MAY 2015
CONTENTS
GSCENE magazine ) www.gscene.org
LEGENDS
t @gscene f GScene.Brighton
DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
PUBLISHED BY Peter Storrow TEL 01273 749 947 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com EDITORIAL TEAM Graham Robson, Sarah Green, Gus Gustafson, Simon Hart, Alice Blezard ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce
FRONT COVER MODEL James Sayers PHOTOGRAPHY www.boygender.com
NEWS
CONTRIBUTORS Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Craig Hanlon Smith, Enzo Marra, Netty, Carl Oprey, Mitchell Orriss, Eric Page, Del Sharp, Keith Sharpe, Rory Smith, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Paul Thorn, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood
6 News I GOT RHYTHM: ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS CONCERT WITH MAISIE TROLLETTE @ ST ANDREW CHURCH
SCENE LISTINGS 28 Brighton 42 Solent listings
ARTS
PHOTOGRAPHERS Revenge images Josh Hiatt, Michael Hootman, Ian Andrew Mager-Playford, James Ledward, David Rumelle
44 46 48 51
Arts News Art Matters Classical Notes Books
REGULARS © GSCENE 2015
DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
All work appearing in Gscene Ltd is copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated on the page concerned. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or other retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. The appearance of any person or any organisation in Gscene is not to be construed as an implication of the sexual orientation or political persuasion of such persons or organisations.
FEATURES
22 SAMARITANS DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
Brighton, Hove & Distict branch launch their new Night Owls Campaign
43 Dance Music 43 DJ Profile: Waynsie Rude Boy 49 Geek Scene 50 Shopping 51 Queenie’s Strip Service 52 Craig’s Thoughts 53 Hyde’s Hopes 53 Glen’s Homely Homily 54 Changing Attitude 55 Netty’s World 55 Duncan’s Domain 56 Charlie Says 57 Allsorts 57 LGBT Police Liaison 58 Del’s Sharp Words 59 Dad & Daddy 60 Sam The Trans Man
24 LET’S TALK ABOUT SUICIDE INFORMATION Grassroots Suicide Prevention charity to tackle local suicide rates 47 CUTTING THE MUSTARD An hour in the company of local comedian, Zoe Lyons
61 Service Directory 62 Advertisers’ Map 63 Classifieds
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COUNTDOWN BEGINS TO THE BIGGEST BRIGHTON PRIDE CELEBRATION EVER With less than 100 days to go, the countdown to Brighton Pride 2015 is well underway as Pride organisers prepare to deliver the biggest Pride celebrations the city has seen.
) This year promises a city-wide celebration as our diverse communities come together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pride in the City, the first edition of the Pride Diversity Games, sponsored by Domestic & General, and the ever popular Pride Dog Show. From the spectacular Brighton Pride Community Parade to the glorious Pride Festival in Preston Park it’s time to get set for a city-wide Carnival of Diversity. The star-studded line-up of artists, performers, musicians and DJs already announced to appear at Preston Park include: The Human League, Fatboy Slim, Jess Glynne, Hercules and Love Affair, Foxes, Tulisa, The Freemasons, Bright Light Bright Light, Kelli-Leigh, Blooms, Seamus Haji, Prok & Fitch and Wayne G who will perform in an array of diverse entertainment and community areas on the festival site.
LEGENDS SPONSORS THE LEGENDARY BRIGHTON PRIDE CABARET BIG TOP ONCE AGAIN IN 2015 community groups and organisations. Without Tony’s support Pride would simply not be able to deliver the biggest cabaret tent at any Pride in the UK." The Legends Cabaret Tent delivers a day of thrilling entertainment in an unforgettable electric atmosphere. ) Legends Hotel, Bar and Club will Organised and hosted by Stephen again be sponsoring the renowned Richards, aka Lola Lasagne, the Cabaret Big Top in Preston Park this Legends Cabaret Tent is at the very August. Tony Chapman, owner of centre of Pride’s celebrations with Legends, has been one of the most top cabaret stars performing to a generous contributors over the years capacity crowd. to the LGBT/HIV communities in Brighton & Hove and in 2015 he will Paul continued: "Pride is extremely once again be leading the way by grateful for the support of sponsoring the Cabaret Big Top. businesses who help contribute to the Pride weekend fundraising effort. Paul Kemp, Pride Even the smallest contribution helps Director, said: Pride deliver the LGBT community "Tony has not only parade and extra resources for the been one of the Rainbow Fund". biggest investors in the commercial In 2014 Legends was awarded best Brighton LGBT supporting (large venue) at the Pride scene over many years, but without businesses awards, recognising the fanfare he’s been one of the most support given by the business generous contributors to community community to our local LGBT/HIV fundraising for our local LGBT community groups.
PAUL KEMP
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Add the Wild Fruit Big Top, the Legends Cabaret tent, the Radio Reverb Alternative Performance Stage, the Shelia McWattie Women’s Acoustic Performance Stage, the Urban World Dance Tent and the Bears’ Tent and you have a Pride we can all be part of, be proud of and celebrate. Ticket sales are well up on this time last year and Pride think they could top last year’s record numbers over the Pride weekend. Join the celebration and be part of one of the UK’s biggest, brightest and boldest Pride festivals ever. The Brighton Pride Festival on Saturday, August 1 at Preston Park starts at 12noon. Tickets: £18.50 second release tickets now available, then £21. (£25 on the day). To book tickets online, view: www.brighton-pride.org/tickets.php
PRIDE DOG SHOW ) Registration is now open for entry into the 2015 Pride Dog Show. It’s time to fetch your pooches and paw your way to one of Brighton Pride’s most accessible and popular events. Celebrate our fourlegged friends with a day of barking frolics, as dogs and dog lovers come together to shine with Pride. In association with Coastway Veterinary Group, the Pride Dog Show will take place at Hove RFC, Shirley Drive, Hove and feature awards for numerous categories including top bitch and bitch with the best attitude, retail stalls, a glamorous catwalk doggy fashion show, bar and refreshments. Coastway Veterinary Group, who have organised and supported the event for some years, will be overseeing all entries and judging each category, ensuring every star pooch gets the recognition their proud paws deserve. To enter your dog, or if you are interested in a stall, view: www.brighton-pride.org
KENRIC TO MARCH AT BRIGHTON PRIDE ) Kenric, the longest running lesbian social organisation in the UK, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. They are inviting women to join them on Saturday, August 1 and march with PRIDE wearing one of their specially designed T-shirts which will be available to purchase at the Kenric monthly social evenings held on the second Thursday of each month at The Open House, 146 Springfield Road, BN1 6BZ, either inside the pub or in the heated garden.
Kenric walking group. For more Discounted entry to the Park will be details, email: editor@kenric.org available to all those registered in the or call: 07950 232145.
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THE GOLDEN HANDBAG AWARDS 2015
ZOE LYONS
) Tickets are now on sale for Brighton's Gay Oscars, the Golden Handbag Awards, hosted by Lola Lasagne and featuring funny ladies Zoe Lyons and Myra Dubois, powerhouse vocalist Jennie Castell and the brilliant Drag With No Name.
BRIGHTON PRIDE DIVERSITY GAMES This summer, Brighton & Hove will come together for a unique event that will see community groups, businesses and individuals united by sport, regardless of sexuality, race, age or ability. ) Sponsored by Domestic & General, the Brighton Pride Diversity Games will see the city immerse itself in a weekend of sporting achievements and funfilled events including special dedicated golf and football tournaments on Sunday, July 18. The weekend, which will reflect the wonderful diversity of Brighton & Hove, will be a citywide celebration as we hop, skip and jump together in a variety of inclusive and fun sporting events including swimming, tennis, football, rugby, athletics, basketball, volleyball, badminton, bowling, golf and lawn bowls. The 2015 Pride Diversity Games on Saturday July 18 and Sunday, July 19 will see venues across Brighton & Hove, including Withdean Stadium, Preston Park, Hollingbury Golf Course and Waterhall, host a variety of sporting events. Be it mixed doubles on the courts, hurdles, long jump or relays on the track and field, bowling on the green or football and golf tournaments, the Pride Diversity Games will top your sporting scoreboards this summer. The Pride Diversity Games, Rainbow Run and Fun Day, organised in association with BLAGSS, will take place on Sunday, July 19 at Preston Park, Brighton. A fabulous and free event for spectators, it will be a day for the entire city to enjoy with fun activities including the 5K Rainbow Run, those must-do Fun Day classics Egg & Spoon, Sack Race, Tug of War challenge and Three-Legged Race, plus great entertainment and sporting demonstrations for all to enjoy. Sunday’s event at Preston Park will also include the Pride Diversity Games prize-giving ceremony and community picnic, fun and games. The Pride Diversity Games are a fundraising event for the Rainbow Fund, enabling its continued support of local LGBT+ charities and organisations. Register to join the Pride Diversity Games with your business, colleagues, and friends or as an individual today and help Brighton get sporty for a brilliant cause. It’s time to unite with Pride for a sporting day like no other, it’s time for the Brighton Pride Diversity Games 2015! Pride Diversity Games 2015 will take place at various venues across the city on Saturday, July 18 and Preston Park on Sunday, July 19. For more information and to register for the Pride Diversity Games 2015, view: http://brighton-pride.org
The awards will take place on Sunday, June 21 in the glamorous Oxford Suite at the Brighton Metropole Hilton Hotel. Walk the red carpet when you arrive and have your photo taken with the multi-award-winning hostess, Joan Bond, and the larger than life Sonia Marmite. There are just 10 pre-booked VIP tables left for sale, which seat 12 people and cost £240. To book one of these tables call 01273 749 947 or email: info@gscene.com. These final tables will be released on a first come, first served basis. If you’re not
on a VIP table, unreserved single tickets, costing £20 each, can be purchased from Prowler, 112 St James’s Street, Brighton. Prowler don’t charge a handling fee for this service and all payments for tickets must be settled in cash at Prowler. These seats are not reserved and are allocated on the public tables on a first come, first served basis on the night. This year you will only have the chance to vote online and voting will commence at 10pm on Tuesday, May 12 during the legendary Golden Handbag Quiz Night at Charles Street. Online voting will close at midnight on Friday, June 12.
The Golden Handbag Show 2015 is at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton on Sunday, June 21. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. Individual tickets costing £20 each are available from Prowler, 112 St James’s Street, Brighton (cash only). For VIP tables of 12 costing £240 call 01273 749 947 or email: info@gscene.com
ARE YOU THE BRAINIEST GAY IN THE VILLAGE? ) Get your handbags at the ready for the annual Golden Handbags Big Quiz Challenge at Charles Street on Tuesday, May 12. Grab some friends and book a team in for this year’s legendary Golden Quiz Challenge which kicks off the voting for the Golden Handbag Awards 2015. The lovely Lola Lasagne will be your Quiz
Mistress for the evening and businesses, community organisations and social network groups are invited to enter teams of up to six players. The winners will receive the first Golden Handbag of the season, ‘The Brainiest Gay in the Village’ Handbag, currently held by Subline club/bar in St James’s Street. Entry for the Golden Quiz is £25 per team and takes place at Charles Street, 8 Marine Parade, Brighton. Get there at 7.30pm for an 8pm start. Drinks on happy hour till 9pm. The event is supported by Charles Street and Gscene Magazine. All money raised will be donated to the Rainbow Fund to distribute through their independent grants programme to LGBT/HIV organisations providing effective front-line services to the LGBT/ HIV communities in Brighton & Hove.
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SOAP STARS HOST STONEWALL EQUALITY WALK IN BRIGHTON
JOIN IN THE BIG LUNCH ON SATURDAY, JUNE 6
) Alicya Eyo, Emmerdale star, and Bethany Black, Cucumber star and comedian, will host Stonewall's annual 10K Equality Walk on Sunday, May 10, in Brighton. Alicya Eyo known for her portrayal of lesbian character Ruby Haswell in ITV’s Emmerdale, was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2014 Stonewall Awards for her advocacy as an openly lesbian role model. Bethany Black is a British comedian, and her role in Channel 4’s Cucumber made her the first trans actress to play a recurring trans character in a British TV series.
Registration is now open for the Equality Walk which draws around 800 walkers and features a picnic in the Royal Pavilion Gardens, live entertainment and games. Money raised from this year’s walk will support Stonewall’s work to help improve the lives of LGBT people. Stonewall currently works with over 700 workplaces, 12,000 schools, 60 local authorities, sports clubs, community groups and international human rights defenders. Millivres Prowler Group are media partners for this year’s Equality Walk. To register for the Equality Walk, view: www.equalitywalk.org.uk
IDAHOBIT 2015 ON MAY 17 ) Brighton & Hove will mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on Sunday, May 17 with an event organised by the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum. May 17 commemorates the day in 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases. In 86 countries globally, homosexual acts are illegal, while in many countries lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those who identify as trans are often murdered simply for their sexuality or gender identity.
MARIA BAKER
Join the Safety Forum volunteers at New Steine Gardens and celebrate LGBT lives around the globe. An alfresco evening of LGBT excellence will include: Procession of the Rainbow Flag; a performance by The Rainbow Chorus; poetry from Alice Denny; live music with AJ Paterson; and a minute's 'noise' to remember the international victims of homo, bi and transphobic violence, so take along a whistle, horn, bell, tambourine, trombone etc to make some noise! Refreshments will be provided by the THT Outreach Service. Maria Baker, BME rep for the LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: "It is important to keep staging this event every year, to remind and educate people of the hurt that is caused by not understanding and accepting people all over the world, as they are and allowing them to live their lives free of fear and discrimination." IDAHOBIT 2015: A Celebration of LGBT Life takes place on New Steine Gardens, Kemptown, Brighton on Sunday, May 17 from 5-6pm. For more information about the LGBT Community Safety Forum, view: www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com
MEET OUR VOLUNTEERS ENJOY SOME TASTY FOOD! LU NC H PO S I T I V E ’ S 6 t h B I RT H DAY
FREE EVENT though donations are welcome! ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
BIG LUNCH ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
12 NOON UNTILL 3.30pm
) Lunch Positive are celebrating their 6th birthday on Saturday, June 6 and invite everyone to their outdoor celebration from noon in Dorset Gardens Peace Park next to Dorset Gardens Methodist Church. They’ll be setting up marquees with a picnic area
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager at Lunch Positive, said: “We’re inviting everyone in our community to come along, get together and share some good food and company. We do this every week for our members and as it’s our birthday we want to share the celebration more widely with our community, friends and supporters. “We hope you’ll join in with our birthday celebrations at this special event. It’s very informal! Just turn up, say hello, and enjoy yourself. We’re hoping for good weather and a sunny day!”
LUNCH POSITIVE SUNDAY LUNCH PILOT A SUCCESS ) Lunch Positive, the lunch club for those with HIV, has been running regular monthly Sunday lunches for people with HIV for the last six months, funded by the Rainbow Fund. The Sunday Lunch project has been a pilot over the autumn and winter months to give more opportunities for people with HIV to have social time together, get together who are more isolated share a meal and benefit from peer- and those who find coming to the support. weekly Friday sessions difficult, either because they are working or A Lunch Positive volunteer said: find larger gatherings too busy. “It’s been great to see faces return We’ve heard great feedback. It’s that we haven’t seen for a while also been very uplifting to see our spend more time getting to know volunteers excel – they’ve taken on people and hear how much getting every aspect of putting it together, together has helped. It’s also been and left me with little to do!” really enjoyable volunteering in a setting that’s socially intimate and "The project has been generously has helped us as a team”. supported by a team of volunteers from Metropolitan Community Church with great success, and Lunch Positive has also recruited six new permanent volunteers as a result." GARY PARGETER
Bethany added: "I’m thrilled to be hosting Stonewall’s Equality Walk this year – and look forward to meeting everyone on the day. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for beautiful Brighton sunshine and help raise vital funds to improve the lives of LGBT people!"
BETHANY BLACK
ALICYA EYO
Alicya said: "I’ve always been a big supporter of Stonewall and the important work that they do, and I'm really very proud to have become more involved with their work over the last year. The Equality Walk outwardly shows support for the LGBT community, and I'm delighted to be hosting this year along with Bethany Black. It’s vital that we continue to support Stonewall’s work helping to improve the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Britain and overseas as there is still a way to go in order to challenge and erase inequalities. So sign up for the walk, get fundraising and we’ll see you on May 10!"
EVERYONE WELCOME
serving hot foods, salads and soft drinks. There’s no charge, but donations are welcome. You’re welcome to bring along your own food or picnic and there’ll be tables and chairs.
Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager, added: “This pilot has been very successful, with around 20 people on average coming to each Sunday session. It’s been especially useful in helping people
“Thank you to the Rainbow Fund, MCC, our own volunteers and everyone who has come along – this has been a fantastic six months, and monthly Sunday Lunches will resume in the autumn this year.”
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LABOUR LAUNCH NATIONAL LGBT MANIFESTO IN BRIGHTON Labour's LGBT manifesto promises to transform access to mental health services for the next generation of LGBT people.
Gloria de Piero, Labour’s Shadow Equalities Minister, said: “As a country we have made huge strides towards equality in law and in life for LGBT people, and it is a source of huge pride that so many of these were delivered by Labour in government.
) Launching Labour’s LGBT manifesto Angela Eagle, Labour's Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, highlighted statistics showing nearly a quarter of LGB young people, and half of young trans people, have attempted suicide. She pledged that Labour will prioritise access to mental health services for young people, including those bullied because of their sexuality or gender identity and ensure teachers are equipped to identify problems early and link children up with support. She said that the extraordinary progress Britain has made on lesbian and gay rights over the last 20 years remains one of Labour’s proudest achievements, but was clear there is no room for complacency. She said: “I'm proud that over the 23 years I've been in parliament Labour has helped to deliver legal equality for LGBT people, but now we face a fight to make that equality a reality for every single LGBT person in our country. Too many LGBT young people are growing up scared and alone because they are bullied at school and don't have sufficient support when their mental health suffers.
“In government Labour will finish the job we started and ensure every LGBT person has the chance to achieve their ambitions free from prejudice and discrimination."
“But when so many LGBT young people still suffer discrimination and bullying we cannot be complacent. Labour will continue to drive forward progress with a plan to tackle homophobic bullying, strengthen the law on hate crime, improve access to mental health services for all and provide international leadership on LGBT rights.”
Angela was joined by Stephen Twigg, former Shadow Secretary of State for Education, entertainer Amy Lame, and the three local Labour candidates: Peter Kyle (Hove & Portslade), Purna Sen (Brighton Pavilion) and Nancy Platts (Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven) at Allsorts Youth Project, where she chatted with young people from the project, prior to the main manifesto launch at the Komedia.
LABOUR’S LGBT MANIFESTO PLEDGES FIVE PROMISES TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY TO DRIVE FORWARD PROGRESS: ) Tackle the discrimination that holds LGBT people back: Labour will strengthen the law on LGBT hate crime, undertake a review of gender identity law and policy and implement ‘Turing’s Law’ offering posthumous pardons to gay men convicted for homosexuality.
respect on LGBT rights globally, and review procedures for asylum seekers fleeing persecution for their sexuality or gender identity, to ensure the rules are upheld fairly and humanely.
) Accessible and supportive health services: With Labour, people will have an ) An education free from homophobia, equal right to mental health treatment including biphobia and transphobia: With Labour, talking therapies and they will work with the teachers will be equipped to tackle LGBT-phobic trans community to improve access to gender bullying, and we will introduce age-appropriate care services. compulsory sex and relationship education in all State-supported schools so that young people ) Fairer and more diverse representation in learn to respect each other’s relationships. public life: Labour will work to improve LGBT representation in Parliament and challenge ) Leadership on LGBT rights around the narrow representations of LGBT people across world: Labour will appoint the UK’s first public life. international envoy on LGBT rights to promote
GLORIA DE PIERO
LABOUR LGBT MANIFESTO LAUNCH: STEPHEN TWIGG, NANCY PLATTS, PETER KYLE, ANGELA EAGLE & PURNA SEN
The commitment forms part of a wider package of measures to tackle discrimination and promote positive representation for LGBT young people, including action on homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in schools, strengthening the law on hate crime and challenging narrow and prejudiced representations of LGBT people in public life.
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STONEWALL UNVEILS EQUALITY MANIFESTO AHEAD OF GENERAL ELECTION Statutory Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Sex and Relationships Education (SRE), combatting hate crime, a fairer international aid system and a review of trans laws top Stonewall's list of priorities. ) Stonewall, the LGBT equality charity, has published its equality manifesto ahead of the upcoming general election. The charity will be campaigning on four main pillars: 1. Statutory PSHE and SRE for primary and secondary schools in England. This includes talking about different types of families to make people aware of the diversity of family life. It also means ensuring that the issues facing LGBT young people are included across the board, including discussions around consent, abuse and online safety. Finally, Stonewall is calling on the next government to show its commitment to tackling homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying by ensuring all teachers are trained effectively. 2. Combatting homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime. This must be high priority, and should be added to the list of ‘aggravated’ offences alongside hate crime based on race or religion. The next government should spearhead a campaign that encourages LGBT people to report all incidences of hate crime; the notion that some incidents are not serious enough to report must be abolished. 3. International aid. The next government must develop initiatives to ensure aid reaches LGBT people across the world. It should encourage its partners to embed LGBT equality into the way they plan and deliver aid, with the support of LGBT people in their countries, and it should make specific funding available for LGBT groups to achieve social change.
RUTH HUNT
4. Reviewing the laws affecting trans people. Across the UK, trans people have to fight for the right to be themselves, often struggling with a legal system that doesn’t make that easy. That’s why we’re asking all candidates to commit to reviewing laws affecting trans people, including the Gender Recognition Act, to ensure that all trans people are treated as equal citizens with equal rights. Ruth Hunt, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: "A lot has been achieved during this parliament; however the biggest risk now is that huge achievements in legal equality may result in complacency. Legal equality is not enough by itself; we need to encourage our candidates to help change hearts and minds in their communities in order to achieve social equality ‘Equality must sit at the heart of the political agenda, and we will call out any instances of homophobia, biphobia or transphobia that we see from any political party or candidate. We must not be bystanders. With just weeks to go until the election, the political parties should be thinking long and hard about how they can help us fight for a world where every LGBT person can be themselves, and be safe, every day." Stonewall is encouraging supporters to share their stories directly with local candidates, as well as encouraging candidates to stand up publically and show their support for equality in their constituencies. To download the full Stonewall manifesto, and for more information on how to contact your local candidates, view: www.stonewall.org.uk/election ) Gscene asked Parliamentary candidates standing in Brighton & Hove for their position on Stonewall’s Manifesto and future funding for the Sussex Beacon. To read their responses online view the election supplement at http://gscene.com/election-special/
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THT URGES FUTURE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE FOUR KEY CHANGES ON HIV POLICY ) Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is calling on the next government to introduce four key measures that can help improve the lives of people living with HIV and can help turn the tide against the HIV epidemic. The national sexual health charity asked its members, who include those affected by HIV, their views on what matters to them, which has informed the four key changes that it, and others in the sector, would like the next government to make following the election in May.
DR ROSEMARY GILLESPIE
These include: 1. Introduce, in the first session of a new UK Parliament, compulsory Sex and Relationships Education for all schools, which is inclusive of young people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and which has appropriate sexual health and HIV content. 2. Make HIV prevention a national public health priority, with effective funding, more varied testing options and access to the full range of prevention information and choices for all who need them. 3. End HIV stigma in health and social care settings through the training of all NHS and care staff. 4. Commit to the Disability Benefits Consortium’s Five Things You And Your Party Can Do For Disabled People, to help ensure that people affected by HIV-related sickness or disability have the support they need. Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive at THT, said: “With more than 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK, we are determined to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear as election day approaches on May 7. By acting on these key issues the next government could dramatically reduce both HIV transmission, and the stigma and discrimination that so many of those with HIV face. No one can afford to be complacent. We urge voters to challenge candidates on these areas before the election, and hold them to account after they have been elected.”
DR ROSEMARY GILLESPIE
THT have sent out a briefing HIV in the UK – What You Need To Know – to all parliamentary candidates. As well as the call to action, it provides future MPs with all the facts and figures they need to know about HIV in the UK.
THE HALLOWEEN HORROR SHOW 2015 LAUNCH PARTY IS A ‘GRAND’ AFFAIR ) The Grand Hotel in Brighton recently hosted a party to launch The Halloween Horror Show 2015. The event, which will take place on Saturday, October 31, will be raising funds for the Sussex Beacon, the Brighton-based charity offering specialist care and support to men, women and families affected by HIV. The theme of the event, which also takes place at the Grand Hotel Brighton, was revealed as Haunted Hollywood and organisers announced that half the tables had already been sold for the main event in October. However, the identity of the host, who will play the role of an old film director, remains a closely guarded secret.
SIMON DOWE & DAVID HILL, E3 GROUP
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£1.2million it needs to keep its services running. Guests at the main event will enjoy a night of entertainment whilst tucking in to a three-course Grand Halloween feast followed by dancing until the early hours. The launch party was attended by the Mayor Elect of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Lynda Hyde, as well as representatives from many local businesses. Guests enjoyed a sneak preview of the events’ entertainment, plus drinks and canapés.
During the launch, guests heard the testimony of a HIV positive woman who has benefited from the Sussex Beacon’s services. Simon Dowe, CEO at the Sussex Beacon, said: “Hearing about the impact that a positive HIV diagnoses can have on a person’s life from someone who has experienced it is a powerful message. At the Sussex Beacon we work to support people affected by HIV physically, emotionally and socially to help them live independent and healthy lives”.
The Sussex Beacon is working with leading entertainment design agency the E3 Group to produce the fundraising ball. The E3 Group were responsible for the production of last year’s event which raised over £20,000 for the charity.
The Halloween Horror Show 2015 will help the Sussex Beacon to raise the
For more info or to buy tickets, view: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk/halloween
Simon Kirby, Conservative candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, said: “As a long-term supporter of people with HIV/AIDS and a Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS, I commend the work of THT and their four key changes on national HIV policy. If re-elected, I shall continue to ensure that HIV/AIDS remains on the political agenda and would hope to see progress on these issues.” This is part of a cross-sector campaign, with National AIDS Trust and HIV Scotland joining the call for the new government to take action on Sex and Relationships Education, HIV prevention for England and a stigma-free NHS. For more information, view: www.tht.org.uk
SUSSEX BEACON RECRUITING RECEPTION VOLUNTEERS ) The Sussex Beacon are looking for volunteers who enjoy dealing with people and would like to volunteer to work on their reception, and support various departments such as Fundraising and Finance with administration activities. Reception activities will include: meeting and greeting people, dealing with telephone calls, putting callers through to the correct department, taking messages and making visitors feel welcome. Administrative activities may include: filing, photocopying, envelope stuffing and basic computer work. For more information and to complete an application form view: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk/volunteer
HEALTH MINISTER VISITS SUSSEX BEACON ) Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, paid a visit to the Sussex Beacon with Simon Kirby, the Conservative candidate for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven. During the visit Mr Hunt was shown round the Beacon's in-patient unit, had tea with Beacon supporters and volunteers and answered questions from local media. Asked about his government’s commitment to HIV prevention and sex education in schools, he said: “I’m proud of our record working with the gay community. The whole
centre of gravity in the NHS has to move more towards prevention rather than cure and helping people to live well.” Mr Hunt went on to praise the Sussex Beacon and the work it delivers: “Places like the Sussex Beacon, with their holistic approach, offers lessons for those caring for people with other chronic conditions such as diabetes. The success of this place was that it wasn’t dreamt up by a minister in Whitehall but was created and developed by the local communities.”
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DANNY TO POUND THE STREETS FOR CANINE PARTNERS
NEW LGBTU GROUP AT BRIGHTON HOUSING TRUST
) Fundraiser Danny Dwyer will be turning his attention to animals later in the
) Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) is running a new LGBTU group to provide support and encourage friendship for the Brighton & Hove LGBTU community who are clients of BHT or who are homeless, living in temporary accommodation or ‘sofa surfing’.
covering LGBTU life, hate crime reporting, sexual health, life skills and lots more. These workshops are designed to help tackle the increasing issue of social isolation and discrimination from within the LGBTU community.
The group is held at First Base in Montpelier Place every second Wednesday from 5–7pm. There are lots of different activities including cooking groups, LGBTU film nights, quizzes and much more. They provide a safe environment where LGBTU people who feel vulnerable can be who they want to be without feeling judged or ostracised. Dedicated to empowering people, the group hosts a number of different workshop sessions
The LGBTU group are also planning a theatre production. The play will describe how people have come to embrace their sexuality and how homelessness has affected their ability to feel part of the LGBTU community as a whole.
year in his attempt to raise £2,000 for assistance dog charity Canine Partners. Canine Partners is a registered charity that helps people with disabilities enjoy greater independence and quality of life through the provision of specially trained dogs, whose well-being is a key consideration. These life-transforming dogs also provide practical, physiological, psychological and social benefits, including increased independence and confidence as well as improved motivation and self-esteem. A canine partner also brings companionship and a sense of security and increases social interaction. Danny, 39, has signed up to the Bright10 Canine Partners team and will take part in the new 10-mile race on Sunday, October 18. The money Danny raises will enable the charity to train more assistance dogs, transforming the lives of people with disabilities.
For more information, contact the LGBTU group via Travis Cox on 01273 326844 or Isla Mackintosh on 01273 929392
A HOT DATE FOR YOUR DIARY ) Dance ya tits off for the Rainbow Fund at GRRR!!, hosted by Brighton Bear Weekender at Subline on Saturday, May 16.
Canine Partners, which is based near Midhurst, trains dogs to perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, undressing, pressing buttons, retrieving items, unloading washing machines, taking cards and cash from ATMs and other everyday tasks that disabled people find difficult, painful or impossible to perform for themselves. Danny, an experienced runner, has taken part in numerous running events during the past four years, said: “I am running in memory of my dog Nero, who unfortunately passed away in December. I was signing up for the run and came across the option to run for Canine Partners, and I thought it was a fantastic coincidence. I had found the right charity at the right time to raise money for. The more I learn about the charity the more amazing I think it is. I just love what they do in changing people’s lives for the better.”
This night of dirty, sexy, funky house music to make you wanna GRRRoove on the dance floor features DJ Josh The Barber, who provides funky house music, to kickstart the upcoming, Brighton Bear Weekend main event in June. Doors open 9pm, dance till 4am. Half of the door money goes to the Rainbow Fund. £3 members/£5 non-members. Get down and dirty at GRRR!!
BRIGHTON BEAR WEEKENDER 2015
Canine Partners, formed in 1990, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and has successfully partnered 530 assistance dogs across the UK to date. These amazing dogs have changed the lives of those they are helping, restoring independence, giving family members peace of mind, allowing disabled partners to return to work and even saving lives by responding to emergencies.
) The south coast's legendary fun-packed bear weekend returns from Friday, June 19 - Sunday, June 21, featuring a varied line up of events over three days. There is a special Quiz Night at the Camelford Arms on Thursday, June 18 to get the weekend rolling. For a full list of events, view: http://brightonbearweekender.co.uk/events/
More than 1.2 million people in the UK use a wheelchair, and a significant number of them would benefit from a canine partner. The dogs are carefully matched to the applicant’s needs and lifestyle, no matter how challenging. They are trained to help with everyday tasks such as opening and shutting doors, unloading the washing machine, picking up dropped items, pressing buttons and switches and getting help in an emergency. The charity is working in partnership with Help for Heroes, and aims to train dogs to meet the needs of people with even the most complex disabilities, including members of HM Armed Forces.
For full details of merchandise available from the online shop, view: http://brightonbearweekender.co.uk/shop/ !
Canine Partners receives no government funding and is wholly dependent on public donations and legacies. To sponsor Danny, view: http://bright10.co.uk To register to run the Bright10 race with Canine Partners, view: www.caninepartners.org.uk or call Holly on: 01730 716013
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BRIAN RALFE 1945 - 2015 He promoted cabaret all over the south of England, was a sandwich shop owner, a popular taxi driver and somehow found time to stand as a councillor at local elections for both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats and stood as an Independent candidate at the elections in 2010.
) I never imagined I would be sitting here writing about the life and death of my friend Brian Ralph aka Vera. It came as an awful shock receiving a phone call asking for the name of Brian's next of kin. It was unreal. Vera was dead! It can't be true that the outgoing, larger-than-life, sometimes outrageous pain in the arse and irascible camp old queen who at times drove me round the bend was gone, dead, no... never! Of course, as I and the many people who shared his life now know it was true. Brian was found dead in his hotel bed while on holiday in Hurghada, Egypt on the morning of March 10. He died from a heart attack. Brian, one of six children, was immensely proud of being born and bred in Brighton. His father was a rag and bone man and his mother worked in a fish mongers. During his 70 years, he worked as an impresario, and promoted Dorothy Squires' last ever show at the Brighton Dome on March 17, 1990. He served on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, HMS Engadine, during the Falklands conflict in 1982 and supplied munitions during the first Gulf War. In 2012 he paid an emotional visit back to the Falklands, 30 years after the conflict, to remember those who lost their lives serving Queen and country.
I hadn't seen him for a number of years when 14 years ago I got a call from him asking me to write, direct and appear in the Adult Panto in Brighton at the Pavilion Theatre. I thought about it for three seconds before saying yes! The rest as they say is history. I wrote the first show Carry on Dick Whittington featuring an unknown Miss Jason, the fabulous Phil Star, David Raven, Lola Lasagne, Pooh la May, Paul McCarthy and myself. We played for six performances, this year we played 22 performances firmly establishing the Brian Ralfe adult panto as part of the annual Brighton scene. You’d find Brian most days holding court at Topolinos Restaurant in Hove. He had a big heart and raised tens of thousands of pounds for local and national charities with the help of his many showbiz friends including June Brown, Polly Perkins, Laila Morse, Chris Ellison, Michael Jayston and the cast past and present of the adult panto. Brian will be sorely missed by his brothers and sisters Phyllis, Rodney, Alan and Julie, his wider gay family and friends, and for us his panto family the show will go on. God bless you Brian and rest in peace. Lee Tracey
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LGBT CHOIR FESTIVAL RECEIVES FUNDING BOOST
EASTER BONNET PARADE & DRAG QUEEN RACES
) The Hand In Hand LGBT Choir Festival, taking place from June 12-14, has received a huge boost in national recognition. Firstly, the National Lottery's Big Lottery Fund has agreed to provide a significant grant to support the event and Co-Operative Funeralcare have agreed to get on board as the headline sponsor.
) The Bedford Tavern raised a massive £2,000.45 for the Sussex Beacon at the Easter Sunday Bonnet Parade and Drag Queen races they organised with the Grosvenor Bar. Well done to everyone involved!
The team organising the Hand In Hand Festival, made up of members from both Brighton Gay Men's Chorus and Rainbow Chorus, said: “We sent up a collective cheer when we heard about the supportive offers from both the Lottery and Co-Operative Funeralcare. The Hand In Hand Festival will be the largest event of its kind to have been held in this charismatic and diverse city, putting Brighton & Hove once again firmly on the national stage. Over a year in the planning, this additional financial support should help us deliver exactly the type of event we have been hoping too!” Twenty-five LGBT choirs from all over the UK & Ireland have already registered to attend including from Manchester, London, Bristol and Southampton. Over 400 individual delegates have also registered so far. With a maximum of 500 delegate places available, they are selling out fast!
The local community in Brighton & Hove can get involved in showing their support for this exciting event by attending the fabulous Hand In Hand LGBT Choir Festival Concert put on by a number of the choirs at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 13, in Brighton Dome Concert Hall. Songs performed will range from classical and traditional music through to chart topping gay anthems. It's all for a good cause, the choirs will be helping raise funds for a number of local charities, including the Sussex Beacon and Lunch Positive. The Hand In Hand LGBT Choir Festival Concert is at the Dome, Church Street Brighton on Saturday, June 13 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10/£14/£17. To book, call: 01273 709709.
CALLING ALL ARTISTS! ) Are you a Sussex-based artist, designer, illustrator or photographer? Brunswick Town Art Fair are looking for local creative types to take part in Brunswick Town Art Fair 2015. The fourth Brunswick Town Art Fair takes place on Sunday, June 28 in the historic Regency setting of Brunswick Square Gardens, Hove. The fair is the city’s only outdoor summer event that showcases the work of local artists in an extensive exhibition of work, including: painting, illustration, photography, sculpture, jewellery and ceramics. Admission is free for visitors and all work on show is for sale. Apply for an application form by emailing: brunswicktownartfair@outlook.com
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DR BRIGHTONS RAISE OVER £3,500 FOR RAINBOW FUND ) Charles Child, the owner of Doctor Brightons bar, hands a cheque to Chris Gull, the chair of the Rainbow Fund, for £3,687.46p. The money was raised during the last 12 months by selling shots, small weekend fundraising initiatives and at Dr Brightons’ annual birthday parties.
WESSEX WYVERNS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB LAUNCH NEW KIT AT THE LONDON HOTEL Portsmouth, Southampton and Basingstoke and open to members from all over. Rugby is a game for all shapes and sizes, and one look at Rugby has never had so many Wessex Wyverns RFC shows they LGBT role-models. A former Wales, embody that mantra. British and Irish Lions captain Wessex Wyverns have already in Gareth Thomas and a current proved worthy opponents, winning top line referee in Nigel Owens to against some very notable teams, name but two. Then there are including Kings Cross Steelers, people like Ben Cohen, a World Cup winner, who tirelessly supports Cardiff Lions and Bristol Bisons. They have quickly built a great the LGBT community. reputation for being a great team. But whilst inclusive gay teams have On Sunday, May 3, the Wessex popped up all across the world Wyverns will launch their new kit at since the Kings Cross Steelers The London Hotel, 2 Terminus formation in London in 1995, the south coast seemed to lag behind. Terrace, Southampton. Everyone is welcome to go along and check That is now a thing of the past! out the beefcake at around 7.30pm. Wessex Wyverns RFC have For more information, view: arrived, a team based in www.wyvernsrfc.uk Southampton currently boasting players from Bournemouth,
) Tight shorts, sweaty men and hard tackles. Sounds like a gay man’s dream!
ZOE LYONS
Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, said: “We’re very pleased to accept this donation of well over £3,500 raised by Dr Brightons this year. This is a spectacular amount for a small venue to raise, and will be put to good use immediately in our Spring Grants Round. On behalf of the local volunteer-led LGBT and HIV groups who'll benefit we'd like to thank the customers and staff of Dr Brightons for their hard work in raising this amount of money.” Zoe Lyons, Rainbow Fund Patron, added: “With continued austerity and cuts to services it’s more important than ever that the Rainbow Fund is here to support the essential services these small LGBT/HIV groups provide for the Brighton & Hove LGBT community. These small groups make a big difference to people’s lives.” Charles Chld, concluded: “I chose to raise money for the Rainbow Fund because through their independent grants programme they make sure that the money goes to organisations with the most need. It is the fairest way to guarantee that smaller groups who provide such great services don't get squeezed during the present cutbacks.”
YOUR LGBT CLUB NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK!
STEVE JONES
) Bar and Club Revenge are asking customers for feedback on their experience at both venues as they look to make some ‘big changes’ in the months ahead. Revenge, the South Coast’s biggest LGBT club, will draw one lucky person from everyone who fills out the survey to win over £500 worth of prizes which includes: • A VIP night out at Bar & Club Revenge for 10 people including 10 shooters, the VIP booth at the bar & club and a bottle of champagne • Free entry to Revenge for 12 months! (excludes special nights & ticketed events) • 4 x VIP tickets to Shakedown Festival 2015 - www.Shakedown.co.uk • 4 x tickets to the sold-out #AAAgirls at Revenge on Friday, May 8 Steve Jones, Revenge promoter, said: “We’ve had a great last 12 months but here at Revenge we’re committed to making improvements across the board to make sure people’s experience here is the best possible one. Internally we are discussing some pretty big changes, but what’s really important is that people give us some honest feedback on the bar and club - from the staff, to the music, to the prices; anything and everything! We really do listen so please take advantage of this opportunity and make your voice heard!” To fill out the short survey, view: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Revenge2015
DIVERSITY GAMES - BLAGSS BRIGHTON PRIDE OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT ) What is your golfing handicap? Join the friendly LGBT golfers at the BLAGSS Brighton Pride Open Golf Tournament during the first Pride Diversity Games, sponsored by Legal & General.
1. BLAGSS Golf Pride Open Championship Shield for those with a Congu handicap. 2. BLAGSS Rainbow Challenge Shield for those with a Society handicap. 3. BLAGSS Brighton Pride Team Competition.
The championship will take place at Hollingbury Park Golf Course, Ditchling Road, Brighton, on Saturday, July 18. There will be three competitions running alongside each other. Both the Championship Shield and Rainbow Challenge Shield have a men’s and a women’s section.
Registration to play is £35 (includes egg or bacon roll, coffee and prizes) For more information and to register, email: golf@blagss.org
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MARTIN FISHER R.I.P. ) Professor Martin Fisher, one of the world’s leading HIV physicians and specialists, passed away on Monday April 20. Martin, who was the first professor of HIV medicine at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, was an honorary consultant physician in sexual health and HIV at Brighton and Sussex University Hospital (BSUH) and was instrumental in the development of the HIV department there since being appointed in 1995. All staff and colleagues at BSUH received the following message announcing Martin's death: “It’s with terrible sadness that we’re writing to share the devastating news with you that our dear colleague and friend, Professor Martin Fisher, passed away unexpectedly last night. We know how hard this news will be for some of you to hear as it has been for us. Our thoughts are with his partner Adrian, close friends and colleagues in the Lawson Unit, Elton John Unit and across the Trust as well as at the university. We know that his colleagues in the Lawson Unit have sent out a message to his patients who’ll be equally devastated. In his hugely successful career he’s worked with many of us and his influence and legacy will remain with us for years to come. Martin was so much more than a colleague to many of us and he’ll be missed very much.” All of Martin’s patients received the following message by email from the Lawson Unit: “Today we received some devastating news and it’s with terrible sadness that we’re writing to share this with you. We heard from his partner this morning that our friend and colleague Professor Martin Fisher died suddenly and unexpectedly. We know how hard this news will be for some of you to hear and we hope you will forgive us telling you by email but we wanted to do our utmost to ensure you heard it directly from us first. As you can imagine we’re all in shock as we know you will be too, if you knew him. Martin was so much more than a colleague to all of us and so much more than a doctor to many of you, and we’ll all miss him terribly. Over the next few weeks and months we will find fitting and appropriate ways to remember Martin and pay tribute to the enormous contribution he made to our services and to his patients.” Martin was due to give two presentations at the British HIV Association Spring Conference (BHIVA) in Brighton on Tuesday, April 21-24. The BHIVA issued the following statement to all its members, saying: “It’s with great sadness that we announce the death of Professor Martin Fisher. BHIVA expresses its deepest condolences to Martin’s partner Adrian, his friends, family and colleagues. We shall all miss him greatly.” Dr Rosemary Gillespie, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We’re really sad to learn about the death of our friend and colleague Professor Martin Fisher. He did incredibly important work in the field of HIV and sexual health for two decades in Brighton. Martin treated many of our clients from our Brighton centre and his legacy will continue. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Martin’s partner Adrian, his friends, family and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.” Gary Pargeter, Volunteer Project Manager at Lunch Positive, said: “Lunch Positive trustees and volunteers, together with our members, are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Professor Martin Fisher and we share our heartfelt condolences with Martin’s partner, family, friends and colleagues. His commitment to HIV care, development of services, together with the supportive relationships he formed with people he knew have made an indelible impact on individuals and our community. Affectionately well known and appreciated by so many people he will be missed greatly.” Mike Nelson, Chair of Peer Action said: “Martin was one of the worlds leading HIV consultants, a founding member of BHIVA and well respected by colleagues and patients alike. HIV services in Brighton owe him a great debt. Our thoughts are with his partner Adrian, family, friends and colleagues." Simon Dowe, CEO at the Sussex Beacon, said: “Our deepest sympathy goes to the friends, family and colleagues of Professor Martin Fisher. Martin worked tirelessly in the field of HIV and was a leading UK HIV physician and researcher. His contribution in this area is outstanding and he’ll be greatly missed by everyone at The Sussex Beacon.” Gscene reader, Karl Thomas, said: “I've just heard that the man who has managed my health care and kept me going for the last 15 years died suddenly yesterday. He was an absolute champion and gave so much of himself to all of us he cared for. He was more than my consultant he was a wonderful man who I loved sharing scuba diving stories with.” Once funeral arrangements have been announced they’ll be posted on www.gscene.com
PETER LINDARS R.I.P. ) Peter Lindars, the popular landlord and owner of the Iron Duke Bar and Hotel in Waterloo Street, Hove, passed away during the early hours of Monday, April 20. Peter was a great supporter and friend to the Actually Gay Men's Chorus and had worked with them and helped them since they took up home in St Andrew’s Church in Hove. Everyone at Gscene sends their deepest condolences to his partner Greg, friends, family and colleagues at the Iron Duke.
Details of Peter’s funeral arrangements will be posted on the Gscene website once they have been finalised.
OLDER & OUT MAY SOCIAL ) Older & Out will be holding their next social on Friday, May 9 from 1-3pm at the Somerset Day Centre in Kemptown. Older & Out is a social group for older LGBT people. There is no need to book, just turn up, introduce yourself and tuck into some lunch. CRAIG HANLON-SMITH
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A talk will be given by Craig Hanlon-Smith who has performed extensively in Fringe Theatre including writing, producing and performing work at both the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals with Continuum Productions. During the past 15 years he has taught a wide range of theatre skills in both Further and Higher Education across London and the South East, including directing student work at The Academy of Creative Training in Brighton. Craig has written a monthly column for Brighton-based Gscene magazine for more than 10 years in support of and sometimes challenging the LGBT
community. He is currently working with MadEdTheatre on two projects: Where Butterflies Go: a verbatim theatre piece examining the challenges faced by the older LGBT community; and My Brothers and Sisters, a Theatre In Education piece addressing the perceived radicalisation of young people. Craig is also working on his own project, 28 Days Clear, and is in the process of recruiting volunteers from the older LGBT community who wish to share stories from their past, present and future in preparation for Where Butterflies Go, which is due to go into production for the Brighton and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals in 2016.
Older & Older meet at the Somerset Day Centre, 62 St James's Street, Brighton, on Friday, May 8 from 1pm-3pm. The centre is on the ground floor and is fully wheelchair accessible. Take any bus going up St James’s Street, alight at the bus stop opposite St Mary’s Church, cross the road and the day centre is on the left past the church. For more information, call: 01273 699000
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SAMARITANS NIGHT OWLS CAMPAIGN This spring sees the launch of Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans’ Night Owls campaign. ) The purpose of the Samaritans Night Owls campaign is to recruit more volunteers to take part in the night-time shifts. Often seen as the most unsociable hours to volunteer your precious time, it is also one of the most rewarding.
of my toughest and most rewarding calls have been during these shifts.” Samaritans’ aim is to ensure that callers are not kept waiting for a response and can get through first time to someone ready to listen. This support would not be possible without dedicated volunteers who come from a huge cross-section of the community and are represented by all age groups. Many of volunteers find that night shifts fit into their schedules easier than day shifts. Duncan agrees, “I tend to do shifts late on a Friday or Saturday night, or early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. This works well, as it doesn't interfere with my Monday to Friday job, and means I still have a full weekend to play!” John has been with Samaritans for 20 years and is now retired. He says: “Night shifts have always been difficult to fill and since I’m able to do them without worrying about work it seems reasonable to volunteer for them. I also have the satisfaction that I’m helping to keep the centre open to our callers at night. Statistically, the phones are busiest during the night so we reach more callers and also the time passes quicker.”
‘Catherine’, branch volunteer, explains why: “These are the calls from people who have absolutely come to the end of the road by themselves. They can’t sleep because they’re so troubled. There is no extraneous noise in the middle of the night; people are alone with their problems. I often feel that by just being there to listen, I might have helped.” Having someone to turn to at any time of the day or night is of principal importance to Samaritans and the support that Night Owls volunteers offer is extremely significant to the organisation as a whole. Brighton, Hove and District Samaritans have every reason to be proud of their achievement in keeping the centre running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a 20% increase of calls, on average, every night and many of these calls are from people experiencing suicidal thoughts. ‘Duncan’, a volunteer for the past nine years, says: “I've always found night-time and early hours of the morning shifts particular special. These are times when many other organisations are unavailable, and often when our callers can feel most alone and in need of support. Some
The lack of sleep doesn’t seem to be a problem to John either. He continued: “Volunteers with work and family commitments may find it tricky but since I am retired I have the opportunity to have a lie in when I get back home. I can sleep anywhere at anytime!” Jean, also a retired volunteer, added: “I have quite a busy life even though I am retired but I like the flexibility of covering urgent shift substitutions. It leaves me free to go away more often and at short notice when I’m not tied into shifts planned in advance.”
“Samaritans’ aim is to ensure that callers are not kept waiting for a response and can get through first time to someone ready to listen” It’s not just the retired volunteers who manage to fit night shifts into their routines. Simon, a university student says; “Some weeks at uni are busier than others but I usually manage to fit in a couple of anti-social shifts in a month. During the holidays I do more. I tried sleeping before a shift a couple of times, but I feel better if I just stay up, do my shift and sleep later.” Travelling to the centre is made easier by the complimentary taxi facility provided to members who undertake shifts between 12pm and 6am. At the moment the Brighton, Hove & District branch has around 180 volunteers providing a round-the-clock telephone helpline for distressed and suicidal callers. This includes listening volunteers, who undertake training to provide emotional support, and support volunteers who also receive some basic Samaritans training and help with all the other tasks that keep the service running. Without these volunteers, Samaritans would not exist. Volunteers don’t need any formal qualifications or previous experience to become a Samaritan. They just need to be a good listener, to be reliable and eager to make a difference. Information events for prospective volunteers are held regularly.
samaritans If you would like to find out more about joining Samaritans then please ) call: 01273 772277 ) or send an email to: volunteering@brightonsamaritans.org ) or just drop into the Brighton & Hove branch: Dubarry House, Newtown Road, Hove, BN3 6AE.
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PEER ACTION MAY DIARY BRIGHTON GMC FUNDRAISER FRI 1ST/SAT 2ND At St Bartholomew’s Church, Ann St, Brighton BN1 4GP
BENT DOUBLE: SUN 3RD
meet 18.45 for 19.00 At the Komedia, 44-47 Gardner St, Brighton
SWIMMING: FRI 1ST/8TH/15TH/22ND/29TH 10:45 ALSO TUE 5TH/12TH/19TH/26TH 12:30 At Kemptown Swimming Centre, Eastern Rd, Brighton
YOGA: TUE 5TH/12TH/19TH/26TH 17.45 MEDITATION: TUE 12TH/26TH 19.15 (after Yoga) At Hampshire Lodge, Upper St James’ St, Brighton
HOLISTIC THERAPIES: SUN 10TH 13.50 ONWARDS At the Sussex Beacon, 10 Bevendean Rd, Brighton, BN2 4DE ALSO SAT 23RD 13.50 ONWARDS at THT, 61 Ship St, Brighton
HEAVER CASTLE: SUN 17TH 9.45 for 10.00 departure EUROVISION NIGHT: SAT 23RD 19.00 At the Camelford Arms, Camelford St, Brighton
GAMES NIGHT: WED 27TH 19.30 At the Barley Mo Pub, Kemptown, Brighton Peer Action is a group for all those affected by HIV and provides a range of holistic and social activities to help break down the isolation, build new friendships and share interesting experiences. We’re looking for volunteers to help trustees with some day-to-day tasks that keep Peer Action running. Help out as little or as much as you want, sharing your time with fellow peers is extremely rewarding, worthwhile and fun. If you’re interested, please reply to: peeractionmail@gmail.com For info about events see: www.peeraction.co.uk Or our f Facebook page: www.facebook.com/peeraction
The LGBT Community Safety Forum is an independent group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans* (LGBT) volunteers in Brighton & Hove. For more info visit: lgbt-help.com
A CELEBRATION OF LGBT LIFE IN RECOGNITION OF
IDAHOBIT
*
Join us as we celebrate LGBT lives around the globe. An alfresco evening of LGBT excellence including: A performance by The
Rainbow Chorus Poetry from Alice Denny Live music with AJ Paterson 5PM
TILL
6PM
SUNDAY 17TH MAY NEW STEINE GARDENS BRIGHTON For more information and an updated list of guest performers visit
www.lgbt-help.com/events/idahobit *International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia Transphobia B RI G H TO N & H O V E
LGBT COMMUNITY GROUPS NETWORK
Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum is is a member of The LGBT Community Groups Network and funded by the Rainbow Fund and Safer in Sussex
GRASSROOTS TEAM (L-R) TIFFANY ANSARI, ALEX HARVEY, CHRIS BROWN, MIRANDA FROST & GUS CAMPBELL
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“In the last few years Brighton & Hove has seen local suicide rates go back up to nearly double the average for the rest of England” business people are no different. Together we can help make our city safer from suicide.” Tackling suicide is a huge problem everywhere, with well over 6,000 registered suicides in people older than 15 this year so far. In the last few years Brighton & Hove has seen local suicide rates go back up to nearly double the average for the rest of England.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT SUICIDE Grassroots Suicide Prevention charity launch a new campaign to tackle the concerning situation regarding suicide rates in Brighton & Hove. ) Brighton, often referred to as ‘London-ByThe-Sea’, is famously liberal, the LGBT capital of the UK and the number one location for a weekend away. It has also been named as one of the best cities in the UK to live on numerous occasions and was recently listed as one of the best cities to visit in Europe. What is not so well known however, is that Brighton & Hove’s suicide rate is nearly twice as high as the average for the South East and England as a whole. Grassroots Suicide Prevention are a Brighton charity who work on a whole community approach to ensure that suicide is not just prevented at the time, but the means are in place to ensure that the future is safer too. They have a solution to open up the channels of communication around suicide and help to reduce these worrying statistics in Brighton & Hove, around the UK and the entire planet. The plan includes training for businesses in Brighton & Hove so that their staff are given the skills to prevent suicide and most importantly are prepared to talk about it. The charity have perfected training for businesses. It is a unique scheme which will help employees who are thinking about suicide, colleagues who are worried about someone and employers who want to provide the best working environment for their staff.
They have developed a pledge for Brighton & Hove businesses to sign to show their support for the campaign and are also compiling data about how suicide in the workplace is handled currently. So far the survey has shown that over 30% of businesses in Brighton & Hove have been impacted by suicide and are aware that 2040% of their employees are experiencing mental health problems in the workplace (eg depression, anxiety, psychosis). Their goal is to have 100 businesses signed up to their pledge by World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. This campaign is part of Grassroots' ground-breaking initiative to develop Brighton & Hove as an internationally recognised 'suicide safer city.' Chris Brown, director of Grassroots Suicide Prevention, said: “Brighton & Hove has a very high suicide rate and we want to work with local businesses to change that. Businesses are uniquely placed to reach out to their staff and colleagues who might be thinking of suicide. Most people who die by suicide are of working age and many will be in employment. "By signing up to this pledge companies can be more aware of the needs of colleagues who might be struggling with difficult feelings and be able to offer some support and information about where to go for help. One in 20 of us consider suicide in a 2-week period and
The average number of registered suicides of people over 15 in Brighton & Hove was 105 deaths in 2013. This is 12.9% of deaths per 100,000 people and far higher than the UK average which is 8.8%. (The statistics for suicides take years to collate due to the nature of Coroner’s Courts so any data Grassroots Suicide Prevention have to work with is always two years behind.) For a small city such as Brighton & Hove to be considerably higher than Manchester, Birmingham or London is a worrying situation and the first step to changing this is to open up the channels of discussion. Martin Harris, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Bus Company, said: "The work carried out by Grassroots Suicide Prevention is vital in helping challenge stigma attached to suicide and to help raise awareness of mental health issues that can affect anyone at anytime. Grassroots makes a valuable contribution in helping our community and we look to support this work in whichever ways we can." Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 with 78% of all suicides being committed by men. We spend on average 50 hours a week at work so, whether we like it or not, our occupation is a significant part of our lives. This is not to say that an employer is the cause of a potential suicide but that it is an ideal opportunity to reach out and be trained to deal with preventing suicide. Stopping someone attempting suicide conjures up images of talking someone down from a ledge or a heroic last minute save like we see in Hollywood movies but in reality it’s mostly very different.
suicide prevention ) If you’re worried about someone or feel that your business could benefit from this training, please go to: http://preventsuicide.org.uk/talk_to_us_pledge.html ) Find out more about suicide prevention: www.prevent-suicide.org.uk
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Responsive Web Design that’s user friendly and works great on all devices
Brand New Responsive Website starting from: info@bessi.co.uk
ÂŁ399
www.bessi.co.uk
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QUEENS ARMS
BULLDOG
QUEENS ARMS
BULLDOG
LEGENDS
LEGENDS
PROWLER CELEBRATE 10 YEARS IN THE VILLAGE
LEGENDS
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
CLUB REVENGE
BAR BROADWAY
BAR BROADWAY
BAR REVENGE
BAR BROADWAY
DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
CAMELFORD ARMS
BLUE PRINT YOUTH AWARDS IN WORTHING
CAMELFORD ARMS
GSCENE 27
28 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM A BAR + BAR BROADWAY
MAY
LISTINGS
A-BAR
BAR BROADWAY
) 11-12 Marine Parade, BN2 1TL, 01273 696691, www.abarbrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Sun–Thur 12pm–12am, Fri & Sat 12pm–2am ) FOOD Mon–Sat & Sunday roasts 12–8pm (last orders 7.30pm).
) 10 Steine Street, BN10 8GA, Tel: 01273 609777, www.barbroadway.co.uk ) OPEN Sun-Thur 1pm-1am; Fri & Sat 1pm-3am; Bank Hol Mondays 1pm-3am ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Brighton is hosting Eurovision again for the first time since 1974! Well kind of - Bar Broadway does all things Eurovision in the week leading up to the contest from Sun (17) till the big finale in Vienna on Sat (23). On Sun (17) at 8.30pm with an exclusive performance from the UK's Eurovision representative in 2000, Nicki French, sings her UK entry, Don't Play that Song Again along with other Eurovision songs and her hit version of Total Eclipse Of The Heart. The Gods upstairs are hosting the Festival Fringe shows, with a different performer each lunchtime doing their own take on Eurovision. On Tue (19) and Thur (21) get acquainted with this year’s Eurovision at the semi-finals shown on the gilded screens. On Sat (23), Bar Broadway dispenses with the Norton commentary and brings their own special brand of Eurovision hosting with Tabitha Wild and Eurovision geek Ross Cameron co-hosting the evening Broadway style. With the requisite costume changes and campery, it's the place to be on Eurovision night.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY The sensational Brit School-trained soprano Sophie Sophie says: “I thrive on audience participation! I like to feel like everyone's in my front room, which creates a relaxed atmosphere. If someone walked through the door halfway through one of my sets they would see everyone dancing and singing. ‘I want people to feel like they can join in because a great audience can make my shows that little bit more special and that’s why I love coming to Brighton because you know everyone is up for a laugh and a great night.” www.sophiecausbrook.com
from Sandra & DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Funky FRIDAY 1 Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l A-BAR live entertainment: Stone & Street l GROSVENOR BAR Sonia Marmite’s 9.30pm karaoke 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music @ The l PARIS HOUSE DJ Havoxx 9pm Gods 9.30pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Sandra l BAR REVENGE Clique warm-up: DJs 9.30pm 9pm l REVENGE GOT pres Clique: all-girl DJs l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: on level 2; Pop Tartz on level 1 10.30pm DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy Spring Break Party: l ZONE Live music: Gabriella Parish DJ Glitch 10pm 9.30pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday Weekend: Marcia’s Big Gay Disco + cabaret SATURDAY 2 l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 9pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warmup: DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l BOUTIQUE se-XXY All Ladies White Collar Boxing Official After Party for Cancer Research UK: DJ Oli 10pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday Weekend: DJ V John + karaoke 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm Information is correct at the time of going to press. Gscene cannot be held responsible for any changes or alterations to the listings
TABITHA WILD
SOPHIE CAUSBROOK
Causbrook performs her varied repertoire at the A-Bar on Fri (22) from 9.30pm.
Tabitha Wild says: “I come from a background of live entertainment; cruises, holiday resorts. As a singer/dancer/ presenter I have a love for sequins, cheesy music and parties! For Eurovision, I’ll be hosting with Mr Ross Cameron, who is a Eurovision expert with an encyclopedic knowledge. We’ll be opinionated, enthusiastic and hopefully provide a few laughs along the way. And there WILL be sequins. I start my Eurovision training this week so I’ve only heard the UK entry so far, which I love! We're hoping to go to the preview party, fingers crossed! Eurovision at Bar Broadway will be a camp night of cocktails, sequins and the best /worst music the Eurozone has to offer!”
l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Marine Late: DJ Little Rob, 80s disco 1-3.30am l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Dr Beverly Ballcrusher 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge: DJs on level 1; R-Haus: DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Leathermen South 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Holophonic Sounds: DJ Bagpuss 5pm l ZONE Cabaret: Kara Van-Park 9.30pm
SUNDAY 3
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco Bank Holiday Extravaganza: DJs 4pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 7.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Daniel Thomas Gray 6.30pm; Voice of Broadway Final Battle 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos hosts giant board games & karaoke 8pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm
l BOUTIQUE Sunday Funday Industry Night: DJ Glitch 8pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday Weekend: cabaret: Dave Lynn & Maisie Trollette 5.30pm; DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Lizzy Drip 7.30pm; roasts 12–7pm l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Reflex: DJ Adam Rice, 80s night 8pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Titti La Camp 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-6pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6pm & 9.30pm l REVENGE R-Haus Roof Terrace Party: DJs & BBQ 2pm; R-Haus 2-floor party 10.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm l ZONE Bank Holiday Sunday Sessions: Gabriella Parish + karaoke 6.30pm
PICS FROM BOILER ROOM SAUNA
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 29
BOILER ROOM SAUNA ) 84 Denmark Villas, Hove, BN3 3TJ, Tel: 01273 723 733 ) OPEN Daily 10am–11pm Event details at www.theboilerroomsauna.com ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Don’t miss T-GIRLS, a discreet and friendly evening for trans girls and their admirers, on Fri (22) from 11.30pm. The licensed bar is open until 3am with a good selection of wines, ciders, beers and spirit/mixers all priced at £3 each, cider at £3.50. If you’re feeling peckish, the kitchen is open all night long. The door fee for girls is £15, and £18 for admirers. Admirers are encouraged to wear a towel and if they wish to remain dressed, that is an option. Adam Bailey, owner, says: “There’s very little in Brighton at the moment for T-Girls, apart from the girls getting together and going out on the town, meeting at home, and Trans Pride, which, of course, is only once a year. We appreciate that T-Girls themselves are diverse - gay, bi, and straight, and we provide a venue that’s very open to whoever comes along. We also realise that some married men like to dress up, and bring their wives along with them and this is obviously fine with us. “The spa, sauna and steam room are also still fully available, unlike other saunas that run similar evenings, as we appreciate that the men may wish to use them while here, in between other activities. We feel this should be a huge hit right from the start, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it goes, and keeping it going too!”
MONDAY 4
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY After Work Showbiz Quiz 6.30pm l BOUTIQUE Bank Holiday Special 1pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday Weekend: DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Bank Holiday cabaret: La Voix 7.30pm; Sally Vate’s Rock & Roll Bingo 8.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Bank Holiday cabaret: Dave Lynn & Maisie Trollette 3.30pm; Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Bank Holiday Cabaret: Maisie Trollette 6pm
l ZONE Rachel’s Bank Holiday Session with tunes + You Say, We Play 10am
TUESDAY 5
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied-Dollies Airport Night: DJ Lewis Osborne 8pm l BAR REVENGE RuPaul’s Drag Race Screening with Lydia L’Scabies 8pm; Wheel of Fortune Karaoke with Liz 9.30pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l GROSVENOR BAR Quiz: Colin Day 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l REVENGE Dropout: DJ Trick 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Acoustic Session 8pm
BAR 7 CRAWLEY ) 7 Pegler Way, Crawley, RH11 7AG, Tel: 01293 511177, www.7crawley.co.uk ) OPEN Sun, Tue & Wed 6pm–12.30am, Thur–Sat 6pm–2.30am
COZMO
) ONE FOR THE DIARY SHAKE UP THUR (7) at Chaos with Cozmo, games, karaoke, tunes and silly prizes from 8pm. Hosted by DJ and games master Cozmo this is one spot of bother you’ll be mad to miss! DJ Cozmo says: “I get the party going with camp classics and commercial remixes. Games include the Ready Brek challenge and Karaoke Roulette with test tubes filled with shots for you to down before singing. The atmosphere is fun and inviting. If you’re up for a good night it’s the place to be!’
30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM BOUTIQUE + BULLDOG
MAY
LISTINGS
BOUTIQUE
BULLDOG
) 2 Boyces St @ West St, BN11AN, Tel: 01273 327607
) 31 St James's St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 696996 www.bulldogbrighton.com ) OPEN Mon–Wed 11–2am; Thur 11–3am; Fri 11–7am; Sat 11–8am; Sun 11–3am. Open for 87 hours non-stop over the two Bank Holiday weekends: from Fri (1)–Mon (4) and Fri (22)–Mon (25).
www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 1pm–very late ) FOOD all day, every day till midnight
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Miss Penny, international cabaret drag artiste with fast wit and amazing live vocals, will be appearing in the Bulldog's CABARET BAR on Friday (15) from midnight. No evening is complete with out a bit of Penny, a lover of vodka and gorger of Gregg's pasties, who is hugely entertaining with live vocals, real class, comedy patter and audience participation. Miss Penny is just one of the acts in May performing upstairs alongside DJ Marcia in the Bulldog’s spacious cabaret bar, which hosts top-flight cabaret every Friday at midnight. Every drink is £1.99 from 9–11pm so get there early to nab a comfy seat and your favourite tipple! Following the glittering show, head downstairs to hear some cracking tunes from resident DJ Grant, who’ll get you on your feet dancing till 7am.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Every Saturday from 10pm is se-XXY, a night with top
DJ Oli says: “Summer is round the corner, so come on down! The atmosphere is mysterious, there's a good sound system, lots of smoke and it appeals to people early and late in the night! I am very much a party DJ and my main attribute is reading the crowd. I like house and EDM, but it’s just knowing when to drop something different. “I’m a very diverse DJ, so you’ll hear some of the latest tunes in all genres including some future hits, all the way back to last century's classics. I like putting on songs that are good, but ones you either haven't heard in ages or don't hear often. The tunes that make you look at your mate and you just scream at each other, because it's legendary, memorable or just a cracker. I almost don't want to give away my secrets, but I do have a few tracks that nobody can resist going crazy over. Danza Kuduro is an obvious one, I Love It by Icona Pop is one for the girls and a current favourite of mine is So Freakin' Tight by Tough Love. That always gets a reaction for its sexy beat!” www.djolileslie.com
MISS PENNY
DJ OLI
DJs spinning stellar tunes and offering all the essential ingredients to make one unforgettable night; something unique with personal touches of luxury and elegance. Resident DJ Oli Leslie, a young skilled DJ bursting with enthusiasm and passion, has bags of personality, and demonstrates a fantastic work ethic, highly important to get the crowd really going! You can catch him doing just that at Club se-XXY on Sat (2), (16), (23) and (30). To really hit the summer running why not get the drinks flowing on Boutique's roof terrace with 2 for 1 cocktails from the new Funky Freeze Cocktail Menu, served all day everyday. You can also pick up five jagerbombs, two vodka mixes & two shots or two beers & two shots, for just £5!
Miss Penny says: “Penny is a massive flirt, if it's got a pulse she'll try and get it! She comes from the dark recesses of Matt's mind and is created as a loveable rogue who will love the crowd but who will also kind of judge them by her standards! “My show is a mixture of anything and everything. There are serious songs, informative comedic songs, piss-taking songs and I love a good power ballad! The evening is all this wrapped with juicy 'gossip' and a few cheeky gags (not leather ones). I love preforming at the Bulldog as there are so many different walks of life and this makes it a treat for me who is usually causing riots!”
FRIDAY 8
l A-BAR Gio’s Soul Sessions 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music @ The Gods 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Club warm-up: DJs 9pm WEDNESDAY 6 THURSDAY 7 l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: l A-BAR Piano Bar: Maria Dunn 8.30pm l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Chaos with Cozmo: l BOILER ROOM CumUnion fetish party Claire Fuller 11pm games, tunes & karaoke 8pm 11pm l BOUTIQUE Jazz Boutique 6.30pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Glitch 10pm l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 2- l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 10pm; cabaret: Miss Jason, DJ Grant 12am 3.30pm 9pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES STREET Drag With No Name l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm hosts the Quiz With No Name 9pm Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thurs 8pm 9.30pm Menopause 9.30pm l PARIS HOUSE Strings of Pearls 8pm l GROSVENOR BAR Sonia Marmite’s l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night l QUEEN’S ARMS Don’t Miss Jason karaoke 9.30pm 9pm 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally l REVENGE FOMO Election v Anarchy: l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Little Cosmic Vate 9.30pm General Election party on level 1; Anarchy 9.30pm l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm with DJs on level 2 11pm l REVENGE Live PA from RuPaul’s Drag l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm Race stars #AAAgirls: Alaska, Courtney &
Willam perform live + host Dolly Rocket & support from HOGP 8pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE live music: Back Beat 9.30pm
SATURDAY 9
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Little Rob 11pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l BOUTIQUE se-XXY West End VIP Party: DJ Klipz 10pm l BULLDOG DJ V John + karaoke 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Krissie DuCann 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm
PICS FROM CAMELFORD ARMS + DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 31
MAY
LISTINGS
CAMELFORD ARMS
CHARLES STREET BAR
) 30-31 Camelford St, BN2 1TQ, Tel: 01273 622386, www.camelfordarms.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Mon–Fri 12–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat 12–9pm; Sunday roast & select
) 8 Marine Parade, BN2 1TA, Tel: 01273 624091, www.charles-street.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–8pm; Sunday roasts served 12–7pm, £6.95.
menu 12pm–till gone; seniors' lunch Wed 2–3.30pm. Food served 12–9pm on Bank Holiday Mon (4) and (25).
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Drag Idol winner and Britain’s Got Talent star La Voix, a woman with the mission to bring back glamour, class, sophistication and humour to the stage, will be performing two extra special shows, the first set to take place on Bank Holiday Mon (4) from 7.30pm. La Voix is a vivacious performer with live, spinetingling vocals that are among the finest in the industry, not forgetting her perfect comedy timing and razor sharp tongue!
) ONE FOR THE DIARY It’s that time again! Eurovision is back and the lovely lot
MARK FLOOD
Mark Flood, manager and host, says: “Eurovision at the Camelford has a big party atmosphere! The night is fun and uplifting, intended to put everyone in a good mood! Whilst not an avid fan of Eurovision myself, I have to admit it is a bit addictive and I always enjoy watching it – and I’m also very proud that my country, Ireland, is the most the most successful country in the contest. Saying that, I very much doubt Ireland will qualify this year as the song is dire! The UK entry is pretty rubbish too and will also struggle, although it’s a bit different and could appeal to some. I am reliably informed that the countries to look out for this year are Azerbaijan and the Netherlands! “Eurovision happens once a year and is a great fun night out giving people a chance to let their hair down as well as helping to raise funds and awareness of a fantastic local charity - come along and join in the fun!” l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Mrs Moore 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge level 1; RHaus: DJs on level 2, live PA & meet & greet international porn star Jake Bass 10.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Holophonic Sounds: DJ Bagpuss 5pm l ZONE Cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BOUTIQUE Sunday Funday Industry Night 8pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Dave Lynn 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm: roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Miss Jason 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm SUNDAY 10 l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-6pm l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 7.30pm Cassidy Connors 6pm & 9.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Frank l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Sanazi 8.30pm Screwpulous 9pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Jazz Roast hosts giant board games & karaoke 8pm 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
LA VOIX
at the Camelford are hosting an unmissable EUROVISION EXTRAVAGANZA on Sat (23) from 7pm with a charity raffle & sweepstake for the HIV peer support group Peer Action, two giant TV screens and lots of cheer. As part of the fundraising for Peer Action, sweepstakes are being held whereby people pay £2 and draw out a country - if their country wins they get half the pot with the other half going to the charity. This gives people extra incentive to cheer on a particular country - even if they hate the song! Can the UK act Electro Velvet do the unthinkable and pull it out of the bag? Will Ireland ever qualify again? And just what on earth is Finland thinking?
La Voix says; “My show is all mixed together with anecdotes, comedy and impersonations. It's real live singing, a real mix of musical theatre, pop and iconic legendary songs, sound-a-like impersonations of your favourite gay icons and a scarily accurate analysis of how these iconic women differ. Cher is by far my favourite to impersonate and also for me as a singer the one I feel is my strongest! “Come and forget your troubles for one hour and let me take you down the route of some of our most cherished women. Laugh at me, shout at me, and sing along with me, I'm there for you! I'll belt out top notes, I'll sing in original keys and most of all I promise it will be glamorous! Drag as it should be!” Following this performance La Voix will be co-hosting the Brighton Heat of DRAG IDOL UK on Bank Holiday Mon (25) from 7.30pm, which promises to be the best and biggest Drag Idol yet with the best of Brighton hopefully performing their way to national victory! Are you a singer, comedian, juggler or magician? Have you got what it takes to win Drag Idol 2015 and become the cream of the UK’s cabaret circuit? With a cabaret diary worth £2,000, just what are you waiting for? To join the ranks of past winners Son of a Tutu, Baga Chipz, Tanya Hyde, Kevin Cruise, La Voix, Martha D'Arthur and last year’s winner Louis Cyfer, grab an application form from the bar or visit www.dragidoluk.com, where you will also find the competition’s rules.
l ZONE Sunday Sessions karaoke 6.30pm
MONDAY 11
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Showbiz Quiz 6.30pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm l ZONE Rachel’s Monday Session with tunes + You Say, We Play 10am
TUESDAY 12
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied-Dollies Airport Night: DJ Lewis Osborne 8pm l BAR REVENGE RuPaul’s Drag Race Screening with Lydia L’Scabies 8pm; Wheel
of Fortune Karaoke with Liz 9.30pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l CHARLES STREET Golden Handbags Quiz & Rainbow Fund fundraiser 7.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Quiz: Colin Day 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big Fat Quiz 9.30pm l REVENGE Drop Out: DJ Trick 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Acoustic Session 8pm
WEDNESDAY 13
l A-BAR Piano Bar: Maria Dunn 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm
32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM DOCTOR BRIGHTONS + GROSVENOR
MAY
DOCTOR BRIGHTONS
GROSVENOR
) 16-17 Kings Rd, BN1 1NE, Tel: 01273 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk ) OPEN Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight
) 16 Western St, Hove, BN1 2PG, www.thegrosvenorbar.com ) OPEN daily from noon–late
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wayne Durant, Dr Brightons’ manager, arrived in Brighton just after his 18th Birthday. He’s worked on the scene for over 26 years before landing where he is today. Wayne met his partner, Dr Brighton’s owner Charles, when he used to be one of the managers at the Bulldog approximately 10 years ago. When he’s not propping up the bar he enjoys cooking, the cinema, and listening to music.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Raise those flags for the Grosvenor’s EUROVISION PARTY
on Sat (23) from 8pm, with host Mysterry, a sweepstake, Euro-nibbles and cabaret, all raising money for the Sussex Beacon. Will there be Euphoria when the UK act Electro Velvet hit the ‘right side’ of the scoreboard or will it flop like Engelbert, Bonnie, Molly and others we’ve, thankfully, forgot?
Wayne says: “The best thing about working at here is you get to meet so many different people from such varied backgrounds. I just love seeing people friendly, happy and genuinely enjoying the atmosphere. The bar has a fresh and invigorating feel and great sea-views, friendly staff, great 2-41 cocktails, new extended happy hours all day Sun–Fri & 1–7pm on Sat, and top DJs! Whether you’re chilling after work, starting your night, or recovering a little on a Sunday, the ambience will always be right. It really is just what the doctor ordered...”
Host Mysterry says: “I love Eurovision and always have a party or host an event. This is my third Eurovision Party with Colin Day and the Bear Patrol gang so there will be plenty of commentary to back Graham up! I do quite like the UK, Spain and Australia. Although I do wonder what will happen if Australia win. Will they be added to Europe? Come along and join us we will be raining money for the Sussex Beacon and having a good laugh in the process. Plus, there’ll be complementary Euro-nibbles from the Grosvenor Bar and a great party atmosphere!”
l CHARLES STREET Drag With No Name hosts the Quiz With No Name 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS TARTE: art, food & music 5pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm
THURSDAY 14
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 8pm
l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Tabitha & friends 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Fleur de Paris 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Don’t Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
MYSTERRY
WAYNE DURANT
LISTINGS
l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Comedy Cuts 8pm
FRIDAY 15
l A-BAR Live entertainment: Misty Lee 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music @ The Gods 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Anthem warm-up: DJs 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Glitch 10pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco 10pm; cabaret: Miss Penny + DJ Grant
12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Friday: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Sonia Marmite’s karaoke 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Jukebox Disco 8pm l REVENGE Anthem on level 2 with DJs Lee Jeffrey & Sammy G; Pop Tartz on level 1 10.30pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Myra Dubois 9.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE Cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm
34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR & BASEMENT CLUB
MAY
LISTINGS
LEGENDS BAR
LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB
) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 11am–5am
) 31-34 Marine Parade, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com ) OPEN Wed & Fri–Sun from 11pm. Free entry to the club every day
) FOOD Mon–Sat 12–5pm; Sunday lunch served 12–3pm
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Norman James, Basement Club Manager at Legends,
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Hold on to your hats for a very special performance by
moved to Brighton about eight years ago from Dublin for a five-day holiday and decided, like many people, to stay and settle after seeing how amazing this city is. He has worked in different bars and clubs for 15 years, five of which at Legends, and since being promoted to Club Manager two years ago has loved every day of it! When he's not working at Legends, he spends most of his time with his best half Samuel going to the cinema, walking, eating dinner and going out when they can. Failing that they like to stay in and chill with their two adorable kittens Hiccup and Widget.
Mrs Moore MMTV says: ‘Mrs Moore is just a camp extension of myself. I often forget that people don't see it like that and I assume everyone in the audience knows me! That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your outlook. MMTV was first coined by my dear friend Trindy and it means Mrs Moore The Voice... of a Thousand Fags, ‘cos it takes a lot of work to sound this husky! “I always describe myself as Marti Caine on acid! There was a woman who could stand and sing a beautiful song followed by a terrible joke and then do another number surrounded by backing dancers. That's what I try to do (without the dancers - the budget don't stretch that far!). “I love Brighton; it's my second home outside of London. It’s always a joy to perform and socialise by the sea and to perform at Legends is a real treat! I always stay there when I'm down as it’s a beautiful hotel and the staff are always a joy to see. “So pop down to see me, if you’re lucky I might buy fresh tights!” l REVENGE Sweet Revenge on level 1; RHaus: DJs on level 2 10.30pm l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller l SUBLINE GRRR! in assoc with BBWE: 8.30pm Rainbow Fund fundraiser, DJ Josh the Barber l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm 9pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS live music: 9pm The Informers 8pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: l ZONE Cabaret: Mrs Moore 9.30pm DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am SUNDAY 17 l BOUTIQUE se-XXY Kodak Moment Party: l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm; roasts 12-8pm DJ Oli 10pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 7.30pm l BULLDOG DJ V John + karaoke 10pm; l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Eurovision DJ Lil Alex 3am star Nicki French 8.30pm l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm hosts giant board games & karaoke 8pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Saturday: DJ Tony l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS B 9.30pm Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Maisie l BOUTIQUE Sunday Funday Industry Trollette 9.30pm Night 8pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm 12pm–till gone l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Miss Jason l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Nan 7.30pm; 9.30pm
SATURDAY 16
NORMAN JAMES
MRS MOORE MMTV
Mrs Moore MMTV on Bank Holiday Sunday (24) from 3.30pm with daft jokes, silly banter and moments of theatre from the sensation that is ‘The Voice of a Thousand Fags’, a child of the 1970s brought up on light entertainment and a throwback of Vaudeville. Get there a bit early to not only grab yourself a seat but to feast on one of Legends’ delicious Sunday roasts, served 12–3pm.
Norman says: “Working at Legends is great fun, and I can say with pride that it is one of the best places I’ve ever worked! We're all like a family here. Over the years working at Legends Basement Club I have met many interesting and amazing characters, including staff, regular and day-tripping customers. “The Basement Club is open four nights a week, with different drink deals and a huge variety of music with different DJs so there’s always something for everyone. Every night at the Basement Club is a memorable one and is wicked fun, but if I had to pick a favourite it would have to be Sunday night Pop!Candy - who doesn't love a bit of cheese!? “The Basement Club stands out because of the great atmosphere and seeing everyone let their hair down and be themselves. We welcome anyone and everyone who’s up for a good night and there's lots of laughter! That's why so many people make Legends Basement Club their regular club in Brighton. Given this opportunity, i would just like to thank all of our customers (past, present... and future), my team at the Basement Club, Hotel, and Bar for all of your support. See you all there!”
Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm: roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-6pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Dave Lynn 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm l ZONE Sunday Sessions: Stone & Street + karaoke 6.30pm
l LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm l ZONE Rachel’s Monday Session with tunes + You Say, We Play 10am
TUESDAY 19
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied-Dollies Airport Night: DJ Lewis Osborne 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do Eurovision: Ross Cameron & Tom Clemons 1pm; Eurovision Semi-Final 1 8pm l BAR REVENGE RuPaul’s Drag Race MONDAY 18 Screening with Lydia L’Scabies 8pm; Wheel l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm of Fortune Karaoke with Liz 9.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am Eurovision: Jason Thorpe 1pm; After Work l GROSVENOR BAR Quiz: Colin Day 9pm Eurovision Quiz 6.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Davina Sparkle’s Big l CHARLES STREET Studio 150 10pm Fat Quiz 9.30pm
36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM MARINE TAVERN + QUEENS ARMS
MAY
LISTINGS
MARINE TAVERN
QUEENS ARMS
) 13 Broad St, BN2 1TJ, Tel: 01273 905578, www.marinetavern.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm–1am. Open till 3.30am on Sat (4).
) 7 George St, BN2 1RH, Tel: 01273 696873, www.thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms ) OPEN 4pm Tue–Fri; 2pm Sat & Sun; Bank Holidays Mon (4 & 25). Closed Tue (5) & (26).
) FOOD Mon–Sat from 12-9pm; Sunday roasts served 12–7pm
NAT
) ONE FOR THE DIARY NAT’S QUIZ every Tuesday at 8.30pm, is something of an institution, having been going for over 11 years. It’s £1 to enter and includes 40 general knowledge questions on a wide range of subjects, the odd picture round, clue hunt and Snowball question to win £10 or more (depending on the number of participants) with the rest going to charity. The overall winners get a round of drinks and bragging rights, and there’s chocolate for the last place team! Landlord Lee does sandwiches at half time and there’s a guaranteed friendly welcome from bar boys Rob, Lee and Gary. Nat, who’s been an extra on Harry Potter, Nanny McPhee, Captain America and the IT Crowd, ran the Marine with Steve for 12 years until Aug 2014.
l REVENGE Drop Out: DJ Trick 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Acoustic Session 8pm
WEDNESDAY 20
l A-BAR Piano Bar: Maria Dunn 8.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do Eurovision 1pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES STREET Drag With No Name hosts the Quiz With No Name 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
THURSDAY 21
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ Claire Fuller 8pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do Eurovision: Jason Thorpe 1pm; Eurovision Semi Final 2 8pm l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm
l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz 9pm l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l PARIS HOUSE live music: Kourosh Kanani 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Don’t Miss Jason 9.30pm l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm
FRIDAY 22
l A-BAR live music: Sophie Causbrook 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do Eurovision: Tabitha Wild 1pm; live music @ The Gods 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Doggy Style warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter: DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOILER ROOM T-Girls & Admirers 11.30pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Glitch 10pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday: DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco 10pm; cabaret: Drag With No Name + DJ Grant 12am l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm
MYRA DUBOIS
Nat says: “I call it a ‘retro quiz’! It’s a good old fashioned pub quiz that suits its surroundings with a really warm atmosphere and a friendly crowd who don’t take it too seriously. I have loyal followers who’ve been coming since it started when I was young and slim! It’s a fun night out for everyone, a chance to meet new people and quiz against them. You also get to hear my bad jokes, what more could you ask for?”
) ONE FOR THE DIARY Don't miss Rotherham lass and one of the sharpest stars on the cabaret scene, Myra Dubois, performing on the QA stage on Fri (15) at 9.30pm. After spending some time as a dominating presence in Rotherham’s thriving bohemian amateur-dramatic scene, Myra moved to the bright lights of the capital in 2008. Expect all the West End hits from the acid-tongued performer, who currently resides in a caravan parked up in an undisclosed South London location!
Myra Dubois says: “My story in a nutshell: I'm from South Yorkshire. I cut my teeth on the pub and club scene, as a glass collector. I then moved into Amateur Dramatics, which is all your favourite West End shows done very, very badly. Then I moved to London to be a star. You can read all about it in my autobiography A Taste of Vinegar, once I've found a publisher. “I let the audience really feel like they've spent an hour in my company. Because they haven't! As soon as I step on that stage I mentally check out, and play old Tom & Jerry cartoons in my mind. But by gosh if that audience don't think I'm with them from beginning to end! Then I do a little party trick. When I come back on and sing another 'hit' the audience think they've had second helpings. But they haven't, I planned it all along. It's called an encore and I think it'll really take off. “Performing at the QA is a strain on the nerves! They have a smoke machine tucked under the stage which Baz sets off without warning from behind the bar. Am I having a stroke, or is the smoke machine on? I never know, and it keeps me on my toes quite frankly. If you want to hear such forgotten classics as Cabaret, I Know Him So Well, Part of Your World and other obscure treasure, then come on down and hear me take 'em on. There'll be laughs galore! Hopefully some of them intentional.”
l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Funky Fri: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Sonia Marmite’s karaoke 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Retro Eurovision Party with D.Jay 8pm l PARIS HOUSE DJs Funk Food 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 9.30pm l REVENGE Doggy Style: DJ Fifi on level 2; Pop Tartz on level 1 10.30pm l SUBLINE Steam 9pm l ZONE ABBA Tribute 9.30pm
l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOILER ROOM Liberation Swingers Private Party 11.30pm l BOUTIQUE se-XXY Party Like a Celebrity: DJ Oli 10pm l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday: DJ V John + karaoke 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am l CAMELFORD ARMS Eurovision Party 8pm l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm SATURDAY 23 l GROSVENOR BAR Eurovision Party with l A-BAR Eurovision live 8pm host Mysterry 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l BAR BROADWAY Broadway Babies Do l MARINE TAVERN Eurovision Party with Eurovision: Ross Cameron 1pm; Eurovision D.Jay 7pm Final hosted by Tabitha Wild & Ross l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Cameron 8pm Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Diane James 9pm 9.30pm
7 GEORGE STREET BRIGHTON 01273 696873
http://thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms
BANK HOLDAY MONDAY CABARET 4 MAY & 25 MAY 6 PM
MAISIE TROLLETTE
TUE 12MAY/19MAY 9.30PM
DAVINA SPARKLE’S
BIG FAT QUIZ WEDNESDAY 9.30PM
AN AUDIENCE WITH
SALLY VATE THURSDAY 9.30PM
MISS JASON
FRIDAY 9.30
PM
1 MAY SANDRA 8 MAY LITTLE COSMIC 15 MAY MYRA DUBOIS 22 MAY DAVINA SPARKLE 29 MAY KARA VAN PARK
SATURDAY 9.30
PM
2 MAY DR BEVERLY BALLCRUSHER 9 MAY MRS MOORE 16 MAY MISS JASON 23MAY DIANE JAMES 30 MAY LOLA LASAGNE
SUNDAY
2 SHOWS 6PM & 9.30PM 3 MAY DAVINA SPARKLE 10 MAY CASSIDY CONNORS 17 MAY DAVE LYNN 24 MAY LUCINDA LASHES 31 MAY MARTHA D’ARTHUR
38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM BAR REVENGE + REVENGE
MAY
LISTINGS
BAR REVENGE
REVENGE
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Sun-Wed 12pm-1am; Thur 12pm-2am; Fri & Sat 12pm-6am
) 32-34 Old Steine, BN1 1EL, Tel: 01273 606064, www.revenge.co.uk ) OPEN Tue from 11pm, Thur, Fri & Sat from 10.30pm. Open Sun (3) from 2pm &
) FOOD hotdogs served all day & night on Sunday
Sun (24) from 3pm for R-Haus Roof Top Summer Parties.
) ONE FOR THE DIARY If you’re looking for a mid-week singsong then head on
) ONE FOR THE DIARY For those of you who aren’t satisfied with minimal repetitive
Liz says: “Join me, Lizzie the karaoke hostess with the mostess, when every singer good or bad gets a free shot! In between we have our gawjus Cam playing her pop and chart tunes. So whether you’re new to the scene or not everyone is welcome at Bar Revenge!” l REVENGE Sweet Revenge on level 1; RHaus: DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Holophonic Sounds: DJ Bagpuss 5pm l ZONE Cabaret: Maisie Trollette 9.30pm
5.30pm; DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Titti La Camp 7.30pm; roasts 12–7pm l DR BRIGHTONS Bank Holiday Reflex: DJ Adam Rice, 80s night 8pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Mrs Moore SUNDAY 24 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l A-BAR SanFranDisco Bank Holiday l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-6pm Extravaganza: DJs 4pm; roasts 12-8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 7.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Gabriella Lucinda Lashes 6pm & 9.30pm l REVENGE R-Haus Roof Terrace Party: Parish 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos DJs & BBQ 3pm; R-Haus 2-floor party 10.30pm hosts giant board games & karaoke 8pm l SUBLINE Guilty Pleasures: DJ l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Screwpulous 9pm Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz l BOUTIQUE Sunday Funday Industry Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm Night 8pm l ZONE Sunday Sessions: Lascel Wood + l BULLDOG 87-Hour-Long Bank Holiday: karaoke 6.30pm cabaret: Dave Lynn & Maisie Trollette
PARIS HOUSE ) 21 Western Rd, BN3 1AF, Tel: 01273 724195, www.parishousebrighton.com ) OPEN daily from 12pm ) FOOD daily from 12pm–close. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (1) DJ Havoxx spins Motown/funk/r&b/mento at
9pm; (22) DJs Funk Food spin funk & soul at 9pm. ) REGULARS Thur is free LIVE MUSIC at 8pm: Strings of Peace (7), Fleur de Paris (14) and Kourosh Kanani (21). Sat free LIVE JAZZ at 4pm; TC's Joyful Noise with DJ Kenny at 9pm, free.
beats take yourself on a euphoric journey through deep bassline and bouncy vocal house at R-HAUS every Saturday on level 2 from 10.30pm. A ‘house head’ by nature, DJ Toby Lawrence, Revenge promoter Steve Jones and co-DJs King K, Lee Harris & Zach Burns shared their ideas as house lovers, and from that R-Haus was born. It’s a night of dynamic, non-repetitive beats, some of the hottest DJs on the block and fab drink deals, which include doubling up on all main-line spirits for £1.50, all main line drinks £2.50 before 12am and Jagerbombs £2.50 all night. Entry is £1 before 12am with a pass, otherwise £5 (£4 NUS). DJ Toby Lawrence says: “I’ve always had a passion for house music. Even before I started DJing I produced my own house tracks and I grew up listening to 1990s house and dance music. It was because of this that I got involved with R-Haus. My sets are high in energy, uplifting and have that ‘hands in the air’ party vibe from start to finish. I like my baselines big, my melodies uplifting and vocals that everyone can sing along to. At R-Haus we’re not satisfied with minimal repetitive beats; we want to take you on a journey through the deep, the bouncy and the euphoric. We have some of Brighton and London’s finest DJs each with their own distinct style, so there’s something for everyone. “I love the crowds at Revenge as they’re full of energy, ready to sing along to anything, dance until they drop and have the best night possible. If you’re into house music or you just want a good old fashioned rave, give it a try. I’m sure you’ll love it!” Listen to the music you'll hear on the night mixed live by the R-Haus DJs, visit: www.mixcloud.com/rhausbrighton/
TOBY LAWRENCE
LIZ
down to LIZ’S WHEEL OF FORTUNE KARAOKE with the gorgeous DJ Cam every Tuesday from 9pm. Pick from over 50,000 songs and spin the wheel to win or enter into the Lip-Sync For Your Life competition, where the best lip-sync will win a bottle of bubbly. With 2-for-1 drinks from 5–9pm you’ll be up murdering a classic before you know it! Also, don’t forget to pick up a discount pass for the club, which is open from 11pm. Regulars may know the ever-friendly Liz from her eight years at Bar Revenge and from working the door four nights a week. The luscious lady herself has won a coveted Golden Handbag Award an amazing three times!
MONDAY 25
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BOUTIQUE Bank Holiday Special 1pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm l CHARLES STREET Brighton Heat of Drag Idol UK 2015 hosted by La Voix & Sally Vate 7.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Bank Holiday cabaret: J’Lo (Miss Jason & Lola Lasagne) 3.30pm; Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Mon Madness 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Bank Holiday Cabaret: Maisie Trollette 6pm l ZONE Rachel’s Bank Holiday Session with tunes + You Say, We Play 10am
TUESDAY 26
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Trollied-Dollies Airport Night: DJ Lewis Osborne 8pm l BAR REVENGE RuPaul’s Drag Race Screening with Lydia L’Scabies 8pm; Wheel of Fortune Karaoke with Liz 9.30pm
l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l GROSVENOR BAR Quiz: Colin Day 9pm l MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Retro Quiz 9pm l REVENGE Drop Out: DJ Trick 11pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Open mic 5pm
WEDNESDAY 27
l A-BAR Piano Bar: Maria Dunn 8.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Ice: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BULLDOG Diva Rush: DJ Marcia 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Seniors’ lunch 23.30pm l CHARLES STREET Drag With No Name hosts the Quiz With No Name 9pm l LEGENDS BAR Lola & Dave’s Midweek Menopause 9.30pm l MARINE TAVERN Boudoir: trans* night 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS An Audience with Sally Vate 9.30pm l SUBLINE Fag Machine: alt night 9pm
40 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
PICS FROM SUBLINE + ZONE
MAY
LISTINGS
ZONE BAR
) 129 St James' St, BN2 1TH, Tel: 01273 624100, www.sublinebrighton.co.uk ) OPEN Wed–Sun from 9pm.
) 33 St James’ St, BN2 1RF, Tel: 01273 682249, www.zonebar.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 10am
) ONE FOR THE DIARY The Brighton Bear Weekender presents GRRR! is one
) ONE FOR THE DIARY High energy vocalist Ricky Zalez will be bringing his American charm and varied repertoire to the Zone stage for the first time on Fri (29) from 9.30pm. The singer, who was brought up with the music of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, and big bands, says: “I will be doing songs from swing, Rat Pack, rock & roll, Broadway, to today's hits. It will be fun for all ages. I have never performed at the Zone Bar, so it will be my debut. I will be giving my best in all the songs I do on that night. Just have a drink and enjoy the ride. Hope to see you in the audience that night!”
of the south’s biggest and best men-only dance nights, which returns to Brighton on Saturday (16) from 9pm with funky tunes, great promos and a fantastic cruisy atmosphere! This will be the final club night before the Brighton Bear Weekender, which runs from Fri (19)–Sun (21) June, and features legendary club DJ Josh the Barber, who will be supplying the funky house tunes to get you moving, and the men of Brighton Bear Weekender who will be providing you with extra grunt till 4am. Entry is £3-£5 and half the fee goes to the Rainbow Fund which provides grants for local LGBT front line services. This year’s Brighton Bear Weekender will run from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 June. Join the bears for a weekend of fun, sun and fur by the seaside! Events will include a welcome night with cabaret, various club nights, and the legendary picnic in the park. Since 2012, the Brighton Bear Weekender has raised more than £3,250 for the Rainbow Fund. DJ Josh says: “Guys, a hot date for your diary! Brighton Bear Weekender hosts GRRR! at Subline; a night of dirty, sexy, funky house music to make you wanna GRRRoove on the dance floor. I will be providing the funky house music to kickstart the upcoming Brighton Bear Weekender in June. Get down and dirty at GRRR!!” www.brightonbearweekender.co.uk
THURSDAY 28
DJs Claire Fuller & Peter Castle 11pm l BOUTIQUE i-Candy: DJ Glitch 10pm l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm l BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Big Gay Disco l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Boogie Nights: DJ 10pm; cabaret: Eva Iglesias + DJ Grant Claire Fuller 8pm 12am l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Tabitha & l CAMELFORD ARMS Friday Club 6pm friends 9pm l CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy l BAR REVENGE Throwback Thur 9pm 9pm l BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant 11pm l DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJ Nick l CAMELFORD ARMS £300 Big Cash Quiz Hirst 9.30pm 9pm l GROSVENOR BAR Sonia Marmite’s l CHARLES ST Mad Cow’s Tea Party: Ms karaoke 9.30pm Joan Bond, DJs Lee Jeffery & Ruby Roo l MARINE TAVERN Pre-Scrum drinks 9pm 8pm l MARINE TAVERN Throwback Thur 8pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Kara Van Park l QUEEN’S ARMS Don’t Miss Jason 9.30pm 9.30pm l REVENGE Live PA from RuPaul’s Drag l REVENGE FOMO: DJs 10.30pm Race star Pearl 8pm; Fat Lip: DJ Fifi on level l SUBLINE Leathered 9pm 2; Pop Tartz on level 1 10.30pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Let’s Get l SUBLINE Steam 9pm Quizzy Big Cash Quiz: £150 jackpot 7.30pm l ZONE Live music: Ricky Zalez 9.30pm
FRIDAY 29
l A-BAR live music: Paul Diello 9.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music @ The Gods 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Fat Lip warm-up 9pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Glitter:
SATURDAY 30
l A-BAR Sanfrandisco: DJ Mick Fuller 8.30pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY DJs 10pm l BAR BROADWAY Giggle @ The Gods 9.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sweet Revenge warm-up
RICKY ZALEZ
SUBLINE
9.30pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm l BOILER ROOM Naked Day 10am l BOUTIQUE se-XXY Giveaway Party: DJ Oli 10pm l BULLDOG DJ V John + karaoke 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am l CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: DJs Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy 9pm l DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm l GROSVENOR BAR Cabaret: Jason Lee 9.30pm l LEGENDS BAR Pre-club DJs 7pm l MARINE TAVERN Disco 8pm l PARIS HOUSE Live jazz 4pm; TC’s Joyful Noise: DJ Kenny 9pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9.30pm l REVENGE Sweet Revenge on level 1; RHaus: DJs on level 2 10.30pm l SUBLINE Men’s Room: DJ Screwpulous 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS Holophonic Sounds: DJ Bagpuss 5pm l ZONE Cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm
SUNDAY 31
l A-BAR Karaoke 8pm; roasts 12-8pm l BAR 7@CRAWLEY Karaoke 7.30pm l BAR BROADWAY Live music: Sam Chara 8.30pm l BAR REVENGE Sunday Funday: Micklos hosts giant board games & karaoke 8pm l BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm l BOUTIQUE Sunday Funday Industry Night 8pm l BULLDOG DJ Grant 10pm l CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash, Free Food & Raffle 5pm; roasts & select menu 12pm–till gone l CHARLES ST Cabaret: Son of a Tutu 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate 8.30pm: roasts 12–7pm l LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Lizzy Drip 3.30pm; roasts 12–3pm l MARINE TAVERN roasts 12-6pm l QUEEN’S ARMS Double Cabaret: Martha D’Arthur 6pm & 9.30pm l SUBLINE Underwear Party: DJ Nude 9pm l THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS The Jazz Roast 3pm; Sunday roasts 1-6pm l ZONE Sunday Sessions karaoke 6.30pm
THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS ) 59 North Rd, Brighton, BN1 1YD, Tel: 01273 608571, www.3jollybutchers.com ) OPEN Mon–Sat from 12pm, Sun from 1pm. Private function room available. ) FOOD Mon–Fri 12–9pm; Sat 12–8pm; Sunday roasts 1–6pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Wed (13) is TARTE, night of art, food and music at 5pm. ) REGULARS Tue is Acoustic Session, free drinks for performers at 8pm. ) Thur (14) is Comedy Cuts with local Brighton talent 8pm; (28) is LET'S GET QUIZZY with £150 cash prize at 7.30pm. ) Sat is HOLOPHONIC SOUNDS with DJ Bagpuss playing electronica, exotica and beyond 5pm, free. ) Sat (16) live acoustic blues/folk /soul with The Informers at 8pm. ) Sunday JAZZ ROAST at 3pm, free.
GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 41
PICS FROM LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON
42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT
SOLENT
l HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terrace, Southsea TEL: 2392 297509 l OLD VIC 104 St Paul’s Rd, Southsea TEL: 02392 297013, www.oldvicportsmouth.co.uk l TROPICS SAUNA 2 Market Way, PO1 4BX TEL: 02380 296100, www.tropics-sauna.com OPEN: 7 days a week from 11am
SOUTHAMPTON
l ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s St TEL: 02380 222028 l LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT TEL: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk Friendly bar with regular cabaret, DJs & food OPEN: Mon-Wed 12-11pm, Thur 12-12.30am, Fri & Sat 12-1.30am, Sun 12-11.30pm FOOD: Mon-Sat 12-3pm, Sun roasts 123.30pm DRINK PROMOS: Mon-Wed all day l TITANIC Simnel St, SO14 2BE TEL: 023 8021 1879, www.thetitanicpub.co.uk OPEN: daily fom 12pm FOOD: Mon 12-3pm; Tue-Sat 12-3pm & 6-8.30pm; Sunday roast 12-3pm l EDGE Compton Walk, SO14 0BH TEL: 02380 366163, www.theedgesouthampton.com Club with 2 floors & 3 bars l PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St TEL: 02380 238804, www.pink-broadway.com
FRIDAY 1
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo & Davina Sparkle 9pm; food 12-3pm
SATURDAY 2
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Neil Sackley 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 3
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Wessex Wyverns Rugby Team launch their new kit 7.30pm; Mary Mac presents 8.30pm; Miss Thunderpussy 9.30pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 4
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
TUESDAY 5
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
WEDNESDAY 6
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
THURSDAY 7
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm; food 12-3pm
FRIDAY 8
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo & Mary Mac 9pm; food 12-3pm
LA VOIX FRI (29)
PORTSMOUTH
WESSEX WYVERNS
LISTINGS
SATURDAY 9
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Tiny & Jacquii Cann’s 50th Birthday 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 10
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac presents Martha D’Arthur 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
MONDAY 11
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE DJs 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
TUESDAY 12
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
WEDNESDAY 13
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
THURSDAY 14
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm; food 12-3pm
FRIDAY 15
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo & Rose Garden 9pm; food 12-3pm
SATURDAY 16
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Dazza 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 17
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac presents Lucinda Lashes (IDAHOBIT) 8pm; roasts 123.30pm
MONDAY 18
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
LONDON HOTEL
SOUTHAMPTON
) 2 Terminus Terr, SO14 3DT, Tel: 02380 710652, www.the-london.co.uk ) OPEN daily from 12pm. www.the-london.co.uk ) FOOD served Mon–Sat 12–3pm; Sunday lunch 12–3.30pm. ) ONE FOR THE DIARY Fri (29) is SOUTHAMPTON HEAT of DRAG IDOL at 9pm. ) REGULARS Fri is FAIRYLEA with DJ Ruby Roo, high camp/pure cheese & CABARET at 9pm: Davina Sparkle (1), Mary Mac (8), Rose Garden (15), Scarlet Diamante (22) and La Voix (29). ) Sat is GUILTY PLEASURES with DJs and cabaret from 8.30pm: Neil Sackley (2), Tiny & Jacquii Cann's 50th Birthday (9), Dazza (16), Lucinda Lashes (23) and Claire Fuller with Karen Dalton (30). ) Sunday night features Mary Mac and CABARET at 8pm: Miss Thunderpussy (3), Martha D'Arthur (10), Lucinda Lashes on IDAHOBIT (17), Lola Lasagne (24) and Kara Van Park (31). Sun (3) is the launch of Wessex Wyverns Rugby Team's new kit at 7.30pm. ) Thur is KARAOKE CRUISING with Sally Vate at 9pm.
TUESDAY 19
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
WEDNESDAY 20
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
THURSDAY 21
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm; food 12-3pm;
FRIDAY 22
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Fairylea: DJ Ruby Roo & Scarlet Diamante 9pm; food 12-3pm
SATURDAY 23
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Lucinda Lashes 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 24
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac presents 8.30pm; Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; roasts 123.30pm
MONDAY 25
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 2am
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
TUESDAY 26
PORTSMOUTH l OLD VIC Quiz 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE video jukebox 11pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
WEDNESDAY 27
SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Bar 150: DJs & karaoke 10pm l LONDON HOTEL food 12-3pm
THURSDAY 28
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am l OLD VIC karaoke 8pm SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pop!: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Sally Vate 9pm; food 12-3pm
FRIDAY 29
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Get Some: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Southampton Drag Idol Heat with host La Voix 9pm; food 12-3pm
SATURDAY 30
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am l OLD VIC DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE The Big One: DJs 10pm l LONDON HOTEL Guilty Pleasures: DJ Claire Fuller & Karen Dalton 8.30pm; food 12-3pm
SUNDAY 31
PORTSMOUTH l HAMPSHIRE BLVD karaoke till 2am SOUTHAMPTON l EDGE Pounded: DJ 11pm l LONDON HOTEL Mary Mac presents Kara Van Park 8pm; roasts 12-3.30pm
GSCENE 43
DANCE MUSIC BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE & KATE WILDBLOOD
ALBUMS So we can safely say that summer is almost here. Sunshine, beach, Brighton at its best. And here’s a May soundtrack to keep it so. ) There’s a mountain of good stuff out there that has us wiggling and smiling in the sunshine as we head towards a summer of love. From the intelligent deep grooves of Braille’s Mute Swan on Infinite Machine to the cheeky 80s retake that is DJ Cam’s Miami Vice on Inflammable via the lush beats of Terranova’s Restless on Kompact, the state of house right now is more than good - it’s outstanding. ) Head towards Dame Music 5 Years Anniversary if you want a lesson in the right kinda house. It’s relentless in its electronic brilliance and worthy of your attention. As is the lazy laidback loopiness of Glenn Astro’s Throwback on Tartelet, the un-
missable wonder of HNNY Edits on Local Talk, the experimental genius of Actress’s DJ-Kicks and the house love shown by Lauer on the exquisite Borndom for the Permanent Vacation label. ) May marvels include Monki FABRICLIVE 81, which will keep you nodding till you can nod no more, whilst Kerrier District’s 4 on Hypercolour will tempt you back to the days of jazzed up lush and lovely house – with Brush The Bush being one of our stand out favourites of the album. (Can’t think why?). Add the sublime sound venture New Day from Satoshi Tomiie for Abstract Architecture, the truly outstanding Horizontalism from the sound craftsman that is Fink on R’COUP’D and the stunning Flash Atkins The Life and Times on Paper Recordings and you have a summer soundtrack perfect for beachside antics. Enjoy. Catch Wildblood and Queenie sound ventures on perfectdistractions.com
DJ PROFILE: WAYNSIE RUDE BOY Ever wondered what happens between London and Brighton if you fancy a bit of a groove? Well here’s your answer. Queenie chats to DJ Waynsie Rude Boy who intends to move your dancing feet up Crawley way! Be prepared for some serious Saturday night wiggling ladies and gentlemen… DJ name? DJ Waynsie Rude Boy. Where can we catch you DJing? Every other Saturday for my night Dirty Pop at Bar 7 in Crawley. DJ style? Eclectic!!! I like to take people on a journey starting off with funky and soulful house followed by dance classics then mash-ups and finishing off with a section of classy cheesy pop. Favourite tune ever? It’s virtually impossible to say as I have so many for different moods and times. But one of my all time fave dance tracks that I really think has it all and I never tire of is Robert Miles’ One And One… it always gives me goose-bumps! Best the pop track for me is Madonna’s Express Yourself (Shep Pettibone Mix) Tune which always fills your dancefloor? Depends on the venue but at Dirty Pop guaranteed floor fillers are Madonna’s Like A Prayer or Rihanna vs Faithless Only Girl In Insomnia. Ultimate dream gig? Opening the doors to Studio54 or The Blitz again for a no holds barred, all-nighter!
WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S MASSIVE MAY 12”s ) SYLVAN ESSO HSKT (Hercules & Love Affair Bleeps & Vox mix) Partisan Stunning summer anthem Hercules style. Roll on Brighton Pride! ) DARIUS SYROSSIAN All Night Long (Main Mix) Mile End Records We. Are. Not. Worthy. ) JAYMO & Andy George x Sidney Charles Hip Shots Moda Black Caution Your Blast EP action that has us jumpin’. ) SLOPE Lost In Space Black Catalogue Tasty laid-back house jam that demands you get lost in space ) D'JULZ & Phil Weeks Ligne B Rex Club Music New label, same quality grooves from Queenie’s fave, Phil. ) CITIZENN Tied (12" Mix) Crosstown Rebels Hypnotic groove destined to destroy the summer dancefloors. ) ART DEPT Catch You By Surprise (Guy Gerber remix) No19 Music File under: genius ) LISTON feat Aisha Zoe Until Dawn Nightbus / Chris Coco Music Future bass from the Nightbus wonder Liston has us spellbound. ) FERAL IS KINKY Lick Shot (Hifi Sean Remix) Squirt Records Hifi and Feral combine for a squirt fuelled bass house beauty. ) TAINTED SOULS Basement Jam Madtech Twisted bassline action that will pleasure you all night long
Tune you wish you’d never played? Gangnam Style by PSY... due to pressure outside the booth, honest! But it abused all that I'm about as I hate it! It felt bad that I buckled to pressure and played something that made me feel sick and didn't fit in with my set. I feel DJs are working their art form and are not jukeboxes. Let them do their thing and enjoy the ride. Guilty pleasure? 1980s pop and movie soundtracks! Best ever gig? Season close at The Point in Zante, Greece. Seeing the crowd responding with passion to the musical journey I had selected for the night in all the right places was truly amazing. There's nothing like seeing both arms up with tune adoration everywhere in front of you! Tell us a secret? I'm not loving Madonna's Rebel Heart album like I should be and I feel terrible for it!
CURRENT TOP FIVE ) MADONNA Living For Love (Mike Rizzo's Funk Club mix) Interscope ) CHERYL COLE I Don't Care (Cahill Club Mix) Polydor ) BLONDIE I Loved You (Extended Mix) Parlophone ) SAM SMITH I'm Not The Only One (Grant Nelson Remix) Capitol ) FREEMASONS True Love Survivor Freemason Recordings Catch DJ Waynsie Rude Boy alternate Saturdays at Bar 7, Peglar Way, Crawley RH11 7AG
44 GSCENE
THE PRODIGY
B Y MIC HA E L HO O TMA N
BRIGHTON CENTRE
Kings Rd, Brighton, www.brightoncentre.co.uk Box office: 0844 847 1515 ) THE PROGIDY (Tue 12). The band play material from their new album The Day Is My Enemy which takes you on a journey through the unchartered underbelly of urban nightlife where anger is an everpresent energy lurking just beneath the surface of an edgy calm.
BRIGHTON FRINGE FESTIVAL GAY HIGHLIGHTS SALT MOUNTAIN
Info & tickets from Box office: 1 Stop Travel Shop, 26 North St, Brighton, or 01273 917272 or www.brightonfringe.org
3 EXCELLENT LITTLE PIGS
88 London Road, Brighton thelittleboxoffice.com/emporium ) THIRST OF THE SALT MOUNTAIN (Mon 18–Sat 23). Brighton’s own experimental theatre ensemble, Squall + Frenzy, present a brand new translation of award-winning Romanian playwright Marin Sorescu’s pioneering surrealist work. A man swallowed by a whale. A churchman abandoned by his congregation. The end of the world itself. All are present in this visceral production fusing poetry, Old Testament parable and stark 20th century existentialism with intense physical performance, live sound and digital media. ) PUSS IN BOOTS (Mon 25–Fri 29). Grab your boots and join Jack and his wily cat Puss on a quest to defeat an evil ogre and win the hand of Jack's true love.
Old Market, Upper Market St Box office: 01273 201801 ) Start-Blooming Productions presents a half-term musical puppet show for the whole family THREE EXCELLENT LITTLE PIGS
MAY-WE-GO-ROUND
EMPORIUM
) MAY-WE-GO-ROUND? (Tue 26–Sat 30). A collision of fiercely energetic dance and comedic theatre taking you on the bittersweet ride of romance. A provocative, playful and gritty insight into our romantic disillusionment; it swings wildly between hilarious truths and intimate vulnerability. We are enthralled by the process of falling for someone, yet flummoxed and irritated. Are we enjoying it? Yes. Does it make sense? No. But, round and round we go...
and outlandish night itself. ) CRIMPLENE MILLIONAIRE (Thu 28–Sat 30). Derek & Bev invite you to play Crimplene Millionaire. Roll the dice and compete in the 1970s board game that style forgot, as your hosts roll back the years to a pre-digital world of Mateus Rosé, Brut 33 & Angel Delight.
) TRAUMFRAU DISCO OUTRAGE (Fri 8). The queer disco for the St Bartholomew's Church, Ann St unusual crowd makes its Fringe debut in style(ish) at the www.brightongmc.org ) BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS: Spiegeltent. This unique party is a BACK TO THE BOND AGE (Fri 1, Sat blend of disco, live performance 2). Guns! Gags! Gizmos! Be shaken, and art: get ready to enter into a parallel dancefloor reality, partying stirred and seduced by the heady will never feel the same again. cocktail that is the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus as they go back to the Bond Age. When an evil despot sets out to snatch our scoring secrets and crack the code of CAMP, our hero takes on all comers. And, after all, nobody does it better.
BTN GAY MEN’S CHORUS
ALL THE NICE GIRLS
ARTS
(four performances: 11am, 1pm, 2.30pm, 3.45pm, Thur 28) Huff, puff and puppets! Al Start’s new show features handmade puppets in the classic piggy tale with excellent songs, storytelling and audience participation with fellow performer puppeteers Nicola Bloom and Fran Malone. Dress the kids up in their favourite farm animal costume and hoof on down for a barnyard boogie! Tickets £6.50/family(4) £22.
BRIGHTON SPIEGELTENT Old Steine Pleasure Gardens ) DYNAMITE BOOGALOO (Sat 9). Relive one of Brighton’s favourite nights for party boys and girls. The mixed, sweaty crowd at this clubcum-cabaret experience are as madly varied as the eclectic music who turns in an all-stops-out drag performance. “Kent’s pop-based Over Broadway (upstairs) 10 songs have the catchiness and Steine St, www.barbroadway.co.uk gently ironic tone of Liza-era Kander ) BROADWAY LUNCHBOX (1pm, and Ebb” The Stage. Mon 4–Fri 15 & 18–31): Broadway ) THE HOWLETT BROTHERS Babies from Broadway to beyond, (7.30pm, Wed 6) drag to delicious, parody to ) WEST END WENDIES DO popular, there's something for BROADWAY (8.30pm, Thu 7) everyone: Jason Thorpe (Sat 9, ) PLAYS IN PUBS (7.30pm, Sat Thur 14, Eurovision special Thu 21, 9– Mon 11). Selection of short Wed 27); Daniel Thomas Gray comic plays based on situations (Sun 10); Tom Clemons (Mon 11, for modern life, designed for pub/ Thur 14, Tue 19, Fri 29); Tabitha café setting. Written by various Wild (Tue 12, Eurovision special playwrights and performed by local Fri 22, Tue 26, Fri 29); Ross actors. Cameron (Wed 13, Eurovision ) ARCADE OF FOOLS (Tue 12–Sun special Sat 23, Thu 28); winner of 17): Women Who Wank (7.30pm, Voice Of Broadway (Mon 25, Sun Wed 13; 9.15pm, Fri 15); Wyrd-O! 31); all Broadway Babies (Sat 30). Tales From The Absurdicon: ) LIBERTY RIDES FORTH (8.15pm, Thur 14; 7.30pm, Fri 15); (7.30pm, Fri 1–Mon 4 & Fri 22–Sun The Penis Monologues: (9pm, Tue 24). In this musical comedy, 12; 9.10pm, Wed 13); Dress Me Up author Trevor hits on the perfect Dress You Down: (7.30pm, Tue 12; formula for his best-selling novel, 9.45pm, Thur 14); Be Someone: but its outrageous heroine jumps (8pm, Sat 16); Middleman: (7pm, off the page into the real world. Thur 14); Not You Again: (7pm, Tue His life is turned upside down by 12 & Sat 16); guest: (7pm, Wed 13). glamorous and outrageous Liberty,
BAR BROADWAY
DUKEBOX THEATRE 3 Waterloo Street, Hove ) ALL THE NICE GIRLS (3, 10, 17, 24, 31). Household names in the early 1920s Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney had an on and offstage partnership, singing popular love ) THE ALTERNATIVE GREAT ESCAPE (3-8pm, Sun 17) ) THREE POETS, ONE MIC (7.30pm, Wed 20–Fri 22). Three Brighton-based performance poets, Anthony Lloyd Young, Rosie Hess and TK Mishi, grab the mic to shout at you on the subjects of politics, sexuality and death.
) 2 GRUMPY GAY MEN - LOITERING WITH INTENTION (7.30pm, Fri 29Sun 31). Benjamin and William are waiting, but as time progresses, so do their differences of opinion, from Doctor Who to the Brighton Seagulls. But who are they waiting for, and why are they there? ) GIGGLE@THE GODS (10pm, Sat 30)
LAUGHING HORSE @ Caroline of Brunswick, Ditchling Rd ) LARRY DEAN: OUT NOW (9, 10, 16–17). Larry Dean brings his first solo show to the Brighton Fringe. He's a non-stereotypical 'bender' and instead of being 'Out Now' feels like his secret is just being shared on a larger scale. 'Fascinatingly funny' London Evening Standard.
LAUGHING HORSE @ The Hobgoblin, 31 York Place ) MARK DANIELS (Fri 1-Sun 4). So You Think You’re Funny and Golden Jester finalist Mark Daniels suffers from Acute Britishness syndrome. His self-deprecating, sarcastic wit questions why Brits just won’t complain, even about the country’s biggest problems: school textbooks, STD clinics, Craig David and Nigella Lawson. He teaches us what we could learn from the rest of the world.
MARLBOROUGH THEATRE 4 Princes Street ) THE CHRISTEENE MACHINE (Thu 7). A gender-blending bootypounding perversion of punk dragged through a musical theatre gutter, commanded by Christeene: a human pissoir of foul hilarity and raw unabashed sexuality. ) BIG GIRL’S BLOUSE (Fri 8–Sun 10). Who knew what being transgender was in the 1970s? Not Kate’s family. To be fair, crispy pancakes had only just landed in the Midlands so she had her work cut out. Kate makes a song and dance about her life using humour, music and costume to tell her story. ) HARD GRAFT (5, 6, 20, 21). David Sheppeard investigates how much can change between one generation of a family and the next and the lengths we go to bridge the divide. A performance about reluctant fathers and wayward sons set against the backdrop of the occasional mining disaster and the fading industrial landscapes of South Wales. ) KING OF THE FRINGE (Fri 8). Drag Queens are over and the boys are back in town! Strap on a strap on, bang on a beard and join your hosts for the Drag King competition of the century! Be amazed by the figurative and literal balls on display. Prize for best dressed audience member! ) STORIES ABOUT LOVE, DEATH & A RABBIT (Fri 15–Sun 17). Charles Adrian’s award-winning solo character piece that uses heartbreaking comedy storytelling to evoke the life of librarian Ms Samantha Mann.
PIERS & QUEERS Meet at Regency Square Statue ) PIERS & QUEERS (3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 16–17, 21, 23–25, 28, 31). Two-hundred years of Brighton’s past from an LGBT perspective. Promenade in the footsteps of Lord Byron, Oscar Wilde and Dusty Springfield. Then discover some extraordinary unsung heroes: a pioneering doctor who passed as a male decades before women were allowed into medicine, a 19thcentury lesbian diarist, and a samesex marriage, back in 1923!
THE WARREN MAIN HOUSE St Peter’s Church North, York Place ) HOW WILL I KNOW? (Sat 2–Mon 4). Mark’s desperate to keep his Mexican boyfriend in the US, but marriage isn’t an option yet. When his best friend Brooke offers to help, it seems the trio has hatched the perfect plan. But who are they really trying to fool? Three young Seattleites take on love, sex, and the US immigration service in this deliciously irreverent farce. ) carMEN (Tue 5 & Sat 9). José, the central character in this allmale reworking of Bizet’s tragic opera, is sexually confused and dominated by a strictly religious upbringing. In English with piano and cast of four. ) THE TROUSERED TRAVIATA (Wed 6 & Sun 10). From late 1800s to WWII, Paris was a centre of sexual freedom and same-sex cultures. Against that milieu this all-female version explores LGBT and filial relationships, reworking Verdi’s tragic opera.
) LE CLUCK (Fri 8 & Thu 21). New cabaret showcase of the weird and wonderful with comedy, music, circus and magic hosted by Tori Bond with witty songstress Hannah Brackenbury, guitarist Chris Marsh, improvised jazz from Peddy Pedro Knowles and dancer Bethania Matheus, Jane Postlethwaite‘s comic characters, Julie Jepson as Shannon Crabsticks and James McDonnell’s crazy musical comedy. ) IF YOU LEAVE (Wed 20). Can you stay true to yourself when RAINBOW CHORUS everything suggests you change? St George’s Church, St George’s After sell-out performances in Rd, Kemptown London and New York, 201’s raw, ) RAINBOW CHORUS SINGS OUT! contemporary hip hop returns in a (Mon 18). Free, informal showcase story of two men’s broken of the Chorus performing contemporary encounter. hits, treasured favourites, choral ) THREE SHORT PLAYS ABOUT classics and some surprises in GAYS (Wed 20–Sun 24). A landlord. advance of their summer concerts. A parent. A child. Three big gays! And three short and witty plays THEATRE NORTH about them! Cast includes Louise 11 Crescent Place, Kemptown Jameson & Gregory Ashton. ) MIRANDO THE GAY TEMPEST (16, 9-10). An exuberant adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest, a one man 'tour de force' imagining the play peopled by gay characters, with Prospero’s daughter transformed into his son Mirando.
THREE SHORT PLAYS
WHAT IS NORMAL ANYWAY
8-10 Rock Place, Kemp Town ) WHAT IS NORMAL, ANYWAY? (25, 28, 29). Trio of plays exploring 'normality'. In Hacktivists, techno geeks transform into cyberbullies. In Questo Strangolato Rumore, insanity transforms into sanity or is it the other way around? In Pronoun, teenage Isabella transgenders towards boyhood.
44-46 Komedia, Gardner Street ) BENT DOUBLE (Sun 3). An irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow). ) ZOE LYONS: MUSTARD CUTTER (Sun 17). Edinburgh Comedy Award best newcomer nominee, Dave’s funniest Fringe Joke winner & Bent OTHERPLACE @ Double host Zoe Lyons brings her Edinburgh show to Brighton Fringe. The Basement, 24 Kensington St 4 GUYS CHILLIN’ (22, 24, 25). A graphic, gripping, funny and frank verbatim drama exposing the gay chill-out scene. 'Wanna pair of shorts? Shot of G? Line of Meth?' From surgeons to students, couples to kink; guys that love it and lost guys longing to be loved. An original look into a drug-fuelled, hedonistic, highly secret world of chem-sex, Grindr and instant gratification.
RAINBOW CHORUS
THE LANTERN @ ACT
ZOE LYONS
THE CHRISTEENE MACHINE
songs of the day to each other in West End Revues, living together openly and enjoying the starry life of Bright Young Things. Will their relationship survive the pressures of the age and the conflicting urges to marry and conform or to party wildly into oblivion? ) MADMAN MARATHON MAN (Fri 15–Mon 18). Matt has been losing his best friend Sam to sport for years. In order to save their friendship, he's going to become the one thing that's been driving a wedge between them - a modern sports star. His aim is simple: encapsulate everything that a modern star represents and take it to the extreme. Glory, pride, discrimination and tabloid disgrace multiplied by ten.
4 GUYS CHILLIN
GSCENE 45
46 GSCENE
ART MATTERS B Y E NZO MA RRA
SUN PIER HOUSE GALLERY www.sunpierhouse.co.uk ) Beginning with a solo outing of my works, if you’re Chatham-bound this month, make your way to the Sun Pier House Gallery (Tue 5–Sun 31) and if you are in the mood for a Private View (6–9pm, Sat 9). I’m showing works which relate to the processes which ordinarily occur hidden within the studio – the mixing and applying of paint, the concentrated and diligent use of palette, the way that such activities can be recorded and seen as end products in their own right. The mix of prior, affiliated and apparent final image allowing my studio activities to be installed in the gallery for viewing on wall, floor and table.
AGNEES VARDA
UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON GALLERY Grand Parade, Brighton, arts.brighton.ac.uk ) RACHEL KNEEBONE is showing works in the South Gallery (Sat 2–Sun 24) as part of the Brighton Festival 2015. Oxfordshire-born Kneebone draws on a host of literary and artistic sources in her finely sculpted porcelain work, from Ovid’s Metamorphosis to the surreal, expressive figures of Rodin's The Gates of Hell. Her sculptures have been exhibited around the world, including solo exhibitions at New York’s Brooklyn Museum and White Cube, Bermondsey. ) AGNÈS VARDA, who was recently awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the European Film Academy for her outstanding body of work, will create an installation in the North Gallery for the duration of Brighton Festival. An outspoken feminist throughout her career, Varda, now 86, has created some of the most interesting female protagonists in 20th century cinema.
REGENCY TOWN HOUSE www.rth.org.uk ) PORTRAITS OF DISSENSION (Sat 2–Sun 24), a new commission by renowned Turner Prize shortlisted British contemporary artist NATHAN COLEY, this year's invited HOUSE artist. Coley’s exhibition takes as its point of departure themes of architecture in a state of renewal and destruction, including materials referencing Brighton’s Royal Palace and images of a Brighton landmark building on the day it was bombed, together with ready-made documents from a morally uncertain world. Marking moments in history and the collective memory, Portraits of Dissension are not illustrations of the events themselves, but more an abstract which to explore wider implications, more universal ideas: a memorable and fixed point about which we can begin a discussion, relate back, reflect and consider what's next. This exhibition acts as a locater in which to explore ideas of unrest, the monumental and absence, edge and shift, portraiture and representation, space and occupation. These few opportunities of course only scratch the surface of the art that adorn Brighton & Hove throughout the May Festival. You’ll find a plethora of events to excite and scintillate you here: ) http://brightonfestival.org ) www.brightonfringe.org ) www.housefestival.org ) www.aoh.org.uk
WE ARE THE DOGS New Steine Hotel, 10 & 11 New Steine, Kemptown www.newsteinehotel.com ) FUNKY RED DOG is showing some new work as part of the Fringe arts festival at the New Steine Hotel. This collection showcases some of his new large works on canvas, incorporating classic British Mod style with his ever expanding collection of anthropomorphic dog models to create a vibrate and exciting collection of artwork on canvas and paper at affordable prices. Funky Red Dog is a fine art printmaker, trained in London, who makes intricate hand-cut stencils featuring various surreal combinations of people with dogs heads replacing their own. He takes these strangely beautiful new characters and spraypaints them on various walls and street furniture around Brighton. These new works on canvas allow us to look at his work in a new way and admire the slick and shiny feel of the paint. "Using spraypaint allows me to build up multiple layers of slick and shiny gloss paint, making a wonderful shiny surface which I can overpaint to create different angles for the light to catch the image. I enjoy the luxurious nature of the paint, the way it dribbles and splats creating a beautiful mass of mess.” Funky Red Dog invites us into his surreal world to enjoy the craftsmanship and slickness of these new stylish works in the sumptuous surroundings of the New Steine boutique hotel bar.
BRUSH (venue 14) 84 Gloucester Rd, BN1 4AP www.brushbrighton.co.uk ) Based in Brighton’s historic North Laine, BRUSH are showing an exciting mix of over 20 artists as part of the Artists Open House trail during the Brighton Festival. Artists and makers include: Romany Mark Bruce, Frances Bloomfield, Mike Edwards and Will Blood to name a few. With a pop-up cafe by TwitTwoo Bakery and events including life-drawing with Kate Shields, an Art Yard Sale, workshops and much more, this is a creative extravaganza not to be missed with lots of original art for sale, including painting, mixed media, prints, cards, hand-made, etc.
GRAPHIC BRIGHTON: DRAWING IN THE MARGINS Sallis Benney Theatre, University of Brighton, 58-67 Grand Parade, Box Office: https://boxoffice.brightonfringe.org ) The University of Brighton and Myriad Editions present an evening and day (Fri 1 & Sat 2) of graphic novelists and comic creators who all ‘draw in the margins’, their work giving voice to otherwise marginalised or under-represented groups. Friday at 6.30pm offers a panel discussion on Gay Manga, Yaoi and Japanese-style art in gay-themed webcomics with Emma Vieceli, Inko & Chie Kutsuwada, Ilya followed at 8pm by a Myriad Quick Strips where 12 creators talk about their work in five minutes with Joe Decie, Hannah Eaton, Dan Locke, Nicola Streeten, Ian Williams, Nye Wright and ILYA. Saturday offers panels, talks and workshops by comic writers, artists, publishers and researchers on themes including: marginalised voices in comics, age, multiculturalism, street dwellers, autism, pregnancy and motherhood, comics as a marginalised medium. Panel guests include: Tim Pilcher, Karrie Fransman, Dr Muna al Jawad, Corinne Pearlman, Ian Rakoff, Nye Wright, Ilya, Laura Malacart, Dan Locke, Warren Pleece, Patrice Aggs, Henny Beaumont, Francesca Cassavetti, Kate Evans. Tickets: Fri free/Sat £10/£6 conc.) Advance booking advised.
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“I like what they [Rainbow Fund] do and the organisations that they work with... That sense of working for community is important and I like being part of the Brighton community”
CUTTING THE MUSTARD An hour in the company of local comedian Zoe Lyons (and Craig Hanlon-Smith) ) Zoe Lyons decamped to Brighton from London more than 10 years ago, originally a Kemptowner now comfortably ensconced in Hove (actually) where she now lives with her wife. Zoe, a regular on the comedy club circuit and host of the monthly Komedia night Bent Double, is about to embark on an 11-date UK tour Zoe Lyons – Mustard Cutter. I began by asking Zoe what we can expect from the new show... “In many ways, it’s not so new. It’s the show I took to Edinburgh, I’ve just pulled it out of the cupboard and polished it up a bit” This isn’t the only time during our meet that Zoe undersells herself. This is the show that the national press raved about in August 2014: “Hugely confident, passionate, energetic ….she gets better and better” (The Mirror). And the inspiration for the tour’s name? “Zoe Lyons really cuts the mustard” (The Scotsman). “My shows are never heavily themed,” (she says) “but if there is a theme to this show it’s ‘what it is to be better’ or to think of yourself as ‘better’ than others”. I ask Zoe when creating a show what inspires her? Where does the new material come from? “I don’t think I’ve ever actually sat down and written a show, material sort of grows throughout the year. It’s quite organic. I try bits out live and some of it lands and some not. It’s like a rolling ball of a show and bits attach, like a fur-ball. That’s it, it’s a great big fur-ball of a show, a fur-ball of fun” (she laughs). “Bent Double is really important in development. I have a regular crowd there so every month I need to be turning up with at least fifty-percent new material”. How important is the festival circuit in that process? In Brighton there’s the Fringe and the comedy festival and then with Edinburgh…
she jumps in: “Yes but the comedy festival here is tiny!”, and makes an appropriately sized shape with her fingers. “The names fly in, do one night and disappear again. Edinburgh is the bookmark for the year and it’s great to have that deadline – you’ve got to have a show and it’s got to be good. I really appreciate having that annual deadline otherwise what would comedians do? We’d just be sitting around in our pyjamas all day. But Edinburgh is a prison”. As she laughs again I assume Zoe speaks metaphorically: “I mean you’re up there for the month.” She goes on: “You’ve got to be performing a show that doesn’t just land with the audience. You have to enjoy it otherwise that’s one long month”. What advice would you give up-and-coming artists considering an Edinburgh stint? “Go and have a look first. Artists get ripped of in Edinburgh – everyone is making money up there except the artists and you have to know that. And any audience you get? Then you’re a success. I’ve played shows [in the beginning] to four people. It’s important for my shows to be funny, entertaining, what I would call the ‘surface stuff’. I’m not interested in tearing the audience apart with my truth bombs”. I was dying to ask her whom she was referring to but I secretly wanted her to like me so I left it alone and made up the answer in my head. Sometimes life’s a bit ‘better’ that way. A couple of days before I meet Zoe, US-based plastic surgeon to the stars Fredric Brandt had committed suicide, his death linked to his apparent spiralling depression following a television skit starring Tina Fey. I ask Zoe if the comedy scene has a responsibility to consider the consequences of some humour, such as the Australian radio DJs’ prank leading to the death of a hospital nurse, which could be considered near the mark or perhaps cruel:
“I hadn’t heard of this American guy thing, but when I get home I’m going to look it up! Listen – those DJs never expected that nurse to kill herself but there’s a difference I think; calling a nurse who’s just trying to do her job probably not paid very much is one thing but this Hollywood guy? I mean he’s famous himself right? Working with all those celebrities he’s putting himself out there…” I show Zoe the story and accompanying photograph from the day’s paper ”…and looking like that, I mean you’ve got to expect somebody to take the piss. Surely. I mean – hasn’t he set himself up?” Do you miss Spitting Image and that level of political and celebrity satire in the mainstream? “Yes, but I also miss the characters in politics that allowed that. That’s possibly why [Nigel] Farage is doing so well, what with his pint, trilby and fag on. He’s tapped into something people need in their politicians”. She’s amusing with it but obviously takes a view of our current ‘political class’. “All these boring, samey middlemanagement-looking men. Thatcher was a bitch but at least she solicited some sort of response”. You’re a patron of the Rainbow Fund - why is that important to you? “I like what they do and the organisations that they work with such as Older & Out. That sense of working for community is important and I like being part of the Brighton community and it’s not necessarily a ‘gay’ thing but about community on a much bigger scale. The Rainbow Fund gives money to groups who just wouldn’t get it any other way – they’re hardly going to get it from the Government are they? Such as speech therapy for trans people – these projects wouldn’t be funded. That’s why.” You’ve been based in Brighton & Hove for some time now. What do you love about our fair city and what really grinds your gears? “The A23 grinds my gears!” (she laughs), “I love playing Brighton it’s always a great crowd and living here you just have that connect you know? Look I moved here from London and I’m so happy here and having lived in places where I was not happy I just think that’s so important – being happy, it’s a basic human right. I was sick of London. Sick of being angry all the time, on the tube and all that. I grew up by the sea, had friends here so…” she pauses and looks out of the window. “I love it”.
Zoe Lyons ) Zoe Lyons Mustard Cutter hits the road on May 5 with a stop at The Komedia in Brighton (May 17, 0845 293 8480) and St James Studio, London (June 25, 0844 264 2140). Zoe hosts Bent Double at The Komedia on the first Sunday of each month. ) www.zoelyons.co.uk t @zoelyons t @craigscontinuum
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CLASSICAL NOTES B Y NIC K B O STO N
REVIEWS
as providing contrast in the sonatas that begin each section. Opus Arte OACD9023D
) The Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford, conducted by Daniel Hyde, have begun a recording relationship with the label Opus Arte, and two of their discs, of vastly different repertoire, are reviewed here. DIETERICH BUXTEHUDE (c.1637-1707) worked as an organist, but was widely respected as a composer, and was visited by Handel and Telemann, as
) MATTHEW MARTIN (b1976) won a British Composers Award for his anthem In The Year That King Uzziah Died, which is recorded on this disc, along with a selection of his choral compositions, many of these world premiere recordings. Most of the music was written between 2011 and 2014, mostly commissions from cathedral and college choirs and festivals. The style is clearly rooted in the Anglican cathedral tradition, and the choir here are thus in very comfortable territory. As a result, this was a much more successful recording for me than their Buxtehude. Organist Stephen Farr gives able support throughout. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, written for St John’s College in Cambridge, are dramatic settings, with striking bitonal harmonies between choir and organ. In
rhythms. The Mozart Klavierquartett are strong advocates for this undiscovered gem in their spirited performance here. I was less convinced by their performance of ANTONÍN DVOřÁK’s (1841-1904) Piano Quartet No. 1, Op. 23. The Czech inflections need much more bite, and the theme and variations that form the slow movement need greater passion. Having said that, they steer a secure path through the range of musical ideas that Dvořák crammed into the finale, and bring the piece to a rousing conclusion. Overall, the Stähle is the work here that makes this recording a worthwhile purchase – for the Dvořák alone, there are many more worthy rivals out there. MDG 6150233-2 Reviews, comments and events: nicks-classical-notes.blogspot.co.uk Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk
BRIGHTON FRINGE FESTIVAL This year I’m focussing on some of the classical music highlights in the Fringe Festival. As ever, there is lots in the main festival, which gets lots of coverage, but there’s always a wealth of talent performing in the Fringe, and often tickets are much more affordable. Details of all Fringe events and booking at www.brightonfringe.org / 01273 917272.
contrast, the brief, a capella Justorum Animae, written to commemorate the death of a friend is simple yet touching, and the ethereal lines weaving between organ, choir and solo treble in Dormi, Jesu!, also written to mark the death of another friend, are equally affecting. This may not be music to listen to a whole album of in one go, but as a record of this talented composer’s output the performances here are exemplary, and there are a number of works here that could and should be successfully performed in concert settings. Opus Arte OACD9030D ) HUGO STÄHLE (1826-1848) died tragically young from meningitis, aged just 21. Consequently, despite apparently showing considerable talent and promise, there is little of his music published. His Piano Quartet,
) St Michael & All Angels Church host a number of recitals, including cellist Pavlos Carvalho (May 9-10 & 20-31), violinist Benedict Cruft (May 2-3, 15 & 29) and pianist Rachel Fryer (May 16). The female vocal Sinopia Trio performs music from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Verdi’s Macbeth, as well as Andrews Sisters classics (May 23). There’s also Poulenc and Debussy from soprano Marianne Wright (May 24) and Chopin, Schumann and Scriabin from pianists Simon Ballard and Shin Suzuma (May 17 & 23). ) The Friends’ Meeting House in Ship Street hosts recitals from pianists Helen Burford (May 10), Johan de Cock (May 16 & 30), cellist Corinne Morris (May 23), and Madelaine Jones (May 31). ) The New London Opera Players and Secret Opera are performing their all-male reworking of Bizet’s Carmen (May 5 & 9) and the all-female The Trousered Traviata (May 6 & 10), and the Music Troupe perform their opera The Catfish Conundrum (May 22-24), all at the The Warren at St Peter’s Church North. ) Finally, the Sussex Symphony Orchestra’s concert, The Light and Dark: The Music of a Changing England features music by Holst and Vaughan Williams, with cellist Pavlos Carvalho in the Elgar Cello Concerto (May 23).
PAVLOS CARVALHO
) Music of our Time are putting on a concert to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day, with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, Tchaikovsky’s Pathetique Symphony and Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. The Kantanti Ensemble is joined by pianist Martin James Bartlett and soprano Louise Moseley (May 8, Royal Pavilion).
HELEN BURFORD
well as J S Bach, who walked 200 miles from Armstadt to Lübeck to hear him play. His Membra Jesu Nostri is a set of seven cantatas, each a meditation on a different part of Christ’s body on the cross. The cantatas all begin with a short instrumental sonata, and then Buxtehude bookends one or more solo arias setting parts of the Salva Mundi text with repeated choral settings of various biblical texts. Throughout, Buxtehude uses exquisite word painting to bring out the text. In this recording most of the solo soprano arias are sung by several treble voices, and the other solo parts are taken by John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Robin Blaze (countertenor) and Giles Underwood (bass). The piece would have been originally sung using boys voices, but I have to say I am more used to hearing it (and prefer it) with female voices on the soprano lines. Here, the choir sound best in the full choral sections, producing a strong blended sound. But the individual or pared down treble voices sound too undernourished for me, with occasionally rather fragile tuning too. This creates an uneven balance with the excellent male soloists, particularly in the sequences of verse arias. The small viol consort, Phatasm, are excellent throughout, perfectly underpinning the singing as well
Op.1 remains, as do a symphony, one opera and some song cycles and piano pieces. He was a pupil of Louis Spohr, and friends with the composer Gade and the Schumanns. His music in this piano quartet has a definite Schubertian feel – there is nothing that one might call exceptional, but the lyrical and understated slow movement definitely has something original to say, and the finale has real energy in its playful
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GEEK SCENE COMICS & GAMES BY CRAIG STORRIE
COMICS
GAMES ) Every year and indeed every summer we are inundated with a slew of new games which can make it very confusing as to which games you should play. Let us take a look at a few of these new games and why exactly you should add them to your collections.
MORTAL KOMBAT X (PS4 / XBOX ONE) ) Retcons and reboots are part and parcel of superhero comic books. Whilst Marvel has a rolling continuity updating things as they go along and moving events to be more in line with the present, DC are famous for constantly rebooting and tweaking their existing universe to suit creative and story differences and changes. This year both of the two biggest comic book publishers are changing their existing universes into something new with two event comics that are surprisingly similar to each other. These two storylines are Marvel’s Secret Wars and DC’s Convergence, so let’s take a closer look into what to expect from these series’ and how they will change the landscape of superhero comics for the foreseeable future.
The first in the series to make the jump to the next generation of consoles, Mortal Kombat X builds upon the previous game in the series to create a graphically stunning and very technical fighting game. Taking place 25 years after the last title, MKX includes a varied slew of newcomers mixed in with the series’ returning yet aged veterans. Mortal Kombat fans have no need to worry with the time jump as fan favourites are still very much included such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden and Reptile. What is the major new addition with this entry is that each character now has three variations which the player chooses before the match begins. These choices can easily affect the outcome of battle as each one puts an emphasis on that character’s personality, for instance Scorpion can either use his dual swords with the ninjutsu variation or summon hellfire to help win the fight by using his inferno move set. This new feature helps make MKX the most technical Mortal Kombat to date which is no bad thing, if you need a new fighting game then this is the one to get!
THE WITCHER 3 (PS4/ XBOX ONE/ PC) This month we will look into DC’s Convergence which began at the beginning of April and will run until the end of May. The story takes off during the final issues of two of DC’s recent weekly series’, Earth 2: World’s End and the five-year leap ahead comic Futures End. The plot revolves around the supervillain Brainiac who has trapped and collected various cities and people from different eras before their universe collapsed and has saved them in large domes outside of time and space. After collecting 40 different cities, he has decided to pit each of these timelines and eras against one another in a grand experiment to see what happens when these people finally meet. When various DC heroes and villains meet their multiverse counterparts chaos ensues and a new villain called Telos rises from the battle attempting to take control of everything. Convergence is another weekly series that began with a zero issue and will run for just eight issues during which all regular series’ will be put on an eight week hiatus and replaced with various miniseries tie-ins that, rather excitedly, take characters from a variety of eras from DC’s entire publication history. Even more notable is the fact that this event will show the return of characters from before the Flashpoint event that created the New 52 continuity that we have currently. The aftermath of the Convergence event will see an end to the New 52 imprint as we know it but this doesn’t mean a complete rewrite of the DC Universe as DC recently did that four years ago. The continuity established during the New 52 will continue onward into the future so anything you have been reading since the last reboot still stands. Once the event is over in June, DC’s line of comic books will consist of 25 existing ongoing titles which will retain their storylines and numbering and 24 all new series’ that will all begin at issue number one with brand new storylines. These new titles include Starfire, Black Canary, Cyborg, Bizarro and most randomly, Bat Mite!. Next month we will take an in depth look at Marvel’s side of the coin and see just what to expect from Secret Wars and see what it means for the Marvel Universe!
Said to be 30 times larger than previous Witcher games and even 20% bigger than the vast Skyrim, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a huge, huge game. The third title in the Witcher series, the storyline follows the titular Witcher Geralt of Rivia who has embarked on a new and personal mission that will take him to a dark conclusion to his epic story.
The game itself is beautiful with rolling hills and valleys that go on forever, and as to be expected from the series, the voice acting and story is perfect with a deep and involving plot thread that makes you want to see the game through to the end. If you are looking for a new RPG after finishing Dragon Age than you need to pick this up as soon as it is released on May 19.
BLOODBORNE (PS4) A spiritual successor to the Demon/Dark Souls series, Bloodborne is amazingly brutal. Set in the dark and foreboding gothic city of Yharnam you take the role of a traveller who has come to the area to seek a cure to their afflictions. Combat is fast paced with hordes of enemies out to totally destroy you if you make even the slightest misstep. The game features a risk versus reward system of gameplay that means you have to really get stuck in to receive the highest reward. Make no mistake you will love to hate this game, frustration isn’t the word!
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SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN
) Bergamot & Amber Soap, Cologne, Face Wash and Shave Oil from £6 (Merlin & Ellis, 9 Manchester St, Brighton, 01273 623560, merlinandellis.net)
) SATYRICON (Eureka blu-ray). Fellini’s film is set in an ancient Rome which looks like some kind of dystopian future. It follows the fortunes of a pair of gay lovers (Martin Potter and Hiram Keller) in a fragmentary and, at times, rather baffling way; having a lucid narrative is not one of the film’s strong points. Its visuals are as striking as you’d expect from the director. Certainly worth a look as, on its original release, one critic referred to Satyricon as 'the most profoundly homosexual movie in all history'. ) BLOOD AND BLACK LACE (Arrow blu-ray). Mario Bava’s 1964 thriller is one of the most visually arresting films currently available in high-def. One of the earliest giallos – Italian whodunnits with lashings of gore and sex – it centres on a fashion house whose models die a series of increasing horrible deaths. The plot is almost incidental to the incredibly composed, hallucinatory images. Every room and every landscape its characters inhabit is lit with an intense, almost lurid, colour which helps give the film its feel of nightmarish unreality. You may forget the story and characters pretty much the second it’s finished, but its images will stay with you for years. ) BILL MORRISON SELECTED FILMS (BFI bluray). This three-disc set features the work of America’s pre-eminent ‘film archeologist’. In works like DECASIA Morrison uses decayed archival footage set to the cream of the US avant-garde classical and jazz scenes to produce something new and completely unique. The warping, bubbling and cracking of the image seems to point to the fragility of its human subjects, but also, as the director notes in a filmed interview, it also shows how the essence, the ’spirit' survives. Meditative and compelling, these works have been shown in cinemas, museums, galleries and concert halls around the world.
) New Season Bar Code Shorts, £25; Keith Haring Gentleman’s Self Pleasuring Device , £10.95 (Prowler, 112-113 St James's St, Brighton, 01273 683680)
) Pantone Sugar Bowl, £20 (England at Home, 22b Ship St, Brighton, 01273 205544)
) Monkey T- Light Holder, £18.95 (Papillon, 23 Ship St, 01273 774478)
) V&A Kite Vase, £30 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861)
) Cactus Candle, £17.45 (Edited, 3 Gardner St, Brighton, 01273 604006, editedbrighton.com)
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BOOKS B Y E RIC PAG E
) THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: Volume 1: Search For My Heart: A Novel by Larry Kramer (£28). The new long-awaited novel by America's master playwright and activist, is a radical reimagining of American history and embodies Kramer's vision of his beloved and accursed homeland. As the founder of ACT UP and the author of Faggots, Kramer has decisively affected America. This novel wraps up his themes of plague, revision, death and despair along with their counterpoints of hope, love, charity and redemption. Only Kramer can make you laugh like this at such pain and suffer the hope of love’s recovery. He’s as astonishing now as then. His pen is dipped in acid (of both types) and he drags us into his multi-layered world and reimagined histories and revisionist romantic dalliances of historical greats. He made me gasp at his audacity and laugh out loud at his shameless reimagining of great American heroes and villains. I’m so glad there’s a Kramer in the world. We’d be diminished without his dream factory that takes our nightmares and spins them into solid gold mythologies to grow up with. This is a work of ribald satire, prophetic anger, and dazzling imagination. It’s an encyclopaedic indictment written with outrageous love. Gay writing really doesn’t get any better than this book dear reader; buy a copy even if you never read, just to impress your friends. But buy it and weep! ) THE UP STAIRS LOUNGE ARSON by Clayton Delery-Edwards (£32.50). This grim but absorbing read covers the events of June 24, 1973, when a fire in a New Orleans gay bar killed 32 people. It still stands as the deadliest fire in the city's history. Though arson was suspected and the police identified a likely culprit, no arrest was ever made. Additionally, government and religious leaders who normally would have provided moral leadership at a time of crisis were either silent or were openly disdainful of the dead, most of whom were gay men. Based upon reviews of hundreds of primary and secondary sources, including contemporary news accounts, interviews with former patrons of the Lounge, and the extensive documentary trail left behind by the criminal investigations, this tells the story of who used this bar, what happened on the day of the fire, what course the investigations took, why an arrest was never made, and what the lasting effects have been. ) SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli (£11.88). Sixteen-yearold and not so openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But an email falls into the wrong hands and his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will be everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, pen name of the boy he’s been emailing and falling in love with, will be compromised. This is wonderfully funny and touching in equal measure, and so refreshing to have a young LGBTQ book that’s not riddled with tragedy or shadowed with doubt. With a bright, enquiring, loving, intelligent and geeky queer character at the narrative heart, this coming-of-age, coming out story is a splendid first novel.
QUEENIE’S
STRIP SERVICE BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE
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CRAIG’S THOUGHTS LA DOLCE VITA VIVA LA FAMIGLIA [TRADIZIONALE] BY CRAIG HANLON-SMITH @craigscontinuum
) Even the most cynical amongst us occasionally have days where we are convinced the summer sun is beginning to peer across the bleakest of meadows, and its delicate red morning warmth starts to evaporate the dew that has spent decades reminding us that our stockinged feet might always have to be soaked to the skin. And a new day has begun. We have just passed the first birthday of our same-sex marriage bill and December will see the 10th anniversary of the first civil partnerships, which took place under legislation already more than a decade old. Were you even aware that should you have your partnership converted into a marriage, this is backdated to the original recording of your legal union? There are gay people up and down this green and pleasant land that will be able to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary even though technically it would only have happened moments earlier. I told you, sunshine on the horizon. If normality (open wide to interpretation) is your thing then despite your homosexuality it is now possible for even you to join the children’s party. Our mainstream lifestyle magazines are peppered with images of gay royalty rolling around on a picnic blanket with their apparently happy synthetic children untimely ripped from a rented uterus possibly as part of current fad, generally interrupting life’s natural flow. “No! wait!” we scream, “it’s getting better!” we whimper, as the winter clouds descend across the morning sky and the rosetinted tips of the wild grass fade to black and eventually wilt and die in the frost-bitten shade. At the time of reading you may be well aware of the über-celebrity spat between the Sir Elton John/David Furnish partnership and international celebrity designers to the stars, former lovers Dolce and Gabbana, the latter having lanced a positive interpretation of IVF-driven families with a somewhat, and perhaps unnecessarily, poisonous javelin of an interview in Panorama D’Italia. In addition to the ‘rented’ and ‘synthetic’ comments outlined above, yes reader, they were all theirs and real, our gay fashion brothers go on to say: “The only family is the traditional one”. Of course the trap that Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have slipped into with these comments is the same pitfall of anyone failing to recognise the presence of gay people in traditional families for centuries. Whilst the visibility of LGBT components to a family unit may have varied over the years, our former invisibility was one of an inability to see, acknowledge and accept, and that my friends in the wider heterosexual community, was your issue. We were always there, you either did not see, acknowledge or accept our presence. And I do not accept any guilt on your behalf. I do however sympathise with Dolce and Gabbana. They are clearly scarred by such arrogant ignorance to their presence in earlier forms of their family lives, that their internalised homophobia has now so wrapped itself neatly into their uncomfortable psyche, that they see themselves as the disability within the traditional family unit. In 2005 Dolce and Gabbana featured on the front cover of Vanity Fair in Italy surrounded by what they described in the interview as “a football team of children”. As part of the article, Domenico Dolce shared his inner most thoughts as to his desire to become a father: “In life I have had everything it is possible to have [except becoming a father] but,” here it comes, fasten your seatbelts, “I have the small handicap of being gay so having a child is not possible to me”. Yes. Handicap. Gay as a disability and this from gay royalty. There are, Ladies and Gentlemen,
gay men mixing with international superstars, designing performance wardrobes for contemporary legends and gay-male icons Madonna, Kylie Minogue and the like, describing their sexual orientation as a handicap. When a gay man describes his own self in such terms you can be confident that he’s a train wreck and you might want to reconsider that recently legalised marriage proposal. It doesn’t matter how much money he has except that one would assume Domenico could have a therapist on the payroll or at least a gob-stopper. I for one have spent so much time in my preciously short life sorting out my own s**t, the last thing I would want to be doing when I come home at night to my phenomenally successful fashion designing husband in our remarkably glorious and enormous baroque central Milan apartment, is picking up off the floor a trembling dribbling Domenico clutching a framed photograph of a stranger’s baby wailing “why Momma why”. Arrivederci you f**king idiot although as technically ‘arrivederci’ directly translated means ‘I’ll see you again’, a simple kick to the nuts and “screw you” would be more appropriate as I swan out of said apartment leaving the whimpering Domenico to shudder in the shadow of a slamming door. (I might whip a Botticelli off the wall on the way out, a girl needs her pension). I’d rather be saddled to a shelf-stacker in Aldi on 9k per annum who liked himself, than hoodwinked into a self-loathing miserable arrangement as that accidentally painted by this pair in the fashion pages of the popular Italian media.
“The trap that Domenico and Stefano slipped into is the same pitfall of anyone failing to recognise the presence of gay people in traditional families for centuries” There have been plenty of times when Sir Elton John and David Furnish have ground my gears down to carbonised molecule powder, but hands down full marks to them for making a stand and driving the internet boycott of Dolce and Gabbana. “Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times” Sir Elton wrote in an open letter to the fashionista giants. Sir Elton and Mr Furnish had begun their quest for a child in 2009 attempting to adopt a young HIV positive child from a Ukrainian orphanage. This was blocked on account of Sir Elton being “too old” and “not married”, although he was in a civil partnership, in other words for being gay. Taking control of their circumstances and not wallowing in their handicap has brought two beautiful and extremely fortunate young children into the world. And that we should celebrate.
GSCENE 53
HYDES’ HOPES
HOMELY HOMILY
BY REV MICHAEL HYDES
BY GLENN STEVENS
MY FAMILY
SAGE ADVICE
) When I was a kid I dreamt of being adopted. I had parents, and I loved them, but I had to wonder what it would be like to be loved by people who accepted me just as I was. The reality was that I had to hide who I was from my family. I knew that if they found out who I really was they’d throw me out.
) A year ago my best mates Davey and Martin became foster parents to a great lad called Lee. Here is a snapshot of their experience.
When they did find out the rejection was complete, and there was a long time when I had no family. It was painful and I was lonely. I longed to be a part of a family and eventually, much to my surprise, I was. Liz took me in and her family was mine. Suddenly I had siblings, and a dog. I can’t begin to express what a difference it made to me. It saved my life. I was accepted, unconditionally, and for the first time in my life able to explore what it meant for me to be a gay man. I was 22 years-old, but nobody needed to be adopted more than I. Imagine being adopted by a community who understands who you are. Secure in the knowledge that they are there for you, and that they likewise trust you to support and care for them. Imagine the feeling of warmth and security that comes from knowing that it's not because they have to love you, but because they’ve chosen to love you. You are adopted, chosen, a part of something greater than yourself. Safe, secure.
“Imagine the feeling of warmth and security that comes from knowing that it's not because they have to love you, but because they’ve chosen to love you” It’s what I believe a real church is all about. It’s not a group of people who all believe exactly the same thing. At the Village MCC even what we believe about Jesus differs greatly from person to person. For some he is the Son of God. For others he’s a wise teacher. My husband may be an atheist but we share the same values. Love, trust, and grace are not religious words, they are the common foundation upon which we build community. Real church changes lives. We don’t just connect with people we like or people we have lots in common with. We learn how to get along with, to accept, to love, people who are very different and may believe very differently. It is our values that bind us, not rules or fear. We support our fellow travellers unconditionally, especially when they’re wrong and make mistakes. We learn how to love and serve, how to lead and how to follow. We become chosen, and choose everybody else without exception. We learn what real discipline is. It’s not ‘right and wrong’, or being told what to do. Discipline is being able to steer your own course true, even in the roughest storm, because others are helping you. It happens automatically in healthy loving families. In a healthy church it happens by design. What is your destiny and how are you going fulfill it? With the unequivocal support of a community you can do anything, be anything. It is the wind beneath your wings. We should all learn what it is to be adopted, to be chosen. It is to know that you will never be rejected for who you are. It is to feel the support of a family, and the knowledge that it needs you too. In a world that says “It’'s all about YOU” it’s daring to say that “It’s all about US”. We dare to commit and accept commitment. In my experience there’s nothing better.
We discussed why we wanted to become foster parents, this process took a good couple of years as we assessed where we were at in our lives and if we were ready both emotionally and financially for this challenging but hugely rewarding role. We spoke to our family and friends and got them to engage with what we knew would be a lifechanging experience. The first step was to phone round the local councils as well as the private fostering organisations. There is an excellent LGBT foster parent advice website: newfamilysocial.org.uk which we highly recommend. From here the whole process took around five months, from the initial contact with the child foster agency through to hearing if we had been accepted as foster parents. The initial visit was to assess our homes suitability, a spare room for our foster child was an essential requirement, as well as asking us why we wished to become foster parents. We had around 20 one-hour interviews with a specialist social worker who got to know us as a couple and on an individual bases which was quite in-depth: from our family background to passed relationships. For those thinking of becoming a foster parent, this part of the process can feel quite daunting and there may be a belief that only those with a perfect background can become foster parents, but this is not always the case. It is those who have faced life issues and dealt with them head-on that can also make fantastic foster parents as they have many of the life skills needed for this role. Equally, we both found the interviews really useful as we were able to go into a lot of depth about our concerns and doubts that hadn’t been so clear at the beginning. With the support from our social worker, alongside some brilliant specialist courses that gave us clear guidelines about our responsibilities and what to expect, we knew we were ready to become foster parents.
“It is those who have faced life issues and dealt with then head-on that can also make fantastic foster parents” From here, a 60-page report was created from these interviews which we got to read. Both of us found it really interesting as things came up that we didn’t know about each other and on occasions things we had forgotten about ourselves! We then met a panel of 10 professionals, made up from a cross section of people, including a policeman, GP, social worker, a representative from the safe guarding team and a former foster child; all of whom had read the 60-page report about us. This may sound a little intimidating but we found it incredibly helpful to have their insight. About a week later we were delighted to hear that we had been accepted as foster parents. The final part was to match us up with a foster child who had similar interests to us; Lee is really creative, loves art, film and dressing up as super heroes, so our dressing up box has come in to its own!
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KEITH SHARPE ENEMY WITHIN JUDGE THEM BY THEIR FRIENDS SAYS DR KEITH SHARPE CHANGING ATTITUDE SUSSEX
) Well talk about being stabbed in the back by your own! What were Dolce and Gabbana thinking of? Two very rich and well heeled gay men denouncing same-sex marriage and rubbishing IVF babies as ‘synthetic’? It all makes for a very unedifying spectacle. This extremely privileged couple who have benefitted hugely from the secular liberal culture they so happily condemn were doing our enemies’ work for them. The Sun newspaper made this crystal clear by inviting our local homophobe, Andrea Minichiello Williams, to write a leader column in support of them! You remember her, she is the disgraceful General Synod representative for our own Diocese of Chichester who spoke out in support of Jamaican laws which sentence gay men to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour. Full marks of course go to gay hero Elton John who publicly expressed his outrage at the denigration of his marriage to David Furnish and the description of their children as synthetic. His call for a boycott of Dolce and Gabbana products was well supported and hopefully will have communicated to the two Italian designers just how odious many good people found their unpleasant comments.
From the point of view of gay Christians it was particularly unfortunate that this episode led once again to widespread public discussion of the issue in terms of either gay rights or Christian values. This of course was exactly the line peddled by La Minichiello Williams. Her whole approach is that homosexuality is a sinful perversion unequivocally condemned by God in The Bible, and deserving of divine wrath and earthly punishment, as she told the Jamaican government in 2013. There are no gay rights for her because homosexuality is a grave sin and a bar to entry to the Kingdom of Heaven. She really is a lovely new friend for the two Italian gentlemen. Of course our Andrea is a member of the Church of England and should really obey her bishops. And although their lordships have not exactly been our most fervent supporters they do not want to send us all to jail either. Andrea is doing no good to the Christian cause by publicly expressing such cruel homophobic intolerance on a regular basis. Nevertheless the Church of England bishops did issue the infamous Pastoral Guidance on Same-sex Marriage document last year on February 13. This is the document which came consequently to be known colloquially in gay Christian circles as the St Valentine’s Day massacre. It opposed same-sex marriage, it opposed any blessings on same-sex couples after civil marriage, and it forbade the clergy from entering into same-sex marriage. But a really interesting revelation came to light only earlier this year: it is clear now that this document was not actually supported by a majority of the diocesan bishops. The Church Times Review of the year
2014 published on 2nd January 2015 reported that, quite astonishingly, 22 bishops abstained when the House of Bishops voted on whether to approve the document. There are 53 voting members of the House of Bishops, and apparently on the day in question there were seven listed vacant sees, and at least one member, Southwark, was absent. We also know that one bishop voted against this pernicious document. That means that the maximum number of bishops who actually voted to support it was 23. So actually this apparently authoritative pretty anti-gay statement by the bishops of the Church of England is no such thing. Its support base is fragile and limited. Fully 23 bishops could not bring themselves to give it their support. In many ways it is surprising that the House of Bishops went ahead with its publication. They must have known that the voting figures would become public and that these would then seriously weaken the authority the document commanded. In actual fact this revelation is a bit of a snapshot of the real situation in the Church of England now regarding us gays and our relationships. The truth is that very few lay people, clergy or bishops support Andrea’s extreme views, probably a majority support what we would recognise as gay rights, and a large number in between are sympathetic to the gay people they know but have reservations about same-sex marriage and adoption for theological or biblical reasons. As regular readers of this column will know, the current hope of the Archbishop of Canterbury is that somehow all these different views can be incorporated into what he calls ‘good disagreement’, i.e. a situation where people can agree to disagree but still stay together in the same church. Last month I wrote about the tradition of ‘Anglican fudge’ and how you could say Justin Welby’s idea of ‘good disagreement’ is in the fudge tradition. His real problem at the moment however is the extreme views of the anti-gay conservative evangelical groups such as Reform who think even having a conversation with us is a betrayal of ‘biblical values’.
“Fewer and fewer evangelical Christians want to be associated with this kind of doctrinaire intransigence. More and more see anti-gay rhetoric as akin to racism and equally unacceptable” So they won’t talk to us or our friends, for the moment at least. We are sexual sinners who need to repent. Only when we do that and ‘sin no more’ will they have anything to do with us. Pretty difficult to negotiate with people like this, isn’t it? There is however one thing which I think will do for them: time. Over time their support is hemorrhaging away. Many evangelicals who in earlier times would have supported the Reform position no longer do so, especially the younger ones. Have a look for example at: www.acceptingevangelicals.org. Fewer and fewer evangelicals Christians want to be associated with this kind of doctrinaire intransigence. More and more see anti-gay rhetoric as akin to racism and equally unacceptable. Dolce and Gabbana would do well to reconsider who they want to be associated with. People judge you by your friends you know.
OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCHES Changing Attitude Sussex is committed to telling the truth about Christian teaching on homosexuality, and works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in every province of the Anglican Communion and more widely in all Christian Churches.
GSCENE 55
NETTY’S WORLD
DUNCAN’S DOMAIN
BY NETTY
BY DUNCAN STEWART
ADOPT A BETTER ATTITUDE
A FLOATING VOTER
) Well, it looks like I’m going to have to throw out my entire wardrobe. After Dolce and Gabbana’s odious comments on IVF and gay adoption, I can no longer wear my array of crystal-encrusted bodysuits or elastic silk hot pants with pride. I’m switching my fashionista adherences to John Galliano, he seems like a nice bloke.
) What convinced me that my friend was not malingering was his failure, when George Osborne appeared on the screen expounding his plans for hard working people, to loudly remind the Chancellor of his penchant for mendacity and of his parents’ failure to marry.
It would be rather lovely if people, especially high profile arseholioes like those mentioned above, would keep their nasty old opinions to themselves. I feel the same about frequent foot-in-mouth offender Judy Finnigan who I remember back in her days of ITV’s This Morning, crinkling her nose at the thought of lesbians kissing whilst saying something along the lines of “I just don’t like it, and Rona on camera three agrees with me.” Thanks for that Judy, I was a young lesbian back then, totally frightened and in the closet, a dear female friend of mine had just been ‘gay-bashed’, all I needed was some self-styled TV ‘Mother of the Nation’ to publicly declare me and my kind disgusting. By the way that bloke on your weather map’s a paedophile. My civil partner, Amanda, is adopted. She says it happened because she was born with dangerously straight hair. Her adoptive mother fostered many children before her, including one sad little soul whom she presumed was black until she gave him a bath. Amanda has had to develop a sense of humour and an air of dismissiveness for stupid people who think adopted people have three heads. It’s a stigma she refuses to be cowed by, her adoptive status is a badge of honour, she was given up due to the social pressure of the 1960s, she was then chosen and has gone on to lead the happiest of lives. All children who are fostered or adopted by the gay community are a hard won addition to a family unit. And my heart goes out to them more than all of the others. Not only do they have the usual stigma of adoption to contend with, but the added bullsh*t of homophobia by association.
“All children who are fostered or adopted by the gay community are a hard won addition to a family unit” However, I feel that this is at the frontline of the battle we gay, bisexual, trans* and ‘different’ people have been waging since time immemorial. If gay parents are at the school gates and straight parents have to engage with them and their children like ‘normal’ people, the fear and loathing will all but disappear. Fear of the unknown is the worst of all. If you want a good example of a person of immense power who chooses wisely to ‘keep mum’, look no further than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I’m sure she has an opinion on gay adoption, I may even venture to guess how she feels, but I know she would never publicly denounce a particular minority or marginalised community. She knows the sway she has upon public opinion, and the damage she could cause turning neighbour against neighbour, subject against subject. She, unlike Dolce and Gabbana, is one clever queen.
I have no particular affection for our Chancellor and his party, in fact I distrust all political parties almost equally. Some politicians simply hang on to a well paid job by towing the party line but we are all familiar with the sorry sight of well informed and well meaning MPs squirming as they spout party policy they know to be vote seeking waffle - denied the opportunity to air their own dissenting opinions. This forced uniformity makes me long for a few more noisy, opinionated, challenging MPs and has turned me into a committed ‘floating voter’. Groucho Marks got it right when he said that he wasn’t going to join any club that was prepared to accept him. So I intend to vote for policies not party and my priorities include a higher minimum wage, more spending on community care to speed hospital discharges, smaller class numbers, less immigration but a change in the shameful way in which we treat those who do reach our shores and, I regret, a bit more on defence. All the political parties are bidding wildly in an auction to be seen as the most ardent saviour of the NHS but in my opinion it is not just increased funding that the NHS requires, the elephant in the auction room is poor management. Hospital managers still spend too much time monitoring budgets and targets and too little on making the process of being treated more efficient.
“Hospital managers still spend too much time monitoring budgets and targets and too little on making the process of being treated more efficient” The major activity for patients is waiting. You are in the system but nothing is happening: ‘the results of your investigations have not reached the doctor’; ‘all our operators are busy’; ‘no appointment for eight weeks’. All this type of prevarication tarnishes the reputation of a system which provides generally good medical care. It is of course a form of rationing and as it is an intentional device wrongly presumed to save money there is no need to apologise to patients for the anxiety and inconvenience caused. There is more than a hint of the ‘take it or leave it’ type of discourtesy which characterised some of the old public services. Successful businesses do not take the loyalty of their customers for granted, they keep in touch with them and aim to please. Is that to much to ask of our most important public service? I’m not suggesting that this failing could be improved by privatisation, we simply need more attention paid to informing and helping patients to negotiate their way through a large and frightening organisation as rapidly as possible. It should worry you that we have accountants masquerading as managers, university-trained nurses who dislike bodies, and clinicians being seduced into administrative roles. Some wise people need to be appointed to positions of influence in the NHS as soon as possible.
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CHARLIE SAYS HEALTH TAX HEDGE YOUR BETS BY CHARLIE BAUER PhD http://charliebauerphd.blogspot.co.uk
) So, as we edge our way to a new election we learn that Mr Cameron senior had been hedging his funds, tax free, for the benefit of his son’s political future. Nothing wrong with this, unless that son then goes (with complicit banks) into the bank accounts of the low paid and unemployed looking for ‘unpaid tax’. What are politics coming to when we can’t even trust our elected elders? I expect prime ministers to he honest, decent chaps (and a woman). The real problem is, just as this was kept aside for the run up to the election by the opposition, which is only supposedly fair politics, we’re left with an obvious embarrassing fact: we will end up doing nothing about. Oh dear - direct proof that the system of bankers and hedge funders (who have screwed the financial system) have also been bankrolling the Prime Minister. How embarrassing is that. And what’s worse, that the Prime Minister has been paying them back to save the ‘country’ because of the low interest rates - with ‘quantitive easing’. Or basically giving the bankers back the money that is ours and that they’ve publically squandered. Strange that it was immediately after Thatcher abandoned the tax controls in 1979, within a few weeks of her being in power, that Ian Cameron, father of David, started redirecting his wealth to tax havens around the world. Anyway, what can WE possibly do about that? We should all go online and vent our spleens. Then we can do dinner.
“Anyway, what can WE possibly do about that? We should all go online and vent our spleens. Then we can do dinner” Why can’t they quantitively ease the NHS with a few billion? Surely that’s more important than bankers’ salaries? I’m not complaining, but this week I’m at the end of a six-month wait for a tonsillectomy. I know that my pub singing days are over, but I’m less and less able to rasp even an order for a doughnut these days. But I was prepared to wait it out because there is no way that I’ll criticise that system, just the powers that are starving it out of existence. And all of us here at Bauer International believe the wait for surgery has been worth it and since it’s only a quick snip, I’ll be singing again as soon as the anaesthetic wears off. Of course, I’m sure that when I do come round I may see fewer nurses, doctors and less equipment than before I went under. But at least I managed to get it done before the new NHS pay structure comes in. Although we shouldn’t worry, the miniscule amount we will pay our GPs for basic services will remain in place for years to come, we’re told. Or, perhaps, it may just increase on a sliding scale like other countries, slowly rising up and up until insurance companies have to come on board (for those who can afford it) just to pay for a tetanus or a course of amoxicillin. Then the drug companies will see their arses and start to hike the low-price, non-generic drugs up and up, because they can
and because the insurance companies will be paying. Then before you know it, a single visit to the GP will cost in access of £200, but you wont worry because the insurance (that you only pay £100 per month for) will be covering it! Bargain! Nothing new. It’s what every Tory government has been trying to make us head towards since the 1950s, so why change it now. If only they could do a reverse tonsillectomy on the front bench and sew them all closed, I’d cough up for that. The fact that we may have another round of Tory government is depressing, but not unexpected. Political apathy and lack of voter turnout is dreadful in our country. And, for some reason, having some form of camaraderie-ish discourse online still placates everybody into a feeling of solidarity. Unfortunately, that doesn’t put a dint in the side of public and private policy, it just makes everyone feel a bit better in themselves. Until the next time.
“Political apathy and lack of voter turnout is dreadful... and for some reason, having some form of camaraderieish discourse online still placates everybody into a feeling of solidarity” However people, portable media now means that you can actually leave home and contribute. You can surf for porn anywhere, even on demonstrations. You can even play games on demonstrations. You can involve yourself in your fabulous online identity and social media sites AS you demonstrate. You can even do a selfie on the march from the Houses of Parliament and if you want to you can caption it ‘Look everyone I care! I really care!’ #Ireallycaresolikemeyoubastard #lovinglondon” You can now leave the house and take the computer with you, so there’s no big sacrifice anymore. This is particularly important for young people trying to top up their bank accounts online to pay university fees. So, as they roll me in on the gurney I’ll be grateful. Grateful for the NHS and grateful that I managed to convince my GP to refer me and my tonsils for surgery before we reach the point where I have to pay him a back-hander.
GSCENE 57
ALLSORTS BY ROBYN TIMMONS
POLICE LGBT
LIAISON TEAM BY PC SARAH LAKER & RORY SMITH
#THEIRNAMESWERE
A HELPING HAND
#HerNameWasLeehlah #HerNameWasEylül #HisNameWasZander #HisNameWasVaughn #HisNameWasMelonie #HisNameWasAsh #HerNameWasAubrey
) As a result of years of legal and social discrimination against us, something as a community we’ve developed is an informal system of fostering of young people and newcomers to our community. Sometimes that is done by a parent of a good friend, think Hazel Tyler in Queer As Folk. Sometimes it is incumbent on the daddies and mummies of our world, think Larry and Lloyd in But I’m A Cheerleader.
) Here we have a list of trans youth who have sadly and tragically committed suicide in the last three months. This horrible pattern of teens leaving their last words recorded on social media sites like Facebook, Tumblr and others, is becoming far too familiar, far too fast. This pattern is scaring me, I am reading about cases similar to Leelah's worryingly often now.
Sadly not everyone is so benevolent. What we don’t often talk about is how vulnerable young men and women can be preyed upon by those who purport to look out for them. I remember this well from my own teenage years, when I’d bunk off school with my best friend to spend afternoons and evenings in the gay bars of the nearest city. At that age we can feel mature and capable, but lack experience. Fuelled by desires to grow up and play with the adults, quite literally, this can be a dangerous mix of exploration and exploitation. The NSPCC defines this as child sexual exploitation (CSE). It “is a type of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status… young people may be tricked into believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol. They may also be groomed online.”
Leelah Alcorn, for anyone unaware, was the first of these recent cases. After years of bullying from peers at her school, her parents and faith-based councillors, she set up a timed post on the popular blogging site Tumblr that was posted after she walked into oncoming traffic on the December 28, 2014. This case, due to Leelah's suicide note being public and going viral online got everyone talking about trans* issues, which as she wanted her death to mean something was a good thing. Her tragic case was inspiring good, healthy conversation and support around a community desperately in need of help and understanding from outside the LGBT community. However I fear there is a negative side to this positive attention to come from Leelah's death. This is that teens who are struggling with depression, gender dysphoria, abuse from peers or even adults around them are being given a reason to die but not one to live. I fear with these cases continuing we are focusing too much on tragic trans cases and not enough on positive examples. We need stories like Janet Mock's, Laverne Cox's, Paris Lee's and more to show and inspire these young trans* people that life is worth living. These people need examples to help them find a reason to live instead of showing them reasons to die.
ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT Allsorts offer support and advice for young people, under 26, who are trans or questioning their gender in a safe and confidential environment through groups and 121 support. It helps to build confidence, increase self-esteem and reduce suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know would like to access this support, please contact transformers@allsortsyouth.org.uk or call the Allsorts office on 01273 721211 to speak to a trans youth worker. Allsorts Youth Project ) Tel: 01273 721211 ) www.allsortsyouth.org.uk f www.facebook.com/allsortsyouth t twitter.com/allsortsyouth
We’re working hard to keep young people safe from harm and as an organisation we’re working with partners to support young men and women. As a community we need to look out for our younger folk and signpost them to organisations like Allsorts, who can give them support to learn about healthy relationships and good, proper information on how to engage in safer sexual activity and about drink and drugs. If you have concerns about a young person you can tell us, so we can put safeguards in place. There is nothing wrong about age gap relationships and it’s certainly something we’re more comfortable with as a community. However, sometimes the relationship isn’t so mutual or equal. By raising awareness amongst ourselves we can begin to recognise the signs of unhealthy relationships and do something about it. We can role-model healthy relationships and show each other what is acceptable and what isn’t. We can support young people to engage in social activities that don’t require drinking or drug-taking. We can be proud of our sexualities without needing to engage in risky and abusive dynamics. And when we need to, we can engage with services to protect our youth. The youth services available in Brighton & Hove are outstanding and we commend the work they do, but sadly not everyone will necessarily take their support. Therefore we all have our part to play in nurturing the next generation of LGBT people.
THIS MONTH’S FIGURES ) In March we had 13 reports of LGBT hate; four transphobic, nine homophobic. Crimes included malicious communications, public order, criminal damage, bullying, common assault and racially aggravated common assault. There were also non-crime hate incidents recorded about noise and ejection from licensed premises.
CONTACT INFORMATION We both have Facebook profiles and a page – our usernames are: f PC Sarah Laker and f LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith, and f Brighton and Hove LGBT Police Team. t We tweet @PoliceLGBT. Social media should not be used for reporting incidents – call us on 101, or if it’s an emergency, 999.
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SHARP WORDS TOE THE LINE! SOMETHING’S AFOOT! BY DEL SHARP ) First the scratching noise alerted me, then I looked down and the horrible curved claws were all I could focus on. I tried to move away but they seemed to be everywhere. I instinctively raised up my knees and turned my face away pressing against the steamed up window in despair. It was like being in a nightmare… Well actually I was awake and on my way to work so not too dissimilar. The relief of a bus that turned up on time and the pleasure of also being on it with a seat to myself rapidly melted away when I realised that toe nail clippings were what had been causing the curious crispy sensation underfoot. Suddenly Sharp Words could only suppress a whimper, yet not resist a closer look at the apparently Neanderthal artefacts on the floor. There might have been hundreds of them, though possibly in calmer hindsight there must have been just the ten, but they were definitely toe, definitely big and most likely human. I peered unhappily at the position of them, the most likely trajectory indicating that this little personal grooming event had taken place where I was sitting. I have no doubt many other types of bodily purging take place on public transport and act accordingly, no I don't put my bag on the floor without looking first, and yes do inspect seats with a tentative touch after being caught out with snot on handrails and phlegm on floors, not to mention something unmentionable in a carrier bag, but this threw me and made me wonder for the umpteenth time why I still haven't learnt to drive. I wish I could say it was because I don't want a carbon footprint, or because buses and trains are just such good value, but it's actually that I'm scared of the road and don't trust myself to be in charge of a ton of metal moving at any speed faster than I can walk. I have had a go in the very distant past, I paid for lessons from a ‘friendly’ lesbian instructor who welcomed nervous drivers, well that's what her card said. What I actually got was a sadistic, sarcastic witch who shouted at me and drummed her fingers on the dashboard in an unnecessarily
menacing way when I kept forgetting the correct order of closing door, seatbelt on, adjusting mirror, and starting ignition. There can't be many ways to get this wrong but after fleeing from the car in tears more than once decided to do the only thing left to me – ring her up to cancel upcoming lessons pretending to be someone else and saying I'd been admitted to hospital and would be there a long time. She did persist in calling but my imaginary friend put her right a few times more, I think it was mentioning that I'd been sectioned that stopped her calling. I still do think on occasion about the money I'd paid her in advance but it was worth rather more to lose it anyway than paying to feel that I couldn't do it. Now I'm heartily sick of knowing I can't and although almost ready to pay hard-earned money for more lessons, and with possibly a slightly higher level of tear threshold, I am also looking at other transport possibilities. Cycling of course would be ideal, except without the ton of metal around me I'm rather more fearful for my own safety than that of others. I've been looking longingly at a new issue Chopper bike which I was never allowed due to it being more for boys. Forty years on and it seems quite the thing for a middle-aged lesbian to be mounting and with the requisite retro panache I'm sure I could pull it off, except I think I may be frozen with a kind of “I'm too old and look mad” kind of fear, which may well end up with me being hijacked and mugged by jealous 12-year-olds.
“She did persist in calling but my imaginary friend put her right a few times more, I think it was mentioning that I’d been sectioned that stopped her calling” I already have a sleek foot scooter that can get me up and down the seafront and dazzle toddlers and of course I could travel anywhere on it but have to now consider I might develop an arthritic left hip too. I can of course just walk, which I do all the time anyway - it gets me where I want to go. The only thing is shopping, and being limited in what I can carry. Sometimes the weight of items is more a factor than the cost. Now, I did have a smart trolley for this (meaning it looked presentable and cool, not smart like it has apps and such like) that I was very proud to pull along behind me until a wheel came off on a zebra crossing and reached the pavement before I did, leaving me feeling very foolish indeed. It was far too easy to get carried away with multiple buys so the rest of the trolley and I soon parted company as well. Trains are great but again feet do come to the fore as I can't quite cope with people putting theirs on to the seat opposite - they should be on the floor, dirty, muddy, clipped or not. If they’re not I can get so agitated that at times I have to walk through the carriages until I get to the airline seats that just face fold-down tables. It honestly has never occurred to me to launch my legs up and put outdoor shoes where someone else will sit, but recently I realised perhaps why: I had a go and couldn't actually reach the seat opposite. I couldn't help but feel a little indignant that for all these years I thought I was considerate and well-mannered, now I realise I'm just short. Obviously it's high time to get away from the anxieties and turmoil of public transport and ideally not have to get anywhere ever at a particular time. And so until the driving lessons are sorted out, and I get a protective suit, I might just have to sit tight on my own (clean enough thank you) sofa contemplating my own (no comment) toes.
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DAD & DADDY MY FAMILY THE TRUST OF A CHILD IS PRICELESS BY SYD SPENCER ) Recently the final adoption was completed for our kids and we all became the fully-fledged Spencer Family. It has been three years since our first child joined us and now we have said goodbye to their social workers and all breathed a collective sigh of relief. All we’ve needed in the last three years is love, or at least I wish that was all I needed, I really do. Yes, love is a major part of it, it can’t be done without it and the love must be unconditional too so that you will be strong enough and care enough to take their fear, anger and pain and still stand there, as solid as a coastal rock when the waves crash angrily upon it. A sense of humour is great armour, I seriously think that if we hadn’t laughed about some of the situations we have found ourselves in over the last three years we would have bought shares in our local off licence by now. In the first week that a seven-year-old Katy had joined us she went up to a woman in Churchill Square and told her, in her best sweet voice, that she had no idea who this man was that was following her around! Bradley, when still very new to us, told his new school teacher that his new sister had whacked him in the face with a book the night before and that was where the bruise on his forehead had come from! In fact he had banged his head on his bed when searching underneath it for his teddy bear before going to bed. There have been, and I’m sure there will be more, explosions of temper, displays of stubborn defiance, the house will again be filled with the sound of slamming doors and high pitched screams of “it’s just not fair!” And at times I am sure the kids will also join me in this, but what makes it easier is the laughter, the sparkling eyes of a happy child, the amazed look on their faces when we get them to try something that they really should have experienced long before coming to us, like a trip to the beach, a ride on a bus or even just a movie night at home, cuddles included. A child with attachment disorder, a survivor of child abuse or neglect, will often try and hide their happiness and their wonderment. But sometimes, when their guard is down, you will catch a glimpse of something that lets you know that you are all on the right path. Happiness will light up their little faces, the smiles will spread wide
with a giggle that comes from the gut, loud, contagious and music to the ears of us adults. It’s a beautiful thing to witness but sadly can be a rare thing to see. In the early days we experienced something that was to us really bizarre, we couldn’t understand it for quite some time and often found ourselves taking it personally. Katy would, after a great day out or time with friends or our family, suddenly, without warning, start to trash the day. She would become rude and stubborn and say things that were hurtful to us and it would leave us absolutely bewildered. This went on for weeks and months and it really took its toll on us. She would also sometimes kick off when she knew we were going to do something as a family, doing her very best to make sure it didn’t happen and unfortunately, too many times than not, she succeeded and we missed out on a lot of things. This behaviour continued and it hurt! It created a level of mistrust in our little family, we felt unable to plan anything as a fear had been embedded in us and Katy started to resent the lack of family outings, then one day as I browsed through the internet looking for answers I found it and it made perfect sense. The article told me that when a child comes from a deeply terrifying, brutal past, when they are neglected and grow up with a knowledge of how unloved they are, that horror will become their norm. They may yearn for, dream about and pray for a better life, a safe family and to be loved, but when they get that, the difference terrifies them and they will do all they can to change that current situation and transform it into their far from ideal pasts. The feeling of being loved and hearing adults tell them that they are worth a lot is too much for them to compute and they will try to recreate that disgusting norm that they had lived with for so long.
“A child with attachment disorder, a survivor of child abuse or neglect, will often try and hide their happiness and their wonderment” We as a family have travelled that road and have come out unharmed. We understand that fear and now, before a day out or any other adventure, we will talk to the kids and tell them what we are going to do and that it isn’t something to fear, nothing is going to change, and it won’t be taken away from them. Now we see something different in their little faces, something I think is a lot more precious than laughter, and that is trust. For any other adult, trust from a child that has never felt it before is simply priceless.
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SAM TRANS MAN A HEAD START INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE BY DR SAMUEL JAMES HALL ) Family life is largely organised chaos in my house. As a single parent I often find I have exhausted my reserves of energy, ideas, patience, understanding and money long before the children have got everything they need. There seems to be a constant state of demand outstripping supply in our lives. And we are comparatively well off compared to many families! It’s not just about money though, it’s about emotional investment in the citizens of the future. I always think from the moment they are conceived we set about systematically ruining the health of our offspring, often through ignorance and fear more than deliberate attempts to harm them. In fact even before conception we don’t do our progeny any favours. We don’t have a culture of prevention of disease in our country, although attitudes are shifting, we still operate within a healthcare system that abates or cures our symptoms rather than preventing them. So it is with fertility - we don’t have an attitude of optimising fertility prior to conception, we aren’t too good at feeding ourselves with the right nutrients before or during pregnancy, and we aren’t too good at feeding our children healthily either.
appropriate boundaries in place with regards to their needs, which of course change frequently and in a complex and non-linear manner as they grow older - just to keep us on our toes. Stability and consistency may mean living in the same house and having the same dependable surroundings, but where that isn't practical or possible, the same adults around who are reliably present when needed, and where that becomes difficult, at the very least a child needs consistent messages about their boundaries and worth as a person. Sadly many of us have grown up without these vital needs being met. They are as essential as food and water in my opinion. If these basic needs aren’t met, we grow up to struggle with boundaries ourselves, too much or too little, or have learnt behaviours that are destructive to ourselves and our relationships. Sometimes it takes the children in our lives, for whom we are responsible, to make us introspective enough to examine ourselves. I know that as mine approach their teen years, which (so far) are proving far more work than the earlier, more physically demanding years, I am constantly being prompted to assess and reassess my own behaviour, as I observe the impact I’m having on them and how the dynamics of our relationships are changing as they grow older, form opinions of their own and decide for themselves how the world works and what it can offer them. A lot of children brought up with LGBT parents will have a head start on their peers in terms of acceptance, understanding of diversity and perhaps less tendency towards prejudice in the face of difference, simply because they have faced marginalisation from a young age. There is something deeply humane about a child who ‘gets’ difference because they themselves have lived it.
Then there is the whole issue of passing on our ‘stuff’ to our kids. Some of this is done at levels of consciousness that are so deep we cannot even see what we are doing. At other times we can observe our behaviour and know that it is damaging even as we act. If we are very alert we might be able to pause and check our behaviour before it has a chance to impact on our offspring. All of this takes a modicum of insight followed by considerable work to modify our behaviour.
A child who has an LGBT parent (or two, or sometimes more), who doesn't identify as LGBT themselves, is by definition going to change society just by being. Even if only in a small way, such a child is unlikely to reject others they encounter who are ‘different’ in some way from the perceived norm. Indeed ‘normal’ itself becomes questionable to children who are raised without the hetero-normative constraints of society at large. I cannot quite put my finger on this, but my observation has been that such children, my own included, do not see barriers, or difference, in the same way as their peers do at all.
I do firmly believe that children are an agent of personal growth and change. I challenge anyone who has had children to look back and deny that they have been forced to examine themselves and their own emotional lives and well-being as a result of parenting. I’m not saying this is a reason to have kids, but I am saying that as a result of parenting we are forced to inspect and improve ourselves as we attempt to shepherd our little people to adulthood in one piece.
I can only surmise that those of us who identify as LGBT and go on to become parents, or indeed who become parents prior to our own epiphany in terms of identity, are somehow instilling a sense of equality in our children which stems from the depth of learning on our own journeys. In other words, if you have had to ‘come out’ in some way, you have made a journey out of darkness and into the light, and you have had to shed some very restrictive conditioning in order to free yourself.
Of course there are many variations on family life, numbers of adults in a family may vary from one to several, living arrangements are multitudinous, and sibling groups may or may not be biologically related. None of this really matters. What is important to a child is stability, consistency, and safety. By safety I do of course mean physical safety, being cared for and watched over, being guided to independent activities and life skills appropriately, but also emotional safety; having
This freedom in turn sheds light on others who are marginalised, and gives us compassion for those who are oppressed for different reasons, be it race, ability or age, for example, and can make us useful allies for other minority groups. If we are instilling these social values into our kids, then we are doing a great job in building social change for the future.
WEEKLY MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING meets every SUPPORT GROUP TUESDAY 2.30–5.30PM at for transmen/masculine DORSET GARDENS identified people METHODIST CHURCH starting May 2015 Dorset Gardens (off St James Street)
CLARE PROJECT
Based in central Brighton, the
CLARE PROJECT WEEKLY DROP-IN is a safe and confidential space to explore issues around gender identity. Facilitated peer support is an important element, as well as providing access to low-cost psychotherapy and speech therapy.
Brighton BN2 1RL
Please see website for further details
Except 1st Tues when there’s an optional meal out preceded by the drop-in from 5–7.30PM
www.clareproject.org.uk f Clare Project clareprojectinfo@gmail.com
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SERVICES
DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES ) ACCESS 4 ALL LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe, welcoming, support, activities, awareness. Tel: 07981 170071 or email stevenwithn@talktalk.net
) ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT Drop-in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm. Tel: 01273 721211 or email info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
) BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE Report all homophobic and transphobic incidents to: • The Sussex Police 101 (for emergencies 999) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk tweet: @policeLGBT • LGBT Officer PC Sarah Laker on 101 ext 550727 • LGBT Caseworker Rory Smith on 101 ext 550727 or 07775 546548 • Facebook: Brighton LGBT Police
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SAFETY FORUM
noon–2.30pm, Community Room, Dorset Gdns Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton. Lunch £1.50. Tel: 07846 464384 or www.lunchpositive.org
) MINDOUT Independent, impartial info, guidance for LGBT people with mental health problems. 24 hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk
) PEER ACTION Regular low cost yoga, therapies, swimming, meditation & social groups for people with HIV. peeractionemail@gmail.com or www.peeraction.co.uk
) RAINBOW FAMILIES Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents. Tel: 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk
) SOME PEOPLE Social/support group for LGB or questioning aged 14-19, Tue, 6-8pm, Hastings. Call/text Nicola Tel: 07974 579865 or email Neil or Nicola: somepeople@eastsussex.gov.uk
) VICTIM SUPPORT Practical, emotional support for victims of crime. Tel: 08453 899 528
) THE VILLAGE MCC
Independent LGBT forum working with the community to address and improve safety issues in Brighton & Hove. info@lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com
Christian church serving the LGBTQ community. Sundays 6pm, Somerset Day Centre, Kemptown Tel: 07476 667353, www.thevillagemcc.org
) BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD
HIV PREVENTION, CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES
Phone helpline, hate crime reporting, counselling service, Proud2connect (relationship counselling in partnership with Brighton Relate). www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton • Helpline from 5pm daily: 01273 204050 • Services info: 01273 234009 • email: brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk • or brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk
) AVERT Sussex HIV & AIDS info service, available by phone Tel: 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org
) BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT
Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups. Tel: 01273 698036 or visit www.womenscentre.org.uk
Money, benefits, employment, housing, info, advocacy. Appointments: Tue-Thur 9am-4pm, Wed 9am-12.30pm Brighton & Hove Citizens Advice Bureau, 1 Tisbury Rd, Hove. Tel: 0845 1203710 or www.brightonhovecab.org.uk
) FTM BRIGHTON
) CLINIC M
Social/peer support group for FTM, transmasculine & gender-queer people. Every 3rd Fri of month, 7-9pm at Space for Change, Windlesham Venue, BN1 3AH. For info email info@ftmbrighton.org.uk or visit www.ftmbrighton.org.uk
Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV, plus Hep A & B vaccinations. Claude Nicol Centre, Sussex County Hospital, on Weds from 5-8pm. Tel: 01273 664721 or www.brightonsexualhealth.com
) BRIGHTON GEMS (GAY ELDERLY MEN’S SOCIETY)
Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. Tel: 01273 664722
) BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE
Social group for mature gay men, meet 7–10pm every last Fri of month at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church Hall. Tel: 01273 385000 or info@gems-bh.org.uk www.brightongems.com
) LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON Local social group offers friendship, social events, meets 1st Thurs at Regency Tavern, 7.30pm. Tel: 07594 578035 www.lesbianlinkbrighton.co.uk
) LESBIAN & GAY AA 12-step self-help programme for alcohol addictions. Sun 7.30pm, Chapel Royal, North St, Btn (side entrance). Tel: 01273 203343 (general AA line)
) LGBT NA GROUP Brighton-based LGBT (welcomes others) Narcotics Anonymous group every Tue 6.30–8pm, Millwood Centre, Nelson Row, Kingswood St. Tel: 0300 999 1212
) LGBT MEDITATION GROUP Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Brighton. Tel: 07789 861367 or www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk
) LUNCH POSITIVE Lunch club for people with HIV to meet/make friends, find peer support in a safe environment. Every Fri,
) LAWSON UNIT
) SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE CRI / Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust. Open access drop-in, assessment, support, advice, info on drug & alcohol issues. Tel 01273 607575. LGB&T worker provides confidential, non-judgemental outreach service. Support for people over 18 wishing to address substance misuse. Tel 07717 774 658
) SUSSEX BEACON 24 hour nursing & medical care, day care. Tel: 01273 694222 or www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
) TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST SERVICES For more info about these free services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5.30pm. Tel: 01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk • Venue Outreach: info on HIV, sexual health, personal safety, safer drug/alcohol use, free condoms/lubricant for men who have sex with men. • The Bushes Outreach Service @ Dukes Mound: advice, support, info on HIV, sexual health, personal safety. Free condoms, lube, tea/coffee from Outreach van parked next to ‘The Patio’ at the Bushes. • Netreach (online Outreach in Brighton & Hove): info/advice on HIV/sexual health/local services. THT Brighton Outreach workers online @ Gaydar:
Thur 7–10pm, Sat 6pm-12am, chatroom HEALTH INFO THT. • Condom Male: discreet, confidential service posts free condoms/lube/sexual health info to men who have sex with men without access to commercial gay scene in East Sussex. • Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV. • Fastest (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in an hour. 10 men max tested per session. Mon: 6–8pm. (Full sexual health screen available) • Sauna Fastest at The Brighton Sauna (HIV Testing): walk-in, (no appointment) rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men. Pre & post test discussion with clinical staff. Results in 30 minutes. Wed: 6–8pm. (STI Testing available). • Face2Face: confidential info & advice on sexual health & HIV for men who have sex with men. Face-2-face or phone. Up to 3 one hour appointments. • Specialist Training: wide range of courses for groups/ individuals. Specific courses to suit needs. • Counselling: from qualified counsellors for up to 12 sessions for people living with/affected by HIV. • Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out field research in B&H on issues affecting men’s sexual health. Extensive training provided. • Lounge (Group for Gay Men Living with HIV): fortnightly peer support group for gay men. • What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men. • HIV Support Services: info, support & practical advice for people living with/affected by HIV. • Volunteer Support Services: 1-2-1 community support for people living with or affected by HIV. • HIV Welfare Rights Advice: Find out about benefits or benefit changes. Advice line: Mon–Thur 1:30-2:30pm. 1-2-1 appts for advice & workshops on key benefits.
) TERRENCE HIGGINS EASTBOURNE Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, Tel: 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk • HIV Services support for HIV diagnosis, managing side effects, sex and relationships, understanding medication, talking to your doctor, finding healthier lifestyle. Assessment of support needs and signposting on to relevant services. Support in person, by phone or email. • Support for people at risk of HIV confidential info and advice on sexual health and HIV for men who have sex with men. Up to 3 one hour appointments depending on need. Sessions in person or on phone. • Web support & info on HIV, sexual health & local services via netreach and myhiv.org.uk • Positive Voices: volunteers who go to organisations to talk about personal experiences of living with HIV. • Positively Social Informal peer support groups for people living with HIV, monthly meets in Eastbourne & Hastings.
) WARREN BROWNE UNIT Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Shoreham based. Tel: 01273 461453
NATIONAL HELPLINES ) BROKEN RAINBOW LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 10-1pm, Thur 2-8pm Tel: 08452 604460
) LONDON LESBIAN & GAY SWITCHBOARD Tel: 02078 377324
) POSITIVELINE (EDDIE SURMAN TRUST) Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat & Sun 4-10pm Tel: 0800 1696806
) MAINLINERS Tel: 02075 825226 ) NATIONAL AIDS HELPLINE 08005 67123 ) NATIONAL DRUGS HELPLINE 08007 76600 ) THT AIDS TREATMENT PHONELINE Tel: 08459 470047
) THT DIRECT Tel: 0845 1221200
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22 HOTEL PELIROCCO 10 Regency Sq, 327055 www.hotelpelirocco.co.uk 23 HUDSONS 22 Devonshire Place, 683642 12 LEGENDS HOTEL 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 www.legendsbrighton.com 24 NEW STEINE HOTEL 10/11 New Steine, 681546 www.newsteinehotel.com 25 QUEENS HOTEL 1/3 Kings Rd, 321222 www.queenshotelbrighton.com
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33 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemptown) 118 St James’ St, 692424 26 A NEW YOU www.justinlloyd.co.uk 78 Trafalgar St, 604444 www.a-newyou.co.uk 34 JUSTIN LLOYD (Brunswick) 111 Western Rd, Hove, 692424 27 CLINIC M Claude Nicol, Abbey Rd, 664721 www.brightonsexualhealth.com/node/11 ) FOOD 28 DENTAL HEALTH SPA 1 A-BAR 14–15 Queens Rd, 710831 11–12 Marine Parade, 696691 www.dentalhealthspa.co.uk www.abarbrighton.co.uk 29 THT BRIGHTON 2 BAR REVENGE 61 Ship St, 764200 7 Marine Parade, 606064 www.revenge.co.uk ) SHOPS 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, 622386 30 PROWLER www.camelford-arms.co.uk 112 St James’ St, 683680
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1 A-BAR 11–12 Marine Parade, 696691 www.abarbrighton.co.uk 2 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 606064 www.revenge.co.uk 3 BAR BROADWAY 10 Steine Street, 609777 www.barbroadway.co.uk 4 BEDFORD TAVERN 30 Western Street, 739495 5 BOUTIQUE BAR 2 Boyces St @ West St, 327607 www.boutiqueclubbrighton.com 6 BULLDOG TAVERN 31 St James’ St, 696996 www.bulldogbrighton.com 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31Camelford St, 622386 www.camelford-arms.co.uk 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 www.charles-street.com 9 DR BRIGHTON’S 16 Kings Rd, 208113 www.doctorbrightons.co.uk 10 GROSVENOR 16 Western Street, 770712 11 IRON DUKE 3 Waterloo Street, 734806 www.irondukebrighton.co.uk 12 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 www.legendsbrighton.com 13 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 681284 www.marinetavern.co.uk 14 PARIS HOUSE 21 Western Rod, 724195 www.parishouse.com 15 QUEEN’S ARMS 7 George St, 696873 thequeensarms.wix.com/thequeensarms 16 SUBLINE 129 St James St, 624100 www.sublinebrighton.co.uk 17 THREE JOLLY BUTCHERS 59 North Rd, 608571 www.three-jolly-butchers.co.uk 18 ZONE 33 St James’ St, 682249 www.zonebar.co.uk
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SEVEN S EN N DIALS ALS
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HOV OVEE ST STATI TIO ON
GSCENE 63
MAY 2014
CLASSIFIEDS
BUILDING, CARPENTERY, CLEANING SERVICES, ELECTRICAL, PAINTING&DECORATING
CALL 01273 722457 BY 12TH MAY TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT
COUNSELLING, MASSAGE & TREATMENTS, PERSONAL TRAINERS, WAXING MASSAGE THERAPIST & PERSONAL TRAINER
Est 1990
RAINBOW DECOR
07749 471497
CITB Qualifie d
Guaranteed Work carried out by Gay Professional Man Painting & Decorating Interior / Exterior
HANDY MAN & ODD JOBS
Swedish / Hot Stones Massage Bodyweight Exercises / Nutritional Education Massage: £25 30mins/£40 60mins Training & Massage ‘combo’: £40
Based at The Brighton Sauna and Alive Fitness, Castle Street
strictlyleemiller@hotmail.co.uk www.StrictlyLeeMiller.co.uk
paintworks GAY PAINTER & DECORATOR * * * *
Competitive Rates Interior / Exterior Artexing / Coving Quality & Reliability Guaranteed
HOME 01273 589329 MOBILE 07973 839214 over 15 years experience
MT CARPENTRY & BUILDING
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
07939 581 791
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CHAT LINES
• Loft Conversions • Extensions • Brickwork • Paintwork Decorating • Insurance Repairs
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