Scene Magazine - December 2023 by Scene LGBTQ+ Magazine

THE HEAR T OF LGBTQ+ LIVING

DEC 2023

t @SceneLGBTQ f @Gscene.Brighton D www.scenemag.co.uk

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

For the Love of Paul: Brighton tribute to the wonderful Paul O'Grady

A special variety show is to be held in Brighton on Saturday, December 30 as a tribute to Paul O'Grady who passed away this year.

LGBTQ+ charities to benefit from this year's Santa Bus

Research highlights food access needs of communities across Brighton & Hove

Research has been published highlighting the pressures emergency food providers in Brighton & Hove are under and the food access needs of communities throughout the city.

Don’t brush it under the carpet!

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust launches older people's mental wellbeing campaign. This year’s Santa Bus will travel across 20 routes, over 20 separate nights, whilst raising money for 20 local charities.

BOOK REVIEW: 'From Mohair Suits to Kinky Boots' by Geoff Deane

Brighton & Hove Christmas and New Year bus schedule

Brighton & Hove Buses has announced its Christmas and New Year schedule, including a Christmas Day bus services for the second year running.

Words by Eric Page.

IOPC confirms re-investigation into how police officers handled Stephen Port murders

Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor were murdered by Stephen Port between 2014-2015.

National LGBTI organisations welcome publication of Scottish Government’s Non-Binary Equality Action Plan

The organisations believe this is the first time any government in the world has set out commitments specifically focused on improving the experiences of non-binary people.

Charity calendar to raise funds for THT and Sussex Beacon

The calendar showcases 14 local icons, LGBTQ+ artists and vibrant and talented drag queens.

Iconic musician Holly Johnson visits local HIV charity, the Sussex Beacon

Ahead of a show that night at the Brighton Dome, Holly and a few close friends spent time looking around the main centre of the Beacon, chatting with members of the team, to find out more about the work done to support and care for people living with HIV across Sussex.

One in five adoptions in England to same-sex couples, statistics reveal

The news comes following March’s LGBTQ+ Adoption & Fostering Week, the only national campaign that specifically focuses on encouraging LGBTQ+ people to consider adoption or fostering.

Ban Conversion Therapy Bill gets first reading in Parliament

The Bill aims to put an end to discredited and harmful practices that claim to ‘cure’ people of their homosexuality or trans gender identity.

WORLD AIDS DAY

Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership share plans of what’s happening in Brighton & Hove to mark World AIDS Day ) The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership has announced details of this year’s World AIDS Day Candlelight Vigil, being held from 6 - 7pm on Friday, December 1, in New Steine Gardens. The vigil is held each year, to remember people connected to Brighton & Hove, who have died with HIV. Hundreds of people are expected to attend this year’s vigil, which is a highlight of the city’s World AIDS Day commemorations. This year’s World AIDS Day theme is Let Communities Lead. The event will include a welcome by the Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Jackie O’Quinn, followed by a Reading of Names by representatives of a wide range of civic, statutory and voluntary organisations. Volunteers from across the Community Partnership will be on hand at the vigil to distribute candles and candle holders, for anyone wishing to light a candle in memory of a loved one. A memorial bench honouring the late James Ledward will be a new point of interest at this year’s vigil. The bench is one of a series forming a friendship trail organised by the Brighton & Hove Tourist Alliance. It was decorated by Romany Mark Bruce, the designer and sculptor who created TAY (the Brighton AIDS Memorial) in New Steine Gardens. James was a very much-loved champion of the LGBTQ+ community in Brighton & Hove, for many years. Editor of Scene Magazine (formerly Gscene), James was a true community leader, whose work continually inspired and helped the lives of many. HIV charity Lunch Positive will once

again have its marquee at the event, providing information from 4pm about the vigil and serving hot drinks. There will be a wheelchair accessible area, in addition to a BSL signer providing translation of speeches and the Reading of Names. The annual World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance and Hope, hosted by the HIV Chaplaincy and the Village Metropolitan Community Church, will be held at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church on Sunday, December 3 at 6pm; all are warmly welcome. In addition to the vigil, communityfocused activities and events have been organised by members of the Community Partnership, to mark

World AIDS Day. Brighton & Hove City Council has announced it is honoured to be flying the Red Ribbon flag from the town halls for the second time, to mark World AIDS Day. The red ribbon is an important symbol of awareness. Its display is just one means of demonstrating a commitment to the fight against HIV and to remember that 40 years ago Brighton & Hove lost its first citizen to AIDS. The Brighton AIDS Memorial will be proudly displaying two UK AIDS Memorial Quilts, last seen in the city at the Corn Exchange in June 1993. Alongside the quilts on display, four stories curated by the project will give a glimpse into the lives of some of the remembered. The exhibition takes place at Jubilee Library until Sunday, December 10. The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership is made up of: Brighton & Hove City Council - Communities, Equality and Third Sector Team, Frontline AIDS, HIV Hour, Lawson Unit, Ledward Centre, Lunch Positive, Martin Fisher Foundation, More to Me Than HIV, Romany Mark Bruce, Sussex Beacon, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and Terrence Higgins Trust South.

Emergency Department Opt-Out Testing a "triumph"

New report finds thousands tested and diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

QUEENDOM in UK cinemas and On Demand from December 1

The new documentary follows Gena Marvin, a queer artist from a small town in Russia, who wants to change people’s perception of queerness in Russia.

LGBTQ+ celebs join forces for male modern slavery campaign

Pacemaker, a trans-positive animated musical short film, released on digital platforms

The film tells the heartwarming story of a grandfather's journey towards acceptance of his trans grandson.

"A fabulous result!"

Local HIV charity Sussex Beacon raised £450 from Everybody's Talking About Jamie in Brighton.

Tampon for men aims to "reduce gender dysphoria" and alleviate distress trans men feel related to menstruation

Stephen Fry, Dr Ranj Singh, Charlie Condou and Matt Jameson - have teamed up for the campaign, which features a film launched by the charity Causeway.

The Tampon for Men will be available as a limited edition in Finland and wider distribution will begin in early 2024.

FATT BUTCHER SINGS! Catherine Muxworthy interviews Fatt Butcher, who dazzled on The Voice last month ) Appearing on reality singing show, The Voice, drag performer and creative producer Fatt Butcher wowed the panel of coaches in a fabulous blind audition. Closing out the show on Saturday, November 18, Fatt Butcher gained the ultimate accolade when all four coaches – Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, Anne-Marie, and Olly Murs – turned around, hoping to add the drag performer to their team. Supported by their friends – Blü Romantic, Alanna Boden, Pork Elizabeth Pie and Nick Blackham (Thrillhaus Designs) in the wings – Fatt Butcher showcased a rendition of Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work. Talking to Scene magazine, Fatt Butcher said: “I think I knew from the offset I wanted to do something by Kate Bush, who I think is one of the greatest voices and writers of our times. Whilst we’re preparing for the show we went through a number of possible options but This Woman’s Work always came out on top, it was meant to be.” When asked who they were most hoping would turn around, Fatt Butcher said: “Obviously all of them, you want the four chair turn - Tom Jones is a legend naturally, so I guess that was in my mind, but also I was excited about the idea of what will.i.am might suggest from a producer’s perspective. More

than anything I just wanted SOMEONE to turn.” “I’ve got nobody like you on my team,” said Tom Jones, as he delivered his bid for Fatt Butcher to join his team, “You have an incredible voice. For me it’s the most important thing and the way you deliver the song is tremendous. I would love you to come on my team.” “I think that you just need to be heard for your voice, I think beyond who you are right now and what you look like and what you show in this way, your voice is beautiful,” added Anne-Marie, “I think that’s the reason we all turned. I turned so quickly because I could just hear every note was perfect. No one’s got anyone like you, I would love you on my team, I think you’re incredible.” “I wasn’t expecting four of you to turn around so I’m a bit overwhelmed,” admitted Fatt Butcher during the show, adding to Scene later that it felt “correct!” Explaining how they came to choose Team Tom, Fatt Butcher said: “Someone backstage said to me beforehand ‘you’ll get a feeling and you’ll know who feels right’. When the judges were talking to me (which goes on much longer than they can show on TV) Tom just seemed to connect emotionally the most to it.” Talking about why they chose to

audition this year, they added: “Well I’ve been making the same jokes about when I was cut from Britain’s Got Talent for almost two years, so I needed new material. Also, I think we’re approaching a bit of a new era for Fatt Butcher, and I want to start making music a bit more seriously. So, this felt like the ideal way to launch that.” In the lead up to World AIDS Day, Fatt Butcher plans to release their version of This Woman’s Work as a charity fundraiser “so I’d love people to support me by buying that.”

“I think I knew from the offset I wanted to do something by Kate Bush, who I think is one of the greatest voices and writers of our times.” What is Fatt Butcher most looking forward to about The Voice experience? “Retiring to a villa in the south of France? Collaborating with Liza Minnelli? Who knows... the possibilities are endless,” but what we do know is that Birmingham will be supporting Team Tom.

Bringing sober sass to the seaside!

Lunch Positive and Sussex Beacon volunteer Phil Gale shortlisted for Gaydio Pride Awards 2024

New sober clubbing afternoon, SASSY, at Club Revenge in January

Reality TV legend Tiffany “New York” Pollard to host new dating series for OUTtv’s Froot.tv

The Gaydio Pride Awards recognise and celebrate the efforts made to better LGBTQ+ lives in the UK.

Six men arrested after suspected homophobic hate crime in London

Set in a modern villa, Looking for a Third will feature one gay couple and one lesbian couple, each searching for a third partner to add to their relationship, among a group of singles.

GRABBYS Europe 2024 to recognise and celebrate the best gay adult entertainment in Europe

Nominations and voting for most of the awards will open on December 1, with more information to follow on how to recognise your favourite creators and performers for their outstanding work.

Callum Griggs, 23, was hit with a plank of wood while walking with his partner, Brad Balueta.

'The Power of Holly' - a new exhibition exploring the life and art of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood star

Liverpool arts organisations Homotopia and DuoVision announced a grant of £142,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the exhibition.

JASON SUTTON (L) AND PHIL HILLY (R)

COMMUNITY, DEAR! Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason becomes Patron of local HIV charity, the Sussex Beacon ) Brighton-based HIV charity the Sussex Beacon has announced Jason Sutton has become a Patron of the charity. Known to many as ‘Miss Jason’, Jason’s work as a drag performer has thrilled audiences across the nation for many years. His unique style has made him a favourite of people of all ages. Paul Hilly, Chair of the Sussex Beacon, said: “We’re delighted that Jason

has agreed to become a Patron of the Sussex Beacon. His patronage will enhance our ability to engage with the very community that we are here to support”. Jason Sutton added: “I am honoured to be invited to become a Patron of the Sussex Beacon. Having supported the Beacon for a very long time, I know just how invaluable their work is. I very

much look forward to working closely with the team in the future.” Jason will be appearing in two upcoming pantos, the Brighton Adult Panto and the Brighton Alternative Panto, both of which are also supporting the Sussex Beacon. D For more info on the Sussex Beacon, visit: www.www.sussexbeacon.org.uk

Lesbian love scenes cut from Love Actually resurface 20 years later

Writer and director Richard Curtis has described in a DVD that a lesbian love story woven into the story had to be cut from the final version when an element in another story was changed.

London transfer of Cowbois - bringing rollicking queer western to the capital

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Royal Court Theatre have announced the London transfer of Charlie Josephine’s rollicking queer western.

Brighton Rainbow Chorus seeks piano accompanist

"I cannot wait!" Jane McDonald to come to Brighton Centre

Star of stage and screen and singing sensation Jane McDonald is to return to the stage in 2024 with a tour which includes a Brighton Centre date on November 10, 2024.

"Everyone has a right to travel without fear."

New report finds one in five LGBTQ+ people have experienced a hate crime on London transport network in the past year.

Customers of Shutterly Fabulous in Hove raise £1,450 for Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard

Rainbow Chorus performs a number of community performances throughout the year, including World AIDS Day and Trans Day of Remembrance.

Fifty pounds was donated to the charity for every order placed from customers in the BN postcode area during this year’s Pride season.

SILVIO GRASSO

LEDWARD CENTRE CAFE

MAKE YOUR MARK

The Ledward Centre launches Phase Two of its ‘Make Your Mark’ campaign as part of its triple matchfunded Crowdfunder ) The Ledward Centre (TLC), Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community and cultural centre, has announced the next phase in the project to create a huge Pride Progress Flag, five metres x three metres from 6,000 individual tiles, each created by members of Brighton & Hove’s LGBTQ+ communities and allies. The project was started last year with a Crowdfunded campaign which raised over £11,000 to complete the fit out of the cafe on the ground floor. Donors paid £20 for a tile, which they created in clay, and ‘made their mark’ by making an impression of their thumb into the clay, which then had to go off to be fired. Using clay that needed to go to a kiln to be fired proved to be not ideal, some tiles didnt survive the firing, some altered shape and dimensions. Phase Two of Make Your Mark involves creating the tiles from polymer

clay, which is fired in a conventional oven and which retains dimensions. This has several advantages for this project because there is consistency in dimensions, and the whole process of creating each tile, from rolling out, cutting, firing, decorating, and then actually fixing the tile in position is done on site in one go. Each workshop lasts 90 minutes and each participant leaves having created and fixed their very own piece of LGBTQ+ history. This year’s Crowdfunder campaign is to raise funds to complete the fit out of the lower ground floor, to provide the exhibition gallery, radio studios, cinema room, various size meeting rooms/classrooms, a quiet lounge, a community kitchen, and most importantly new toilet facilities to replace the single toilet that TLC inherited. This will allow for larger events and meetings to take place by

increasing the capacity of TLC. The Crowdfunder campaign runs until December 17, with every donation (up to £150) TRIPLE matchfunded by the Cost of Living Resilience Fund. This means that for every £20 pounds donated for a tile, a further £60 is released to the campaign in matchfunding. Every tile brings a total of £80 into the campaign. To donate, release matchfunding, and to claim your ‘reward’ of an invitation to join Silvio Grasso’s tile creation workshops and turn the wall that Silvio has painted into a community artwork, and reflection of the Brighton LGBTQ+ community, visit www.crowdfunder. co.uk/p/tlcfitout Oh, and please tell your friends and get them to join you at a workshop, and on the wall!

TRANS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Brighton & Hove’s trans communities and allies come together for Trans Day of Remembrance 2023

People gathered in Brighton’s Jubilee Square to listen to a moving performance from Brighton’s LGBTQ+ choir, the Rainbow Chorus – who performed the beautiful Chosen Family – and there was a digital name ritual and a community lunch served. The grassroots event was organised collaboratively by some of Brighton & Hove trans/TNBI groups (The Clare Project, Trans Pride Brighton & Hove, Trans Sober, Navigate) with support from allied LGBTQ+ organisations/ networks (Ledward Centre and BHCC LGBT Staff Network). Brighton & Hove City Council flew trans flags from town halls on the day to honour the memory of people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence and raise awareness of the immense suffering and harm caused by transphobia.

BRIGHTON RAINBOW CHORUS. PIC BY CHRIS JEPSON PHOTOGRAPHY

) Brighton & Hove’s trans communities and allies came together for Trans Day of Remembrance on Sunday, November 19, which was an opportunity to remember trans community members who have died over the past year. A new report has revealed 320 trans and gender diverse people were murdered between October 2022 and September 2023.

#TRANSLIVESMATTER

New report reveals 320 trans and gender diverse people murdered between October 2022 and September 2023 ) Transgender Europe, a trans-led, membership-based non-profit for the rights and wellbeing of trans people in Europe and Central Asia, has released the annual update of the Trans Murder Monitoring research project, which tracks murders of trans and gender diverse people globally. Published on the first day of Trans Awareness Week and before Trans Day of Remembrance, the report reveals that 320 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered between 1 October 2022 and 30 September 2023. This total is very close to the 327 cases reported in the previous year, showing that deadly violence against trans people remains at a consistently high level.

“Most cases worldwide continue to go unreported. Those that are reported receive very little attention.” With 235 cases, Latin America and the Caribbean again report the highest number of murders out of all regions. Murders in Armenia, Belgium and Slovakia were reported for the first time this year. Trans Murder Monitoring 2023 data shows that 94% of victims were trans women or trans feminine people and the age group with the most murder victims was 19 to 25 years old. In addition, data shows that trans people affected by racism make up 80% of

the reported murders, a 15% increase from last year. In a release, Transgender Europe say: “These numbers are just a small glimpse into the reality on the ground. Most cases worldwide continue to go unreported. Those that are reported receive very little attention.” The Trans Murder Monitoring data does not include all reported cases worldwide, as not all trans and gender diverse murder victims are identified as trans or gender diverse in reports of their death. Transgender Europe adds: “These

figures must therefore be understood in the specific social, political, economic, and historical contexts in which they occur. “The high number of murder reports from Latin America and the Caribbean can be considerably attributed to the existence of established monitoring systems in these regions. The majority of the data came from countries with strong networks of trans and LGBTQ+ organisations that conduct the monitoring.” ) For more information, visit: https:// transrespect.org/en/research/tmm/

DAVID A

ELSKA TBILISI

Get to know a cross-section of ordinary gay, bi and queer men from this most beautiful corner of the former Soviet Union

“I imagine that making a gay publication on Tbilisi, a place few in the wider world know much about, might seem like an odd choice, but it’s a city I have always wanted to feature for this project, one of my top five favourite cities in the world,” says Elska editor and chief photographer Liam Campbell. “However, the reason it took us until our 44th issue to come here is because gay life in Georgia is notoriously difficult. “Despite a rather progressive postSoviet government that passed many ‘European’-standard laws to protect the LGBTQ+ community, a highly conservative and Orthodox society has had other goals, meaning that regardless of the legal situation, local

DMITRII G

) Elska, a project dedicated to sharing the bodies and voices of LGBTQ+ communities around the world, has put the spotlight on Tbilisi, Georgia for its latest edition. Inside, readers can get to know a cross-section of ordinary gay, bi and queer men from this most beautiful corner of the former Soviet Union, presenting them through intimate photography and personal storytelling.

LUCAS A

The tales they contributed touch upon a variety of subjects, such as Omo T’s meditation over whether his 30th birthday means he should finally settle down; Nika J’s childhood recollection of the day Russia started bombing his country in a war that resulted in the occupation of 20% of Georgian territory; Dmitrii G’s piece on the hardships of fleeing conscription into the Russian army to fight Ukraine by moving to a country that is hardly welcoming towards Russians like him; Nika P’s recount of a visit to a traditional bathhouse on a day when a fight broke out; and Iakob M’s recollections on how dance saved him from bullying during high school. gays have felt little safety. To name just a few examples, a local LGBTQ+ magazine had its offices raided by police for bogus charges, the same happened to a community centre, and several Pride marches have seen their attendees greatly outnumbered by violent counter-protestors. “Yet the LGBTQ+ community kept marching anyway, they kept creating more spaces, and in greater numbers every year. With this spirit I decided that if local gays could find the courage

to assert their existence, we could at ) Elska Tbilisi is 196 pages and is least back them up by highlighting that available from a select group of homosexuals do indeed exist in Georgia shops around the world as well as for and deserve our attention.” order online from the Elska website. In addition, the comparison zine Elska Inside Elska Tbilisi, and the companion Ekstra Tbilisi is available, including four zine Elska Ekstra Tbilisi, 15 local more local men and their stories, as men are introduced. Each was well as hundreds of pages of outtakes photographed in the streets of this and a behind the scenes diary from the intoxicating town and in their homes, making of our Georgian series. The list of revealing their style, their mood, and their bodies. Each also wrote a personal stockists and details of the subscription story, penned themselves, bringing you service can also be found on the Elska website: www.elskamagazine.com even closer to them. LILI N

their Gender Recognition Reform Bill (already implemented by more than 30 countries or territories across the world), which was subsequently blocked by the Westminster government using a section 38 order.

PRIDE & POLITICS

It is time we take pride in our politics, says Xantippe Steele ) The LGBTQ+ community across the UK was hit with the reveal of the latest cabinet reshuffle on November 13. Whilst we all may have breathed a sigh of relief at the sacking of Suella Braverman as Home Secretary, who has publicly declared anti-trans, antimigrant, and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, there is zero representation of the LGBTQ+ community in Sunak’s latest cabinet reshuffle. Braverman was replaced by James Cleverly, who claimed that gay football teams should be respectful during the World Cup in Qatar. David Cameron was elected as Foreign Secretary, the man who voted in favour of civil partnerships in 2004, the Equality Act in 2005, and later in favour of same-sex marriage. Not to be the voice of pessimism, but I can’t help but beg the question about whether Cameron’s policies were simply promotional stunts to paint his party as softer conservatives, notably due to his silence on LGBTQ+ rights since his resignation. Cameron’s election also is deemed by many as simply undemocratic, as he can only serve as a minister due to his appointment to the House of Lords (an unelected house) as a life peer. Not to crush the nail even harder into the rotting wood of our political framework, but Victoria Atkins has been appointed as Health Secretary, despite her antitrans sentiments, and Steve Barclay has been appointed as Environment Secretary regardless of his comments about same sex language in healthcare whilst talking about trans identities. Also note that for the first time since 2010, no women have been appointed in the top four offices of state. We’ve come far since the appointment of Maureen Colquhoun - the first openly lesbian MP elected to the Labour Party in 1974, but with antiLGBTQ+ rhetoric running rife through our country’s politics, our community is thrusted into an increasingly vulnerable

threshold. Section 28 was one example of how easy it is for politicians to implement legislation that isolates and stigmatises. Section 28 appears archaic, a lost memory in a heap of political taboos and derogatory sentiments swept under the Conservatives’ filthy rug, but with the trajectory we are taking now - are we not on a similar path? The University of Law reported in February that laws protecting LGBTQ+ citizens are at risk of being put back decades. It shouldn’t incite shock that, in just a few years, the UK has slipped from first to seventeenth in terms of the top countries for LGBTQ+ rights. Disappointment, yes, but not shock. LGBTQ+ news outlets described the Conservative Party contest last year as being “defined by anti-trans attacks”. Earlier this year, the headlines were jammed with the Conservative’s proposed revision of the Equality Act, which in essence strips the trans community of rights that they have enjoyed for over a decade. In a statement given to PinkNews, Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer said: “As a bisexual (cis) woman…I am clear that my rights as a woman do not conflict with trans people’s rights. On the contrary, we share a common project: to fight for gender equality and against patriarchy.” Unfortunately, this concept doesn’t seem to be shared by our governing party. I don’t want to mislead you by suggesting all blame can be scapegoated onto the Conservatives, as our gloomy political forecast descended into thunder when Keir Starmer supported this revision, only days after both parties commented in support of the trans community on the Trans Day of Visibility. In a torrential sweep of anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda spouted by our government, let’s not forget the slamming decision last Christmas, when the Scottish Greens passed

This is the first time section 38 has been implemented, and the government was tactfully able to swerve the debate from that of basic human rights to a petty squabble about an outdated West Lothian Question and our already fragmented understanding of devolution. With many comparing this to the modern day equivalent of Section 28, Thatcher’s prehistoric policies don’t seem to be keeping their place in our history books. When the lines between history and present day become blurred, we are all at risk. So, why does this matter? A 2018 study done by colleagues at the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law found that inclusion of gender and sexual identities in a country’s law and policies has strong associations with democracy, rule of law, and free press. It isn’t just our community that is being fired arrows at, it’s the entire political and judicial system. When we crumble, everything else will follow us in collapsing into the rubble. The UK Government has sworn to ban conversion therapy for five years, backed by the entire medical establishment, a multitude of faith leaders - including the Church of England, and the British public (this includes 60% of Conservative voters). Yet, nothing has been done. If anything, this is living, breathing proof that our government does not represent the people it serves - least of all the 1.5 million LGBTQ+ people in the UK. The politicians we (rarely) elect have an immeasurable influence on the impressionable lifestyle and human rights of our entire society. Last year, when transphobic hate crimes in England and Wales hit a record high, the Home Office acknowledged that comments made by politicians and the media have contributed to this. Lee Anderson, senior Tory MP who was Deputy of the Conservative Party, has said that the next general election will be based on a mix of “culture wars and trans debate”. Regardless of who you vote for in the next 12 months, know that every vote matters. We have the ability to redirect the trajectory our government is leading its unwilling citizens, and we must be empowered to speak on what is so desperately being hidden behind drawn curtains. It is time that we take pride in our politics.

Casting announced for S. Asher Gelman’s 'Afterglow'

This is... #DaleyPop - with a festive twist!

The play, a "sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment, and modern love", will be showing at Southwark Playhouse Borough.

INTERVIEW: Fatt Butcher dazzles on The Voice Scene's pop music reviewer and influencer Dale Melita aka DaleyPop unwraps the best POP tracks, with a sprinkling of Christmas cheer and 'Cher's' his album of the month.

Appearing on reality singing show, ‘The Voice’, drag performer Fatt Butcher wowed the panel of coaches in a fabulous blind audition.

Jon Ransom & Julia Armfield win 2023 Polari Prizes

The Polari Prizes are the UK’s only awards celebrating literature exploring the LGBTQ+ experience.

IMAGE BY SIMON DACK

BURNING THE CLOCKS 2023

Brighton’s annual winter solstice celebration to be city’s “largest ever lantern parade” ) Following the success of Burning the Clocks 2022, event organisers Same Sky has invited more community groups - including the Ledward Centre - and expanded the parade by 40% for its celebration of the winter solstice in Brighton on Thursday, December 21. Burning the Clocks brings the city together to celebrate the shortest day of the year and provide an antidote to the excesses of Christmas with a different theme every year. This year’s theme is Clocks, inspired by the changing perception of time’s passage after the event’s return last winter, which will be reflected in the lanterns made by the community for the parade.

Over 2,000 Brighton & Hove residents with their handmade lanterns are due to take part in the parade and more than 28,000 people are expected to line the streets to watch the parade and the end of procession fireworks from the beach. The Parade begins on New Road and finishes on Brighton seafront near the end of the ZipWire.

Unique new puppets and lanterns are developed every year for the annual parade and this year the Same Sky artists will present a range of pieces that will come together and be assembled on the beach to reveal a remarkable antique timepiece. Same Sky Executive Producer, Rob Batson, said: “We’re excited to bring

our biggest event and lantern parade to the streets of Brighton this year. It’s going to be spectacular with some incredible new puppets, music and performances from every corner of our wonderful community.” Same Sky is also looking for volunteers to join the parade and support the bucket donations team and also to support the lantern passing on the beachfront. If you have a few hours to spare on the evening of the December 21, register your interest here: https://linktr.ee/ sameskybtn ) You can support Burning the Clocks by volunteering or supporting their crowdfunding campaign here: www.crowdfunder. co.uk/p/burning-the-clocks-2023 IMAGE BY SIMON DACK

Artistic Director John Varah said: “Burning the Clocks is having its great reset, passing the time with ticking distractions, delightful nonsense, and a thousand illuminations; to render a few dark, silent hours even stiller.”

New community groups involved in the lantern parade for the first time include Sikhs of Sussex, Tarner Community Project, Manor Road Gym in East Brighton, Unified Rhythm, Rap ‘n’ Rhyme, Ledward Centre, Afrori, BARCO, Hummingbird and Making our Mark from Whitehawk. They will be joined by regular parade participants from Woodcraft Folk and local Guides and Scouts groups.

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26 Prowler m 112-113 St James’s St, BN2 1TH, 01273 603813 www.prowlerpoppers.co.uk 27 Queen’s Arms m 7 George St, BN2 1RH www.theqabrighton.com 28 Railway Club m 4 Belmont, Dyke Rd, BN1 3TF 01273 328682 29 Regency Tavern mm 32-34 Russell Sq, BN1 2EF 01273 325 652 30 Revenge m 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL www.revenge.co.uk 31 Three Jolly Butchers mm 59 North Rd, BN1 1YD 01273 608571 32 Trading Post & Cup of Joe’s mmm 28 St George’s Rd, BN2 1EE 01273 698873 33 Velvet Jacks mm 50 Norfolk Sq, BN1 2PA http://tinyurl.com/VelvetJacks 34 Zone m 33 St James’s St, BN2 1RF www.zonebrighton.co.uk ARDEN S

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1 Affinity Bar m 129 St James’s St, BN2 1TH 8 Brighton Sauna m www.facebook.com/AffinityGayBar/ 75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA 2 Bar Broadway m 01273 689966 10 Steine St, BN2 1TE www.thebrightonsauna.com 01273 609777 9 Brighton Tavern m www.barbroadway.co.uk 99-100 Gloucester Rd, BN1 4AP 3 Bar Revenge m 01273 680365 5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA 10 Bulldog m www.revenge.co.uk 31 St James’s St Mews, BN2 1RF 4 Barber Blacksheep m 11 Camelford Arms mm 18 St George’s Rd, BN2 1EB 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ 01273 623408 01273 622386 wwww.barberblacksheep.com 12 Charles Street Tap mm 5 Bedford Tavern mm 8-9 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA 30 Western St, BN1 2PG 01273 624091 CHU RCH 739495 01273 www.charles-street.com ST 6 Brighton Birdcage m 13 Centre Stage mm 35 Gloucester Rd, BN1 4AQ 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL 01273 01273 624010 688 826 7 Brighton Box m www.facebook.com/centrestagebrighton 25 Dukes Lane, Ship Street, BN1 14 Curzon m m 1BG, 01273 722 036 7 Rock St, BN2 1NF, 01273 697054

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OUT & ABOUT WHAT’S ON IN LGBTQ+ BRIGHTON & HOVE

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SERVICES DIRECTORY LGBTQ+ Services l Allsorts Youth Project Youth Groups and One-to-One Support for LGBTQ+ young people under 26 (in-person & online). Weekly sessions 01273 721211 or email info@ allsortsyouth.org.uk. allsortsyouth.org.ukk l Brighton & Hove Police Report all homophobic, biphobic or transphobic incidents to: 24/7 assistance call police on 101 (emergencies 999) Report online at: www.sussex. police.uk LGBT team (not 24/7) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn. police.uk l Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard • LGBT Older People’s Project • LGBT Health and Inclusion Project • LGBTQ Disability & Neurodiversity Project • Rainbow Café Project: support for LGBT+ people with dementia • Trans and Non-Binary Link Project • LGBT Grief Encounters Project • Volunteering opportunities, call Riley 07599 434057 Helpline hours: Wed & Thur, 7–9.30pm; trans-only webchat on Sun 3–5pm: call 01273 359042 or email info@switchboard.org.uk or helpline@ switchboard.org.uk. Webchat www.switchboard. org.uk/helpline. www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton Office Number: 01273 234009 l Brighton OneBodyOneFaith Brighton sexuality, gender, & faith Group. Meets monthly. Contact: Nigel Nash nigelnash@me.com. www.onebodyonefaith.org.uk l Brighton Women’s Centre Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups admin@Womenscentre.org.uk or visit www. womenscentre.org.uk l Lesbian & Gay AA 12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions: Sun, 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). 01273 203 343 (general AA line). www. alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk l LGBTQ+ Cocaine Anonymous Meeting every Tues 6.30-8pm, 6 Tilbury Pl, Brighton, BN2 0GY, CA isn’t allied with any outside organisation, and neither endorses or opposes any causes. Helpline 0800 6120225, www.cocaineanonymous.org.uk www.sussexcocaineanonymous.co.uk l LGBTQ+ NA Group Brighton-based LGBTQ+ (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. 0300 999 1212 l LGBT+ Meditation Group Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton. 07789 861 367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk l Lunch Positive Lunch club for people with HIV. Meet/make friends, find peer support in safe space. Every Fri, noon–2.30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gdns, Brighton. Lunch £1.50. 07846 464 384 or www.lunchpositive.org l MCC Brighton Inclusive, affirming space where all are invited to come

as they are to explore their spirituality without judgement. 01273 515572 or info@mccbrighton.org.uk www.mccbrighton.org.uk l MindOut Independent, impartial services run by and for LGBTQ people with experience of mental health issues. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk and out of hours online chat www.mindout.org.uk l Navigate Social/peer support group for trans, non-binary & intersex, AFAB, FTM, transmasculine & gender queer people. Every 2nd Friday of the month from 6-8pm (currently on Zoom) at Possability Place, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH (formerly Space for Change). navigatebrighton.co.uk l Peer Action Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. contact@ peeraction.net or www.peeraction.net l Rainbow Families Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents. 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk. www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk l Rainbow Hub Information, guidance and hate incident reporting services for LGBTQ+ communities in Brighton, Hove, and Sussex. Based at the Ledward Centre, Jubilee Street, BN1 1GE. Call 07714 782585 or visit www.therainbowhubbrighton.com l Some People Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue 5.30-7.30pm, Hastings. Call/text Kerrie Tolley-Cloke 07874 637593 or email somepeople@ eastsussex.gov.uk l TAGS – The Arun Gay Society Social Group welcome all in East & West Sussex Areas. Call/Text 07539 513171. More info: www.tagsonline. org.uk l Victim Support Anyone seeking help can contact our free 24/7 Supportline number on 0808 16 89 111 or get in touch via the website www.victimsupport.org.uk. A range of tools to help people cope and move forwards after crime can be found at www.mysupportspace.org.uk/moj l The Village MCC LGBTQ+ affirming church worship and pastoral care in Kemptown. See www.thevillagemcc.org, or call 07476 667353 for details.

HIV Prevention, Care & Treatment Services l AVERT Sussex HIV & AIDS info service 01403 210202 or confidential@avert.org l Brighton & Hove CAB HIV Project Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy. Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, Brighton Town Hall. 01273 733390 ext 520 or www. brightonhovecab.org.uk l Clinic M Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. 01273 523388 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com l Community HIV Specialist Service NHS nursing team supporting patients with HIV in the community and offering free HIV training for groups across Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. www.

sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/hiv l Lawson Unit Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. 01273 664 722 l The Martin Fisher Foundation STI HIV self-testing kits via digital vending machines available from: Jubilee Library, Wellsbourne Centre, Portland Road (between Wish Park Surgery and Kamson’s Pharmacy), BMEC Partnership Centre, Prowler and Brighton Sauna. www. themartinfisherfoundation.org l Substance Misuse Service Brighton & Hove Recovery Service manages and delivers the adult drug and alcohol services for the city. Change Grow Live (CGL) provides tailored support to adults in Brighton & Hove who identify as LGBTQ+. CGL offers 1-to-1 support, a variety of online and face to face groups. They offer LGBTQ+ specific groups via the peer-led Speakout group and have established links with a wide range of LGBTQ+ services. To refer to the service, email brighton.info@cgl.org.uk or phone 01273 731 900. More info: www.changegrowlive. org/brighton-hove-recovery-service/info l Sussex Beacon 24-hour nursing & medical care, day care 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk l Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton & Hove For more info about these free services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm 01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk, facebook.com/THTBrighton For people living with HIV: • HIV support services: Info, support & practical advice • Welfare rights advice: find out about benefits • Counselling from qualified counsellors for up to 12 sessions Health Promotion in Brighton & Hove: Provides services for men who have sex with men, anyone from African communities, sex workers of any gender, and trans or non-binary people. • Visit clinic for free fast HIV & STI testing with results in <10 mins • Free condoms and lube • Confidential info and advice on sexual health & HIV • Face2Face for gay/bi men; negotiating sex, chemsex, newly diagnosed • Tailored support for sex workers, trans people and African communities • Outreach - say hello online and in person for info, condoms & lube, and HIV/STI testing at Brighton Sauna, Boiler Room Sauna, Amsterdam, Charles Street Tap, and Legends bar. For details please check facebook.com/THTBrighton l Sexual Health Worthing Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIVA; Hep vaccinations. Worthing-based 0845 111345645

National Helplines l National LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline at www.galop.org.uk and 0800 999 5428 l Switchboard 0300 330 0630 l Positiveline (Eddie Surman Trust) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm 0800 1696806 l Mainliners 02075 825226 l National AIDS Helpline 08005 67123 l National Drugs Helpline 08007 76600 l THT AIDS Treatment 08459 470047 l THT direct 0845 1221200