Out Bristol issue 13

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Out Bristol Scene / Community / Whats On / Listings

Bristol Elected Mayor Referendum

Free But Priceless

Pride Calender Updates

New club nights and listings over 70 pages of news events and fun

Issue 15

BRISTOL’S PRIDE SAT 14 JULY · COLLEGE GREEN

MUSIC · COMMUNITY · FAMILY PERFORMANCE · VISIBILITY

FREE

www.wearefest.com

Inside the Issue

Out BristOl

.cO.uk

Lifestyle: Culture The Nutcracker

Inside the Issue

scene / cOmmunity / Whats On / listings

Feature:Elected Mayor???

Does Bristol need or want and elected Mayor?

In this issue we have the words direct from the Yes and No camps to help you make up your mind.

Free But Priceless

BristOl elected mayOr reFerendum

Pride calender uPdates

neW cluB nights and listings Over 70 Pages OF neWs events and Fun

Lifestyle: Networking Meet new friends, make moves on your new career or just have fun. We have three fantastic LGBT networking groups for all tastes read this column to find out whats hot and where they are.....

Community Section

Politics: Commentary

Sporting news from Cycle Out Bristol Bisons Bristol Panthers Bristol Pride update

In a bold life changing move Steve Hynd upsticks and moved to the Middle East to be a Human Rights Monitor follow his story and the stories of the people he meets along his journey.

issue 15

Lifestyle: Books Heiresses of Russ 2011: Lifestyle: Film Beauty Lifestyle: Music

Wanted Section

Listings

LGBT Bristol is looking for Trustees This new section will grow to show the best places to voluenteer your time

Check out the listings and whats on guide for all the up to date information of whats happening in the City.

Steps in Concert

Lifestyle: Art Veiled Voyages Contact

Out Bristol

To comment on any articles or if you wish to write for the magazine please contact editor@outbristol.co.uk or to advertise advertising@outbristol.co.uk

Feature: Elected Mayor On the 3rd of May you will be asked to vote in the referendom, this is on how you want the city to be ran, as it is at present, or under an elected mayor.

To answer this question are you must have all by now seen the leaflet posted through your doors we have the words direct from the yes and the no camps to help make up your mind.

Bristol is a diverse and multicultural city. No one person is capable of recognising, let alone understanding, the wide-ranging issues that affect the widely disparate groups that, together, make Bristol more than the sum of its parts.

To put decision-making in to the hands of one person, taking power away from the people is a retrograde step, and unlike in London, a Bristol mayor would not have extra legal powers or a separate budget to spend on mayoral projects. The funding will need to come from elsewhere in the city budget.

This referendum has been imposed on Bristol by central government, when there was no significant public interest in a mayor before. This is ‘top-down localism’in a city where enormous strides are being made in implementing real grass-roots localism.

The idea that a directly elected mayor is more democratic than a council leader is founded on the notion that the entire city votes for the mayor. However, in practice, just as with MPs, it is likely that the successful candidate will be elected by a minority vote leaving the majority with an elected mayor they did not vote for.

An elected mayor will represent an entire city with an electorate of 320,000. Individual residents may find it difficult to make their voices heard, and an elected mayor will be an obvious focus for full-time professional lobbyists at the expense of community groups volunteering their spare time.

This contrasts with the current system whereby the city is divided into 35 wards each of 9-11,000 voters, each with two elected councillors accountable to their local communities and accessible to local residents. In cities with elected mayors, councillors have become less effective in representing their local communities.

Bristol City Council is by no means perfect. But when democracy isn’t working as well as it should, is it best to work together to fix it, or give up and hand over power to one person? Are expensive US presidential election style campaigns really in the interests of ordinary people?

Next week on 3rd May Bristol faces an historic choice: whether to continue with the current arrangement for the council leadership or vote for an elected mayor.

I write to strongly encourage you and your staff to engage in this very important debate and vote.

Should Bristol Have a Mayor?

NO! It would put decision-making in the hands of one person, taking power away from the people.

YES! A directly elected mayor is more democratic.

What?! Let’s look at this in more detail...

This referendum has been imposed on Bristol by central government, where there was no significant public interest in a mayor before. This is ‘top-down localism’!

A directly elected mayor is more democratic than a council leader who is nominated by their party and can make executive decisions.

Let’s give more executive power to someone, but let the people choose.

You’re assuming the council is run by one person, like the boss of a company. Although the council leader has executive power to use if necessary, most decisions are made by council and every councillor has a voice, so minority voices are heard.

Look at London. The mayor is great for that city, and will be great for our city too.

Unlike in London, a Bristol mayor would not have extra legal powers or a separate budget to spend on mayoral projects.

Bristol City Council isn’t perfect. But when democracy isn’t working as well as it should, is it best to work together to fix it, or give up and hand over power to one person? Are expensive US presidential election style campaigns in the interests of ordinary people?

Bristol Green Party says:

Vote No to Bristol Mayor

Bristol Green Party says:

Democracy Matters!

Give local authorities more powers

The coalition government’s Localism Act does not go far enough. Allow local authorities more fundraising powers, and people more say over local planning decisions.

Further devolve decisions to local communities We need to bring politics back to the human scale. People who will be directly affected should be able to contribute to decision-making. This can be done through more emphasis on local neighbourhood partnerships.

Reject elected mayors and single-party cabinets These take decision-making powers away from the whole council into the hands of a few individuals. Councillors are elected to make decisions for their communities. Reintroduce a committee system which provides direct councillor involvement in all decision making.

Introduce the right to remove MPs and Councillors A petition signed by 40% of an MPs registered voters and 20% of a councilor’s ward residents should trigger a recall by-election.

Base elections on Proportional Representation (PR) A fair voting system would ensure a party gaining 15% of the vote would get 15% of the seats. Let all voices be heard at the ballot box.

Hold local elections every two years

With half of the council seats up for election each time, Bristol would gain much-needed stability in its administration, but also retain the opportunity for citizens to have a regular say. All-out elections every four years are a step backwards, giving people much less input on how Bristol is run.

Remove big financial influence from politics Candidates for city-wide office should be able to stand on equal grounds without fear that money will win out.

Base the right to vote on residence, not nationality The right to vote should be given to all working age citizens including foreign nationals and those aged 16 and 17.

More Info

bgp@bristolgreen party.org.uk

Search Bristol Green Party

Printed by Whitehall Printing Co. at Peter’s Terrace, Barton Hill, Bristol BS5 0BW. Promoted by and on behalf of Bristol Green Party at 47 Abbey Road, Bristol BS9 3QN.

Feature: Elected Mayor Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative, part of Business West, has a clear view: We support an elected mayor for Bristol.

The website of the local campaign for an elected mayor, including further information about the legislation, is www.bristolmayor.org (further links below).

We believe a mayor will be good for Bristol and good for business in Bristol.

As stated please pass this message on.

Over many years we have argued and lobbied for stronger democratic leadership for Bristol and believe that an elected mayor is a means by which to help achieve this.

We’d actually prefer a metro mayor, however, we know that is not on offer now and unlikely to be so for some years but believe an elected mayor for Bristol is a step in the right direction.

Yours sincerely

Ten cities in the UK are being given this opportunity. Liverpool has already opted to have a mayor and has already received £100M from the government.

Cities with mayors will become the most powerful in the UK, with places on a possible English Mayoral Cabinet in London, the ability to negotiate new powers and investment for their cities, and national and international profile.

Business regularly complains about the lack of leadership at the local level and the limited ability and time between local elections to actually get things done. The current system is plagued by inconsistency because of the annual elections and constant compromise because of the need to defer to party politics ward by ward.

What business wants to see is clear, accountable and recognisable leadership at the local level, with the power and responsibility to actually deliver on the changes that are needed to encourage and support growth and jobs.

Bristol punches below its weight and we think that an elected city mayor can provide the sort of leadership that can drive growth and prosperity for all those who live and work here.

For business an elected mayor for Bristol would be able to focus on : Working with our Local Enterprise Partnership(LEP) to fight for new investment and resources for Bristol in Westminster, in Europe and the world.

Being the champion for Bristol and its economy and take a lead on key issues, such as youth unemployment and skills, transport, planning and infrastructure.

We believe that the time is right for an historic shift of power away from the centre with more powers delegated to Bristol, and strong and accountable leadership.

At this stage, it’s not about choosing a candidate, but whether we want one!

Overall awareness across Bristol of the debate and the referendum on 3 May is still too low, and so whether you believe in an elected mayor or not, it’s essential that as the vote approaches next week you engage in the debate and vote and encourage your colleagues to do so.

James Durie | Director of Chamber & Initiative Bristol Business West | Leigh Court | Abbots Leigh | Bristol BS8 3RA www.businesswest.co.uk | Twitter | LinkedIn Here is a link to Monday’s ITV report http://itv.co/J5le3j Here is the report of the Prime Minister’s visit to Bristol on Monday in Bristol Business News http://www.bristol-business.net/?p=6025 The Government position is here http://www.parliament.uk/deposits/depositedpapers/2012/DEP2012-0061.pdf and the website of the local campaign for an elected mayor, including further information about the legislation, is here www.bristolmayor.org.

Lifestyle: Books

Heiresses of Russ 2011: The Year’s Best Lesbian Speculative Fiction Review by Cheryl Morgan Details edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft & Steve Berman Lethe Press, 2012 First edition Trade paperback, mobi & epub Science Fiction and Fantasy have long been popular venues for LGBT writers because they allow us to imagine a world that is different (and hopefully less bigoted) than our own. They are also areas where short stories continues to flourish as an art form. As a consequence, there is a market for an anthology of the best lesbian SF&F stories of 2011.

Heiresses of Russ is named after the great lesbian feminist writer, Joanna Russ, who died last year. There’s an equivalent series for gay men called Wilde Stories. Both books come from a specialist American publisher called Lethe Press.

The standout story in the 2011 book is “The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen’s Window”, a millennia-spanning piece of feminist science fiction by Rachel Swirsky which was showered with award nominations and won the Nebula, given by the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America.

My personal favorite is “The Children of Cadmus” by Ellen Kushner. Ellen is a successful radio show host as well as an author and her work is always good to read aloud. The audiobook of her novel Swordspoint (which features gay men) is currently a big hit in the Neil Gaiman Presents series. Ellen narrates it herself. “The Children of Cadmus” is a re-telling of the Greek myth of Actaeon, and shows that princesses don’t always want to marry handsome princes.

Elsewhere another top fantasy novelist, N.K. Jemisin, provides a steampunk tale set in New Orleans in which a spy from the Republic of Haiti seeks scientific aid against French imperialism. British author, Tanith Lee, contributes what may be a ghost story, if you believe in such things.

This being an anthology, there is a variety of different stories, not all of which will suit every taste, but all of which include the essential feature of strong lesbian characters alongside the genre elements.

The book is available from Hydra Books in Old Market. If you have an e-reader you can also get it from my online store http://www.wizardstowerbooks.com/collections/lethe-press/products/heiressesruss11.

Lifestyle: Art Lifestyle: Art Veiled Voyages Exhibition Runs: 8th Mar - 29th Apr 2012 www.viewgallery.co.uk A voyage of narrative that can take many forms: from epic sailors tales of the high seas to a journey into the unknown, or discovery of the self.

‘Veiled Voyages’ brings together eight artists’ interpretation of the theme; the leaving behind of the stability of the familiar, to embark on unpredictable and curious adventures.

This brand new collection of painting and sculpture immerses us into an unmapped journey of emotion, intrigue and fascination.

Lifestyle: Music Lifestyle: Art Khali Ackford Arts West Side, 6 West Street,Old Market Quarter Exhibition Runs: 29th March - 12th April 2012 http://3ca.org.uk Much of Khali’s work has revolved around finding abandoned and lifeless landscapes that are no longer used for their original function. He brings them back to life by painting the landscape with light of many colours.

“All of the colours and vibrancy in my photography is created on site and hardly any post production work is needed. By using what ever lighting i can get my hands on from car lights to flash guns i paint my landscapes in a rainbow of colours. As colours is a great emotive tool i want to provoke an emotion from my viewers to by the colours that i use.”

Khali’s newest work entitles Midnight Clowns has looked at people fears of the clown.

It is the makeup and coverup of their facial expressions or the obscure costumes and antics they get up that imbeds the fear in our societies.

“I started to get interested in peoples fears of clowns and wanted to understand the reason for this. I created all costumes built my own film like sets to capture the dark antics that clowns could get up to after the circus leaves town. Welcome to my weird and wonderful world of the clown.”

Pop phenomenon, Steps, have announced they will be bringing their reunion tour to Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire, this summer, as part of Forestry Commission Live Music.

Steps dominated the charts over a 5-year period including an impressive run of 14 consecutive top 5 singles that got the nation dancing like: ‘One For Sorrow’, ‘Heartbeat/Tragedy’, ‘Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart’, ‘Deeper Shade Of Blue’, ‘After The Love Has Gone’, ‘When I Said Goodbye/Summer Of Love’ and ‘Stomp’. Their live shows captured the hearts of fans, selling out multiple dates at venues nationwide, making them one of the most successful acts on tour.

The Brit-award winning group comprising Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian Watkins (aka H) reformed last year for a documentary series on Sky Living titled Steps: The Reunion. They also announced a UK arena tour which is proving one of the hottest tickets for 2012 and released a Greatest Hits album, ‘The Ultimate Collection’ that entered the charts at the top, becoming the band’s third UK No1 album.

Forestry Commission Live Music concerts are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, and income generated from ticket sales is spent on improving the arboretum for both people and wildlife.

Commenting on the Westonbirt show, Ian Watkins said, “We are all really up for performing our hits in such a fantastic setting and promise a Steptacular show.”

Steps plus guests will be appearing: Sunday 22nd July, Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Glos Tickets £36 (subject to booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 27th January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music Info: www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Lifestyle: Film

Beauty (Skoonheid) Release Date:20th April 2012 In Cinemas Director: Oliver Hermanus Cert: 18 Language: Afrikaans, English Cast: Deon Lotz, Charlie Keegan, Michelle Scott, Albert Maritz, Roeline Daneel, Sue Diepeveen

In cinemas April 20th.

Francois lives a skillfully controlled, well managed life, in Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Father of two daughters and a devoted husband, he is wholly unprepared when a chance encounter unravels his clean and ordered existence.23-year-old Christian is the son of a long lost friend. By all accounts he is the personification of a handsome young man in the prime of his life. Francois is so disarmed by the young man that it instantly ignites within him an all consuming infatuation and misplaced lust.

Despite his careful concealed disgust for himself, Francois pours out the lost emotions he has despised all his life in what becomes a desperate attempt at taking from the world that which he has always secretly wanted: Happiness.

Lifestyle: Culture

Lifestyle: Culture

AN EVENING WITH...

MOTION IS VERY PROUD TO PRESENT

AN EVENING WITH

A SERIES OF EVENTS WHICH WILL FEATURE A FILM OR PERFORMANCE FROM AN ESTABLISHED FIGURE FOLLOWED BY A TALK WITH A Q&A .

IT WILL BE A RARE INTIMATE AND INFORMAL INSIGHT INTO A HIGHLY REGARDED PROFESSION.

Thursday 19th April, Motion Bristol.

Tickets: £12 / £10 concession 7pm - 11pm 7.30pm - In This World screening For more information; http://motionbristol.com/ Please Contact: info@motionbristol.com Press: Livi - Lividawson@gmail.com

IS YOUR PARTNER TREATING YOU RIGHT? Improving services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people experiencing domestic violence and abuse

Lifestyle: Networking As the saying goes “it’s not what you know it’s who you know”. Well, this cannot be more true than in the West of England as so many people are finding straight or LGBT networking, whether it be for professional or social reasons, is one of the main ways of meeting people these days.

This new section in each issue will highlight all the events of note happening in our region and what each networking event is focusing on.

The council is working in partnership with the University of the West of England and LGBT Bristol to understand the reasons into why many victims of domestic abuse in same sex relationships don’t seek help from agencies?

This project is supported by LGBT Bristol, ShoutOut radio, Missing Lesbians, Out Bristol, North Bristol NHS Trust, the Greater Western Ambulance Service, UWE LGBT staff network and domestic abuse agencies. There is a clear commitment from all the agencies supporting this research to act on the findings.

If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and have experience of being in an abusive relationship, we would very much like you to take part in this project. If you have supported someone who is LGBT through an abusive relationship, we would also like you to be part of the project.

We would like you to complete a questionnaire by downloading a questionnaire from www.bristol.gov.uk/lgbtdva OR Contact equalities.team@bristol.gov.uk or phone 0117 922 2329 for a paper copy.

OR Be part of a focus group at the Watershed 1 Canon’s Road, Harbourside BS1 5TX ( private room by the bar signed as ‘City Council Workshop’)  from 6pm-8pm on 24th April for people who identify as men, and  from 6pm-8pm on 25th April for people who identify as women.

The venue is wheelchair accessible and BSL interpreters will be provided.

Members, held last Wednesday of the month Whether you are wanting to just socialise or network with like minded guys this event has a welcoming and friendly atmostphere. Each evening has hosts to welcome you and introduce you around so if you do not have anyone to go with, not to worry as you will be introduced to new people by the hosts, leave it to them to do the ice breaking for you. The events each month are in the beautiful Goldbrick House on Park Street in Bristol. This Venue has received 5 star review in Out Bristol when we went under cover to check it out and they surpassed all our expectations They hold Monthly Members Bristol Drinks Events on the last Wednesday of each month. The Members Bristol team act as hosts at each event, to ensure that everyone feels included and to introduce new and existing members to each other.

Future Dates Wednesday March 28th, Wednesday April 25th, Wednesday May 30th Wednesday June 27th, Wednesday July 25th, Wednesday August 29th Wednesday September 26th, Wednesday October 31st, Wednesday November 28th Images by by Goncalo Martins & Tanya Hazel

Lifestyle: Networking Lifestyle: Networking

Indigo, 2nd Birthday Party

Indigo is an informal networking group. At our events lesbian, bi & queer women of the South West can congregate & share ideas, laughter, friendship & experience.

This quarterly event is your free opportunity to connect and socialise with people from other LGBT networks, events and orgs. Relaxed, friendly and useful... whether for personal, social or business reasons - use LIONS in the way that suits you!

LIONS is for you if: • you help run or are a member of your employer’s LGBT network. Or if your employer is without its own network • you run LGBT ents / events, or represent an LGBT org or group - and you’d like to connect with potential members, supporters and friends • you want to learn of ALL that is LGBT and happening here in Bristol; make friends, discover opportunities and get involved!

There will be no indigo at Goldbrick House in April but one of our next indigo events is on Saturday 28th April at the Queens Shilling...you will be able to buy tickets in advance (www.indigonetwork.co.uk). Its our 2nd year Anniversary on Saturday 28th april!

NEXT EVENT: INDIGO Saturday 28th April The Queen Shilling Frogmore Street Bristol

LIONS is a voluntary enterprise which simply aims to connect us.

The opportunities you harness or create through the people you meet, are up to you.

We already have members from over 40 orgs across all sectors, come and join in!

Contact: niall.addicott@live.co.uk For more details of events and what going on you can find us on

Halcyon are a not-for-profit organisation set up by business owners and senior business leaders. Our aim is simple - to help you generate strong LGBT business connections at a senior level within a confidential and supportive environment.

We are, therefore, exclusively for senior LGBT decision makers, Directors, Senior Managers and Business Owners.

You can expect to meet other senior LGBT decision makers at all our events which are professionally hosted, held in high-quality venues and include drink and canapés. You can expect to hear inspirational and business related speakers on a wide range of subjects. You can also expect to generate high level connections and develop business referral opportunities within a supportive and safe environment to benefit you and your business.

You don’t need to pay a joining fee to attend one of our events. You simply pay for each event that interests you. We do recommend regular attendance as this will help you forge stronger business relationships, increase your visibility and lead to greater opportunities for business connectivity and referrals.

For more information visit www.halcyonnetwork.com

Community: Pride News

14 July - Bristol has Pride.

We Are: Proud takes place on the 14th July on the prestigious College Green. A Free Pride which will see thousands of people again flock to Bristol for one of the countries largest Pride events. Kicking of with a massive parade from 11am the day event takes place from 12-6 and will feature a Main Stage with fantastic acts and performances, Family Area and Picnic zone, Community Area, Cabaret Stage and ambling performances across the site..

The Evening will see a Street Fiesta with multi venue events and outside DJs and then the party continues with special Pride Parties including our very special After Party taking place in the O2 Arena with a sprinkle of glitter and special balloon drop the event boasts three rooms of Italio Disco, Nudisco, Soul and Pop from giants: Push The Button, Horseplay and disco behemoths: Horse Meat Disco as well as special guest DJs and PA performances.

A Pride not to be missed.

For further info on all the events including special hotel rates visit: http://www.wearefest.com

Community: Panthers Community: Cycle Out

This is your digest of rides and events. You can keep track of the rides on the GOC web-site and facebook. See links at the foot of this message. As well as the regular programme, you may consider joining the group on some special events too.

Wednesday, 4th April 2012 Take a short, urban cycle ride every Wednesday in April, May, June, July, August and September - on 4th April the ride leader is Paul.

These are short rides exploring the many urban cycle routes in and around Bristol. They are designed for people who are new or returning to cycling and for cyclists who want to get to know Bristol by bike. The group will always stop to help with any mechanical failures during the ride but please try and remember to bring along spare inner tubes and a puncture repair kit. The ride will will depart at 6pm from Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4TR. Meet by the King William Statue in the centre of the Square (or outside Graze Bar on the corner, if access to the Square is restricted for any reason). Back to Queen Square by 9pm.

Sunday, 8th April 2012 - Ride the Dawn Chorus - setting off at 5:15am from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Ride in the countryside before sunrise and the early bird song. We’re setting off at 5:15 to clear the city before sunrise (6:29am) and to ride through North Somerset countryside to Wrington and back to Bristol by 11am. Wrap up for the early cold. Bring good cycle lights for the start and something to eat in case there’s a problem with the food stop. Thirty mile round trip.

Wednesday, 11th April 2012 - short, urban ride led by Paul, 6pm Queen Square Monday, 16th April 2012 - “dykes on bikes” - women-only, short urban ride led by Rachel, 6pm Queen Square Wednesday, 18th April 2012 - short, urban ride led by Gemma, 6pm Queen Square Wednesday, 25th April 2012 - short urban ride led by Chris Sunday, 15th July - Great Weston Ride - Register now, if you want to join CycleOut Bristol members on the fifty-six mile challenge ride from Bristol to Weston for the Prostate Cancer Charity. Limited places. Charity fund-raising is not essential.

Enjoy a great day out. Book transport back to Bristol; or, if you’re keen, you can cycle back. http://www.greatwestonride.com Keep in touch on facebook (http://tiny.cc/cycleoutbristol), GOC ( http://goc.org.uk/) or Better by Bike ( http://www.betterbybike.info/). happy pedalling Charlie

Date

Fixture

Venue Kick Off Result

11 Sep 2011 18 Sept 2011 25 Sept 2011 09 Oct 2011 30 Oct 2011 20 Nov 2011 26 Nov 2011 22 Jan 2012 26 Feb 2012 03 March 2012 18 March 2012 25 March 2012 15 Apr 2012 06 May 2012

Panthers Vs Birmingham Blaze Panthers Vs Trowbridge Tigers Panthers Vs Cardiff Dragons Panthers Vs London Leftfooters Panthers Vs Cardiff Dragons Panthers Vs Devon Lions Panthers Vs Saltire Thistle Panthers Vs Devon Lions

Panthers Vs Wolverhampton Harts Panthers Vs Saltire Thistle Panthers Vs Cardiff Dragons Panthers Vs Trowbridge Tigers Panthers Vs London Leftfooters Panthers Vs Birmingham Blaze

Away Away Away Home Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home

2.20 3.00 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 2pm 1.10 2.10 3.00 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.30

3-3 1-10 1-2 4-4 3-0 0-2 0-6 3-1 2-4

To find out more find them on Facebook or online www.bristolpanthers.co.uk

Community: Bisons

Name: Steve Hynd The traditional radical Politics: Commentary

Website: www.stevehynd.wordpress.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/steve4319 No father, no food and an unknown future When I was at school I did a sponsored fast – nothing was to go between my lips for the entire school day.

I was raising money for something, a cancer charity maybe. During the morning break-time I remember pushing a doughnut into my porky little face. I scoffed it down and never told a soul about it. Licking my sausage fingers I can remember not feeling even the slightest crack of guilt.

Date Fixture Venue Kick Off 20 Aug 2011 18 Sept 2011 15 Oct 2011 28-30 Oct 2011 26 Nov 2011 4 Dec 2011

Bisons Vs Cotham Park Bisons Vs Avon & Somerset Police Bisons Vs Minchinhampton 2nds Edinburgh Rugby Clinic Bisons Vs Kings Cross Steelers 2nds Bisons Vs Great Western Ambulance

29 Jan 2012 11 Feb 2012 4 March 2012 18 March 2012 30 March 2012 5 May 2012

Christmas Break Butleigh RFC

Bisons V’s Manchester Bisons V’s The Old Blues Bisons Vs Great Western Ambulance Newcastle Hadrian Cup Bisons Vs Thebans

The Bristol Bisons will be playing in the 2012 Bingham Cup taking place in Manchester, UK, between 1st and 3rd June 2012.

Home Home Home Away Home Home

2.00 3.00 2.30

Home Home Home Home Away Home

2pm TBA 2pm TBA

TBA 2.30pm

TBA

Today, for this first time since that fateful event, I felt guilty. I felt guilty because stood in front of me in the mid-day sun was Hallah Hattab. Hallah is one week into her hunger strike. She is standing in solidarity with her father, Kifah Hattab who is 3 weeks into his hunger strike in an Israeli prison.

Kifah is just one of a number who have chosen to go on hunger strike in recent months in protest of Israel’s continued use of administrative detention.

Hallah Hattab is a beautiful 20 something year old that oozes intelligence and holds herself with a confidence which conceals her age. She has joined others today outside of the International Red Cross in Tulkarm to protest about the conditions that Palestinian prisoners are being held under. Specifically they are looking to highlight Israel’s on-going use of administrative detention.

As the Israeli human rights organisation B’tselem states, “according to international law, administrative detention can be used only in the most exceptional cases, as the last means available for preventing danger that cannot be stopped by less harmful means. Israel’s use of administrative detention blatantly violates these restrictions”. Both men and women gather on the pavement outside of the International Red Cross building sitting on plastic chairs in large circles. Each person holds a photo or a poster of a loved one who is languishing in an Israeli jail. Each of those attending the protest hold their own story of how someone close to them, a son, a brother or a father have been taken away from them. For Hallah it is her father.

I catch Hallah in between interviews with various local, national and international news agencies and ask her how she is feeling. She has the answer to this question

Politics: Commentary down to a fine art, “I am trying to keep my spirits up, I know what I am feeling is nothing compared to what my father is experiencing, but it is still hard”. Her hazelnut eyes blink at the end of her sentence and then fix themselves on me, attentive and focused on the interview at hand.

Politics: Stonewall

Stonewall mounts largest ever equal marriage advertising campaign 1,000 London buses carry ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ ads

Throughout April 1,000 London buses are carrying adverts from Stonewall to promote equal marriage, in the largest advertising campaign of its kind. The iconic ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ adverts link to Stonewall’s equal marriage campaign website (www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage), which includes details of the charity’s response to the government’s consultation on the issue and explains how people can submit their own responses.

After a few seconds silence I ask Hallah how long she will be willing to carry on her hunger strike for and she responds saying that she will continue for “as long as it takes…I want to support my father”. She says these words with real determination.

I wonder how far she will be pushed. Khader Adnan recently went on hunger strike for 66 days and very nearly paid the ultimate price. The undertaking that Hallah has taken on is no small one. I am eager to find out what fuels this fire inside of her but we are interrupted at this moment by someone introducing Hallah’s mother.

Her mother stands with us and insists (in perfect English) that she does not speak very good English. I wonder whether she is just comparing herself to the English that flows from her daughter. Unlike her daughter she looks tired, both physically as well as mentally exhausted. She may not be on her hunger strike but you can see that the situation is taking its toll on her. When I ask her if she is worried about her daughter however her face lights and up she says that she feels ‘nothing but pride’. I half turn back to Hallah to ask about her studies at university and I catch her mother’s proud smile in the corner of my eye.

Frustratingly Hallah is whisked away as some other news agency is wanting to speak to her. I watch on as she gives another interview in another language. I look at her in admiration. I marvel at all she is doing with no father to support her, no food to sustain her and an unknown future to look to. I wonder if I would be able to do what she is doing and I think back to my pathetic failed attempt to fast for one school day.

On the walk back to the house where I am staying I talk to other EAs about Hallah.

One colleague rationalises all that she is doing with the simple comment, “it is just her way of coping”.

To make sure the campaign isn’t confined to the streets of London, Stonewall is asking supporters to tweet pictures of buses carrying the advert using the hashtag #equalmarriage, or to post them on its recently relaunched Facebook page. The charity has promised a range of ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ merchandise to whoever sends in the best picture each week until the campaign ends in early May. Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: ‘In recent months Britain has been subjected to vitriolic political campaigning from people who want to impose their 19th-century values on 21st-century society. Our very moderate and straightforward campaign – which will be seen by hundreds of thousands of Londoners, and many more people online – will help those who have been offended by anti-equality prejudice to tell the government why equal marriage is important to them.’

London buses will carry Stonewall’s campaign throughout April. Stonewall’s famous ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ posters were first used in a national billboard campaign in 2008, and the slogan has since been used on t-shirts, mugs and other goods, which are available from www.stonewall.org.uk/merchandise.

OLD MARKET QUARTER BRISTOL’S GAY VILLAGE

APRIL 2012 bRISTOL BEAR BAR oPEN EVERY NIGHT!

WWW.BRISTOLBEARBAR.CO.UK

vILLAGE SAUNA oPEN EVERY DAY wELLNESS FOR MEN OPEN EVERY DAY

www.wellnessformen.co.uk

gOOD fRIDAY Bear factory Midnight till late

www.bristolbearfactory.co.uk

tHE DEN LAUNCH PARTY 8PM-4AM FACEBOOK.COM/THEDENBRISTOL

eASTER SATURDAY bRISTOL FETISH CREW SIN PARTY 10PM -4AM WWW.BRISTOLFETISHCREW.COM

tHE DEN 8PM-4AM sTRICT DRESS CODE BAR FACEBOOK.COM/THEDENBRISTOL

COME TO DADDY 8PM-4AM WWW.COMETODADDYCLUB.CO.UK

eASTER sUNDAY LEATHER WEST PUB CRAWL 8PM OLD MARKET TAVERN 9PM BRISTOL BEAR BAR 10PM THE DEN WWW.LEATHERWEST.COM

LESBIAN? GAY? BISEXUAL?

In partnership with:

North West

WE’RE HERE IF YOU NEED US! CALL US: www.lgf.org.uk

10 Ending Homophobia,

Empowering People

www.lgf.org.uk

2000-2010 CELEBRATING TEN YEARS 10034

10am-10pm daily

Registered Charity No.1070904

08453303030

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Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Monday open from 7pm till 1130pm The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 11.30am every day and stay open all day long. Just come along! We’ll close at 11pm on school nights.

Retreat Mon: ''Karaoke'' with Bristols very own Miss Treacle Tart and weekly updates of new songs to keep the regulars happy and tempt the shy ones 5pm – Midnight The Lounge Monday: 2pm-1am

The Palace Closed on Mondays

Bent 10th Feb 2012 Bristol Gay Central - West End

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Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com Dutch Courage Karaoke every Monday night hosted by Starturn Karaoke! Bristol’s Premier Karaoke Venue!

9pm-2 am The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Karaoke from 9pm Open 5pm till Midnight, happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com OMG is closed on Mondays

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Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Monday open from 7pm till 1130pm The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk Quiz night 7pm till 11 pm The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 11.30am every day and stay open all day long.

Retreat Tue: ”Let’s Get Quizzical” – Regular teams, new faces, some friendly banter and rollover three figure jackpots as well as buffet provided to keep those brain cells ticking nicely - 5pm – Midnight (Quiz starts around 9pm) The Lounge Tuesday: 12pm-1am

The Palace Closed on Tuesdays

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Kiki Art Exhibition in the Bristol Bear Bar Photographs by Matthew White

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Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com Closed on Tuesdays The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Open 5pm till Midnight, happy hour 5pm till 7pm ÂŁ1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com is closed on Tuesdays

The Pineapple Bristol Gay Central

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Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Wednesday open from 7pm till 1130pm The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 11.30am every day and stay open all day long. Just come along! We’ll close at 11pm on school nights.

Retreat Wed: ”Pre-Campus” – Before heading to OMG student night, NUS drinks only £2, all societies and groups welcome for a fresh and relaxed atmosphere -5pm – Midnight The Lounge Wednesday Student night :1 2pm-1am discounted drinks with NUS Card The Palace Karaoke 9pm till 11:30pm. The Palace is open from 7pm till 11:30pm The Palace is recognised as the gateway to the Village, with an interior fit for a queen, come and join the camp fun.

OMG 3rd Feb 2012 Bristol Gay Central - West End

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Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com The Big Student night two for one cocktails Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com 9pm2am {Uni}on Bristol’s premier student night every Wednesday with free jukebox all night long!

The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Student night from 6pm Open 5pm till Midnight, happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com The Big Student night 10pm till late Drinks from £1.50 all night, Shots from £1.00 Only £3.00 entry free with NUS

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Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Rugby Night join the Bisons after training. Thursday open from 7pm till 1130pm The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk Bingo night 8-11 pm The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 11.30am every day and stay open all day long. Just come along! We’ll close at 11pm on school nights.

Retreat Thur: ‘’Chillout’’ - Enjoy a few quiet drinks, hot date planned test the new pool table out or catch up with an old friend with two floors of seating with some classic and chart background music to top off a relxing evening – 5pm - Midnight The Den Strict Dress Code Bar Men Only 8pm - 2am The Lounge Thursday:12pm-1am The Palace Karaoke 9pm till 11:30pm. The Palace is open from 7pm till 11:30pm The Palace is recognised as the gateway to the Village, with an interior fit for a queen, come and join the camp fun.

The Village Sauna

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Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com We are currently closed on Thursdays, we have something special coming soon!!! What this space.

Sauna Steam room Showers Tv Lounge Patio Private cabins Hot Tub Open Mon - Tues 1pm - Midnight Wed- Thurs 11am - Midnight Fri 11am till Midnight Sunday

The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Fannyoke from 9pm Open 5pm till Midnight, happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com Poptastic 10pm till 3am Drinks from £1.50 all night, Your weekly dose of chart and cheese. with DJ Steve J. Prints and Spirts from only £1.99

villagesauna.com

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y a d Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Friday open from 7pm till 2am The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 11.30am every day and stay open all day long. Just come along! We close at 2am on Friday nights.

Retreat Fri: ‘’Pink Pounder’’ - Upto date tunes and classics play as well as the ‘’XTreme Boys’’ bringing you karaoke while you do pre-drinks before Flamingos, meet up with your mates and buy a drink or two, 8-9pm selected drinks £1 (inc. spirit/ mixer and pints) 5pm – Midnight The Den Strict Dress Code Bar Men Only 8pm - 4am The Lounge Friday:12pm-1am DJ request night The Palace Fonda Cox and friends 10pm till 1am. The Palace is open from 7pm till 2am The Palace is recognised as the gateway to the Village, with an interior fit for a queen,come and join the camp fun.

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y a d Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com REMIX every Friday with DJ SJB mixing all your favourite tunes. 9pm - 3am The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Open 5pm till 1am happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com 10pm till 4am Your weekly dose of OMG fun

Bristol Bear Bar West Street Old Market Quarter

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y a d r u Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Saturday open from 7pm till 2 am The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. We open at 4pm till 2am.

Retreat Sat: ‘’Spinning Wheel Saturday’’ - Feeling lucky?

Every 15 minutes a drinks promo features on our flatscreen TVs for the duration of the song.

Mr Girls Aloud Matt on the decks through till the early hours -5pm - 2am The Den Strict Dress Code Bar Men Only 8pm - 4am The Lounge Saturday:1 2pm-1am Karaoke The Palace Fonda Cox & guests 10pm till 1am. The Palace is open from 7pm till 2am The Palace is recognised as the gateway to the Village, with an interior fit for a queen, come and join the camp fun.

Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street

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Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com Every Saturday is Saturgay at the Queenshilling with the amazing DJ Lazee G playing the best in commercial chart. 9pm-4am The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Open 5pm till 1am happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

OMG www.omgbristol.com 10pm till 5am no re entry after 330am Your weekly dose of OMG fun

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Bristol Gay Village West Street Old Market Quarter The Bristol Bear Bar www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Sunday open from 3pm till 11pm The Bristol Bear Bar is the UK’S only bespoke bar for Bears although everyone is welcome at this venue and it is wheelchair friendly.

Old Market Tavern www.omtbristol.co.uk Carvery 11.30am till 3pm Raffle at 4pm. The Old Market Tavern is a traditional pub in the centre of Bristol. Just come along! We’ll close at 11pm Retreat Sun: ‘’Cabaret’’ - Live and sometimes dangerous cabaret hosted by Miss Amber Dextrous. Acts from across the country and a different one every week to enjoy and join in the free shot games or take advantage of our £1 selected house spirits and mixer. 7pm - 2am (Cabaret starts 9pm) The Den Strict Dress Code Bar Men Only 6pm - 2am The Lounge Sunday: 2pm-9pm The Palace Crazy Bingo 6pm till 9pm. The Palace is open from 3pm till 11pm The Palace is recognised as the gateway to the Village, with an interior fit for a queen, come and join the camp fun.

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y a d Bristol Gay Central Frogmore Street Bent Bar www.omgbristol.com Bristol’s very own cocktail lounge bar which lets you choose the music open 6pm till 2am.

BFI LGBT Film Fest 23 Mar 1 Apr2012

The Pride Ball 25th March 2012

Bingham cup 2012 1-3 June 2012

www.bfi.org.uk/llgff

www.prideball.co.uk www.binghamcup.com

9th June 2012

16th June 2012

Queen Shilling www.queenshilling.com Closed on Sundays The Pineapple www.omgbristol.com Open 5pm till 1am happy hour 5pm till 7pm £1.50 for selected drinks.

2-3 June 2012

www.birmingham prideblackpool.com pride.com

www.calderdalepride.org.uk

22 June -1 Jul 2012 www.dublinpride.ie

OMG www.omgbristol.com Closed on Sundays

27 Jun – 1 Jul 2012 23 Jun 8 July 2012 14 July 2012 14-15 July 2012 www.pridelondon. www.wearefest.com www.bournefree. eurogamesbuda org pest.hu co.uk

20 - 21July 2012

www.southwest pride.com

21 July 2012 www.yorkpride. org

28- 29 July 2012

www.pridehull. co.uk

28 July 2012. www.norwich pride.org.uk

These are the Pride which have been advertised to media so far if your pride is not here please get in touch with us

Manchester Pride 17 – 27 August 2012. www.manchesterpride.com/

Cardiff Pride 1st Sept 2012 cardiffmardigras.co.uk

The Bristol Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Forum (LGBT Bristol) is looking for new Management Committee members.

We are looking for people with a passion for and committment to LGBT rights, willing to put their skills, creativity, intelligence, flair and confidence to work. Help us continue to challenge homophobia and make Bristol a City that welcomes LGBT people. You would be working with other Management Committtee members and staff to serve our Membership and LGBT communities in the City. In the 18 years since the Forum came into existence, and 8 years after it became an independent Charity, there is still much left to do to consolidate the rights of LGBT people.

The local PCT, Constabulary, Fire Service and other major service providers regularly consult us on a wide range of issues and our influence gives a voice to LGBT people within both, the Equalities Team and other departments of Bristol City Council. One of the major outcomes of our work has been the Authority’s rapid advancement in the Stonewall Workplace Equality List (41st) and, following three years’ lobbying by us and other LGBT groups, it has joined the Stonewall Education Champions Programme, following intense lobbying by the Forum on action against homophobic bullying in Bristol schools.

Our current projects include developing anti-bullying policy and practice in primary education and promoting universal inclusion of trangender, as well as older and disabled LGBT people. We have funding for 20012/13 and will be submitting our bid for the following 3 years, in July, but we are committed to developing new strategies to help us remain financially viable in the changing landscape of Charity funding and at this difficult time of cuts and austerity.

We are asking members of the LGBT community to join us and leave their legacy in our brilliant, vibrant City, and help put it on the map as an LGBT destination of international calibre.

For more information about LGBT Bristol and how to join please visit http://lgbtbristol.org.uk/join/

Cervical Screening Survey 2012 The Lesbian & Gay Foundation is exploring the experiences, knowledge and behaviour of Lesbian and Bisexual (LB) women, towards cervical screening to understand how they engage with health screening services and whether access to services is equitable.

The research is funded by the Department of Health.

If you agree to participate we are asking you to take 5-10 minutes to complete a survey to gather information about your current behaviour, knowledge and experiences of cervical screening.

If you wish to be involved further then you can provide us with an email address at the end of the survey and we will contact you in the future, send you a follow-up survey to complete and maybe invite you to take part in an interview.

LGF are exploring the experiences, knowledge and behaviour of lesbian and bisexual (LB) women outside the North West, towards cervical screening. Complete a short, confidential survey and have the chance to win £200 worth of vouchers:

To fill in the this very Important survey visit www.lgf.org.uk/cervicalscreening