James Ledward, Graham Robson, Sarah Green ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman
SUB -EDITOR Graham Robson
DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER
MODEL Nicole Gibson
STYLIST Giulia Carri
PHOTO Sharon Kilgannon www.alonglines.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, PC Rich Bridger, Suchi Chatterjee, Sabah Choudrey, John Cohen, Maeve Devine, Fox and Lewis, Dr Sam Hall, Craig Hanlon Smith, Rev Michael Hydes, Enzo Marra, Netty, Carl Oprey, Mitchell Orriss, Eric Page, Sarah Savage, Del Sharp, Keith Sharpe, Rory Smith, Gay Socrates, Darren Sole, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Phil Bailey ukmomentcatcher.com, Michael Hootman, James Ledward, Ian Mager-Playford, Natasha Parker-Small, Proud Parkers Photography, Roy & Jean @ Funky Fish, Nikki Thompson
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
PRIDE VILLAGE PARTY IS GO GO GO!
Plans have been given the green light by Brighton & Hove Council and Sussex Police for this year’s Pride Village Par ty to go ahead as a ticketed event for a one-year trial
) The organisers of Brighton Pride are promising two days of fabulous community celebrations in a safe and welcoming environment this August as the Pride Village Par ty delivers for the first time a unique fundraising event that benefits LGBT/HIV organisations that provide effective front-line services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove For the first time ever, Brighton & Hove Council will allow the Pride Village Par ty to extend to the main seafront road Marine Parade will be closed to traffic for the event, creating a larger and safer Pride Village Par ty for everyone to enjoy
The Pride Village Par ty will take place from 6pm on Saturday, August 2 with enter tainment star ting from around 8pm and continuing until 12 30am, after the Preston Park festival finale show
Pride Sunday kicks off from 2pm and will feature various enter tainment zones dedicated to cabaret, bears and disco with performers and DJs delivering the perfect soundtrack to your Pride Sunday Village Par ty celebrations and finishing with a candlelit vigil in New Steine Gardens late in the evening to remember those friends lost to HIV/AIDS
With so many of Brighton’s favourite local bars, venues, businesses and the R ainbow Fund suppor ting the Pride Village Par ty this year, there’ll be plenty choice of where to meet up with friends and raise a toast to your Pride weekend and to friends no longer with us
VILLAGE PARTY PLEDGE BANDS
Support the local businesses that are directly supporting the Pride fundraising effor t for the Rainbow Fund by
selling the pledge bands and Pride tickets and help make this year’s Village Street Par ty a fresh star t with a fundraising purpose giving us all truly proud weekend
Two-day £5 wristbands (£1 donation ring fenced for the R ainbow Fund) will be available online and at local outlets and suppor ting venues from the beginning of July Residents and people working within the fenced zone will receive free access wristbands Information is being circulated by letter and will be posted on a residents’ information page on the Pride website
Pride Village Par ty pledge bands will be available from beginning of July from suppor ting venues and businesses You can purchase the pledge bands now through the Pride website and collect from the Pride Welcome Centre above Charles Street at Envy from Sunday, July 27–Wednesday, July 30 from 11am–5pm and Thursday, July 31–Friday, August 1 from 11am–9 30pm
You can also collect the pledge bands from the box office inside Preston park on Saturday, August 2
It has not been possible to offer joint main festival and Pride Village pledge bands this year as Pride tickets have been on sale since February and with the go ahead for the Pride Village Par ty only being given at the beginning of June it has not been possible to integrate the box office scanning system
Pride have a frequently asked questions page on their website about the Village Street Par ty To view: www.brighton-pride.org/event.php?id=1402229131
SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY AND GET A FREE TICKET FOR PRIDE
) Brighton Pride is a non-profit community interest company (CIC) with just two full-time members of administration staff Last year, with the help of volunteers and suppor ters, Pride smashed their fundraising target and raised over £43,000 for the R ainbow Fund to distribute through their grants programme to LGBT/HIV organisations in Brighton & Hove
Paul Elgood of the Rainbow Fund said of Pride’s fundraising role: "Pride has made a significant contribution to the local L GBT community sector, and hav e created a sustainable and secure source of funding for the smaller v olunteer-led community groups w ho can rely on this funding to operate Pride asked the R ainbow Fund to prov ide a fair and needs-led basis for distributing the funding to those local groups w ho need it most"
Pride is in continual need of volunteers to help out on the day as Parade Stewards, Placard volunteers and R ainbow Flag Bearers Brighton Pride simply does not happen without the essential contributions made by volunteers, and it is the per fect way to celebrate a Pride with purpose where community helps community
HERE’S JUST THREE WAYS TO HELP:
) COMMUNITY PARADE STEWARD
Register as a Parade Steward and help ensure the Parade remains a rainbow of diversity highlighting and recognising LGBT communities around the world where they don't have the Freedom to Live
)
78 PLACARDS VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer to car r y one of the 78 Freedom to Live placards on the Brighton Pride LGBT Community Parade and be par t of a campaign we can all tr uly be proud of Help Pride highlight the inequalities LGBTQ communities across the globe face in their daily lives and demand that ever yone, regardless of sexuality or gender, deser ves Freedom to Live Help make Pride Matter!
) RAINBOW FLAG BEARER
This year Brighton Pride will continue the proud tradition and include a giant 50ft long rainbow flag in the LGBT Community Pride Parade Pride needs you to become a proud flag bearer It’s a fabulous way to be a par t of Brighton Pride as the parade celebrates, campaigns and sashays its way through the streets of our city
Email volunteer enquiries to: billie@brightonpride org
STRIKE A BRIGHTON POSE!
) Strike A Brighton Pose is a snapshot of LGBTQ clubbing in Brighton & Hove for the Brighton Pride Ar ts & Film Festival at Jubilee Librar y, Brighton from Monday, July 21 – Sunday, August 3 A rite of passage for so many, LGBTQ clubbing has provided us with more than just a soundtrack to our lives in Brighton & Hove The disco became our family, helped us forget our identities and connected us to community, friends and lovers Disco is where the homo is Disco is our home Strike A Brighton Pose examines the city’s LGBTQ clubbing history, through flyers, ar twork, photography and the memories of those who were there From clubbers to promoters, venue owners to DJs, hosts to designers, it’s a personal snapshot of our city’s most fabulous dancefloor moments
Conceived and curated by Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine, the exhibition reflects the 30 plus years they’ve spent in the LGBTQ discos of Brighton By repositioning the humble flyer as ar twork and the clubber as social historian, Strike A Brighton Pose transforms the disco into a vital beat slice of queer history The exhibition includes original collages by Kate Wildblood, framed original flyer ar twork, a 12” box filled with tales, photographs and flyers from dance floor favourites, a chance to relive your disco adventure through the 7” memory box and plenty of oppor tunities to Strike a Brighton Pose Plus, of course, the obligatory disco ball
Strike A Brighton Pose is par t of the 2014 Brighton Pride Ar ts & Film Festival and a fundraising event for Brighton Pride and the R ainbow Fund, a grant-giving fund for local LGBTQ and HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to the LGBT community in Brighton & Hove Library opening hours: Mon, Tue & Thur 10am-7pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 10am-5pm and Sun 11am-5pm
LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER OPENS NEW STUDIO
) Freelance photographer, Nick Ford, realised his ambition last month with the opening of his new photographic studio Cllr Denise Cobb, the Deputy Mayor of Brighton & Hove, was on hand to officially declare the studio open and get Nick's new business venture up and running Located in one of Brighton's up and coming areas, Oxford Street is par t of the Mar y Por tas Pilot Project which helps regenerate town centres His studio is sandwiched between London Road and the newly developed Level area and provides studio space for por traiture, exhibition and office space
Nick has been a freelance photographer for a number of years and engages with the LGBT community through singing with the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus His photographic work ranges from family and group por traits, weddings, civil par tnerships, pet por traits, charity events and par ties right down to passpor t photos, head shots and location work More info: www nickfordphotography co uk
DRINK IN BRIGHTON PRIDE COCKTAIL
) Brighton Pride are raising a glass to DrinkInBrighton co uk who have the largest collection of pubs, clubs and bars in Brighton During July, Drink In Brighton venues are selling a ver y special Pride Cocktail at each of their 40 venues across the city including The Marlborough Pub & Theatre, The Sidewinder, Sticky Mike's Frog Bar, Open House, The Quadrant and Riki Tik
The Pride Apple Bite Cocktail is a mix of lemonade, apple juice and Smir noff Gold with a dash of freshly squeezed lime and will be
creating a proud stir this summer. 25p from each Pride Apple Bite Cocktail sold will be donated to Brighton Pride and the R ainbow Fund Suppor t from prominent local businesses like Drink In Brighton are essential and ensure Pride continues to deliver a world class festival with fundraising at its core
)
During the summer, the Sussex University R esidential Ser vices are offering budget and self -catering rooms on their Falmer campus, bookable by individual visitors on a night by night or weekly basis Falmer Station is nine minutes from Brighton train station, with trains r unning ever y 15-20 minutes and is the third stop on leaving Brighton, af ter London Road and Moulsecoomb Taxis don’t r un from Falmer Station to the residences.
The No 25 bus r uns ever y 10 minutes from Brighton to the University of Sussex (slowing to ever y 20 minutes in the evening, and ever y 30 minutes at night), and takes about 30 minutes If you
ar rive in Brighton by coach the nearest stop for the No 25 is at the Old Steine which is a shor t walk away behind the coach station A taxi from Brighton Station costs approximately £15.
During Pride weekend, selfcatering ensuite single rooms with free weekend parking are available from £35 per night, and budget single rooms with shared bathroom cost £21 per night Similar rates are offered throughout the summer 10% discount is given for group booking of 10 or more people Meal options are also on offer if required
For more infor mation, view: www.sussex.ac.uk/residentialser v ices/newsandevents/pride
FREEDOM TO LIVE EXHIBITION
Brighton Pride Ar ts & Film Festival (BPAFF) launches on July 17 at Jubilee Library
) After the success of the 'ICONS' exhibition last year, a flagship event for Brighton Pride's first Ar ts & Film Festival, ar tists from the LGBT sector (and their suppor ters) will be returning to the Jubilee Library this summer for another creative extravaganza The event, organised by Hizze Fletcher, will bring together a collective of ar tistic talent to raise funds for Pride and their nominated charity, the R ainbow Fund
Last year an auction of rare posters donated by The Keith Haring Foundation in New York City raised over £1,300 for the Rainbow Fund, a Brighton & Hove-based grantsgiving fund for local LGBT and HIV/AIDS organisations A fur ther £600 was donated to Pride raised via ar t sales and the private view event and was also used to benefit the LGBT community in Brighton
Millions of people continue to live in places that outlaw same-sex relationships and prosecute people for being gay In five countries and in par ts of two others, homosexuality is still punishable with the death penalty, while a fur ther 70 countries imprison citizens because of their sexual orientation Even where homosexuality is legal, many countries treat those in same-sex relationships differently In the UK we are lucky to have the freedom to be who we are and it's imperative that we are a strong voice for those in countries less for tunate than ourselves and to help liberate those tied down and held back by injustice
In a world fraught with hate and discrimination ar t is a way of freely expressing ourselves Festival organiser Hizze Fletcher, said: ''We were overwhelmed by the public interest that was generated around last year's event and it has motivated us to expand the Arts & Film festival this year It will enable us to showcase the talents of the LGBT creative community (and their supporters) to a wider audience"
Paul Kemp, Director of Pride, added: “2013 was a groundbreaking year for Pride with over 20 umbrella events contributing to the first Pride Arts & Film season W ith this year’s 'Freedom to Live' campaign we really would love to see even more LGBT artists getting involved and helping us develop the cultural offering We're thrilled that Hizze Fletcher has agreed to come on board again with Pride to produce the Pride Arts exhibition at the Jubilee Library, which was one of the cornerstone events last year ”
The Freedom to Live exhibition from July 18 to August 4 launches with a private view on Thursday, July 17 at Jubilee Librar y, hosted by Dolly R ocket and featuring live music by local band, Della Lupa Ten-percent of ar t sales and all profits from the private view will be donated to Pride and the Rainbow Fund To attend the opening event email: hizze@brighton-pride.org
) Hizze Fletcher is also organising two other ar t events for BPAFF via her company, Thir teen Ar t Productions, as par t of the two-week celebrations Photographic exhibition Shoot Me, I’m Gay features photographic talent from the LGBT community (and suppor ters) The exhibition at The Sidewinder, Upper St James’s Street in Kemptown, launches on Monday, July 21 at 6pm and runs for a month For more information regarding submission to the exhibition email: hizze@brighton-pride.org
) In addition, Thir teen Ar t Productions presents Finegan Murphy featuring Brighton's most charismatic brother and sister LGBT fine ar t acts, Precious Murphy and Kitty Finegan showing an extensive collection of solo and collaborative work at the new exhibition space at Velvet Tattoo, 48 Norfolk Square The show launches on Thursday, July 23 Ten-percent of any ar t sales from both events will be donated to Brighton Pride and their nominated charity The Rainbow Fund For fur ther up to the minute information view: www.thir teenar t.com
LIBRARIES LITERATURE LIVE IN THE PARK
) Brighton & Hove Libraries, in par tnership with East Sussex Librar y and Information Ser vice, are hosting an afternoon of enter tainment with writers and performers talking about and reading from their work at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 2
The line-up includes: writer and comedienne Claire Summerskill; poet Dean Atta, author of I Am Nobody’s Nigger; Susannah Waters, author of Cold Comfort and Long Gone Anybody, in a duet with actress Federay Holmes; R oger Moss, author of The Game of the Pink Pagoda; Clare Lydon, blogger and author of London Calling; Vernal Scott, author of God’s Other
Children; Al Brookes, author of The Gif t of Looking Closely
W riters and poets from Queer Writing South, Queer in Brighton and budding performers from pre-Pride writing workshops will also take to the stage to show what they can do Tea and cake will be served to make this an afternoon of literary Pride heaven! The Libraries Par tnership are looking for budding LGBT writers to perform at Pride on Saturday, August 2 in the Pride Literature & Spoken Word tent If you are new to writing go to one of the free writing workshops where you can hone up your skills for writing and perform your work at Pride
WRITING WORKSHOPS
) July 17: Brighton Jubilee Librar y (16-19 only), 5-7pm
) July 26: Brighton Jubilee Librar y, 10 30am-12 30pm
) July 28: Lewes Librar y, 6-8pm
To book a place email: rachel whitbread@brightonhove gov uk
PRIDE PERFORMANCES BY THE ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS TO SUPPORT TRAINING FOR ANTI-LGBT BULLYING IN SCHOOLS
) In the spirit of this year’s Brighton Pride theme, Freedom to Live, Actually Gay Men’s Chorus and cabaret star Miss Jason are taking to the stage for two performances of I Feel L ove The chorus will be raising money for Inclusion For All (IFA), the award-winning training strategy working across the UK to help prevent homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools
It will be a welcome return to perform with the chorus for Miss Jason, who gave an inspired performance last year as Agnetha from ABBA in the Pride show Tainted Love, though the boys may well give her a Eurovision run for her money this year as they Rise Like A Phoenix for the audiences at St Andrew’s
Featuring the delights of Disney and the best of the West End, I Feel Love promises to be a performance of heroism and hope packed with familiar favourites old and new that will star t this Pride season with a smile Shaun Dellenty, IFA founder and anti-LGBT bullying champion, said: “The funds being raised by the chorus will enable IFA to provide vital teacher training across the UK ”
The show is at St Andrew's Church, Hove on Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 at 7 30pm Tickets: £12/£10 concs available from the Bulldog, St James’s Street, The Iron Duke, Waterloo Street, or: www actuallygmc org
THE OLDEST GAY IN THE VILLAGE RAISES MONEY FOR RAINBOW FUND
) Local treasure, George Montague, currently in his last month as a Pride Ambassador, attended the Kemptown Carnival last month to promote his new book and raise money for the R ainbow Fund
George was born in 1923 and has seen many changes in his lifetime, few greater than the attitude towards being gayattitudes that saw him criminalised for the sin of loving another man His new book The Oldest Gay In The V illage is a moving, often humorous memoir of an indefatigable man, committed to helping people accept homosexuality, even if they may not understand it After all, as he puts it, “If I don't understand why I am the way I am, why should anyone else? But why should it matter?’ Now in his nineties, George is finally beginning to see the acceptance he longed for through his younger years - and is proud to be the oldest gay in the village
Paul Elgood, chairman of the Rainbow Fund, said: “The Rainbow Fund would like to thank George for supporting us through the sales of his book The book tells his remarkable life story, and all that he has contributed to the community during his long life Thank you for the support George!”
George’s book is out on July 3 and he will be promoting it during Pride to help raise money for the R ainbow Fund, who give grants to LGBT/HIV organisations that deliver frontline services to LGBT people in Brighton & Hove The book is being produced by John Blake Publishing: www.johnblakepublishing.co.uk
CITYCLEAN TO THE RESCUE!
) R omany Mark Bruce, the sculptor of the iconic AIDS Memorial, is much happier after Tay was given a spring clean by Cityclean last month
After a par ticularly stormy star t to the year, the bronze memorial was covered in more corrosive seagull mess and moss than usual Romany suggested a spring clean for the iconic memorial was in order, so community activist Chris Cooke made a few telephone calls to his contacts at the council and within 72 hours, Damien Marmura, Cityclean's area operations manager had organised a complete makeover for the memorial Better still Cityclean have promised Chris that they will give Tay a makeover three or four times a year
Chris Cooke said: “A huge thank you to the Cityclean team for the quick response to my cleaning request Romany contacted me at the beginning of the week, confirmation by the team was given to me on the same day and the work took place on the Friday I am very impressed Credit goes to Damien Marmura, area operations manager at Cityclean, for organising it and to the three members of his team for carrying out this much needed ‘spring clean’ In addition, Cityclean have confirmed that the statue will be cleaned regularly every three or four months in the future, so this is excellent news for the community ’
LGBT COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE
) The newly formed LGBT Community Groups Network launched a website last month to help all local LGBT organisations work closer together and suppor t each other The LGBT Community Groups Network has been set up to help smaller, not-for profit LGBT groups get to know and suppor t each other better, share oppor tunities and resources, and to access specialist advice, information and suppor t to help with their work
The network is provided by and for member groups with a fundamental emphasis on peer suppor t and is facilitated with the suppor t of the Community Works LGBT representatives Gar y Pargeter and Chris Cooke The first phase of the new website highlights network news, member groups information,
and contact details This was quickly followed by the addition of a newly created members Facebook group to share news, ideas, information and opinions
As the network meets together over the course of the year there will be development of a Forum page for members to collaborate on the direction of the network and its activities Member groups will have the oppor tunity to help develop the website, to promote their work, and to star t-up a resource sharing group
If you’re involved in running or organising a smaller LGBT group (with an annual income of £35k or less), the LGBT Community Groups Network wants to hear from you
For more info: www lgbt-groups org
SHARED OFFICE SPACE FOR SMALLER LGBT ORGANISATIONS
) Member groups of the newly formed LGBT Community Groups Network have been donated shared office space to carry out their day-today administration, and to hold meetings The office space is provided free, with electricity, insurance and wifi included Centric Charity, which manages unused office space at Prestamex House, opposite Preston Park, recently adver tised for charities to take up free offices and Lunch Positive successfully bid for one
Lunch Positive have extended their licence to facilitate a dedicated space for member groups of the LGBT Community Groups Network Gar y Pargeter, is the volunteer project manager at Lunch Positive, and the Community Works facilitator for the Network: “ We’re incredibly pleased to have secured this extra space for our smaller LGBT groups From personal experience, running a community group of ten involves more administration than people realise “Having good facilities to carry this out and plan our work makes a huge
difference to how well we are able to run our groups, and deliver our services The cost of renting offices is prohibitive Most of our smaller groups are run by volunteers Working from home can sometimes be very difficult, especially when work is pressured It’s important to be able to separate work and personal lives We hope this space will help the people running groups and make their groups work Another fantastic advantage is that our groups will be able to spend informal time with each other, and hopefully also benefit from getting to know each other well ”
The LGBT office space is accessible six days a week during office hours and is open plan, has nine ‘hot desks’, filing storage and a meeting area Groups have use of a shared kitchen, and a larger meeting area out of hours by arrangement The space has been furnished through the donation of equipment from Freegle, and a community development grant of £500 from Sussex Community Foundation
CHRIS COOKE ACCEPTS CHEQUE FOR £103 33 WHICH GEORGE COLLECTED AT THE KEMPTOWN CARNIVAL
POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER RECOGNISES WORK OF BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum (LGBT CSF) has received a funding boost of £8,376.20 from the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Safer in Sussex Community Fund
) Billie Lewis, Chair of the LGBT CSF, joined the Police & Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne and representatives from over 60 other local organisations who had also been awarded funding at a special Celebration Showcase event held in Lewes on Thursday, June 19
Commenting on the funding, Billie said: “ We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Police & Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund, which will help us fully implement our 'Report It' service and assist us in rolling it out to the LGBT communities across Sussex In 2013 our 'Trust & Confidence' Survey produced robust data showing that hate crime is under reported Over 800 people completed the survey city wide The survey highlighted many compelling concerns and produced revealing quantifiable data that recognised issues identified in key areas of priority within the Commissioner’s Police & Crime Plan
“Police statistics suggest that reporting figures have risen We are pleased that more people feel confident in reporting to the police and we are positive that the LGBT Community Safety Forum has played its part in this outcome
"However our survey found that 67%, the majority of respondents who reported they had experienced an incident or hate crime told us they did not report it Evidently there is still much more work to be done Building on the success of the survey it is essential we develop the campaign to widen its participation with the local community, businesses, groups and the statutory services This way we will empower the community with the confidence to 'Report it' ”
Katy Bourne added: “The 'Report It' service is a great example of an innovative local project that aims to make our communities safer The Safer in Sussex Community Fund was launched to help communities tackle crime and disorder and I am very pleased with the level of response we received during the first round of applications I look forward to visiting the team at The LGBT Community Safety Forum and following the progress of the project over the coming months ”
PC Rich Bridger, from the Sussex Police LGBT Liaison Team, said: “The 'Report It' project is a vital tool in enabling vulnerable sectors of the community an opportunity to report hate motivated crimes and incidents in a safe and confidential way This project facilitates the reporting of as much or as little information as the reportee is willing to share, and aids the statutory services in ensuring that such incidents are recorded and acted upon
"From a Policing perspective, this allows us to identif y areas of increased incidents and concerns, and address these appropriately Whilst we advocate the public reporting everything to us, it is not always the case that people want to refer these matters directly to the Police, and there is a real risk that in these circumstances, such matters go unreported W ithout the existence of projects like 'Report It', there is a real risk that such services cannot react to the needs of the community in as an effective way as possible ”
DUKES MOUND WARNING - ZIP UP DURING THE DAY!
) The sun star ts to shine and Sussex Police are receiving complaints about incidents of a sexual nature taking place at Dukes Mound during daylight hours It’s one thing enjoying the benefits of Dukes Mound at night; it is another matter during the day when families and children are around and enjoying their holidays PC Rich Bridger, Sussex Police LGBT Police Liaison
Officer, said: “Please remember that Dukes Mound is a public place like any other In response to reports of sexual activity taking place during the daytime, patrols in the area are going to be extended and anyone found committing offences is likely to face arrest and possible prosecution I would urge people who use the area to do so responsibly and with consideration for others ”
PEER ACTION’S ANNUAL OUTING
) This year Peer Action, the HIV charity, are visiting the beautiful National Trust Georgian House, Uppark House & Garden, South Har ting (near Chichester) for their annual summer outing The bus leaves at 9.30am on the dot on Sunday, July 20, returning at 6pm Uppark is situated on a high point of the South
Downs, commanding stunning views of the south coast and beyond Step inside and be transpor ted back to a world of stunning interiors, meticulously restored following the devastating fire of 1989 Contrast this with the functional servants’ quar ters below, where a modern restaurant is located - however the grounds make an ideal venue for a picnic for the adventurous
Be aware there is temporarily no wheelchair access to the basement quar ters Coach trip and admission: £12 For more detail see Peer Action website: www peeraction co uk
THEME FOR BOURNE FREE 2014 ON JULY 12
) Now in its tenth year, Bournemouth's LGBT Pride have announced the theme for 2014 will be Decades Chris Ashton, Bour ne Free tr ustee said: “ W ith this theme you can choose from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and the naughties erm I mean noughties We are expecting some great ideas from the community in designs for the venues, floats for the parade, and for people’s costumes throughout the whole weekend ”
Bourne Free takes place on the weekend star ting Friday, July 11
For more information about the LGBT CSF or the work the volunteers do, view: www lgbt-help com
The parade is on Saturday, July 12 star ting at 11am on top of the East Cliff (by the East Cliff lift), making its way through the town and arriving at The Triangle at 12pm
Trustee Louise Clarke, who is organising the enter tainment, said: “ We have some great new entertainment lined-up for this year, and we think that the crowd will be pleased The Big Screen will be back in The Triangle showing live feed from the main stage as well as images from the crowd, so keep a look out, you may see yourself on the Big Screen!"
For more information about Bourne Free: www bournefree co uk
BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS ON TOUR FEATURING SOUTHAMPTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS
) Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus On Tour is a collaborative production with Southampton Gay Men’s Chorus (SGMC) – one of the UK’s newer gay choruses which was established two years ago in 2012 As both choruses aspire to use music and enter tainment for the benefit of other wor thwhile charities, this joint performance will help to raise funds for Breakout Youth
Nominated by SGMC, Breakout Youth is an independent charity offering confidential one-toone suppor t and weekly social groups for young people in Hampshire who identif y as LGBT or who are unsure of their gender or sexual identity
Chorus said: “As we look ahead to celebrate our tenth anniversary in 2015, we recognise the immense value that flourishing choral groups bring both to their members and the wider community
“Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus On Tour will allow us to continue building on the positive relationship started around a year ago with SGMC All of this is very much in keeping with our ethos of supporting LGBT communities both locally and further afield, which is also a key commitment of our generous sponsors, The Co- operative Funeralcare "
Brighton Gay Men's Chorus On Tour are appearing at The Hub Theatre, Southampton City College, Chapel Road, Southampton, SO14 5GL on Saturday, July 12 at 8pm
Tickets are £12/£10 concessions To book online, view: www.brightongmc.org
BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKENDER
) Hundreds of bears arrived in Brighton on the hottest weekend of the year making this years Brighton Bear Weekender the busiest to date and firmly establishing it in the local gay calender
Each programmed event was well suppor ted and a great time was had by all especially at the picnic in Queens Park where Lunch Positive, the HIV charity's pop up community cafe was well appreciated by the hungary bears
Subline in St James Street, Envy, Legends, the R oyal Oak and the Camelford Arms all staged successful events during the weekend, leaving the bears wanting more and determined to return to Brighton next year Well done to ever yone involved!
Paul Charlton, Chairman for Brighton Gay Men’s
BEAR’S PICNIC IN QUEENS PARK
PEER ACTION JULY DIARY
TUE 1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th: SWIMMING
12:20–1.30pm: with Ian, quiet Kemptown pool, £4
TUE 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th: YOGA
6–7pm: with Dan, all abilities welcome
WED 2nd, 9th, 30th: MEDITATION
7 30–8 30pm: with Helen, The Sussex Beacon
SUN 13th: HOLISTIC THERAPIES
1.50–5pm: The Sussex Beacon
SAT 26th: HOLISTIC THERAPIES
1 50–5pm: THT, Ship Street
WED 30th: SOCIAL GAMES NIGHT
7:30–11pm: with Chris & Julia, Barley Mo Pub
Bingo nights are taking a summer break and will return in the autumn There will be no Holistic therapies at THT/ Sussex Beacon in August
For further information about Peer Action, how to get involved, suggest activities, volunteer please visit: www peeraction co uk
NEW TRUSTEE FOR SUSSEX BEACON
) David Fray has been appointed as a new trustee at the Sussex Beacon David is a long-term suppor ter and volunteer of the Sussex Beacon and is also editor of The Voice, the organisation’s service user magazine
He will be joining an established trustee board at the charity who are ultimately responsible for its administration and management Together, the trustees provide leadership for the organisation and ensure that the charity is fulfilling its charitable aims The role is voluntary and unpaid
Simon Burgess, Chairman of the board at the Sussex Beacon said: “ We are delighted to have David Fray joining the board of trustees He understands the services that we deliver as a charity and knows the local community well He will be a great advocate for the Sussex Beacon ”
The Sussex Beacon offers specialist care and suppor t for men, women and families affected by HIV Open 365 days a year, they help people manage the everyday realities of living with this life-long condition that has no cure Their Inpatient and Outpatient services help people living with HIV-related illnesses, initiating new drug therapies, or suppor ting those struggling with extreme side effects of HIV medication The Sussex Beacon suppor ts the whole person by addressing the physical, psychological and social impact of HIV www sussexbeacon org uk
LOCAL BROADCASTER NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARD
) Kathy Caton, Brighton-based radio presenter and producer, has been nominated in the Positive R ole Model category at the 2014 National Diversity Awards Kathy present's Brighton's only LGBTQ radio show, Out in Brighton, on R adioR everb 97 2fm where she champions LGBTQ ar tists and musicians She is a big suppor ter of Brighton's burgeoning community and voluntary sector, helping get stories and contributors on air that tend not to be heard on other broadcast media
) Comedienne Zoe Lyons headlines the annual comedy extravaganza MindOut for the L aughs! at the Komedia on Wednesday July 16 She will be joined by the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, Dolly R ocket, Tom Allen, Debra Jane Appelby and the Two Wrongies Your compere for the evening is Cat Harding and the event will be BSL signed by Paul and Paula Go along, take your friends and enjoy a fun-filled evening with MindOut!, the LGBT mental health project Doors open 6 30pm for 7 30pm star t Tickets: £12/£10 concs, from box office: 0845 2938480.
LGBT COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK PICNIC
) The LGBT Community Groups Network which suppor ts smaller LGBT not-for-profit groups is planning an infor mal picnic for members, their volunteers and ser vice users on Saturday, July 12 at Queen’s Park from 12pm Savour y food, cake and drinks are being provided by Lunch Positive, and ever yone is invited to bring something along to share For more info on the event, and to join the LGBT Community Groups Network see www lgbtgroups.org, email: gar y@lgbt-groups.org, or call: 07725 647455
NEW CHAIR FOR PUBWATCH
) A-Bar licensee Alex Matthews is the new Chair of the St James’ Street Pubwatch and Chris Marshall, manager at Charles Street, is the new Vice Chair The next scheduled meeting for the Pubwatch will be on Tuesday, July 22 at the A-Bar, star ting at 3pm For more infor mation email: theabarltd@hotmail com
NATIONAL LGBT: LAW COMMISSION REPORT
Over the three years the show has been on air it has become the number one LGBTQ show on international podcast directory Podomatic with listeners from around the world tuning in to get a genuine snapshot of LGBT life in Brighton Kathy helps run the BBC's LGBT staff network BBC Pride and also works behind the scenes with the BBC's Diversity Centre in their work on improving on-screen por trayal and engaging with LGBT audiences She is currently working with Brighton's trans* community on the Brighton Trans*formed oral history project with QueenSpark Books She said: “I am absolutely honoured (and quite embarrassed!) to have been nominated for the National Diversity A wards and feel pretty humbled to be up there in such great company in the Positive Role Model category I’m delighted too that these A wards recognise grass- roots work and activism - it’s an honour to be nominated!”
Paul Sesay, Chief Executive of The National Diversity Awards, said: “It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain’s unsung diversity heroes, and we will continue to recognise their extraordinary achievements during 2014”
Nominations close on July 18 To vote for Kathy, view: https://nominate nationaldiversityawards co uk/Nominate/endorse/12566
) An anti-homophobia/transphobia charity has welcomed a repor t calling for hate crime laws to be over hauled Galop, which helps victims of hate crime, have called the cur rent legal system nonsensical and ripe for change The Law Commission repor t calls for an end to cour ts using one system for antirace and faith hate crime, and another less effective one for homophobic, transphobic and disability crimes Under the cur rent system homophobic criminal damage is punishable with 10 years in prison, the same as if it had not been homophobic But the same crime is punishable with 14 years if it was racist Transphobic common assault has a 6 month maximum but anti-faith common assault can be punished with 2 years A Galop spokesperson said: “We w elcome this repor t and urge the Gov ernment to act on it Ev er y one should be able to feel the legal
sy stem is equally behind them w hatev er ty pe of hate crime they experience Many people are surprised that this difference exists and agree w ith us that it is outdated, nonsensical and needs to change We hope that this is the first step tow ard giv ing police and cour ts the tools to tackle all ty pes of hate crime on an equal footing
“Our clients are usually liv ing through a traumatic time and most w ill nev er see the inside of a cour troom T hat means cour ts need to get things right for those brav e few w ho stand up to their attackers in cour t We w ere disappointed that the repor t did not recommend reforming the messy law s that prohibit extreme hate speech We w ill continue campaigning for those protections to be extended to transgender and disabled people ”
For more infor mation about Galop, view: www galop org uk
TRANS*PRIDE ORGANISERS SCOOP A GOLDEN HANDBAG
) Trans* Pride scooped a Golden Handbag in the category, Best Trans* Venue or Event at the Golden Handbag Awards last month Fox and Sarah Savage stars of the C4 documentary series My Transsexual Summer who are both on the Trans* Pride organising committee accepted the award from R ainbow Fund chairman Paul Elgood and Stephanie Starlet Poison Ivy, on St James Street were runners up A full repor t with photos will appear in August Gscene
BEAR PATROL EVENTS IN JULY
) Bear Patrol have a busy schedule of events planned for July star ting with a Group Tandem Skydive at Netheravon in Wiltshire on July 5 Other events include: Sunday 13: Training R un, meet Brighton Marina (by car wash, Asda), 10am: Sunday 13: Freedom To L ive Exhibition (Jubilee Library) from 10am: Sunday 20: Petwor th House, day trip: Sunday 27: Pride R ainbow R un, community day, picnic & rounders, Preston Park from 10am: Sunday 27: Pride Community Church Ser vice, Brighthelm Community Centre, 6pm: Wednesday 30: Sussex Beacon Variety Show, The Old Market, 7 45pm: Thursday 31: Have a Word (with Fashion), Concorde 2 from 7pm More Bear Patrol events info: www facebook com/bearpatrolpage/events
DO YOU FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO)
) Girls on Top at Revenge has reigned supreme as a Golden Handbag winner for the last seven years, is evolving into a weekend monthly special A new night FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), launching on Thursday July 3, hopes to surpass the record breaking success of Girls on Top with a re-freshed DJ line-up, wild themed par ty nights, new cheap drink promotions and massive giveaways Musically FOMO has hand picked the UK's finest DJs to ensure the soundtrack of the night delivers on its promise of "big beats, bad ass bass lines and mashed up bangers" DJs include Sam DMS, renowned for his ingenious mash-ups, Missy B, who has headlined girls' nights in every major city in the UK, Fifilicious, who has graced every major DJ booth in Brighton and beyond and finally Trick, Revenge's home grown talent whose cool twist on all things pop provides plenty of crowd-pleasing moments Steve Jones, promoter of FOMO and Club Revenge, said: “ We're working really hard to create a night which consistently delivers week af ter week so that if people decide to stay at home, they're genuinely going to suffer from FOMO ” Drink promos include Fosters and Tequila shots for £1 50 and a double vodka and mixer for just £3 For more info view: www facebook com/FOMObrighton and www.revenge.co.uk
The Queens Hotel was packed to the raf ters last month for Maisie & Jason's East End Knees Up to celebrate the 70th anniversar y of D Day with the raffle raising £530 for an old soldiers charity The next event is on Friday July 4, American Independence Day To make a reser vation call: 01273 221 621
KEMPTOWN
MP WELCOMES CULTURE SECRETARY TO BRIGHTON
) Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven, welcomed the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Spor t, Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP , to Brighton in May to discuss the impor tance of tourism to the city
Over 8 million people visit Brighton every year and 14% of all jobs in Brighton & Hove are linked to the tourism industry Simon said: “It was great to bring Sajid to Brighton to see for himself what a great tourist destination our city is Tourism is an incredibly important part of the local economy and I will never apologise for promoting Brighton at every available opportunity ”
Sajid added: “More and more people are visiting Britain with Brighton remaining an incredibly popular destination Having visited, it is easy to see why Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven have a great advocate in Simon Kirby who has helped bring here super fast broadband, the Rugby World Cup and is a tireless equalities campaigner I look forward to coming back to Brighton soon ”
Whilst in Brighton, the Minister visited Latest TV to learn more about the work being done in preparation of the local television station going live later in the year Simon added: “ W ith so many success stories in Brighton, particularly in the creative industries, I was pleased to show the Culture Secretary just some of the activities going on in our city ”
The Minister then moved on to the R ed R oaster coffee shop on St James’s Street to meet with James Ledward editor of Gscene to discuss a range of LGBT issues affecting the local community including hate crime and community safety in the Gay Village James outlined the case for more consideration to be paid to legislation suppor ting transgender people especially with regard to employment issues and sought clarity about when legislation would be in place for people to conver t their Civil Par tnerships to weddings The Minister indicated that legislation would be in place by the end of the year Sajid said: “The UK has once again this year been ranked number one in Europe for LGBT rights by the Rainbow Europe human rights survey My priority is to make sure it stays there next year and for many years to come I am particulary proud of the Government’s achievements delivering the recent same-sex marriage legislation "
TRANS*FORMERS L AUNCH ‘TOP TIPS’
) With the help of a Brighton & Hove City Council small grant, Trans*formers have launched a new resource, Top Tips For Working with trans* and gender-questioning young people This resource was planned, created and distributed by the young trans* people at Allsor ts Youth Project and focuses on areas that Trans*formers felt were impor tant for services working with trans* young people to know about The resource covers areas such as: the Equality Act, toilets & changing rooms, confidentiality, pronouns and names, as well as many other areas
Ryan Gingell, Trans* Youth Worker, said: “Since its release there have been huge demands from youth services, schools and other practitioners for the resource which we hope will assist their understanding of issues facing young trans* people We hope Top Tips will enable services to provide support and advice for any young trans* or gender-questioning people they work with ”
To download the publication in PDF form, view: www allsor tsyouth org uk or order hard copies from the Allsor ts office: 01273 721211
TRANS* YOUTH LOOKING FOR HELP COOLING OFF
An annual residential programme run by Gendered Intelligence seeks crowdfunding to address need
) It’s summer and the weather is heating up, meaning one thing: summer residentials Usually these programs for children are segregated by sex, putting trans* youth in awkward positions with limited options for social interaction Gendered Intelligence suppor ts trans* youth and attempts to combat this with a trans* youth residential The programme includes ever ything from kayaking to raf t building as well as infor mal games and social interacting that helps young trans* people gain personal and outdoor skills The residential provides a safe space for all gender identities among young people.
As with most activities, r unning residentials is costly and homelessness and pover ty remains a frequent issue for LGBT communities, especially trans* people According to the National T ransgender Discrimination Sur v ey in the US, trans* people are twice as likely to be unemployed and one in five repor ted being homeless at some point in their lives Providing resources and safe spaces for trans* people that are affordable is critical, especially for youth. For this reason, Gendered Intelligence is seeking donations to suppor t next month’s camping
residential Previous residentials have seen 15-20 trans* youths attending with a cost of £300 a head This year they have 20 signed up and 10 on the waiting list To suppor t and cover all youth, Gendered Intelligence needs £5,000 in donations
Jay Stewart, co-founder of Gendered Intelligence, said: “Our summer residential really gives our young trans* members a safe space to be themselves and a chance to have a positive experience with other trans* youth, to make new friends and to strengthen old ones Come rain or shine, fun will be had cooking over an open fire, having heart to hearts, laughing and bonding This quite simple opportunity could actually be life changing "
“Though many can't share names, many report positive experiences: ‘I really enjoyed being part of this physical project I most enjoyed the swimming session I can’t swim but the instructor gave me a lot of attention and said I had potential, which was really encouraging ’” To donate to the camping residential: www.gofundme.com/gicamping2014
Gendered Intelligence is a community interest company that looks to engage people in debates about gender They work predominantly within young people's settings and have educative aims They believe the ar ts are a tool for sharing stories, platfor ming voices and building awareness around ways in which heteronor mativity regulates and restricts ever yone
COUNCIL WINS AWARD FOR WORK WITH TRANS* COMMUNITY
) The Brighton & Hove City Council Over view & Scrutiny team has been recognised for their pioneering work on Trans* Equalities The work was delivered jointly with the council’s Communities team and LGBT Health Improvement Par tnership The team was shor tlisted for the A chiev ement, Insight & Inv olv ement award which the team won at last month’s awards ceremony They were joint winners along with Har row council
It’s the third time in four years that the council’s scr utiny team has won a national award Cllr Phelim MacCaffer ty, said: “I’m really delighted, this is recognition w here it’s due T he w ork w ith the trans* community is pioneering and I am v er y proud that Brighton & Hov e is leading the w ay nationally to identif y and act on issues that impact people’s liv es "
OBESITY TODAY
Obesity in the UK continues to increase with health officials saying that it is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in the UK today Professionals predict that by 2020 one third of the UK could be clinically obese causing increasing rates of diabetes, strokes and hear t attacks while putting increasing critical pressure on the NHS
) Adult obesity rates have almost quadrupled in the last 25 years, with 23 1% of British people now being classed as obese The causes of obesity are complex, but the easy accessibility of processed and fast foods continue to push our waist bands up Many medicines routinely prescribed to us, including anti-depressants, cor ticosteroids and contraceptives, impact on our weight While sometimes attitudes of the medical profession can be unsympathetic and even judgemental, more and more people are turning to private sector clinics who offer effective weight loss drug regimes that can prove extremely effective when used in conjunction with a healthily diet and moderate exercise
The National Slimming & Cosmetic Clinic in New Road, Brighton has over 30 years’ experience with 70 qualified doctors providing care nationally They are the UK's largest private medical slimming group and have been providing weight loss care for patients in Brighton for 12 years The clinic, situated just along from the Theatre Royal, is managed by the lovely Anna Scott who will make you feel comfor table and explain the options available to you
Once you commence your weight loss programme you will have a private consultation with one of the clinic's doctors who will check your medical history, take your blood pressure, height, weight and BMI On commencing the regime patients are encouraged to visit the clinic on a weekly basis for a free consultation with a doctor who will review your ongoing progress
Following WW2, when amphetamines were prescribed to soldiers to address lack of food, amphetamines were redirected for use on the civilian market, being sold commercially as an appetite suppressant until they were outlawed in most par ts of the world in the late 1950s due to safety issues Many amphetamines produced side effects including addiction, tachycardia and hyper tension, which made prolonged and unsupervised use of these drugs dangerous
A second generation of appetite suppressants were produced, known as CAAS (Centrally Acting Appetite Suppressants) These Anorectic drugs act on the central nervous system via cer tain neurotransmitters They signal a ‘fight or flight’ response in the body, that reduces hunger and food cravings The drugs Diethylpropion and Phentermine first received approval from the FDA in 1959 as appetite suppressing drugs and have been used successfully around the world ever since
Many GP’s have not moved on from the bad reputation of the first generation of appetite suppressants and are reluctant to prescribe these new medications As such their patients are unable to benefit from these proven weight loss tools
These drugs include:
• Orlistat (Xenical), was approved in 1999 by the FDA It isn’t an appetite suppressant, rather, a ‘lipase inhibitor’ This medication works by preventing enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract from breaking down dietary fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body The result is that fat absorbed from food is decreased by about 30% This effectively reduces the calories absorbed by the body by 30%, aiding in weight loss
• Slim Slim is a product unique to National Slimming Clinics and is based on the use of hoodia, a genus of 13 species in the flowering plant family Apocynaceae The meat of this plant has been used for many years by the indigenous population of South America to suppress appetite on long hunting trips Many over the counter appetite suppressants use hoodia in their products, but Slim Slim has a far higher concentration of the active ingredients than these general release products
The Brighton clinic doctors are registered with the General Medical Council along with pharmacists who can dispense prescription-only medication used to suppress the appetite For those who are unable to take the prescription medication, natural products can be prescribed
Appetite suppressants, prescribed by the National Slimming Clinic include: Phentermine, Diethylpropion, Lipase inhibitors, Orlistat (Xenical), herbal alternatives, natural appetite suppressants, Slim Slim and Diatramine
For a free consultation call Anna on 01273 67 44 88 National Slimming Clinics also offer non-surgical cosmetics
BRIGHTON UNSIGNED FOR PRIDE
) Brighton Unsigned are hosting a live music charity fundaiser for Brighton Pride hosted by Miss Jason on Sunday, July 29 at Envy, above Charles Street Ar tists appearing include Kitten & The Hip, Paul Diello & Friends, Mila Falls, Daisy Victoria, Fred Oskar and Depar ture From Normal Tickets are £6 on the door or view: seetickets com Doors open at 6.30pm This is an over 18 event with all profits going to Brighton Pride
PRIDE ANNOUNCE 4TH AMBASSADOR
) The four th and final Pride Ambassador for 2014 is this months Gscene cover model, Nicole Gibson The Independent Newspaper's Pink List's one to watch for 2014, Nicole, a model and actress was labelled by the media “The unexpected star of London Fashion Week” She will join Michael (Greenbeard) Nelson, Maria Baker and Jenny Bennett at the front of the Pride Parade on August 2
Nicole pipped John Hamilton, the chairman of Actually Gay Men's Chorus, and MCC pastor Michael Hydes to the post for the final Pride Ambassador’s position Michael and John both received more than 50 nominations each and polled very well in each month of nominations Well done everyone!
BRIGHTON TRANS*FORMED PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION
The Brighton Trans*for med oral histor y project goes from strength to strength as it moves into its final months.
) The Heritage Lotter y Fund has backed the project which was set up by community publisher QueenSpark Books to document and record the histories of contemporary trans* people in Brighton and aims to preserve the stories of some of Brighton’s trans* residents at what many hope is a tipping point in trans* history
The project is unique in that it is the par ticipants who are setting the editorial priorities and making the decisions about how their stories, and the stories of their peers, are treated Twenty-three oral histories have been recorded with par ticipants aged from 18 to 81 The editorial team, led by Dr Sam Carroll of the University of Brighton and Maeve Devine of Transformers (Allsor ts Youth Project), are currently editing the interviews for the book, due to be published in September The book will be illustrated with a specially-commissioned series of por traits from the photographer Sharon Kilgannon, with design work from Fox and Stella Cardus Volunteers are also working with curator E- J Scott on an Exhibition Trail which will run over the weekends of Trans* Pride Brighton and Brighton Pride
Highlights of the Exhibition Trail will include shop fronts of St James’ Street being filled with Brighton Trans*formed por traits, the Cabinet of Curiosities at the Marlborough pub and theatre, featuring ar tefacts of great significance to par ticipants, and a photographic and audio installation at the Jubilee Librar y, where you can take a deckchair and listen first-hand to people’s experiences
Darcy Heston, who has been involved in many different aspects of the project, said: “This project has given me the opportunity to record a very personal part of my life, in a way that I have control over Our community is of ten misrepresented in the media and erased in conventional histories This project actually gives us a voice and I'm proud to be part of that
“It's been great to see a wide section of the trans* community work together on this and amazing to see it all coming together now! Working on the exhibition is super-exciting and I can't wait to see our faces and stories all over Brighton I hope this will encourage more trans* people to take control over their narratives in Brighton and beyond ”
Alice Denny, poet and activist who has been involved as an interviewer, interviewee, book editor and has also been learning how to edit audio and radio, said: “ W ithin and beneath each interview in Brighton Trans*formed lies a whole lifetime experience of joy and pain; frustration, humiliation, struggle, determination and triumph presented with a rarely-seen unadulterated intimacy and honesty that has been a privilege to be entrusted with It has been a moving and energising experience ” www facebook com/BrightonTransformed
BRIGHTON TRANS*FORMED EXHIBITION TRAIL
The Brighton T rans*formed Exhibition Trail tells the stories of 23 Brightonian trans*, gender queer and intersex people through photography, audio and object installations The multimedia, multi-venue trail, r uns in the city from July 24–August 4 and reflects the diversity of lives in our diverse seaside city and is designed to be high impact and highly visible The streets of Brighton will be lined with faces of par ticipants from the project in the largest, real-life, trans* documentation project to be seen in the UK.
) Jubilee Librar y, Jul 24–Aug 4: Take a seat on Brighton beach deckchairs and immerse yourself in Trans*for med's recorded stories whilst looking at a large scale photographic display of par ticipants at their favourite locations around Brighton - all framed in rescued wood from the West Pier
) Unitarian Church, Sat eve, July 26: The Unitarian Church in the centre of Brighton will be lit up and feature enlarged images of trans* people projected onto the the neoclassical building with quotes about the experiences of being trans* in Brighton. A massive scaled display of trans* people’s pride to make our communities visible to the city
) St James’ Trans* Pride Parade, Jul 25–27: March up St James’ Street to Trans* Pride in New Steine Gardens, past shop windows displaying life-sized por traits from the project Reclaiming St James’ Street as a queer space, this streetlined stor y is symbolic of being out and proud ambassadors for our communities, fighting transphobia and media misrepresentation through visibility.
) Poke Your Face Through The Pier Holes, Jul 25–27: Will you poke your face through the body of the muscle man or the lady in her polka dot swimsuit? Or will you be half muscly, half polka-dotted, mix gendered? Mix and match outfits and body par ts in a trans* take on an old seaside favourite, and have your photo taken to remember how we can actively Trans*for m Brighton into a friendly city that is suppor tive and inclusive of its trans* communities.
) Gilded Cage Tattoo Studio, St James’ Street, Jul 25–27: Enter this avant-garde, LGBTQI tattoo
studio to be immersed not only in the store’s taxider my, but your own! An adult-only, graphic display of actual body par ts in for maldehyde, kept af ter gender reassignment surger y Photographs and genuine surgical ar tefacts in a recreation hospital scene emphasising the graphic realities of physical change and need for ongoing access to treatment on the NHS
) The Marlborough Pub, Jul 25–Aug 4: Photos of ever yone taking par t in Brighton Trans*for med, with a collection of par ticipants’ favourite things that reflect their trans* jour neys through material things From boobs and binders to baseball caps and teddy bears, this touching display is a gentle reminder of just how ordinar y we can all be
E- J Scott, the Curator of Brighton Trans*for med, said: “It’s time for our communities to stand up proud and be counted, so that w e can deconstruct the media’s sensationalising of our liv es and our bodies that reinforces old-fashioned, out of date my ths and malarkey about w ho trans* people really are. T his exhibition show cases the brav er y of indiv iduals w ho w ant to liv e in a Brighton free of transphobia and v iolence By seeing our faces and hearing our stories w e share the reality of our w orld- w e are simply people w ho lov e, cr y and liv e our liv es like ev er y body else- and w ant to be respected for it ”
The Brighton Trans*formed project is funded by the Heritage Lotter y Fund and r un by QueenSpark Books, the countr y's oldest community publisher
Brighton Trans*formed book will be published in September 2014 For more infor mation view: www queensparkbooks org uk/them e/56.html
TRANS* PRIDE BRIGHTON 2014
After the huge success of last year ’s inaugural event, Trans* Pride is back, bigger, better, bolder and takes place over the weekend of July 25-27. Organisers welcome all trans*, intersex, gender variant, non-binar y, gender queer people and their friends, family, allies and supporters to celebrate the UK's 2nd Trans* Pride festival in Brighton, starting Friday, July 25.
TRANS*PRIDE FRIDAY JULY 25
) Trans* Pride 2014 opens with the (2nd Annual) Trans* Pride Brighton Film Night in the evening, showcasing trans* film making talent and presented at the Duke of York’s Cinema by Eyes Wide Open and My Genderation. The first hour will feature nonfiction trans* documentary short films, including brand new My Genderation films and I Am Rachel by HIV/AIDS Alliance. The second hour will feature music videos and short fictional films for your viewing pleasure This event was completely sold out last year, so has been moved from the Komedia to the original Duke of York’s Cinema, which is fully
wheelchair accessible To book tickets: www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Duke Of Yo rks/film/Trans Pride Brighton Film Night/
TRANS*PRIDE SATURDAY JULY 26
) On Saturday the main festival event returns to New Steine Gardens (12–6pm) in the heart of Kemptown which will be transformed into a safe and proud space for the trans* community with a main stage featuring the finest trans* performers, poetry, live music and comedy, ensuring that this year is bigger, better and more gender variant than last!
) The big day starts with a parade fronted by a live samba band leading everyone along St James' Street to New Steine Gardens. Take along flags, banners and anything else that adds to the party atmosphere. Meet outside the Marlborough Pub, 4 Princes Street at 11.30am Invite your friends and family along to listen to inspiring speakers and the finest
trans* entertainers and performers Browse around the stands and stalls at the Community Fayre and learn about the people who support trans* people, stand by trans* people and evolve with trans* people Entry is free of charge with accessible toilets available on site Community stalls, food and drink will be available within the park too
) For up to date information about activities and workshops throughout the day, view: www.facebook.com/events/306639376161332
) In the evening Trans* Pride will host the official Trans* Pride After Party at Brighton Arts Club, 43 Providence Place, Brighton, from 8pm-3am, with live comedy, thrilling performances and fantastic DJs Tickets are £6 in advance, £7 on the door, with all proceeds going back to Trans* Pride Brighton. To book tickets, view: www.facebook.com/events/
Trans* Pride organisers are well on their way to meeting their funding target this year, but if you want to donate visit Go Fund Me page: www.gofundme.com/transpridebrighton2014
TRANS*PRIDE SUNDAY JULY 27
) On Sunday there will be a relaxing BYOP ('bring your own picnic') on the beach. Look out for the Trans* Pride banner which will be set up on the beach directly in front of New Steine Gardens The picnic takes place from 12-4pm and all-terrain beach wheelchairs are available to hire from the Seafront Office
) Finally, in the evening from 5-6.30pm the party moves to Brighton Swimming Centre where Trans* Swimming Brighton are hosting a Trans* Pool Party Spaces are limited so visitors are limited to only one guest each Lifeguards have received trans*-awareness training and visitors are welcome to wear whatever swimwear they are comfortable in, eg rash vests, swimsuits and swimming trunks. However, due to health and safety reasons, baggy/loose fitting clothing will not be allowed. Entry is a discounted £2.50 per person, which is subsidised by Trans* Pride Brighton. For more info: www.facebook.com/events/261817730676299
The organisers are well on their way to meeting funding goals, but donations are welcome. To donate, view:
www.gofundme.com/transpridebrighton2014
FemRock (Vicki Cook and Sabah Choudrey), a monthly not-for-profit feminist queer music night featuring performances by Lady Luck & The Late Night Players, Slum of Legs, Oh Captain and many more, will be raising money for Trans* Pride Brighton on Wednesday, July 2 at the Green Door Store Doors open at 7pm and entry fee is only £3 before 8pm, £4 after
The Trans* Pride committee would like to thank all of those who have supported them over the last 12 months, helping represent trans* people from all over the UK
) www.transpridebrighton.tumblr.com
MY GENDERATION
A new project by Fox and Lewis
) My Genderation is an independent documentary film series exploring gender variance. Our films feature trans* youth right up to pensioners, all who are at varying points in their lives
Together Lewis and I have been filming and editing episodes of My Genderation We are also trans* people We both have experience as documentary subjects on national television when we featured in the Channel 4 series My Transsexual Summer (MTS) in 2011 Overall MTS had a very positive effect with raising awareness and starting a dialogue with the nation about trans* issues. This gives us a very unique perspective (having been on both sides of the camera) and puts us in a trusted position within a thriving community.
What did we learn from MTS that we can bring to the My Genderation project? To manage people’s expectations, to keep communicating and remember you are interviewing a potentially very vulnerable group of people.
Keep an open dialogue with the film subject(s) and let them view their edit before anyone else sees it. We wouldn’t want anyone to feel exploited or falsely represented.
With My Genderation we have access to an extremely vulnerable group, ranging in age and gender presentation We are responsible for the films we create, to accurately represent each contributor
We are making films to allow a wide audience to empathise with trans* issues, to give trans* people a voice and convey the human side to our stories We provide a platform to consider gender and all its constructs
We aim to provide engaging films on various aspects of being trans* and embracing gender variance These films may feature role models; the viewer may see similarities with their own life stories.
So far everyone has been extremely happy and we have a long list of people, globally, wishing to contribute to the My Genderation project. Usually trans* people are a very hidden and therefore misunderstood group of individuals which is why it is important for us to share our thoughts and feelings, as we progress through transition internally and medically, focusing on family, friends and school situations. We also look at each individual from a fuller perspective, to reveal passions, hobbies and aspirations
Also on MTS they were uncomfortable with
any of us defining as anything other than ‘from one binary to another’. They didn’t think the audience was able to understand the term ‘gender queer ’ or ‘gender variance’.
What are we working on right now? Over the past 6 months, we've been meeting with 25 inspiring people, to create 25 short films, collectively titled Patchwork, with All About Trans Each short film features someone living in the UK, with passions, interests, upbringings, gender variance and experiences Each film focuses on the theme of support and celebration
The films are destined for the All About Trans website, My Genderation website, 4OD, and a selection of them will be broadcast on Channel 4, over the next few months, hopefully with us presenting them
What makes Patchwork entirely unique is that it's created by trans people (with experience both sides of the camera) about trans* people, for a much wider audience We direct, film and edit all our films - and we work closely with our contributors throughout the editing process, keeping our message authentic and clear.
We are both curating and speaking at the (2nd annual) Trans* Pride Brighton Film Night on the opening night for Trans* Pride at the Duke of York’s Picture House and are creating a comedy show based in Brighton.
) Once upon a time, long before Trans* Pride existed, I didn’t feel proud I didn’t feel proud to be in the LGBT community I didn’t feel proud to be trans*, nor did I feel proud to be a person of colour. I was disappointed; it felt like we had already reached where we wanted to be, throwing a giant party in the city, and given up the fight, ignoring the ongoing issues the rest of the LGBT community around the world are facing
When a few friends of friends arranged a meeting at a café, I had no idea it would lead to what Trans* Pride
Brighton is today We talked about our invisibility and exclusion, how the trans* community is only ever thought of as the last letter in LGBT, how we ’ re grouped in with sexual orientation and stereotyped with binary gender roles
‘Trans*’ is an umbrella term in itself, but we ’ re never given the space to pop the umbrella open. The more we spoke, the more passionate we felt, and with each word that came out, there was no going back; we were going to have our Trans* Pride.
It led to conversation after conversation – why has this never happened before? Why are we forced to continue hiding? Why has Pride stopped being a protest? Because it still is for many, we ’ re still fighting for our rights to be trans*, proud and happy, and to live visibly and safely Our aim is clear, and we will continue to strive for true inclusivity, in sexual and gender diversity and across all people of colour, of all backgrounds and abilities We are putting the T first.
WHAT TRANS* PRIDE MEANS TO ME
by Nicole Gibson
) For me, Trans* Pride shows how far the world has come, while at the same time reminding me that being trans* is still classed by many as a taboo subject and we still have a long way to go.
I'm very much a 'live and let live' kind of girl and have often thought that as empowering as Gay Pride is for the gay community, it's sad that still to this day we have a designated period where we can show the world that not everyone is the same, that it's ok to be yourself, be out and proud and co-exist quite comfortably But, that said, look how far we have all come, with legalised gay marriage being just one example
I grew up in a small country village where I, along with most of the other residents, didn't have the foggiest idea what transgender was For as long as I can remember I went to bed every night praying that I'd wake up a girl, completely oblivious that others the world over felt exactly the same as I did. Trapped and embarrassed to tell anyone because I thought this was something that no one else would understand.
WHAT TRANS* PRIDE MEANS TO ME
by Sarah Savage
) I’m pretty new to the concept of Pride: I come from an island where LGBT people still have few rights and there has never been a Pride Parade and these days there isn’t even a gay club I had been attracted to men, women and everyone in between since my early teens but hid it from most of the people in my life; only a handful of my closest friends knew that I was gender variant Looking back, it wasn’t a healthy way to live my life and if there had been positive LGBT role models I may have been able to deal with my gender issues a lot sooner and saved myself a lot of heartache
Being part of the team helping to make Europe’s first Trans* Pride happen is the one achievement I am most proud of, giving gender variant people an opportunity to feel supported, empowered and proud of who they are is the most rewarding experience I have had
The atmosphere at last year ’ s inaugural Trans* Pride was mind blowing; real community spirit coupled with some great acts and stalls combined with the excitement of being a part of making history made it the highlight of my summer Reading the feedback from people who attended gave me a lovely warm feeling inside and despite the rain everybody seemed to have a good time, feeling invigorated from the supportive atmosphere
Trans* Pride Brighton exists because the gender variant community contains some of the most vulnerable people of any minority We aim to give everybody a voice, support and the knowledge that they are not alone. We aim to include everybody who is gender variant in any way and to welcome friends, families and allies
I’m so excited for this year ’ s Trans* Pride Brighton; it will be bigger, bolder and better than last year, all of our fingers and toes are crossed for good weather and we have been working away to ensure that it will be a success
My first introduction to the trans* community was when I typed it into YouTube and lo and behold there were hundreds of videos posted by people going through exactly the same thing as me What a relief! Seeing this finally gave me the courage to speak to my doctor and my family I began posting my own transition blogs, documenting my journey to share with others, I wanted to give something back as hearing other experiences gave me the nudge I needed to move forward.
Of course Trans* Pride is a great opportunity to, as a collective voice, show the 'norm' that this is our world too and we have every right to go about our business just like everyone else. It's also an opportunity to unite with our trans* brothers and sisters, creating friendships, sharing stories and reminding others that they're not alone.
Transitioning doesn't matter how far you intend to go and it certainly doesn't stop once you've had your surgery. There are always new things to learn and experiences to share. Raising awareness and coming together as a community simply makes it a smoother ride for us all. Long live Trans* Pride
WHAT TRANS* PRIDE MEANS TO ME by
Ror y Smith
) I've been working within the trans* community since 2007. I'm enormously proud of what the local community has achieved, both in the time I've been involved and in the decades past.
Brighton has always been a place that has attracted gender diverse people. It’s a place where there is more freedom to explore gender identity and to find acceptance when we come out. So it is fitting that local activists here created Trans* Pride
Trans* Pride is a celebration of what the community has achieved despite the struggles many of us face on a daily basis Simple things most cisgender people take for granted Not least, Trans* Pride is important as it is the antithesis of the darkest day on our calendar, Transgender Day of Remembrance
In my own journey, it took me several years of being out as queer in Brighton before I began to explore my gender identity For me the various LGBT scenes helped this exploration This nurturing environment helped me come out for the second time.
So why have a separate Trans* Pride? I'm proud of being LGBT, so I do not think Trans* Pride is in competition with Brighton Pride but rather complements it. It is about celebrating finding our truth and fighting for it, despite the enormous barriers faced by us in our lives. The rest of the community needn't feel excluded from this. After all, we all have a gender identity and we present this in different ways; many having faced struggles because of it I would welcome all our cisgender brothers and sisters to join us at Trans* Pride After all, we have fought alongside the rest of the movement, before, since and during the Stonewall riots
TRANSFORMERS
Brighton trans* youth group, Transformers, approaches its third bir thday
) Since October 2011, Transformers, the 1625 trans* youth group, has grown and flourished With the support of the Rainbow Fund giving Allsorts a starting grant, the trans* work has been able to expand massively through the dedicated work of three trans* youth workers, and this work is also now supported by Comic Relief and Children in Need.
We have seen the numbers of our trans* young people increase considerably over the past few years and we are proud to be able to deliver this type of work to support any trans* children and young people or those questioning their gender. This groundbreaking service, one of the only trans* youth projects in the UK, offers Transformers, a twice monthly group and enables a trans* youth worker to be available at the under 16 group, TAG
The team also provides 1-2-1 support and advice for young people and information for parents/carers and youth practitioners, as well as providing guidance for teachers and other support staff in schools A growing area of our work has been to support trans* and gender questioning children under 16 This includes group work, 1-2-1 sessions and support, information and guidance for parents and carers
The majority of young trans* people of this age group accessing Allsorts services have never met another trans* person before they meet one of the Trans Youth Team at their induction They will be familiar with negative, pathologising portrayals of transgender people in the popular media and may have encountered negative responses when they 'come out'.
When young people come to Allsorts they meet positive trans* adult role models,
experience peer support and have access to reliable information and affirmative resources This allows our young people to develop a positive self image, especially when they feel they are not alone in their experiences.
We have had several key achievements since starting this work We have produced a Trans* Inclusion for Schools toolkit, in conjunction with the Healthy Schools Team, which is accessible to any school staff in Brighton & Hove. We hope this has the potential to be used nationwide in the future.
We feel that it’s empowering for young people to have a voice in the work we do at Allsorts. We have released two online campaigns this year around visibility, not judging someone ’ s gender identity and how we keep ourselves safe which has been viewed and shared widely on social networks. There was also the release of the Being Human: Human Being book which trans* young people led on the planning, creating and distribution of
Our most recent resource is a Top Tips leaflet in supporting trans* young people, with the support of a Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) grant This resource was created by the young people at Transformers with what they feel is most important for services to know The Top Tips are aimed at anyone working with children and young people in a variety of settings We have had huge demand from schools and children’s services for the new resource and are incredibly pleased with the positive feedback we have received from professionals.
One of our primary aims within the trans* work we do, is to reduce feelings of isolation for trans* and gender questioning young people. The young people we work with are creative and inspiring and with their input we
are able to inspire, educate and support many others locally and nationally
This is linked with the support we now give parents through our Parents’ Group Originally the group was for parents of LGBTU young people but after significant demand around the trans* work we do the group purely consists of parents of trans* young people and has numbers that are increasing all the time!
One of our young people, Teddy, says: “Transformers is the kind of support group they make films about The kind that are so cute and lovely it makes you want to vomit. I've been attending Transformers since the very first meeting and it's changed so much back from when we didn't have any outside funding and we would just sit in a room and talk about our feelings to now where we go on summer residential, make films, make resources and sometimes we even order pizza
“We still talk about our feelings sometimes, because that's important, but we do other stuff that's important to our community as well. I've met some of my best and closest friends through Transformers and I honestly don't know where I'd be without it ”
“I’ve met some of my best and closest friends through Transformers and I honestly don’t know where I’d be without it” Teddy
As a final note, sadly Elliot Klimek, the trans* team leader will be leaving his post at Allsorts. He has be integral in setting up and leading on the trans* work and will be missed by young people, volunteers and staff at Allsorts
Allsor ts
) Allsorts was set up in 1999 and runs a weekly drop-in for LGBTU young people and a variety of activities for men, women, bi young people and under 16s. LGBTU young people from the project train as peer-educators and lead workshops in schools to combat homo/bi/ transphobic bullying
They also create LGBTU youth resources like posters, stickers and resources about their experiences
Their vibrant social media presence has enabled LGBTU young volunteers to campaign on behalf of LGBTU young people across the UK
) For more details about Transformers or Allsorts, go to www.allsortsyouth.org.uk or to speak with Ryan, call the Allsorts office on 01273 721211
WHAT TRANS* PRIDE MEANS
TO ME by Maeve at Transformers
) I feel like attitudes towards transgender people are beginning to change, certainly within popular culture and the media This year is the second Trans* Pride to be held in Brighton and I’m tremendously excited to be a part of it. It’s held a week before LGBT Pride and for me it represents an acknowledgement that although trans* people share a strong and historical bond with LGB people; one which can be immensely powerful as a source of strength, insight and at best a familial mutual care for one another; one ’ s gender is an identity distinct from their sexuality Transgender people are a minority across the social board. We exist in all classes, races, faiths, cultural and economic backgrounds. Yet we ’ re very often maligned, ridiculed, bullied, hurt and made to feel like social outcasts and lesser citizens
Last year at Trans* Pride I watched a colleague of mine at Transformers, explain to a little girl, (on the request of her Grandma) what transgender meant He asked her if she’d always felt like a little girl and she said, "Yes". He told her that when he was little he had a girls body but that he felt like he was a boy, and that he still felt the same when he grew up. He went to a doctor who talked to him and gave him some medicine which helped him to become a man She understood perfectly and said, “Okay thank you ” , and went about her day
Although this is just one person's explanation of their gender (everyone’s could potentially be different) and not every trans* person chooses to seek medical help hormones and/or surgery, I think no matter what a person ’ s gender identity is, they should be treated with respect. I hope that Trans* Pride can educate people and celebrate gender diversity. I’m sure it’s going to be fantastic and I look forward to seeing you there.
SAM THE TRANS MAN
BELIEVE ME
WHY WOULD I LIVE MY LIFE WITH THE ‘WRONG BITS’? ASKS DR SAMUEL JAMES HALL
It’s great that this month’s Gscene is dedicated to trans* issues I hope it’s a space where things that are sometimes difficult to talk about can be aired Of course as a transman I am bound to be pleased to have the opportunity to expound upon my thoughts even more than I normally do! Let me be clear from the start, I’m not speaking on behalf of every person who identifies as transgender, I can’t possibly do that. All of us are individuals with our own thoughts, feelings, life circumstances and histories that shape who we are. So whilst I cannot speak for all, I will try and capture some of the current mood and societal advances that are important to those who identify as trans* in any way.
Being trans* puts you in a small minority of the populationestimates range from 1;100,000 to 20;100,000, but even at the top end that’s only 0.02% of the population. There really aren’t very many of us, although unofficial data suggests a far higher number of people who do not conform or identify with the gender binary our western society presents us with Statistics are always evolving however, and can only be drawn from public or healthcare data, much of which is and should be kept confidential, added to which we are notoriously bad at asking the right questions
Certainly more and more youngsters are seeking treatment, often with the support of their parents, and medical services are, as ever, struggling to keep up This may be because whatever causes the agonising mismatch between biological sex and gender identity is becoming more prevalent, or it may be a reflection of our society becoming increasingly aware and tolerant, resulting in more transidentified people feeling able to come forward to seek help Quite possibly it’s a combination of the increase in acceptance and permission to be who we are, with a genuine increase in numbers of transgender individuals.
“I don’t have to have surger y or take hor mones in order to gain a Gender Recognition Cer tificate. What I do have to do is live authentically as a man”
We still don’t know what causes this mismatch, but neuroscientific theories suggest a hormonal influence in utero as a possible cause for the brain to develop in the opposite direction than would ordinarily occur Theories about nurture rather than nature are probably dead in the water, but there are plenty of people around who still believe that this is a disorder of the mind That we are mistakenly deluded individuals who have just plain ‘got ourselves wrong ’ . All I know is that there has never been a better time to come out as trans* and change our lives for the better.
There may well be far better times yet, but we have come a long, long way in the past 10-15 years. The Gender Recognition Act (GRA 2004)
allows those of us who need external and public validation of what we have always known, to be legally recognised as the gender we are To achieve the legal status of a man, in my case, with a new birth certificate recognising that I am male, is the pinnacle of confirmation as far as I am concerned. That my government and legal system recognises me for who I am goes a long way to ameliorating the unpleasant verbal and non-verbal messages I get every day which undermine very core of me.
Moreover, the GRA does not require me to make radical changes to my body in order to achieve this recognition. I don’t have to have surgery or take hormones in order to gain a Gender Recognition Certificate. What I do have to do is live authentically as a man, and demonstrate that I have done so for a minimum of two years, and perhaps more importantly - demonstrate that I intend to continue to do so.
Of course I will continue to do so. The social transition (passport, driving licence, bank details, endless bodies and companies that I am a consumer or customer of) is probably the biggest hurdle. It amounts to coming out. Telling the world that I am male and wish to be known and addressed as a man was the hardest part by far. It’s unlikely, once a person has taken this gigantic step, that they will look back
It’s such a struggle living and coping with the mismatch (we call it dysphoria), and the hormones are a really important first step to combat that. They provide relief.
“It’s such a struggle living and coping with the mismatch (we call it dysphoria), and the hormones are a really important first step to combat that. They provide relief ”
My self-esteem and sense of self-respect rocketed at the very moment the rest of the world looked at me quizzically. I am quite prepared to continue to be a social pariah and a misfit, largely because I feel so damn good about myself. I have now done all the hard work I needed to do in order to achieve that legal recognition, but I won’t stop there.
Although I don’t have to change my body/take hormones/have surgery, I know I will. The reason for this is simple: I am a man. I have crossed that line and admitted it to myself and everyone around me, which involved painful and upsetting conversations with family and loved ones, as well as being ostracised in the workplace and to some degree in my church There are no further barriers to me becoming fully myself now Why would I want to live the rest of my life with the ‘ wrong bits’?
Funny though, it took a while. I was very resistant to hormone treatment in the first instance I hate the idea of having to have injections for the rest of my life, and even though I am immersed in surgery every day of my working life, I don’t really want to have loads of it It’s stressful! When I went for my first appointment at the gender clinic, the doctor said to me “ you will feel so much better if you start taking hormones”
I was smugly sure I knew what he meant That my body would change, my voice would break, I would grow facial hair and people would stop mistaking me for a woman, but I really wasn’t sure if I could face years of medical treatment Of course those things do happen, but it’s a very slow process and isn’t at all what he meant What he meant was what he said “You will feel better” And boy do I feel better Honestly, within 48 hours of my first shot of testosterone, long, long (and I mean months) before any physical changes even began, I felt better. As though a fog of depression had lifted. Life started to take on some colour, and my brain truly felt as though it had been taken out of the wrong pond, and immersed in the right one.
If you think about how fundamental our sex hormones are to healthy psychological functioning, this really adds weight to the neuroscientific theories The best analogy I can think of is that my brain is an engine that was designed to run on diesel, and has been forced to run on petrol for the last 30-odd years. It really feels that simple. I’ve been running on the wrong fuel! All this time. And that doctor was absolutely right. I feel so much better.
Talking to other people who are making this painful journey into selfhood, I hear the same stories. Transwomen taking testosterone blockers and starting oestrogen therapy finding that their depression is lifting, suicidal thoughts abate, and even sometimes very physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue start to fade. It’s such a struggle living and coping with the mismatch (we call it dysphoria), and the hormones are a really important first step to combat that. They provide relief. There’s no other word for it.
The effects of hormones are largely reversible. My voice won’t “ unbreak” though, and if a transwoman starts growing breasts they won’t go away if she stops taking oestrogen. The gender clinics are very keen that we have reversible treatment for some time before doing anything irreversible Like surgery As a doctor myself I understand this reticence and why there is such a long wait, no doctor wants to be responsible for what could be completely debilitating surgery if done too quickly or for the wrong reason Having said that, the so called ‘regret’ rate is low and often attributable to other causes, such as a surgical complication or unsatisfactory outcome I do believe however, in this era of well-informed patients, and assuming we trans* people are indeed not mad, that we could be cut a bit of slack It’s really highly unlikely that anyone would get as far as gender reassignment surgery unless they were absolutely sure that it was the right thing for them to do
One of the effects of hormone treatment that some of us experience is a worsening of the dysphoria Now that my brain is running on the right fuel, and I feel better emotionally and psychologically than I have done throughout my adult life, I also feel that I’ve made absolutely the right decision Any doubts or fears about transitioning medically have been dispelled completely, and my body dysphoria is much, much worse. I am a man, I finally feel like one who is functioning well, and yet when I stand naked in front of the mirrorwell it’s a horror show. There are bits that shouldn't be there, and bits missing that make me feel like an amputee. It’s a shocking experience which I largely try and avoid.
What I can’t avoid though, is the rest of the world. I can’t avoid the daily grind of not knowing whether I am going to be seen as a woman and addressed as such, or whether I’m going to be seen for who I am. There’s no way of telling, when encountering a stranger, which way it’s going to go.
As a transman, I’m lucky because the hormonal changes will eventually make it very unlikely that I will be mistaken for a woman in the future. Spare a thought for transwomen, however, who have many more physical barriers to being seen for who they are. The younger you are when you transition, the more likely it is that you will eventually ‘ pass ’ successfully and leave the agony behind But for some, especially those who transition when they are older, there is the possibility that that daily uncertainty may never abate
And it’s emotionally exhausting, as well as sometimes quite threatening The threats range from the still all too real possibility of being verbally or physically assaulted, to the no less damaging attempts to ‘fix’ us by using the wrong gender pronoun or address Whilst I can forgive liberated Brighton for misguidedly calling me ‘madam’ or ‘ladies’ when in company of my lovely female friends, I really cannot fathom why on earth you would call a transwomen dressed in essentially feminine clothing ‘Sir’ Unless of course you just don’t believe that they are who they are I genuinely think that one of the biggest problems we are facing today, even in this enlightened world, is that people really don’t believe us
Based in central Brighton, the Clare Project weekly drop-in is 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
CLARE PROJECT meets every TUES from 2.30– 5.30pm at DORSET GARDENS METHODIST CHURCH
Dorset Gardens (off St James St) Brighton BN2 1RL
Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in from 5–7.30pm
COFFEE MORNING
at CHAPEL ROYAL North Street, Brighton, BN1 1EA SAT 26 JULY from 11am–1pm
Welcoming all trans & questioning people to this event which will run every 4th Saturday of each month
More details: www.clareproject.org.uk Or find on us facebook under Clare Project. Email clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
LGBT COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM
A-BAR
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (4) SANFRANDISCO with DJ Mick Fuller at 9pm
) REGUL ARS Fri enter tainment: Billie May live (11), Gio’s Soul Sessions (18) and CABARET with Misty Lee (25) at 9.30pm ) Sat is Pre- Club tunes SATURDAY
SESSIONS (26) is with DJ Grant Knowles at 9pm ) Wed is the Open Mic PIANO
BAR with Mark Hodge; sing your favourite tune with Mark or just listen at 8 30pm ) FOOD bar food served Mon–Sat 12–7pm (last orders 6 30pm); Golden Handbag award winning Sunday roasts served 12–5pm (last orders 4pm), to book call 01273 696691
) DRINK DEALS house wine £12 ever y day; double-up on spirits for extra £1 50 all day, ever y day; Sun–Thur, buy one cocktail get the other half price all day ) OPEN Sun–Thur 12pm–12am; Fri & Sat 12pm–2am Unrivalled sea view, large smoking & sun terrace, and all big spor t events www.abarbrighton.co.uk
Information is correct at the time of going to press Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
BARS
l A-BAR
11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL Tel: 01273 696691, www abarbrighton co uk Seafront bar with sun terrace & food
OPEN: Sun–Thur 12pm–12am, Fri & Sat 12pm–2am
DRINK PROMOS: all day, every day
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY
7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG
Tel: 01293 511177 www 7crawley co uk
Bar & lounge with top cabaret
OPEN: Sun & Wed 6pm–12 30am, Thur–Sat 6pm–2 30am
DRINK PROMOS: Wed 6–9pm, Thur all night
l BAR REVENGE
32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL
Tel: 01273 606064, www revenge co uk
Seafront bar with DJs & live music
OPEN: Sun-Wed 12pm-1am; Thur 12pm2am; Fri & Sat 12pm-6am
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sat (12) is the UV PARTY with DJ Michael G at 10pm
) REGUL ARS Fri is with DJs at 10pm: Claire Fuller (4), Little R ob (11), Kirsty Anderson (18), Waynsey R udeboy (25), entry free before 11pm, £3 after ) Sat is with DJs at 10pm: Waynsey R udeboy (5), R ob Davis (19), Michael G & cabaret from Topsey R edfurn (26), entry free before 10pm, £3 after ) Sun is KARAOKE, free entry
) DRINK DEALS Wed 6–9pm, Thur all night ) OPEN Wed–Sun from 6pm www 7crawley co uk
l BULLDOG
31 St James s St, BN2 1RF
Tel: 01273 696996
www bulldogbrighton com
Two floor venue with DJs & cabaret
OPEN: daily 11am–very late
DRINK PROMOS: Mon, Tue & Thur 3–7pm & 11pm–12am; Wed 3–7pm; Fri 3–7pm & 9–11pm; Sat 10pm–12am; Sun all day–12am
l CAMELFORD ARMS
30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ
Tel: 01273 622386, www camelfordarms com
Dog friendly, traditional pub
OPEN: daily from 12pm
l CHARLES ST
8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA
Tel: 01273 624091, www charlesstreet com
Bar with food, top cabaret, regular DJs & sun terrace
OPEN: Mon–Thur 3pm–12am, Fri & Sat 1pm–2am, Sun 1pm–12am
DRINK PROMOS: Sun–Thur all day, Fri & Sat 1–7pm
l FUNKYFISH BAR
Marine Parade, BN2 1TL
Tel: 01273 698331, www funkyfishclub co uk
Seafront facing bar, mixed clientele
OPEN: daily from 12pm
l LEGENDS BAR
31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR
Tel: 01273 624462, www legendsbrighton com
Bar with regular DJs, cabaret, food & seafront facing sun terrace
OPEN: daily 11–5am
DRINK PROMOS: Mon-Fri 11am-midnight
l MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ Tel: 01273 681284, www marinetavern co uk
Friendly bar with regular quiz nights OPEN: Sun–Thur 11–12am, Fri & Sat 12pm–2am
DRINK PROMOS: Wed & Thur 7-11pm
BRIGHTON SAUNA
) REGUL ARS Every Wed and Sun are NAKED DAY all day (no towels to be worn)
) DRINKS licensed bar 7 days a week; Sun–Thur 11–1am and Fri & Sat 11–2am
) OPEN For listings visit: www thebrightonsauna com
BOUTIQUE
Boutique is an opulent and fashionable club, on 2 Boyces Street off West Street, Brighton ) BOOKINGS to make BED/VIP bookings call R ebecca on 01273 327607 or email becky@boutiqueclubbrighton com
) OPEN Mon, Wed-Sat from 9pm; Sun from 10pm boutiqueclubbrighton com/news Follow Boutique on Facebook: BoutiqueClubBrighton or Twitter @Boutique BN1
l OHSO SOCIAL
250a King's Rd, BN1 1NB
Tel: 01273 746067
www ohsosocial co uk
Seafront-facing cafe/bar
OPEN: Mon-Thur 9-12am; Fri-Sun 9-2am
l PARIS HOUSE
21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF
Tel: 01273 724195
www parishousebrighton com
French style cafe/bar
OPEN: daily from 12pm
l POISON IVY
129 St James's St, BN2 1TH
Tel: 01273 604076
Drag hosts & karaoke 7 nights a week
OPEN: daily from 11am
DRINK PROMOS: Tue, Thur, Fri & Sat all night; all day & night on Sun
l QUEEN’S ARMS
7 George St, BN2 1RH
Tel: 01273 696873
www queensarmsbrighton com
Karaoke & cabaret bar
OPEN: Sun–Thur 12pm–12am, Fri & Sat
12pm–2am
l ROYAL OAK
46 St James’s St, BN2 1RG
Tel: 01273 621093
Dog friendly bar, cask conditioned ales, cabaret, food & beer garden
OPEN: Mon–Thur 12–11pm, Fri & Sat
12pm–1am, Sun 12–10 30pm
l SUBLINE
129 St James s St, BN2 1TH
Tel: 01273 624100, www sublinebrighton co uk
Men only cruising bar, regular DJs & themed nights
OPEN: Wed–Sat from 9pm, Sun from 8pm
DRINK PROMOS: Wed & Sat
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS
59 Nor th Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YD
Tel: 01273 608571,
www 3jollybutchers com
OPEN: Mon–Sat from 12pm, Sun from 1pm
Dog-friendly central food pub l ZONE
33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF
Tel: 01273 682249, www zonebar co uk
Friendly bar, live music, karaoke & cabaret
OPEN: daily from 10am
DRINK PROMOS: all day & night Mon, Wed & Thur
CLUBS
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Nightclub below Legends Bar & Hotel
www legendsbrighton com
OPEN: Wed & Fri–Sun from 11pm
ENTRY : free entry daily
DRINK PROMOS: Wed, Fri & Sun all night
l BOUTIQUE BRIGHTON
2 Boyces St@West St, BN1 1AN
www boutiqueclubbrighton com
OPEN: Mon, Wed-Sat from 9pm; Sun from 10pm
BULLDOG
) MEMBERSHIP Free entr y for members only, door charge for non-members To join visit www bulldogbrighton com/membership-application
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (10) is the Bulldog’s 35th Bir thday Bash
) REGUL ARS Tue is POPTASTIC with DJ Lee Tue (29) is monthly REGGAE with DJ Micklos at 9pm ) Wed is DIVA RUSH with DJ Marcia, all drinks £1 99 when selected ar tist is played and the traffic light turn green, 10pm–2am ) Thur is RELEASE with DJ Grant Knowles at 10pm ) Fri is DJ Marcia at 10pm, CABARET in the top bar at midnight: Son of a Tutu (4), Davina Sparkle (11), Topping & Butch (18), Miss Jason (25) ) Sat is DJ V John at 10PM, DJ Lil Alex at 3am, and KARAOKE upstairs at 10pm ) Sun is with DJ Grant Knowles in main bar at 10pm and KARAOKE till 2am
) Mon is DJ MARCIA’s Glitter Ball 70s/80s tunes at 10pm
3–7pm & drinks £1 99 9–11pm; Sat 10pm–midnight; Sun all day–midnight Drinks include: pints from £1 95, double spirit & mixer from £2 30, bottles from £1 85 (Terms & conditions apply)
) OPEN daily from 11am–ver y late ) www.bulldogbrighton.com
l ENVY
Nightclub above Charles Street
www charles-street com
OPEN: Mon
ENTRY : £1 50
DRINK PROMOS: Mon all night
l FUNKYFISH CLUB
19 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL
Tel: 01273 698331
www funkyfishclub co uk
DJs, 70s/80s/90s funk/soul classics
OPEN: Fri & Sat 9pm-late
ENTRY : Fri free, Sat £5
DRINK PROMOS: Fri & Sat all night
l REVENGE
32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL
Tel: 01273 606064, www revenge co uk
Nightclub with top DJs & PAs (studentfriendly)
OPEN: Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10 30pm
ENTRY : Tue: £1 with a flyer/£2 without; Thur: free entry b4 12am with Facebook guestlist/otherwise £4/£3 NUS; Fri & Sat: £1 b4 12am with a pass, or £5/£4 NUS
DRINK PROMOS: Tue, Thur, Fri, Sat all night
SAUNAS
l THE BRIGHTON SAUNA
75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA
Tel: 01273 689966
www thebrightonsauna com
Gay sauna with licenced bar
OPEN: Mon-Thu 10am–1am, Fri 10am then 24 hours to Sunday night 1am
ENTRY : standard £15, weekend pass £20 (3 days), under 25s £5 Mon-Thur
LICENSED BAR: Sun–Thu 11–1am, Fri & Sat
11–2am
l TBS2
84-86 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3 3TJ
Tel: 01273 723733, www tbs2 com
CAMELFORD ARMS
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (13) is the World Cup Final live at 8pm
) REGUL ARS Thur is the £300 BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm
The FRIDAY CLUB is at 6pm Sun (6 & 20) is the BEAR BASH at 5pm; free raffle every Sun at 5pm
) FOOD Wed is SENIORS' LUNCH with two courses for £5.50 served 2–3.30pm; homecooked menu & manager's specials Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone!
) OPEN daily from 12pm The Camelford is a dog-friendly pub
Gay sauna in Hove with licenced bar
OPEN: 10am-11pm every day of the year
ENTRY : £14 standard, £10 with VIP membership, £20 weekend pass, £5 under 25s every day
FOOD
l A-BAR
Tel: 01273 696691
FOOD: Mon–Sat 12–7pm; Sun roast 12–5pm
l BAR REVENGE
FOOD: free pizza on Sunday
l CAMELFORD ARMS
Tel: 01273 622386
FOOD: Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roast & select menu 12pm–till gone; seniors' lunch Wed 2–3 30pm
l BET TY L A L A’S
22 St James’ St, Brighton, BN2 1RF
Tel: 01273 693444, www bettylalas com
FOOD: Tue–Sun 12pm–late
l CHARLES ST
Tel: 01273 624091
FOOD: Mon–Sat 12–8pm; Sunday lunch 12–7pm
l LEGENDS BAR
Tel: 01273 624462
FOOD: Mon–Sat 12–5pm; Sunday lunch 12–3pm
l NEW STEINE BISTRO
10/11 New Steine, Brighton, BN2 1PB
Tel: 01273 681546, www newsteinehotel com
FOOD: every eve 6–9 45pm for last orders
l OHSO SOCIAL
250a King's Rd, BN1 1NB
Tel: 01273 746067
FOOD: breakfasts every day 9am-12pm; then lunch served 12-9pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) is the MAD COW’S TEA PARTY 2-floor Pre-Pride special with DJs Leeroy & R uby R oo in the bar, Lil’ Alex in the club, hostess Joan Bond and fab décor at 8pm; entry £2 from 8pm, £3 after 10pm, £1 donated to Pride
) REGUL ARS Wed is now the QUIZ WITH NO NAME a night filled with antics and enter tainment with the Drag With No Name and cash prizes at 9pm ) Thur is The MAD COW'S TEA PARTY with Alice in Wonderland décor, tea pot cocktails, shots & hostess Ms Joan Bond at 9pm, entry £1 ) FRUITY FRIDAY FIX with DJ Leeroy, dance/funky house, at 9pm ) Sat is BOYS IN THE BAR with all-male DJ line-up inc Lil Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy on rotation, free entry ) Sun CABARET at 7 30pm: Sandra (6), Tammy Twinkle (13), La Voix (20), Myra Dubois (27); TRANNY ROCK & ROLL BINGO with Sally Vate and rolling jackpot at 8 30pm ) FOOD served 12–8pm Mon–Sat; two for £6 95 on select mains, 2-4-1 gourmet hotdogs at Dog Tails on Tue Sunday Lunch: roast beef, chicken or veggie served 12–7pm, £6 95, or two for £10
) DRINK DEALS All drinks 50% off Mon–Sat from 5–9pm; from £1 and win a bar tab for the night on Thur; Sun from 8.30pm, after the show All deals excl sparkling wine & cocktails & not in conjunction with other offers Cocktails: two for £8 on Tue & Fri 9pm–close
) OPEN daily from 12pm Check out the sun terrace for some summer sunshine! www charles-street com
l ROYAL OAK Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge 8.30pm
l ZONE Betty Swollocks’ karaoke 8 30pm
WEDNESDAY 2
l A-BAR open mic: Mark Hodge 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l CHARLES ST Quiz With No Name with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 3
l BAR REVENGE FOMO warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz
9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz: Remi Harris 8pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Candi Rell 9 30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 4
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Claire Fuller 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Shameless v Powder Room warm-up: DJ Smithy 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia 10pm; cabaret:
Son of a Tutu midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL DJs Chris Barker, Queen
Josephine & David Ethics + guest Zach Burns 8pm
ENVY @ CHARLES ST
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue (29) is the PRIDE UNSIGNED Band Night ) Thur (31) is the MAD COW’S TEA PARTY 2-floor Pre-Pride special with DJs Leeroy & R uby R oo in the bar, Lil’ Alex in the club, hostess Joan Bond and fab décor at 8pm; entry £2 from 8pm, £3 after 10pm, £1 donated to Pride
) REGUL ARS Sat (5) is new monthly rock & indie night APOCALYPSE with a live band performing at 9 30pm, free video games and entry £5 ) Mon is the STUDIO 150 student night, entry £1 50 ) DRINK DEALS singles or bottles £1 50 all night on Mon
) OPEN Mon at 10pm, Sat (5) at 9pm www charles-street com
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst 9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Strictly Fri: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Rewind: DJs 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Sharon Needles live PA + Powder Room on level 2 8pm; Shameless
DJs Lee Harris & Trick on level 1 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE Stone & Street 9 30pm
SATURDAY 5
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Waynsey Rudeboy 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fusion: DJ Lee Harris 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l ENVY Apocalypse: alt night with live band & video games 9pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Old School Sat: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm
l OHSO SOCIAL DJs 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9.30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Sam
DMS & Alex Baker + Jonesy 10 30pm
l ROYAL OAK cabaret: Jennie Castell 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ
Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE live music: Billie May 9.30pm
SUNDAY 6
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE acoustic music
4 30pm; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 7 30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant & karaoke 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Raffle & Bear Bash 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Sandra 7 30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate
8 30pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@REVENGE
Roof-terrace par ty (weather depending): DJs Chris Barker & Queen Josephine 5pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) is the BIG GAY CHARITY PUB QUIZ raising funds for the R ainbow Fund and Macmillan Cancer Suppor t at 8pm; entry £2 per person, £1 shots
) REGUL ARS Funky Friday is with DJ Nick Hirst at 9.30pm, free entry ) SEXY
SATURDAY with DJ Tony B is at 9 30pm, free entry
) DRINK DEALS from Sun–Thur all day and Fri & Sat from 1–7pm: Fosters & Carling £3 15 a pint, large Smirnoff & mixer £4, large Smirnoff & energy drink £5 Buy two cocktails for £11 from Sun–Thur Free game of pool every day with every round of drinks purchased during happy hour
) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight www.doctorbrightons.co.uk
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Davina
Sparkle 3 30pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Dave Lynn
5.30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ
N U D E, underwear par ty 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS jazz 4pm
l ZONE cabaret 6pm
MONDAY 7
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8 30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madhouse 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
TUESDAY 8
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of For tune
Karaoke: Harry or Lou Bag 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Naughty Pop: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ROYAL OAK Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge 8 30pm
l ZONE Betty Swollocks’ karaoke 8 30pm
WEDNESDAY 9
l A-BAR open mic: Mark Hodge 8.30pm
FUNKY FISH CLUB & BAR
) REGUL ARS STRICTLY FRIDAY is with DJ Aky char t/dance/pop/80s/90s, and free entry OLD SCHOOL SATURDAY with DJ Aky funk/disco/dance/house, entry £5
) DRINK DEALS all night Fri with £2 shots, Jagerbombs £2 50, bottles from £3 and all night Sat with a free shot before 11pm
) OPEN The Funky Fish Bar is open daily from 12pm www.funkyfishclub.co.uk Follow Funky Fish on www.facebook.com/funkyfishclub or Twitter @funkyfishclub
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l CHARLES ST Quiz With No Name with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 10
l BAR REVENGE FOMO warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm
l BULLDOG 35th Bir thday Bash
l CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Area Code 273 8pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Rose Garden 9.30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 11
l A-BAR live music: Billie May 9 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Little Rob 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Shameless v Doggy
Style warm-up: DJ Alex Baker 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia 10pm; cabaret:
Davina Sparkle midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL DJs Chris Barker, Queen
Josephine, David Ethics + guest Eduardo Herrera 8pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst 9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Strictly Fri: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Rewind: DJs 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Doggy Style: DJs Fifilicious & friends on level 2; Shameless: DJs Lee Harris & Trick on level 1 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Dry Clean Only 9pm
l ZONE live music: Miss Jason 9 30pm
SATURDAY 12
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY UV par ty: DJ Michael G 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs
Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Old School Sat: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Fusion 7pm
l OHSO SOCIAL DJs 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs Alex
Baker & Smithy + Zach Burns 10 30pm
l ROYAL OAK cabaret: Topsie Redfurn
9 30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 9 30pm
I S T I N G S
L E G E N D S B A R
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (20) is an event in suppor t of Lady La R ue with host Drag With No Name, plus 16 top acts at 3.30pm ) REGUL ARS Fri is REWIND with DJs spinning 70s/80s/90s disco/soul/funk/Motown at 9pm ) Sat is Pre-Fusion with DJs at 7pm ) Sun CABARET at 3 30pm: Davina Sparkle (6), Lola Lasagne (13) and Dave Lynn (27) ) Mon is MISS JASON'S MADHOUSE at 9pm
) FOOD summer menu served Mon–Sat 12–5pm, including freshly made from scratch burgers served with chunky chips and homemade coleslaw from £8, and lunch options from £3.95 Sunday R oasts served 12–3pm with top quality locally sourced meat, poultry & vegetarian options
) DRINK DEALS Mon–Fri 11am–midnight; Mon–Fri 5–11pm, buy any bottle from the quality wine list and get the second half price ) OPEN daily from 11am–5am Free entr y, all day sun terrace ) www legendsbrighton com
SUNDAY 13
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE acoustic music
4 30pm; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant & karaoke 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS raffle 5pm; World Cup Final 8pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Tammy Twinkle
7 30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8 30pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@REVENGE
Roof-terrace par ty (weather depending): DJs Chris Barker & Queen Josephine 5pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lola Lasagne
3 30pm
l PARIS HOUSE Bastille Day
Celebrations: Fleur de Paris, CanCan Girls & food 12pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Topsie Redfurn 5.30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ
N U D E, underwear par ty 8pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 4pm; World Cup Final 8pm
l ZONE cabaret 6pm
MONDAY 14
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8 30pm
l BULLDOG Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madhouse 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
TUESDAY 15
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of For tune
Karaoke: Harry or Lou Bag 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
L E G E N D S B A S E M E N T C L U B
) FREE ENTRY to the Basement Club every day
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) is PRIDE CRUSH with a mash-up of electro pop /classic pop, open till 5am
) REGUL ARS Wed is ICE with DJ Claire Fuller, char t/house/r&b ) Fri is FASTFOWARD with DJ Peter Castle, dance/ char t ) Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle, LEE HARRIS (5), playing house/char t ) Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller, recent/classic pop
) DRINK DEALS selected shots £1 50/£2 bottles of Becks/house spirit & mixer £2 on Wed; promos all night on Fri; £2 spirit & mixer/£2 50 selected bottles on Sun ) OPEN Wed & Fri–Sun 11pm www legendsbrighton com
l REVENGE Naughty Pop: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ROYAL OAK Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge 8 30pm
l ZONE Betty Swollocks’ karaoke 8 30pm
WEDNESDAY 16
l A-BAR open mic: Mark Hodge 8 30pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ
Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l CHARLES ST Quiz With No Name with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 17
l BAR REVENGE FOMO warm-up: DJ Kelly
L 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty: Ms
Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l PARIS HOUSE live music: Nuit de Chanson & Fleur de Paris 8pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Miss Penny 9 30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 18
l A-BAR Gio’s Soul Sessions 9.30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Kirsty Anderson 6pm
l BAR REVENGE Gaydio v Revenge warmup: DJ Alex Baker 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia 10pm; cabaret: Topping & Butch midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL DJs Chris Barker, Queen Josephine, David Ethics & HiFi Sean 8pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst
9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Strictly Fri: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Rewind: DJs 9pm
O H S O S O C I A L
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri is DIRTY SUNSET DISCO (DSD) with guest DJs Zach Burns (4), Eduardo Herrera (11), Hifi Sean (18), Chris Brogan (25) and residents Chris Barker, Queen Josephine & David Ethics spinning disco-fused house/grooves at 8pm Entry £2 b4 11pm/£3 after Check www.facebook.com/dir tysunsetdisco and www.dir tysunsetdisco.com for the DSD Pride par ties on Aug 1, 2 and 3
) REGUL ARS Sat DJs spin pop tunes at 8pm
) FOOD Breakfasts served daily 9am–12pm; lunch served 12-9pm from classic fish & chips to high-end steaks and burgers Premier dining experience on Brighton beach seafront, sandwiched between the iconic Brighton Pier and the fairground carousel ) OPEN daily from 9am Enjoy a coffee, cocktail or beer while you take in the sun on the terrace www ohsobrighton co uk
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Shameless: DJs Lee Harris & Trick 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Steam 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Dave Lynn 9 30pm
SATURDAY 19
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Rob Davis 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Old School Sat: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Fusion 7pm
l OHSO SOCIAL DJs 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s
Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Official Shakedown After-
Par ty: Sweet Revenge: DJ Alex Baker & Trick
+ King K 10 30pm
l ROYAL OAK cabaret: Krissie DuCann 9.30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE live music: Collusion 9 30pm
SUNDAY 20
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE acoustic music
4 30pm; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 7 30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
P A R I S H O U S E
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (13) is BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATIONS with live music from Fleur de Paris, CanCan Girls & food all day from 12pm ) REGUL ARS Thur is free LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: R emi Harris (3), Area Code 273 (10) and Nuit de Chanson & Fleur de Paris (17) ) Sat free LIVE JAZZ at 4pm; TC's JOYFUL NOISE with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free entry
) FOOD platter of French food to share & large carafe of wine £15 ) OPEN daily from 12pm www parishousebrighton com
P O I S O N I V Y
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wed is Stephanie Starlet’s AMATEUR STRIP NIGHT with karaoke & £100 cash prize at 8pm
) REGUL ARS KARAOKE 7 nights a week with drag hosts every night ) Thur is CABARET at 9 30pm: Candi R ell (3), R ose Garden (10), Miss Penny (17), Baga
Chips (24) and Pam Catz (31) ) Sun CABARET at 5 30pm: Dave Lynn (6), Topsie
R edfurn (13), Saucy Sophie (20) and Davina Sparkle (27)
) DRINK DEALS non-stop happy hours all month, including cheap drinks on Wed
) OPEN daily from 11am
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant & karaoke 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash & Raffle 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: La Voix 7 30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8 30pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@REVENGE
Roof-terrace par ty (weather depending): DJs
Chris Barker & Queen Josephine 5pm
l LEGENDS BAR Event in suppor t of Lady
La Rue: host Drag With No Name + 16 top acts 3 30pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Saucy Sophie 5.30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ
N U D E, underwear par ty 9pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 4pm
l ZONE cabaret 6pm
Q U E E N S A R M S
MONDAY 21
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8 30pm
l BULLDOG Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madhouse 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
TUESDAY 22
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of For tune Karaoke: Harry or Lou Bag 8pm
l BULLDOG Poptastic: DJ Lee 10pm
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Naughty Pop: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Wed is CABARET with Miss Jason as you’ve never seen her before
) REGUL ARS Top CABARET every night at 9 30pm
) OPEN daily from 12pm
B A R R E V E N G E
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Thur (31) is the pre-Pride par ty with DJ Kelly L urban anthems at 9pm
) REGUL ARS Thur is FOMO (fear of missing out) warm-up with DJ Kelly L urban anthems at 9pm ) Fri warm-up par ties at 9pm: Shameless v The Powder R oom with DJ Smithy pop (4), Shameless v Doggy Style with DJ Alex Baker mashed-up pop (11), Gaydio v R evenge with DJ Alex Baker mashed-up house (18) and DJ Alex Baker mashed-up house (25) ) Sat is the Sweet R evenge warm-up with DJ Fifilicious char t & urban at 9pm ) Sun is ACOUSTIC SUNDAY live music at 4 30pm, KARAOKE QUEENS with LouBag & Smithy at 7.30pm ) Mon is the QUIZ WITH LIZ big prizes and rolling jackpot at 8.30pm, £1 entry per person ) Tue is WHEEL OF FORTUNE KARAOKE with Harr y or Lou Bag at 8pm ) Wed is CRASH with DJ Dana char t faves/alternative anthems at 7pm ) FOOD free pizza on Sun
) DRINK DEALS BOGOF cocktails Thur–Sun 5–9pm; select drinks £1 99 & a bottle of house wine £7 99 on Mon; select drinks £1 99 on Tue; drinks drop as low as 70p on Wed at STOCK EXCHANGE with fluctuating drink prices depending on what people are buying; select drinks £1 50 on Thur; from £2 49 Sat & Sun ) OPEN daily from 12pm, closes at 6am on Fri & Sat Free Revenge discount passes on Thur; buy a drink and get discounted entry into the club on Fri & Sat before midnight; £1 entry passes on Tue ) www revenge co uk
l ROYAL OAK Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge 8 30pm
l ZONE Betty Swollocks’ karaoke 8.30pm
WEDNESDAY 23
l A-BAR open mic: Mark Hodge 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Quiz With No Name with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 24
l BAR REVENGE FOMO warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty: Ms Joan Bond, tunes 9pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Baga Chipz 9 30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 25
l A-BAR cabaret: Misty Lee 9 30pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Waynsey Rudeboy 6pm
R E V E N G E
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (4) is a live PA by Sharon Needles, RuPaul Drag Race winners, at 9pm, advance tickets £12.50 online ) Thur (31) is the FOMO (fear of missing out) Pride Special with FOMO DJs on level 1, Girls on Top DJs Lady Lola & Missy B on level 2, regular entry applies
) REGUL ARS Tue is NAUGHTY POP with DJs Trick & Dana pop from last 20 years, £1 with flyer/£2 ) Thur is FOMO (fear of missing out) hot DJs & music, free b4 12am with Facebook guestlist, or £4/£3 NUS ) Fri is SHAMELESS on level 1 with DJs Trick and Lee Harris club bangers/mash-ups; theme nights on level 2: Fri (11) DOGGY STYLE with DJ Fifilicious & friends hip hop/r&b/garage; Fri (25) is POWDER ROOM with drag/ cabaret acts and DJ Fifilicious indie/electro/trashglam/pop, £1 b4 12am with a pass, £5/£4 ) Sat is SWEET REVENGE with guest DJs: Sam DMS (5) & Zach Burns (12), and regulars Alex Baker & Smith; £1 b4 12am with pass, or £5/£4 Sat (19) is Official SHAKEDOWN After-Par ty ) Sun is HIGHER, Dir ty Sunset Disco Ibiza-style par ty, on the sun terrace with DJs Chris Barker & Queen Josephine at 5pm, £3 b4 6pm, £4 b4 7pm, £5 after Open weather depending ) DRINK DEALS bottles of Fosters & shots from £1 50 & all main-line drinks £2 on Tue; from £1 50 on Thur inc double vodka & mixer, £3; double-up for £1 on all main-line spirits, all main-line drinks £2 50 b4 12am & Jagerbombs £2 50 all night on Fri; double-up for £1 50, all main-line drinks £2 50 b4 12am & Jagerbombs £2 50 all night on Sat All drink specials exclude champers & doubles (excl doubling up) ) OPEN 11pm Tue, 10 30pm Thur, Fri & Sat Discounted entry passes from Bar Revenge or www revenge co uk
l BAR REVENGE DJ Alex Baker 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Fastforward: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia 10pm; cabaret: Miss Jason midnight
l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst 9 30pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL DJs Chris Barker, Queen Josephine & David Ethics + guest Chris Brogan 8pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Strictly Fri: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Rewind: DJs 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE The Powder Room: DJ Fifilicious & drag/cabaret acts on level 2;
Shameless: DJs Lee Harris & Trick on level
1 10 30pm
l SUBLINE Dirty Tackle sportskit night 9pm
l ZONE live music: Back Beat 9.30pm
SATURDAY 26
l A-BAR Sat Sessions: DJ Grant Knowles 9pm
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJ Michael G & Topsey Redfurn 10pm
l BAR REVENGE DJ Fifilicious 9pm
R O Y A L O A K
Church Street has moved to The R oyal Oak, 46 St James’ Street, Brighton
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Tue is now Davina Sparkle’s SCHOOL NIGHT
CHALLENGE with cabaret, free shots and the tin of baked beans at 8 30pm
) REGUL ARS Sat is CABARET at 9 30pm: Jennie Castell (5), Topsie R edfurn (12), Krissie DuCann (19) and Cassidy Connors (26)
) FOOD served by Golden Handbag-winning chefs: Mon–Fri lunch menu 12–3pm & evening menu 6–9pm; Sunday roasts served 12pm–till gone
) DRINK DEALS A wide selection of local cask conditioned ales served daily
) OPEN Mon–Thur 12–11pm; Fri & Sat 12pm–1am; Sun 12–10.30pm
Check out The Royal Oak’s spacious beer garden for some summer sunshine!
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm
l BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm
l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9 30pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Old School Sat: DJ Aky 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pre-Fusion 7pm
l OHSO SOCIAL DJs 8pm
l PARIS HOUSE live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJ Alex Baker & Trick + Jonesy 10 30pm
l ROYAL OAK cabaret: Cassidy Connors
9 30pm
l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm
l ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 9 30pm
SUNDAY 27
l BAR 7@CRAWLEY karaoke 6pm
l BAR REVENGE acoustic music 4 30pm; Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 7.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BEDFORD TAVERN Piano Bingo 5pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 12pm
l BULLDOG DJ Grant & karaoke 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Raffle 5pm
l CHARLES ST cabaret: Myra Dubois
7 30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8 30pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@REVENGE
Higher roof terrace par ty: DJs Chris Barker & Queen Josephine 5pm
l LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Dave Lynn
3 30pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Davina Sparkle
5.30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
l SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ
N U D E, underwear par ty 8pm
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live jazz 4pm
l ZONE cabaret 6pm
MONDAY 28
l BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8 30pm
l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm
l ENVY Studio 150: student night 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madhouse 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9 30pm
TUESDAY 29
l BAR REVENGE Wheel of For tune
Karaoke: Harry or Lou Bag 8pm
l BULLDOG Reggae: DJ Micklos 10pm
l ENVY Pride Unsigned: live band
l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm
l POISON IVY karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9.30pm
l REVENGE Naughty Pop: DJs Trick & Dana 11pm
l ROYAL OAK Davina Sparkle’s School Night Challenge 8.30pm
l ZONE Betty Swollocks’ karaoke 8 30pm
I S T I N G S
S U B L I N E
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wed is new night FAG MACHINE an LGBTQ alternative night with live music
) REGUL ARS Fri (11) is DRY CLEAN ONLY, wear a suit or formal wear for free entry; (25) is the DIRTY TACKLE spor tskit night, free entry in spor tswear, or £3/£5 All other Fri is STEAM with free entry before 11pm ) Sat is MEN'S ROOM with DJ Screwpulous with free entry for members till 11pm ) Sun is COME IN YOUR PANTS underwear par ty with DJ N U D E ) Thur is LEATHERED with free lockers
) DRINK DEALS selected drinks £3 on Wed for members, cheap drinks on Sat ) OPEN Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat from 9pm, Sun from 8pm ) www sublinebrighton com
WEDNESDAY 30
l A-BAR open mic: Mark Hodge 8.30pm
l BAR REVENGE Pride Crash: DJ Dana 7pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Day 11am
l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm
l CHARLES ST Quiz With No Name with Drag With No Name & cash prizes 9pm
l POISON IVY Stephanie Starlet’s Amateur Strip Night 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Jason
l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 31
l BAR REVENGE Pride warm-up: DJ Kelly L 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pride Crush 11pm
l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 10pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz 9pm
l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty 2Floor Pre-Pride Special: DJs Leeroy & Ruby Roo in the bar, Lil’ Alex in the club + hostess Ms Joan Bond 8pm
l DR BRIGHTONS Big Gay Pub Quiz: Rainbow Fund & Macmillan Fundraiser 8pm
l ENVY Mad Cow’s Tea Par ty 2-Floor Pre-
Pride Special: DJs Leeroy & Ruby Roo in the bar, Lil’ Alex in the club + hostess Ms Joan Bond 8pm
l POISON IVY cabaret: Pam Catz
9 30pm; karaoke
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9.30pm
l REVENGE FOMO Pride Special: regular DJs on level 1; Girls on Top DJs Lady Lola & Missy B on level 2 10.30pm
l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 1 AUG
l BAR REVENGE Pre-Pride Girls on Top Takeover: DJs Trish & Fifi 9pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pride
Terrace Par ty: 2 floor par ty, DJs Peter Castle, Claire Fuller & Ben Castle
l CHARLES ST Pre-Pride Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL Pride Par ty
l DR BRIGHTONS Pre-Pride Par ty: DJ Nick Hirst 9pm
l ENVY Rugger Club 10pm
) REGUL ARS Sun is JAZZ ROAST at 4pm, free entry ) FOOD served from 12–3pm & 6–9pm, two burger meals £15 Sunday roast served from 1pm
) OPEN from 12pm on Mon–Sat, 1pm on Sun Private function room available for par ties, call 01273 608571 ) www 3jollybutchers com
) OPEN daily from 10am J U L Y
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Pre-Pride Par ty: DJs 8pm; cabaret: La Voix 10pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pride Terrace Par ty: 2 floor par ty, DJs Peter Castle, Claire Fuller & Ben Castle 8pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret 9.30pm
l REVENGE Gaydio v Revenge: DJs Trick & Lee Harris + guest Lee Harris on level 1; DJ Stewar t T on level 2 10pm
l SUBLINE Pride 2014: The Calm Before 9pm
SATURDAY 2 AUG
level 1; DJs Trick, Alex Baker on level 2 2pm; All-Stars Pride: DJs Trick, Alex Baker, Sam DMS on level 1; DJs Jonesy, Lee Harris, Zach Burns on level 2 9pm
l SUBLINE Pride: Fag Machine’s Fag Fest 4pm; The Men’s Room 10pm
SUNDAY 3 AUG
l BAR REVENGE Pride Karaoke
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pride
Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 9pm
l BULLDOG Pride Street Par ty 2pm
l BAR REVENGE Girls on Top Pride Par ty:
DJs Dana, Kelly L & Fifilicious + Pride
Village Street Par ty outside bar
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS After Pride Terrace Par ty: DJs Peter Castle, Lee Harris, Steve Lush, Claire Fuller, Ben Castle
l BULLDOG Pride Street Par ty 6pm
l CHARLES ST Fierce Pride 2-Floor
Special: DJs Lil Alex, Leeroy & Grant Knowles in room 1; DJ Ali in room 2 9pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL Pride Par ty
l DR BRIGHTONS Pre-Pride drinks 9am; Street Par ty: DJs 6pm
l ENVY Fierce Pride 2-Floor Special: DJs
Lil Alex, Leeroy & Grant Knowles in room 1; DJ Ali in room 2 9pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Pride: Keep it Coming & Dance On 6pm; Cosmic, Coco Verdose, Miss Penny 11pm
l LEGENDS BAR After-Pride Terrace Par ty: DJs Peter Castle, Lee Harris, Steve Lush, Claire Fuller & Ben Castle 7pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Pride Street Par ty
l REVENGE Pride Terrace Par ty: DJs Mikee Hollywood, Alpha, Dean Barden, King K on
l CHARLES ST Apres Pride: DJs Lil’ Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy 3pm
l DIRTY SUNSET DISCO@OHSO
SOCIAL Pride Par ty
l DR BRIGHTONS Pride Recovery Reflex: DJ Adam Rice 8pm
l FUNKYFISH CLUB Pride: Street Beats 2pm
l GLORY GLORY@CONCORDE 2 Pride Festival: DJs Darren Emerson, Freemasons, Justin Rober tson, Seamus Haji, Steve Mac, Pete Wiggs, Mat Playford, Guy Williams, Mr Haywood, Andy Mac, Ash Huntington, Mick Fuller, Simon Atkinson, Nick Hook 2pm
l LEGENDS BAR Pride Cabaret Fundraiser: Lola Lasagne, 20 top acts 3pm
l METROSEXUAL@BOUTIQUE Pride Par ty: DJs 10pm
l QUEEN’S ARMS Pride Street Par ty
l REVENGE The Powder Room presents William Belli: doors 7pm; Neon Rave Girls on Top Pride Closing Par ty: DJs Trick, Smithy & Missy B on level 1; The Powder Room William After-Par ty: DJ Fifilicious on level 2 10pm
l SUBLINE Pride Fetish Tea Dance: men/fetish only 4pm; Out With a Bang 8pm
Z O N E B A R
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (11) is CABARET with Miss Jason at 9 30pm
) REGUL ARS Tue is BET TY SWOLLOCKS' KARAOKE at 8 30pm ) Fri is live ENTERTAINMENT at 9 30pm: Stone & Street (4), Dave Lynn (18) and Back Beat (25) ) Sat ENTERTAINMENT at 9 30pm: Billie May (5), Sally Vate (12 & 26) and Collusion (19) ) Sun is CABARET at 6pm
) DRINK DEALS all day and night every Mon, Wed & Thur
l DYMK 31 Poole Hill, BH2 5PW TEL: 01202 318566, www dymk-bar com Modern bar mixed-age clientele DRINK PROMOS: Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri all night FOOD: Tue free cheese platters from 5pm OPEN: Sun-Thur 3pm-1am; Fri & Sat 3pm-2am
l SAUNABAR 140 Commercial Rd, BH2 5LU TEL: 01202 552654 www gaysaunabournemouth co uk
l 2930 THE TRIANGLE CLUB 29-30 The Triangle, BH2 5SE TEL: 0845 496 2934, www 2930thetriangle com
l EASY TIGER 27 The Triangle, BH2 5SE
TEL: 01202 554195, www easytigerstore com
l XCHANGE 4 The Triangle, BH2 5RY, TEL: 01202 294321
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD
1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 2392 297509
l OLD VIC 104 St Paul’s Rd, Southsea TEL: 02392 297013, www oldvicportsmouth co uk
l TROPIC S SAUNA 2 Market Way, PO1 4BX TEL: 02380 296100, www tropics-sauna com
OPEN: 7 days a week from 11am
SOUTHAMPTON
l ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s St TEL: 02380 222028
Modern bar, decked garden
l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652, www the-london co uk
Friendly bar with regular cabaret, DJs & food
OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thur 12-12 30am, Fri & Sat 12-1 30am, Sun 12-11 30pm
FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm & Sun roasts 12-3pm
DRINK PROMOS: Mon-Wed all day
l TITANIC Simnel St, SO14 2BE TEL: 023 8021 1879, www thetitanicpub co uk
l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 02380 366163, www theedgesouthampton com Club with 2 floors & 3 bars
l PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St TEL: 02380 238804, www pink-broadway com
TUESDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Mates Rates: video jukebox 11pm
l TITANIC Book Club & Roll Play 6 30pm
WEDNESDAY 2
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC NUS night 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
l TITANIC Trantastic 7pm
THURSDAY 3
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop! DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Tammy Twinkle 9pm
FRIDAY 4
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Sandra 10 30pm
SATURDAY 5
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 10pm
SUNDAY 6
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Mar tin & CJ 3pm; Drag DJ & hostess Cassie 9pm; cabaret: Lola Lasagne 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac’s Sun Market 8pm; cabaret: Mrs Moore 9 30pm
MONDAY 7
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens: Lucinda Lashes 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l TITANIC games night 6pm
TUESDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
l TITANIC Book Club & Roll Play 6 30pm
WEDNESDAY 9
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC NUS night 7pm SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 10
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Tammy Twinkle 9pm
FRIDAY 11
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Rihanna & Lady Gaga tribute PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: La Voix 10 30pm
DYMK BOURNEMOUTH
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Sun (27) is SHOWSTOPPERS at 5pm, DJ and hostess Cassie at 9pm, then cabaret with Cassidy Connors at 10pm
l REGUL ARS Mon is KARAOKE QUEENS with DJ Lucinda Lashes at 9pm l Tue WINE CLUB, complimentary cheese platters from 5pm l Wed DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey house tunes l Thur is Miss Jason’s BONA BALLS BINGO with DJ Grace Lightning, cash jackpot, free entry, 8pm l Fri with Drag Hostess and DJ Lucinda Lashes Fri (11) is with a Rihanna & Lady Gaga tribute l Sat DJs commercial pop, video wall l Sun is SUNDAY SERVICE with Lea Mar tin & CJ’s BROADWAY & WEST END & MUSICAL AF TERNOON at 3pm; DJ & hostess Cassie at 9pm, CABARET 10pm: Lola Lasagne (6), Dave Lynn (13) and Pink! tribute (20)
l DRINK DEALS cheap drinks on Mon; Tue is wine club with complimentary cheese platters from 5pm; and house spirits & mixer, shots & bombs & bottles of Carlsberg £1 99 all night on Wed
l OPEN 3pm-1am Sun–Thur; 3pm–2am Fri & Sat l www dymk-bar com
SATURDAY 12
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny 10pm
SUNDAY 13
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Mar tin & CJ 3pm; Drag DJ & hostess Cassie 9pm; cabaret: Dave Lynn 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac’s Sun Market 8pm; cabaret: Wilma Fingerdoo 9 30pm
MONDAY 14
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens: Lucinda Lashes 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l TITANIC games night 6pm
TUESDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
l TITANIC Book Club & Roll Play 6 30pm
WEDNESDAY 16
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC NUS night 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 17
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Tammy Twinkle 9pm
FRIDAY 18
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Tiara Thunderpussy 10 30pm
SATURDAY 19
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Lucinda Lashes 10pm
l TITANIC Trantastic 7pm
SUNDAY 20
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Sunday Service: Lea Mar tin & CJ 3pm; Drag DJ & hostess Cassie 9pm; cabaret: Pink! tribute 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac’s Sun Market 8pm; cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9 30pm
MONDAY 21
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens: Lucinda Lashes 9pm
LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON
l ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (11) is FAIRYLEA with DJ R uby R oo joined by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist La Voix at 10 30pm
l REGUL ARS Mar y Mac’s new SUNDAY SERVICE is at 8pm, followed by CABARET at 9 30pm: Mrs Moore (6), Wilma Fingerdoo (13), Davina Sparkle (20) and Miss Jason (27) l Thur is KARAOKE CRUISING with Tammy Twinkle at 9pm l Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ R uby R oo at 9pm, CABARET
10.30pm: Sandra (4), Tiara Thunderpussy (18) and Sam Solace (25) l Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs at 8 30pm: Dazza (5), Tiny (12), Lucinda Lashes (19) and Neil Sackley with vocalist JP Christian (26)
l FOOD traditional pub food Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch served 12–3pm
l DRINK DEALS 20% discount on all drinks Mon–Wed
l OPEN daily from 12pm l www the-london co uk
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l TITANIC games night 6pm
TUESDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
l TITANIC Book Club & Roll Play 6.30pm
WEDNESDAY 23
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC NUS night 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 24
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Tammy Twinkle 9pm
FRIDAY 25
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Drag hostess & DJ Lucinda Lashes
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm; cabaret: Sam Solace 10 30pm
SATURDAY 26
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs & video wall
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am
l OLD VIC DJs all night
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm
l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley & vocalist JP Christian 10pm
SUNDAY 27
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Showstoppers 5pm; Drag DJ & Cassie 9pm; cabaret: Cassidy Connors 10pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac’s Sun Market 8pm; cabaret: Miss Jason 9 30pm
MONDAY 28
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Karaoke Queens: Lucinda Lashes 9pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l TITANIC games night 6pm
TUESDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE video jukebox 11pm
l TITANIC Book Club & Roll Play 6 30pm
WEDNESDAY 29
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK DJs Ami, Jay & Bailey
PORTSMOUTH
l OLD VIC NUS night 7pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm
THURSDAY 30
BOURNEMOUTH
l DYMK Miss Jason’s Bona Balls Bingo with DJ Grace Lightning 8pm
PORTSMOUTH
l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am
l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm
SOUTHAMPTON
l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm
l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Tammy Twinkle 9pm
DANCE MUSIC
BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS
July is always about the build-up. Brighton Pride is on its way and we are getting very, very excited But whilst the deadlines and the glitter and the sequins beckon we need a little sound distraction
) Firstly two Chris Coco offerings Well it’s summer and you can’t be all Balearic without some Coco Gecko Beach Club
Kaden & Popof on Cocoon, and the slo-baked grooves of Late Night Tales presents Bill Brewster: Nightshift on Late Night Tales Each will enhance your summer loving and are worthy of your hard earned
Formentera: Volume Three, compiled and mixed by Chris Coco and Danny O, takes you right back to the best beaches on the planet, whilst Coco, Steel & Lovebomb’ s The Chillout Album on Melodica Records reminds you why this genre can be the enlightener it is Class Coco stuff Again
) Keeping it horizontal and glorious is Sunset Hours at Marini’s On 57 - compiled by Jose Padilla on Secret Life Records Ibiza is calling you
) Also vying for your wiggle attention is the sonic house of Cocoon Ibiza, mixed by Mathias
) Get your ears round the genrebusting free spirited wonder that is Digitaria’ s Night Falls Again on Hot Creations It’s certain to become your favourite addiction ) As is Sankeys 20th Anniversary album by Darius Syrossian on Sankeys Music. A blueprint for any house compilation that’s to come, this live adventure is sublime. And if, by first listen, you aren’t smitten by Darius’ remix of Green Velvet’ s Bigger Than Prince we’ll be worried about you Seriously worried Enjoy Catch Wildblood & Queenie at DSD, DSD Higher, Wild Fruit Pride Tent, Sunday Sundae, Calabash, HAW and Striking a Brighton Pose at Jubilee Library www.perfectdistractions.com
Q&W ’S JOYOUS JULY ONES
) LA FLEUR Stella (Arms Around EP) Watergate
Just house of the finest nature, this will add quality to your days.
) HERCULES & LOVE AFFAIR I Try To Talk To You Moshi Moshi Stunning track, stunning rework, stunning vocals. You know the score.
) GREEN VELVET Bigger Than Prince (Darius Syrossian Rmx) Circus
We have three words for you Darius – release this now!
) DOWNTOWN PARTY NETWORK Disco Ball Drama Futureboogie Sweet slo-mo grooves to get your juices flowing
) MK Always (MK Area 10 Remix) Defected / MOS
We defy to keep your hands by your side Get them in the air people!
) LUKE SOLOMON The Acid Games (Stop The Riot EP) Classic Back in the day grooves throwback that’s so 2014
) BENEDETTO & Farina ft Jaw Your Smile Leftroom Ltd
A slice of twisted but most seductive deeply dishy house music
) SKMK What a Night Lost My Dog
Deep and jackin’ house to make you move.
) COPY PASTE SOUL Cant Take It From Me 2 Swords Strung out deep disco samples keep this heaven bound.
) BILLIE RAY MARTIN After All (Mijk van Dijk mix) Disco Activisto Ms Martin keeps on delivering, year after year after year.
DJ PROFILE
This month Queenie catches up with the fabulous DJ duo Maze & Masters and hears all about the busy summer ahead…
Where do you DJ? Beyond & Gravity at Fire club weekly; XOYO on July 18 & Aug 8; London Pride closing party at Orange on June 28; Secret Garden Party, July 25; Girlie Circuit, Aug 13; Kuala Lumpur tour with Fierce Angels in August and Bestival on Sept 8. Brighton Pride: Wild Fruit Big Top, then Coalition, Beyond at The Haunt; Sunday the Fruity crew ’ s Sunday party!
DJing style? We push a bumping deep tech house vibe, always with a hint of original grooves inspired by classic 12” house and garage history.
All time fave song? Red Carpet’s Alright. We were in the Wild Fruit Tent, Pride 2009 when Dulcie Danger dropped it. An epic moment. Dulcie and Alright are very inspirational, Bryony even has the lyrics tattooed on her!
Tune that always fills your dancefloor? Verity: MK Burning (original vibe mix). It never fails, never gets old. Bryony: Silicone Soul Right On (vocal remix) guaranteed to send any dancefloor into a nostalgic spin.
Ultimate dream gig? Bryony: Panorama Bar in Berlin – the music is unbelievable and the crowd are in a different world. Verity: I feel lucky as we have gigs now and say 'wow that was the best gig ever'! Any place there’s a perfect balance of love, sweat, tears and an epic soundsystem.
Tune you wish you’d never played? Bryony: I once dropped the Glee version of Don’t Stop Believing. There was a fair amount of tequila and peer pressure involved and I publically apologised the day after!
Guilty pleasure? Verity: Bryony likes to drop a diva tune when you least expect it, she’s the master of ‘ one more song ’ that’s my (not!) guilty pleasure! Bryony: I almost got in trouble for M People’s One Night in Heaven at a night in Vauxhall until they saw everyone singing along! Ha!
Your best ever gig? No brainer. Brighton Pride – Wild Fruit Tent!
MAZE’S TOP 5 TUNES
) PATRICK TOPPING Forget Hot Creation
) REDONDO & FERRICK DAWN Love Too Deep (Original) White
) DOMINICA Gotta Let You Go (Club) Outland
) NO ARTIFICIAL COLOURS Reach For Me PMR
) KARIZMA 4 The Love (Acappella) Defected
MASTERS’ TOP 5 TUNES
) RICK SANDERS Friends (Dub) Smiley Fingers
) NASSER BAKER Falling (Original) Objektivity
) JAMES POPLE I Never Knew Elektronique
) SHONKY Cluborama Freak ‘n’ Chic
) IAN POOLEY Organic Lo:Rise
S
) QUEER AND LOATHING ON THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD by Deb Hoag (£12.99).
Dorothy isn’t the happiest of girls. Kansas is pretty damn boring, her aunt and uncle are hicks. But when her shed is picked up by a cyclone and dropped in Oz, things begin to get interesting. Between silver shoes and matching purses, politics and dildos, lesbian witches and wizards with gambling debts, Dorothy must find her way home (wherever that might be) and figure out who really makes her heels click
The book starts off in the usual Oz direction then takes a hard jerk into queerness with some curious and fun gender f**k adventures for Dorothy and her new friends. If you ’ ve seen Wicked, this is in a similar vein, just more erotic and sexualised, filthy actually This is revisionist storytelling at its best, twisted and engaging, nothing is quite what it seems or where is should be There’s some cool work around Frank Baum’s real life worked into the back story too A fun read, not half as bold as it thinks it is, but then perhaps all it wants to be is fun. There’s no place like home, thank God! www.doghornpublishing.com
) A THING OF BEAUTY by Jake Jaxson & RJ Sebastian (£49.99, Bruno Gmunder) Filmmaker Jake Jaxson and his partner, photographer RJ Sebastian, have created A Thing of Beauty, an adult film series on their CockyBoys website as well as a lavish photo book The adult content differs from most pornography, because their approach is more impressionistic
than intense That’s not to say the images aren’t explicit but they have an artistic credibility and photographic intensity not often seen in high quality coffee table lusting books. But let’s not chat about art darling, cough cough, when you can check out the Cockyboys in all their glory. There’s some cool close-ups of various bits and bobs of the male body and a refreshing honesty to the photos It’s not often that Keats is worked into porn either It’s not just gay porn – it’s CockyBoys www.brunogmuender.com
) PREGNANT BUTCH: NINE LONG MONTHS SPENT IN DRAG by AK Summers (£10.71).
A first pregnancy can be a fraught experience for any woman, but for resolutely butch lesbian Teek Thomasson, it’s exceptionally challenging. Teek identifies as a masculine woman in a world bent on associating pregnancy with a cult of uber-femininity Teek wonders, “Can butches even get pregnant?”
Of course, as she and her pragmatic femme girlfriend Vee discover, they can But what happens when they do? Written and illustrated by AK Summers, and based on her own pregnancy, Pregnant Butch strives to depict
this increasingly common, but still underrepresented experience of queer pregnancy with humour and complexity, from the question of whether braces count as legitimate maternity wear to the strain created by different views of pregnancy within a couple and finally to a culturally critical and compassionate interrogation of gender in pregnancy.
Offering smart, ambitious art, this graphic book is a must-read for would-be pregnant butches and anyone interested in the intersection of birth and gender, as well as a perfect queer baby shower gift and conversation starter for those who always assumed they ‘got’ being pregnant. It’s funny too whatever your procreative state.
www.amazon.co.uk
) ONE MAN GUY by
Michael Barakiva (£10.61). Alek Khederian should have guessed something was wrong when his parents took him to a restaurant Everyone knows that Armenians never eat out Between bouts of interrogating the waitress and criticizing the menu, Alek’s parents announce that he’ll be attending summer school in order to bring up his grades. Alek is sure this experience will be the perfect hellish end to his hellish freshman year of high school. He couldn’t have predicted that he’d meet someone like Ethan. Ethan is everything Alek wishes he was: confident, free-spirited, and irreverent He can’t believe a guy this cool wants to be his friend Before long, it seems Ethan wants to be more than friends Alek has never thought about having a boyfriend, he’s barely had a girlfriend, but maybe it’s time to think again. A heartfelt, laughout-loud-funny story of romance, family, and self-discovery. This first
novel about a young lad coming of age in modern day New York then coming out is warmly written and a great book for the younger LGBT person coming to terms with the contradictions, fun and passions of life. www.michaelbarakiva.com
) THE RED SHOES by John Stewart Wynne (£15.99). John Laith, suffering and grieving over the death of his long time boyfriend, Frank, helps a young man who has been the victim of a brutal rape To repay Laith for helping him the young man gives Laith the only thing he has, a pair of red shoes, and thus begins Laith’s journey into obsession, lust, and uncertainty. This queer retelling of the familiar Hans Christian Anderson fairytale is magnificent. Wynne writes with a fury that tears off the page. The
Red Shoes is wonderfully complex, bursting with interest, narrative thrust and pure raw plot It’s not an easy book but it’s a terrific read, stuffed full of references from Chaucer, William Blake, and Milton That which is seemingly accidental is revealed to be part of a bigger much darker plan. Good and evil become a matter of choices and the company one keeps. Wynne skilfully blends spirituality, obsession, lust, drugs and social and cultural commentary. His language is beautiful and abounding but many scenes are savage, explicit and shocking in their brutality Put the book down, take a deep breath and pick it up again It might be the hardest book you’ll read this year, but it’ll be one of the best This is dark thrilling writing that is wonderfully rich and complex, not for one moment easy, but never dull either. www.johnstewartwynne.com www.magnusbooks.com
) Bluebird Tea Co, (41 Gardner St, Brighton, 01273 681792) sells everything from Toasted Apple to Builders' Tea from £3.50 per 100g
) Birdy Tins, £16 for three (Edited, 3 Gardner Street, Brighton, 01273 604006, editedbrighton com)
) Aussiebum WJ-Pro Underwear from £20; WJPro is constructed using Wonder Jock ‘Pouch Enhancing Technology’ to support and maximise your size! Films from £10.99; Picture Books from £29.99 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's Street, Brighton, 01273 683680)
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) Tatty Devine Gilbert & George Gin Necklace, £35 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861)
GAMES
Since first gracing our computer screens back in 1986 with isometric action game Batman, the Dark Knight has been in many video games As we ’ ve dug into some of the best Batman stories, let’s uncover the greatest Batman video games and why you should play them!
BATMAN RETURNS (VARIOUS SYSTEMS)
) Based on the Tim Burton directed sequel, Batman Returns is a scrolling fighting game not unlike the Final Fight and Streets of Rage series. Taking control of Batman you battle your way through several levels defeating the villainous Red Triangle Circus Gang. The game also includes a level where you take control of the Batmobile chasing down bikers and heavily armed vans. The game features excellent graphics, sound and controls and has a fantastic dark atmosphere that really makes you feel like you are making your way through the actual film
LEGO BATMAN 1 & 2 (Various Systems)
) Based on both the comics and the Lego Batman toy line, the series is family fun at its best mostly down to the ability to play the game co-operatively: more so the second game as most of the Justice League and their respective villains are controllable at some point during the game The Lego Batman series is notable for many first in the Lego franchise; Lego Batman was the first Lego game to have an original story and Lego Batman 2 was the first Lego game to feature open world exploration and a fully voiced cast
ARKHAM
SERIES (Various Systems)
) There isn’t much else I can say about this amazing series that hasn’t already been put to paper Quite simply they are some of the greatest super hero video games ever made Arkham City is arguably the best in the series and whilst Origins isn’t quite as good as the other games (which could be due to the fact it is the only game in the series not developed by Rocksteady Studios) it is still head and shoulders above most super hero games out there. Keep your eyes out for the latest, and possibly the final, game in the series Arkham Knight, which is released on all next gen consoles and PC this October
ADVENTURES
OF BATMAN & ROBIN (SNES/Mega Drive)
) Based on the critically acclaimed cartoon: Batman the animated series, The Adventures of Batman & Robin, sees you suit up as the dynamic duo and battle through many varied levels, each ending in a memorable face-off with one of the major villains from the series such as The Joker, Catwoman, The Riddler and Two-Face
The game leaps off the screen with amazing visuals based on designs from the hit show and features stunning sound and diverse level design. The ability to use various gadgets helps to add a detective twist to the game as well as using them to complete some levels.
) Notable mentions: Injustice (PS3/Xbox 360), Batman Begins (PS2/Xbox) and DC Online (PC/PS3/PS4)
COMICS
This year the greatest super hero, the Dark Knight, celebrates his 75th anniversary So let’s delve into the past and explore some of the greatest stories from the DC archives to feature the Batman!
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
) Of all the enemies he has faced and hardships Batman has had to endure, the death of Jason Todd is probably the worst experience he has had to go through since the death of his parents. Published in 1988 the storyline sees the second Robin, Jason Todd, tracking down his long lost mother to Ethiopia. She has been blackmailed by the Joker into giving him medical supplies which he uses to make his deadly laughing gas. After handing Jason over to the Joker, he savagely beats him with a crowbar to near death and then blows up both him and his mother with a time bomb and both die of their injuries. The death of Robin sent Batman into a dark spiral treating villains more violently than usual and even punching Superman in the face Luckily teenager Tim Drake believes Batman always needs a Robin and finally brings Bruce out of the darkness Bruce keeps Jason’s costume in the Batcave as a constant reminder to never let something like this happen again
NO MAN’S L AND
) After Gotham is devastated by a huge earthquake, the US government declares Gotham a No Man’s Land by destroying all the bridges into the city Due to the dwindling law enforcement, Gotham’s criminals and super villains carve up the city into different districts and rule their territories how they see fit. Batman and Jim Gordon work with other heroes to return order to the city, and after many months and interference from Lex Luthor the US Government finally reverses the No Man’s Land order The storyline is notable for introducing Harley Quinn, Cassandra Cain (the third Batgirl) and a new Batman costume It also saw the death of Gordon’s wife Sarah by the Joker, something the villains actually found no humour in
NIGHT OF THE OWLS
) Being the first event since the New 52 came about, The Night of Owls delves into the history of Gotham City and turns everything Batman thought he knew on its head Following Bruce Wayne’s announcement that he will reshape Gotham, the mysterious Court of Owls sentence Wayne to death despatching their assassin known as The Talon.
With the defeat of the assassin, Batman discovers secret rooms hidden within every building funded by Bruce’s own great-grandfather After a deadly rematch with The Talon in the Courts lair, Batman spares the Talon’s life and declares war on the Court, vowing he will hunt them down In response, the Court awakens all of their past Talons and releases them on Gotham that very night to utterly destroy the Batman With so many twists, turns and revelations the Night of the Owls is a fantastic event worthy to stand as one of the best storylines in the past decade
BY MORHAM WHITE
THE GL ASS HOUSE
Wickwoods Country Club, Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne, BN6 9DY
• 01273 857567 • www.wickwoods.co.uk
) Even in mid-April I managed three excursions into the country, eating outdoors on each occasion. For those who listen to local radio, on Heart FM, you may have heard the latest adverts for a Country Club with its new restaurant The Glass House at Wickwoods, just 7 minutes ride from the A27, north of Dyke Road. Always one of my favourites for a seriously keen price, the fayre has become more mainstream but it’s still an interesting menu with the food beautifully presented, at more regular prices The change however is in the setting, which has had a serious makeover
Gone is the patio for non-members without the ballroom. Now an elegantly styled space with glazed roof, done out with stone detailing. Outside there’s an extended patio with a handful of tables edging into the manicured lawns, beyond which lie the woodland setting and the tennis courts In these early spring days, with the sun out, it’s already warm indoors; I worry just how hot it will be at the height of the summer but I’m assuming from the details there’s an air-conditioning facility For me, however, the real joy is to sit outside under one of the three new sun canopies
A bottle of Pinot Grigio and two sodas cost around £17 The two course special for £11.95 on a quiet Good Friday included a stylish pear, stilton and walnut salad and a pork steak with sauté potatoes and red cabbage For me a simply prepared dish of fresh asparagus (£8), a traditional bowl of chilli con carne with rice (£9.95), simple yet completely satisfying, followed by a rhubarb & ginger cheesecake (£5.95) and a coffee (£1.75) all enjoyed for over two hours while sitting in the sun watching the world go by. So for a three course deal with a bottle of wine the cost runs out around £30 a head, still reasonable. Far from the hectic hubbub of urban Brighton, The Glass House is a glorious escape to the country and a positive delight
) With the demise of the former Blenio Restaurant at Seven Dials my recollection was of a pleasant but rather culinarily bland destination The space is sunny and bright and the street easily viewed, but I question the daytime footfall with nigh on 50% students. What is required with this history one wonders. A destination with a statement, but what’s going to work here? I arrive at lunchtime, post-tennis and pre-supermarket shop, the latter so much cheaper when done on a full
stomach! It’s early days, but I’m the only visitor, even though several glance at the street menu With six or so steps to get in, access for the disabled is a challenge.
Coggings & Co had been open but a few days and already reviewed, hence my visit The menu is simple, but restricted. Burgers (seven of them) plus two special burgers, sides, desserts, milk shakes, coffees and teas. Hidden in the list of burgers is a chargrilled free range chicken breast (as opposed to the kids’ chargrilled free range chicken burger). There’s also a spiced cauliflower and sweetcorn fritter as the sole veggie option. The beef with no bun option (I assume no tomato, mayo or pickle), saves you a full pound, but anyone with a larger appetite may be disappointed, as there’s no double stack! The kids’ menu (£6.50) is clever, with a drink, a main dish (size of burger unspecified) and an icecream cone, (dollops unspecified)
I kept it simple with a 6oz beef burger, tomato, mayonnaise, dill pickles & salad (£9.95) with the triple-cooked chips (in my choice of beef dripping as opposed to the organic vegetable oil) All burgers are cooked medium, presented on a wood platter with mayonnaise on the side with a tinny of chips And the verdict? Eating off wood means no heat retention, so best not to dawdle The salad is variegated dressed leaves, with little to no taste and the medium grey-brown pattie is just so bland, a real disappointment for someone who prefers some external crunch with a bleeding heart! The chips, however, are indeed stupendous, quite the best I’ve had in ages. My choice of dessert, three scoops of Downsview icecream (£4.50); chocolate was fine, honeycomb light on crunch, though superbly creamy, and raspberry sorbet was, for me, too subtle.
The menu refers to coastal cheddar, dry-cured honey glazed streaky bacon, Harvey’s rarebit, English mustard mayonnaise and three Sussex and six (of 10) organic wines - is this pretentious or precious? I’m unsure. I don’t get the equation of (non-organic) burger with a preponderance of organic wine I personally commend supporting local farms and vineyards, with produce coming from Horam (Hank’s beef), Bolney (cider) and Ringmer (icecream); Haslemere (gin & vodka) and Tenterden (beer) I ponder whether the “sell” should be more about locally sourced Sussex, Surrey & Kent produce and less on the organic front? I’m curious we ’ re not told from whence the coastal cows come! But going down this road needs more attention to detail and might well benefit from a fuller explanation.
I will go back under the veil of darkness in the hope that the evening clientele are more numerous and less discerning than this one, though it may be too high risk a strategy to take a vegetarian!
HAVE A WORD WITH FA SHION
Concorde 2, Madeira Drive www.concorde2.com
) HAVE A WORD WITH FASHION (Thur 31, 7–11pm) with X3
Designers, Andrew Bannister
Bailey, Modern Love and Le Bratt showing new and one-off clothing, plus unique collection sourced from the Sussex Beacon charity shop by Ellis Collins; performances by Cabaret Boheme; marketplace clothes stalls Muse UK, Limited House of Hoye, Foxed Up Vintage, Twit Twoo, Cakes and others tbc; DJs include Ash Huntington, Kate Wildblood, Queen Josephine, Affy Go Bang and Josh The Barber; live PAs from QBoy, Marcos Brito and Osaro Ogbeide, Kitten and The HipGuest; presenters Stephanie Starlet and Julie Graham Supporting Brighton Pride and the Sussex Beacon this will be a great way to kick-start Pride weekend as well as raising funds. Earlybird tickets: £10 (+booking fee) http://bit.ly/1hXJia, or from Concorde 2.
) Brighton Pride Cabaret fundraiser (Sat 26), comedy and music from Jonwayne Connolly, Judy Theobald, Rosie Wilby, Claire Parker, Chick Atkinson, VG Lee and hosted by Annabel Pribelszk Doors 7pm, show 8pm Tickets: £12 in advance, £14 on the door, £10 concessions
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
Earlham Street, London Box office: 0844 871 7624
) MY NIGHT WITH REG (July 31–Sep 27). On its premiere, Kevin Elyot’ s Olivier and Evening Standard award-winning comedy defined a moment in the lives of gay men. At Guy’s London flat, old friends and new party through the night. It’s the summer of 1985 and for Guy and his circle the world is about to change forever Deliciously funny and bittersweet, Kevin Elyot’s comedy captures the fragility of friendship, happiness and life itself
EMPORIUM
88 London Road, Brighton www.emporiumbrighton.com
) INTO THE WOODS (Tue 1–Sat 27) An ambivalent Cinderella; a blood-thirsty Little Red Ridinghood; a Prince Charming with a roving eye; and a witch who... raps? They're all here in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's magical fairy tale blend. ) THE SPACE (Mon 14). The unique, quarterly, Brighton-based entertainment & arts event hosted by Lisa Holloway with exclusive special guest interviews
This month Primal Scream bassist, Simone Marie Butler, and leading cinema costume designer Jany Temime join Lisa on the sofa
KOMEDIA
Gardner St, Brighton www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 6). An irreverent night of fun and frolics
hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow) July's line up: headliner Sara Pascoe (Stand up for the Week and Live at the Apollo) plus Tom Webb ‘The masterful Tom Webb... It's stuff like this that makes the Fringe great' Three Weeks ***** and Luisa Omielan who has gained huge recognition in the UK and US with her smash sell out show, What Would Beyoncé Do?
MARLBOROUGH THEATRE
4 Princes St, Brighton www.pinkfringe.org.uk
PINK FRINGE presents...
) GUINEA PIGS ON TRIAL (Sat 5 & Sun 6) Sh!t Theatre have pretty good bodies, so naturally, they try to sell them. Pharmaceutical trials such as Flu Camp are marketed to jobseekers and students as a way of making money, essentially turning poor people into guinea pigs. Becca and Louise undertake drug trial work as r&d for the show and as a fundraising strategy for the project They signed up for trials testing gastro-enteritis, asthma and flu, trials testing opiods for heroin addiction and botox for bladder problems
) RAYMONDO (Sat 5 & Sun 6)
The story of brothers, incarceration, escape, survival, loss, desire, art, resilience, the shittiness of others, the kindness of others, and Love. Told by Annie Siddons and accompanied by an atmospheric live score of guitars, loops and keyboard, Raymondo is a raw, funny and tender lyrical narrative that will sear through your defences straight to your heart
) SHOW OFF (Wed 16) Figs in Wigs' show delves deep into our digital existence, examining how social media has bred a new form of narcissism. Masquerading as a variety show this desperately glitzy number continually reinvents itself to satisfy even the most depleted of attention spans.
) HOW TO ACHIEVE REDEMPTION AS A SCOT THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF BRAVEHEART (Thu 17) Explores identity, belonging and machismo,
Rachael Clerke's show is a performance lecture that delves into the personal-political debate of a country on the edge of a decision. Expect rousing speeches, bicycles dressed as horses, a woman dressed as Mel Gibson and your very own Scottish enlightenment.
) ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT? (Thu 17). Ellie Stamp was told that she is the secret love child of Elvis Since then she has been trying to discover how and why delusional beliefs occur Are You Lonesome Tonight? is a solo interactive performance, created with neuroscientist research partners and based on true events It utilises Ellie’s skills in immersive theatre, game play, visual imagery and music to examine current methodology used to define and measure ‘madness’. She invites the audience to explore her lineage to ‘The King’ by playing with nine numbers that fascinated Sir Isaac Newton, Pythagoras and Elvis
) CLEAVEDON ROAD (Wed 23 & Thu 24). Emerging gay writers give a fresh insight into messy breakups. Two hilarious, poignant and dramatic shorts that we can all relate to Famously thought to be worlds apart maybe gay men and gay women have more in common than we think Temporary Theatre employs gay actors and writers at the beginning of their careers to nurture new and exciting talent
) MILK PRESENTS: SELF SERVICE (Wed 23 & Thu 24) Punk style queer voyage through what ‘normal’ really means Original live music, hand-crafted animation and tacky politics Ann Widdecombe, Madonna and the Beatnik generation are thrust together in a theatrical feat that wears highheels a size too small and sunglasses a size too big.
) TRANSFORMING STORIES: A TRIPLE BILL (Mon 28 & Tue 29). I’d Like To Tell You About This by
Lucy Hutson: Lucy has practiced breast binding for years and is interested in its associations with sex, safety and secrecy, how it affects people’s lives, relationships and sense of self. She wants to know more about a ritual that has the ability to transform a person.
Café Salomé: A fantasia of ham and sequins, El Salomé is a dingy, Spanish Civil War cabaret, where a feisty troupe of female impersonators fight the advance of fascism through a seductive, riotous show of the kitschest flamenco – hiding from the impending fear of intolerance behind the guise of 1930s divas ARtFUnSHACK (There Be Dragons Here But I Carry Something Of You Everywhere I Go). A fast moving and interactive art show hosted by Evan Ifekoya. Eyecatching visuals and tips for making fun stuff out of rubbish. Evan can’t always maintain the role and sometimes slips up Weaving together video, performance and the words of queer heroes, tales of a queer reality seep through
) PRETTY UGLY (Wed 30) This is about you rating Louise Orwin based solely on her looks and the recent trend of teenage girls posting videos on YouTube asking viewers to rate their looks. It follows Louise’s trail of research into how Generation YouTube uses
social networking and a live YouTube experiment, some Britney, a tender and inappropriate love story, and childhood toys. It’s about our obsessions, and pretensions, and teenage girlsbut don’t let that put you off.
THEATRE ROYAL
New Road, Brighton Box office: 08448 717 650
) ANOTHER COUNTRY (Mon 7–Sat 12) The play follows a company of public schoolboys through a summer term in the early 1930s where Bennett and Judd are both outsiders; one coming to terms
with his sexuality, the other already a committed Marxist However, the Establishment has traditional ways of dealing with rebels and when a scandal rocks the school, the young men must confront their beliefs and make choices which will have a momentous impact on their lives and on the future of their country.
) TONIGHT AT 8.30 (Wed 16–Sat 19) From the pen of Noël Coward comes this collection of nine oneact plays performed together, three plays per night, for the first time in the UK since Coward starred in them in 1936 From vaudeville to satire, from farce to intricate comedy of manners, from melodrama to romance, these plays span the full range of Coward’s writing.
STRICTLY RESOUND
BHASVIC Hall, 205 Dyke Road, Brighton
) RESOUND MALE VOICES: STRICTLY RESOUND, (Sat 5, 7 30pm) at Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) Hall in Seven Dials Paying tribute to the popular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing, Resound Male Voices will present an evening of dance-inspired music that'll make you two-step and tap your feet. Led by Stefan Holmström, Swedish opera singer and vocal coach, and joined by a group of live musicians, the choir will show off a few moves of their own courtesy of West End director and choreographer Alex McQuillen-Wright Featuring songs by Arbeau, Piazzolla, Irving Berlin, Scissor Sisters, Pink Martini, Jobim, Jim Croce, Van Morrison and others From an elegant Viennese waltz to a passionate Finnish tango to the drunken tale of the best salsa dancer in Brighton, you won't want to miss this unique programme. Tickets: early bird £10/£8 www.resoundmalevoices.org and £12/£10 on the door.
I’ve sourced two shows for you to frequent in nearby Eastbourne, as well two shows I am involved in, one of which involves that little bit more travel.
TOWNER ART GALLERY www.townereastbourne.org.uk
) The East Sussex Open 2014 (July 4-Sept 14) on the ground floor showcases the exceptional breadth of artistic talent on our doorstep, and brings together the best artists and makers from across the East Sussex region - from Rye to Brighton & Hove, with works in every medium, from small scale paintings to large scale installations The selection, chosen by the exhibition’s curator Sanna Moore, Matthew Cornford (Professor of Fine Art at the University of Brighton and one half of artist duo Cornford & Cross) and Hastings-based artist Becky Beasley, includes Sarah Shaw, Angela Smith and Joshua Uvieghara.
) Also at the Towner is Peggy Angus: Designer, Teacher, Painter (July 12–Sept 21) on the second floor; a large scale exhibition bringing together the wide range of work by the influential and inspirational artist and designer Peggy Angus. At just 17, she won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, fellow students included Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Barnett Freedman and Percy Horton. In 1933 Peggy moved into Furlongs, on the Sussex Downs near Lewes, and her home became a meeting place and creative hub for Ravilious, John Piper and many others, who created their own work and contributed to the interior decoration of the house itself. The exhibition will include her early illustrations, portraits and landscape paintings, and her Modernist design work with wallpapers and tiles Entry: £7 to £3.50
INK-D GALLERY
Brighton, www.ink-d.co.uk
) In Brighton I am included in a group show entitled PUSHING PAINT, a celebration of oils on canvas. Artists involved include Jake Wood Evans, John Simpson, Sarah Shaw, Harry Adams, Enzo Marra(me), Tim Fawcett and others
HILLSBORO FINE ART
Dublin, www.hillsborofineart.com
) I’m also involved in a three-man show TROIKA, which is a contemporary painting exhibition involving Seán Guinan, Enzo Marra(me) and Alison Pilkington (July 10–Aug 9) Hillsboro Fine Art, which was founded by gallery director John Daly in 1995, is widely recognised as Ireland’s leading 20th century and contemporary gallery, and has now established a significant reputation around the world. The gallery is one minute from O'Connell Street in the cultural and social heart of Georgian Dublin. Parnell Square is the second earliest of Dublin's squares and is also the location of Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane, which houses the wonderful Francis Bacon Studio.
CHEF
Dir: Jon Favreau
Stars: Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson
Plot: A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family
Word on net: “So thin and bland it doesn't even inspire contempt.” )
“Favreau's masterly light touch as an actor hasn't yet translated to a similarly deft offhandedness behind the camera. ” ) “A slight but sweet film that feels like it was tossed together in short order ”
COLD IN JULY
Dir: Jim Mickle
Stars: Michael C Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson
Plot: When a protective father meets a murderous ex-con, both soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche.
Word on net: “Strictly for connoisseurs of violent genre
I AM DIVINE
Dir: Jeffrey Schwarz
Stars: Divine, Michael Musto, Mark Payne
Plot: How Divine, aka Harris
Glenn Milstead, became John Waters' cinematic muse and an international drag icon.
Word on net: “A glimpse of a surprisingly shy and gentle soul who longed to be a star.”
) “A serious documentary about this gloriously trashy trailblazer.”
) “Entertaining doc is sweeter than expected and will be an eye-opener for young fans ”
pulp.” ) “Johnson, obviously having the time of his life, is a hoot, and the feisty camaraderie among its stars gives film a euphoric goofiness ” ) “One of those movies that arrives every now and then with no fanfare but a canny sense of how to grab our attention and hold it in a tightening grip ”
THIRD PERSON
Dir: Paul Haggis
Stars: Liam Neeson, Mila Kunis, James Franco Plot: Three interlocking love stories involving three couples in three cities: Rome, Paris, and New York.
Word on net: “A work of staggering trash; an ensemble drama with the aesthetic of an inflight magazine, but less classy writing.” ) “An audacious failure, one that even its starry cast can't save. ” ) “Trite script... nothing short of an outright embarrassment ”
the old folk's home on his 100th birthday
Word on net: “A rare incidence of a film adaptation that is much more successful than its source. ” ) “Gets the balance of callously dark humour and playful, silly storytelling just right.” ) “Despite its inventive plotting and infectious irreverence for historical events, it’s far too easy to imagine this elaborate comedy as a dumb Adam Sandler vehicle ” ) “Has a good eye for the madcap, and maintains a constant breezy mood ”
BEGIN AGAIN
Dir: John Carney
Stars: Keira Knightley, Hailee Steinfeld, Mark Ruffalo
Plot: A dejected music business executive forms a bond with a young singer-songwriter new to Manhattan Word on net: “Deeply and embarrassingly sincere.” ) “A movie obsessed with authenticity but as phoney as a Miley Cyrus dance routine.” ) “Plays like an endless and quickly tiresome string of movie montages.'”
ARTHUR NEWMAN
Dir: Dante Ariola
Stars: Colin Firth, Emily Blunt,
THE 100-YEAR- OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DIS APPEARED
Dir: Felix Herngren
Stars: Robert Gustafsson, Iwar Wiklander, David Wiberg Plot: Dynamite expert Allan Karlsson's life, and the unlikely events following his escape from
Anne Heche
Plot: A man fakes his own death and assumes a new identity in order to escape his life, and then moves in with a woman who is also trying to leave her past behind. Word on net: “An offbeat, sometimes self-congratulatory road movie romance. ” ) “The film equivalent of a dysfunctional computer sloppily assembled from
discarded parts of other machines.” ) “A far-fetched story, told in a rather unappealing way.' 'Constantly screws up even its own mid-sized ambitions.”
ALSO OUT...
) JOE stars Nicolas Cage as an ex-con who meets a 15-year-old boy and is faced with the choice of redemption or ruin
) The Wachowskis' JUPITER ASCENDING stars Mila Kunis as a young destitute human woman who gets targeted for assassination by the Queen of the Universe, and begins her destiny to finish the Queen's reign.
) There's a reissue for Billy Wilder's classic Some Like It Hot. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon have to flee the Mob in drag and, whilst on the run, fall for Marilyn Monroe's chanteuse.
) DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES sees a nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier ) To win two tickets to the Odeon Brighton send the answer to the following question on a postcard along with your address to: Gscene Film Competition, 111 Western Rd, Hove, BN3 1DD: In which year was the first Planet of the Apes film released?
June Competition: Mojo
REVIEWS
) I’ve been following the recordings of French pianist, JeanEfflam Bavouzet with great interest over the last few years. His complete Ravel and Debussy sets were revelatory – and awardwinning too. I also enjoyed the treat of him performing the Ravel Piano Concerto in G major with the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Brighton Festival this year But he’s showed beyond a shadow of a doubt that French pianist doesn’t just mean French repertoire
Regular readers will know that he is part way through two major cycles of Haydn and Beethoven Sonatas, and the Haydn cycle in particular is proving to be a landmark set.
So it will come as no great surprise that his latest set of the five Prokofiev Piano Concertos, with Gianandrea Noseda and the BBC Philharmonic, is also a real gem. The Concertos were written by Prokofiev to be performed by himself, apart from the Fourth, for left hand only, which he composed for Paul Wittgenstein Wittgenstein rejected the work and it was not performed until after Prokofiev’s death The five works amply demonstrate the changes in Prokofiev’s style, from youthful excitement, through neoclassicism, to his weightier, late ‘Soviet’ style. The First Concerto is the shortest work, at just over 15 minutes, but Prokofiev packs energy and spark into its three short sections. The Second Concerto in contrast is the longest and is a mammoth challenge, with a notoriously difficult cadenza in the first movement, which Bavouzet makes sound effortless After a whirlwind Scherzo, the Intermezzo follows with its dark and disturbingly relentless
procession, and Bavouzet and the BBC Philharmonic, relish this. The Third Concerto is probably the best known and most often performed, and is another barnstormer, with a real crowd-pleasing finale, which once again Bavouzet dashes off with aplomb Yet he shows real restraint in the middle movement’s variations, which benefit from his cool and precise approach The Fourth Concerto is a tricky work, but it has a beautifully affecting slow movement, played here with great sensitivity. In a programme note from Bavouzet himself, he reveals that in the 1990s he suffered with functional dystonia, affecting his right hand, and it was only through extensive physiotherapy over two years that his ability in the right hand was restored So perhaps the Fourth has particular resonance for him The final Fifth Concerto is full of sarcasm and modernism, yet even here, Prokofiev includes a tender lullaby slow movement, before a spirited ride to the finish These are wonderful performances, and unlike many cycles, there is much to be gained from listening to these rich and varied concertos back to back – you won’t be disappointed.
Chandos CHAN10802(2)
) A disc of New World Quartets by the BRODSKY QUARTET – well, Dvořák’ s String Quartet Op. 96, ‘The American’ is the obvious starting place And Samuel Barber’ s (1910-1981) String Quartet, Op. 11, with its famous slow movement, later orchestrated by Barber as the Adagio for Strings (also arranged by the composer for unaccompanied chorus too) makes sense too But the Brodsky Quartet fill out the disk with some interesting companions. There are Two Pieces by Aaron Copland (1900-1990), as well as an arrangement by husband and wife Paul Cassidy (viola) and Jacqueline Thomas (cello) of Copland’s Hoe-Down from the ballet Rodeo George Gershwin’ s (1898-1937) Lullaby for String Quartet gets an airing, and the disc ends with a rather beautiful piece, Regret, by Dave Brubeck (1920-2012), arranged especially for the Brodsky Quartet by the composer Perhaps given the
choice of repertoire here, the Brodsky’s playing throughout has a laid back, languid warmth, like a chocolate dessert Tempos are on the slow side (particularly in the Adagio of the Barber), and I do miss an element of drive and energy in the last movement of the Dvořák. However, they bring a touching sensitivity to the themes in the first movement, and the slow movement has suitable pathos The outer movements of the Barber have a taut intensity, and the Brodskys are highly
convincing, but their Adagio, stretched almost to the limits of not collapsing under its own weight, rather pulls focus from the rest of the work Their performance of the Gershwin Lullaby is again very slow, but has a captivating, rather louche feel to it. Written as a harmony exercise for his teacher, Edward Kilenyi, the piece was forgotten until it was published in 1968. The Brodskys’ take here lifts it from a mere novelty to a rather
CONCERTS
ST LUKE’S CHURCH
enchanting confection. I have to confess here to a personal aversion to Copland’s Rodeo, which I find too self-consciously ‘folksy’. However, the Brodskys’ arrangement here is faithful to the original, and performed with great spark. I much prefer the Two Pieces by Copland, a brightly rhythmic Rondino, preceded by a darker Lento molto, and the Brodskys give them great character and intensity The closing Regret by Brubeck is an emotional piece, full of sadness in its falling chromatic lines
Overall, I would say these are performances that I would love to hear live – the risks the Brodskys take with tempi, and their immediate and engaging style communicate well, but on repeated listening, without the energy of live performance, their laid back approach is not so sustainable Chandos CHAN10801
Reviews, comments and events: nicks-classicalnotes.blogspot.co.uk Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
Queen’s Park Road, Brighton www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk
) Natasha Holmes (cello) and Nancy Cooley (piano) perform (Fri 4) music inspired by fantasy and folk song, from composers including Kodaly, Ravel, Schumann, Bloch and Vaughan Williams. Ani Batikian (violin) is accompanied by Roland Roberts (piano) in a recital (7.30pm, Fri 18) of music including Mozart, Sarasate and Lutoslawski
CINEMA
) You can see Glyndebourne’s production of Don Giovanni (filmed live in 2010) in cinemas during July, with a cast including Gerald Finlay and Kate Royal (from Sun 6) - check cinemas including Duke’s at Komedia in Brighton, Uckfield Picture House, Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, and the Ritz Digital and Connaught in Worthing for details.
SAMARITANS
Samaritans’ volunteers are ordinar y people doing something extraordinar y
) Samaritans’ volunteers in Brighton & Hove answered a staggering 55,273 calls for help last year, which supports the Samaritans’ vision that fewer people die by suicide Once a minute, somebody calls Samaritans because they’re in great distress; many consider ending their lives. Ten-percent of calls to Samaritans by men are related to sexual orientation, 3% of gay men tried to take their own life, increasing to 5% for bisexual men as quoted in the Government Suicide Prevention Strategy for England Twenty-six percent of gay or bisexual men and women talked about loneliness and feelings of isolation (2012-13)
Samaritans are wholly supportive of the LGBT community and around any issue regarding sexuality Samaritans are non-judgmental and your call will be completely confidential They have a diverse group of volunteers at the Brighton & Hove branch and are keen to recruit more volunteers from the LGBT community
So what do their current LGBT volunteers say about Samaritans?
Abby is 25 and was the youngest volunteer to join Brighton & Hove District Samaritans aged just 19: “I really like the Samaritans organisation because talking about suicide is taboo To be able to give an individual the opportunity to talk about suicide is really valuable Being part of Samaritans’ volunteer community is great and my life has taken on extra meaning. It’s brilliant to get up in the morning and do something so worthwhile. Samaritans is an inclusive organisation for volunteers and callers. If you ’ re thinking about volunteering do it, it’ll give you new insight and perspective.”
Daniel is 36 and has been volunteering for six years: “When I joined Samaritans I thought I was a good listener but listening is a skill that
needs to be mindfully taught and their training is excellent for that. I really enjoy being part of the organisation and meeting other Samaritans.
“The stereotype of a Samaritan as a white, middle aged heterosexual woman wearing a twinset and pearls couldn’t be further from the truth. Diversity is very important. When I joined as a 30 year-old gay man I’d no idea how my life would change. At Samaritans we ’ re very supportive of the LGBT community which is commonly sited as a high risk group. Sexuality doesn’t matter, the essential nature of being non-judgmental ensures this If you ’ re thinking of becoming a volunteer, give it a go, you’ll gain new skills, new selfawareness, change your views and be part of a diverse organisation that makes a difference in other people’s lives ”
Peter is 40 and has been volunteering for two years: “I looked into volunteering and found that Samaritans as an organisation was very flexible and fitted my availability with the hours I work as cabin crew As a volunteer I feel that I’m doing something very beneficial for the community and it’s opened my eyes to different aspects of life that I was previously
unaware of As a gay man living in Brighton I really like the aspect of confidentiality that Samaritans offer because I know that being open about your sexuality is difficult Personally, I’ve noticed that my communication skills have improved and I’m less shocked by situations than before. I think being nonjudgmental has helped with this.
“Training opportunities with Samaritans are excellent, I’m now involved in training and recruitment of new volunteers and I also work as a shift leader which is really important as part of the support that volunteers on shift receive”.
Henry is 40 and has been volunteering for two years: “I chose Samaritans because a number of work colleagues had committed suicide and I saw how difficult it can be to go on living without support. Samaritans is an organisation that’s well respected because of its professionalism and particularly valuable for the LGBT community because of its non-judgmental, self determination and confidentiality policies which are so important for people who are coming out ”
Lyn is 41 and has been volunteering for three years: “I chose Samaritans because I’ve been a caller in the past Talking to somebody who was non-judgmental and not related to my family took away my fear, I decided I wanted to be able to offer that back to other people Being a volunteer has given me a sense of value and purpose within a great organisation. As a bisexual woman living in Brighton it’s given me increased confidence in my ability to deal with difficult and emotionally painful situations with my friends and family.
“If you ’ re thinking about volunteering come along to one of our information events, take a risk and you’ll encounter a very supportive training process where you’ll learn about yourself. As a bisexual woman I found that the policy of being non-judgmental is integral within the organisation No assumptions are made about sexuality whether you ’ re a volunteer or a caller The training that you receive as a volunteer for Samaritans is second to none As you become an established volunteer you’ll find that there are many more training opportunities including leadership training, recruitment and community outreach. There is something to suit everybody and you will be made to feel welcome.”
VOLUNTEER WITH SAMARITANS
If you ’ re interested in volunteering, the next information events at the branch are:
) Tuesday, July 8 at 7pm
) Saturday, July 19 at 10.30am.
To find out more visit: www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritansbrighton-hove-and-district
) Local contact: 01273 772277 or visit their branch at Dubarry House, Newtown Rd, Hove, BN3 6AE (entrance in Newtown Rd) open daily 10am-10pm
Samaritans is available round the clock, every day of the year They provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them.
) Tel: 08457 909 090 (UK)
) Tel: 1850 609 090 (Republic Of Ireland)
) Text: 07725 909 090
) Email: jo@samaritans.org
) Visit: www.samaritans.org for your nearest branch
LUNCH POSITIVE
The Big Lunch bir thday celebration is a huge success!
Lunch Positive celebrated their 5th birthday last month with a community lunch at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church Around 120 friends, supporters, members and volunteers joined in the festivities The Mayor and Mayoress of Brighton & Hove each gave a short speech, mentioning the invaluable contribution made by volunteers, the importance of community, and the need for good social support.
Qukulele and The Rainbow Chorus gave uplifting and fun musical performances and everyone joined together to share a hot and cold buffet, all prepared by Lunch Positive volunteers
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, said: “We all had a great day celebrating with our friends and supporters, and we hope that everyone enjoyed sharing time with us It means a lot to us that such a wide range of people came along and joined in It was great to see friends old and new, supporters, colleagues and people from other HIV and LGBT groups and organisations.
“Our first five years have flown by! Starting up a new organisation, remaining authentic, continually improving and becoming sustainable is all made easier and more enjoyable through the support we ’ ve received from the wider community.
“Lunch Positive is provided entirely by volunteers The contribution made by our volunteers in every aspect of our work is amazing Over five years our volunteer team has given 25,000 hours of time, delivered 256 lunch sessions, and undertaken 1,900 hours of community event support and fundraising. Our volunteers truly are a special, hard-working, committed and fantastic group. Thank you to all of them, and everyone who supports what we do.”
For more information about Lunch Positive: www.lunchpositive.org
CRAIG’S THOUGHTS LET’S FACE IT!
THE SEQUINED COAT TAILS OF ACCEPTABLE TRANS*... OR: MAN, I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN
BY CRAIG HANLON-SMITH
“Okay keyboard warrior” she tweeted in response to my online challenge of her narrow, nay offensive appreciation of an eclectic, international gender-less community I am well aware that I should know better than to enter into twittered spats with the ignorant, but she was the one who had thrown her initial “this she-male from Eurovision freaks me the f**k-out!” into the public domain and in the Sunday morning shadow of Conchita’s Eurovision triumph this was too much too soon to ignore. She wasn’t alone Not nearly so aggressive but no less contentious was the tweeted “is that person who won Eurovision a girl or a boy?” Does it matter? “Not really,” came the response, “I just have to know.” Of course, we have to know. Are you Arthur or Martha, friend or foe, mixed black or mixed white, drag for pay or surgically altered forever?
And before the editor’s postbag erupts with an enraged from Eastbourne I am well aware that Conchita Wurst, real name Tom Neuwirth, is more drag than transgendered and if we get down to the nuts and bolts – a boy, I guess. Not that I care. What is certain is that Conchita-Tom or Tommy-Chi did more in one weekend to positively inspire European LGBTQ communities than Stonewall could wish for in 40 times the period.
“Conchita-Tom or Tommy- Chi did more in one weekend to positively inspire European LGBTQ communities than Stonewall could wish for in 40 times the period”
Conchita-Tom, already familiar with some TV audiences in Europe following an appearance on an Austrian talent show in 2011, and as a previous contender for Austrian Eurovision representation in 2012, began some months ago to attract a much wider audience in the run up to the events in Copenhagen The ‘bearded lady’ from Austria had run the length of international public interest and back; from making the Radio 2 playlist to the open condemnation of Russian politicians, although let’s face it, that doesn’t take much at the moment and representatives from the Russian Government are almost fair game
By the time Conchita took the Eurovision crown on May 10 Tom Neuwirth’s self-nominated bearded lady creation had become so much more than a bird with a beard or a bloke in a frock Waking in the rubble, walking over glass, neighbours say we ’ re trouble, well that time has passed On that mid-May Saturday evening, some saw a novelty act drag queen named Conchita sing out a message of diversity and progress wrapped up in a Celine-style torch song power-ballad, but the beauty of the mixed-gender presentation of this character is that some saw Tom Neuwirth, the young boy born in Gmunden, Austria.
Conchita’s website explains: Because of the discrimination against Tom in his teenage years, he created Conchita, The Bearded Lady, as a statement. A statement for tolerance and acceptance. Even before Conchita–Tom held aloft the Eurovision trophy and announced to an audience of millions that this night is dedicated to “ anyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom”, Conchita’s human message
had connected with hundreds of thousands (or however many really or reasonably vote for the Eurovision prize) and in the performance of Rise Like a Phoenix this connection transcended gender and the narrow limitations that even those of us who consider ourselves liberal and open, have a habit of closeting away.
Conchita’s website goes on to say of herself: It‘s not about appearances; it's about the human being Everybody should live their lifes [sic] however they want, as long as nobody else gets hurt or is restricted in their own way of life.
However, whilst Tommy-Chi may not intend for his appearance to matter, it of course does Tom Neuwirth, and I intend this to be a respectful comment, is a pretty boy Handsome, youthful, clear of skin and groomed of beard, in short – he’s a looker. As a consequence, Conchita, complete with hirsute trimmings, is beautiful, gorgeous - a stunner. In an on-stage evening gown, complete with a full nine-oclock shadow of tightly cropped facial hair, which may or may not be fake, she resembles a picture perfect combination of Terry Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Cheryl Cole and Enrique Iglesias. A cracking figure from tip to toe, manicured nails, sparking jewellery and balanced on six inches of expensive (if a little bridesmaid) couture A conventional, cosmetic, commercial beauty with a left of centre twist
And so to the delightful young lady who tweeted to all who would listen: “this she-male from Eurovision freaks me the f**k-out!”, think not of our safely attractive Conchita. Position yourself on a barstool next to the girl next door she-male who, thanks to the combined school years of genetics, judo and rugby training sits uncomfortably wide of thigh and butch of shoulder. Whose fire-engine red press-ons only draw attention to the builder’s forearm, whose finances cannot stretch to a natural human hair-piece and so the strawy polyester make-do hair-did sits atop her masculine forehead too small or too large The diamanté delicate choker which achieves almost that and those fat gardener’s fingers that swallow the wine glass with each choreographed sip No bridesmaids’ couture for once John now Jeannette, just a Hobson’s choice of flower print from home stores or a shapeless market-tent
An absence of Desperate Housewives’ glamour that is total despite being worth it, just some inappropriately made comparisons to Mrs Brown and her boys
Think of the she-male who wanders into the gay bar for there’s nowhere else to go, but despite their shared experience of what Tom described as the discrimination of his teenage years the gays don’t want her, him, her’im, sh-heheshe, there’s no shared history here Rise like a phoenix? Honey, we ’ ve had AIDS and even that doesn’t unite us anymore
And we didn’t spend thousands of pounds on personal trainers, supplements and hours hash-tagging the wink ‘FitFam’ to hang out with a slightly overweight navvy in Marks & Spencers’ hold-ups and size twelve flats And we safely whisper to our gaggle of friends ‘that shemale from East Street really freaks me out ’ She, who despite an uncomfortable awareness of her masculine silhouette, perseveres with a desire to live a life that’s full. And so go about your business, act as if you're free, no-one could have witnessed, what you did to me.
How quickly we forget
http://conchitawurst com/about/biography/ Rise Like a Phoenix: Words & music by Charlie Mason, Joey Patulka, Ali Zuckowski, Julian Maas @craigscontinuum
TWO’S COMPANY THREE’S A CROWD
On a warm evening towards the end of last summer I was sitting outside a bar in the square of a Spanish village talking to a man I had first met earlier in the day Between us we drank a bottle of locally made wine affectionately referred to as ‘The Red Infuriator’ Our conversation stopped when my companion spotted coming towards us a man I knew only by sight
”Don’t invite him to join us, he’s a bloody Wen-I” said my new friend who suddenly took an intense interest in the label on our bottle leaving me to fend off the intruder with a brief wave followed by rapid withdrawal of eye contact During the few seconds it took for him to get out of earshot I wondered if this WhenI or Weneye belonged to an obscure racial or religious group or had some rare ophthalmic problem But all was made clear when conversation was resumed. “He’s one of those boring bastards who never asks you a question and everything he says starts with “When I …. ” .
By the time we had polished off our bottle, eaten a few tapas and avoided any When-I-istic behaviour we probably knew more about each other’s histories than most of our closer friends.
This encounter started me thinking about what factors contribute to having satisfying conversations. Humour, wit, gossip, facts, fictions and news are essential ingredients but it is also, as my title implies, about numbers.
Once a month I enjoy a dinner with a group of between six and 14 doctors and as the number round the table increases groups of about four emerge and only the loudest, most self-confident and the funniest reach a larger audience. At the other end of the scale you have a speaker/audience scenario
On, roughly, a monthly basis I have lunch with my brother which is always a delight and we have quite a different conversation to the one we would have had if we had been joined by our partners or a couple of friends; it’s not that we discuss secret topics but we know each other’s interests and sense of humour and so navigate the conversation largely to those areas Skype and Facetime have enhanced conversation with visual contact but in my opinion they fail to create a true sense of intimacy, for that you need real proximity and visible body language
“One of the great benefits of retirement is the rediscover y of a proper lunch”
There now comes the important addition to my concept of an idyllic conversation of drink and, possibly, food. One of the great benefits of retirement is the rediscovery of a proper lunch. After years of lunchtime being a brief period in the working day during which you try to write and eat the sandwich in your other hand with a phone lodged under your jaw, to be able to enjoy a leisurely midday meal is a revelation, with the added bonus that, if you eat out, most restaurants charge much less at lunchtime than they do in the evening for the same meal.
So, more lunches for two!
ON THE ROCKS
As a gay man I support equality for women as, I hope, would the rest of the community. However, if it were suggested that a 'W' be added to LGBT, I'd say that while we should certainly help the cause of feminism, women's experiences, the battles they have to face, are just too different for them to be linked to the LGBT cause in a meaningful way Similarly, I support transsexual rights but believe that the differences between loving someone of your own sex and feeling that you're born in the wrong body are far too great for genuine group cohesion
I’m happy with my sexuality - it's an important part of my life and something that is patently not a problem This instantly puts me at a remove from transsexuals who consider their condition a medical problem, one that quite often needs to be corrected through surgery and hormones To make it perfectly clear: I'm not saying that this means transsexuals are in some way inferior, I'm pointing out an important difference. Namely, most gay men don't feel that they suffer from a 'condition' that needs treating; most transsexuals do.
It's probably best if members of a group have a commonality of experience, or are at least able to relate to each other I can imagine, to some extent, the sort of struggles lesbians must go through Even if it's just the experience of walking hand-in-hand with their partner down the street, or being denounced as suffering from a moral sickness by religious bigots. But I'm afraid I find it hard to get into the head space of, for example, a man who was born in a woman's body or to understand what he must go through on a daily basis.
“Like a lot of gay men I use the term LGBT but without consciously thinking about the Ts, simply because the condition is so far from my experience or frame of reference”
I was recently at a focus group of about a dozen gay men and when the subject came up at least one professed ignorance of what the term 'transsexual' meant Given that some LGBs don't even know what being transsexual entails, it seems that many won't have any insight into trans* lives which can lead to some transsexuals feeling marginalised Not due to transphobia - though this certainly exists in the LGB community - but due to an experiential chasm Like a lot of gay men I use the term 'LGBT' but without consciously thinking about the Ts, simply because the condition is so far from my experience or frame of reference
I think the LGB community should help the transsexual community, should share spaces, resources and give moral and practical support But the gulf between loving someone of your own sex and suffering from what is essentially a debilitating physical condition is perhaps too large for the majority to understand the minority. In Dr Kath Browne and Leela Bakshi's Ordinary In Brighton?: LGBT, Activism and the City the authors say 'some trans* respondents voiced concerns about inclusion of trans* under the banner of 'LGBT', saying that this sometimes entailed a certain level of invisibility…' As a marriage I'm not sure it's working out.
I think it might be time for LGBs and the Ts to go our separate ways. Perhaps what's needed is an amicable divorce. So, no fighting over who gets the Breaking Bad box set. And we'll stay in touch, really. In fact we'll possibly see more of each other, and maybe even get on better, the second the decree nisi drops onto our respective doormats.
CHARLIE SAYS PURE FILTH!
HOMONORMATIVITY IS A VIRUS SAYS CHARLIE BAUER PhD
Hang on, what’s all this about using wet wipes on homos? Agh According to research somewhere in Eastern England last month (or the month before sometime), the heterosexually defined needed to cleanse themselves when they were in any contact with a homosexual Why didn’t I think of that? Because maybe we are of the same filth.
Let me explain, firstly, I’m not at all knowledgeable in any of this I lied myself though one degree and bought my PhD online from the University of Throckmorton, Texas (best $300 I’ve ever spent) What I can gather in between bumps of K, is that a few spotty straight identifying teenagers (for the time being) were asked for their reactions if they had to borrow a phone from a gay man and they said they’d rather wipe their arse with it. And? Then some Hispanic students were asked would they rather accept a pencil or a wet wipe in the same circumstances. They chose to wipe.
I still have a problem with Latin cultures and the proliferation of antigay sentiment through the Christian scriptures handed down by the closeted priests to underpaid and overworked parents. My parents were almost the same but northern white-trash Catholics. I’m sure, like my parents, they thanked God daily that both school and the church (which were commingled) existed so that they could get the kids off their hands and earn some money to feed the little sods They had no thoughts about social complexities and homophobia, they assumed that their kids were straight because they’d never met anyone gay Then Polish students were offered the same and, front to back, wiped away Ditto the above but with the political ataxia of communism thrown in Yet another ‘homophobic’ doctrine tossed at parents who have missed the modernist boat of social reform Probably this is why their children are choosing a British education in the first place
It seems pretty inconclusive on a conscious level; the parent cultures embedded identities in political doctrine and the church - despite any heteronormativity or homophobia thrown in - have influenced their own children’s fear of the queer Nothing else Metastasizing through the rhetoric of their leaders into the ears of children
As a sometimes fellator, sometimes drug-fuelled top, sometimes prize winner in local macramé contests, I will not take any of this seriously
After all, I’m sure most of these badly-formed students who are rich enough to leave their motherland for a cheap English education are in for a rude awakening Losing that deep entrenched primitivism is bloody hard work I know it; I come from a good, solid, British working class culture whose parents never read a book and a place where a hippy told me not to say the ‘N’ word when I was fifteen.
When it comes to issues of contracting HIV from phones and toilet seats actions speak louder than words I’ve snogged all of my positive friends, even when HIV didn’t have a name. And let’s face it Diana kissing the AIDS patient did more for the love and care of the ‘ soon to be dead’ than any of Thatcher and Saatchi’s AIDS campaigns ever did. Any studies around this are moot. In the so-called, most primitive societies of central Africa with western strangulation of expensive medication, they have no choice but to use the same equipment as the dying. These messages are still sent through idiot parents, cultures, religions and political doctrines, where the homophobic slurry still seeps
I think the most fascinating theory, the reference for which I’ve got written on a post-it near the cat tray and can’t be arsed to get, is that gay men are collectively thinking we ’ re all a bit ikky Gay men will always think that, we love it The one remaining right is that we can be judgmental and laugh it off I know groups of gay men who pay handsomely for some of the ’filth’ that we are supposed to do to each other No social meaning involved And some of them don’t even wash their hands afterwards before calling for pizza
As Bifuria D’sconza recently said, “When everyone realised it’s white, straight men that have screwed up the planet, everyone else - faggots and clown faces too - grouped together to knock those assholes down Sista - Homosexuals ain’t the problem White, male, bankers are And the governments that feed them too I thought everyone knew that Where you been livin?”
“These messages are still sent through idiot parents, cultures, religions and political doctrines, where the homophobic slurry still seeps”
Some friends of mine just love waking up in their own vomit after being dragged, face down out of Legends at 3am They go back again and again and who can deny what is to them, such important part of their identity? How many times have I ended up in a piss club and sobered up with the texts from friends the next day calling me all the dirty scrubbers under the sun. How many times have I just laughed at such filth and got on with my daily, unconscious homo existence. We don’t scorn ‘filth’, we accept it. Because, as Lola once said, ‘that’s just how we are ’ .
Filth, like homosexuality, is not a mutable platform for the degenerates and there is no way we can bend – whether the Nazis are pounding at the door or not. To suggest that we can change decries the fact that all those queers killed in the Holocaust had some form of choice in the matter.
Here we have spelt out what homophobia isn’t. It’s not about gender policing or anything else. It’s still about getting rid of essentialism within political doctrines and religions spewed from the primitive masses and the conservative men (hang on, they’re the bankers aren’t they?) and replacing it with homonormativity, its’ sworn sister.
Twitter: @charliebauerphd
STORMY WEATHER
Storme DeLarverie died in May. Hers is not a name which trips easily off the tongue like Peter Tatchell or Harvey Milk, but Storme (pronounced Stormy as in the weather) was a real trail-blazer for LGBT people
Born in New Orleans in 1920 to a black mother and white father, Storme learnt to handle a life of adversity with flourish and aplomb She was one of those people who seem to be ‘born kicking’
In the 1950s, Storme became a drag king (as you do) and headed a troupe of 25 travelling drag queens called The Jewel Box. They regularly performed to mixed-race audiences at the famous Apollo in Harlem Storme’s protective streak was already evident as she patrolled the city’s gay village with a cut-throat razor secreted in her sock
It is no surprise that we find her outside the infamous ‘Stonewall’ bar in the summer of 1969 on the night that would make history As she says “It was a rebellion, an uprising, a civil rights disobedience, it wasn’t no damn riot!”
That night at 2am, Storme watched as cops arrested and paraded patrons from the bar She recognised one boy who broke free, only to be caught by his jacket, slammed on the pavement, then hit and kicked by three policemen Storme saw red When a cop approached assuming she was male and shouted “Move faggot!” she resisted, when he shoved her she punched him so hard she drew blood This is viewed as one of the most defining moments of the Stonewall riots The scuffle that ensued bloomed into the first ever mass queer fightback, literally kick-starting the LGBT civil rights movement
In the following decades her part in the uprising was largely overlooked because of she never sought the limelight “It’s nobody’s business!” she’d bark She dedicated her time to performing in benefits for battered women and children, declaring “Somebody has to care ” Her favourite song was Kermit the Frog’s It Ain’t Easy Being Green transposing the word ‘ green ’ for ‘ gay ’ . That’s a rendition I’d like to have seen.
When I visited New York in the late nineties I went to a lesbian bar called Henrietta Hudson’s The bouncer was a formidable old butch called Storme. I had no idea who she was, but I wouldn’t have crossed her. She continued her work protecting and serving the gay community in this way until the age of 85.
A week before her death in May this year I read she was in a home suffering from dementia. She was 93. She wore a medallion of St Jude, the patron saint of lost causes. It seems the last years of her life had been difficult, but as a mixed-race, cross-dressing lesbian activist, she was no stranger to a struggle. A few close friends were there for her at the end. Storme DeLarverie has been called the Rosa Parks of the gay community and in these divisive frightening times it’s good to remember the far-reaching and indomitable spirit of one very pissed off drag king.
DAD & DADDY BARBIE WORLD
MY SEVEN-YEAR OLD SON’S LOVE OF BARBIE BY SYD SPENCER
Our seven-year-old son Bradley is the most gorgeous little boy He has this huge smile and bright blue sparkling eyes, and he wins the heart of everyone he meets He came to us with severe speech problems and delayed learning due to the neglect in his very early years
A year later, with the support now in place, he has come on leaps and bounds His speech therapist recently told us that she has never seen such a massive improvement in such a short space of time in any child she has worked with His learning at school is steady, however he still struggles with reading and writing and there is still a lot of work to be done in those areas.
Bradley is a very confident, loving little boy who knows what he wants He has a great relationship with our daughter Katy and they love each other dearly and enjoy time together; it never ceases to amaze me how well they get on. So far, with puberty still far away enough not to worry about it, they haven’t had any fights, but we know they will come and it will probably be fast and furious.
We try as best as possible to instil a sense of kindness, respect and compassion in each of them and through boundaries, consequences, love and fun I think they both now have a pretty balanced childhood.
When Bradley first came to us we furnished his bedroom with Superhero posters. Iron Man, The Hulk and Captain America were on bedding, T-shirts and in the toy box all ready for their new owner who we knew would play with them again and again. Oh how wrong we were!
“The times when he’s in his zone of sheer joy is when he is in his room, with his ever growing collection of Barbie dolls”
Within a very short space of time our little boy made it quite clear to us that he loved hair, he loves brushing people’s hair, playing with people’s hair and he especially likes a fringe. He will often be found in front of the mirror pulling his fringe, moving it around and changing the style. Bradley often comments on the hair styles of women on TV and in magazines and always tells the girls at school that he likes their hair.
Last Christmas it all became very clear to us what toy Bradley would have been happier getting. His eyes widened with amazement as Katy unwrapped a present to reveal a Barbie doll mermaid with long, thick and luscious colour changing hair.
That afternoon, once all presents had been opened and the mountains of rubbish cleared away the kids spent hours playing with this doll, taking turns to brush its hair with the clam hairbrush provided and changing the plastic beauty’s name over and over again.
A few friends of ours had kindly given the kids gift vouchers for a large toy shop and in the week between Christmas and New Year we took them both to spend what they had Bradley’s eyes lit up when he saw a 13 foot wall display dedicated to Barbie in many forms He literally let out a little squeal, clenching his fists with joy. From that moment on he wasn’t interested at all in any of the many hundreds of other toys in the shop.
Kevin and I both tried to persuade him to look around the rest of the shop but he was transfixed; a spell of pink, plastic, sparkles and big hairdos had certainly been cast and had captured him. He reached for his choice and showed me. The chosen Barbie had dark hair and a purple shoulder padded power suit on and looked just like Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter. I smiled, remembering my fascination with Dynasty back in the 1980s, and felt a surge of pride inside me. My trail of thought however was soon broken by another high pitched squeal as Bradley found a small section on the bottom shelf dedicated to handbags, shoes and dresses He hungrily picked frocks and jewelencrusted tiaras, the brightness of his smile beaming across everything that glittered
One of the things that has always been very important to us as parents is to encourage our kids to explore the world around them, to try new things and for any passions they have to be nurtured and encouraged
Katy is very much a tom boy, although dainty and gorgeous you can often find her hanging upside down from a tree branch or bug hunting at the bottom of the garden She is also a very proud Brownie Bradley will take part in these activities with his big sister because he adores her and wants to copy her but the times when he is in his zone of sheer joy is when he is in his room, with his ever growing collection of Barbie dolls He will be sat on the floor, Barbies, clothes, shoes and frocks all laid out neatly in front of him as he brushes each doll’s hair, while singing Let It Go, his favourite song from Frozen, quietly to them.
It is not a rare sight in our house to see a pink Barbie Beetle car whizz in-between your feet, driven by a gorgeous, glammed up Barbie waving at anyone who catches her eye. The passenger, usually Captain America, sits next to her, looking not quite so happy with a tiara on his head and clasping a purple handbag where his shield would normally be.
REAL FAITH
In my experience 'spirituality' and 'transgender' go together like carrots and peas I'm not talking about the rich and varied spiritual past found in the trans community (for a great spiritual trans* history see www bilerico com/2008/02/Transgender history trans expression in p hp) I’m not talking about the transgender saints, (although of course Joan of Arc and Wilgefortis have to be my favourites) I’m talking about Sam, the wonderful trans man who lives on the grounds of Lancaster seminary, Philadelphia, USA, who was my spiritual guide for many years and taught me what it means to be a man of God I’m talking about Johnna, a trans man now working as a Chaplain in Texas, who taught me the meaning of patience. Max, a trans* cub who taught me how to be a bear. Terri-Lee, a strong and proud trans woman who taught me how to stand up for myself. Miller, a trans* person who taught me that binary gender roles are not the only options. And in every case it is trans* people who have reminded me of the true nature of faith.
If faith is that which you know when there’s no proof, and you can’t explain how you know, (Hebrews 11:1), then I think that being trans* is the ultimate example of faith in action. To be told that you are one gender, by family, friends, in fact everyone, to see that gender in the mirror, but know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the truth is a different story To understand that all external evidence is a lie and the truth lies within you; that's faith - real faith Trans* people have helped to shape my spiritual journey just as the transgender people in my church continue to do so today Oh I wish my faith was as strong as the youngest of transgender people
“If faith is that which you know when there’s no proof, and you can’t explain how you know then being trans* is the ultimate example of faith in action”
On July 27, 6pm at the Brighthelm centre, MCC Brighton celebrates Pride. The Brighton Gay men's Chorus will be joining us, along with other LGBT community members, to rejoice in who we are and raise money for the Rainbow Fund. We’ll celebrate what it is to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, bear, leather, and so much more. We'll sing together, have fun together, and be proud of who we are. Some are proud to express a form of faith or positive measure of human experience. Some are not. Together we make up a diverse community that is proud to be what it is: a vast array of human expression, free of the stereotype or expectations that others often try to insist we fill I hope that you'll come and join us
Religion is supposed to be the sharing of experience, and yet so often it has become the dogma of the strong taking advantage of the weak I was brought up Jehovah's Witness so I really understand that But it can be so much more It can be the sharing of life journeys in ways that empower us It can be a celebration of all that we are, sexuality and gender differences included It can be a place where all of our journeys blend into the truest measure of humanity that can be celebrated with PRIDE
FROM BOTH SIDES
As this is the trans* issue, I’m torn between writing about what the police are doing for trans* people in Sussex and about myself as a trans* person working for the police Indulge me to talk about both
Following the recommendations from the city council’s Trans Equality Scrutiny and new guidance from the College of Policing and ACPO, Sussex Police has made many changes to the way it approaches trans* issues Two such examples are:
• Changes in the way we deal with hate crime. This means we have to get better at recognising and highlighting transphobic incidents. We’ve made some progress towards this, with a 25% rise in recorded transphobic crime from last year Since last autumn, judges have new powers raise the sentence of those convicted of crimes motivated by hostility or prejudice based on someone being, or perceived as being transgender The challenge is if we can get a perpetrator to court and secure a conviction With your help reporting incidents when they happen, this can be achieved
• On the other end of the spectrum, we have new guidance relating to how we treat trans* people who require to be searched or taken into custody This guidance benefits all concerned, regardless of whether someone (prisoner or officer) has obtained a GRC This benefits someone like me, as although I’m not a police officer, it is reassuring to know that should I become one, I will not be prevented from doing my job on the basis of my gender identity.
Being a trans* person working for the police can have its challenges, like any workplace does Post-transition life is better, but some issues remain. Not least, (PC Bridger will give me a clip around the ear for complaining about this again) that people think I’m much younger than I actually am.
Why is that an issue? Sadly we make assumptions based on perceived age and experience. In working environments this can have an impact. Particularly in my role, I feel the need to come out on a regular basis, both to colleagues and the community, as a way to explain myself. There are still stereotypes about what trans* people look like, and like with age, we make judgements based on that. Boys like me can be pretty invisible, so regular ‘outings’ become part of my trans* activism. Of course many of my friends say it doesn’t matter, that I’m just Rory
From my perspective, being trans* is integral to who I am, and why I do what I do, but it is a relief to forget about it sometimes. This is why it is important that we respect the rights of trans* people to live as the genders we are and do everything in our power to level the playing field to enable trans* people to thrive in society as much as anyone else
THIS MONTH’S FIGURES
) During May we had 16 reports of LGBT-related hate, 11 of which are being investigated as crimes Three were transphobic and the remainder were homophobic. The majority of these were public order offences; where verbal abuse or comments were made to intimidate, harass, alarm or distress the aggrieved.
CONTACT INFORMATION
) MCC Brighton meets Sundays at 6pm at the Portslade United Reformed Church at the junction of St Aubyn’s Rd and Station Rd, Portslade, BN41 1AB MCC Brighton welcomes all who wish to explore their faith in a respectful and safe environment
) We both have Facebook profiles and a page – our usernames are: PC Rich Bridger and LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith, and Brighton and Hove LGBT Police Team We tweet @PoliceLGBT Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – please call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999.
MY TRANSITION
The ups and downs of
REGAN’S STORY
My name is Regan Burree and I am a transgendered woman, I know what it is like to face discrimination
At 40 years old I decided to transition I had a lot to lose, a wonderful partner and two children who I love more than anything else in the world as well as a good job My anxiety levels were through the roof My partner and I split up because of the church. Her vicar said I was ‘ wrong and not one of God’s children’ and wasn’t welcome at the church. This discrimination destroyed me and my respect for religion.
I was working in a custody environment, so after deciding to transition I had to tell the company. I was assured I would have the company ’ s support and cooperation and they would inform my colleagues for me. Although I would receive discrimination from prisoners, the majority of the discrimination came from my colleagues, both police and other custody assistants I got abuse from prisoners like ‘lady boy tranny’ and other offensive comments that I won’t publish in this article because they were disgusting I was assaulted four times in the work place and never received any help from my company There were one or two police officers who charged these prisoners but others just didn’t want to know due to being too busy or just didn’t care. When I reported this to my supervisors they would say “well it’s part of the job”. This hurt. I was the only transsexual working for my company, I had no one to talk to and because of my shift patterns couldn’t get to support groups like the Claire Project as the company would not let me have time off work
I faced inappropriate questions and comments from my colleagues about my sexuality. When I complained I found complaints about my performance started to surface I was isolated by my colleagues, basically sent to Coventry by them This happened on a daily basis
One positive aspect of my time working in custody was when I was asked to talk to police officers about what it is like to be trans* at Lewes HQ PCs through to the deputy chief constable took part in a question and answer trans* awareness day with the
transitioning.
LGBT liaison officer I have never been very good at public speaking but I felt I had to have a go to get over my fears and anxiety of public speaking and to spread trans* awareness. The message I tried to put across was don’t try and understand the transgendered community, just accept us. I did this by explaining that we don’t necessarily understand subjects like quantum physics but we accept them so why can’t society just accept the transgender community and the LGBT community as a whole then maybe it will be a better world Miss Regan Michaela Wynona Burree
ED’S STORY
I know from my own experience of being trans*, and from working with the trans* community, that the rates of mental illness are high. Sometimes this is used as evidence that transitioning is not a useful approach for trans* people. “Look” they say, “they are depressed before they transition, they are depressed afterwards – it’s not helping –something else must be wrong ” . But this is looking at the problem the wrong way round. Take me as an example. I was using mental health services from the time I was 15. I didn't know that I was transgender because I'd hardly ever heard the word. I began to consider, aged 24, that I might be seriously depressed for my whole life
Then, by chance, I found the FTM-UK website and found a word for all the things I felt about my body and my gender, and –astonishing to me – there was something I could do about it This was the first day of my transition My mental health didn't improve overnight Transitioning itself, the process, while the right direction for many, is not easy And transitioning takes a long time I mean –long It's been 10 years for me and I am still in that process.
Transitioning may sound like a quick process A snip here, a hair cut there and bingo, you leave the clinic a brand new you If only! It’s long, and arduous. You have to wait and complain and wait and protest and argue and wait and prove yourself and wait and be
assessed over and over again and then wait some more. Everyone's journey is personal. We’re trying to shape ourselves into who we are, to be seen, by ourselves and the world, as ourselves
Transitioning means different things for different people Some trans* people just change their name (some don't) Some change their wardrobe, their hair, but some don't Some take hormones, some don't Some have this surgery or that surgery, some don't It’s not, I emphasise not, about ‘how trans* you are ’ or ‘how much of a man you are ’ Those phrases are meaningless here
I do not know why rates of mental illness are so high for trans* people The effect of growing up feeling alienated from your body, bullied or scorned, or, like me, holding onto a secret you could not say aloud because you had no language to speak it. Of course these things take a toll. But whatever the reason, we are struggling. We are clawing through red tape and belittlement and endless waiting lists whilst trying to hold down jobs, hold our families together, hold ourselves together
The trouble is, while recognising that transitioning is the best solution for the dysphoria trans* people experience, the medical system is failing trans* people's mental health The system is full of holes The gender clinics are unable to provide the support that trans* people need Mental health services can be problematic: every time you meet a new therapist, counsellor or psychologist you don't know what you're going to get There are a lot of good, informed therapists who treat trans* people with respect. But there are also therapists who question whether gender dysphoria is even a real thing, or who are more curious about your experiences of hormones and surgery than supporting your needs. It happens.
Organisations that specifically tailor their service to be welcoming and understanding of trans* people – trans* in its broadest sense encompassing transgender, agender, genderqueer and more – are few MindOut is one of them and we ’ re extremely lucky in Brighton to have it We need more Transitioning without the right support is doing more harm to already vulnerable people
Ed Whelan
MINDOUT SERVICES
MindOut provides free, independent, impartial support to any LGB&T people with experience of mental health issues
To contact us please:
• Visit www.mindout.org.uk
• Ring us on 01273 234839
• Email info@mindout.org.uk
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• Volunteer Suppor t Ser vices: 1-2-1 community suppor t 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 EA STBOURNE
Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, Tel: 01323 649927 or info eastbourne@tht org uk
• HIV Ser vices suppor t for HIV diagnosis, managing side effects, sex and relationships, understanding medication, talking to your doctor, finding healthier lifestyle Assessment of suppor t needs and signposting on to relevant services Suppor t in person, by phone or email
• Suppor t 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 suppor t & 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
• Positively Social Informal peer suppor t groups for people living with HIV, monthly meets in Eastbourne & Hastings
) WARREN BROWNE UNIT
Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV Hep A &
Four of our favourite properties this week. Visit our website at justinlloyd.co.uk to view all our properties.
“ Thank you for being so e xcellent - really professional, helpful and friendly.”
Vendor comment, June 2014
Dyke Road, Brighton
£ 485,000 oieo / £365,000 oieo
Two newly built luxury flats in the Royal Alexandra Quarter, the first a two bedroom first floor apartment and second a one bedroom second floor apartment Further features include integrated AEG appliances, balcony and a high spec finish throughout Secure parking is also available in both properties as an added option 1-2 1-2 1
Marine Parade, Brighton £ 535,000
Three bedroom apartment on the third floor of a handsome Grade II listed seafront residence The property has recently been refurbished by renowned interior designer Clare Topham and offers a stylish and sumptuous interior to compliment the elegantly proportioned rooms and panoramic south facing sea views 3 1 1
1 2 3 2 3 4
Devonshire Place, Brighton £ 525,000
Beautifully presented two double bedroom maisonette on the first and second floors of a converted Grade II listed building Features a magnificent drawing room with a west facing balcony, modern kitchen leading to a glorious roof terrace, two double bedrooms both en-suite and a separate cloakroom 2 2 1
Saxon Close, Saltdean £ 450,000
Fantastic newly built, two bedroom detached house in Saltdean The accommodation comprises: reception hallway, open plan living room / kitchen, utility room, cloakroom, landscaped garden, master bedroom with sea views and ensuite bathroom, second double bedroom with en-suite shower room, study/office 2 2 1
