Theatre
Interview
Mathew Horne
Stephen K Amos
Joseph tickets
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Competition
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From the makers of
JAN 09 FREE
AIDEN SHAW EXCLUSIVE EUROCREME’S ALEX STEVENS HARVEY MILK, THIRTY YEARS ON MAKE UP, FOR MEN
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The national gay lifestyle magazine
BRIGHTON: Issue 40 • Friday 16 January - Thursday 29 January 2009
FIT SEX, PORN AND BEAUTY SPECIAL
OI! SCENE QUEEN!
HEALTH & EQUALITY IN 2009
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE UK’S BEST NIGHTLIFE EVENTS
ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH THT, STONEWALL, GMFA, CRUSAID, OUTRAGE AND NAT
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BEST OF THE BEST
Brighton and Hove City Council scoops top honours in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2009 IT’S OFFICIAL: Brighton and Hove City Council is the most gay-friendly local authority in the country. The Council nailed down third place overall in gay equality organisation Stonewall’s annual countdown of the top 100 employers for gay people, up from ninth in last year’s survey. In the process, they’ve leapfrogged over other authorities such as Manchester City Council, and beaten last year’s no.1 Nacro, the national crime reduction charity. “We were ecstatic when the news came through,” says Cabinet Councillor for Community Affairs Dee Simson. “It’s amazing to receive national recognition for our work – and hopefully this news will encourage people to consider the Council as
an employer. Good practice is good practice, and this award sends out the message that the Council is firmly committed to equality for all its employees.” Faced with tougher criteria for inclusion than ever before, this year entrants really had to prove their worth. For the Council that meant demonstrating delivery of a range of LGBT-friendly services as well as solid and equal employment practice. Head of Equality and Inclusion Mary Evans was a key figure in delivering the Council’s bid. “I can’t stress enough what a big achievement this is for us as a small City Council,” she says. “With the continued actions of our LGBT Forum, our support for Brighton Pride and
our work with community groups to deal with issues such as homophobic bullying and domestic violence, we’re continually striving to make the city a better place to live for LGBT people and for everyone. What’s really great is that this year staff were surveyed as part of our bid, and it’s their feedback that’s backed up all our efforts and pushed us into the top three.” So are they gunning for the number one slot next year? “We’ll see!” says Dee. “We’re just thrilled to have done so well, and our position is a tribute to the entire staff and the people of Brighton and Hove.”
Turn to page 2 for the full list of Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers.
Celebrating (from left): Head of Equality and Inclusion Mary Evans, the LGBT Forum’s Richard Tuset and Jo Barringer, and Cabinet Councillor for Community Affairs Dee Simson
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