such perfection of pitch Her voice, at once beautiful and unadorned and softened with a veil of smoke, invariably hits the middle of a note and remains there ' New York Times
KOMEDIA
Gardner St, Brighton, Box office: 0845 293 8480
) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 7) A gayfriendly, irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock
The Week and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow) Featuring headliner Suzi Ruffell with Joe Sutherland and Alison Spittle ) KRATER COMEDY CLUB (Sat 13) Includes a set from everyone ’ s fave angry gay comedian, Scott Capurro ) MINDOUT FOR THE LAUGHS (Wed 31). Spice brings vocal prowess to the glittering line-up of performers: Britain’s Got Talent star Robert White, razor-sharp comedian Debra Jane Appelby, silly songwriter Hannah Brackenbury, black comedy from Bethany Black and musical comedy misfit, drag clown and acid tongued ringmaster, Joe Black With signing by BSL Interpreters All proceeds to MindOut
THEATRE ROYAL
New Road, Brighton, Box office: 08448 717650 ) ALASKA & JEREMY: THE AMETHYST TOUR (Sun 14) RuPaul's Drag Race legend Alaska presents a full length show with long-time collaborator Handsome Jeremy. A quirky musical extravaganza where
drag meets alien species, with Powder Room residents: Daniel Crystal Lubrikunt Turrell, Lydia L'Scabies, Rococo Chanel & Arran Shurvinton. ) IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE (Mon 15–Fri 19). Ian McKellen celebrates his 80th birthday by raising funds for theatres with a new solo show; a mix of anecdote and acting from Tolkien to Shakespeare.
ALL THAT JAZZ
) ELLA FITZGERALD/NELSON
RIDDLE Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson (Poll Winners). Having battered everyone into submission with my last selection of purely modernist music, this month features just classic and mainstream jazz And who better to start with than that most perfect of singers, Ella Fitzgerald, here supported by an orchestra conducted by the great Nelson Riddle, he who did so much to enhance the work of, among others, Frank Sinatra. Ella and Nelson had previously worked together on the five-album Gershwin Songbook in 1959 and returned to the studio in November and December 1961 for this collection of 21 sumptuous songs, including Georgia on My Mind, Darn That Dream, and an irresistible Don’t Be That Way. Riddle’s orchestrations cushion Ella’s rich voice, her timing and phrasing as usual perfect Indeed, the whole album is, as every Ella album usually is, just perfect
) FRANK SINATRA In The Wee Small Hours and Songs For Swinging Lovers (Essential). And talking of Frank, here are two of his classic albums from the 1950s, both of them orchestrated by the incomparable Nelson Riddle. In The Wee Small Hours was produced almost as a confessional set in the aftermath of Sinatra’s messy breakup with Ava Gardner in 1953, Songs For Swinging Lovers its more upbeat successor from 1956 The importance of these two sets is that they are almost the first concept albums ever issued By a concept album I mean a coherent set of songs linked by theme or content that fills both sides of an album, rather than just a collection of single hits and fillers that were usually thrown together to make up LPs at that time As such, they work perfectly, but then what’s not to like about Makin’ Whoopee, In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning, and I’ve Got You Under My Skin, among so many other tracks. Sheer class.
) HAROLD LAND Four Classic Albums (Avid) Saxophonist
Harold Land was a regular on the West Coast jazz scene in Los Angles, producing a series of fine albums throughout the 1950s and 1960s. This compilation presents four of his best: Harold in the Land of Jazz (1958), The Fox (1959), West Coast Blues (1960), and Harold in New York (1960). All are distinguished by his freeflowing playing and strong compositions, on which he is supported by, among others, the great guitarist Wes Montgomery, oddball pianist Elmo Hope, and cool-sounding trumpet player Kenny Dorham Avid make a speciality of compiling and reissuing old albums and bringing them back to life: this is one of its best offerings of recent times
ART MATTERS
This month I’m involved in two exhibitions, one in the UK and another in a more international location Once things calm down for me, I’ll return to local exhibitions I hope that you enjoy my sporadic updates
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS London, www.royalacademy.org.uk ) RA SUMMER EXHIBITION 2019 (until Aug 12) Having entered for a number of years without success, I’ve had my painting The Painter selected and I’m looking forward to seeing it hung on their hallowed walls.
Run without interruption since 1769, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission art show and brings together art in all mediums by leading artists, Royal Academicians and household names as well as new and emerging talent Around 1,200 works will be on display, most for the first time
This year, acclaimed British painter Jock McFadyen RA has taken over the mantle from Grayson Perry to co-ordinate the 251st Summer Exhibition. Highlights include an animal-themed ‘menagerie’ in the Central Hall, with works by artists including Polly Morgan, Charles Avery and Mat Collishaw. Artist sisters Jane and Louise Wilson RA are curating two galleries, one showcasing work exploring light and time. Further artists exhibiting include Jeremy Deller, Marcus Harvey and Tracey Emin RA, and Honorary Academicians Anselm Kiefer, James Turrell and Wim Wenders.
Outside the galleries, international artist Thomas Houseago takes over the RA courtyard with a group of large-scale sculptural works, and the exhibition will spill out into nearby Bond Street with a colourful installation of flags featuring work by Michael Craig-Martin RA As always, most of the artworks will be for sale with proceeds helping to fund the Academy’s non-profit-making activities, including educating the next generation of artists in the RA Schools The show is spread across the Main Galleries and The Ronald and Rita McAulay Gallery Entry is £18 (without donation £16) with concessions available. Free for friends of the RA with no booking required, under 16s free with feepaying adult.
L ARROQUE ART FEST 2019
Old Post Office Gallery & former Mairie (Town Hall), Larroque, France, www.galerielavieilleposte.org
) LARROQUE ART FEST 2019 (daily from 10am–5pm, Jul 26–Aug 3).
I’m exhibiting in a group show themed around Surface/Support which includes contemporary work in painting, sculpture, film and video, sound, installations, photography and net-art. The idea is to introduce a rural environment to international contemporary artists and vice versa, as well as to encourage artistic inspiration and cultural exchanges The preview is on July 26, 6–8pm, if you happen to be in the area! The artists included originate from France, Cyprus, America, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Bulgaria, Spain, Germany, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic and Armenia.
) RECKLESS PAPER BIRDS by John McCullough (Penned in the Margins, £9.99). Like the love child of Elizabeth Smart’s By Grand Central Station and Roger McGough, this new collection of atomic poems is mind-blowingly excellent I’ve been a huge fan of McCullough from the off and this new collection of poetry continues to convince that we have the new voice of a generation living amongst us. His utterly authentic passionate observations ring true, his queer sensibility a lodestone for his wit and crepuscular yearnings. Sigh, he’s f***ing excellent. Forged out of passion, his experiences on Grindr, walking in Brighton, seeing the cracks in our world and prying them open with his pen to scratch at our skin and eyeballs until they see how things should be seen. His words linger in the shadows of the mind, slowly percolating through into the karst of our conscience Reading him is like dreaming underwater while mermaids tear at your flesh His sublime, seductive and startling poems demand a second and third reading, sensually writhing and turning under examination like DNA into an endless alphabet of metaphorical suggestions They also demand understanding and it’s this subtle sotto voice undertone to these poems which is the real triumph, alone they delight, together they enchant and whisper of the absolute triumph of imagination. It left me breathless. Read it.
) PRIDE: The Story Of The LGBTQ Equality Movement by Matthew Todd (Carlton HarperCollins, £30). Pride documents the milestones in the fight for LGBT+ equality: from the victories of early activists, to the gradual acceptance of the LGBT+ communities in politics, entertainment, sport and the media, and the passing of legislation barring discrimination It spans seminal moments and key figures, events and breakthroughs of our equality movement. In this substantial full colour hardback, filled with superb photographs, Todd draws together individual stories and moving personal testimonies with rare documents and memorabilia from the events around the police raid of 1969 of
recent renaissance. With a cast of drag queens and sailors, dilly boys and macho clones, Fabulosa! is an essential document of recent history and a fascinating and fantastically readable account of this funny, filthy, and ingenious language
) PRIDE: Fifty Years Of Parades & Protests From The Photo Archives Of The New York Times (Abrams & Chronicle, £17.99)
prominent New York gay bar, the Stonewall Inn. It charts the riots that followed, the ensuing organisation of local members of the community and the 50 years since in which activists and ordinary folk have dedicated their lives to reversing the global position based on prejudice. A well researched and beautiful book
) FABULOSA! The Story Of Polari: Britain’s Secret Gay Language by Paul Baker (Reaktion Books, £15.99) Accompanied by fascinating illustrations, this is a sumptuous and engaging look at the ancient language of the Queens, and still spoken by some of our older gays Told with charm and a perfect eye for the anecdote, Baker takes us on a journey through society, politics, history and the ways that gay people developed their own sophisticated way of communicating. It teases out relationships between people and geography, the way sex workers, carnival folk, sailors and queers intersect in the shadows and byways of the world and begin a common tongue He follows the roots to their source, showing the development of how Polari was spoken and used and looks at why it declined, and also its unlikely
This full colour photobook captures the parades and protests in the gay community, published on the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots on June 28, 1969 On June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride marches took place in the US commemorating the anniversary of the riots, and celebrating gay culture and an activist movement for equal rights under the law. It’s an inspiring visual history documenting the resilience of a marginalised group and their fight for civil rights As gay rights in the US and the world have evolved, the scenes capturing the parade have as well, through signs, dress, and expressions of freedom and love, this book also tells the story of the ever-changing culture of a people. It’s about celebration, oppression, hope, recognition, and, above all, pride in being who you are. Although focusing exclusively on the US Queer perspective, it speaks to all LGBT+ folks across the world.
) THE LITTLE BOOK OF LGBT TERMS by Harriet Dyer (Summersdale, £6.99) Language is a key path to awareness, acceptance and empowerment but this book admits it can be confusing. Setting itself up as a pocket-sized easy-to-use dictionary, it introduces essential terminology surrounding gender, sexuality and LGBTQIA+ identity, in easy to understand ways, with examples and (all important) context It shows how and why this language is developing and used across the world If you have questions about yourself or about the terminology, or are interested in learning more, this compact, fun and charming guide will help you navigate the world of infinite diversity with knowledge and kindness.
) THE QUEERIODIC TABLE: A Celebration Of LGBTQ+ Culture by Harriet Dyer (Summersdale, £9.99) Another compact treasure celebrating the richness of modern queer culture and its vast history The fun premise gives us a comprehensive introduction to all the essential elements that helped sculpt the LGBT+ community up to the present day, with amazing stories of queer pioneers like Marsha P Johnson, celebrities, game-changers and unsung heroes alike; the essential LGBT+ timeline of queer world history; the biggest queer culture festivals and events; and classic works of queer art, literature, music, TV and film It’s a fun, upbeat and colourful collection of elements which illuminate and express the wide array of delights that make our LGBT+ culture so vibrant.
THIS QUEER ANGEL
Elaine Chambers ’ autobiography of her one woman battle against the countr y she ser ved, reviewed by Duncan Lustig-Prean.
) Can you imagine a time when you would be dismissed from your job and could be sent to prison, not for doing anything at all, but just for being lesbian or gay? What if you were sent to a psychiatrist to treat your homosexuality or your Doctor was required to conduct an intimate examination to prove whether or not you were lesbian or gay? How would you feel after three or more days of interrogation by the police; your property searched, diaries, mobiles, computers and photographs seized and your friends, work colleagues, even your family interviewed?
Between 70 and 100 LGBT+ people were discharged from our Armed Forces in this way each year Often they were dismissed in disgrace after distinguished careers The civilian world into which they were plunged was a difficult one to enter, not least because of the embarrassing questions about why they had suddenly left the Forces. Many never found their feet and took their own lives.
Now place yourself in that interview room You’re a woman on your own You’ve done nothing illegal Two police officers are questioning you, asking the most detailed and intimate questions about your sex life, the sort of questions police might ask someone suspected of rape. And now imagine that the lead interrogator is male. This wasn’t two centuries past. It wasn’t even during the period of Alan Turing. This was occurring just two decades ago in the United Kingdom.
Yet even at this darkest hour, Elaine Chambers finds humour in the cruel situation in which she found herself.
Servicemen and women who served their country with distinction lost their careers, their homes, their pensions and even their liberty, not for any offence but just for being homosexual. Elaine was one of them. Yet the cruelty of her ejection from the Army, where Lieutenant Chambers was a talented nursing sister, the loss of her career and the betrayal of friends is not met with self-pity, bitterness or anger Instead Elaine shows humour, selfawareness and a great deal of perception and understanding She gives us an autobiography which is also an important and personal account of history
excelled at and how it all ends Yet it’s a triumph of hope and a history of achievement of rights for all in the workplace
In this hostile military world, one minority within the LGBT+ communities faired far worse. Women in those days represented just 10% of the Armed Forces. Already subject to the hostility of an often misogynistic majority, investigations by the Forces Police disproportionately hounded lesbians. Friends were set against friends Loyalties were tested to the extreme The headlines of those days paint a vivid picture of this ‘Her Majesty’s Dyke Yard Dryad’ screamed one notorious newspaper after the Special Investigation Branch of the naval police had uncovered a lesbian ring in one naval establishment.
The campaign to the lift the ban was largely dominated by male (and frequently Royal Naval officer) voices. Indeed three of the four of us who took the United Kingdom to the European Court of Human Rights were men The voice of our lesbian comrades remained largely unheard, drowned out by testosterone
In Elaine Chambers’ book This Queer Angel, that voice is at last heard in the most clear, poignant and human way Elaine hasn’t penned a dry history of those dark times and of the battle to change the discriminatory policy Her honest account is of a girl growing up and discovering her sexuality, of being outed; a story which will resonate with every LGBT+ reader It’s a story of a career she loved and
Elaine describes in painful detail how Military Police investigated and interrogated her, but still she finds humour in her own cruel investigation It is an honest book and painfully funny You’ll shudder to think of the talent lost by this cruel and wasteful policy Absent from this gripping read is any self-pity or anger Elaine leaves those feelings to the reader who can’t fail to be moved at the great injustice she experienced. Elaine ends her book looking at the campaign to change the law, understating the momentous impact she had in starting the ball rolling by co-founding Rank Outsiders, the LGBT+ military welfare and campaign group.
Elaine never blows her own trumpet and thus I must do so for her. I’ve met many women and men who Elaine has helped through the trauma of dismissal from the Forces. Some of those she helped were suicidal and Elaine saved their lives just as effectively as she saved lives as a nursing sister. Personally, as leader of the campaign and one of the four who took the successful action ending in the European Court of Human Rights, Elaine was a steady, calm, mature and wise counsel for those of us in the front line of the battle She was there for me always and has been a friend ever since Along with many people I owe much to this remarkable woman
Well-written, full of self-effacing humour, This Queer Angel is a riveting read Poignant, funny and honest, this personal and historic account is a must read for those interested in LGBT+ history It’s also very timely as protecting LGBT+ rights is vital in the hostile headwinds our communities faces globally.
MORE INFO
) Duncan Lustig-Prean, a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy dismissed for being gay in 1995, led the campaign to lift the ban on LGBT+ people in the Armed Forces and to establish employment protection for all LGBT+ people in the workplace He was lead test case in the European Court of Human Rights and achieved the change of law in 2000 He remains active in LGBT+ rights
) THIS QUEER ANGEL by Elaine Chambers, available from bookshops and Amazon (£10 99), or eBook from Unbound (£3 99)
CL ASSICAL NOTES
REVIEWS
) BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS Edward Elgar The Music Makers Chandos CHSA5215
Edward Elgar's The Music Makers has received a frankly stunning reading from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under Sir Andrew Davis, with Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano). From
the orchestra's opening introduction, with its Enigma theme quotation, to the sequence of dramatic choruses delivered with excellent precision and clear diction, the combined BBC forces here are exemplary, and Davis manages the rapid tour through extremes of dynamics with rhythmic energy and drive. Connolly's heartfelt passion, backed by the full sound of the chorus, whips us along with the emotionally charged text This is an excellent recording, with full dynamic range, rich orchestral textures and fine singing from soloist and chorus The Spirit of England is setting of three poems by Binyon, written between 1915 & 1917. This is Elgar in more ostensibly patriotic mode, and tenor Andrew Staples' suitably declamatory delivery is supported by the incisive chorus in the opening The Fourth of August (the date of declaration of war on Germany) There are tender moments, but this is full-on Elgar, yet Davis never allows the weighty orchestration to totally overpower proceedings To Women has more stillness in its dark colours, and here Staples is allowed to show a greater dynamic range, in some particularly tender moments. In the final setting, For the Fallen, the chorus excels in its precision and diction throughout, and great tenderness when Staples joins them for the repetitions of We Will Remember Them Overall as a work,
The Spirit of England hasn’t perhaps travelled through the years as well as The Music Makers, but it’s an excellent recording from all concerned
) IBRAHIM AZIZ Risonanze First Hand Records FHR83 Ibrahim Aziz, a viola da gamba player, has recorded a fascinating programme, Risonanze, exploring what he sees as the particular resonances of the instrument, a member of the viol family and a fretted cousin of the cello. He starts with a transcription of the Cello Suite No 2 by J S Bach, and immediately we hear the difference - perhaps a less consistently warm tone, but a definite ringing, enhanced by a highly resonant recording. Aziz makes his instrument sing, particularly in the final dancing Gigue He follows this with Suite Estiu, by Carlos Martínez Gil (b 1959) Here, we begin in the sound world of Bach, but slowly, use of pizzicato, more jagged rhythms, or slightly unexpected harmonies take us in a subtly different direction. Next, Three unaccompanied pieces by composer and virtuoso gamba player, Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787). The first is a beautifully rippling study, Arpeggio, and Aziz maintains a
beautifully steady flow throughout its shifting harmonies. A somewhat gentle Allegro is followed by softly singing Adagio, and here again Aziz brings out a beautifully resonant tone Rebecca Rowe (b 1970), herself a viola gamba player, wrote Journeying for Aziz in 2018 Rowe uses resonant, spread chords, and there's a moody, almost eastern flavour to the brief snatches of melodic line, and Aziz performs this with assurance. With the Sonata No 5 by Johann Schenck (1660-1712), we're back in Bach territory, although as a gamba player, Schenck’ s Sonata perhaps better
captures the idiomatic resonance of the instrument Aziz definitely achieves his aim of demonstrating the resonant qualities of his instrument, as well as his own considerable talent.
) FLAUGISSIMO DUO A Salon Opera Resonus RES10233
Flaugissimo Duo, Yu-Wei Hu (flute) and Johan Löfving (guitar) are alumni of Brighton Early Music Festival's BREMF Live! scheme, so will be familiar to some, and they specialise in historically-informed performance of 18th and 19th century music The centrepiece of
this disc entitled A Salon Opera is their own arrangement of the Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Gluck's (1714-1787) opera, Orfeo ed Euridice Hu is allowed to shine in the opera's beautifully lyrical flute solo, and her breath control in its long sustained lines is impressive However, the Cantabile from virtuoso violinist-composer
CONCERTS
LEWES BAROQUEFEST
St Michael’s Church & Lewes Town Hall, www.lewesbaroquefest.org
Paganini (1782-1840) is their opener, allowing the duo to establish their delicate, sophisticated soundworld Marginally less successful for me are the arrangements of three Schubert songs. Whilst it is certainly authentic to include such arrangements in a recreation of a domestic music-making gathering, it is hard not to miss the nuance of Schubert's expert setting of text Fernando Sor's (1778-1839) Introduction and Variations on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 9 for guitar takes it's theme from Mozart's The Magic Flute, and after a dramatic introduction, the theme is presented in increasingly virtuosic variations, and here Löfving plays with great delicacy and bright tone. After the Gluck, a dramatic Tarantelle for guitar by Johann Mertz (1806-1856) provides some welcome edge and rhythmic energy in an otherwise mostly lyrical programme, performed here with humour and bite They conclude with the Grande Serenade by Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829), with an impressively operatic Brillante finale Overall, a pleasing collection, performed with style
Reviews, comments and events: v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk t @nickb86uk ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
New festival Lewes Baroquefest (Wed 17–Sat 20), led by artistic directors John Hancorn and Julia Bishop, includes: Flight of the Eagle (6 30pm, Thur 18), with Piers Adams (recorders) and Howard Beach (piano); Draw on Sweet Night (9pm, Thur 18), by the Baroque Collective Singers;and Handel’ s Israel In Egypt (Sat 20), with the East Sussex Bach Choir and the Baroque Collective Players
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL CHORUS
All Saints Church, Hove, www.bfc.org.uk ) Brighton Festival Chorus and Youth Choir, conducted by James Morgan (7 30pm, Sat 20), perform English music from Tallis to Tavener, 1570-2005, including Tallis’ 40-part motet, ‘Spem in Alium’ , and John Tavener’ s Invocations and Last Word, as well as Svyati, for cello (Adrian Bradbury) and choir. The programme also includes music by Britten, Holst, Tomkins and Weelkes.
CINEMA
) Rossini’ s Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) from Glyndebourne (2016) is showing, starring Danielle de Niese as Rosina (various dates) In a range of local cinemas, including: Duke’s at Komedia, Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne, the Ritz Digital & Connaught Cinema, Worthing and the Picture House, Uckfield Check for times
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS
The March of the Penguins.
By Craig Hanlon-Smith @craigscontinuum
) In the 1980s, as a gay teenager, I was acutely aware of the anti-gay rhetoric at home, in school, Parliament and across the media at every turn. Section 28 was invented, all gay and bisexual men had or would contract AIDS, gays were paedophiles or at the very least sexual degenerates, and we were regularly blamed for an assault upon the innocence of children The worst description of a seemingly heterosexual community leader was to out them as a secret homo, as a result of which the humiliated soul would have to publicly resign citing regret for the shame heaped upon their family Horror films I could cope with, all of the above I observed from behind the sofa buried beneath the suburban cushions of denial and self-loathing.
The 1990s were a fast and furious voyage of discovery, both sexually and politically courageous The years of fasting behind me I made up for lost time on every count and particularly in defending my orientation and publically objecting to social and government sponsored oppression. In short, she had a big gay gob on her.
The final decade of the 21st century was a mixed bag for LGBT+ progress. Our Pride events were bigger than ever and we had snogs on soap operas but fundamentally there was limited legal progress. The age of consent battle raged across the decade and there was a partial but discriminatory lowering in 1994 with full equality another six years away Section 28 cultivated a culture of silence across the education and public services system and any discrimination in the workplace would have to be fought using disability legislation
I don’t ever remember thinking ‘ one day this will all be over ’ and the journey seemed day to day, one foot after the other, and on occasion one step forward, two back Even progressive shuffles, such as the partial lowering of the age of consent, felt like a half-measure and whilst activists had their voices more readily reported, colleagues and family members would bemoan the likes of Peter Tatchell as lunatics. I remember one male straight friend,
who was initially a great support and reacted positively to my new status, asking “But you won’t be one of those gays who read the Pink Paper or anything though right?”. Twenty years on, we don’t know each other anymore. There has since of course been enormous progress, and once the new millennium settled in the list of equality steps an impressive list of achievements for all those who asked, shouted, fought or just quietly waited for their turn It is with great sadness then, that as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York, I reflect upon our hard won equalities and regrettably fear that one day this will all be over
At the time of writing, this week a gay man in Manchester had his jaw broken as a group of men hurled homophobic abuse at him and his friends Two women on a London bus were beaten by teenagers who were angry at their refusal to put on some sort of public lesbian show of affection An LGBT play in Southampton was cancelled at the weekend after two of the actors were assaulted with rocks on their way to work and struck in the face. Police across the UK are discouraging reporting crimes as homophobic, preferring aggravated assault and robbery. This despite the perpetrators using homophobic language and/or targeting customers of LGBT+ venues Protests continue outside Primary Schools in Birmingham, which at times have spread to other cities in the UK, including Manchester Protests against the socially responsible NoOutsiders programme Protests which are
incorrectly reported by mainstream media outlets as opposition to the teaching of gay and LGBT+ rights in school Protests which are claiming children are being taught about gay sex. They are not. MPs from both the Conservative and Labour parties have spoken in support and defence of these protests, including Esther McVey, a Tory leadership candidate, and Birmingham MP Roger Godsiff. Godsiff sending protestors a message that they have a “just cause ” .
In my 26 years as an openly gay man I don’t recall a time when I felt so disturbed about the pressures we are under as a range of LGBT+ communities. Perhaps because I had begun to feel protected by the developments of the past 20 years and yet it would appear that for those who mean to do us harm, these protections are not in any way a deterrent If a group of teenagers are arrested for beating lesbian women on a bus, it is not only irresponsible to discourage the teaching of LGBT+ relationships and families in schools it is a road map to violence. Quiet encouragement. Young children were read a child’s story about two boy penguins rearing a chick together. A story based on a true event at a New York zoo. This has been manipulated into “schools are teaching LGBT+ rights” and “schools are teaching gay sex, including making clay models of a penis” It would be funny were it not true It is as essential now for us to come together as a unified community of LGBT+ individuals as it ever was. More so. I for one am pleased these politicians, community and religious leaders are voicing their opposition out in the open where we can see them I want those who want to silence us to say so in plain sight and these school protestors and political supporters are promoting a culture where we are erased from the discussion exactly as we were during the years of Section 28 Our hard won equalities are not lost but they are under threat. We live in a time when self-service and political survival is the dominant gene amongst the majority of our elected public servants –they will do and say whatever they can for their own survival. That in 2019 an anti-LGBT+ education position is considered a vote winner is a league of steps in the wrong direction. Stand up, speak up, hold a friend’s hand, kiss your partner in public, and challenge an unkind word. Do whatever you personally feel able. We are being pushed backwards. Resist and march on To do nothing is not an option
“Protests continue against the socially responsible No - Outsiders programme. Protests which are incorrectly repor ted by mainstream media outlets as opposition to the teaching of gay and LGBT+ rights in school. Protests which are claiming children are being taught about gay sex. They ’re not”
CHARLIE SAYS
So, there goes global Pride month and there are more attacks from screaming Tor y mad monk W iddicombeover and the US white brigade beating up trans women for a pastime It was five years ago when the seriousness was broadcast from Russia where people were repor ting the trans abuse live from their phones in Pushkin Square. I wrote a response to be read out at the Sochi W inter Olympics by members of the Rainbow Coalition from Moscow. It was called Sochi Homo. And it still stands today. By Charlie Bauer Phd. http://charliebauerphd blogspot co uk
) Never forget your history.
What holds queer culture back? We do We do, because of our continuing lack of acceptance of the ‘normal’. We just don’t seem to trust the ‘normal’. More importantly, we may have nothing in our pockets, but we will never allow ourselves, at any point, to be just ‘normal’.
Equality is not sought by us, nor is it an end result. So, no gifts please - we want no acceptance, because it seems that we ’ ve been right all along. What we are transcends the thousand barriers of race and class and gender because we ’ re everywhere and always will be. And we haven’t worried ourselves to traverse those difficult situations, we ’ ve ran at them screaming We’re the ones who have chosen to walk alone down those dark alleyways And we ’ ve been granted no permission whenever it’s been sought
We’ve come through reams of litigation and condemnation and will again and again And we will still laugh in the face of any contrition, because we can’t promise not to do any of it again; to any of your judges, in fact, we will do it again, but next time it will be bigger and louder than the night sky in a hurricane
And we’ll rise and fall and not worry because of the stars that surround us, our chosen families, that flicker away and die all too soon We refuse to count our blessings, be contrite and play tic-tac-toe on the steps of your churches. Or to be ‘strong’ again, when you've already decided not to listen.
So, we don’t accept your acceptance, nor do we seek the breadth or creed of your forgiveness. Because we do not need forgiveness from anyone, that has to come from you, for yourselves That has to come from the conscience of those who’ve beaten, ridiculed and chided us for thousands of years Those who’ve denied us our real, dear families; those who’ve hijacked the funerals and begrudgingly complied with the normalcy of our new weddings Ask yourselves, is this forgiveness? We lean on your one heart with the weight of millions who came before us, and who stand alongside us right now.
I bring my pain with me to the table, a pain so great and long-lived that it still stirs the soul and the belly of my being. I bring on the faces of the young dead from my own past, the real warriors of a filthy bloody war we all went through together. And the women, who ran to the aid of their broken brothers and created a single voice that’s still screaming out today.
So, go with all your fabulous sins, my brothers and sisters, and real joy will be sure to follow you I love those who run to that slippery edge in a game of kiss, dare and death I love those who subvert the very sex that’s supposed to define them I love those who love me back simply because of love itself, and I love those who keep loving when loving has long passed
And those who know where normality ends and reality begins The kids who put whatever they have into a flimsy sack and find a way to leave their early families behind And to falter over and over again and never stop faltering until they die, because those are the follies that make us. The mettle that binds us in every sea of little hope. The glue that never separates us from the reality of our life and death experiences. The fear that sometimes keeps us separate from each other, yet brings us together when the knives go down The strength to draw from all history because we know that all history is really ours; that we ’ ve peppered the changes on those dull old maps and coloured the weave of every creative stroke These changes made, because not to remind us only of regret - the building stone of our lives we ’ re never allowed to shred
The pathways to our worlds remain open but shackled The roads are still wide but populated less But we have shown over and over the power of our steps and grown steadilysupported only by the very best. Can we really give away this life of ours - a history so rich within us all? Can we not falter and have to watch our backs at every life event lest it be normalised and given the so-called protection of a society that’s proved itself so wrong?
To sacrifice our otherness is to walk with passing strangers, to lose the trust we ’ ve known to share. Because that otherness is our only identity. It’s that one within a crowd that refuses to be accompanied or the voice that will be heard - but only by a few. Will they kill it off with persecution again? Will they succeed in changing us into what they really think we are? Will they keep trying when they have failed so many, many times before?
It’s time to stop history, dead What’s happened up until now happens no more The door has been closed for the very last time So, don’t rejoice or ‘permit’ us - we reject all of that Instead, look to yourselves and in there, see who we are Then look out to the world and see who has made it glow for you
Go on, I dare you, look out into the world
“We don’t accept your acceptance, nor do we seek the breadth or creed of your forgiveness. Because we do not need forgiveness from anyone, that has to come from you, for yourselves. That has to come from the conscience of those who’ve beaten, ridiculed and chided us for thousands of years”
GHETTO SPIRIT
) Sometimes when I meander around the Twisted Golden Ghetto, gliding on my skates and privilege in and out of the interesting little nooks and crannies where our true ghetto sprit lives, I’m taken by surprise, not always by my own refection which, like my ego, never ceases to amaze and fascinate me, but on occasion by other people, quietly flamboyant, stunningly original and utterly exceptional in the fabric of our lives My wheels grant me silence and speed and also reduce the city to the size of a squirrel’s merkin I’m like a queer ghost, drifting with ectoplasmic will here and there, avoiding the shrill hysterics of the paranormal investigators, who really ought to investigate a better hairdresser Watching with interest the different, the clear minded, those amongst us, who are utterly undiminished by the relentless prejudice that society throws at them. There are not many bushels on the streets of the Gilded Ghetto, folks here use their light to guide others in, from the dark hills and satanic workhouses which creep relentless through our Magic United Kingdom, destroying hope with sub-zero contracts and corporate mould
We gleam like Cyalume light sticks on the runway, guiding in the voluptuous jumbo jets of refugee and tourist who pour into our glittering city by the silver sea We hold open the door with our refulgence: those of us who are comfortable here, who have settled, grown and changed, those of us whose roots now form a tightly woven mat of interconnecting and intersecting lives, families and experiences We stand upright and wholesome, full of the privilege of maturity and love, knowing our true selves, accepting our beings on a fundamental level. A few of us, who know it’s always darkest at the base of the lighthouse, look at the horizon and note the storm clouds gathering, the sharp flickers of lightning, the wretched barometric drop in pressure which whispers of change and danger. Ours is not to warn, for who would listen when all choose dance and feast or binge into insensibility on the soporific nipples of St Netflix of the Boxset. No! Ours is to record, document and ensure the essence of the story continues We cannot come upon our Camelot, Troy is dust, Atlantis apocryphal, Shangri-La has shut up shop, Tír na nÓg pensioned off, Asgard faded into the dullest sequels and El Dorado melted down into morbid sentimental trinkets and dispersed in our auntie’s attics Each of them beyond anything now but the seed of narrative, the imprecise reach of story, or the eruption of metaphor, ripping sense into meaning in a monstrous flash of understanding, too late for them, but just in time for us. Ah, yes, us.
So I glide by, watch and see those with stories pressed into their foreheads, branded by destiny, glorious narratives of change and the triumph of hope over despair Paths wrought from journeys of pain, direction set by a soul which howls to the moon for recognition. La Luna howls affirmation back. An undeniable essence the compass which sets the course of their lives and leaves a bioluminescence meandering trail in time, like disturbed plankton on the surface of a midnight sea, pulsing out a burst of light for every wave, waft of wind or change of direction. Up-close this looks random, chaotic, muddled, but from the seraphim’s perspective, far above gender, money or class the calligraphy of these fantastic beings reads clear, and roars across the desolate barbed and weird wired enclosures of the binary gendered world Our trans siblings, with intersecting trajectories, streams of cognizance propelled by meaning, non-binary folk absolute in themselves together write and engrave right across our corrupted social cartography; ‘be exquisite and never explain’
DUNCAN’S DOMAIN
SHORT- CHANGE
) Looking back and seeing much in public life that was more reliable, purposeful and effective is as irresistible as it is misleading, a bit like looking at old holiday photos of yourself as a smiling, fit teenager and forgetting that you were broke, burdened by exams and trying to survive unrequited passion
The quality of life has improved in many ways for most people over the last 50 years, but there have been some major casualties. In particular the serious loss of confidence in the probity of public institutions Our parliamentarians appear frivolous, an opinion reinforced by seeing them live on TV, and we all sense the absence of statesmen who combine experience, intelligence with an urge to improve the lot of all citizens Maybe these people were always thin on the ground but even when you disagreed with the political priorities of Thatcher, Jenkins, Smith (John not Cyril), Brown (Gordon not George) or Benn they had purpose, gravitas and the whole world of politics looked more robust, more authoritative, more competent.
I doubt any generation of politicians has made itself as ripe for criticism as the current one The MPs expenses scandal and evidence of lobbyists perverting decision making have undermined our national confidence to an alarming degree. Henry Kissinger suggested that 90% of politicians give the other 10% a bad name. Sadly this feeling, that we are being short changed, is evoked by other institutions. Our huge firms of accountants are regularly revealed to have overlooked financial irregularities in the businesses they audit.
For elegant criticism look no further that the wonderful American satirist Ambrose Bierce who, a century ago, defined politics as ‘ a strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles’. His disciple HL Mencken, in addition to thinking that ‘ an honest politician was as unthinkable as an honest burglar’, suggested that ‘ every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods’.
“Distrust of our politicians isn’t new of course, lampooning accompanies politics as closely as the skin on a rice pudding… and so it should. If ridicule is stifled, complacency and arrogance are bound to follow ”
Our distrust of the two (and a half?) party system which has prevailed since the last war is about to be eroded by the emergence of single issue parties like the Brexit Party. So why not a Vegan Party or a party for the tattooed? The list could be endless and elections a complete nightmare. Is it really true that more people voted in Strictly than at the last General Election?
It’s not that we should be discouraged from voting for minority causes and policies we believe in but this fragmentation may take us down a very bumpy road until, and if, most of us feel confident to back parties capable of forming a Government without coalitions and with a leadership keen to create that entity we need and hear so much about, but which is currently still in hibernation, the fairer society Distrust of our politicians is not new of course, lampooning accompanies politics as closely as the skin on a rice pudding and so it should If ridicule is stifled, complacency and arrogance are bound to follow
For years we seem to have made the choice to ignore their failings and believe that our institutions were basically competent and honest, but I suspect that sense of stability has been completely eroded
SHARP WORDS
On the road! Del Sharp on the hazards of living in the slow lane, taking the wheel and stretching her runner ’s legs.
) Sharp Words is out of step and struggling to get into first gear I’m wishing for the umpteenth time that I learned to drive years ago when it was practically 50p a lesson rather than the eye watering £30 that it is now. But I’m finding it in me to pursue a dream of being able to get into a car and go somewhere, see someone, or fetch something, not so much determination but a vague desperation that I’m getting too old and just won’t be able to do it if I leave it any longer.
I’ve been pouring over test books that gallingly feature grinning teenagers throughout – just to remind me that I’m 30 years behind everyone else and maybe a cruel jibe that it’s too late for me. Why can’t there be pictures of worried looking 50-year-olds in there too? I’d feel so much better I mean the anxious oldie could get gradually happier and maybe start smiling a few pages in and displaying those irritating thumbs up
To complete my feeling of utter inability to propel myself faster than walking pace, I’m running as well Or learning to run again – a few years of not doing so has rendered me a pathetic wheezing figure clutching a kitchen timer and doddering around the block for three minutes before requiring a lie down Help is clearly required.
My driving instructor (young of course) has finally got me on the road, I can start the car, drive where he tells me to and stop, vaguely near the kerb. I’m pleased at even this much, trying not to count up what it’s cost so far and already daring to look with interest at cars, well what colour I’d like and how they’re
cute rather than engines types, performance or gadgets, but I’m sure all that will come
I’m quite happy at 20 miles an hour, but reluctantly can manage more if pushed The fear that has prevented me from driving all these years is still there though, it’s not me driving that’s the problem it’s everyone else on the road. It’s alarming just how many people try to cross over while looking at their phones, often with headphones on just to complete their hazard worthiness and give me extra palpitations. Hazards are something I need to know about so, swivel eyed, wherever I’m going I look out for them The best (or worst) has been a cyclist actually playing a ukulele, which certainly tops the hands in pockets riding and cigarette rolling I’ve spotted with my new driver’s eyes
My new runner ’ s legs meanwhile are not faring well I’ve joined a couch to 5k group and am certainly bottom of the class lagging far behind This ingenious plan allows running time to build up by the minute interspersed with walking, this bit I can do
very well The 90 seconds of running on the other hand (or foot) has seen me reaching for the inhaler and whimpering Seeing someone at least 20 years my senior galloping past me did nothing for my confidence.
But even running has its hazards, mostly dog poo Now I’m not saying I don’t like dogs (which I don’t actually) I’m just saying that Hove Lawns should not be a dog toilet. I’m far too busy creaking, wheezing and staggering to be looking for ‘that which should not be stepped in’ every second when I’m trying to beat my own personal best at overtaking a pensioner.
So far then, four wheels good, two feet bad.
But honestly I don’t want to be driving everywhere just for the convenience. It’s just so that I can if I really want to, yes that might be so when it rains but that’s another hazard to worry about so maybe I wouldn’t do it. When it’s dark too, that puts me off a bit, also when it’s busy and there’s loads of traffic. Actually, I think about aiming at perhaps going to see friends for breakfast as soon as it gets light when it’s quiet and possibly a visit to Aldi as soon as it opens on the way back This might shield me from too much traffic anxiety, and perhaps a little outing on Christmas Day, which would surely be quiet
But what if I feel guilty even doing that? It’s not the scariness of being in control of a one ton lump of metal on wheels, which is basically like driving a tank around a field of babies and trying to avoid them, it’s about The Planet Should I even think of taking a metal box full of emissions to a supermarket to buy kiwi fruit flown in from Borneo? I just realised the grapes I bought from Tesco tonight are from India and I’m feeling guilty even though I walked there with my shopping trolley.
Nobody needed to pass a driving test years ago, in the 1800s all that was required was someone walking in front waving a flag. I’d be more than happy for this to be brought back, any colour(s) would do, we ’ re in Brighton after all. In 1935 there were only 1.4m cars on the road – today in the UK it’s closer to a shocking 30 million I still want to learn to drive though not sure if I’m happy to join the millions I’d be almost happier if I could run 5k than drive it but as I’ve just passed my theory test have allowed myself just the briefest thumbs up Mentally that it, I don’t want to look completely ridiculous
“It’s not me driving that’s the problem it’s everyone else on the road. It’s alarming just how many people try to cross over while looking at their phones, often with headphones on just to complete their hazard worthiness and give me extra palpitations”
NETTY ’S WORLD
NOW YOU SEE ME…
) As a lesbian, I’m a proud member of the LGBT+ community
However, not for the first time, I feel sidelined by much of the ‘GBT’ element in our rainbow tribe. It’s widely accepted that the gay scene is a male dominated arena, in which it’s perfectly normal for a man to wrinkle his nose at the very thought of a woman. Not sex with a woman, just the existence of them. Nice. My friend Ian is a gay man whose favourite super hero is Wonder Woman and his musical hero is Siouxie Sioux. Men like him restore my faith in humanity. In my experience this city of ours is full of misogyny, and I feel gagged and ignored by the ‘GBT’ elite
A case in point is the recent flurry of LGBT+ excitement over a memorial to the two infamous trans activists who ‘started the Stonewall riots of 1969’… only they didn’t did they? That honour has hitherto been laid at the feet of an indomitable butch lesbian, the aptly named Stormé DeLarverie In another argument, the 18th century lesbian, Anne Lister (aka Gentleman Jack), was referred to as “ an ‘untransitioned’ man ” Why are some trans activists hell-bent on rewriting history? I’m angry because as a lesbian I’m already plonked in one of the most marginalised subcultures in society. I recently witnessed a bad-tempered social media exchange on the subject of ‘Who started Stonewall’ where a lesbian was actively silenced when she attempted to argue Stormé’s omission. It’s like erecting a statue commemorating The Beatles and omitting John Lennon, you can’t do it, it’s the fab four or it’s nothing
“I recently witnessed a bad-tempered social media exchange on the subject of ‘ Who star ted Stonewall’ where a lesbian was actively silenced when she attempted to argue Stormé’s omission”
We’re a band of brothers and sisters fighting for each other, and, like all siblings, we occasionally fight with each other too For me the most dangerous element in modern queer culture is the clamp-down on debate of any kind when it comes to the rights of lesbians to own our bodies, enjoy private spaces, cherish our history and hear our voices. I don’t agree with the current trend of ‘ no platforming’ those who hold views diametrically different to our own. In my world everything is at the very least debatable, it’s called democracy, not The Handmaid’s Tale.
There are now venues where lesbians can socialise without being ridiculed or ignored… they’re called regular pubs. When the scene is unwelcoming you vote with your feet, and that’s what many of my lesbian friends have done. On holiday with my partner, the only pub we DIDN’T venture into was one with a rainbow flag outside. That’s because the sneering men and adverts for homosexual sex paraphernalia made it abundantly clear we were as welcome as two lesbian farts in a lift
The queer community is made stronger by diversity, let’s raise each other up whilst accepting and respecting our differences in body and mind Divided we fall, and I don’t want to fall, we ’ ve come so far We’re all Wonder Women and Super Men; let’s pool our superpowers together Unfortunately though, these days, my lesbian superpower seems to be invisibility
QUEER I COME
Exploring
being trans
in a drag-centric queer community. By Violet Valentine/ Br yton Pierre (Zoe Anslow- Gwilliam) @thevvalentine
) In Brighton, we ’ re lucky to have a diverse drag scene with performers identifying across the gender spectrum, a privilege that is taken for granted by us here on the coast. The trans community is an often-neglected group under the wider queer umbrella, with trans folk creating brilliant art without the praise it deserves. Within the performance industry, particularly within the drag community, there are many trans performers that go unnoticed because of the lack of representation for them in mainstream media Performers such as Gia Gunn and Courtney Act use their Drag Race success to advocate for trans rights and apply their experiences as trans people to educate the public and some less informed people within the gay community, aiming to remove the stigma attached to being trans and queer
I wanted to speak to a range of trans artists to gain a better understanding of how the booming popularity of drag in our community impacts them personally
I first spoke to Nav Rahman, a psychology student at Sussex University, who has explored drag under the persona of Glaze Mahol for the past two years whilst undergoing her transition. Identifying as a QTPOC, she has used her experiences to inform her studies. Drag to her is “the embodiment of the gender spectrum” personifying a person ’ s idea of what gender is. She revealed that before she started her transition, drag allowed her to get into the mindset and physical expression of her “desired” gender which “allowed me to fight personal struggles”
I inquired if exploring drag whilst transitioning was ever detrimental to her journey?
“I don’t think drag has hindered my progress as it helped me realise that how I felt as a drag queen aligned to the experiences of a trans woman I absolutely hated taking off my mug at the end of the night! And most of all, I couldn’t have sex without being in ‘drag’ ” Something that majorly informed her decision to transition; “I soon realised I needed to embrace being a trans woman. ”
Nav had told me and others, over recent months, that she was having a break from drag, much to our protest. I asked her if she could explain her rationale, as we understood her transition was a factor. Along with studying full-time and working part-time, doing drag isn’t easy, as I have likewise experienced.
Nav explained; “I’ve been preoccupied with transitioning and important milestones, such as graduating, I’ve not been able to focus on Glaze.”
I’m happy that she has plans to “reinvent my drag persona. ” She disclosed she wants to create a distinction between her and Glaze as “until now, she was just a gateway to my trans identity” She muses; “So I guess you indeed have to love yourself before you can love anyone else!”
The impact of drag for individuals at various stages of exploring their trans identity interested me so I spoke to a good friend, Klara Fawn, a trans model, sex worker and drag fanatic. She realised her trans identity at an early age with the support of a supportive family network.
“Drag has changed a lot since I’ve been transitioning, now there are people of all backgrounds that do drag and I’ve found it explores an amplified expression of not just their character but their artistic ability I’m all here for the complete gender f**kery as a celebration of unique identities ”
Klara is funny, stylish and unapologetic - a great mix of traits for a drag performer I asked her whether she has ever considered performing? She admits; “Honestly yes I have sometimes wanted to try doing drag ”
She explains she is content being a trans woman who loves makeup and ‘looks’; happy spectating over her friends and favourite queens.
“I prefer being around my friends making their acts, costumes, wigs and helping them and seeing them perform But I won’t say no to my friends styling me in a look for the night!”
There is an issue she has with a certain perception of some individuals that have wrongly identified her as a drag queen She described how this affects her; “I have no issue with drag queens but I don’t enjoy being regarded as one. ”
Reducing her personal identification to a removable persona. We examined why this may be and concluded that there needs to be more education about trans identity in order to abandon trans stereotypes She clarified that she definitely feels more accepted in recent years; “You have to give Drag Race due congratulations, in that respect ”
RuPaul’s Drag Race has widely opened the doors for drag to mainstream pop culture world As a trans woman, with trans representation slowly filtering through from contestants, she appears more confident in public and opinion is changing for the better.
Lastly, I wanted to compare these experiences to that of a trans man ’ s, an arguably even more neglected identity within the trans community. I talked to Arthur Hutchinson, a local DJ at Revenge, Brighton, otherwise known as his drag king persona, Rob From Finance. Similarly, to Nav, Arthur began to understand his trans identity after starting his drag career. Drag helped him to alter the way he sees gender, allowing him to view it more fluidly
“It’s opened my eyes to a beautiful and valid spectrum of diverse gender expressions ” Drag has aided him in feeling comfortable expressing his gender fluidity; “My drag became a space where I could truly explore how I want to be perceived ”
Arthur faces a similar problem of prejudice Klara and I discussed prior Not wanting to limit himself to the mainstream portrayal of the modern-day businessman, he has recently tried to be more experimental with his work.
“I know I’ve expressed myself in ways which are ‘controversial’. My drag is quite fluid; I sometimes wear nails and heels. I realise the fluidity of my drag has confused some individuals and caused them to doubt ‘how’ trans I am. ”
This is a great example of a comparison between personal identity and drag persona, an unfair comparison
“It’s not up to them to choose the way I express my trans-ness ”
Dissimilarly to Klara and Nav, Arthur feels less accepted after coming out as a trans drag performer Often people assume all drag queens and kings are cis-gendered
“Every day, I’m putting myself out there, and not just when I dress up in drag ”
Even with drag advocates slowly breaking the binary in pop culture, he thinks people are still unready to accept the changes off screen
SAM TRANS MAN
Dr Samuel Hall on the ins and outs of autism and negotiating a path to functionality.
) I think I am autistic It’s a thought that has been creeping up on me for some time now For about four years It’s one of those things, like being trans, that sort of dawns on you As a clinician perhaps I know or understand a bit more about the autistic spectrum than most, but this is something more intuitive I don’t really know what it is about myself that make me think this. All I know is that it has become obvious through my transition that there is some kind of communication barrier between me and the people I live, socialise and mingle with professionally.
Oddly, though, I don’t think it comes across to my patients, which is merciful and perhaps a product of my training as a GP. The word I use to try and pinpoint the matter is ‘lexicon’. I am lacking something, a kind of vocabulary, not only in the spoken word, that would make my social interactions much easier I think I am unable to read signals, but I don’t know exactly how All I know is that sometimes I say things, or say things in a certain way, that people find unacceptable As though I have read them completely wrongly, or imposed my thoughts on theirs and am unable to see another viewpoint until it is spelled out I think I can sometimes come across as cold and detached, even though I actually have lot of empathy. I don’t know why it doesn’t show.
Neurotypical is to autism what straight is to gay, or cis to trans. The ‘ norm ’ . People who don’t seem to have the same degree of issues with social interaction or understanding are thought to have brains that develop and function in a typical way, and those of use who don’t are neurodiverse. Neurodiversity is a much kinder and more inclusive way to regard those who think or behave differently The diagnoses of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), or ADHD and other neurobehavioural disorders are really very reductive, because where this conversation leads
us is to an understanding that every brain is different, every experience unique, and every person ’ s reality truly different from anyone else’s
What is of great interest to me, however, for both personal and professional reasons, is the interface between being trans and being autistic or ‘ on the spectrum’ There are disproportionate numbers of people with ASD who also identify as trans A higher percentage of trans people have ASD than ought to compared with the cisgender population. Now to me this makes complete sense. I see my trans-ness as a form of neurodiversity. My brain is wired differently. It functions better on testosterone than it ever did on oestrogen, even though my body wasn’t male when I was born, it should have been Something switched the wrong way when I was an embryo I’m sure of it It is neurodiversity Isn’t it possible then, that the neurodiversity of ASD is something akin to being trans? Might not the two things naturally go hand in hand? It’s just a hunch
There is no proof
What there is proof of, however, is that it’s far more easy to diagnose ASD in boys than in girls We’ve only just begun to understand that somehow female children with ASD are taught, or nurtured, in such a way as to be very accomplished at hiding their neurodiversity. The same isn’t true of boys. So the communication barriers that sit in our developing psyches are more easily overcome through a certain way of learning. Girls and boys are taught and treated differently from the earliest moments of life. As soon as we can impose gendered behavioural expectations, we do Even if we don’t intend to
Somehow the way we nurture male children in our modern Western society both privileges and disadvantages them to a similar degree. This is happening much less so now than in past generations, but the expectations that arise from the gender binary are still very entrenched in our society
I find it curious then, that my autism, assuming I’m correct in my self diagnosis (I’m on a waiting list that’s two years long to be formally assessed), seems to have become more obvious to me, and quite pronounced to those who are close to me, as a consequence of taking regular testosterone injections throughout my transition. I’ve sometimes articulated this as a feeling that a thick layer of snow, or a duvet, has been placed over my emotional landscape. Such that I can no longer access my feelings easily, or be sure what they are, even when I dig deep I didn’t have this problem pre-transition I suppose it could be that I’ve embraced certain ‘societal norms ’ that validate me as a man, but I am reluctant to think that I have been superficial enough to make that schoolboy error!
As for picking up older people who have ASD, we are facing a crisis Since formal diagnosis wasn’t widely available until this century, unless your autism was severe and perhaps non-verbal, there is a lost generation of people who find it really hard to function in neurotypical society with its myriad of unspoken rules, social expectations and nuances that are simply impossible to navigate if your brain isn’t wired the ‘right’ way.
Adults like myself, who have managed to negotiate a path to functionality are lucky. People with ASD are more likely to have no job, or unsuccessful relationships, and may be more isolated, lonely and depressed than neurotypical people, and be marginalised by public services as well as in social settings. They end up being medicated just because they are both different, and misunderstood. A lot of adults with ASD are waiting to be diagnosed, not so that they can enjoy a ‘label’, or have special treatment, but simply because it is a relief to know that there is a reason for this They are wired differently And that’s okay
“Girls and boys are taught and treated differently from the earliest moments of life. As soon as we can impose gendered behavioural expectations, we do. Even if we don’t intend to”
TRANS ADVOCACY
I found MindOut just as I was experiencing some of the worst mental health of my life. I was struggling with benefits, the Job Centre and the trans healthcare system, as well as losing the relatively suppor tive environment of university. By Rowan Davis, MindOut Trans Advocate.
) I asked for counselling at MindOut, the process was thankfully quick and simple Within a few weeks I was able to access weekly, lowcost support With that help I was able to get myself to a stage where I could apply for benefits I was entitled to and build strategies to manage the daily difficulties of being a disabled trans woman.
It was only through the support of MindOut and other services in Brighton & Hove that I’m where I am today – definitely still a disabled trans woman with all the challenges that come along with that, but one with a little less of a dark cloud over my head.
Two months later I saw the advert for a trans advocacy position here at MindOut. Having spent years providing informal practical support to other trans people, and having been involved in various forms of political activism, I jumped at the opportunity Luckily for me I got the job, and since then I’ve been employed to work with the wonderful trans and non-binary people of Brighton & Hove with practical issues ranging from applying for benefits, to getting access to healthcare or managing the difficulties of housing
This has been a huge learning curve for me, partly because of the volume of intricate policies and organisations that are relevant to my role, but more importantly it’s what I’ve learnt from the service users who I see every day. I’ve met trans people with more knowledge about hormones than your average consultant endocrinologist, people that know every
member of the council by their policy positions, and so many people with perseverance through struggle I can only wonder at.
One highlight has been a workshop I ran where we thought up alternative ways of managing the UK trans healthcare system. The visionary, exciting ideas that came out of that taught me so much about community and the joy of being trans.
What I’d like anyone reading this to know is that whatever struggle you ’ re going through doesn’t have to be fought alone. The point of advocacy is to help you raise your voice above the din of bureaucracy – to be heard despite it all. MindOut is here for you whatever practical or emotional issues you are going through, no matter how big or how small.
One thing that’s surprised me is the sheer diversity of issues that people bring to advocacy. I’ve had days where I’ve been simultaneously helping one client maintain their internet access, another going to a benefits assessment, and another trying to get access to local mental health services
One thing I’ve really learnt here is just how complex, confusing, and overwhelming systems of bureaucracy can be; it’s no surprise that it’s a common for most of my clients
Service users have taught me real lessons about what care and community looks like Brighton & Hove is not a trans paradise by any stretch - I support people with issues of transphobia, racism, homophobia, sexism and ableism daily –
but one of its strengths is in its community run services MindOut’s trans advocacy service is one of just a few trans and non-binary-specific practical support services in the UK
The messages we receive in the media, in doctors’ surgeries, and in our everyday experience of living-whilst-trans, can all cause serious and difficult to manage mental health issues. More than that, when we go to ask for help, transphobia and other oppressions can make it harder to access that support.
We are important, we deserve the help we need when we need it. We need care for each other and show solidarity. Advocacy is, I think, one part of the jigsaw that makes that community of care.
X came for advocacy support about waiting three years for gender clinic services. We helped them make a formal complaint. Whilst we cannot single-handedly change the trans healthcare system, we can ensure that the people going through it get support to have their voices heard.
Y was finding their GP not helpful about their mental health needs, at the same time they were facing homelessness and a welfare rights review. Together we prioritised getting them housing support, managing to increase their banding on the housing register The advocate attended appointments with them at the doctors to help them get their points across and took notes in a benefits meeting so that they can have a record of what was said Y found the support really helpful, felt calmer and better informed They benefitted from improved healthcare and ultimately improved housing as a result of using the service.
If you or someone you know would like to talk to us about thoughts, feelings or experiences of trans/non-binary issues, or any other mental health concerns, please do get in touch. Talking to a MindOut worker can be a helpful way to explore how you are feeling and to think about what support or help you might like.
MINDOUT INFO
If you would like to access the trans and non-binary advocacy service, please ) call us on 01273 234 839 ) or email info@mindout.org.uk with Trans Advocacy in the subject line
MindOut services are confidential, nonjudgemental and independent We are open every weekday and our online support service is open in the evenings and at weekends, see our website for more details: ) www.mindout.org.uk
MindOut works to enable service users to become volunteers and employees All of our services are co-produced If you would like to know more about service user participation, please do get in touch.
SERVICES DIRECTORY
LGBT SERVICES
● ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26 Tues 5 30–8 30pm 01273 721211 or email info@allsor tsyouth org uk, www allsor tsyouth org uk
● BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE
Repor t all homophobic, biphobic or transphobic incidents to: 24/7 assistance call Police on 101 (emergencies 999) Repor t online at: www sussex police uk LGBT team (not 24/7) email: LGBT@sussex pnn police uk
• LGBT Officer PC James Breeds: Tel: 101 ext 558168 James.breeds@sussex.pnn.police.uk
● BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
Independent LGBT forum working within the communities to address and improve safety and access issues in Brighton & Hove 01273 855620 or info@lgbt-help.com www.lgbt-help.com
● BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD
Help-line with email & webchat facility 01273 204 050 Opening times see www switchboard org uk/brighton
• LGBT Older Peoples' Project
• LGBT Health Improvement and Engagement Project
• LGBTQ Disabilities Project
• Rainbow Cafe: suppor t for LGBT+ people with Dementia
• Volunteering oppor tunities 01273 234 009
● BRIGHTON ONEBODYONEFAITH
Formerly The Gay Christian Movement Contact: Nigel Nash nigelnash@me.com www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk
● BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE
Info, counselling, drop-in space, suppor t groups 01273 698036 or visit www womenscentre org uk
● LESBIAN & GAY A A
12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions: Sun, 7 30pm, Chapel Royal, Nor th St, Btn (side entrance) 01273 203 343 (general AA line)
● LGBT COCAINE ANONYMOUS
Meeting every Tues 6 30-8pm, 6 Tilbury Pl, Brighton, BN2 0GY, CA isn’t allied with any outside organisation, and neither endorses or opposes any causes Helpline 0800 6120225, www cocaineanonymous org uk www sussexcocaineanonymous co uk,
● LGBT NA GROUP
Brighton-based LGBT (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6 30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St 0300 999 1212
● LGBT+ MEDITATION GROUP
Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5 30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton 07789 861 367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk
● LUNCH POSITIVE
Lunch club for people with HIV Meet/make friends, find peer suppor t in safe space Every Fri, noon–2 30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gdns, Brighton Lunch £1 50 07846 464 384 or www.lunchpositive.org
● MCC BRIGHTON
Inclusive, affirming space where all are invited to come as they are to explore their spirituality without judgement 01273 515572 or info@mccbrighton org uk www mccbrighton org uk
● MINDOUT
Independent, impar tial services run by and for LGBTQ people with experience of mental health issues 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk and out of hours online chat www mindout org uk
● NAVIGATE
Social/peer suppor t group for FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people, every 1st Wed 7-9pm & 3rd Sat of month 1-3pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH https://navigatebrighton.wordpress.com/
● PEER ACTION
Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV contact@peeraction.net or www.peeraction.net
● RAINBOW FAMILIES
Suppor t group for lesbian and/or gay parents 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies org uk www rainbowfamilies org uk
● RAINBOW HUB
Information, contact, help and guidance to services for LGBT+ communities in Brighton, Hove and Sussex at Rainbow Hub drop in LGBT+ one-stop shop: 93 St James Street, BN2 1TP , 01273 675445 or visit www therainbowhubbrighton com
● SOME PEOPLE
Social/suppor t group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue 5 30-7 30pm, Hastings Call/text Cathrine Connelly 0797 3255076 or email somepeople@eastsussex gov uk
● TAGS – THE ARUN GAY SOCIETY
Social Group welcome all inEast & West Sussex Areas Call/Text 07539 513171 www.tagsonline.org.uk
● VICTIM SUPPORT
Practical, emotional suppor t for victims of crime 08453 899 528
● THE VILLAGE MCC
Christian church serving the LGBTQ community Sundays 6pm, Somerset Day Centre, Kemptown 07476 667353 www thevillagemcc org
HIV PREVENTION, CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES
● AVERT
Sussex HIV & AIDS info service 01403 210202 or email confidential@aver t org
● BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT
Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12 30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall 01273 733390 ext 520 or www brightonhovecab org uk
● CLINIC M
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm 01273 664 721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
● LAWSON UNIT
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials 01273 664 722
● SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE
Pavillions Par tnership Info, advice, appointments & referrals 01273 731 900 Drop-in: Richmond House, Richmond Rd, Brighton, Mon-Wed & Fri 10am-4pm, Thur 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-1pm; 9 The Drive, Hove 01273 680714 Mon & Wed 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm, Tue & Thu 10am-4pm, info & advice only (no assessments), Fri 10am-12pm & 1pm-3pm
• Gary Smith (LGBT* Suppor t) 07884 476634 or email gsmith@pavilions.org.uk
For more info visit weblink: pavilions org uk/ser vices/treatment-recover y-options/
● SUSSEX BEACON
24 hour nursing & medical care, day care 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, 10am–5pm 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 Ser vice @ Dukes Mound: advice, suppor t, info on HIV & sexual health, and free condoms & lube
• Netreach (online/mobile app outreach in Brighton & Hove): info/advice on HIV/sexual health/local services THT Brighton Outreach workers online on Grindr, Scruff, & Squir t
• Condom Male: discreet, confidential service posts free condoms/lube/sexual health info to men who have sex with men without access to East Sussex commercial gay scene
• 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 open to MSM (Men who have sex with Men) Anyone from the African communities, male and female sex workers and anyone who identifies as Trans or non-binary We now offer rapid 15 minutes results for HIV/Syphilis: Mon 10am-8pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm (STI testing available)
• Sauna Fastest at The Brighton Sauna (HIV testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men, results in 20 minutes: Wed: 6–8pm (STI testing available)
• Face2Face: confidential info & advice on sexual health & HIV for men who have sex with men, up to 6 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
• What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer suppor t group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men
• HIV Suppor t Ser vices: info, suppor t & practical advice for people living with/affected by HIV
• HIV Welfare Rights Advice: Find out about benefits or benefit changes Advice line: Tue–Thur 1:302:30pm 1-2-1 appts for advice & workshops on key benefits
● TERRENCE HIGGINS EA STBOURNE
• Web suppor t & info on HIV, sexual health & local services via netreach and myhiv.org.uk
• Free condom postal ser vice contact Grace Coughlan on 07584086590 or grace coughlan@tht org uk
● SEXUAL HEALTH WORTHING
Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV; Hep A & B vaccinations Wor thing based 0845 111345645
NATIONAL HELPLINES
● NATIONAL LGBT DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE at galop org uk and 0800 999 5428
● SWITCHBOARD 0300 330 0630
● POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm 0800 1696806
● MAINLINERS 02075 825226
● NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123
● NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600
● THT AIDS Treatment phoneline 08459 470047
● THT direct 0845 1221200
) BARS & PUBS
1 AFFINITY BAR
129 St James’s St, www affinitygaybar co uk
2 AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN
11-12 Marine Parade, 01273 688 826
www amsterdambrighton com
3 BAR BROADWAY
10 Steine Street, 01273 609777
www barbroadway co uk
4 BEDFORD TAVERN
30 Western Street, 01273 739495
5 BOUTIQUE BAR
2 Boyces St @ West St, 01273 327607
www boutiqueclubbrighton com
6 BULLDOG TAVERN
31 St James St, 696996
www bulldogbrighton com
7 CAMELFORD ARMS
30-31 Camelford St, 01273 622386
www camelford-arms co uk
8 CHARLES STREET TAP
8-9 Marine Parade 01273 624091
www charles-street com
9 FALLEN ANGEL
24 Grafton St, 07949590001
10 GIU & SU CAFÉ & WINE BAR
2 Church St, BN11UJ F I /giuandsu/ www giuandsu com/
11 GROSVENOR BAR
16 Western Street, 01273 438587
12 LEGENDS BAR
31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462
www legendsbrighton com
13 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 01273 681284 www marinetavern co uk
14 PARIS HOUSE
21 Western Rod, 01273 724195 www parishouse com
15 QUEEN’S ARMS
7 George St, 01273 696873 www theqabrighton com
16 REGENCY TAVERN
32-34 Russell Sq, 01273 325 652
17 ROT TINGDEAN CLUB
89 High St Rottingdean, BN2 7HE 01273 309529 F Therottingdeanclub
