Gscene Magazine - June 2017

GSCENE 3

CONTENTS

JUN 2017 GSCENE magazine

MARINE TAVERN

) www.gscene.com

t @gscene f GScene.Brighton PUBLISHER Peter Storrow TEL 01273 749 947 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com

EDITORIAL TEAM

SUBLINE

James Ledward, Graham Robson, Gary Hart, Alice Blezard SPORTS EDITOR Paul Gustafson ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce BAR REVENGE

FRONT COVER

NEWS

MODELS Ant Howells, Robert Lane, Tom Bald, Bruce McCrann PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Lynn Concept & Design: Peter McEachern, Fixer: Graham Munday

6 News

SCENE LISTINGS

CONTRIBUTORS

26 Gscene Out & About 28 Brighton & Hove 42 Solent

Simon Adams, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel Hall, Enzo Marra, Mike Mendoza, Carl Oprey, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Michael Steinhage, Sugar Swan, Glen Stevens, Duncan Stewart, Craig Storrie, Mike Wall, Netty Wendt, Roger Wheeler

DOCTOR BRIGHTONS

46 Arts News 47 Arts Jazz 47 Arts Matters 48 Classical Notes 49 Page’s Pages

PHOTOGRAPHERS Alice Blezard, Jack Lynn, Hugo Michiels, Stella Pix, Graham Hobson @captaincockroachphotographer,

GARY PARGETER 50TH BIRTHDAY PICNIC, QUEENS PARK

21 A NIGHT AT THE SAUNA 24 SEA SERPENTS

INFORMATION

FEATURES

10 SUN, BEACHES & IOW PRIDE

Isle of Wight prepares to welcome LGBT visitors to the first IOW Pride

18 THE PAIN OF PRAYER

Craig Hanlon-Smith talks to Hove victim of ‘gay cures’ church

Sam Bowles checks out the new trans evening at the Brighton Sauna

Sea Serpents RFC travel to Madrid to compete in the Rugby Union Cup ZONE BAR

REGULARS 45 Dance Music 45 DJ Profile: Lady B 50 Geek Scene 51 Shopping 53 Craig’s Thoughts 54 Charlie Says 55 Wall’s Words 55 Gay Socrates 56 Sharp Words 57 Twisted Gilded Ghetto 57 Hot Gossip 58 Sugar Swan 59 Sam Trans Man 60 MindOut

© GSCENE 2017 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.

ARTS

25 A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES Craig Hanlon-Smith asks is our use of poppers safe

61 Services Directory 62 Classifieds 63 Advertisers’ Map

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BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND JUNE 15-18

FAMILY PRIDE IN BRIGHTON & HOVE ) Brighton & Hove Pride will celebrate the city's diverse LGBT+ rainbow families this year with family events taking place across the city. The improved and larger OneFamily Pride Diversity Area at Preston Park on August 5 will be a fun, family-orientated, safe and alcohol-free zone at the heart of the Brighton Pride celebrations with local artists and entertainers.

Children, 10 years and under, are free (but still require a ticket, available online), children aged 11-18 years are eligible for a discounted £7.50 ticket. For more information view the Family Ticket Shop at www.brighton-pride.org

) Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) opens on Thursday June 15 with a mega quiz night at the Camelford Arms from 7pm and features a variety of beary events over the following three days, closing on Sunday, June 18 with Underbears at Subline from 10pm.

For full schedule of events, view: http://brightonbearweekend.com

BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND TO TAKE OVER ‘OUT IN BRIGHTON' RADIO SHOW

There will also be family entertainment at the Pride Pleasure Gardens on Old Steine from August 4-6, the Pride Dog Show on Sunday, July 30 at Preston Park and the free Pride Community Day with sports fun and games also on Sunday, July 30 at Preston Park.

KATHY CATON

) BBW have been invited to 'take over' the weekly Out In Brighton show presented

by Kathy Caton on RadioReverb at 11am, on Saturday June 10. The show will feature guests from across the weekend, including organisers, performers, people from venues and the Rainbow Fund who BBW raise money for.

Kathy Caton, said: “I’m a massive fan of the BBW and all they do, their incredible fundraising and community activities, and being general all round community heroes. I'm delighted that Out In Brighton and RadioReverb 97.2fm can provide the platform for the BBW - and now we're based down at the Open Market it's the perfect place to come and see what's going on and get involved.”

‘ONEFAMILY’ SUPPORT LGBT+ FAMILIES AT PRIDE ) OneFamily, the Brighton-based financial services company, will be sponsoring the Pride Family Diversity Area at the Summer of Love Festival on Saturday, August 5. Brighton Pride takes place from August 4-6, with 300,000 people participating in celebrations across the city. The enclosed family area located within the Pride festival site on Preston Park will be a fun-filled space for families to enjoy the Pride festival together.

PROWLER SPONSOR BEAR-B-QUE

Karl Elliott, OneFamily Customer Strategy Director, said: “We’re really excited to be continuing our support of the Brighton Pride festival and look forward to what will be a spectacular showcase that really celebrates the diversity of the city.

As a Brighton employer is gives us great pleasure to be able to support a local event that both our employees and their families enjoy so much.”

Peter Booth, Manager of Prowler in St James’s Street, said: “We’ve provided casual support to BBW over the last few years selling their products in store commission free. This year, thanks to our new owner,s ABS Holdings, we’ve been able to step the support up a gear with sponsorship. I couldn't be happier. BBW are a fantastic organisation who work tirelessly in support of the Rainbow Fund. In addition to sponsorship, Prowler Brighton will also be offering 20% OFF all full priced stock to all BBW wristband holders from June 16-18, so pick up a wristband for just £6. Support the boys and take advantage of some great offers in Prowler and around the area.”

BBW MERCHANDISE

PROWLER STOCK NEW BBW 2017 MERCHANDISE ) Prowler are also carrying two new lines from the BBW 2017 designs. There is very limited stock of a cardinal red T-shirt which once sold won’t be re-ordered. For summer there’s a tasteful navy vest perfect to wear with shorts or jeans.

The black polos, navy T-shirts and wristbands that give discounts over the whole weekend are still available at Prowler and on the BBW website where you can find schedule of the whole weekend.

BBW raise money for the Rainbow Fund who give grants to LGBT+/HIV organisations delivering effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

For full information about BBW events and to purchase a wristband giving discounts for events and services, view: http://brightonbearweekend.com

OneFamily provides products and services across investments, savings, lifetime mortgages and protection, to support families to meet the financial demands of modern life.

Paul Kemp, Brighton Pride Community Interest Company, said: “Brighton Pride has evolved over the years with more communities coming together to celebrate every aspect of our city, regardless of sexuality, race, gender, age or ability. We’re delighted that OneFamily is supporting the event for the second year running and sponsoring our Family Diversity Area.”

PAUL KEMP

PETER BOOTH

) Prowler, the gay sex shop and online gay sex toy store, are to sponsor the Bear-B-Que during BBW in June. This year’s Bear-B-Que, set to take place in Dorset Gardens on Saturday, June 17 from 12.30-5.30pm, will feature a main stage profiling a host of local performers with one of the many highlights being an appearance by Brighton's LGBT+ community choir, the Rainbow Chorus. New as well this year, will be a marketplace and the Sea Serpents, Brighton's Gay Rugby Club, will be there with their coconuts. Delicious food and snacks will be provided

by Lunch Positive, the HIV lunch club, and a bar will be run by the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.

MORE ARTISTS ANNOUNCED FOR PRIDE ‘SUMMER OF LOVE' EVENTS ) Louisa Johnson, winner of X-Factor in 2015, will join headline artists the legendary Pet Shop Boys, special guests Years & Years and previously announced artists Becky Hill, M.O, Fickle Friends and KStewart on the main stage. Superstar house divas Jocelyn Brown, Alison Limerick, Angie Brown and Rozalla will perform live in the Wild Fruit Summer of Love dance tent and songsmith Lucy Spraggan will bring her unique mix of acoustic, folk and hip-hop to Victoria Gardens for Pride Unplugged on Friday, August 4.

With more artists still to be announced to perform at Pride’s 14 entertainment areas, the Brighton Pride 2017 Festival is set to be the most spectacular ever.

LOUISA JOHNSON

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To book tickets for Brighton Pride, view: www.brighton-pride.org Last year's Brighton Pride raised a record breaking £100,000 for LGBT+ and HIV organisations and good causes across Sussex. Beneficiaries included: Allsorts Youth Project, Lunch Positive, LGBT Community Safety Forum, MindOut, Peer Action, Blueprint 22 and Clare Project.

GSCENE 7

NOTICE OF 1ST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

GOLDEN HANDBAGS COME OF AGE

GABRIELLA PARRISH

KARA VAN-PARK

MAISIE TROLLETTE

This year the show will be opened by Maisie Trollette now approaching the 84th year of her reign. Maisie opened the very first Golden Handbag Show, 21 years ago at the Brighton Dome along with the much missed Phil Starr, Dockyard Doris and the original Tiller Girls.

MYRA DUBOIS

) Voting has now closed in the 2017 Golden Handbags. The results for what is the most glamorous evening on the LGBT+ community calendar, will be announced at The Golden Handbag Awards in the Oxford Suite at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on Sunday, June 11 starting at 7.30pm sharp.

LGBT SMALL GROUPS NETWORK

WORKING TO CONNECT LGBT SMALL GROUPS NETWORK 1ST AGM, 1.30PM

Maisie will be joined on stage by the comic genius that is Myra DuBois, the girl with the BIG voice Gabriella Parrish and the glamorous and very talented Kara Van-Park.

A record number of awards will be presented this year in what is shaping up to be the closest vote on record. The awards will be hosted by the entertainer with the sharpest tongue and quickest wit, the indefatigable Lola Lasagne.

All VIP tables have sold out. There are a few non-reserved tickets still available on the public tables costing £20, available from Prowler at 112-113 St James’ Street, Brighton. Prowler don’t charge a booking fee so you have to pay cash in person in the shop to obtain your tickets. Call 01273 683680 to check availability.

RAINBOW FUND OPENS ANNUAL GRANTS ROUND ) The Rainbow Fund makes grants to organisations delivering effective frontline services to LGBT+ people in Brighton & Hove. The Fund’s Independent Grants Panel will be considering applications for core funding up to £1,800 from local LGBT+ and HIV related groups and organisations who are members of, and regular participants at, the LGBT+ Small Groups Network. New groups can apply, and the grant, if approved, will be conditional on becoming members of the network.

Applications are also invited for project funding bids to be considered by the panel. Applications must be from Brighton & Hove-based LGBT/HIV related groups and organisations and, for the first time this year, from any group or organisation seeking funding for projects specifically benefitting our Brighton & Hove LGBT+ and HIV communities. For a full explanation of the criteria for this year’s grants, view: www.rainbow-fund.org/funding-criteria/

CHRIS GULL

WORKING TO CONNECT

Chis Gull, Rainbow Fund Chair, said: "In these difficult times we remain committed to making sure we get best value for the money donated to the Rainbow Fund and will continue to carefully evaluate the success and effectiveness of the projects we fund each year."

The closing date for applications is Friday, September 1 and the first instalment of approved grants will be made on October 1.

At the last funding round in September 2016, grants totalling £74,122 were awarded to Accessibility Matters, Allsorts Youth Project, Blueprint 22, Brighton GEMS, Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, FTMB (now Navigate) Brighton, Lunch Positive, MindOut Mental Health Service, Older and Out, Peer Action, Radio Reverb, Rainbow Chorus and Trans Can Sport.

To make an application, view: www.rainbow-fund.org

SATURDAY 10TH JUNE 2017 MAIN HALL, 1ST FLOOR

DORSET GARDENS METHODIST CHURCH DORSET GARDENS, BRIGHTON, BN2 1RL A LIGHT SANDWICH LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AT 2.30PM TO DOWNLOAD AN AGENDA PLEASE VISIT

WWW.LGBT-GROUPS.ORG

FUNDED BY THE RAINBOW FUND & COMMUNITY WORKS

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NEW CHAIR AND A RELAUNCH FOR PEER ACTION ) Peer Action, the HIV peer support and social group charity for people living with HIV in Brighton & Hove, have appointed a new Chair and announced a relaunch of the charity.

New Chair, Gareth Lloyd, previously worked in the city. He brings with him business and legal experience and currently works locally for a national charity.

IDAHOBIT BRINGS ST JAMES STREET TO A STANDSTILL ) This year’s public vigil marking International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) was moved at the last minute indoors to the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church due to pouring rain.

IDAHOBIT marks the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. The purpose of IDAHOBIT is to raise awareness of LGBT+ rights and stimulate interest in the work of LGBT+ activists worldwide. Events this year were taking place in more than 120 countries on every continent in every region of the world.

New trustees have been appointed to the board to help improve the charity's reach and increase peer interaction. The complete board now is Adriana Naves-Silva, Aileen Norbury, Gareth Lloyd, Michael Nelson and Terence Clarke.

Previous Chair, Mike Nelson, stood down at the end of his term and continues as treasurer/fundraiser for a further term.

GARETH LLOYD

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charity intends to continue to offer alternative therapies, swimming, yoga, educational and social events.

Gareth said: "I aim to expand upon the firm foundations we have built up over the last three years and develop the charity within the community."

A new website will shortly be For more information view: launched with a revised look and the peeraction.net

BRIGHTON NURSE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS ROYAL COLLEGE AWARD ) Brighton nurse, Jason Warriner, received the Award of Merit at the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) Congress in Liverpool on Saturday, May 13.

Following a warm welcome by the Mayor of Brighton & Hove Pete West on his final day in office, speakers including Peter Kyle MP for Hove & Portslade, Cllr Warren Morgan Leader of the Brighton & Hove City Council, Rev Michael Hydes, Cllr Phelim MacCafferty Convenor of the Greens, Sgt Peter Allan from Sussex Police and Ruth Hughes from the Rainbow Chorus all highlighted the plight of LGBT+ people in Chechnya and called on our national politicians to speak out and demand the killings stop.

Alice Denny performed some of her wonderful poems including Street Cleaning 2017, Normal and the thought-provoking The Universal Ugly Tranny. AJ Paterson sang with guitar, and the Rainbow Chorus performed You Are My Sister, Hand in Hand and A Million Voices before leading everyone out of the church singing Siyahumba. St James’s Street was brought to a standstill as everyone made a minute’s protest noise.

The Vigil was organised by volunteers from the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum.

JASON WARRINER

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The annual RCN Awards celebrate the best in nursing with Fellowships, Honorary Fellowships and Awards of Merit presented to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession, along with honours for the Learning Representative, Safety Representative and Steward of the Year.

Jason, who is Clinical Services Director at Sussex Beacon, has been a leading light in the College for many years and this award is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to nursing.

Jason said: “I am truly honoured to receive this award and I must extend a special thanks to those who nominated me. The RCN plays a pivotal role in promoting excellent nursing practice and representing nurses at work. We also make a crucial contribution to debates around public health and shaping future health policy in the interests of nurses and patients.”

Jason is highly respected both within and outside the RCN. He is the current Chair of the RCN’s Public Health Forum and has held many positions within the College.

He says he “is passionate" about how the RCN can help benefit individuals, the profession and improve patient care. His work in the field of sexual health and his clinical knowledge is "unsurpassed".

The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care for people living with HIV. The charity runs both inpatient and outpatient services to promote independence and improve health. www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

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ISLE OF WIGHT PRIDE The Isle of Wight. A little secret that the local LGBT community on the Isle of Wight have kept hidden from the rest of the world… until now. The picturesque island, nestled just four miles off the south coast will host its first ever Pride on Saturday July 15 and it’s definitely going to be a party worth crossing the water for!

about visiting for Pride, why not make a weekend of it. If you’re only here for the day, why not come back and see us again, you’ll always discover a warm welcome on the Isle of Wight.

ISLE OF WIGHT PRIDE ORGANISERS RECOMMEND: John Brownscombe: “The Isle of Wight has some great places to chill out with friends or that special someone and you’ll always get a warm welcome.

Personal favourites for myself and my husband are Bottega in Ryde, Cafe at SkinTrade Newport and The Sun Inn Hulverstone.”

Joe Plumb: “I always recommend a visit to the Quay Arts as a fantastic venue for the best arts and culture with loads of events for all the community.”

FRESHWATER

Caroline Diamond: “I recommend the Boathouse at Seaview, Quay Arts Cafe, the Garlic Farm and the walk from Seaview to Priory Bay. It's a spectacular, unspoilt beach. You can't beat the view across the Solent to the Spinnaker Tower with cruise ships at the weekends and ferries travelling to and from the Island.”

life. Surrounded by sea and with over 57 miles of coastline and unspoilt tranquil countryside, it’s easy to see why so many people fall in love with the Isle of Wight and visit time and time again.

COMPTON BAY

Whether you’re looking for luxury accommodation to relax and unwind in, a secluded glamping spot, a cosy B&B or a top-notch spa, the Isle of Wight has it The parade will end at the golden sands of Harbour all. History buffs will fall in love with Osborne, the Beach, Ryde, one of the many gorgeous beaches that holiday home of Queen Victoria, adventure junkies will find it hard to get enough of our outdoor fringe the coastline of the Isle of Wight. The rest of the day’s festivities include a line-up that boasts acts activities, from cycling and walking to coasteering and tree climbing! And if you enjoy great food, we’re like the Freemasons Russell Small, Horse the Island for you.

McDonald and Reigns, speakers including Peter Tatchell and Justine Smithies, alongside a The Isle of Wight is a foodie paradise and you’ll find multitude of other acts, information stands, cocktail a range of great Isle of Wight produce available in bar, family fun and VIP area. Isle of Wight Pride is shops and on menus. We’ve got our own gin, beer, going to be an event not to be missed. cheese and tomatoes as well as our very own Garlic If you’ve never been to the Isle of Wight before, you’ll Farm! Whether you’re after fine dining with a coastal find there’s something uplifting about a ferry journey view or a cosy drink in a friendly village inn, there’s a to a magical island. Getting across the sparkling blue wide variety of eating and drinking establishments to choose from. water to Isle of Wight Pride is simple with fast connections from the mainland south coast by ferry Much of our delicious local produce will be available and hovercraft from Portsmouth, Southampton and at Pride and we’ve even got our own special bottles Lymington. of Isle of Wight gin being distilled for just for Pride.

In 2014 the Isle of Wight was listed as one of the top The organisers of Isle of Wight Pride recognise why ten honeymoon destinations for LGBT couples by so many people love the Isle of Wight and want to msn.com and it’s easy to see why. The Island is an share this love with more people. If you’re thinking idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of mainland

GURNARD BEACH HUTS

) The Isle of Wight LGBT community will be celebrating with Islanders and visitors alike in Ryde, on the north-east coast of the Island. Starting at 11am with a colourful parade through the heart of the Victorian seaside town, Isle of Wight Pride promises a day out like no other, not least because it’s the only Pride in the UK to be held on a beach.

Matt Bundy: “You won’t find better dog walks anywhere in the UK, I personally love some of the coastal walks on the South Coast, usually ending up at a dog friendly pub with a nice pint of Island Ale! My favourite doggy friendly pubs include The Spyglass in Ventnor and the Kynges Well in Brading. It makes for a worn out doggy and a relaxing weekend every time.”

Yve White: “The Island is a very special place. I love the diversity of the Island itself - you can be in the middle of Parkhurst Forest one minute, hoping to catch a glimpse of our indigenous red squirrels and be in the middle of the countryside the next. I love walking over Chillerton Downs - the views are breathtaking. The beach is never far away, no matter where you are. I recommend viewing the perseid meteor shower every August from a beach on the South of the Island.

Spectacular.”

To find out more about Isle of Wight Pride and to discover everything you need to know about visiting the UK’s holiday island go to www.visitisleofwight.co.uk For tickets and more information about Isle Of Wight Pride, visit: www.iwpride.org

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EXPERIENCE BALLROOM AND LATIN DANCING AT 'CHEEK2CHEEK'

CASINO EVENING RAISES £401 FOR CANCER CHARITY

) Cheek2Cheek is unique, in that it’s the only LGBTQ ballroom and Latin dance club in Brighton & Hove. Originally set up in 1998, it continues to provide an alternative to the commercial gay scene with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

) A charity casino night at the Camelford Arms staged in association with Bear-Patrol raised £401 for local cancer charity, the Sussex Cancer Fund. Full-size Roulette and Blackjack tables were installed in the bar by professional croupiers, one being Camelford regular Gary Smith, who donated his services for the night.

You don’t need to have a regular dance partner to join the weekly classes; many people attend alone and benefit from learning steps with different dance partners on the night. Many ballroom and Latin dances are covered, including: waltz, foxtrot, rumba, cha-cha-cha, bossa nova, jive, samba and tango.

Sequence dances and line dances are also included regularly. You’ll be taught by a fully qualified instructor, Robert Singer, who has 25 years of dance teaching experience and is also a member of the UK Same-Sex Dance Association. The club meets on Tuesday evenings and has recently moved to St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Selham Drive, Coldean BN1 9EZ, which has a great wooden dance floor.

The programme is as follows: • Improvers 7.30-8.20pm: For people who know the basic steps in most dances. The lesson concentrates on one particular dance for two weeks at a time, rotating through ballroom and Latin styles.

• Beginners 8.20-9.10pm: All welcome! The basic steps of two different dances are covered in the lesson (one Latin, one ballroom); the same dances are repeated the following week. Improvers also participate in this class to help beginners, and to improve on their own style.

• Social Dancing 9.10-10pm: After the two classes refreshments are provided (tea, coffee, biscuits), payment is taken (Improvers £9, Beginners £7) and they continue the evening with social dancing. This often includes the opportunity to learn a line dance or sequence dance.

Over the years, Cheek2Cheek has also run tea dances and New Year Balls, and on several occasions has taken part in the annual Pride Parade, dancing the whole way!

As they approach their 20th anniversary they will be looking to organise one or two additional social/dance events and are building on their partnership with the Brighton Lesbian and Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS) to achieve some of this.

Dancing is good for emotional and physical health, it is also a lot of fun! So why not go along and try it out? You will be welcomed and your first class will be free.

For more information, view: www.cheek2cheekbrighton.org.uk

The money will be used to buy 10 heat warming pads for the Sussex Cancer Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital for patients to put around their

arms to help improve circulation when chemotherapy is being administered.

For more information about Sussex Cancer Fund, view: sussexcancerfund.co.uk

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DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

WWW.GSCENE.COM HOVE MAN SENTENCED FOR ASSAULTING TRANSGENDER WOMAN

MISS HOPE SPRINGS TO HEADLINE HIBERNATION COMMUNITY LUNCHEON

) A man has been sentenced following an incident where a woman was assaulted. Philip Poole, 41, of Shirley Street, Hove pleaded guilty to common assault and intentional harassment, alarm and distress when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 26.

PETER ALLAN

Peter Allan, Sussex Police hate crime sergeant, said: "I’m pleased the court have convicted the defendant in this case.

No-one should be targeted in such a personal and public way because of who they are. This sentence sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate to report such behaviour to the police.

“What was really pleasing to me in relation to this case, is that four members of the public came to the assistance of the victim, one of whom called the police and waited with the victim until they arrived. You do not have to become physically involved to stand up to hate; offering a supportive word and calling the police is more than most people would do. I wrote a letter of thanks to the member of the public, acknowledging her actions in supporting a fellow human being in their time of need. Hate crime can be reported to us by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency and online for those who prefer to do so.”

‘OUT WITH ALLAN JAY’ IS LATEST LGBT+ TV’S NEWEST SHOW TO HIT THE SCREEN ) Usually known for his chart topping HiNRG music, Allan Jay will be giving a ‘What’s on who's who, where to go and when to be there’ look around the LGBT+ friendly venues and events in Brighton. The weekly show will be going behind the scenes giving you a 'sneaky peak' around each venue and meeting some of the bartenders, managers, cabaret acts and owners. Focusing on two different venues a week and giving you the run down of what else is going on, in and around Brighton each week, as well as getting to meet the faces behind the venues.

Allan Jay is an award-winning recording artist known for his high energy style and powerful vocals. He is signed to Energise Records and has performed across the UK and Europe as well around many of the Brighton venues. Allan describes Brighton as his "home from home" and is excited about showing you around the venues bringing some fun n laughs along the way.

Tune into Latest LGBT+ TV every Thursday at 9pm starting June 1.

Latest TV (Freeview 7 | Virgin Media 159 | latest.co.uk or Youtube)

MISS HOPE SPRINGS

Poole, a cleaner, admitted verbally abusing a transgender woman, before punching her and pulling her hair following an incident in St. James’s Street, Brighton at 12.30am on Saturday, February 11 this year. Poole also admitted verbally abusing a police officer who responded to a call from a member of the public. He was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement of up to 25 days, as well as having to pay costs of £45 and a Victim Surcharge of £115. Additionally Poole was fined £40 for the offence against the police officer.

) Hibernation, the annual community luncheon organised by Bear-Patrol, returns to the glamorous surroundings of the Paganini Ballroom at the Old Ship Hotel on Sunday, October 22 from 12-6pm. Headlining the afternoon’s entertainment will be the fabulous international chanteuse, Miss Hope Springs, who’ll be performing original numbers from her awardwinning show.

ensuring the Counselling Project at Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard, which recently announced it’s to close its doors, continues at another LGBT+ organisation in the city. The first £5,000 raised on the day will go to support the Counselling Project with the rest going to support the important work of the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum. There will also be a charity raffle and auction.

Tickets are on sale costing £40 each and money raised will go towards

To book tickets, email: info@bearpatrol.org.uk

BRIGHTON DIVERSITY GAMES TO INCLUDE SAME-SEX DANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS ) The Brighton Diversity Games, organised by the Brighton Lesbian & Gay Sports Society (BLAGSS), takes place over the weekend of July 8 and 9 and will include a SameSex Dance Championships, a Golf Tournament and a Five-A-Side Football Tournament.

The Golf Tournament takes place on the Downland Course at Hollingbury, Brighton on Saturday, July 8 from The Same-Sex Dance Championships 8.30am with tee times from 9.30am. will take place at the Mandela Hall, The tournament is open to men and University of Sussex, Brighton on women with a congu or society Saturday, July 8. The Morning handicap of 36 or lower and will be Session from 11am–3pm will played at two levels: the Pride Shield include the Women’s Ballroom and for those with a congu handicap; and the Men's Latin competitions. The Rainbow Challenge for those with a Afternoon Session from 4–8pm will society handicap. There are Men’s and include the Men’s Ballroom and Women's competitions in both categories.

Women's Latin competitions. The Entry fee includes course fees, entrance, closing date to enter is July 5, 2017. prizes, refreshments, coffee and bacon A BLAGSS spokesperson said: (or egg) roll on arrival. Full locker room “Spectators are very welcome and facilities will be available at the make a valuable contribution to the clubhouse along with plenty of parking. atmosphere of the day. There will be The Five-A-Side Football Tournament opportunities for social dancing will take place on Sunday, July 8 throughout the day and a guest (details to be confirmed) appearance from the Sugar Dandies, as featured on Britain’s Got Talent.”

For more info, view: www.blagss.org

GSCENE 15

Gone Today, Hair Tomorrow!

Let’s face it, most of us go bald and until now the only paths have been: acceptance (tricky) or hair plugs (frightening) or concealers/hair systems (restrictive). That is, until now. Scalp micro-pigmentation is essentially when you have your head tattooed in the semblance of stubble, which sounds scary but in fact is really effective with only mild discomfort during the process.

Eve Pleavin of Velvet Tattoo Brighton was drawn to SMP to help men with male pattern baldness 3 years ago, her first model was her father! Using specialist equipment and pigments Eve artistically applies micro dots. The resulting ‘buzz cut’ look sculpts the face in a way that easily takes ten years off.

Mr Mase Masey's y's Incr Incredible edible Beard Stall Outside Snooper Snoopers s Paradise Parad dise Kensington Gardens Brighton BN1 4AL

This procedure is available as a permanent or semi-permanent treatment. Permanent may require 1 or 2 top ups in a lifetime whereas semi-permanent requires maintenance or it can be left to fade away over a few years.

BEFORE

AFTER WWW.MR-MASEY.COM @MISTERMASEY

@MASEYFACEY

@MASEYFACE

OPEN DAY - SUNDAY 25TH JUNE Eve and the team are holding an open day at their funky studio on Sunday 25th June (midday-4pm). There will be refreshments, a live demonstration, mock up hairlines, Q&As with previous clients and Eve, vouchers and information packs with free goodies. It will be nice and relaxed, no hard sell. Please come along and even bring a friend/partner.

Velvet Tattoo 48 Norfolk Square, Brighton, BN1 2PA www.velvetpigmentationclinic.com www.facebook.com/velvetscalp/

Unisex Hairsalon 18 St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EB

01273 623 408

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CAN YOU PROVIDE A LOVING HOME TO A CHILD WITH A DISABILITY?

LUNCH POSITIVE TO CELEBRATE 8TH BIRTHDAY!

) Parents And Children Together (PACT), the adoption charity, is calling for people to consider adopting a child with additional needs. Last year, PACT, which offers outstanding Ofsted rated adoption services to families across the South East, placed 87 children with 62 families through its adoption services. There are currently more than 2,000 children waiting to be adopted in England. PACT is particularly looking for couples or individuals, including those from the LGBT+ communities, who can consider adopting children who have additional needs, including a physical or learning disability.

Nicola and her husband Mike adopted Amelia, who has cerebral palsy, when she was 18 months old through PACT. The couple already had a birth son aged four when they first approached PACT in 2014. Nicola said: “Our son was the result of seven years of IVF and we didn’t feel we were able to go through that process again.

We also felt our family wasn’t complete so we decided to adopt. We approached PACT as we had attended their local events and felt the ethos and approach matched ours.”

The couple, whose circumstances meant their adoption journey was more complicated than some, spent three years of preparation and waiting until they met their daughter. Nicola continued: “The endless paperwork seemed so removed from a living, breathing child and truthfully we struggled to see a light at the end of the tunnel. However, we knew there was a child out there for us, so we persisted.

“The wonderful matching team at PACT were there for us throughout the process, reassuring us it was about the right child and not just any child. And, of course, they were right. We were eventually matched with a child that put us well out of our comfort zone, but who is the most loving, sweetest addition to our family.”

Nicola said their decision to be matched with a disabled child was followed by hours of worrying about whether they had the capacity to raise a child who would spend her life in a wheelchair. But she said that as soon as they met Amelia they knew it was the right decision. She said: “As I walked through the corridor of the foster home I was so worried we could not give her the life she deserved and worried her needs would negatively impact our son’s life. But then we turned into the doorway and saw her for the first time. She was sitting up and she turned her head to us. She immediately gave us the biggest, heart-melting smile, reaching her hand up to us. All the preparation and photos meant she recognised us immediately.

In that minute, I knew it would all be okay. I knew we could love her and give her what she needed. Suddenly her disability became assigned to paper, and she became a real, living child.”

JAN FISHWICK

Nicola said the first few months were tough as Amelia settled into her new family and they got used to a child with a physical disability. The family received amazing support from PACT during this time and Amelia is now much more settled and making great progress emotionally and physically, and shares a very special bond with her older brother. She concluded: “She may be disabled and she may be adopted, but that is all just one part of who she is. She is my family and we are hers. There is no longer a distinction between her and us. She makes me angry, she makes us sad, she makes us laugh, and she brings endless joy. It is a natural relationship and I frequently forget we do not share a genetic link. We are four and we are happy. Good days, bad days, sunny and rainy days. We will be together.”

Jan Fishwick, PACT Chief Executive, said: “At PACT we’re dedicated to finding forever homes for children who can be harder to place and who often have the longest wait for a permanent family. We’re therefore always keen to hear from anyone who could provide a loving home to a child who has additional needs, including a physical or learning disability. We can also offer specialist support to families who do adopt a child with additional needs through our Strengthening Families Team and award-winning Family And Children Therapeutic Support (FACTS) service.”

Names above have been changed to protect identities.

To find more about PACT, view: www.pactcharity.org or call: 0300 456 4800.

Lunch Positive’s birthday falls at the end of National Volunteers Week.

The charity has been built upon the involvement of members and an amazing commitment and motivation of people volunteering, giving their time for the benefit of their community. ) Lunch Positive, the HIV charity that provides a weekly lunch club for people with HIV, will celebrate its 8th Birthday on Friday, June 9 from the Lunch Club at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church. All members are invited to attend, including those who go along regularly and those who go less frequently or haven’t been for a while.

A team of more than 30 people currently volunteer to deliver the weekly lunch club, as well as fundraise and actively support wider LGBT+ and HIV community events.

GARY PARGETER

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The entire volunteer team will be putting together an extra special celebration meal, which will also mark Gary Pargeter, Service Manager, said: the first time use of the newly "Some very special acknowledgments refurbished kitchen at the church. The meal is free to everyone and promises will be given to all the volunteers, members and helpers that have to be something very special. The supported Lunch Positive over the charity trustees will also be at the lunch years, giving thousands of hours of club to meet members, socialise and their time year-on-year." talk about plans for the future.

MARINE TAVERN RAISE £1,545.73 FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY

) Marine Tavern raised £1,545.73 for Rockinghorse Children's Charity with a series of events over the weekend of May 12-14.

The centre piece of the weekend’s fundraising activities, the Dragon Boat Race, was cancelled due to swans nesting at Brighton Marina where the race was due to be staged. Despite the disappointment, the Marine Tavern team spent the afternoon at South Coast Paintballing at Albourne near Henfield. A great time was had by all and the team arrived back a little battered and bruised.

£1,545.73 was raised for the Rockinghorse Children's Charity at the County & Western Night on Friday 12, a special Drag Open Mic on Sunday 14 and a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.

The Dragon Boat race has been rescheduled for September at Brighton Marina and the Marine Tavern will be entering a team.

If you wish to make a donation or sponsor them, view: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ MarineTaverners2017

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PEER ACTION FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED BY HIV

ARE YOU GOING TO BRIGHTON & HOVE PRIDE THIS YEAR? ARE YOU DEAF? DISABLED? OLDER? OR HAVE MOBILITY NEEDS? Sign up with us to make your day as inclusive and enjoyable as possible! y Parade ‘Safe Space’ y Access Tent

y Mobility Equipment

Charging Station y High Dependency Unit y Accessible Toilets y Community Café y Blue Badge Parking y Carer/PA Support y Golf Buggy Service To The Park y Advice & Support y Fun Activities y BSL Interpreters y Listening Ear y Report It Service Service

y Information HUB y Art Workshops y Safe & Inclusive

Personal Changing Area y Wheelchair

Accessible Photo Booth y Assistance Dog Facilities

Peer Action is a volunteer led support and social network that offers weekly activities for those living with or affected by HIV in Brighton and the surrounding area. Our events are aimed at reducing isolation and improving the overall health and wellbeing of our members. Listed below are just some of our regular events, we run many events in addition. Please go to our website for more information www.peeraction.net

MON Movie Monday MONTHLY SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS TUE Swim @ Brighton Swim Centre (12.30) EVERY TUESDAY Yoga @ Hampshire Lodge (17.45) EVERY TUESDAY WED Games Night @ Barley Mow (19.00) LAST WEEK OF MONTH Planning & Social @ Camelford Arms (18.45) 1ST OR 2ND WEEK OF MONTH THU Pub Quiz @ Camelford Arms (19.30) 1ST & 3RD WEEK OF MONTH FRI

Bingo @ Gala Kemptown MONTHLY SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

SAT Wellbeing Therapy Day @ THT (from 13.50) 4TH WEEK OF MONTH SUN Bent Double @ Komedia (19.00) 1ST WEEK OF MONTH Wellbeing Therapy Day @ THT (from 13.50) 2ND WEEK OF MONTH Bowling @ Bowlplex Marina (19.00) 3RD WEEK OF MONTH

SIGN UP AT access@lgbt-help.com VISIT lgbt-help.com OR CALL 01273 855620 The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an independent group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) volunteers in Brighton & Hove. For more info visit: lgbt-help.com • Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is a member of The LGBT Community Groups Network, funded by the Rainbow Fund • Listening Ear Service provided by the Samaritans • This Advert was paid for with a grant from the Rainbow Fund • Supported by Sussex Police & Rainbow Fund

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REPORT IT! info@lgbt-help.com 01273 855620

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Peer Action is always looking for new members and volunteers to help keep our activities running. If you have an idea for an event or want to get involved, please get in touch. You might even make a new friend or two. www.peeraction.net

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THE PAIN OF PRAYER - HOVE VICTIM SPEAKS OUT Craig Hanlon-Smith looks at the worrying past of someone who wants to be the next MP for Hove and Portslade.

spoke about it in 2010, it was too painful and ultimately this is why I left Bedford.”

Because of the behaviour of people within the church?

“Yes, definitely. I mean they asked me to leave. Because I had ‘come out’ they had a phrase, which was that I was ‘living outside the garden of Eden’ and that this was not compatible with their beliefs so I had to leave.”

What support have you received in Brighton & Hove since moving here?

“Ultimately I came here because I knew there was an active LGBT+ community and I wanted to be a part of that and since being here I have had counselling to support me through what has happened in the past.”

AJ PATERSON

To help come to terms with the experiences within this church?

“Yes. It was a form of spiritual abuse. Abuse because they are putting their views of sexual orientation onto someone in a way that is coercive and controlling. And if you don’t do as they wish, ultimately you experience the toughest form of discipline a church or community can impose upon you. You have to leave.”

) Local Hove resident AJ Paterson decided to do some homework in the run up to the General Election on June 8. “I just wanted to be informed before the vote,” she told me, “and so I simply Googled the names of those standing locally.”

As she entered the name of The Conservatives’ Hove & Portslade candidate, Kristy Adams, AJ was unprepared for the unsettling and upsetting memories from over 17 years ago that would come instantly and painfully, flooding back to her.

From 1995 until 2000, before moving to Brighton and Hove, AJ lived in Bedford, in accommodation supported by a local Christian foundation the Kings Arms Church.

Kristy Adams the prospective Conservative candidate for Hove & Portslade was active in this church, as a public speaker for them in 2009/2010 and her husband was listed as a director of the organisation until 2013, but their association goes back many years.

“I do remember her,” AJ tells me, “albeit vaguely, this was a long time ago now, but I clearly remember her husband much more.”

There is a great deal of information online linking this church with healing practices aimed at curing LGBT+ people of their sexuality.

I begin by asking AJ what practices were witnessed during the time as a member of the church’s community? The response is as immediate as it is chilling: “Yes I witnessed it but I experienced it first hand.

There was an occasion where two of my close friends in the church came into my room and prayed over me; to heal me from my sexuality. I know that at the time they felt that what they were doing was right but it was an experience I have never forgotten.”

I ask then, that if their intentions were ultimately of a caring nature, they thought it was the right course of action, in short they didn’t know any better? AJ interrupts me: “No. It never felt ok. This practice never felt right to me. My sexuality is only a part of who I am now as it was then, there’s so much more, but their focus was all on the sexual orientation.

“There was a clear direction from the church that homosexuality was a sin and that it needed to be prayed for and I am aware that the language used in the press and online is around ‘curing gays’ but the term the church and those within it used was healing.

They were trying to heal me of my ‘gay-ness’.”

Praying the gay away?

“Yes. Absolutely.”

AJ tells me that the practice of healing sexual orientation through prayer was commonplace and a clear direction from the church’s leadership.

“What they don’t appreciate though, is that however well-intentioned, this is really damaging and it affects the person on the receiving end long-term.”

What’s been the long-term impact on you since experiencing the practices of the Kings Arms Church?

“Ultimately I think they are kind people, but they just didn’t think about that. The long-term impact upon people...”

So picture the scene. You are removed from a community by the very people you thought were there to support you. You learn to live with the abuse, enter a programme of counselling to guide you through what has happened before and live in a community that is as welcoming as it is progressive. And then some 17 years later, a member of that church stands for election in your local constituency, part of a city known for its LGBT+ communities and support thereof.

How do you feel at the prospect of Kristy Adams, formerly of the Kings Arms Church, becoming your local MP? “Of course I am concerned. If Kristy Adams were elected, I would find it difficult to be here. People have been asking questions about her background with the church and she is ignoring them and we have so many questions that we need answers to. I know that the church has done some good work with the homeless and refugees, but this election has reignited all that happened to me. A politician’s background is really important in us understanding who they are and what they stand for. Are they going to overturn the freedoms we have fought for?”"

It is clear that throughout our conversation, these feelings are as raw for AJ today as they ever were and AJ is about to embark on another programme of counselling.

AJ stops speaking, is silent then breaks down and becomes quite distressed. I am devastated that something I have said has engendered this response and I apologise.

“No, no, really I just want people to know about this, I want to share my story so that people are aware."

If it is so upsetting, why it is important to talk publicaly about this now?

“I have never felt this way before in this area. The views of the church are the same as they ever were, Kristy Young was part of that church, I have personal experiences of that church. The silence in not wanting to speak of it is not as important as the need for people to know who this person really is, if this individual’s belief in God’s law is more important than the law of the land.

After all she wants to be the MP for Hove & Portslade.”

Is this a story you’ve shared regularly since moving to Brighton?

“For ten years I didn’t tell anyone, not until I first

AJ’s anxiety at the prospect of Kristy Adams as MP for Hove & Portslade is understandable. The Kings Arms Church has connections to a UK wide and international

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Before we part company AJ and I both agree that this issue is not about party politics. Our current three MPs who stretch across the political spectrum, Simon Kirby, Peter Kyle and Caroline Lucas have all demonstrated that they believe in the freedoms and equalities of the LGBT+ communities in the city.

Kristy Adams has until today refused to answer any questions on her views on same-sex relationships or to say if she thought gay sex a sin.

Given the opportunity, what questions would you pose to Kristy Adams?

“I would ask that as a citizen of Brighton and Hove, I would like to hear her views on same sex relationships. I would then ask, that as prospective politician, would she give me her word that she would back up the local LGBT+ communities in parliament should there be any future policies that would change or challenge the progress we have made, such as a for example any suggestion of the repeal of same sex marriage. We need to know and she needs to tell us.”

CITY APPOINTS NEW MAYOR ) Councillor Mo Marsh was appointed Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove at a meeting of the full council on May 18. She will serve for the next 12 months. Cllr Marsh has been a Labour councillor since 1995 balancing her civic life representing the residents of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean with her family life, spending time with her daughter and grandchildren while indulging her love of the arts and culture.

CLLR MO MARSH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BRIGHTON & HOVE

organisation NewFrontiers (previously New Frontiers International) who actively promote homosexuality as a sin that requires healing.

NewFrontiers are in–turn connected to a US based think-tank The Heritage Foundation, which bills itself as a research and educational institution whose mission is to build and promote conservative public policies. The Heritage Foundation was heavily involved in advising President Trump’s transition team, and is thought to have influenced the abortion executive order that prevented any federal money going to abortion charities, on his first day in office.

Cllr Marsh was born in Leicester, the only child of Irish/Jewish immigrant parents, and lived there until she left to study at the University of Sussex in 1965 for a BA and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), and later married.

Cllr Marsh enjoyed a busy professional career in education, working at different times as a teacher, school governor, administrator and examiner. She spent a year in Michigan, USA studying for an MA and went on to earn diplomas in teaching English as a foreign language, counselling and career guidance at the University of Brighton.

She is a friend of the Brighton Philharmonic Society, a member of the Brighton Dome and Festival and an active member of the Brighton Little Theatre. She was first elected to Brighton Borough Council representing Marine Ward in 1995 and has represented the residents of Moulsecoomb and Bevendean since 2007.

She has been a regular member of Licensing Panels and chaired the Licensing Committee in 2015.

KIRSTY ADAMS

Cllr Marsh who is celebrating her 70th year in 2017 will be raising money for five charities during her year in office, Albion in the Community, the Marlets Hospice, RISE, the Clock Sanctuary and the Sussex Heart Charity.

Kristy Adams has responded to Gscene and AJ today, saying: “I supported the government as they introduced same sex marriage four years ago and would vote against any attempt to repeal the legislation; I am committed to all forms of equality. I value acceptance of people of all backgrounds, sexes and sexuality.

“My personal view is that I can’t believe in 2017 that I would need to state the obvious, I have never been homophobic and find it disturbing to hear of people who are. The LGBTQ community in Brighton and Hove champion tolerance and fight injustice and I share their desire to make our community a place of acceptance; I am unambiguous in my support for the LGBTQ community.”

GET A UNIVERSITY EDUCATION WITH NO PRICE TAG ) Fancy a university education without forking out tens of thousands of pounds in tuition fees? It’s possible if you live in or near Brighton & Hove. Free University Brighton (FUB) offers degree-level courses in Social Science and Humanities which are completely free. Nick-named the ‘Freegree’, the course is externally validated in the same way as conventional universities. Students can study a range of subjects including Criminology, Sociology, Gender Studies and Philosophy. After running successfully for two years FUB is about to take in more students.

Ali Ghanimi, FUB’s founder, said: “Anyone can study this course, you don’t need ‘A’ levels, just an open mind and a willingness to learn. We’ve designed the course so that people who work, care for others or have other commitments can participate. Our key aim is to provide education that’s accessible, fun, builds confidence and empowers people to improve their lives.”

Ghanimi set up FUB after the Coalition Government trebled tuition fees and introduced above-inflation interest rates on student loans. The move sparked student protests and occupations around the country but also a new wave of free, community-led education initiatives. The courses are free thanks to a group of university lecturers who teach voluntarily. Many do so because they believe in FUB’s ethos that education should be accessible to all and for the benefit of society. Universities used to be sites of critical inquiry but are now market-driven businesses where courses are determined by what brings in the most money.

Feedback has been positive. One student said: “It’s been my life-long dream to study at university level but finances prevented that. FUB has given me this opportunity. It has broadened my thinking and opened up my mind to other views and possibilities!” Another said: “It is challenging on so many levels, and an absolutely wonderful experience!”

For more info, view: www.freeuniversitybrighton.org or go to their Open Day: 12-4pm, Saturday, July 15 at the Learning Centre in the City Clean Depot on Upper Hollingdean Rd, Brighton BN1 7GA.

OUTGOING MAYOR RAISES £94,000 FOR HIS CHOSEN CHARITIES Cllr Pete West whose term of office as Mayor of Brighton & Hove ended this month invited to the Mayor’s Parlour, friends and supporters who had helped him raise £94,000 towards the Mayors Charity Fund during his year in office. The money will be shared between the 27 charities nominated by Cllr West which included the Sussex Beacon and the Clare Project.

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WHO’S THE BOSS BEHIND THE BAR? MATT RICHARDS @ BEDFORD TAVERN

Morgan Fabulous chats to Jackie Perry, the co-owner and manager of Velvet Jacks on the border of Brighton and Hove about what makes it the perfect place to relax and have a cocktail. ) Velvet Jacks, a small and quirky independent bar with friendly staff and customers, is the kind of place you can walk in to on your own and instantly feel at home and relaxed. It celebrated its second birthday on May 23, which is also the date of Jackie’s wife and business partner Eve’s birthday.

Jackie grew up in the East End of London in the 1950s, in the kind of place where your aunt and uncle lived next door. The whole neighbourhood was like one big extended family and you could leave your doors and windows open without a second thought.

She worked as a prison officer for 14 years, with women, young offenders and people serving life sentences. But, Jackie wanted to see what else the world had to offer and decided she would go travelling. She travelled around Australia on two separate occasions for six months at a time, lived in Key Largo, an island in the upper Florida Keys archipelago for three and a half years, and backpacked around South East Asia for a few years in the 1990s.

BAR PERSON PROFILE: MATT RICHARDS @ BEDFORD TAVERN

The person many LGBT+people meet when they first arrive in the city is the bar person at their local LGBT+ venue.

These gatekeepers to the community provide an important role both befriending and signposting new arrivals. Gscene finds out a bit more about them and what makes them tick.

JACKIE PERRY @VELVET JACKS

) Matt Richards works at the Bedford Tavern, the popular community pub on the border between Brighton & Hove. In the last five years he’s won the Golden Handbag for Favourite Bar Boy three times and been runner-up twice.

Where are you from? Guildford in Surrey.

Before Velvet Jacks opened, the place had been a family-run restaurant for the last 30 years. Her wife, Eve, owned the tattoo shop a few doors along from the restaurant and had always wanted to turn it into a bar if the opportunity arose. When she heard it was being sold, she managed to persuade the owners to sell it to her.

In the past, Jackie had run a themed bar and restaurant in the East End of London, which unfortunately attracted a poorly behaved crowd, so she was more than happy, eager and equipped to get back behind a bar and transform it into somewhere she and like-minded people would love to socialise in.

They totally redecorated and replaced everything, except for the signature Artex ceiling, transforming it into a cosy hang out. Jackie says it feels like a cave inside and keeps them nice and warm in the winter. They have an all-female team of five staff who are very friendly and accommodating.

The bar attracts a wide range of clientele, from gay woman and men who enjoy good wine and cocktails to locals dropping by for an after work drink. Jackie and Eve both love dogs. You will often find Olive their Airedale Terrier asleep on the floor of the bar and they both enjoy being around people who share their interests.

First and foremost, Jackie is a people person and the bar is a way of life to her. In fact, it is her life, and she thinks of it and her regulars, like one large extended family.

It’s so evident from the decor and the great customer service that Jackie loves the bar and wants others to love it just as much as she does. She serves amazing cocktails and gin bowls, and everyone who drinks there is guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome.

What brought you to Brighton?

I moved here with my then boyfriend as we loved the place! That was 21 years ago.

Oddest thing you’ve been asked for? A guy asked to buy my underwear. I politely declined, they were my favourites.

Favourite tipple? I have a new-found love for gin. We have started stocking an extensive range with complementing tonics. I'm enjoying working through the menu.

What makes you roll your eyes? Bad manners and people who think they are always right.

Are those really your photos on Grindr? I'm not on it (shame Ed), What makes a perfect barman/girl?

Personality. You can teach a person how to pour a drink, but to give good customer service balanced with banter is something you've either got or you haven't.

Where do you like to go out when you’re not working? I go to lunch quite a lot, but also like a good pub. I really enjoy an afternoon bevvy. I go to What do you do when it’s quiet? I the Brighton Tavern often as I used to really enjoy chatting with people. The work there before the Bedford, so have quieter periods are as important as lots of friends there. The Grosvenor is busy times. It gives you time to learn another as it’s close by and friendly. about your customers and they you.

Night time there is only one choice...

Also, if Adam (the boss) is reading Bar Broadway! I love a camp tune. this I do lots of cleaning and tidying!

Tell us a secret about yourself... A Difference between ale and beer? lady never divulges!

Ale is more flavoursome and fragrant, Nickname behind the bar? Tilly (my beer/lager is crisp and refreshing. drag persona for Easter Bonnet).

Can you pull a pint? Of course!

Are you single or in a relationship?

Perfect head always!

I've been with my husband, Aaron, for Shaken or stirred? Now that's over 10 years. We got married two personal. I love a good shimmy, so years ago. somewhere in between.

Worst kind of punter? I love all customers, obviously?!?

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“I needn’t have worried. It was an incredibly relaxed atmosphere from the beginning” a similar situation to me would be able to understand. On my second visit, I brought a friend instead of my partner, and they were so excited to be able to freely be in a queer space in such a relaxed setting.

A NIGHT AT THE SAUNA Sam Bowles checks out the new trans evening at the Brighton Sauna. ) I was very excited when I found out that there was going to be a trans-inclusive night at Brighton Sauna, for many reasons: I haven't been to a sauna for about 10 years, and that was at a gym on the outskirts of Brighton.

Secondly, I knew that I was finally going to meet Jak (one of the staff), whom several of my friends had raved about. But most importantly, it was a night meant for people like me.

My partner and I had to arm ourselves with knowledge from friends who had been to similar places, about what to expect as well as etiquette. It took a few weeks to build this up and even then on the day I was still a little nervous that I would end up not behaving in the right way.

It turns out that I needn’t have worried. It was an incredibly relaxed atmosphere from the beginning. Having now been to both trans nights that have taken place so far, James, on reception, recognised me the second time and struck up a conversation.

He gave me the right information about lockers, explained about the tab you can set up, provided me with a towel and then let me through.

By the second visit, of course, I knew how to navigate my way around the building. The food bar, lounge area and computers are on the ground floor, as well as some private rooms and a dark room with a stand-up sun bed. I utilised the latter on my second visit, and as I’d never used one before, James explained everything to me and made it easy to understand.

On both of my visits so far, I have utilised the jacuzzi quite a lot! I've had back problems recently and I found the jacuzzi to really help to relieve some of the tension, so the sauna has physical benefits for me as well as mental. As mentioned before, with it being a long time since I'd been in such an environment, there’s still a great feeling of novelty and excitement for me when I use the jacuzzi.

Overall, I am incredibly pleased with the experiences I've had at these sauna nights, and I will most definitely be attending as many as possible. My only concern at the moment is the entry price, but that is purely down to personal circumstances. I would absolutely recommend it to trans folk as well as their SOFFAs (significant others, friends, family and allies)!

Downstairs, you will find the majority of the private rooms, as well as a changing room, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, as well as access to a smoking area.

From what I could see, everything is incredibly well-maintained in terms of cleanliness. I did also spot some signs around the premises that gave guidelines on etiquette, particularly surrounding pronouns; as well as consent. I'm unsure if those signs are shown on other nights apart from the trans night, but I appreciated how we’re expected to be treated with respect.

It had also been arranged that trans-friendly porn was being shown around the premises. I was very happy with the level of detail, and effort, that Jak went through in order to ensure this night could be run successfully, and to get it running in the first place.

Once I realised how relaxed the atmosphere was, I was completely at ease in being in the state of undress that generally happens here.

I am generally quite comfortable with being naked, but I hadn't been naked around these particular friends before, and I do sometimes have some dysphoria to contend with. I was quite happy being mostly naked and it didn't cross my mind throughout most of the night.

It was such a good feeling to be able to have a laugh and talk about things that people in

TRANS SAUNA ) The TRANS SAUNA evening is on the fourth Monday each month from 6pm-1am. ) The next TRANS SAUNA evening is on Monday, June 26. Entry is £15 for a standard entry or £16 for the day pass.

A spokesperson for Brighton Sauna, said: “You must be trans to enter (that includes all trans identities) or the guest of a trans person. If someone is a cis guest, they must arrive with whoever they’re coming with unless we get a heads up beforehand.

“We do allow SOFFAs. Some folks may have a cis partner, friend or support person that they wish to enjoy the night with.

“We have a safer space policy which must be adhered to which we have dotted about the building and we ask everyone to make themselves familiar with it upon entry.

Anyone breaking that policy will be asked to leave.”

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LOLA LASAGNE WITH WINNER & RUNNERS UP

THE GOLDEN HANDBAGS QUIZ SUBLINE RECLAIM THEIR GOLDEN CROWN ) Subline, the gentlemen’s bar on St James’s Street, beat 20 other teams at Charles Street last month to become acknowledged as the cleverest LGBT+ crew in the city and regain the crown they last held in 2014.

AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN

The quiz was hosted by on form Lola Lasagne who had an answer for everyone and kept the evening moving along at breakneck speed, barely pausing to neck the line of drinks that an appreciative audience kept insisting on buyer her.

Lola said: “This is my favourite gig of the year, bringing together the voluntary sector, the statutory sector and local LGBT+ businesses all under one roof to let their hair down and have a really good evening out.

“I would like to thank my assistants, DJ Ruby Roo, Jon-Paul Mager and Nicki Delmege, who kept the quiz moving along very smoothly, James Brooks for writing the questions and Chris Marshall and all his wonderful staff at Charles Street for working so hard all evening.”

Winners on the night were Subline with Charles Street and Bedford Tavern sharing joint second place.

However, the star of the show was Lola Lasagne who managed to wring every last moment of drama out of the proceeding, especially when revealing in Eurovision style the positions of all the teams at the end of the evening. £420 was raised for the Rainbow Fund who distribute grants to local LGBT+ organisations who provide effective front-line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

SUBLINE WINNERS OF THE GOLDEN HANDBAGS QUIZ 2017 DOCTOR BRIGHTONS MARTIN FISHER FOUNDATION

BEDFORD TAVERN JOINT RUNNERS UP

MARINE TAVERN CHARLES STREET JOINT RUNNERS UP

VILLAGE MCC

LUNCH POSITIVE TEAM 1

BAR BROADWAY LUNCH POSITIVE TEAM 2

LGBT COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM RAINBOW FAMILIES

LUNCH POSITIVE TEAM 3

MINDOUT

RAINBOW CHORUS

PROWLER

LGBT SWITCHBOARD

LGBT WORKERS FORUM

GSCENE

SEA SERPENTS RFC Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC play in the Union Cup tournament in Madrid. ) Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents, the city's gay rugby football club, attended their first foreign tournament over the bank holiday weekend at the end of April, travelling to Madrid to play in the Union Cup. The Union Cup is a biennial European, nonprofessional, gay and inclusive rugby union tournament bringing together 30 teams and joint teams from all over Europe. The tournament is run as three separate competitions depending on the experience of the competing sides. The Sea Serpents as a new club were placed in the Union Bowl competition.

Initially, the Serpents played pool matches against three other European sides: the Bristol Bisons, Manchester Village Spartans 3 and the Munich Monks.

The scores in these initial matches were: Sea Serpents 15 – 5 Bristol Bisons Sea Serpents 19 – 0 Manchester Village Spartans 3 Sea Serpents 42 – 3 Munich Monks

These scores put the Serpents in second place in the pool and on Sunday afternoon they played in the Bowl competition Gold Final against Rebelyons RFC from Lyon, France, a club who’ve played rugby since 2007. French amateur rugby clubs are not allowed to contest scrums by their union, and while the Serpents were entitled to an extra man to play 15 v 14 they declined and chose to complete on their own merits.

The match, a short timed game at 15 minutes a half, was watched by a vocal contingent of players and supporters from other clubs whose matches had finished, and played on a good pitch, which, despite it being Madrid in May, had been rained on all weekend!

Rebelyons took the kick off and broke through to score after seven minutes with a try which they failed to convert. Score: 0-5. The Serpents took the kick to restart, keeping Rebelyons back with some play on their 22 metre line. Rebelyons finally broke through the Sea Serpents’ defensive line on the 15 minute

mark and scored their second try, this time, converted.

Score 0-12. The half time whistle went immediately.

The Sea Serpents kicked off the second half and almost immediately Rebelyons scored, feeling the benefit of a stronger team and a loud French contingent in the crowd. Score 17-0. Despite a tired, smaller and less experienced squad, the Sea Serpents played strongly and defended throughout the second half, keeping the Rebelyons from scoring again. The final whistle blew and Rebelyons had won the competition for the Bowl.

The Sea Serpents congratulated them all round.

The Sea Serpents have had a hard first full season of rugby playing 17 matches, mostly against more experienced Sussex Clubs. This experience gave them a good starting point in this their first foreign competition.

The Sea Serpents are grateful to the Camelford Arms for the sponsorship of the Club’s kit and to the Sussex Community Fund for a grant to cover the cost of professional coaching in the 20016-17 season.

If you’re interested in playing rugby in an inclusive club, whether a competent player or one who has not played team sports since school, the Sea Serpents are keen to help you get involved and play.

To message them view: www.facebook.com/bhssrfc/ To see matches that were streamed live, view: www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHHFHd990gNT4V4rYZ TDKA

GSCENE 25 the population of men who have sex with men so we’d expect to pick up quite a lot.”

A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES Is our use of poppers impacting our ability to see the wood for the trees? By Craig Hanlon-Smith ) My own introduction to poppers back in 1993 was of a completely non-sexual nature. I arrived at a late night (straight) party in the back streets of deepest south London, to find a packed living room containing a deep shagpile rug, behind which a gas fire was blazing.

Periodically, the hosts would pour amyl nitrate or whatever the blazes was in the inch high bottle, onto the carpet. Wholly stupid fire risk aside, we all buzzed happily along for hours.

A couple of years later; the tube trip back into Soho from London’s Gay Pride event at Victoria Park, and cut to a carriage rammed with gaymen singing ABBA songs at the tops of our voices, passing round a handful of small brown bottles to dozens of homos we had never set eyes on before and would possibly never see again. “Does your mother know that you’re ‘out’?” we screamed in between the sniffs and bouts of hysterical raucous laughter. We barely noticed the handful of Japanese and American tourists who looked on aghast, clutching their children close to their bossoms in the firm belief that they had all died and gone to hell.

Fun times then, and yet, in the remembering I’m cringing somewhat and mightily thrilled that both smart phones and social media were still some 20 years away. I was taking poppers from strangers on the dance floor for years before I graduated onto their frequent use as a sexual relaxant, in the assumption that they were completely harmless and after all, they’re fun right?

For years, urban myths surrounded poppers use, particularly in relation to how many brain cells they were killing compared to alcohol, but in recent months a wholly more sinister health problem connected to the use of poppers is emerging. “I didn’t make the connection at first,” David, local and regular on the scene, tells me. “I just woke up one day and couldn’t see clearly. It was like there were patches of water on my eye, or as if I’d just stared into sunlight – you know that distortion you get immediately after, only it didn’t go away.”

David presented immediately at the accident emergency department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, but doctors were baffled.

Over several weeks his eyes appeared to get better until six months later it happened again, only much more severely. “This time I went to the optician who referred me immediately to the specialist although I had begun to make connections between the problem and poppers use myself by then.”

David’s own connection of his vision difficulties and poppers was confirmed by the specialist who made it clear this was not the first case he had seen.

I spoke to Robert Purbrick, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, and asked if the issue concerned actually getting poppers into the eye (we’ve all been there right?). “No! This issue is not a direct effect of the poppers, so closing your eyes when sniffing the bottle won’t help either. It’s chemical, so I would expect these changes [to vision] if the poppers were injected for example.”

Poppers, which are used as a relaxant, specifically, although not exclusively, by gay men for use in anal sex, operate by expanding blood vessels, which in turn lessen involuntary muscle movement or spasms. They also bring about a temporary high in the form of lightheadedness and giddiness, which is why they’re sometimes used in a non-sexual context, such as club dance floors.

In 2006, a common ingredient, isobutyl nitrite, was classified as a cancer-causing agent and banned in the UK and France. It remains in use in much of mainland Europe and the chemical composition of poppers in many countries remains unchanged, but not here. The replacement chemical, isopropyl nitrite, is what is now thought to damage the fovea, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. The issue is known as ‘Poppers Maculopathy’.

I asked Robert Purbrick if the problem is widespread in the Brighton & Hove area. “I have nine cases on my personal database.

We’re planning a study to try and assess the prevalence of Poppers Maculopathy in the local population, examining clinical signs, which could be present in the absence of symptoms.

Poppers use is very high in the UK amongst

A little light research indicates this issue has been knocking around for a few years with initial reports as far back as 2010 and the first recorded UK case in Sidcup in 2012. Martin McKibbin, Consultant Ophthalmologist in Leeds, has reported that within the past 12 months, a small group of patients in Leeds, Manchester and North Wales who have used poppers have experienced fluctuating vision and that whilst in some patients vision has recovered to normal when they stop using poppers, in others it has not. McKibbin is clear: “Visual problems have been observed with both one-off and chronic use. Some patients have experienced damaged vision after just one dose.”

A recent report in The British Journal Of Ophthalmology suggests that poppers use may cause serious and permanent eye damage. Lead researcher, Dr Rebecca Rewbury, stated; “The mounting body of evidence [suggests] that poppers can have serious effects on central vision. Users and health care professionals may be unaware of the risk.”

This study followed 12 men who presented with blurriness or blind spots in their vision within hours or days of poppers use. Researchers examining the chemical makeup of the brands that the men used found they all contained the post-2006 ingredient isopropyl nitrite.

In 2015, poppers were included on a list of socalled legal highs debated in Parliament prior to the introduction of a wider ban, which included synthetic cannabis and nitrous oxide as part of the Psychoactive Substances Bill. Conservative MP, Crispin Blunt, outed himself as a poppers user in the debate with much media coverage and poppers were eventually left off the list.

I asked Robert Purbrick if with hindsight he thought that leaving poppers off the ban was wise, and whilst he wouldn’t be drawn on the question directly, he told me: “There is plenty of evidence of harm from poppers in the form of poppers maculopathy.” Some of which was available prior to the debate in 2015. “I think an erroneous label of safety could be applied to poppers through their omission from this list.”

I ask him, considering the wide use of poppers amongst the gay community, what advice he has for anyone using poppers either during sex or other recreational activities. His message is clear: “It’s not advisable. And certainly in the context of any visual symptoms then they should stop use immediately and either visit an optician or attend Eye Casualty at Sussex Eye Hospital. A macular OCT scan (optical coherence tomography) is necessary for diagnosis.”

And whilst our local friend David’s vision is much improved, he remains concerned. As our conversation ends he says to me: “This issue is totally under the radar and nobody is talking about it.”

Some names have been changed at the request of those interviewed. @craigscontinuum

LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB

QUEENS ARMS

BAR BROADWAY

LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB

BAR BROADWAY

LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB

BAR BROADWAY

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB

LEGENDS & BASEMENT CLUB

26 GSCENE

QUEENS ARMS

BOUTIQUE

QUEENS ARMS

BOUTIQUE

CAMELFORD ARMS

CHARLES STREET

CAMELFORD ARMS

CHARLES STREET

CHARLES STREET

CAMELFORD ARMS

GSCENE 27

28 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN + BAR BROADWAY

JUNE

LISTINGS

AMSTERDAM BAR & KITCHEN

BAR BROADWAY

) 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, T: 01273 688826, www.amsterdambrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 10.30am–late ) FOOD Mon–Fri 11am–8pm; Sat & Sun 10.30am–8pm; Sunday roasts from

) 10 Steine Street, BN2 1TE, Tel: 01273 609777, www.barbroadway.co.uk ) OPEN Mon–Thu 6pm–1am, Fri 5pm–3am, Sat 4pm–3am, Sun 4pm–1am.

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wednesday is QUIZ NIGHT with Mark Flood, general knowledge, picture round and multiple choice questions at 9pm - £2 to play, rolling cash jackpot and other prizes.

) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Saturday (17) is BEAR-

JON BEE

A-OKE from 5.30pm with the BBW boys, incl super talented hosts Chris and Jon Bee from Brighton & Hove Sea Serpents RFC, inviting you to sing your favourite songs to impress your beary buddies and furry friends! Arrive early, as Bar Broadway will be rammed for one of the most popular events on the BBW calendar. Entry is free, but donations to sing (or not!) to the Rainbow Fund will be gratefully accepted. BBW say: “After a full house and lots of fun at our first Bear-a-oke, we’re doing it all again! If you need a Tony to your Maria, Audrey to Seymour or even a Roxie to your Velma we’ll be glad to help! ”

) REGULARS Friday is live entertainment alternating between Jason Thorpe’s

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (11) is the GOLDEN HANDBAGS AFTER PARTY

KARAOKE and Sally Vate’s FUN FRIDAY FROLICS, both at 9pm sharp. ) Saturday is SANFRANDISCO with DJ Mick Fuller (Radio Reverb) chilled out soul from 8pm.

with the Late Night Fireplace Sessions presenting The Handbag Collective from 11pm till 3am. Bar is closed from 7–11pm for the Golden Handbags.

Information is correct at the time of going to Quiz 9pm press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ any changes or alterations to the listings Ruby Roo/hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm

l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Fleur de l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Paris 8pm prizes 8pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Bender 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm

THURSDAY 1

) REGULARS Tuesday is SHOWSTOPPER SING-ALONG with the Regency Singers, piano & open mic at 9pm. ) Wed is STAR-A-OKE, a new type of quiz with Jason Thorpe at 9pm. ) BIG THURSDAY NIGHT QUIZ with Ross Cameron and prizes at 8pm, £1 goes to Men Talk Health charity. ) Fri & Sat is BROADWAY

JUKEBOX. Download the Bar Broadway app and request your favourite songs! ) Sunday FIREPLACE SESSIONS at 8.30pm: Emily

Farrah (4), Spice (18) and Jennie Castell (25).

Jennie Castell is a versatile, powerful and experienced singer who’s shared stages Lulu, Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry. Expect full-throttle entertainment and blow-theroof-off vocals! Jennie says: “Expect to be entertained with great vocals, off the cuff humour and cheekiness!”

l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ SATURDAY 3 Morgan Fabulous 9pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l DR BRIGHTONS House Rules: DJ Fuller 8pm Nick Hirst 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm Von Clitz 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm FRIDAY 2 l MARINE TAVERN Matt’s Jukebox l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke Disco 8pm Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l PARIS HOUSE Guest DJ 9pm l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Masterclasses 8pm; DJ Prynesh + l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm Summer Roof Terrace Party 10pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Jennie l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs on rotation 9pm Castell 9.30pm 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli & shot drops 10pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS DJ Havoxx Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Spice l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 7pm 9.30pm 6pm l ZONE cabaret: Stone & Street 10pm

JENNIE CASTELL

MARK FLOOD

12pm–sold out. FOOD SPECIALS: Mon–Wed, 5–8pm: main course from specials menu and a pint or medium glass of house wine £10. ) DRINK PROMOS House wine, £10.90 a bottle. To celebrate the launch of the Amsterdam’s premium gin and tonic menu, double up for £2.

PICS FROM BAR BROADWAY + BAR 7 CRAWLEY

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 29

Lazy Summer Days at The Amsterdam

BAR 7 CRAWLEY ) 7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG, Tel: 01293 511177, www.7crawley.co.uk ) OPEN 6pm daily. ) DRINK PROMOS Tue, Fri & Sat drink deals all night ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday is 7-UPSTAIRS with all-star DJs playing pop/dance /guilty pleasures from 8pm, free entry till 11pm.

DJ LEWIS OSBOURNE

) REGULARS Tuesday is CREWSDAY with DJ Lewis Osborne spinning the tunes. ) Saturday is 7-SINS with

all-star DJs spinning tunes from 8pm, free till 11pm. ) Sunday is KARAOKE with DJ Bullard from 8.30pm.

Bar 7 say: “Expect a massive collection of songs ready for you to perform! Whether you're a shower singer or a show singer, we don't judge; it's all about the good times!” l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne & Gloria Hole 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Myra Dubois 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11.30pm l SUBLINE Leathermen South 10pm l ZONE cabaret: Topsie Redfern 10pm

l PARIS HOUSE live music: Gemina 7.30pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Barry’s Leaving Party with Miss Penny & surprises 6pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm

MONDAY 5

l BAR BROADWAY Monday Night Classics 7pm l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pm- l BRIGHTON SAUNA You Takin’ the till gone Piss? watersports night 6pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 karaoke 8pm 10.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad pres Emily Farrar 8.30pm Mondays 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club DJs 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Hammer Trio 2pm; Oli Howe Trio 7pm Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free TUESDAY 6 food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST cabaret: Davina Sparkle l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm 8.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lady Imelda l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 12- l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby 5pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Lawrence & Trick 11pm Clitz 9pm

SUNDAY 4

More More Info Infoo at: at: www.amsterdambrighton.com www.amsterdambrighton.com

30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM BOUTIQUE + CAMELFORD ARMS

JUNE

LISTINGS

BOUTIQUE

CAMELFORD ARMS

) 2 Boyces St, West St, BN11AN, 01273 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 4pm–very late. ) FOOD All day till 10pm. ) DRINK PROMOS Mon–Fri: bottles of Moet £50 &

) 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ, Tel: 01273 622386, www.camelfordarms.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm. The most dog-friendly pub in town. ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts and select menu served 12pm–till

Veuve £60. Five J-Bombs for £5 and 2-4-1 selected cocktails. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (15) is the SINGLE &

MINGLE singles night from 7pm with South Downs Dating agency and cocktail master classes to help you break the ice! Entry is £5. ) REGULARS Start the weekend with a bang every Friday with DJ Oli, Franco (16

& 30), shot drops and giveaways from 10pm. Quote Gscene on the door on Fri (23) for free KARAOKE and on Fri (30) for free entry till 11pm. ) Learn how to make your favourite cocktail every Saturday at the OPEN COCKTAIL MASTER CLASS in Bar 2 from 8pm. In the evening, join renowned DJ Prynesh for tunes, themes, specials/giveaways from 10pm. Sat (3) is the SUMMER SHAKE UP PARTY on the roof terrace from 10pm.

WEDNESDAY 7

l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Star-a-oke: Jason Thorpe, prizes 9pm l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Silly Willy Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Chris Coul 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm

THURSDAY 8

l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm

l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: The Son 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big Bender 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: cash jackpot 7.30pm

FRIDAY 9

l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm

gone; seniors’ lunch served Wed 2–3.30pm, two courses £9.50. ) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Thursday (15) is the BBW BIG PRIZE RAFFLE and QUIZ with £300 cash prize from 9pm; arrive early to secure a table. Entry for the Quiz is £2 pp, £1 of which goes straight to the Rainbow Fund.

Raffle: £1 a ticket or buy 6 for £5. BBW say: “It is the big, beary quiz and raffle so put a team together, grab a table, answer the most questions right and go home a very happy Bear!” ) Saturday (17) is the BBW BREAKFAST at 10.30am, hearty portions guaranteed. Normal price for breakfast is £10.50 all in, or £8.50 with a BBW wristband. To book, call 01273 622386. BBW say: “If you’ve just arrived in town and need some energy for the weekend then the Camelford is opening especially early to serve full English breakfasts, the best and biggest in town. Fit for any bear, otter and cub. Gentle music will ease you into a full day of pleasure and the Brighton Bear Team will be there to help you with any questions about what is happening and where to go over the whole weekend.” ) If you’re exhausted after all that partying, replenish yourself with a massive Sunday Roast on Sunday (18) from 12pm; the BEAR BASH & RAFFLE DRAW is at 5pm. Roasts can be washed down with 10% off Fosters and 10% off guest ale with a BBW wristband available for £5 behind the bar.

Advance booking highly recommended - call: 01273 622386. ) Monday (19) is the BBW COME DOWN from 12pm. ) REGULARS Sunday is the BEAR BASH with free food and a raffle from 5pm. ) Thursday is the BIG CASH QUIZ with a £300 cash prize, free sarnies and great

atmosphere from 9pm.

l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l SUBLINE The Big Scrum sportskit Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm night 10pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli & shot drops 10pm l ZONE cabaret: Tabitha Wild 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ SATURDAY 10 Morgan Fabulous 9pm l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Fuller 8pm Nick Hirst 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm Von Clitz 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Pre-Scrum 10pm l BAR REVENGE WTF! pre-party 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm Masterclasses 8pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Topsie l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm Redfern 9.30pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm DJ Tony B 9.30pm

32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM CHARLES STREET & ENVY

JUNE

LISTINGS

CHARLES STREET BAR

ENVY @ CHARLES STREET

) 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www.charles-street.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–8pm. Tue deals include: 2 for £7.99 on selected mains and

) 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091

DJ BOZZY BEAR

) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Sunday (18) is Brighton Bear Weekend Cabaret and Rock & Roll Bingo with Lola Lasagne from 7.30pm, £1 from every ticket from the bingo will be donated to the Rainbow Fund. Lola says: “I'm spoiled! Not only am I performing at Charles Street, which is always a joy, but I'll be surrounded by Brighton Bears! As a performer you don't just want to hear applause and laughter but you want something nice to look at too. Providing Rupert isn't going nuts on the bloody smoke machine! So join me for Drag Queens, Bingo and Bears - Oh My!” ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Exciting live performers every Sunday from 7.30pm: Davina Sparkle (4), Cinebra (11) and Mrs Moore (25). Every Sunday, right after the cabaret, is Sally Vate’s ROCK & ROLL BINGO with big cash prizes.

Cinebra (11), a collaboration between Alexander Joseph and Ro Robertson who you may know as Lydia L’Scabies and Rococo Chanel, is a feature-length show following the lives of Sophie Chiswell (a coeliac asthmatic) and Megan Taylor (a social asthmatic) who both have a mutual love of movies.

With Cinebra, Alexander and Ro have created an accessible, multimedia experience with intellect, humour and heart.

Cinebra say: “This ‘adorkable’ original drag comedy duo are back! Fresh from their Fringe Festival hype, movie lovers Megan and Sophie serve you all their infinite cinematic knowledge through song, spiel, and laughs."

CINEBRA

LOLA LASAGNE

2-for-1 on full size pizzas. Bottomless Pizza & Prosecco every Sat & Sun 1–5pm with 2 90-minute sittings, 1pm & 2.30pm, £20 per person. Pre-booking is required by phone 01273 624091 or email: charlesstreet.brighton@stonegatepubs.com ) DRINK PROMOS 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 cocktails.

) REGULARS Wed is Drag With No Name SILLY WILLY WEDNESDAYS – a

night of crazy entertainment with hilarious antics and cash prizes from 9pm. Don’t miss this season’s finale on Wed (28). l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne & Gloria Hole 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Son of a Tutu 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11pm

l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm

SUNDAY 11

l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Golden Handbags After Party Fireplace Sessions: The Handbag Collective 11pm

) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Celebrate all things GRIZZLY on Friday (16) at UPROAR, the official Brighton Bears Weekend club night with DJ Bozzy Bear and Rob C from 10.30pm. Entry on the night is £5 with BBW wristbands, £7 without. Drink promos: £2 deals on selected pints, spirits & bottles all night. BBW organisers say: “After last year, our successful dance night is back again for the Friday night. We will get you hot and sweaty with two DJs and if you get the chance to leave the dance floor, we have some great drink deals!”

l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club: DJs 9pm TUESDAY 13 l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm Lewis Osborne 9pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singl CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, free along: open mic 9pm food & raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm 12pm–till gone l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn l CHARLES ST cabaret: Cinebra Manswoon 7pm 7.30pm; Sally’s Rock & Roll Bingo l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby 8.30pm Lawrence & Trick 11pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Miss Jason 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Drag Open Mic with WEDNESDAY 14 Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Miss l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Dionne 6pm Jane 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty l BAR BROADWAY Star-a-oke: Jason Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm Thorpe, prizes 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Dave Lynn l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life 6pm; Golden Handbags After Party with 9pm Miss Jason 10pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: l SUBLINE Handbag Hoedown: PostDJ Claire Fuller 11pm Golden Handbags party 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 3pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Silly Willy Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm MONDAY 12 l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Andy Panayi l BAR BROADWAY Monday Night 8pm Classics 7pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: l BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears night 6pm Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm 10.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hammer Trio 2pm; Simon Spillett 7pm

PICS FROM DOCTOR BRIGHTONS + GROSVENOR

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 33

JUNE

LISTINGS

DOCTOR BRIGHTONS

GROSVENOR

) 16-17 Kings Rd, BN1 1NE, Tel: 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk ) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight. ) HAPPY HOURS all day Sun–Thur; 1pm–close on Fri; 1–7pm on Sat. BOGOF

) 16 Western Street, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com ) OPEN daily from noon–late. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (30) is the CHARITY

) ONE FOR THE DIARY VINYL FRIDAY (30) is with a selection of DJs literally

spinning the tunes from 9.30pm. Doctor Brighton’s say: “Vinyl Friday goes from strength to strength, it’s our most talked about night with top DJs.”

DJ TONY B

) REGULARS Fri (2) is HOUSE RULES with DJ Nick

Hirst playing decadent house from 9.30pm. Fri (23) is REFLEX 80s Night with DJ Adam Rice spinning the campest tunes of the decade at 9.30pm. ) SATURDAY SESSIONS with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm. Born and raised in Brighton, Tony B started DJing whilst living in London in the 1990s at a bar called Kudos, near Charing Cross. In 2007, his close friend, Charles, took over Doctor Brighton’s and asked Tony to DJ for him.

And so started a Saturday institution, which is more popular than ever! l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request 9pm Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Bingo 8.30pm Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l BOUTIQUE Single Mingle singles l PARIS HOUSE live music: Pollito night 7pm 8pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Brighton Bear l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big Weekend: £300 Big Cash Quiz & Big Prize Bender 8pm Raffle fundraiser for Rainbow Fund 9pm

THURSDAY 15

KRISSIE DUCANN

Cocktails all day Sun–Fri and till 7pm on Sat. Free pool with every round every day.

FUNDRAISER for the Sussex Beacon with the legendary vocalist Krissie Ducann on hosting duties from 8pm. Krissie says: “I’ll be bringing fun, happiness and a wide range of songs to the Grosvenor, which for me is a fabulous place to perform as it reminds me of the old days in cabaret bars. There’ll be a vibrant and happy atmosphere with friendly bar staff and a real feel-good atmosphere – and it’s all for a really great cause!” ) REGULARS Thur is Abel Mabel’s BINGO at 8.30pm. Fri (16) is MUSIC HALL hosted by Krissie DuCann from 9pm. Sat is top CABARET with stars of the cabaret scene from 9.30pm: Spice (3), Miss Jason (10), Jason Lee (17) and Davina Sparkle (24).

l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Kara Van Park 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm

Weekend Welcome Party: host Jon Bee, cabaret from Spice & DJ Alex B 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco & shot drops 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ FRIDAY 16 Morgan Fabulous 9pm l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm Nick Hirst 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l ENVY Brighton Bear Weekend: Uproar: l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm DJs Bozzy Bear & Rob C 10.30pm l BAR REVENGE Brighton Bear

34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB

JUNE

LISTINGS

LEGENDS BAR

LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB

) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 11am–5am ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm; Sunday lunch 12–3pm. Choose from beef, pork,

) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR, Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN Wed, Fri–Sun from 11pm.

) REGULARS Miss Jason’s MAD MONDAYS at 9.30pm. ) Fri is PRE-GLITTER with ever-fabulous Stephanie Von Clitz heating you up for the big one downstairs from 9pm. Legends say: “Our Hostess tonight, Stephanie, will be sprinkling a bit of Glitter, performing several songs and getting you ready for the party downstairs. Feel free to sing along! What are you waiting for? Get yourself ready and let’s party!”

Stephanie says: “Join me at the Pre-Glitter Party for games and sing-songs. Look forward to see you all later, lovers!”

l GROSVENOR BAR Music Hall: Krissie DuCann 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Matt’s Jukebox Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Guest DJ 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Bear Gaiden 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS DJ Havoxx 7pm l ZONE cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm

SATURDAY 17

l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Brighton Bear Weekend: Bear-a-oke 5.30pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclasses 8pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Brighton Bear Weekend breakfasts 10.30am l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Friday is GLITTER with DJ David Noakes sparkling up the start of your weekend with chart & dance tracks. Legends say: “Thank F it’s Friday! Our Friday resident DJ and producer, David Noakes, will be spinning you exclusive remixes of his own tunes plus all the big tunes & classic anthems all night!”

DJ DAVID NOAKES

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday is CABARET with top acts at 3.30pm: Lady Imelda (4), Miss Jason (11), Mary Mac (18) and Davina Sparkle (25). The outrageous Davina Sparkle is one of the UK's top drag queens who, for over the last 15 years, has treaded the boards of venues in the UK, Europe, the US and Asia. She has 'show business' running through her veins and her act is completely live with jokes, outrageous humour, patter and song- all wound together with fabulous patter and new twists on age-old camp. Davina says: “I’ll be plopping myself onto the Podium at Legends for tunes, camp comedy and anecdotes galore from the prettiest (Ahem!) drag queen in Brighton! Come on my everyone, let’s have some fun and a gay old time, after all no one should dull your sparkle!”

STEPHANIE VON CLITZ

DAVINA SPARKLE

chicken or wholesome nut roast, served with seasonal veg, crisp roast potatoes, homemade Yorkshire pudding and real stock gravy. ) DRINK PROMOS Buy one bottle of wine and get the 2nd half price, Mon–Fri 12–11pm.

) REGULARS Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle spinning chart/club remixes to blow your mind from 11pm. Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller sweetening you up with a sugary mix of new and retro pop. Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller melting the dancefloor with a hot mix of chart/house/r&b tunes.

l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Jason Lee 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne & Gloria Hole 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors incl guest DJ Sam DMS 11pm l SUBLINE Brighton Bear Weekend: SubWoofer 11pm l ZONE cabaret: Kara Van Park 10pm

SUNDAY 18

l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions pres The Life of Spice 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club: DJs 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; Brighton Bear

Weekend roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Brighton Bear Weekend Cabaret & Rock & Roll Bingo: Lola Lasagne 7.30pm l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Mary Mac 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Dave Williams 6pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Rose Garden 6.30pm & 9pm l SUBLINE Brighton Bear Weekend: Underbears underwear party 10pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast: Quaver Behaviour 3pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm l VELVET JACKS Live music: Mike Newsham 4pm

MONDAY 19

l BAR BROADWAY Monday Night Classics 7pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Fetish night 6pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Brighton Bear Weekend Come Down 12pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm

36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM MARINE TAVERN + PRISCILLAS

JUNE

LISTINGS

MARINE TAVERN

PRISCILLA’S

) 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD daily from 12–9pm; Tue is Curry Night, curry for £1 7.30–8.30pm,

) 129 St James’ Street, Brighton, BN2 1TH ) OPEN Tue–Thur 6pm–midnight, Fri, Sat & Sun 2pm–midnight (closed Mon). ) DRINK PROMOS daily drinks promos; ask at the venue for more info.

Sunday roasts served 12–5pm.

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wednesday is Linda Barcardi’s KARAOKE COMPETITION with £50 cash prize at 7pm.

delicious roasts from 12–5pm. All food is fresh and cooked to order with locally sourced lamb, beef and chicken or nut roast, served with carrots, broccoli, creamy leaks, mashed potatoes, crisp roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. Roasts are great value at £6.95 each or two for £13. You can mix things up with two meats for £1 per head extra. If you have the appetite, opt for three-courses: starters at £3.95 include: fish cakes, deep-fried Brie and soup of the day; and deserts at £2.95 include cheesecake, fruit salad, pavlova or ice cream. Booking advised call 01273 905578. ) REGULARS Wed is SPIN THE BOTTLE with drinks to be won at 8pm. ) Fri

entertainment: JUKEBOX DISCO with Matt at 8pm (2 & 16), PRE-SCRUM drinks at 10pm (9), CABARET with Gabriella Parrish at 9pm (23) and debut cabaret with Carmelle Toe at 9pm (30). l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hammer Trio 2pm; Oli Howe’s Trio 7pm

l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm

TUESDAY 20

WEDNESDAY 21

l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm

l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Star-a-oke: Jason Thorpe, prizes 9pm

LINDA BACARDI

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Sunday, Bee serves up

) REGULARS Saturday is ALL DAY KARAOKE with Kayne & Gloria Hole from 2pm. ) Sun is ALL DAY

KARAOKE with Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty from 2pm. ) Tue is KARAOKE with Marilyn Manswoon from 7pm. ) Thur is Pete Bennett’s BIG BENDER from 8pm. ) Fri is ALL DAY KARAOKE with Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi from 2pm.

l BAR REVENGE Lip Sync For Your Life 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Silly Willy Wednesdays: Drag With No Name 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Jason Henson Trio & Darren Beckett 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm

THURSDAY 22

l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: Ross Cameron, prizes 8pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Babou 8pm

PARIS HOUSE 129 ST JAMES STREET • OPEN TUE-THUR 6PM-MIDNIGHT FRI-SUN 2PM-MIDNIGHT 1/2 PRICE BAR TUE-THUR from 6-8PM

TUESDAY: KARAOKE with MARILYN MANSWOON • 7PM WEDNESDAY: KARAOKE COMPETITION with LINDA BACARDI • £50 prize • 7PM THURSDAY: PETE BENNETT’S BIG BENDER • 8PM

ALL DAY KARAOKE FROM 2PM FRIDAY with BETTY SWOLLOCKS & LINDA BACARDI SATURDAY with KAYNE & GLORIA HOLE SUNDAYwith BETTY SWOLLOCKS & PRINCESS C*NTY

) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, T: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD daily from 12pm–close. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday is LIVE MUSIC: soul from Gemina (4) at

7.30pm; Miss Dionne (11 & 25) at 6pm; Dave Williams (18) at 6pm. ) REGULARS Mon is free LIVE JAZZ with the Mick Hammer Trio at 2pm; more jazz at 7pm: Oli Howe Trio (5 & 19), saxophonist Simon Spillett (12), jazz guitarist Nigel Price (26). ) Wed is free LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Chris Coul (7), Andy Panayi (14), the Jason Henson Trio with Daren Beckett on drums (21) and Geoff Simkins at 7pm (28). ) Thur is free WORLD MUSIC night at 8pm: Fleur de Paris (1), The Son (8), Pollito (15), Babou (22) and Tudo Bern (29). ) Fri is PARTY TIME with guest DJ, incl Havoxx (9 & 23), at 9pm. ) Sat is AND ALL THAT JAZZ with live jazz at 4pm; TC'S JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry.

7 GEORGE STREET BRIGHTON 01273 696873

http://thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms

WED AT 9.30PM

SUNDAY 4

JUN

SALLY VATE

BARRY’S FAREWELL PARTY WITH MISS PENNY PLUS SUPRISES!

THURSDAY AT 9.30PM

SATURDAY AT 9.30PM

1JUN MISS JASON 8JUN LOLA LASAGNE 15JUN KARA VAN PARK 22JUN DAVINA SPARKLE 29JUN STEPHANIE VON CLITZ

3JUN MYRA DUBOIS 10JUN SON OF A TUTU 17JUN DAVINA SPARKLE 24JUN LOLA LASAGNE

PM 6 & 9.30 SUNDAY AT PM

AT 9.30PM FRIDAY JUN

2 JENNI CASTELL 9JUN TOPSIE REDFERN 16JUN KARA VAN PARK 23JUN FANNY BURNS 23JUN DRAG WITH NO NAME PARTY TIME FRIDAYS

DOUBLE CABARET

4JUN MISS PENNY 11JUN DAVE LYNNAT 6PM

GOLDEN HANDBAGS AFTER PARTY

MISS JASON 18JUN ROSE GARDEN 25JUN LUCINDA LASHES WITH

38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM QUEENS ARMS + BAR REVENGE

JUNE

LISTINGS

QUEENS ARMS

BAR REVENGE

) 7 George St, BN2 1RH, T: 01273 696873, thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms ) OPEN 4pm Wed–Fri; 2pm Sat & Sun.

) 5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Sun–Wed 12pm–1am, Thur 12pm–2am, Fri & Sat 12pm–6am.

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (4) is landlord BARRY’S LEAVING PARTY

) DRINK PROMOS 50% off all drinks Sun–Fri 5–9pm, from £2.50 every Sat. Buy a drink on Thur, Fri & Sat to pick up discount entry passes for Club Revenge.

SPICE

Barry says: “In three years I have seen relationships begin, end, and witnessed laughter and tears. I’ve met some amazing people (and the odd idiot), worked with some fabulous people, made lots of new friends and worked with some of the best acts on the circuit new and old. It is with a heavy heart that I hand the reins over, but the time is right for me to move on. I would like to thank everyone for their support, loyalty and custom and all the acts that have placed a stiletto on the Queen’s Arms stage! So it’s bye for now and don’t forget there is still time to vote for me in the Golden Handbag Awards 2017 as your Favourite Landlord and for Victoria Sponge, who for the time being I am shoving back into her box, as Favourite Hostess.” ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sunday (11) is the GOLDEN

HANDBAGS AFTER PARTY with the legendary Miss Jason right after the awards ceremony! ) REGULARS Thur CABARET at 9.30pm: Miss Jason (1), Lola Lasagne (8), Kara Van Park (15), Davina Sparkle (22) and Stephanie Von Clitz (29). ) Fri CABARET at 9.30pm: Jennie Castell (2), Topsie Redfern (9), Gabriella Parrish (16) and Fanny Burns (23). Fri (30) is Party Time with Drag With No Name at 9.30pm. ) Sat CABARET from 9.30pm: Myra Dubois (3), Son of a Tutu (10), Davina Sparkle (17) and Lola Lasagne (24). ) Sun is DOUBLE CABARET at 6.30pm & 9pm: Rose Garden (18), Lucinda Lashes (25). Sun (11) Dave Lynn at 6pm; then the Golden Handbags After Party with cabaret from Miss Jason.

) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Friday (16) is the BBW WELCOME PARTY at 9pm with BBW’s compere, Jon Bee, cabaret from the fabulous Aaron as Spice and tunes from DJ Alex B, free entry/drink deals incl 50% off all drinks 5–9pm.

Bar Revenge say: “We’re starting your weekend with a bang! Bar Revenge is a new venue for BBW events, and it's right in front of Brighton's world famous Palace Pier! Meet and greet old and new friends, and collect your clothing and wristband orders from the BBW crew. We'll also have them on sale if you would rather just buy on the night!” ) REGULARS LIP SYNC FOR YOUR LIFE every Wed from 9pm to be in with a chance of winning £50 cash prize plus the chance to compete at the grand final where you could win a paid gig at the next Powder Room Show!

MISS JASON

BARRY

from 6pm with cabaret from Miss Penny plus a few surprises throughout the evening. When Barry took over the reins of the QA, his aim was to give the venue a facelift to re-establish it as a full-time cabaret bar. This was achieved in 2014, when the QA went through a full refurbishment, which breathed new life into one of the oldest established gay bars in the city, creating a bigger, better and brighter venue for staff, customers and acts, new and old.

l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm Bender 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up Sparkle 9.30pm 9pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash l BOUTIQUE DJ Oli 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club jackpot 7.30pm 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ FRIDAY 23 Morgan Fabulous 9pm l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke l DR BRIGHTONS Reflex 80s Party: DJ or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm Adam Rice 9.30pm

l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN cabaret: Gabriella Parrish 9pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Fanny Burns 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Filth: full-fetish 9pm l ZONE cabaret: Spice 10pm

SATURDAY 24

l AMSTERDAM SanFranDisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Sins 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 4pm l BAR REVENGE WTF warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE Open Cocktail Masterclasses 8pm; Roof Terrace Party 1pm; DJ Prynesh 10pm l CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Saturday Session: DJ Tony B 9.30pm

l GROSVENOR BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Saturday Club 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Kayne & Gloria Hole 2pm

PICS FROM REVENGE + SUBLINE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 39

JUNE

LISTINGS

REVENGE

SUBLINE

) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Tue at 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat at 10.30pm, Sun (28) at 10.30pm.

) 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, Tel: 01273 624100, www.sublinebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Wed–Sun from 9pm. ) DRINK PROMOS Sat drink promos all night

) DRINK PROMOS all drinks £2.50 and double up for £1.50 on Tue; £1 drinks

) BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKEND Sat (17) is BBW

before midnight on Wed & Thur.

DMS spins tracks to get you moving on level 1. Sam is a DJ and producer based in London who’s known for blowing the roof off and heating up the dancefloors of clubs in the UK and internationally.

Revenge say: “GUEST DJ ALERT! London’s finest Sam DMS will be bringing his signature sing-a-long pop style to the Revenge dancefloor!

Expect nothing but the best in pop, R&B, dance and your favourite guilty pleasures!” ) REGULARS Sat is WTF with DJs and special guests over 2 floors spinning tunes to get you moving. ) Tue is BANGERS & TRASH with DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick celebrating the biggest chart bangers and the trashiest pop. Revenge say: “It's all about sl*t-dropping to Sia, booty-shaking to Beyonce and twerking to Taylor Swift... courtesy of our two resident DJs!” ) Thur is FOMO with Revenge’s all-star DJs spinning an eclectic mix of pop/chart/house/pop-punk/bass/hip-hop. ) Fri is POP TARTZ with resident DJs sweetening up the dancefloor on level 1 with pop anthems. Fri (30) is FAT LIP with DJ Fifi taking to the decks for a night of rock/ indie/nu-metal/pop-punk all night long!

DJ BOZZY BEAR

DJ SAM DMS

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Saturday (17) guest DJ Sam

SUBWOOFER, a night of Subterranean furry fun with drink deals and DJ Bozzy Bear getting you banging to the beat from 11pm till 6am, entry £7 or £5 with BBW WRISTBAND. BBW say: “Explore and indulge your fantasies at SubWoofer, which will keep you going until you can't take any more! So put on the leather, slide into the rubber, kit yourself out or get your boots and braces on!” ) Sun (18) is UNDERBEARS, the Official Closing Party of BBW with drink deals, from 10pm, entry £6 or £4 with BBW wristband. BBW say: “Let's finish with a blast! It's our closing party so pop on your jocks, briefs and Y-fronts for some frisky fun!” BBW and Subline will be raising funds for the Rainbow Fund all weekend! Subline say: “Every year it's bigger and better, with substantial money raised for the Rainbow Fund. We are selling the Wristbands here, which entitle you to, as well as holding a small stock of their Polo Shirts (£15) and T-Shirts (£12) for sale, proceeds to the Rainbow Fund.” ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (11) is the HANDBAG HOEDOWN Post-Golden

Handbag Awards Party from 11pm. Subline say: “It's the Golden Handbag awards and we've taken a table this year, because you are all going to vote for us *ahem*. Join us to celebrate our numerous victories! ‘It's all about the confidence!’ - sorry...” ) REGULARS Fri (9) is THE BIG SCRUM sportskit night, entry £5 is kit or £7.

l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9.30pm l REVENGE WTF!: DJs over 2 floors 11pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm

l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm

) Fri (23) is FILTH, the ticketed full-fetish party from 9pm. ) Sat is MEN’S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous from 9pm, entry free before 11pm, £3 after, guests £5.

SUNDAY 25

l AMSTERDAM Sunday roasts 12pmtill gone l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Bullard’s karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Fireplace Sessions: Jennie Castell 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Club: DJs 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 LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Davina Sparkle 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN Sunday roasts 125pm; Drag Open Mic with Stephanie Von Clitz 9pm

l PARIS HOUSE live music: Miss Dionne 6pm l PRISCILLA’S All Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Princess C*nty 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 6.30pm & 9pm l SUBLINE Cum In Your Pants: underwear night 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 12-5pm

MONDAY 26

l BAR BROADWAY Monday Night Classics 7pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Transgender night 6pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Mad Mondays 9.30pm

l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Mick Hammer Trio 2pm; Nigel Price 7pm

TUESDAY 27

l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Crewsday: DJ Lewis Osborne 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Showstopper Singalong: open mic 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke: Marilyn Manswoon 7pm l REVENGE Bangers & Trash: DJs Toby Lawrence & Trick 11pm

WEDNESDAY 28

l AMSTERDAM Quiz: Mark Flood 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Fresh!: DJ Jazzy Jane 9pm

40 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM VELVET JACKS + ZONE

JUNE

VELVET JACKS

ZONE

) 50 Norfolk Sq, BN1 2PA, Tel: 07720 661290 tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks ) OPEN Tue–Thur 4–11.30pm, Fri & Sat 12–11.30pm, Sun 1–11pm. ) FOOD Meat & cheese boards and wood-fired pizzas served all day. ) DRINK PROMOS Gin bowls served every day.

) 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN 11am Sun–Fri; 10am Sat. ) DRINK PROMOS all day Sun-Thur, till 7pm Fri & Sat; 2-4-£10 selected

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (18) is an intimate afternoon of live chilled out tunes with Mike Newsham and his 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.

l BAR BROADWAY Star-a-oke: Jason Thorpe, prizes 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2-3.30pm l CHARLES ST Silly Willy Wednesdays Season Finale: Drag With No Name 9pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Geoff Simkins 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Karaoke Competition: Linda Bacardi, £50 prize 7pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Happy Hump Day 9pm l VELVET JACKS Quiz: cash prize 8pm

THURSDAY 29

l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Throwback Thursday: DJ Ruby Roo & hostess Ms Joan Bond 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Abel Mabel’s Bingo 8.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thursday: 80s Jukebox 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Tudo Bern 8pm l PRISCILLA’S Pete Bennett’s Big Bender 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO DJs 11pm l SUBLINE Brace Yourself 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Quiz: cash jackpot 7.30pm

l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Total Request FRIDAY 30 Thursdays: DJ FRESH Princess 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Big Thursday Quiz: l AMSTERDAM Jason Thorpe’s Karaoke Ross Cameron, prizes 9pm or Sally Vate’s Fun Friday Frolics 9pm l BAR REVENGE FOMO pre-party 9pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY 7 Upstairs 9pm l BAR BROADWAY Jukebox 5pm

THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS ) 59 North Rd, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com ) OPEN 12pm on Mon–Sat, 1pm on Sun. Private function room available. ) FOOD Thur & Fri 12–8pm, Sat 12–7.30pm, Sunday roasts 12–5pm;

Meal Deal: two specials for £15 Mon–Wed, 12–7.30pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (18) is LIVE JAZZ with Quaver Behaviour at 3pm. ) REGULARS Thur QUIZ with a £50 cash prize at 7.30pm. ) Fri (2, 16 & 30) is with DJ Havoxx playing tunes to get you moving from 7pm. ) Sun is the JAZZ ROAST with chilled jazz at 3pm, free entry.

cocktails 5–8pm everyday. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat is CABARET from 10pm:

KARA VAN PARK

MIKE NEWSHAM

LISTINGS

Topsie Redfern (3), Sally Vate (10 & 24) and Kara Van Park (17). Disco diva and glamour puss Kara Van Park (17) performs show-tunes and camp songs and is a lover of all things theatrical! She says: “I have been very lucky and my act has grown and developed along with my fan base and audience. I have a blast seeing everyone having a good time and belting out the tunes. Anyone who comes to see my show can expect a camp night of show-tunes, big ballads and standards; it’s a great night for all.” ) REGULARS Fri is live entertainment from 10pm: Stone & Street (2), Tabitha

Wild (9), Davina Sparkle (16), Spice (23) and Miss Jason (30). l BAR REVENGE Pop-Tartz warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJ David Noakes 11pm l BOUTIQUE DJ Franco & shot drops 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fabulous Fridays: DJ Morgan Fabulous 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Vinyl Friday: DJs playing vinyl only 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Charity Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon: Krissie DuCann 8pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Glitter: Stephanie Von Clitz 9.30pm

l MARINE TAVERN cabaret: Carmelle Toe 9pm l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm l PRISCILLA’S All-Day Karaoke: Betty Swollocks & Linda Bacardi 2pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Drag With No Name’s Party Time 9.30pm l REVENGE Pop Tartz DJs on level 1; Fat Lip: DJ Fifi on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS DJ Havoxx 7pm l ZONE cabaret: Miss Jason 10pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 41

42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

SOLENT

l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 02392 297509 OPEN: Sun & Mon 9pm-2.30am, Wed & Thurs 7pm-2.30am, Fri & Sat 7pm-3am HAPPY HOURS: Sun all night, Wed & Thur 7pm-12am, Fri & Sat 7-10pm

SOUTHAMPTON

l BOX BAR Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163 www.theedgesouthampton.com OPEN: daily at 4pm HAPPY HOURS: 4–6pm & 6-10pm daily

FOOD: 4–10pm daily l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 023 8036 6163 www.theedgesouthampton.com OPEN: Sun, Tue & Thurs 11pm-4am: Wed 10.30pm-4am: Fri & Sat 11pm-5am l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terrace, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652 www.the-london.co.uk OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thu 1212.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 1211.30pm.

FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm; Sunday roasts 12-3.30pm

VILEDA MOPPE (SUN 18)

PORTSMOUTH

FANNY BURNS (FRI 9)

LISTINGS

LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON ) 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT, Tel: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm. ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch 12–3.30pm.

THURSDAY 1

TUESDAY 6

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: win £100 bar tab 8pm l EDGE Pop! Video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm

SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thursday is Mellow Martha’s

WEDNESDAY 7

) REGULARS Friday is FAIRYLEA with DJ Rupert at

FRIDAY 2 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Dr Beverley Ballcrusher 10pm

SATURDAY 3 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs Audio K9 & Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 9pm

SUNDAY 4 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Drag With No Name’s Silly Willy Sunday 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm

MONDAY 5 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm

THURSDAY 8 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke, games & show 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: £100 bar tab to be won 8pm l EDGE Pop!: video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm

FRIDAY 9 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs on rotation till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Fanny Burns 10pm

SATURDAY 10 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJ Phil Marriott 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley & vocalist Jacquii Cann 9pm

MARTHA D’ARTHUR

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Miss Jason’s Bingo 8pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm

MUSIC BOX KARAOKE with Martha D’Arthur from 9pm.

9pm; CABARET at 10pm: Dr Beverly Ball Crusher (2), Fanny Burns (9), Sally Vate (16), Ms Tiara Thunderpussy (23) and Kevin Cruise (30). ) Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs at 9pm: Dazza (3), Neil Sackley & guest vocalist Jacquii Cann (10), Tiny (17) and Lucinda & guest vocalist Eva Iglesias (24). ) SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE LONDON PODIUM features many of the UK’s top live performers tearing up the London stage from 8pm: Drag With No Name’s Silly Willy (4), Tanya Hyde & Martha D’Arthur (11), Lucinda Lashes & Vileda Moppe (18) and Miss Penny & Kara Van Park (25).

SUNDAY 11

THURSDAY 15

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Tanya Hyde & Martha D’Arthur 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: £100 bar tab to be won 8pm l EDGE Pop! Video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm

MONDAY 12

FRIDAY 16

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm

SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs 10pm l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Sally Vate 10pm

WEDNESDAY 14

SATURDAY 17

TUESDAY 13

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Miss Jason’s Bingo 8pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs Lee Harris & Darcy Buckland 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 9pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 43

44 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM EDGE SOUTHAMPTON + HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD PORTSMOUTH

SOLENT

LISTINGS

THE EDGE & BOX BAR

HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD

) Compton Walk, SO14 0BH, Tel: 023 8036 6163, www.theedgesouthampton.com ) OPEN Box Bar: 4pm daily. ) Edge: 11pm Tue–Sun. ) FOOD Box Bar: 4–10pm daily ) HAPPY HOURS Box Bar: 4–6pm daily with £3 offers; then 2-4-1 cocktails 6–10pm daily (till 8pm on Sat); ) Edge: Tue £2.50 bombs, Thur cocktail offers.

) Hampshire Terrace, Southsea, PO1 2QN, Tel: 02392 297509 ) OPEN Sun & Mon 9pm–2.30am, Wed & Thurs 7pm–2.30am, Fri & Sat

PORTSMOUTH

SOUTHAMPTON

7pm–3am. ) HAPPY HOURS Sun drink deals all night, Mon selected drinks £1.50, Wed & Thu 7pm–12am, Fri & Sat 7–10pm. ) HB GAY CARD Sign up for an HB Gay Card for £10, valid for one year. Perks include: points to spend at the bar, free VIP booth on your birthday, priority entrance, queue jump and you can use it as ID to enter the club! Ask staff for more details.

legendary Miss Jason in The Box Bar at 8pm. From 10pm it’s BAR 150 with DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle plus Cheeky Pete’s KARAOKE and £1.50 drinks, entry free b4 10pm.

) ONE FOR THE DIARY The SATURDAY SESSIONS are with host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick playing chart/party anthems, free entry till 11pm/£3 till midnight/£5 after.

) REGULARS Thursday is QUIZ ON YOUR FACE in the

Box Bar with £100 bar tab to be won from 8pm. From 11pm, it’s POP in The Edge with video DJ Neil Sackley, £2 entry. ) Fri is GET SOME with DJs Darcy Buckland, Audio K9 & Lady Bex at 10pm, free b4 11pm, £3–£6 after. ) Sat is THE BIG ONE: 4 bars and 2 dancefloors with DJs at 10pm: Audio K9 & Neil Sackley (3), Phil Marriott (10), Lee Harris & Darcy Buckland (17) and Zach Burns & Pete Kendall (24); free b4 10pm, £1–£6 after. ) SUNDAY SOCIAL in the Box Bar with DJ Darcy Buckland from 11pm, free b4 11pm, £1 b4 12am, £2 after. ) Tues is OPEN MIC SESSIONS in the Box Bar at 8pm. From 11pm, it’s S.M.U.T in the Edge with DJ Audio K9 mash-ups; £1 b4 12am, £2 after.

SUNDAY 18 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Lucinda Lashes & Vileda Moppe 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm

MONDAY 19

l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm

THURSDAY 22 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: win £100 bar tab 8pm l EDGE Pop! Video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm

PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs FRIDAY 23 Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am PORTSMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday l BOX BAR opens 4pm Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am SOUTHAMPTON TUESDAY 20 l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs SOUTHAMPTON 10pm l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ WEDNESDAY 21 Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Ms Tiara PORTSMOUTH Thunderpussy 10pm l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SATURDAY 24 SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Miss Jason’s l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Saturday Sessions: Bingo 8pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke host Danii Dior & DJ Rupert Ellick till 3am 10pm

) REGULARS THAT FRIDAY FEELING is with Cherry DANII DIOR

MISS JASON

) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wednesday is BINGO with the

Liquor on hosting duties, DJs on rotation, Co2, confetti & pyrotechnics, free till 11pm/£3 till midnight/£5 after. ) SUNDAY FUNDAY is with DJ Luke Ennor, free entry. ) Mon is 20SOMETHING with DJ Lee Harris & Luke Ennor bringing the tunes, free till 10pm/£3 till midnight/£5 after. ) Wed is Alfie Ordinary’s KARAOKE & Midweek Party. ) Thur is Aura-J’s KARAOKE with games and show.

SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; The Big One: DJs 10pm l EDGE The Big One: DJs Zach Burns & Pete Kendall 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Lucinda Lashes & vocalist Eva Iglesias 9pm

SUNDAY 25 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sunday Funday: DJ Luke Ennor till 2.30am SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Sunday Social: DJ Darcy Buckland 10pm l LONDON HOTEL London Podium: Miss Penny & Kara Van Park 8pm; roasts 123.30pm

MONDAY 26

WEDNESDAY 28 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Alfie Ordinary’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Miss Jason’s Bingo 8pm; Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l EDGE Bar 150: DJs Lee Harris & Liam Searle + Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke 11pm

THURSDAY 29 PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD Aura-J’s karaoke & mid-week party 7pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Quiz On Your Face: win £100 bar tab 8pm l EDGE Pop!: video DJ Neil Sackley 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mellow Martha’s Music Box: karaoke 9pm

PORTSMOUTH FRIDAY 30 l HAMPSHIRE BLVD 20something: DJs PORTSMOUTH Lee Harris & Luke Ennor till 2.30am l HAMPSHIRE BLVD That Friday SOUTHAMPTON Feeling: host Cherry Liquor & DJs till 3am l BOX BAR opens 4pm SOUTHAMPTON l BOX BAR open 4pm; Get Some: DJs TUESDAY 27 10pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs Darcy Buckland, l BOX BAR opens 4pm; Open Mic 8pm Audio K9 & Lady Bex 11pm l EDGE S.M.U.T: DJ Audio K9 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea Friday: DJ Rupert Ellick 9pm; cabaret: Kevin Cruise 10pm

DANCE MUSIC

BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD

ALBUMS ) We’re feeling the love this June as we soundtrack our month of fun in the sun. Yep there’s a load to wiggle to as we delve deep into the delights of the latest house, disco and electronica.

Keeping the grooves on the downlow this month are the dizzyingly beautiful Russian groove of Lubish’s Clouds on Erizados, the melodies of DC Salas’s The Unspoken on Biologic Records and the warm, low slung but bassheavy class of fabric 94: Steffi on Fabric Records.

Compilations ensuring this is a month of cork popping include the delights of Kittball Konspiracy Vol.14 on Kittball Records and Get Physical’s two June jumpers, Get Physical presents Ibiza 2017, compiled & mixed by Ben Hoo, and the

seminal 15 Years of Get Physical.

Olivia Newton John would be proud.

As for our must wiggle wonders?

Grab yourself a slice of heaven courtesy of this bunch and life will be forever bright. Yep with the iconic 10cotexas Discotexas 10 Year Anniversary Compilation on, you guessed it, Discotexas, MacStanton’s spacy disco adventure LOdyssee on So French Records, Roosevelt’s Roosevelt Remixed 1&2 on Greco-Roman/ City Slang, or Billy Palmier’s charming disco wonder Escape From Freedom on Citywurl Records and your boogie can only get better. Enjoy. ) Catch Wildblood & Queenie on RadioReverb’s Home Service 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 7pm and at The Western’s Big Love Terrace Party on Sunday 28 May, 3pm-late. perfectdistractions.com

WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S JUNE JOLLIES ) JOE GODDARD Home (Morgan Geist remix) Domino Already up there as contender for tune of the year. Masterful. ) COEO Cabrio Mango Toy Tonics Made for sunshine terraces, a tune to bring on the summer. ) PROK & FITCH Nodding Dog Kaluki Music You’ll all be nodding to this monster of a floorfiller all night long. ) JOHN DAVIS Up Jumped The Devil (Louie Vega remix) Nurvous Orchestral manoeuvres of the perfect disco kind. ) MARQUIS HAWKES The Basement Is Burning AUS Feel good house that will fill you soul with a great big grooving grin. ) DJ NATURE BORN Lifted Futureboogie A Home Service favourite with royal approval from Queenie. ) LEIGH D OLIVER Pussyfoot (original mix) Sordid Feel the feline love with this fierce house track. ) CITY JAMS Redlight Hot Haus NYC-infused house cut worthy of your undivided dancing attention. ) CATZ 'N DOGZ ft Shaun J Wright Afterglow (Bright mix) Watergate Enchanting adventures of the Berlin kind. Just how we like it. ) MIX & FAIRBANKS Wish I Didn't Miss You Made & Played The Angie Stone classic gets the perfect disco re-edit treatment.

DJ PROFILE: LADY LOLA It’s June dear reader, that sparkling month of sunshine (I hope) and the desire to dance and prance! This month, Queenie catches up again with the irrepressible and gorgeous Lady Lola to hear about her current deck action.

Hello, how are you? I'm doing great, thanks. Managing to juggle being a mummy and a DJ quite well! Ha ha!

You’re a busy lady – where can we hear you DJing? I've had so many amazing opportunities already this year and it's only June! I've landed myself a residency at one of Brighton's best underground nights Berlin at Green Door Store. I host a radio show on www.codesouth.fm every Saturday, 8-10pm. I've got lots of gigs coming up in Brighton and London and even some festivals! I just did Nightshift all-day party at The Tempest and I’m playing Noisily Festival, Leicestershire on July 7-10 and Electric Battlefields Festival at Newhaven Fort on July 22.

What’s rocking Lola’s world these days? Techno! I went to Berlin recently and went to a night hosted by Stil Vor Talent. It was incredible! I saw lots of DJs and producers that I admire and, for me, the night was very musically enlightening.

What’s so good about DJing in Brighton? Brighton has turned a corner in terms of music and clubbing. There are lots of independent promoters putting on great underground nights, and using alternative venues as well as the usual go to clubs. With the combination of promoters being passionate about music, great local talent and everyone supporting each other, this ultimately means the music scene in Brighton has been thriving over the last year.

Stand out memories from Pride last year? For me, every year it's playing the closing set in the Girls’ Tent in the Park. DJing in front of a home crowd of 5,000+ is an amazing feeling!

Your little boy is now a year old – is he developing a love for all things ‘house’? He absolutely LOVES music! There is always music playing at home. Whether it's house, techno or lots of old skool tunes like funk, Prince and even Frank Sinatra!

Guilty pleasure? I’ve got too many to list! Hahaha!

Describe yourself in three words! Compassionate. Vivacious.

Whirlwind.

LADY LOLA’S CURRENT TOP FIVE ) PROK & FITCH Double Vision Suara ) OXIA Domino (Matador remix) Sapians ) D-DECK Dabiah KD Raw ) GREEN VELVET & PROK & FITCH Sheeple Relief ) OLIVER KOLETZKI Planetarium Stil Vor Talent www.facebook.com/ladylolamusic

46 GSCENE

Kings Road, Brighton, Box office: 0844 847 1515 ) KRAFTWERK 3-D (Wed 7). Bringing together music and performance art, Kraftwerk 3-D concerts are a true "Gesamtkunstwerk – a total work of art.” The multi-media project Kraftwerk was started in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider.

They set up their electronic Kling Klang Studio in Düsseldorf, Germany, where they conceived and produced all Kraftwerk albums. By the mid 1970s Kraftwerk achieved international recognition for their revolutionary electronic soundscapes’ and their musical experimentation with robotics and other technical innovations. With their visions of the future, Kraftwerk created the soundtrack for the digital age of the 21st century.

BROADWAY LOUNGE Upstairs @ Bar Broadway, 10 Steine St, Brighton ) LAUGHTER IN THE LOUNGE (8pm, Sat 24). Monthly stand-up comedy night with six comedians taking to the stage, entry £3.

EYES WIDE OPEN eyeswideopencinema.co.uk Duke’s at the Komedia ) PARAGRAPH 175 (Thu 1). This Sundance award-winning documentary directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, uncovers the often hidden story of the persecution of people deemed homosexual in Nazi Germany. Over 100,000 people were arrested under Paragraph 175, an antisodomy provision of the German penal code, many of whom where

Lexx and Abigoliah Schamaun. ) TRAUMFRAU DISCO & DIY (Fri 16) presents a night of sweaty dancing and inky DIY. Print your own shirt to be refashioned with Stencil Moose Screen Printing; plus there’s zine, art and badge making.

Expect queer pop party tracks and

) ABSURDLY FABULOUS (Sun 18).

Feature length show inspired by the hit 1990s sitcom. All your favourite characters reimagined for the episode they never made. A night of debauchery, fashion and celebrity created by you, the audience. Grab your Harvey Nics avocado caviar wrap, pour the Bolly, throw off your La Croix heels and prepare for raucous fun, sweetie darling.

PIERS & QUEERS

deep cuts from American DJ, producer, musician, JD Samson (Le Tigre/ MEN) and DJ Jumeau (Gals Pals, Purple Sane). Warning: evening includes art making, fun having, paint, sweat, dirt and ‘queer ecstatic rupture’. Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/eve nt/2955262

LA VOIX Spiegeltent, Old Steine send to concentration camps, with ) LA VOIX RED HOT GLOBE TROT only 4,000 surviving. Five of these (7.15pm, Thu 1). La Voix delivers precise sound alike performances, individuals tell their stories in a gripping reminder of a dark moment hilarious comedy and glamorous costumes with music from the in history. All profits from this screening will go to LGBT+ groups biggest divas Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey, Cher and in Chechnya, where queer people many more! “To describe La Voix are currently being murdered, purely as a singer would be like tortured and detained in calling Picasso a decorator” concentration camps.

Broadway Baby. Tickets £10 from KOMEDIA www.brightonfringe.org Gardner Street, Brighton MARLBOROUGH THEATRE ) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 4). A gayfriendly, irreverent night of fun and 4 Princes St, Brighton frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock www.brownpapertickets.com ) THE GIRL FROM OZ (Thu 1).

The Week and Michael McIntyre’s Courtney Act (RuPaul’s Drag Race Comedy Roadshow). Featuring headliner Angela Barnes with Laura Season 6), takes you over the

Meet: Regency Sq War Memorial ) PIERS & QUEERS (Sat 3 & Sun 4). Over 200 years of history from a LGBTQ perspective with Regency Dandies, 1950s lesbian and gay life and political activism. Meet prominent historical figures and extraordinary unsung heroes: a pioneering doctor who passed as man decades before women were allowed to practice medicine, a 19th century lesbian diarist, an

ST MARY’S CHURCH St James’s Street, Brighton ) ALAN TURING – GUILTY OF LOVE presented by Oxford Music Theatre (Thu 1–Fri 2). Musical about the WW2 hero who broke the Enigma codes at Bletchley Park but was prosecuted for homosexuality in 1952. Lyrics and music by Jane Bramwell and Michael Brand and features Resound Male Voices.

THEATRE ROYAL New Road, Brighton, Box office: 08448 717650 ) PAM ANN - TOUCH TROLLEY RUN TO GALLEY (Sun 11). The AList queen of the skies has developed cult-status with her masterful portrayal of a brash hot mess of an Australian airhostess.

As the airports got bigger, so did her ego… and her mouth filthier.

Pam’s barbed wit has seen her fly many a risky route and negotiate even the most politically incorrect flight path, with her blisteringly funny take on the world of airlines and aircrew. Nothing is out of reach of her pristine white gloves, strutting up the aisle with a trolley full of beautifully unpredictable, sharp airline satire. There’s not much Pam hasn’t seen or done – from crewing Elton John’s private jet at his express request to sharing a stadium stage on a tour of the UK with Cher.

PAM ANN

KRAFTWERK 3-D

BRIGHTON CENTRE

Edwardian 'drag king' and an early 'same-sex' marriage.

NEW STEINE HOTEL, BAR & BISTRO 10 -11 New Steine, Brighton, www.newsteinehotel.com ) HEROES EXHIBITION (until Sun 4). Using photography, drawing and sculpture, Charly N'doumbe produces pieces that combine all three mediums to magnify the feminine and masculine body's natural beauty in figurative and abstract forms. Free, non-ticketed. ) TRICYCLIC TRANSFORM (Fri 2–Sun 4). Solo musical cabaret exploring gender queer identity with songs and drag. Miss Liliane, 'biologically-challenged drag-queen', has penis envy and that makes her slightly unhinged! Join them round the gender wheel as they try on alternate personas by performing iconic torch songs. From heart-wrenching jazz diva standards to the p***ed-off ladies of gritty Blues and Brecht, to empowering queer anthems of Marc Almond and Boy George, with sprinkles of Victor Victoria and La Cage aux Folles.

TRICYCLIC TRANSFORM

BY M I C H A E L H O O T M A N

ABSURDLY FABULOUS

ARTS

rainbow and down under with hits and high notes. “Coy, funny, sexy, classy and thoroughly up-beat” Manhattan Digest ) WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? BARBARA BROWNSKIRT (Thu 1 & Fri 2). Darkly funny show by Karen McLeod. Shrouded in iconic anorak, knees bulging from pop socks, Barbara is the unsuccessful lesbian Poet-in-Residence at the 197 bus stop, Penge. Unlucky in love, she tries to find out who she is and why through absurd poetry and film.

GSCENE 47

ALL THAT JAZZ

ART MATTERS

) OSCAR PETERSON The Complete Duke Ellington Song Books Essential Jazz Classics. During the 1950s a number of jazz musicians began to make good use of the new, extended LP format by releasing thematic albums of material all written by the same composer.

Ella Fitzgerald famously produced eight songbooks by the likes of Cole Porter and the Gershwins while Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson also racked up a few.

Now you either love or loathe Mr Peterson. Me? I can’t stand his florid performances, the way he has to play every note at every opportunity with such felicitous ease. Others, however, consider him to be one of the greatest pianists all time. So, leaving my prejudices to one side, let me recommend this set. Or actually, two different sets, for in 1952 Peterson and his then trio recorded 12 Duke Ellington numbers, only for Peterson to return to the studio in 1959 with a different trio to utilize the new stereophonic technology to record a stereo remake of the same 12 songs in exactly the same order. The two versions are very different, which makes a good compare and contrast exercise, but the clear winner is Ellington, whose magnificent compositions such as Cottontail, Take the ‘A’ Train, and Sophisticated Lady all survive even Peterson’s two-handed assault.

For June I’ve diligently searched and found a wide variety of creative opportunities to enjoy and challenge you, all helpfully walkable too!

BY S I M O N A DA M S

BY E N Z O M A R R A

APT GALLERY Deptford, London, www.aptstudios.org ) Before I start on those I have news on an exhibition I have been selected for by Alison Wilding for the CREEKSIDE OPEN 2017 (June 8–Jul 2). Alison Wilding studied in London at the Royal College of Art (1971–1973). Her first major solo exhibition was held at the Serpentine Gallery in 1985, and her first international solo show was held at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in 1987. A retrospective exhibition entitled Alison Wilding: Immersion – Sculpture from Ten Years was held at the Tate Gallery, Liverpool in 1991. Having been nominated for the Turner Prize in 1992, Alison Wilding was elected RA in 1999. There is prize giving and a private view on June 10 from 3pm.

UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON GALLERY 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 0JY, arts.brighton.ac.uk ) Returning to more local realms, the ANNUAL BRIGHTON GRADUATE SHOW (Jun 3–11) at the University Grand Parade and Edwards Street galleries. The University of Brighton’s annual Graduate Show is when their talented graduating students stage their final-year shows. Their courses cover a range of disciplines and on show will be work from a variety of subject areas, architecture and interior architecture, fashion and textiles, film, fine art, photography, graphics and illustration, design, craft, media, history of art and design.

) CHICAGO/LONDON UNDERGROUND A Night Walking Through Mirrors Cuneiform. In complete contrast is this set from Chicago’s man of the moment, cornet-player Rob Mazurek. The prolific Mazurek has his hand in numerous groups and configurations in Chicago as well as in Sao Paolo, Brazil where he lived for some years. On a brief visit to London in April 2016, he recorded this live set with a local pick-up band, including the ebullient pianist Alexander Hawkins. This is modern jazz at its best, and certainly not for the faint-hearted. Mazurek’s cornet blears and smears over a motoring percussive accompaniment, with electronics and samplers adding to the mix. In places he sounds like an electric Miles Davis from the early 1970s, echoing emptily across the void, elsewhere he is at full throttle. Hawkins predictably steals the show in places, his insistent and tumultuous piano lines a constant kaleidoscope of change. Unlike with Peterson, I can’t get enough of this sort of jazz.

) In the same space, JAMES TALON: SEX, LIES AND CASSETTE TAPE is on show in the Great Art Swindle Gallery. Presenting the latest pop art works by the infamous artist, musician and cultural thief James Talon whose art is a document of his journey through the punk revolution, new wave hope and rave hedonism. Each piece of art represents a moment on that ride, a pop song, a woman, an argument, a drunken night, a book, a friend, a fight. James uses large scale, three-dimensional sculpture and graphic symbolism to move mundane objects towards the beautiful so old Rizla packets and forgotten cassettes become large graphic sculptures.

DAVID HENTY

www.114churchstreet.com ) There are two shows in this pop-up space up this month.

DAVID HENTY ART is on show (Jun 9–18). Forger David Henty is banned from selling his work on some online auction sites, despite that his copies of famous paintings fetch thousands of pounds. His history as a copyist artist started with a conviction for forgery in the mid-1990s. It was while serving the resulting prison sentence that David was inspired to start painting. He will be exhibiting his versions of Van Gogh, Caravaggio and Modigliani masterpieces in Brighton.

JAMES TALON

) JULIA HULSMANN TRIO Sooner And Later ECM. To end with another piano trio, this set is Julia Hülsmann’s sixth outing for ECM. She is a pianist with a touch of Keith Jarrett about her in her seemingly effortless simplicity and love of melody, while bass and drums are more than just basic rhythm makers, bassist Marc Muellbauer in particular outstanding in places. The material is mixed, with a central Asian folksong, a tribute to the late German jazz pianist Jutta Hipp, and a Radiohead song all jogging along beside each other. Overall, this is a set of quiet contemplation, which nevertheless delivers some powerful moments.

114 CHURCH STREET

48 GSCENE Romance is also passionate, ) On their latest disc, violinist Tasmin Little and pianist Piers Lane although the temperature drops for an intimate central section with combine several works by Polish

BY NICK BOSTON wandering harmonies, before the composer Karol Szymanowski passion returns for its conclusion.

(1882-1937) with César Franck’s The Notturno e Tarantella that ends writing, with incisive playing from (1822-1890) highly dramatic and the disc comes from just 11 years romantic Sonata, and Gabriel the Doric String Quartet, and after the Sonata, yet we’re into Fauré’s (1845-1924) Romance. precise ensemble from the full ) Last year, I had the great strings, particularly in the Allegro’s Franck’s Sonata has a deceptively fortune to perform Elgar’s Dream of angular fugal writing. This is a taut delicate opening, and Lane and Gerontius in the Brighton Festival Little are particularly sensitive to reading, emphasising detail over with Brighton Festival Chorus. It this intimate start. The turbulent emotional impact, perhaps, but was evident then that conductor Allegro that comes next is given highly engaging nonetheless, Edward Gardner has expert great passion, followed by the leaving me wanting more Elgar command of Edward Elgar’s (1857- from Gardner very soon. Chandos emotionally operatic third 1934) music, so I was very much movement, with touchingly sweet CHSA5181 looking forward to his new tones from Little especially. In the recording of the Symphony No. 1. ) Last year I reviewed a couple of spring-like canon that opens the discs of Alex McCartney playing finale, Little matches Lane’s lute music. Now he has released a delicate touch, and they follow this recording performing on the lute’s movement’s trajectory into the very big brother, the wonderful new territory here, with the light, with a bright, summery theorbo. Often used as part of an mysterious, glassy rumblings and flourish to finish. We move into accompanying ‘basso continuo’ dramatic outbursts of the Notturno late summer/autumn with Fauré’s section, it’s great to hear it placed nostalgic Romance, which allows followed by a highly virtuosic, wild centre-stage as a solo instrument. Little the freedom to demonstrate and swirling Tarantella to finish, Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger with Little adopting a suitably her singing tone in its delicate (c.1580-1651) was a virtuoso lute lyricism. Szymanowski’s Sonata has harsher sound to add bite to their and theorbo performer, as well as comparable passion to Franck’s, and expert reading. Another strong set composer, and McCartney has of performances to add to Little & it is full of youthful exuberance. recorded here a selection of pieces Yet he can do intimate simplicity An added bonus is Elgar’s Lane’s already substantial portfolio Introduction and Allegro for string from his 3rd and 4th books of too, as demonstrated in the gentle, of recordings together. Chandos works for the latter instrument. quartet and string orchestra, a almost prayerful piano opening to CHAN10940 They consist of predominantly piece I remember fondly from the second movement, contrasted Reviews, comments and events: youth orchestra days (a very long with a playful central section with v nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk time ago!), and on this disc, the jaunty pizzicato from the violin, t @nickb86uk BBC Symphony Orchestra are and the finale has an infectious ) nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk joined by the Doric String Quartet. driving energy. Szymanowski’s The opening noble theme of Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 sets us off perhaps expecting Elgar in Pomp And Circumstance mode, but the restless ) The Royal Ballet perform live from the Royal Opera Allegro shocks the listener out of House in a tribute to their founder choreographer, any nostalgic pomp very quickly.

Frederick Ashton, including The Dream, Symphonic Gardner takes a balanced approach, Variations (with music by Fauré), and Marguerite & not allowing the noble opening to Armand, a retelling of the story from Verdi’s La Traviata (Wed 7). Tenor Toccatas and Preludes, and the get bogged down, and giving the Jonas Kaufmann is joined by soprano Maria Agresta and baritone Toccatas contain some fascinating Allegro the right degree of Ludovic Tézier in Verdi’s Otello, also live (Wed 28). and downright quirky harmonies turbulent energy, eliciting some ) You can also see Verdi’s La Traviata from Glyndebourne, with and unexpected clashes, and with particularly bright brass playing Venera Gimadieva (soprano) and Michael Fabiano (tenor) (Thur 8). from the BBCSO players. The second the rich, deep tones of the In local cinemas, including: Duke’s @ Komedia Brighton, Cineworld theorbo, and some rippling and movement is also turbulent and Eastbourne and Connaught Cinema, Worthing. cascading runs, deftly articulated again Gardner injects drive and here by McCartney, this is a energy. The beautiful Adagio that follows masterfully transforms the delightful programme. There are BRIGHTON DOME theme from the previous movement, one or two more substantial www.brightondome.org, 01273 709709 movements, such as a Gagliarda, and given a particularly touching ) In An Audience with Lesley Garrett (8pm, with wonderful falling chains of reading here. In the final movement, Fri 9), the soprano sings and tells stories from clashing suspensions, and a Gardner keeps his powder dry and her opera and West End stage career. holds the tension, so that when we pleasing Passacaglia, but two of the shorter movements stuck out finally arrive at the return of the WORTHING ASSEMBLY HALL for me – the bell-like Capona, and noble theme and the triumphant www.worthingtheatres.co.uk 01903 206206 the Spanish inflections of conclusion it has the powerful The Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra (7.30pm, Sun 11) perform impact that Elgar surely intended. Canarios, for which McCartney Kodály’s Háry János Suite, and Berlioz’ Symphonie managed a tastefully subtle dying In the Introduction and Allegro, Fantastique. repeat at the end. Another Elgar plays with the contrast ST LUKE'S CHURCH between the intimate forces of the enjoyable disc, and a great chance Queens Park Road, Brighton string quartet and the larger, richer to hear the theorbo up close. www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk sounds of the full strings. Gardner Veretum Musica VM015 Ivana Peranic (cello) and Rachel Fryer (piano) play www.veretummusica.com points out the detail in Elgar’s Chopin and Prokofiev (7.30pm, Fri 30).

CLASSICAL NOTES

CINEMA

JONAS KAUFMANN

REVIEWS

IVANA PERANIC

LESLEY GARRETT

CONCERTS

GSCENE 49

PAGE’S PAGES BOOKS BY ERIC PAGE ) TIME OF OBSESSIONS (Wilkinson House) by John Roman Baker is a new episode in the delightful adventures of 18-year-olds Greg and Nick in 1960s Britain. Roman Baker’s own experience of Sussex and London in the 1960s give these books a geographic precision and authentic sea salt and peeling paint feel; but it’s the delightful, honest and near the knuckle exploration of these young men’s feelings, in the hostile context of Britain of that era, which is the real charm of this series. How they develop their relationships, loves and sexual delights in spite of and with a devilish charm in the face of such disapproving society. The book explores the homo subcultures of London, based in Chelsea and although embracing the freedoms of opportunity, Greg still needs to keep his eye on the long pretty arm of the disapproving law.

and truth. This left me touched and ) PAGES FOR HER (Picador) by aching to read its predecessor.

Sylvia Brownrigg. What happens to the love of your life if you’ve ) MY MOURNING YEAR: A MEMOIR lived most of your life without her?

OF BEREAVEMENT, DISCOVERY & This is the story of Flannery and HOPE (RedDoor Publishing) by Anne and the circumstances that Andrew Marshall. In 1997, Andrew's lead to their reunion 20 years after partner, Thom, the only person to their passionate affair (chronicled whom he’d ever opened his heart, in Pages for You). Anne had opened died after a gruelling and debilitating young Flannery up to the illness. Unmoored from his old life, possibility of love then left her and feeling let down by his family, heartbroken. Having long ago put he struggled to make sense of his their love behind them, they live loss or imagine a future. He writes now on opposite coasts. When the in his diary about the setbacks, two women meet at a conference, weird and wonderful encounters they find that the passion has with psychics and gurus and how, endured. This beautiful book is a as a journalist, he talked about soft, pure and very gentle exercise death with a range of people; a on the nature of love and how time forensic anthologist and a holocaust can erode the reasons we give for survivor. With the help of friends, a not allowing it to blossom. It’s an dog and a renewed relationship exhilarating, passionate work that with his parents, he pieces his life explores marriage, sexuality, the back together. Although his diary transformative power of love and wasn’t meant for publication, he the way two women face the slow shared it with friends and colleagues burning truth of their lives, their dealing with bereavement and to relationships and delight of honest mark the 20th anniversary of Thom's ownership of powerful experiences death, he’s decided to publish it.

It’s a frank, unflinching account of life a year after Thom’s death and in turn is heart-breaking, frustrating and sadly, sweetly funny. It’s no step-by-step guide to bereavement but a shoulder to lean on when facing the unknowns of death and a resource for those left behind.

He’s published many self-help books but this is a tender, honest window into his painful experience and how he learned to take grief as it came, one day at a time.

THREE MEN IN TEARS (Autopsy) by PP Hartnett. Ah PP, agent (and a Gent) of quality who knows when to spare and also when to thrust the knife. His sharp words and scalpel-like phrasing both severs and cauterises, he writes as weapon and healer. Wielding his pen, it ruthlessly cuts past the thick, greasy fat of experience leaving us quivering red raw muscle, all taught with tension and potential or slack, spent, necrotic and leaching out life. Hartnett is never dull and understands the delicate balance between more and less. Three Men in Tears continues his production of beautifully wrought quality books with exquisite attention to detail, which contain poems of wrathful abandon and exuberance as discreet and unpretentious as the covers.

driven, kind and ultimately considerate could have wanted. ) TRANSGENDER CHILDREN & YOUTH: CULTIVATING PRIDE & JOY WITH FAMILIES IN TRANSITION (W. W. Norton & Company) by Elijah C Nealy. Most of us have grown up with the Western cultural notions about gender identity and expression that tell us there are only two types of acceptable humans: heterosexual females with ‘feminine’ characteristics and heterosexual males with ‘masculine’ characteristics. It’s practically impossible not to hear about some aspect of transgender life now and people are coming out as trans at a

) MY HEART IS BLEEDING: THE LIFE OF DOROTHY SQUIRES (The History Press) by Johnny Tudor.

Written by a friend of Dorothy’s, this fascinating biography of a Welsh singing star is a splendidly detailed insight into the glamour of ‘40s and '50s Hollywood. As a young girl toiling in a South Wales tin works, Dorothy Squires dreamt of being a singing star but was ridiculed by all around her. Aged 16 younger age, which is a good she escaped to London where she thing. Whether it’s the ‘toilet met and fell in love with issue’, the military, or television, songwriter and band leader Billy Reid, the older man who made her trans life is now front and centre after years of marginalisation a star. They were an international which historically resulted in the success, but the relationship foundered and she fell in love with silencing of voices and the invisibility of stories and lives. The the much younger actor Roger Moore, who she spent all her time binary gender assumption renders establishing as a star. Tudor takes trans persons as ‘other’ and ‘queer’. us along for the ride with this first It defines them as gender transgressors and subjects them to biography filled with anecdote, shame, ostracism, objectification stories, photos and conversations and hatred. This is a welcome he had with Ms Squires and it’s a addition to the resources available wonderful life to behold, the ending of her days as tenderly told to parents, teachers and health professionals who need to support as a person who comes across as these children. Nealy, a therapist who worked at NYC's LGBT Community Center, has written the first comprehensive guide to understanding, supporting and welcoming trans kids. From family life to school and mental health issues, as well as the physical, social and emotional aspects of transition, this careful, considerate book is full of best practices to support trans kids and to ensure they get a supportive, healthy environment to enter adult life with the confidence, education and knowledge that all young people deserve.

50 GSCENE

GEEK SCENE

BY CRAIG STORRIE

COMICS ) She has been a warrior and a princess, a superhuman and a demigod, a feminist and an LGBTQ icon. I am of course talking about the truly inspirational Wonder Woman and, finally, this month sees the release of her highly anticipated very first feature film. Whilst this isn’t her first appearance in a feature film, this will be the very first superhero film with a female lead and it’s about freaking time! Taking place during WW1, Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) decides to leave her home of Themyscira after learning of the conflict from pilot Steve Trevor after he crash lands on the island. Being from an island of only women, Diana embraces the strange outside world and aims to put an early end to the war. In honour of Diana Prince finally having her name up in lights, here’s some Wonder Woman stories that you should read. Don’t worry though, you won’t need to read these beforehand to understand Wonder Woman as the film will do a good enough job presenting her origin and motives.

Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals (1987) After the DC universe became too complex and difficult to understand for new readers, the company created the universe-wide event Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. The crossover both addressed and resolved the issue by being the first of DC’s many reboots to it universe. Thanks to the event wiping the slate clean, it meant DC could do a complete relaunch of its characters without being tied down with years upon years of continuity. Ironically this is something DC will be criticised for in the future compared to Marvel who operate under a sliding timescale to make sense of their universe. Starting with this seven-issue story, the character and her background would be much more firmly rooted in Greek Mythology as well as having the drama of the book revolving around Diana’s explorations of modern society which is something that is now consistently in her origin story. The book also had more realism, showing an innocent young woman entering our world and what issues she would have to face.

Paradise Island Lost (2001).

As the feud between Diana and her mother, Queen Hippolyta, continues about the latter’s role as a Wonder Woman during WW2, another feud breaks out between two tribes of Amazons: the Themyscirans and the Bana-Mighdall’s.

This is because of Diana’s role as Wonder Woman and her not taking her rightful place as the Queen of Themyscira. The feud is resolved when both Diana and her mother promise to make changes to their government starting with the abolition of the Themysciran Royal Family thus resolving the differences between the two tribes of Amazons. This story is notable for bringing back George Perez to the fold who was the co-creator of the above Gods And Mortals and would go on to reach critical and fan acclaim with his five-year stint on the book.

GAMES ) As I said last month, I love my fighting games. Be they 2D or 3D, if there’s a fighting game out there that I haven’t experienced, I must try it out! Whilst 2D or 2.5D fighting games are my preference I do still love the 3D fighters out there. Like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter are my favourite 2D fighters, when it comes to 3D it’s all about Namco Bandai baby or more specifically: Tekken and Soul Calibur!

This month sees the home release of the latest instalment of the Tekken franchise, Tekken 7. Even though the base game was released in Japanese arcades way back in March 2015 this home version comes from the updated version that was released in July 2016 entitled Fated Retribution. Tekken 7 is apparently going to be the final

chapter in the Mishima clan storyline that has been the main driving plot of the series since its first instalment way back in 1994. It will finally provide answers to the ongoing feud between family patriarch Heihachi Mishima, his son, Kazuya Mishima, and his grandson, Jin Kazama, as well as detailing the unknown origins of the Devil Gene among other mysteries of the series. This game will also serve as the introduction to the matriarch of the Mishima clan and Heihachi’s wife, Kazumi Mishima, who was killed by her husband prior to the events of the first game. The rumours are that she is the link to the Devil Gene and also somehow serves as the final boss to the arcade mode, along with her massive fecking tiger! A special guest character will also play a vital role in the story after being hired by Kazumi to kill Heihachi if she cannot. This character is none other than bloody Akuma from the Street Fighter series, who joins the battle with his fighting style and all his special moves ripped straight out of Street Fighter IV. Fighting is like all the other games in the series but introduces three new mechanisms exclusive to this instalment. The first is Rage Art, which allows the player to execute critical attacks that deal around 30% damage to the opponent once their health is critical. The second is Rage Drive, which allows you to sacrifice your rage mode to empower attacks. Finally, the third is the Power Crush, which allows the player to continue attacking even while being hit by their opponent but they will still receive damage from these attacks.

The game features 38 characters (including palette swaps), some graphical updates and new stages not found in the arcade as well as a story mode exclusive to the home version. Overall the game is beautiful with some stunning special effects depending on how moves connect with the opponent. Stages are lush and plentiful and the game features a fantastic soundtrack.

Anyone who loves fighting games needs to get this for their collection as it’s deep, rewarding and overall fun to play.

GSCENE 51

SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN

) Paw Print Mug, £5.95; Brighton Bear Weekend Tee, £12; Bear Flag, £6.90 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's Street, Brighton, 01273 683680)

) Flamingo Candle Holder, £25 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861) ) Retro Enamel Cookware from £4.75 (Utility, 28a North Road, Brighton, 01273 626222) ) Colour-changing Umbrella, £24.99 (England at Home, 22b Ship Street, Brighton, 01273 205544) ) Backpack, made from recycled truck tarpaulins, from £75 (M-24, 15 Gardner Street, Brighton, 07525192098)

) Cloud Umbrella, £43; Chihuahua messenger bag, £23.99; Designer Barbie Ring, £70; Iguana cushion, £28.50 (Barbary Lane, 95 St George’s Road, Brighton, www.barbarylane.co.uk and Facebook)

GSCENE 53 on the steps of 10 Downing Street and paint her butt-naked self in purple and yellow stripes holding aloft a sign that reads “can you guess?”.

But in equal measure, although a supporter of the Labour Party until 2010, I cannot vote for that ramshackle bunch of innumerate half-wits either. If my friends were deserting me at the same rate as Jeremy Corbyn is having to reshuffle his front bench, I would be mainlining Prozac by Tuesday. What an absolute and at times horrific fiasco. This is our political reality.

It’s a mess.

CRAIG’S THOUGHTS Vive la Différence! Or tous les miserable – you decide. By Craig Hanlon-Smith @craigscontinuum ) And so here we are, hurtling towards a General Election the pundits and opposition politicians will tell you we neither expected nor should be holding. If the past 15 months or so have taught me anything, it is to expect the unexpected and that whether you appreciate the result or not, anything is possible, even the seemingly impossible.

I’m not going to spend the opportunity I have here instructing readers to not vote for the Conservative Party and list the reasons herein, or to ignore the difficulties faced by the Labour movement in its current form and try to elect them anyway, but I am going to ask that if you are reading this on or before June 8th to please think.

The election of Emmanuel Macron as the new President of France does give us pause for thought. Yes, that hope can win over hate but that right on the edge of our borders, traditional politics is changing and that that same change is present here too, if we listen.

Macron has served as a minister in a socialist Government, but he left the socialist party proper to set up his own movement En Marche!

Or Forward in Queen’s English.

A centrist movement that borrows from the right and left, but does not rummage around in the deeper pockets of either. What is illuminating is that to declare his centrist hand, he had to leave previous political affiliations behind and start again, unlike Tony Blair and David Cameron who both tried to steer their existing ships engaging full reverse throttle towards a similar destination. One might argue, that in different decades and for different reasons, both failed spectacularly.

They were not brave enough.

The EU referendum has divided this country but along lines that are unclear and do not follow previously understood or established political borders. There are staunch Conservatives who are saddened by the decision to leave the

European Union, and distraught at the sudden hard-line Brexit approach adopted by their leader and former soft remain supporter, Theresa May. There are life-long Labour supporters who voted leave and felt confused if not betrayed by their party’s ignorance of their feelings during the run up to the referendum, and the political u-turn on the issue has done nothing for their credibility since. Only those parties on the periphery, whether hard left, right or spiralling all over the place, have remained true to their pre-referendum position, possibly because they haven’t a cat in hell’s chance of forming a Government.

The problem with the UK political system is that we will never have a Macron moment. A politician screaming change or ‘yes we can’ on these shores must affiliate him or herself to the branded left or right and so any potential revolution or Macron style stomach upset is decades away. That is unless, we, the electorate, the ones who wield the true power but do not appear to know it, give our political system the true kicking it deserves from all sides.

To declare my own political hand in case you are yet to work it out, I will not vote Conservative. I’m too battered and bruised from the beatings of the past, and too suspicious of therapy to ever recover. I also in truth, cannot elect a local Conservative politician who now represents a party whose leader is adopting the policies of UKIP faster than I can sink an espresso martini, and trust me that’s fast. Theresa May might as well strip

And so my message is this. Do not let any of them win outright. The behaviour of the most recent Government demonstrates just how moderate the Conservatives were in coalition, and for my money coalition in our current broken and almost defunct political system is the only hope of real political change in the coming years. I believe Theresa May’s Conservative Party will clinch it, but please do not let her win big.

Of all the political hands I have been most impressed with recently, it is the Green’s Party’s decision to stand down candidates and ask their supporters to vote tactically in marginal seats, to force our big parties to talk to one another and soften their borderline extreme approaches.

Both Hove and Brighton Kemptown are marginal, we have an opportunity to send all of our politicians a clear message in the coming days, that it is we who are in charge, and it is we who will decide the political future of our nation.

If like I do, you have some friends who post less than cryptic messages on social media, bemoaning the loss of funny kitten videos and railing against the political posts or rantings of the likes of me, ignore them and post your political headaches even more, and then more again. DO discuss politics at the dinner table and DO NOT take no for an answer nor mind your Ps and Qs. In fact ‘Q’ and ‘P’ all over the table until your guests leave in disgust and if it is not your dinner party? Then ‘P’ up the wall too. Do become and table thumping fist clenching drinks party horror, because if you don’t, who will?

DO NOT think this is somebody else’s job. DO NOT think ‘it will all be alright in the end’. And as much as it irritates the British, DO follow the example of the French. In order to keep out the extremists, play your political hand in a way that is strategic and intelligent. Elect a Government in the United Kingdom, whilst it is still united, that sits up and remembers who they are here to serve: You. Your life, your world, your election. Get up off your disco arse, and do something for once.

Shout, scream, wail and then vote. And if your party doesn’t ‘win’, well at least you tried.

“Both Hove and Brighton Kemptown are marginal, we have an opportunity to send all of our politicians a clear message... that it is WE who are in charge, and it is WE who will decide the political future of our nation”

as they always are, have voted in a communist.

Pah, if you ask the French for an egg they’d give you an oeuf. Of course, Monseigneur Macrame can’t wait to re-establish that special relationship the French have always had with the English. He and Missus Merkin have stated that they’ll do anything in their power to help the people of Britain cast aside that whole Brexit thing. They’re so dependent on Britain as an entrée to the US, they’re desperate to win back the white nationalist Brexiteers and get back to the good old days where the French were just arrogant garlic-loving existentialists and the Germans Reich, sore losers.

CHARLIE SAYS Ladies and others, here is today’s Fake News, by Charlie Bauer Phd http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk ) Firstly, the NHS has opened a new facility at Brighton & Hove hospital at the cost of £350 million per week. As you can guess it’s rather plush and caters for the city as a whole. It will begin with the Boris Ward being opened by her majesty Theresa Slay, while a new mental health facility will be uncovered by an unspecified Royal who has had first-hand experience of depression and isolation.

Secondly, Theresa Maynot pushed the envelope on the usual Tory brand of electioneering. A recent quote on her whistle-stop bus tour to the provinces states that: This election is not about who people might have voted beforehand, it is about who they want to see leading this country over the next five years…

Hang on, who is she talking about? Of course, the democratically elected coalition of Camoron and Smeg all those decades ago.

Of course, the Tories could have won that race fair and square but no, in an act of fraternal bum-hugging, Dave offered Nicky the olive branch of treason. He was privately devastated that they were never elected as a coalition the following term. But then the people had spoken. Nicky was devastated - they all worked so well together. Oh well, on with the Tory show, after all, the people had voted.

Perhaps Saint Theresa is talking about herself here, reminding us that, together with the fact that The People had voted for Brexit, they also voted her in as Prime Minister, which of course they did in a landslide. So, to re-quote, the people we might have voted for beforehand are of course Theresa May and Boris Johnson, but they didn’t (see first article).

Then there is the difficult Trident question. It’s imperative that Trident is fore fronted. What defence will miniBritain have against the Islamwaffe when they fly over our shores dropping heaps of nuclear bombs? Of course, the US President will make sure that he supplies lots of loaded nuclear aircraft for the war effort. This, of course, being down to that

special relationship ever since WW2. The one now sealed by President 45 as he escorted the Prone Minister around the White House garden, holding her arm as if she’d nicked something from the Oval Office fridge.

Minister of War Doris Johannsson fears a Corbin Government will back away from using Trident in the event of a nuclear air raid, instead choosing to get people to man up and take to the trenches like their ancestors.

Another point is that 28 million jobs have been created for the white working class along the rusty belt of Pennsylvania. In these uncertain times Herr President has kept to his, well not his really, campaign pledges. Initially he had doubts around turning people back onto fossil fuel when the world no longer needs it. Ever since global warming was disproved on January 24, there has been a race to get those furnaces burning again. The prospect of a nuclear winter (see above) lasting well into the next millennium should create such a global demand. As any honest businessman will tell you: if there is no demand for something, create it, pocket the change and hot-foot it away sharpish.

Now about that Corbijn ‘make-over’. The fact that Jeremiah now has a six-pack, a feather cut and wears Avathromie and Bitch sweatshirts, has nothing to do with the election campaign or stylists rebranding him as Nouvelle La-bour. It has everything to do with doing some prime arse-kissing now that the French have seen sense and, being as contrary

Because all Brezziteers know the Holocaust didn’t really happen and that Zyklon B was just aromatherapy, we can see the emerging freedoms of the underclass to be represented in modern England under those European laws on health and wages. The English, well the bottom half, will be sad to see Scotland and Northern Ireland leave the union and will never penalise them for their decisions. These decisions are their decisions and those special relationships the Anglo Saxons have always peacefully held with the Celts will continue as they once began.

Another point of Fake News that needs clarifying: Hadrian’s Wall WILL NOT be replaced by an electric fence as promoted by some dissidents. Although, unlike at the end of the holy Roman Empire, a wall will never be built by the south. It will be the Scots who insist on the Wall to obscure the direct view of Whitehall.

Finally, to all the scaremongers out there, the Home Office will not be replaced by the Ministry of Truth. This is Fake News. There’s no reason to think of a boot stomping on a human face, forever - that’s all just jumbo-mumbo. There is no big society, big brother, big sister, big answer, big pay cheque or big future. We live in a democracy, don’t forget.

We will be able to vote online and all those votes will be counted somewhere by hand. It’s more efficient this way AND you don’t have to leave your desktop computer - all in the privacy of your lovely home. On your terms. If you ever feel you need to protest to make your feelings heard, you can organise and iSchedule each online in complete privacy™.

Just purely for safety purposes, you understand.

We can’t believe here that anyone would be against any of this. You mean you want to be nuked? Or not have a cash injection into the NHS? What is wrong with you all? This election result will be what you all voted for.

The people within some democracy have again voted.

“Another point of Fake News that needs clarifying: Hadrian’s Wall WILL NOT be replaced by an electric fence... a wall will never be built by the south. It will be the Scots who insist on the Wall to obscure the direct view of Whitehall”

GSCENE 55

WALL’S WORDS

GAY WISDOM

BY MIKE WALL

BY GAY SOCRATES

FANTASTIC BEARS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

BEARS AND MY REFLECTIONS ON MY REFLECTIONS ON MY REFLECTION

) So what is the general habitat of bears? Well bears can be found just about everywhere in the world, in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and even in the Arctic. But, more importantly, for one weekend every June, gay bears (homosexualitatis suapte Ursus) can be seen roaming in the general vicinity of central Brighton. This phenomenon has now been observed for several years and it would appear that the numbers seem to be increasing year on year. Last year we sent a team along to study this annual occurrence and to report back on their findings to help us to try and fully understand why these bears travel hundreds and even thousands of miles each year to the streets of Brighton. Below is a brief abridgment of that report.

“Well here they are at last ... the bears have finally arrived. Whilst experts had notified me that the bears would probably start arriving in mid June, I have to admit I was a bit sceptical. After several weeks of setting up our observation station in a central Brighton location, unfortunately we cannot disclose the exact site as doing so may put the bears at risk in future years, the bears did indeed turn up in great numbers. It was on 15 June that we first started to notice that more and more bears were joining the native bears and by the evening of 17 June it could almost be said that the St. James’s Street area of Brighton was overrun.

) I have a fear of bears because they have, in one way or another, got me into the realm of body judging! When I was a twink in the ‘body fascist’ phase of my life, I used to think that bears were just a bunch of guys with hairy backs who had lost the Battle of the Bulge and had found a way to reassure each other that the fight hadn’t been worth fighting in the first place.

Now in my twilight years, having hung around with The Faeries for the past eight years, and having conscientiously and consciously challenged my socially programmed preference for the Body Beautiful, I am just about able to summon up some compassionate forgiveness for the opinionated brat that I was!

However, when someone I meet says they are a bear, I kind of fear that my Faerie identity will be judged as too girly, not-manly-enough, nothairy-enough, not fat enough (with the wrong sort of fat), not socially-locally-connected enough, not interested enough in raising money for charity.

Since I don’t actually know any bears, I know these are simply my own personal projections onto a group of people who don’t deserve to be feared in this way.

Take the American Black Bear for instance. It seems like its reputation for being a dangerous killer is a whole lot of nonsense cooked up in the paranoia of the US collective sub-conscious. In reality they are beautiful, sweet and gentle creatures who are simply trying to get by, just like anyone else.

Anyway, the bear theme for this month got me thinking about my body and how I judge it (and how I fear it is judged by others). It reminded me that a few years ago, in a fit of self-improvement, I did an exercise aimed at flushing out my subconscious negative body self-talk. I stood in front of a mirror, naked, and wrote down all the words that sprang to mind to describe what I saw. Then by the side of each word I wrote down its opposite. This is what emerged: My Reflections on My Reflections on My Reflection Here is a Body, Vulnerable and Exposed…Shameless Sacred Holy, Totally Acceptable and Divine, Spiritually Balanced Slim and Trim, Surprisingly Youthful, Young and Vital

It's almost incredible to think that these fantastic creatures have travelled from across the world, through some inhospitable terrain to stop here, for just three or perhaps four nights, before moving on again. We observed them, in this their preferred environment, for a few days and we found that, typically, bears are friendly, easy-going and appear to interact in a very tactile way towards each other. We also noticed that these bears, unlike other bears in the wild, travel in packs and if you take on one bear, the entire cave can feel threatened, As such, like all animals, when provoked they will protect themselves and their pack. We did detect that there can be some demonstrations of territorial marking, but this is generally short-lived and tends to end quite peacefully.

Whilst we identified that there were a lot of stereotypical traits, we also noted that some bears and their followers did not fit into the general conventions we expected. We noticed that despite the fact that most bears enjoy food and drink and that beer is the alcohol of choice, you may also observe others partaking in other types of beverages. One final word of warning: please also note that during this study we also identified that another species has emerged which may appear to demonstrate some bear-like characteristics, please be aware that these may only be hipsters and are definitely NOT here for the Brighton Bear Weekend.”

Have a great bear spotting weekend.

Cuddly and Curvaceous, Smooth and Furry, Muscled Beautifully Androgynous, Masculine Enough, Dinky Genitals, Perfectly Formed Beautiful, Amazing, Hairy and Handsome Strong, Adapting, Dynamic, Evolving, Growing Wonderful, Changing, Regenerating, Miraculous!

Attractive, Sexually Magnetic, Tasty In Surprisingly Good Nick, A Great Oak, A Well-Looked-After Vintage Car Hello!

You are Smouldering, Sensual and Sensuous Feeling, Touching, Tasting, Smelling The Silent Witness and Guide Where Ethereal and Material Clash The Vessel, The Instrument, The Tool Transient, Transitory and Transitional Indispensable Now- Yet Ultimately Disposable Body! Talk To Me! Show Me How You Feel!

It’s an interesting exercise - try it and see what happens!

56 GSCENE city cousin who usually, I admit, isn’t very pretty? (But then who is with such a hard life?).

I blame the ‘Devil Fox Attacks Prams And Pensioners’ headlines that vilify our foxy friend. From what I can see they spend most of their lives trying to avoid humans and just go after the food that we either carelessly or thoughtfully provide. Those of you who don’t actually wash the plastic recycling can hardly blame them for trying to chew at those scraps of organic hummous.

Actually, foxes help to keep the rat population down, and I certainly know who I’d prefer to glimpse staring back at me in the twilight hours.

East Devon District Council has recently implemented a fines system for people habitually feeding seagulls, which I guess is alright. Except that if you feed birds in general, you can’t always know if the gulls will get there first, which would be my plea in court; “But I specifically put it there for the robins, honest I did”.

SHARP WORDS Foxy lady Del Sharp on her visitors of the night, taking a walk on the wild side and harbouring a guilty secret. ) Sharp Words’ ears prick up at the sounds of yelps and snarls in the night. Not inside, thankfully, but I’m not too alarmed - it’s like the crying seagulls or the rumble of skateboards so just part of a normal night sound tapestry of Brighton.

The city fox sounds, that are actually quite disturbing until you get used to them, barely wake me now. I love to look out of the window to see them and try to catch their eye. Once I saw eight of all sizes, cubs protected in the middle, capering down the road and was thrilled.

I have read that tipping your head and blinking makes them realise you’re trying to make friends. Though perhaps, in hindsight, my attempts to make friends from my front window in more scanty attire than in the daytime may have made the neighbours rather more cautious of me than usual. It’s just that having a pet fox visiting the garden gives me an extra interest in these wild urban creatures.

My fox, well I say my fox because it comes regularly to the garden and of course I want to feed it like everything else that visits.

People that I have shared my guilty secret with are horrified; “A fox killed my rabbit!” has been shrieked in my ear with as much anger as if I’d bitten the bunny myself. All I

could reply feebly with was that they might not attack anything if they were fed.

I don’t know if that’s true but I have witnessed foxes and cats sitting together on a lawn and actually I would rather have a full fox than a hungry one. Mine now has its own bowl in a far corner and we don’t cross paths, I just glimpse one in the garden on occasion dozing in the sun that locks eyes with me and I’m pretty sure it’s the one I put the food out for.

I started to buy knock down priced supermarket sandwiches that I thought it might like and I was amused at the way the lettuce and tomato got rejected. So now I stick to the pretty safe option of dog food rather than have a garden that looks like the outside of a kebab shop. Also, any kind of human leftovers seem to go down well, though mine tend to be lacking in any meat!

Why do people have such a romanticised view of foxes in the countryside,, yet despise their

I’m not sure if it’s right to legislate against feeding wild animals, so I hope no one will become foxist as well. I could well be leaving food out for hedgehogs after all, though having looked into this it’s rather more complex than I thought.

Apparently, hedgehogs can travel miles throughout the night and a local network garden scheme for encouraging visits between gardens requires holes to be cut into the fences. However, with dogs on both sides of the house, this spike-friendly mobility scheme is sadly not going to work for me, though I’d love to see them in the garden. They say that cat food is the best thing to feed them, though I think it might well attract the furrier night visitor.

While I’m glad the fox eats everything up, I’m not too keen on the neat little poo being left in the bowl business. It’s not hygienic for either of us, especially not for me as I’m the one who has to clean it up.

I only momentarily thought it was to show gratitude - like belching in some cultures is considered an honour after being fed, but of course I know very well that it’s to do with scent marking or something. However, as it already does that on the lawn (another cleaning job I look forward to), maybe it really is showing appreciation for the lamb and rosemary terrine in its own foxy way? But if it ever starts bringing me gifts of rat, then a salad bowl is all that will be on the menu.

“I would rather have a full fox than a hungry one. Mine now has its own bowl in a far corner”

GSCENE 57

TWISTED

GILDED GHETTO

BY ERIC PAGE

HOT GOSSIP

BY MICHAEL STEINHAGE

PLOTS AND PANS

ARE YOU BEAR WITHOUT THE HAIR?

) My dear grandmother Ivy had once trekked across the jungle of Cambodia in search of a lost saucepan. She’d lent it to a Gwen who lived next door but one to her in Hafodyrynys and absconded with a Kampuchean chef called Butan, his spicy after dinner treats had caught more than Mrs Llewellyn’s imagination and she’d run off with him, packing her kitchen up, as any decent Welsh woman worth her Bara brith would do and headed east for a new life. In them days, Cardiff Docks was the gateway to the world and once you’d ploughed through the Tiger Bay Warblers a feared gang of dual heritage girls who would overpower you with huge vocal numbers and then while you lay stunned on the floor would strip you of any valuables and be off into the night. Their leader, Ma Treble, and her live in ‘lady friend’, Mrs Bassey, ruled Cardiff with a tuning fork of iron but my grandmother had once helped Treble and Bassey out with some ‘clearing up’ as she called it, so swiftly got on the next boat east.

) “Lacroix, Sweety! Labels!” as they used to say on Ab Fab. Yeah, back in those days it was all about labels, and labels were fabulous.

Are they still?

My grandfather Jack, who, other than marry Ivy, had done nothing remarkable or remotely brave in his life, shrugged when I asked him why she had gone and explained that during the war, with bombs raining down and whole back-to-back terraces being swallowed by tonnes of incendiary ordinance falling from the sky, Ivy had engraved her premium bond numbers on the bottom of her copper saucepans to protect them in case, as was indeed the case, of the house taking a direct hit and burning to the ground. My grandfather insisted she had used her tongue. Her pans, some boxes with heavy metal sheets nailed to them and the contents of her asbestos hat box were the only survivors of fire. My great aunt Mable having met her fate valiantly rescuing the budgies from the bottom of the garden. They escaped into the night, along with her soul and established a breeding colony in Cefn-y-crib that still pulls twitching avian peepers from all around the valleys for their colourful displays.

It's the Brighton Bear Weekend, which is what got me reminiscing about them in the first place. Labels can of course be either, the clothes we wear or the images we choose to define ourselves. Now, a bear in Lacroix... no, forget that image!

'Bear' is a subdivision of the label 'Gay'. Sure, gays like things neat so there was bound to be a category system. But what is a bear? A simple question with a much trickier answer. Is it a man who rejects the femininity so often associated with homosexuality? One who doesn't conform to the body stereotype portrayed by the gay media? Just a regular guy? And most importantly, can you be a bear without the hair?

One theory goes that a bear arises when all the grooming and blooming just gets too much. Let it go, and become a bear is the advice. I almost want to agree, but I'll admit right now that I'm hardly the authority on the subject, as I don't like 'em hairy, it's just not my thing. I get annoyed at having to pick bits out my teeth when I'm making out. Others however swear by it. My friend Brian won't touch you if you're not covered in soft layer of curlies, front and back. Yet we both agree that we like big shoulders and thighs, features of many a bear. So do we both like bears? Or are we now talking muscle bears? Or is it wolves? What about otters and foxes and cubs?

“I get annoyed at having to pick bits out my teeth when I'm making out”

When Ivy caught up with Mrs Llewellyn there was some sharp exchanges and hair pulling before order was restored by a platoon sent to subdue the Welsh harpies from the King of Siam and my grandmother was carted off, clinging to her saucepans and a thick wedge of Mrs Llewellyn’s perfectly dyed black hair. After a few months teaching Bhumbi (as she called the King), she managed to jump a freighter bound for Newport Docks and arrived back with a hamper full of pepper, her saucepans and a rather cheeky long tailed macaque called Jack. He’d been chained up in the garden and my grandmother, who couldn’t bear cruelty to animals (just humans), packed him up and brought him home. When he died, well before I was born, she had him stuffed and mounted in the hallway dressed in a gorgeous bespoke ball gown, he was posed looking in a gilded mirror and as you walked past seemed to say ‘be exquisite and never explain.’

Oh this is getting confusing, this family tree is going to topple over any minute now! Anyone know a good (butch and beary) tree surgeon? This is the opinion of many, who are calling for the catalogueing to be abolished. Stop boxing yourself in, they say. Why label ourselves? They rightly point out that these factions can cause division in a community that has always needed, and still needs, unity to face the challenges that affect us all.

Which brings us to the label that matters the most. The big one, bigger than a bear! I sang 10 Hail Muscle Marys, when at long last I could put aside all the confusion and guilt and uncertainty of presumed heterosexuality, and stick my 'GAY' label on my chest.

That I often covered it up with a cardie those first few years is besides the point, at least I knew who I was and I was glad for my label, it gave me identity. It gives all of us identity, whether bear, twink, twunk or hunk. We might have wildly varying opinions on eyebrow tweezers or leather kilts, but we're in this together, and stronger together. Be yourself, whatever box you climb in or out of this weekend, and if you're a bear, let me hear you growl!

58 GSCENE second trip I was able to wear a wig despite pain and itching for a few hours, but a few hours afforded me some welcome dysphoria relief.

Now I feel like I’m back to step one. Once again I’m miserable about the summer ahead of me, having to stay out of the sun, covered up, without a wig, and I hate it. I hate that I wasn't allowed to transition as a young girl before I lost my hair. I hate that nobody would help me when I was a teenager. I hate that I grew a beard that I’m now slowly getting rid of. I hate that I am 6ft 2. I hate that I have size 10/44 feet. Basically I feel as though I hate being trans. Who would choose this life for themselves?

PICS BY ALICE BLEZARD

Being trans is so tiring. I question my ability to continue with transition. I wonder whether I should have taken what seems like the easier path of suicide, opposed to the much harder path of transition. I wonder if I’ll ever be happy with my outward appearance. I wonder if I have the strength to make it through these next turbulent years as my body goes through transition. I wonder if I’ll still be a victim of suicide, but then, I remember.

TRANSITIONING WITH SUGAR Looking forward, by Ms Sugar Swan ) Today sees me one week post-op of my fourth, and hopefully last, hair transplant surgery. Back in late February, I headed to Latvia after a long search for a surgeon who would take on my hair restoration case. A tricky one due to the very advanced state of my balding. In the April issue of Gscene I covered my search for a surgeon and my experience of Latvia as a solo trans woman (you can read this online in back issues).

I returned from Latvia having endured two days of surgery averaging 14 hours per day. Fifty per-cent of my restoration was complete and I had surgery dates booked in for early May for two more days in theatre to complete the work. As torturous as the process was, and as hard as I found it to be alone and trans in an ex-Soviet State, it’s not those experiences that have stayed with me over the last two months and have lead to a spiral in my mental ill health, causing me to isolate myself from those I love and avoid social situations. It was

the actual thing that I am proactively trying to correct, my lack of hair.

Following surgery my head is swollen, painful, very delicate, takes a lot of care, and wigs are completely out of the question. Whilst presurgery I could choose to wear a wig or not, post-op I’m unable to wear one and that’s completely different. Should I wish to wet shave my head and present as a bald woman, all power to me. When I’m post-op and have patches of hair growth, areas yet to be worked on and areas with baby hair growing, I don’t feel like a powerful bald woman but I’m more conscious than ever of my head and troublesome hair. In the two weeks before my

I remember that I’ve invested many thousands of pounds into my transition already. I remember that I’ve just put myself through four 14 hour long operations to restore my hair, full results of which I won’t see for around two years. I remember that I’m battling the side effects of HRT and that the results of feminisation will not peak for many years. I remember that I’m working towards further surgeries in 2018 and 2020. Going through these slow processes, planning them, and seeing them through makes me realise that I’m investing in my future. I actually have a future, I don't hate being trans, and I’m not going to be the victim of suicide.

I’m a proud trans woman and I love the fact that I’m finally able to transition. I do see a life for me in old age, I do have a plan, I plan to live. Being trans has allowed me to live, and, therefore, I love being trans. I love myself, and I’m doing everything I can to make my future a long, productive and worthwhile one. Being trans has saved my life and I try my very best to be a good advocate and activist for the cause.

Being one week post-op, I am, of course, feeling sorry for myself. I recognise all the signs of Post-Operative Depression. I’m sleep deprived, in horrendous pain, I can't chew as it hurts my temples, and I’m struggling to self care and remember my pills and injection regimes.

Despite all this I must tell myself it’s only temporary, it’s another step to feeling as comfortable with my gender presentation as I do with my gender identity, and that it is all part of my bigger plan. A plan that does not include suicide.

“Going through these slow processes... and seeing them through makes me realise that I’m investing in my future. I actually have a future, I don't hate being trans, and I’m not going to be the victim of suicide”

GSCENE 59

SAM TRANS MAN

support I believe that those of us who are older and fraternise in different circles, can reach out and change others’ thinking.

Dr Samuel Hall on transphobia in the medical profession and what equality really means.

But it’s hard work. My medical contemporaries don’t think there’s anything new to learn.

Some argue that they ‘get’ that some people think they’re living in the wrong body and need to change it, so what else is there to learn?

) I’m going off-piste this month. Those of you who write will know that the simple act of writing, whether it be a personal diary, a blog, a column for public consumption or any other medium, is of itself cathartic. I have an issue that I need to process or try to come to terms with and you, my readers, are the audience. I can say here what I really mean, talk about my feelings, opine on matters of importance to me, all without moving from my laptop. I expect no response and have no sense of how you will receive my words. It’s an extraordinary yet terrifying privilege.

There is also a great responsibility. I feel the burden of duty to make correct statements of fact. Whilst writing for this column, I often spend hours fact-checking my content for fear of misinforming the reader. I don't know how many people read this as it’s rare to get feedback, although I do have one faithful fan who contacts me regularly, and a smattering of positive remarks have been made in person.

A couple of times I’ve touched someone enough for them to contact me on social media to thank me. I’ve never had negative remarks or personal attacks as a result of this column, and I’m extremely grateful for that. I expect it will happen at some point, and I must brace myself for it every time I put pen to paper - it’s a price that is always paid at some point for increasing visibility.

Over the past four years I have amassed around 40,000 - 50,000 words, documenting my thoughts and feelings around trans issues, both mine and others’. I’ve taken the opportunity to educate myself and through my words, I hope, bring a deeper understanding of trans identities to the wider LGBT community. Writing for you, my reader, has helped me clarify my own understanding, allowed me to mature and develop my own sense of self as a transgender man in this

rapidly changing world. You get a window into what is happening to me during my transition, which is ongoing, and I get a faceless audience. You are watching me through a twoway mirror, I know you are there, but I cannot see you.

People around me at home in Brighton are surprised to discover that I’m not ‘out’ at work. I really struggle to be myself, to live my life in the open as a transgender man and a doctor. I do want to be at the vanguard, a role-model for others who follow, but I find it very hard to actually do it.

I have confided in a handful of trusted colleagues only, and I’m certainly not the shining example of change that I could be were I a braver person. My profession is so transphobic - not everyone obviously - but a big enough contingent that my life could be made professionally very difficult if not impossible. I don't have any sense of being able to be truly me in the workplace.

Transphobia is so rife in the medical profession, that even the doctors who treat us, prescribe hormones, operate on us, are subject to it. I know a surgeon whose colleagues won’t shake his hand when he walks into a room. I know doctors who’ve been professionally persecuted because of their involvement in gender medicine. And I know that being trans and a doctor is a tough place to be.

I also know that I, and others like me (there are very few of us), have a sense of obligation to change the culture in medicine. We are hugely helped by young graduates who have grown up in a freer world, are themselves LGBT-identified or have friends and colleagues who are. These baby and future doctors are open-minded, interested, non-judgemental.

They are our allies. By harnessing their

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.

Yet more have had good relationships with trans-identified patients and are sympathetic and helpful, but still do not really believe that this is something that affects people like them. They have muddled through the odd case and managed ok, but don’t really have a clue what is actually going on during transition.

Their transphobia is simply fear of the powerful forces at work here.

You see the existence of trans people, the conversations we’re having about gender, and the fact that we’re identifying the social and cultural forces that are shaping this construct, are breaking down the biggest and most deepseated barrier to full equality amongst humankind.

The gender divide is so entrenched across the planet, the subjugation of women because they are ‘different’ to men is reflected in all corners of the globe. Sometimes it’s more heavily disguised than others, sometimes it’s very apparent, but misogyny is rife, subtle and insidious.

If we truly understood equality, which does not mean ‘sameness’, if we really got that one’s sense of self in terms of gender is a construct that is unrelated to biological body parts, transphobia would disappear into the annals of history. There would be no fear of people changing their bodies to feel more at peace with themselves. And gender itself as a concept would melt away as we finally begin to appreciate that we are all one. Humanity.

Those within the trans community who define themselves as non-binary are leading the way here. It is transcendent thinking.

CLARE PROJECT

CLARE PROJECT

TUES 2.30–5.30PM

NEW MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING GROUPS FOR 2017

meets every

BRIGHTON & HOVE MAYOR’S CHARITY

Others have very strongly held beliefs about it - on religious grounds or otherwise - that it’s wrong to transition, that it goes against nature, that it must be a mental illness, and simply won’t engage at all.

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 5–7.30PM

INCLUDING

www.clareproject.org.uk

OLDER AND TRANS

f Clare Project clareprojectinfo@gmail.com

PLEASE SEE CLARE PROJECT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

60 GSCENE again Hari though it didn’t really matter, what you did next was the important bit.

Hari resolved he wasn’t going to stay in semihibernation if they could help it. There had to be something that would help, help get them up and about, even if it was just a bit.

Eventually, Hari went to the GP and described the symptoms, without calling it ‘depression’, though that was what they now suspected.

The GP was good, she listened, even though she didn’t have lots of time, and she suggested a range of options of things which might help.

MINDOUT Coming out of Hibernation www.mindout.org.uk

) Hari had never thought of themselves as bear-like before. Seasonal Affective Disorder is quite well known these days and Hari had suffered in the winter for many years. They often felt low, lacking energy, pessimistic and some days just unable to get out of bed and out of the house. Hari had friends who reacted similarly, starting when the clocks went back and usually perking up in spring.

One day a friend joked that Hari was a bear – they certainly had the hair and the build for it – but it got Hari thinking about whether they had a mental health problem or whether retreating in the winter was more of a ‘natural’ state. At least they felt that way when Spring came, the days got longer and they felt more energetic.

But this year it seemed harder, spring arrived but Hari just didn’t feel it. They felt slow, everything was an effort of mammoth proportions. Staying in bed had never been so overwhelming. Work was just too hard, Hari stopped going out. Hari felt worse than ever.

Spring can be a really challenging time for mental health, when we are all supposed to feel better, when other people are enjoying better weather, being outside more, starting new projects. When bears come out of hibernation they are ready, primed for another year of life.

Hari felt life hanging heavy on their shoulders, not at all sure what would help, where these feelings had come from. How could they manage to shake off the hibernation blues? Would it just be better to stay under the duvet, stay indoors? Maybe their problems were not just seasonal after all.

Hari felt more and more alone. It seemed noone else was experiencing the same feelings.

In the end, Hari confided in a friend and told her how scared he was and how difficult it felt to keep going, how frightened he was that he was letting everything slip: he wasn’t eating well, sleeping way too much and cutting himself off from friends and family.

They started talking about worst fears ever and to their surprise, Hari realised that their worst fear was long term depression. Hari had always suspected that their father had been depressed, he was a withdrawn, morose and very quiet man. But he had been very negative about any suggestion that anything could be done, he was very resigned to being unhappy. Hari had no idea what had caused his father’s low mood, he had never talked about it.

Hari felt a chill, he really didn’t want to end up miserable for years like his father had been. Hari wondered how much about mental health could be inherited, or whether it was learnt from early childhood onwards. Then

“There are no easy answers, no way out that suits everyone. For some people, depression may come and go, in rhythm with the seasons or not connected at all”

Hari agreed that being alone all the time was not helping and made a plan to go out more, to go out when he could manage it and to keep their expectations low. Hari knew this wouldn’t change overnight. Hari also looked for mental health support and found some useful advice online, like the ‘5 ways to wellbeing’ and other self-help reminders. Hari thought about talking treatments and decided to try a course of counselling – after all, talking to their friend had been such a revelation.

Hari had to let their employers know, their sickness absence was so much and they felt they had to come clean, ‘come out’ about mental health and stop pretending it was a bad run of coughs and colds. Doing that on their own felt too much, so Hari contacted MindOut for some support about work.

MindOut was able to help Hari think through how to talk to their manager: what the response might be, what they wanted out of it, what Hari wanted to talk about and what they didn’t, when and how Hari wanted to return to work etc. When it came to it, Hari asked the advocate to come to the meeting for support, to help Hari keep the conversation safe and on-track and to de-brief afterwards.

It was hard. Many times Hari just felt too awful to be positive, too overwhelmed by it all to see any kind of end to it. Many people experience this when they are depressed, there are no easy answers, no way out that suits everyone. For some people, depression may come and go, in rhythm with the seasons or not connected at all.

MINDOUT INFO If you have experienced anything similar, or would like to talk to someone about any aspect of mental health, please do contact MindOut. All MindOut services are confidential, run by LGBTQ people with lived experience of mental health issues, free and non-judgemental.

You can contact us by ) Email info@mindout.org.uk ) Call 01273 234839 (or via our out of hours online service) ) See our website www.mindout.org.uk for opening times

GSCENE 61

SERVICES DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES

) 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

) NAVIGATE

LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net

Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people. Every 1st Wed 7-9pm & 3rd Sat of month 1-3pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info see https://navigatebrighton.wordpress.com/

) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT

) PEER ACTION

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

Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk

) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE

) RAINBOW FAMILIES

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 f Brighton LGBT Police t@policeLGBT t@PCLaker

Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk

) ACCESS 4 ALL

) 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

) 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

Help-line with email & webchat facility from 5pm daily on 01273 204 050.

• LGBT specialist face to face low cost counselling service, • LGBT Older peoples' project, • LGBT HIP engagement project.

• Volunteering opportunities 01273 234 009. www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton

Christian church serving the LGBTQ community. Sundays 6pm, Somerset Day Centre, Kemptown 07476 667353, www.thevillagemcc.org

) BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE

Sussex HIV & AIDS info service 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org

Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups.

01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.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.

For info email info@brightongems.com www.brightongems.com

) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON

HIV PREVENTION, CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES ) AVERT

) BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy.

Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall.

01273 733390 ext 520 or www.brightonhovecab.org.uk

) CLINIC M

Local social group offers friendship, social events, meet 1st Thur at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. 07594 578 035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk

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

) LESBIAN & GAY AA

) LAWSON UNIT

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

Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. 01273 664 722

) SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE Pavillions Partnership. Info, advice, appointments & referrals 01273 731 900.

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/

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

24 hour nursing & medical care, day care 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

) MCC BRIGHTON

) TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SERVICES

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

) SUSSEX BEACON

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.

) 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 ) MAINLINERS 02075 825226 ) NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123 ) NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600 ) THT AIDS Treatment phoneline 08459 470047 ) THT direct 0845 1221200

62 GSCENE

CLASSIFIEDS

JUN 2016

BUILDERS / ELECTRICIANS / HOME DESIGN PAINTERS & DECORATORS / PLUMBERS

LEGAL SERVICES

CALL 01273 749947 BY 12TH JUN TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT

LGBTQ CHURCH THE VILLAGE

Est 1990

METROPOLITAN

RAINBOW DECOR

07749 471497

COMMUNITY CHURCH

Rooted in and serving LGBTQ communities

CITB Qualifie d

Meeting at The Somerset Day Centre 62 St James St, Brighton BN2 1PR

Guaranteed Work carried out by Gay Professional Man

Sundays at 6pm

Painting & Decorating Interior / Exterior

Tel: 07476 667 353 • thevillagemcc.org

HANDY MAN & ODD JOBS

MT

CARPENTRY & BUILDING

FREE ESTIMATES

MASSAGE & TREATMENTS

07939 581 791

LOFT CONVERSIONS • EXTENSIONS • BRICKWORK PAINTWORK • DECORATING • INSURANCE REPAIRS

EVENTS SERVICES

JOBS/ SITUATIONS

WEBSITE UPDATE AND MAINTENANCE Looking after your Website • Content Update • Security

• Backup • SEO

www.bessi.co.uk

FROM

29

£

per month

CHAT LINES

TERE! Estonian Graduate Teacher Wanted Able to explain basic language & grammar to a beginner.

AITÄH! Peter: 07811 166846

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37 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemptown) 118 St James’ St, 01273 692424 www.justinlloyd.co.uk 38 JUSTIN LLOYD (Brunswick) 111 Western Rd, 01273 692424 www.justinlloyd.co.uk

) FOOD 1 AMSTERDAM 11-12 Marine Parade, 01273 688 826 www.amsterdambrighton.com 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, 01273 622386 www.camelford-arms.co.uk 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 www.charles-street.com 39 CUP OF JOE 28 St George’s Rd, 01273 698873 www.cupofjoebrighton.co.uk 11 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 www.legendsbrighton.com 12 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 01273 681284 www.marinetavern.co.uk 25 NEW STEINE BISTRO 12a New Steine, 01273 681546 www.newsteinehotel.com 13 PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Road, 01273 724195 www.parishouse.com 17 THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS 59 North Rd, 01273 608571 www.three-jolly-butchers.co.uk 18 VELVET JACKS 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks

) SAUNAS 40 BOILER ROOM 84 Denmark Villas, 01273 723733 www.theboilerroomsauna.com 41 BRIGHTON SAUNA 75 Grand Parade, 01273 689966 www.thebrightonsauna.com

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29 DENTAL HEALTH SPA 14–15 Queens Rd, 01273 710831 www.dentalhealthspa.co.uk 30 THT BRIGHTON 61 Ship St, 01273 764200 31 VELVET TATTOO 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks

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D 1 AMSTERDAM 11-12 Marine Parade, 01273 688 826 13 PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Rod, 01273 724195 www.amsterdambrighton.com www.parishouse.com 2 BAR BROADWAY WEST PIER 14 PRISCILLA’S 10 Steine Street, 01273 609777 129 St James St, 604076 www.barbroadway.co.uk 15 QUEEN’S ARMS 3 BAR REVENGE ) HOTELS 7 George St, 01273 696873 7 Marine Parade, 01273 606064 thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms 21 AVALON HOTEL www.revenge.co.uk 7 Upper Rock Gdns, 01273 692344 16 SUBLINE 4 BEDFORD TAVERN 129 St James St, 01273 624100 22 GULLIVERS HOTEL 30 Western Street, 01273 739495 www.sublinebrighton.co.uk 12a New Steine, 01273 695415 5 BOUTIQUE BAR www.gullivershotel.com 2 Boyces St @ West St, 01273 327607 17 THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS 59 North Rd, 01273 608571 23 HOTEL PELIROCCO www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com www.three-jolly-butchers.co.uk 10 Regency Sq, 01273 327055 6 BULLDOG TAVERN 18 VELVET JACKS 24 HUDSONS 31 St James’ St, 01273 696996 50 Norfolk Square, 07720 661290 22 Devonshire Place, 01273 683642 www.bulldogbrighton.com http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks 11 LEGENDS HOTEL 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 30-31 Camelford St, 01273 622386 19 ZONE 33 St James’ St, 01273 682249 www.legendsbrighton.com www.camelford-arms.co.uk www.zonebrighton.co.uk 25 NEW STEINE HOTEL 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 10/11 New Steine, 01273 681546 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 ) CLUBS www.newsteinehotel.com www.charles-street.com 11 BASEMENT CLUB (below Legends) 26 QUEENS HOTEL 9 DOCTOR BRIGHTON’S 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 1/3 Kings Rd, 01273 321222 16 Kings Rd, 01273 208113 www.legendsbrighton.com www.queenshotelbrighton.com www.doctorbrightons.co.uk 5 BOUTIQUE CLUB 10 GROSVENOR BAR 2 Boyces St @ West St, 01273 327607 ) HEALTH 16 Western Street, 01273 438587 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com 27 BRIGHTON STATION HEALTH 11 LEGENDS BAR 8 ENVY (above Charles St Bar) CENTRE Aspect House, 84-87 31-34 Marine Parade, 01273 624462 8-9 Marine Parade, 01273 624091 Queens Rd, 0333 3210946 www.legendsbrighton.com www.charles-street.com www.brightonstationhealthcentre.nhs.uk 12 MARINE TAVERN 20 REVENGE 28 CLINIC M Claude Nicol 13 Broad St, 01273 681284 32-34 Old Steine, 01273 606064 Abbey Rd, 01273 664721 www.marinetavern.co.uk www.revenge.co.uk www.brightonsexualhealth.com/node/11

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) COMMUNITY 43 BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE 72 High St, 01273 698036 www.womenscentre.org.uk 44 LUNCH POSITIVE Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, 07846 464384 www.lunchpositive.org