Graham Robson, Sarah Green, Gary Hart, Alice Blezard
SPORTS EDITOR Paul Gustafson
ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman
SUB EDITOR Graham Robson
DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER
MODELS Cast of Alternative Panto
A-Ladd-In: Lola Lasagne, Dave Lynn, Davina Sparkle, Sally Vate & Miss Jason
PHOTOGRAPHY Nick Ford www.nickfordphotography.co.uk
CONTRIBUTORS
Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Rory Finn, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Enzo Marra, Netty, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Kate Wildblood
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Alice Blezard, Graham Hobson: CaptainCockroach@hotmail.com, James Ledward, Jack Lynn
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.
ALAN CUMMING@BAR BROADWAY
FEATURES
22 MARTIN FISHER FOUNDATION
Towards Zero HIV in Brighton & Hove: The Martin Fisher Foundation works strategically with local partners.
24 SMILE FOR DAVID Fundraising event at Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton.
25
WAKE UP FEELING FEMININE
Velvet Tattoo reveal the benefits of semi-permanent make-up!
48 SHE LOVES YOU
The lives and works of Lez Ingham by Craig Hanlon-Smith.
IRISH DRAG QUEEN FRONTS NEW
HIV CAMPAIGN
Panti Bliss fronts new campaign to encourage people to plan their lifelong journey with HIV.
) A new campaign fronted by HIV positive drag queen and gay rights activist Panti Bliss aims to help people living with HIV navigate their lifelong journey with the condition. The My HIV, My Rules, My Journey campaign by Gilead Sciences in partnership with Positively UK, The Sussex Beacon and George House Trust emphasises that decisions made about health, wealth and wellbeing today will help people with HIV to live the lives they want tomorrow.
Living with HIV used to be a short hop, but with today’s treatments, it’s more likely to be for the ‘long-haul’. While people are living longer with HIV than ever before, HIV and the medicines used to treat it can speed up the ageing process, and knowledge of this can help people make informed choices about their future. Different illnesses are more likely to affect people living with HIV and/or affect them at an earlier stage than HIV negative people. These may include heart disease, some cancers, osteoporosis and disorders of the liver, kidneys and brain.
The My HIV, My Rules, My Journey campaign is launching in order to inspire people living with HIV to plan ahead for the possible health challenges associated with the condition. The campaign also encourages people to speak to health professionals to help plan their lifelong journey, with the HIV101 ‘flight safety’ video now available at www.MyHIVMyRules.co.uk bringing the campaign message to life.
Panti Bliss, leading UK HIV activist and drag queen, said “It’s so important people living with HIV feel comfortable talking to, and working alongside, health professionals to plan for their lifelong journey HIV can speed up the ageing process so it’s essential to seek advice in order to take the best route for the journey ahead. I’ve lived the life I wanted with HIV for over 20 years and do not intend to stop now!”
In addition to the HIV101 video, the My HIV, My Rules, My Journey website features articles on health checks to consider, and details on the types of questions to discuss with healthcare professionals to ensure the best treatment and care. It also features information on insurance and personal finance and a checklist on ‘how to take control’.
Allan Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Positively UK, said; “For most people living with HIV it is now a long journey which requires planning for the future. Thankfully, there are many people and resources available to help start this preparation, including the My HIV, My Rules, My Journey campaign website, healthcare professionals and your local HIV charity.”
Face-to-face information and ideas will be available at events coming soon to Manchester and Brighton. Informal sessions with local HIV specialists will make it easy to seek out useful information to help people plan their lifelong HIV journey. Talks from local clinicians and advocates, finance, self-esteem, and sex and relationship experts will also be held at the events.
For more information and to register for a free event near you, view: www.MyHIVMyRules.co.uk/events
MISS JASON RECORDS CHARITY SINGLE FOR THT
) Miss Jason, the current holder of the Golden Handbag Favourite Drag Entertainer crown has recorded a charity single to benefit Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), the national HIV and sexual health charity.
Hold On To Your Dreams is an optimistic uptempo euro beat number that would give many recent UK Eurovision Song Contest entries a run for their money.
The single will be released on iTunes on December 1 to coincide with World Aids Day. Each download costs just 79p. Hard copies of the single have also been produced and Miss Jason will be selling them at her
shows up and down the country for £5 with £4 going to THT.
The single, written and composed by Tony Power of Powerworld Music Production was recorded at Barbican Studios in London.
LGBTQ HISTORY CLUB
) The next LGBTQ+ History Club takes place on Sunday November 20, 3pm–5pm at the Museum Lab at Brighton Museum. It will feature talks from EJ Scott (fashion curator and trans activist) about Brighton's reputation as a queer fashion hub; and from Sequioia Barnes (fashion lecturer at Brighton University) about queer BAME visibility and fashion. The club is totally free, but they ask people to book a place to give an idea of numbers. For more info view: www.queerinbrighton.co.uk
Queer In Brighton have also launched an LGBTQ+ blog
(www.queerinbrighton.co.uk/categor y/history-club) and are asking people for submissions of writing, photos and any materials which illuminate the city’s queer heritage. Email info@queerinbrighton.co.uk with submissions or to find out more.
There will be a free workshop at The Keep on Saturday November 26 to learn how to use the archive and see material from the Ourstory archive and the Lesbian & Gay Survey Please book your place in advance. For more details view: www.queerinbrighton.co.uk
NEW FACE AT CAMELFORD ARMS
) Dale Drury returns behind a bar, as the new deputy manager at the award winning Camelford Arms. In recent years he worked at the Bulldog, Vavoom and Amsterdam Hotel in Brighton. He moved to Colchester where he managed a nightclub for a year before returning back to live in Brighton. He said: "I’m looking forward to welcoming friends old and new to this fantastic bar and remember to vote for me in next years Golden Handbags!"
WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS
The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day (WAD) Partnership are organising a series of events to mark World AIDS Day on December 1. The partnership includes: Avert, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, Brighton GEMS, Gscene, Lunch Positive, Peer Action, Sussex Beacon, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT.
CANDLELIT VIGIL
) NEW STEINE GARDENS MEMORIAL SPACE, New Steine Gdns, BTN: THURS, DEC 1, 4-7pm. Volunteers and staff from the Partnership will be at New Steine Gardens from 4pm, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to leave items or messages of hope and remembrance at the memorial. New names of those we have lost can be added to the vigil list between 4pm and 5pm. Refreshments will also be available.
) BRIGHTON AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLELIT VIGIL, New Steine Gdns, BTN: THURS, DEC 1, 6-7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the remembrance event for those lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove. There will be a reading of the names and a candlelit vigil. Space will be available for anyone seeking quiet moments of reflection. New names to be read (in addition to those in previous years) can be emailed to susshivchap@gmail.com by November 27, or can be added to the list during the day at the New Steine Gardens Memorial Space
COMMUNITY EVENTS
) BRIGHTON GEMS - SPECIAL HIV/AIDS FORUM EVENT, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, BTN: FRI, NOV 25, 7-9pm Join Avert, Peer Action and THT at the regular GEMS Friday social meeting. ) POSITIVE HOPE - SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & SOLIDARITY, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, BTN: SUN, NOV 27, 4pm.Churches Together in Central Brighton and Sussex HIV Chaplaincy invite ALL to join them in a service of remembrance for those who have died and solidarity for those living with HIV/AIDS. An opportunity for prayer and reflection in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for those with some faith or none, Everyone is welcome. The speaker will be Revd. Steven Foster (Lunch Positive Chair of Trustees). Followed by refreshments. ) FREE SCREENINGof WE WERE HERE, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, BTN: WED, NOV 30.Join Lunch Positive for a special free screening of We Were Here, a true story from those in San Francisco who lived through the early days of the AIDS epidemic. For some this is a reminder and for others an insight, as we prepare to remember on World AIDS Day. Seating is limited so please arrive in good time. Entry is free, but donations to cover food and venue costs are welcome. Buffet from 6.45pm. Screening starts at 7.30pm
CONCERT
) WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERT:St Mary’s Church, St James St: THURS, DEC 1, doors open 7pm, concert at 7.30pm withperformances by the Actually Gay Men’sChorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Qukelele Tickets £8 in advance (£6 concessions) otherwise £10 on the door (concessions £8). To book online, view: tickets.brightongmc.org OR buy via the choirs. All profits donated to Lunch Positive
FUNDRAISERS
) SUBLINE: Mr Subline 2016Fundraiser for THT, £5 entry SAT, NOV 26, from 9pm
) CHARLES STREET: World Aids Day Fundraiser for THT, THUR, DEC 1, from 7.30pm Hosted by Drag With No Name with Sally Vate, Lucinda Lashes, Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Miss Penny, Martha D’Arthur, Kara van Park & Jennie Castell. Suggested £2 donation on door
ALTERNATIVE PANTO KICKSTARTS
LGBT HISTORY MONTH 2017 CELEBRATIONS
) In a unique development, this year’s Alternative Pantomime, A-Ladd-In, will be staged by the organisers and performers of the Alternative Pantomime in partnership with the University of Brighton, LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) and Gscene Magazine in the Sallis Benney Theatre at the University of Brighton. The aim of this new partnership is to bring together LGBT students and academics at the University of Brighton with the city's diverse LGBT communities, through use of the theatre facility, and help foster the production of the Alternative Pantomime as a positive addition to the university's event and programming strategy.
This groundbreaking affiliation seeks to engage university students in the wide range of issues highlighted through the work of Gscene Magazine and the LGBT CSF, as well as the university’s work with the awarding-winning Count Me In research project, and further work in LGBT research, LGBT educational and community activity at the University of Brighton.
The iconic Alternative Pantomime A-Ladd-In opens on Thursday, January 19 and will be the official curtain raiser to LGBT History Month 2017. The production at the Sallis Benney Theatre will run in tandem with other LGBT events and exhibitions at the Jubilee Library and other city centre exhibition spaces, including a performance and exhibition space in a big top on New Steine Gardens, culminating at the end of February with the resurrection of the iconic LGBT History Ball bringing LGBT History Month 2017 to a spectacular climax.
As well as raising money for the Rainbow Fund, who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT people in the city, the partnership will help raise awareness of scholarly issues related to LGBT history, artistic and performance practice, health, and sociology.
Opportunities for student engagement with the production and related initiatives are fundamental to the partnership which will be managed by the Brighton & Hove LGBT CSF. The Rainbow Fund will distribute, through their independent grants programme, all monies raised during the run of the Panto. As part of the wider partnership, Gscene Magazine will be offering opportunities for student journalists to engage with the city's diverse LGBT communities, with an open call to develop a student section in the magazine and cover city-wide news.
Current research projects, including the annual LGBT CSF Trust & Confidence Survey, will be developed with the help of academics and the partnership will be seeking to develop a research project through which a researcher will examine the history and history-making associated with LGBT theatre and entertainment.
The Alternative Pantomime will be organised and developed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the University Theatre & Gallery in recognition of the University's Code of Conduct and Equality & Diversity protocols, with safeguarding policies developed and delivered by the LGBT CSF, enabling the university to be a recognised partner that can be proud of hosting this iconic LGBT event.
For more info about A-Ladd-In view: www.thealternativepantobrighton.co.uk
DUKE OF YORK SCREEN CLASSIC LGBT FILM
) Legacy Film present The Passion of Remembrance, a classic Black British LGBT film, at Brighton’s Duke of York’s Picture House on November 6. The 1986 groundbreaking feature by Isaac Julien and Maureen Blackwood defined the Black experience in the UK. Produced byfilm cooperative Sankofa, formed in 1983 by black feminists and gay filmmakers, The Passion of Remembrance is a film about racism, sexism, homosexuality, the generation gap and their effects on a black British family. Writer/directors Maureen Blackwood and Isaac Julien also use footage from the inner-city riots that
swept across Britain in 1981 and shots of gay demonstrations to portray the government's harsh attitude toward its minorities. Legacy Film’s programme for November and December also includes further film screenings and art exhibitions in Brighton and Hastings: For more information, view: http://legacyfilm.org.uk/
MAYOR THANKS ORGANISERS OF THE CITY'S TWO PRIDES
) Cllr Pete West, Mayor of Brighton & Hove, held a reception in the Mayor's Parlour in late September to thank the people who make the city's two Pride events, Brighton Pride and Trans Pride, happen each year. He said: “Brighton Pride and Trans Pride 2016 were spectacular successes; one powered by the passions of a community exploring its own identity and the other benefitting from the expertise of its organisers and building on its international prominence. Both provided space for Pride with a purpose, Pride with a point and reflected Pride for our city, a place lucky enough to act as host.
“As my family and I are usually on holiday in August I was thrilled to be able to take part in both the Pride Parade and the Trans Pride March and as a Pride virgin felt welcomed and encouraged to participate by my fellow marchers and overwhelmed by the amazing response of the crowds lining the route. Thank you to everyone.”
In 2015 Brighton & Hove became part of the Rainbow Cities Network; a group of international cities who are leading the way on LGBT policy and inclusion work. The Network had launched a photo exhibition to celebrate part of what makes member
cities LGBT inclusive and Brighton chose to be represented by Rainbow Families in the exhibition, with the donation of a gorgeous picture of the Corder family. Liz Corder was present and the Mayor thanked her for her contribution to the exhibition.
Finally, the Mayor turned the spotlight on Shanni Collins, who works for Brighton & Hove City Council in the sports department and recently selfpublished her amazing book, All You Need is Love, about the different shapes and forms that families come in. It’s a wonderful book, also illustrated by Shanni. The Mayor finished the evening saying: "For me this book just captures the essence of the reason we are all here today, because we all believe in the benefits of diversity, we all understand the value of acceptance and we all believe this amazing city is a place in which we can all have Pride.”
COMMUNITY GROUPS INVITED TO BID FOR A GRANT TO PUT PRIDE IN OUR CITY
) For one weekend every year, the city is taken over by a sea of rainbows. From the parade watched by tens of thousands through to the festival in Preston Park to the street party in St James' Street, everyone comes together to mark the LGBT celebration that is Brighton Pride, the largest annual event in the calendar of Brighton & Hove.
Community groups are being invited to bid for money raised from the Pride Village Party to ensure that the positive message of Pride has an impact on areas of Brighton and Hove all year round.
Paul Kemp, director of Brighton & Hove Pride, said: “Community fundraising is central to the purpose of Pride in Brighton and Hove. On top of our recordbreaking fundraising for the Rainbow Fund we’re thrilled to be able to deliver small grants funding through the Social Impact Fund to small grassroots community organisations that can help deliver a positive community impact to the wider community. Pride are only able to deliver this fundraising with the help of local businesses who contribute to the fund and take part in the Pride village party.
"We’d like to encourage more local businesses across the city who benefit from the bumper weekend of business,
Pride brings into the city, to get involved with our fundraising efforts for all our communities”
The Pride Social Impact Fund aims to support those groups or organisations who need a little helping hand in making a difference in their communities. They don’t have to be LGBT related; they don't even have to directly linked to Pride (although applicants directly impacted will be favoured). However big or small, the only criteria is that it will brighten up people's lives by the time Pride comes round again next year. Funding comes from contributions made by businesses within the St James's Street Party area.
Launched in 2016, the inaugural awards saw more than £4,500 distributed to groups across the city.
The application process for this year's fund is open now and bids will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from The Argus, BBC Sussex, Juice 107.2, Brighton & Hove Independent, Gscene, Latest magazine and Latest TV
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT
The Pride Social Impact Fund has been set up to provide small grants for communal good. Grants are awarded annually to organisations or groups within the city with particular emphasis on areas directly affected or in the footprint of Brighton & Hove Pride. Any money distributed needs to have had a visible outcome by the start of Pride 2017.
Submissions should be a maximum of 400 words mapping out how the money will be spent and why the cause is deserving. Please note the maximum award will be £1,000. There is no lower limit.
There is no restriction on numbers of entries by individual groups. However, the emphasis is on supporting community and grassroots groups, rather than individuals. Submit by midday on November 30 by email to Bhsocialimpactfund@gmail.com
Applications will be considered by a panel of local media representatives with successful applicants informed by the end of December
Marlborough
Mucky
Neighbourhood
Queens
Shortts
St
PAUL KEMP
TOUGH CHOICES IN THIS YEAR’S RAINBOW FUND GRANTS ROUND
Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, explains the difficulties in deciding which LGBT/HIV groups receive grants to provide effective front-line services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove.
) Until the advent of the Rainbow Fund local fundraising was somewhat haphazard, with fundraisers having to choose a specific charity to support, without knowledge of the bigger picture of need, and often responding to the strongest lobbying which came from larger organisations with paid fundraisers. Smaller and newer 'grassroots' organisations were often left out in the cold.
The Rainbow Fund allows fundraisers to donate to a central fund, safe in the knowledge that the money will be distributed fairly to get the best value in supporting members of the local LGBT and HIV communities.
Local organisations providing that support can also trust that their projects will get fair consideration on a clear and transparent playing field. So far, so good...
Many grant giving organisations have very rigid criteria for what they will fund. When it was created, the Rainbow Fund decided not to go down that route.
We have evolved a system where we try to assess the 'bigger picture' each time we announce a grants round and take into consideration the likely amount we have to give as grants and the factors that have changed (evidence of need, cuts in council funding, and how much has been donated for us to distribute, for example).
Each time we announce a funding round we announce what we will give preference to. This year, for instance, preference was given to local, LGBT-led, volunteer-led groups. To encourage groups to work together we also gave preference to those who attended and contributed to the networking opportunities provided by the LGBT Small Groups Network and the quarterly public meetings of the LGBT Community Safety Forum
Once we have received the applications tough decisions are made. Each application is carefully considered. We try to get the best ‘bang for your buck’ on behalf of those who choose to donate to the
Rainbow Fund, with the aim of supporting the local LGBT and HIV communities in the best possible and most effective way.
Ultimately we have to have at the back of our minds, what it is about living with, or being affected by, HIV, or identifying as LGBT that needs support from our communities. The answer, judging by the projects which come to us for funding, is often ‘the consequences of stigma and social isolation’.
This has been particularly evident this year. A number of projects included social events, sports and outings, including taking groups to Pride or the Golden Handbags, theatre trips, swimming and ten pin bowling. We absolutely understand and recognise the importance and value of such projects, but a number of factors have meant that we have had to decline the funding of these events this year.
I'll be honest - we’re wary of setting a precedent. We currently have a significant amount of funding, particularly from Brighton Pride and the Brighton Bears Weekend for instance, but the amount left after funding the projects we have funded, means there is not enough to ‘cross this line’ yet to approve all the applications for social inclusion projects, and we don’t think it's fair to fund some and not others.
We also believe that there is scope for many of these projects to be almost entirely self funded. Not everyone is in a difficult financial situation that precludes them from contributing towards the cost of an event. Whether this is achieved by voluntary donations, or a bursary scheme involving fundraising within the organisation (raffles etc) is up to each group. We are looking to discuss this in more detail over the next few months with the groups and we want to make sure that those who really need financial support are able to join activities to reduce isolation and stigma.
Feedback from our surveys this year show that there is some perception that funds we give as grants pay for social activities for people who are well able to afford to contribute. Our job is to ensure that we support those who are really in need and demonstrate to the general public, fundraisers and donors, that every penny is used to give the best possible support right across all our communities, and we will continue to work with groups and organisations to achieve that.
CHRIS GULL
Join 50 Gscene readers on a Magical weekend trip to celebrate 25 years of Disneyland Paris.
Be whisked away from Brighton direct to the Magic Kingdom, staying at the fabulous Vienna Dream Castle Hotel. Enjoy the amazing attractions in both Disney Parks, get close up with Micky Mouse and Donald Duck, see the dazzling new shows, the glittering new parade, ride the latest ‘Touring The Stars’ attraction and so much more...
Your price includes:
•Coach transfer from Brighton to London and back.
•Return Eurostar from London St Pancras International direct into Disneyland Resort Paris.
•2 nights stay including breakfast at the Vienna Dream Castle Hotel (A Disneyland Resort Paris associated hotel).
•3 course dinner and a soft drink on the first night at the hotel (May 19).
•Unlimited access to both parks.
•£10 per person donation to the Rainbow Fund*.
Optional extra includes Buffet dinner at the Disneyland Hotel on Saturday evening (May 20) costing Euros 57. Deal includes Disney characters visiting your table throughout the meal for you to have photos taken with, all hot and cold buffet food and deserts, but excludes drinks.
DAVINA RAISES £2,200 FOR WEDDING WISH FOUNDATION
) Davina Sparkle turned over her birthday party at Charles Street on Sunday October 16, as a fundraiser for the Wedding Wishing Well Foundation
Launched in 2012 to organise and fund weddings for terminally ill people, the Foundation gives many men and women in the UK living with life limiting conditions or terminal illnesses, the opportunity to marry their special partner in life. The Foundation gives these people a chance to have their dream wedding day, with all the excitement, love and happiness that it brings. For many families, the memory of a happy wedding day surrounded by their family and friends is a cherished moment.
Hosted by Sally Vate and Patti O’Dors, acts appearing to support Davina and the Foundation included: Miss Jason, Miss Thunderpussy, Dave Lynn, Miss Penny, Elesha as Whitney Houston, Laura Nixon,Fonda Cox, Hayden Cheyne and Daniele Arbisi. Forty of Davina’s friends arrived by coach from Stevenage, his home town, helping raise a fantastic £2,200 on the night for the Foundation. For more information about the work of the Wedding Wish Well Foundation, view: www.weddingwishingwell.org.uk
SLEEPING BEAUTY
& A LITTLE PRICK
) Cllr Pete West, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, attended the launch party for the Adult Pantomime Sleeping Beauty & A Little Prick at Buddies Diner, 48 Kings Road, Brighton on Monday, October 3 where guest were fed the best fish and chips I have eaten in many moons washed down by the odd glass of wine or two.
The evening was compered by Dame Lee Tracey who introduced stars from the Panto to sing a number each and there was a raffle for Help The Heroes
The panto will run from February 1-12 in the Paganini Ballroom at the Old Ship Hotel and stars Lee Tracey, Maisie Trollette, Phil Harlequeen, Jason Prince, Topsie Redfern, Lascal Wood, Russell Keith, Jack Seager and Scott Virgo. Direction is by Simon Fielding and Sarah Bodaldhi is the Musical Director. Shows are daily at 5pm and 8pm and tickets start at £22. Check website for dinner show offers available. To book tickets view: www.brightonticketshop.com or call Dome Box Office: 01273 709 709
BEAR-PATROL RAISE £900 FOR CANCER CHARITY
) Bear-Patrol, the LGBT community and social/leisure networking group raised £900 for the Sussex Cancer Fund at the Miss Hope Springs show they staged at the Nightingale Room on Friday, September 30
21 hours per week
£30,000 pa pro rata (£18,000) 12 month initial contract
Enthusiastic, experienced worker sought to join our management team. Must have experience of corporate relationship development, fundraising, grant bidding, marketing, stakeholder management, partnership working, third sector strategic development and LGBTQ mental health. You will need to be motivated, capable and resourceful.
For an application pack please see our website: www.mindout.org.uk or call 01273 234839
Closing date: Monday 14th November
Interviews will be held on: Monday 21st November
MOBILITY SCOOTER DONATED TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM
) The Dental Health Spa have donated a mobility scooter to the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum (B&H LGBT CSF) initiative
Accessibility Matters to support work they deliver across the city during Brighton & Hove Pride. Accessibility Matters is the only volunteer-led LGBT project in Brighton & Hove that delivers effective front-line services to disabled LGBT people in the city and is an initiative of the B&H LGBT CSF.
The mobility scooter was presented to Billie Lewis, Chair of the Forum, by award-winning dental hygienist Christina Chatfield during a Macmillan Coffee morning fundraising day at the Dental Spa on Queens Road in central Brighton on Friday, September 30
The Dental Health Team, supported by Karen Neeson of Forever Living, took to the streets to sell cakes they had baked and invite passers-by into the Spa for coffee, tea and a ditty from songbird Sally Schofield. Sales from the cakes amounted to £282 and with an additional £100 donation from Dental Health Spa a total of £382 was raised for MacMillan
Accessibility Matters was created by the B&H LGBT CSF to address the needs of older, blind, disabled, and deaf members of the LGBT+ communities in the city, to encourage and empower them to take part in community and social life on a par with their non-disabled peers.
) Security doorman Carl Divall raised more than £3,000 for charity by shaving off his beard. Carl is the jolly bouncer with the wonderful beard who guards the gates at Revenge and Subline. Well he's still wonderful but now the beard is gone! Gscene photographer Jack Lynn caught up with a very clean-shaven and barely recognisable Carl at Shave the Day to find out more…
Carl said: “Lee Bone was a much-loved old school friend who had suffered from Charcot Marie Tooth disease (CMT) all his life. Sadly he passed away on August 17 to everyone's shock. A collection was taken at his funeral and a very impressive £600 was raised for CMT United Kingdom, a national charity raising awareness for the disease which is a genetic condition that damages peripheral nerves. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to donate at the time so I decided to have a little fundraiser of my own by shaving off my four-year-old beard!
“This soon escalated massively and before I knew it, Shave the Day had become a thing! Andrew Roberts
kindly arranged for it all to take place at Bar Revenge and on October 16 out came the scissors! Alex Baker of Juice 107.2 did a great job hosting the night, and the actual beard trim was done by Chyrese Carpenter of Cove Hair
“An amazing £618 was donated on the night of the shave, which, added to what I had already raised through my justgiving.com page, made an unbelievable total of over £3,000!”
Jack Lynn added: "I know well how CMT effects everyday life as I have the condition myself. Debilitating tiredness, aching legs, even uni nights out at Revenge cut short by exhaustion, no carriages at midnight like Cinderella, just wandering home early, upset and tired - tissues please! Luckily I have quite a mild form of the disease and whilst it does affect daily life there are many CMT sufferers who have it much worse, so please donate to this wonderful cause”.
To make a donation view: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Car l-Divall ...and maybe lend Carl a winter scarf for his chinny, chin-chin!
Billie Lewis, Volunteer Chair of the LGBT CSF, said: “The donation of the mobility scooter is such a generous and thoughtful idea. We really are very grateful to everyone at the Dental Health Spa for choosing our project to benefit from it. It will be used throughout the year as we assist disabled LGBT people around the city.”
Christina added: “The LGBT CSF do a fantastic job making Pride accessible for everyone and I couldn’t think of a more worthy organisation to donate my mother’s mobility scooter to.”
) The Arun Gay Society (TAGS) raise £300 each for Air Ambulance charity and the Sussex Beacon
TAGS secretary Maureen Carter and Peter Saggs, the social secretary, presented a cheque for £300 to paramedic Caroline Rose, Dr Joanna Oakshott and pilot Kevin
Goddard from the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance services. The money was raised from various TAGS events held during the year.
TAGS was formed in 1982 out of the local branch of Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE), which had been meeting in Littlehampton since December 1974.
TAGS operates primarily as a social group for the LGBT communities in the southern part of West Sussex, but members come from much further afield. They welcome men and women of all ages who can subscribe to their aims and pay a modest annual membership fee.
For more information, view: www.tagsonline.org.uk
PARAPLEGIC
GAY
MAN ‘TRAPPED’
IN
SECOND FLOOR FLAT DESPITE COUNCIL ASSURANCES TO RE-HOUSE HIM
A gay man with no use or feeling in his legs remains trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation in Hove despite promises from Brighton & Hove City Council to find something more suitable with wheelchair access.
) Robert Carver, 32, has been living in second floor temporary council accommodation that has no lift for the last five years. During that time his condition has deteriorated considerably, especially in the last six months.
Robert says: "I’m a paraplegic, with no use or feeling in either of my legs. I started suffering from a disease five years ago which is so rare that a formal accurate diagnosis is not available, but is most likely to have been caused by a brain virus."
Clinical investigations are ongoing but Robert says his condition is totally irreversible and his health has deteriorated considerably in recent months.
For the past two years, he has been unable to walk or use his legs and remains in second floor, temporary council accommodation, with a steep and narrow staircase which is totally unsuitable for the needs of someone who cannot use their legs.
He claims his social worker and many council professionals have witnessed his situation first hand, which includes having, when he leaves the flat to go to hospital appointments, to lower himself using his arms and bouncing his bottom down the steep staircase to get out of the flat. Often he falls in the process.
When he returns to the flat after medical appointments, Robert says: "It can take anything from
an hour or more with assistance to pull myself up, step by step. How can that be fair, safe or reasonable?"
The flat is tiny and cramped, and none of the doorways are suitable for wheelchairs so he has to pull himself around on the floor, dragging his legs behind him.
There is little space in the bathroom for his part-time carer to help him and getting into the bath is very dangerous.
All this means he is constantly damaging his bones and joints. He claims the damage is so bad that his doctors are refusing to embark on new treatments which could ease his condition until he is moved to more suitable accommodation.
In recent weeks, Robert says his condition has dramatically worsened. He can no longer move from his sofa and on the two days his 18-year-old carer is off, he is sometimes left without food, drink or the ability to go to the toilet or get washed. Robert uses adult nappies and says that sometimes he has to sit in his own faeces until the next day when his carer returns to help him.
He says: "I need accessible ground floor accommodation as a matter of urgency. I also now require a live-in carer, instead of the 28 hours per
week I get at the moment, so I need a two bedroom property with suitable wheelchair access."
His present flat is tiny, making the use of a wheelchair very difficult if not impossible.
He continues: "Currently I cannot use a wheelchair in this flat and due to my worsening condition I now have to be pulled around on the floor like an animal by my carer if he has to move me.
"It seems I am rather lost in the system. I get frustrated with my social worker as she seems not to be able to help me in the slightest and my young age seems to be a discriminating factor towards me getting the correct level of assistance. Why was I only classified as Level 1 on the mobility level three months ago?"
In desperation, in early October Robert posted details of his plight on Facebook asking for help. He wrote: "I would appreciate any assistance anyone can give in rectifying all these matters and to end my suffering. No one should have to live like this."
Robert claims in the last five years he has only ever been offered one other property by the council; a property which Caroline Lucas MP for Brighton Pavilion is on record as saying is not suitable for vulnerable people.
ITV News brought Robert's situation to the attention of their viewers when they ran a news story on Meridian on October 12.
At the time the council issued the following statement to ITN News: "We are aware that Mr Carver's condition has deteriorated and we also recognise that his current accommodation is unsuitable. We've recently acquired some emergency accommodation with wheelchairadapted units and were hoping to move him in on an interim basis in the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately there is an acute shortage of accommodation available that is suitable for his needs".
Since that statement Robert has been offered a property in Whitehawk which he says is not wheelchair accessible and is asking for it to be inspected by his occupational therapist before he makes any decision to move.
Robert has confirmed to Gscene that in all his dealings with the council he was never made aware that there was a dedicated LGBT Housing Officer working in the council's housing team.
Brighton & Hove City Council withdrew the dedicated LGBT housing post earlier this year and has chosen not to respond to Gscene's enquiry as to when that decision was made and which LGBT community groups were consulted by the council's housing department before making the decision.
At present, Robert only has the use of a basic national health wheelchair which he says is "wholly inappropriate" for his needs and is causing his body yet more damage.
He needs a better wheelchair costing £4,800 to enable him to get around and has set up a GoFundMe page. If you would like to make a donation, view: www.gofundme.com/wheelchair-severelydisabled-robert-2u44bzg?pc=tw_co_dashboard_a
WHO’S THE BOSS BEHIND THE BAR?
This month Morgan Fabulous finds out why Lee Cockshott, owner and manager of the Marine Tavern, never has a moment to himself.
) Lee grew up in Manchester where he became very fond of the commercial gay scene. Aged just 18, he invested in a bar named the Woolpack and worked there at weekends while studying social work at university. After working his way up the social work ladder he decided to take his career in a completely different direction. After owning a guest house in Scotland and later a hotel in Eastbourne, he decided, after constantly commuting here for nights out, to move to and invest in Brighton. He looked at a couple of gay venues and decided to buy the Marine Tavern in Broad Street, a traditional bar with lots of character. He also manages Poison Ivy at the bottom of St James’s Street, which is under new ownership.
Since taking over the Marine Tavern he’s introduced a variety of themed nights. If you’re new to the area and want to make new friends, join his Bar Crawl every third Friday of the month at 8.30pm. It is hosted by local drag queen, Stephanie Von Clitz, and you get a free shot in each bar visited, which usually includes the Marine Tavern, the Bulldog, the Zone, Queen’s Arms, Bar Broadway and Poison Ivy! Every Tuesday is Quiz & Curry night with curry, including naan bread and rice, costing just £1! Unbelievable value. There’s also a vegetarian option available when booked in advance through their Facebook page. Traditional roast diners are served every Sunday, followed by Drag Open Mic night where you get £10 cash for a 10 minute performance, providing you’re in drag. During December, Christmas dinner will replace the traditional roast each Sunday.
Lee also organises and promotes The Big Scrum, a rugby and sportskit night that is currently held at Subline in Brighton as well as other venues in the UK and Ireland. For details of the next Scrum: www.sublinebrighton.co.uk
Twice a year, in February and October, Lee organises a trip to Blackpool for his customers with hotel and transport included in the price. This year’s trip cost just £149 and it’s a great way to meet new people and see another part of the UK. If you don’t have a car, Blackpool can be very timely and expensive to get to, so it’s an opportunity not to be missed! Ask at the bar for details and prices of the next trip in February 2017.
In his spare time, Lee loves travelling around Europe and clubbing in Brighton and London amongst other places. He’s pretty sure that there isn’t one gay club in the UK that he hasn’t been to. Now that’s dedication for you.
Lee has a love of horror films, which was reflected in the Marine Tavern’s Halloween decor this year. For all of October, he boarded up the front of the bar to look like a post-apocalyptic movie set with a smoke machine making it look like the bar was on fire.
A special date for your diary is Friday, November 25 when Ruby Murry, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, will be performing live on stage from 9pm
OUT TO SWIM SOUTH STAGE 10TH ANNIVERSARY SWIM GALA
) Thirty-two swimmers competed at the Out to Swim South (OTSS) Anniversary Gala last month at Roedean School, Brighton. The event was the first Swim Gala held by OTSS, where a number of swimmers from Brighton and London took part in a competition for the first time.
Multiple event winners included: Philip Collins (6), Ian White (5), John Moore, Hans Stofregan and Dimitir Spiliotis (4) and Kate Whitmill, Cyrus Yow, Ryan Valadas and Martin Bradford (3).
John Moore, event organiser, said: “Everyone had a great time. The event was very relaxed and friendly, an ideal opportunity for those who had not entered a competition
before. We hope to hold another similar event next year.”
OTSS is an LGBT Swim Club that swims three times a week. New members are always welcome. The Club can accommodate a range of swimming abilities and offers tuition for those who want to improve their swimming skills and fitness.
For more information, view: www.outtoswim.org/brighton/
KINNY GARDNER RECEIVES BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
) Kinny Gardner received the British Empire Medal (BEM) from Mr
Peter Field, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, at a ceremony in the Mayor's Chamber at Eastbourne Town Hall on Friday, October 21
The honour was announced in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded to Kinny for his 'Services to Children's Theatre and Children with Disabilities'.
Kinny, a self-employed showman, hails from Edinburgh. He studied Dance & Choreography at London Contemporary Dance School and lives in Brighton.
BRIGHTON MARKS HATE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK AT OLD STEINE VIGIL
Despite appalling weather, the Solidarity Vigil went ahead on Saturday, October 15 on the Old Steine in Brighton marking International Day of Hope and Remembrance and bringing Hate Crime Awareness Week to a close.
) The first International Day of Hope and Remembrance was launched at the London Vigil Against Hate Crime, which took place on October 30, 2009 following the death of Ian Baynham who was homophobically abused and beaten to death in Trafalgar Square. Over the past seven years the third Saturday of October has been established as a day when people around the globe organise solidarity vigils and events to show support to those who have been affected by Hate Crime.
Speakers included the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Pete West; Cllr Emma Daniel,Chair of the Neighbourhoods, Communities & Equalities Committee; Cllr Geoffrey Theobald, Leader of the Conservative Group; Cllr Phelim Mac Cafferty, Convener of the Green Group; Sgt Peter Allan, Sussex Police Hate Crime & Trans Equality Advocate; and Michael Hydes from the Village Community Church.
Eric Page, Brighton & Hove Council LGBT Community Safety Officer, talked about the Self
Evident Hate Crime Reporting App funded by the Sussex Police Crime Commissioners Office and Peter Wileman, Brighton & Hove Community Safety Manager, talked about the work of the Council's Hate Crime Casework Team.
Caroline Lucas, Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, was unable to attend and sent a message to be read out. She wrote: “The International Day of Hope and Remembrance serves as an important reminder to us all about the impact of Hate Crime in our communities. We should never forget the sometimes unpalatable truths of events that have taken place. Even in a city so renowned for the celebration of its diversity, terrible hate crimes still happen.
“It’s our duty to unite and to learn from them, so that we can do our best to challenge discrimination, intolerance, and hate whenever we encounter it. We stand in solidarity with others around the world today;
others refusing to be threatened by homophobia or transphobia. Others ready to confront racism; sexism; and discrimination in all its forms.
“I’ve said before, but I firmly believe, that whilst fear is a powerful weapon; there is strength in hope; and by uniting we can make a difference. Brighton & Hove is an amazing city. I have a huge sense of pride as the MP for Brighton Pavilion that it’s a city leading the way on understanding and acceptance.”
Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove & Portslade, was out of the country and sent his apologies for not attending.
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus brought the evening to a close with rousing renditions of One Moment In Time, Yes and You Raise Me Up
The event was organised by volunteers of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, hosted by the Chair, Billie Lewis, and hot drinks were provided by Lunch Positive, the HIV Lunch Club.
THE SPEAKERS
Towards
Zero HIV in Brighton & Hove: the Martin Fisher Foundation working strategically with local partners
) The Martin Fisher Foundation was set up in Brighton & Hove to take forward the work of Professor Martin Fisher. The Foundation’s work continues Martin’s ethos of treating people living with HIV with dignity, compassion and respect and focuses on the development of new strategies for effective HIV prevention, treatment and care.
The Foundation has been busy over the past year, working with a range of stakeholders, not only from across the city but also in partnership with national and international experts, to develop a Towards Zero HIV Prevention Strategy for the whole of Brighton & Hove. This strategic work is nearing completion with a launch of the strategy aligned to World AIDS Day 2016.
The strategy explains where we are now with HIV in our city, where we want to be in the future and, most importantly, how we can take a journey together towards achieving zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related deaths and zero stigma in the resident population of Brighton & Hove.
This strategy reaches out, with goodwill, to our community to see what we can achieve together and makes a range of recommendations. It calls for action and advocacy from professional stakeholders, organisations and the public. It recognises that behaviour change will be required not only by individuals but also by organisations and society as a whole if we are to progress towards zero HIV and achieve success in our city.
Through Martin’s legacy of inspiration and innovation, as well as the connection he had with colleagues and patients, we have a unique opportunity to draw on the commitment of the local HIV community and have service users at the centre of this work.
A cornerstone of the strategy is to establish Brighton & Hove as the first city in the UK to become a Fast Track City. Cities taking part in the Fast-Track Cities Initiative commit to achieving the 90-90-90 targets by 2020. These targets are:
•90% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status;
•90% of people who know their HIV-positive status on treatment;
•90% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads.
A cornerstone of the Martin Fisher Foundation is to facilitate partnership working and the strategy provides a leadership framework that
will allow local HIV and other organisations to unite in support of a shared strategic HIV prevention objective.
To ensure cohesive, local and strategic HIV prevention planning across Brighton & Hove, the strategy supports continued close working between people living with HIV and organisations providing HIV prevention and HIV peer support services, so that organisational strategies can be shared and developed to augment each other and so that opportunities for collaborative working can be identified.
RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT HIV IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Since the launch in September 2015, the Foundation has engaged with the community in Brighton & Hove to raise awareness and build social understanding of the local issues with, and social ownership of, the benefits associated with HIV prevention in Brighton.
These have included a Towards Zero HIV: Get PrEP Pre-Pride film and discussion event, marching with Towards Zero HIV volunteers as part of the Brighton & Hove Pride Parade 2016, and then a presence at the Sexual Health and Contraception Community Stall in Preston Park, and most recently partnering with local HIV clinical and community providers to deliver a sauna-based, HIV testing kit pilot.
The Foundation is currently working with a range of stakeholders to develop an implementation of the Towards Zero HIV Prevention Strategy.
‘TOWARDS ZERO HIV’ VOLUNTEERS WEARING MARTIN FISHER FOUNDATION T-SHIRTS WITH A SERIES OF HIV PREVENTION MESSAGES, BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE PARADE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2016
The idea for a 'Trust and Confidence Survey' came out of Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum public meetings during 2012.
With a message from LGBT groups that Hate Crime was a significant factor in the City, where higher than average numbers of the LGBT community live and socialise, the groups wanted a survey to measure the baseline levels of trust and confidence in Police and Council services, to deal with this situation.
They were also mindful of a recent Police Survey: 'Sexual Orientation and Transgender Related Incidents - Understanding Under Reporting' and the 'Count Me In Too' survey report from 2007.
SMILE FOR DAVID
In a couple of weeks, the Smile For David charity will be holding its annual fundraising event at the Sallis Benney Theatre in Brighton. By Morgan Fabulous.
) This year they will also be smiling for John Ling, who sadly passed away in February of cancer. The money raised this year will be evenly split between the charities the Norfolk & Norwich Association for The Blind (NNAB) and Martlets Hospice
The Smile For David charity was founded by James Pullen and named after his brother, David, who tragically passed away from lung cancer in 2009, at the young age of 27.
David was blind since birth but he didn’t let that hold him back, he was one of the happiest people you could meet and he was
always smiling. David and his parents were supported by the charity NNAB when they moved to Cromer in Norfolk.
His brother James, who was devastated by his passing, wanted to give something back by supporting the charity that supported his brother and to keep the memory of him alive.
After months of planning and the kindness of his friends and other people willing to share their time for a good cause, Smile For David had its inaugural production at the Sallis Benney Theatre. Amongst the first performers who dedicated their time were Brighton drag queen Candi Rell; singer/songwriter and cabaret artist, Lorraine Bowen; and alternative all male band The Lingettes, which John Ling was a member of.
After the success of The Lingettes, James decided to put together another band called the DTMs, who carried on performing at Smile For David events and also at the Brighton Pride Street Party. It was his brother who inspired him to pursue his dreams and put together a band where like-minded men could come together to make people smile and Smile For David events provided the perfect platform for their performances.
The band don’t take themselves too seriously and they have fun with their performances; it’s a delightful mix of cabaret and comedy.
You can catch the DTMs at this year’s Smile For David event on Saturday, November 12, at the Sallis Benney Theatre. Tickets are only £10 in advance, £15 on the door, and are available from the Bedford Tavern, the Brighton Tavern and the Grosvenor Bar
Hosted by Candi Rell and Adam Brooks, other acts on the night include: Maisie Trollette, Gabriella Parrish, Spice, Crystal D’Canter, Paul Murray, Trudy Styles and the Piano Man, Poolah May, Pasty Cline, Jason Thorpe, JB, Sissy Sucks, Richard Tredgett. Morgan Fabulous will be there to photograph the event.
The afterparty will be held at the Brighton Tavern and on Sunday 13, the Bedford Tavern will be holding a Piano Bingo and donating the proceeds to Smile For David.
SMILE FOR DAVID
) Smile For David: Sallis Benney Theatre, 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY
Saturday, November 12
Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start
Tickets: £10 in advance from Bedford Tavern, Brighton Tavern and Grosvenor Bar in Hove.
WAKE UP FEELING FEMININE!
As any transgender person would know, or will find out, the transitioning process is a long and slow one, but with semi-permanent make-up (micro-pigmentation) you can fast forward your new features with almost instant results!
) For most of us, waking up with a full face of make-up means we either had a long day or a pretty heavy night and completely forgot to take it off. Now our lipstick is smudged up our cheeks and the white sheets are stained. But what if you could fall asleep in your make-up and get up each morning looking just as beautiful as the day before? Well now you can!
Semi-permanent make-up (SPMU) has been around for 15-20 years and is essentially the process of implanting pigments (usually organic) under the skin via specialist equipment and skill. Similar to a tattoo, but more precise and gentle.
There are many benefits to having SPMU, for both males and females!
For the ladies you can enjoy permanent:
• Stunning tailored eyebrows;
• Beautifully defined full lips;
• And soft sultry eyes.
And for men/F to M transgender there’s the option of having a treatment called micro=pigmentation, which is essentially the process of having thousands of tiny dots tattooed on your scalp or face that can resemble:
• Soft facial stubble;
• A 5 0’Clock shadow;
• Or a strong defined hairline.
Broadcaster Sophie Cook, a client at Velvet Tattoo, has had SPMU applied to her eyebrows, eyeliner and lips. This has helped to not only give her more defined feminine features, but also made it easy for her to enhance the features with traditional makeup, as the shape is now always there for her to follow.
When Sophie’s makeup was finished and completely healed, we asked her how she now felt about herself: "The challenge for transgender women is to try to enhance your
natural features despite years of hormones playing havoc with your body. I struggled with very thin, almost non-existent lips and always found it difficult to get a good shape with my make-up.
“Having semi-permanent makeup has given me the ideal lip shape, all day every day. It means that even first thing in the morning I can look in the mirror and see the representation of me that I want to see looking back at me.
Additionally, when I’m working and getting rained on, or exercising, or partying when sweat can wash away traditional make-up, I am still confident that my brows, eyeliner and lips will be perfect."
Does it hurt?
There is usually very minimal discomfort, we use topical anaesthetics to greatly reduce any minor discomfort. The majority of clients feel absolutely nothing except a prickly sensation in the treated area.
How much does it cost?
Make-up prices start at £220 and micropigmentation prices start at £600. You should look at the long-term cost of three to five years of daily make-up expense, it doesn’t wash off and it’s a great time-saver. Once you've had the treatment, the outline and symmetry is there for you to enhance your look for ever!
CHARLES STREET CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Charles Street push the boat out with style this Christmas offering a variety of excellent Christmas parties and meals packages available daily during the festive season.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS DINNER
) A classic Christmas meal is available daily costing £11.95 for two courses or £13.95 for three courses.
STARTERS include: rich Tomato & Jersey Cream Soup; Sticky Chicken Wings or Crispy Crumbed Camembert.
MAIN COURSES include: hand-carved Roast Turkey dinner with Trimmings; Cheesy Smoked Haddock Bake; Bah-hum-burger; Smoked Boneless Beef Rib (+£1 supplement); or Leek & Cheddar Tart DESERTS include: classic Christmas Pudding; Baked Vanilla Cheesecake; or five layer Chocolate Fudge Cake
CHRISTMAS BUFFET
There are three buffet options available:
) SLEIGH #1: Sticky Chicken Wings, Pigs in Blankets, Stuffing Balls, Crispy Potatoes, Cranberry Slaw and Crispy Onions, served on a huge wooden board with enough food for six people at £11.95 each platter. Amazing value!
) For SLEIGH #2 add Crispy Crumbed Camembert and Turkey & Cranberry Sliders to SLEIGH #1 choices, at £13.95 each platter. The crispy crumbed camembert is divine!
) For SLEIGH #3 add Crispy Crumbed Camembert, Turkey &
Cranberry Sliders, Salt Beef Reuben Sliders and extra Crispy Potatoes to SLEIGH #1 choices at £15.95 each platter. The Salt Beef Reuben Sliders are simply to die for!
CHRISTMAS PIZZA
) If you’re a pizza girl (and there are many in Brighton, less in Hove actually) you have the choice for Christmas of Margherita, Spicy Pepperoni and BBQ Chicken & Bacon, all costing £7.95 each.
CHRISTMAS PARTY DRINKS
) Party drink offers include: a six-bottle bucket (£22); six bottles of Miniature-Bottega Gold Prosecco (£35); bottle of house wine (£12); bottle of Prosecco (£17.50); bottle of Mumm Champagne (£40); six Jager-Bombs (£15); and a six-shot paddle of shots (£12). There are four Premium Drinks Packages available priced £90, £120, £170 and £220. They include a variety of bottles of premium spirits and mixers and either Christmas hats or a Prop Box full of Christmas fun. Prop boxes to enable you to dress up at your table and take selfies cost just £10
INFO
It’s vital to book these Christmas deals in advance: call 01273 624091 A non-refundable deposit of £5 per person is required on booking. You’ll find Charles Street at 8 Marine Parade, Brighton. For full details, view: www.charles-street.com
HIBERNATION 2016
OLD SHIP HOTEL, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23
) Hibernation, the annual community lunch organised by Bear-Patrol to raise money for the Sussex Beacon, was attended by 180 people on Sunday, October 23. At the last minute the event had to be moved from the fabulous Paganini Ballroom, because of problems with the ceiling, downstairs to the smaller surroundings of the Steak On Sea Restaurant. However, the restaurant's intimate atmosphere added to everyone’s enjoyment and the Old Ship Hotel donated £750 to compensate for any inconvenience caused.
Mysterry, hosted the afternoon’s proceedings with style and four costume changes introducing a stellar line-up of entertainment that included the fine singing voice of Kara Van Park; the classy, jazz chanteuse and musical director of the Rainbow Chorus, Aneesa Chaudhry; Krissie de Cann, who had everyone up dancing; Jennie Castell whose vocal gymnastics were right on the money; and the legend that is David Raven
Danny Dwyer of Bear-Patrol said: “Many thanks to everyone who provided prizes for the raffle, to Carole Todd for operating the follow spot to Chris Sarson from Co-op Funeral Care who donate three hampers to Mandy from Fabricate Decor who dressed the restaurant and to Dan Hale the Toastmaster.”
) OPEN Mon-Thur 6pm-1am, Fri 5pm–3am, Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am
) DRINK PROMOS 4-8pm each day, all day Mon & Tues
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (27), FIREPLACE SESSIONS present Britain’s Got Talent finalist Alison Jiear at 8.30pm. Alison has graced the West End stage in Jerry Springer The Opera, Les Miserables and Prisoner Cell Block H The Musical. She trained classically in voice & piano at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and moved to London in 1988 as a member of the Australian girl group The Fabulous Singlettes who starred in Stop In The Name Of Love in the West End, recorded many TV specials and supported Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey. Alison received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical in 2004 for her pole-dancing role in Jerry Springer The Opera. She reprised the role at the Sydney Opera House and then again in 2013 for the Royal National Theatre's 50th anniversary. Alison has numerous musical strings to her bow: guesting for a symphony orchestra one week, presenting her one-woman show the next, singing in gay clubs and on TV commercials one week or film soundtracks the next. In May 2015, Alison performed a rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone on Britain’s Got Talent. David Walliams hailed, ‘A star is born!’ and Simon Cowell declaring she gave ‘one of the best vocals we've ever had on the show’
) REGULARS Mon is ROSS’ BIG MONDAY QUIZ at 8pm ) Thur is Sally Vate and Ross Cameron’s SHOWTUNE KARAOKE at 8.30pm ) Sun the FIREPLACE SESSIONS present top vocalists for your listening pleasure at 8.30pm: Sam Chara (6), Jason Thorpe (13) and Jennie Castell (20).
Information is correct at the time of going to press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
TUESDAY 1
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz & Curry 7.30pm
l POISON IVY Student Takeover Karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Big Balls Bingo 9pm
l REVENGE Get Em Off!: Miss Jason hosts amateur strip night + cash prizes & DJs Toby & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Film Night: free hotdogs/popcorn 8pm
WEDNESDAY 2
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync for Your Life: host Crystal Lubrikunt & prizes 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST Drag With No Name’s Silly
Willy Wednesdays: games/cash prizes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Chill Out Zone (Just a Boozer) 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music 8pm
l POISON IVY Poison Ivy’s Got Talent: Quarter Final 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Balls Up Bingo 9pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Poker 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz Night 7.45pm
THURSDAY 3
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
BOUTIQUE
) 2 Boyces St @ West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com
) OPEN daily from 1pm–very late.Boutique karaoke suites are ideal for staff parties, birthdays, whatever! Karaoke packages from £15pp include 2 hours in karaoke suites, 2 cocktails & a shot. Boutique is now taking Christmas party bookings with private hire available from £10pp! Becky, Marketing Manager, says: “We have a variety of packages from snowflake cupcakes and cocktail packages to private venue Lapland transformation hire! We have some of the best prices in town and anyone who books quoting GSCENE receives 10% off their final booking!”
) FOOD all day, every day till midnight
) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri: bottles of Moet £50 & Veuve £60. Fri & Sat: five JBombs for £5 and 2-4-1 selected cocktails. Karaoke packages from £15pp, which include two hours in karaoke suites, two cocktails and a shot.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY The SATURDAY SESSIONS are from 10pm with the West End’s finest DJ Klipz, free shot drops, giveaways and themes: GUY FAWKES NIGHT with sparklers in cocktails and sparklers on the roof terrace (5), WINTER WARM-UP with the new cocktail menu (12), VIP Package for the best dressed group (19) and the KARAOKE STAND OFF PARTY on the roof terrace (26).
) REGULARS Start the weekend early every Thur at CASA BOUTIQUE featuring scene legend DJ Lady Lola spinning tunes from 9pm ) Fri is i-CANDY with Boutique’s resident DJ Franco spinning tunes to get you moving from 10pm
l BAR BROADWAY Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tribute: Jason Lee & Jason Thorpe 8pm
l BAR REVENGE Dutty Wine: Jamaican Carnival-themed FOMO warm-up party 9pm
l BOUTIQUE CASA Boutique: DJ Lady Lola 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ
Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mabel’s Bonna Bingo 8.30pm
BAR 7 CRAWLEY
l MARINE TAVERN Back to the 80s 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Fleur de Paris 8pm
l POISON IVY Ruby Galore & Theatrical Thursdays 8pm
) OPEN Sun, Tue & Wed 6pm–12.30am, Thur–Sat 6pm–2.30am
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fly into Bar 7 every Tue for CREWSDAY, a night dedicated to cabin crew, with DJ Lewis Osborne playing the latest pop/dance/r&b /requests from 9pm with free entry and drink specials all night. Bar 7 say: “Grab the first class bar and kick off your heels at Crewsday, a hedonistic free-for-all for crew or those who just want a good night out! Pubs and bars are packed to the rafters with local cabin staff on rest days and everyone's out to join in the fun!”
) AFTER WORK HAPPY HOUR All drinks half price 5–9pm Mon–Sat and all night on Sun from 8.30pm, right after the cabaret. Offer excludes sparkling wine and ) FOOD served Mon–Sat 12–8pm. Now taking Christmas bookings!
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (4) is RUMOUR HAS IT, one of the hottest LGBT nights on the scene, with guest DJ Seamus Haji and locals Lady Lola, Alpha and King King from 10pm; free entry till 11pm, £2 drink deals all night, raising money for Rainbow Fund. Seamus Haji had a number one on the UK Dance Chart, with a cover of Indeep's Last Night a DJ Saved My Life. He has remixed many tracks by other artists and he has worked with many of the biggest names in music, including Mariah Carey, Rihanna & Moby.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wrap up and don your whites on Sat (26) for the WINTER WONDERLAND WHITE PARTY with DJs warming your cockles from 9pm
) WORLD AIDS DAY Thur (1) December is WAD CABARET hosted by Drag With No Name and featuring top class acts including Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Sally Vate, Kara Van Park, Lucinda Lashes and more TBA from 7.30pm
) REGULARS Take in some of the best CABARET on the circuit every Sun from 7.30pm: Lizzy Drip (6), Charlie Hides (13), La Voix (20) and Mrs Moore (27); Sally Vate’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO follows from 8.30pm Drag With No Name brings the house down at SILLY WILLY WEDNESDAYS, an interactive a night full of adulterated stupidity with shed loads of camp games and competitions between teams. Drag With No Name says: ”On the night expect much campness and frivolities, plus it gets you out of the house for a couple of hours so you’re not stuck indoors watching The One Show. It’s a no brainer really.”
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke: drag host 12pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sandra 9.30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; Vocal House on level 2 11.30pm
l SUBLINE Subline is Six Birthday Party + Subline Calendar Launch 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm
SUNDAY 6
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Jane’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Sam Chara 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos + karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS roasts & select
menu 12pm–till gone; Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm
l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Lizzy Drip
7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Showtunes Sunday 1pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Drag With No
Name 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Areacode
6pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Sunday Spotlight Cabaret: Saucy Sophie 5pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Martha D’Arthur 6pm & 9.30pm
) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight
DRINK PROMOS All day Sun–Thur; 1pm–close on Fri; 1–7pm on Sat. BOGOF Cocktails all day Sun–Fri, till 7pm on Sat. Free pool with every round daily.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY SMILEY SUNDAY, a night of laughter for charity, is back at Doctor Brighton’s on Sun 13 from 7.30pm, entry £3 with all proceeds going to the Rainbow Fund. Supplying the laughs on the night will be compere Graeme Collard joined by an unmissable line-up of funny folk, including: Katherine Atkinson, Belle Busby, Joe McCarthy, Russell Arathoon, Sujatha Jayagopal, James Tully and Anna Mann. Doctor Brighton’s say: “On the night we will have a fab raffle and there will be happy hour prices at the bar all night as well as BOGOF cocktails!”
) REGULARS The SATURDAY SESSION with DJ Tony B heating up the dancefloor from 9.30pm FUNKY FRIDAY is with DJ Nick Hirst spinning tunes from 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
MONDAY 7
l BAR BROADWAY Ross Cameron’s Big Monday Quiz: cash & boozy prizes 8pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Monday 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Monday Madness 8pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s karaoke 7pm
TUESDAY 8
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz & Curry 7.30pm
l POISON IVY Student Takeover Karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Balls Up Bingo 9pm
l REVENGE Get Em Off!: Miss Jason hosts amateur strip night, cash prizes & DJs Toby & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Film Night: free hotdogs/popcorn 8pm
WEDNESDAY 9
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync for Your Life: host Crystal Lubrikunt & prizes 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST Drag With No Name’s Silly Willy Wednesdays: games/cash prizes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Chill Out Zone 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music 8pm
l POISON IVY Poison Ivy’s Got Talent: Semi Final 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate in Cabaret & Canapes 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Poker 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz Night 7.45pm
THURSDAY 10
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Dutty Wine: Jamaican Carnival-themed FOMO warm-up party 9pm
l BOUTIQUE CASA Boutique: DJ Lady Lola 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
NOVEMBER LISTINGS
GROSVENOR BAR
) 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com
) OPEN daily from noon–late
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday is KARAOKE with Mysterry, the blonde bombshell, sparkling up your evening from 9pm. Mysterry says: “I am loving karaoke at the Grosvenor Bar every Friday. It's great to hear the punters singing and I like having the chance to try out new stuff. Come along and join us, it's an attitude-free zone.”
) REGULARS ThurBONA BINGO with Mabel starts at 8.30pm Fri is KARAOKE with the ever-glamorous Mysterry from 9pm Sat is CABARET time from 9.30pm: Davina Sparkle (5), Miss Jason (12), Ruby Galore (19) and Pooh La May (26).
l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ
Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mabel’s Bonna Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Back to the 80s 8pm
l POISON IVY Ruby Galore & Theatrical Thursdays 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne
9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 11
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm;
Broadway Lounge 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz Warm-Up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter:
DJ Steve Lush 11pm
l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Franco 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN LGBT Pub Crawl
8.30pm
l POISON IVY Fierce Fridays Karaoke: Britney Fierce 8pm
) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm; Sunday lunch 12–3pm. Four-course Xmas dinner, £59pp. Call up or pop in for more details
) DRINK PROMOS Buy one bottle of wine get 2nd half price, Mon–Fri 12–11pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Celebrate LEGENDS’ BIRTHDAY on Sunday (13) with some of the UK’s best drag queens performing top CABARET with special guests from 3.30pm Lola Lasagne, like her namesake, has many layers! The award-winning performer has long been a favourite cabaret performer in London and Brighton, starting out at amateur drag nights. Since then, Lola has worked with many of the cabaret circuit's greats: Lily Savage, Phil Starr and Dockyard Doris. Lola's shows are well known for acerbic wit, the killer gag, the well-crafted put down and the brilliantly sung showstopper. Lola truly is all showgirl!
Dave Lynn, star of stage and screen,has been bringing his distinctive cabaret shows to audiences in Brighton and around the UK for more years than he cares to remember. In fact, he's been 34 years old for more years than we can remember! His cocktail of song and caustic wit hits the right spot every time.
Maisie Trollete, Doyenne of Drag, is a legend and nothing less than drag royalty. With over 60 years treading the boards, this incredible octogenarian still has the sharpest wit and some of the most impressive pipes on the circuit. Heckle at your peril! Maisie brings happiness, glamour and filthy jokes to any event, so light the blue touch paper and stand well back as the ‘listed building’ of drag takes to the stage to celebrate Legends’ birthday!
Davina Sparkle’s show is filled with jokes, outrageous humour, patter and song. Davina's costumes can be outrageous or glamorous and you’ll know her from her many performances at Maspalomos Pride in Gran Canaria and on the main stage at Brighton Pride. Naughtiness guaranteed!
) REGULARS Make yourself comfortable every Sun for CABARET from 3.30pm: Drag With No Name (6), Titti La Camp (20) and Topping & Butch (27).
l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE The Big Scrum sportswear night 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Miss Jason 10pm
SATURDAY 12
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 6pm; Broadway Lounge 9pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Saturday Sessions Winter
Warm Up: DJ Klipz & giveaways 10pm l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
) OPEN Wed & Fri–Sun from 11pm ) DRINK PROMOS £2 drinks all night on Wed & Sun
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Friday is GLITTER with DJ Steve Lush sparkling up the start of your weekend with glittery chart hits/disco/classic remixes. Steve Lush says: “I’ll be playing top tunes and the best remixes into the early hours of Saturday morning.”
) REGULARS Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller spinning chart/house/r&b. ) Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle ) Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller sweetening up the end of your weekend with a sprinkling of sugary tracks from 11pm. DJ Claire says: “Pop!Candy has grown and developed its own fan base and is busy, camp and fun every Sunday!”
l REGENCY TAVERN Launch Party: Maisie Trollette & piano accompaniment, free food, glass of champers on arrival 7.30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; Vocal House on level 2 11.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm
SUNDAY 13
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Jane’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Jason Thorpe 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos & karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Remembrance Day toast 1pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Charlies Hides
7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Smiley Sunday: comedy fundraiser for Rainbow Fund 1pm
) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Daily from 12-9pm; Sunday roasts12–5pm, £6.95 each or 2 for £13; Tue is Curry Night with curry £17.30–8.30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Following her show at Poison Ivy, Fri (25) is a very special FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with special guest Ruby Murry, Britain’s Got Talent finalist and ‘operatic drag queen’ at 9pm. Ruby will be performing songs you know and love in her outrageous, larger than life way. David Walliams said: “If only Pavarotti would dress like that. You’re a fantastic singer!”
) REGULARS Fri (4) is the monthly FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT with ever-glam hostess Stephanie Von Clitz and a special guest from 8.30pm
RUBY MURRY
NOVEMBER LISTINGS
POISON IVY
) 129 St James’s Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH
) OPEN Mon–Thur 5pm–12am, Fri–Sun 12pm–12am
) DRINK PROMOS Fri & Sat 12–7pm and Sun 12–5pm: doubles £3, pints of Stella and Stowford Press £3.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (24) is CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN with Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ruby Murry, giveaways and buffet at 8pm. Ruby’s outrageous costumes and knockout performance of Nessun Dorma on Britain’s Got Talent left Simon Cowell speechless! A great way to get in the festive spirit! ) Find out the winner of POISON IVY’S GOT TALENT at the Grand FinaleWed (16) at 8pm with Stephanie Von Clitz. And don’t miss the Wrap Party on Wed (23) at 8pm
) REGULARS SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT with top drag acts at 5pm: Saucy Sophie (6), Electric Blue (13), Auraj Drag Queen (20) and Dave Lynn (27). Auraj Drag Queen says: “I’ll be singing your favourite hits though the eras so if you love cheese, current hits and a bit of abuse this is the night for you!” ) Thur is THEATRICAL THURSDAYS with Ruby Galore at 8pm. Ruby says: “Twinks beware, it's the cougar with red hair! The fabulous rouge queen Miss Ruby Galore: songstress, mistress and mattress if you slip me a tenner!”
l LEGENDS BAR Legends’ Birthday Cabaret: Lola Lasagne, Dave Lynn, Maisie Trollette, Davina Sparkle & more 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 124pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Areacode 6pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Sunday Spotlight: Electric Blue 5pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn 6pm & 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts 12-5pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
PARIS HOUSE
MONDAY 14
l BAR BROADWAY Ross Cameron’s Big Monday Quiz: cash & boozy prizes 8pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Monday 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Monday Madness 8pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s karaoke 7pm
TUESDAY 15
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz & Curry 7.30pm
l POISON IVY Student Takeover Karaoke 8pm
) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, Tel: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com
) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD daily from 12pm–close
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (3) live 1930s–50s CHANSON with Fleur de Paris from 8pm
) REGULARS Wed is free LIVE JAZZ music at 8pm. Pop in or call the venue to see what’s on! ) Sat is LIVE JAZZ at 4pm; TC'S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry. ) Sun is LIVE MUSIC from Areacode from 6pm; TC’S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny is then from 9pm
QUEENS ARMS
) 7 George St, BN2 1RH, Tel: 01273 696873, www.thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
) OPEN 4pm Wed–Fri; 2pmSat & Sun
) DRINK PROMOS 2 for £8 Cocktails between 5pm & 9pm Tue–Sat
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Take in the finest CABARET on the circuit every Sat from 9.30pm: Sandra (5), Kara Van Park (12), Son of a Tutu (19) and Dr Beverly Ballcrusher (26). Dr Beverley Ballcrusher, one of the most established drag queens in the UK, is a lover of the impromptu gag and a mistress of unplanned comedy. She’ll leave you wondering, “Did she just say that?” With a big voice to match a big attitude this Doctor doesn’t pull her punches
) REGULARS Tue is Victoria Sponge’sBIG BALLS BINGO at 9pm with two free games and prizes from the trolly for winning one line, two lines and full house, ending with the big jackpot game, entry £1,with a rollover cash prize for a straight full house. ) Wed is Sally Vate in CABARET & CANAPES from 9.30pm ) Thur is another chance to see top CABARET on the QA stage from 9.30pm: Miss Jason (3), Lola Lasagne (10), Dave Lynn (17) and Spice (24). ) Fri is CABARET from 9.30pm with local and national stars: Kara Van Park (4), Davina Sparkle (11), Lola Lasagne (18) and Baga Chipz (25). ) Sun is a double helping of top CABARET at 6pm and 9.30pm: Martha D’Arthur (6), Dave Lynn (13), Topsie Redfern (20) and Miss Penny (27). Miss Penny, international live cabaret drag artiste with fast wit and amazing vocals, says: “My show is a mixture of anything and everything - serious songs, informative comedic songs, piss-taking songs and I love a good power ballad! All this wrapped with juicy 'gossip' and a few cheeky gags - not leather ones.”
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Balls Up Bingo 9pm
l REVENGE Get Em Off!: Miss Jason hosts amateur strip night, cash prizes & DJs Toby & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Film Night: free hotdogs/popcorn 8pm
WEDNESDAY 16
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync for Your Life:
host Crystal Lubrikunt & prizes 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST Drag With No Name’s Silly
Willy Wednesdays: games/cash prizes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Chill Out Zone (Just a Boozer) 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music 8pm
l POISON IVY Poison Ivy’s Got Talent: Grand Final 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate in Cabaret & Canapes 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Poker 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz Night 7.45pm
THURSDAY 17
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Dutty Wine: Jamaican Carnival-themed FOMO warm-up party 9pm
) OPEN till 2am every Fri & Sat and till 1amSun–Thur
) FOOD Italian chef Gianluca Toppi cooks authentic Italian (including fresh pasta cooked daily), British classics, tapas and seafood Mon–Sat 6–10pm; Sunday roasts served 12–5pm, bookings welcome.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (12) is the LAUNCH PARTY for the new look Regency Tavern with entertainment from the legendary doyenne of drag Maisie Trollette accompanied by a pianist. Enjoy a glass of champers on arrival, free food, booze, games and lots of fun from 7.30pm. The Regency Tavern say: “We’re really looking forward to seeing new and old faces. See you there!”
l GROSVENOR BAR Mabel’s Bonna Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Back to the 80s 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE Beaujolais Nouveau
Celebrations: Fleur de Paris 6pm
l POISON IVY Ruby Galore & Theatrical Thursdays 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn
9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 18
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm; Broadway Lounge 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz Warm-Up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ Steve Lush 11pm
l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Franco 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 9pm
l POISON IVY Fierce Fridays Karaoke: Britney Fierce 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne
9.30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Love Shack: DJ Claire Fuller on level 2 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Filth - mixed fetish night 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 10pm
SATURDAY 19
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 6pm; Broadway Lounge 9pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Saturday Sessions: DJ Klipz & giveaways 10pm
l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Ruby Galore 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s karaoke 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Son of a Tutu
9.30pm
l REVENGE WTF! : DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; Vocal House on level 2 11.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathermen South 10pm
l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm
SUNDAY 20
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Jane’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Jennie Castell 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday with Micklos + karaoke 9pm
) OPEN Sun-Wed 12pm-1am, Thur 12pm-2am, Fri & Sat 12pm-6am. Buy a drink on Thur, Fri & Sat to pick up discounted entry passes for Club Revenge.
) FOOD Burgers, breakfasts, pizzas & more served Fri & Sat 12–6am
) DRINK PROMOS Thur drinks from £1.50, Wed 50% off all drinks 5–9pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur is DUTTY WINE a Jamaican Carnival-themed official FOMO warm-up party with Jamaican décor, pina coladas and all-star DJs playing the dancehall/basement/r&b tunes from.
) REGULARS Wed is LIP SYNC FOR YOUR LIFE with Crystal Lubrikunt at 9pm. You could win £50 and be invited to the grand final where the prize is a headline slot on the Powder Room stage at Club Revenge.
REVENGE
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk
) OPEN Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10.30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturdays are SATURGAYS AT WTF! huge night of tunes, state-of-the-art lighting & sound on 2 floors, chilled rooftop terrace, drag queen hosts, resident & guest DJs, hot shot boys, bonkers décor and themed nights from 10.30pm. Level 1 is a commercial mashup with resident DJs Trick & Missy B chart/pop/r&b/cheese/requests; level 2 non-stop vocal house anthems from local DJs. £2.50 till midnight with flyer from Bar Revenge; £5 b4 midnight/£7 after/without; NUS cardholders £4 all night. Revenge say: “We've spiced up our busiest night of the week. Club nights these days take themselves just a bit too seriously so WTF! is 100% unpretentious & unashamedly GAY! So expect one big crazy house party vibe and the most fun you can have with (some) of your clothes on!”
) REGULARS Tue is GET ‘EM OFF amateur strip contest with host Miss Jason at 11pm win £50 cash prize and bottle of champagne! DJs Trick and Toby Lawrence spin chart/pop/r&b/house. ) Thur is FOMO with all-star resident DJs eclectic mix of pop/chart/house/pop-punk/bass/hip-hop at 11pm, £1 drinks till midnight. ) Fri is POP TARTZ with resident DJs pop anthems from 10.30pm. On Fri (25) mosh out to pop-punk/indie/nu-metal/ock at FAT LIP with DJ Fifi on level 2.
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST cabaret: La Voix 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Showtunes Sunday 1pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Titti La Camp 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 12-5pm;
Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Areacode 6pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Sunday Spotlight: Auraj Drag Queen 5pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Topsie Redfern 6pm & 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm
l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (5) SUBLINE’S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY and the Official Launch of the Subline 2017 Calendar, sales of which raise funds for THT and Sussex Beacon, from 10pm, entry £3/£5. Featuring calendar star Dave the Bear doing his award-winning bear-lesque turn and many staff and regulars who also struck a pose for these two grrrreat charities! Steven Lee, manager, says: “The Subline staff and customers, like a slightly-hairier Women's Institute, have produced a 'flirtatious' calendar for 2017. All profits from the sales will go to THT and Sussex Beacon. The project began with fantastic photographer Manel Ortega, who was keen to use the space at Subline in his work. He and I agreed that a calendar could be a great fundraiser, not to mention a lot of fun. Staff and regulars, along with guest Dave the Bear, have posed in all manner of compromising positions for the photos, and selecting the final shots was an arduous task! If you can make it down to celebrate/commiserate with us, you'll get first chance to pick one up! After that, supplies permitting, the calendars will be on sale at £10 in the Beacon store, at Nice 'n' Naughty, as well as at the bar and other selected outlets.”
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Choose your champion on Sat (26) at MR SUBLINE 2016 in association with THT, for the annual search for the finest fitties of Brighton! There are prizes for every entrant and more phone numbers than you could ever wish for! £5 entry goes to fund work of THT in the local community. Steven Lee, manager, says: “This is the most prestigious pageant of male beauty! Contact the club ASAP if you are interested in entering, or come down on he night and vote for your favourite. It’s a really fun event, nothing too heavy. And it’s all for charity!”
MONDAY 21
l BAR BROADWAY Ross Cameron’s Big Monday Quiz: cash & boozy prizes 8pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Monday 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s karaoke 7pm
TUESDAY 22
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 9pm
l BOUTIQUE CASA Boutique: DJ Lady Lola 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz & Curry 7.30pm
l POISON IVY Student Takeover Karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Balls Up Bingo 9pm
l REVENGE Get Em Off!: Miss Jason hosts amateur strip night + cash prizes & DJs Toby & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Film Night: free hotdogs/popcorn 8pm
WEDNESDAY 23
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync for Your Life: host Crystal Lubrikunt & prizes 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST Drag With No Name’s Silly
Willy Wednesdays: games/cash prizes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Chill Out Zone 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music 8pm
l POISON IVY Poison Ivy’s Got Talent Wrap Party 8pm
) OPEN 12pm on Mon–Sat, 1pm on Sun. Private function room available.
) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts 1–6pm
) REGULARS Tue is TOM’S FILM NIGHT with free hot dogs & popcorn from 8pm
) Wed is POKER NIGHT at 8pm ) Thur is QUIZ NIGHT with a £150 cash prize up for grabs from 7.30pm, all welcome! ) Sun is the JAZZ ROAST at 3pm, free entry.
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate in Cabaret & Canapes 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Poker 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz Night 7.45pm
THURSDAY 24
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Sally Vate & Ross Cameron’s Showtune Karaoke 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Dutty Wine: Jamaican Carnival-themed FOMO warm-up party 9pm
l BOUTIQUE CASA Boutique: DJ Lady Lola 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mabel’s Bonna Bingo 8.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Back to the 80s 8pm
l POISON IVY Countdown to Christmas with Britain’s Got Talent’s Ruby Murry 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Spice 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm
l SUBLINE Club Silencio presents ‘Gorl Gone Wild’ 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm
FRIDAY 25
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm; Broadway Lounge 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz Warm-Up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ Steve Lush 11pm
l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Franco 10pm
l BULLDOG Marine Tavern host Chav & Scally Night with DJ Screwpulous 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR Mysterry’s karaoke 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Live music: Britain’s Got Talent star Ruby Murry 9pm
l POISON IVY Fierce Fridays Karaoke: Britney Fierce 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Baga Chipz 9.30pm
l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Fat Lip: DJ Fifi on level 2 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Topsie Redfern 10pm
SATURDAY 26
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm
l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 6pm; Laughter in the Lounge 8pm; Broadway Lounge 10.30pm
l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Saturday Sessions Karaoke Stand Off: DJ Klipz & giveaways 10pm
l CHARLES ST Winter Wonderland White Party 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Sessions: DJ Tony B 9.30pm
l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Pooh La May 9.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm
l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s Karaoke 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dr Beverly Ball Crusher 9.30pm
l REVENGE WTF!: DJs Missy B & Patch on level 1; Vocal House on level 2 11.30pm
) OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11.30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11.30pm, Sun 12–11pm
) FOOD Meat & cheese boards and wood-fired pizzas served all day daily
) DRINK PROMOS 4–7pm, includes: two cocktails for £10, Orangeboom £3.20 pint, large glass of wine for price of medium glass.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (27) is an intimate afternoon of chilled out tunes and LIVE MUSIC with Mike Newsham an guests from 4pm. If you’re interested in performing then message Mike on Facebook.
) REGULARS Wed is QUIZ NIGHT with a cash prize at 7.45pm for an 8pm start.
SUNDAY 27
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Jane’s karaoke 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Britain’s Got Talent star Alison Jiear 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos + karaoke 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Mrs Moore
7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Showtunes Sunday 1pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Topping & Butch
3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm
l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Areacode
6pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY Sunday Spotlight: Dave Lynn 5pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Penny 6pm & 9.30pm
l REGENCY TAVERN roasts 12-5pm
l SUBLINE Cum in Your Pants 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
l VELVET JACKS Live music: Mike Newsham & guests 3.30pm
MONDAY 28
l BAR BROADWAY Ross Cameron’s Big Monday Quiz: cash & boozy prizes 8pm
l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad
Monday 9.30pm
l MARINE TAVERN Monday Madness 8pm
l POISON IVY Gloria Hole’s karaoke 7pm
TUESDAY 29
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday 9pm
l BAR REVENGE Karaoke with Liz 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Quiz & Curry 7.30pm
l POISON IVY Student Takeover Karaoke 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Victoria Sponge’s Balls Up Bingo 9pm
l REVENGE Get Em Off!: Miss Jason’s strip night, cash prizes & DJs Toby & Trick 11pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Film Night: free hotdogs/popcorn 8pm
) DRINK PROMOS all day Sun-Thur, till 7pm Fri & Sat; 2-4-£10 selected cocktails 5–8pm daily
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Kick the weekend off in style every Fri with LIVE ENTERTAINMENT from 10pm: Stone & Street (4), Miss Jason (11), Gabriella Parrish (18) and Topsie Redfern (25). Topsie Redfern is the alter ego of actor and singer Nathan Kiley, who made his West End debut playing Mary Sunshine in hit musical Chicago in 2009. He created Topsie in 2012 and since then has worked internationally as Topsie, winning Best Newcomer in the 2014 BOYZ MAGAZINE Awards. Topsie is a class act with excellent live vocals, glamour, wit and a warm stage presence. She’s cheeky but not crude which make her perfect for all audiences and events.
) REGULARS Sat is CABARET with top cabaret stars from 10pm: Spice (5), Sally Vate (12 & 26) and Kara Van Park (19). Get in the festive spirit and have the Zone host your Christmas Party from November. Pop in or call up for more information!
l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync for Your Life: host Crystal Lubrikunt & prizes 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
l CHARLES ST Drag With No Name’s Silly
Willy Wednesdays: games/cash prizes 9pm
l MARINE TAVERN Chill Out Zone 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music 8pm
l POISON IVY St Andrew’s Party 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate in Cabaret & Canapes 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Poker 8pm
l VELVET JACKS Quiz Night 8pm
THURSDAY 1 DEC
l CHARLES STREET World AIDS Day Cabaret: host Drag With No Name + Mrs Moore, Rose Garden, Sally Vate, Kara Van Park, Lucinda Lashes & more TBA 7.30pm
l BAR BROADWAY The Inmates Are Taking Over The Asylum: fundraiser for Lunch Positive 7.30pm
SOLENT LISTINGS
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 2392 297509
l OLD VIC 104 St Paul’s Rd, Southsea TEL: 02392 297013,www.oldvicportsmouth.co.uk
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 02380 366163,www.theedgesouthampton.com
l ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s St TEL: 02380 222028
l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT, TEL: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk
Friendly bar with cabaret, DJs & food
OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thur 12-12.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 12-11.30pm
FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm; Sunday roasts 123.30pm
l STAGE DOOR 78 West Marlands Rd, SO14 7FW, Tel 02380 630 300, www.thestagedoor.org.uk
Friendly theatre, café bar with live entertainment
) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch 12–3.30pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LONDON PODIUM features two of the UK’s top live performers tearing up the London stage from 8pm: Kara Van Park & Stephanie Von Clitz (6), Tanya Hyde & Miss Jason (13), Kara Van Park & Wilma Fingerdo (20) and Kara Van Park & Myra Dubois (27).
) REGULARS Fri is FAIRYLEA with music and cabaret at 10pm: DJ Lucinda Lashes & Kevin Cruise (4), DJ Claire Fuller & Miss Tiara Thunderpussy (11), DJ Ruby Roo & Sandra (18) and DJ Ruby Roo & Lucinda Lashes (25). ) Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs from 8.30pm: Neil Sackley & guest Jo Frances at 10pm (5), Lucinda Lashes (12), Dazza (19) and Tiny (26).
) Thur is KARAOKE CRUISING with Martha D’Arthur from 8.30pm
SATURDAY 19
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 8.30pm
SUNDAY 20
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Kara Van Park & Wilma Fingerdo 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE DJs 11pm
TUESDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 23
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Martha D’Arthur 8.30pm
FRIDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Ruby Roo 8.30pm; cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 10pm
SATURDAY 26
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 8.30pm
SUNDAY 27
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Kara Van Park & Myra Dubois 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 28
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE DJs 11pm
TUESDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
WEDNESDAY 30
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD ALBUMS
) November’s here and it’s time to bring you some sparkle as we light up some right proper bangers to keep you toasty all month.
So let’s get cinematic with the lush and smoky grooves of Hollis Parker and The Last Raw Era on SoSure Music. A love letter to the Big Apple you will be smitten with we promise. Also worth fluttering your eyelashes at is the lazy loved up beats of BPBEATS01 on Banoffee Pies Records with various artists working hard to keep you sweet. Keeping life tasty is the captivating Voyeur and their I longplayer on Kerri Chandler’s label Kaoz Theory; the effortless Detroit inspired sonics of Jason Hogans’ The Age Of Scrap on Third Ear; and the downbeat melancholic ballads and hypnotic techno grooves of Linus & Amy’s
debut album The Black Below on Default Position.
The “strewth that’s blinding!” albums of the month have to be the following beauties: Soul Clap’s self-titled Soul Clap on !K7 Records/ Crew Love, they never fail us; the South African genius that is Culoe De Song’s compilation Watergate 21; the genre-busting wonder SMDWelcome to Sideways on Delicacies; and The Second
Annual Fundraiser: War Child on Craigie Knowes, a bleeping beauty all in aid of War Child International. And if you haven’t yet done so grab yourself a slice of Scuba’s fabric 90 on, you guessed it, Fabric Records. Nobody does it better. Man or club. #savefabric.
Catch Wildblood and Queenie on RadioReverb’s Home Service on Sunday, November 13 at 5pm perfectdistractions.com
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S NOV NUGGETS
) SERGE DEVANT This Moment (Dinky Dub remix) Crosstown Rebels
Dinky delivers a remix to make you wiggle till dawn.
) GUILHEM MONIN Social Music Social Joy
Feel the disco burn with the bounce feast.
) WHITE ELEPHANT Don't Change Your Way Woman Records
Deeply delicious laid-back grooves from The Old Euphonium EP
) GUTI & MORGAN Swings Desolat
A perfect 6am belter that will get you swinging with pleasure.
) HUXLEY& Roy Davis Jr. Do You Feel Me Aus Music
Another slice of perfect from our Huxley hero.
) MALEIKA Gorge Gruuv
House so organic it should come with a Fairtrade sticker.
) RHODE & BROWN Snabsnus Toy Tonics
Our label of the year continues with another house corker.
) COLAS CAGE Not In Love Salted Music
Deep, dubby and, yes, utterly delicious.
) JAMIE TRENCH Night Lantern Roots for Blooms
The Smoke EP excels with mint tunes for your nocturnal adventures.
) MARLON HOFFSTADT& Paris Brightledge Shattered EP Retrograde
One listen and you will be hooked to this slice of heaven.
DJ PROFILE: ALPHA
This month Queenie catches up with the fabulous newly wed…
How are you? Really good thanks. I’ve just come back from Vegas, Miami and Ibiza so it’s been a busy month - haha.
Where we can catch you playing? Over the past year I’ve continued to play for L-Wired events, Mint and Code in London. I played OHSO Social a lot this summer - always amazing! This month I’m doing my second gig with Brighton’s newest LGBT night, Rumour Has It, and also at a new sexy house night for ladies in Camden called Cherry Bomb.
Any new projects in your life? I married my beautiful wife just over a month ago so I’m looking forward to enjoying married life… for a few months at least. But who knows what next year will bring. I’ll either be spinning decks or washing baby grows – you’ll just have to wait and see.
What are you playing these days? It depends on the event and the venue but my favourite genre is Deep (Vocal) House with a dirty cowbell in the mix… The line between popular and dance music has become so blurred over the past few years that when you find a dirty, sexy, deep house night it soon becomes your church!
All time fave tune? Just one? Really? Okay this one is my go to track if the crowd needs a pick me up… Walking Down The Streets With My Nike’s On (Club Mix)’, Ron Carroll.
What’s so good about DJing in Brighton? The Brighton scene is one of the best in Europe! It’s fluid between the LGBT and straight community, which makes it different from other cities. Whether you want a dirty house night, a drag show or simply a ‘dance around your handbag’ night, Brighton has it all.
Ultimate dream gig? Pride is always my favourite gig, with Brighton Pride being the pinnacle event. DJing to thousands of people who love the music I love is THE most euphoric feeling I’ve ever experienced –and every year it gets better and better. I recently honeymooned in Miami and got to experience a city where music never sleeps, so my dream gig would be to play on South Beach as the sun sets.
Tune you wish you’d never played? Oh god, there have been many. Probably the worst was playing the same track the times in a row! Note to all club goers - don’t distract the DJ - haha!
Describe yourself in three words! Mischievous, Ambitious, Irish.
DJ ALPHA CURRENT TOP FIVE
) JAX JONES House Work Polydor
) GROOVE ARMADA Superstylin (Riva Starr mix) Snatch
) LEANDRO DA SILVA I Love House Music Instereo Recording
) CAMELPHAT Make Em Dance Suara
) WATERMAT Bullit (Shift K3Y remix) Spinnin Deep
ARTS
BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN
BRIGHTON CENTRE
Kings Road, Brighton, Box office: 0844 847 1515
) TOM ODELL (Fri 4). The singer-songwriter performs tracks from Songs from Another Love, Long Way Down and Wrong Crowd.
) THE CHINESE STATE CIRCUS: DYNASTY (Sat 5). Over 2000 years of artistry and music combine in an incredible performance suitable for all the family, showcasing a troupe of 30 award-winning Chinese acrobats, dancers and musicians also featuring the legendary Shaolin Warriors. 'The most exhilarating Circus it has ever been my pleasure to see' London Evening Standard.
) MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE (Tue 15). The nation's leading musical theatre star, Michael Ball and the nation's favourite tenor, Alfie Boe, join forces for the first time on stage for a unique UK headline tour. Features a repertoire from the greatest Broadway shows as well as classic songs both Alfie and Michael have always wanted to record.
BROADWAY LOUNGE
Upstairs at Bar Broadway, 10 Steine St, Brighton
) A TRIBUTE TO ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER (8pm, Thur 3) Jason Lee and Jason Thorpe perform the songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Tickets £8.
) LAUGHTER IN THE LOUNGE (8pm, Sat 26). Monthly stand-up comedy night with six comedians from London and the south coast taking to the stage, entry £3.
88 LONDON ROAD
88 London Road, Brighton Box office: 88londonroad.com
) WAIT UNTIL DARK (Wed 2–Sat 19). A drug-filled doll has disappeared from a London flat and three petty crooks are anxious to find it. They work out a plot to compel the owners to reveal the whereabouts of the doll. They lure the husband away leaving his blind wife and her only companion, a little girl who lives in the flat above and tell the blind woman a terrifying story involving her husband’s supposed infidelity. She becomes suspicious and in a nailbiting climax makes use of the fact in the dark the blind have an advantage over those who can see.
The thriller moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying final scene. '… superb drama filled with spell-binding tension' New York Times.
) BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Nov 30–Jan 1). A cursed Beast lives alone with only a mirror to the outside world, with seemingly no hope of happiness. In a small village not far away our beautiful and headstrong maiden goes on a journey to overcome her fears and fall in love. 88 London Road brings it its own unique style and telling of the famous fable, full of fun, laughs, dance, magic, music and comedy.
EYES WIDE OPEN
Duke of York’s Cinema, Preston Circus, Brighton
The queer film collective’s movies for this month comprise:
) SWORN VIRGIN (Mon 14, Duke’s at the Komedia). Albania’s 'sworn virgins' are individuals assigned female at birth who are permitted
to undergo gender transitions to male, provided they take a vow of lifelong chastity. With a patient camera and hawk-eyed attention to detail, the film invites viewers into the life of a 'sworn virgin' whose personal struggles against cultural
pressure shine a light on a transgender story with which we may not be so familiar.
) KIKI (Thu 24, Duke of Yorks, Preston Circus). The Kiki community is a site of radical self expression for young queer people of colour in New York City, whose ballroom competitions provide important creative platforms. Shot over four years, we follow seven members of this community through the difficulties of illness, homelessness, and everyday discrimination, as well as the joys of spectacle, camaraderie and personal affirmation.
KOMEDIA
Gardner St, Brighton Box office: 08452 938480
) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 6). An irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons. Tonight’s headliner is Kerry Godliman with support from Jen Brister and David Jordan.
) FUNNY WOMEN: BRIGHTON NIGHTS (Sat 26). Features the newest, most exciting female stand-ups in the UK. Supporting local charity RISE which provides essential services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.
THE OLD MARKET
11a Upper Market St, Hove Box Office 01273 201 801 ) RENT (Nov 29–Dec 3). Jonathan Larson’s New York rock version of Puccini’s opera La Bohème, won the Tony Award for Best Musical as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It captures the heart and spirit of a generation of struggling artists, addicts, and impoverished young people living in the shadow of AIDS, battling the coming wave of gentrification.
A time capsule of a world where hope crawls out of dark despair, these Bohemians find the salvation of love within each other and prove there can be a better world where art thrives, and everything good is free. This brand new production, marking the 20th anniversary of the show’s debut, is directed, staged and supervised by many of the creative faces that led the original West End production.
BOYS IN THE BAND
Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton, Box office: 08448 717650 ) THE BOYS IN THE BAND (Tue 8–Sat 12). Olivier Award-winner Mark Gatiss stars in the first major revival of this iconic play in almost 20 years. It’s 1968 and nine men gather in a New York apartment for a birthday celebration. Harold (Mark Gatiss) receives a surprise gift from his friend, Emory (James Holmes), in the form of a beautiful male hustler. Meanwhile, party host Michael (Ian Hallard) gets an unwanted surprise of his own. As the booze is drunk and the dope smoked, the mood swings from hilarity to heartbreak. From the producers of the acclaimed productions of Beautiful Thing this revival stars Gatiss (Sherlock, Doctor Who, London Spy), Daniel Boys (Avenue Q), Jack Derges (EastEnders, Humans), Ian Hallard (Doctor Who, An Adventure in Space & Time), James Holmes (Miranda, Psychoville), John Hopkins (Midsomer Murders), Ben Mansfield (Primeval, Endeavour) and Nathan Nolan (Undercover). Directed by Adam Penford whose credits include One Man, Two Guv’nors.
ART MATTERS
BY ENZO MARRA
For November I’ve sourced some local and easily travellable creative opportunities for you to enjoy in this autumnal month.
) SCULPTURAL SOUND WORKS: STEPHEN CORNFORD, curated by Snoozie Hexagon (Nov 12–Dec 11) in partnership between Colour Out of Space and Phoenix Brighton. Exploring the widespread digitisation of culture as the magnetic harddrive is superseded by flash memory, the demise of the last major mechanical medium. This exhibition seeks to engage directly with this historical moment by asking what the future holds for our discarded electromechanical devices and whether we might not still learn something from these empty machines. The works in this exhibition recast the role of the machine, not as a functional apparatus but as expressive, reflective and aesthetic devices. Seen collectively they propose an alternative to the dispose and upgrade mentality so pervasive today, allowing the machines to reflect back to us elements of the culture which produced them.
CHRISTMAS ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL
Brighton & Hove,http://aoh.org.uk
) ARTISTS’ OPEN HOUSES (Nov 26–Dec 11), across Brighton & Hove for three weekends. Twice a year artists and makers open their houses and studios, providing art lovers the chance to browse and buy original artwork direct from the artist. Visitors can expect to see a wide range of
creativity, including: jewellery, ceramics and textiles, paintings, sculpture, printmaking, photography and many others whilst also having the opportunity to chat directly with the artists.
HOP GALLERY
Lewes, www.hopgallery.com
) ÖSTERSUND - SUSSEX, MOTHER & SON
RELATING (until Nov 13). Sweden-based artist Joseph Davey returns to England to exhibit for a third time with his mother, local artist Lindy Dunbar. The show comprises a mix of fresh and painterly landscapes, portraits and life drawings, executed in oil and mixed media.
PALLANT HOUSE
9 North Pallant, Chichester, PO19 1TJ, http://pallant.org.uk
) PABLO BRONSTEIN: WALL POMP (until Feb 19) is an ambitious installation by the Argentinian-born artist providing the latest contemporary intervention in the stairwell of the Gallery’s historic townhouse. Reflecting his enduring fascination with architecture, Bronstein has created a series of panoramic wallpapers featuring heavily decorated architectural landscapes that will disrupt the sense of history and space of the house, whilst providing a bold response to its past domesticity.
) IAN HAMILTON FINLAY: NEO-CLASSICISM & REVOLUTION (until Feb 19) is a display of prints and multiples by the contemporary the Scottish artist and poet (1925-2006), best known for his celebrated garden at Little Sparta. His work engaged with themes drawn from classical writers such as Virgil and the French Revolution.
PABLO BRONSTEIN:
WALL POMP
Lez’s family and relationship with her parents is a subject she returns to during our evening together time and again. This level of personal detail and shared intimacy is fascinatingly immediate and I find myself thinking of all the people I know who might find it strange and not at all British, but of course of all those who would immediately love Lez as I begin to think I do.
After studying in London, Lez moved to South Africa and to the beginnings of a successful career in advertising, film making and graphic design.
“I was looking for a gay club called The Studio in Cape Town but landed this career in film and documentary making for 10 years.”
That I cannot make head nor tale of the chronology doesn’t appear to concern Lez as she leaps around her life story of lesbian squat parties in Notting Hill and bolshy relationships with work colleagues in the southern hemisphere, before settling back in first London and now Brighton as an artist.
SHE LOVES YOU!
The lives and works of Lez Ingham by Craig
Hanlon-Smith.
) The ring on my phone took me by surprise as I browsed for a gift in a painfully quiet wine shop in Seven Dials. Stepping into the street to take the call I struggled to hear the voice on the other end, local artist Lez Ingham, calling to arrange our interview a few days later. After sharing some barely audible appreciations of Southern Rail the date was set.
“Come to mine darling,” she sang, “I’ll open a bottle of something fabulous. And dinner –shall I cook you dinner?”
Three days later, loaded with interest and a dollop of apprehension, I climb the stairs to Lez’s Hove pad and to one of the warmest and most excitable welcomes I have ever received. She stands, hands on hips blinking from behind large brimmed (and extremely stylish) spectacles, penetrating with a stare that may be assessing my hair, my general appearance, who knows, before breaking into a beam, “Yes! you’re marvellous. I hadn’t known what to expect but you’re verrrrry interesting.”
Installing me on the sofa, thrusting a red wine into my hand, and then disappearing into the kitchen to chink a few pots and stir at the bubbling saucepan, she enthusiastically yells,
“Ask me anything!” before she is back seconds later talking ten to the dozen about an upbringing which began in Zambia where she was born, and then took in much of the United States.
“I had the most wonderful childhood,” she shares. “My parents were truly wonderful people, I loved them so very much, I really did.”
“I love this country,” she tells me much later, “not ‘Britain’! That’s another of these political constructs, but England, and all it has to offer –the opportunities!”
Glass refilled, as it is many times that evening, my bottom barely brushes the cushions of the sofa before she’s back from the kitchen and we’re off for a tour of the art.
“Come to the bedroom and meet David!” she hurries, which does nothing to settle my heartrate. David, it turns out, is a painting and I am not at all disappointed to find a three dimensional Pop Art inspired painting of David Bowie looming at me from above the bed, its colours and silver gleaming base as vibrant and arresting as its creator.
The Bowie piece is one feature of a series of paintings appropriately named Icons Of The 20th Century, and as she talks of each work and its inspired name-sake, I’m struck at how she speaks of the completed works and their inspirations as though long-standing friends, Michael Jackson, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, Freddie Mercury and Elvis amongst the newly arrived dinner guests. I’d spotted Grace the moment I’d stepped into the flat and took great delight in what I perceived to be a potential ice-breaker.
“I’ve seen her!” I gushed, “great show!” “I’ve met her,” she responds, “she’s tiny!”
And yet nothing Lez shares could ever be perceived as a name drop or show off when delivered with such warmth, humour, and a continuous sense of child-like wonder, which is contagious. Dinner is interrupted for Lez to say, “I have to bring out Madonna, you must see her,” and the compact livingroom fills with another larger than life painting that I just know would delight its namesake as much as it does me.
“Touch her!” is an instruction Lez repeats with all the works she shares with me. “I want you to feel the texture, the paint, put your hands on it, go on! I’m not precious about my work.” And I’m instantly aware of how most usual art appreciation is distant, removed and locked away from the spectator behind a velvet rope. This experience is more akin to live theatre and I’m sitting on the actor’s knee. It’s unusual, unnatural, unnerving, but I like it.
Such is her apparent enthusiasm for my company, I’m in little doubt that should I find myself in her corner she would see to it that team Lez give me as much support and attention as their main charge. She has an alarming, yet I’m certain fortunate, ability to
make her guest feel as though we’ve known one another for years, and I have to remind myself several times not to simply lap up the captivating company or wolf down the delicious food she has clearly spent hours preparing, that I’m there to work.
Our evening is laced with intensely personal accounts of her youth, her family, relationships and most movingly of taking care of both her dying mother and immediately following, her former long-term partner.
“I was devastated when my parents died, my mother and my father, and when my relationship ended.” And over dinner she shares intensely personal memories of the aftermath of such loss.
I ask Lez to describe her work and spot the only moment in our evening together when I may have said something to irritate my host.
“I can’t describe my work, I don’t describe it. It’s how I feel. I can tell you how I feel about it.” And then launches into an explanation of how shocked and shaken she felt post 9/11, events which inspired one of many wall covering pieces from her collection of Super Heroes.
“I knew this was a monumental event that would shape the future of history. What’s bothering me now, is what a f***ed up world we’re living in, how terrible it all is, the waste, the greed and the corruption.”
Pop Art has a clear impact upon her work, but when pressed her inspirations straddle the decades; “Warhol, Hockney, Van Gogh, people who broke the mould, who were ahead of their time.”
Before I have chance to ask if she’s aware that all her listed influences are male she fixes me with that excited tractor beam of a stare to tell me, “In my past life I think I was a man, I know I was a man. My painting of Grace Jones is called Feeling Like A Woman, Looking Like A Man but unlike my painting I am looking like a woman, thinking like a man.”
And so what next for Lez Ingham? “Portraits – something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Portraits of people I admire, people I love and respect, people who stand out. Of friends, acquaintances, people I’ve gotten to know and observe in my time in Brighton. Real people, vulnerable people, people I’ve noticed.”
And as our evening together draws to a close and I dance off into the rainy late evening, infused with her contagious energy, one statement she shares echoes around my head: “I love painting. I just love it. It really is the only thing to do.”
I see in the art work she walks me through, an escape from all that bothers her, colour, light, and a fantastical sense of ‘other’. Lez is keen to point out that she is a staunch feminist and I note that her response to 9/11 is to paint an angry yet vivacious in equal measure, Super Girl. I ask her briefly about the recent surge of women in chief political positions across the world and her response is as colourful as her paintings; “Angelina Jolie should be President of the United States, not Hillary Clinton.”
INFO
) Some of Lez's work can be viewed at: Taylor-West & Sloan Optometrists, 80 Church Road, Hove BN3 2EB ) Photos by Jean-Luc Brouard: www.jeanlucbrouard.com
CLASSICAL NOTES
BY NICK BOSTON
REVIEWS
) THE TALLIS SCHOLARS, directed by Peter Phillips, are now on their sixth disc of Masses by Josquin des Prés (c.1440-1521). The
reason for the inclusion of dice at various points in the score of the Missa Di Dadi is uncertain, with some connection between the numbers on the dice and the note lengths of the cantus firmus, but not entirely consistent. The appearance of something so secular seems unusual, but gambling was very popular in Milan at the time, where Josquin wrote the mass –was this Josquin’s joke, or a nod to a wealthy patron? The composition uses a ‘cantus firmus’ – a tune often drawn from other sources (on this occasion a chanson by Robert Morton) around which composition is based – and this is placed in the tenor part, at different speeds (hence the dice connection). The Missa Une mousse de Biscaye draws on a secular song, with French and Basque text, and the title means ‘A lass from Biscay’. So two examples of Josquin taking secular material as the basis for his Mass settings, the latter potentially Josquin’s earliest setting. As ever, the blended sound is pure and even, but the simpler structure of just four parts, and a maximum of eight singers makes for a plainer, clearer sound than sometimes their larger forces produce. These are beautiful performances, and highlights include the Crucifixus in the Missa Di Dadi, with its low, falling sequential lines at ‘simul adoratur’, building to an emphatic Amen. This is followed by a gloriously reverent Sanctus. In the Missa Une mousse de Biscaye, there is more rhythmic motion, and the melody is passed around the parts, creating a more fluid feel. The settings are lower, without high
soaring soprano lines, and the combined voices here create a beautifully rich blend. Highly recommended. Gimell CDGIM048
) THE BRODSKY QUARTET have returned with their second recording of Brahms with Chandos, this time pairing the String Quartet, Op. 51 No. 1 with the great Piano Quintet, Op. 34, for which they are joined by the Ukrainian pianist Natacha Kudritskaya. Much has been written about how Brahms struggled to follow on from Beethoven in particular in relation to his symphonic output, but similar self-doubt applied to his writing for the string quartet, and it took him until 1873, aged 40 to publish his first two, the Op. 51 set. The String Quartet, Op. 51 No. 1 is a fine work, with Brahms in his tragic, C minor mode. The second movement Romanze is particularly beautiful, and the Brodsky Quartet excels here with their warm tone.
Their outer movements could have more dramatic edge and drive, but they never fail to produce a beautiful sound, and their blend is flawless. The Piano Quintet is mammoth, and began life as a String Quintet, and then as a Sonata for two pianos, before he settled on its final scoring. Once again, the Brodskys produce a wonderfully blended sound, and the balance with Kudritskaya is sensitive, although I would have liked a little more power from the piano at times. Overall, these are strong performances, full of warmth and body. Chandos CHAN10892
Baroque violin specialist Johannes Pramsohler returns with his ENSEMBLE DIDEROT with another great discovery, the Trio Sonatas of one Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville (c.1711-1772). The French composer’s Trio Sonatas, Op.
2 are beautiful examples of the genre, with an artful combination of the French and Italian styles of the time. The Ensemble Diderot plays Sonatas 3 and 5 with violin (Pramsohler) and flute (Kristen Huebner), and the rest with two violins, Roldán Bernabé taking the second violin part. The ‘third’ part of the trio, the continuo is provided by cellist Gulrim Choi and Philippe Grisvard on harpsichord. These are delightful sonatas, and despite Mondonville’s slight over fondness for long chains of sequential writing, there is nevertheless much variety in the relatively constrained structure. As ever, the Ensemble Diderot play with great precision and energy, and the blending of the two violin parts weaving in and out of each other is particularly impressive. The change to flute and violin provides a welcome change of texture, and Huebner is suitably sprightly to match Pramsohler in the opening
CINEMA
duet allegro to No. 5. But the absolute highlight for me is the very first movement of No. 1, with wonderfully delicate trilling passed back and forth between the two violins, Pramsohler and Bernabé playing with exquisite perfection here. This world premiere recording is a welcome addition to the Ensemble Diderot’s impressive and growing catalogue. Audax ADX13707 Reviews, comments and events: v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk t @nickb86uk ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
) The Royal Ballet present Anastasia, the Kenneth MacMillan ballet, with music by Tchaikovsky and Martinů, live from the Royal Opera House (Wed 2).
) You can also see the Bolshoi Ballet perform Shostakovich’s The Bright Stream, recorded live in 2012 (Sun 6).
) The Royal Opera House is also broadcasting live their production of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann), with Vittorio Grigolo, Thomas Hampson and Sofia Fomina (Tues 15).In local cinemas, including: Duke’s@Komedia Brighton, Cineworld Eastbourne and Connaught Cinema, Worthing.
CONCERTS
BRIGHTON DOME www.brightondome.org 01273 709709
) The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan (Sun 6, Dome) perform Brahms – the German Requiem and the Song of Destiny, with Brighton Festival Chorus and soloists Leigh Melrose (baritone) and Sarah Tynan (soprano).
) Amy Harman (bassoon), Olivier Stankiewicz (oboe) and Tom Poster (piano) perform Poulenc, Dutilleux, Schumann and more (Sunday 20, Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts).
) The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk (Saturday 26, Dome) perform Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Walton's Cello Concerto, with Dane Johansen (cello).
BRIGHTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL
28 October – 13 November, www.bremf.org.uk
) There are still two weeks of the Brighton Early Music Festival to go. Check out my preview in September’s Gscene or on my blog, or Eric Page’s preview at www.gscene.com. For details of events, venues and tickets: www.bremf.org.uk
D’HOFFMANN
PAGE’S PAGES
BOOKS BY ERIC PAGE
) NICK & GREG (Wilkinson House) by John Roman Baker. Local author and playwright John Roman Baker has brought us this fun, honest and illuminating insight into two young men’s coming of age, dealing with their burgeoning sexualities. It’s set in Brighton (where Baker himself grew up) in the 1950s when the UK and the city was a very different place, but it’s a place we recognise enough to feel part of. The protagonists find the secret thriving world of the gays in the city and become an active part of it. Nick and Greg both grab the opportunities that being young and queer offer them but in different ways and the impact and fallout of their choices on their family, and their own relationships, are vividly displayed as the narrative slowly unwinds to its climax. Baker shows his usual witty deconstructive humour in addressing the social changes of the time and his eye for detail brings the characters to life. A lovely read.
) THE ANGEL OF HISTORY (Corsair) by Rabih Alameddine is a lovely book following the events of one night and flying though one life. Jacob, a poet from Egypt who grows up in a brothel, shifts to the luxury and comfort of his father’s life who dumps him with abusive nuns and ends up a gay Arab in San Francisco at the height of the AIDS Pandemic with lovers and friends dropping around him. Reeling with grief, battered by loss, wrecked by his lover’s AIDS related death in a world saturated in HIV and death, he hallucinates hearing Satan talking to him so checks himself into a mental health clinic. Jacob has an arch, campy Satan, who is taunting and teasing, making him wallow in his painful turbid past; and Death,
) DARLING DAYS (Virago) by iO Tillett Wright. Born into the beautiful bedlam of downtown New York in the 1980s, iO Tillett Wright came of age at the intersection of punk, poverty, heroin and art. This was a world of self-invented characters, glamorous superstars, and strung-out sufferers, ground zero of drag and performance art. Still, no personality was more vibrant and formidable than iO’s mother Rhonna; a showgirl and young widow. At the centre of Darling Days is the remarkable relationship between a fiery kid and a domineering ma — a bond defined by freedom and control, excess and sacrifice; by heartbreaking deprivation, agonising rupture, and, ultimately, forgiveness.
who is as dry as a draft in an abattoir who urges like Mrs Danvers to give up on life and forget the past. Jacob, who you’d think would have enough on his hands dealing with those two esteemed guests, also has a Parade of Saints who pop in on him and drive more reflection and remorse. The book floats like fog, enveloping one story then shading and obscuring another. It shifts and twists like banks of cloud, seemingly illuminating something important but at the same time hiding the light. It’s an odd way to read but feels natural and works in the safe hands and tight writing style of Alameddine.
The book is engaging but profound, with his gorgeous prose. He leads us into a deep unsettling space, his grace when dealing with death is astonishing, but there’s no glossing over. Jacob and his conversations wrestle between how and what we remember defines us and how we face the oncoming oblivion of death and deal with the little deaths, of those we love and of our dreams.
When I’d finished I was struck by how it had made me feel, really feel, and remember myself what I’d put aside. This book is triumph and takes our huge bleeding agonising AIDS history and holds it back up to the light. Lest we forget!
Tillett Wright’s life is certainly less than dull and this memoir from someone in their late 20s could put a few people who’ve lived many more decades to shame. It’s packed full of stories and anecdotes, some funny, some ruthlessly brutal in their honesty and all streaked though with the narrator’s voice, one as strident as it is vulnerable, as hard as it’s meltingly, shockingly soft. This
book is also a provocative examination of culture and identity, of the instincts that shape us and the norms that deform us. When a group of boys refuse to let six-year-old, female-born iO play ball, iO instantly becomes a boy named Ricky. It’s the start of an exploration of gender and identity and the beginning of a life reinvented at every step. Alternating between the harrowing and the hilarious, Darling Days is the candid, tough and stirring memoir of a young person in search of an authentic self as family and homelife devolve into chaos.
) QUEER: A GRAPHIC HISTORY (Icon) by Meg-John Barker & Julia Scheele is an innovative non-fiction comic book that tells the histories of queer thought and activism. At its heart are questions and ideas relevant to everybody, such as whether we have fixed identities; understanding gender as a performance; and challenging binaries such as gay/straight or nature/nurture. These questions are approached with humour and some amusing juxtaposed ideas which in a flash illuminate deep meanings behind some very complex ideas. Bringing together pop-culture, activism and academic theory, Queer: A Graphic History explores the various ways in which people have wrestled with issues of sexual identity and behaviour, from studies like Alfred Kinsey’s view of sexuality as a spectrum, to Johnson & Masters’ research into sexual response. It also explores queer moments or directions in everything from Sherlock Holmes to Wicked: The Untold Story Of The Witches Of Oz. It’s a superb book of an expected type and apart from a few extra pages of blather on how difficult it is to define queer studies it’s a startlingly easy read. I gave it to some straight friends then tested them on intersectionality /queer theories and ideas and they passed with flying rainbow colours. Barker and Scheele are to be congratulated on bringing this complex subject to the light in a candid, non-patronisingway. It’s refreshing to see such fundamentally challenging topics presented in such a light-hearted and accessible way. I loved this book, which is not only superbly presented, but also illustrated in an engaging and approachable way. You will love it too, it’s a superb gift and it left me feeling tooled up and radicalised once more.
) Concrete Egg Cup, £13 (Workshop 13a Prince Albert St, Brighton, 01273 731340, workshopliving.co.uk)
(
01273 720333)
) HANNAH BRACKENBURY Jumble CD The Brighton-based musical comedian is well known for her carefully crafted comedy songs, and this new collection, packed with her trademark cheeky wit where rhymes and laughter are as mercurial as her subject matter, all hit the funny bone straight on. Songs range from absurd and silly to poignant and touching but keep to the lighter side of life. There are hints of a more serious songsmith here, but it’s the relentless froth of laughter and jolly melody that’s the narrative drive. The swift headlong lunge into filthy innuendo is often softly sidestepped with some wonderfully distracting imagery. It’s like being stuck on a late night radio show with Fascinating Aida, Mrs Overall and Bernard Manning. There’s a great tradition of female comedy songwriter in this county and Brackenbury rightfully lays down her claim to join that hall of fame with this superb laugh-out-loud album. Eric Page
) Briefd is an underwear subscription service for men all over the UK. They target gentlemen who don't have time to shop around for underwear and would like the luxury of receiving quality, hand-curated underwear once a month. Briefd is a luxury service and customers can choose to have a subscription for three, six or 12 months. Alternatively, customers can purchase a rolling subscription and cancel at any time.
Briefd works with household names including Calvin Klein, Armani and Bjorn Borg, as well as exciting new and upcoming British brands such as Drake & Hutch and British Boxers. The sign-up process is super simple, all you need to do is go to the Briefd website, choose your size, cut (briefs, trunks or boxers) and your style (classic or colourful) and Briefd do the rest!
At the beginning of each month, the Briefd team will hand-select underwear based on your preferences. Each box will include a hand folded, neatly wrapped up pair of underwear and some little surprises. That's all there is to it! For more information view: www.briefd.co.uk
) Mr D’arcy, £45
Papillon, 8 Union St, Brighton
GEEK SCENE
BY CRAIG STORRIE
COMICS
In honour of World AIDS Day on December 1st, I’m taking a look at the mutant Northstar, the very first openly gay superhero in American comic books whose coming out story also revolved around the issue of HIV and AIDS in the mainstream Marvel Universe. But first a little backstory!
Debuting in Uncanny X-Men #120 in April 1979, Jean-Paul Beaubier, aka Northstar, first appeared as a member of the Canadian Government-sponsored team, Alpha Flight, who come to America to take their old comrade Wolverine into custody. Four years later in 1983 Alpha Flight starred in their own comic book series, which would last 11 years until 1994 when it was sadly cancelled. Creator John Byrne was initially reluctant to produce a series that revolved around characters who had little to no backstories and were basically created to just be a team to face off against the X-Men. So to counteract this and make the team less twodimensional, Northstar’s sexual orientation was subtly introduced and due to the then editor-in-chief, Jim Shooters, and the Comic Code Authority’s policy against openly homosexual characters, Byrne could only hint at this fact. Even though Northstar is shown to have no interest in women, it was put down to the fact that Jean-Paul was too focused on his obsessive drive to win as a world class ski champion.
Whilst there was a story by Bill Mantlo that was going to focus on the AIDS crisis of the time by giving Jean-Paul the disease, this was squelched possibly due to the fact Marvel didn’t want one of their main heroes of a comic book to have AIDS. This is ironic when you think about it as from 1993 to 2001 the mutants of the Marvel Universe were fighting against a disease called the Legacy Virus, a disease that was very similar to AIDS at the time with no cure in sight and dooming anyone who caught it to eventually die.
In 1992, writer Scott Lobdell was finally given permission to have Northstar come out in the now famous issue #106 of Alpha Flight. Whilst Alpha Flight is battling Mr Hyde, Jean-Paul is knocked into an alley where he finds an abandoned crying baby. Rushing her to the hospital, Northstar is soon told that the infant has AIDS and doesn’t have long left. Moved by this poor girl’s plight, Jean-Paul informs the media of her struggle and adopts the baby girl as his own daughter, naming her Joanne.
Reluctantly he has to leave Joanne to battle Major Mapleleaf who wants to kill the baby for multiple reasons and when Northstar returns to the hospital Joanne sadly dies in his arms. After this incident a heartbroken Jean-Paul comes out to the media in an effort to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS as well as aiming to become a beacon of hope for other LGBT+ people out there who are too scared to come out to the people they love.
GAMES
) Earlier this year Pokemon Go was released and to say it was a huge success would be a massive understatement. It was phenomenally popular and got the whole country up and about walking everywhere to catch that one elusive Pokemon.
Whilst I dabbled in the game and played it a fair amount, after a number of months I’m now pretty much over it, but what has me excited about Pokemon again is the next instalment of the main games of the series titled Pokemon: Sun and Moon which is out at the end of this month. Not only is it the first game of the series on the seventh generation of consoles, it also commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Pokemon franchise. Now I don’t know about you guys but the fact that Pokemon is 20 years old makes me feel ancient!
Once again split into two games, Pokemon Sun and Moon sees you take control of a hopeful child who wishes to be a Pokemon master and is gifted one of three starter creatures by the local Pokemon expert, Professor Kukui. This time around the game takes place in a new region called the Alola Islands, which are based on the look and feel of the islands of Hawaii. Not only is it a new area to fully explore, the climate of the region has certain effects on already established Pokemon which are known as Alola forms. For instance, the sunlight in the region has allowed Exeggutor's neck to grow longer and better resemble a palm tree, which looks a bit unsettling at first sight. So far the number of new Pokemon including Alola forms is 55 which is less than half the number of new Pokemon that are
usually in each new game. This a welcome change to me who totally gets lost with most of the creatures after the original 151 unless they were in Super Smash Bros!
For those of you who have played Pokemon X and Y (the previous entry in the series) you’ll no doubt know about the Pokemon bank, a cloud service which allows players to store up to 3,000 Pokemon online so they can easily deposit and withdraw their creatures at will and exchange Pokemon between two versions without the need of a second system. Well the Pokemon bank is back and this time around you can transfer any Pokemon you’ve caught from certain previous games into Sun and Moon. The seven games that are compatible with this are the virtual console versions of Red, Blue and Yellow, Pokemon X and Y and Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
So let’s raise a glass and say happy 20th birthday to Pokemon. May you continue to pump out fantastic video games, animes and card games forever more and keep us Poke fans hooked for another 20 years to come!
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS
Assassinate The Queers.
Or ‘I’m gay but
I’m no pansy’ by Craig Hanlon-Smith
@craigscontinuum
) And lo as we begin the long descent into the festive period of dark mornings, short days, long nights and the ever present smell of damp bonfire, we’re accompanied on our journey by another unimaginative prime-time TV scheduling of endless talent shows; Strictly Come Quickly and Soon To Be Z-List Factor now almost as seasonal as Away In A Manger or a marzipan fruit. As Bake Off slopes off the Twitter feeds, perhaps forever, social media is ablaze with the armchair philosophers of professional song and dance, now beginning to take as much of a cultural centrepiece in our psyche as drunk overweight smokers hurling abusive advice at the professional footballer. ‘If only I were Darcy Bussell,’ we screech at our suicidal housemates, ‘I’d have given the dishy weatherman with melons for muscles at least an eight and chopped the knees off the fat politician with rhythmic Parkinson’s’. ‘If only I were sitting in Sharon Osborne’s swivel chair,’ we whisper at our only friend, the one remaining walnut whip, ‘I’d have saved the homogenous collective of six Mariah Karaoke Careys and thrown a hand grenade into the arseholes of those talentless queers’.
Ah yes – latent homophobia at the fingertips of the smartphone warrior, the vile vocabulary vomit that would hand a Mastermind trophy to the monosyllabic. By the time of reading, our victims of chance, Bradley and Ottavio, known to the moronic masses as Bratavio, may well have been booted off into a holding pen for the next season of Almost Celebrity Big Brother, this is after all a public popularity contest, but not before their character and perceived sexual orientation has been annihilatedthrough the medium of Twitter. But this, my friends isn’t an opportunity to repeat the offences committed against these two minor celebrity hopefuls by the dysfunctional heterosexual brain-dead. We shall not be devoting our column inches in this gay-friendly ballpark to those who tweet ‘fag’ as the five syllable ‘homosexual’ requires a GCSE. We have no need. Much greater crimes amidst the online death threats have been handed out by members of our own fair community; the LGBT great and gormless.
The general gist of the gay irritable contribution hurled in the direction of Bratavio appears to be ‘I know that I’m gay, but at least I’m not that gay’ or to give a more precise example: “They’re a disgrace to homosexuality”, one of the kinder contributions online being “they’re exactly the ones who make gay people look weak and overtly feminine”. Weak and overtly feminine. Why stop at internalised homophobia when we can throw in a dollop of misogynistic juxtaposition of the possibilities of being feminine and strong? That there are dozens upon dozens of these contributions online at the hands of gay people (mostly men) is troubling enough, but that they directly respond to online calls for death and destruction against the talent show twosome is sickening. Justifying the vitriolic vocabulary violence lazily tweeted from the back of the number 36 with a completely unacceptable; I get it [the homophobic death threats], they are after all giving gay men like me a bad name.
It is of course fine to not like them, call them talentless, scream ‘fix’ at the judges or as Louis Walsh himself said upon first meeting Ottavio; “he looks like a birthday cake”, but for members of the LGBT community, no, let’s face it, for GAY MEN, who at some point are likely to have experienced, prejudice, discrimination and fear to state they’re lesser gay mortals than you? Let’s face it boys, these queens are doing you a favour. Whilst those two are whooping it up like an amphetamine encrusted seaside carousel they’re bathing in the tractor beam of faghating bullshit that you know, were it not for them, would be well and truly upon your sweet pansy ass, which is precisely why you’re pointing the finger. “Please don’t hit me, it was ‘them’”. Whilst there may be a manicured beard
on your face that pleads ‘real man’, that jiggle you do in the gay bars to the latest Little Mix release, screams ‘fairy’. Your closet is less teak and more MFI and what’s more the screws are loose. You’re one sashay past the make-up counter away from, well, Bratavio and the threats of violence and general derision are moments away from tearing apart your own heart and soul which is why you pick on, nay homophobically bully, these two.
Well sir, it’s you who disgraces homosexuality. It’s your externalised self-loathing because Momma didn’t love you enough that gives men like Bratavio a bad name. You’re the brakes of progress, the oil slick on the road to advancement and acceptance and I suggest you seek therapy.
It’s abundantly clear that those two boys are absolute searchers of the spotlight. No-one turns up to a staged televised audition looking like the window display of a Brighton rock shop surreptitiously attempting to blend in. A little light internet research informs me that Bradley and Ottavio have appeared on a number of lower profile reality shows (what the hell is Coach Trip?) and like Rylan before them, they almost certainly won’t win. You’re free to pick up your phone or open your app and vote them off, but you owe it to yourself not to join in with the homophobic and hateful harassment of them online, in the pub or across the dinner table. You owe it to them, you owe it to me, you owe it to humankind.
There’s no LGBT rulebook of sisterhood that states you must fall into line with a dishonest appreciation of Bradley and Ottavio just because they’re gay but let’s pause to remember Orlando. When 49 random gay people and their friends were butchered in a nightclub we came together in solidarity. Within 48 hours we had mobilised ourselves across the world to attend vigils and celebrations of gay lives lost. We didn’t know those who bled to death clutching their entrails and crying for mummy, but we stood with them because we were one. We were shot dead too. Every one of those who died may have been, in character, exactly like Ottavio and Bradley, as camp as a sequined penis helmet spunking out the opening bars of Xanadu – YOU DON’T KNOW. Does that mean we care for them less? Do you want to see what kind of gays died before you commemorate or support them? And yet the online hand grenades thrown at these TV show hopefuls by members of their own kind, absolutely and completely centre around them being the wrong kind of gay. Too feminine, too camp, too gay. You’re the electronic terrorist of our times and you assassinate all of us. Should you wish to apologise, I’ll be in the Bratavio corner ironing my fishnets.
“The online hand grenades thrown at these TV show hopefuls by members of their own kind centre around them being the wrong kind of gay. Too feminine, too camp, too gay”
HYDES’ HOPES
BY REV MICHAEL HYDES
TESTING THE WATERS
) Looking for something 'out of the box' I recently visited a Shaman travelling group on the possibility of communing with my animal spirit guide. I took along the rattle I own. It's old now but was made by a member of the Paiute tribe of Indians in Nevada. The arrow heads and feathers tied with leather strips are now showing their age but it's still a wonderful symbol - a kind of spiritual key to another reality. It is not a child's toy.
I had a wonderful evening. I journeyed with the group and connected with parts of myself I hadn't met before. The guide was experienced, grounded, and present. It was a lovely adventure. And then when I left I realised that the guide hadn't used any technique that I hadn't used myself in a Christian workshop or retreat. Part of the mystical side of Christianity is the journey within to connect with our guides. Sometimes the journey is simply to re-connect with the parts of ourself that we've long since stopped listening to, the child within us or the wise parent figure. For some these manifest themselves as people, and for others as animals, or even different energies. Connecting with our guardian angels, those guides that watch over us, also often begins with a form of meditation or 'travelling', but has a different locus, a different focus.
“Part of the mystical side of Christianity is the journey within to connect with our guides”
Tapping into our own healing energies, or those in nature, to help with our own healing and the healing of others is an ancient tradition that transcends religious boundaries. Connecting with the universal energy that offers itself as a gift to some has been the mark of a healer for millennia, and certainly pre-dates Christianity.
I'm sad that the Christian Church has a reputation for legalism, (arguably well earned in the west), because some of the richer and more mystical traditions are the ones I find the most exciting. Celtic Christianity binds us to each other and the land in ways that we might find surprising. New Age Christianity has a lot to teach us about being open to the subjective rather than the objective, (in other words the way that God is moving rather than the way God has moved in the past). And of course Quakers have been practising a form of this 'listening' since the 1650s.
In my experience, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans people have a uniqueness which is invaluable when exploring faith. Because we find ourselves on the fringes of a social structure we experience a unique view and our world becomes a lot bigger. What is possible is freed from the mundane by our uniquely subjective perspective. Not always, but often. Standing at the edge of the water we uniquely recognise that our pond is not all there is, a perspective denied anyone who has never had reason to lift their head above the surface of the water. Of course it isn't just LGBT people who do this; once you dip your toes into the mysticism of any faith you begin to see that others have done so too, and are doing so even now.
If you want to explore your Spiritual side then don't dismiss the Church as a resource. Sure, be careful how you choose your church as some can be parochial and legalistic. But some are really exciting, aren't afraid to plunge deep, and can introduce you to mystical journeys you wouldn't believe.
HOMELY HOMILY
BY GLENN STEVENS
LGBT SPORTS
) In my last column, I wrote about how their has been a steady change in segregation in the gay bars and clubs, with a younger generation seeing men-only/women-only places as a relic from the past. Although there will always be a need (I think) for some kind of segregation, we certainly have come a long way from the time I remember back in the 1980s. Back then I can clearly remember some men being mortified if a woman wandered into their watering-hole and out would come the vile, flippant misogynist comment from some of the older gay men, with their description of lesbians as well, I’ll reinterpret the vile line as, ‘fruits de la mer’. There was also a pub in that Hove tried to implement a policy where women were only allowed in if they were accompanied by a gay man.
It would take the catastrophic horrors of AIDS to bring these two communities together, which was recalled in the amazing documentary We Were There, about the arrival of the AIDS epidemic in the USA. With an urgent need for blood transfusions, lesbians in California garnered themselves together and gave blood. Here in the UK I remember many lesbians came forward to volunteer in any way they could to support the gay men who were suffering in large numbers to the horrifying effects of AIDS; along with an onslaught of hatred and stigma from the tabloid press which fed in to the fear and anxiety of the wider public.
Thirty-four years on since Terry Higgins, one of the first people to die from AIDS, we really have come along way with anti-retroviral treatments. The divisions within the LGBT community have shrunk considerably and when we work together we achieve amazing things as we will once again witness on December 1st, World AIDS Day.
Unfortunately there is so much more to be done to tackle the stigma of living with an HIV+ diagnosis, particularly with HIV+ and HIV- gay men.
For me, this issue has been brought sharply into focus with the increase of HIV+ dating apps. I really understand the need for such apps which allow HIV+ people to feel comfortable about their HIV+ status without fear of stigma or abuse. But we are living in a time when we have a real opportunity to eradicate HIV through use of condoms, antiretroviral drugs, PrEP and a heavy dose of compassion.
“We have a real opportunity to eradicate HIV through use of condoms, antiretroviral drugs, PrEP and... compassion”
HIV+ stigma seriously needs stamping out if we are to reach a time when HIV is assigned to the history books. THT have been running a brilliant advertisement campaign, It Starts With Me, urging every sexually active individual to take responsibility for their own sexual health. Together as a community we can make a positive difference, if people change their negative attitude about those living with an HIV+ diagnosis.
So from today let’s do that, let’s take responsibility for not only our individual sexual health, but start treating everyone with respect, regardless of their HIV status.
CHARLIE SAYS
Pants On Fire
By Charlie Bauer Phd
http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk
) I can finally start forgiving myself for all the lies I’ve told across my tawdry life. It’s a great feeling, you should try it. I’ve sometimes said that I’m ‘protecting someone’s feelings’ when I’m secretly having it off behind their back. Justifying it by saying that it’s just how we gays are, that we’re all somehow equal in the sauna. Lies to family members about dinners when there’s a groovy disco in another part of town. That a bout of pleurisy they nursed me through wasn’t due to overworking in damp conditions - rather than come clean that I was dragged around the floor of XXL for eight solid hours AND dipped into the jelly bean bowl on the way out, off my face, laughing hysterically.
I didn’t mind lying at school because the idiot teachers never knew what the truth was. I remember one boy in junior school put his hand up when the register was called and someone was absent.
“Any one seen Mark Johnson?” the teacher asked.
“He’s dead Miss,” said the boy. A low snigger from the class and then the teacher picked the boy up by the ear until his feet dangled and he sobbed uncontrollably.
“But he is Miss, he got run over yesterday afternoon on Beachwood Road…” Teachers don’t like to be embarrassed so he was sent down to the Headmistress, chaperoned by myself. The Headmistress had heard the news already but gave us the cane anyway.
So, lies were all around. Not getting it up when you have your first round of opposite sex snogging with your straight teenage friends and blaming it on nerves rather than run the ridicule in school of being a queer - that sort of thing. We were brought up to believe, for some reason, that adults never lied. Particularly adults in positions of power.
We’ve entered an age (in the last year) where not only is it okay for the people we elect to govern us to lie, but when they are exposed (cf Boris Johnson) they brush it under the carpet, knowing nothing will happen. I now know, as an adult, that it doesn’t matter if you lie to get what you want - the human motor is programmed to get away with whatever it can despite the consequences.
But what happens to lying mayors? They become foreign secretaries and nobody questions it. Limp Dick Whittington, indeed. What about that NHS money? Just a ruse to get us the Brexit vote.
“We thought Cameron/May was going to be a different type of Tory…“
Why? The problem is not them, as I’ve said before, they’re the only honest people out there. They’re doing nothing but being good Tories – that’s what Tories throughout history have done. It’s US that’s at fault.
“Hang on – Jimmy said he would only take one bite of my Choc-Ice…”
“Well, you shouldn’t have let him have that. Now he’s run off with it all and you’ve lost out. Your own fault.”
So, the message is that decency, and therefore democracy, is dead. Decency that meant Cameron should have stuck around to take it on the chin. But he’s resigned as a politician. Why? What does he know that we don’t? He’s living out his Brexile in the sun, no doubt.
But where are we with all things queer? What a decade we’ve all had! What a rollercoaster
ride of human rights. Thank god none of that can be overturned, Brexit or No Brexit…
Actually, I think we’ll find that the European Court of Human Rights had a lot of sway in the modern gay movement. As did the European Parliament. I’ve shagged so many of them on package deals to Brighton, I know which way they’re headed. But what happens when we’re left with only the British? Can they overturn policy? Can they ban gay marriage? Of course they can – they can just say ‘when we said it was going to be a ‘Hard’ Brexit we weren’t talking about getting the horn’. They (and we’ve allowed it) can do anything they like now, it’s going to be tough, but it’s for our own good. We’re British, we can take it…
Donald Trump sways like the wind. He once gave interviews in the American Advocate as far back as 2000 saying that everyone should be represented. This, of course was from a capitalist point of view because those gays do like to spend. And when he was asked should gays and lesbians be interested in him as a presidential candidate, he replies that he knows what diversity is, he grew up in New York City; ”In all truth, I don’t care if a person is gay. Their lifestyle is of no interest to me.”
Cut to the American Presidential election where Trump is sexually gerrymandering the party as a last bid for votes, calling on Peter Theil, the PayPal billionaire, to state that he’s proud to be gay, a republican and an American.
I can smell a rat. Trump has not only embraced some of the most hideous homophobic laws (North Carolina’s HB2 for example), he’s brought on Mike Pence as a running mate, who has signed bills allowing businesses to discriminate against the LGBTQI community. I’m sure Trump’s hand is itching to sign the First Amendment Defence Act (FADA), which would… well you can imagine. He’ll also defend the Second Amendment, allowing the same haters to purchase the guns to take Miami into their own hands.
Trump said in the same interview that he doesn’t mind ‘those gays’ because he has enough hardworking croupiers of that ilk at his casinos. But things are different now. Now he’s running for President. His party faithful want him to come down hard on the gayers but he said he won’t. But Mr Pence will and Trump will be President Teflon.
Anyway, we, as with Brexit, are cheerfully and cautiously hopeful, we’ll believe the rhetoric if the outcome is not going to be too painful. It’s called ‘Hope’. We’ve fallen down this hole many times. And we still keep trusting liars with our choc-ices.
“But what happens to lying mayors? They become foreign secretaries and nobody questions it”
DUNCAN’S DOMAIN
BY DUNCAN STEWART
PREJUDICE AND PRIDE
) Either I am a blithely unobservant person or I really am fortunate enough never to have been a victim of prejudice. Being a straight white doctor with, in my own opinion, no extreme political or religious views I occupy a comfort zone others would, and many have, died for. A plummy accent does occasionally bring out the class warrior in some acquaintances but this is small beer in the realms of prejudice and I consider myself very fortunate. Sammy Davis Jnr once described himself as “a one-eyed Jewish negro, I’ve got all the handicaps I can handle”. Could he have added being gay, poor, female and disabled he would have collected most of the cards in the prejudicial pack.
My dictionary defines prejudice as an opinion not based on reason or actual experience, so it could rationally be expected that maturity and life experiences would bring tolerance. I suspect we’re all instinctively suspicious of people from whom we differ in appearance, speech and belief and it may be that this is a protective instinct and part of our psychological survival kit, but simply meeting the people you define as being different should dilute distrust. In our confused adolescent years we enjoyed the insensitive jokes featuring the baseless conviction that people from Poland were stupid, the Irish were lazy, Jews were greedy, gay men were effeminate and black people were stupid and lazy.
There was a long list of such misconceptions cheerfully paraded in infantile jokes. I’m now ashamed of myself for laughing at them. Much adult humour also revolves around prejudice but the important difference is that a Jewish comedian mocking Jewish behaviour not only amuses us but simultaneously hits that guilt button which should make us explore, and deplore, our innate antagonisms.
I suspect that most people, I certainly include myself, do harbour some suppressed but nasty atavistic attitudes and we need not only to reject them but also to be constantly aware that unscrupulous people are skilfully trying to use these prejudices for their own advantage, especially politicians. It is frightening how quickly displaying intolerance has become shameless in our volatile post-Brexit political climate. Racists feel they have been given some sort of national approval to foster their dislike of ‘foreigners’.
“It’s frightening how quickly displaying intolerance has become shameless in our volatile post-Brexit political climate”
Others groups in our society, including the gay community, have every reason to be fearful of this ugly culture. The exuberant humour of Pride carnivals and some marvellous gay comedy has significantly eroded anti-gay sentiment and it would be proof of our national immaturity if all that progress was reversed. So let‘s hope basic decency prevails aided by humour - I doubt there is much laughter at UKIP gatherings. Most of my own persisting antipathies are childish, trivial, futile and unlikely to cause much offence. I must admit to being suspicious of men with elaborate facial hair styles, men with no military experience who wear red trousers and people who claim to be free of all but the most minor prejudices. Time to shut up.
STRIP SERVICE
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE
SAM TRANS MAN
All change! Dr Samuel Hall intruduces the new board of trustees at the Clare Project
) The Clare Project began as a monthly transgender support group in a Brighton & Hove beauty salon in 2000, with local grants supporting much needed and affordable psychotherapeutic counselling. Five years later, a joint venture with Dorset Gardens Methodist Church to create a safe space where trans people could meet, resulted in a regular weekly drop-in session, which has been running continuously ever since. In 2015, the Clare Project celebrated its 15th anniversary and undertook the ambitious step of becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in order to oversee growing services including mental health and well-being groups, social activities, and an increasingly important online presence. The Clare Project is honoured to have been selected as one of the Mayor’s Charities for 2016-17 earlier this year. Charity status (Registered Charity No 1165746) was granted in March 2016 and a newly established Board of Trustees has been tasked with steering the Clare Project into an unprecedented era of growth and change. This includes the fulfilment of our constitutional obligations, formalisation of the organisational structure, and changes to staff and volunteers.
These changes include the departure of a stalwart and familiar face to many, Rosemary Allix. Rosemary was administrator for the Clare Project in its early days prior to becoming the facilitator at the drop-in, a position she held for a decade. She’s long been the first port of call online, by phone and face-to-face for service users, often providing a lifeline in the darkest of times. Rosemary gave a large part of her time and expertise voluntarily, and will be remembered fondly by many. The new board wish her all the best in her future ventures and are grateful to former service user and volunteer, Julia Trangmar, who’s stepped in to hold an interim facilitator role while we arrange recruitment of two permanent staff members to support the drop-in and other activities.
CLARE PROJECT
WEEKLY DROP-IN
is based in central Brighton in a safe and confidential space to explore issues around gender identity. Facilitated peer support is an important element, as well as providing access to low-cost psychotherapy and speech therapy.
The newly appointed board members are:
Mx Taylor Blue Taylor moved to Brighton from Yorkshire in 2013 and now lives in Kemptown. He's committed to social justice, trans visibility in the LGBT community and beyond... along with raw food, eco-living and his dog, Wilbur.
Ms Kim Curran: Journalist Kim has been the Clare Project’s secretary for five years. She has been involved in organising many events and co-ordinates the Clare Project’s website. She is vice-chair of a Brighton community association.
Nicky Cambridge: Nicky has been involved in trans issues since leading the Trans Equality Scrutiny for Brighton & Hove City Council in 2012. She was also co-chair of the Trans Needs Assessment.
Dr Samuel Hall: Sam is a GP who lives in Brighton with his wife and five children. He is widely engaged in raising awareness of trans issues both in his medical role and voluntarily as the Clare Project’s chair of trustees.
Ms Martine Howard: Martine lives in Brighton, has been involved with the Clare Project for over five years and has experience of working with a wide range of charities.
Mx D Humphreys: D lives and works in Brighton and is actively engaged in working towards trans equality both personally and professionally, as their policy officer role at the local council.
Dr Kate Nambiar: Kate is a doctor living in Brighton and runs a trans-specific sexual health service. She is committed to championing the cause of good access to all forms of healthcare for trans-identified people.
Christina Niewiadowski: Christina is a volunteer and drop-in committee member at the Clare Project. She has considerable skills and experience in managing small organisational finances and has taken on the role of treasurer for the board of trustees.
CLARE PROJECT
meets every TUES 2.30– 5.30PM at
DORSET GARDENS
METHODIST CHURCH
Dorset Gardens (off St James Street) Brighton BN2 1RL
Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in from 5–7.30PM
Rev Robin Selmes: Robin is a Methodist Minister who lives in Brighton with his wife and three children. He has supported and worked closely with a number of charities within the LGBT community and those who find themselves to be on the edge of society.
PAYING TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF TRANSPHOBIC CRIME
On Sunday, November 20, from 2-4pm at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Brighton & Hove’s trans community will be holding their annual Transgender Day of Remembrance memorial event for those who’ve died this year as a result of their perceived gender identity. Those people may have been transgender, intersex, crossdressers or others, or they may have been mistaken for someone else. What they have in common is that their lives were ended by murder or suicide because they did not conform to the gender roles expected of them.
Transgender Day of Remembrance has been marked internationally every year on November 20 since 1988, and although we don’t see the levels of violence in the UK as experienced in other countries around the world, it’s a time of solidarity for those who are gender variant in some way. The majority of murders are perpetrated against trans women of colour and the highest incidence is seen amongst sex workers in South America. This event is also held in solemn remembrance of those who have lost their lives through suicide, of which there is a particularly high incidence within our community. Whilst the day is one that triggers regret and sadness, and a reflection on the meaning of suffering, it is also a source of hope for the future as we strive towards a more inclusive and accepting society. This annual event is an opportunity for trans people to come together with their friends and allies as well as local dignitaries and politicians who willingly express their support.
RECRUITING NOW!
CLARE PROJECT IS SEEKING TWO PART-TIME FACILITATORS FOR OUR DROP-IN
Recruitment closing date 25th November 2016
Please see our website for details www.clareproject.org.uk f Clare Project clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
BRIGHTON & HOVE MAYOR’S CHARITY
POLICE LGBT LIAISON TEAM
BY PC SARAH LAKER & RORY FINN
HATE CRIME AWARENESS
) Waking up this morning was the first time in a while that I felt winter was on its way, the chill in the air as I leave my home in the dark to make my journey into work. I personally love this time of year, roaring log fires in local pubs, crisp dog walks and snuggling up on the sofa with a loved one.
Although you’ll be reading this in a month’s time of me writing this, I feel that it’s key to mention that we are currently midway through National Hate Crime Awareness Week. Rory Finn and I form your LGBT team for Brighton & Hove, and we’re aware that there is sometimes confusion as to what a hate crime is. Police jargon can be confusing, even for me.
Officially: “A hate crime/incident is any incident which may or may not be a crime that anyone perceives to be motivated by hostility or prejudice towards any aspects of a person’s identity. This covers race, identified gender, disability, ethnicity or a person’s sexuality”
In layman’s terms, it is a crime or incident where a person is treated with hate just for who they are.
In today’s society with same-sex marriage, the gender recognition act and next year being the 50th anniversary of homosexuality being removed from the sexual offences act 1967, I find it mindboggling that LGBT hate crime still exists in our society.
There are numerous ways to report Hate Crime:
• Call 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency;
• Email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk;
• Or text 07786208090
Please don’t suffer in silence and feel assured that we will maintain a proactive and effective response to tackling and preventing hate, ensuring that perpetrators are held to account and prosecuted where appropriate.
December 1st is World AIDS Day and it’s an opportunity for people worldwide to come together. There appears to be exciting and innovative developments in the world of HIV medicine with the arrival of PREP. However, whilst some types of discrimination might have changed flavour, what's not gone away is the prejudice and stigma about HIV and the harm that those myths and stereotypes can cause. HIV+ people live with the threat of being outed as positive. Some are even in fear of being maliciously accused of deliberately passing the virus onto others. Police have a duty to investigate allegations of assault, but you should expect a sensitive approach by investigators. Whilst they must remain impartial to gather evidence, please contact us if you want some advice about the process or if you have any concerns that we can raise on your behalf.
THIS MONTH’S STATS:
In September we had 28 anti-LGBT crimes and incidents. Crimes included comments being made that are transphobic, verbal abuse in the form of homophobic slurs and threats. There were several assaults, all of which caused no injury. There was a greater proportion of anti-trans incidents than we’d normally see, making up 12 of the reports.
CONTACT INFORMATION
) We both have Facebook profiles and a page – our usernames are: PC Sarah Laker and LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith, and Brighton & Hove LGBT Police Team. We tweet @PoliceLGBT. Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – please call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999.
MINDOUT
Black, bi, homeless & HIV+, how MindOut made a difference
www.mindout.org.uk
) We work with a huge range of mental health experiences at MindOut. Ronnie has agreed to share her story: it highlights some of the awful challenges for black, bi, homeless, HIV+ women in the UK today.
My name is Ronnie Mopufu and I’m 34 years old. I was born in Zimbabwe and came to England in June 2001. I had a very traumatic experience when I was diagnosed HIV+ in 2004. It’s a moment I’ll never forget as I was at the darkest moment of my life as I’d just left my trafficking situation and to receive news like this was devastating to me.
I didn’t know what the future had in store for me or the challenges I’m going to face along the way being black, bisexual, homeless and experiencing immigration problems. I had the whole package and all of these thoughts in my head kept going around and around.
Being HIV+ and a woman isn’t easy as you get stigmatised by people who assume all sorts about you and are very judgemental. I have all sorts of things said to me like I’m a prostitute, I’m damaged goods, I’m a moving coffin, I’m disgusting. There have been occasions where I’ve had to stand up for myself, risking my life. Being black as well made things worse as I faced discrimination from my own people. I suffered a lot of abuse and there’s a lot of stigma around HIV and AIDS. Millions of people are still dying today for fear of being HIV+ and the stigma of getting diagnosed as HIV+. Even going to the clinic for medication causes fear.
Being bisexual also made things harder as I suffered a lot of homophobic attacks. Growing up in Africa it’s taboo to talk about being gay, although there are gay people. The subject is brushed under the carpet.
Moving to Brighton helped me to find myself. I just loved the diversity, my eyes were open
and I began to understand there was nothing wrong with me. There were people like me but this didn’t mean I was safe. I suffered a lot of abuse and homophobic attacks while living in Brighton, to the point I had to be careful who I met, where I went, the way I dressed and presented myself. Thanks to MindOut I really started to understand my transition and what I was experiencing. Brighton helped me find myself. But I still had to watch my back the whole time, where I sat, how I dressed, how I walked. I had a different look as a tom boy which got negative attention.
I was sofa surfing and very unwell. I used to cry a lot. I didn’t really understand what was going on with my body and mind. I’d lost a lot of weight which made a lot of people talk. One of my mates went through my belongings and found my medication. They Googled the tablets and then I was confronted about my status. I was kicked out of the home as they were scared they’d catch something from me. They told everyone in the community. Don’t get me wrong I’m proud to be black and love my people but there’s no confidentiality in my community.
I spent some nights sleeping in a pay phone. I couldn’t get housed or claim benefits as I was a failed asylum seeker with no citizenship.
In early 2008 my mental health started to deteriorate. I was really bad with low mood and felt suicidal. I started having bad panic attacks. I didn’t understand why I felt like
that. I just thought it was normal. Coming from a third world country I’d never heard of depression or mental health. In my culture that doesn’t exist. They think that black people don’t suffer from these conditions as they’re Western diseases. They consider these conditions as a sign or weakness and you must be strong. There’s still a lot of stigma about mental health in my culture.
Thankfully, I got referred to MindOut in Brighton, a LGBT organisation. I was a mess, confused, bisexual, HIV+ with mental health problems. I was nervous as I’d just stepped into another world. I needed to open up and trust them with my life and personal issues. They really helped me. They were really patient with me and did not judge me. They gave me an understanding of who I was, why I felt like that and what I was going through and what had happened to me. It wasn’t an easy road though.
In early 2012 I met a lovely guy who was also bisexual through Facebook and we started to talk. He made me feel comfortable about myself and we had a lot in common. He helped me gain my confidence back, love myself and follow my dreams. I’d never dreamt of being a mother when I fell pregnant. In 2014 I had a very beautiful baby girl and a good pregnancy. Taking medication didn’t cause any difficulties. I had regular blood tests and made sure we were both healthy. The doctors were really helpful informing me about the risks of pregnancy and HIV. They made sure I had a safe delivery.
MINDOUT INFO
If you would like to talk to someone about any aspect of your mental health, please get in touch. MindOut services are confidential, independent, non-judgemental and free. MindOut services are run by and for LGBTQ people with lived experience of mental health issues. For more information please ) call 01273 234839
) email info@mindout.org.uk
) find us online www.mindout.org.uk
We would love to hear from you.
MINDOUT CELEBRATION
) Do join us for our annual Celebration Event on Wednesday November16 4.30–7pm at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church. Find out what we have been up to and what we might do next! Lovely buffet provided by Lunch Positive and there will also be entertainment! All welcome.
“They consider these conditions as a sign or weakness and you must be strong. There’s still a lot of stigma about mental health in my culture”
SERVICES DIRECTORY
LGBT SERVICES
) ACCESS 4 ALL
LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net
) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT
Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm 01273 721211 or email info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE
Report all homophobic, biphobic or transphobic incidents to: 24/7 assistance call Police on 101 (for emergencies 999) Report online at: www.sussex.police.uk
LGBT team (not 24/7) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk
• LGBT Officer PC Sarah Laker on 07912 893557
• LGBT Liason Rory Finn on 07912 893006 f Brighton LGBT Police t @policeLGBT t @PCLaker
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
Independent LGBT forum working with the community to address and improve safety issues in Brighton & Hove. info@lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD
Help-line with email & webchat facility from 5pm daily on 01273 204 050
• LGBT specialist face to face low cost counselling service,
Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups. 01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.org.uk
) FTM BRIGHTON
Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people. Every 3rd Fri of month, 7-9pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info email info@ftmbrighton.org.uk, www.ftmbrighton.org.uk
) BRIGHTON GEMS
Social group for gay men over 50 with several events every month inc meeting at Dorset Gardens last Fri of month 7-9pm. 07561 166 407 or email brightongems@aol.com www.brightongems.com
) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON
Local social group offers friendship, social events, meet 1st Thur at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. 07594 578 035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
) LESBIAN & GAY AA
12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions. Sun 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). 01273 203 343 (general AA line)
) LGBT NA GROUP
Brighton-based LGBT (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. 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 support 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
) MINDOUT
Independent, impartial info, guidance for LGBT people with mental health problems. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk
) PEER ACTION
Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk
) RAINBOW FAMILIES
Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
) SOME PEOPLE
Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue, 6-8pm, Hastings. Call/text Nicola 07974 579865 or email Neil or Nicola: somepeople@eastsussex.gov.uk
) VICTIM SUPPORT
Practical, emotional support 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@avert.org
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. 01273 664 721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
) LAWSON UNIT
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. 01273 664 722
Drop-in: Richmond House, Richmond Rd, Brighton, MonWed & 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* Support) 07884 476634 or email gsmith@pavilions.org.uk
For more info visit weblink: pavilions.org.uk/services/treatment-recovery-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 Service @ Dukes Mound: advice, support, info on HIV and sexual health, and free condoms and 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, & Squirt.
• 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 for men who have sex with men. Results in 20 minutes. Mon 10am-8pm, Tues-Fri 10am-5pm. (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.
• Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out field research in B&H on issues affecting men’s sexual health. Extensive training provided.
• What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men.
• HIV Support Services: info, support & practical advice for people living with/affected by HIV.
• Volunteer Support Services: 1-2-1 community support for people living with or affected by HIV.
• HIV Welfare Rights Advice: Find out about benefits or benefit changes. Advice line: Mon–Thur 1:30-2:30pm. 1-2-1 appts for advice & workshops on key benefits.
) TERRENCE
HIGGINS
EASTBOURNE
Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk
• HIV Services support for HIV diagnosis, managing side effects, sex and relationships, understanding medication, talking to your doctor, finding healthier lifestyle. Assessment of support needs and signposting on to relevant services. Support in person, by phone or email.
• Support for people at risk of HIV confidential info and advice on sexual health and HIV for men who have sex with men. Up to 3 one hour appointments depending on need. Sessions in person or on phone.
• Web support & info on HIV, sexual health & local services via netreach and myhiv.org.uk
• Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV.
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SEXUAL HEALTH WORTHING
Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Worthing based 0845 111345645
NATIONAL HELPLINES
) NATIONAL LGBT DOMESTIC ABUSE
HELPLINE AT GALOP.ORG.UK 0800 999 5428
) LONDON LESBIAN & GAY SWITCHBOARD 02078 377324
) POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm 0800 1696806
