Community HIV Specialist Service: supporting HIV positive people in Sussex -
"World AIDS Day again – when we spare a thought for the looped red ribbon."
READ MORE
More to Me than HIV: normalising the reality of living with HIV
"For as long as people living with HIV, (and even those not living with HIV), experience the detrimental effects of HIV stigma, our work is not complete."
READ MORE
Terrence Higgins Trust: Remember those we have lost, and how far we have come this World AIDS Day
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Terry Higgins, one of the first people to die of AIDS-related illnesses in the UK. His partners and friends founded Terrence Higgins Trust in his name in response to the emerging AIDS epidemic.
READ MORE
Brighton AIDS Memorial Project - a participant's experience
"Participating in and viewing the Brighton AIDS Memorial Project has been a cathartic experience."
READ MORE
HIV Community Representation
By Gary Pargeter
READ MORE
Brighton’s LGBTQ+ choirs to come together on World AIDS Day to raise funds for local HIV charity Lunch Positive
The World AIDS Day concert promises an emotional mix of uplifting energy and reflective musical moments.
READ MORE
What's on where in Brighton & Hove this World AIDS Day - December 1Don't miss a thing this World AIDS Day.
The Sussex HIV Chaplaincy: a listening ear, a friendly face, a supportive voice
READ MORE
The Lawson Unit - Moving On Up!
The Brighton HIV outpatient clinic will be moving to the sixth floor of the brand new hospital building at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in the first quarter of 2023.
READ MORE
Positive mental health. One man's HIV journey
By Matt Webster
READ MORE
By Heather Leake Date - Sussex HIV Chaplain
READ MORE
World AIDS Day Partnership: remembrance and solidarity
This year the Community World AIDS Day Partnership has been working hard to bring together the Candlelight Vigil and Reading of Names of people locally who have died with HIV.
READ MORE
Martin Fisher Foundation: innovation and impact
"Our overarching aim is to end new HIV transmissions and eliminate HIV stigma by 2030."
READ MORE
Supporting sexual health and HIV research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School
Since opening in 2003, Brighton and Sussex Medical School has trained more than 1,700 new NHS doctors who now work across the UK
READ MORE
Radio Reverb's HIV Hour - the world's only radio show produced for and by people living with HIV
"All the presenters of HIV Hour are volunteers living with HIV, which is an essential part of the show as we all have had unique experiences and challenges living with the virus."
READ MORE
PrEP2U: THT clinic makes accessing PrEP easy
PrEP is a drug taken by HIV negative people before and after sex that protects against HIV.
READ MORE
Sussex Beacon celebrates 30 years
This has been a special year for the charity, with it being 30 years since the foundation stone was laid at the Brighton-based HIV charity’s main centre.
READ MORE
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for Lunch Positive
Lunch Positive is one of 244 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups in the UK to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.
READ MORE
Routine HIV screening at Royal Sussex County Hospital
HIV screening at the emergency department has "helped detect undiagnosed HIV in the city and offers the chance for effective and early treatment."
READ MORE
Brighton & Hove City Council to fly Red Ribbon flag this World AIDS Day -
Brighton & Hove City Council is to be flying the Red Ribbon flag from the town halls for the first time this year to mark World AIDS Day on Thursday, December 1.
READ MORE
'Breaking Barriers' with Terrence Higgins Trust and African Families in the UK
Over the past year, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust has been collaborating with African Families in the UK to raise awareness of HIV and break down the stigma associated with it.
READ MORE
Local HIV charity Lunch Positive launches new HIV Warm Hub Tuesday
Thanks to funding from Brighton Rainbow Fund, Lunch Positive has launched a new support session every week, helping people cope with the pressures of winter and the cost of living crisis.
READ MORE
Lunch Positive announces Community Lunch on Sunday, November 27
To commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day and the fantastic voluntary work being done in the community by people with HIV, Lunch Positive is once again staging a Community Lunch, open to absolutely everyone on Sunday, November 27
READ MORE
All welcome at Brighton Marina Jiu Jitsu Academy! -
"We have an open door policy that embraces everyone from different races, sexualities, genders and religions. We only ask one thing, that is to respect one other."
READ MORE
Brighton Fringe to make next year's festival as affordable as possible for artists during cost of living crisis
Brighton Fringe will take place Friday, May 5Sunday, June 4, 2023.
READ MORE
British Psychological Society warns of potential mental health crisis this winter
New figures that reveal one in two people are experiencing anxiety about being able to pay their bills as a result of the cost of living crisis.
READ MORE
Mother Goose at Theatre Royal Brighton in December
READ MORE
UK Jewish Film Festival to return in November with LGBTQ+ strand
LGBTQ+ cinema is well represented with three films from Israel that tackle a diversity of issues
READ MORE
New report reveals impact of substance use on LGB young people
The report which looks at how young LGB people are impacted by substance use, and reveals how LGB communities are more likely to experience mental health challenges with substance use.
READ MORE
Starring Ian McKellen as Mother Goose, John Bishop as Vic Goose and Mel Giedroyc as the Goose, the show will play at the Theatre Royal Brighton from December 3 – 11.
Programme
to improve West Sussex mental health inpatient services complete
The NHS in Sussex has announced that a programme to significantly improve mental health inpatient services in West Sussex for adults, older people and those living with dementia has been fully implemented.
READ MORE
£200,000 raised at Terrence Higgins Trust's 40th anniversary gala
Throughout the evening, guests heard of the incredible advances that have been made in HIV treatment, prevention and care.
READ MORE
Stonewall report reveals Britain is becoming a 'Rainbow Nation'
The report reveals 'stark differences' between the generations
READ MORE
Powerlifting set to return to Gay Games in Guadalajara in 2023
This will be the first time in almost a decade that Gay Games Powerlifting will take place.
READ MORE
‘Be Sure. Know the Four’: London boroughs launch new HIV prevention campaign
The multi-media social marketing campaign highlights the effectiveness of HIV prevention and encourages key affected groups to reject complacency.
READ MORE
New group for people who stammer in the LGBTQ+ community and its allies
The next meeting, which is organised by STAMMA, will be on Zoom on Wednesday, November 2. The group then meets every first Wednesday.
READ MORE
Does living in Brighton make for LGBTQ+ happiness?
New research paints a mixed picture of life in Britain’s ‘gay capital’
READ MORE
Department for Education removes Mermaids from mental health and wellbeing resources for schools
The Department of Education removed a reference to the Mermaids advice line from its list of mental health and wellbeing resources for schools or those working with children and young people.
READ MORE
No new sponsor for beleaguered
Brighton tourist attraction i360
Brighton tourist attraction the British Airways i360 is to become 'Brighton i360' from Tuesday, November 1.
READ MORE
THT withdraws support for government's 'lacklustre' monkeypox strategy
A sustained, multi-channel campaign targeting gay and bisexual men is urgently needed to protect their health from monkeypox and stop it from becoming endemic in the UK, according to HIV / sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
READ MORE
Encounters Art Space announces new exhibition by Romany Mark Bruce
Romany Mark Bruce is the designer and creator of the Brighton AIDS Memorial.
READ MORE
FIREBIRD filmmakers launch campaign to publish memoirs of Sergey Fetisov
The campaign is to release the never-before-seen English language translation of Firebird: The Story of Roman, the memoir by Sergey Fetisov that inspired the film.
READ MORE
The winners of Iris Prize 2022, the Oscars of the LGBTQ+ world, announced
"The quality of the films in competition is as high as it is diverse, and we've been on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the selection processwhich is exactly where we want films to take us."
READ MORE
TransSober seeks donations
TransSober, the drug and alcohol community peer support group for trans and non-binary communities, is seeking donations for new wellbeing recovery bags to give to people who attend its peer support group or use its services.
READ MORE
Brighton & Hove Pride adds £300,000 to the fundraising pot and tops almost £1.25 million raised for local good causes to date!
READ MORE
FEATURE: 'Fighting Spirit - An interview with Colin', by Alf Le Flohic
Alf Le Flohic speaks to Phil Mills, Health Reporter of The Argus who wrote 'Fighting Spirit of AIDS Victim' piece in 1987.
READ MORE
Bids now open for the Pride Social Impact Fund
Community groups and good causes across Brighton & Hove are once again being invited to bid for grants to put Pride in our city.
READ MORE
Juno Dawson among authors shortlisted for Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards
The Readers' Awards are the only book awards with a shortlist curated by booksellers.
READ MORE
University of Brighton Fine Art graduate Sola Olulode - who creates dreamy queer visions - named one of 10 Artists To Watch -
New African highlighted Sola's work exhibited at 1-54, the first and only international art fair dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora, which was recently held at London's Somerset House.
READ MORE
REVIEW: Coast Is Queer 2022
The Coast Is Queer, Brighton & Hove’s celebration of LGBTQ+ writing, returned for its third year in October.
READ MORE
Comedy Night raises £5,000 for Sussex Beacon's Women and Families Service
The sum raised will enable a baby feeding choices project to be funded for an entire year, run by the Women and Families Service at the Sussex Beacon, alongside the Lawson Unit’s Sunflower Clinic.
READ MORE
LGBTQ+ charities that support military veterans to receive £45,000 cash boost
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs is providing the money to charities who support individuals providing testimony to an independent review that is looking into the impact the pre-2000 ban on homosexuality in the military has had on veterans.
READ MORE
'Conversation Piece: Swimming for Trans and Non-Binary Bodies' at Fabrica
Join researcher and artist Lorenza Ippolito at Fabrica in Brighton on Tuesday, November 8 to discuss how bodies are policed in public space and the effects this has on trans and non-binary people.
READ MORE
Trans-Mit Festival to return to Brighton bigger and better on November 19
Trans-Mit Festival, a day of LGBTQ+ talent raising funds for charity, is to take place at The Pipeline, Brighton on Saturday, November 19 from 3.30pm.
READ MORE
OPINION: The World Cup and Me. Sophie Cook on why you won't see her at this year's World Cup in Qatar
"FIFA says that the tournament will help to break down barriers, if that’s the case then there needs to be a lot more barrier breaking and a lot less selling the soul of the game off to the highest bidder."
READ MORE
The 2023 Madame F Queer Britain Art Award is open!
Submit 2D artwork on the theme Queer Creativity by 1st January 2023. Prizes of £1,500, £1,000, and £500 will be announced spring 2023 at a special reception at the Museum.
READ MORE
CLASSICAL NOTES with Nick Boston
Reviews and previews from our classical music columnist.
READ MORE
Join Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ Rainbow Chorus for '25 at Christmas' on Saturday, December 10
The Winter Concert promises to be a fun evening of new and old festive songs.
READ MORE
‘Stitch, Please!’ - a costume design competition, hosted by Blu Hydrangea
Hosted by Blu Hydrangea, 'Stitch, Please!' will follow two designers each week, as they compete to create a different outfit inspired by iconic designs.
READ MORE
Brighton Bear Weekend raises £6,000 for the Brighton Rainbow Fund
Helped by some lovely weather and excellent attendance, BBW 2022 had its most successful weekend ever which provided an excellent opportunity to maximise their fundraising efforts.
READ MORE
#DaleyPop: Dale Melita shares what's HOT in POP! -
Pop music reviews from our resident POP pixie.
READ MORE
Applications open for Brighton & Hove City Council's BME Engagement Fund
The Fund aims to support projects that improve the well-being of BME residents and promote fairness. Groups can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to help cover group activities and running costs to May 2023.
READ MORE
NHS England launches monkeypox vaccination clinic finder
There are almost 100 clinics included in the tool, each with instructions on how to book a vaccine either by phone, email or online.
READ MORE
Bursary and development opportunities for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse creatives
Writing Our Legacy announces two exciting opportunities.
READ MORE
Sussex project Blazing Saddles celebrates ground-breaking changes for women through history of cycling
A new project by Brighton-based KP Projects CIC explores the pioneering heritage of women and cycling since the 19th century, the role in the suffragette movement and the transformation of clothing and society across Sussex as a result.
Blazing Saddles, which runs from 2022 - 2024, will aim to reveal untold stories of Sussex’s women’s cycling history, such as Tessie Reynolds, the 16-yearold Brightonian who set new records in 1893 whilst wearing bloomers. Or Bexhill’s pioneering ‘bicycle boulevard’ and bike hire chalet, which opened in 1896, led by Muriel Brassey, wife of landowner Gilbert Sackville, 8th Earl De La Warr, which provided women cyclists a place to exercise their new hobby, despite disapproval.
READ MORE
SERVICES DIRECTORY
LGBTQ+ Services
l Allsorts Youth Project
Youth Groups and One-to-One Support for LGBTQ+ young people under 26 (in-person & online). Weekly sessions 01273 721211 or email info@ allsortsyouth.org.uk allsortsyouth.org.ukk
l Brighton & Hove Police
Report all homophobic, biphobic or transphobic incidents to: 24/7 assistance call police on 101 (emergencies 999) Report online at: www.sussex. police.uk
LGBT team (not 24/7) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn. police.uk
l Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard
• LGBT Older People’s Project
• LGBT Health and Inclusion Project
• LGBTQ Disability & Neurodiversity Project
• Rainbow Café Project: support for LGBT+ people with dementia
l Brighton Women’s Centre Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups admin@Womenscentre.org.uk or visit www. womenscentre.org.uk
l 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). www. alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
l LGBTQ+ Cocaine Anonymous
Meeting every Tues 6.30-8pm, 6 Tilbury Pl, Brighton, BN2 0GY, CA isn’t allied with any outside organisation, and neither endorses or opposes any causes. Helpline 0800 6120225, www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk www.sussexcocaineanonymous.co.uk
l LGBTQ+ NA Group
Brighton-based LGBTQ+ (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. 0300 999 1212
l 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
l 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
l MCC Brighton
Inclusive, affirming space where all are invited to come
as they are to explore their spirituality without judgement. 01273 515572 or info@mccbrighton.org.uk www.mccbrighton.org.uk
l MindOut
Independent, impartial services run by and for LGBTQ people with experience of mental health issues. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk and out of hours online chat www.mindout.org.uk
l Navigate
Social/peer support group for trans, non-binary & intersex, AFAB, FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people. Every 2nd Friday of the month from 6-8pm (currently on Zoom) at Possability Place, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH (formerly Space for Change). navigatebrighton.co.uk
l Peer Action
Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. contact@ peeraction.net or www.peeraction.net
l Rainbow Families
Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents. 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk. www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
l Rainbow Hub
Information, contact, help and guidance to services for LGBT+ communities in Brighton, Hove and Sussex at Rainbow Hub drop in LGBT+ one-stop shop: 93 St James Street, BN2 1TP, 01273 675445 or visit www.therainbowhubbrighton.com
l Some People
Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue 5.30-7.30pm, Hastings. Call/text Kerrie Tolley-Cloke 07874 637593 or email somepeople@ eastsussex.gov.uk
l TAGS – The Arun Gay Society
Social Group welcome all in East & West Sussex Areas. Call/Text 07539 513171. More info: www.tagsonline. org.uk
l Victim Support
Anyone seeking help can contact our free 24/7
Supportline number on 0808 16 89 111 or get in touch via the website www.victimsupport.org.uk. A range of tools to help people cope and move forwards after crime can be found at www.mysupportspace.org.uk/moj
l The Village MCC
LGBTQ+ affirming church worship and pastoral care in Kemptown. See www.thevillagemcc.org, or call 07476 667353 for details.
HIV Prevention, Care & Treatment Services
l AVERT
Sussex HIV & AIDS info service 01403 210202 or confidential@avert.org
l Brighton & Hove CAB HIV Project Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy. Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall. 01273 733390 ext 520 or www. brightonhovecab.org.uk
l Clinic M
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. 01273 523388 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
l Community HIV Specialist Service
NHS nursing team supporting patients with HIV in the community and offering free HIV training for groups across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. www.
sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/hiv
l Lawson Unit
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. 01273 664 722
l The Martin Fisher Foundation
STI HIV self-testing kits via digital vending machines available from: Jubilee Library, Wellsbourne Centre, Portland Road (between Wish Park Surgery and Kamson’s Pharmacy), BMEC Partnership Centre, Prowler and Brighton Sauna. www. themartinfisherfoundation.org
l Substance Misuse Service
Brighton & Hove Recovery Service manages and delivers the adult drug and alcohol services for the city. Change Grow Live (CGL) provides tailored support to adults in Brighton & Hove who identify as LGBTQ+. CGL offers 1-to-1 support, a variety of online and face to face groups. They offer LGBTQ+ specific groups via the peer-led Speakout group and have established links with a wide range of LGBTQ+ services. To refer to the service, email brighton.info@cgl.org.uk or phone 01273 731 900. More info: www.changegrowlive. org/brighton-hove-recovery-service/info
l Sussex Beacon
24-hour nursing & medical care, day care 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
l Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton & Hove 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, facebook.com/THTBrighton
For people living with HIV:
• HIV support services: Info, support & practical advice
• Welfare rights advice: find out about benefits
• Counselling from qualified counsellors for up to 12 sessions
Health Promotion in Brighton & Hove: Provides services for men who have sex with men, anyone from African communities, sex workers of any gender, and trans or non-binary people.
• Visit clinic for free fast HIV & STI testing with results in <10 mins
• Free condoms and lube
• Confidential info and advice on sexual health & HIV
• Face2Face for gay/bi men; negotiating sex, chemsex, newly diagnosed
• Tailored support for sex workers, trans people and African communities
• Outreach - say hello online and in person for info, condoms & lube, and HIV/STI testing at Brighton Sauna, Boiler Room Sauna, Amsterdam, Charles Street Tap, and Legends bar. For details please check facebook.com/THTBrighton
l Sexual Health Worthing Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIVA; Hep vaccinations. Worthing-based 0845 111345645
National Helplines
l National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline at www.galop.org.uk and 0800 999 5428
l Switchboard 0300 330 0630
l Positiveline (Eddie Surman Trust) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm 0800 1696806
l Mainliners 02075 825226
l National AIDS Helpline 08005 67123
l National Drugs Helpline 08007 76600
l THT AIDS Treatment 08459 470047
l THT direct 0845 1221200
1 Affinity Bar m
129 St James’s St, BN2 1TH www.facebook.com/AffinityGayBar/ 2 Centre Stage mm 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL 01273 688 826 www.facebook.com/centrestagebrighton
