Meet the Team

Team Gscene Our merry band of writers, editors, social media and design folk is the backbone of this magazine. Pull up a chair and get acquainted... JAQ BAYLES FEATURES EDITOR Jaq started working in local newspapers at the age of 17 and turned freelance to allow her to undertake a degree in Media Studies at Sussex Uni – a bit of a back-tofront version of the usual career journey. She found her 15 minutes of fame by writing her dissertation for a Masters in Sexual Dissidence & Cultural Change (aka Queer Studies) on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She has worked on a variety of publications, including the Guardian Weekend magazine, was Gscene’s original Women’s Editor for several years and returned in 2019 as Features Editor. She has had a constant miniature schnauzer companion for most of her adult life, and when not up on the Downs with current pooch Sydney, she can often be found stand-up paddleboarding. GRAHAM ROBSON DESIGN & SUB/NEWS EDITOR Graham is a massive Mackem who has lived in Bouelvard of Failed Romances, Brighton, for 10 years – the same time he has worked for Gscene. Before all that hoolabloo, Graham studied drama at college (a terrible actor; an even worse contemporary dancer), before moving to the big smoke on his tod to study Journalism at London College of Communication. Graham loves pop music (especially French stuff), wine, wine, wine, and a whine, ‘cosy catastrophe’ novels, vinyl, weird Italian horror films, going to the gym when it’s open, and takes comfort in discovering alternative ways to walk home to dodge uncomfortable social interactions on St James’s Street.

Hi! I’m Rae, I’m 21 and a writer here at Gscene. I moved to Brighton three years ago to study English and Media at Sussex University with the goal of pursuing a career in journalism, so I was massively excited to join the Gscene team earlier this year, particularly as LGBTQ+ publications like this were so important to me growing up queer. My aim is to write stories which cover all corners of the LGBTQ+ community and I am so proud to be working for a magazine which promotes inclusion and diversity. When I’m not writing I’ll either be going for a run or a walk along the seafront or getting stuck into a good book. I’m also a cat lover, coffee addict and fan of all things fashion and beauty related. ROGER WHEELER

COLUMNIST & CONTRIBUTOR

RACHEL BADHAM NEWS WRITER & COLUMNIST

James Ledward asked me to write some ‘interesting’ pieces for Gscene in 1997 never thinking that 23 years later I would still be doing it. My husband, Mike, joined me in 2002 and also started writing for the magazine. Mike died suddenly in 2019 so now this retired civil servant is still at it. I have lived in Brighton since 1948 and have been involved in hundreds of local events like the Pride parades, raising the initial funds for the Sussex Beacon and many others. Now well past my sell-by date I am trying to live a quiet life in Kemptown, but no chance.

RORY FINN CONTRIBUTOR

Finn has made Brighton his home for the past 20 years. In that time, his journey of self-discovery has included several comings out and transitions through all the letters of the LGBTQ+ alphabet. He’s worked for a variety of local LGBTQ+ organisations in different roles and is passionate about supporting the community and promoting queer rights. His areas of interest include: fetish culture, sexual health and sex positivity, and trans issues. His voluntary work includes running Trans Can Sport and when the wind is kind, sailing.

SIMON ADAMS JAZZ MUSIC REVIEWER When I was at school, and I am now showing my age, you were either a Beatles or a Rolling Stones fan. Well, I was neither, and after a trawl through R&B and blues I arrived at Miles Davis and John Coltrane. I haven’t looked back since. I can’t explain why jazz has hooked me for so long, but the thrill of the improvised and unexpected, and the beauty of the musicianship, still amaze me. Over the years I have attended many gigs, written books about jazz, and churned out reviews for Jazz Journal and other mags. Jazz has always entertained me, which is what I hope my monthly column for Gscene does for you as well.

I identify as an older openly gay man but there is more to me than my sexuality. I have been HIV positive for 25 years, which has resulted in my blindness. I have adapted seeing and feeling the world around me differently to how I experienced the world before. My outlook of the world has heightened my spirituality and my view of life and its meaning. Music has always been a big part of my life but since losing my sight has become even more important to me than I could have ever imagined. Despite all of these barriers I now live life to the full independently and feeling connected to the local LGBTQ+ community through regular volunteering within the HIV sector.

BILLIE GOLD

COLUMNIST

RICHARD JENEWAY CONTRIBUTOR

Billie Gold is Brighton’s very own 1980s space lesbian who rocks her thigh-highs on Brighton’s top LGBTQ+ stages. She also writes the Golden Hour column.

ALF LE FLOHIC CONTRIBUTOR

Been around for years. Bit of a hoarder. Likes fast music, short films and hairy men. Partial to talking to people about their lives and telling stories from Brighton’s queer past. ERIC PAGE SOCIAL MECIA, COLUMNIST & RESIDENT BOOKWORM

Eric has been a regular columnist and contributor for Gscene magazine for more than 15 years, he also reviews the arts, conducts interviews with creative types and has a monthly book review spread – Page’s Pages. He’s also part of the team behind our fun social media accounts. He’s lived in the city for 25 years, loves the diversity of this Twisted Gilded Ghetto by the Sea, something which Gscene has at its heart. In his spare time he skates around the city desperately trying to be exquisite and dodge explaining. He’s Welsh, Cis, Queer and uses He/Him pronouns. He’s also rather fierce for his age, which is unbearably sweet. ALEX KLINEBERG ARTS EDITOR

Alex studied theatre at Jacques Lecoq in France. As well as covering the local arts scene, he works as a travel writer and content marketer. The best live shows he’s seen are

Kate Bush and David Bowie. When he isn’t writing, he likes travelling and rifling around in TK Maxx.

BRIAN BUTLER ARTS/THEATRE REVIEWER

Brian Butler is an ex daily newspaper journalist and broadcaster who spent over 40 years acting, writing, directing and producing for amateur theatres in Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham and London. He read Drama and English at Birmingham University. He was an Olivier Award judge in 1987. He spent most of his career in media relations for the Callaghan, Thatcher, Major and Blair governments, the Royal Family and finally as communications director for the British Medical Association. He has written two dictionaries, two pantomimes, cabaret shows and is currently writing a feature film.

NICK BOSTON CLASSICAL MUSIC REVIEWS After over 20 years as a manager in the voluntary sector, I now work freelance, and teach at the Open University. However, I’m lucky to be able to spend a lot of time enjoying music of all kinds – listening, attending concerts and performing (although most of that is sadly on hold at present). My main passion is classical music, as well as opera, with a particular interest in early music. I sing in a number of choirs locally, play the piano and occasionally dust off the violin. I’ve been writing for Gscene for 13 years now, and I also have my own music blog, Classical Notes. CHRIS GULL BUSINESS MANAGER & CONTRIBUTOR

Chris moved to Brighton in 1976 and over the course of 40 years worked as a dentist, chaired Brighton Cares, retired and, with his partner Gary, set up a coffee shop, a bar/ bistro, and latterly a 100-seat theatre with bar and cafe. They moved to Valencia in 2016, but Chris is in daily contact with Brighton in his continuing role as chair of the Brighton Rainbow Fund, and is business manager and contributor for Gscene.

CRAIG HANLON-SMITH CONTRIBUTOR & COLUMNIST Craig Hanlon-Smith, having lived in Brighton for almost 20 years, has written for Gscene for 17 of those. In 2018 our dear departed James Ledward said of Craig’s contributions: “He’s not afraid to tackle difficult issues and is unscrupulously fair when unravelling problematic stories. He can write on any subject often using humour to make his point and he has a complete grasp of the concept of LGBT communities.” Working in London education, Craig wants to spend more time raising money and awareness for those living with HIV and open up the discussion on the accelerating endemic drug use among gay and bisexual men, and its impact upon our mental health and wellbeing. ENZO MARRA ARTS REVIEWS

Enzo Marra is an artist and poet who explores divergent themes that consider the human condition. He has exhibited his artworks internationally and continues to work on extending his creative practice. He has previously been selected for the John Moores Painting Prize in 2012 and 2016, and has recently been a judge and artist in residence for the Beep Painting Biennial in Swansea.

JACK LYNN

PHOTOGRAPHER If you’ve ever been out on the Brighton & Hove scene, there’s a good chance you will have bumped into this cheeky chappy. Often seen hiding behind a drag queen’s bustle with his camera... ready to pounce, Jack is proud to have been scene photographer for Gscene since 2015. As Jack says... “I’m in awe of our vibrant city and its close-knit community and love the opportunities Gscene has given me in capturing our ever-changing and accepting scene. I can’t wait to get back behind the camera for Gscene when things start to settle down. Mine’s a tequila!” Jack is currently exhibiting at The Brighton Box in Duke’s Lane, Brighton. While the official opening of the gallery on November 7 was postponed until post lockdown, his work can be seen and purchased online at

www.thebrightonbox.com

For more info, visit www.jacklynn.co.uk

Samantha is a freelance NCTJ journalist and social media manager with five years experience writing for local and national magazines and newspapers. Titles include Digital. As a sideline, she also works at one of Brighton”s LGBTQ+ bars on St James’s Street, where you can find her quaffing Jägerbombs and being fabulous most weekends. JIM BUTLER-FLEMING SALES/ADVERTISING Friendly, approachable and definitely a talker. That’s probably how my chosen family would describe me. I’ve spent the best part of my adult life building relationships. Coming from pub-life at a young age (10) and working in commercial recruitment set me up for being that guy. The one who knows the person who can sort out that problem you’ve been having. The one that can make sure your business or service gets in front of a cash-in-the-handready-to-spend audience for a real blinding price. On that note, I look after advertising sales and support for the magazine. My years working in the NHS (urgent care operational management) embedded a love of LOPs, SOPs and service improvement. I’m constantly on the hunt for new things that make life easier, either personally or in business, and I’m always happy to share what I’ve discovered, especially where knowledge is being shared around.

GLENN STEVENS CONTRIBUTOR Hi I’m Glenn, a bit of a veteran writer for Gscene. About eight years ago I asked James Ledward if I could join the team and have been writing on a diverse range of topics every other month since. My day job is working for Brighton & Hove Council’s Library Service, which has been supporting a project I am founder of, called More to Me passions include watching a good horror movie or sitting back and listening to a wide range of music, at the moment I have the singer Tom Grennan on loop. JON TAYLOR COLUMNIST I write the Stuff And Things column where I write about Stuff. And Things. I live my single life (please form an orderly queue) near Preston Park and am a true Brightonian. I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. Poems, articles, sketches, plays... I’ve even had a crack at a sitcom. I’m a member of

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus so if you’ve seen one of our shows over the past nine years, you’ve probably seen me doing a spot of acting or belting out the odd solo number.

LAURIE LAVENDER

SAMANTHA HARMAN CONTRIBUTOR

The Argus, Latest Magazine, The Sun, Men’s Health, Closer Online, Heat World and Fabulous

Than HIV: www.moretomethanhiv.life. Other

GARDENING

Hi everyone, I have been gardening professionally since I left school and retired when I reached 65. I have worked for private estates and have also worked abroad in France and Bulgaria (no uncles though). The allotment has been my hobby for the past five years and has been very productive. I have been with my partner Tim for 23 years and he takes the photos. Donald is my co-worker and he is in charge of the weeds. I enjoy reading, travelling when allowed and have just bought a camper van.

ARTHUR HUTCHINSON

MUSIC VLOGGER Hey folks! After graduating with a degree in music technology, I’m here to put that piece of paper to good use and bring you the best sounds I can get my paws on. You might have found me on the scene mixing up a pop party storm as a DJ, or entertaining the masses with camp classics as my drag alter ego, Rob from Finance. But if there’s anything I love more than music, it’s my two cats Kiki and Robin.