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First patrons of People’s Pride Southampton announced
‘Community Spirit’ from Brighton Gin
FOX FISHER
Fox said: “Brighton is a place I navigated to; a place where I could truly be myself. Being able to explore myself through many incarnations, from being young queer working in the bars and clubs, to a drag king packing and posing, to a trans activist co-founding Trans Pride has been quite the journey. I’m proud of this city, which has been transitioning too. “It’s important for people to have the space to explore their gender and sexuality and, for me, Brighton has been the perfect place for this. There’s something special about this evolving city, and I wanted to pay homage to the queer people who lived and loved before me, during Regency times.”
PETER TATCHELL
) People’s Pride Southampton (PPS), a charity which provides inclusive, accessible events and support services for the LGBTQ+ community, their family members and allies, has announced LGBTQ+ activist Dr Sophie Cook (FRSA) and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell have become the charity’s first patrons, reflecting the values shared by PPS, Dr Cook and Mr Tatchell.
KATHY CATON CHRIS GULL
Chris Gull, chair of Brighton Rainbow Fund, said: “Thank you so much for raising funds, yet again, with these beautiful limited edition Pride bottles. All the money raised will be distributed as grants to the local LGBTQ+ and HIV projects that we support. It’s a tough year for all of them, trying to continue to support hundreds of LGBTQ+ people in Brighton & Hove between them who require these vital frontline services”. Bottles can be bought directly from www.brightongin.com and from independent stockists Quaff and Good News. Recognising what a challenging year it will be for raising funds, 9% from each bottle will be donated to Brighton Rainbow Fund. D For more info on Brighton Rainbow Fund, visit: www.rainbow-fund.org
“While there are a growing number of Pride organisations and events around the country I have been impressed with the non-commercial, grassroots ethics of PPS from the very beginning. “I was excited to be invited by them to speak at the inaugural event in 2020, but due to the global situation that has been pushed back to 2022 and I now look forward to seeing everyone there, this time carrying the honour of being patron.” Peter Tatchell said: “I’m honoured to be a patron of PPS. It works the year round to support the LGBTQ+ community and is hosting a completely accessible and inclusive Pride event, with no commercial sponsors.
Through its Community Spirit initiative, Brighton Gin has supported many hundreds of community organisations and charities across the city and beyond, and has donated thousands of bottles of hand sanitiser throughout the Covid pandemic. Kathy Caton, founder of Brighton Gin, said: “With so many of the fundraising events that would usually support Brighton Rainbow Fund having been cancelled, we’re really pleased to support them. We’re long-standing admirers of Fox’s work as an artist and as a campaigner and it’s a dream to be working with them!”
people, the need for Pride has never been greater.
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This year, Brighton Gin has collaborated with Brighton-based multidisciplinary artist and LGBTQ+ advocate Fox Fisher. For this year’s release, Fox has chosen to make four separate but themed artworks, inspired by and celebrating queer lives hidden from history. Released as an initial run of four x 100 bottles in each design, and individually signed and numbered by the artist, each one is a unique artwork in miniature.
DR SOPHIE COOK
) Craft distillery Brighton Gin has announced its latest Artist’s Edition Pride limited release. Every year since 2016 the distillery collaborates with an LGBTQ+ artist to not only platform their work, but to raise money for Brighton Rainbow Fund.
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www.scenemag.co.uk
Those values include championing the mental health of LGBTQ+ people and offering accessible and inclusive events for them and their allies. During a time of lockdown and isolation, PPS has been inundated with LGBTQ+ people needing support and assistance. PPS has also had to adapt to different ways of working, such as WhatsApp and online video calls.
“LGBTQ+ people have made great gains but there are still issues to win, including a ban on attempts to ‘cure’ LGBTQ+ people and an end to the demonisation of trans men and women by the tabloid press. Even today nearly half of all young LGBTQ+ people say they were bullied at school and a third of LGBTQ+ people have been victims of hate crime. The battle of LGBTQ+ respect and dignity is not over yet.”
Dr Sophie Cook said: “With the everincreasing pressure on the mental health, D For more info on PPS, visit: wellbeing and rights of the LGBTQ+ www.peoplesprideuk.com community, especially transgender
