Gscene: December 2012

CONTENTS

DEC 2012 GSCENE magazine

TOM ADAM AND TOMMY BURKE FINALLY TIE THE KNOT AFTER 30 YEARS

www.gscene.org @gscene GScene.Brighton PUBLISHED BY Peter Storrow TEL 01273 722457 EDITORIAL info@gscene.com ADS+ARTWORK design@gscene.com EDITORIAL TEAM James Ledward, Graham Robson ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB-EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce

ANDY FEEST WAS RECOGNISED LAST MONTH FOR RAISING OVER £100,000 FOR CHARITY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AT THE QUEENS ARMS

FRONT COVER MODEL Blake Anthony Willows PHOTOGRAPHY Dean Stockings www.deanstockings.co.uk

YE OLDE BLACK HORSE IN ROTTINGDEAN: BASSEY TRIBUTE DINNER

NEWS 6 News

CONTRIBUTORS AJ, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Nick Douglas, Craig Hanlon Smith, Adam Highway, Neil Masey, Enzo Marra, Andrew Modd, Rick Moore, Netty, Charles Nyereyegona, Carl Oprey, Kate O’Riordan, Eric Page, Marcus Patrick, Steph Scott, Del Sharp, Keith Sharpe, Gay Socrates, Brian Stacey, Glen Stevens, Craig Storrie, Duncan Stewart, Mick Sykes, Jordan Thomas, Vron, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood

SCENE LISTINGS 30 Brighton Listings 48 Solent & Bournemouth Listings

ARTS 54 56 58 59 61

PHOTOGRAPHERS Phil Bailey, Si Denton, Sarah Haddow, Raymond Griffin, Tim Faulkner, Frances Hubbard, Michael Hootman, Chris Jepson www.chrisjepson.com, Graeme Keown, James Ledward, Alf Le Flohic, Jack Lynn, Sam Milford, Ian Mager-Playford, www.realbrighton.com

REGULARS

© GSCENE 2012 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.

CHARLES STREET

FEATURES 7 WORLD AIDS DAY DIARY A roundup of events for World Aids Day

26 GOING TO THE CHAPEL Same-sex wedding in a church? You can in Eastbourne!

27 ANGLICAN CHURCH Brighton’s Anglican Churches engage with the LGBT community

28 A WALK IN THE PARK Roger Wheeler strolls through the best sights in Sussex

YE OLDE BLACK HORSE IN ROTTINGDEAN

Arts News Art Matters Classical Notes Film Reviews Book Reviews

29 R U COMING OUT? Craig Hanlon-Smith chats to Wayne David of the coming out website

53 THE MAN WHO... ...wanked his way to Greece - part 3 of Carl Oprey’s monthly serial

57 MOLLYHAUS Graham Robson talks music and nude disco dancing with the pop duo.

24 25 52 52 60 62 65 66 67 67 68 69 69 70 71 72 73 74

Charlie’s Kitchen Come Dine With Morham Dance Music DJ Profile: Lee Jeffrey Geek Scene Shopping Craig’s Thoughts Sharp Words Wall’s Words Gay Socrates Keith Sharpe Guilded Ghetto Choir Boys Charlie Says Canada Dry Jaq’s Monthly Trans Scribe MindOut

INFORMATION 75 Services Directory 76 Advertisers’ Map 77 Classifieds

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RAINBOW FUND ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR CITY’S LGBT AND HIV COMMUNITIES The Rainbow Fund announces the outcome of its autumn funding round, distributing £31,530 to local LGBT and HIV projects.

PAUL ELGOOD

Collectively the funding will provide the local LGBT community sector with a significant financial boost at a time when many groups are under financial pressure. The grants are independently administered by the Sussex Community Foundation, giving local donors assurance that the money they contribute will go to local good causes on a needsled basis.

Paul Elgood, chairman of the Rainbow Fund said: "This presents our largest ever investment in local LGBT/HIV groups to-date.

We are delighted to continue some of the projects we have supported over recent years, such as Lunch Positive and MindOut, to help create a sustainable income for them, and we are very excited to be addressing some of the newer needs emerging from the community.

"Allsorts is a good example of how our funding can make a significant impact on a specific group of beneficiaries and we are delighted to be supporting the city’s first ever Trans Youth Worker. This is a ground-breaking initiative and exactly the kind of innovative and targeted approach that we like to get involved with. This funding will make a significant difference in the lives of these teenagers.

"Crime and safety issues are at the very top of the agenda locally and we are pleased to be able to fund a new independent advocate post for the Community Safety Forum. We are glad to be supporting the Forum’s work in turning around crime issues in the St James’s Street area.

"We can only do this because of the people who give us the money to do so – every pound that is given is making a real difference. I would like to thank the various fundraising activities and groups who have made this possible. This includes our link-up with Pride and we are grateful to Revenge owners Robert Webb and Michael Deol for this partnership.

"Fundraising included Pride’s tickets sales of £1 per ticket sold at this year’s successful Pride event which reflects the amount given out in the grants round so that people can easily see where their contribution via the tickets sales is being used."

Michael Deol, owner of Revenge and Director of Pride, said: "We are delighted to link up with our charity partners, the Rainbow Fund, to ensure the maximum charitable benefit from Pride for the city’s LGBT and HIV communities. This list of grants will

make a huge difference for local people who rely on the voluntary sector for support. Not only have we turned Pride around, we have ensured that it makes a significant contribution to the local LGBT community too.

"We are particularly keen to see money targeted to tackle community safety issues, following the worrying increase in attacks in the St James’s Street area. We hope that this investment will help to turn the tide on this issue."

In addition, funding is being provided to clean and maintain the AIDS Memorial, and improve signage in New Steine Gardens. This is the first time since its 2009 unveiling that funding has been allocated for

the memorial, and follows vandalism during the Pride Street Party weekend.

The grants panel has also agreed a second round of funding in May, so more Rainbow Fund money will be distributed then, the first time the Fund has been able to finance two application rounds in a twelve months period.

The Rainbow Fund has no salaries to pay, no expenses, no office costs and so all our activists can wear the same ‘Volunteer’ badge at events. Its only overhead relates to the safe receipt and fair distribution of grants by the Sussex Community Foundation, its professional advisers.

The Rainbow Fund would like to thank the following groups and businesses for their support over the Pride period, with money received directly from the following: • Pride • Marine Tavern • Adonis Cabaret • Brighton Bear Weekender • The Boys in the Band • Charles Street • Legends • Nandos • The Amsterdam • Queen's Hotel • Realbrighton.com In addition, a £40,000 restricted donation from Brighton Pride was ring fenced by the grants committee for Pride 2013, to be determined in January 2013 once the Council has selected the delivery organisation for next years event.

Grants will be distributed at an award giving ceremony on January 4, 2013.

SUBJECT TO THE FINAL AGREEMENT WITH THE SUSSEX COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE FULL LIST OF RAINBOW FUND AUTUMN GRANTS ARE: • Allsorts (Trans youth worker) £5,000 • Allsorts (Youth event) £500 • GEMS (health and wellbeing project) £1,000 • LGBT Community Safety Forum (independent advocate and start up equipment for first 6 months) £5,000 • LGBT Switchboard (match funding for the Sussex Community Foundation Comic Relief grant) £2,500 • Lunch Positive (general running costs from June 2013) £5,000 • MindOut (mental health issues for the over 55s) £1,530 • MindOut (general running costs) £5,000 • Radio Reverb/Out In Brighton (equipment to produce programmes to cover key community events - eg LGBT History Month, World AIDS Day, Pride etc) £2,000 • Sussex Beacon (Complementary Therapists) £2,500 • AIDS Memorial (Cleaning, upkeep and new signage) £1,500

Total £31,530

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BRIGHTON & HOVE WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS

The Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day Partnership are organising a series of events in Brighton & Hove to mark World AIDS Day on December 1. The partnership includes: Bear Patrol Social Group, BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, CDO Sussex, Lunch Positive, The Sussex Beacon, Sussex Community NHS Trust, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT South.

For up to the minute information, join their Facebook page World AIDS Day - Brighton & Hove at www.facebook.com/worldAIDSdayBH

EXHIBITIONS

WORLD AIDS DAY EXHIBITION: THE HANKIE QUILT PROJECT, The Dome Foyer, The Dome, Brighton, Sat Dec 1–Sun Dec 2, 10am–5pm each day. There will be an exhibition of The Hankie Quilt Project as well as information to promote World AIDS Day. More info: Cath Mattos on 01273 694222.

RISE LIVING LIBRARY: SECRETS & LIVES Jubilee Library, Brighton Nov 28-30, 2–5pm.

The RISE Living Library is an opportunity for visitors to the library to speak informally with ‘people on loan’.

Wed Nov 28 2-5pm: Meet people whose lives have been affected by drugs and alcohol.

Thurs Nov 29: 2-5pm: Domestic Abuse - discover stories of survival.

Fri Nov 30: 2-5pm: Meet people living with the effects of HIV.

MEMORIAL SPACE

New Steine Gardens, Sat Dec 1, 2–7pm. Volunteers and staff from the partnership will be at New Steine Gardens from 2pm providing a welcoming place for people to leave keepsakes, photos or messages of hope or remembrance at the memorial.

Lunch Positive will be providing

refreshments. More info: Gary Pargeter on 07846 464384 or info@lunchpositive.org

CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL

BRIGHTON AIDS MEMORIAL CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL, New Steine Gdns, Sat Dec 1, 6-7pm. All are welcome to attend the remembrance event of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove. There will be a reading of the names and a candle light vigil. New names to be read (in addition to those in previous years) can be emailed to susshivchap@gmail.com by Nov 27, or can be added to the list during the day at the Memorial Space in New Steine. More info: Ross Boseley 01273 764200 or ross.boseley@tht.org.uk

POSITIVE HOPE

SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & SOLIDARITY, The Sanctuary (top floor), Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Sat Dec 1, 7.30–8.30pm.

Refreshments courtesy of Lunch Positive will be served from 6.30pm go along after the Candle Light Vigil.

Churches Together in central Brighton & Kemptown and Sussex HIV Chaplaincy invite ALL to join

them in a service of remembrance for those who have died and solidarity for those living with HIV/AIDS. An opportunity for prayer and reflection, in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, for those with some faith or none. More info: Revd Heather Leake Date, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy, on 07867 773360 or susshivchap@gmail.com

CONCERTS

AIDS MEMORIAL CONCERT: Presented by Music for Life, St Mary’s Church, St James Street, Kemptown. Sun Nov 25, 6pm, Features the Regency Singers directed by Mark Hodge, Tom Murphy tenor, Alexandra Bowa soprano, Neil Carter flautist & Andrew Ballantyne harp. Tickets £10/£8 concs.

WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER - A CONCERT FOR WORLD AIDS DAY: St Mary’s Church, St James’ Street, Sat Dec 1, 7.30pm with The Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, The Rainbow Chorus, Qukulele, Resound and The Theatre Workshop. Compered by Neil Bartlett OBE. The concert will feature a joint performance of the first international OutPostChoir anthem, You Make Me Proud composed by Howard Alexander. Proceeds to Rainbow Fund. Tickets on the door or from: www.brightongmc.org CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR WORLD AIDS DAY: St Andrews Church, Waterloo Street, Hove, Sat Dec 1, 7.30pm. Actually Gay Men’s Chorus and Actually Gay Women’s Chorus perform together. World Premiere of Beacons Requiem with full orchestra written by AGMC member, Richard Horscraft. The event isn’t ticketed but there will be a collection for Sussex Beacon after the show.

HEALTH

FREE & CONFIDENTIAL HIV TEST & SEXUAL HEALTH SCREENING: Shae Shae Creations, 50 Queens Rd, Brighton, Friday Dec 7, 2-6.30pm More info: Beatrice on 07877 301269

FUNDRAISERS WEDNESDAY NOV 28

QUEENS ARMS: CABARET EXTRAVAGANZA FOR WORLD AIDS DAY, 9pm hosted by Drag With No Name featuring Dave Lynn, Son of a Tutu, Mary Mac, Mzz Kimberley, Tammy Twinkle, Tanya Hyde, Nicole & Geri Love. All proceeds to local HIV charities.

SATURDAY DEC 1

A-BAR: HONEY HUSH fundraiser, r&b/rock & roll/rockabilly night, 9pm.

CHARLES STREET: COME TO DADDY, 10pm. £1 per head to the Sussex Beacon.

REVENGE: KINKY DANGEROUS fundraiser, for THT & Sussex Beacon, 10.30pm.

SUBLINE: ROUGE World AIDS Day Fundraiser for THT, 9pm.

WILD FRUIT@HONEY CLUB: 20th ANNUAL RED PARTY, 10pm with DJs Hoxton Whores, Fat Tony, Mr Haywood, Affy & Ali, Kate Wildblood & Queen Josephine; hosts Marnie Scarlet, Dolly Rocket, Chrissy Darling, £1 of every ticket to Rainbow Fund.

SUNDAY DEC 2

LEGENDS: 20TH BIRTHDAY and World AIDS Day event, 3.30pm with Lady Imelda, Lizzy Drip, DJ Claire Fuller and many more.

All proceeds to the Sussex Beacon

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ORGANISERS OF PRIDE 2012 WITHDRAW APPLICATION TO MOVE EVENT TO MADEIRA DRIVE IN 2013

Last month at the 11th hour, organisers of Brighton Pride withdrew their plans to move Pride to Madeira Drive as part of a two day ticketed festival in 2013.

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED TO SUSSEX BEACON

DO YOU TRUST THE POLICE AND COUNCIL?

Are you happy to report a hate crime? Do you know how to report a hate crime and to who?

Pride now intend to submit a proposal to the council to consider making Pride 2013 a two day event on Preston Park. Following the decision to withdraw the proposal for consideration Pride wrote to their partners saying: "This note is to let you know that after speaking to a number of people and partners, gathering costs and assessing health and safety information for a potential move to the seafront, the decision has been taken to remain in Preston Park for Pride 2013.”

PAUL KEMP

The main community groups involved with Pride 2012, The Women's Performance Tent organisers, Calabash and Lunch Positive have indicated to Gscene that they are unhappy that they were not consulted about any proposed move prior to the application being put into the council.

As we go to print Paul Kemp, promoter of Wild Fruit, announced his resignation as co-creative director of Brighton Pride and asked for his name to be removed from the Community Interest Company created to run Pride 2012. In his resignation statement he said: “I wish to confirm that I have resigned as Co-Creative Director of Pride and the Company Pride Brighton & Hove, that was set up to organise Pride 2012. I could not agree with the application by the owners of Revenge to move the event to Madeira Drive without any community consultation and for what appears to be commercial reasons. I agreed to volunteer this year as Co-Creative Director with Dulcie Danger from Revenge only if there was to be transparency within the organisation on all levels.

“Pride is owned by the LGBT people of Brighton to raise funds for our community groups and not as a commercial business. The community must be be consulted on major changes to the event before applications are presented to the council.

“Earlier this year I raised concerns on numerous occasions about the ticketing system used for this year’s event, which led to long queues on the day, these went unresolved.”

“Now that Pride is a paid event the community and council must insist on complete scrutiny no matter who runs the event and engage all our local LGBT community groups and businesses about the future direction of Pride before any changes are made to its format."

The date of Pride 2013 is scheduled for Saturday, August 3.

The Rainbow Fund hold £40,000 in a ring fenced account as seed funding for Pride 2013. The money will be released after the council decides in January who they award landlord’s consent to, to deliver Pride in 2013.

The survey has been independently prepared by the Trust for Developing Communities (TDC) and funded by the Partnership Community Safety Team (PCST).

Chris Cooke, Chair of the Forum commented: “This important piece of work will give us a much needed benchmark with which to compare the success (or failure) of statutory authority initiatives in the future.

“It is envisaged that the survey will be repeated annually over a five year period. The results from this initial survey will be made available at the next public meeting of the Forum in Feb 2013" To complete the survey go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/B HTCsurvey2012 The survey is independently supported and prepared by The Trust for Developing Communities: www.trustdevcom.org.uk

Simon Dowe said: “The last five months working at the Sussex Beacon have been an absolute privilege and to now be offered the permanent position as CEO is the best thing I could have hoped for. I am looking forward to working closely with all the staff, volunteers, service users and supporters, to make sure that the Sussex Beacon continues to do its outstanding work for another twenty years.”

SIMON DOWE

Trevor Edwards, Pride Director, said: "We were looking into moving the event to Madeira Drive and asked the council to look at it. However, after discussions we decided that it was in the best interests of Pride to keep the event in Preston Park for 2013."

The LGBT Community Safety Forum are conducting a "Trust and Confidence survey" starting December 1. The survey will build upon the work of the previous Count Me In Too research project and will enable the forum to establish city-wide a "snap shot" of the levels of trust and confidence within the LGBT community in reporting incidents to the police and the council.

CHRIS COOKE

Dulcie Danger, one of Pride’s co-creative directors, who was Director of Promotions and Marketing at Revenge night club for the last six years, resigned on Monday, November 10. She cited concerns about the event being moved to Madeira Drive without any community consultation in a statement she issued on Facebook.

SIMON BURGESS

Plans were due to be discussed at a Council, Economic Development & Culture Committee meeting on November 15 to discuss events in Parks & Open Spaces in the city next year.

The Sussex Beacon have appointed Simon Dowe as their new Chief Executive.

Simon, the Interim Chief Executive for the last five months was appointed to the post full time after a formal recruitment and interview process.

Simon Burgess, Chair of Trustees at the Sussex Beacon, said: “On behalf of the trustees of the Sussex Beacon I am delighted to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive, Simon Dowe. Though Simon has been our Interim Chief Executive for the last five months we wanted to ensure that we were seen to appoint the best possible person for the permanent position. We held an open and rigorous recruitment process that brought in many high calibre applications and the trustees are very grateful to all those applicants.

“Having interviewed some excellent candidates the trustees feel very confident that Simon is the right person to successfully lead our deeply committed and capable staff and volunteers through the many challenges that our organisation will face over the coming months and years.”

GSCENE 9

STONEWALL STAND FIRM AS SPONSORS WOBBLE

BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT

M Over 450 people attended the Stonewall Awards last month, which were hosted by Gok Wan and staged in the Raphael Gallery of the Victoria & Albert Museum. TV favourite Sue Perkins was among 11 winners at the annual awards which celebrate those who have made a positive contribution to the lives of Britain's 3.7 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Great British Bake Off host Perkins was named Entertainer of the Year and she dedicated her award to her comedy partner Mel Giedroyc. Almost 10,000 Stonewall supporters voted for Reverend Giles Fraser to receive the Hero of the Year award as an inspirational faith leader who supports gay people.

Collecting his award, Giles congratulated Stonewall for standing up to bigotry as the charity’s supporters voted for Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who has called gay relationships ‘grotesque’ and ‘harmful’ and compared them to slavery, to receive the Bigot of the Year Award. Giles said: “I’m ashamed that I share the same profession as so many of the people that were nominated and received the Bigot of the Year Award. Why I'm proud of Stonewall, and why I'm proud and delighted to have received this award, is because what you seek to attack, and what you seek to challenge, is fear."

The Rugby Football League received the Sports Award of the Year. Its Equality & Diversity Manager, Sarah Williams, said: “This is a fantastic honour for Rugby League. We’re proud to stand up and say there’s no place for homophobia in sport."

Britain's Got Talent won the Broadcast of the Year award which was collected by the production team and the Sugar Dandies dancing duo. The Sugar Dandies said: "We’d like to thank ITV for having the courage to put obviously gay acts on prime-time television. They allow us to be ourselves, and to tell our story openly and honestly in front of millions of viewers.”

East London-based charity, East London Out Project (ELOP), was named Community Group of the Year, and collected a £5,000 cheque from the Inclusive Foundation to support its work with vulnerable gay people.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive said: "As ever, I’m humbled by the dedication with which this year’s award-winners have been advancing equality for millions of people. Their efforts have never been more valuable and we will never be deterred from celebrating their contribution – or from highlighting the bigotry and malice expressed by some public figures towards gay people in this country."

Disappointingly prior to the event, two of Stonewalls sponsors Barclays and Coutts banks put pressure on Stonewall to withdraw the Bigot of the Year award.

Stonewall refused. On the evening the winner of the Politician of the Year award was booed by sections of the audience after commenting on the award for Bigot of the Year being inappropriate.

Winners: Hero of the Year (supported by PwC): Reverend Giles Fraser; Broadcast of the Year (supported by London Women's Clinic): Britain’s Got Talent; Entertainer of the Year: Sue Perkins; Journalist of the Year: Hugo Rifkind (The Times) and Owen Jones (The Independent); Politician of the Year: Ruth Davidson MSP; Publication of the Year: GayStarNews.com; Sports Award of the Year: Rugby Football League; Writer of the Year: Jeanette Winterson (Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?); Community Group of the Year (supported by Square Peg Media and the Inclusive Foundation): East London Out Project; Bigot of the Year: Cardinal Keith O’Brien.

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£800 JACKPOT BINGO WIN AT CHARLES ST

Host Sally Vate hands over the £800 cash jackpot to Kevin McCafferty at Sally's Rock & Roll Bingo on Sunday, November 18. Sally's Rock & Roll Bingo is on every Sunday at Charles Street straight after the cabaret, with a rolling jackpot and half price drinks right through to 1am!

The final votes cast totalled: Katy Elizabeth Bourne (Con): 80,028 Godfrey Daniel (Lab): 55,602 Among the first to offer congratulations to Katy was Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade.

He said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that Katy is the first Police & Crime Commissioner in Sussex. Katy has worked incredibly hard since her selection as the Conservative candidate and I know that she will do a terrific job at the helm of Sussex Police. Well done Katy, I look forward to working closely with you in the future.”

MP SIMON KIRBY TANNI GREY-THOMPSON

Katy Elizabeth Bourne, the Conservative candidate, has been elected as the new Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner.

Katy won the first ever elections for Police Commissioner with 80,028 votes, giving her a 24,426 lead over the Labour candidate Godfrey Daniel.

Votes cast after the first round were: • Katy Elizabeth Bourne (Con): 59,635 • Godfrey Daniel (Lab): 40,765 • Ian Chisnall (Independent): 38,930 • Tony Armstrong (UKIP): 29,327 • David Rogers (Lib Dem): 20,597 The top two candidates then progressed to the second round where the second choice preferences of the eliminated candidates were transferred to the two main candidates.

KATY BOURNE

Adrian Smith, a devout Christian, was demoted from his job after posting the four words “an equality too far” on his Facebook page after reading a report suggesting that gay marriages may be permitted in church. A work colleague complained that his comment was offensive, despite not having seen the posting.

Following the complaint, his employers, Trafford Housing Trust, disciplined him, downgraded his job and cut his salary by £14,000 a year. Last month, a court overturned their decision. Trafford Housing Trust claimed he broke their code of conduct by expressing religious or political views which might upset co-workers.

However, Mr Justice Briggs, in London’s High Court, ruled that the housing trust did not have a right to demote Mr Smith as his Facebook postings did not amount to misconduct adding the comment about gays marrying in church was not, viewed objectively, judgmental, disrespectful or liable to cause upset or offence, and was expressed in moderate language.

Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Campaigner, said: “This a victory for free speech and fair play. Although Adrian Smith opposed religious same-sex marriages, he supported the right of gay couples to get married in a civil ceremony in a register office. He is entitled to his view and should never have been demoted. I am glad that my statement in support of Adrian was used in his legal case and that he has been vindicated.

“Adrian's opposition to religious organisations being forced to conduct same-sex marriages is shared by the Prime Minister and the Equality Minister, the gay rights group Stonewall and the entire leadership of the Church of England. If Mr Smith is guilty, then they are all guilty. Mr Smith voiced his opinion in a calm, non-abusive manner. He was not threatening or intimidating.

“Free speech is too often being eroded in the name of protecting people against real or imagined offence. It is a precious freedom and should only be limited in extreme circumstances, such as when people incite violence. I wish Adrian supported gay marriages in churches, but he is not a nasty homophobe. It was always absurd to suggest that he was some kind of bigot. He's not.

“Trafford Housing Trust do good work. But in this case they over-reacted. They were wrong to demote Adrian and cut his salary over remarks he made on his personal Facebook page, opposing churches being forced to conduct same-sex marriages.

The Trust was acting with good intentions in a bid to ensure equal opportunities, nondiscrimination and inclusive service provision. Although its commitment to equality for lesbian and gay people is commendable, its response to Mr Smith’s remarks was excessive and disproportionate. Mr Smith wrote on his private Facebook, not the Facebook of the Trafford Housing Trust; ‘An equality too far... the bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women if the state wants to offer civil marriage to samesex then that is up to the state; but they shouldn’t impose its rules on places of faith and conscience.’”

Peter concluded: “This is not a particularly homophobic viewpoint. Adrian Smith’s opposition to churches being compelled to hold gay marriages is shared by much of the population, including most, if not all, equality and human rights organisations.

“I’m opposed to churches being forced by law to conduct same-sex marriages. I do support an end to the legal ban on faith organisations holding gay weddings if they wish to do so.”

KEMPTOWN MP’S BILL CLEARS THE COMMONS

CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE ELECTED SUSSEX POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER

MP MIKE WEATHERLY

PETER TATCHELL

TATCHELL SAYS HOUSING MANAGER SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN DEMOTED

Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven's Private Members Bill received its Third Reading in the House of Commons last month. The Disabled People’s Parking Badges Bill was debated

by Members of Parliament, and was ultimately approved without amendment by all sides of the House. The Bill will now go to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

Simon said: “I am delighted that my Bill has made such swift progress through the House of Commons. It is testament to the sensible changes that it aims to make, which are supported by members on both sides of the House. This Bill can make big improvements to the lives of disabled people and for that reason I am most grateful to Hon. Members from both sides of the House for the support they have given it. The Disabled Person’s Parking Badges Bill will now go before the House of Lords, where I am hopeful that it will make speedy progress onto the statute book.”

Baroness Tanni GreyThompson will sponsor the bill when it progresses to the House of Lords later this year. The Bill, which has received cross-party support, seeks to improve the ability of local councils to tackle widespread abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme, thus improving it for genuine users. It received its Third Reading in the House of Commons on November 9, after which it progresses to the House of Lords for further scrutiny. Baroness Grey-Thompson has agreed to sponsor the Bill in the House of Lords, and will play an important role in guiding its progress through the Upper Chamber.

Simon continued: “The Blue Badge scheme is incredibly important to many disabled people who rely on disabled parking facilities.

However, abuse of the scheme is so widespread that genuine users often struggle to find available spaces. My Bill will help local councils tackle that abuse and make life easier for disabled residents up and down the country who currently experience unnecessary difficulties due to the inconsiderate actions of those who fraudulently use Blue Badges. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of our greatest ever Paralympic athletes and a strong voice for disabled people in the House of Lords. I am delighted that my Bill has Tanni’s support, and I look forward to working with her in the coming months to ensure the progress of this important legislation.”

GSCENE 11

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THE MAN WHO READ HIS WAY TO...

BEACON BENEFITS EVERY TIME YOU BUY A SMILE

A new version of the song Smile from Al Roald Hughes‘ album Roald has been released with all proceeds going to the Sussex Beacon.

The track has added vocals provided by Jennie Castell with some members of the social networking group, BearPatrol and was performed live at the Sussex Beacon's Anniversary Gala Dinner last month at the Seattle Hotel in Brighton Marina. The four track limited edition CD is on sale now at the Sussex Beacon and in the Sussex Beacon shops in St James’ St, Brighton and George St, Hove.

The All Bear Mix is available from iTunes and Amazon as a download. Explaining what the track is about, Al said: “When someone is unsure, unconfident or feeling dejected, a simple smile from someone can lift your whole spirits and make things alright, we know this from experience. It’s that simple.”

For more info view Roald's Facebook group: www.facebook.com/Roaldsong.

Carl Oprey, Gscene columnist and writer, read from his Gscene serial The Man Who Wanked His Way To Greece, at the Royal Festival Hall last month.

Carl said; “It went very well and I read with queer heavyweights Jake Arnott, Stella Duffy and Rebecca Chance. Sarah Waters came up and offered her congratulations afterwards which was a bit spooky.

“Paul Burston from Time Out introduced me as ‘Carl Oprey’ then mentioned that I also wrote as Charlie Bauer Phd, world famous pre-apocalyptic journalist! Talk about being outed to the country's media! It's simply not true!”

QUEER IN BRIGHTON WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STORY

Queer in Brighton, a year-long heritage project celebrating Brighton’s unspoken LGBT histories from 1945 to the present, is looking for written contributions (stories, poems, texts), photos, videos or other historical visual materials) to create an oral record of local LGBT life experiences in Brighton. If you have a story to tell and wish to learn new skills, workshops were announced for November with more planned for the future.

Lesley Wood, Project Manager, said: “Queer in Brighton aims to celebrate some of the people, places and events that have made Brighton the uniquely queer place it is. We’d love to hear and collect the memories and experiences of as many queer/LGBT people as possible over the next 6 months.

We will hold a whole range of performance events throughout the year, and the project will culminate with the launch of a book and exhibition in time for Pride 2013.”

Anyone interested in telling their story, writing about their life in Brighton or just having a cup of tea and a chat should email: info@queerinbrighton.co.uk or call: 01273 735353, or view: www.queerinbrighton.co.uk

Liang Hu, Brighton Film School graduate and local filmmaker, is celebrating the success of a short documentary film he made whilst a student at the school. James is a touching documentary that follows the story of an old man in Brighton. It explores themes surrounding loneliness and his sexuality. The film is being shown at several festivals around the world, including Brighton’s own film festival, Cinecity, which runs till December 2. As well as being selected for Cinecity in the Short Documentary category, James is also being shown at the Spokane GLBT Film Festival in the US, has been nominated for Best Short Film at the Merlinka International Queer Film Festival in Belgrade, Serbia and is entered in the Short Film category at the Serile Filmului Gay International Film Festival, Romania.

LIANG HU

Brighton's Gay Men's Chorus released a charity single last month called You Make Me Proud. The single is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon mp3 and from all good online retailers. Ten per-cent of the profits from sales will be donated to Stonewall, the national lesbian, gay and bisexual equality charity.

The project is supported by Eastenders actress June Brown.

June said: “As Patron of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, I am thrilled to support the boys with this fabulous charity single, which is both inspirational and helps raise awareness and funds for Stonewall, to promote equality and fight discrimination. I would encourage everyone to buy the song and to support this great cause.”

Dan Stamper, Chairman for Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, explained: “As a registered charity, part of our key objectives are to promote equality and diversity, to raise public awareness of the LGBT community, and to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We love the song and the positive message it sends out to everyone, wherever they are in the world, and whatever their situation.”

You Make Me Proud was written by Howard Alexander who has decided to release the song after it won the international competition, OutPostChoir Project, run by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, in their search to find an anthem to create the world’s largest virtual choir. Howard, an original member of the Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, was keen that the chorus took part in the recording. Howard said: “I wanted to create a very positive song which was uplifting and inspirational to everyone. Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus have sung the song so well and I think they really convey the feelings I intended, about staying positive and strong and supporting one another on our continuing journey, until one day I hope, diversity will be universally celebrated, and we will be able to say to all our communities and politicians…’You Make Me Proud".

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus will be performing You Make Me Proud live along with four other choirs during We All Live Together: A Concert For World AIDS Day in Brighton on Saturday December 1, to benefit the Rainbow Fund.

For more info or to buy the song, view: www.brightongmc.org or www.YouMakeMeProud.org

AL ROALD HUGHES

JUNE BROWN

BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS RELEASE CHARITY SINGLE FOR STONEWALL

On hearing about the nominations, Liang Hu said: “I was thrilled to have been selected by these festivals. Knowing my film has touched the judges and is going to be seen by a lot of people makes me feel awarded.”

Liang thanked the Brighton Film School for providing him with skills and confidence to enter the film industry. He said: “Brighton Film School has great tutors and guest lecturers, who are willing to share their knowledge and experience as well as give us advice. Students have access to up-to-date equipment and an edit suite, which is used by industry professionals. I’m truly grateful for what Brighton Film School has offered me.”

Liang is hopeful that another of his short films, March, will gain further recognition as it is also being screened as part of the Cinecity Festival.

Liang Hu graduated in 2012 from the Cinematography and Direction Pre-Masters course which focuses on teaching high level filmmaking skills. Brighton Film School also teaches the Filmmaking HNC (equivalent to the 1st year of a degree), suitable for college graduates and those looking to gain a foothold into the industry. There are short courses in filmmaking, acting for the screen, art direction and screen writing for complete beginners. Applications can be made now for all of these courses with start dates in January, March and September 2013. For more info: www.brightonfilmschool,co.uk James is being screened at The Nightingale Theatre on December 2 at 6pm. Tickets: www.cine-city.co.uk

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Conservative and Labour politicians on Brighton & Hove City Council have joined forces to ensure that Brighton & Hove Albion’s AMEX Community Stadium is used as a host stadium for matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The AMEX Stadium is on a shortlist of 17 possible locations and, if successful, would be used for group matches in the World Cup, with several teams likely to use Brighton & Hove as their base. Group Leaders Cllr Geoffrey Theobald and Cllr Gill Mitchell have submitted a joint Notice of Motion to the next Full Council meeting pledging the council’s full support in the bidding process and beyond.

They hope that all members of the council will support their motion.

Cllr Theobald, Conservative Group Leader, said: “We want to give the organisers of the Rugby World Cup the clear and unequivocal message that Brighton & Hove City Council sits foursquare behind this bid to be a host city in 2015. The benefits to the city are potentially huge, not only in sporting terms but also to the wider economy. International media exposure for Brighton & Hove is a rare thing and we should grasp the opportunity with both hands.”

Cllr Mitchell, Labour & Cooperative Group Leader said: “This is an extraordinary opportunity and we must do all we can to ensure that we are chosen as a host city. Our stunning AMEX Stadium has the capacity already in place, and not only will this raise the profile of our city, it will be a welcome economic boost to local traders.”

Jason Kitcat, Green Council Leader, responded: “I’m pleased to learn that the Conservative and Labour councillors will not be opposing our bid for the Rugby World Cup. This is a tremendous opportunity for the city, economically and culturally, as well as in terms of our world profile, and it would have been shocking had any opposition councillors stood against it. I’m not quite sure why they’ve produced a council motion confirming their support as they had already signed a joint letter with me, backing the bid, but nevertheless I’m sure that the AMEX and the residents of Brighton & Hove will be pleased to know that that three parties share the same views on this.”

Steve Ovett has donated one of the GB vests he was given when he ran in the 1980 Moscow Olympics and won gold in the 800m, to raise money for the Mayor's three nominated charities in his home city of Brighton & Hove.

ISHIGAKI JU-JITSU CLUB OFFERS FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION

Ishigaki Ju-Jitsu LGBT Martial Arts Club are offering introductory sessions for adults new to Ju-Jitsu on the second Friday of the month. Your first opportunity to try out Ju-Jitsu will be Friday, December 14 and the second introductory session is on Friday, January 15, 2013. Sessions are run by experienced coaches, and the first session is free. Session times are on Friday 78.45pm and on Sunday 2.45-4.45pm at LA Fitness on North Road, Brighton.

On Sunday October 14, Ishigaki Ju-Jitsu hosted a ground-fighting skills seminar.

The session was run by head of Jikishin Ju-Jitsu Association, Sensei Brian Herbert an 8th Dan. The session was enjoyed by students of all levels, beginners, and black belts alike from Brighton and London Ishigaki clubs.

To find out more about Ishigaki Ju-Jitsu or to contact the club, view: www.ishigaki.org.uk

CLLR BILL RANDALL

CLLR JASON KITCAT

Steve, who was made a Freeman of the city in July, sent the vest to the Mayor Bill Randall from his home in Melbourne, Australia, with a letter saying: “Hope this fits the job.”

Cllr Bill Randall, said: “When I met Steve in the summer he turned out to be all the things you would hope for in a hero, and he promised to send me a ‘significant item’ for auction. I had no idea how significant it would be. His generosity is overwhelming and is further testament to his love for this city. It is a fantastic Olympic postscript to an extraordinary sporting year.

“The signed vest and the signed photograph Steve sent with it will be auctioned to raise money for the three charities I am supporting in my year as Mayor: Allsorts, Martlets and The Women’s Centre.

“All three are hugely grateful for Steve’s kindness, and the money raised from auctioning the shirt will help fund the very important work they do for Brighton & Hove, where Steve remains an inspiration for a new generation of athletes. Charlie Grice, an outstanding young middle distance runner from Brighton’s Phoenix AC names Steve as his inspiration. “With this act of kindness Steve will inspire the whole city.”

RUNNERS TO VOTE FOR BRIGHTON HALF MARATHON ‘BEST MUSIC ON COURSE’

The Brighton Half Marathon, in its 23rd year, which takes place on Sunday, February 17, 2013 is one of the longest established and most popular seafront road race events in the UK. Public places to the Brighton Half Marathon are sold out but runners can still run as part of a Corporate Charity Challenge Team or for one of the official charities.

With music and entertainment a key factor at the Brighton Half Marathon each year, the organisers have gone one step further for the 2013 race by introducing the ‘Best Music on Course’ award.

In 2013, the organisers want to give local music talent a chance to shine and to perform at a high profile sporting event which attracts thousands of runners, supporters and spectators from near and far. A total of five venues and spots will be available, and only bands based in Sussex can apply to play, sing or perform next February. Bands will be based on: Madeira Drive, Roedean, Hove Lagoon, Peace Statue and a pub near the end turn.

BARULHO 2012 HALF MARATHON

STEVE OVETT DONATES MOSCOW VEST TO RAISE MONEY FOR MAYOR'S CHARITIES

CLLR GILL MITCHELL

CLLR GEOFFREY THEOBALD

TORIES AND LABOUR JOIN FORCES TO BRING GAMES TO AMEX STADIUM FOR 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP

All entries will be considered and five bands will be chosen to perform on race day. There is no specific style or criteria but the music needs to be entertaining and motivational, with the aim to inspire and cheer on the runners on their way around the 13.1 mile course.

The chosen bands will be announced at the end of January and featured on the Brighton Half Marathon website and social media channels. Runners will be voting for their favourite band after race day, and the winning band will receive some fantastic prizes including a cheque for £500 and the inaugural Winner of the Brighton Half Marathon Best Music on Course title.

The winner’s music will be featured in the post-race video and the winning band will also get the opportunity to play in a prime location at the 2014 race.

Any bands interested in getting involved need to send an email with their details and ideally links to their music to the organisers by December 15 2012: half.marathon@sussexbeacon.org.uk .

For more info view: www.brightonhalfmarathon.com

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Brighton Gay Boxers, the new boxing club for LGBT men and women, meets every Thursday and is a fun, friendly and a non-threatening place for people to get involved in boxing, keep fit and make new fiends. Training takes place every Thursday evening from 8pm in Stables Boxing Gym at Brighton Race Course. All you need are regular gym clothes; trainers, gloves and head guards are provided. However after a few classes you may want to purchase your own equipment: gloves, wraps, gum shield. Advice will be given. The sessions cost £5 per person which pays for use of the gym and coaching.

Going to a boxing gym for the first time can be a daunting experience; but they are a friendly group, so when you arrive the trainer and regular members will make themselves known and introduce themselves to you. Most new members who come to classes will not have not boxed before so will receive some personal coaching from Jamie, the trainer, to run through basic technique to ensure they are standing, moving and throwing punches correctly prior to any sparring or actual boxing.

No two sessions are ever the same! Guest coaches and professional fighters come to the classes to offer their expertise, keeping things fresh, varied, interesting and very challenging.

General fitness is important in boxing, so some body conditioning circuits are included in the classes. No matter how fit you are these circuits are always a challenge. Positive reinforcement and encouragement is always given, the trainer is always on hand to assist and advise all members in the class no matter their level of expertise, and no one is pushed beyond their limits. The motto is, ‘exercise has to be fun!’, and music is always played.

The class ends in a warm-down routine to ensure there are no aches and pains the following day, although this cannot be guaranteed!

Boxing offers many benefits and you will see these from the first time you train.

You will: • Increase your self confidence, not only at boxing but in your work, social and family life; • Increase your fitness level; • Increase your muscle tone and size; • Meet a new group of friends who share your interest and passion for boxing and will support you in the hard work of training; • Find classes fun, sociable, challenging and definitely not a chore.

Men and women are equally welcome. For further information, contact Jamie, an experienced gay white collar and unlicensed boxer on 07917 136673 or just turn up as no bookings are necessary.

For more info about Stables Boxing Gym view: www.thestablesgym.co.uk

BOXER TOPS THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY’S PINK LIST

STARTING OUT: A GUIDE FOR GAY STUDENTS AND JOB SEEKERS FROM STONEWALL

Stonewall, the LGB equality charity, have produced the eighth edition of Starting Out, Britain’s lesbian, gay and bisexual Careers Guide both online and in print. Starting Out is supported

by Credit Suisse and features profiles of 425 employers from sectors including banking, defence, retail and local government who are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, and are committed to making their workplaces gay-friendly. The guide is targeted at the 150,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual students in Britain, as well as all discerning jobseekers and graduates.

Colleen Humphrey, Stonewall Director of Workplace said: “We know people perform better when they can be themselves, and the number of employers featured in Starting Out shows they know this too. Every employer featured is eager to recruit the very best in lesbian, gay and bisexual talent. They all know that creating a fully supportive and inclusive work environment makes sound business sense because when staff achieve their full potential, businesses clearly benefit.”

15,000 copies of Starting Out are being distributed to student unions, university career services, employment agencies and university lesbian and gay societies and sixth forms across Britain. Job seekers can also access an interactive Starting Out online, which includes current jobs vacancies from Stonewall’s jobs site Proud Employers, helping jobseekers quickly identify the opportunities they’re interested in.

Starting Out is available online: www.startingoutguide.org.uk For free copies contact Stonewall’s freephone InfoLine: 08000 50 20 20.

Nicola Adams, Olympic gold medalwinning boxer, topped the Independent on Sunday's Pink List of 101 most influential LGBT figures in the UK list.

Nominated by readers and finessed by a panel of judges, the list highlights LGBT heroes, whether they are in the public eye or unsung champions campaigning for progress and equality. Those involved in London 2012 dominate the top slots in this year’s list.

Nicola said: “It’s amazing to be on the list of

NICOLA ADAMS

LEARN TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF WITH BRIGHTON GAY BOXERS

such inspiring and influential people. 2012 continues to be a great year for me so thanks to everyone for their continued support.”

Clare Balding, star of the BBC's Olympic coverage came second and Peter Tatchell, veteran human rights campaigner and founder of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, came third in recognition of his work campaigning to stop LGBT asylum seekers being deported to homophobic countries.

Lee Pearson, Paralympic equestrian, battling through his allergy to horses and muscle weakness disease was fourth and Carl Hester, Olympic equestrian came fifth.

In the political sphere, Government Minister Greg Barker features at six and fellow Minister, David Laws MP comes in at ninth following his return to government after previously resigning over an expenses scandal.

John Mullin, Editor of the Independent on Sunday, says: “I’m proud to announce the 13th annual Pink List, celebrating influential and high-profile LGBT people in the UK. The top ten reflects those who have helped truly inspired Britain over the past year.”

The top ten are as below: 1 Nicola Adams: Olympic Boxer 2 Clare Balding: TV Presenter 3 Peter Tatchell: Gay rights campaigner 4 Lee Pearson MBE: Paralympic Equestrian 5 Carl Hester: Olympic Equestrian 6 Greg Barker: Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change 7 Heather Pearce: Actress (Lip Service) 8 Nick Grimshaw: Breakfast Radio Presenter 9 David Laws: Minister of State for Schools and the Cabinet Office 10 Luke Anderson: winner of Big Brother

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LUNCH POSITIVE CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES

Lunch Positive hold their annual Members Christmas Meal on Friday, December 14 at the Dorset Garden Methodist Church. Members old and new are welcome to go and celebrate the festivities.

Lunch on that day will be donation only so that the service is available to as many people as possible.

There's will also be information available about what local services and support are available over the Christmas and New Year period.

Email: info@lunchpositive.org or call: 07846 464384

A national strategy for tackling HIV in the UK, HIV – A Strategy for Success, produced by the National AIDS Trust (NAT) has been launched. It aims to build on the work of the previous national strategy, which expired in 2010, as well as addressing serious areas of concern which remain in the ongoing fight against HIV in the UK. Simon Kirby, MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven, welcomed the new strategy: “Whilst there are encouraging signs in the global effort to battle this disease, infection rates in the UK remain stubbornly high and 2010 saw the highest number of new diagnoses ever reported in a single year.

“There is a need for clear, strategic thinking in the fight against HIV following the expiration of the previous National Strategy two years ago. I welcome the work of the NAT in putting together ‘HIV – A Strategy for Success’, which contains well thought out proposals and makes an extremely valuable contribution to the debate on this issue.

“I’m hopeful that the NAT proposals will be well received by the Department for Health, and as Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS I will certainly be doing what I can to highlight the report and make sure it has an impact.”

PEER ACTION YOGA CLASSES IN DECEMBER

Peer Action's popular yoga classes continue in December on Tuesday 4,11 and 18.

There will be no sessions on December 25 or January 1.

The first session in the New Year will be Tuesday January 8.

All sessions are for one hour from 6–7pm on Tuesdays at St Mary's Hall, 61 St James Street, Kemptown at a cost of £3 per session.

Grassroots Suicide Prevention, the Brighton-based suicide prevention nonprofit organisation, has been awarded a grant of just under £10,000 by the Big Lottery Fund for an upgrade of IT equipment to enable them to support suicide prevention within and beyond the local communities. This cash injection will make a huge difference to the efficiency of their service delivery and reach and provide for a complete installation of new PCs, and a brand new laptop, data projector and other vital equipment. The Installation will be supplied by ABCOM IT, who were the IT wizards behind their groundbreaking Skype video conference with Sinead O’Connor and LGBTQ icon Kate Bornstein on World Suicide Prevention Day. View the video at: http://bit.ly/RwfnsH

CHRIS BROWN

The charity Men Get Eating Disorders Too (MGEDT) is lobbying the government to improve treatment services for males with eating disorders. In the build-up to International Men's Day last month, UK national charity MGEDT appealed for signatures in support of their petition on Direct Gov. The petition aims to address the barriers men with eating disorders are faced with when approaching help at the point of access and in treatment services. MGEDT is calling on the government to make key changes in policy and delivery levels so male sufferers are able to seek the support they need.

Sam Thomas, MGEDT Founder and Director, said: "It's encouraging that hundreds of people have signed our petition so far to improve service provision for males with eating disorders. The more signatures we receive the increased chance that politicians, commissioners and policy makers take this issue seriously. We need at least 10,000 signatures to be eligible for a response from the Department of Health and the possibility of our petition being debated in Parliament.

Help us achieve our goal by signing the petition today.”

In April of this year, it was revealed there had been a 16% rise in hospital admissions involving males with eating disorders, according to the NHS Information Centre. Latest figures indicate that 20% of the estimated 1.6 million people with eating disorders are male.

Sam, added: “MGEDT believes that these figures are only the tip of the iceberg and that many male sufferers aren't engaged with treatment services. Despite an increase in awareness in recent years, there is a still a great deal of stigma attached to eating disorders. The stereotypical gender assumptions still exist, thus making it difficult for many male sufferers to approach their GP. “I know from first-hand experience how difficult it can be as a man making those first steps getting help. At eighteen I approached the doctor to get support for bulimia as I was getting desperate and needed treatment urgently. Despite the severity of my illness at that time, the GP brushed off the symptoms saying I was simply 'depressed'. If I was a female with the same set of situations and symptoms, I'm sure I would have been diagnosed quicker. What's most worrying is that this is not a lone experience - many male sufferers out there are unable to seek the vital help they need due to the lack of understanding and awareness of eating disorders among professionals.

“It's important to remember that eating disorders are indiscriminate and can affect anyone, irrespective of their age, social background, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and indeed gender. Only with increased awareness and understanding of eating disorders in men will the barriers be eradicated. Ultimately, we want to see services that are inclusive to the needs of all."

MGEDT is currently delivering free workshops for professionals as part of funding by the Big Lottery. The grant has enabled the charity to deliver workshops across the country in effort to improve knowledge and understanding of eating disorders in males. Through training, the organisation hopes to improve service provision and professional practice so that male sufferers are better supported.

For more info about MGEDT, view: www.mengetedstoo.co.uk To sign their petition, view: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/26689 The deadline for signing is January 9, 2013.

SUICIDE PREVENTION PROJECT GETS BIG LOTTERY GRANT

NEW NATIONAL HIV STRATEGY

MP SIMON KIRBY

SAM THOMAS

EATING DISORDER CHARITY LOBBIES GOVERNMENT

Chris Brown, Grassroots’ Director, said; “The computer upgrade will allow us to make use of new technologies for using social media in getting the Grassroots message out into the various communities in Brighton & Hove.

“Suicide is still a taboo subject and the contact through Twitter, Facebook and Skype will improve engagement with those at risk who find it difficult to get in contact face to face.”

The grant will allow them to produce their own video training content, bring the website in-house, to better manage content and improve communication on a local, regional, national and increasingly international level.

Grassroots is working on getting their Suicide Safer Brighton & Hove initiative off the ground, and these new technologies will help them reach local LGBTQ people.

You can find Grassroots Suicide Prevention on Facebook: on.fb.me/Grassroot and Twitter: https://twitter.com/Grassroots.

The Big Lottery Fund is the largest distributor half of National Lottery good cause funding across the UK. The Fund aims to enable others to make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

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NEW JOURNEYS

BISHOP JUSTIN WELBY

NEW ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY APPOINTMENT A “RETROGRADE STEP” SAY GAY HUMANISTS

Gay Humanists have described the appointment of the present Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, as the new Archbishop of Canterbury as “a retrograde step” as far as LGBT rights are concerned. The Bishop is from the evangelical wing of the Church upholding a traditional conservative interpretation of the Bible. He has spoken out firmly against gay marriage and is opposed to gay people serving as bishops.

George Broadhead, veteran gay activist who is secretary of the UK gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust, said: “His appointment is clearly a retrograde step which is bound to encourage the already predominant homophobic element in the Church of England, especially in Africa. He is admittedly less abrasive than the other possible candidate the Right Reverend John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, but coming as it does after the very disappointing record on LGBT rights shown by the retired Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams, his appointment will come as blow to those who had hoped for a more gay friendly choice.”

MATTHEW HODSON

If you’re struggling to remember the last time you had an HIV test, it’s a good bet that it was longer ago than it should have been. Advice from the Health Protection Agency recommends that all sexually active gay men should test for HIV at least once a year, even if they always use condoms, and more often if they have unprotected sex with new partners. A new service, just launched by GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, will send men annual email reminders to go get an HIV test. Users of the service fill in a simple form at: www.gmfa.org.uk/reminder and will then be sent a reminder to test on the month of their choosing. No information on testing results is kept and users can unsubscribe at any time.

Although the number of gay men getting tested for HIV has quadrupled over the last decade it is estimated that less than one in four gay men follow the advice for an annual check-up. As a result there are about 10,000 gay men living with HIV have not been diagnosed and so cannot benefit from treatment.

Men who have HIV without knowing about it cannot get the care and treatment that can prevent serious HIV-related illness. Reports indicate that 70% of people who die with HIV in the UK were diagnosed late.

Matthew Hodson of GMFA, said: “The idea of sending out annual reminders came from gay men who completed surveys that we conducted on attitudes to testing.

“Early diagnosis means a much better chance of a healthy life, if you have HIV. And men who have tested and are on treatment are much less likely to pass on HIV to their sexual partners. Regular testing will help men with HIV to live longer and will reduce the number of gay men who become infected so we are particularly keen that gay men test more often.”

You can also use the system to get reminded to have a general STI check-up.

Vince Laws, controversial poet and artist, is bringing his ‘happening’, I Am A Poem, to Brighton to celebrate LGBT History Month next February. The official launch at Brighton Town Hall, followed by an artistic launch at the Jubilee Library, both Friday, February 1, will feature poetry, performance, community groups and song.

The OUT140 project, which tells coming out stories in 140 characters or less, ie a tweet on Twitter, will be displayed in the Jubilee Library foyer, alongside some of Vince’s smaller visual poems. He is also creating a piece of text art to hang in the main library window.

I AM A POEM FOLKESTONE

REV DEBBIE GASTON

BY REV DEBBIE GASTON OF THE PHOENIX OPEN FAITH COMMUNITY I had begun to notice a few bruises appearing under my skin that I couldn’t explain. I did have occasional nose bleeds and my gums bled more frequently when I cleaned my teeth, but I probably could have put most of this down to reaching the menopause. I wasn’t particularly tired or feeling ill, in fact I was as energetic as I had ever been, but something in the back of my mind said I should get it checked at the doctors.

It was about six weeks into my symptoms when I saw my GP who thought I was most likely anaemic so he sent me for a blood test.

Only six hours after I had that test, I had an urgent call telling me to get into hospital immediately because I had Acute Myloid Leukemia and my platelets were so low that I could bleed out at any time. (The average person has around 200 and I had 11.)

My partner and I were in total shock. I had an hour to throw a few things into a bag and get into the Royal Sussex. I’d never been in hospital for longer than 24 hours and I’d always cared for others who had cancer and illnesses, never thinking for one moment that one day the tables might turn and that I might have to allow others to look after me!

The Haematology Department were incredible. From the moment we walked in, we were cared for, loved, supported and we knew they were totally committed to getting the treatment right for me. If you had told me then that I would be in hospital for the next six months with the odd week or so at home, I probably would have left there and then. The chemo treatment was very intense and I wanted to give up so often, but six months later I’m in remission and my body has responded well to the treatment. This part of my life journey had not been expected!

In the mean time, my personal approach to spirituality and faith has taken a new turn as well. This has led to setting up a new group called the Phoenix Open Faith Community because the group of us that worship and meet together, enjoy the experience of the Divine through many means. We are beginning to realise that putting God in a box only leads to restrictive and often destructive attitudes.

How many of us have experienced the Divine and yet never go to places of corporate worship? Probably a large percentage. At the Phoenix Open Faith Community we enjoy engaging with people of all spiritual journeys and backgrounds. We have a group of all genders, all ages, all backgrounds, all beliefs and all sexualities and we aim to learn from one another and our spiritual journeys. No one has to dilute their beliefs; we just know how much we can learn from one another, if only we listen with openness.

To contact Rev Debbie Gaston and the Phoenix Open Faith Community, email: gastondebbie7459@googlemail.com

I AM A POEM COMES TO BRIGHTON

GMFA LAUNCH HIV TEST REMINDER SERVICE

Vince said: “I’m hoping creative people all over the city will join in the celebration. I’m working with the Hankie Quilt and artist Mandy Webb on an installation for Brighton Town Hall; Bear-Patrol are going to help me raise funds for the Sussex Beacon with Adopt-A-Pansy; Enzo Marra is curating a contemporary queer art show; Rose Collis is offering Queer Brighton Tours. There will be films, performances, a Human Library, Treat the Artist, love poetry on Valentine’s, The L Word, and I’d like to have a Ball – please help!”

Vince held his first solo gallery show at George’s House Gallery, Folkestone, in February of this year to wide acclaim.

Brigitte Orasinski, Gallery Director, said: “The exhibition was more than just a collection of artworks, it was a happening that involved and deeply engaged many people.

Vince’s work has important things to say, but he has a deftness of touch that means he can attract attention and interest without bludgeoning people over the head with his message.”

It is hoped that next year’s LGBT History month will blossom into a much broader LGBT Arts Festival called Rainbow Arts. If you want to stage an event during February as part of a wider arts festival contact Vince on: www.vincelaws.com If you are an artist why not stage an Open House? Discussions are progressing for the choirs to perform concerts and poets, artists and entertainers are all eager to perform.

Events will be publicised through a special printed programme of events in Gscene magazine in January and February.

Vince has received an Arts Council grant to bring I Am A Poem to Brighton.

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COMMONWEALTH FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREE TO END REPRESSIVE ANTI-GAY LAWS

Commonwealth Foreign Ministers have agreed to scrap repressive laws that inhibit the fight against HIV and to adopt a Commonwealth Charter that includes pledges to uphold human rights. Peter Tatchell, Human rights campaigner, said: "This is a breakthrough. Huge thanks to everyone who participated in our email campaign. Your efforts helped secure success. The big challenge now is to translate these Commonwealth commitments into action. We need more than promises and good intentions.

The Foreign Minister’s decision comes after Commonwealth governments were sent 18,000 emails urging reform. This email blitz was initiated and coordinated by the International HIV /AIDS Alliance, supported by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and other human rights and HIV organisations. The emails urged Commonwealth countries to repeal discriminatory, punitive laws against LGBT people, sex workers and drug users. These laws undermine the fight against HIV. They also urged implementation of the recommendations of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group, including the appointment of a Commonwealth commissioner for human rights, and the adoption of a Commonwealth charter with a strong human rights commitment.

Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett, Divisional Commander of Brighton & Hove will be retiring from Sussex Police in March next year. In a statement he said: “I have taken the decision to retire from the police service on March 31 2013. By that time I will have had the great privilege of holding the office of constable for 30 years.

“To have served in every rank at Brighton & Hove has been a great honour and over the years I have made many great friends here.

“I truly believe that our city is a very special place with vibrant and diverse people and communities served by truly remarkable and capable people in all sectors. I have been humbled to be part of the partnerships which have made Brighton & Hove a safer and healthier place to live, work and visit.

“I leave the service at a time of great change but I know that whatever the future holds our organisation will continue to have public service at its heart.

"I have no immediate plans for the future, these will come.

However, of what I am certain is that there will always be much to do in terms of improving safety, reducing inequality and promoting a healthier society.

“I know that those with whom I have had the pleasure of working will continue to strive for those outcomes for the benefit of all.

"I will, of course, be around for some time yet and it will very much be business as usual until the day I leave. Whilst I know we will have the time to say our farewells, I would like to thank you all for your support, friendship and counsel over the years.”

Commander Bartlett was seen as a moderniser and a champion of equality issues within the police service.

The Metropolitan Police have declined to discuss if the two men who threw Human Rights Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, to the ground outside Westminster Abbey last month were serving police officers.

The incident happened when Tatchell attempted to unfurl a West Papuan flag as the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's limousine left Westminster Abbey. The President was in the UK on a State Visit as guest of the Queen and the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

PETER TATCHELL

Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill will become law by the end of 2012. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill was first introduced as a Private Members’ Bill by David Bahatim, MP in October 2009. Bahati is an evangelical Christian and a member of the Fellowship Foundation, also known as The Family, a US-based Christian and political organisation which arranges the annual prestigious National Prayer Breakfast in Washington.

The law will broaden the criminalisation of same-sex relationships by dividing homosexuality into two categories: aggravated homosexuality and the offence of homosexuality. Aggravated homosexuality is defined as gay acts committed by parents or authority figures, HIV-positive people, paedophiles and repeat offenders. If convicted, they will face the death penalty.

The offence of homosexuality includes same-sex sexual acts or being in a gay relationship, and will be prosecuted by life imprisonment.

The Bill had been temporarily shelved because of international criticism. Several European countries have threatened to cut aid to Uganda if it passes, with the UK Government warning Uganda it would face severe reductions in financial help.

US President, Barack Obama, has described the Bill as "odious", and Canadian politician John Baird has said it is "vile, abhorrent, and offends decency".

Pink Triangle Trust (PTT), the UK gay Humanist charity, is appalled to learn the news. Their secretary, George Broadhead, said: “We are appalled that after such a long time this heinous piece of legislation will still become law. Much of the homophobic bigotry which is rife in Uganda and other African countries emanates from religious sources, including US Evangelical Christians.

"It certainly emanates from the Anglican Church of Uganda which states on its website: "The Church of Uganda appreciates the spirit of the Bill’s objective of protecting the family, especially in light of a growing propaganda to influence younger people to accept homosexuality as a legitimate way of expressing human sexuality. We particularly appreciate the objectives of the Bill which seek to: provide for marriage in Uganda as contracted only between a man and woman; prohibit and penalize homosexual behaviour and related practices in Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family; prohibit ratification of any international treaties, conventions, protocols, agreements and declarations which are contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of the Act; prohibit the licensing of organizations which promote homosexuality.” Unfortunately the vast majority of the population are committed Christians and clearly greatly influenced by these malign Bible-based policies.”

THE MET POLICE DECLINE TO DISCUSS TATCHELL ASSAULT

BRIGHTON POLICE CHIEF TO RETIRE

GRAHAM BARTLETT

GEORGE BROADHEAD

DAVID BAHATIM, MP

UGANDA'S ANTI-HOMOSEXUAL BILL TO BECOME LAW

Tatchell was thrown to the ground by two men in plain clothes and then arrested by Metropolitan Police Officers. He had intended to attempt a citizen’s arrest on President Yudhoyono who stands accused of human rights violations in his country.

Tatchell said: “The President stands accused of war crimes in East Timor and West Papua. It is appalling that the Royal Family and the Prime Minister are hosting a man who is implicated in mass murder.

“I was arrested for a peaceful, lawful protest, which involved nothing more sinister than holding a flag. I was also threatened with further charges for ‘shouting loudly’ the words ‘Free West Papua’ and for what one police officer described as ‘pointing your finger at me in a way that I find intimidating’.

“I’m saddened that some police officers apparently have no respect for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest. I was detained unlawfully and deprived of my liberty for two hours. After being taken to Charring Cross Police Station, I was eventually released without charge. Clearly the police knew they’d overstepped the mark and that the charges against me were baseless.”

Mr Tatchell is 60-years-old.

To see the incident, view: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jevJbMQ KBKE

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Human Rights Campaigner, Peter Tatchell, claims that deportations of LGBT people continues, despite government pledges to ensure fairer treatment.

Peter said: “Traumatised refugees who have fled homophobic intimidation and violence should not be subjected to removal to countries where they are at risk of discrimination, harassment, assault, arrest, imprisonment, torture and murder.

These deportations violate David Cameron’s and Nick Clegg’s commitment to a fairer deal for LGBT refugees fleeing homophobic and transphobic persecution.”

The Coalition Government pledged they would stop the deportation of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation. In 2010, David Cameron personally promised Africans seeking asylum on the basis of sexual orientation and at real risk of persecution in their home countries should be allowed to stay in the UK. Peter continued:“In an apparent bid to reduce asylum numbers, the Home Office is sometimes resorting to the despicable tactic of refusing to believe that refugees are gay, even when they provide evidence of same-sex relationships and witness statements from their current or former partners. If this evidence is not good enough, how are refugees supposed to prove their sexual orientation? It is an impossible task. The UK Border Agency seems to be making it deliberately impossible; presumably in order to boost the numbers being deported to satisfy the anti-asylum lobby. This is shocking and shameful.

“No one in government is taking responsibility to end this injustice. Ministers are doing little or nothing to stop this on-going unfair treatment of LGBT refugees.

“The UK is not honouring its obligations under the Refugee Convention.”

Rakshita Patel, Asylum Casework Officer with the Peter Tatchell Foundation, added: “We’re helping many genuine LGBT refugees who tell heart-breaking stories of discrimination and violence in their home countries. These are very vulnerable people who have suffered greatly. They've shown great courage, given their persecution in their countries of origin and their subsequent mistreatment here in Britain. These people have come to the UK expecting a safe haven, only to be thrown into a detention centre and treated like a common criminal. When they protest against the appalling way they are treated, they can face punitive action and be subjected to fast-track deportation.

“Many LGBT asylum applicants have poor legal representation. The legal aid system does not provide solicitors with sufficient funds to prepare a proper case.

Some are listed for deportation before their appeals or judicial reviews are heard.

The asylum system is failing them. They are not being given a fair hearing.

“We’re calling on the coalition government to reform the asylum system to end the deportation of LGBT people who have a sincere, well-founded fear of persecution."

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

RAKSHITA PATEL

PETER TATCHELL

DEPORTATION OF LGBT REFUGEES CONTINUES

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Student representatives organised a gathering to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance on Tuesday November 20 on the Old Steine. Speakers from the police, and voluntary organisations spoke in support of Transgender issues and the gathering ended with a minute of noise from everyone present.

THE FEATHERSTONE 2013 FAERIE CALL TO THE WINTER GATHERING

All faerie folk, queer and gentle creatures, inverts, perverts, sodomites, Uranian lovers, Sapphists, finger artists, nancy boys, camp queens, dolly fruits, closet cases, switch hitters, stone butches, longtime companions, confirmed bachelors, strange sisters and loving comrades are invite to the 7th annual winter gathering of the Albion Faeries at Featherstone Castle in Northumberland.

Ignite your passions, delight your senses, take risks, learn and teach, appreciate and be appreciated, commune with nature, embrace whimsy, transform yourself, delve deep into the profound, dissolve in laughter, from Friday, January 25 until Monday, February 4, 2013.

Arrive when you can, leave when you must.

This gathering is a co-creation of all who are there. Go with intention and help manifest "felicity, wonder, and joyful togetherness".

For more information view: www.albionfaeries.co.uk/feath erstone2013 where you’ll find more info about the gathering and a link to the online registration form.

Check out the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/Eurofaerie sFeatherstone2013 which will have updates as the gathering approaches.

All adult faeries are welcome, irrespective of gender or sexuality.

DITCH THE LABEL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION

Based in Brighton, Ditch the Label is a not-for-profit organisation, which is working to highlight the issue of discrimination and bullying. Their website says: “Our message is clear: It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, gay, straight, asexual, disabled, skinny, curvy, old, young, interested in sports, work in a salon or feel good in drag – we think you’re amazing. Things like the colour of your skin, your sexuality, appearance, interests or disability shouldn’t define you.

We’re fighting against stereotypes and bullying.

Join us."

Ditch the Label has two main aims: • To promote the issue of social equality, preventing hate and prejudice targeted at different minority groups both through online and offline devices. Ditch the Label works independently and in collaboration with celebrities and other organisations to promote messages of equality and to encourage a society free from sexism, racism and homophobia.

• To provide help and support to teens and young adults typically between the ages of 15 and 21 to overcome issues of bullying through the use of their own dedicated online community and support networks set up offline.

Currently, the online community, Ditchworld has over 30,000 members and acts as a social networking site for peer-to-peer support. Anyone can join for free and can gain, as well as provide, advice on their issues. Liam Hackett, founder and managing director said: “I found it incredibly difficult growing up against a background of bullying and discrimination because of my sexuality and remember feeling so alone. I, like many others craved a community where I could speak with other like-minded people to gain advice and support for my situation. Ditch the Label was born and we continue to touch the hearts of thousands worldwide each month.”

Liam set up Ditch the Label aged 16, after experiencing playground bullying throughout school. He recently graduated from the University of Sussex and now concentrates his energy on Ditch the Label and his other business venture, Hackett & Tiger. Since relaunching in July 2012, they have a new website, brand and vision for the future.

Growing through the power of social media and their ever-growing list of celebrity ambassadors the future looks bright for this worthy and exciting initiative.

For more info: www.ditchthelabel.org

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Oxford Pride 2013 have announced they will support three charities next year.

In previous years, Oxford Pride has supported a local charity with a donation given at their AGM. However in 2013, they’ve decided to expand their support of LGBT causes, focusing not only locally, but also nationally, and internationally.

Oxford Pride’s theme next year is Not There Yet and the charities they’ve chosen to support all who fit with this theme. Whilst the LGBT community may enjoy greater freedoms and rights in the UK, there are a large number of countries around the world where this isn’t the case. By expanding support to charities who work internationally to support LGBT people in countries where they face criminal conviction, and harsh punishment, Oxford Pride hopes to raise awareness of the issues still faced by the wider LGBT community. Dave Legg, Chair of Oxford Pride, said: “I am very pleased that Pride is supporting three very valuable and worthwhile causes next year, all of which fit well with our theme and aims.”

Locally, Oxford Pride will be supporting Oxford Friend, a free and completely confidential information, support and counselling service for LGBT people. Oxford Friend has been running continuously since 1980 and helps individuals with things that may be worrying them or that they just want to talk through, such as sexuality, problems at work, or they may be having difficulties in their relationships with friends, family or partners.

Nationally, the Committee have selected a charity which does valuable work supporting young LGBT people who are made homeless, or live in a hostile environment. Whether they are experiencing domestic violence, or have been kicked out of their home for coming out to their family, the Albert Kennedy Trust works to support them. The Trust's mission is to ensure that all LGBT young people are able to live in accepting, supportive and caring homes, by providing a range of services to meet individual needs.

Internationally, Oxford Pride have chosen an organisation founded by one of their Patrons, Peter Tatchell. His Foundation seeks to promote and protect the human rights of individuals, communities and nations, in the UK and internationally, in accordance with established national and international human rights law. Oxford Pride hosted Peter Tatchell on their stage at Oxford Pride 2012, and are pleased to be able to support his foundation over this coming year.

Oxford Pride is a celebration of LGBT life in Oxfordshire. Events supporting or arranged by Oxford Pride promote awareness of LGBT issues and lifestyle through providing information, education and entertainment in a safe and encouraging environment. Oxford Pride 2013 runs from May 31–June 9, with the field event on Saturday, June 8. For more information view: www.oxford-pride.org.uk

EASTBOURNE’S 50 PLUS SOCIAL GROUP CELEBRATES ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Eastbourne Rainbow, the social support group for over 50s LGBT people in Eastbourne, celebrated their first anniversary on Wednesday, October 31. The group has grown under the guidance of Derek Andrews and Kenneth Ashworth with behind the scenes support from Derek's partner, Chris Roby.

During the last year the group has grow in numbers, and has welcomed many interesting speakers to their meetings. Derek and Kenneth have also been proactively involved with a number of outside groups and agencies who have asked for their assistance and expertise. They have been able to offer ideas and advice to different projects and they both feel that they have contributed in making changes to help the lives of many LGBT people in older people in Eastbourne.

Derek and Kenneth thank all their members for supporting the group during its first year and especially AGE Concern Eastbourne for their special help and support.

For more info about the group view: www.eastbournerainbow.org.uk

OXFORD SAFETY SURVEY GETS BEST EVER RESPONSE

HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD

Hampshire Boulevard, Portsmouth’s oldest gay venue celebrated its 10th birthday last month, and presented £2,500 to the Rowans Hospice, a local charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

The Oxfordshire Homophobic Awareness Liaison Team (HALT) has carried out its annual survey within the LGBT community to help understand the issues faced by LGBT people in Oxfordshire. This year the survey attracted its highest number of responses ever, totaling 123. The responses have been analysed and the results used to form HALT’s action plan in 2013 to address the real issues faced in Oxfordshire by the LGBT community. View the results of this survey on the HALT website: www.oxhalt.co.uk/index.html Cheryl Briggs, Chair of HALT, commentating on the survey results, said:: “I have found Oxford to be predominately inclusive but there is still some hate crime directed at the LGBT community, in the city and county.” HALT was formed in 1998 by members of the gay community who felt the police were not taking homophobic hate crime seriously.

HALT has now grown and developed into a multi-agency partnership working to make Oxfordshire a safer and more inclusive community for LGBT people. For more info, view: www.oxhalt.co.uk

Owners Chris Parker and Michael Black said, “We’re very proud to be helping the Rowans this year after losing the longest serving member of our HB family, Dolly Godfrey, who lost her fight with cancer in May. The Rowans supported Dolly for several months, so we wanted to show our support and appreciation. We would like to thank all our customers, management team and staff, especially Brandon Ryley who raised over £1,000 himself in sponsorship for the Gunge Tank, and Oliver Grant for organising so many events.”

The theme of the celebration was Fire & Ice and included ice sculptures, fire eaters, stilt walkers, fire cannons and a spectacular laser show all hosted by the HB’s resident Sunday night Drag Queens. Everyone dressed up for the weekend, had lots of fun and raised an amazing £2,500 pounds, which was presented to The Rowans during the evening.

Chris said: “It just goes to show that the charity and community is very much alive and supported by the Portsmouth gay scene.”

CHANGES AT A-BAR

MOVING ON

After just over 2 years as one of the Deputy Managers at Charles Street, Caz Pooley is moving on to run her own pub, The Jacob's Post in Burgess Hill. Chris Marshall, General Manager of Charles Street, said: "We're absolutely thrilled for Caz. She originally came to us for a 6 month stint and loved it so much she never left! She's been such an asset to Charles Street and is loved by the staff and customers alike! She's going to be sorely missed, but it won't be the last we see of her as I've already told her she's not getting out of working Pride that easily! We wish her the best of luck with her new venue."

RICHARD DENE-MOREL

OXFORD PRIDE TO SUPPORT THREE CHARITIES NEXT YEAR

CAZ POOLEY

20

Richard Dene-Morel is now cooking at the A-Bar full time. Richard's Sunday lunches are legendary. He came runner up in the Golden Handbags Best Sunday Lunch category this year and now brings his expertise to the menu seven days a week. He has been joined in the kitchen by a young intern and trainee chef, Sam Molyneux who adds a bit of young cute chic to the service.

The A-Bar is open for food from MondaySaturday from noon-7pm and till 10pm on Thursdays while the quiz is on when there is a special bar menu available. Sunday lunches are served from noon till the lunches are sold out. The A-Bar serves good wholesome pub/bistro food, all freshly prepared on the premises. All the pies are home made by Richard and the only ingredients that are bought in are the pastry tops.

GSCENE 21

BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT TRUST AND CONFIDENCE SURVEY 2012

Once again there are no traditional pantomimes playing Brighton this Christmas. Oh yes there is! Oh no there isn't! I hear you shout! While The Rocky Horror Show plays at the Theatre Royal, our local drag queens are donning their wigs and sharpening their stilettos in panto rehearsals up and down the country.

The lovely Miss Jason plays Dame Able Mable in Peter Pan at the Assembly Rooms in Derby (Dec 5–Jan 6) alongside winner of 2008’s Britain's Got Talent, street dancer George Sampson as Peter Pan and EastEnders star, Larry Lamb as Captain Cook. For full details view: www.derbylive.co.uk Lola Lasagne, and his old dancing partner from Beyond Broadway, Duncan McCann, play the ugly sisters in Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre in Catford, (Dec 15–Jan 6) with Floella Benjamin as the Fairy Godmother. For full details view: www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk

LADY JAMES

Dave Lynn leaves his wigs and frocks at home to play it 'straight' this year as King Rat in Dick Whittington at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking, (Dec 7–Jan 6) and stars the winners of this year’s Britain's Got Talent, Ashleigh with Pudsey the dog and TV presenter, Stephen Mulhern. For full details view: www.atgtickets.com

ROCKY HORROR

Do you trust the Police or Council services enough to report problems?

DAVE LYNN

LOLA AND DUNCAN

MISS JASON

BRIGHTON'S DRAG QUEENS AND WHERE THEY ARE APPEARING THIS CHRISTMAS!

Robert James aka Lady James and one half of All Mouth & No Trousers plays Madame Fifi in Beauty & The Beast at the Palace Theatre, Newark, Nottinghamshire (Dec 12–Jan 6) and features John Pickard of Hollyoaks fame and Bernie Clifton as Professor Crackpot, with his faithful ostrich. For full details view: www.palacenewark.com The Rocky Horror Show holds court at the Theatre Royal in Brighton, (Dec 20–Jan 5) and stars X Factor finalist Rhydian as Rocky, Emmerdale's Roxanne Pallett as Janet, Oliver Thornton star of Priscilla Queen of the Desert as Frank N Furter and Ben Forster winner of the Jesus Christ Superstar live concert tour TV show.

Philip Franks, star of the Darling Buds of May, is the narrator of this cult classic.

For full details view: www.atgtickets.com/brighton

TEDDIES FOR THAILAND

Miss Jason wanted every registered orphan in Pattaya, Thailand to get a teddy this Christmas, so she put an appeal on her Facebook (Jason Sutton) and in one week received 600 teddy bears including 200 from fans in Bournemouth. If you want to make a child in Thailand happy this festival season you can take or send a teddy bear to the Telscombe Tavern, 405 South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, Sussex, England, BN10 7AD by December 5 and they will be flown out to Thailand in time for Christmas. There are 800 registered orphans in Pattaya so another 200 teddies are needed.

Do you have confidence that you will be heard and supported if you were a victim of crime?

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK Go to

www.surveymonkey.com/ s/BHTCsurvey2012 We are an independent LGBT Forum working with the Community to address and improve safety issues throughout Brighton & Hove For more information visit: www.lgbt-safety-forum-brighton.com This survey is independently produced by The Trust for Developing Communities www.trustdevcom.org.uk

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Smash It! Drag and divas do mash-ups and medleys in aid of the Sussex Beacon at The Old Market in Hove on Saturday 8 with local drag artists teaming up with some of Brighton's best singers, West End performers and dancers backed by a live sevenpiece band.

Following on from the fundraising events of World AIDS Day on December 1, Smash It promises to be a night to remember. Legends Bar & Hotel are one of the show’s sponsors, which will be hosted by Sally Vate, who will be joined by TV and West End star, Ian Kelsey in the evening. This drag and diva spectacular features mash-ups/medleys of your favourite numbers, including songs by Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Kylie Minogue and Dolly Parton, as you've never seen them before. Connie Conway, Sally Vate and Tammy Twinkle will be performing alongside some of Brighton's biggest female voices; Tania Newton, Alice Redmond, Claire Dixon & Jo Bacon. The concept and musical arrangements are provided by Brighton MD, Ellen Campbell and the choreography and staging are by Nathan Potter.

Tickets: www.theoldmarket.com/smash-it-2012; or phone: 01273 201801

LGCM CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE

Brighton Lesbian, Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) and Changing Attitudes are holding a Candlelight Carol Service at St George’s Church, Kemptown on Thursday, December 20 at 7.30pm.

CARERS CENTRE FUNDRAISER AT CHARLES ST

The Brighton Carers Centre are holding a charity fundraiser and quiz at Charles Street bar on Wednesday 5 from 7.30pm. Tables are £15 for a team of six people or £2.50 per person if you’re by yourself and you will be allocated to a team by the organisers. There will also be a raffle and drink deals, so why not make the evening your staff Christmas party?

To book your place call the Carers Centre on 01273 746222 or email: info@thecarerscentre.org Tables are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

RAINBOW CHORUS CONCERT: BEAUX & BELLES

The Rainbow Chorus, Brighton's only LGBT-mixed choir, will perform their seasonal offering Beaux & Belles at St George’s Church, Kemptown on December 15 at 7.30pm.

Inspired by their musical director Aneesa Chaudhry, Beaux & Belles promises an evening of festive song, featuring old and new classics from Fairytale of New York and Jingle Bells to Panis Angelicus, laughter and a few surprises.

Tickets, £10 (£8 concessions) are available online: www.brownpapertickets.com (booking fee applies) or from choir members.

Tickets also available on the door on the night.

This diverse choir creates an exhilarating and vibrant sound covering the whole vocal range. Their performance is as varied as their membership, which includes students and pensioners, company directors, nurses and teachers. If you wish to join them and find your own voice, you don’t even have to audition. To find out whether the Rainbow Chorus is for you, go along to their new members night on January 14, 2013. This is a relaxed and informal evening where you can meet choir members and join in the singing.

The choir meets every Monday night at St George's Church, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1ED. A monthly membership fee is charged to be a member of the choir. For more info or to arrange to attend a new members night contact David or Duncan from the membership team, at: members@rainbowchorus.org.uk

The service will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine. For more information email: brighton.lgcm@ntlworld.com

MOBILE LIBRARY SAVED FROM AXE

Labour and Cooperative Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council have welcomed the decision by the Green administration to listen to residents and back Labours campaign to Save The Mobile Library.

In February this year, Labour and Cooperative Councillors found money in the budget to buy a brand new vehicle after the Green Party had decided to axe the service.

Emotions ran high at public meetings, and protesters called on Labour to help them save this much loved service.

After nearly ten months in which Labour Councillors claim the Green administration have dithered and made further attempts to axe the service, a compromise has been found.

Cllr Brian Fitch, Labour and Cooperative Spokesperson for Culture, said: “I am pleased that my group have been able to stop the mobile library being axed. We should now see a brand new vehicle bought, and the much loved service continuing. Although the service will not stop at as many places as before, we must face the harsh fact that the Conservative-led Government are hammering us with cuts, and that compromises have to be made”

SIR IAN MCKELLEN BACKS STONEWALL ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN

Sir Ian McKellen, star of The Hobbit, narrated a new video for the charity to raise awareness of homophobic bullying during Anti-Bullying Week (19-23 November). In the video Ian reveals statistics from the University of Cambridge for Stonewall’s School Report 2012, which showed over half of young gay people suffer homophobic bullying, 56 per cent have deliberately harmed themselves, and nearly a quarter have attempted to take their own lives. The video is available at: www.stonewall.org.uk/BullyingVideo At the moment Stonewall is running a national campaign encouraging people to call on schools to work harder to tackle and prevent homophobic bullying.

Gay young people interviewed for the video encourage schools to join Stonewall’s School Champions programme, which helps teachers support gay pupils.

School Champions’ members benefit from visits from prominent gay role models, including celebrities and members of the armed forces. Ian is currently visiting School Champions members across Britain with Stonewall. Ian said: “Nothing in life is more important to me than helping gay young people realise that there are better days ahead of them. I’m proud that Stonewall – which I helped create to tackle legalised homophobia – is now leading the fight in those British schools where homophobic bullying ruins far too many young people’s lives. It's a privilege to play a small part in bringing it to an end.”

Stonewall’s Anti-Bullying Week video, produced by consumer marketing agency Feref at Lillian Baylis Technology School in Vauxhall, London, is available on Stonewall’s YouTube channel at: www.stonewall.org.uk/BullyingVideo.

All the young people interviewed in the video have suffered homophobic bullying and are working with Stonewall to help their schools tackle it.

IAN MCKELLEN

SMASH IT! FOR THE BEACON AT OLD MARKET ON DECEMBER 8

SALLY VATE

22

For more information about Stonewall’s campaign view: www.stonewall.org.uk/antibullying or make a donation to support the charity’s work at: www.stonewall.org.uk/donate

GSCENE 23

NEW FOOD MENU AT CHARLES STREET

M Last month Charles Street introduced a new food menu served Mon-Sat noon-8pm and Sunday served noon-7pm. Whether you want a snack or something more substantial there is something to satisfy everyone. Many of the old favourites have been retained with some new dishes being introduced.

In the small plates section you can choose any three dishes for £6.95.

The haddock goujons, Italian meatballs and calamari strips are my recommendations. Other options include garlic herb bread, BBQ chicken wings, loaded skins and onion rings. The sharers section features Classic Nachos at £4.75 and a skins & wings combo at £5.95.

If you just fancy a sandwich try the double-decker club sandwich (£4.75) crammed with chicken, sweet cured streaky bacon and beef tomato served with leaf salad and mayo on farmhouse bread. It is huge and great value. I also recommend the Italian meatball melt, with Italian styled meatballs in a rich tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella in a folded flatbread (£4.50).

Shoestring fries are an extra £1, with curly fries £1.50 extra.

Charles Street pizzas are thin and crispy and range in price from £6.45 for a classic Margherita to £8.45 for a Meatball & Chilli Calzone. Extra toppings cost 95p each. Check out the new vegetarian option topped with mixed peppers, mushroom and red onion (£6.45).

Burgers are great value and the meat is tasty. The classic burger costs just £5.45 with the house burger at £6.95. The burger slider is my favourite option; three mini burgers: cheese burger, chicken burger and fish burger topped with mushy peas for £6.95. All burgers come with shoestring or curly fries.

The best deals can be found in the mains section where two main courses cost just £7.95 on the dishes displaying a red symbol. My favourite is the 7oz gammon with a choice of pineapple or fried egg, shoestring fries and peas.

Just as tasty are the two sweet chilli noodle dishes; one with chicken and the other with fish. They taste authentic and are served with stir fried vegetables, coriander and sweet chilli sauce; both cost £5.95. On all dishes in the mains section you can swap the shoestring fries with curly fries for an extra 50p.

The menu’s top deal is the all day big breakfast with two sausages, two bacon rashers, two fried eggs, beans, hash browns, mushrooms, half a tomato and a choice of hot drink for an incredibly reasonable £4.95 for two people. A house breakfast for one costs £2.95; a veggie breakfast costs £3.75 and a bacon bap is £1.75.

For those who like their puddings you can get two for the price of one on all desserts. The apple crumble (£3.95) is delicious, vanilla ice cream costs £2.45, the giant fudge cake, ice cream fudge cake sundae and warm chocolate brownie all cost just £3.95 for two people.

Charles Street's best kept secret is the cost of their hot drinks, which cost between £1.75 - £1.95 for large teas and a variety of coffees.

Home-cooked Sunday roasts are served noon - 7pm; choose from home roast beef, chicken or veggie for just £5.95.

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24 GSCENE

CHARLIE’S

KITCHEN

BY CHARLIE NYEREYEGONA

CHARLIE’S CHEF & FOOD BUSINESS OF THE MONTH The Alcove, 51–55 Brunswick Street East, Hove, BN3 1AU 01273 770002, www.alcovehove.co.uk Those of you who know the Medicine Chest in the back streets of Brunswick are probably aware that in the last month it has evolved as the new fabulous Alcove, a French Gastro Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, which according to those in the know, is the definite place to be!

My partner Alan and I celebrated five years together at the Alcove and from beginning to end it was a fabulous experience. We started off our evening with a delicious cocktail, East Meets West, containing such delights as saké, chilli water and lychee liquor and continued on with a mouth-watering three course gourmet menu including: pan seared local king scallops with a saffron mousseline; 21 day matured British beef fillet medallion with a wild mushroom sabayon and a mango and ginger parfait with toffee pear sauce and Amaretto biscotti complemented by an intercourse of Champagne and strawberry granite. Divine! In addition the service was excellent!

Who inspires you Sebastien?

The old school, Paul Boucuse, Joel Robuchon... fantastic chefs, always evolving. I take traditional French basics at the heart of all French inspired cuisine and put my own twist on it.

What are your favourite dishes on the menu?

S: I am very proud of my broiled monkfish with crayfish, tarragon, beurre blanc and sun blushed tomato and baby spinach risotto. Some fishmongers will only fillet it and are afraid to cut it and shape it.

This is what I do!

(I had had it as my main at dinner and it was sublime!)

So what else is on the menu at the Alcove?

Mireille: We have just started our Moules et Frites night (mussels and chips, very delicious and very traditionally French) on a Wednesday; £14.95 plus a glass of wine or beer and a fabulous live band. On Tuesdays we are planning Cocktail Master classes with our mixologist, Dre and on Thursdays, Wine Master classes with our Sommelier, James; also at £14.95. Great value, I think. Our venue can also be hired in its entirety with a tailor-made menu or we can provide a special dinner for two in the snug or a canapé party in the bar. We want to emphasise that we are completely flexible and open to all suggestions! That is our point of difference. We have also applied for permission to hold civil ceremonies.

Who is in the kitchen with you?

S: I like to keep control and make sure that everything that goes out of my kitchen is to my high quality and standard. I do a lot of the prep myself but I have a great team that help me to produce the finished product!

I was so impressed that I decided to go behind the scenes and talk to Chef Sebastien Dupire and his lovely wife Mireille, co-owners of the business.

How do you describe your style of cooking?

Sebastien: French/British Contemporary How do you differentiate yourselves from other French style restaurants around you?

S: We are all about creating a fantastic experience based on what specific customers want. We want everyone that comes to us for whatever occasion to be pampered. Almost everything from bread to terrines, foie gras, and pastry is made in house with my personal stamp on it. I am out to produce a quality, highly finished product.

What is your role in the business Mireille?

(Laughs) Everything besides the cooking! The organisation, administration, liaison, event planning, booking... plus bringing up a five-year-old and a two-year-old! I used to be in recruitment, so I have the gift of the gab. We work well as a team, our skills complement each other and we have a great relationship and a lot of fun!

How did you start out in cooking?

S: I grew up in a food family and so was interested in food from about the age of 5! I went to a renowned culinary school in France and specialised in pastry. I have 25 years experience in the business in 5 star establishments as far away as Alexandria in Egypt. Closer to home I was Head Chef at the L'Epicurean, two Rosette restaurant in Brighton, and before we opened the Medicine Chest, I was Executive Chef at the Mercure Hotel at Gatwick Airport.

Christmas is on its way, so what can we expect?

M: We are offering a Christmas menu from November 29–January 12; £29 for 3 courses; £32 with a Kir Cassis; £35 with a Kir Cassis and 3 Citrus and Vodka Granite. Starters include: homemade beetroot and horseradish Scottish salmon gravadlax; mains: roast turkey breast with lemon and thyme stuffing and a vegetarian option of chestnut and leek stuffed brick pastry parcel with a tomato and caraway coulis; desserts: Christmas pudding baked alaska. The menu is designed for eight people or more but we are flexible! There is also a £10 food and drink voucher redeemable in January/February for the organiser of each party.

I chatted to Sebastien and Mireille for over an hour and the time flew by. They are a delightful couple, focused on providing Brighton & Hove with a total bespoke experience from cocktails to wines to fabulous food and music. They are mega busy already so obviously their philosophy and hard work is already paying off. I thoroughly recommend a visit. You may even be able to persuade them to open for lunch for you!

Happy Festive Season. Have a great one!

GSCENE 25

COME DINE

WITH MORHAM

BY MORHAM WHITE This year has seen more restaurant closures than openings. Clearly, this is a sign of the times. Most notably around Palmeira Square, with The Artisan, which was only opened when I reviewed last year is already closed and now an Italian, all within 12 months. Harry’s, nearby is to become No.41, the Meadow is now another Bank steak and ribs outlet (64 Western Road, Hove), akin to the Old Bank in Kemptown. Meanwhile life goes on with breakfasts at The Hub (118 Church Road); steaks in the Rock N Roller (95 Western Road, Brighton); the occasional French delight at L’Eglise (196 Church Road, Hove); Sunday lunches oscillate between my local The Crescent (6 Clifton Hill, Brighton), The A Bar (11-12 Marine Parade, Brighton), with the return of Alex, and my country escape, a revamped Wickwoods Country Club (Shaves Wood Lane, Albourne) where the Sunday carvery is keenly priced and a table in the landscaped garden, a positive delight.

The Hub, is currently my brekker of choice, with jumbo full English, and for me the child’s portion (one egg, one rasher, one sausage, beans, mushroom, fresh toms and a round of granary toast) at £5.50.

Coffees are excellent and extra toast with marmalade really hits the spot, along with some cheery repartee from the girls doing the tables.

Revamped kid on the block, The Diner (11-13 Montefiore Road, Hove) provides a bright, cheery setting, smiley service and £15 for two full English with toast and nice mug of coffee.

The Rock N Roller, opposite Waitrose, is one of my stalwarts to grab a bite, with cheery service and steaks of consistent quality. A bottle of Merlot, steak or ribs with fries, and a simple raspberry sorbet completely hits the spot.

On a recent family outing to the A Bar with Alex on door patrol, we were parked with a window seat for five. The Sunday roast menu offers large, medium and small portions.

Starters, then a hearty roast and fearfully stodgy puddings did us all in, accompanied by bottles of House wine coming in at under a tenner, again £20 a head more than covered the bill. Service was particularly attentive and much enjoyed.

The Sunday alternative is the Wickwoods Country Club carvery. With an impressive revamp they’ve found their market, as the car parks are rammed and though there’s plenty of room indoors and out the other week the earliest table I could book was 3pm (last orders 4pm). There are usually three roasts (beef/pork/turkey) and boiled spuds, peas, carrots, broccoli and a wicked cauli’ cheese. Starters and puddings also available. My two courses with a large wine spritzer and coffee comes in a smidgeon over £20, well worth the trip.

I recently escaped to the country for a family celebration at Gravetye Manor, (Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, West Sussex). The stately stone building with beautiful gardens surrounded by woodland is pure escapism, so drinks in the garden, weather permitting, are a must! We had a room to ourselves to contain the banter and high spirits, with decorated table and personalised menu. The four courses, augmented by a cheese platter and birthday cake were quite superb. The wine list was viewed online prior to arrival and is vast, so time to choose at home was well worthwhile. I secured a homemade pot of jam for each household as a momento and left by taxi in a daze, possibly at the size of the bill for which real saving is a must!

I’m sure there’ll be deals over the coming weeks, but one trick I learnt, if the run up to Christmas is too much and the prices unrealistic, try booking an outing in January. Venues will be really keen to see you in the quiet of the New Year. Have a Festive Xmas and Happy Outings for the coming season and the New Year.

26 GSCENE

The chapel has its own entrance and reception area, with Osborne & Little wallpaper and beautiful quality soft seating and antique furniture. There is also a library available for pre-partnership interviews with the registrar.

GOING TO THE CHAPEL Same-sex wedding in a church? You can in Eastbourne!

Have you ever watched one of those Hollywood films where the bride walks down the aisle surrounded by flowers and secretly hoped that one day it would be your turn? For the first time ever you can have exactly that.

In March 2012, East Sussex County Council (ESCC) granted a civil partnership registration to All Saints Chapel in Eastbourne.

ceiling. It’s closer to a mini cathedral but still has that warm and special feeling when you walk in.

Both your civil partnership and the postceremony party and wedding breakfast can be hosted at All Saints Chapel. By the clever use of lighting and a high quality professional BOSE sound system the chapel can be transformed into a funky evening venue. To add to the occasion you can either use the existing bar facility or an optic bar can be brought in to give your party that club feeling. The choice is yours.

For legal reasons it is listed as Darley Hall on the ESCC website. All Saints is the only chapel of its type to gain a registration anywhere in England. It offers as close as you can get to a church wedding in England.

It’s half an hour from Brighton and with its many hotels and great beach front it is one of Sussex’s best kept secrets. All Saints Chapel is one of the most beautiful in the country. Built in 1874, the Chapel is a Grade II* listed French gothic revival building with a Belgian Altar, German stained glass windows, a unique Font, marble columns and high vaulted

The head chef was trained in London by Antony Worrall Thompson and Gordon Ramsey and is able to come up with some very inventive and unique wedding breakfasts to suit the theme of your wedding. After booking, you will be invited to a menu and wine tasting session to mull over your menu choice and design. The team uses beautiful platinum crockery to compliment the image of your event. The owners also own a nearby restaurant!

The couple who run All Saints Chapel, Mark and Carrie Bird, have two roles: the first is to make your dream come true by listening to your requirements and by taking the stress of organising your day away from you; the second role is breath life back into the chapel again.

The chapel’s in-house wedding planner can take the stress away from the organisation of the event and produce invitations, table plans, place-cards, table designs and themed decorations of your choice. In addition, All Saints Chapel has its own (optional) in-house florist, Ros, who can guide you through the seasonal choices available to you for button holes, bouquets, centrepieces and room décor.

A civil partnership in All Saints Chapel will also mean a huge choice of glamorous photographic locations for yourselves and your guests.

Next to the beach, Helen Gardens and All Saints Park, the chapel is also set within beautifully manicured lawns with rose bushes, French lavender and with a backdrop which is most akin to a castle! It is also one mile away from The Grand Hotel which is the UK’s only seafront 5 star hotel.

INFO To discuss your requirements or book a viewing please call Mark on: 01323 732 362 or email: mark@allsaintschapel.co.uk or view: www.allsaintschapel.co.uk All Saints Chapel, Darley Road, Eastbourne BN20 7PE List of venues registered for civil partnerships: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/community/registra tion/registeramarriage/wherecanigetmarrie d/eastbournevenues/default.htm

GSCENE 27

BRIGHTON’S ANGLICAN CHURCHES ENGAGE WITH THE LGBT COMMUNITY Father David Clues, Vicar of St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton, and Dr Keith Sharpe, Chair of Changing Attitude Sussex, together outline a new proposal from the Brighton Deanery Synod On a sunny day, the view from the pier presents Brighton in all its glory: its larger than life appeal, its historic significance and its cosmopolitan inclusiveness.

The shoreline is humanly populated with the teeming masses, colourful and diverse, orthodox and eccentric, joyous and energetic. The skyline is punctuated not only by architectural monuments to play, pleasure and profit, but also by the spires, towers and imposing edifices of some of the nation’s most cherished churches.

The original builders of these magnificent ecclesiastical structures intended them to inspire a sense of majesty and awe, reflecting the beauty and truth they believed to be inherent in the Christian religion.

Unfortunately this is not how it seems to most people now, and particularly to the large LGBT community of Brighton. For LGBT people the Anglican Church appears at best acquiescent, and at worst complicit in an increasingly reactionary, persecutory and ostracising offensive against hard-won human and equal rights achieved in recent decades. After its laudable role in the postwar campaign for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s, the Anglican Church hierarchy has systematically opposed every advance in the liberation, equalisation and affirmation of LGBT people ever since.

For many it has literally become Enemy Number One. And yet, actually, the reality in the pews of the Anglican churches in Brighton is very different. Despite the best efforts of national church leaders, through intemperate and visceral outbursts, to compromise the patient engagement and dedicated ministry of local clergy and parishes with the LGBT community, there is ample evidence that local Anglican Christian communities are at ease with the human diversity of their context and feel compelled by conviction to welcome and affirm all God’s children, regardless of all distinctions and selfexpression.

Amongst many examples of evidence to substantiate this claim there is the recent Changing Attitude Sussex survey of Anglican

There is currently a proposal being discussed by the Brighton Anglican churches to establish a specific post entirely dedicated to working with the LGBT community in our city. This would be an ordained priest who would be available full-time for the community and also for the churches, in order to help them understand LGBT people better and so be in a position better to provide for real needs.

churches which found an overwhelming commitment to full inclusion (this can be seen at www.changingattitudesussex.com).

Some of you may remember the groundbreaking work done by the much loved late Father Marcus Riggs in the 1980s in performing exactly this kind of ‘bridging’ role between the churches and the HIV/AIDS community. If it can be secured this post would operate in a similar way.

Faith is not everyone’s stick of rock, but there are many within the LGBT community who would want to be confident that they can participate fully in the Church and that their contribution to Christian life is as valued and necessary as everyone elses.

Equally, the Anglican churches in Brighton would want to dissociate themselves from the language, behaviour and practices of those claiming to speak as ‘Christians’ but who seek to exclude particular categories of people and who fail to understand the distinctive needs and experiences of LGBT people.

As Dr Jeffrey John argued at a recent Changing Attitude meeting, the real Gospel message is at its core one of love and radical inclusivity. All of Jesus’ friends were people regarded by Jewish society as socially unacceptable, outcast and despised. Some church leaders seem to forget this, and they have difficulty remembering that Jesus’ harshest words were reserved for the piously self-righteous, ‘woe to you scribes and pharisees’. We believe that the direction of travel of our city’s local Anglican churches is towards exactly the kind of radical inclusivity Jesus lived out.

“The Anglican churches in Brighton would want to dissociate themselves from the language, behaviour and practices of those claiming to speak as ‘Christians’ but who seek to exclude particular categories of people”

miles away I’m sure it is! Wherever the food comes from the chef does an excellent job.

I suggest booking a table in the bar which is the most interesting room, although the Court Room and the Snug are very pleasant. On a good day you can eat and drink outside in the garden or the yard. I’ll leave the full restaurant review to my expert colleague who needs to visit soon, though suffice to say we love The Ram and Firle itself is wonderful. We have often said that maybe it would be a great place to live, but it’s just a tad out of our price range apart from the fact that properties never come on the market, and as it’s all owned by the Firle Estate they probably never will.

VIEW OF NEWHAVEN FROM BEACON

Sussex has some of the loveliest walks in the country and is dead easy to get to with the added advantage of many decent pubs along the way. Boxing Day is, or was, one of the most traditional days to take a walk. We have two or three favourites: Seaford Head to the Golden Galleon in the Cuckmere Valley, High and Over on the road from Seaford to Alfriston, with probably one of the most beautiful views in Sussex. Best of all, in our opinion, is Firle Beacon, which at 217m is one of the highest points in the county. It’s part of the South Downs Way and now, of course, part of the South Downs National Park. Just four or so miles from Lewes is the 500-year-old village of Firle, a classic Sussex village. In the language of travel brochures Firle is nestled in the heart of the South

We’ve been walking this stretch of the South Downs Way for many years and have always ended up at The Ram, which was once a real old fashioned pub serving some of the best local beers (Harvey’s since you ask) and some good pub grub and now must be one of the

most popular gastro pubs in the area. It’s packed to the hilt most weekends with good reason, simple word of mouth has ensured its success. Under new management this place has gone from strength to strength. It’s now essential to book a table for lunch at weekends, that’s how popular it has become.

The secret of its success is, for me, the true atmosphere of an old country pub. The young and attractive staff are very friendly, and even if they haven’t seen you for months greet you like an old friend.

On a glorious early autumn Sunday the place was packed; muddy wellies, wet dogs and children are everywhere. This being rural Sussex most of the cars are top of the range and the children are extremely well behaved.

The food is excellent; they say it’s as local as it can be, and with a large Tesco only four

FIRLE PLACE

Downs, protected by the Beacon, with a variety of cottages, many covered in flint, a community hall and wide-range of local events and fairs. Firle is a thriving rural community in one of the most picturesque parts of the United Kingdom. The heart of this lovely village is, of course, the pub, The Ram. there. The building is an imposing 18C house which in part dates from the Tudor period. It’s open to the public throughout the summer and is well worth a visit. Firle also has, they say, the oldest cricket ground in the world. True or not it hardly matters, it’s ancient, and the annual village fete and regular equestrian events held on the estate make it a very popular venue.

There are so many other villages dotted around Sussex it’s impossible to list them all, but Wilmington, Selmeston, Ripe, Alfriston, Fulking and Alciston all deserve mention. And, of course they all have excellent hostelries, now mostly serving the modern version of pub grub. Some are quite pricey but most will do a decent pie and pint after a bracing walk, whether it’s a mile or ten, and it’s always worthwhile, just think of the health benefits.

Have a great Christmas.

INFO http://www.raminn.co.uk/ http://www.firle.com/ http://www.countryfile.com

FIRLE STORES

Christmas means too much food and drink and so it should, but we all know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch. So whilst we acknowledge that we really should do some exercise, do we actually need to join a gym when all we need to do is to walk more? The gym culture has taken quite a strong hold on us, which is fine if you want a ripped six pack, but many of us don’t so let’s get out and walk off some of that excess food. It seems very odd that just by walking you can burn an average of 150 calories an hour and walking on a regular basis will result in generally improving your health. Enough of the commercial, it’s obvious that exercise is a good thing and walking is one of the easiest and cheapest ways.

THE RAM

FIRLE BEACON

A WALK IN THE PARK Roger Wheeler explores some Sussex sights

The village owes its existence to the Gage family who arrived in 1463 and built the first Firle Place. Since then it has been the home of the family, and now the 8th Viscount Gage lives

GSCENE 29 Cosmopolitan UK is the only magazine that has featured the site in an article about coming out. I approached the majority of the ‘straight’ men’s magazines in the UK to run a feature on coming out to mates but I have heard absolutely nothing. Being gay and coming out are still huge taboos in mainstream straight media which needs to change as my straight male friends were amazing and supportive when I came out to them.

R U COMING OUT? Wayne David, the founder of the website that shares coming out stories, chats to Craig Hanlon-Smith Having developed an initial reticence to leap into the world of online social networking (I still don’t have a Facebook account), the acquisition of a smartphone forced my hand and I quickly developed a mild obsession with Twitter. One of the first tweets that caught my attention was not an individual but a series of posts by website RUcomingout.com.

Intrigued by its regular posts on the coming out process I also started to follow its founder Wayne David. Although not from Brighton I ran into Wayne on a south coast evening out and, possibly convincing us both that Twitter is a perfectly legal way to stalk a man, approached him to let him know I was following his project. We agreed there and then to have a further longer discussion on the project.

I began by asking Wayne how the project came about and what his aims are for the project...

I was working with a young male in my role as a youth worker, he knew he was gay but was petrified of coming out. He had so many questions about the coming out process as well as life as an ‘out’ man in general. I did my best to support and reassure him but then the idea came about sharing other coming out stories. I asked a few friends to write theirs down and I gave them to him. He found them really interesting and useful and that is when the idea for the website came to me. I know that the website won’t make coming out easy but as long as it can provide reassurance to those who need it, then my aim will have been met.

As the project first came to my attention on Twitter, how might online social networking positively develop opportunities for the gay community?

Without Twitter the project and website would never have been born. It was when

tweeting from my personal account that I first began to receive coming out stories from friends and other followers. I think that one of the more positive characteristics of social networks is that it is so much easier to learn about amazing projects that are happening around the world. I’ve networked with some truly inspiring people over the past seven months, all of which have given me the drive and motivation to work even harder on my own project.

I’m amazed at how well the concept of RUcomingout has been received since its inception back in March 2012. The website has had over 100,000 page views already which to be honest is beyond my comprehension. I always knew that there was a real need for a site like it but I never really thought about the number of people who would find it so useful and interesting. The international reception has also surprised me; the site has been accessed from all over the world and some weeks the hits from the US are higher than from the UK. The support from the gay media in the UK and US especially has been amazing which just goes to prove how supportive the gay community can be. Not only does it encourage more people to visit the site, it also showcases the website to other LGBT campaigners and supporters who may not have heard of it. I’m disappointed in the lack of interest from the straight media.

Much of the gay-orientated online networking has traditionally been focused around dating; Gaydar, ManHunt, Squirt and more recently Grndr. What is your perception of these access points to the gay community and is there a danger that these websites could hinder the coming out process to someone such as the young guy you mentioned earlier?

I think these sites are great for people to be able to talk to others in similar situations without having to necessarily ‘out’ themselves publicly. Of course there is a darker and sometimes risky side to the internet and so it is important to balance those virtual relationships with real, physical interactions. I do think there is a space for online dating for gay and straight people but I would always suggest that this would be safer, healthier and more enjoyable once someone has come out and can be true to themselves as well as those they go on to meet.

How do you see the RUcomingout project developing and how can Gscene readers get involved?

The main focus of the website is the real life coming out stories that people write, submit and share. I’m always in need of more stories and without them the site would grind to a halt. If any readers would like to find out more about submitting their own coming out story they can look at the criteria on the site.

We also run a features section so any ideas for a feature or if someone wants to write themselves I would love to hear from them.

I would love for the project to continue to grow, to receive a constant stream of coming out stories and to help people who really need the advice, support and inspiration during their own coming out process.

You can follow RUcomingout on Twitter and of course at the main site rucomingout.com.

Stories can be submitted via the site at rucomingout.com/stories or you can email Wayne direct at: wayne@rucomingout.com

“Being gay and coming out are still huge taboos in mainstream straight media which needs to change as my straight male friends were amazing and supportive when I came out to them”

30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM A-BAR

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

A-BAR

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) is the HONEY HUSH World AIDS Day Fundraiser with DJ Lonesome M & guests play r&b/rock & roll/rockabilly on vinyl at 9pm, wear red, shots from £2, £1 entry donated to local LGBT charities.

XMAS: Fri (21) is Maisie Trollette’s XMAS CABARET Special at 10pm, pre-club shots from £2. Mon (24) is XMAS EVE PARTY with free entry. Tue (25), open 8pm.

NYE: Mon (31) is the NYE PARTY with free entry till 2am. Tue (1) Jan open noon.

REGULARS: Wed & Thur are cocktail nights from 9pm; buy one get the other half price. Thur is QUIZ NIGHT with a special menu during the quiz from 8pm. Fri (7) is cabaret with Trudi Styles & The Pianoman at 10pm. Fri & Sat is Pre-Club with drink promos, including shots from £2.

FOOD: Mon–Wed, Fri & Sat noon–7pm; Thur noon–10pm; Sunday roasts served noon–5pm. Richard and Sam are now cooking in the kitchen full time.

DRINK DEALS: Mon–Fri bottle house red or white wine £9; double up on your spirits (Smirnoff, Bells, Gordons Gin & Morgan’s Spice) for an extra £1.50, all day every day; Mon–Thur 5–9pm selected pints, single spirits & splash £2.50.

OPEN: Sun–Thur 11am–midnight & late bar till 2am; Fri & Sat noon–2am.

A-Bar offers unrivalled sea view, large heated smoking terrace and all big sport events.

Sauna closed. www.amsterdam.co.uk

SATURDAY 1 A-BAR Honey Hush World AIDS Day Special: wear red, r&b/rockabilly night, DJs Lonesome M & guests, £1 entry donated to local LGBT charities 9pm; food noon-7pm; open noon AQUARIUM live DJ; open noon BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Bedford Weekender; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS World AIDS Day: free hot drinks all day for those attending the Memorial Service; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: allmale DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat World AIDS Day Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon: DJ Tony B, dresscode: wear red 9.30pm; open 1pm ENVY Come to Daddy World AIDS Day Special: fundraising for Sussex Beacon, everybody welcome 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Misty Lee & guests 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sat Night Sin Bin: karaoke, tunes & games 9pm; open noon

REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE Kinky Dangerous World AIDS Day Fundraiser for THT: host Stephanie Starlet & go-go boys, 2 floors, DJs, door money to THT 10.30pm SUBLINE Rouge World AIDS Day Fundraiser for THT: DJs 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm; open 11am SUNDAY 2 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-5pm; open 11am AQUARIUM live entertainment 3pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sun roasts 12.305pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash 5pm; Sun roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Rose Garden 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon; open 1pm FUN FAIR CLUB BodyShakers: tea dance with DJs Steven Geller, Steve B & guests 6pm FUNKYFISH BAR opens noon LEGENDS BAR 20th Birthday & WAD party: cabaret: Lizzy Drip, Lady Imelda & DJ Claire Fuller + more! 3.30pm; open 11am

MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Miss Penny 6pm; Tammy Twinkle 9.30pm; karaoke; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sun roast noon-5pm; Jerome’s Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm ZONE cabaret: Dave Lynn 8.30pm; open 11am MONDAY 3 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Picadilly till midnight; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: NUS night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s Win My Wonga 9.30pm; food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon

BRIGHTON SAUNA

POISON IVY guest host karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kamp Kevin’s Mon Madness Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Manic Mon 7pm; open 11am TUESDAY 4 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 POISON IVY Bar 150 & Misty Lee’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Party 9pm; open noon

XMAS: Thur (20) is the THT XMAS CHARITY PARTY with cabaret, stripper, buffet & mince pies, raffle & licensed bar at 6pm, £5 of your entry fee will go to THT, and there will be no concessions all day, £15 for everyone. Tue (25) is XMAS DAY TURKEY LUNCH for £4.90 served noon–4pm, register online or via email to avoid disappointment.

Xmas opening: 11am–11pm Xmas Day & Boxing Day; open 10am as normal on Thur (27).

NYE: Mon (31) is NYE PARTY with DJs, mood lighting and free glass of fizz at midnight from 8pm–4am; sauna opens 10am.

REGULARS: Wed (5) is BEARS NIGHT for bears, cubs and their admirers; drink offers, club music at 7pm. Wed (12) is NAKED DAY all day, no towels to be worn. Wed (26) is NAKED NIGHT, no towels to be worn, at 7pm. Wed (19) is mandatory UNDERWEAR NIGHT, thongs, briefs, speedos, at 7pm.

DRINK DEALS: The Brighton Sauna now runs a licensed bar 7 days a week; Sun–Thur 11–1am and Fri & Sat 11–2am.

OPEN: For opening hours and listings visit: www.thebrightonsauna.com

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 31

PICS FROM BEDFORD TAVERN

BEDFORD TAVERN

XMAS: Sat (22) is SPICE’S XMAS EXTRAVAGANZA at 9pm. Mon (24) is XMAS EVE PARTY at 8.30pm, bar opens noon. Tue (25) Xmas Day opens noon–3pm. Wed (26) is BOXING DAY BLOW-OUT from 3pm–midnight.

NYE: Mon (31) is NYE UNIFORM PARTY at 8.30pm; dress to impress, free entry.

REGULARS: Wed is the BUZZ TOURNAMENT, a fast paced game show style quiz night at 8.30pm. Fri is KRAZY KAMIKAZE KARAOKE at 8pm. Sunday is PIANO BINGO at 5pm.

FOOD: Home-cooked Sunday roasts served 12.30–5pm.

OPEN: daily from noon–late.

REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar 8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick & Picadilly Boy 10.30pm ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am WEDNESDAY 5 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Midweek Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN Buzz Tournament 8.30pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears Night: bears, cubs & their admirers, licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Sandy Crack’s Big Balls Bingo 9.30pm; food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Candi’s Capers’ karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm ZONE Sofa So Good: board games, Wii, films & more 7pm; open 11am THURSDAY 6 A-BAR food noon-10pm; Quiz: special food menu 8pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm-Up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon

CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Misty Lee’s karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Star 2012: host Pasty Cline, cash/boozy prizes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Music Comedy Night 8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: presents Lucy Spraggan! @ 11pm, DJs over 2 floors 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Rachel’s Thrifty Thur: karaoke, videos & Wii 8pm; open 11am FRIDAY 7 A-BAR cabaret: Trudi & The Pianoman 10pm; Pre-Club; food noon-7pm; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with LaRue: 2 floor party with Lady La Rue, then DJ Peter Castle in the club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; karaoke bar cabaret: Lequisha Jonz midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST Santa Patrol Xmas Party with host Mysterry 8pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon

32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM THE BULLDOG + CAMELFORD ARMS

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

BULLDOG

FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Fri 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with LaRue: 2 floor party with Lady La Rue, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack: DJ Kamp Kevin & karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm; Jerome’s Singalong-a-Caroling: festive tunes, carol sheets provided 8pm; open 11am REVENGE X Factor Fridays: see the 4th place contestant live on stage, guaranteed meet & greet 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Ball: DJ Screwpulous & dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE cabaret: Stone & Street 9.30pm; open 11am SATURDAY 8 A-BAR food noon-7pm; Pre-Club Music; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Bedford Weekender; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon

CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: allmale DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Bear Patrol Bring & Buy Sale: all proceeds to Sussex Beacon noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Nick Hirst 9.30pm; open 1pm ENVY Girls Next Door: DJ Dulcie Danger & all-girl line-up 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS The QA Xmas Cracker Cabaret Show: Sissy Sucks, Candi Rell, Pasty Cline, Brenda Snap & Marina Port 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sat Night Sin Bin: karaoke, tunes & games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: host Stephanie Starlet, go-go boys & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B & special guests 10.30pm SUBLINE Santa Patrol Weekend: Naughty Santa in aid of Sussex Beacon 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Tammy Twinkle 9.30pm; open 11am SUNDAY 9 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-5pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm

BAR REVENGE Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sun roasts noon-5pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Sun roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; Santa Bear Patrol Bash in aid of Sussex Beacon; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Nan (Karen Dalton) 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate

& roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sunday lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sunday Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUN FAIR CLUB BodyShakers: tea dance with DJs Steven Geller, Steve B & guests 6pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Sandra 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke; open 11am

NEW MANAGERS MARK & JAY

XMAS: Mon (24) is DJ Marcia’s JINGLE BELL ROCK at 10pm; karaoke is upstairs at 10pm. Happy hours extended: 3–7pm & 10pm–midnight. Tue (25) Xmas Day opening noon–3pm & 7pm–late. Wed (26) is Boxing Day RED LIGHT RUSH with DJ Marcia, £1.50 drinks when featured artist plays 8pm–midnight, and DJ Grant Knowles (tbc) midnight–5am.

NYE: The NEW YEAR’S 42 HOUR NON-STOP PARTY starts Mon (31) with DJ Marcia at 9pm & Grant Knowles (tbc) at 2–6am in the main bar; karaoke is in the top bar at 10pm, party poppers, hats, blowers & London fireworks on screen. Happy hour: 11pmmidnight. Closes Wed (2) Jan at 5am.

REGULARS: 1.50 FRI CABARET is in the karaoke bar at midnight: Laquisha Jonz (7), Trudi Styles & Pianoman (14), Sandra (21) and Davina Sparkle (28); DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles are downstairs at 10pm. Sat is with DJ V John at 10pm, DJ Lil Alex at 3am, and KARAOKE upstairs at 10pm. Sun is with DJ Grant Knowles at 8pm.

Mon is DJ Marcia’s GLITTER BALL with 70s/80s tunes at 9pm. Tue is with DJ Lee at 10pm. Wed is RED LIGHT RUSH with DJ Marcia at 9pm.

Thur is Release with DJ Grant Knowles at 10pm.

DRINK DEALS: Mon & Tue 3–7pm & 11pm–midnight; Wed 3–7pm & 9pm–1am, when drinks £1.50 when music vid plays; Thur 3–7pm & 9pm–midnight; Fri 3–7pm & all drinks £1.50 10pm–midnight; Sat 10pm–midnight; Sun all day. Drinks include: pints from £1.95, double spirit & mixer from £2.30, bottles from £1.85 (Terms & conditions apply).

OPEN: daily from 11am–very late. www.bulldogbrighton.com

CAMELFORD ARMS

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) free hot drinks all day for those attending World AIDS Day Memorial Service.

XMAS: The Camelford wishes all their friends a very Happy Christmas! Wed (26) is the XMAS AFTER-PARTY from noon. Thur (27) is SANTA’S BIG CASH XMAS QUIZ. NYE: Mon (31) free entry from noon. Tue (1) Jan is the New Year’s HANGOVER PARTY with bloody marys.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Fri (21) is the BURNING OF THE CLOCKS After-Party.

REGULARS: Sun (2, 16, 23 & 30) is the BEAR BASH at 5pm. Sun (9) is the SANTA BEAR PATROL BEAR BASH in aid of Sussex Beacon. Thur is the BIG CASH QUIZ at 9pm.

FOOD: home-cooked menu served Mon–Wed noon–3pm & 6–9pm with selected meal & a drink £7.95; Thur & Fri noon–3pm & 6–9pm; Sat noon–7pm; Sunday roasts & selected menu served noon–till gone! Times may vary over Xmas/New Year period.

OPEN: daily from noon. The Camelford is the most dog-friendly pub in town; it also has open fires, perfect for those cold winter nights!

34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM CHARLES STREET + ENVY

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

CHARLES STREET BAR

XMAS: Mon (24) is the XMAS EVE STUDIO 150 student night at 10pm with all drinks £1.50 for singles/bottles, £1.50 entry. Food served till 6pm. Closed Xmas Day. Wed (26), open from 5pm–midnight for Boxing Day, no food. Xmas Bookings: No matter how big or small, pop into Charles Street or call 01273 624091 to check out their range of Xmas parties.

NYE: Mon (31) is the NYE GIRLS NEXT DOOR V BOYS IN THE BAR MASKED BALL with 2 dance zones featuring DJ Dulcie Danger and all-girl line-up in the club, DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy in the bar till 5am; entry free b4 10pm/£6 b4 midnight/£8 after or £6 Q-jumpers available from the bar. Tue (1) Jan, open from 5pm for New Year’s Day, no food!

REGULARS: Sat is now THE BOYS IN THE BAR with an all-male DJ line-up with Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles & Leeroy on rotation at 9pm, free entry! Sun CABARET at 7.30pm: Rose Garden (2), Nan (Karen Dalton) (9), Mitzi Macintosh (16), Lizzy Drip (23) and Lady Imelda (30); TRANNY ROCK & ROLL BINGO with Sally Vate and a rolling jackpot follows at 8.30pm. Thur is MAD COW over twofloors with hostess Miss Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & Leeroy in the bar play commercial dance, DJ Ruby Roo in the club plays chart/pop favourites at 8pm, drinks from £1, entry £1 b4 10pm, £2 after. FRUITY FRIDAY FIX is with DJ Leeroy spinning the best in dance/ funky house at 9pm; plus discounted cocktails from 9pm–close, free entry.

FOOD: check out the brand new menu with a new range of small plates to share. 2-41 deals: all homemade pizzas on Wed. Served: Mon–Sat noon–8pm; Sunday Lunch: home roast beef, chicken or veggie served noon–7pm, £5.95.

DRINK DEALS: All drinks half price (excl champers, cocktails, not in conjunction with other offers) Mon–Sat from 5–9pm, till 8pm on Thurs, on Sun after the show till close.

OPEN: daily from noon. www.charles-street.com

QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Kitty Litter 6pm; Son of a Tutu 9.30pm; karaoke; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sun roast noon-5pm; Jerome’s Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 4pm; open 11am MONDAY 10 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Picadilly till midnight; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm

ENVY Studio 150: NUS night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s Win My Wonga 9.30pm; food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY guest host karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kamp Kevin’s Mon Madness Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Manic Mon 7pm; open 11am TUESDAY 11 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 1pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free

ENVY @ CHARLES ST

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) is COME TO DADDY for World AIDS Day in aid of Sussex Beacon at 10pm, everyone welcome, entry £5 b4 midnight. Check out www.cometodaddyclub.co.uk for Pride mix podcast.

NYE: Mon (31) is the NYE GIRLS NEXT DOOR V BOYS IN THE BAR MASKED BALL with 2 dance zones featuring DJ Dulcie Danger and all-girl line-up in the club, DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy in the bar till 5am; entry free b4 10pm/£6 b4 midnight/£8 after or £6 Q-jumpers available from the bar.

REGULARS: Sat (excl 22) is GIRLS NEXT DOOR with DJ Dulcie Danger & an all-girl line-up at 10pm; £2 drinks all night, entry free b4 11.15pm/£3 b4 midnight/£5 b4 1am/£6 after or NUS £3 all night.

Mon is the STUDIO 150 student night with singles or bottles for £1.50 all night, entry £1.50. On Mon (24), the STUDIO 150 XMAS SPECIAL is in the bar!

Thur is MAD COW over two-floors with hostess Miss Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & Leeroy in the bar playing commercial dance, DJ Ruby Roo in the club playing chart & pop favourites at 8pm, drinks from £1, entry £1 b4 10pm, £2 after.

OPEN: www.charles-street.com

drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon POISON IVY Bar 150 & Misty Lee’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Party 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar 8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick & Picadilly Boy 10.30pm ZONE TransAction: a night for TV/CD/TS/TG people & their admirers, dressing rooms & discretion assured 7pm; open 11am

WEDNESDAY 12 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Midweek Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN Buzz Tournament 8.30pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked All Day: naked only, no towels, licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Sandy Crack’s Big Balls Bingo 9.30pm; food 12-7pm; open 11am

PICS FROM CHURCH STREET + DR BRIGHTONS

36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

DECEMBER

POOH LA MAY SUN (21)

KRISSIE DUCANN SUN (14)

LISTINGS

CHURCH STREET

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (8) is the BEAR PATROL BRING & BUY SALE from noon with all proceeds going to Sussex Beacon.

XMAS: Fri (7) is the SANTA PATROL XMAS PARTY with host Mysterry at 8pm.

Tue (25) is Xmas Day Lunch served noon–6pm, 5 courses, free glass of Bucks Fizz, £49.95, bookings only, 01273 606864.

REGULARS: Fri CABARET at 9pm: Krissie DuCann (14), Pooh La May (21) and Jason Lee (28).

FOOD: Richard’s Golden Handbag Award-winning Big Sunday Lunch from noon.

OPEN: Check out the secret beer garden - it’s perfect for a drink and a smoke!

MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Candi’s Capers’ karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE The Cruisebar at the End of the Universe 9pm ZONE Sofa So Good: board games, Wii, films & more 7pm; open 11am THURSDAY 13 A-BAR food noon-10pm; Quiz: special food menu 8pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm-Up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open 12 BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: host Joan Bond, bar DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy, club DJ Ruby Roo 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Misty Lee’s karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Star 2012: host Pasty Cline, cash/boozy prizes 9pm; open 12 REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon

FUNKY FISH

REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: DJs over 2 floors 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Rachel’s Thrifty Thur: karaoke, videos & Wii 8pm; open 11am FRIDAY 14 A-BAR food noon-7pm; pre-club tunes; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Laday LaRue: 2 floor party, DJ Peter Castle in the club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; karaoke bar cabaret: Trudi Styles & Pianoman midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 69pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Krissie DuCann 9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Xmas Party with Aba Queens: professional Abba tribute act 8.30pm; tickets £10, www.funkyfishclub.co.uk LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with LadyRue: 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am

XMAS: Fri (14) is the ULTIMATE XMAS PARTY with Aba Queens, professional Abba tribute act singing all the hits at 8.30pm; tickets £10 from www.funkyfishclub.co.uk.

NYE: Mon (31) is the NYE COUNTDOWN PARTY with DJ Sean Quinn playing funky/party tunes at 10pm; tickets £8 from www.funkyfishclub.co.uk or £12 on the door.

REGULARS: THANK FUNK IT’S FRIDAY with funk/soul/Motown/disco at 10.30pm, free entry. OLD SKOOL SATURDAY is with DJ Sean Quinn at 10pm, entry £5/£6.

OPEN: The Funky Fish Bar is open from noon every day. www.funkyfishclub.co.uk

DR BRIGHTONS

ONE FOR THE DIARY: WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) is World AIDS Day SEXY SATURDAY Fundraiser for Sussex Beacon with DJ Tony B at 9.30pm; wear red! Sun (2) – Thur (6), Dr Brighton’s will be raising money for Sussex Beacon.

XMAS: Fri (21) – Sun (23) is the CHRISTMAS PARTY WEEKEND. Mon (24) is Xmas Eve happy hours all day, bar open 3–10.30pm. Wed (26) is Boxing Day RECOVERY with happy hours all day, bar opens 1pm. Closed Xmas Day. NYE: Mon (31) is The GREAT NYE BLACK & WHITE MASQUERADE with DJ Tony B & black & white dress code at 9pm, happy hour till 7pm, open till 4am. Tue (1) Jan is NEW YEAR HANGOVER THERAPY with all day happy hours, opens 1pm.

REGULARS: FUNKY FRIDAY with DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne from 9.30pm, free entry.

SEXY SATURDAY with DJ Tony B, Nick Hirst (8), from 9.30pm, free entry.

DRINK DEALS: from Sun–Thur all day and Fri & Sat from 1–7pm: small Smirnoff & mixer £2.85, large £3.85, pints of Fosters £3 and large wine £4. Cocktails are two for £11 from Sun–Thur. Free game of pool every day with every round of drinks purchased during happy hour.

OPEN: (excluding Xmas & New Year): Mon–Thur 3pm–midnight; Fri & Sat 1pm–2am; Sun 1pm–midnight. www.doctorbrightons.co.uk MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack: DJ Kamp Kevin & karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm; Jerome’s Singalong-a-Caroling: festive tunes, carol sheets provided 8pm; open 11am REVENGE X Factor Friday: live 3rd place contestant, guaranteed meet & greet 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Ball: DJ Screwpulous & dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE cabaret: Back Beat 9pm; open 11am SATURDAY 15 A-BAR food noon-7pm; pre-club music; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm

BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Bedford Weekender; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: all-male DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm; open 1pm ENVY Girls Next Door: DJ Dulcie Danger & all-girl line-up 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 37

I FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm I LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am I MARINE TAVERN open noon I POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke; open 11am I QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Peter Davis & guests 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sat Night Sin Bin: karaoke, tunes & games 9pm; open noon I REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am I REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: host Stephanie Starlet, go-go boys & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B & special guests 10.30pm I SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm I VAVAVOOM open 6pm I ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm; open 11am SUNDAY 16 I A-BAR Sun lunch noon-5pm; open 11am I AQUARIUM open 3pm I BAR REVENGE Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; open noon I BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm I BEDFORD TAVERN Sun roasts noon-5pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon

38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + BASEMENT CLUB

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

LEGENDS BASEMENT CLUB

LEGENDS BAR

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sun (2) is LEGENDS’ 20TH BIRTHDAY and World AIDS Day event with DJ Claire Fuller and cabaret from Lady Imelda, Lizzy Drip & many more at 3.30pm, all proceeds to Sussex Beacon.

XMAS: Open every day over the Holiday period. Mon (24) is A BIG OLD CHRISTMAS GANGBANG with Drag With No Name at 9.30pm. Tue (25), enjoy Xmas Day at Legends from 11–5am. Wed (26) is Boxing Day CABARET, act tba, at 3.30pm.

NYE: Mon (31) is the NEW YEAR’S COUNTDOWN to 2013 with DJs Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller playing the best of 2012 over 2 floors, entry £5 from 8pm.

Tue (1) Jan is New Year’s Day Bank Holiday Cabaret with Lola Lasagne at 3.30pm.

REGULARS: Wed (5 & 12) is Sandy Crack’s BIG BALLS BINGO at 9.30pm.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with Lady La Rue over 2 floors with DJ Peter Castle, promo boys, £1.50 shots all night and a free bottle of champers if it’s your birthday from 9pm.

Pre-Club DJ sounds every Sat at 7pm. Sun CABARET at 3.15pm: Sandra (9), Lucinda Lashes (16), Lequisha Jonz (23) and Lizzy Drip (30). Mon is Drag With No Name’s WIN MY WONGA at 9.30pm.

FOOD: homemade pies, served noon–7pm Mon–Sat. Xmas serving may differ.

WINTER DRINK PROMOS: Mon–Thur 5–9pm drinks from £2, pints £2.50.

OPEN: daily from 11am–5am. Heated smoking area, free entry and all day sun-terrace. www.legendsbrighton.com BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash 5pm; Sun roasts & selected menu 12-till gone; open 12 CHARLES ST cabaret: Mitzi Macintosh 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch 12-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm GROSVENOR Ronnie Rialto: lounge singer 3pm; open 1pm LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lucinda Lashes 3.15pm; open 11am

MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Drag With No Name 6pm; Benji Official 9.30pm; karaoke; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sun roast noon-5pm; Jerome’s Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 4pm; open 11am MONDAY 17 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am

FREE ENTRY: to the Basement Club every day (excl New Year’s Eve).

XMAS: Sun (23) is Xmas Pop!Candy with DJ Claire Fuller playing recent /classic pop tracks, drinks from £2. Mon (24) is the XMAS EVE PARTY with DJ Claire Fuller playing pop/classic tracks till 4am. Wed (26) is BOXING DAY MASH-UP with DJ Lee Harris playing chart tracks/anthems all night, drinks £2 & shots £1.50.

NYE: Mon (31) is NYE COUNTDOWN to 2013 with DJ Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller playing the best of 2012 over 2 floors from 9pm–5am, entry £5. Tue (1) Jan NEW YEAR’S RECOVERY PARTY with DJ Peter Castle recent/classic pop tracks.

REGULARS: Wed is MIDWEEK MASH-UP with DJ Lee Harris spinning a mix of latest chart tracks/anthems, £2 drinks all night, £1.50 shots. FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE with Lady LaRue over 2 floors, DJ Peter Castle, promo boys, £1.50 shots all night and a free bottle of champers if it’s your birthday from 9pm. Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle house/chart sounds. Sun is POP!CANDY with DJ Claire Fuller recent/classic pop tracks.

DRINK DEALS: drinks from £2 every Sun & Wed. OPEN: Fri–Sun 11pm & Wed 10pm. Closed Mon, Tue & Thur (excl Xmas/New Year) Legends will host your party from £150, call Matt on 01273 624462 for more info. www.legendsbrighton.com AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz with Liz 8.30pm; DJ Picadilly till midnight; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: Student night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Drag With No Name’s Win My Wonga 9.30pm; food 12-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY guest host karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Kamp Kevin’s Mon Madness Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon ZONE Manic Mon 7pm; open 11am TUESDAY 18 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 1pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open 12

BULLDOG DJ Lee 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tue; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 POISON IVY Bar 150 & Misty Lee’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Party 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar 8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick & Picadilly Boy 10.30pm ZONE Scratch Night: a night for comics, singers, musicians, drag artists, writers 7pm; open 11am WEDNESDAY 19 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Midweek Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm

PICS FROM LEGENDS + MARINE TAVERN

BEDFORD TAVERN Buzz Tournament 8.30pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Underwear Night: licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST food noon-8pm; open 12 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon

POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS I’m A Xmas Cracker Get Me Out Of Here: slime, gunge, creepy crawlies, ask at bar to enter 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash: retro night 9pm ZONE Sofa So Good: board games, Wii, films & more 7pm; open 11am THURSDAY 20 A-BAR food noon-10pm; Quiz: special food menu 8pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm-Up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; open noon

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 39

SAT 22nd DEC

XMAS EXTRAVAGANZA with SPICE at 9pm

MON 24th DEC

XMAS EVE PARTY TIME! Get the celebrations going! 8.30pm XMAS DAY open noon–3pm BOXING DAY open 3pm–midnight

MON 31st DEC

NEW YEAR’S EVE

UNIFORM PARTY dress to impress! 8.30pm

MARINE TAVERN

XMAS: open 7pm–midnight.

NYE: open noon–2/3am, free entry!

REGULARS: Tue is NAT’S QUIZ at 9pm.

DRINK DEALS: Wed & Thur 7–11pm: pints of Carlsberg & Stowford Press £3, plus buy a single spirit and get the mixer free.

OPEN: Mon–Sat noon, Sun 1pm.

WED THE BUZZ tournament 8.30pm FRI KAMIKAZE KARAOKE 8pm SUN home cooked roasts 12.30–5pm PIANO BINGO show 5pm

30 Western St, Brighton 01273 739495

42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM POISON IVY + QUEENS ARMS SEX LIES & VIDEOTAPE; 20 YEARS OF ANDY FEEST

DECEMBER

MON (31) NYE PARTY WITH SPICE

LISTINGS

POISON IVY

XMAS: Tue (25) Xmas Day with free buffet and cheap drinks from noon–1am.

NYE: Mon (31) is NYE with Spice, special guests, complimentary champers at midnight & free food from 11am–2am; entry free with name on guest list.

REGULARS: Karaoke seven nights a week: guest host on Mon; Misty Lee & Bar 150 on Tue; BARBARA FELLA on Wed; Misty Lee on Thur; Spice on Fri; Betty Swollocks on Sat; Mimbo on Sun. DRINK DEALS: two bottled beers/alcopops £5; Jagerbombs £1.50; shots £1; pints £2.80. Happy hour: extended through the week.

OPEN: daily from 11am.

BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Xmas Party & Fundraiser for THT: raffle, licensed bar, cabaret, stripper, buffet & mince pies 6pm; entry £15, no concs, £5 of entry fee donated to THT BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Cash Quiz Night 9pm; food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Misty Lee’s karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke Star 2012 Grand Final: host Pasty Cline, cash/boozy prizes 9pm; open noon QUEENS HOTEL Xmas Cabaret Party: Davina Sparkle, Drew Christie & 3-course sitdown meal 7pm; £37pp, inc half a bottle of wine, bookings only 01273 321 222 REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: DJs over 2 floors 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Rachel’s Thrifty Thur: karaoke, videos & Wii 8pm; open 11am

FRIDAY 21 A-BAR Maisie Trollette’s Xmas Cabaret Show 10pm; Pre-Club; food noon-7pm; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Xmas Friday Night Live with LaRue: 2 floor party with Lady La Rue, then DJ Peter Castle in the club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; karaoke bar cabaret: Sandra midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-3pm & 6-9pm; Burning of the Clocks After-Party; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Pooh La May 9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Xmas Party Weekend Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Fri 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Xmas Friday Night Live with LaRue: 2 floor party with Lady La Rue, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in the club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack: DJ Andy B & karaoke 9pm; open noon

QUEENS ARMS

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Thur (20) is the Grand Final of KARAOKE STAR 2012 at 8.30pm, with £100 cash prize.

XMAS: Sat (8) is the XMAS CRACKER CABARET SHOW with Sissy Sucks, Candi Rell, Pasty Cline, Brenda Snap & Marina Port from 4.30pm; guest host karaoke follows at 6pm; then it’s Sissy & Kamp Kevin’s SATURDAY NIGHT SIN BIN with karaoke, tunes & games at 9pm. Wed (19) is I’M A XMAS CRACKER GET ME OUT OF HERE with slime, gunge & creepy crawlies at 9pm; see staff to enter. Mon (24) is the Xmas Eve CAMP ATTACK Party with DJ Andy B from 8pm–1am. Tue (25) is DAVE LYNN’S XMAS DRAG SHOW & Karaoke at 9.30pm, bar open 8pm. Wed (26) is Boxing Day CABARET with Sandra at 9.30pm, karaoke till 1am, bar open 5pm.

NYE: Mon (31) is NYE with DRAG WITH NO NAME, hosts Candi Rell & Kamp Kevin, food, Big Ben, poppers & hats from 8pm–3am, early bird tickets £7.50 till Dec 10, then £10. Tue (1) Jan is New Year’s Day HANGOVER PARTY with karaoke at 6pm, bar open 2pm.

REGULARS: Thur, till (20), is the Annual Karaoke Star 2012 with host Pasty Cline; £100 first prize, two £25 drink vouchers for runner-ups, at 9pm. Fri is Camp Attack with DJs Andy B, Kamp Kevin, 60s/70s/80s/90s/00s tunes & karaoke at 9pm. Sat is non-stop entertainment from 4.30pm with: Misty Lee (1), Peter Davis & friends (15), Auntie Robbie (22), Nicole (29); mystery guest host karaoke starts at 6pm; Sissy & Kamp Kevin’s SATURDAY SIN BIN with karaoke, dancing & games follows at 9pm.

Sun is double CABARET at 6pm & 9.45pm: Miss Penny & Tammy Twinkle (2), Kitty Litter & Son of a Tutu (9), Drag With No Name & Benji O’fficial (16), Sandra & Trudi Styles & Pianoman (23), Davina Sparkle & Lola Lasagne (30); karaoke follows.

OPEN: daily from noon.

REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Jerome’s Singalong-a-Caroling: festive tunes, carol sheets provided 8pm; open 11am REVENGE Lollipop: DJs 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Ball: DJ Screwpulous & dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Scottie’s 50th Birthday Cabaret: Gilly Bee 8pm; open 11am

SATURDAY 22 A-BAR food noon-7pm; Pre-Club Music; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Spice’s Xmas Extravaganza 9pm; open noon

PICS FROM BAR REVENGE + REVENGE

44 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

REGENCY TAVERN

XMAS: Fri (7, 14 & 21) is Jerome’s SINGALONG-A-CAROLING, a community singalong with free carol sheets provided from 8pm. Tue (25) is Xmas Day Lunch from noon–2pm with five-courses, £60pp, bookings only 01273 325652. Wed (26), open noon–4pm for Boxing Day, no food!

NYE: Mon (31) is the BISHOPS & TARTS PARTY at 8pm, free entry and food served noon–6pm. Tue (1) Jan, open noon–11pm for New Year’s Day, regular food times.

REGULARS: Sunday roasts accompanied by Jerome (2, 9, 16 & 23) & Patrick (30) at the piano at 1.30pm. Tue is Mark Hodge’s PIANO BAR at 8.30pm.

FOOD: Mon–Fri noon–2.30pm & 6–8.30pm; Fri (7 & 14) till 2.30pm; Sat noon–6pm; Sunday roasts served noon–5pm.

OPEN: Mon–Thur noon–11pm; Fri & Sat 11am–midnight; Sun noon–11pm.

BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: allmale DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Xmas Party Weekend Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 3pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Xmas cabaret: Auntie Robbie 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sat Night Sin Bin: karaoke, tunes & games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: host Stephanie Starlet, go-go boys & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B & special guests 10.30pm SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Back Beat 9pm; open 11am SUNDAY 23 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-5pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Xmas Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sun roasts noon5pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash 5pm; Sun roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Lizzy Drip 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast

noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Xmas Party Weekend Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUN FAIR CLUB BodyShakers: tea dance with DJs Steven Geller, Steve B & guests 6pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lequisha Jonz 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Sandra 6pm; Trudi Styles & Piano Man 9.30pm; karaoke; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Sun roast noon-5pm; Jerome’s Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 4pm; open 11am MONDAY 24 A-BAR Xmas Eve Party; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls on Top Xmas Eve Party 8pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Xmas Eve Party: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm-4am BEDFORD TAVERN Xmas Eve Party 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Jingle Bell Rock 10pm; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS selected meal & free drink £7.95 noon-3pm & 6-9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Xmas Eve Studio 150: student night 10pm; food noon-6pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Xmas Eve; open 310.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR A Big Old Xmas Win My Wonga with Drag No Name 9.30pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY guest host karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Xmas Eve Party: karaoke, games & tunes 8pm-1am; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon

BAR REVENGE

XMAS: Mon (24) is the GIRLS ON TOP XMAS EVE PARTY with £1.99 Jagerbombs from 8pm–midnight. Tue (25) is XMAS DAY KARAOKE at 7pm, drinks from £2.49.

Wed (26) is BOXING DAY BASH with DJ Missy B. NYE: Mon (31) is the GIRLS ON TOP NEW YEAR’S PARTY with DJs Kelly Lloyd, Smithy, Fifilicious & Alpha from 8pm–6am, free entry all night. Tue (1) Jan is KARAOKE UNPLUGGED with hostess AJ & DJ Alpha at 8pm.

REGULARS: Tue is KARAOKE UNPLUGGED with DJ Alpha & AJ at 8pm. Thur is Girls on Top Official Warm-Up with DJ Kelly L playing pop/chart at 9pm. Fri is DISCO BOMB with DJ Alpha playing pop/chart & party tunes at 9pm. Sat is KINKY CLASSICS with DJ Fifilicious playing the best pop tracks from the past five years at 9pm. Sun is KARAOKE QUEENS with Smithy & Lou Bag at 8.30pm.

Mon is QUIZ WITH LIZ with cash and boozy prizes at 8.30pm followed by DJ Piccadilly till midnight. Revenge discount passes: Thur b4 11.30pm, Fri b4 midnight & Sat b4 11pm.

DRINK DEALS: 2-4-1 cocktails every day 5–9pm (excl Sat); drinks £1.99 Mon–Wed; from £1.50 Thur after 7pm; from £2.49 Fri & Sat; Jagerbombs £1.99 all day every day.

Drink deals differ over Christmas.

OPEN: daily from noon–2am & till 6am on Fri & Sat. www.revenge.co.uk

SUBLINE Xmas at Subline 9pm-2am ZONE Xmas Eve with Sally Vate 9.30pm; open 10am TUESDAY 25 A-BAR open 8pm-midnight AQUARIUM open 1pm BAR REVENGE Xmas Day Karaoke 7pmlate BEDFORD TAVERN Xmas Day; open noon-3pm BRIGHTON SAUNA Xmas Day Turkey Lunch: £4.90, book online or by email noon4pm BULLDOG Xmas Day noon-3pm & 7pmlate CAMELFORD ARMS Happy Christmas to all our friends

CHARLES ST closed 112 CHURCH ST Xmas Day Lunch: 5 courses, free drink, £49.95, bookings only 01273 606864 noon-6pm DR BRIGHTONS closed FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Xmas at Legends; open 11-5am MARINE TAVERN open 7pm-midnight POISON IVY Xmas Day: free buffet; open noon-1am QUEEN’S ARMS Xmas Day Cabaret: Dave Lynn 9.30pm; Xmas Drag Karaoke; open 8pm REGENCY TAVERN Xmas Day Lunch: 5 courses, £60pp, 01273 325652; open noon2pm REVENGE closed ZONE open 10am-2pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 45

PICS FROM BAR REVENGE + REVENGE

DECEMBER

LISTINGS KYE SONES FROM X FACTOR

DISTRICT3 FROM X FACTOR

JADE ELLIS FROM X FACTOR

REVENGE

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) is the KINKY DANGEROUS World AIDS Day Fundraiser for THT with Stephanie Starlet & her go-go boys, pyrotechnics and 2 floors of DJs playing kinky pop & dangerous house, entry £4–£8 donated to THT. NYE: Mon (31) is NYE with pyrotechnics, sparklers & DJs King K, Alex Baker, Lee Harris, Trick, Fifilicious & Missy B from 9pm–6am, free entry b4 10pm or £10 after from www.revenge.co.uk.

REGULARS: X FACTOR FRIDAYS (till 14) see the contestant evicted the Sunday prior perform an exclusive live show; guaranteed meet & greet, entry £3/£5 b4 midnight.

LOLLIPOP returns Fri (21 & 28) with camp/chart/pop/r&b & dance tunes all night, entry free or £4–£8. Sat is KINKY DANGEROUS with Stephanie Starlet & her gogo boys, pyrotechnics and DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B, Smithy & guests over 2 floors playing kinky pop & dangerous house, entry free till 2am, £5 after. Tue is SUPERSONIC student night with DJs Trick & Picadilly Boy playing a mix of pop, indie & urban, entry £2/£3. Thur is GIRLS ON TOP V EMERGENCY ROOM with chart/pop/trash & party tunes, entry free or £3/£4. Thur (6) GIRLS ON TOP CHRISTMAS PARTY! presents Lucy Spraggan! on stage 11pm. Tickets: www.revenge.co.uk £3/£4/£5 Passes are available through the week from Bar Revenge!

DRINK DEALS: Jagerbombs £2 Tue, Thur & Sat & £2.50 Fri; drinks from £1.50 on Tue & Thur all night and all drinks £2 on Sat (excl doubles/champers).

OPEN: 10.30pm on Tue/Thur/Fri/Sat. Closed: Sun/Christmas Day/Mon/Wed. www.revenge.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 26 A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Boxing Bash: DJ Missy B; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Boxing Day Mash-Up: DJ Lee Harris 10pm BEDFORD TAVERN Boxing Day Blow-Out 3pm-midnight BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Night: naked only, no towels, licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Boxing Day Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 8pm; Grant Knowles (tbc) midnight; open 11-5am CAMELFORD ARMS Xmas After-Party; open noon CHARLES ST open 5pm-midnight 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Boxing Day Recovery; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR Boxing Day Cabaret: tba 3.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Boxing Day Cabaret:

Sandra 9.30pm; karaoke till 1am; open 5pm REGENCY TAVERN open noon-4pm SUBLINE closed ZONE Sofa So Good: board games, Wii, films & more 7pm; open 10am THURSDAY 27 A-BAR food noon-10pm; Quiz: special food menu 8pm; cocktail night; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm-Up: DJ Kelly L 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open 12 BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Santa’s Big Cash Xmas Quiz 9pm; food specials; open noon CHARLES ST Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thur; open 3pm ENVY Mad Cow: 2 floors, hostess Ms Joan Bond, DJs Lil Alex & LeeRoy in bar, DJ Ruby Roo in club 8pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon

POISON IVY Misty Lee’s karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Pasty Cline’s Karaoke Party 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: DJs over 2 floors 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE Rachel’s Thrifty Thur: karaoke, videos & Wii 8pm; open 11am FRIDAY 28 A-BAR food noon-7pm; pre-club tunes; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Friday Night Live with Lady La Ruee: 2 floor party DJ Peter Castle in the club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJs Simon Blanch/Grant Knowles 10pm; karaoke bar cabaret: Davina Sparkle midnight; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food & daily specials; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Fri Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm 112 CHURCH ST cabaret: Jason Lee 9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Thank Funk It’s Fri 10.30pm

LEGENDS BAR Friday Night Live with LadyLaRue: 2 floor party, promo boys, free champers for early birds, free bottle of champers for birthdays 9pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack: DJ Kamp Kevin & karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open 11am REVENGE Lollipop: DJs 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Ball: DJ Screwpulous & dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM open 7pm ZONE cabaret: Jannine 9.30pm; open 11am SATURDAY 29 A-BAR food noon-7pm; Pre-Club Music; open noon AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Bedford Weekender; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 10pm; DJ Lil Alex 3am; karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food noon-7pm; open noon CHARLES ST The Boys In The Bar: allmale DJs Jonesy, Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon

46 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM SUBLINE BIRTHDAY PARTY + WILD FRUIT

DECEMBER

LISTINGS

SUBLINE

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Wed (12) is THE CRUISEBAR AT THE END OF THE UNIVERSE with DJs. WORLD AIDS DAY: Sat (1) is ROUGE, a World AIDS Day Fundraiser for THT with DJs & regular entry prices.

XMAS: Sat (8) is NAUGHTY SANTA, part of the Santa Patrol Weekend, in aid of Sussex Beacon. Mon (24) is Xmas at Subline from 9pm–2am. Closed Xmas Day & Boxing Day. NYE: Mon (31) is the NYE Party with DJs from 9pm–4am; tickets available from the bar! Closed New Year’s Day. REGULARS: Wed is BACKLASH retro tunes and prices, including selected drinks £2.80 all night for members. Thur is LEATHERED with free lockers. Fri is BEAR BALL with DJ Screwpulous, dancing bears, £2.80 drinks, entry free for members till 11pm, £3 after.

Sat is THE FURNACE with £2.80 drinks, free entry for members till 11pm, £3 after.

Sun is COME IN YOUR PANTS underwear party with DJ N.U.D.E. OPEN: Fri & Sat from 9pm–4am, Sun from 8pm–2am, Wed & Thur from 9pm–1.30am. Closed Mon & Tue. www.subline-brighton.com 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm; open 1pm ENVY Girls Next Door: DJ Dulcie Danger & all-girl line-up 10pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Old Skool Sat: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR Pre-Club DJs 7pm; food noon-7pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 3pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Nicole 4.30pm; guest host karaoke 6pm; Sissy & Kemp Kevin’s Sat Night Sin Bin: karaoke, tunes & games 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: host Stephanie Starlet, go-go boys & DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B & special guests 10.30pm SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm VAVAVOOM open 6pm ZONE cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm; open 11am SUNDAY 30 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-5pm; open 11am AQUARIUM open 3pm

BAR REVENGE Karaoke Queens: LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Claire Fuller 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Sun roasts noon-5pm; Piano Bingo 5pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Bear Bash 5pm; Sun roasts & selected menu noon-till gone; open noon CHARLES ST cabaret: Lady Imelda 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUN FAIR CLUB BodyShakers: tea dance with DJs Steven Geller, Steve B & guests 6pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR cabaret: Lizzy Drip 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN open 1pm POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS cabaret: Davina Sparkle 6pm; Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; karaoke; open 12 REGENCY TAVERN Sun roast noon-5pm; Patrick’s Piano Bar 1.30pm; open noon

SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 4pm; open 11am

bar; top bar karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS NYE: free entry; open noon CHARLES ST NYE Girls Next Door v Boys In The Bar Masked Ball: 2 dance zones, DJ Dulcie Danger & all-girl line-up in club & DJs Jonesy, MONDAY 31 Lil Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy in bar till 5am; A-BAR NYE Party; bar food noon-7pm; entry free b4 10pm/£6 b4 midnight/£8 after or open 11am £6 Q-jumpers available from the bar; food AQUARIUM open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls on Top NYEParty: DJs noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST NYE Rocky Horror Fancy Kelly Lloyd, Smithy, Fifilicious & Alpha, free Dress Party: games, raffle, buffet & prizes 8pmentry 8pm-6am; open noon 2am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS NYE DR BRIGHTONS The Great NYE Black & Countdown to 2013: DJs Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller over 2 floors 9pm-5am; White Masquerade: DJ Tony B, black & white dresscode 9pm-4am; open 1pm entry £5 from 8pm BEDFORD TAVERN NYE Uniform Party: free ENVY NYE Girls Next Door v Boys In The Bar Masked Ball: 2 dance zones, DJ Dulcie Danger entry 8.30pm; open noon & all-girl line-up in the club; DJs Jonesy, Lil BRIGHTON SAUNA NYE Party: DJ, lights, Alex, Grant Knowles, Leeroy in the bar till 5am; free glass of fizz at midnight 8pm-4am entry free b4 10pm/£6 b4 midnight/£8 after or BULLDOG NYE 42 Hours Non-Stop Party: DJ Marcia 10pm & Grant Knowles (tbc) 2am in £6 Q-jumpers available from the bar

WILD FRUIT @ HONEY CLUB

WORLD AIDS DAY: Paint the town red on Sat (1) December at the 20th Annual RED PARTY Fundraiser for World AIDS Day featuring DJs Hoxton Whores, Fat Tony, Mr Haywood, Affy & Ali, Kate Wildblood, Queen Josephine; plus hostesses Marnie Scarlet, Dolly Rocket, Chrissy Darling and many more at 10pm.

All profits after costs, but a guaranteed £1 ring fence from each paying customer.

Limited tickets £8 in advance from Prowler or online at www.wildfruit.co.uk.

REBEL @ THE HAUNT

AFTERHOURS: REBEL celebrates its 7th birthday at 4am on Sun (2) December, immediately after the Wild Fruit Red Party with DJs Jonny M, Fat Tony, Lee Harris & special guests at 4am.

PIC FROM THE ZONE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 47

ZONE

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Tue (18) is SCRATCH NIGHT, chance for comics, singers, musicians, drag artists, writers to try their material in front of an audience at 7pm.

XMAS: Mon (24) is XMAS EVE CABARET with Sally Vate at 9.30pm.

Open: 10am–2am Xmas Eve; 10am–2pm Xmas Day; 10am–1am Boxing Day. NYE: Mon (31) is NYE PARTY with hostess Carrie O’Kay, raffle & a free glass of Cava till 3am, free entry, bar open 10am. Tue (1) Jan, bar open 10am.

REGULARS: Tue (11) is TRANSACTION with Adam for TV/CD/TS/TG people & admirers at 7pm; friendly staff, drink deals, dressing rooms & discretion assured.

Wed is SOFA SO GOOD with board games, Wii, films & more at 7pm. Look out for future PJ parties! Thur is Rachel’s THRIFTY THURSDAY with happy hours, Wii, karaoke, videos and more at 8pm. Fri CABARET at 9.30pm: Stone & Street (7), ‘mod’-themed night with Back Beat at 9pm (14), Scottie’s 50th Birthday with Gilly Bee (21) and Jannine (28). Sat CABARET at 9.30pm: Sally Vate (1, 15 & 29), Tammy Twinkle (8) and glam rock tunes from Back Beat at 9pm (22). Sun is CARRIE O’KAY’S KARAOKE at 4pm. Sun (2) is cabaret with Dave Lynn at 9pm.

OPEN: daily from 11am.

FUNKYFISH BAR open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB New Year’s Eve Countdown Party: DJ Sean Quinn 10pm LEGENDS BAR New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2013: DJs Peter Castle, Ben Castle & Claire Fuller over 2 floors, entry £5 from 8pm; open 11-5am MARINE TAVERN open noon-2/3am POISON IVY NYE Party: Spice & special guests, karaoke, free food, complimentary champers at midnight, free entry with name on guest list; open 11am-2am QUEEN’S ARMS NYE cabaret: Drag With No Name & party with DJ Kamp Kevin & host Candi Rell + poppers & streamers 8pm3am; entry £7.50 b4 Dec 10, £10 after; open noon REGENCY TAVERN New Year’s Eve: food noon-6pm; Bishops & Tarts Party: free entry 8pm; open noon-late REVENGE New Year’s Party: DJs King K, Alex Baker, Lee Harris, Trick, Fifilicious, Missy B, pyrotechnics & sparklers 9pm-6am; free entry b4 10pm/£10 after SUBLINE New Year’s Party: tickets available from the bar 9pm-4am ZONE New Year’s Eve Party: hostess Carrie O’Kay, raffle, glass of bubbles, free entry till 3am; open 10am

TUESDAY 1 JAN A-BAR bar food noon-7pm; open noon AQUARIUM open 1pm BAR REVENGE New Year’s Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ, win a paid gig 8pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS NYE Recovery Party: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG 42 Hours Non-Stop Party CAMELFORD ARMS Hangover Party; open noon CHARLES ST open 5pm 112 CHURCH ST open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR open noon LEGENDS BAR New Year’s Day Bank Holiday Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 3.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon POISON IVY Bar 150 7pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS New Year Hangover Karaoke Party 5pm; open 2pm REGENCY TAVERN New Year’s Day: food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon11pm ZONE open 10am

PICS FROM THE EDGE BIRTHDAY PARTY, SOUTHAMPTON

48 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH BOURNEMOUTH

BAKERS ARMS 77-79 Commercial Rd, BH2 5RT, Tel: 01202 555506 BAR VENTANA at CUMBERLAND HOTEL East Overcliff Dr, BH1 3AF, Tel: 01202 556529 www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk BRANKSOME ARMS 152-154 Commercial Rd, BH2 5LU, Tel: 01202 292254 CUMBERLAND HOTEL East Overcliff Drive, BH1 3AF, Tel: 01202 290722 www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk DYMK 31 Poole Hill, BH2 5PW, www.dymk-bar.com SAUNABAR 140 Commercial Rd, BH2 5LU, Tel: 01202 552654 www.gaysaunabournemouth.co.uk 2930 THE TRIANGLE CLUB 29-30 The Triangle, BH2 5SE, Tel: 0845 496 2934 www.2930thetriangle.com EASY TIGER 27 The Triangle, BH2 5SE; open: Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Tel: 01202 554195 www.easytigerstore.com XCHANGE 4 The Triangle, BH2 5RY, Tel: 01202 294321

PORTSMOUTH

HAMPSHIRE BOULEVARD 1 Hampshire Terr, Southsea, Tel: 02392 297509 www.thehampshireboulevard.co.uk Open: Mon: 3pm-11pm, Tue: noon-1am, WedThur: noon-2am, Fri-Sat: noon-3am, Sun: noon-2am, cabaret bar and club

SATURDAY 1 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Red Party for World AIDS Day: DJ Ruby Roo till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm LONDON HOTEL DJ Neil Sackley & His Guilty Pleasures 8.30pm; open noon; food noon-3pm SUNDAY 2 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD cabaret: Divina De Campo 11pm; Westie’s Karaoke till 5am; open 9pm OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Staff Slave Auction for World AIDS Day: buy your fav staff member, all proceeds donated to GCHS 10pm LONDON HOTEL World AIDS Day Fundraiser: see advert for line-up 7pm; £5 entry, all proceeds to local HIV charities; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 3 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Xtream Mon: DJ Grant Knowles till 2am

OLD VIC 104 St Pauls Rd, Southsea Tel: 02392 297013 www.oldvicportsmouth.co.uk Open: Mon-Fri: 11am till late, Sat: 5pm-late, Sun: noon-12,30am. Tradition pub with regular cabaret, serves food.

TROPICS SAUNA 2 Market Way Tel: 02380 296100 www.tropics-sauna.com Open: Mon-Wed: 12-8pm, Thur-Sat: 11am9pm

SOUTHAMPTON

ISOBAR 100c St Mary’s Street Tel: 02380 222028 Open: Sun-Tue: 2pm-11pm, Wed-Sat: 2pmmidnight. Modern bar, outside decked garden area, popular with younger crowd.

LONDON HOTEL 2 Terminus Terrace Tel: 02380 710652 www.the-london.co.uk Open: Mon-Thur: noon-11pm, Fri-Sat: noon12.30am, Sun: noon-11.30am. Friendly cabaret venue, serves food.

EDGE Compton Walk Tel: 02380 366163 www.theedgesouthampton.com Open: Tue-Fri & Sun: 9pm-3am, Sat: 9pm5am. Stylish club on 2 floors with 3 bars. Party till 5am on a Saturday night - last entry at 3am.

PINK BROADWAY SAUNA 797/80 East St Tel: 02380 238804 www.pink-broadway.com/sauna.html Open: Sun-Thur: noon-10pm, Fri-Sat: noon2am

OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; open noon TUESDAY 4 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; open noon WEDNESDAY 5 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Forces Night till 2am OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bar 150 Onesie Party: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm-5am LONDON HOTEL Quiz: cash prizes 8.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon THURSDAY 6 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s karaoke till 2am OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

EDGE SOUTHAMPTON

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (22) is FIERCE ANGEL with DJs Mark Doyle & Martin Wright, 3 bars & 2 dancefloors at 9pm, entry free for mems b4 11pm, £3 after; guests £3 b4 11pm, £5 b4 1am, £6 after; students £3 all night.

WORLD AIDS DAY: Sun (2) Dec is the STAFF SLAVE AUCTION with proceeds going to GCHS, buy your favourite staff member at 10pm.

XMAS: Mon (24) is the XMAS PARTY with DJ Pete Kendall blasting out those Xmas hits, 3-4-2 Jagerbombs at 9pm, free entry. Wed (26) is GET SOME with regular DJs & entry, open extra late till 5am! Closed Xmas Day. NYE: Mon (31) is NYE PARTY LIKE IT’S 2013 with DJs Tim Sandford, Pete Kendall & Steve M from 9pm–5am; advance tickets £5 for mems, £10 guests, £15 on the door for all. Closed New Year’s Day. REGULARS: Thur is new PURE POP! with DJ Neil Sackley playing pop tunes, free sweets at 10pm, entry £1. Sat is THE BIG ONE with resident/guest DJs, Lee Harris & big discounts for Grindr users (15), 2 dance floors & 3 bars; entry free for mems b4 11pm, £3 after; guests £3 b4 11pm, £5 b4 1am, £6 after; students £3 all night. Sun is WE ARE 1 with DJs & £1 drinks, entry free b4 10.30pm, £2/£4 after. Sun (23) is Tammy Twinkle’s Karaoke with free entry. Wed is Bar 150 with DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s Karaoke, £1.50 drinks, entry free/£2 before 10pm, £4/£6 after. Wed (5) is a special GET SOME ONESIE PARTY with regular DJs & entry, open till 5am! .

OPEN: Sun, Tue & Thur 10pm, Wed, Fri & Sat 9pm. Closed Mon. www.theedgesouthampton.com

FRIDAY 7 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Tim Sandford, host Sally Vate till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Rob Davis + give-aways 9pm LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Jamie Watson & DJ Neil Sackley 10pm; food noon-3pm SATURDAY 8 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Hot Eye Candy: DJ Rue

till 3am OLD VIC food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Eva La Diva & DJ Dazza 8.30pm; open noon; food noon-3pm SUNDAY 9 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Sun Lunch 12.302.30pm & 7-9pm; open 9am DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD cabaret: Wilma Fingado 11pm; Westie’s karaoke till 2am OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE We Are 1: DJs 10pm LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Topping & Butch 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 49

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH

MONDAY 10 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Xtream: DJ Rue till 2am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; open noon TUESDAY 11 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; open noon

WEDNESDAY 12 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Forces Night till 2am I OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Girlfriends Get Together: tv/ts group meeting; food 12-3pm; open 12 THURSDAY 13 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie karaoke till 2am

I OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 14 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Grant Knowles, host Sally Vate till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Rob Davis + give-aways 9pm I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Miss Tiara Thunderpussy & DJ Ruby Roo 10pm; food noon-3pm

SUNDAY 16 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; open 9am I DYMK open noon PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD cabaret: Lady Le Rue 11pm; Westie’s karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE We Are 1: DJs 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Drag With No Name 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon

MONDAY 17 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm SATURDAY 15 PORTSMOUTH BOURNEMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Xtream Mon: DJ Grant I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Knowles till 2am Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon I DYMK open 2pm SOUTHAMPTON PORTSMOUTH I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Hot Eye Candy: host open noon Divine Diva & DJ till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night TUESDAY 18 SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH I EDGE The Big One: DJ Lee Harris, 2 I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Jo Frances & DJ I DYMK open 2pm Tiny 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm

50 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM THE LONDON HOTEL, SOUTHAMPTON

LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON

I WORLD AIDS DAY: Sun (2) Dec is the WORLD AIDS DAY FUNDRAISER with host Lola Lasagne and cabaret performers Chrissie Edkins, Benji, Lucinda Lashes, Lady LaRue, Cassidy Connors, Drag With No Name at 7pm, entry £5 with all proceeds going to local HIV charities.

I XMAS: Mon (24) is Pat Cruise’s XMAS SING-ALONG at 9.30pm, open till midnight. I Xmas Day Drinks on Tue (25) noon–3pm I Wed (26) is Dolly Partem’s 2012 REVIEW at 10pm.

I NYE: Mon (31) is OVER THE RAINBOW NYE Party with DJ Pat Cruise and cabaret with Ruthie T from 7.30pm–3.30am; tickets only, £10. I Tue (1) Jan is NEW YEAR’S RECOVERY, open 3–11pm.

I REGULARS: Wed (5) is monthly Quiz Night with cash prizes at 8.30pm. I Wed (12) is GIRLFRIENDS GET TOGETHER, a tv/ts group meeting. I Thur is Pat Cruise’s KARAOKE CRUISING at 9.30pm. I Fri CABARET & DJs at 10pm: Neil Sackley & Jamie Watson (7), Ruby Roo & Miss Tiara Thunderpussy (14), Neil Sackley & Miss Penny (21) and Scarlet Diamante (28). I Sat is PARTY time at 8.30pm with DJs & cabaret: Neil Sackley & His Guilty Pleasures (1), Dazza & Eva La Diva (8), Tiny & Jo Frances (15), Neil Sackley & Benji (22), Ruby Roo & His Guilty Pleasures (29). I Dolly Partem’s SUNDAY SERVICE from 8pm, cabaret follows from 9.30pm: Topping & Butch (9), Drag With No Name (16) and Lola Lasagne (23). I Chill out in one of the brand new lounge areas..

I FOOD: traditional pub food Mon–Sat noon–3pm; Sunday lunch noon–3.30pm.

I OPEN: daily from noon, excl New Year. Closed Tue (18) for private party.

I www.the-london.co.uk

SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL closed for private party

PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Tim Sandford, host Sally Vate till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am WEDNESDAY 19 SOUTHAMPTON BOURNEMOUTH I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Rob Davis + give-aways 9pm Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Miss Penny & DJ I DYMK open 2pm Neil Sackley 10pm; food noon-3pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Forces Night till 2am SATURDAY 22 I OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am karaoke 9pm I DYMK open 2pm I LONDON HOTEL chillout; food noon-3pm; PORTSMOUTH open noon I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Hot Eye Candy: DJ Rue till 3am THURSDAY 20 I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I EDGE Fierce Angels: DJs Mark Doyle & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am Martin Wright, 3 bars, 2 dancefloors 9pm I DYMK open 2pm I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Benji & DJ Neil Sackley 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s karaoke till 2am SUNDAY 23 I OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm BOURNEMOUTH SOUTHAMPTON I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat open 9am Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH FRIDAY 21 I HAMPSHIRE BLVD cabaret: Lucinda Lashes BOURNEMOUTH 11pm; Westie’s karaoke till 2am I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Tammy Twinkle’s Karaoke 10pm I DYMK open 2pm

I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Lola Lasagne 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 24 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Father Xmas Fancy Dress Party: DJ Rue till 2am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Xmas Party: DJ Pete Kendall 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Pat Cruise Xmas SingAlong 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon TUESDAY 25 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE closed I LONDON HOTEL Xmas Drinks noon-3pm WEDNESDAY 26 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Boxing Day School Disco: DJ Lee Harris till 4am I OLD VIC NUS night 7pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete’s karaoke 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s 2012 Review 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon THURSDAY 27 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC karaoke 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Pure Pop!: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 28 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Grant Knowles, host Sally Vate till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; party till 2am

JO FRANCES (15)

DOLLY PARTEM SUNDAY SERVICE

PAT CRUISE MON (24 & 31)

LOLA LASAGNE SUN (2 & 23)

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH

SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lady Bex, Lohands, Rob Davis + give-aways 9pm I LONDON HOTEL cabaret: Scarlet Diamante 10pm; food noon-3pm SATURDAY 29 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ Divine Diva till 3am I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; DJs all night SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE The Big One: DJs, 2 dancefloors, 3 bars 9pm I LONDON HOTEL DJ Ruby Roo & His Guilty Pleasures 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 30 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sun Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 7-9pm; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s karaoke till 2am I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE We Are 1: DJs 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 31 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD New Year’s Eve Party: DJ Ruby Roo, confetti & candy floss 8pm-5am; entry £10 adv/£12 on the door I OLD VIC food noon-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE New Year’s Eve Party Like It’s 2013: DJs Tim Sandford, Pete Kendall & Steve M 9pm5am; advanced tickets £5 for mems, £10 guests, £15 on the door for all I LONDON HOTEL New Year’s Eve: DJ Pat Cruise, cabaret with Ruthie T 7.30pm; tickets only, £10 TUESDAY 1 JAN BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, drinks; open 9am I DYMK open 2pm PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Quiz 8pm; food noon-5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE closed I LONDON HOTEL New Year Recovery 3pm

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 51

52 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

DANCE

MUSIC

BY WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE 'Tis the season to be, er, jolly, so dangle those jungle bells and buff up your festive balls. To soundtrack your Xmas festivities just right we’ve rounded up the best of 2012 for your delight. Ensure you purchase (home taping is killing music) and give or keep depending on your mood after battling through those happy(?) Xmas queues. Enjoy and have a fabulous, fabulous Christmas xx

LONGPLAYERS OF 2012

I MARIO BASANOV Journey Needwant

If that opening track doesn’t hook you we advise you check your pulse.

I THE 2 BEARS Be Strong Southern Fried Records The grrr was insistence this year and those 2 Bears made it essential.

I V/A Classic Through The Eyes of Severino Classic Music Company Speaking of grrr, this Severino sound venture had us right fired up.

I V/A DJ Sneak Fabric 62 Fabric Records Jack def had a groove on this year, we loved it when Sneak got it bad.

I V/A WATERGATE 11 Solomun Watergate Don’t mess with this genius; just embrace the funk fuelled grooves.

I THE XX Coexist Young Turks Horizontal dubstep meets steel pans meets teen angst. What’s not to love?

I JAMIE JONES Tracks From The Crypt Crosstown Rebels Handsome doesn’t come close to describing this man and his beats.

I V/A We Love… Detroit Derrick May & Jimmy Edgar We Love Records All the techno head a girl (or boy) could wish for.

I MIGUEL CAMPBELL Back In Flight School Hot Creations Puts a grin on your face from start to finish. Just how we like it.

I LES LOUP Club Cœur So Sound Recordings Us disco kids like our disco Loup like. End of.

DJ PROFILE The party season is upon us, so here’s a hot little treasure to warm up your festive dancefloor. Queen Josephine chats to the lovely Lee Jeffrey about tunes with a twist, free ice cream and why his mum probably never ever wants to hear Kylie again.

Where do you DJ? Catch me on the decks every Thursday and Friday from 9pm at Charles Street; Thursday at Mad Cow with DJ Lil Alex back to back in the bar playing commercial, funky dance floor fillers and DJ Ruby Roo upstairs in the club playing all your pop and chart anthems; at Fruity Friday Fix I play funky house and uplifting anthems all night long; and my new residency is at BodyShakers, the famous London Afterhours, at the Funfair Club in Brighton from 6pm every Sunday.

Describe your DJing style? I can only describe it as... percussive, fullon, vocal and bouncy house. I love tunes with a drop and a twist that you wouldn’t expect. I play a lot of tech and progressive house with a good vocal and constant beat to keep you moving!

Favourite song of all time? Bullet In The Gun by Planet Perfecto. It reminds me of my youth and my love of trance!

Which tune always fills up (or rescues) your dancefloor? The Safari remix of Robin S’ Show Me Love. As soon it comes on the entire venue has a murmur of people going ‘Ooooooh!’ and it makes me smile every time.

Ultimate dream gig? Space, Ibiza; on the decks going back to back with DJ Taito Tikaro, lots of lasers, with ice creams handed out to everyone and all my friends there having a good time!

12 INCHES OF THE BEST (OF 2012!)

I THOMAS GANDEY The Organ Track Southern Fried Music Emotional wonder that has so many Sundae infused memories.

I JULIO BASHMORE Au Seve (original mix) Broadwalk Records The dancefloor moment of 2012 – nothing felt finer.

I ELECTRONIC YOUTH I Wish (original mix) Sexy Trash Digital For every soul who kept us loved up this year.

I NOIR & HAZE Around (Subb-an remix) Noir Music That bassline ensured we had no choice but to dance.

I NATHAN BARATO Back Up Queen Rekids Bitching taken to a whole new level – get her!

I HOT NATURED & ALI Love Benediction Hot Creations Nothing has touched our spot like this has. Warm, wonderful and wow!

I DANIEL KYO Superstition (Daniel Kyo Total remake) Basic Fingers Few do Stevie justice but this retake had us smitten.

I MIKALIS v CECE PENISTON Finally (original mix) Kidology Bootleg Proud in so many ways of this one. Brighton Pride in a nutshell.

I DESTINY'S CHILD Say My Name (Cyril Hahn remix) White Simple, sweet and so effective, the perfect dawn soundtrack.

I ALEXIS RAPHAEL Into The Light Hot Creations Sophisticated and sassy Alexis delivered light in a Cowell world.

Catch Wildblood and Queenie at DSD, Wild Fruit & Sirens. mixcloud.com/wildbloodandqueenie & katewildblood.wordpress.com

Tune you wish you’d never played? Anything by Nicki Minaj. Polishing a turd is probably more useful than trying to make sense of most of her tracks. They just don’t work. ‘And if you’re a G, You a G,G,G’! Is she calling me a horse? Singing about going to a beach and then talking about how space ships are meant to fly just doesn’t link up in my opinion.

Guilty pleasure? I love a bit of classic 1950s/60s, anything from Little Richard to the Beach Boys.

Your best ever gig? Every New Year’s Eve at Charles Street. The team throw such a great party and the crowd goes absolutely bonkers until the lights come on at the end of the night! Make sure you’re there this year!

Tell us a secret! When I was young I used to dance around my living room listening to Kylie Minogue’s Never Too Late and Black Box’s Ride On Time on VHS constantly on loop. It would drive my mum insane. I guess Black Box explains my house roots but as for Kylie… well!

CURRENT TOP FIVE

I ANN BAILEY & PETER BROWN Let Me Go (Eddie Amador remix) Suka I TECHOUZER Calypso Drums (original mix) Morumbi Records I RICH B Revolution (Pagano’s Underground mix) Tool Box House I RUBEN RIVAS Piano Traxx (original mix) Music Is The Answer I TENSNAKE Coma Cat (Mark Knight remix) Toolroom Records

GSCENE 53

MONTHLY SERIAL BY CARL OPREY EPISODE 3 Sean Matthews pulled back as his husband Alex straightened the Windsor knot on his father’s regimental tie. Sarah brushed the shoulders of Sean’s jacket free of imaginary dust and stood back.

“Thank God that tie’s the only hold the old bastard’s still got on you,” she said.

Alex stood beside Sean, their shoulders met and they clasped each other’s hands the way they used to do sometimes in secret.

“Better,” Sarah said, “Much better.”

Sarah was once Sean’s teenage, lavender sweetheart as well as the only person who could tie the required Windsor knot. She tried to teach him, folding the tie from over his shoulders and giving him instructions in the mirror, but he refused to learn. It was just another formality of their youth together, like parading around family functions stoned, avoiding questions about ‘their intentions with each other’ and giggling as if they really were lovers.

Alex learned the Windsor knot in a single session and Sarah married Sean’s best friend, Kenny. Things were working themselves out.

A voice came from behind.

“That’s perfect, Sarah. Thank you.”

“Ah, Georgina,” Sarah replied, without turning around. “Everything OK with John?”

Sean closed his eyes. Not today, please.

Molly, Sarah’s four-year-old, wove herself through Sean’s legs and sprinkled flowers randomly from a bridesmaid’s basket. She was the perfect diversion.

“Just look at Princess Graceful.” Sean said.

Sarah guided the child back towards her father on the dance floor.

“Thanks Sean, but she’s camp enough as it is.”

“And so well behaved,” he added.

Molly wandered towards her flailing, gingerhaired father, trance-dancing in front of a speaker. “Unlike her father.” he added quietly.

“You see,” Georgina addressed Sarah, “if only you and Sean had remained close…”

“We were kids, Georgina, change the record.” “…he might have ended up...”

Alex released Sean’s hand and folded his arms tightly across his chest.

“He was gay then, Georgina, and he sure as hell is gay today.”

Georgina took out her compact and rolled her head around, checking her hair. Sarah stepped into the fray.

“He still doesn’t meet your impossible standards, does he? Should we let the Medical Council know they were deluded when they made him most promising Consultant Paediatrician of the year?”

Sean interrupted meekly, “European Consultant, actually.” He was silenced once again by the glare of his mother’s piercing eyes.

Sarah held up her wedding finger.

“And I already have a husband, remember?”

Sean cleared his throat.

“Probably not the best example, Sarah,” he said.

In Georgina’s mind it was Kenny who’d broken up the perfect union of Sean and Sarah. The marriage between a doctor and lawyer ticked every box for her and Kenny dashed every hope of a proper wedding and much-needed grandchildren. She believed that the trauma had, in fact, turned Sean gay and couldn’t understand why she was the only one devastated by the effects.

They stared at Kenny as he tried to breakdance on the parquet dance floor, entertaining nobody but himself and Molly, who squealed with delight at his side.

Georgina looked away, disgusted.

“It’s no wonder you need a paediatrician around Sarah, given your husband’s antics.”

Before Sarah could counter, Georgina walked away, making talk with a random family member.

“Don’t worry,” Sean said, pushing the corners of Sarah’s mouth back into a smile.

“Not even the best lawyers get the last word in with the old belter.”

Michael had been drinking with John Matthews and his crew of seasoned veterans in a far corner of the marquee. The whisky had already gone past the warm tingle stage and

was now making him swerve. Ralphy Nugent, a slim-faced chap wearing a single medal, a Monty beret and sprinkles of dandruff in his eyebrows, replenished Michael’s empty glass.

“He’s a look of David, don’t you think?” Ralphy said.

John steadied himself against a strut of the marquee and squinted at Michael.

“Ralphy’s so pissed he now thinks you look like my wretched brother…”’ he said.

Michael remembered Tracy’s rule about engaging directly with family members. He stood up, swaying sideways.

“I’m so pissed everyone’s beginning to look alike,” he said, emptying his glass and staggering towards the portacabin toilets.

At the urinal he steadied himself by placing his hand on the wall ahead. Such concentrated effort meant he failed to see Alex Ganley, the other groom, move into the urinal alongside him.

“Having a good time?” Alex said. Michael kept his eyes on the urinal, concentrating.

“I don’t think we’ve actually met.” Alex held out his free hand. “I’m Alex.”

Michael looked up, changed hands and shook Alex’s. “You’re the other groom.” Alex nodded.

“And you’re American.” Alex smiled.

“So, have you got a name?” said Alex. “Got a girlfriend?”

Michael frowned and faced Alex again.

“I’m not queer, if that’s what you’re after.”

Alex zipped up and leaned over the barrier and Michael stepped away, making puddles at his feet.

“I’d keep that language to yourself, round here,” Alex said. Michael belched and, with his flies still undone, staggered past Alex, bashing into his shoulder as he left the toilet.

Michael fell several times on his way back to the marquee, leaving grass stains on the knees and elbows of his suit. He swayed and watched the diminishing collection of guests from the edge of the dance floor. He saw Alex glaring back at him and talking over his shoulder at two security men. Michael stepped onto the dance floor and felt hands reach under him and he was hauled away, held tightly under the arms of the security men. As they marched Michael down the path, Alex followed him, whispering into his ear.

“Try gate-crashing a straight wedding next time.”

At the front gate Michael was jettisoned into the lane beyond where he stood up, laughing and rubbing gravel from his hands.

“And the next time you try to shag someone in the toilets, make sure it’s not at your own wedding.”

The security men smiled at each other and Alex sent them back in.

“Get back to your slum you fucking inbred, before I beat the crap out of you myself.”

Michael stumbled forward and caught himself.

“Idiot… you’re not my fucking father.”

“Idiot?” Alex shouted back. “Is that the best you can do?” © Carl Oprey

54 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

ARTS

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

HONEYBEES XMAS BASH Grace Eyre Theatre, Montefiore Road, Hove, BN3 6EP THURST & BOND IN NEED... OF RELIEF (7.30pm, Sat 8). Hilarious comedy duo Tyhurst & Bond (formerly Margaret & Rosemary) will be compering the fun packed, annual Honeybees Ladies Hockey Team fundraising bash, with guest singers, comedians and Elvis & Friends puppet show. Expect a night of quality entertainment!

Tickets: £10 (including raffle) available from: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/d ate/52270

Gardner Street, Brighton Box office: 0845 293 8480 www.komedia.co.uk BENT DOUBLE (Sun 2). An irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow) with headliner Kerry Godliman.

'I was crying with laughter from start to finish' Latest 7.

THEATRE ROYAL New Road, Brighton Box office: 08448 717 650 DOLLY PARTON – 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL (Mon 10–Sat 15). This new musical comedy, direct from Broadway, stars Natalie Casey

QUKELELE

musical. Follow squeaky clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they'll never forget, with the scandalous Frank 'n' Furter, rippling Rocky and vivacious Magenta. Get ready for a night of fun, frolics and frivolity and hit songs including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and, of course, the pelvic thrusting Time Warp. 'Still the sexiest and funniest show in town' The Evening Standard.

LATEST Latest Music Bar, Manchester St, Brighton, 01273 687171 www.thelatest.co.uk/musicbar THE QUKULELE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! (7.30pm, Wed 12).

Brighton’s favourite (and only) queer ukulele band bring their own brand of mashups and mayhem to the Latest Music bar this holiday season. Tickets: £5

WORLD AIDS DAY CONCERTS

AIDS MEMORIAL CONCERT presented by Music for Life (6pm, Sun 25) at St Mary the Virgin Church in Kemptown features the Regency Singers with musical

ANDREW BALLANTYNE

KOMEDIA

(Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Legally Blonde the Musical), Bonnie Langford (Chicago, Spamalot, Cats), Ben Richards (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Grease, The Bill), Jackie Clune (Billy Elliot, Mamma Mia!) and Amy Lennox (Legally Blonde the Musical, The Sound of Music).

Based on the hit movie it centres on three office workers who turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, lying, bigot of a boss.

They conspire to take control of the company and learn there's nothing they can't do - even in a man's world. Outrageous, thoughtprovoking and even a little romantic, Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 The Musical is about teaming up and taking care of business. 'A great big dose of heart, cracking feelgood tunes and slick choreography' Lancashire Telegraph.

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Thur 20 Dec–Sat 5 Jan 2013).

Directed by Christopher Luscombe and starring Ben Forster (Jesus Christ Superstar), Rhydian (X Factor/We Will Rock You), Roxanne Pallett (Emmerdale) and Oliver Thornton (Priscilla Queen Of The Desert). star in the 40th anniversary production of Richard O'Brien's

OLIVER THORNTON, ROCKY HORROR SHOW

TYHURST & BOND

ZOE LYONS

JEFF WAYNE'S WAR OF THE WORLDS – THE NEW GENERATION (Sun 16–Mon 17). Based on HG Wells’ classic science fiction story, the dazzling production has been updated with Liam Neeson in holographic form as George Herbert plus Jason Donavan as Parson Nathaniel and Marti Pellow as The Voice of Humanity.

Other music highlights include: RIZZLE KICKS (Thu 6–Fri 7); MAGIC OF MOTOWN (Sat 8); PETER ANDRE: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (Tue 11); JOOLS HOLLAND (Sat 15).

DOLLY PARTON 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

Kings Road, Brighton Box office: 0844 847 1515 www.brightoncentre.co.uk MADNESS – THE CHARGE OF THE MAD BRIGADE (Sat 1).

Matinee show added due to popular demand with all the hits plus tracks from their new album, Oui Oui Si Si Ja Ja Da Da. KEANE (Sun 2). The group follow their fifth number one album with their Strangeland Tour.

WAR OF THE WORLDS

MADNESS

BRIGHTON CENTRE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 55

PULL A CRACKER! Dome, Church Street, Brighton, Box office: 01273 709709 www.brightondome.org PULL A CRACKER WITH BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS (Sat 15). Famed for their appearances on BBC TV’s Last Choir Standing, we saw them last year delight a packed house alongside actress June Brown and comedienne Zoe Lyons. This year they’re back with a magical collection of yuletide favourites and rock and pop classics including Last Christmas and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

The concert will help raise funds for the Sussex Beacon Urgent Appeal. ‘A magical evening … Just brilliant!’ Latest 7.

Tickets: £18/£15/£10 (conc £16/£13/£8) are vailable from www.brightongmc.org or the Dome box office 01273 709709.

For more details see: www.brightongmc.org, the BGMC Facebook page and Twitter.

has Actually Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC) and Actually Gay Women’s Chorus (AGWC) singing together with a first performance of BEACONS REQUIEM written by AGMC member, Richard Horscraft and dedicated to the Sussex Beacon. The piece will be performed with a full orchestra.

Held in the beautiful St Andrew's Church, Waterloo Street, Hove, this is an alternative event for anyone wishing to join them while remembering those affected by and working with HIV/AIDS. The evening is not ticketed but there will be a collection for Sussex Beacon after the performance.

Everyone performing in this event has provided their time completely free of charge.

BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS

ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS

director Mark Hodge who will be performing along with the tenor, Tom Murphy, the soprano, Alexandra Bowa, the flautist Neil Carter and harpist Andrew Ballantyne. Tickets: £10/£8 concs on the door.

WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER - A CONCERT FOR WORLD AIDS DAY A collection of local music groups will be performing (7.30pm, Sat 1) at St Mary's Church, 61 St James’ St, Kemptown (just across from the AIDS Memorial). This annual community concert will feature selected performances from Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, Qukelele, Rainbow Chorus, Resound, The Theatre Workshop and be compered by the award winning performer and Sussex Beacon patron Neil Bartlett OBE. The event will also feature a joint performance of the first international OutPostChoir anthem, You Make Me Proud composed by Howard Alexander.

Tickets £5, available on the door or from www.brightongmc.org.

All profit from the sale of tickets, as well as a bucket collection at the venue, will be donated to The Rainbow Fund.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR WORLD AIDS DAY (7.30pm, Sat 1)

56 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

ART

MARTLETS CHRISTMAS MUSICAL SPECTACULAR

BY ENZO MARRA

LGCM CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE

Brighton Lesbian, Gay, Christian Movement and Changing Attitudes are holding a CANDLELIGHT CAROL SERVICE at St George’s Church, Kemptown on (7.30pm, Thurs 20). The service will be followed by mince pies and mulled wine.

For more information email: brighton.lgcm@ntlworld.com

JEAN DUBUFFET: TRANSITIONS, (Rooms 1517, Feb, 3 2013). The first major review in a UK public gallery for nearly 50 years of the work of the influential artist Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985). The exhibition has been organised with the assistance of the Fondation Dubuffet, Paris and will feature key paintings, drawings and sculptures from collections across France and the UK. Best known as the father of Art Brut (‘raw art’), throughout his life Dubuffet sought out non-professional or self-taught artists that he perceived to be ‘unscathed by artistic culture’. Their work subverted the traditional canon of beauty, and Dubuffet found within them a raw expressive power that was vital to his practice.

RAINBOW CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

ACTUALLY CHRISTMAS The Actually Gay Men's and Actually Gay Women's Chorus’ traditional annual production of TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (7.30pm, Sun 23) is a real highlight of the festive season. Conducted by Amanda Webber, it will be a fun evening with both traditional and more unusual musical choices, featuring both choirs. Twas The Night Before Christmas is at St Andrew's Church, Waterloo Street, Hove, BN3 1AQ. Tickets: £10 available via the Actually website: www.actuallygmc.org

TRANSSEXUAL ELECTRIC RABBIT

The Rainbow Chorus, Brighton's only LGBT-mixed choir perform a seasonal production, BEAUX & BELLES at St George’s Church, Kemptown on (7.30pm, Sat 15). Inspired by their Musical Director, Aneesa Chaudhry, Beaux & Belles promises an evening of festive song, featuring old and new classics from Fairytale of New York and Jingle Bells to Panis Angelicus, laughter and a few surprises. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions), available: www.brownpapertickets.com (booking fee applies) or from choir members and also on the door on the night. For more information visit: www.rainbowchorus.org.uk

9 North Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, www.pallant.org.uk This month at the Pallant House Gallery there is a quartet of exciting concurrent shows.

GWEN JOHN & CELIA PAUL: PAINTERS IN PARALLEL, (Room 4 until Jan 27, 2013).

Work from two of Britain’s most distinctive and respected female artists, Gwen John (1876 –1939) and Celia Paul (b.1959), placed side-by-side for the first time includes key paintings and drawings offering a unique insight into their common experiences and themes bridging almost eight decades. Though separated by over 80 years, the lives and work of Gwen and Celia share many parallels, both students at the Slade School of Art and models/muses to renowned male artists, each went on to express a strongly personal vision that reflected their identity as a woman artist. Their works characterised by an intimate approach, with subjects such as portraits of other women, light-filled interior spaces and quietly still moments depicted with an extraordinary intensity.

CELIA PAUL: MY MOTHER WITH A ROSE

GWEN JOHN: CORNER OF THE ARTIST’S ROOM

PALLANT HOUSE GALLERY

SOLOARIO1967

Carousel, the Brighton-based charity that facilitates people with a learning disability to reach their potential in the arts, are hosting CAROUSEL’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER, a Christmas market fundraiser at the Friends Meeting House, Brighton (noon–4pm, Sat 8). Ideal for a spot of last minute Christmas shopping, with crafts, novelties, decorations and home wares; home-cooked cakes, biscuits and sweets; chutneys and second-hand books, badge making and a lucky dip; plus the Carousel artists will be entertaining shoppers with films and music.

“We want to raise awareness about the fantastic work which is made by local artists with learning disabilities. Enjoy an afternoon of festive delights, handmade goodies and home-baked treats, meet our artists and celebrate their work." Elizabeth Hall, Director of Carousel. For more information view: www.carousel.org.uk

M AT T E R S

SOUL_MATES

CAROUSEL’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER

The MARTLETS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MUSICAL SPECTACULAR (4pm & 7.30pm, Sun 16) at Hove Town Hall.

The Gala, which has raised approximately £150,000 since its inception nine years ago, will feature festive carols and Christmas songs from Brighton Theatre Group, Singing for Pleasure and the Shine Theatre Company. The Martlets need to raise £4 million each year to continue to provide essential services and its only through local support this is achievable.

Tickets are £12.50 from 01273 709709, or book online at: www.brightonticketshop.com For more information view: www.themartlets.org.uk

OUTSIDE IN: NATIONAL (until Feb 3, 2013), is an open-entry exhibition for artists producing work from the edges of society.

The exhibition showcases 80 works selected from over 2,300 pieces submitted to the Outside In: National competition. From substance misusers to self-taught visionaries, the exhibition provides a unique insight into the extraordinary breadth and vitality of work produced by individuals from outside the mainstream art world. Early Art Brut and Outsider artists were primarily psychiatric patients whose work had no relation to the artistic cultural norms of their time. Their work inspired ‘established' artists such as Paul Klee, Pablo Picasso and Ben Nicholson. In recent years, ‘Outsider Art' has often been adopted to describe any artistic activity outside the mainstream, prompting divisions as to the future of the term and debates over whether it does or should continue to exist.

PAT DOUTHWAITE: AN UNCOMPROMISING VISION, (until Feb 3, 2013) is an exhibition focussing on the prints and drawings of the idiosyncratic artist. A glamorous, maverick character, Pat Douthwaite (1934-2002) is often associated with Outsider Art although she exhibited regularly in her lifetime. Selftaught as an artist, she attended classes in mime and modern dance with Margaret Morris, who encouraged her to paint.

GSCENE 57 his musical taste and we’d get drunk and cry and then eat something greasy.

K: She is quite annoying me now….

N: see, I told you – he loves me…!

Do you despair at being called electropop?

N: Ha ha, despair is a bit dramatic! We ponder this; I’m not sure if we really know what we are…

K: We are electronic and I guess we are quite poppy. So maybe electro-pop is fair!

Your new single China Face has a heavier, more club-ready sound than before...

N: It’s been getting some good reviews – it’s more for dancing on podiums than our previous releases. We had some great remixers (Andalo – of Guru Josh Project status and Maringo – Berlin up and coming DJ) come forward for the package so we were very happy about that!

What ideas andlyrical themes are you drawn to?

K: Anything with a twist to it; it’s not always a happy ending you know! We like kinky! ;)…

MOLLYHAUS After stellar performances at Charles Street in Brighton, the gay bars of Berlin and a recent stint at BBC South’s Live Lounge, Anglo-German electro-pop duo Mollyhaus have released Red Shoes, their first EP, full of hook-laden disco-ready nuggets all told with sardonic wit.

Graham Robson caught up with singer Little Neve and her companion, the knob-twiddling K, to discuss music, inspirations and how nightclubbing in the nude is cool in Berlin, as long as you keep your shoes on.

How did Mollyhaus come about?

NEVE: I’m from London, but I live in Worthing now, and K is from Berlin. He was a remixer on one of my previous musical projects, and we loved what he had done, so we started to do more and more together. He creates the music, we write the lyrics and melody, and so Mollyhaus was born!

Describe the dynamics of the duo…

N: I am quite ‘blah blah blah’ and he is more ‘sssh’. But our relationship is fascinating; we discovered we had such a lot in common even though we seem so different. He won’t arm wrestle me though. And he’s not keen on pretzels. That’s just silly.

You’ve played the gay scenes of both Brighton and Berlin; how do they compare?

K: Brighton and Berlin are both very exciting places and we loved to do both.

N: But in Berlin you could wear nothing in a club if you so desire, as long as you wear your shoes (they have no insurance for no shoes, the inspiration for our track Red

Shoes) - I know this because we got off stage, went into another room and found a man with his willy out doing the Macarena.

K: Had his shoes on though, didn’t he!

How was performing at Charles Street for Halloween?

K: Charles Street was great; was a really good night because it was Halloween and people were all dressed up and completely in party mode. We would love to do more in Brighton.

Who, music or otherwise, do you draw inspiration from?

N: We draw influence from such a diverse range of people – K is classically trained so he has written scores for chamber music, but it wouldn’t be unusual to find him writing and remixing for big dance DJs either. I like old stuff; rock and roll, Bowie… Whatever makes my heart beat fast. Anything from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga. Love the Gaga!

You probably wouldn’t find us at the same club because I would annoy him with my musical taste and he would annoy me with

After playing the Live Lounge for BBC Introducing the South, what does the future hold?

N: Playing the Live Lounge was a great experience – what a lovely team there is at the BBC in Brighton, including Kairen, Dan and that Melita Dennett is a feisty one...

We recently shot a video for our track Red Shoes. Anton Rizan and his amazing crew came up with a concept, whisked us off to a secret location in London and we filmed it in a day. It’s currently being edited so we are trying to patiently wait for it to be finished.

K: Who knows what’s around the corner. We just need to keep working hard at it, doing more gigs and writing, as we have been.

Management would be good for us.

N: YES! Management or an agent… and I would dearly like a new hoover…

INFO Producer Mark Angelo Lusardi (Duran Duran, Transvision Vamp, OMD) oversaw the creation of Mollyhaus’ debut EP Red Shoes which features the songs Liar Liar, Widow Maker, Russian Boy, Love Machine and Red Shoes.

The new single China Face forms part of Mollyhaus’ forthcoming second EP Shapeshifter – but you’ll have to wait until after Christmas for that one.

For info on all their UK tour dates, news, and to buy a copy of Red Shoes, please view: www.mollyhausmusic.com To contact Mollyhaus directly or book them for an event please email: info@mollyhausmusic.com

58 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

BY NICK BOSTON

REVIEWS American

composer RENÉ CLAUSEN (b.1953) is perhaps less well-known here than Lauridsen, or the ubiquitous Whitacre, but in fact has a substantial catalogue of choral works, and the latest disc from the Kansas City Chorale, directed by Charles Bruffy, entitled Life And Breath is a great showcase for his work. Many of the texts set will be familiar - compare Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium, or Tavener's The Lamb, for example. Yet this adds to the interest of this collection - whilst Clausen's settings don't necessarily improve on these well-known settings, they do offer a refreshing different take.

The Lamb in particular has a striking luminosity, combined with gentle tenderness. Clausen adds a soprano solo, as in nearly all the pieces on the disc, all sung by highly competent choir members.

Sarah Tannehill deserves special mention for her bell-like solo in the Credo of the Mass for double choir, the most substantial work of the programme. The obligatory use of tone clusters is frequent, but Clausen also includes strong rhythmic interest, and his wordsetting is strong. His interweaving of the well-known Lutheran chorale O Sacred Head, Now Wounded into his other double choir work, O Vos Omnes, is also highly effective. An enjoyable disc, and a choral composer deserving of the exposure and expert advocacy given here by the Kansas City Chorale. Chandos CHSA5105 Mikhail Pletnev has nearly reached the end of his second recorded cycle of TCHAIKOVSKY symphonies with the Russian National Orchestra. With just the Third to come, here is the somewhat less popular Symphony No. 2, the Little Russian. It perhaps doesn't have the intensity or drama of the later symphonies, but there is considerable interest in his use and variation of Ukrainian folk melodies, possibly

The Russian National Orchestra return, this time under Vasily Petrenko to perform the two Violin Concertos by PROKOFIEV, with German violinist, Arabella Steinbacher. Steinbacher produces a beautifully rich tone, and the RNO are once again in fine form.

The concertos are a wonderful combination of full-blooded romanticism and Prokofiev’s characteristic edge of quirky rhythmic sarcasm. Steinbacher has the measure of this – she plays with real lyricism (particularly in the second concerto’s slow movement), yet explodes with energy when required. The second’s Finale feels particularly sparky and edgy. Steinbacher finishes off with Prokofiev’s Sonata for Solo Violin.

Not the most virtuosic of sonatas, it still requires subtle attention if it is not to sound like an academic study. Steinbacher achieves this, and the middle movement Theme and Variations are particularly delicately performed. A delightful close to a successful recording.

PTC 5186395 Musica Contexta have decided to perform WILLIAM BYRD's (c.1540-1623) Great Service set within a possible liturgical setting, as it may or may not have been performed in the

Chaconne CHAN0789 The Tallis Scholars performed in this year’s Brighton Early Music Festival in October.

Their excellent concert included many of the works on their latest CD of music by French composer JEAN MOUTON (c1459-1522), and I’ve been playing their CD ever since. The music has a warmth and smoothness that is totally captivating, and the deep sonorities of the lower voice scorings are unusual and striking. I cannot recommend this recording highly enough – if you want to discover a new composer, expertly performed, this is a definite for the Christmas list. Gimell CDGIM047 For more reviews, comments and events: nicks-classicalnotes.blogspot.co.uk Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk

CONCERTS ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH

BREMF

NOTES

Chapel Royal. This means including motets, anthems and psalm settings, and separating the mass movements out into Matins, Communion and Evensong. They’ve at the expense of overall structure. also introduced instruments to accompany the singers in various This performance is tight, with sections, performed by the exemplary wind and brass playing excellent English Cornett and in particular. The original score Sackbut Ensemble. Their further was composed in 1872, but nod to 'authenticity' is historically Tchaikovsky revised the work in 1880, changing the first movement informed Elizabethan vowel pronunciation. As worthy as the and making cuts to the finale, as dedication to such academic well as reorchestrating the accuracy is, such projects can scherzo. The revised version is most often performed, but Pletnev sometimes collapse under the weight of detail, and there are also includes the original first times where the seriousness of movement here as well. Hearing their endeavours obscures the joy both first movements, one can see of the actual music. However, the why Tchaikovsky made the overall performance standard is changes, although a few strong, and the addition of two interesting ideas were lost in the organ interludes played by Steven process. Nevertheless, this is Devine are a bonus. A well pretty much a faultless executed project, to which one performance, and the recording might return occasionally, but quality is spot on. possibly not for regular listening.

Pentatone PTC5186382

Ann Street, Brighton, box office: 01273 709709 The Sussex Symphony Orchestra are joined by soloists Joanna Appleby, Andrew Rees and Rebekah Smith for a Christmas Spectacular (3pm, Sat 8), with carols and excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite and Handel’s Messiah. www.ssomusic.co.uk BREMF Consort of Voices, directed by Deborah Roberts (7.30pm, Sun 16), perform an atmospheric concert of Renaissance Christmas Vespers. www.bremf.org.uk

BRIGHTON DOME Box office: 01273 709709, www.brightondome.org Brighton Festival Chorus are joined by the Brighton Festival Youth Choir and the London Gala Orchestra, conducted by James Morgan (6pm, Sat 8) for their annual festive mixture of traditional carols and seasonal numbers, as well as a performance of Argentinian composer Ariel Ramírez’s Navidad Nuestra.

Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra perform twice this month. First,

under guest conductor Martin Yates they perform English music by Warlock, Butterworth, Moeran, and Ireland’s Piano Concerto (2.45pm, Sun 9). Then, Stephen Bell conducts their traditional Viennese New Year Concert, with soprano Rebecca Bottone. (2.45pm, Mon 31).

CORN EXCHANGE

HEATH QUARTET

CLASSICAL

Church Road, Brighton, www.stringsattachedmusic.org.uk The Strings Attached chamber music season continues (11am, Sun 16) with the Heath Quartet, performing Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 59

FILM

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

LAURENCE ANYWAYS Dir: Xavier Dolan Stars: Melvil Poupaud, Suzanne Clément, Nathalie Baye Plot: The story of the love between a man and a woman after the man decides to have a sex change.

Word on net: “A well-acted drama about two anguished lovers struggling with their own flaws and an unjust society.” I “A sumptuously orchestrated love story about a transsexual man's decade-long struggle to maintain a passionate romance with his female soulmate in the face of creeping hostility from friends, family and society.” I “Alternately absorbing and grating, with the former ultimately winning out.”

Mikkelsen.” I “A common sense nightmare that's frustrating to endure but the reality of the situation may be spot on.” I “It is rare that a film can make you laugh, cry and shake with fury all at the same time; even rarer when it does so for the right reasons.”

Word on net: “Doherty is doomed to mumble his way through a script that would have left Daniel Day Lewis, at his love-struck best, struggling hopelessly.” I “The role of a beautiful and damned 19th century libertine sounds like a perfect fit for disheveled English rock poet Pete Doherty, but then there's the little matter of being able to act.” I “Considering the

CELESTE & JESSE FOREVER

Dir: Lee Toland Krieger Stars: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Elijah Wood Plot: A divorcing couple tries to not knowing what it wants to be... maintain their friendship while sumptuous shots of the Devon they both pursue other people. countryside are juxtaposed with remarkably cheap-looking Victorian London sets.”

ardour with which Octave pursues Brigitte, director’s decision to drain the production of anything resembling passion is perplexing.”

ALSO OUT...

I GAMBIT is a comedy thriller

written by the Coen brothers in which an art curator decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss Dir: Alain Corneau by conning him into buying a fake Stars: Ludivine Sagnier, Kristin Monet, but his plan requires the Scott Thomas, Patrick Mille help of an eccentric unpredictable Plot: Ruthless executive Christine Word on net: “This potentially brings on Isabelle as her assistant, aggravating comedy remains sweet, Texas rodeo queen. Stars Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz and Alan and takes delight in toying with smart and very enjoyable.” I Rickman. I Clint Eastwood stars the young woman's innocence.

“Delivers an affectionate and in, and directs, baseball drama intelligent look at how even the TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE. The closest couples can find that breaking up is so very hard to do.” director plays an ailing baseball scout in his twilight years who I “A messy film, but every single takes his daughter (Amy Adams) moment is graced with such along for one last recruiting trip. profound emotional authenticity that those issues hardly matter.”

LOVE CRIME MIDNIGHT'S CHILDREN Dir: Deepa Mehta Stars: Satya Bhabha, Shahana Goswami, Rajat Kapoor Plot: Two children born within moments of India gaining independence from Britain, grow up in the country that is nothing like their parent's generation.

Adapted by Salman Rushdie from his novel.

Word on net: “Ghastly, shockingly inept piece of filmmaking.” I “Director slathers proceedings in a haze of period whimsy.” I “World's least essential adaptation... sheds no fresh light on the material.”

GREAT EXPECTATIONS Dir: Mike Newell Stars: Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng Plot: Dickens' classic about a humble orphan suddenly becomes a gentleman with the help of an unknown benefactor.

Word on net: “A passable featurelength adaptation that does little to burnish the estimable screen legacy of a Dickens classic.” I “This adaption has a glossy, superficial feel to it.” I “At best it’s a middle-of-the-road cover version.” I “Suffers greatly from

Word on net: “The two lead performances make it work, even if the plot eventually seems devious for its own sake.” I “It is a bit of dark fun before it turns preposterous and unsatisfying, piffle dressed up in steely sangfroid.” I “This often predictable mash-up of All About Eve, Disclosure and Fatal Attraction is elegantly twisted enough to keep one's mind from wandering.”

THE HUNT Dir: Thomas Vinterberg Stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp Plot: A teacher lives a lonely life, all the while struggling over his son's custody. His life slowly gets better as he finds love and receives good news from his son, but his new luck is about to be brutally shattered by an innocent little lie.

Word on net: “An unsettling psychological drama built around a harrowing performance from Mads

CONFESSION OF A CHILD OF THE CENTURY Dir: Sylvie Verheyde Stars: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Pete Doherty, August Diehl Plot: Paris, 1830: Octave, betrayed by his mistress, sinks into despair and debauchery. His father's death leads him to the country where he meets Brigitte...

I London-set I, ANNA stars

Charlotte Rampling as a femme fatale who falls for the detective in charge of a murder case (Gabriel Byrne).

FILM C O M P E T I T I O N I Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins in THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY. Peter Jackson's follow-up to his Lord of the Rings trilogy also stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch and Cate Blanchett.

To win two tickets to the Odeon Brighton send the answer to the following question to Gscene Competition, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD: What part of a hobbit is particularly hairy?

November Competition: The IT Crowd

60 GSCENE

GEEK

SCENE

BY CRAIG STORRIE

COMICS With so many things happening in comics this year, I thought I would reflect on the best two storylines from both DC Comics and Marvel respectively. Read on and make sure you pick up a trade of these two stunning crossovers:

NIGHT OF THE OWLS Being the first crossover within the DC Universe since the New 52 came about, The Night of Owls delves into the history of Gotham City and turns everything Batman thought he knew on its head. Following Bruce Wayne’s announcement that he will reshape Gotham for the future, the mysterious Court of Owls sentence Wayne to death and despatch their assassin known as The Talon. With the defeat of the assassin, Batman discovers secret rooms hidden within every building funded by the Alan Wayne trust, Bruce’s Great Grandfather. After a deadly rematch with The Talon, Bruce Wayne is kidnapped and spends nine days trapped in a massive labyrinth without food or water. Confronting the Court, Batman spares the Talon’s life, escapes from his prison and declares war on the Court, vowing he will hunt them down. In response, the Court awakens all of their past Talons and releases them on Gotham that very night to utterly destroy the Batman. With so many twists, turns and revelations The Night of the Owls is a fantastic event worthy to stand as one of the best storylines in the past decade. Writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo have been able to create a powerful organisation that can keep Batman on his toes for years to come with its infinite resources and deadly immortal assassins. It is also amazing to see Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman and even Jason Todd rushing to help Batman in any way they can regardless of their history with the dark knight.

AVENGERS VERSES X-MEN An event that has been years in the making, AvX finally provides answers to all the fallout from past storylines such as House of M and Avengers Disassembled. The all-powerful Phoenix Force is heading for Earth looking for its next host, the young mutant “messiah”, Hope Summers. The Avengers think that keeping Hope captive and away from the Phoenix is for the safety of mankind, whereas Cyclops and the XMen believe the Phoenix will be able to restart the mutant race and avoid complete extinction. Even though the event was a slow burner, AvX gained steam with every issue and whilst many of the revelations left a bad taste in my mouth, it was a fantastic event overall. Revelations about Cyclops, the Scarlet Witch and even Jean Grey constantly surprise and shock in order to keep you wanting more. Thankfully most of the tie-in books such as Wolverine and the X-Men; Secret Avengers and Legacy were all consistently amazing as well with beautiful art and writing.

Notable mentions go to: Batman: Death of the Family, Swamp Thing and Animal Man’s on-going DC comic’s crossover Rotworld are fantastic, whilst on the Marvel side Spider-Men and Everything Burns deserve to be read.

GAMES 2012 has been an awesome year for gaming. Not only have we had the release of two new consoles, the PS Vita back in February and the Wii U last month, we have also had an influx of amazing games. As I have already done a piece on the Vita and will be reviewing Nintendo’s Wii U next month, I thought I’d take the time to list my favourite games of the past 12 months that deserve to be on your Christmas lists.

ASSASSINS CREED 3 Following on from Assassins Creed 2 and its two follow up games the time has finally arrived for Assassins Creed 3 to arrive on our consoles.

You are Desmond, the latest in a line of assassins who has been drawn into the ancient battle against their enemies, The Templars. As with previous games the main bulk of the story takes place as (through use of future technology) one of Desmond’s ancestors from a period of history. This time round you are Connor, an assassin trying to battle his enemies on either side of the American Civil War. The brutal backdrop of war helps to further blur the line between ‘good’ and ‘evil’ and as expected the game is beautiful to behold. With stunning animations, massive towns, a vast open world populated with animals to hunt and varying weather conditions it’s a title that will keep you enthralled to the end. Throw in a deep multi-player mode and you have one of the games of the year!

THEATRHYTHM Next up is a game I never thought would be in my top three games of 2012. Using this year’s 25th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise as a spring board, Theatrhythm is basically a love letter to the breathtaking music that is a staple in any Final Fantasy game. You take control of a party of four characters from the series and play through any of the titles from Final Fantasy right up to 2010’s XIII. The ‘games’ are broken into three sections that all play slightly differently: field music, battle music and event music. Completing the stages rewards you with experience which is then used to unlock more characters and music.

With so many stunning tracks, the game is as much a joy to play as it is to watch, with a quirky visual style that actually adds to the magic of the franchise rather than hinder it.

DISHONORED Finally we have Dishonored, a first person stealth action game where freedom is the name of the game. All levels revolve around missionfocused sandboxes themed around 17th century London designed to allow for multiple avenues of exploration. With vastly creative powers and gadgets, stunning sights and sounds plus many RPG elements, it’s a game that rewards constant experimentation and will keep you coming back for more every time!

Notable mentions: Borderlands 2, Guild Wars 2, Gravity Rush, The Walking Dead, Zombi U, New Super Mario Bros U and 2 and Pokemon Black and White 2!

For more reviews see Craig’s blog: http://www.redbarrels.net

GSCENE 61

ARTS

his career and speaking back to his critics. This flawed hero is a significant figure in football, in the story of black people in Britain and in gay history.

BOOKS B Y E R I C PAG E

in love (Mioki). Markus Pfalzgraf is a real afficionado of the colourful genre and he’s compiled a stunning collection, which offers an overview for beginners and also some delightful treasures for those who think they’ve seen it all I ARE YOU MY MOTHER? A COMIC DRAMA by Alison Bechdel (£16.99, Jonathan Cape). A voracious reader, a lover of music (from opera to death metal), a passionate amateur actress, she is I THE BIBLE OF GAY SEX by also a woman, unhappily married Stephan Niederwieser (£19.99, to a closeted gay man, whose Bruno Gmünder). No this isn’t a artistic aspirations simmered under compendium of all the man-onthe surface of Bechdel's man action in the Book of God, childhood... and who stopped although that might be fun, but this is a fully comprehensive A-Z of touching or kissing her daughter gay sex, all the types of coupling, shagging, getting it on, or off, you can imagine and a lot more besides. It’s a thick, juicy book with lots of clear colourful pics and photos which illustrate the suggestions, positions, ideas and explanations talked about in the text. I learnt a few things (and I’ve been around the block so often I’ve worn the corners away) and the book both turned me on and made me think, a good combination. It’s as easy to pick up and flick through as it is to sit down and methodically work your way through it with a lover, or group of goodnight, for ever, when she was seven. Poignantly, hilariously, horned up friends.

Bechdel embarks on a quest for answers concerning the motherSTRIPPED - A STORY OF GAY daughter gulf. The result is a richly COMICS by Markus Pfalzgraf (£29.99, Bruno Gmünder). Comics layered search that leads readers from the fascinating life and work for gay men have become enormously popular within the past of psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott and the novels of Virginia Woolf to couple of years. You can find Bechdel's own adult love life. And, everything from witty and finally, back to Mother - to a truce, humorous (Ralf König) to strong fragile and real-time, that will and hung (Patrick Fillion); from move and astonish all adult cheeky youngsters (Tom Bouden) to adorable twinks who are deeply children of gifted mothers.

I THE DREAM OF DOCTOR BANTAM

by Jeanne Thornton (£12, O/R books). This debut novel is a love story unlike any other, featuring Julie Thatch, a tough as nails, chain-smoking, wise-cracking 17year-old Texan. Her idol, her older sister, jogs headlong into the lights of an approaching car, and dies.

Julie then falls in love with a girl who both is and isn't an echo of her older sister, a long-limbed Francophone named Patrice, who is also a devotee of the Institute of

Temporal Illusions, a church of Scientology-like cult. In Julie Thatch, Thornton has written a character as memorable and compelling as Holden Caufield or Oedipa Maas. She is alternately hilarious, maddening, and enchanting, a fearful and fearless smartass who enlivens every page of this fine novel.

I VERBOTEN by Rex (£49.99, Bruno Gmünder). Forgotten for a long time, the man who shows us the darker shades of gay through ink mosaics was simply too extreme for the mainstream. But now there is a comprehensive collection of the ingenious work of Rex. His gloomy masterpieces lead us into a world full of lust and submission, full of dominance and sexual power.

It’s high time to rediscover this unique artist.

I JUSTIN FASHANU THE

BIOGRAPHY by Jim Read (£14.99, DB Publishing). For over 20 years Justin Fashanu was the only professional footballer in the world who had come out as gay. This first account of his life shows how he survived the bullying of Brian Clough, public rejection by his brother, John, and abuse from the terraces. But it also tells of clubs eager to sign him, support from managers and team mates, and affection from supporters. This meticulously researched book shows Justin to be a complex character, whose life was full of incident, conflict and controversy on and off the pitch. Perhaps the biggest conflict of all was between his beliefs as a born-again Christian and his sexual orientation, one which was still tormenting him in the last hours of his life. Justin was a charming man I THE PROMISCUOUS TRAVELER who became a reluctant pioneer. He by Sebastian V (£10.99, Bruno showed courage in persisting with Gmünder). It’s every gay man’s fantasy to travel the globe in search of sex. One lucky travel writer has done just that, and here he chronicles his diverse encounters while on the road from a man in wet speedos on a Puerto Rican beach, to a uniformed Russian train conductor, from a lonely boy in a Senegalese village, to a naked and smiling Aboriginal in an Australian frontier town.

What he needs are the raw universal physical needs of men beyond the bounds of race or identity, and the fleeting and intangible nature of sex itself.

62 GSCENE BN1 - A Board Game All About Brighton, £40. The game champions the quirky and eccentric side of this unique and occasionally aggravating city. Up to five players battle it out to have the most anecdote-worthy day possible. Available at Cardome, Pussy and local retailers.

SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN

My Tea Pot, £42 (Edited, 3 Gardner St, Brighton, editedbrighton.com) Microwavable Lavender Cuddly Xmas Rabbit, £12.50 (Pussy, 3a Kensington Gardens, Brighton, 01273 604861)

Metal Crown from £15 (This Is Not a Butcher's, 28 Bond St, Brighton, 01273 327796) 2013 Redstone Diary, £17.99 (Pen to Paper, 4 Sydney St, Brighton, 01273 676670) Alessi Xmas Baubles, £14 each (Caz Systems, 17 Church St, Brighton, 01273 326471)

THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (Eureka blu-ray). Carl Theodor Dreyer's silent film focusses on its heroine's trial and execution. It uses contemporary transcripts which showed Joan to be quick-witted when dealing with the inquisition trying her for blasphemy, but also vulnerable and scared. The film concentrates for most of its running time on human faces, mainly Joan's, and is perhaps one of the most remarkable movie experiences I've had. At the film's centre is one of cinema's greatest performances by Maria Falconetti whose representation of Joan is radiant, sublime and simply devastating. Early on in the film the inquisition judge asks her who taught her the Lord's Prayer to which she simply replies "my mother" as a tear rolls down her cheek. It sounds as if it could be mawkish but Falconetti does something that goes beyond mere acting - she seems to radiate some kind of spiritual beauty in every frame she's in.

Cardome have very special Christmas cards, handmade locally, using genuine crystals, glitters, sequins and bows mounted on special boards. A treat this Christmas at £4.30 ea, probably the lowest price in the city. (47a St James’ St, Brighton, 01273 692916, www.cardome.co.uk)

64 GSCENE

SHOPPING WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN

Secret Santa at Prowler (112 St James' St, Brighton, 01273 683680): Duck With a Dick, £4.70; Teddy, £5.25; Mugs from £6.50; Coasters, £2.99; Magnets, £2.99; Films from £7.99; Christmas Cards from £2.50.

BEN COHEN BLUEBUCK SPECIAL EDITION AT PROWLER Having recently launched the new Bluebuck Ben Cohen Special Edition underwear and even more recently the Ben Cohen 2013 calendar at Prowler Soho, the iconic former rugby star always pulls in a major crowd. Brightonians now have the chance to lay their hands on the goods (sadly not the man himself, but the next best thing) at Prowler Brighton (112 St James' St, Brighton, 01273 683680).

Since retiring from rugby, Ben spends much of his time working on his StandUp Foundation, which is devoted to building awareness of the long-term effects of bullying and raising money to help stop it.

Removing homophobia from sports is central to Ben’s mission, and his work with the LGBT community is well known.

The Bluebuck Ben Cohen Special Edition underwear is exclusive to Prowler as a brief (£20), trunk (£22) or boxer (£24), in blue or white. Sizes are small, medium, large and extra large. All Bluebuck underwear is produced from 95% high grade organic cotton and features a strong herringbone waistband, sturdy stitching and a bold antlers logo. The Special Edition underwear bears the Ben Cohen name and every purchase of Bluebuck’s Ben Cohen Special Edition product benefits the antibullying work of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation.

The Ben Cohen 2013 calendar contains truly mouth-watering images, which will keep you well and truly happy throughout the year. Priced at £24.95, it is also now in-store at Prowler Brighton.

COMPETITION One lucky reader has the chance to win a pair of the briefs and a calendar, simply by naming the brand of sexy pants that Ben Cohen has now hooked up with.

Send your answer on a postcard to: Ben Cohen Competition, Gscene Magazine, 111 Western Rd, Hove, BN3 1DD and let us know what size and colour you’d like.

GSCENE 65

CRAIG’S THOUGHTS AFFRAY IN A MANGER OR, WHO GIVES A **** ABOUT TINY TIM? (A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS TALE) BY CRAIG HANLON-SMITH And lo it came to pass that as the festive season lurched towards us once more, Joseph and his Mary were again strapped to the back of that donkey called life heading towards another census. On this occasion the populace were to cast their vote upon their local commissioner of peace (or something), but as not many knew what the hell was going on it was wildly expected to be a bit of a turkey. This was Christmas after all and we all know how that story ends.

One pesky shepherd who had always been a bit of a jester had recently died, and although mourned by many, in death, shame was heaped upon him from upon high. It transpired that the old boot had spent much of his life dogging the sheep and so the populace quickly turned against him. This seemed a little rich as not only had the old shepherd been granted carte blanche to wanderlust the fields as he might, much of the O Little Town Of Bethlehem had actually taken their lambs to him in person, and those who lived further afield had written to the old shepherd asking if he might fix it for them to rub mince pies onto Santa’s bottom whilst drinking eggnog on a roller-coaster and other such humorous japes.

One might suggest we could have seen this coming. As with most heinous crimes it was expected that this would all soon blow over, after all it is probably acceptable to screw the sheep if they’re dead first right? And if not, then provided this had only ever taken place on the premises of an organisation funded by the tax payer we could get the new peace commissioner to sort it out.

Sheep dipping aside, the census festive period found the populace generally to be in a positive place as much had occurred to unite one and all together in an annus marvellossos. The wise men of the land had even allowed a crazy black woman to hoola-hoop for the Queen, and both men and women in lycra jump suits were celebrated up and down the land, even if they didn’t have any real legs; which was progress.

Meanwhile, less fortunates across the land who were not only without legs but also without international corporate athletic sponsorship, had their benefits and tax breaks axed and were given a push in their wheelchairs towards a future of uncertainty and confiscated freedom passes. The minister for disabilities and equality was not available to comment as she had been moved to drains, the minister for drains had been moved to health, and the minister for health had just been moved.

The mayor of our festive town took credit for most of it (but only the good bits) and was last seen bobbing around the Thames Estuary on an inflatable dinghy in the shape of an airplane whilst singing Jerusalem.

Joseph and his Mary meanwhile were struggling to find accommodation as although all the inns were legally obliged to offer the pair whatever rooms were available, their addresses had been publicised on Twitter and their safety compromised, but as there was at this time no commissioner of peace in post, this was not thought to be an offence in itself and so the stupid queers would have to make do with a stable.

After all, they did like to have their back barn doors blown open by pretty much any old mule and so probably deserved it. #justsaying #freedomofspeech.

You may notice that in the midst of all this social and political furore the Archangel Gabriel was nowhere to be seen and neither were his mates. They had lost their jobs in a local council restructure in favour of a cycle path that nobody liked, wanted, needed nor used. Still, this was better than a fleet of wind turbines off the coast of Newhaven; who are we kidding? The populace of Newhaven was desperate for something to look at other than its god awful neighbours. And yes I know that’s not very Christian but in this story the Christ child has not even been born yet so give me a break.

Meanwhile in a far off distant land, where many of the populace thought they had invented Jesus, two great Kings battled for supremacy over the known world. This was a census that really mattered and although it was known in our hearts which king should win, the colour of his skin brought terror to great swathes of mankind and probably women too; and what’s more if you said his name whilst drunk and stuffed marshmallows in your mouth it sounded too much like ‘ a – bummer’. He was therefore not to be trusted as he might spend the next year killing first borns and he did after all have racial links to the jungle.

The second King wannabe was a God fearing man and who didn’t like abortions which was always a vote winner amongst the white, I mean, righteous people. Abortions are indeed bad. Just think if Mary had been offered an abortion, we might never have had to endure Chris Moyles and Melanie C in Jesus Christ Superstar.

At the eleventh hour a great storm raged across the far and distant land, killing little people and filling tunnels with water. These freak weather conditions had little to do with a scientific clash of storm fronts or the trend for global warming, as many in the far off land believed that science bore no relation to the creation of the world and all events were indeed the will of God (Except 9/11 as this was the will of the wrong God).

And so the righteous God saw that the storm was a good and pious punishment upon the state of New York for allowing Joseph and his Mary to be married, which was more than the Kings of their homeland allowed despite years of empty promise. Still God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Let Nothing You Dismay.

What’s another year...

66 GSCENE

SHARP WORDS HOLD THE LINE DEL SHARP ON THE CURIOUS COMPANY OF COLD CALLERS Sharp Words is tottering very slowly to the end of her already weakening tether. The phone will just not stop ringing. They’re after me that’s all I can say, from all continents at all times of the day and I can’t stop it. I answer the phone.

It’s all because I used to do the same horrible job, cold calling people at home to ask ridiculous questions, and I didn’t get work for the next day if I couldn’t meet my target. I well remember the abuse I got and embarrassment I felt at disturbing people and desperation at trying to achieve a completed survey which of course never did last just the two minutes I claimed it would. So now, just because I can’t bear to not answer their questions, because I feel sorry for them having an even worse job than I do, I’m at their mercy every day. The landline rings, the mobile rings and I’m compelled to answer, not through any altruistic leanings, it’s just guilt.

Only this week I’ve spent a tortuous twenty minutes answering questions about cars. I don’t drive, so on a scale from zero to ten regarding car manufacturer image and whether or how I would like them more or not or less if they had a better this or that, I have no idea. The same goes for environmental impact on engine size. Well I only know the engines go at the front, so again, I’m a bit clueless.

I stuck at five for everything, encouraged by the relieved voice from so many miles away to my increasingly monosyllabic responses.

Also recently I have had Martin, from a Leeds call centre, who falters so much over his script telling me about the postcode lottery that I really should be a part of that I instantly take off my jacket and put the empty shopping bag down. I listen as he stumbles through questions about my health, welfare and the weather. The comments on how nice it would be not to be working and how wonderful it would be to suddenly have many thousands of pounds and get the dream kitchen I have always wanted. (Actually Martin I never said this, but my dream kitchen would be the one that I have only a lot cleaner.

Never mind the Smeg fridge and Aga, I just don’t have the room).

“I fret that he’ll lose his commission or even his job and then when he stops calling I feel relieved yet slightly, well... slighted” But of course I didn’t want Martin to think that I was a dirty slattern so I didn’t mention that and I relent and promise to look it up online.

He’s glad but it’s not enough. He promises to call me back to check if I want a free ticket. I thankfully have the number and remember to ignore it until the next time.

I feel mean when I ignore the calls but I know I can’t afford to arrange another payment in addition to the organisations that I have actually chosen to make payments to. I know that weak willed as I am, I will end up doing exactly that and then furtively cancel shortly afterwards. Well I talked to him for eleven minutes, isn’t that enough?

I fret that he’ll lose his commission or even his job and then when he stops calling I feel relieved yet slightly well... slighted.

The PPI calls are increasing too. No longer can I say that I never took it out because now they have a new tack. They tell me conspiratorially that I may have been paying without knowing.

Now I know pretty much what I’ve paid out for over the years and certainly don’t think I’ve ever paid what I shouldn’t have for anything, but I can’t argue. I tell them to check if they want and call me back. More calls to ignore.

But you see I feel that this is an even worse job than those survey ones are, and still I want to help. Email is just so much better. I’m bombarded by the PPI people and endless others besides, but the filter on my email account ensures they go to the junk email inbox.

Now I never open them because I’m fearful of what might happen... a terrible virus, a Trojan horse, who knows? I just look at the headers and they all seem to be offering pills for something or other.

Well I have enough already - they get me up and out of the door of a morning at least - but pills that promise a bigger girth? Well I’m managing that quite well on my own really. I would perhaps open one that promised to decrease it.

“Pills that promise a bigger girth?

Well I’m managing that quite well on my own really” Then yesterday I was called yet again by someone urging me that my computer wasn’t working to optimum capacity. Like a Stepford wife I trudged to the laptop and feebly typed in what I was told.

I apologised profusely when I misspelled the instruction and got scolded. Finally, on the third attempt, I came to my senses and said I was far too busy to carry on, desperate to get rid but too polite to be rude. Glumly I know that he will call me back.

I do know that you can stop these phone calls by registering on some “leave me alone” special thing somehow but I just haven’t done it yet. Maybe I vaguely want to make someone’s day a tiny bit easier by helping them in a job that they must hate, or maybe I actually like to hear my phone ring sometimes and someone ask for me. I have to choose. On a scale from one to ten, of course I’ll go for five.

GSCENE 67

GAY

WALL’S

WORDS

WISDOM

BY MIKE WALL

BY GAY SOCRATES

JESUS IS GAY

A POEM INSPIRED BY THE POET JAMES BROUGHTON AND THE LOVESPIRIT SPIRITUAL MOVEMENT

Yes, you heard it here first! Probably not, as I’m sure there have been jokes for years, but I thought as it’s Christmas soon, let’s explore this again. Well it seems obvious to first discuss the fact that Jesus was a bloke who liked to hang about with a group of men. Many people say that he had a very close relationship with one of them, John. Apparently when Jesus was on the cross, he exclaimed to his mother to take John as her son.

LoveSpirit The Love that once I sought-I am become!

Universal Spirit my lover is!

The Beloved I am!

Legion my beloveds are!

Jesus said to his mother, who was standing by the disciple whom he loved, "Woman, behold your son". Then he said to the disciple, "Behold your mother". And from that hour, John took Jesus’ mother into his family.

Seek not I to be-loved To become a lover my goal is Unrequited love’s lesson: “Expect not your love to be requited Love thrives not In the confines of exclusivity Universalise your love!”

I think you will agree that this was probably a good time to come out to your mother. She is hardly going to freak out when you are just about to die. Also, she was probably quite pleased to have a ‘daughter’-in-law to look after her in her old age.

Love follows not The rules of investment banking Give without reservation The returns will be interesting!

MUSHROOM

Jesus was also known to have loved John in a ‘special way’. At five different times in the Bible, John referred to himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. At meals he was to be found resting his head on John’s breast. In fact at the last supper the disciple is said to have laid himself on Jesus’ inner tunic – his under garment. John was always at Jesus’ side, wherever you found Jesus, John was not far behind. It all adds up - Jesus was family. Jesus didn’t just know Dorothy, he was Dorothy.

LoveSpirit was formed by a group of queer people who sought a space where LGBT spiritual explorers could meet and share their journeys. It is a non-profit registered company led by a small team of volunteers called the Queer Steer with the help of a large diverse group of generous people. LoveSpirit embraces all individual spiritual paths, doesn’t advocate any particular approach and believes that by bringing diverse beliefs together and sharing ideas we gain strength, build community and promote love and peace.

Check out LoveSpirit at http://lovespirit.org/

“It all adds up - Jesus was family.

Jesus didn’t just know Dorothy, he was Dorothy” I believe that this poor man was probably the most famous closeted person in the world. I think that the only reason why it is assumed that he was straight is because the Bible was mainly studied and interpreted by straight people.

To sum it up, I think we can now review the facts: • He liked to hang about with men • He never married • He preached about love • He was very good to his mother • He liked to party (water onto wine! Hmmm) • He liked to entertain and do tricks • He was a bit of a drama queen (kicking folk out of temples) So there it is. While you are sitting down to Christmas lunch just spare a few moments to think of a very famous gay man that was born over 2,000 years ago.

THE BED

The Bible is purely what you make it. If you choose to read it through the eyes of a heterosexual, it would not even enter your head to contemplate Jesus was anything but straight. However, through homosexual eyes, you may see the ‘signals’ and think, yes he was gay. The fact that Jesus never actually spoke about homosexuality is in itself a firm confirmation that he did not condemn it. He never ceased to have a rant about almost everything else so why did he not have a view about this? Seems strange, doesn’t it?

James Broughton (1913–1999) was an American poet and poetic filmmaker and was part of the San Francisco Renaissance. He was an early bard of the Radical Faeries as well as a charter member of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence serving her community as Sister Sermonetta.

He spent time in Europe during the 1950s, where he received an award in Cannes from Jean Cocteau for the "poetic fantasy" of his film The Pleasure Garden, which was made in England with partner Kermit Sheets and featured Hattie Jacques, Lindsay Anderson and John le Mesurier.

In 1967’s ‘summer of love’, Broughton made a film, The Bed, a celebration of the dance of life which broke taboos against frontal nudity and won prizes at many film festivals.

He developed a great following, especially among students at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he taught film and artistic ritual. His work is regarded as quintessentially Californian, exploring and engaging the polar frontiers of wildness and civility, male and female, body and spirit.

68 GSCENE

KEITH SHARPE ALL INCLUSIVE WHY DOES CHRISTMAS MATTER? ASKS DR KEITH SHARPE, CHANGING ATTITUDE SUSSEX For most of us nowadays Christmas matters because it is a holiday, a break from work and the usual routine, a chance to meet up with family and friends and enjoy ourselves. Also it is the one holiday everyone takes at the same time so the fun and excitement are shared communally.

It is customary now to lament the tackiness of Christmas – all the baubles and bangles and general yuletide paraphernalia that start appearing in the shops in far too early November. And some Christians now enjoy a good moan about how nobody understands the real meaning of Christmas anymore, which should be about celebrating the birth of the Christ child.

I think both of these lamentations are mistaken and unnecessary.

However cheesy, the characteristic Christmas displays do create a communal atmosphere that does indeed remind people of why Christmas matters. In their own way modern people do have a sense that Christmas is good news, brings good cheer and engenders goodwill to all. People generally are more caring towards one another, do show more concern for their fellow men and women, and do want others to thrive and be happy.

It may be true that in present day society fewer individuals have a detailed knowledge of the scriptures and could give a full account of the Gospel narrative of Jesus’ birth. But why is this? I would argue that to a large extent the Christian churches have only themselves to blame. It is very fashionable for them to claim that they are persecuted for their beliefs. Actually when you ask them to give evidence to support this assertion it nearly always turns into a complaint that they are no longer allowed to discriminate against gay people. Their heroes are people like the woman registrar sacked because she refused to obey the law and conduct same-sex civil partnerships or the B&B owners who were prosecuted for refusing to allow a same-sex couple to share a double bed.

The point of the New Testament Gospel miracle stories is not to show how kind Jesus was to individuals, or what a wizard magician he was.

Their real significance is that they show the Son of God going round and systematically undoing all of the prohibitions and condemnations of the Old Testament. In this way he is unequivocally telling people that God does not exclude. He includes everybody, and he identifies especially with the poor, the despised and the marginalised. We are all God’s children. And this is why Christmas matters: this is really good news and we celebrate its arrival.

It does really look as if ordinary people outside the Church have really got this message and sadly too many people inside the Church have not.

This is the point of all those carols we sing. They are all variations on the theme: love came down at Christmas.

Old Testament Christians just don’t get it, and especially they don’t get it when it’s about gay love. Jeffrey John told what happened when he asked one vicar about gay love. Long pause. Then the reply: “Well Jeffrey my boy, I suppose we must try to keep an open mind about the whole filthy business”. Why is straight love not ‘filthy’? Of course the point is that neither type of love is. The message of Christmas is very clear: gay and straight love are of equal worth, equally precious, and can be equally holy.

“Too much of the rhetoric which church leaders come out with sounds nasty and ugly, and seeks to exclude rather than include” The Church of England, in its mean spirited, dismal and depressing response to the Government’s consultation on equal marriage, described gay marriage as a ‘hollowed out’ version of the real, heterosexual marriage. In other words there is some missing component in a gay marriage which only opposite sex marriages have.

Well what exactly? Fertility? No, the Church is quite happy to marry infertile straight couples. Child rearing? No, the Church is quite happy to marry fertile couples who have no intention of raising children. Long term commitment? No, many straight marriages don’t last and many gay relationships do. The truth is there is no missing component. This is sheer prejudice, nasty and ugly.

What the Church should be doing is preaching the love of Christ come down at Christmas for the good of all humankind. Jeffrey John comments: “The Church possesses a gospel for gay people, but it cannot speak it openly to those who most need to hear. It cares too much about its own institutional politics to care about this large section of God’s people. In order to appease its own extremists here and abroad, it demands exemptions from equality and human rights legislation that everyone else accepts as common decency.”

If you go to church this Christmas make sure your vicar understands why it matters, won’t you!

Too much of the rhetoric which church leaders come out with sounds nasty and ugly, and seeks to exclude rather than include. Too often they invoke the harsh judgmentalism of the Old Testament rather than the compassionate inclusivity of the New. And in this way it is they, rather than ordinary people, who fail to understand the true meaning of Christmas and why it matters. There is no point in being able to quote chapter and verse of the Bible if you have no idea what it means for real human beings living in the here and now.

OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCHES

In his recent address to Changing Attitude Sussex, Dr Jeffrey John, explained how all Jesus’ miracles which are reported in the New Testament bear witness to the radical inclusivity of God. The Old Testament condemns whole swathes of people as unclean: lepers, the mentally ill, menstruating women, the blind, the disabled, the gentiles, the demon possessed, and of course famously in Leviticus, homosexuals.

They are to be excluded and in many cases executed.

CAROL SERVICE

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. For more info please visit www.changingattitudesussex.com and www.thegaygospels.com

Please do come to the joint CA Sussex and Brighton & Hove LGCM Carol Service on Thursday, December 20 at 7.30pm at St George’s Church, St George’s Road, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1ED. There will be mulled wine and mince pies. Great fun. Everyone welcome.

GSCENE 69

TWISTED

GILDED GHETTO

CHOIR

BY ERIC PAGE

BOYS

DRAGON-IT-ABOUT

A UNITED CHRISTMAS

Once upon a time, there lived an old Welsh Dragon, his name was Y Ddraig Goch, which roughly meant Sliverscales. He’d seen it all, had watched the world change and grow, the fairy folk replaced with the humans and their endless hunger for food and land and now had watched the last of his race melt into the Caves of Oblivion, too bored to dragon-it-about anymore and doge the huge utterly graceless flying machines of the pesky hairless monkeys. He was the last of his kind.

We practice in a church. It never sits completely well with me us being in this house of Jesus, if I’m honest. Churches (as I recall them) aren’t exactly places for gays to walk in and out of with no care in the world, let alone a group of 50 or so gay men, the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, joyfully practicing carols for our upcoming big Christmas show at the Brighton Dome!

He was picking the remains of a knight out of his front fangs one evening, while toasting a rather fat drag queen on his gilded claw, artfully shooting flame out of one nostril, musing on what a good idea it had been to drop that lot of crusaders into the glacier to keep fresh in case they ever run out when he saw a quick sleek movement on the edge of his pin sharp vision.

It had been a long time since he’d had a visitor and this one padded softly and stealthy around the edges of his cave. He slowly moved one huge eye in the direction of the movement and saw a lean wolf, noble and rather good-looking too. He popped the nicely toasted drag artiste down onto the stone table in front of him and slid back into the cave.

As he knew it would, the wolf sniffed the air and carefully, craftily crept closer. Just as the large sleek jaws were about to bite the dragon announced itself, which if you’re unfamiliar with the calling cards of dragons consists of large amounts of smoke, an infernal clattering of scales which sound like a large glass skyscraper full of percussionists in an earthquake and a polite cough.

“Evening”, said the Dragon. The Wolf looked up, rather surprised.

“I thought you lot were mythical?” it said. The Dragon shrugged, laughed and told the Wolf there was more than enough to go round and he was welcome to join him. The Wolf, licking his chops, introduced himself. “Bom Dia”, he said with a deep, resonant, continental accent, “I am Lobos, the last wolf from the Mirandese plains of Portugal.”

They tucked into dinner and traded stories of travels. Lobos explained how he had been hunted out of Portugal, had found an old glass box, pretended to be a stuffed exhibit, squeezed into a shipping container bound for America but had ended up in Swansea. The snow fell and the stars silently blazed in the sky above them. It was the bleak mid-winter; the earth was as hard as a Morphy Richards. Lobos asked the dragon if he had heard of the Baby Cheeses that the ‘umans were talking about so much. They all seemed very excited about this baby cheeses. The Dragon said he hadn’t but had seen Lorraine Kelly one night in IKEA, the Wolf nodded sagely.

“I was thinking of visiting Tibet later and catching up with Nelson, the last Yeti if you fancy joining me?” said the Dragon. Lobos smiled, it has been a long time since he had a friend and he had a good feeling about this dragon, even if he couldn’t pronounce his name.

“I’d love to”, he said. “Good!” said Y Ddraig Goch, ”let’s go”. He wrapped his huge talons around Lobos’s sleek waist and unfurled his vast wings, beating them, the scales glittered fiercely in the moonlight and the snow flurried as they took to the air. Without looking back they soared into the night, smiling, being exquisite and never explaining.

BY MIKE TIETZ

You should know that there was a time I did try it, with Jesus, in my teens. There was all that “no lying with another man”, and those sins of the flesh, and eternal hellfire and brimstone that I couldn’t quite get my head around. I’d pray, in earnest, every night that he would make ‘these feelings’ go away; please Lord, let me not be gay! However, it turned out Jesus had other plans.

Eventually, perhaps the most religious experience I ever had was the glorious day when finally it dawned on me that “hey, maybe this is not bad, and not so wrong. In fact, maybe this is exactly who I’m meant to be, and it’s just perfect that way!”

But do we gay men really belong here in Church? Is there a place for us in the house of God, and should I really be standing on that stage at the Dome singing O Little Town of Bethlehem?

I spent last Christmas with my family - my parents, sister and brother-in-law, all of them fairly devout Christians. Whilst it came easy to offer to stay at home and start the turkey and trimmings whilst they went to midnight mass, I did join them for the next day’s service. After all, a choir boy never misses an opportunity to belt out his best Oh Come All Ye Faithful!

“I’d pray, in earnest, every night that he would make ‘these feelings’ go away” Did I feel entirely comfortable there? No. Homosexuality and religion don’t necessarily mix easily, and I have had hefty debates with my sister when it comes to gay marriage, and those bits in Romans, and whether or not Jesus wouldn’t come back these days and say, “No Benedict! That’s NOT what I meant!”

And yet I can’t help feeling a certain way when it’s Christmas.

Maybe not just because a child was born but because, like the rest of my family, I enjoy spending this time with loved ones, be it my family or those that I have come to love just as much.

I made the choice to discard the verses of the Bible that tell me the way I love is wrong, but I’ll take the verse that tells me this is a special time, because it can, and it should be, for everyone, Christian or not. And you know what? I think Jesus would be just fine with that.

If you'd like more information about Brighton Gay Men's Chorus, including details of their Christmas show Pull A Cracker at the Brighton Dome on December 15, please visit www.brightongmc.org.

70 GSCENE

CHARLIE SAYS FIGHTING DIRTY RELIGION SCHMIDGEON

BY CHARLIE BAUER PhD

once mentioned the rights of a lesbian, gay man or anyone within the wider community.

Fantastically, it all changed when that last state fell and the red centre was strangled by the beautiful blue democratic coastal waters of American sanity. Obama made his speech and there it was, vocalised, “Every man or woman, black or white, gay or straight…”

It will already be over by now. But just remember one thing: NO BLACKS ALLOWED (Until 1978); NO GAYS ALLOWED (Forever)

You see, only then could he say the G word. The G word which destroys and divides everyone, the G word that can be still openly despised within the Christian and secular cultures collectively, whether they be white, black, Hispanic or anyone else. See, even the President of the United States has to take the oath before he can publicly vow to represent the gay community.

That’s Mitt Romney’s Mormonism for you. Why, after how many years of a struggle where the finest, most eloquent and bravest of black political thinkers sacrificed their very beings for reform, did a Christian sect not admit black lay worshippers or priests into the fold until the late 1970s? Think of it another way, the Osmonds were well and truly finished and into recovery, before a member of the Jackson 5 would have been allowed inside a Mormon temple. Not that I would expect Christianity to be anything but segregated.

However, Obama as president can never be seen to be representing one community over another. Christians in positions of power will and often do, because it all falls under the aegis of religion. Obama comes from one of the most openly oppressed racial groups in history but has to represent so much more. Of course like everywhere else, homophobia exists within the black religious as well as secular communities (hello, rap?). But when, as the first black presidential candidate, Obama had to hold the queer game plan very close to his chest he did it brilliantly.

The issues here are that Romney is yet to announce that his religion will or will not influence his presidency if he wins. If he’s sane, he’ll have to lie and say that it wont. But he’s keeping dangerously, schtum.

However, since apparently one in ten Mormons isn’t gay, it shouldn’t make that much difference.

The issue now is with the open homophobia that festers within the Christian Court of Romney. Obama would be a hypocrite if he were to make any of his opposition based around the cultural beliefs of his opponent. This lack of fight has cost team Obama, dearly. As a black president he cannot criticise anyone based on the make up of his or her culture or cultural choices, and here’s where religion scores points and walks away unchecked.

A long time ago, way before I was born, (I love saying that) a man called President Kennedy was forced to make a public declaration that he would not use any papal leaning or doctrine should he be elected to office. He answered in no uncertain terms that he fully supported the separation of all religion, including his own Catholicism, from the government.

“The idea of having a president who is a part of cult, which is what Mormonism actually is, scares the bejesus out of my damaged little soul” There was to be no direct line from the Vatican to the White House.

While Catholicism leaves me cold, angry and scared of those vampire priests (injecting with fangs of guilt and sin), the idea of having a president who is a part of cult, which is what Mormonism actually is, scares the bejesus out of my damaged little soul.

One viewpoint is that Obama has a serious handicap in this election race and in some quarters it appears that he has well and truly shot himself in the foot. Four years ago he had to be very guarded and stand tall as the opposition waved the race card in his face. He had no choice but to uphold a constant level of dignity. If ever there was to be a president with a shackle still firmly in place it had to be the first black president. He had to be cleaner than clean and not lower himself to the petty tactics of pulling apart his opponent based on ‘personal’ issues during the candidates’ debate.

I trusted in Obama from the minute I heard him speak. I knew when he spoke of the representation of everyone that he meant the gays too, but I knew that it would be political suicide for him to even mention the G word. The US was hot on the ‘Don’t ask don’t tell’ and Proposition 8 debates and it would be political suicide for Obama to upset any God-bothering voters. Even I wondered what was going on – he’d slagged the British colonialists off at the Berlin address, yet never

It’s like a Rabbi and a Gestapo officer stuck in a room without anybody being able to mention the obvious. Obama is powerless to use Romney’s restrictive and oppressive Mormonism against him. So Romney is protected in how he will implicate his Christian ‘ethics’ if he were to be elected president. If only it were a constitutional matter.

Oh well.

Obama making slurs on people’s backgrounds is seen as wrong while Romney continues to do just that. Previously, a candidate would have brought up an opponent’s faith, as with Kennedy. Obama cannot, and has not, brought up that Romney is member of a cult.

The head-count so far: Obama (Protestant) Romney (Mormon) Biden (Catholic) Ryan (Catholic) Is it time to send in the lions?

GSCENE 71

CANADA

DRY

BY ADAM HIGHWAY

DOES JESUS HAVE A PLACE IN MY HEART? And so man* created gods in his image. Unfortunately, that image is a jealous, violent, ill-educated, petty, belligerent, cruel and evil one. Not the better angels of our nature by any means.

Am I being unfair? Intemperate? I don’t think so… I can think of nothing that has caused more misery, suffering, hatred, distress, death or disfigurement in the whole of human history. Religion has not just permitted, but required; slavery, objectification of women, vilification of those of other or no religion, wars of aggression, loathing, ethnic cleansing, beating and murder of homosexuals, beating and subjugation of children, racism, cruel – nay criminal – mutilation of genitalia, xenophobia… the list is practically endless. No other aberration of reason and humanity can make such expansive and loathsome claims.

Born in the time of our utter ignorance of everything, offering facile (and fraudulent) claims to answer the difficult questions of existence, presenting false, shallow solace to those who are in pain, salving the pricked ego of those who’ve considered the possibility of ‘no more me’, religion has absolutely nothing going for it, save vague concepts of tradition, comfort and respect.

The litany is near endless. Religion makes its hay by valuing and prizing ignorance, eschewing reason and the search for knowledge, refusing to acknowledge that it is a world view, and making pseudofactual claims about, well, everything and that as such it should be subject to the same evaluation of the evidence as any other such world view. Those of us who adhere to the view that, actually, no, if you believe in the power of intercessory prayer, or that the mind is separate from the brain, or that there is a ‘part’ of you which continues after death, or that evolution is inaccurate, or that the earth is about 6,000 years old, then such beliefs should be challengeable (and challenged!) and tested are told that we are being disrespectful.

Why, yes. Yes, yes we are. Utterly disrespectful. So… what? I suffer at the hands of the brainless being disrespectful towards me; I’m a gay atheist – while there are certainly groups who suffer more disrespect, nonetheless I receive more than sufficient denigration from the religious. Which is their right; I may – and of course do – disagree with their beliefs and attitudes, but their right to hold their pernicious, antediluvian views is something I hold nearly sacred. As is my right to challenge it. Why the road doesn’t run two ways, I do not understand.

Or, perhaps I do. My views stand up to scrutiny, and I am able to defend them using logic; the corollary being that I will change my views if the evidence requires it. The views of the religious are nothing more than wishes and hopes, Will O’ The Wisp fantasies, castles of credulity, precariously balanced upon foundations of faith. As such, there are no arguments which can reasonably be brought to bear. There is no logical recourse for faith, belief, religion.

“In the USA, otherwise normal Americans shoot and kill doctors in the name of the sanctity of life” Perhaps the greatest mind of recent time speaking on the issue of religion and its maleficent influence in and on the world was, now sadly the late, Christopher Hitchens. A couple of his quotes may serve in a few words to state what I’ve tried to say in many: “I am absolutely convinced that the main source of hatred in the world is religion, and organised religion.”

“Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.”

“Take the risk of thinking for yourself, much more happiness, truth, beauty, and wisdom will come to you that way.”

My own modest attempt at a pithy epithet: “Religion is the single greatest crime we have committed against ourselves.”

The Roman Catholic Church has been accused of covering up a paedophile ring; it’s only the mantle of religion, claiming as it does incomparable privilege and exemptions, which prevents the punishment of these crimes. (1) Meanwhile, those Muslims calling for the death of (admittedly rather bad) filmmakers and their supporters, stoning gays, throwing acid into the faces of women – nay, girls – ‘suspected’ of looking at men in the ‘wrong’ way, baying for the death of people who do nothing more than draw pictures, wallowing in their sheer pig-ignorance, are barely more than animals by using their ‘shield of faith’ which requires we respect their beliefs. (2) In the USA, otherwise normal Americans who shoot and kill doctors in the name of the sanctity of life, previously loving parents who throw out their own children as being ‘better dead than gay’, a credible candidate for the presidency who believes in magic underwear and that Native Americans are a lost tribe of Israel (while an atheist is nigh unelectable); these bizarre, illogical conditions couldn’t exist absent the entrenched, privileged position of religion!

So, to conclude, no, ‘jesus’ most assuredly does not have a place in my heart, and religion can take a long walk of a non-existent pier; you can take ‘Christmas’ and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine; I’ll see my family around that time, because it’s nice to do so, and let’s face it, there’s nothing else to do anyway. But, religion? Keep the fairy tales for the children, and let’s all grow the f*ck up. *Sexist pronoun excused on basis of poetic requirement.

1:http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/13/popeprosecution-dawkins http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/sep/11/pope-vatican-abusegeoffrey-robertson http://old.richarddawkins.net/articles/5409-ap-exclusive-future-popestalled-pedophile-case 2: http://www.examiner.com/article/pakistani-parents-throw-acid-on-theface-of-daughter http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17676542 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/lebanon/95496 64/Fatwa-issued-against-Innocence-of-Muslims-film-producer.html

GSCENE 72 GSCENE 72

JAQ’S MONTHLY PRETTY FRUITLESS JAQ BAYLES ASKS WHETHER TRUE EQUALITY WITHIN THE CHURCH CAN EVER BE ACHIEVED Imagine my delight and gratitude on hearing that the new Archbishop of Canterbury is pro-women bishops. Such radical thinking. The mere suggestion that women could hold a position of such meaning within the hallowed bastions of the Church of England has, in the past, been enough to send many a Right Reverend running to the arms of Catholicism faster than an altar boy from a cassocked figure lurking in the cloisters.

At the time of writing, the Church of England's General Synod was a week away from taking an historic vote on the ordination of women bishops and the new Archbishop, old-Etonian and former oil executive Justin Welby, has made much of his support for this change.

Well bully for him. But does he really have much choice? The misogynism of most organised religions in the West has been under siege for so long now that any new bossman surely needs to at least be seen to caving into the demands of the right-thinking modern world. Then again, the Church is, literally, a law unto itself and still harbours many members who would prefer that women just got back into the kitchen, got on with the job of child-rearing and left the real work to the men.

You may have spotted that my use of the words ‘delight’ and ‘gratitude’ here were sarcasm. While I respect anybody’s right to believe in whatever higher power they choose, I am no fan of organised religion in any respect, and would simply ignore its existence if it didn’t anger me so much.

“The Church still harbours many members who would prefer that women got back into the kitchen, got on with the job of child-rearing and left the real work to the men” But, beyond the fact that the Church (and I’m generalising here) still treats women as second-class citizens (even if that women bishops vote goes the way Welby hopes, I suspect the continuing opposition will mean nothing much will change for quite some time), it astonishes me that gay people can continue to align themselves with any institution that refuses to recognise their basic human rights.

Welby may want to welcome women bishops with open arms but his stance on gay marriage is the opposite. And his colleague, Scotland’s Cardinal Keith O'Brien, earned himself Stonewall’s Bigot of the Year award for his assertion that the proposal for same-sex marriage represented a “grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right”, adding, for good measure, that same-sex partnerships were “harmful to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of those involved”. How is this guy still even allowed to hold office? The answer to that question is simple – many in his branch of religion agree with him. And many gay people continue to attend Catholic Church, despite such appalling ‘leadership’.

As a child I was always being packed off to various church-related institutions; first Sunday School, then something called Young Missionaries (not a position I’d wish on anyone) and, of course, church itself, where Sunday mornings were spent shivering through interminable sermons and dirgy hymns. There were also some sort of Bible studies which I had to go through before having a confirmation (for which my mother crocheted me a white dress. That’s right.

Crocheted. I pray no photographic evidence still exists). None of this had anything to do with my parents being particularly religious – it was a way of getting us kids out of the house and providing them with a few precious hours of peace and quiet. Maybe this is the root of my ill-regard for religion.

I didn’t get the Bible. I thought it had some good stories, but not as good as the myths and legends of ancient Rome and Greece, which were all much more exciting (if a tad gruesome, but then, I like gruesome). It also seemed much more of a democracy. I far preferred the idea of lots of deities with a particular expertise, each managing their own particular constituencies – the oceans, the sun, the earth, the rivers, the woods – than of one homogenous power lording it over all (imagine a universal David Cameron).

Back then, I was merely rather irritated at being booted out of the house and having to dress in a skirt to freeze my bits off in a gloomy stone building every Sunday morning for something I didn’t believe in.

As an adult, I’m incensed by the way so many religions still refuse to move with the times and read their teachings in an alternative and more fluid fashion.

“It astonishes me that gay people can continue to align themselves with any institution that refuses to recognise their basic human rights” I have no desire to be married in a church, but the right of those who do should be acknowledged and allowed. The introduction of Civil Partnerships seems a sop to me. It’s not equality. And whatever David Cameron’s vote-catching stance on the issue of gay marriage, it doesn’t look likely that true equality in same-sex partnerships is properly on the cards yet – especially as his pissing off of the Church in this matter is likely cancelling out whatever gains he is making.

But I take heart from the recent Charity Commission decision that Roman Catholic adoption agency Catholic Care, run by the Diocese of Leeds, cannot turn away gay couples if it wants to keep its charitable status. The organisation had been fighting for five years the antidiscrimination law that had forced other agencies to close down or sever their links with the Church. I just wonder how many more years the fight for true equality in the Church will continue.

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BY NICK DOUGLAS

BY THEIR FRUITS SHALL YE KNOW THEM The issue of trangenderism and religion is complex. I can’t hope to fully explore the different perspectives in all the faiths but what I can say, is that they vary widely from outright condemnation in Catholicism to validation and state support in some Islamic countries such as Iran (albeit as an abhorrent and misguided supposed ‘cure’ for homosexuality). While some forms of Paganism and Shamanism regard trans people as having special spiritual gifts of insight as a result of their experience. Therefore, it’s fair to say there’s no one religious perspective on transgenderism. No doubt Keith Sharpe’s excellent Gscene column could do the trans subject more justice, if he hasn’t already.

What concerns me, is that trans people get to enjoy the same opportunities to develop and explore their spirituality as everyone else (if indeed, they believe they have one; there are plenty of trans humanists and atheists too). It’s not inherent that transition will engender spiritual growth, indeed it may be the result of such growth, but I would urge all trans people to be open to this as a potential part of the transition journey.

Early in my transition, I met John. He was many years into his own transition and lived quietly with his wife. He appeared in many ways to be an unremarkable sort of chap but he was far from it. He extended great kindness to me, listening to my struggles without judging or directing, giving me space to talk and explore. One of the things I knew about John was that he was active in his local church.

His pastor knew that he was trans and had encouraged him to develop a leadership role. I am convinced that the spiritual nourishment that he found there was important in enabling him to support others on their journey. While many of us do not feel the need of such community, if we do, we have every right to seek it and join with others who share our feelings and beliefs. Any spiritual group that cannot offer this to trans people is not worthy of the name in my view.

“While many of us do not feel the need of such community, if we do, we have every right to seek it and join with others who share our feelings and beliefs” On and off, I have enjoyed the spiritual gifts of the Quakers. I am not a member but am influenced by the non-creedal, nonhierarchical, open-minded, welcoming acceptance they have always shown. The bible quotes Jesus saying ‘By their fruits shall ye know them’ (Matthew 7:20). On every major social justice issue I can think of, the Quakers have been on the side of the truly righteous (often leading), including on gender equality and LGBT inclusion. I judge religious organisations by what they do, not what they espouse.

To you, this may all be time-wasting, delusional, nonsense about communing with the great ‘tooth-fairy in the sky’. But even to get to that position, one has to have thought about it and looked inward to get a sense of what one truly believes. I simply want the same opportunity for all trans people, in the company of fellow spiritual travellers if they wish.

74 GSCENE doors of the institution to help people suffering and dying of AIDS. He himself died of AIDS in 1990.

Clearly he was a controversial figure, seen as a saint by some, and a sinner by others. But his being there is a great challenge to the orthodoxy of celibacy and implicit straightness which can prevail in traditional Buddhism. This influence continues in the institution he founded called the Gay Buddhist Club in San Fransisco, now the Hartford Street Zen Centre.

Sheila Roche asks; could it be good for our mental health?

Buddhism is one of the four major world religions and yet it differs from the others in that it doesn’t require a belief in God or gods, or even goddesses. The Buddha is not worshiped as a god. He was an ordinary man who realised some extraordinary and useful truths about what it is to be human. In some forms of Buddhism, there are heavenly beings (in fact, lots of them), and people do bow down to them, but these are seen quite explicitly as projections of human emotional and psychological states.

At its heart, Buddhism suggests that we can alleviate our mental and physical suffering by waking up to the real nature of this suffering (Buddha means the One Who is Awake). Being human, we have this strange capacity called consciousness or awareness. Not only do we suffer and have pleasure, but we know that we do. We create the most elaborate mental constructions and social conventions to help us deal with the dissatisfactory nature of our experience.

“For me this search for freedom and the unconventional equated with the passionate opening out of self identity and the stripping back of conventional roles that many of us experience as gay people” Buddhism suggests that by opening up to bare physical experience (both the good and bad), and stripping away the unnecessary proliferations of our thinking mind, we can learn to accept and be with whatever arises in the present moment (this is the practice of meditation). From this arises an open Awareness which transcends all conventions, can lead us to a place of great peace and joy and a desire to connect with and help others.

The stripping back to the essentials of experience has meant that there is a deep unconventional tradition in Buddhist teachings. You may have heard the stories of Zen masters who, in reply to the earnest questions of their students, do all sorts of unpredictable things, such as thwacking them, shouting suddenly, jumping down from their seat and running off. They do this to get them ‘out of their thinking heads’ and to face the unknown, and maybe the unknowable.

This unconventional streak was one of the things that attracted me to Buddhism in the early 1970s. I was aware I was following in the footsteps of the ‘Beat’ generation poets and writers such as Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac (who were lovers, I was happy to find out later). They called themselves Dharma Bums and Zen Lunatics. For me, this search for freedom and the unconventional equated with the passionate opening out of self-identity and the stripping back of conventional roles that many of us experience as gay people.

Of course, Buddhism has its own orthodoxies and is influenced by the mores of the traditional cultures in which it lives. Tensions with its stripped down essence are evident, and in most cases the established institutions win. The usual sexism and homophobia prevail – though a gay activist was able to challenge the Dalai Lama to admit that within Buddhism there is no logic to say that consenting and ethical sex between same-sex couples is morally no different from that between heterosexuals. (According to Buddhist Tradition: Gays, Lesbians and the Definition of Sexual Misconduct, Shambhala Sun, March 1998) As Buddhism has established itself in the West, these tensions have been played out.

The author of Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, (one of the seminal books introducing Zen to the West), established a monastery in San Fransisco. When he died in 1971, the running of his monastery was taken over by one of his lead students, Issan Dorsey. He was an exdrug addict and drag queen, who opened the

Two volumes of Queer Dharma were published in the States in the late 1990s which brought together in depth writing about gay men’s experiences in practicing Buddhism. Groups continue in Chicago, Washington, New York and Ottawa using this name (and thankfully women are included in these groups). Dharma Dykes and other lesbian Buddhist groups exist in California and now in Brighton (see www.lesbianmeditation.co.uk).

This year, MindOut ran two successful eight week Mindfulness courses for the LGBT community. Mindfulness brings the core teachings of Buddhist meditation into a secular context, and this course provides a systematic introduction to meditation and mindfulness practices which are proven to enhance mental well-being and help prevent relapse of anxiety and depression.

In Buddhism, we are encouraged to test everything against our own experience. The clarity of awareness is also always accompanied by cultivating the warmth of loving kindness and compassion. We can certainly improve our mental well-being by connecting with these practices and taking heart that there is a wise and unconventional tradition of LGBT ancestors on the path.

Brighton has its very own Brighton LGBT Meditation Group (see www.facebook.com/brighton.meditationgrou p.9). We meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 5.30pm

MINDOUT SERVICES MindOut provides free, independent mental health advice, information and advocacy.

We also run a peer support group work service and activity groups for LGBT people with mental health issues.

If you, or anyone you know, has mental health issues and you would like to talk in confidence to an ‘out’ LGBT mental health worker or would like to offer us your support, please contact us.

• 24hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 • Email: info@mindout.org.uk • Website: www.mindout.org.uk All MindOut services are free, confidential and non-judgemental.

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SERVICES

DIRECTORY LGBT SERVICES ACCESS 4 ALL

LGBT disabled people’s forum. Safe and welcoming, support, activities, awareness.

Tel: 07981 170071 or access4all@fsmail.net

ANYTHING BUT…

Youth social support group for LGB or unsure under 26, meets every other Wed. Tel: 01424 724150 or 01424 447033

ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT

Drop in for LGBT or unsure young people under 26, Tues 5.30-8.30pm. Tel: 01273 721211 or info@allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.allsortsyouth.org.uk

BRIGHTON & HOVE POLICE

Report all homophobic and transphobic incidents to: • The Police 0845 6070999 (for emergencies 999) email: LGBT@sussex.pnn.police.uk tweet: @policeLGBT • Civilian LGBT caseworker Clare Brisco on 101 ext 50427 or 07769 162594 • or use True Vision self reporting pack

BRIGHTON & HOVE LGBT SWITCHBOARD Tel Helpline, Hate Crime reporting, Counselling service, Proud2connect service (relationship counselling in partnership with Brighton Relate). www.switchboard.org.uk/brighton • Helpline from 5pm daily: Tel: 01273 204050 • Services info 01273 234009 • email brighton.manager@switchboard.org.uk • or brighton.admin@switchboard.org.uk

BRIGHTON OURSTORY PROJECT

Oral history projects including shows, exhibitions, books, support to researchers Tel: 01273 207757 or 01273 328592 or www.brightonourstory.co.uk

BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE

Info, counselling, drop-in space, support groups.

Tel: 01273 698036 or www.womenscentre.org.uk

FTM BRIGHTON

Social/support group for all female-to-male trans people.

Every 3rd Sat of month, 6–8pm, THT Office, 61 Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AE. Tel: 07504 652129 or FTMBrighton@hotmail.co.uk

GEMS (GAY ELDERLY MEN’S SOCIETY)

Twice monthly meeting for over 50s Tel: 01273 884285 or peterotto337@btinternet.com www.gems-bh.org.uk

LESBIAN LINK BRIGHTON

Local social group offers friendship, social events Tel: 07594 578035 (eve) 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: NA Helpline 604604

LGBT MEDITATION GROUP

Meditation & discussion, every 2nd & 4th Thur, 5.30–7pm, Anahata Clinic, 119 Edward St, Tel: 07789 861367 www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk

LUNCH POSITIVE

Lunch club for people with HIV to meet, make friends, find peer support in safe environment. Every Fri, 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: Tel: o1273 234839 or info@mindout.org.uk www.mindout.org.uk

RAINBOW FAMILIES

Support group for lesbian and/or gay parents Tel: 07951 082013 or info@rainbowfamilies.org.uk www.rainbowfamilies.org.uk

VICTIM SUPPORT

Practical, emotional support for victims of crime.

Tel: Brighton 01273 234009 or Hove 01273 439942

HIV PREVENTION TREATMENT & CARE SERVICES AVERT

Sussex HIV & AIDS info service, available by phone Tel: 01403 210202 or email confidential@avert.org

BRIGHTON & HOVE CAB HIV PROJECT

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 www.brightonhovecab.org.uk

CLAUDE NICOL CENTRE/ WILDE CLINIC

Free confidential testing & treatment for STIs including HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Out Patients Dept of Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd. Tel: 01273 664721 www.brightonsexualhealth.com

LAWSON UNIT

Medical advice, treatment for HIV+, specialist clinics, diet & welfare advice, drug trials. Tel: 01273 664722

SUBSTANCE MISUSE SERVICE

CRI / Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust. Open access drop in, assessment, support, advice, info on drug & alcohol issues Tel 01273 607575. An LGB&T worker is able to provide a 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

• 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 1–4pm, 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 & West 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: 6.30–8.30pm (waiting room open: 6pm) • 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 • HIV Health Trainer: Face-2-face/phone/email support to help understand diagnosis, manage side effects, sex & relationships, understand meds, talk to doctor, diet & nutrition.

• Informed Passions: Expert Volunteers project to identify & support sexual health needs of local men who have sex with men and carry out wide-ranging 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 diagnosed with HIV for at least 1 year, on HIV medication or not.

• What Next? Thurs eve, 6 week peer support group work programme for newly diagnosed HIV+ gay men.

• Co Infection group: 6 week peer support group work programme for gay men with HIV & HEP C. • Telling it Straight: monthly Tues eve support group for straight HIV+ men/women. Guest speakers.

• 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: help & advice line Wed: 10am–1pm 01273 764205. 1-2-1/group support to claim DLA. Guidance on return to work & in-work benefits For more info about these FREE services go to the THT office, 61 Ship St, Btn, Mon–Fri, 9.30am–5.30pm Tel: 01273 764200 or info.brighton@tht.org.uk

TERRENCE HIGGINS EASTBOURNE

Covering East Sussex, Services: Health Promotion Outreach, free condoms, lube, sexual health info & advice; HIV Health Coach, Short term support for people living with HIV; Counselling; Positive Grants; Face-2-Face 1-2-1 support & advice on sexual health, HIV; Condom Male: free condoms by post; Fastest: 1 hour HIV tests; Positively Social: group for people living with HIV; Volunteering.

Dyke House, 110 South St, Eastbourne, BN21 4LZ, Tel: 01323 649927 or info.eastbourne@tht.org.uk

WARREN BROWNE UNIT

Free confidential tests & treatment for STIs inc HIV. Hep A & B vaccinations. Shoreham based. Tel: 01273 461453

WILDE CLINIC

Gay men’s sexual health clinic. Wed 5-6.30pm. Opposite Royal Sussex County Hospital entrance Abbey Rd. Tel: 01273 664721

NATIONAL HELPLINES BROKEN RAINBOW

LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline, Mon 2-8pm, Wed 101pm, Thur 2-8pm Tel: 08452 604460

LONDON FRIEND

LGBT bereavement helpline, Tues 7.30-10pm, Tel: 020 7403 5969

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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45 BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE 72 High St, 698036 www.womenscentre.org.uk 46 LUNCH POSITIVE Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, 07846 464384 www.lunchpositive.org 47 MINDOUT Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 234839 www.mindout.org.uk 47 SWITCHBOARD Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 204050 (5–11pm)

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Guaranteed Work carried out by Gay Professional Man •Painting & Decorating •Tiling •Kitchens/ Bathrooms fitted •General plumbing MOST OTHER TRADES UNDERTAKEN

E L E Brighton C T Rbased ICAN For all your electrical requirements No jobs too small, rewire, phone points etc.

Call Barry for free advice on

01273 624610 / 07889 730640 barry.butcher2@ntlworld.com

Electrical Mechanical Services

WHILST EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS IN THIS MAGAZINE WE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIEWS OF CONTRIBUTORS, ERRORS, OR OMMISIONS, OR FOR MATTERS ARISING FROM CLERICAL OR PRINTERS ERRORS, OR AN ADVERTISER NOT COMPLETING A CONTRACT

AN AD THIS SIZE COSTS £35 + VAT CALL

01273 722457

MT

CARPENTRY & BUILDING • LOFT CONVERSIONS • EXTENSIONS • BRICKWORK • PAINTWORK DECORATING • INSURANCE REPAIRS

FREE ESTIMATES

TEL: 01273 383767 MOB: 07939 581791