Scene Magazine - October 2023 by Scene LGBTQ+ Magazine

A FRIENDSHIP BENCH FOR JAMES LEDWARD

) Despite terrible weather - we could imagine James laughing down on us - a Friendship Bench in honour of LGBTQ+ community champion James Ledward, founder of Gscene magazine (now Scene magazine) and the Brighton Rainbow Fund, was unveiled at New Steine Gardens last month.

The bench, which was unveiled by Mayor of Brighton & Hove Jackie O’Quinn, was designed by Romany Mark Bruce, the man behind the Brighton AIDS Memorial. Romany told us the colour scheme of the bench was inspired by the last shirt he saw James wearing before his passing in 2019.

If you’re in Brighton, do check it out in New Steine Gardens. The bench is facing the sea so a beautiful place to sit and reflect.

) Pictured bottom right is the Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Jackie O’Quinn, sitting on the bench with Besi, James’ widower.

Queer activists launch new initiative to support queer migrants moving into and across Europe

BOOK REVIEW: 'The Gaudy Image' by William

Talsman

Queers Beyond Borders provides online information for queer migrants to navigate health systems, to understand immigration processes, and to find communities of other queer migrants.

Queer Swedish popstar SYLVE releases emotionally charged new single 'Shadow Of You'

Eric Page is fascinated by this pre-Stonewall shard of LGBTQ+ life.

Hove man reaches finals of international photography competition

It's a grand melancholic song that deals with the emptiness following the loss of a relationship.

Brighton & Hove City Council seeks views on its cost of living action plan

Steven Padmore captured the imagination of the judges for two of his shots, and has now reached the final of the Down’s Syndrome Association’s My Perspective photography competition.

Healthwatch Brighton & Hove to host Historical Health Quiz

In its new plan, the council has pledged to "do everything in its power to reduce inequality and tackle poverty in the city, an issue exacerbated by the current cost of living crisis".

Get your thinking caps on for this quiz which is part of the Ageing Well Festival.

Martlets launches baaa-rilliant Shaun by the Sea art trail across Brighton & Hove

This colourful collection of ewe-niquely designed Shaun the Sheep sculptures can be seen across the city until November 5.

Struggling to pay your energy bills? Energyworks is here to help!

Sir Ian McKellen is celebrating his decision to come out as gay 35 years ago, declaring that his life “changed for the better” as a result.

The Ledward Centre to launch MeetUp event for Brighton & Hove's LGBTQ+ groups, projects and organisations

Energyworks provides free and impartial advice to Brighton & Hove residents experiencing fuel poverty.

Study finds gay and bi men aged over 70 more sexually active than straight men of the same age

The event, which launches on Friday, October 20, is opportunity to meet others involved in the sector, from projects big and small.

HIV advocate Vicki Vivacious joins cast of RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Findings show gay and bisexual men continued to have sex with multiple partners, while straight men and women became less sexually active as they get older.

Vicki has been an amazing advocate for Terrence Higgins Trust over the years by being the face of National HIV Testing Week as well as the charity's Hot Summer campaign.

Sir Ian McKellen: life "changed for the better" after coming out

Queer

Canadian coming-of-age story, The Queen of My Dreams, to show at BFI London Film Festival

Elska presents photos and stories from gay Haifa, Israel’s most diverse city

The film stars Amrit Kaur as Azra, a Pakistani Canadian woman who has had a strained relationship with her parents since coming out as lesbian.

Club Revenge announces brand new club night, Confession

Inside, readers can get to know a cross-section of ordinary men from the LGBTQ+ community of Israel’s most diverse big city, including representatives from locals with Jewish, Arab, and post-Soviet backgrounds, presenting them through intimate photography and personal stories.

Confession aims to offer a safe space for the queer community to celebrate pure indulgence, with two floors of music, street entertainers and performances.

Brian Butler finds the life stories of four black trans women sex workers stunningly provocativeBrian Butler meets the international opera sensation.

Humanists UK launches new season of podcast with guest Sandi Toksvig

Sandi calls for Church of England bishops to be removed from the House of Lords over continued opposition to same-sex marriage.

Suella Braverman under fire after saying being gay should not be a criteria to green light asylum claims

Last year in Scotland, 42% of all new HIV diagnoses were in heterosexuals, compared to 29% in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

New exhibition features clothing from artists, rock legends, movie stars and individuals from the queer community

In a speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC on Tuesday, September 26 the Home Secretary's comments drew criticism from LGBTQ+ communities and refugee organisations.

The exhibition celebrates a long-standing partnership between Queer Britain and Levi’s®

Prime

Minister

Rishi Sunak to drop ban on conversion therapy

The decision is despite the Conservatives vowing to legislate against the controversial practice five years ago during Theresa May’s tenure as prime minister.

Iceland’s Richard Walker OBE falsely claimed three Iceland shop workers contracted HIV as a result of needlestick attacks while at work.

Heterosexual HIV diagnoses overtake those in gay and bisexual men for first time in Scotland since 2007

THT “disappointed” that Iceland Chairman has yet to apologise for company "weaponising HIV"

Labour secretary Jon Pike

“dismayed” by treatment of Cllr Alison Thomson after she engages with transphobic posts on social media

Terrence Higgins Trust to celebrate Paul Gambaccini's 50 years in broadcasting - and honour his support

The secretary of the Wish and Westbourne Labour Party said she “should not have been disciplined or forced to apologise”.

Traveller Pride launches helpline for LGBTQ+ Traveller communities

All funds raised will go directly to the charity's work, helping them support more people living with HIV, and take them closer to their goal of ending new cases of HIV in the UK by 2030.

FEATURE: If you’re young and queerBrighton is the place to be!

This is a confidential service where LGBTQ+ Travellers can get in touch with a trained member of the Traveller Pride team who is also a mental health professional.

JOB: The Clare Project seeks TNBI Public Involvement Officer

In a world so lacking in genuine human connection, Brighton is filled with it. Words by Xantippe Steele.

ALL THAT JAZZ by Simon Adams

This role will be working closely with trans, non-binary and intersex (TNBI) communities in Sussex.

What's hot in the world of jazz?

MYSTIKA GLAMOOR READY TO BREAK THE RULES!

) Edinburgh-based Mystika Glamoor is the High Priestess of Edinburgh drag, the hostess of show Glamoor, and owner of Kafe Kweer - a queer, sober space. Known for her eccentric style and comedic performances, you never know what to expect from this queer queen!

Tell us about Mystika...

Mystika Glamoor is known as the ‘surrealist socialist socialite’, which sums up her mixture of bizarre humour, political messages, and overall fun personality. She’s Edinburgh’s tallest tarot reading diva, and shes ready to break all the rules

So, you’re Danish and Scottish?

Yes, I’m half Danish and half Scottish, but was born and grew up in South East Asia as a kid before growing up in Italy as a teenager. It’s been a bizarre little life which has filled me with a million different references and perspectives,

and I think that clearly informs my zany style of drag. I’m very grateful for it, though I do envy some people having a proper national identity. I’m always a foreigner, and I think that’s partly why creating my own little community and identity in drag was so important to me.

What or who inspires you?

I wanted to be a filmmaker for most of my teen years, ever since I saw the films of Federico Fellini, David Lynch, and Gregg Araki (a critically overlooked queer ICON).

I’ve always been inspired by artists who didn’t follow the rules, and recreated reality with their own vision, using art to show another way of life was possible.

Hate crimes against queer folk are on the rise. Why do you think that is?

I think our politicians know that they’re failing in our eyes, that the country (and the world) is steeped in crisis, so they want to keep us distracted from issues that affect ALL of us by turning us against each other. It’s harder for us all to unite against the climate crisis when the woman next to us has been whipped into a frenzy about trans people in public toilets. They want us bickering amongst ourselves so they can keep getting away with burning the planet for quick cash. Less people know about trans issues, so they become an easier target for misinformation. But eroding their rights will directly impact the rest of us, as we’re already starting to see with the government’s comments on homosexuality

How are Scottish queers holding up?

Scotland always manages to be the absolute best and absolute worst in many things, including LGBTQ+ acceptance. On one side, Edinburgh feels like a relatively safe city, full of openly trans people, venues with Progress Pride flags, and large organisations making concerted efforts to hire queer and PoC people.

On the other, we’re practically the epicentre of TERF activity and there are still many unsafe areas of the country, including the streets of Edinburgh at times. Unfortunately I think part of the process of gaining more visibility also comes with extra backlash to that visibility, but we’ve won this battle before and we WILL win it again.

What’s the ‘scene’ like in Edinburgh?

The queer scene is THRIVING! We have no less than 20 drag shows now, which for a small city seems incredible! Edinburgh often gets discredited for not having much of a ‘scene’, but I think that has changed post-Covid.

Dozens of talented, creative, and

diverse drag artists have filled the scene with colour, and I’m very excited to see how it evolves, especially as the eccentric old auntie of all these drag babies.

Tell us a bit about Kafe Kweer! Well, after a couple months of online drag during Covid, I saw a Facebook post that was advertising a small cafe/ shop space looking for someone to take it over. I shared it, mostly as a joke, saying ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we had a sober queer space in Edinburgh?’. And then my friend Zak Riding texted me saying ‘should we do it?’. So we did!

After a successful crowdfunding campaign, we opened in September 2020 and have just celebrated our third anniversary! We sell local queer art, eco groceries, coffees, vegan lunch food, and so much more, as well as hosting a variety of monthly events. It’s been a truly special and challenging journey opening a business during a pandemic, but every time a 16-yearold queer kid walks in and tells me how much they appreciate having a space to go and see themselves represented, it all feels worth it. You can follow us on Instagram and Facebook @kafekweer

What’s the vibe at Glamoor?

Glamoor is my absolute baby, a show I’ve been running for exactly five years now! It started at a time when there were essentially only three to four other shows in town, and was very much about centring alternative drag; a space for the weirdos, the misfits, the gender terrorists. As the show has grown and our audiences have gotten bigger, it’s only gotten more refined, while still being a chaotic, sweaty little corner of queer utopia. The audience seems to be the autistic, gendercurious weirdos, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Anything in the pipeline?

I’m working on a solo theatre show called Between Revolutions, which is a rewarding challenge. I’ve performed it as a work-in-progress three times and am ready to take it to the next level! Other than that, I want to keep working in bigger spaces, and bring the Edinburgh drag scene along with me to get the spotlight it deserves!

) Follow Mystika on Instagram @mystika glamoor

) Photographer: Lou McCurdy @loumacphotography

INTERVIEW: Meet the new Mr Gay Europe, Tim Küsters

BOOK REVIEW: 'DRAG: A British History' by

Jacob Bloomfield

We dig deeper and get to know more about this year’s winner.

Nicola Richards MP calls on Prime Minister to expand opt-out HIV testing

The book takes us by the manicured gloved hand and leads us, via clubs, shows, scandals, politics, intrigue, to some rather delicious queer individuals and the way they used drag to succeed and flourish on stage.

Inclusive Books for Children launches website to help source inclusive children’s books

Opt-out testing is when patients who come into A&E are routinely tested for HIV when having other blood tests unless they opt not to.

Brighton Half Marathon Youth Races to return in 2024

The launch comes as a new study by YouGov, commissioned by IBC, reveals that 64% of parents from all backgrounds would actively choose to read a book with a diverse mix of characters to their child.

Rockinghorse Children's Charity will return as headline charity partner.

The dog biscuits will be sold in the Hove store with 100% of the profits going to the East Sussex charity.

Bears at The Fallen Angel with Brighton Bear Weekend on Saturday, October 7

It's... #DALEYPOP!

Gear up for a night to remember at with furry fun, laughter, and some great music, all in aid of the Sussex Beacon and the Brighton Rainbow Fund.

Networking event for LGBTQ+ people looking for info and advice on surrogacy, fostering and adoption

The UK's only LGBTQ+ literary festival, the Coast Is Queer, returns this month

LGBTQIA+ Pathways to Family takes place at The Hawth in Crawley on Tuesday, October 17.

You better watch out, you better not cry... BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon's 'The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show' to bring festive spirit to the UK

Fatboy Slim completes Shaun by the Sea art trail in half marathon sponsored walk for Martlets

more shows, and even bigger

The tour marks the duo’s biggest yet, featuring more cities, theatres. Our pop music reviewer and influencer Dale Melita shares what's floating his boat in planet pop! Brian Butler looks forward to the only UK queer literature festival - and it’s here in Brighton. The superstar DJ and long-standing Martlets ambassador trekked the 16-mile route from the Pepperpot in Queens Park to his own Big Beach Cafe in Hove Lagoon.

ACTORS 4 Prince's St, Brighton BN2 1RD AFFINITY BAR 129 St James's St, Brighton BN2 1TH BAR 7 @ CRAWLEY 7 Pegler Way, Crawley RH11 7AG LGBTQ+ VENUES FOR LISTINGS, VISIT: WWW.GSCENE.COM/EVENT-DIRECTORY/ BAR BROADWAY 10 Steine St, Brighton BN2 1TY BAR REVENGE 5-7 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TA BEDFORD TAVERN 30 Western St, Brighton BN1 2PG BRIGHTON SAUNA 75-76 Grand Parade, Brighton BN2 9JA BRIGHTON TAVERN 99-100 Gloucester Rd, Brighton BN1 4AP BULLDOG 31 St James's St, Brighton BN2 1RF CHARLES STREET TAP 8 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TA CENTRE STAGE 11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TL CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, Brighton BN2 1TQ

Gscene 21 CURZON 7 Rock St, Brighton BN2 1NF EDGE & BOX BAR Compton Walk, Southampton SO14 0BH FALLEN ANGEL 24 Grafton St, Brighton BN2 1AQ FOUNTAIN@HASTINGS 93 Queens Rd, Hastings TN34 1RL GROSVENOR PUB 16 Western St, Hove, BN1 2PG HAMPSHIRE BLVD St Pauls Rd, Southsea, Portsmouth PO1 2QN LGBTQ+ VENUES FOR LISTINGS, VISIT: WWW.GSCENE.COM/EVENT-DIRECTORY/ GLAMOROUS BTN 2-3 High St, Brighton BN2 1RP HART@EASTBOURNE 89 Cavendish Pl, Eastbourne BN21 3RR IRONWORKS 30 Cheapside, Brighton BN1 4GD LEGENDS BRIGHTON 31-34 Marine Parade, Brighton BN2 1TR LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terr, Southampton SO14 3DT MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, Brighton BN2 1TJ

NAUTILUS LOUNGE 129-130 St James's St, Brighton BN2 1TH NEW STEINE HOTEL 10-11 New Steine, Brighton BN2 1PB QUEENS ARMS 7-8 George St, Brighton BN2 1RH RAILWAY CLUB 4 Belmont, Dyke Rd, Brighton BN1 3TF REGENCY TAVERN 32-34 Russell Square, Brighton BN1 2EF REVENGE CLUB 32-34 Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1EL LGBTQ+ VENUES FOR LISTINGS, VISIT: WWW.GSCENE.COM/EVENT-DIRECTORY/ TRADING POST 28 St George's Rd, Brighton BN2 1ED THE SUSSEX 17 St Catherines Terrace, Hove, BN3 2RH ROTTINGDEAN CLUB 89 High St, Rottingdean, BN2 7HE VELVET JACKS 50-52 Norfolk Square, Brighton BN1 2PA ZONE 33 St James's St, Brighton BN2 1RF

1 Affinity Bar m

129 St James’s St, BN2 1TH

www.facebook.com/AffinityGayBar/

2 Bar Broadway m

10 Steine St, BN2 1TE 01273 609777

www.barbroadway.co.uk

3 Bar Revenge m

5-7 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA

www.revenge.co.uk

4 Barber Blacksheep m

18 St George’s Rd, BN2 1EB 01273 623408

wwww.barberblacksheep.com

5 Bedford Tavern mm

30 Western St, BN1 2PG 01273 739495

6 Brighton Birdcage m

35 Gloucester Rd, BN1 4AQ 01273 624010

7 Brighton Box m

25 Dukes Lane, Ship Street, BN1 1BG, 01273 722 036

8 Brighton Sauna m

75 Grand Parade, BN2 9JA 01273 689966

www.thebrightonsauna.com

9 Brighton Tavern m

99-100 Gloucester Rd, BN1 4AP 01273 680365

10 Bulldog m

31 St James’s St Mews, BN2 1RF

11 Camelford Arms mm

30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ 01273 622386

12 Charles Street Tap mm

8-9 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA 01273 624091

www.charles-street.com

13 Centre Stage mm

11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL 01273 688 826

www.facebook.com/centrestagebrighton

14 Curzon m m

7 Rock St, BN2 1NF, 01273 697054

www.facebook.com/CurzonBarBrighton/

15 Dental Health Spa m

14–15 Queens Rd, BN1 3WA 01273 710831

www.dentalhealthspa.co.uk

16 Engleharts m

49 Vallance Hall, Hove St, BN3 2DE 01273 204411

www.engleharts.co.uk

17 Fallen Angel m

24 Grafton St, BN2 1AQ

18 Glamorous Brighton m

24 Grafton St, BN2 1AQ

19 Grosvenor Bar m

16 Western St, BN1 2PG 01273 438587

20 HITZone Hove m

Unit 23, Waterside House, Basin Rd N, Hove, BN41 1UY

21 Legends Bar, Club & Hotel mmm

31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR 01273

624462 www.legendsbrighton.com

22 Marine Tavern mm

13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ 01273 681284

23 Nautilus Lounge m

129 St James’s St, BN2 1TH www.nautiluslounge.com

24 New Steine Hotel & Bistro mmm

12a New Steine, BN2 1PB 01273 681546 www.newsteinehotel.com

25 Paris House mm 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF 01273 724195

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

N SEVEN DIAALS LS DYKERD NORTH RD WESTERN RD WEST ST QUEENS R RD EEN KINGSWAY CHURCH RD GEORGE ST 1ST AV E HOVE STATION OVE STATIO BRIGHTON STATION ST JAMES STREET MARINE PARADE SACKVILLE RD D VILL THE DRIV E E DR I PALMERIA SQUARE LONDONRD LON RD RD KINGS RD EDWARD ST GRAND PARADE G OLD STE INE RD BRIGHTON PIER WEST PIER HO VE ST MONTPELIER RD HOLLAND D RD GOLDSMID RD NORTHST O LEWESRD LE ELM GROVE ISLINGWORDRD OLDSHOREHAMRD RD CHURCHST C ST C CLOCK T TOW TOWER TRAFALGAR ST DYKE RD EASTERN RD NEW RD BRIGHTONMARINA> SOUTHOVERST FRESHFIELD RD QUEENSPARKRD ROYAL PAVILLION MARINE PARADE ST JAMES’ STREET GEORGE STREET CHARLES STREET GRAND PARADE EDWARD ST CAMELFORD STREET N EW STEINE ROCK P LACE UPPER ROCK GARDENS NORTHST OLD STEINE MANCHESTER STREET STEINE STREET BROAD STREET PRINCES STREET MADEIRA PLAC E ST JAMES’ AVENUE CHURCHST MADEIRA DRIVE DORSET GARDENS HIGH STREET DEVONSHIRE PLACE BRIGHTON PIER NEW STEINE AIDS MEMORIAL L OWER ROCK GARDE NS

m Food m

Legal Services m Cafes m Shopping m Fitness/Health

Sauna

Key m Bars/Pubs

Clubs m Hotels m

Advertisers’ Map

1 2 19 11 4 5 7 8 12 14 15 16 17 10 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 18 9 6 3 13 30

CABARET

CLUBS BARS FOOD DJS

WHAT’S HOT? OUT & ABOUT

WHAT’S ON IN LGBTQ+

& HOVE

BRIGHTON

AN ADVERT THIS SIZE COSTS £125. FOR ALL RATES, GET IN TOUCH! ADVERTS Email info@scenemag.co.uk to book an advert Unisex Hairsalon 18 St Georges Road, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1EB 01273 623 408

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

Scene Magazine - October 2023