Scene Magazine West Midlands - May 2023 by Scene Magazine

Welcome

Out Takes, a celebration of queer cinema, at Exeter Picturehouse

The new exhibition features portraits saluting LGBTQ+ artists on both sides of the camera. It is a celebration of the vibrant and vital contributions made to the world of cinema by LGBTQ+ artists.

Pride returned to St Andrews last month

St Andrews Pride brought university students and staff and the local community together to "show that LGBTQ+ people are supported and welcomed in the town and across the county".

Pink Summits campaign to increase LGBTQ+ visibility in adventure sports

Pink Summits is a campaign for the sake of visibility of LGBTQ+ all over the world through climbing and queering the highest mountains.

Sunderland to welcome iconic Amsterdam Rainbow Dressmade of the 68 flags of nations where homosexuality is illegal

Already photographed in locations across the world, the dress will arrive at the National Glass Centre, part of the University of Sunderland, on Tuesday, June 20.

Majority of LGBTQ+ people have ‘No religion’, Office of National Statistics confirms

The 2021 Census provides the first-ever official figures on how religion or belief, and sexuality and gender identity, intersect.

Birmingham's Flatpack Festival to showcase Dorothy Towers Playlist

The festival runs till Sunday, May 21

Gail Porter and Marc Abraham join Brighton & Hove loneliness charity Together Co as ambassadors

Together Co said: "Both Gail and Marc are advocates for improving mental health and wellbeing and work tirelessly to promote these through their own campaigning, so we are delighted to have them as part of the team."

Gay Classic Car Group: a group of LGBTQ+ members as diverse as their cars

The Gay Classic Car Group presented a wide variety of motors on their stand at the NEC Classic Car and Restoration Show.

Terrence Higgins Trust launches survey on HIV discrimination

Your answers will help inform work at Terrence Higgins Trust so the charity can push for change.

Arts and activism organisation, Queerside, becomes a CIC and launches Just Giving to support its work

Queer-side is now fundraising and looking for new sources of funding which will allow them to continue their development for the LGBTQ+ community locally.

Mr Gay Europe 2023 to return in August

Delegates from all over Europe will meet on historical grounds when they return to Alnwick Castle and Gardens for Mr Gay Europe from 20 – 27 August 2023.

London Trans+Pride to return in July

London Trans+ Pride is a response to the injustices that trans+ people face daily, all over the world.

Birmingham drag performers end relationship with venue over transphobic event

The decision to end this ongoing event is due to the venue deciding to continue with the booking of a transphobic individual.

KAYAK launches travel hub for the LGBTQ+ community

The new LGBTQ+ travel hub is an ever growing resource of timely inspiration for those planning international and domestic getaways.

FILM REVIEW: 'In From The Side' - a rollercoaster ride from Matt Carter

Emmerdale star Alexander Lincoln plays the moody young hunk Mark, who’s trapped in an unhappy relationship with a detached, well-off businessman who is seldom at home..

Perfide Albion: new exhibition at Cup of Joe to feature drawings and paintings by French artists

Cup of Joe say: "The exhibition takes place in our cafe so do pop down for coffees, teas, cakes, brunches and more surrounded by glorious art! What’s not to like...?"

Live Through This launches campaign to address "inequalities and misinformation around cervical screening within LGBTQ+ community".

People within the LGBTQ+ community may be at a higher risk of cervical cancer due to lower screening rates, according to Live Through This - a charity that supports and advocates for LGBTQ+ people affected by cancer.

Bears at The Bully raises £144 for Sussex Beacon and Brighton Rainbow Fund

Bears at The Bully, a new monthly men-only night organised by the boys from Brighton Bear Weekend at The Bulldog, raised £144 to be split between the Sussex Beacon and the Brighton Rainbow Fund last month.

Brighton & Hove eateries raise funds for Sussex Beacon

Over £1,720 was raised at the evening, with delicious, mouth-watering arancini all round, plus some friendly gastronomic rivalry along the way.

Dale Melita brodcasts live from #planetpop!

SPOTLIGHT ON: Darius Shu

Brian Butler interviews the master of twists and turns.

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE

Not your ordinary day at the beach...

) Great Fort Lauderdale, renowned as Florida’s LGBTQ+ capital, is home to 38 kilometres of sparkling Atlantic coastline and eight different beach communities. With 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and an average year-round temperature of 25°C, this area is a beach lover’s paradise. All of the beaches are perfect for relaxing, soaking up the sun, swimming and water sports, and most also offer their share of exceptional hotels, shops, restaurants and entertainment. But beyond everything you’d expect from a typical day at the beach, there are also plenty of surprises. Here’s a look at a unique offering from each of these eight beaches.

Deerfield Beach

Feeling adventurous? Deerfield Beach is home to Ski Rixen USA, one of the first cable waterskiing parks in the nation. An innovative pulley and cable system pulls you along the 2,700-foot oval course and lessons are available, along with the skis or wakeboard. So, if you’ve always wanted to try waterskiing or wakeboarding, this is the perfect place. No boat needed! And it’s an amazing experience for experienced skiers and wakeboarders as well.

Hillsborough Beach

The stand-out offering on this beach is the historic Hillsborough Lighthouse, built in 1906. Tours are offered monthly and include a scenic boat ride to get to the southern end of the peninsula. You can climb the 175 steps of the spiral staircase to reach the 138-foot top for amazing views. You can also see the memorial statue of the barefoot mailman, who walked 40 miles each week to deliver mail between Palm Beach and Miami back in the late 1800s.

Pompano Beach

While there’s much to discover in Pompano Beach, such as concerts at its 3,000-seat amphitheatre or amazing scuba diving at Shipwreck Park, perhaps this is the beach to start your journey on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Ale Trail. Download the Visit Lauderdale Ale

Trail Passport and enjoy discounts and earn prizes. Stops in Pompano Beach include Odd Breed Wild Ales, Pompano Beach Brewing Company and 26 Degree Brewing

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

This walkable beach town has the feel of a seaside village but its claim to fame is that it’s only one of two beaches in the continental USA where you can snorkel and dive on a living coral reef straight off the beach (the other is Greater Fort Lauderdale’s Hollywood Beach). Just 100 yards from shore, an easy five-minute swim, a view of the reef’s astounding variety of fish and critters awaits.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

This is the area’s most famous beach with its iconic wave wall and bustling beachfront promenade. And at the corner of Sebastian Street and A1A, you’ll discover Sebastian Street Beach, named the “Hottest U.S. Gay Beach” by Out Traveler. You’re sure to encounter abundant eye candy and a lively crowd – the more the merrier!

Dania Beach

While dining delights abound at any beach in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach is one of

the few that has dining right on the water. At the Quarterdeck Dania Beach Pier, you can enjoy a front-seat view of the ocean and the sound of the waves along with delicious seafood like smoked mahi dip and clams in garlic wine butter.

Hollywood Beach

The brick-paved Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is the star here, stretching over nearly three miles from Jefferson Street to Sheridan Street, ending at Hollywood North Beach Park and offering dramatic views of the beach. Bike, stroll, jog, people-watch, dine at an outdoor café or shop at the weekend Yellow Green Farmer’s Market.

Hallandale Beach

Get your perfect Instagram moment here with the Beach Ball Water Tower at the North City Beach Park, located right by those irresistible ocean breezes. And at nearby luxury shopping destinations such as Gulfstream Park, you can shop till you drop onto Hallandale Beach’s four miles of soft sand and crystal-clear water.

D Plan your holiday to Greater Fort Lauderdale at www.VisitLauderdale.com/LGBT and discover a beach playground unlike any other.

Terrence Higgins Trust launches project to preserve, archive and learn from data contained within old myHIV forum

The myHIV forum allowed people living with HIV to talk and support one another about everything from diagnosis and medication to experiences of relationships and stigma.

PREVIEW: Queer cowboys, a Grindr musical, Eurovision and Hope Springs

You wait forever for one show about queer cowboys, and then along come two...

Ian Eagleton releases "inclusive and beautifully written" new book

Glitter Boy is the author's debut middle grade book.

Stephen Fry and Sandi Toksvig call for immediate legal recognition of humanist marriages in England and Wales

Sandi Toksvig and Stephen Fry have led LGBTQ+ groups and activists in calling on the UK Government to grant legal recognition to humanist marriages in England and Wales immediately, in an open letter published last month.

Jill Gardiner, celebrated lesbian historian and poet, dies aged 63

Words by Jane Traies.

Spring Ladies and Gents Clothing New & Preowned

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Romain Berger’s provocative photography to be exhibited at the Ledward Centre

) Provocative and kitsch are two of many ways that you can describe Romain Berger’s photography. Utilising elaborate set designs and vibrant lighting, Romain plays with stereotypes of the gay male community, contrasting public image with what happens in private: “The married man who sleeps with boys, the businessman drinking his whisky in front of a naked man, denouncing patriarchy,” he explains. “In my work, it is the man who becomes the object.”

Romain lives in Rennes, a city in the west of France. He studied film, however faced difficulty finding a job in filmmaking. He bought a camera and discovered a passion for photography, realising that he could capture the stories he wanted to tell in a single frame.

About his influences, Romain says that “Since I was a teenager, I was a big fan of photographer David Lachapelle’s images, without ever knowing that he would be one of my great inspirations for the rest of my career. I also love James Bidgood, who was a pioneer of homoeroticism and who unfortunately never managed to make a living from his work. It’s also a tribute to him that I’m working hard to make it happen and change people’s minds.”

After winning a competition in May 2021, Romain’s photos were shown at the famous Schwules Museum in Berlin, the world’s first museum dedicated to LGBTQ+ history. There is also a book, Life’s a Cabaret, a retrospective of his work between 2018 and 2022. His work is also published in the book SEX UTOPIA, an anthology of 70 artists from across the world.

The All You Need Is Love exhibition will be at the Ledward Centre, 14a Jubilee St, Brighton BN1 1GE from 5pm on Monday, May 15 until Wednesday, June 21. This is the first time Romain’s work will be exhibited in Brighton.

D For more info on his work, visit: www.romainberger-photography.com

Breaking

Barriers: The Embassy Model

Supporting LGBTQ+ Staff in the Middle East/North Africa region

This series of events aim to start a conversation with global organisations on the importance of safety for LGBTQ+ staff in the region.

Study finds two in five LGBTQ+ sports fans made to feel unwelcome when watching sport

Nearly half of 1,000 people polled feel that the sporting world is less accepting and progressive than society in general when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.

Research shows almost half of LGBTQ+ adults are estranged from their family

The data forms part of a new report by Just Like Us called Positive Futures.

West Midlands Police urged to apologise

for past homophobia

West Midlands Police is being urged to apologise for its "past witch-hunting" of the LGBTQ+ community ahead of Birmingham Pride on May 27.

The call comes in a letter to the Chief Constable, Craig Guildford, from veteran human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell.

”The West Midlands force was one of the most homophobic in Britain and went out of its way to target consenting, victimless behaviour that harmed no one. It wrecked the lives of thousands of LGBT+ people,” said Mr Tatchell.

SPOTLIGHT ON: Brighton Fringe: from Dutch drag to Brighton Gay Men's Chorus

Brian Butler takers his first dip into Brighton Fringe 2023.

Pride in Education to make a "powerful impact" when it returns this month

Amidst increasing hostility faced by the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, the sixth edition of the Pride in Education conference is set to make a "powerful impact" when it returns over Zoom on Saturday, May 20 from 9am.

Trans pupils could be denied admission to single-sex schools

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan are reportedly considering issuing new guidance to single-sex schools in England saying that they aren't legally obliged to admit transgender pupils.

Nominations for National Diversity Awards now open

The Awards "celebrate the achievements of grassroots communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, providing them with recognition for their dedication and hard work".

Shaun the Sheep animator to host model-making workshop at Brighton Fringe ahead of Martlets art trail

Ahead of the Shaun by the Sea art trail later this year, fans of Shaun the Sheep can attend an exclusive workshop led by Shaun the Sheep creators Aardman on Tuesday, May 30.

Research shows majority of LGBTQ+ young adults wish LGBTQ+ education started in primary school or nursery

The majority (74%) of LGBTQ+ young adults believe children should learn about LGBTQ+ inclusion in primary school or nursery, according to new research by Just Like Us

BOOK REVIEW: 'Proud Pink Sky' by Redfern Jon Barrett

Words by Eric Page.

National Youth Theatre releases rehearsal images of new production 'Bakkhai'

Bakkhai is a queer reimagining of the Ancient Greek classic.

Ugandans lead 'kill the gays' bill protest in London

Fifty LGBTQ+ campaigners and allies staged a noisy vigil outside the Ugandan High Commission in London last month, chanting “Museveni! Kill the bill” and “The world is watching! Kill the bill.”

Dying Matters Awareness Week at Brighton's Jubilee Library

Join Brighton AIDS Memorial Project and Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard.

Full line up for FABULOSO at Brighton & Hove Pride announced

Brash, beautiful and brilliant, Brighton & Hove Pride returns this August (Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6) with a line up of diverse and inclusive talent for FABULOSO, the official twoday fundraising event for the Brighton Rainbow Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ groups and organisations within the local community.

The Sussex Beacon to be a major beneficiary off this year's Brighton Bear Weekend

Local HIV charity the Sussex Beacon will be a major beneficiary of funds raised from this year’s Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW), which is one of the biggest events on the community calendar that takes place this year from Thursday, July 6 to Sunday, July 9.

The report reveals how LGBTQ+ women are the most likely cohort to be living ‘paychequeto-paycheque’ (18%), are 10% less likely to be promoted than their male LGBTQ+ counterparts, and lack the most confidence in the workplace when it comes to asking for pay rises or promotions.

Work begins to improve lighting in Royal Pavilion Garden

Upgrading the lighting will help people feel safer in the area, which has been identified as a place where anti-social behaviour often takes place.

Winners announced of European GRABBY Awards

The Awards showcase and celebrate the talents of the gay adult entertainment industry.

Over half of Scottish secondary schools adopt LGBTQ+ Youth Charter to support inclusivity for staff and pupils

Set up by LGBT Youth Scotland, the scheme provides schools and organisations with training to challenge prejudice and ensure that equality and diversity is at their core.

Brighton's Victoria Fountain returns to Old Steine Gardens

The 32ft fountain, also known as the Dolphin Fountain, will now be re-assembled behind hoardings, which will ensure work can continue while the gardens play host to the Brighton Spiegeltent during the Brighton Fringe.

Storytelling course for TNBI people to launch at Ledward Centre