Gscene May 2012

MAY 2012

CONTENTS

GSCENE magazine www.gscene.com @gscene GScene.Brighton

CHARLES STREET DRAG BALL PARTY

PROWLER 7TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

PUBLISHED BY James Ledward 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

FRONT COVER MODEL Robyn Faulkner PHOTOGRAPHY Sam Milford

CONTRIBUTORS AJ, Jaq Bayles, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Suchi Chatterjee, Nick Douglas, Craig Hanlon Smith, Adam Highway, Neil Masey, Enzo Marra, Andrew Modd, Hector Montalbo, 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, Mick Sykes, Jordan Thomas, Vron, Roger Wheeler, Mike Wall, Morham White, Kate Wildblood

CHURCH STREET RAISED OVER £700 WITH A JUMBLE SALE FOR THE SUSSEX BEACON LAST MONTH

6 Letters To The Editor 8 News

SCENE LISTINGS 30 Brighton Listings 47 Solent & Bournemouth Listings

ARTS

PHOTOGRAPHERS Si Denton, Sarah Haddow, Michael Hootman, James Ledward, Sam Milford, Tim Norman, Ian MagerPlayford, www.realbrighton.com www.brightonmoments.co.uk

ZONE CUSTOMERS RAISED £1,028.21 TO BE SHARED BETWEEN ST JOHN AMBULANCE AND LGBT SWITCHBOARD

© GSCENE 2012

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.

FEATURES 22 GOLDEN HANDBAGS

CHARLES STREET DRAG BALL

50 56 58 59 60

Festival & Fringe News Art Matters Classical Notes Book Reviews Film Reviews

REGULARS

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.

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.

LETTERS & NEWS

Vote for the best of LGBT Brighton

23 LIFE BEGINS AT 60 Helen Marie Carter talks about her life changing surgery

24 WHAT CAN MINDOUT OFFER? Local services for trans people at MindOUT

25 ANGRY ENOUGH YET?

27 28 61 62 63 64 65 65 66 67 67 68 69 69 70 71 71 72 73

Dine with Morham Charlie’s Kitchen Geek Scene Dance Music Shopping Craig’s Thoughts Allsorts Trans Matters Changing Attitude Homely Homily Vron’s Voice Charlie Says Netty’s World Queerying Queenie Sharp Words BSSN Suchi’s World MindOut Positive Voices

Nick Douglas on the fight for trans equality

INFORMATION

26 NORMANDY-DOUZE POINTS

74 Services Directory 76 Classifieds 78 Advertisers’ Map

Roger Wheeler takes time out in rural France

6 GSCENE

SEND LETTERS TO: GSCENE, 111 WESTERN ROAD, HOVE, BN3 1DD OR EMAIL TO: INFO@GSCENE.COM

WHERE ARE BRIGHTON’S GAY BENEFACTORS? I read with interest your on-line report about Stonewall's annual dinner raising almost £400,000 in one night. What a magnificent amount. What a magnificent achievement. Why can't we achieve anything like that in Brighton & Hove? Do we not have any rich people living here? Local LGBT organisations have been in the news over the last year as they struggle for survival in the present difficult economic times. Where have the traditional gay community benefactors gone in Brighton & Hove? Gay businesses do very well out of the local community. I hope they are contributing their fair share to support the survival of LGBT organisations that help draw people to live in Brighton and patronise their premises.

Charles Peters Ed. It is getting harder to raise money for LGBT causes in Brighton & Hove. Some venues stage great fundraisers but they tend to target the same people who support the commercial gay scene. The older LGBT people in the community with money to spare have become disengaged from the commercial gay scene and it is getting harder to reach them. £1 per head from every ticket sold for this year’s Pride will go to charity.

This will hopefully kickstart a completely new approach to fundraising in Brighton & Hove. More importantly we need an agreed community fundraising strategy so that we maximise the amount of money that can be raised at each benefit and make sure fundraising events do not clash with each other. No one benefits when they do!

ALLOTMENT PROJECT Mike Wall writes in the April 2012 issue that he could not find any allotment projects aimed at people with mental health issues, and that he would like to start such a project having experienced great mental health benefits from his own allotment.

Such projects do exist in the city, in fact, there is even a choice!

There is an allotment specifically for LGBT people with mental health needs - MindOut has been running an allotment group for a few years now.

Our services are especially for LGBT people with experience of mental health/emotional wellbeing issues. People come to the allotment, and take part in growing food and maintaining the site. We also cook with the produce at our weekly support groups. People can also take produce home to use.

If anyone would like to become part of MindOut’s allotment project, please call us on 01273 234839 or email info@mindout.org.uk Kat Marples, Chair, MindOut LGBT Mental Health Project

MORE THOUGHT FOR THE DISABLED PLEASE As a regular reader of your magazine I am disappointed that there is rarely anything about the

disabled gay community.

I would have loved to take part in the LGBT History Month but so many of the venues were not accessible to a person in a power wheelchair. Just because I’m disabled it doesn’t mean that I am no longer gay, just because I’m over 60 doesn’t mean I am no longer gay.

I used to be really active on the cabaret circuit with photos published in Gscene and RealBrighton, but now with only one freely wheelchair accessible bar (meaning I haven’t got to ask for assistance) I seldom go out.

I know Brighton is an old town and some of the pubs/bars can do nothing to allow access, but some have even made conditions worst.

I used to love sitting on the terrace of one of the seafront bars, but after refurbishment I can no longer use it.

It is so frustrating. I try and lead a normal life and be as productive as I can, but you feel like an outcast. I often stop in New Steine to look at the AIDS Memorial and find it a pleasant time. However, when I went to the Memorial for World AIDS Day I sat in the rain looking at the backs of the people listening to the names to be remembered, some of to them good friends of mine.

I felt so isolated when even my

candle went out. Cllr Stephanie Powell was the only one to stop and speak and to ask if I was okay, thank you Stephanie and Phil Bailey for the photo.

I along with so many, have fought for decades for homosexual equality and we are NEARLY there, but there is more to do. Just think please when you open a bar, organise an event or anything else, please try and think of the disabled, not just wheelchair users, visually impaired people, and the deaf.

I know lots of gay people who would welcome just a little thought.

You can get information from the Brighton Federation for Independent Living and see the accessibility map of Brighton & Hove www.bhfederation.org.uk/ Chris Gift

defeated but they lose overwhelmingly.

We urge everyone to see through what sort of policy statements like "not fund so called diversity festivals " really mean.

We also want to put on record that last year’s ‘Gay Quarter Pride’ party had a modest contribution from the city council of less than £1,500 and this was matched by over £6,000 from our community and the tireless work of over thirty volunteers to make the event a success for our city.

On behalf of a broad spectrum of Liverpool's LGBT Communities.

Cllr Steve Radford Steve Houghland Yvonne Lighten Andrew Reynolds Paul German Rev Tim Meadows Andrew Pankhurst John Hyland Ed. Suchi Chatterjee has a regular Pippa Georgeson column in Gscene and profiles issues Lee Hoyle affecting LGBT disabled people in Roy Neilson her column regularly.

Tom Peel

BEWARE OF THE RISE OF THE RIGHT IN OUR NORTHERN CITIES

THANK YOU FROM THT

The Ultimate Game show at Charles Street raised £361 for the Terrence In Liverpool’s Mayoral Elections Higgins Trust in Brighton. The there are several far right wing night was completely sold out with candidates who clearly have an teams from the police, local agenda which would undermine the businesses and students present. city’s Gay Pride event, the Stop The event was run by the Skye’s Hate Crime Campaign and antithe Limit team, hosted by Channel bullying campaigns in our city’s 4’s the Big Gay Following and Lola schools which combat repressive Lasagne and designed and attitudes not just against our LGBT produced by local graphic designer Communities but racial, religious Lee Jeffery. and other minorities in society.

The Ultimate Game Show consisted We urge all our communities and of rounds from your favourite TV friends in the straight community shows. Juice FM came first and to defend our right to play a full won the coveted titled. part in the life of our city by THT Brighton would like to thank voting for democratic and everyone who was involved and progressive candidates and took part. ensuring not only the far right are THT South, Brighton

ULTIMATE GAME SHOW AT CHARLES STREET

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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COMMUNITY ORGANISATION CHOOSES THEME OF GAY PRIDE 2012: THE UNITED COLOURS OF PRIDE: A CELEBRATION OF LGBT LIVES Pride in Brighton & Hove continued its challenge to re-engage with the local LGBT community with the theme for this year’s event being chosen for the first time by an LGBT community group that delivers front line services 365 days a year.

MindOut, the LGBT mental health group's suggestion of The United Colours of Pride, took 75% share of the vote in a poll conducted in The Argus. ‘The United Colours of Pride’ is an international theme that celebrates the rainbow flag, using it to raise awareness of those countries where the LGBT community still faces discrimination, giving the event a political edge and relevance in 2012 while not detracting from the carnival atmosphere and colour of the parade.

This year’s Pride festival, run by a new 'community interest not for profit' company, Pride in Brighton & Hove, sees the selection of this striking theme as an important step in returning Pride to its political roots, whilst celebrating the journey of the LGBT community over the years.

Pride in Brighton & Hove Director, Trevor Edwards commented: “We are amazed at the response this competition has received; as you know we would have been happy with either of the two final choices, but I think ‘United Colours of Pride’ will be a fantastic theme for the event on September 1. It reflects the evolving attitude towards this year’s festival by remembering the more political side of the Pride movement, whilst reaching out to our community - which is integral to its existence.Rainbow colours have long been a symbol of gay pride ever since San Francisco’s Pride in 1978; we have them in our logo and now it’s time to take them to the streets. The theme celebrates not only the legacy of Pride up to its status today, but also looks forward to what we can achieve in the future, and asserts our joint wish to return the movement to its community roots.

“Saturday September 1 it is then, I think we’ll see a blaze of colour representing every element of our community, both here in Brighton & Hove and from around the world."

Helen Jones, MindOut Director, said: “MindOut is delighted that so many people voted for the ‘United Colours of Pride’ theme. We were keen to have a theme with a political edge, with the chance to show our solidarity with LGBT people around the world as well as getting LGBT communities here in Brighton & Hove to unite for Pride. It’s great that Pride has been rescued this year! We are really looking forward to an inclusive, community based event where we can come together, feel welcome, be safe, have a good time, learn about the world around us and support our community groups while we’re at it."

Stagfleet Ltd, the owners of Club Revenge, with James Ledward, Gscene Editor, and Paul Kemp of AEON Events have formed a community interest company to run Pride in Brighton & Hove for 2012. All profits will be distributed to local LGBT charitable causes. The event is underwritten by Revenge. £1 of the price of every ticket sold will be donated directly to the Rainbow Fund to distribute through their grants program to local LGBT/HIV organisations and charities providing front line services to the LGBT communities in Brighton & Hove.

POLICE SURGERIES IN MAY The LGBT Police Liaison Team are planning to host another online drop-in session on Tuesday, May 29 from 7.30–9.30pm You can join in the live chat at: www.sussex.police.uk/livechat A face to face surgery will take place on Monday, May 28: 6-7pm at Brighton Train Station, You can contact the team on the LGBT Facebook page by searching: www.facebook.com/pages/Brighton-and-Hove-LGBTTeam/194767553890462 or on Twitter by tweeting: @PoliceLGBT or using the hashtag #lgbtdropin

CALABASH RETURNS TO PRIDE Following an invitation from the organisers of this year’s Pride in Brighton & Hove the organisers of the Calabash Tent have accepted an invitation to raise the profile of BME community groups and return the Calabash experience to Preston Park this year. Calabash returns to Pride on Preston Park after a year’s absence following their withdrawal from last year’s event.

A spokesperson for Calabash said: “Calabash would like to take part in this year’s Pride celebrations, pending receiving necessary grant funding from the council, continued dialogue with the organisers and other key stakeholders and an assured commitment to raising funds to the LGBT community in a transparent manner.”

Calabash aims to raise the profile of ethnic diversity in the local LGBT community through music and art and first appeared at Pride on Preston Park in 2004.

This year’s Pride in Brighton & Hove is on Saturday, September 1.

To contact organisers of Pride in Brighton & Hove call: 01273 257 225

WOMEN'S PERFORMANCE TENT ORGANISERS RETURN TO PRIDE The organisers of the Women's Performance Tent at Pride in Brighton & Hove have confirmed they will be hosting the Women's Tent at this year’s Pride on Preston Park.

The Women's Performance Tent was absent from Pride on Preston Park in 2011; but after consultation with Sue Shaw, Brighton Women's Centre Volunteer Co-ordinator, Al Start, local musician and Women's Performance Tent Co-ordinator, Mel Sanson, Women's Performance Tent Co-ordinator and Nicky Mitchell, local musician, have confirmed that everyone is happy to deliver a Women's Performance Tent at the Preston Park event at Pride in Brighton & Hove, on Saturday, September 1 2012.

A spokesperson for the Women's Performance Tent Organisers, said: “We are hugely relieved that an arrangement has been made with Revenge, that will benefit the community Rainbow Fund and raise desperately needed cash for all of the local LGBT/HIV voluntary sector services. Having successfully delivered the event for the past 18 years, we are all very excited to once again have the chance to deliver a high quality, safe event that best reflects women's live music performance at Brighton Pride.”

For more information about the Women's Performance Tent Performers email: womensperformancetent@gmail.com To contact organisers of Pride in Brighton & Hove call: 01273 257 225

BRIGHTON'S NEXT HOT MODEL FINAL Stephanie Starlett is hosting the final of Brighton's Next Hot Model at the Old Market on Friday, May 25. Heats take place at Madame Geisha's, East Street during May. The winner will walk away with an all expenses trip to Dubai to have their professional portfolio photographed courtesy of Phil Howard.

The judging panel will be headed up by model and TV personality, Sophie Anderton. There will be live music and entertainment during the evening and a charity auction to benefit the Sussex Beacon including lots provided

by Shu Uemura, Electric Hairdressing, The Body Shop, She Said Boutique and A New You. Tickets £17.50, available from the Old Market on: 01273 201 801.

VIP table packages are available by calling Scott on 07545 611724.

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BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SWITCHBOARD

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR EQUALITY WALK AND WIN WEEKEND FOR TWO IN PARIS

HARRY DERBIDGE

Stonewall's annual 10k Equality Walk takes place in Brighton on Bank Holiday Sunday, May 6. Celebrity walkers this year include the Stonewall Entertainer of the Year 2011 and Casualty actress Jane Hazlegrove, plus The Only Way Is Essex star Harry Derbidge. Top fundraiser on the day will win a luxury weekend for two in Paris. This year's Stonewall Brighton Equality Walk builds on the success of last year’s walk which attracted a record 500 walkers and raised over £50,000.

This year’s event is supported by American Express with media partners Square Peg Media, and is raising funds for Stonewall’s Education for All programme.

Registration for the walk costs just £10, which includes a goodie bag and special edition t-shirt for all walkers. Participants simply need to raise more than the registration fee and there are prizes for the top fundraising individual and groups.

Following a picnic at noon, the Equality Walk starts from Pavilion Gardens at 2pm and winds through the heart of Brighton, visiting the Laines and the seafront.

A prize giving ceremony takes place at the Honey Club at 4pm where everyone will get a free glass of champagne.

Research shows that nine in ten secondary school teachers say children and young people currently experience anti-gay bullying in their schools, regardless of their sexual orientation. Three quarters of primary school teachers hear "that’s so gay" or "you’re so gay" in school, yet nine in ten teachers report that they have never received any specific training on how to tackle this behaviour.

For more information or to register go to: www.equalitywalk.org.uk Or telephone: 020 7593 1875

Supporters running for MindOut, the LGBT mental health project, in the Brighton Marathon last month raised close to £14,000 to help towards the organisations finances during the coming year. Helen Jones the project director said: “This is a fantastic amount of money. I would like to thank all the runners who ran for us. This money is vital to the future of the project.”

GFEST 2012 CALLS FOR ARTIST AND FILM SUBMISSIONS Gaywise FESTival (GFEST), the annual LGBTQ arts festival in London is accepting submissions for this year’s festival. Queer Art queries.. is the theme of this year’s festival which will takes place in venues across London in November, 2012.

Niranjan Kamatkar, artistic director of GFEST, said: “This year we want to address and question the issues and challenges that our community faces on a daily basis. We hope to encourage artists to work together on exciting, thought provoking and innovative work. We want to query what happens in the queer arts world.”

GFest are looking for submissions from artists and organisations, with a particular focus on collaboration across art form, age and cultural backgrounds. The festival accepts submissions in three categories: films, visual arts and performance. The deadline for submissions is Friday, June 29, 2012. Submissions are accepted on: www.gaywisefestival.org.uk GFEST, now in its 6th year enjoys showcasing work from LGBTQ artists around the world as well as hosting emerging and established artists from London.

For more information email: info@wisethoughts.org

The Rainbow Chorus, the South-East's only LGBT choir, will be serving up a cocktail of music at their Pimms & Pergolesi summer concert on Saturday, June 30, at 7.30pm, where you will be wowed by a heady mix of jazz, pop and gospel and moved by Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. The chorus' new Musical Director, Aneesa Chaudhry, will be leading the first half, while guest conductor Jacob Swindells will be conducting the Stabat Mater in the second half.

The concert will be at the choir's home venue, St George's Church, St George's Rd, Brighton, BN2 1ED. Refreshments will be served before the concert and during the interval. Tickets are £9/£7 (concs), available through the chair and members of the Rainbow Chorus or on the door. Enquiries: chair@rainbowchorus.org.uk.

The Rainbow Chorus is the only LGBT mixed choir in South East England outside of London. They are a community-based nonauditioning choir and members do not have to read music. They usually undertake two major concerts a year and perform at a variety of other events for a range of organisations primarily within the LGBT community and sometimes in partnership with other choirs. They aim to recruit new members in September 2012 and January 2013 to coincide with preparations for their concerts; They welcome enquiries from potential new members throughout the year.

More info: www.rainbowchorus.org.uk

ANEESA CHAUDHRY

Brighton Gay Men's Chorus will be raising funds for Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard whilst on the search for the ultimate gay song during their Guilty Treasures show on Friday, May 4.

Mark Elsworth, Switchboard Lead Trustee, said: “We are delighted that Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus is supporting us and, as a local LGBT charity, we appreciate the support which the community gives us. We have had a difficult year but, thanks to the help we have had from community groups and the public at large, our future looks more secure than it did. This will allow us to continue to provide help line and counselling services to all sections of the LGBT community and to continue our process of engaging with the community to improve services.”

Adam Betteridge, Brighton Gay Men's Chorus Trustee, added: “For some time now, it has been a core objective of Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus as a registered charity to support our community through music and laughter. It is with immense enthusiasm that we continue this tradition during our two night run at the Fringe by helping raise funds for such crucial charities as Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard as well as the Abandoned and Destitute Children’s Appeal Fund.”

The Guilty Treasures show is being performed as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 May at 7.30pm in St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road. (For more details about the show see listing on page 55).

Tickets are £12/£10 (concession) and are available via the chorus’ website: www.brightongmc.org or via the Fringe Festival box office.

JANE HAZLEGROVE

RAINBOW CHORUS APPOINT NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR

MINDOUT RUNNERS RAISE £14,000

NEW HATE CRIME HOTLINE 01273 292735 A new helpline was introduced on Monday, April 23, for Brighton & Hove residents to report instances of hate crime.

The new number is 01273 292735. This puts residents through direct to the city’s community safety team, a partnership jointly run by Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Police. The service is open Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm (except public holidays). All calls will be responded to within one working day, in line with the council’s victim and witness standards.

You can email the casework team direct on: communitysafety.casework@brightonhove.gcsx.gov.uk

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Brighton is marking International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) on May 17, 2012 with an event at the Old Steine, in central Brighton opposite Revenge nightclub. May 17 commemorates the day in 1990 the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental diseases.

In 86 countries worldwide, homosexual acts are illegal while in seven of those countries lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and those who identify as trans are often murdered simply for their sexuality or gender identity. This year the theme of IDAHOBIT is Teach the IDAHO Lesson – Making schools safer and improving learning achievement for all!

This year’s event will include: • A performance from one of Brighton’s LGBT choirs.

• A minute’s ‘noise’ to remember the international victims of LGBT violence.

• A release of sky lanterns symbolising our ‘hope for change’.

Keynote speakers are to be confirmed. There will be speeches from members of the teaching community, students, young LGBT people’s groups and local activists.

Brighton & Hove City Council will officially recognise IDAHOBIT by flying the rainbow flag from both Brighton and Hove town halls.

COUNCIL LGBT WORKERS FORUM APOLOGISE FOR LATE CANCELLATION OF LGBT WORKERS BALL Following the last minute cancellation of the LGBT History Ball in March 2012, Brighton & Hove City Council, LGBT Workers Forum have issued the following statement: “The BHCC LGBT workers forum would like to extend our sincere apologies to anyone who was disappointed by the postponement of the LGBT History Ball and Awards. We had to postpone the Ball for a few practical reasons which forced us to make the difficult last minute decision. We would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been involved in helping to organise this year’s History Ball.

“The new date for the History Ball is Friday August 3 at the Jubilee Library, more information will be available shortly. We have chosen this date to ensure the night is as successful as possible and also to mark the traditional Pride weekend in Brighton. We think it is important to keep this weekend in the city as ‘our’ LGBT weekend and the History Ball is the perfect way to note this important date.

“The LGBT workers forum would like to thank all the various groups involved in making The History Ball a success in previous years and whose continued commitment to this event ensures its success.”

All tickets should already have been refunded, if this is not the case please email lgbtworkersforum@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 274638.

MR GAY WORLD ANDREAS DERIETH

MR GAY NEW ZEALAND CROWNED MR GAY WORLD Andreas Derieth, the current Mr Gay New Zealand, was crowned Mr Gay World in Johannesburg last month. The final was staged in the Lyric Theatre and featured 22 gay men from 22 countries. Andreas, originally from Germany, is an operations project manager in New Zealand and has a Bachelor Degree in business management. He has a passion for travel and sports, participated in the second Asia-Pacific Outgames and is going to Antwerp next year for the European Outgames. He is in a long-term relationship and on Nov 11, 2011 he entered into a same-sex civil union in New Zealand. 1st Runner Up: Lance Weyer (South Africa), 2nd Runner Up: Remy Frejaville (France), 3rd Runner Up: Kevin Scott Power (USA), 4th Runner Up: Thom Goderie (Netherlands).

The United Kingdom was represented by 23-year-old Mark Kneen.

VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK JUNE 1-7

BBC NEED PHOTOS FOR THEIR JUBILEE PHOTO MOSAIC

Volunteers’ Week acknowledges the contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK and plays a crucial part in highlighting those individuals who regularly contribute to their local community while inspiring others to start volunteering.

From Friday 1–Thursday 7 June, 2012, there will be a week full of events across the country including talks, recruitment events as well as awards ceremonies and launching new volunteering campaigns.

BBC South East are creating a huge piece of art for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June 2012. The People’s Monarch will be a massive photo mosaic portrait of the Queen created from 10,000 photographs taken by people from the South East during this, her Jubilee year.

The portrait will be the size of a double decker bus and will go on display at the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne from May 25 until June 10.

Everyone who submits a photo will get the chance to go along and see themselves hanging on display in the art gallery.

Photos can be old or new, colour or black and white, as long as they are photographs of people. You can send photos from your phone or computer.

Or visit: www.bbc.co.uk/sussex or www.bbc.co.uk/surrey or www.bbc.co.uk/kent and follow the instructions.

NEW TV COMEDY SHOW NEEDS CONTESTANTS Objective Productions, the company who make Peep Show, The Cube and John Bishop’s Britain are producing a pilot show for Channel 4.

They are looking for a wide range of 'Real' Great British Characters to take part in this mainstream comedy show.

It doesn’t matter where you come from, how old you are, just as long as you’re funny.

Or you may know someone, your nan, your auntie, your teenage son or daughter; the man who runs the corner shop, your local pub landlord, your hairdresser or your neighbour. It could be anyone, but if they make you laugh, they may also get the chance to make the whole country laugh too!

For more information contact: CharliePheby@objectiveprod uctions.com

Locally, the Volunteer Centre in Brighton & Hove will be using Volunteers’ Week to showcase the contribution that volunteers make to the local community.

JAQ BAYLES

IDAHOBIT DAY: MAY 17

Alison Marino, Project Leader at the Brighton & Hove Volunteer Centre, said: “Volunteers’ Week is the opportunity to celebrate the efforts of all volunteers who contribute towards the rich fabric of Brighton & Hove life through freely giving their time, expertise, skills, energy and passion.

Brighton & Hove has a rich tradition of volunteering and community activity, one of which it should be rightly proud”.

Jaq Bayles, volunteer contributor journalist at Gscene, said: “I have been a contributor to Gscene for some 13 years, mainly writing a monthly column on the chosen topic affecting the LGBT community in Brighton. I am happy to do this as I believe the magazine plays an important role in helping to give a voice to the community, whether political or personal."

Further ideas for how to recognise and celebrate volunteers during this week can be found at the Volunteering England website: www.volunteering.org.uk The Volunteer Centre is volunteer led and helps people contribute to the community through involvement with local organisations.

The centre is linked to i-volunteer, a national database of volunteering opportunities. It holds over 300 different volunteering opportunities ranging from roles with animals, to finance, assisting at sports events, befriending, and one-off events.

Deciding where to volunteer is very important: the better the match the more successful the chances are of it being a positive experience.

To find out more go to: www.bhimpetus.org/volunteer_centre

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SAM THOMAS

LOLA TO GET A ROASTING!

ME SOCIETY 25TH ANNIVERSARY

After last year’s hugely successful Maisie Trollette Comedy Roast the delightful Lola Lasagne has agreed to be roasted by three of her closest friends on Tuesday, June 5 at Charles Street. Miss Jason, Dave Lynn and Dolly Partem (Trashville Tennessee) will be recounting their memories and nightmares of Lola and the whole event is presided over by the mistress of ceremonies Tammy Twinkle! After she’s roasted, Lola gets the right to reply!

The event has been eight months in the planning and is going to be one night of comedy you simply cannot afford to miss. Most importantly it is raising money for THT. If you’re not familiar with a comedy roast here’s a quick run-down: each ‘Roaster’ gets their turn at the podium to give a short lecture on what the ‘Roastee’, Lola Lasagne, means to them! As you can imagine, they will have nothing but good words and kind wishes… ok, maybe not that much.

The best thing? Lola has to sit on her throne and take it! That is until they’ve finished, then it’s Lola’s turn and if her performance last year is anything to go by, she “won’t be taking no prisoners”!

If you want to book a table Charles Street are offering a two course chicken or nut roast with your choice of dessert and a glass of wine for £20.

Chris Marshall general manager of Charles Street Bar said: “On rare occasions you get to witness a piece of gay cabaret history being made and last year’s Comedy Roast with Maisie was just that. It was pure comedy genius and we’re pleased to welcome back Miss Jason and Dave Lynn joined this year by the fabulous Dolly Partem to roast Lola Lasagne for a very deserving cause, Brighton’s THT.” Lola Lasagne's Comedy Roast on Tuesday, June 5 at 7.30pm is a THT charity fundraiser, entry is free, donations are welcomed in the buckets. Table bookings for a two course roast and glass of wine cost £20 per person. To book email: info@charles-street.com or call 01273 624091.

The Brighton-based Sussex ME Society marks its 25th anniversary this year. The organisation was founded in 1987 when activists got together supported by hospital consultant, Dr Keith Hine and MP, Sir Andrew Bowden MBE. Over the years the society has helped hundreds affected by the illness including many LGBT community members. The society was granted charity status in 2000 and has developed into one of the most successful regional ME charities in the UK. Over the years founder member, Colin Barton and officers of the organisation have served on various national and local boards and working groups and continue to work with NHS Primary Care Trust teams.

Mike Weatherley, the Tory MP for Hove and Portslade, and Patron of the Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society said: “The Sussex & Kent ME/CFS society is a wonderful charity which has provided a valuable service to communities across the region over the past 25 years. I want to congratulate and thank all those involved. It is important that the issues raised by the society are heard in Parliament, so I will ensure that this will carry on for years to come.”

LOCAL CHARITY WINS MENTAL HEALTH HERO AWARD

MEPS VOTE AGAINST TRANS AMMENDMENT

Mental health organisation www.mentalhealthy.co.uk and national charities SANE, The Mental Health Foundation, The Centre for Mental Health and Emergence, have announced Men Get Eating Disorders Too as the winner in the Mental Health Hero Awards as Heroic Community Organisation.

Created by Mental Healthy founder Charlotte Fantelli, the Mental Health Hero Awards celebrate the achievements of those heroes making a real difference to the lives of those with mental illness. Categories include Community Hero, Professional Hero, Business Hero and Creative Hero and amongst the winners are local, national and global organisations and individuals. Judges included some big names in the world of mental health including Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, Marjorie Wallace, CBE, founder and chief executive of SANE and Kath Lovell, founder of Emergence.

Charlotte Fantelli of Mental Healthy, said: “The humbling work individuals and organisations are doing across the globe takes my breath away. Every single Mental Healthy Hero Award-winner has done something extraordinary in an area that is not glitzy or glamorous and that takes great strength and human kindness.”

Sam Thomas, founder and Project Leader of MGEDT, said: “We are extremely proud to have won this award and it’s our first major award as a charity. This award is a credit to the trustees and volunteers that we could not operate without.”

Tory MEPs for the South East of England, Daniel Hannan and Nirj Deva, joined with far right parties and the BNP in voting against an ammendment to European Human Rights legislation put forward by Labour's Richard Howitt MEP last month. Howitt, said: It's a disgrace that they did not support my amendment calling for the European Commission to advocate the withdrawal of gender identity from the list of mental and behavioural disorders in their negotiations on the recent version of the International Classification of Diseases. Whatever Cameron claims, Tory MEPs views on LGBT issues are neanderthal and we saw that in yesterday's vote which was passed by an overwhelming majority of MEPs."

PEER ACTION UPDATE Peer Action, the friendly, peer-led community group is preparing events for spring and summer. Membership is growing and they welcome anyone living with or affected by HIV to join in their activities.

Don’t feel isolated or unsure about going along to one of their established social evenings, everyone is very friendly and welcoming. If you have ideas for activities Peer Action wants to hear from you.

Every month they have a popular film evening at a member’s home in Brighton.

Everyone is welcome to go along, it’s free and fun.

Every month a group of regulars and new members go along to Gala Bingo on Eastern Road. Last month everyone who attended was a winner!

Two easy cycle rides are planned for spring and summer with routes suited to all levels of ability. The first is along the seafront to Worthing, followed by a pie and a pint or a picnic after!

A quiz evening and fundraiser is planned at the Bedford Tavern, Western Street in June (date tbc) with Adam as the quiz master.

Raffle expert Anthony will be organising the raffle and all funds raised will be for the future work of Peer Action.

SISSINGHURST

CHRIS MARSHALL

LOLA LASAGNE

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In July the group are organising a trip to Sissinghurst in Kent. This famous National Trust White Garden is the creation of Vita Sackville West and is spectacular. The trip will include return coach trip from Brighton and entrance to the famous gardens and house. Register early as possible as interest in this event is expected to be large.

Last but not least, organisers are expecting to be able to offer some massage therapies at subsidised rates in the near future.

For more information please email: peeraction@yahoo.co.uk or visit: www.peeraction.co.uk

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Courtlands Hotel & The Shelleys Hotel Are delighted to present a range of bespoke packages to make your Civil Partnership or Special Celebration truly memorable We have two beautiful hotels each with their own distinctive character and charm

Courtlands Hotel, Hove

The Shelleys, Lewes

Ideally situated just a few minutes walk from Hove Town Hall and the Beach.

The Courtlands is a mix of elegant Victorian charm and drama with comfortable en suite bedrooms, superb reception rooms and ample parking.

It also comes with its very own beach hut!

Perfect for wedding photos, champagne and canapes on the beach.

The Shelley’s offers the attractions of a quintessential English country hotel yet set in the heart of Lewes, the county town of East Sussex. With 19 luxurious bedrooms, beautiful reception rooms and free parking, the hotel may be hired exclusively for you and your guests. Our beautifully landscaped gardens are the perfect setting for your celebrations.

We offer traditional weddings and events to themed fantasy occasions for the more adventurous with our in-house cake designer, florist, venue stylist and events planner ready to support you every step of the way up to your big and very special day

Please call Courtlands Hotel 01273 731055 or The Shelleys 01273 472361

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MP MIKE WEATHERLY

Human Rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, was the keynote speaker at a public meeting at All Saints Church, Hove in late March. The meeting was organised by Changing Attitude, a national organisation which campaigns for inclusion in the Anglican church. The local branch is chaired by Gscene columnist, Keith Sharp. The event was organised to coincide with the launch of the government's consultation on civil marriage for same-sex couples.

An audience of over 150 people heard Peter talk through the campaigning that went into the government agreeing to support the present marriage for same-sex couples consultation. Peter spoke without notes for almost 45 minutes; his main thrust being to urge everyone to respond to the government’s consultation as the 'other side' he said were well organised and had over 250,000 people signed up to oppose the campaign.

Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Kemptown & Peacehaven sent a message of support to the meeting saying he supported gay marriage and had spoken on the issue many times.

Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove & Portslade sent the following statement: “I would very much have liked to discuss the important issue of gay marriage with Keith, Peter and others who have campaigned so hard for equality on this point but, due to prior commitments in my diary, I am sadly not able to be with you this evening.

“I wrote to the Prime Minister some months back with a solution to the gay marriage question that, I felt, would have resulted in greater equality and less state intervention. I suggested the introduction of the term ‘union’, instead of ‘partnership’ or ‘marriage’, as the name of the formal relationship between two people in the eyes of the State. People, whether they be gay or straight, would then be free to describe their unions however they wish.

This seemed to me to be a very neat solution that has worked in other countries after all. Nevertheless, we are where we are and the question now is about whether or not a new type of union should be created for same-sex couples called ‘marriage’. It is ultimately not about words and what we are really talking about is fighting prejudice and inequality. To that end, I would totally support gay marriage.

“I am proud that religious groups in my constituency are leading the way in holding discussions like this and, again, I wish that I could have been with you.

Congratulations to both Keith and Peter for pushing forward the debate on this most important issue.”

To respond to the consultation go to: www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/v.asp?i=48356xhlqw More info about Changing Attitude visit: www.changingattitudesussex.com

LONDON MAYORAL CANDIDATES ATTEND GAY MAYORAL HUSTINGS

Stonewall, the LGB lobbying organisation has responded in detail to the government’s consultation on its intention to extend the legal form of marriage to same-sex couples and is urging all supporters of equal marriage to make their voices heard by responding to the consultation themselves before it closes on June 14, 2012.

250,000 supporters mobilised by the Christian right have signed a petition opposing any changes to the law so it is important that supporters of equality show their support in large numbers.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: “Stonewall supports the government’s plans to make this modest change to extend the legal form of marriage.

“Leading clerics and some political figures have, in the past three weeks alone, compared equality for gay people with slavery, child abuse, polygamy and bestiality. That’s why it’s critical that the calm voices of lesbian and gay people are heard in this debate too.

“Ministers have pledged that same-sex couples will be able to marry in Britain by 2015. We trust that, given this commitment, these proposals will be included in the Queen’s Speech in May." See Stonewall’s full response at: www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage

An audience of more than 500 people attended the London Gay Mayoral hustings organised by Stonewall last month at the British Film Institute. The four candidates present were current Conservative mayor Boris Johnson, Labour’s Ken Livingstone, Liberal Democrat, Brian Paddick and Green Party candidate Jenny Jones.

VOTE FOR LOCAL HEROES IN THE NATIONAL DIVERSITY AWARDS The National Diversity Awards are being held in the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Friday September 21. Brighton based MindOut, the award winning LGBT mental health project has been nominated in The Community Organisation Award category. Helen Jones the project director and project worker have also been nominated in the Lifetime Achievement Award section. More info: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

GAY MAYORAL HUSTINGS

LOCAL TORY MPS SEND MESSAGES SUPPORTING 'GAY MARRIAGE' TO PUBLIC MEETING IN HOVE

STONEWALL CALLS FOR SUPPORTERS TO RESPOND TO EQUAL MARRIAGE CONSULTATION

Brian Paddick, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner in London's Metropolitan Police, told the audience how he suffered homophobic bullying at school. He said: “There needs to be an absolute culture change in the police. I will put that pressure on to deal with racism and homophobia within the police.”

Boris Johnson promised that he would reenter the Greater London Authority in Stonewall's Employer Index. He explained that the cost of £2,000 was the reason the authority had withdrawn.

Ken Livingstone spoke of his memories of the Gay Liberation Front and their campaigns in the 1980s and highlighted his promise to cut public transport fares by 7% and establish an energy co-op to reduce Londoners’ energy bills. Jenny Jones spoke of her party’s ‘progressive’ stance on environmental and social issues which disproportionately affect the poor. While much of the debate revolved around homophobic and transphobic hate crime in London, Ben Summerskill pointed out that Boris Johnson’s 28-page manifesto on crime did not mention homophobic or transphobic incidents. Boris Johnson said he might try to produce an LGBT manifesto in time for the election and remained committed to having LGBT liaison officers in each London borough.

Following the hustings, Ben Summerskill, Stonewall’s Chief Executive, said: “It’s really impressive that all of the main mayoral candidates wanted to engage lesbian, gay and bisexual Londoners, something that would have been unthinkable 15 or 20 years ago. What was particularly interesting was that many of the people in the audience were completely undecided about how they were going to vote, so clearly no-one should take London’s 350,000 gay voters for granted.”

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CLLR WARREN MORGAN

CLLR GILL MITCHELL

LABOUR CALLS FOR COUNCIL TO DEBATE GAY MARRIAGE The Labour & Co-op group on Brighton & Hove City Council have urged the Green and Conservative groups to support their calls for gay marriage to be legalised. They have submitted a motion to full council for debate but due to programming difficulties the motion cannot be debated before the council’s June meeting at the earliest. The government launched a 12 week consultation on the issue on March 15. To make your views known go to: www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage. The consultation closes on June 14.

Cllr Gill Mitchell, Leader of the Labour & Co-operative group, said: “If two people love each other, and want to marry, then they should be allowed to marry, whether they are gay or straight, and this is why we are asking for the support of other councillors in the city. The city has a large LGBT community and has been at the forefront of supporting gay rights, and long may that continue.”

Cllr Warren Morgan, Deputy Leader of the Labour & Co-op group said:“Labour's record on promoting equality is a strong one, from age of consent to adoption and civil partnerships. Labour in the city is backing the next step and asking the council to support an equal right of marriage for all.”

He went on to say: “After two decades of progress towards equality in the United Kingdom, I’m proud that my party is backing moves that would mean this country could join ten other nations, including Argentina, South Africa, Spain and Canada, by legislating for equal marriage.

“I’m pleased that the current government is following Labour’s thirteen years of measures to improve LGBT equality, from equalising the age of consent, through allowing same sex couples to adopt, to the introduction of civil partnerships, by opening a consultation on equal marriage. However, like other Labour politicians including Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, I believe the consultation does not go far enough.

“As it stands, the Conservative/Lib Dem Coalition Government’s proposal expressly bans religious civil marriages between same-sex couples, even when faith organisations – for example the Quakers, the Unitarians and Liberal Judaism – have expressed a desire to perform them.

“No faith organisation should be compelled to conduct ceremonies that conflict with their religious beliefs, despite our objections to those beliefs. The conduct of religious organisations is excluded from Labour’s legislation on ending discrimination in the delivery of goods and services, which prohibits for example B&Bs from refusing LGBT customers. However preventing any faith group from conducting equal marriage ceremonies, and preventing LGBT couples of faith from having a religious ceremony if their faith organisation allows it, seems absurd.

“The logic of respecting religious freedom and choice is that it should also be possible for those churches and synagogues that want to support gay marriage to be able to do so, and it should be possible for other religious groups to change their view over time too without going back to Parliament for permission.

Opponents of same-sex marriage are free to campaign against these reforms.

They should not be free to do so using language which causes huge offence to the LGBT community and to many other people. In my view they are on the wrong side of history.

“When civil partnerships were introduced by Labour seven years ago it was in the face of strong opposition and prejudice. Now more and more people are supporting change, not least because civil partnerships have been so celebrated.

In Brighton & Hove they have become part of the life and economy of the city; full marriage rights would benefit the community and local business even more.

I’m pleased that, as part of Brighton & Hove City Council’s submission to the government’s consultation on equal marriage, the Labour and Co-operative Group of councillors are putting forward a motion which calls for a change to the law to allow same-sex couples to get married, which allows religious bodies to conduct same-sex marriages, which ends the requirement that transgender people divorce before attaining Gender Recognition, and which enables mixed-sex couples to register a civil partnership.”

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JASON KITCAT

CLLR GILL MITCHELL

GEOFFREY THEOBALD

CLLR ANNE NORMAN

Tory Councillors criticised the Green and Labour parties in Brighton & Hove over their decision to boycott Barclays Bank. The Conservative group on Brighton & Hove City Council have accused both the Greens and Labour groups of imitating "militant left-wing antics" of Labour councils in the 1980s. They accuse both groups of ignoring the advice of the same professional council finance officers who successfully avoided investing any money in the doomed Icelandic banks, and have, they claim, pushed through a hasty ill-thought out proposal that effectively prevents council taxpayers’ money being deposited in Barclays Bank.

At a previous meeting of the council’s ruling Cabinet, Cllr Jason Kitcat, Green Finance Spokesperson, backed the investment in Barclays, stating that the council’s primary duty was to protect taxpayers’ money, a decision supported by Cllr. Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative Group Leader. The present decision, the Conservatives say represents a u-turn by Cllr Kitcat and the Greens.

Cllr Ann Norman, Conservative Group Finance Spokesperson, said: “I am appalled that the Greens and Labour are using millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money as a political football in order to try and outdo each other in their unseemly squabble to gain the left-wing vote in the city.

Barclays are a significant employer of local people in Brighton & Hove and the council’s professional accountants have assessed them to be one of the safest places to deposit taxpayers’ money. The logical conclusion to their position is that these hard-working residents should be made redundant and that the security of taxpayers’ money is a secondary consideration.

Where will this end? Will they now be advocating a boycott of American Express in the city?”

Geoffrey Theobald, Conservative Group Leader, added: “The Greens and Labour are turning the council, and the city, into a laughing stock. I can’t imagine any other council in the country is taking this stance. They seem intent on taking us back to the days of nuclear-free zones and banning blackboards and manholes. Barclays was one of the few banks that didn’t require a taxpayer bailout during the recent financial crisis and they provide loans worth many thousands of pounds to local businesses to enable them to trade in the city. I would expect this sort of nonsense from the Green Party but the Labour Party really should have learnt the lessons of the past. I shall be writing to their national leader, Ed Miliband, to ask if it is now national Labour Party policy to boycott Barclays.”

Cllr Gill Mitchell, Leader of Labour & Co-operative group, said: “The Tories need to calm down. When setting the council's financial investment framework Labour requested that tax payer's money was invested in the most ethical way. Something that most people, apart from some Tory Councillors, would agree with. All this huff and puff from the Tories is simply a ruse to divert attention from the increasing pain to household budgets inflicted by their government with imminent changes to tax credits that will leave many households much worse off."

Jason Kitcat, Cabinet Member for Finance & Central Services, said: "The Conservatives are making up this fuss.

No-one is preventing money being invested in any bank that meets our extremely high credit-rating criteria. I have already requested an officer report into extending the council's ethical investment approach and Labour has recently followed this with a formal request, to which we were very happy to agree.

"It's wrong for the Tories to pre-empt the report and mislead by suggesting professional advice has been ignored. Of course there are serious ethical concerns about the major banks, which is why we impose an exceedingly strong ethical statement on the banks whenever we invest, but as a council we're continuing to base investment on our extremely high credit-rating criteria and we'll always stick to our primary legal duties, which remain the protection of taxpayers' money. "

COUNCIL PLEDGES TO MAKE BRIGHTON & HOVE A CITY FIT FOR CYCLING

COUNCIL MAKE BIKERS A PRIORITY Recent figures show a 20% increase in motorbike and moped related casualties in Brighton & Hove.

With better weather on the way, motorbike safety is being highlighted as more motorcyclists prepare to take to the road this spring.

A key priority for Sussex Safer Roads Partnership is to reduce the number of casualties through awareness projects.

BikeSafe is run locally by the partnership to encourage riders to up their skill levels; and the Stay A Hero campaign video reminds bikers to wear the right gear not just for themselves but for those close to them.

Also, the Sussex Biker magazine this year will include Crash Cards – giving emergency services key details if the worst happens to a biker on scene.

Protection is vital on the road: a correctly fitted helmet, decent boots, trousers and jacket are a must, along with gloves ideally. Hitting the road at just 20mph can mean a serious flesh wound without them – at best. Bike shops can supply decent gear at around £250 in all.

Cllr Ian Davey, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm said: “Bikers are more vulnerable to accidents than car drivers as they are not always easy to see.

The most common time for accidents is from 4–7pm in weekdays and 2–4pm at weekends.

This is often when bikers are returning home from work and may not be fully focused.

In addition other road users at this time may not be as effective in looking out for them.

It is important that they minimise their risk by wearing protective gear and double checking their observations before carrying out any manoeuvres.”

Brighton & Hove City Council is backing a national newspaper campaign to make cities ‘fit for cycling’. At last month’s council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to support The Times’ cycling campaign and invite government ministers to visit the city and see first hand the improvements being made.

The Times campaign, which was started following one of their reporters being seriously injured in a collision with a lorry while on her bicycle, calls for a range of measures to make cycling safer.

These include reducing speed limits to 20mph in residential areas, providing world class cycling infrastructure and improving training and road safety education.

CLLR IAN DAVEY

TORIES ANGRY OVER COUNCIL’S DECISION TO BOYCOTT BARCLAYS BANK

Cllr Ian Davey, Cabinet Member for Transport & Public Realm, said: “I am delighted that our aspiration to make Brighton & Hove a city fit for cycling has so much support.

“As more people cycle in the city each year we must do everything possible to make sure that they can do so safely. The Times campaign has made a significant contribution to the national cycling debate and signing up to it reinforces the work we are doing.

“The council is introducing a new high quality segregated cycle route on the Old Shoreham Road that will be completed shortly, and from April we will be consulting on proposals to improve the cycle lanes out to the universities and the Amex Stadium on the Lewes Road.

“These measures, alongside reduced speed limits in residential areas, will go a considerable way to enabling more people to cycle more often, more safely.”

Brighton & Hove City Council has brought forward a number of measures to support cyclists, such as better cycle parking, in particular at Brighton Station; cycle training in schools; supporting adult cyclists through travel planning and training; and the promotion of existing cycle routes in the city.

The council has also considered introducing an extensive contraflow network to give cyclists two-way access in one-way streets in the North Laine.

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THT IN BRIGHTON SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR ITS WELFARE RIGHTS SERVICE

BRITISH GAY HISTORY SINCE SECTION 28, RELAUNCHED BY STONEWALL

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), is looking to recruit volunteers for its Welfare Rights Service, to meet the increasing demand from people with HIV for help in this area. The Welfare Rights Service advises and assists people with HIV to claim benefits if they become sick, and helps long term sick claimants continue their entitlement. We also support people with HIV to return to work following an improvement in their health or with a reduction in working hours. The team, mainly run by volunteers, offers clients one to one support and telephone advice, and runs workshops on Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Benefits and Work.

Over a number of years the demand for support in helping people to return to employment has been equal to the demands from those needing to claim benefits because they are unable to work. This is no longer the case.

The government’s ongoing review of sickness related benefits has meant more and more people are now being assessed for their right to financial support.

HIV claimants often need help to understand and complete the claim forms. Many of THT’s clients have been diagnosed for over twenty years and, although their health and prognosis has improved following the introduction of drug therapy, it has not returned them to good health.

These clients who previously needed only occasional help to satisfy their continuing entitlement are now asking for more help, much more often to remain on a sickness related benefit. This increased demand has changed the balance of advice and effectively reduced the amount of support available to those considering a return to work. An unfortunate side effect of increased assessments is clients no longer feel secure and are less likely to explore the possibility of work. Their attention is concentrated on the difficult new assessment processes and this focuses their minds on their health problems as well as causing so much stress that they often suffer worsening physical and mental health.

However, I strongly believe that these changes do not need to be catastrophic for claimants or advisers. Increasing the amount of support available from trained volunteers means clients get the right help more easily.

The fear of change, difficulty in understanding the new benefits and the struggle to get advice within time limits set by the Department for Work & Pensions can be mitigated by increasing the number of volunteers and clients access to advice.

Training will develop skills relevant to a number of careers in social care and health, advocacy or legal representation and counseling.

One client said: “Working as a volunteer in welfare rights at THT has improved my mental health and given me confidence. The close personal supervision and training has helped me improve my skills and made me want to return to the workforce when my health improves.”

I have enjoyed a great sense of personal achievement, helping to make a real difference to clients well-being and security.

Tim Procter If you are interested in becoming a Welfare Rights Volunteer, contact info.brighton@tht.org.uk or call 01273 764205 and request a volunteer application form.

Stonewall is using Facebook’s new Timeline format to celebrate lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) history in Britain since 1989, when the charity was founded to fight against Section 28.

The charity’s timeline now includes status updates about some of the biggest changes to gay equality since then.

Many of the updates include links to stories from newspapers including the Independent, Daily Mail and Guardian, and BBC news programmes – including interviews with Stonewall cofounder Ian McKellen.

The timeline’s updates highlight Stonewall’s role in major legal changes for LGB people in Britain, including the campaigns to repeal Section 28, equalise the age of consent for sex between men, and lift the ban on gay and lesbian personnel in the Armed Forces.

Stonewall hopes the new Facebook page will be useful for people interested in gay history in Britain, particularly school and college students.

Andy Wasley, Stonewall Media Manager, said: “Reading Stonewall’s new timeline updates reminds you that the equal rights gay people enjoy today often came after long political and legal struggles – and Stonewall was there every step of the way.

As we continue to fight for marriage equality and to stamp out homophobia in schools, we hope there will be many more happy updates in the future.”

Stonewall has nearly 27,500 Facebook fans, and nearly 20,000 followers on Twitter.

The charity joined Facebook in 2008.

Marine Tavern barman, Jamie hands over a cheque to Sussex Beacon for £407.50 from the Easter egg raffle and bonus ball

See their profile at: facebook.com/stonewalluk Stonewall is on Twitter at: twitter.com/stonewalluk

STONEWALL’S ANNUAL EQUALITY DINNER RAISES A RECORD £393,000 Over 500 guests, including celebrities, politicians and all of London’s mayoral candidates attended Stonewall’s annual Equality Dinner at London’s Dorchester Hotel.

The event raised a record-breaking £393,000 to support Stonewall’s Education for All campaign tackling homophobic bullying in schools.

Hosted by Stella Duffy, the dinner included a live auction hosted by Christopher Biggins. Guests included Dr Christian Jessen, Val McDermid, Charlie Condou, Harry Derbidge, House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, Lord Alli and MPs Lynne Featherstone, Angela Eagle and Margot James.

CLARE BALDING

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In an emotional keynote speech about sport, Clare Balding, said: “If we convince coaches that the sporting world will be improved if people can be out and comfortable, that will translate across to performance. Each of us makes a little personal triumph every time we persuade someone that I can still do my job, I can still have fun and be everything you want me to be, and I'm gay. Not ‘but I'm gay’ but ‘and I'm gay’.”

She paid tribute to Stonewall for supporting her during her 2010 campaign to secure an apology from the Sunday Times after its columnist AA Gill derided her as a ‘dyke on a bike’.

Stonewall’s Laura Doughty said: “The fact that two thirds of gay secondary school pupils in Britain still face homophobic bullying shows how much there is still to do.”

During the event it was announced that Aviva had signed a new sponsorship agreement to support the Equality Dinner and Stonewall’s work for a further three years from 2013-2015 to the sum of £250,000.

Auction lots included meet-and-greet experiences with Elton John and opera star Renée Fleming, dinner dates with Ian McKellen, VIP tickets to the MTV Europe Music Awards and a unique Maggi Hambling painting.

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PETER TATCHELL

TATCHELL RECEIVES SECULARIST OF THE YEAR AWARD Human Rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, received the Secularist of the Year Award from the UK National Secular Society (NSS) in March. He was presented with the £5,000 Irwin prize by the the author Nick Cohen at a lunch-time event hosted by the NSS. Terry Sanderson, President of the NSS, said: “We are very pleased to be able to reward Peter's lifelong commitment to human rights and to honour his support for a just and inclusive secular society. He has been active in many progressive campaigns over the past forty or more years, not least in gay rights, and has had to endure much public and press abuse because of it. But he has persevered and now he has made the unprecedented transition from public enemy number one to national treasure.”

In his speech of acceptance at the award ceremony to an audience which included prominent scientists, journalists and writers, Peter said: “Worldwide, organised religion is the single greatest threat to human rights; especially to the rights of women, LGBT people, atheists and minority faiths.

Religious inspired dogmas persecute Christians in Pakistan, Sunni Muslims in Iran, Shia Muslims in Bahrain and Jewish people in much of the Middle East.”

The gay humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has given a warm welcome to the award.

George Broadhead, PTT Secretary, commented: “This is precisely what LGBT Humanists and Secularists, including groups like GALHA (the Gay & Lesbian Humanist Association) and the PTT have been saying for years. Warm congratulations on your award Peter and more power to your elbow!”

1,000 LONDON BUSES CARRY ‘SOME PEOPLE ARE GAY. GET OVER IT!’ ADVERTS Throughout April, 1,000 London buses carried adverts from Stonewall, the LGB lobbying organisation to promote equal marriage, in the largest advertising campaign ever of its kind. The iconic ‘Some People Are Gay. Get Over It!’ adverts link to Stonewall’s equal marriage campaign website www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage, which includes details of the charity’s response to the government’s consultation on the issue and explains how people can submit their own responses. To make sure the campaign was not confined just to the streets of London, Stonewall asked supporters to tweet pictures of buses carrying the advert using the hashtag #equalmarriage, or to post them on its recently relaunched Facebook page. The charity has promised a range of Some People Are Gay. Get Over It! merchandise to whoever sends in the best picture each week until the campaign ends in early May. Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: “In recent months Britain has been subjected to vitriolic political campaigning from people who want to impose their 19th-century values on 21st-century society. Our very moderate and straightforward campaign, which will be seen by hundreds of thousands of Londoners, and many more people online, will help those who have been offended by anti-equality prejudice to tell the government why equal marriage is important to them.”

Some People Are Gay. Get Over It! posters were first used in a national billboard campaign in 2008, and the slogan has since been used on t-shirts, mugs and other goods, which are available from: www.stonewall.org.uk/merchandise

BRIGHTON BANDITS

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BRIGHTON BANDITS REACH GFSN CUP FINAL Spectators were treated to a seven goal thriller at the Withdean Stadium last month, when the Brighton Bandits played Nottingham Ballbois in the GFSN National Cup Semi-Final.

Brighton opened the scoring first, and followed shortly after with a second goal, ending the first half 2-0 up. Nottingham came out fighting in the second half but Brighton continued to dominate and quickly secured a crucial third goal after a mix-up by the Nottingham defence. The visitors managed to claw a goal back from a free kick at the edge of the penalty area, before Brighton responded almost immediately with their fourth. The outcome looked fairly conclusive, but after a number of Brighton substitutions the visitors managed to come back with two late goals. However, it was a case of too little too late, with just 14 seconds remaining on the clock. Brighton won 4-3.

The Bandits send thanks to all the supporters from both teams who came to cheer on the sides and make the day a memorable event for everyone.

Brighton now face the Yorkshire Terriers in the GFSN Cup Final to be held on Sunday May 6, venue and times to be confirmed (possibly Leyton Orient, London). For further details view: www.banditsfc.org

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ALEX MATTHEWS

GAY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TO BE RELAUNCHED The Brighton Gay Business Association (GBA) in being relaunched with a working lunch at the A-Bar on Tuesday, May 8 at 1pm. The GBA was successful in the mid 2000s in helping Gay Businesses in Brighton develop a tourism strategy to encourage LGBT tourists to visit Brighton 365 days a year and not just during Pride weekend.

Alex Matthews, the new owner of the A-Bar on Marine Parade is leading on the project and is inviting all gay hoteliers, gay bar owners, gay shops owners and all LGBT people who have their own businesses to come to an initial lunch to scope out a new strategy to encourage international LGBT tourists to visit the city in 2012-13.

Alex said: “In the mid 2000s Brighton was voted best gay tourist destination year after year in the gay press. In the present austere times we need to develop a new strategy to make sure that Brighton remains the first choice of LGBT tourists when they arrive in the UK. Our gay bars and gay friendly hotels could be busier mid-week. We need to do something to remedy that. We also need to look at improving St James’ Street so that visitors feel welcome and safe when they visit the city.”

Lunch will cost just £5 per head. RSVP to Alex on theabarltd@btconnect.com to help with the dining arrangements.

GAY CLASSIC CAR GROUP The Gay Classic Car Group, a group for gay and lesbian classic car enthusiasts, is looking forward to celebrating its Silver Jubilee in 2013 with the annual European Eurotour which is being held in the UK. The group currently has over 700 members and organises a varied programme of events each year, allowing members to enjoy their cars and each other's company in an open and friendly environment. While ownership of a classic car is not obligatory, the majority of members do possess at least one classic car and many have several. Like their owners, these cars vary in age, condition and performance.

It's not all about flash and expensive models either, all are welcome. Cars in the group include the obvious classic MGBs, Morris Minors, Rolls Royces and Bentleys, but also many less seen classics from Citroën, Austin, Morris, Triumph and Ford.

The group's events, such as monthly pub meets, visits to car museums and country houses, weekends away, tours, treasure-hunts, drives and picnics, are run by a number of area organisers spread across the UK. Internationally, strong links are maintained with sister clubs in Europe and beyond. Drives often involve some car-tarting allowing members to socialise and experience other members' classics. Forthcoming events in the south east include a drive through the Weald of Kent, a drive from Brighton to Bexhill to visit the De La Warr Pavilion and a classic bus tour through the South Downs.

Annual membership costs up to £20 per year, which includes access to the programme of nationwide events, a quarterly magazine, Big End, and a monthly email bulletin, All Torque.

For more info contact Graham, area organiser for the south east, by email: eventssoutheastgd@gccg.org.uk or call 07973 951253 or visit: www.gccg.org.uk

CITYWIDE TREASURE HUNT TO BENEFIT LGBT SWITCHBOARD BLAGSS, the LGBT sports society, is hosting a citywide treasure hunt, open to all LGBT groups, on Sunday, June 10 to benefit BLAGSS' official charity for 2012, LGBT Switchboard.

BLAGSS running group hosted a treasure hunt last summer, and it was a great success.

Here's how it works: • You meet in Preston Park, near the clock tower (close to the north east part of the park) at 2pm.

• Teams of up to six are given a list of information and items ('treasure') they must identify, collect, or take pictures of.

• The distance is 3-4 miles, so participants must be able to walk the distance on foot.

• You finish near the seafront at a location to be decided.

• The team that achieves the most items in the shortest time is the winner. The hunt will likely take a minimum of three hours, and some may take up to four.

• There will be prizes hopefully donated by local businesses.

• Team registration fee is £15 for a team of up to six. You can submit as many teams as you like, and they can be from your organisation or a group of friends.

The more, the merrier and the more funds that will be raised for Switchboard.

For more information and to register contact: johnson_gene@hotmail.com

MP LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has launched a website aimed at finding the views of local residents on the price of car parking charges across Brighton & Hove.

The website can be viewed at: www.brightonparkingmadness. co.uk

NEW SPERM DONOR CLINIC OPENS IN BRIGHTON Suzy Duffy, managing director of the Brighton Fertility Associates (BFA) released balloons last month to mark the opening of her fertility clinic. BFA is a new licensed donor bank for sperm donation.

They are committed to promoting a new attitude and approach to the information recorded and held about their donors.

Records created about donors include name, physical characteristics, ethnic origin, family medical history and as much information as possible about donor backgrounds, interests, hobbies and skills, why they decide to be a donor, and a goodwill message to the child.

Descriptive questionnaires that provide the donor’s personality are considered important for the child to complete their own identity, and are actively encouraged by BFA. Suzy said: “Donors feel a sense of pride, knowing that they can bring great joy and happiness to people who might otherwise be unable to have a child. Money cannot be considered the primary reason for donating, so only small expenses compensation is payable in the UK.” BFA is pioneering the way information will be available from a UK sperm bank.

To contact BFA call 01273 620165 or view: www.brightonfertility.co

DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON

21

WWW.GSCENE.COM NEW SUSSEX BEACON SHOP MANAGER

EASTER BONNETS & DRAG Despite grey skies, the Bedford Tavern’s annual Drag Race and Easter Bonnet Parade was a great success last month. Money raised on the day looks set to eclipse last year's total with just under £1,200 raised for The Sussex Beacon appeal at The Bedford while donations at The Grosvenor are still being counted.

Seven Drag Queen’s including cabaret stars Spice and Sally Vate, made light work of the bar before setting off in their heels to complete the two-lap circuit. It wasn’t all plain sailing though, with shot drinking games and eggs and spoons littered across the route hindering their chances. Drag Queen, Skinny Marie overcame the obstacles, leaving the others in the dust as he stormed over the finishing line in first place.

Cllr Anne Meadows, Mayor of Brighton & Hove, judged the Easter Bonnet Parade, which was won by an 80-year-old grandmother.

Adam Brooks, landlord of The Bedford Tavern summed up the afternoon, he said: “Considering the weather started off a little bit on the rainy side, it turned out to be a really good day.”

CERI DUPREE

CERI DUPREE TO HEADLINE GOLDEN HANDBAGS SHOW Lola Lasagne will once again be hosting The Golden Handbags Show, Brighton's annual gay oscar awards ceremony, on Sunday, June 17 starting at 7.30pm at the Metropole Hotel.

Headlining the show this year is international female impersonator extraordinaire, Ceri Dupree, who will be featuring new characters from her show. Ceri will be joined on the night by Miss Jason, Maisie Trollette and Jennie Castelle who will be helping pump up the feel good factor on the evening. The Golden Handbags celebrate everything that is positive about LGBT Brighton, recognising the contributions of the many unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes, volunteering their time to provide services to the various LGBT communities in Brighton & Hove. Voting commences online at www.realbrighton.com on May 1 and there is a voting form on page 22 in this month’s magazine for those who don’t have internet access. Pop the voting forms into the Golden Voting Box at Prowler, St James’ Street, Brighton or send by post to: Gscene Magazine, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD. Voting continues until Friday, June 8.

Individual tickets costing £17 can be purchased from Prowler, St James’ Street.

Cash only please as Prowler are not charging a booking fee. There are just two VIP tables left seating 12 people each and costing £204. To book call 01273 722 457 or email info@gscene.com All profits go to the Rainbow Fund for distribution to LGBT voluntary sector organisations who provide front line services to the LGBT community and will be distributed through the Sussex Community Foundation grants programme.

The Council's Overview and Scrutiny Commission have agreed to carry out a trans equality scrutiny to explore the needs and experiences of trans people in Brighton & Hove.

The proposal was tabled by Cllr Phelim MacCafferty from the Green Party.

Cllr MacCafferty said: “The council recently supported the launch of a new campaign to make Brighton & Hove the UK’s first zero tolerant city for LGBT hate crime, and we should show our commitment by taking it a step further. For example a disproportionately high percentage of trans people are reported as having mental health problems - much of which is down to discrimination, which causes depression and anxiety. Many also have problems accessing services because of prejudice and misunderstanding.

“The incredible work of FTM Brighton and the Clare Project shows us the way forward: we must show our support and our solidarity with this marginalised community in the city.”

There was cross party support for the proposal and Cllr Gill Mitchell, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission, who moved the motion said: “I am really pleased that the Commission has agreed to carry out this piece of work that can take evidence and focus on the gaps in services for trans people so that their needs and experiences can be better understood and catered for.”

What is a council scrutiny?

It is a local public enquiry where councillors take evidence and come to a conclusion about an issue.

Scrutiny could help the council review how it can do more to promote fairness and equality for trans people and make a real difference to trans people’s lives.

For more Info view: www.brightonhove.gov.uk/index.cfm?reques t=c1209574

ALAN SHARRATT

ALAN SHARRATT

COUNCIL AGREES TRANS SCRUTINY

Alan Sharratt has been appointed as the new manager of the Sussex Beacon's charity shops in St James’ Street, Brighton and George Street, Hove. Alan, who joined the Sussex Beacon in March, has plenty of retail experience including five years at Selfridges and two years at Harvey Nics.

Asked why had he chosen to work for The Sussex Beacon, Alan said: “I really wanted to work for a local charity. Brighton is my home and I felt it was important to me to work for a charity that makes a difference in Brighton. What could be better than the Sussex Beacon!"

Alan hopes to increase the stock of children’s wear, as well as continuing to stock an excellent range of clothes and goods. He is passionate about creating really eye catching window displays and has some ideas up his sleeve that will make the Beacon shops stand out from the crowd. So watch this space!

The Beacon charity shops are always looking for new volunteers, so whether you can help out regularly or from time to time, pop in and chat to one of the shop managers, or contact Margot Uden at the Sussex Beacon: 01273 694 222.

NEIGHBOURHOOD A new care bar opens on May 1 at 101 St James’ Street, Brighton, opposite the Bully on the site of the former Street Café.

Neighbourhood is a neighbourhood bar, with a vintage feel. The interior will be a mix of objets d′art, industrial coverings and worn antiques, steel, wood, brandless with a little glamour thrown in. The two floor venue has a terrace and 100 foot garden at the rear.

Brunch will feature classic breakfasts and lazy lunches. Evenings see a shift towards American 'style' gourmet burgers, large summer salads as well as all your favourite comfort food. A full monty breakfast is £3.95 with lunches generally only £1 more.

The drinks menu offers selections based around the world’s best lagers, (no mainstream brands here), quality spirits and a large wine list.

Neighbourhood is far removed from the chain pub brands that have taken over much of Brighton & Hove, bringing a bit of the individuality and independence that is otherwise disappearing.

Neighbourhood opens from 9am–11pm at 101, St James’ Street, Brighton.

This is your opportunity to register your vote for what’s best on the Brighton Gay Scene.

You can also vote online at realbrighton.com. The awards will be presented at the Golden Handbag Awards Show at the BRIGHTON METROPOLE HOTEL, on SUNDAY JUNE 17, show starts 7.30pm.

CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING is FRIDAY JUNE 8 Please take completed form to Prowler, or send to: Gscene Magazine, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD FAVOURITE GAY CLUB ❏ Basement Club @ Legends ❏ Envy @ Charles Street ❏ Revenge ❏ Subline

FAVOURITE BAR GIRL

❏ Other

FAVOURITE BRIGHTON DJ

Name Venue They Work

FAVOURITE GAY CLUB NIGHT FAVOURITE BRIGHTON HOTEL FAVOURITE BAR (SMALL CAPACITY) ❏ 122 Church St ❏ Bedford Tavern ❏ Brighton Tavern ❏ Bulldog ❏ Camelford Arms ❏ Grosvenor ❏ Loop ❏ Marlborough ❏ Marine Tavern ❏ Poison Ivy ❏ Project 56 ❏ Queens Arms ❏ Regency Tavern ❏ Subline ❏ Vavavoom ❏ The Zone

❏ Other FAVOURITE BAR (LARGE CAPACITY) ❏ A Bar ❏ Charles Street ❏ Dr Brightons ❏ Legends ❏ R-Bar

❏ Other

FAVOURITE OUT OF TOWN VENUE ❏ 2930 Triangle Club, Bournemouth ❏ Bakers Arms, Bournemouth ❏ Branscombe Arms, Bournemouth ❏ Cumberland, Bournemouth ❏ DYMK, Bournemouth ❏ Edge, Southampton ❏ Hart, Eastborne ❏ HBs, Portsmouth ❏ Isobar, Southampton ❏ London Hotel, Southampton ❏ Old Vic, Portsmouth ❏ The Stage, Worthing ❏ Xchange, Bournemouth

❏ Other FAVOURITE CABARET VENUE ❏ Charles St ❏ 112 Church St ❏ Fisherman’s Rest ❏ Legends ❏ Queens Arms ❏ Queens Hotel ❏ Project 56 ❏ Telscombe Tavern ❏ The Zone

FAVOURITE DOOR HOSTESS Name Venue They Work

❏ Other

FAVOURITE DOOR SECURITY

LANDLORD/LANDLADY OF THE YEAR

Name

FAVOURITE COMMUNITY SOCIAL/LEISURE NETWORKING ORGANISATION ❏ Actually Gay Men’s Choir ❏ Actually Gay Women’s Choir ❏ Bear Patrol ❏ BLAGSS ❏ Brighton Bandits ❏ Brighton Bothways ❏ Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus ❏ Brighton & Hove Gay Men’s Chorus ❏ Brighton Honeybees Hockey Team ❏ Brighton & Hove City Council LGBT Workers Group ❏ Brighton Ourstory ❏ Brighton & Sussex Sexualities Network ❏ Brighton University LGBT Soc ❏ Calabash ❏ Cheek 2 Cheek ❏ GEMS ❏ Lesbian Link ❏ Rainbow Chorus ❏ Sussex University LGBT Soc

❏ Other VOLUNTARY SECTOR & HIV ORGANISATION ❏ Allsorts Youth Group ❏ Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard ❏ Brighton Women’s Centre ❏ Clare Project: Trans drop-in service ❏ Lunch Positive ❏ ME Society ❏ MindOut: mental health support group ❏ Peer Action ❏ LGBT HIP ❏ Sussex Beacon ❏ THT South

❏ Other

Venue They Work

FAVOURITE LOCAL ENTERTAINER

FAVOURITE BAR BOY Name

FAVOURITE SUNDAY LUNCH VENUE

Your name:

FAVOURITE BUSINESS (NON LICENSED) INCLUDING SAUNAS

Your email:

Venue They Work

Golden Handbag Awards show single ticket: £17 - available from Prowler, St James’ St, 01273 683680.

Tickets must be collected in person and paid for in cash as Prowler isn’t charging a booking fee.

Tickets bought from Prowler are not reserved and seats are on a first come first served basis on the night.

GSCENE 23 with a gender which is opposite to what they were born with. Everything about your personality and psychology identifies as female.

I was always uncomfortable as a male, yet as soon as I dressed as a female and went out as a female my life fell into place.”

During the next twenty years Helen always dressed as a woman, however she started blaming all her misfortunes and bad experiences on her cross-dressing and at times reverted to dressing as a man. She moved to Brighton in 1995 and found the constant switching on and switching off process regarding her cross-dressing caused her great unhappiness and she decided to take charge of her own life. On June 13, 2005 Helen invited all her friends to the Amsterdam Hotel for a renaming ceremony. She was now officially, in her eyes and everyone else’s, Helen Marie Carter.

Helen Marie Carter's life started for real in March 2012. Born Roy in 1951, she spent 59 years of her life trapped in the body of a man despite feeling like a woman.

Her childhood was not a happy one; she was regularly beaten by her alcoholic father who served in the armed forces. Helen said: “My father could start an argument when there was no one else in the room, but he could never back up the point he was trying to make.

This made him feel inadequate and he would come home and beat me.”

The beatings marked her body so badly she would not do PE at school. She did not want other children to see the bruises. This caused her classmates to think she was different and they bullied her unmercifully.

Helen continued: “I was bullied because I was different. When it came to picking players for the football team, no one wanted me on their side and they started calling me queer. They didn’t know what the word meant but it became my label.”

Helen never stood up to the bullies or fought back. This type of abuse carried on for many years and only recently she started to stand up to those who abuse her.

Born in Portsmouth in 1951, Helen spent the first ten years of her life in Lancashire where her mother was born. When she was 10, her father moved the family to Guernsey, which is where the bullying started at school. Helen felt different and from the age of 13 started cross-dressing. She always felt like a girl and liked 'girly' things rather than the usual male pursuits of sports and fighting.

Guernsey was very provincial in the 1960s, with no 'commercial gay scene'. Everything was underground and gay people met in each other’s homes. Helen met a holidaymaker she called Uncle Willful who never touched her but got his kicks from dressing Helen up. He paid her £1 a time, which was a lot of money in the mid-sixties. Uncle Willful enjoyed taking Helen, or Susan as he called her, out in St

Peter’s Port, showing her off and introducing her to other gay people on the island.

Helen's life sometimes reads straight from the pages of a novel. As she pushed the boundaries and took more chances with crossdressing she got herself into more and more trouble. A local policeman on the island befriended her and suggested it might be better for her to return to the mainland where she could spread her wings. She was deported from Guernsey in the summer of 1969 after being found not guilty of murdering a Pearly King on the island.

She arrived in Weymouth via a short stay in London and met Marianne, a prostitute who looked after her and let her stay in the room at the top of the house she worked from.

Marianne's pimp was happy to let Helen live there because in Portsmouth, which was a navel base, there was plenty of demand for ‘cocks in frocks’. However, one night Helen was working on Southsea seafront when she picked up a punter who she thought knew she was a boy. He put his hands down her knickers, found different and called out to four of his mates who proceeded one after the other to beat and then gang rape Helen on Southsea Beach. Helen was afraid to call the police or the hospital and relied on the prostitute’s doctor for help. Her lasting memory of the nightmare was when the last thug had finished beating her, he said: “I think she's dead”, while one of his mates observed: “thats one less freak for the world”.

Helen always saw herself as a girl and identified as female. She couldn’t go with a man unless she was dressed as a girl. After seeing a TV program on gender dysphoria in 1975, she went to see an ex military doctor who told her there was no such thing as gender dysphoria and diagnosed Helen as having a mild case of schizophrenia. The medication he prescribed caused Helen to experience bad depression. Helen said: “Gender dysphoria is where a person identifies

In 2009 she saw a psychologist at Brighton General Hospital and was referred to the Gender Identity Clinic at Charing Cross Hospital in London. Despite having lived as a woman for the previous 20 years Helen still had to live for two years as a woman to satisfy the NHS criteria for surgery. She underwent major gender re-assignment surgery on March 5 this year at the Charing Cross Hospital in London.

While she acknowledges the care she received there was first class, she is less enthusiastic about the aftercare she has received back in Brighton, which she describes as "dreadful".

Helen has received support from a loyal group of friends in Brighton. She says: “People have been so good to me. There are too many to mention but I would like to say special thanks to Steve Chillingworth at the Marine Tavern and Tim Nuttall at the Loop Cafe for their special help in helping me through the surgery.”

Helen is well on the road to recovery; however she has been experiencing dilation problems, which may result in a return to Charing Cross Hospital, though she is pragmatic about the possibility. “I feel like a new person,” she said.

“My mind has come together with my body. If I have a few post-operation problems, I can deal with that.”

During the last few years Helen has turned her mind to writing and has self published a few books and papers on Gender Dysphoria. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health has shown interest in her writing and at the moment she is working on a paper highlighting the poor aftercare she received in Brighton following her surgery in London.

I’ve known Helen since 2000 when she sat on the Community Safety Forum with me between 2000-2002. She is intelligent, caring and at times drives me mad, but she’s a good honest person who I like and trust. I really hope she has finally found the happiness that has escaped her for too many years of her life.

Go for it girl!

24 GSCENE

WHAT CAN MINDOUT OFFER TO TRANS PEOPLE? MindOut offers advice, information, advocacy and group work for trans people who live in Brighton & Hove, and where we can for trans people who live in surrounding areas. Over the last 12 years, the numbers of trans people using our services has steadily increased: partly as we have become more well known, partly as trans communities become more visible.

Trans, queer and gender queer people, contact us with a wide range of issues: trans people have the same problems and experiences as anyone else who has experience of mental health issues or desires to improve their mental wellbeing. Or it may be that someone has specific issues around the care and treatment they are getting, or would like to get, related to transition. Or it may be that someone needs support around the heterosexism and/or transphobia they experience within mainstream services and in life generally.

“Being able to talk about being trans, what it’s like out in the world and in your head with people who don't freeze at the mention of mental illness, was invaluable” Ed We also work with a significant number of people around transition and identity, people who are questioning their gender identity, people who are considering coming out. Over the years we have worked with many people who have come to MindOut feeling distressed who have found a safe place within which to realise their trans identities. To see the resolution of their distress as a result has been powerful and moving.

Some trans people contact us because they would like to meet other LGBT people who have experience of mental health issues and would like to join our group work service.

Last year we were able to offer a number of specific groups on different identity issues and one was a trans group. ”My trans journey has been a very long one. I knew as young as three. I grew up in a very strict, restrictive, hompohobic, racist and generally abusive home. As a teenager I ran to the church, but when I started coming out I had ‘christian therapy’ to heal my gayness! I walked away with lots of conflict for years. At that time I identified as a lesbian. Trans still wasn’t a choice for me. There were no role

models I knew of and as far as my beliefs and family upbringing went it just wasn’t possible.

At the age of 39 I joined MindOut’s trans peer support group. When I joined I still didn’t identify as trans but I was certainly curious and I didn’t feel male or female... I sat quietly in the group and took in all the trans folks’ experiences... I did a lot of soul searching at this time. By the end of the group I felt I could make an informed decision and also felt safe enough to admit I was trans. For me this was a positive step to me becoming me. I felt a lot happier in myself. Most responses I’ve had are positive and it’s great to have MindOut supporting me.

I’ve been on testosterone for four months.

My advice is to be patient: with those around you as they are transitioning with you, and with yourself as it is a big change and you need to understand and define yourself. My partner though lesbian we are still together and defining ourselves and trying to avoid the boxes that are out there...

TRANS PEER SUPPORT GROUP Our Trans Group was very mixed and to start with we weren’t sure how much such a diverse group of people would have in common. It seemed that people’s needs and journeys had been, and were continuing to be, vastly different.

Over time, the group gelled incredibly well and it became a safe space for all to explore their gender identities (whatever they may be), to talk about a variety of trans issues and to talk about other issues affecting them.

Group members were very open with each other, and allowed their vulnerabilities and strengths to shine through. It was therapeutic in its approach but also practical questions were asked and answered and ideas and choices exchanged. The trust between all involved grew and gave rise to some visible changes. People reported positive effects emotionally, physically and mentally. Selfesteem and confidence increased and healthier choices and decisions were being made.

“I’ve facilitated many groups over 20 years, and it’s true to say that this MindOut Trans group was one of the most rewarding groups I’ve been part of. It was an innovative group for us to run and proved to be a really productive, positive experience for all those who became part of it. Feedback was very encouraging and positive, with members appreciating having a trans safe space which was supportive and non-judgemental. Friends were made and on going support offered.

We’ve had requests for more trans specific groups which we are looking into.” Tanya Levene, MindOut Group Worker “Over the eighteen weeks, I've slowly changed from being too frightened to talk about my problems at all, to feeling that I am not so different to others after all.”

Trans Group Member “I knew about my mental health problems before I knew, really knew, about my gender dysphoria. But these things are never simple.

It wasnt until I was in my twenties that I found the right language to describe what I felt and began to understand gender dysphoria and what it meant to me. I think it’s too simplistic to say the dysphoria led to the depression. But I believe depression can be a response to overwhelming circumstances.

I came to MindOut because they were running a free trans support group. I couldn’t afford private therapy, and I was on an eleven month long waiting list for CBT from the NHS and struggling to get through the day. Being able to talk about your crappy week with people who just get how confusing being trans can sometimes be, who you don't have to explain yourself to, was an enormous relief. Being able to talk about being trans, what it’s like out in the world and in your head with people who don't freeze at the mention of mental illness, was invaluable. MindOut’s trans group got me through a long period of anxiety and pain, and I know it’s been a lifeline for others.

Many trans people struggle to keep themselves mentally healthy. I’d love MindOut to be able to run a weekly therapy group for trans people full time, because it’s certainly needed. People experience both gender dysphoria and mental distress in individual ways. Neither are easy to negotiate. But space, time, and understanding help people find their way through.” Ed

MINDOUT SERVICES ADVICE, INFORMATION & ADVOCACY 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. All MindOut services are free, confidential and non-judgemental.

• 24hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 • Email: info@mindout.org.uk • New website: www.mindout.org.uk

GSCENE 25 facing trans people it quietly but clearly whispers in your ear: ‘don’t worry, someone else will sort it out.’ And that’s all it takes.

That vile little voice disempowers you, means wrongs don’t get righted and that all the work falls to the few. Kill it stone dead! Do whatever mental tricks you have to do to extinguish that voice because it is your enemy.

That voice will keep you a second-class citizen forever.

THE FIGHT FOR TRANS EQUALITY BY NICK DOUGLAS

There has never been a better time to be trans and living in Brighton & Hove. We have not one but three active and vibrant trans groups: the long-standing Clare Project and new kids on the block FTM Brighton and Transformers. By the time you read this, the council’s trans equality scrutiny, championed

by Councillor Phelim MacCafferty, will probably be underway. This very publication boasts two regular trans columnists (myself and the irrepressible Steph Scott) as well as this special issue. LGBT HIP is providing a forum for trans people, alongside other LGB people, to have a say on important issues in the city. Nationally, the Equality Act 2010, (although imperfect) protects the rights of trans people considering or undergoing gender transition, and we’ve seen the recent release of the first ever government trans equality strategy.

But there’s a problem and it’s an unpalatable truth. The fact is, there’s a lot more to do and some of us just aren’t pulling our weight.

Many of my trans activist friends are tired and overwhelmed. The burden of fighting for trans equality is falling on too few shoulders. In a few words, I want to reach out to local trans people and explain why you must personally and directly get involved in the fight for trans equality.

The main reason is this: never in human history has any oppressed minority been granted equality and human rights simply because the dominant ruling group realised it was right. Never. Equality inherently involves struggle. You must fight for it and waiting for it simply will not do.

Too melodramatic? Are we really an oppressed minority? How many times have I heard: ‘well, I don’t really feel that I’ve been treated badly. I’ve had it quite easy?’ If that’s your

experience, great, but it isn’t true for most of us. On those rare occasions when our needs and experiences are examined, research consistently finds that we are disadvantaged and excluded in health, employment, education, housing, income and many other areas of life. If you are one of those trans folks easily sailing through, that simply increases the obligation to do more for trans equality.

I also fear that some of us are so accustomed to being treated as second class citizens that we no longer recognise all the ways in which we are excluded and discriminated against. It breaks my heart when trans people put up with injustice because they don’t think they deserve more. Sometimes oppression in the heart is the biggest enemy of all.

Then, do something. DO SOMETHING! I am sick of hearing: ‘but I’m not political.’ The choice to sit on your arse and do nothing is a political choice – it is the politics of apathy, despair and laziness. What are you angry about? Are you sick of the fact that despite three separate local reports in 2004, 2008 and 2010 documenting the appalling shortcomings with NHS gender identity services nothing much has changed? Write to the Chief Executive of NHS Sussex and ask her why not.

Sick of LGBT organisations tokenistically ‘tacking on a T’? Write to their governing board and ask them what specifically they have done for trans people in the last year and what they will be doing in the next year – tell them you’ll check back in 12 months. Or better still, join the organisation and do something about it now. Sick of being treated badly by a public or commercial service because you are trans?

Complain, and don’t be fobbed off with perfunctory excuses.

Want trans people to be safer in the city? Join the new community safety forum being set up.

Want Pride to be safe and inclusive for trans people this year? Get involved in organising it.

Want more chances to meet other trans people in the city and share support? Join FTM Brighton, the Clare Project or Transformers.

Want trans people to have a stronger voice in the city? Join LGBT HIP.

But what are the barriers to trans equality? Is it the lack of understanding and invisibility of trans lives? Is it the lack of investment in our trans community organisations? Is it the tokenistic way that many so-called LGBT organisations ‘tack on a T’ and do nothing for trans people? Is it the in-fighting and lack of direction among trans activists that occasionally happens? Undoubtedly, these all play a part. But there is an equally insidious enemy and it lives inside your head.

If you are not currently involved in the struggle for trans equality then the time is now. If you choose to turn the page and do nothing, I at least hope you will recognise that you’ve listened to that inner voice of evasion and apathy and surrendered to your enemy. And if you are one of those unsung heroes or heroines in the trans community who keeps on fighting and striving and building, you will have the pride and self-respect from seeing all that has been achieved and all that is yet to come.

This is how it works. Every time you see an injustice, some blatant unfairness, some subtle discrimination, some unmet need

Nick Douglas writes here in a personal capacity.

“It breaks my heart when trans people put up with injustice because they don’t think they deserve more. Sometimes oppression in the heart is the biggest enemy of all”

MONT ST MICHEL

26 GSCENE

LA NORMANDIE – DOUZE POINTS Roger Wheeler adores France

FORGES-LES-EAUX

Forges-les-Eaux was originally a Roman mining settlement and a local Lord apparently accompanied William to Hastings in 1066. The town today is completely unspoilt, its 4,000 inhabitants preferring the quiet rural life, commuting to Paris or Rouen for work. It has a chateau, three small museums and a couple of churches. It really is very quiet; we walked

From here in the south east of England, Normandy is easier to get to than say Cornwall. I had never really explored this area, it is quite beautiful. The countryside is similar to Sussex but in many ways quite different. Straight roads run through lush green gentle hills populated by millions of cows, this is dairy country. Being a city boy I

was amazed to turn a corner and see a cow actually giving birth right before our eyes. We had seen this on TV but seeing it literally in the flesh was a great experience. We quietly stopped the car and watched as the calf was born - it was one of those moments you never forget.

There are hundreds of tiny quiet villages throughout rural France. We later discovered that a few we drove through, including the perfect village of Gailefontaine, have been labelled as some of the most beautiful villages in the country by the National Tourist Authority. We also discovered that the road we were cruising along is listed as being one of the most beautiful detours in France. We didn’t even look at a map but just enjoyed the peaceful scenery. Coming as we do from the bustling south east, driving along a

FORGE HOTEL

Never one to decline an invitation we boarded the good ship Côte d'Albâtre in Newhaven in mid-August, along with 546 people of which 144 were children. Those sweet little Henrys and Hermiones certainly made their presence felt. Their yummy mummies and dishy daddies were far too busy discussing the route to their houses in the Dordogne and sipping sauvignon to bother with ‘les enfants’. But it was only three hours twenty minutes before we were off the boat and en route to Upper Normandy.

down the main street on a Sunday evening and felt that we should speak in whispers.

GAILEFONTAINE

We love France, mainly because it’s the nearest ‘foreign’ country and only a few hours by ferry from Newhaven. I’ve been going to Normandy, which is the region directly opposite Brighton for longer than I care to remember - well the first time was 1962, I was very young. It remains my favourite part of north western France with Dieppe being one of the prettiest ports on the coast; a contrast from Newhaven, which will never be called pretty or even attractive. Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is a lovely city which we have visited many times and never get tired of. Last year I was asked to take a look at the town Forges-les-Eaux, which I had never heard of and which is not far from Rouen. At just 35 miles south east of Dieppe, the town has just opened a major new hotel with a casino attached.

There has been a casino in Forges since the 19C; after a fire it was rebuilt and reopened in 1902 in typical French rococo style. Adjoining the casino is the very modern hotel, imaginatively named the Forges Hotel. It sits in a stunning 27 acre park including a big lake with rowing boats and lovely woodland. As the building is so new it hasn’t yet fully settled into its surroundings though time will mellow it and the trees will grow, but that could be said for any new building. The hotel itself is way above its three star rating. We had a large room, as big as the average one bed flat, with all the usual facilities: enormous bathroom and free WiFi. There was even a small terrace. The large bar and restaurant is very popular with the locals and being only two hours from Paris

a lot of visitors come from the capital. Of course there is a spa with all the usual therapies and a reasonable pool.

Forges-les-Eaux is lovely little medieval town, ideal for a weekend of peace and quiet. You really are in the heart of rural France and they really only speak French, bon journeé!

more info www.forgesleseaux.fr www.forgesleseaux-tourisme.fr www.forgeshotel.com

FORGE HOTEL POOL BAR

DIEPPE

country road and seeing no traffic was a very pleasant experience. You could drive for hours and be quite relaxed as there were no trucks or angry commuters in a hurry.

GSCENE 27

COME DINE

LEGENDS

WITH MORHAM

32-34 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TR Tel: 01273 624462, www.legendsbrighton.com Legends are gearing up for the summer with a new food menu. The gourmet burgers are first class, all prepared using 100% prime beef.

Prices range from £5.95 for a classic burger to £6.95 for an avocado & bacon burger. All burgers come with salad, relish, mayo & fries, are moist, cooked to your choice and very tasty.

If you’re watching your waistline there are four salads to tempt you: the Buffalo mozzarella, tomato & pesto salad or the tuna mayonnaise salad with lemon and a dash of Dijon mustard, both on a bed of rocket, are £5.50. The honey roast ham option with honey mustard dressing and a generous mixed salad is £5.50; the avocado, mozzarella, strips of streaky bacon and tomatoe salad served on a bed of rocket is £5.95.

I can't recommend the sandwiches highly enough. Prices range from £3.95 for English sharp cheddar with tomatoes, red onion, mayo and a mixed salad to £4.95 for char-grilled chicken breast & pesto with rocket. The sandwiches are beautifully presented and the English sharp cheddar is cheese at its best. My favourite sandwich is the Chunky Chicken with tomatoes and mixed salad at £4.25.

Fresh chunky chips cost £2.30, or £2.80 with added cheese. A glass of house wine is £2.80 (125ml), an espresso to finish up with is £1.60, a cappuccino is £1.80 and a latte is £2.

Food is served Monday–Saturday from noon–5pm. If you’re looking for somewhere to catch a bite to eat during your one hour lunch break, food is on the table within 15 minutes of ordering. This is an important point with too many eating establishments not appreciating that lunch hours are time critical and taking up to 30-40 minutes to serve up a main course. At Legends the food certainly comes out quickly. JL

BY MORHAM WHITE

THE COALSHED 8 Boyces St, Brighton, BN1 1AN Tel: 01273 322998, www.coalshed-restaurant.co.uk Wednesday evening, 8pm, and there are only three tables for two available; phew, that was close! Even midweek I would recommend a reservation for a table at The Coalshed. With tables of ten, five (x2) and six of the nine tables for two arriving before us, let alone the party room upstairs in full swing, it was busy and made for an interesting challenge. The staff worked their socks off and we had a great evening. The restaurant majors on steak, the beef from Garlic Wood Farm in West Sussex (so full marks for local sourcing), so are the prices a challenge? Both the Porterhouse and Prime Rib are sold by the 100gms, but on the board all the Prime Rib (on the bone) weighed 900gms and the Porterhouse ranged from 600–900gms. The maths however leaves you swallowing hard as at £6.50 per 100gms that’s anything from £39 to £58.50, ouch! Perhaps it comes as no surprise that there was no movement on availability, which means, if I understand the process, no-one was sharing and no-one ordered the two biggies after 8pm.

The starters, with four specials on the board, included a beef dish which Art thoroughly enjoyed. I chose Tiger Prawns with honey, chilli and finely diced roots, quite superb, though a finger bowl wouldn’t go amiss. For mains Sir had the Mixed Grill (£19.50); a hanger steak, Cumberland sausage, lamb chop, calves liver with portobello mushroom and tomato, seriously tasty and substantial. I went for Grilled Calves Liver, smoked bacon and onion (£10.50) in a very rich sauce, but a favoured dish for me and I wasn’t disappointed. Sides come at £2 each, we thoroughly approved of the beef dripping chips and the root mash. For dessert we shared bread & butter pudding with kirsch cherries and cherry ripple ice cream, and a rhubarb fool with honey comb and almonds. Both were £6.50, the latter won our combined vote by a short taste bud!

Wines are listed by the glass: red from £3 to £6.80 (three new world, five old), white from £3 to £6 (two new world, three old), sparkling from £5.50 to £8.50. The most reasonable come from Italy: a red Primitivo from Puglia, and the white from Piemonte, both £3 a glass and £10.50 per 500ml carafe. There’s a page of old world reds with prices ranging from £15 to £80, and new world from £17 to £49; half a page of old world whites with prices ranging from £15 to £52 and five new world from £19 to £28. We chose a carafe (500mls) of the Chilean red Merlot, more than enough for the evening and priced at £15 together with a bottle of best tap which arrived unheralded at the outset of the evening, a nice touch.

The bill for food was £60 for three courses for the two of us and £15 for the wine. Open for lunch, with early theatre evening specials, Sunday lunches and dinner this is clearly somewhere to savour but bookings for dinner are certainly advised.

28 GSCENE

CHARLIE’S

KITCHEN

BY CHARLIE NYEREYEGONA

FOODIES FESTIVAL COMES TO BRIGHTON! I was invited by PR guru for the Foodies Festival, the lovely Boo Patterson at Strange Love Music, to cover the festival and interview some of the region and the country’s best chefs. How could I resist?

The Foodies Festival, the biggest in the country, visits Hove Lawns (Fri 25–Sun 27). The festival will be a bubbly mixture of food and frivolity.

In the ultra-luxurious VIP Bedouin tent you will be entertained by internationally renowned Burlesque stars Missy Malone and Cherry Shakewell. The tent is now open to the public and not just celebrities.

Food fights will be the order of the day with the Battle of the Cream Buns not to be missed! Outside there will be two further food fights one for children and the other for adults. Sue Hitchen, director and founder of the festival said: “We decided to add high quality cabaret and burlesque to the mix to highlight the fun element”. Other daily events at the venue will comprise of: Food of Love Cinema with lover’s seats, showing the greatest food movies (curated by film director, Hannah Robinson) with food from the movie during the screening; City Beach, where you will be served tea and ice cream at your deckchair from Whitstable-style coloured beach huts, or relax on a four-poster day-bed and be served by the bar; a BBQ (and BBQ master class) on the beach; food fights, where children will wear cover-alls and fling custard pies and sponge cakes in a perspex-walled soft-play area. For the adults, tickets can be bought to have a custard pie fight with some top chefs and critics. All proceeds go to charity. Brighton & Hove and Sussex chefs will include: Michael Bremner from Arch 139 (formerly Due South); David Roy from Riddle & Finns and Max Leonard from Cat Inn, West Hoathly.

National touring dates for the festival are: Hampton Court Palace (May 5–7); Brighton Hove Lawns (May Fri 25–Sun 27); Tatton Park Cheshire (July 6–8); Bristol Harbourside (July 13–15); Edinburgh (Aug 10–12); London Battersea Park (Aug 17–19) and Oxford South Parks (Aug 25–27). Tickets for the event are available on 0844 995 1111.

CHARLIE’S CHEF OF THE MONTH Michael Bremner at Arch 139, 139 Kings Arches, Brighton BN1 2FN, 01273 821 218I, http://arch139.com I caught up with the highly talented and successful chef Michael over a coffee outside new restaurant, Arch 139 (formerly Due South).

Michael’s the tallest in the photograph!

So what’s the story with Due South?

Robert and Adam, the owners, decided that they had had a great deal of fun with Due South but it was now time for a new direction. We want to make the restaurant more accessible so people can just walk in without booking. The famous top floor window seat is now accessible to all. We have also changed the direction of the menu.

So what kind of food will we see on the menu?

Brighton Scallops with lemon and parsley, Italian Panzanella Salad, lobster, plaice. Everything seasonal and local wherever possible.

So why should people eat at Arch 139?

We still have the same team as at Due South, so the food will be of the same quality and excellence. My kitchen team are fantastic!

What can we expect from you at the Foodies Festival?

Not sure yet, I have to beat the duck dish I did last time. I have a few ideas… which one’s best I don’t know. I have a passion for molecular cooking so I am sure there will be an element of that in the dish.

What kind of food do you like eating?

Fish! Delicate fish especially like lemon sole and plaice. I also like making pastas from scratch.

What’s in the future for you?

Later this year I’m opening my own restaurant 64 Degrees with the full support of Robert and Adam. The emphasis will be on tapas-style dishes based on the best of British produce. I’ll be using water baths and vac pac machines and incorporating molecular cooking. It’s very exciting and something different that I think Brighton needs. Robert and Adam will also be opening an amazing dumpling bar, Yum Yum Ninja.

So what motivates you to do what you do so well?

I love food with a hunger and a passion. It’s amazing to see how far food has come in the last five years. I just want to develop my cooking to an ever-changing level. I am just so excited by what is possible!

What’s been the highlight of your career?

(Shifts in his chair and raises his hands, sheer delight in his voice). Oh so many… winning my second Rosette, developing Due South to the pinnacle of its achievement, working with my team, Quo Vadis with Marco Pierre White… With this job you can travel the world (grins) and achieve anything!

What about spare time?

We have two lovely babies, Bonnie and Heidi, they keep our hands full!

At a dinner party who would you most like to cook for?

My dad and Jay Rayner. I’d like Jay to really critique my food, it’s the only way to improve.

I left Michael feeling very excited about the new food innovations that he, Robert and Adam were about to launch on the Brighton & Hove food scene through their passion and dedication to fresh, British sustainable food and excellence in cooking.

30 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM A-BAR + BULLDOG

MAY

LISTINGS

A-BAR

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (5) is 40s/50s/60s rockabilly night HONEY HUSH with nautical visuals, sweet treats and unique cocktails served while DJs Lonesome M and guest DJ Vicki Lester spin r&b/rock & roll/rockabilly on vinyl from 9pm. Free entry.

REGULARS: Thur is cocktail night from 9pm; buy one get the other half price.

Sat is Pre-Club music with drink promos, including shots from £1.50.

FOOD: served Mon, Tue & Sat from noon–9pm; Wed, Thur & Fri bar food noon–5pm & Thai & Tapas from 6–10pm; Sun roasts served noon–till gone, bookings recommended.

DRINK DEALS: Old Betty Stoggs’ Ale £3.30 a pint, all day every day OPEN: noon–midnight & till 2am through side entrance only Sun–Thu; noon–2am Fri & Sat. A-Bar offers unrivalled sea view, large heated smoking terrace and all big sport events. Sauna closed. www.amsterdam.co.uk

TUESDAY 1 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8.30pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open 12 BULLDOG Open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open 12 CHARLES ST RealBrighton Big Quiz Challenge Rainbow Fund fundraiser: host Lola Lasagne with Miss Jason, Miss Joan Bond, Ms Bad Drag, Princess Mahogany & launch of online & mobile voting app for Golden Handbag Awards; teams of 6 max, £20 per team donated to Rainbow Fund, win Golden Handbag Award for Best Quiz Team 7.30pm; food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Brassic Tues; food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tues; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Curry Night 7.30pm; open 11am

QUEEN’S ARMS The Rag Dolls: karaoke, games & candy 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick 11pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am WEDNESDAY 2 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pulse: DJs Claire Fuller or Ben Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Wine & Wisdom Quiz Night: snacks & fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Bears Night: bears, cubs & their admirers + licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am

LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 8.30pm; open 11am

PROJECT 56 Bar 1-2-3 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Sissy Sucks’ Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Peter Davies & Mark Hodge Show: piano & song; food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Divas Weekend: Girls On Top present girl group Parade; DJs Smithy, Alpha, Fifilicious & Missy B + live performance & photo session 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am

THURSDAY 3 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; cocktail night 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm Up: DJ Kelly Lloyd 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Dave’s Quiz Fundraiser 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 CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thurs; 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 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am

FRIDAY 4 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; live music 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fridazed: 2 floor party with DJ Claire Fuller in bar 8pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Good Fri Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG 87 Hour Long Weekend: DJ Lil Alex 10pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; F.B.I Fri Bears Inc 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Rock Of Ages Weekend: Fruity Friday Fix, DJ Leeroy, fancy dress & games 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Cabaret: Lola Lasagne 9pm; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Open noon-2am DR BRIGHTONS Bank Hol Party: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Back to the Old Skool 10.30pm

BRIGHTON SAUNA

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Sun (6), open 24 hours into Monday; weekend pass extension available for £5 on Mon on production of a current weekend pass for that weekend.

REGULARS: Brighton Sauna now runs a licensed bar 7 days a week; Sun–Thur from 11–1am and Fri & Sat from 11–2am. Wed (2) is BEARS NIGHT for bears, cubs & their admirers; licensed bar, drink offers, club music 7pm–1am. Wed (9) is NAKED Night from 7pm, licensed bar, naked only. Wed (16) is UNDERWEAR Night from 7pm, underwear only, fully licensed bar.

OPEN: For listings visit: www.thebrightonsauna.com

PICS FROM THE BULLDOG

BULLDOG

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: 87 HOUR LONG WEEKEND from Fri (4)–Mon (7): DJ Lil Alex & KARAOKE from 10pm on Fri (4), DJ V John from 9.30pm, KARAOKE from 10pm on Sat (5), DJ Grant Knowles from 8pm, karaoke from 9pm on Sun (6) and DJ Marcia’s GLITTER BALL from 10pm on Mon (7).

REGULARS: Mon is DJ Marcia’s GLITTER BALL with 70s/80s tunes from 9pm.

Tue (29) is monthly REGGAE NIGHT with DJ Micklos. Wed is RED LIGHT RUSH with DJ Marcia from 9pm. Thur is RELEASE with DJ Grant Knowles from 10pm. Fri is DJ Lil Alex and KARAOKE upstairs from 10pm. Sat is DJ V John from 9.30pm, KARAOKE from 10pm. Sun is DJ Grant from 6pm.

HAPPY HOURS: Mon & Tue from 3–7pm & 11pm–midnight; Wed from 3–7pm & 9pm–1am, when drinks £1.50 when music vid is played; Thur from 3–7pm & 9pm–midnight; Fri 3–7pm & all drinks £1.50 10pm–midnight; Sat from 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 LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Fridazed: 2 floor party: DJs Claire Fuller in bar 8pm, Peter Castle in club 11pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Reggae Reggae: DJ Micklos 10pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack & Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm; open 11am REVENGE Divas Weekend: Robin S Live @ Lollipop with level 1 DJs Alex Baker & Trick & box bar DJs Ruby Roo & Fifilicious 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Balls: DJs Screwpulous & iTopia + dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM Cheese: camp night; open 4pmextra late ZONE Cabaret: Jamie Watson 9.30pm; open 11am

John 9.30pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Funky Camel 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Rock Of Ages Weekend: Fierce Rock, DJs, games & fancy dress 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Open noon DR BRIGHTONS Bank Hol Party: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Funky 60s, 70s, 80s: 10pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Party Night; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Trudi Styles 4.30pm; Guest Host Karaoke 7pm; Kamp Kevin’s karaoke & tunes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-6pm; open SATURDAY 5 A-BAR Honey Hush: 40s, 50s & 60s rockabilly 11am night, DJs Lonesome M & Vicki Lester 9pm; food REVENGE Divas Weekend: Shawnee Taylor live @ Kinky Dangerous with level 1 DJs Alex noon-9pm; open noon Baker & Missy B; box bar DJs Dulcie Danger, AQUARIUM Open 3pm King K & guests 10.30pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm Fifilicious 9pm; late night menu; open noon VAVAVOOM Bank Hol iKandi: hot tunes; open 6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ 2pm-extra late ZONE Cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm; open Lee Harris 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Shot-tastic; open noon 11am BULLDOG 87 Hour Long Weekend: DJ V

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 31

32 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM DRAG BALL @ CHARLES STREET, ENVY + CHURCH STREET

MAY

LISTINGS

CHARLES STREET BAR

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Fri (4)–Mon (7) is ROCK OF AGES WEEKEND celebrating the musical with special cocktails, 1980s glam rock, fun & games and fancy dress. Mon (7) is BANK HOLIDAY CABARET with Kandi Kane from 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo with Tammy Twinkle, Sally Vate & a rolling jackpot (stands at £250 at time of print) follows from 8.30pm.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sun (27) is the Brighton Heat of DRAG IDOL 2012, a national talent search, from 7.30pm, with host Lola Lasagneand cabaret from Karen Dalton’s Nan. Previous winners include Kevin Cruise & Son Of A Tutu; so if you’re a performer and want to see your name in lights, grab an application form from the bar. Tue (1) is RealBrighton’s BIG QUIZ with host Lola Lasagne from 7.30pm, featuring Miss Jason, Joan Bond, Ms Bad Drag and Princess Mahogany, £20 entry, max of 6 per team, donated to Rainbow Fund. Sat (26) is EUROVISION 2012 with Sally Vate, Ruby Roo and a sweepstake from 7.30pm, donations to THT. REGULARS: SUNDAY CABARET at 7.30pm: Lizzy Drip (6), Titti La Camp (13) & Cassidy Connors (20); Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo with Tammy Twinkle, Sally Vate and a rolling jackpot follows from 8.30pm.

FOOD: 2-4-1 deals: all mains on Mon; all gourmet burgers on Tue; all homemade pizzas on Wed. Served: Mon–Sat from noon–8pm; Sunday Lunch: home roast beef, chicken or veggie served noon–7pm, £5.95.

DRINK DEALS: All drinks half price (excl champers/not in conjunction with other offers) Mon–Sat from 5–9pm & on Sun after the show till close. Drinks from £1 on Thur. Fri cocktail deals £3.50 each or £8.50 a jug all night from 9pm.

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

SUNDAY 6 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-till gone; booking recommended; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Sublime Sunday: Karaoke Queens LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; Sunday roasts: new chef noon-7pm; open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Bank Hol Pop!Candy: DJ Jaykey 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN JB’s piano sing-a-long 5pm; Piano Bingo 6pm; open noon BULLDOG 87 Hour Long Weekend: DJ Grant Knowles 8pm; top bar: karaoke 9pm CAMELFORD ARMS Sunday Roast; Brighton Bear Patrol: charity raffle & buffet 5pm; open noon CHARLES ST Cabaret: Lizzy Drip 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Tammy Twinkle, Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sunday lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Sun lunch noon-till gone; open noon DANCETERIA@THE FONT Aeon Events present DJs Jonny Woo & Chrissy Darling’s mash-up set 8-10pm; DJs Go Bang, Mr Haywood, Kate Wildblood & Queen Josephine perform after, exotic visuals, floorshows & New York Go-Gos till extra late DR BRIGHTONS Bank Hol Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Drag With No Name 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open 1pm MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke 6pm; open

11am PROJECT 56 Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 7.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Lady James 6pm; Cassidy Connors 9.30pm; Betty’s Karaoke till 1am; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Jerome’s Piano Lounge; Sunday lunch noon-5pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm VAVAVOOM Bank Hol You Choose: video jukebox; open 2pm-extra late ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am MONDAY 7 A-BAR Bank Hol Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz With Liz 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG 87 Hour Long Weekend: DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 10pm; open till 2am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST Bank Hol Cabaret: Kandi Kane 7.30pm; food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Bank Hol; open 3pm ENVY Bank Hol Studio 150: NUS party 10.30pm-extra late FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Bank Hol Mon Cabaret: Son of a Tutu 3.15pm; Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm; open 11am

ENVY @ CHARLES ST

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Mon (7) is Bank Holiday STUDIO 150 with extra late closing, £1.50 entry, bottles & singles £1.50.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (26) sees DJ Leeroy playing uplifting house anthems for those needing to escape from Eurovision hysteria, free entry.

OPEN: www.charles-street.com MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Bank Hol; open noon QUEEN’S ARMS Bank Hol Cabaret: Saucy Sophie 6pm; Betty’s Karaoke; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon VAVAVOOM U Choose: vid jukebox; open 12 ZONE Tony’s Fun Factory: karaoke, Wii & tunes 6.30pm; open 11am TUESDAY 8 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8.30pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open 12 BULLDOG Open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food all day; open 12

CHURCH STREET

CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Brassic Tues; food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tues; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Curry Night 7.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS The Rag Dolls: karaoke, games & candy 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick 11pm VAVAVOOM U Choose: vid jukebox; open 4 ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am

ONE FOR THE DIARY: FRIDAY CABARET from 9pm: Lola Lasagne (4), Lady James (11), Pooh La May (18) and Miss Jason (25).

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

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

34 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM DR BRIGHTONS, DANCETERIA + FISHERMAN’S REST

MAY

LISTINGS

DR BRIGHTONS

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Fri (4)–Mon (7): Fri is PARTY NIGHT with DJ Nick Hirst or Wayne from 9.30pm; Sat is PARTY NIGHT with DJ Tony B from 9.30pm; Bank Holiday HANGOVER THERAPY on Sun with Bloody Marys.

DRINK DEALS: from Sun–Thur all day and Fri & Sat from 1–7pm: small Smirnoff & mixer £2.75, large £3.75, pints of Fosters £2.90, large wine £3.90. 2 Cocktails for £11 from Mon–Thur. Free game of pool with every round of drinks purchased during happy hour.

OPEN: Mon–Thur from 3pm–midnight, Fri & Sat from 1pm–2am, Sun from 1pm–midnight. www.doctorbrightons.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 9 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pulse: DJs Claire Fuller or Ben Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Wine & Wisdom Quiz Night: snacks & fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Naked Night: naked only, licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food all day; open 12 CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; live football; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 School Night Challenge:

Davina Sparkle hosts camp quiz night & cabaret 8.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 8.30pm; open 11am THURSDAY 10 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; cocktail night 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm Up: DJ Kelly Lloyd 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Big Dave’s Quiz 8pm; 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 CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon

DANCETERIA @ THE FONT

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Aeon Events present DANCETERIA at The Font on Sun (6) from 8pm. Join DJs Jonny Woo and Chrissy Darling for a very special mash-up set till 10pm, followed by DJs Mr Haywood, Affy & Ali (Go Bang ambassadors of disco), Kate Wildblood and Queen Josephine for a good time soundtrack which invokes the spirit of Sunday Sundae. Expect exotic visuals and entertainment, floorshows, New York Go-Gos and an attitude free atmosphere. Names on wall for discount guest list: £4 b4 10pm, £5/£6 after.

The Font is a former temple with interior laid out like a theatre giving it the perfect atmosphere for a special party. The Font is on Union Street, South Lanes, Brighton.

DRINK DEALS: Early bird drink specials from 8–11pm inc bottles £2 bottles of Bud/Becks/Sol; Smirnoff, JD & Bacardi £2 and bottles of house wine £5.99.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Look out for the next Danceteria on Sun, June (3).

DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thurs; 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 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Bar 1-2-3 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Sissy Sucks’ Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Peter Davies & Mark Hodge Show: piano & song; food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: Level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Missy B & Alpha; Box Bar DJ Dulcie Danger 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am FRIDAY 11 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; live music 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ

FISHERMAN’S REST

ONE FOR THE DIARY: The sensational Ceri Dupree will be performing a brand new show as a warm up for the Golden Handbags Weekend on Fri (15) & Sat (16) June.

Tickets £42.50 include canapés and Pimms on arrival at 6pm, 3 course gourmet dinner & coffee from 7pm and the show at 9pm. Advance booking essential please call 01273 323888. (A deposit of £20 per person is required).

FUNKY FISH

9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fridazed: 2 floor party with DJ Claire Fuller in bar 8pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Lil Alex 10pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; F.B.I Fri Bears Inc 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon-3am 112 CHURCH ST Cabaret: Lady James 9pm; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Back to the Old Skool 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Fridazed: 2 floor party: DJs Claire Fuller in bar 8pm, Peter Castle in club 11pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Pre-Club: u choose the tunes 8pm; open 11am

REGULARS: Fri is BACK TO OLD SKOOL with drink promos, funk/soul/Motown/old skool/ disco/hip hop, entry free before 11pm, £2 after. Sat is FUNKY 1960s/70s/80s with funk/soul/Motown/old skool breaks/hip hop, entry £5 before 11pm, £6 after.

OPEN: 10.30pm Fri, 10pm Sat. FunkyFish Bar opens daily at 11am. www.funkyfishclub.co.uk

36 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM LEGENDS BAR + BASEMENT CLUB

MAY

LISTINGS

LEGENDS BAR

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Mon (7) is BANK HOLIDAY CABARET with Son of a Tutu from 3.15pm; Miss Jason’s MONDAY MADNESS follows from 9.30pm.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (26) is the EUROVISION PARTY, watch it on the live screens and win some Euro goodies from 8pm.

REGULARS: SUNDAY CABARET from 3.15pm: Drag With No Name (6), All Mouth & No Trousers (13), Laquisha Jonz (20) and Lady Imelda (27).

Miss Jason’s MONDAY MADNESS is from 9.30pm. Fri is FRIDAZE over two floors with DJ Claire Fuller playing chart/retro in the bar from 8pm, and Peter Castle playing chart and dance classics in the club from 11pm. Through the night Claire will be handing out special limited promo key-rings, don’t lose them as she’ll be announcing spot drink promos for key-ring holders only. Get in touch over Facebook when it’s your birthday to win a free bottle of champers.

FOOD: Summer menu served noon–5pm from Mon–Sat, including plain gourmet burgers £5.95, avocado & bacon burger £6.95, all served with chunky chips and relishes.

Other options from £3.95, check Legends’ website or Facebook group for special offers.

OPEN: daily from 11am–5am. Heated smoking area, free entry and all day sun terrace. www.legendsbrighton.com QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack & Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm; open 11am REVENGE Lollipop v Mousetrap: DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilcious & Ruby 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Balls: DJs Screwpulous & iTopia + dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM Cheese: camp night; open 4pm ZONE Cabaret: Gilly Bee 9.30pm; open 11am

9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Funky 60s, 70s, 80s: 10pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Party Night; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Candi Rell 4.30pm; Guest Host Karaoke 7pm; Kamp Kevin’s karaoke & SATURDAY 12 tunes 9pm; open noon A-BAR Food noon-9pm; Pre-Club Music; REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-6pm; open open noon 11am AQUARIUM Open 3pm REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: Level 1 DJs BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Alex Baker & Missy B; Box bar DJs Dulcie Fifilicious 9pm; late night menu; open noonDanger, King K & guests 10.30pm 6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm VAVAVOOM iKandi: hot tunes; open 2pm Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Shot-tastic; open noon ZONE Cabaret: Tammy Twinkle 9.30pm; open 11am BULLDOG DJ V John 9.30pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Funky SUNDAY 13 A-BAR Sun lunch noon-till gone; booking Camel 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs on rotation 9pm; recommended; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm food noon-7.45pm; open noon BAR REVENGE Sublime Sunday: Karaoke 112 CHURCH ST Open noon Queens LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; Sunday CROWN & ANCHOR Open noon roasts: new chef noon-7pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B

BASEMENT CLUB @ LEGENDS

FREE ENTRY to the Basement Club every night!

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Sun (6) is Bank Hol Pop!Candy with DJ Jaykey playing recent and classic pop tracks.

REGULARS: Fri is FRIDAZED over two floors with DJ Claire Fuller playing chart/retro in the bar from 8pm, and then Peter Castle plays chart/dance classics in the club from 11pm. Through the night Claire will be handing out special limited promo key-rings, don’t lose them as she’ll be announcing spot drink promos for key-ring holders only. Get in touch over Facebook when it’s your birthday to win a free bottle of champers. Sat is FUSION with DJ Peter Castle playing house/chart sounds. DJ Lee Harris plays (5).

Sun is Pop!Candy with DJ Jaykey playing pop tracks till 3am. Wed is PULSE with DJs Ben Castle or Claire Fuller playing crowd pleasers all night.

DRINK DEALS: Selected drinks from £2 every Wed & Sun (except Bank Holidays).

OPEN: from 11pm. Closed Mon, Tue & Thur. Legends will host your party from £150, call Matt on 01273 624462 for more info. www.legendsbrighton.com

BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: DJ Jaykey 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN JB’s piano sing-a-long 5pm; Piano Bingo 6pm; open noon BULLDOG Main bar: DJ Grant Knowles 6pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Sun Roast; Camelford Bears: sarnies 5pm; open noon CHARLES ST Cabaret: Titti La Camp 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Tammy Twinkle, Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Sun lunch noon-till gone; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: All Mouth & No Trousers 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open 1pm MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke 6pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Cabaret: Sophie Causbrook 7.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Dave Lynn 6pm; Mary Mac 9.30pm; Betty’s Karaoke till 1am; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Jerome’s Piano Lounge; Sunday lunch noon-5pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm

VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 2pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am MONDAY 14 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz With Liz 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST Food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: Student night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke: Kamp Kevin 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 37

I VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm I ZONE Tony’s Fun Factory: karaoke, Wii & tunes 6.30pm; open 11am TUESDAY 15 I A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon I AQUARIUM Open 3pm I BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8.30pm; open noon I BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon I BULLDOG Open 11am I CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon I CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon I 112 CHURCH ST Open noon I CROWN & ANCHOR Brassic Tues; food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon I DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tues; open 3pm I FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am I LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am I MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon I MARLBOROUGH Open noon I POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am I PROJECT 56 Curry Night 7.30pm; open 11am I QUEEN’S ARMS The Rag Dolls: karaoke, games & candy 9pm; open noon I REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar; open 12 I REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick 11pm I VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm I ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am

38 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM MARINE TAVERN + POISON IVY

MAY

LISTINGS

MARINE TAVERN

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Tue is Nat’s Quiz from 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 from noon, Sun from 1pm.

WEDNESDAY 16 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pulse: DJs Claire Fuller or Ben Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Wine & Wisdom Quiz Night: snacks & fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm; open noon BRIGHTON SAUNA Underwear Night: underwear only, licensed bar 7pm BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; live football; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 School Night Challenge: Davina Sparkle hosts camp quiz night & cabaret 8.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor Semi Final 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash 9pm

VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 8.30pm; open 11am THURSDAY 17 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; cocktail night 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm Up: DJ Kelly Lloyd 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Big Dave’s Quiz 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 CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thurs; 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 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Bar 1-2-3 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Sissy Sucks’ Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Peter Davies & Mark

MAY BANK HOLIDAY

WEEKEND PARTY FRI 4th & SAT 5th DJs from 9pm FREE open till 2am _______________________________ HAPPY HOURS SUN–THU ALL DAY • FRI & SAT 1–7pm

______________________________________________

COME AND CHECK OUT OUR

NEW REFURBISHMENT

POISON IVY

REGULARS: Sun is Mimbo’s KARAOKE from 6pm. Karaoke is at 7pm the rest of the week: Spice on Mon, Tue & Thur; Barbara Fella on Wed; Betty Swollocks on Fri & Sat. DRINK DEALS: fun prices £1.99 11am–7pm from Tue–Sun & all day Mon. £2 Jagerbombs, Dizzy Bombs, Vod Bombs & Skittle Bombs, £1 drinks every Tue. OPEN: daily from 11am.

Hodge Show: piano & song; food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: Level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Missy B & Alpha; Box Bar DJ Dulcie Danger 10.30pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am FRIDAY 18 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; live music 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fridazed: 2 floor party with DJ Claire Fuller in bar 8pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Lil Alex 10pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; F.B.I Fri Bears 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Cabaret: Pooh La May 9pm; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Back to the Old Skool 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Fridazed: 2 floor party: DJs Claire Fuller in bar 8pm, Peter Castle in club 11pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am

PROJECT 56 Reggae Reggae: DJ Micklos 10pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack & Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm; open 11am REVENGE Lollipop v Mousetrap: DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilcious & Ruby 10.30pm SUBLINE Bear Balls: DJs Screwpulous & iTopia + dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM Cheese: camp night; open 4pm ZONE Cabaret: Miss Jason 9.30pm; open 11am SATURDAY 19 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; Pre-Club Music; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; late night menu; open noon6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Shot-tastic; open noon BULLDOG DJ V John 9.30pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Funky Camel 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fierce: DJs on rotation 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Open noon DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Funky 60s, 70s, 80s: 10pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am

PICS FROM PROJECT 56

PROJECT 56

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Every Wed from (9) is SCHOOL NIGHT CHALLENGE an intimate night of cabaret and quizzes with headmistress Davina Sparkle from 8.30pm, cash prizes, minimum of two per team and maximum of six.

REGULARS: SUNDAY CABARET from 7.30pm: Davina Sparkle (6), Sophie Causbrook (13), Maisie Trollette (20) and Krissie Du Cann (27). Mon (7), with bank holiday drink deals. Thur is Bar 1-2-3 with selected shots £1, selected lager £3 and Smirnoff, Bacardi, Gordon’s, Bells & Dash £2 from 8pm. Fri (4 & 18) is REGGAE REGGAE with DJ Micklos from 10pm. All other Fri is Pre-Club, where you choose the music. Sat is PARTY NIGHT. FOOD: Tue is CURRY NIGHT; choose your curry, a pint, 175ml of wine or house spirit and dash for £5.75 from 7.30pm.

DRINK DEALS: Sun–Fri Smirnoff, Gordon’s, Bells, Lamb’s Rum, Bacardi inc mix £2.99 till 7pm.

OPEN: Sun–Tue from 11am–11pm; Wed & Thur from 11am–midnight; Fri & Sat from 11am–1am. Open from noon on Mon (7). The upstairs function room is free to hire from Sun–Thur and for bookings on Fri & Sat, call 01273 623399 to discuss. Full catering facilities are available.

PROJECT 56 Party Night; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Marina Port 4.30pm; Guest Host Karaoke 7pm; Kamp Kevin’s karaoke & tunes 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-6pm; open 11am REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: international guest DJ joins DJs Alex Baker, Missy B, Dulcie Danger & King K 10.30pm SUBLINE The Furnace 9pm VAVAVOOM iKandi: hot tunes; open 2pm ZONE Cabaret: Sally Vate 9.30pm; open 11am

CHARLES ST Cabaret: Cassidy Connors 7.30pm; Tranny Rock & Roll Bingo: Tammy Twinkle, Sally Vate & roll over jackpot 8.30pm; Sun lunch noon-7pm 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast noon-late; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Sun lunch noon-till gone; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open 1 FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Cabaret: Laquisha Jonz 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open 1pm MARLBOROUGH Open noon SUNDAY 20 POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke 6pm; open A-BAR Sun lunch noon-till gone; booking 11am recommended; open noon PROJECT 56 Cabaret: Maisie Trollette AQUARIUM Open 3pm 7.30pm; open 11am BAR REVENGE Sublime Sunday: Karaoke QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Miss Penny 6pm; Queens LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; Sunday Benji O’fficial 9.30pm; Betty’s Karaoke till 1am; roasts: new chef noon-7pm; open noon open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: REGENCY TAVERN Jerome’s Piano Lounge; DJ Jaykey 11pm Sunday lunch noon-5pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN JB’s piano sing-a-long SUBLINE The Sussex Beacon Bizarre Bazaar 5pm; Piano Bingo 6pm; open noon 2pm; Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, BULLDOG Main bar: DJ Grant Knowles 6pm; underwear party 9pm open 11am VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; CAMELFORD ARMS Sun Roast; Brighton open 2pm Bear Patrol: charity raffle & buffet 5pm; open ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 8.30pm; open noon 11am

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 39

42 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM QUEENS ARMS, BAR REVENGE + REVENGE

MAY

LISTINGS

QUEEN’S ARMS

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Mon (7) is Bank Holiday CABARET with Saucy Sophie; Betty’s Karaoke follows.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (26) is the EUROVISION SONG CONTEST from 8pm.

REGULARS: SATURDAY CABARET at 4.30pm: Trudi Styles (5), Candi Rell (12), Marina Port (19) and Auntie Robbie (26); guest host Karaoke at 7pm, Kamp Kevin’s Karaoke Party at 9pm. SUNDAY DOUBLE CABARET at 6pm and 9.30pm: Lady James & Cassidy Connors (6), Dave Lynn & Mary Mac (13), Miss Penny & Benji O’fficial (20), Maisie Trollette & Kitty Litter (27); Betty’s Karaoke till 1am.

OPEN: daily from noon.

MONDAY 21 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz With Liz 9pm; open 12 BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food all day; open 12 CHARLES ST Food noon-8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: Student night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke: Kamp Kevin 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Tony’s Fun Factory: karaoke, Wii & tunes 6.30pm; open 11am

QUEEN’S ARMS The Rag Dolls: karaoke, games & candy 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food 12-2.30pm & 68.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick 11pm VAVAVOOM TransAction: trans & friends; open 4pm ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am

WEDNESDAY 23 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pulse: DJs Claire Fuller or Ben Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Wine & Wisdom Quiz Night: snacks & fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm; open noon BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food all day; open 12 CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; live football; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon TUESDAY 22 POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon open 11am AQUARIUM Open 1pm PROJECT 56 School Night Challenge: BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Davina Sparkle hosts camp quiz night & cabaret Alpha & hostess AJ 8.30pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open 12 8.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor Final: £1000 prize BULLDOG Open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS food all day; open 12 8.30pm; open noon CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon- REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon 8pm; open noon SUBLINE The Naked Homo Live: Martin 112 CHURCH ST Open noon Lewis 6.30 & 7.45pm; Backlash 9pm CROWN & ANCHOR Brassic Tues; food VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon open 4pm DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tues; open 3pm ZONE Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 8.30pm; FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR food noon-5pm; open 11am open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open 12 THURSDAY 24 MARLBOROUGH Open noon A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open Tapas 6-10pm; cocktail night 9pm; open noon 11am AQUARIUM Open 3pm PROJECT 56 Curry Night 7.30pm; open BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm Up: DJ 11am Kelly Lloyd 9pm; open noon

BAR REVENGE

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Thur is Girls on Top Official Warm-Up with DJ Kelly Lloyd playing pop and chart from 9pm.

REGULARS: Fri is DISCO BOMB with DJ Alpha playing r&b/pop/party tunes from 9pm.

Sat is KINKY CLASSICS with DJ Fifilicious playing the best pop tracks from the past five years. SUBLIME SUNDAY Karaoke Queens with Smithy & Lou Bag from 8.30pm.

Mon is QUIZ WITH LIZ with cash and boozy prizes from 9pm. Tue is KARAOKE UNPLUGGED with DJ Alpha & hostess Alpha from 8.30pm.

FOOD: late night menu available Sat; Sun roasts served by a new chef £6.95 from noon–7pm.

DRINK DEALS: All drinks (exc champagne/cocktails/doubles) from £1.99 all day Mon–Wed; £1.50 from 7pm on Thur; from £2.49 Fri–Sun; 2-4-1 cocktails 5–9pm Mon–Sat. OPEN: daily from noon–2am & till 6am on Fri & Sat. Revenge discount passes: Thur b4 11.30pm, Fri & Sat b4 midnight. www.revenge.co.uk BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Big Dave’s Quiz 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 CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thurs; 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 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am

MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Bar 1-2-3 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Sissy Sucks’ Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Regency Review: piano & song; food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon REVENGE Girls On Top v Emergency Room: Level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Missy B & Alpha; Box Bar DJ Dulcie Danger 10.30pm SUBLINE The Naked Homo Live: Martin Lewis 6.30 & 7.45pm; Leathered 9pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am

PICS FROM REVENGE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 43

REVENGE

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Thur (3)–Sat (5) is the DIVAS WEEKEND. Thur (3), GIRLS ON TOP present live PA and photo sesh from girl group Parade. Join DJs Smithy, Alpha, Fifilicious & Missy B for party tunes. Fri (4) sees club diva Robin S perform at LOLLIPOP with DJs Alex Baker & Trick playing chart from the noughties onwards on level 1 and DJs Ruby Roo & Fifilicious playing 1970s/80s/90s anthems in the box bar.

Sat (5), house diva Shawnee Taylor performs live at KINKY DANGEROUS with DJs Alex Baker & Missy B playing current & past charts on level 1 and DJs Dulcie Danger, King K and guests playing uplifting funky house in the box bar.

REGULARS: Thur (31) is GIRLS ON TOP GOES TO THE FESTIVALS with DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Missy B & Alpha, win Bestival & BBB5 tickets, entry free b4 11.30pm with flyer, £4 after, members & NUS free b4 11.30pm, £3 after, drinks from £1.50 (excl champers & doubles). Sat is KINKY DANGEROUS with door hostesses, Go GO Boys & DJs Alex Baker & Missy B playing current /past charts on level 1; DJs Dulcie Danger, King K & guests play uplifting funky house in the box bar, all drinks £2.50 (excl champers & doubles) & Jagerbombs £2 b4 midnight. Entry free before 11pm with pass or with VIP card b4 midnight; £4 without, £6 b4 midnight, £8 after; £3 NUS all night. International guest DJ joins regulars (19).

OPEN: 10.30pm on Thur, Fri & Sat and 11pm on Tue. Closed Sun, Mon & Wed. www.revenge.co.uk

FRIDAY 25 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; live music 9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Disco Bomb: Alpha DJ 9pm; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fridazed: 2 floor party with DJ Claire Fuller in bar 8pm; DJ Peter Castle in club 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Krazy Kamikaze Karaoke 8.30pm; open noon BULLDOG DJ Lil Alex 10pm; top bar: karaoke 10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; F.B.I Fri Bears Inc 9pm; open noon CHARLES ST Fruity Friday Fix: DJ Leeroy 9pm; food noon-7.45pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Cabaret: Miss Jason 9pm; open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Funky Fri: DJs Nick Hirst or Wayne 9.30pm; open 1pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am FUNKYFISH CLUB Back to the Old Skool 10.30pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Fridazed: 2 floor party: DJs Claire Fuller in bar 8pm, Peter

Castle in club 11pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Pre-Club: u choose the tunes 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Camp Attack & Karaoke: Andy B 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-9pm; open 11am REVENGE Lollipop v Mousetrap: DJs Alex Baker, Trick, Fifilcious & Ruby 10.30pm SUBLINE The Naked Homo Live: Martin Lewis 6.30 & 7.45pm; Bear Balls: DJs Screwpulous & iTopia + dancing bears 9pm VAVAVOOM Cheese: camp night; open 4pm ZONE Cabaret: Lady James 9.30pm; open 11am SATURDAY 26 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; Pre-Club Music; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Kinky Classics: DJ Fifilicious 9pm; late night menu; open noon-6am BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Fusion: DJ Peter Castle 11pm

44 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM FOAM PARTY@ SUBLINE

MAY

LISTINGS

SUBLINE

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sun (20) The BIZAARRE BAZAAR Sussex Beacon leather and fetish wear sale is from 2–5pm, pick up fetish items or donate those unwanted dildos.

Wed (23)–Sat (26) is the Fringe Festival’s NAKED HOMO LIVE with performer Martin Lewton with two performances each night at 6.30pm and 7.45pm. To book go online or flash your phone at the QR Code on the Subline advert on page 37.

Sat (26) is the EUROVISION PARTY from 9pm with spot prizes for fancy dress and a prize draw in aid of Sussex Beacon. Normal service resumes from midnight.

REGULARS: Sun is COME IN YOUR PANTS underwear party with DJ N.U.D.E. Wed is BACKLASH, retro tunes and prices, including selected drinks £2.80 all night for members. Thur is LEATHERED with free lockers for those adventurously dressed.

Fri is The BEAR BALL with dancing bears, DJs Screwpulous and iTopia playing the hottest house and electro tunes, £2.80 pints, free entry for members till 11pm, £3 after.

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

DRINK DEALS: Wed, selected drinks £2.80 all night for members; Fri & Sat selected drinks £2.80 till 11pm for members OPEN: Fri & Sat from 9pm–4am, Sun from 8pm–2am, Wed & Thur from 9pm–1.30am. Closed Mon & Tue. www.subline-brighton.com

VAVAVOOM iKandi: hot tunes; open 2pm ZONE Backbeat: live music 8.30pm; open 11am

SUNDAY 27 A-BAR Sun lunch 12-till gone; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Sublime Sunday: Karaoke Queens LouBag & Smithy 8.30pm; Sunday FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am BEDFORD TAVERN Eurovision Party: live roasts: new chef noon-7pm; open noon FUNKYFISH CLUB Funky 60s, 70s, 80s: screening, score sheets, Euro treats & fancy BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pop!Candy: 10pm dress encouraged 7.30pm; open noon DJ Jaykey 11pm LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Eurovision BEDFORD TAVERN JB’s piano sing-a-long BULLDOG DJ V John 9.30pm; top bar: Party: live screens & goodies 8pm; open 11am karaoke 10pm; open 11am 5pm; Piano Bingo 6pm; open noon MARINE TAVERN Open noon CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; Funky BULLDOG Main bar: DJ Grant Knowles 6pm; MARLBOROUGH Open noon Camel 9pm; open noon open 11am POISON IVY Betty Swollocks’ Karaoke 7pm; CAMELFORD ARMS Sun Roast; Camelford CHARLES ST Fierce Eurovision 2012 Terrence Higgins Trust Fundraiser: Sally Vate & open 11am Bears: sarnies 5pm; open noon Ruby Roo commentate in the bar + Eurovision PROJECT 56 Party Night; open 11am CHARLES ST Drag Idol 2012 Brighton Heat: sweepstake comp 7pm; DJ Leeroy plays in the QUEEN’S ARMS Auntie Robbie 4.30pm; host Lola Lasagne & cabaretNan 7.30pm; club; food noon-7.45pm; open noon Karaoke 6pm; Eurovision Contest Party 8pm; singers, drag artistes, comedians, jugglers & 112 CHURCH ST Open noon open noon magicians apply at the bar; Sun lunch 12-7pm CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-9pm REGENCY TAVERN food 12-6pm; open 11am 112 CHURCH ST Richard’s Sun Roast DR BRIGHTONS Sexy Sat: DJ Tony B REVENGE Kinky Dangerous: Level 1 DJs noon-late; open noon 9.30pm; open 1pm Alex Baker & Missy B; Box bar DJs Dulcie CROWN & ANCHOR Sun lunch noon-till ENVY Fierce Eurovision 2012 Terrence Danger, King K & guests 10.30pm gone; open noon Higgins Trust Fundraiser: DJ Leeroy plays in the SUBLINE The Naked Homo Live: Martin DR BRIGHTONS Hangover Therapy; open club till 3am; Sally Vate & Ruby Roo Lewis 6.30 & 7.45pm; Eurovision Party: prizes 1pm commentate in the bar + Eurovision sweepstake for fancy dress, raising money for Sussex FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am comp 7pm Beacon 9pm; The Furnace midnight LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; Cabaret:

Lady Imelda 3.15pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open 1pm MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Mimbo’s Karaoke 6pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Cabaret: Krissie Du Cann 7.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Cabaret: Maisie Trollette 6pm; Kitty Litter 9.30pm; Betty’s Karaoke till 1am; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Jerome’s Piano Lounge; Sunday lunch noon-5pm; open noon SUBLINE Come in Your Pants: DJ N.U.D.E, underwear party 9pm VAVAVOOM U Choose: vid jukebox; open 2pm ZONE Carrie O’Kay’s karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am MONDAY 28 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Quiz With Liz 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Recovery; open noon BULLDOG DJ Marcia’s Glitter Ball 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST Food noon-8pm; open noon

46 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM VAVAVOOM

MAY

LISTINGS

ZONE

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (26) is live music with band BACKBEAT from 8.30pm.

REGULARS: Wed is REGGAE Night with DJ Micklos from 8.30pm.

FRIDAY CABARET at 9.30pm: Jamie Watson (4), Gilly Bee (11), Miss Jason (18) and Lady James (25). SATURDAY CABARET at 9.30pm: Sally Vate (5 & 19) and Tammy Twinkle (12). Sun is Carrie O’Kay’s KARAOKE from 8.30pm. Mon is Tony’s FUN FACTORY with Wee, karaoke & camp tunes from 6.30pm.

OPEN: daily from 11am

VAVAVOOM

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Open till extra late all weekend.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Tue (22) is TRANSACTION, a monthly night for trans people and their friends, free entry, safe environment.

REGULARS: Sat is iKANDI, a night of hot club classics and floor fillers. YOU CHOOSE the tunes from the video jukebox Sun–Thur till midnight. Fri is CHEESE with all things cheesy and camp. Take advantage of the sun in the outdoor seating area.

DRINK DEALS: 4 Jagerbombs for £10, shots from £1.50, early bird deals till 7pm every day: vodka, rum, gin & mixer £2.50 single, £3.50 double, pints of Becks or Bud £2.50, bottles of VK, VS or WKD £2.

OPEN: Sat from 2pm–2am, Sat (5) from 2pm–4am; Sun from 2pm–midnight; Mon–Thur from 4pm–midnight; Fri from 4pm–2am.

Hotel rooms from £15pppn, call 01273 603010.

112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Medication Mon; open 3pm ENVY Studio 150: Student night 10.30pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Miss Jason’s Monday Madness 9.30pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Karaoke: Kamp Kevin 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Tony’s Fun Factory: karaoke, Wii & tunes 6.30pm; open 11am TUESDAY 29 A-BAR Food noon-9pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 1pm BAR REVENGE Karaoke Unplugged: DJ Alpha & hostess AJ 8.30pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Games Galore; open noon BULLDOG Reggae Night: DJ Micklos; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon

CROWN & ANCHOR Brassic Tues; food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Twisted Tues; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Nat’s Quiz 9pm; open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Curry Night 7.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS The Rag Dolls: karaoke, games & candy 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; Mark Hodge’s Piano Bar; open noon REVENGE Supersonic: DJ Trick 11pm VAVAVOOM You Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE U Say We Play 7.30pm; open 11am WEDNESDAY 30 A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & Tapas 6-10pm; open noon AQUARIUM Open 3pm BAR REVENGE Open noon BASEMENT CLUB@LEGENDS Pulse: DJs Claire Fuller or Ben Castle 11pm BEDFORD TAVERN Wine & Wisdom Quiz Night: snacks & fundraiser for Sussex Beacon 9pm; open noon BULLDOG Red Light Rush: DJ Marcia 9pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Food all day; open noon CHARLES ST After work 5pm; food noon-

8pm; open noon 112 CHURCH ST Open noon CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; live football; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Cocktail Clinic; open 3pm FUNKYFISH BAR Open 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Barbara Fella’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 School Night Challenge: Davina Sparkle hosts camp quiz night & cabaret 8.30pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Q Factor 2012 Wrap Party 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon SUBLINE Backlash 9pm VAVAVOOM U Choose: video jukebox; open 4pm ZONE Reggae Night: DJ Micklos 8.30pm; open 11am

10pm; open 11am CAMELFORD ARMS Big Dave’s H.M Queen Elizabeth Royal Quiz 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 CROWN & ANCHOR Food noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm; open noon DR BRIGHTONS Thirsty Thurs; 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 11am LEGENDS BAR Food noon-5pm; open 11am MARINE TAVERN Open noon MARLBOROUGH Open noon POISON IVY Spice’s Karaoke 7pm; open 11am PROJECT 56 Bar 1-2-3 8pm; open 11am QUEEN’S ARMS Sissy Sucks’ Karaoke 9pm; open noon REGENCY TAVERN Regency Review; food noon-2.30pm & 6-8.30pm; open noon THURSDAY 31 REVENGE Girls On Top Goes ToThe Festivals: Level 1 DJs Smithy, Fifilicious, Missy A-BAR Food: bar menu noon-5pm; Thai & B & Alpha; Box Bar DJ Dulcie Danger, win Tapas 6-10pm; cocktail night 9pm; open noon festival tickets 10.30pm AQUARIUM Open 3pm SUBLINE Leathered 9pm BAR REVENGE Girls On Top Warm Up: DJ VAVAVOOM U Choose: video jukebox; open Kelly Lloyd 9pm; open noon BEDFORD TAVERN Thur Social; open noon 4pm ZONE Karaoke 8.30pm; open 11am BULLDOG Release: DJ Grant Knowles

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 47

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 552544 CUMBERLAND HOTEL East Overcliff Drive, BH1 3AF, Tel: 01202 290722 www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk DYMK 31 Poole Hill Rd, BN2 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 OLD VIC 104 St Pauls Rd, Southsea Tel: 02392 297013

TUESDAY 1 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Lucky Numbers: games & a sing-song 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon WEDNESDAY 2 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sally Goes Wild: camp tunes & shows till 2am; open 4pm OLD VIC Student Night 7pm; food noon3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Pete Kendall’s karaoke 9pm LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open noon THURSDAY 3 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD David’s karaoke & celeb news 9pm; open 4pm OLD VIC Karaoke 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Video Jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

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, Thu-Sat: 11am-9pm

SOUTHAMPTON

ENDEAVOUR 7 Simnel Street Tel: 02380 211879 Open: Mon-Thur: noon-11.30pm, Fri-Sat: noon-midnight, Sun: noon-10.30pm. Traditional pub hosted by Southampton’s original diva Miss Moss, always a welcome and great food.

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

FRIDAY 4 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cassidy Connors’ Controversial: DJs Grant & Tim till 3am; open noon OLD VIC DJs 8pm; food noon-3pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Get Some: DJ Lohands, Pete Kendall & Lady Bex 9pm LONDON HOTEL Cabaret: Scarlette Diamante 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SATURDAY 5 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Guest DJ till 3am; My Transsexual Summer meet & greet; open 5pm OLD VIC Open 5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE The Big One: rDJs, 3 floors 9pm LONDON HOTEL DJ Neil Sackley & His Guilty Pleasures 8.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 6 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sunday Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 79pm; cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s Karaoke 9pm; open 7pm OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Gagarazzi: Gaga-themed night with Vicki Jackson live & We Are 1: DJ Rob D 9pm

48 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

PICS FROM THE EDGE + THE LONDON HOTEL, SOUTHAMPTON

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Sat (26) is the EUROVISION PARTY with DJ Neil Sackley in the Box Bar; DJ Tim Sandford plays chart hits on the main floor.

REGULARS: Sun is WE ARE 1 with DJ Rob D, £1 drinks, entry free before 10pm, £2/£4 after. Sun (6) is GAGARAZZI, a Gaga-themed live PA from Vicky Jackson, regular Sun entry. Tue is BOMB IT! with £2 Jagerbombs, win a bottle of Jager, video jukebox all night, free entry. Wed is BAR150 with DJ Lady Bex & Cheeky Pete's Karaoke, all drinks £1.50, entry £0/£2 before 10pm, £4/£6 after. From Thur (17) it’s GREW UP IN THE 90S with DJ Neil Sackley, 1990s tunes, drink deals all night, free entry. Fri is GET SOME with DJs Lohands, Pete Kendall & Lady Bex, entry £3/£4 before 11pm, £5/£6 after. Sat is THE BIG ONE with resident DJs over 3 floors, entry £3/£5. Lee Harris DJs (19).

OPEN: 10pm on Tue & Thur; 9pm on Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun. Closed Mon. www.theedgesouthampton.com/ LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Titti La Camp 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 7 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bar 150: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON LONDON HOTEL Food 12-3pm; open 12 TUESDAY 8 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Lucky Numbers 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon WEDNESDAY 9 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sally Goes Wild: camp tunes & shows till 2am; open 4pm OLD VIC Student Night 7pm; food noon3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Pete Kendall’s karaoke 9pm LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open noon THURSDAY 10 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD David’s karaoke & celeb news 9pm; open 4pm OLD VIC Karaoke 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Tammy Twinkle’s Karaoke 10pm LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 11 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cassidy Connors’ Controversial: DJs Grant & Tim till 3am OLD VIC DJs 8pm; food noon-3pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Get Some: DJs Lohands, Pete Kendall & Lady Bex 9pm LONDON HOTEL Cabaret: Connie Conway 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SATURDAY 12 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD DJ till 3am; open 5pm OLD VIC Open 5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE The Big One: DJs, 3 floors 9pm LONDON HOTEL DJ Tiny & His Guilty Pleasures 8.30pm; food noon-3pm; open 12 SUNDAY 13 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sunday Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 79pm; cocktails, wines & beers all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s Karaoke 9pm; open 7pm OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE We Are 1: DJ Rob D 9pm LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Wilma Fingadoo 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 14 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am

WEDNESDAY 16 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sally Goes Wild: camp tunes & shows till 2am; open 4pm OLD VIC Student Night 7pm; food noon3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Pete Kendall’s karaoke 9pm LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open 12 THURSDAY 17 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD David’s karaoke & celeb news 9pm; open 4pm OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Grew Up In The 90s Launch: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm LONDON HOTEL RMT LGBT Union: social event for conference delegates; food noon3pm; open noon

PAT CRUISE’S EUROVISION PARTY (26)

EDGE SOUTHAMPTON

TUESDAY 15 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Lucky Numbers: games & a sing-song 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

FRIDAY 18 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cassidy Connors’ Controversial: DJs Grant & Tim till 3am OLD VIC DJs 8pm; food noon-3pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE Get Some: DJs Lohands, Pete Kendall & Lady Bex 9pm LONDON HOTEL IDAHO Fundraiser Cabaret: Lola Lasagne, Boy George Experience, Wilma Fingadoo 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SATURDAY 19 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Guest DJ till 3am; open 5pm OLD VIC Open 5pm SOUTHAMPTON EDGE The Big One: DJ Lee Harris & residents over 3 floors 9pm LONDON HOTEL DJ Dazza & Ruthie T 8.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 20 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sunday Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 79pm; cocktails, wines & beers all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Karaoke 9pm; open 7pm OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON EDGE We Are 1: DJ Rob D 9pm LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Miss Penny 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 21 BOURNEMOUTH CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am

TOPPING & BUTCH SUN (27)

PORTSMOUTH HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bar 150: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open noon

LONDON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON

ONE FOR THE DIARY: Fri (18) is IDAHO Fundraiser Cabaret with Lola Lasagne, Boy George Experience and Wilma Fingadoo from 10pm.

REGULARS: FRI CABARET from 10pm: Scarlette Diamante (4), Connie Conway (11) and Davina Sparkle (25). Sat is PARTY TIME from 8.30pm with DJs: Neil Sackley & His Guilty Pleasures (5), Tiny & His Guilty Pleasures (12), Dazza & guest Ruthie T (19) and Pat Cruise’s EUROVISION PARTY (26). Sun is Dolly Partem’s SUNDAY SERVICE from 8pm, cabaret follows 9.30pm: Titti La Camp (6), Wilma Fingadoo (13), Miss Penny (20) and Topping & Butch (27). Wed (23) is CHARITY QUIZ NIGHT raising money for the Southampton Musical Society. Thur is Pat Cruise’s KARAOKE CRUISING from 9.30pm. Thur (17) is a social event for the RMT LGBT Union’s conference delegates Free pool on Mon & Tue. FOOD: Mon–Sat from noon–3pm; Sun lunch from noon–3.30pm, 2 courses £7.95.

OPEN: daily from noon. www.the-london.co.uk

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 49

SOLENT & BOURNEMOUTH PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bar 150: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm I OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open noon TUESDAY 22 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Lucky Numbers: games & a sing-song 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon WEDNESDAY 23 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sally Goes Wild: camp tunes & shows till 2am; open 4pm I OLD VIC Student Night 7pm; food noon3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Pete Kendall’s karaoke 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Charity Quiz Night Fundraiser for Southampton Musical Society; food noon-3pm; open noon

THURSDAY 24 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD David’s karaoke & celeb news 9pm; open 4pm I OLD VIC Karaoke 8pm; food noon-3pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Grew Up In The 90s: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon FRIDAY 25 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Cassidy Connors’ Controversial: DJs Grant & Tim till 3am; open noon I OLD VIC DJs 8pm; food noon-3pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Get Some: DJs Lohands, Pete Kendall & Lady Bex 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Cabaret: Davina Sparkle 10pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SATURDAY 26 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Guest DJ till 3am; open 5pm

I OLD VIC Open 5pm SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Eurovision Party: DJ Neil Sackley in box bar; DJ Tim Sandford on main floor I LONDON HOTEL Pat Cruise’s Eurovision Party; food noon-3pm; open noon SUNDAY 27 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: Sunday Lunch 12.30-2.30pm & 79pm; drinks served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Westie’s Karaoke 9pm; open 7pm I OLD VIC Sun lunch 1-5pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE We Are 1: DJ Rob D 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Dolly Partem’s Sunday Service 8pm; Topping & Butch 9.30pm; Sun lunch noon-3.30pm; open noon MONDAY 28 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Bar 150: DJ Ruby Roo 9pm I OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open 12 TUESDAY 29 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am

PORTSMOUTH I OLD VIC Food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bomb It!: video jukebox 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Lucinda’s Lucky Numbers: games & a sing-song 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon WEDNESDAY 30 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD Sally Goes Wild: camp tunes & shows till 2am; open 4pm I OLD VIC Student Night 7pm; food noon3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Bar 150: DJ Lady Bex & Pete Kendall’s karaoke 9pm I LONDON HOTEL Food noon-3pm; open noon THURSDAY 31 BOURNEMOUTH I CUMBERLAND HOTEL Ventana Bar & Brasserie: food, afternoon tea, cocktails, wines & beers served all day & night; open 9am PORTSMOUTH I HAMPSHIRE BLVD David’s karaoke & celeb news 9pm; open 4pm I OLD VIC Karaoke 8pm; food noon-3pm; open noon SOUTHAMPTON I EDGE Grew Up In The 90s: DJ Neil Sackley 10pm I LONDON HOTEL Karaoke Cruising: Pat Cruise 9.30pm; food noon-3pm; open noon

50 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

ARTS

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

BRIGHTON CENTRE

BRIGHTON UNITARIAN CHURCH New Rd, Brighton HULLABALOO COMMUNITY QUIRE (Sun 6), Brighton’s muchloved Natural Voice choir are now in their 11th year. A Candle is a very special gig, celebrating 50 years of Amnesty International and featuring songs reflecting the incredible work that Amnesty has done to protect human rights worldwide. Their set will include specially commissioned music by renowned vocal composers Helen Chadwick and Sianed Jones, plus music by local composer Frederic Rzewski.

pieces that were first performed in nightclubs and derelict warehouses: a journey that has taken him from the Royal Vauxhall Tavern to the Royal Court and back again. The evening includes your life for £1, which are fragments from such seminal recorded and then sold at the shows as A Vision of Love Unveiling of Souls on Sunday Revealed in Sleep, Sarrasine and afternoon.

Night After Night. It concludes with the world premiere of What THEATRE ROYAL Can You Do?, a new piece specially New Rd, Brighton commissioned by Brighton MATTHEW BOURNE'S EARLY ADVENTURES (Thu 17–Sat 19), is a Festival.

25th anniversary triple bill of CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK acclaimed early works that Ditchling Rd, Brighton launched his career. Spitfire AARON TWITCHEN: QUARTER (1988) – an advertisement LIFE CRISIS (5-7 & 25-27). Ever felt crazier than Mel Gibson in a synagogue? You may have had a quarter-life crisis! Join him as he tackles his issues and diagnoses yours. The world may be your oyster but it’s sticky, icky and not very nice. Scotsgay pick of the free Fringe 2011. Free event.

TOWN & COUNTRY

Church St, Brighton www.brightondome.org CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS? (Thu 24–Sat 26). DV8's follow-up to the critically acclaimed To Be Straight With You is a documentary-style dance theatre production using archive footage and real-life interviews with leading figures across the religious, political and cultural spectrum. In an ever-more polarised political landscape, it invites us to engage with the taboo topics of our age and challenge the bounds of what we can and cannot say.

KING PRIAM (Sun 27). Michael Tippett's opera, performed by the Britten Sinfonia and the Brighton Festival Chorus, is based on Homer’s Iliad. First performed in 1962 to coincide with the reconsecration of the

divertissement – is Bourne’s ‘brilliant and hilarious’ (Guardian) first hit. A celebration of masculine vanity and the preening grandeur of the classical male dancer, it updates 19th-century Romantic ballet to the world of men’s underwear advertising. The Olivier-nominated Town And Country (1991) is ‘An evening of sly, whimsical, cruel and extremely funny entertainment’ (Vogue).

Inspired by much-loved Gallic icons from Edith Piaf to Jacques Tati, The Infernal Galop (1989) invokes the France of the uptight rebuilt Coventry Cathedral, its lean English imagination. and angular soundworld mirrors WHAT CAN YOU DO? (Sat 26). A the violent tensions of Homer’s retrospective recital by Neil text, both as intimate psychoBartlett in which he revisits his drama and epic mythology. ‘King formative works and premiers a Priam … like Britten’s War Requiem new solo. Bartlett takes a …is a searing, unanswerable characteristically personal and indictment of violence and passionate look back at nearly militarism…’ Gramophone. thirty years of his solo work to

TYHURST & BOND

HULLABALLOO

The full Brighton and Fringe Festival events listings are available at brightonfestival.org and brightonfringe.org so this issue Gscene has picked out shows by or with LGBTQ performers and content. Box office for tickets for festival events: 01273 709709.

Brighton Fringe and Festival highlights:

DOME

KING PRIAM

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL

DV8

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Covent Garden, London Box office: 020 7304 4000 or www.roh.org.uk LA BOHÈME (May 3, 5, 8, 12, 17, June 19, 23). John Copley's production of Puccini's opera tells the tragic love story of impoverished poet Rodolfo and fragile seamstress Mimi, which evolves against a background of bohemian life in 19th-century Paris. Mimi is sung by German soprano Anja Harteros and, on June 19 and 23, Angela Gheorghiu.

CARPE MINUTA PRIMA (Sat 12–Sun 13). Brian Lobel adds a devilish twist to the age-old question ‘Can I have a minute of your time?’ Carpe Minuta Prima playfully explores the value of our time and what it means to sign away your soul. Enter his booth on Saturday to sell him a minute of

BRIAN LOBEL

Kings Rd, Brighton, Box office: 0844 847 1515 www.brightoncentre.co.uk Music highlights include: THE OSMONDS Up Close And Personal Tour (Sat 5); THE VACCINES (Mon 7); ELVIS COSTELLO – The Revolver Tour (Wed 16) and BRIT FLOYD (Sat 26).

NEIL BARTLETT

JUBILEE LIBRARY

GRACE EYRE THEATRE 36 Montefiore Rd, BN3 6EP www.grace-eyre.org TYHURST & BOND ALL ABOUT US! (7:45pm, Sat 12, Fri 18, Sat 19). Expect to laugh your socks off at this very funny sketch show with talented duo, Sue Tyhurst and Tori Bond plus guests. They’ll take you to a land of absurdity with sketches, songs and more plus a smattering of improvisation.

Well known locally for their gloriously eccentric Margaret & Rosemary characters, they’re truly unmissable! (£8/£7concs).

West and Virginia Woolf - one of the most passionate love stories in the literary world. Scripted by actress Eileen Atkins who has artfully created a portrait of their lives, extracted from letters and diaries.

JIVE MONKEY THE HOBGOBLIN

MAKING OF A WOMAN

31 York Place, Brighton DIVINELY BETTE (5–7 & 25–27) sees Kim Sheard bring to life the beloved characters and perform the trademark ballads and upbeat comedy songs of performance icon Bette Midler, all performed with raucous humour. Free entry, donations encouraged.

Theatre Bar, 5 Steine St www.thejivemonkey.com ALIVE AND SWINGING WITH MARILYN MONROE (Fri 18–Sun 20). Marilyn Monroe is finding heaven a bore. No drinking, smoking or sex and worst of all, no swinging music. She returns to Earth for one more night of fun bringing Las Vegas legend Elvis Presley and a special guest.

no signs of finishing the reception early! "I do think that it could be the most fun I have yet had on this year's Fringe" Scotsgay.

BIG GIG FOR LITTLE MONSTERS (1pm & 3.30pm, Sun 20) Al Start and her fantastic Beastie Band are back with a great big monster-themed gig for kids and their grown-ups. Tall stories, tiny ukuleles, Big-foot's banjo and Burlesque: French they must be. songs about all kinds of kooky With a croissant in one hand and a large cup of comedy in the other, they’ve climbed their imaginary Eiffel Tower and dived head first into a world they have really only dreamed of.

LATEST MUSIC BAR

KOMEDIA

IAMBIC ARTS THEATRE

Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow). 'I was crying with laughter from start to finish' Latest 7 MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING (Sat 19–Mon 21). Planning a wedding can be hell... but planning to ruin a wedding can be a hell of a lot of fun! Join the congregation as this off Broadway cult hit embarks on its first UK tour after an acclaimed Edinburgh and London run. This music and dance filled extravaganza has played to sold out houses in New York for four years and still shows

MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING

VITA & VIRGINIA

Gardner St, Brighton www.iambicarts.co.uk THE MAKING OF A WOMAN (57, 13-15, 21 & 23). Music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, conceived and performed by Grégoire Aubert accompanied by Ellen Campbell. A musical tale: what secrets can be revealed in the intimacy of a wardrobe? A boy, who dreams of becoming a woman, finds his way through the songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein (The Sound of Music etc). It all starts with children's games; when you impersonate your favourite stars, and ends by discovering yourself in turning your dreams into reality.

VITA AND VIRGINIA (11-13). A love relationship in two acts, about the relationship, influences and literary styles of Vita Sackville

ZOE LYONS

Gardner St, Brighton www.komedia.co.uk BENT DOUBLE (Sun 6) gayfriendly night promises a fabulous line-up every time! An irreverent night of fun and frolics hosted by

creatures. With special guests and the all-new kids' open mic (come early to sign-up)! Dress up like a beastie to win prizes! Suitable for all ages. Family tickets available. www.alstart.co.uk LES COCQUE UPS! (Thu 24) have never been to France, don’t speak French, but believe that to be successful in the world of

Manchester St, Brighton www.thelatest.co.uk/musicbar CARRY ON BRIGHTON (Tue 8–Wed 9). Jackie Skarvellis' play asks: what better place than Brighton for a gay wedding? So thinks Henri Theydon Bois, supposed French aristo star of reality TV show Brighton Beach Bums. Henri has come out and plans to marry his young Arabic chauffeur Al Pepe; but, unbeknown to him, the 'bride' has bolted. Meanwhile Fenella, the forlorn wedding singer and long

LES COCQUE UPS

DIVINELY BETTE

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 51

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

GOGOL

in love with Henri connives with the tranny vicar, The Rev Cornucopia (Ebony), to plot her own wedding to Henri as a Bedouin bride replacement heavily disguised in a burkha. Enter Trevor, a wayward youth 'saved' by the vicar, also disguised in a burkha. The arrival of Henri's 'Maman', a bling-festooned babe from Bermondsey with an eye for young men, causes further mayhem.

SADIE & THE FADED LADIES

LYNN RUTH MILLER – APPROACHING 80 (23–25). Lynn Ruth Miller is approaching 80 and she's pulled out the stops. Listen to outrageous comedy and song that tells it like it is and it's all good. The best is coming and she's determined to get it all.

SADIE & THE FADED LADIES (7, 13, 27). It's opening night and Sadie Goldberg is performing her new comedy show. Old rivals Serafina Dubois and Clarice Montain meet unexpectedly in the bar before the show, and reminisce about the men they have known and their loves lost and found.

They take us on a journey of laughter, music and song.

mixture of music, history and comedy, featuring stories and songs about her favourite eclectic ‘trouser-wearing characters’, from Nancy Spain to Colonel Barker and the ‘f**king lady’ herself, Coral Browne.

NEW STEINE HOTEL 10-11 New Steine, BN2 1PB www.newsteinehotel.com www.thepinksinatrashow.biz The outrageous and brilliantly talented PINK SINATRA - SWING WITH A PINK TWIST! (5–27, 7.45pm, Wed & Thur, 8pm Fri & Sat, 5.30pm Sun) A light-hearted romp through the Sinatra/Rat Pack songbook, accompanied by swingin' soundtrack. He truly engages with his audience. Every song is a winner. Leave your PINK SINATTRA

NEWS

THE BLACK DOG AND OTHER INFLUENCES (Sat 12–Sun 13). Dan R Martin's 'unlikely' comedy is about managing manic depression.

A fragile 30-something, consumed with bipolar disorder, finds himself in therapy. Unable to function, and unwilling to open up, he teases his therapist with a backstory of lies and fantasy. Can therapy still be effective if the therapist can’t trust the patient?

This two-hander explores the ups and downs of living with manic depression. On the surface, it may appear an odd topic for comedy, but as many sufferers will testify, “If you can’t laugh, you’ll cry.”

LILIES (Wed 16–Sat 19). Simon Doucet, unjustly imprisoned for nearly forty years, invites his old friend Bishop Jean Bilodeau to a special theatrical event to discover what happened in "...those minutes that cost me the last forty years of my life." Written by award-winning Canadian playwright Michel Marc Bouchard, Lilies is the love story no-one ever told you.

MAE-DAY

ARTS

ROSE COLLIS

52 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

MARLBOROUGH THEATRE

GOGOL (Sun 13–Wed 16). Brian Capron (Richard Hillman in Coronation St) plays the Russian author Nikolay Gogol. It’s 1978; energy crisis, stagflation, space invaders and punk are destabilizing his little world. To keep his life on the rails, he sums up, organizes and plans his existence across the Void of Sunday. But unknown powers are undermining him. Betrayed by his Coat, and led astray by his Nose, his imagination breaks loose, as he transforms from self-effacing conformist to monstrous egomaniac, speeding like light across a frozen sea and somersaulting into infinity. Stage design by the sculptor of the Brighton & Hove Aids Memorial, Romany Mark Bruce.

Princes St, Brighton www.marlboroughtheatre.co.uk A RIGHT PAIR (5, 6, 12, 13).

Bette Bourne and Paul Shaw have been together off and onstage since the 1970s. This whistle-stop tour of a life together explores favourite scenes, obscure gems and others totally new. Join them for the triumphs and despair, the glittering high heel moments and MAE-DAY: I'M NOT WAVING, I'M DROWNING (Thu 24–Sat 26). down at heel moments of what it Canadian comedian Mae Martin means to be – a right pair... recently emigrated to England to "find herself". In her eponymous show Mae Day she examines her neurotic visions of the impending apocalypse, her extremely strong feelings about certain celebrities, and her adventures in androgyny.

TROUSER-WEARING CHARACTERS (3, 4, 7, 8, 19, 20).

Acclaimed writer and performer Rose Collis unveils her first onewoman (plus banjoleles) cabaretstyle show. This original entertainment, devised and performed by one of Brighton’s favourite personalities, is a unique

inhibitions at the door and you might even find yourself enjoying a twirl onstage with the Pink Sinatra. Tickets: £9 ‘Terrific!" ***** The Scotsman

THE OLD COURTROOM Church St, Brighton WOMEN OF AN UNCERTAIN AGE (Sat 19, Sun 20, Sat 26). Written and performed by Flip Webster & Maggie Bourgein, probably the oldest female double act at the Fringe. Middle-aged women: an Endangered Species. Come and view them close-up in their unnatural habitats. Marvel at their

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 53

PSYCHOSOCIAL

LESBILICIOUS PRESENTS...

Jen Brister. Live music from Heads Hearts will be followed by DJ Philly hosted by Brighton’s own Ali Adolph. www.lesbilicious.co.uk

FOREVER 27 (Thu 10–Sun 13).

Sarah Evans' play is a one-man, black comedy focusing on the life, love and lust of an extraordinary gay man, in an average, straight world living by the motto ‘Live fast, die young’. Jimi, Janis, Jim, Kurt and Amy all died aged 27, but even if you’re not rich and famous, everyone wants to be remembered for something. Mark feels that if he cannot be successful in his life, then he will be instead successful in death. He plans an elaborate suicide before his twenty-eighth birthday in order to be remembered, leave a

BOOGALOO STU

FOREVER 27

survival techniques and their extraordinary use of camouflage.

Are we too old for careers, sex and a social life? Who says? Through sketches, monologues, song and dance, Flip & Maggie share what it means to be old in the 21st Century. They bring their deeper and broader experience to illustrate and comment on the things that affect us all: childhood, work, relationships, life and death and the stages that we all pass though: ageing parents and children who won't leave home... all get the Wii taken out of them.

Morley St, Brighton LESBILICIOUS PRESENTS... (Sat 19) a night of comedy featuring Mae Martin, Julie Jepson and

NIGHTINGALE THEATRE Grant Central Bar, Surrey St, Brighton BOOGALOO STU'S POP MAGIC (3, 10, 17, 24). Audience members collectively write, record and produce their very own pop single accompanied by an all-singing alldancing pop video. Along the way, your host and musical impresario Boogaloo Stu reveals the modest but glittering highs and barrel-

ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! St Andrew’s Church, Waterloo St, Hove ACTUALLY GAY MEN’S CHORUS: THE SHOW MUST GO ON (7.30pm, Fri 18 & Sat 19) is a Moulin Rouge inspired production, which will see St Andrew’s Church transformed into a post war Parisian theatre bar, which has seen grander times. This is a story of deceit, laughter and of course love lost and found - but no matter what, The Show Must Go On! Testosterone and tango, champagne and celebration, repertoire old and new includes songs from Gigi, Cabaret and Love Never Dies as well as new arrangements by Musical Director Jason Pimblett, sung in four part harmony by the chorus. Soprano, Samantha Howard makes a welcome return to St Andrew’s along with Gerry McCrudden and soprano Melanie Howard performs with the chorus for the first time.

Tickets available from: www.actuallygmc.org, The Iron Duke Hotel, Waterloo St, Prowler, St James’ St and Brighton Dome Box Office.

scraping lows of his own pop career. Within hours the audience can watch, download and share the results on the internet!

MISS DIAGNOSIS

FLIP & MAGGIE

legacy and join the host of stars that burnt out before their time.

RED ROASTER St James’ St, Brighton GRIT LIT (7.45–10pm, Wed 16), an award-winning literary event features eight authors, established and upcoming. Stories on the night include an immigrant’s plight, apocalyptic visions and a bad case of intestinal worms…

Tickets: £5

THE REGENCY TAVERN 32-34 Russell Square, BN1 2EF Just An Act present A CHANDELIER IN MY KITCHENETTE (7.30pm, Tue 8–Fri 11, 8pm 12), produced, written and performed

by Ken McLoone and directed by Angeliki Karistinou. Miss Diagnosis is turning 50 this year.

Troubled by his fear of lost youth, he only finds solace with his dolls.

Where will his hatred of short sleeved shirts, fantasies of millennium style fame and desire for beautiful nails lead? Now memories of being a little boy in Glasgow come flooding back…

Just an Act allow “its audience to become swept up in a surging accumulation of psychological

disturbance.” Helen Richardson, On the Fringe. Tickets: £7.50.

ST MARGARET'S CHURCH The Green, Rottingdean SPERANZA, LADY WILDE, MOTHER OF OSCAR (17-20 & 2426). One hour one-woman show depicting life of Jane Francesca Elgee who electrified Ireland with her passionate Irish Nationalist verses. She married brilliant eye surgeon Dr William Wilde and loved her two sons Oscar and Willie passionately. Her talk was said to be like fireworks, she presided over salons in Dublin and London where the literary world came.

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE STARTED A BAND (Fri 25). Awardwinning cabaret stars Bourgeois & Maurice are an unrivalled mix of musical comedy, cutting satire and fashion so high you’ll wonder what you’ve taken. Accompanied by their new band, B&M’s music offers a warped view of modern life soaked in punk spirit and pop hooks.

ARTS

NEWS

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN BRIGHTON GAY MEN’S CHORUS

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE

54 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

nominee 2011). “Talented to within an inch of their lives” Time Out.

WEST PIER

NAKED HOMO

St James' St NAKED HOMO (Wed 23–Sat 26).

Following a tour to London and Dublin, Naked Homo returns with a provocative new series of individual takes on naked gay life performed naked. Martin Lewton, winner of Star of the Festival 2011, brings this new show suitable for adults gay and straight and different every night - to Brighton's atmospheric Subline! "Sheer Genius" Gscene; "Fearlessly funny" The Argus.

MY GAY BEST FRIEND

SUBLINE

biggest night of her life… Nigel Fairs plays her unforgivably absent gay best friend. “Because Fairs writes with compassion and wit, this is not just another gay play” The Stage.

THE WARREN Wagner Hall off West St FETISH KNIGHTS (Thu 3–Mon 7), looks at the colourful regulars of fictional Manchester men-only bar, Associates. What would the eclectic clientèle do, if word leaked out that they were more concerned with 'quiche and Corrie' than 'whips and chains'. There are secrets inside this mysterious bar, but to find out what they are, you'll have to go in...

JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY (8, UPSTAIRS AT THREE & TEN 9, 13, 14) celebrates the love Steine St, Brighton songs of Stephen Sondheim, MY GAY BEST FRIEND (6, 13, 20, 27). Dr Who companion Louise Broadway's leading composer.

Jameson stars as a would-be-diva Features songs from Follies, Gypsy, West Side Story and many more. stuck in the ladies' loo on the

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE & FRIENDS

St Nicholas’ Church, Dyke Rd, Brighton www.brightongmc.org BRIGHTON GAY MEN'S CHORUS – GUILTY TREASURES (Fri 4 & Sat 5). Join the chorus in their search for the ultimate gay song. Why do some songs cry out to our inner divas? The chorus, itself a registered charity, will be performing an array of classic popular songs in association with Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard and The Abandoned & Destitute Children's Action Fund.

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE AND FRIENDS! (Sat 26). Musical cabaret oddities Bourgeois & Maurice want to introduce you to some friends… A mixed-bill bonanza featuring B&M with their bitingly witty original songs, altdrag-perf-art phenomenon Jonny Woo (“A tranny superstar” Time Out) and international mimecomedy sensation Dr Brown (The Times' Best Comedy Newcomer 2010, Total Theatre Award

OSARO Flamboyant Brighton club singer and songwriter Osaro has cause for celebration after his single Shut Up & Dance feat Rubber Johnny has remained at number 1 on the Latest 7 music charts for a staggering 12 weeks.

Club-ready and euphoric, the track is a heady mix of grinding synths and has so far received over 7,000 plays.

Osaro, who only started writing music in 2005 after a bout of meningitis, was signed to Jump Street Entertainment in 2007 and has since added performances at Brighton Pride 2007 and Lovestick to his resume. More recently he joined Brighton & Hove Community Radio, where his weekly show Sunday After Party has gone down a storm. To catch his show, tune in from 2pm every Sunday.

For more information visit his website: www.osaro.co.uk; to purchase Shut Up & Dance visit: http://tinyurl.com/osaroshutupanddance.

OSARO

GUILTY TREASURES

Brighton sea front PIERS & QUEERS (5-7, 12, 13, 19, 26, 27). This seafront walk with Ric Morris looks at the personalities of local LGBT interest; their tales of achievement, challenge, bravery and infamy.

ÂŁ50 off complete glasses (until 18th May 2012)

Terms & conditions apply. Coupon must be presented at time of sale and cannot be used retrospectively

56 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

ART

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL ARTISTS OPEN HOUSES See the full programme of open house trails: www.aoh.org.uk NICOLAS COLLINS

M AT T E R S

BY ENZO MARRA

In May we’re overwhelmed with creative possibilities with open houses and gallery spaces providing equally exuberant delights to immerse yourself in. I am going to concentrate on two to give you a good feel for the artists involved and the ideas which inform their works.

5 Farm Mews, Farm Rd, Hove, BN3 1GH, www.nakedeyebrighton.com (Brunswick Town Trail) Ian Hodgson and Patrick O'Donnell are collaborating again in a show of new works after the success of their North and South exhibition in May last year. Patrick's series of paintings entitled Origins are a response to Hubble Telescope imagery, offering a dialogue between the cosmos and the canvas, resulting in delightful abstract results. Ian's drawings continue to explore how identity is embedded in place, objects and relationships. The drawing techniques he uses exposing otherwise invisible layers allowing the drawing process to act as a metaphor for both the physical and psychological journey.

GULLIVER’S HOTEL 12a New Steine, Brighton BN2 1PB, www.gullivershotel.com Philomena Harmsworth’s latest exhibition, SUGAR AND SPICE is part of the Brighton Fringe Festival showing at the Gulliver’s Hotel (until Sun Jun 10). The focus of the collection is on women, with strong archetypal woman figures from Earth Mothers to girls in frilly dresses playing with dolls. Some pictures are firmly grounded, some are very floaty and ethereal. Several paintings toy with metaphysics by exploring the interplay between surface appearance of manners and civilisation, and the truth of the dark undertones that can lie beneath.

One picture has two women having tea and cake around a table; one with Francis Bacon-like undercurrents behind her, the other with a sunny landscape and a pink, gauzy void. Some pictures relate to story themes and poetry, such as the serpent Lamia, from Keats’ romantic poem, then a girl playing with a doll’s house, with her big godly hands, part of the house is in Hitchcockian darkness. Finally a series of creative images feature a weaver, making a story, or a mother embroidering a story onto the dress of her daughter. www.philomenaharmsworthart.co.uk

THE THREE ARTISTS OPEN HOUSE 25 Russell Square, Brighton, BN1 2EE (Independent) 25 Russell Square is hosting an independent artists open house exhibition and raising funds for the Sussex Beacon during Brighton’s May Festival (11am–5pm, every Sat & Sun) featuring three innovative young Brighton artists: Ole Skauge, Robin Parfitt and Lawrence Latham.

PERDITA CARR

PERDITA SINCLAIR

KRISTEN HEALY

ROBERTSON YARD STUDIOS 122 Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton, BN1 6H, (Fiveways Artists Trail) This open house venue is presenting a selection of professional artists from Robertson Yard Studios who all featured in this stunning period house. The roll call includes: Tania Corbett, Rhys Trussler, Sarah Vosmer, Guy Bird, Chris Cain, Kristen Healy, Peter Smith, and Perdita Sinclair/Carr.

Amongst the many sights inside is the latest series of paintings by artist Kristen Healy. They have a distinctly familiar feel to them; it is quite easy to suppose they are taken directly from the observer’s own childhood memories. However, images are originally sourced from social networking sites and through a process of distillation and simplification they are reformed so that the mundane, familiar and everyday becomes transcendental and meditative. Paint is applied in simple fields of tone and soft hues evoking a nostalgic and comforting sense whilst the employment of strong, confident line brings into focus form, guiding the viewer as if through a journey. By creating an adjustment in our perceptions the completed works offer the onlooker a view of a world more tranquil and more in the moment, grounding a sense of deeper purpose in the certainty of the every day.

Perdita Sinclair and Perdita Carr are the same person but represent different sides of Perdita’s painting practice. Perdita Sinclair works from the human figure, often on a large scale exploring the tensions of conciousness in the human condition. As Perdita Carr she works on a more intimate scale aiming to paint the air and feel of being immersed in a landscape. She chooses to work within landscapes which she feels a personal attachment to such as the everchanging rolls of the Sussex Downs.

14 Bedford St, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1AN (Independent Houses Trail) View an eclectic collection at COLLINS & COLLINS independent artists open house of photography, prints, mixed media, collage, box art and textiles from artists: Ellis Collins (photography), Nicolas Collins (printmaking), Alexandra Dipple (painting; mixed media), Tassie Russell (photography), David Sutherland (recycled mixed media collage) and Kim Wood (textiles). Enjoy live music on Sunday afternoons, interactive art and creating table for kids, homemade cakes, Fairtrade tea and coffee for sale (10.30am–6.30pm, Sat & Sun throughout May). 10% of all profits will be donated to The Sussex Beacon appeal.

OLE SKAUGE

PATRICK O’DONNELL

NAKED EYE GALLERY

COLLINS & COLLINS

VINCE LAWS PRAYER

I AM A POEM VINCE LAWS writer, painter, poet and former Gscene editor is taking part in the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Artists Open Studios (26 May–10 June). He will be exhibiting his latest work at his house for eight days. Vince said: “I've been thinking about icons, and the power an artist can gain from a belief in a god... so I’m busy creating my own god so I can create work for him. I've been using collage, pieces of text, objects and household paints.“ For more info about Vince and to view his work visit: www.vincelaws.com/ Norfolk & Norwich Festival info: www.nnfestival.org.uk/open_studios

FABRICA GALLERY www.romanymarkbruce.com ROMANY MARK BRUCE, sculptor of the Brighton AIDS memorial, is exhibiting his work at three different venues in Brighton & Hove during the May festival: The New Steine Hotel, Encounters open house and the Pop-Up Gallery.

Romany was born in Ireland in 1960 and moved to Brighton in 1989. He developed an interest in photography and, by chance, was given the opportunity to try his hand at sculpting. He had his first exhibition in the Brighton Festival in 1992. His sculptures, in clay, and cast in bronze or cold-cast bronze resin range from statuesque indoor torsos to heroic outdoor landmarks. In 2002 Romany started to paint and had his first solo exhibition six months later. His paintings have been sought by collectors all over the world. Romany devotes much of his time to fundraising for HIV charities and is a trustee of the Sussex Beacon.

NEW STEINE HOTEL, 10-11 New Steine, Brighton, BN2 1PB www.newsteinehotel.com (from May 3–July 8). This collection sees Romany depart from his usual large scale canvases to create smaller, more delicate paintings behind glass using acrylic and ink on paper.

Smaller maybe, but as vibrant and striking as ever.

ENCOUNTERS, 12 Langdale Road, Hove, BN3 4HN, (West Hove Art Trail) At the Encounters artist open house (11–5pm, Sat & Sun in May) Romany is exhibiting with an inspiring group of local and international artists including Gaudi Este (figurative sculpture); Mariela Farias (decoupage); Sotis Fillipides, Mette Maya Gregersen (ceramics); Mark Griffiths (furniture); Francisco Itriago (painting); John Pakapoukas (digital media); John Pakapoukas (digital media); Milady Parejo (installation) and Carlos Sanchez (jewellery).

POP-UP GALLERY, 40 Gloucester Road, Brighton, http://artymagazines.squarespace.com/pop-up-gallery/ Romany is also exhibiting his paintings at Brighton’s Arty Magazine Pop-up Gallery with artists from Brighton and beyond showing an enticing collection of contemporary artwork and jewellery including Seiko Kato (collage); Sally Elford (printmaking), Rob Ollerenshaw, Ian Paterson (painting), Nikki Black, Mark Powell, Louise McNaught (illustration), Mikey Firbank, Frances Bloomfield, John Dilnot (mixed media), Max Marulli de Barletta, Chris MacDonald, Eve Shepherd (sculpture), and Julie Kirk, Alison Haddon, Danny Ries, Rentaro Nishimura, Jon Forster (jewellery).

MARIA JASTRZĘBSKA

ROMANY MARK BRUCE

ETEL ADNAN

ROBIN PARFITT

Ole Skauge produces vibrant, abstract and figurative paintings.

Many of his new works are inspired by the geometry of the built environment of Brighton as well as the landscapes of his adoptive England. www.oleskauge.eu Robin Parfitt's landscape images fuse analogue and digital photography in subtle and abstract combinations. The process involved adding layers of meaning, memories, time, space and an extra dimension to film and otherwise disposable modern photographic techniques. www.afterglowphotography.co.uk Lawrence Latham is an all round maker of good stuff, and has a passion for subverting the everyday. His love of photography and upcycling has taken him to use beyond repair classic cameras, which he recreates into classically beautiful table lamps, but with a contemporary twist. www.lawrencelatham.co.uk Open: 11am–5pm, Sat & Sun throughout May 2012. Teas, coffee and cake will be available in the garden. 15% of any art sales will be donated to the Sussex Beacon appeal.

40 Duke Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AG, 01273 778 646 What happens when we cross a border? What’s left behind, lost; what discoveries are made? What’s spoken aloud, what’s kept quiet?

How do we ‘interpret’ between our different cultures?

Polish-born Brighton poet Maria Jastrzębska is artist in residence during the I SEE INFINITE DISTANCE BETWEEN ANY POINT AND ANOTHER show at Fabrica Gallery (Sat April 14–Sun May 27). The exhibition is a new film by acclaimed film makers The Otolith Group about the LebaneseAmerican poet, painter and philosopher Etel Adnan. Maria will be exploring the idea of the sea as a border between countries, cultures and languages.

Borders, both literal and internal, have been a part of her life and a preoccupation in her work for as long as she can remember. Maria is asking the public to interact with her on this project by answering three questions. To take part please go to Maria’s blog www.unquietborder.wordpress.com and click on the Questions page. Maria said: “I’m really excited about this project – I’m particularly interested in what borders or seas queer people have to cross in order to express ourselves. How do we fit our own meanings into mainstream culture? How do we alter that dominant narrative? I’ll be looking at the blog answers, running workshops, giving talks. I hope to hear from Gscene readers.”

Other free events with Maria at Fabrica include a Writing Workshop (7.15pm, Wed 16) and Queer Writers Border Lines (7.30pm, Wed 23).

For a full programme of events including a special drawing event with Jane Fordham and Lorenza Ippolito’s discussion on the portrayal of older people visit: http://fabrica.org.uk/exhibitions/event-calendar/ Maria Jastrzębska is a co-founder of Queer Writing South who run workshops and promote queer writing. Her most recent book was Everyday Angels from Waterloo Press in 2009 and she has a new book coming out later this year. You can meet Maria as Artist in Residence at Fabrica (3-5pm, Sat 5, 12-2pm, Sun 27).

Etel Adnan (1925, Beirut, Lebanon) is a poet, essayist, and visual artist, who has become a major figure within contemporary literature. Her highly influential writings in French, English and Arabic have been read around the world. She has been described as “arguably the most celebrated and accomplished Arab-American author writing today” T Ludescher. Sea And Fog explores the elemental symbolism of the sea, in meditative writing, rich with metaphor, myth and cosmologies.

Turner Prize 2010 nominees Anjalika Sagar and Kodwo Eshun’s (Otolith Group) work is research-based, cross-cultural and concerned with the history and future of moving image practice.

58 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

CLASSICAL

NOTES

BY NICK BOSTON

joined by pianist Andrew Armstrong. The two Rhapsodies are I I sang in a concert in BREMF more accessible pieces with 2011 with the INTERNATIONAL slightly less for the piano to do, as BAROQUE PLAYERS, a chamber the main focus is virtuosity on the group of young musicians formed violin. They are more tonal, and just two years prior, and I was explicitly draw on Hungarian tunes, blown away then by their energy rhythms and idioms - yet Bartók also includes Romanian and even Ukrainian themes. The second in particular contains some particularly idiomatic writing, with strumming effect, and a rustic inspired dance towards the close.

The first Sonata is much more complex, typically demonstrating how Bartók brought together the tonality of folk song roots with the atonality of the 'new' music of and enthusiasm. Their debut disc is contemporaries such as Schoenberg an absolute joy, and focuses on and Stravinsky. In fact it’s the violin concertos from Dresden, conflict between the two that under the concertmaster Johann creates the musical tension here.

Georg Pisendel (1687-1755). The The second Sonata is shorter, and Dresden court musicians were is very eerie and atmospheric, with revered throughout Europe, and frequent use of glissandi, director and violinist Johannes harmonics and unexpected doublePramsohler has researched the stopped chords. The second repertoire, most of which is movement starts with pizzicato recorded for the first time here. violin, interjected by jazzy There are concertos from Handel figurations from the piano. There is (1685-1759), Telemann (16811767) and Fasch (1688-1758), as well as concertos from Pisendel himself, and Johann David Heinichen (1683-1729). The Handel work is in fact a Trio Sonata, arranged by Pisendel for chamber orchestra forces, so is another premiere. The Telemann concerto, specifically composed for Pisendel, demonstrates what a virtuoso he must have been. The third movement, with the violin much more rhythmic interest here, singing over a rippling with constant tempi changes, and accompaniment, is simply dance-like passages. They also beautiful. The Heinichen concerto include an early Andante, a short, has much in common with Vivaldi, much lighter piece, in a completely and is very enjoyable, with plenty different sound world. Throughout of opportunity for the violin to the disc, Ehnes' playing is incisive, show off. Pisendel’s own concerto engaging and energetic, yet he finishes off the disc in an manages to never become too appropriately virtuosic and joyful caustic in the more astringent fashion. These players show passages, and Armstrong matches without a shadow of a doubt how him brilliantly. historically informed performance Chandos CHAN10705 on original instruments can be performed with real spirit and life Now for something local! TIM NAIL – this CD is highly recommended, accompanies for the Brighton and if you can catch them live, Chamber Choir and Brighton Gay even better – look out for them in Men's Chorus, as well as BREMF 2012! Raumklang RK3105 composing. As part of Brighton Chamber Choir's 20th anniversary, Violinist JAMES EHNES has begun they gave the premiere of Tim's a survey of Béla Bartók's (1881Requiem, and then subsequently 1945) works for violin and piano, recorded it at the Church of the

REVIEWS

Good Shepherd in Shoreham. This was an ambitious project, and there is some great music here. The opening is very effective, with some strong multi-layered writing for strings reminiscent of Part, and clustering choral harmonies similar to Whitacre or Lauridsen. The sound balance of the recording is not always very helpful - in the Kyrie, the men's voices in particular rather drown out the interest in the strings and organ. The work was inspired by artwork from children in a concentration camp that Nail saw when he visited the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, and his intention is to remember not just those who died in the holocaust, but all those who have died unknown or forgotten. Given this inspiration, I did find some of the music a little too comfortable there was no sense of anger in the

Dies Irae section, for example.

However, the Hostias, sung by mezzo soloist Janet Ormerod, and the Pie Jesu, sung by soprano Katherine Nicholas, are both beautiful movements. Tim also wrote two texts, On The Other Side Of The River, set for the mezzo, with a lovely viola solo part, and My Home, for the two soloists with chorus accompaniment. The final movement, the Libera Me, brings the first real rhythmic energy, but this is short lived, as lush strings and choral harmonies conclude the work with a relaxed In Paradisum.

The Brighton Chamber Choir, with the Capriccio Strings and organist James Lloyd Thomas, perform the work admirably, despite some occasional tuning issues (not helped by the over-close recording of the choir). Congratulations to all involved, and I would love to hear more music from Tim Nail in the future.

Following on from Polish composer WITOLD LUTOSLAWSKI’s (19131994) vocal works, Edward Gardner and the BBC Symphony Orchestra return to his orchestral works. The disc starts with his Symphonic Variations from 1938.

There are elements of Stravinsky

here, but otherwise, this has a refreshingly individual voice, with very imaginative orchestration. In the sparky, vigorous ending, I even heard elements of John Adams – a good sixty or seventy years prior!

This is followed by his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1988), performed deftly by Louis Lortie.

It is an exciting piece, full of bite and energy, yet with amazing subtlety and delicacy in places. In such a late work, you can actually hear the debt to much earlier pianist composers, such as Rachmaninov, Liszt and Chopin, yet there is still that distinctive Lutoslawskian voice too. This is followed by the relatively wellknown Variations of a Theme of Paganini, again, precisely and engagingly performed by Lortie.

The disc then ends with the Symphony No. 4, another late work from just a year before his death. This is a much darker work, full of unsettling and eerie atmosphere. Again there are imaginative orchestral effects – strange slides for the violins, and great use of percussion and the piano. Yet this is within an overarching architecturally structured one movement work that again demonstrates that Lutoslawski’s music has so much to say and deserves to be heard more.

Gardner and the BBC Symphony Orchestra do him proud, and I look forward to more.

Chandos CHSA5098 The UTRECHT STRING QUARTET’s survey of the String Quartets of Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936) comes to an end with a disc of the first and last quartets. They are separated by 48 years; the first

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 59

FILM I The Royal Opera House screens

the Royal Ballet’s production of the comic ballet, La Fille Mal Gardée. The live screening is on Wednesday 16 May (7.15pm) at the Duke of York’s Picture House, Brighton, the Picturedrome, Bognor Regis, and The Picture House, Uckfield. www.roh.org.uk/cinema For more reviews, comment and events, visit Nick’s blog: nicks-classicalnotes.blogspot.co.uk Email: nbclassical@hotmail.co.uk

LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE

composed when Glazunov was just 16, and the last composed in 1930. Russian folk influences are present in both works, but for different reasons – the first was at a time when composers were still trying to establish what Russian music was, as distinct from the dominant western European sound.

In his last quartet, when he had left the Soviet Union, never to return, the use of Russian idioms is much more about nostalgia and a poignant lost homeland. The Utrecht String Quartet perform both with great sensitivity, and bring to an end what has been a very illuminating survey.

MDG 6031736-2

CONCERTS

JESSICA GRIMES

VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY

BRIGHTON FESTIVAL Box office: 01273 709709, www.brightonfestival.org Highlights include: I Pianist Steven Osborne (Wed 9). I The Cardinall’s Musick singing Byrd (Fri 18).

I Tenor Mark Padmore and the Britten Sinfonia (Sat 19). I Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia Orchestra and Brighton Festival Chorus in Shostakovich’s Symphony No 13, ‘Babi Yar’ with Sergei Alekashkin on bass and Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Nobuyuki Tsujii on piano (Wed 23). I The women of Brighton Festival Chorus and Youth Choir singing Brahms and Holst (Fri 25). I Tippett’s King Priam with Britten Sinfonia & Brighton Festival Chorus (Sun 27).

Lunchtime concerts include: I Clarinettist Jessica Grimes (Sat 5). I Pianist Ashley Fripp (Thu 17).

I The Castalian Quartet (Wed 23). I Guitarist Sean Shibe (Fri 25).

BREMF

FRINGE FESTIVAL Box office: 01273 709709, 01273 917272, www.brightonfringe.org Lots more in the Fringe Festival, including: I Music 4 Cello at the Chapel Royal (Wed 9 & 23).

I The Corelli Ensemble and Nathaniel Anderson-Frank at St Michael & All Angels (Sat 12). I BREMF Consort of Voices sing Josquin, Gombert and Brumel at St Bart’s (Mon 7) I Dame Emma Kirkby and friends at St Nicholas Church (Fri 25).

GELACHTER TRIO

ST LUKE'S CHURCH Queens Park Road, Brighton, www.stlukesconcerts.webeden.co.uk I The Gelachter Trio; oboe, clarinet & bassoon, (Fri 4). I Pianist Rachel Fryer (7.30pm, Fri 11) plays J S Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Tickets £6/£4 concs

ARTS

BOOKS I The comic anthology HEROES WITH HARDONS offers us more — a whole lot more! The superheroes in this book are not only masculine, strong and fearless; they also have superpowers between their muscular legs.

Patrick Fillion and others give us a collection of sexy adventures of their incredible super hunks who save the universe. This is a great book both for fans and anyone new to this freaky and fun genre. The stories are Marvel quality, the sex endlessly odd, from horny tentacled Old Ones through to robotic erotic. Every type of fantasy superhero and baddy is represented and they’re all at it, in every way imaginable. It's dark, so there's some cool new ideas under the sweaty sexy gloss. Of course there’s lots of superhero sex; but the plot arc is decent, and a comic lives or dies on stories no matter how good the illustration is.

X-rated. Out now, £24.99 I JIM FRENCH DIARIES THE CREATOR OF COLT STUDIOS. Jim French, the founder of Colt Studio and his multi-faced styles of movies and photos influenced many directors and photographers. Virtually every studio producing porn today owes something to French and Colt and here you can see the birth of the various genres, subtypes, classic porn sets, plots and films which we now take for granted.

His models are perfect examples of hunky American rough maleness whether he shoots them in beefy porn style or in classic 1950s look.

This book contains some wonderful photographs of every porn star and erotic model you’ve ever fantasized about. It’s a hefty, meaty book like the men and their meat, and is compiled along with the historical retrospective of the development of gay porn into the global industry of today. This is a serious book with a lingering eroticism of its own and it was fun to read something so informative which is also such a page turner.

Out now, £69.99

I TROUBLE-MAKING JUDAISM by Elli Tikvah Sarah. Throughout this book you feel her love for the language of the Torah. Elli Sarah is a feminist and one of the first openly gay or lesbian rabbis to break through the heterosexual monopoly. She challenges, suggests and engages on a wide range of topics of interest to both Jewish and non Jewish readers.

At its heart, Judaism is about – is supposed to be about – trouble-making.

Trouble-making is about challenging and disrupting the status quo. It is also about being troubled and troubling our Jewish texts and inheritance to adapt and change in response to the lives of Jewish individuals, families and communities here and now. Elli Tikvah Sarah explores the struggle for gender equality and the inclusion of lesbian and gay Jews; ways of embracing the passion of life and keeping a clear idea of roots, family, community and history. A captivating read from a fascinating woman. Recommended.

Out now, £9.99

MOVIES OF THE 2000s. Taschen’s movies by decade series continues with this new volume dedicated to the most interesting and important films made in the last decade. If indeed we are approaching the end of cinema, this study is both a celebration of moviemaking and an elegy for a soon-to-be-lost art.

It features over 140 film entries complete with film stills, production photos, movie synopsis and analysis, interesting trivia with cast and crew listings and technical information for each film, including actor and director biographies. It’s a real film buffs bible or for anyone with a serious interest in the development of cinematography. If you love film then this is a must have. If you just want to pass as a film expert then read this to hold your own in any discussion with film fanatics.

Out now, £24.99

60 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

FILM

BY MICHAEL HOOTMAN

[REC]3: GENESIS Dir: Paco Plaza Stars: Leticia Dolera, Javier Botet and Diego Martin Plot: Third installment of zombie franchise takes in a wedding that goes horribly wrong.

Word on net: “Instead of frightening, the resulting gore and cartoonish violence are mostly just gleefully over-the-top.” I “Combined with its more comedic inclination and the fact most of the action is decently lit, the film feels like a welcome departure that keeps things fresh.”

DAMSELS IN DISTRESS Dir: Whit Stillman Stars: Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton Plot: A trio of girls set out to change the male-dominated environment of the Seven Oaks college campus, and to rescue

blend of American Psycho and The Dice Man ...very good, if slightly inconsistent.” I “A film about an intolerable man who does intolerable things to his friends while pontificating for intolerably long periods... a punishing experience.”

FREE MEN Dir: Ismaël Ferroukhi Stars: Tahar Rahim, Michael Lonsdale and Mahmud Shalaby Plot: Story of a Vichy France mosque that supplied North African Jews with fraudulent Muslim identification, even as their fellow students from Parisian authorities bore down on depression, grunge and low the place of worship. standards of every kind.

Word on net: “Innocence deserted Word on net: “A worthy and teen movies ages ago, but it makes interesting chapter to the tradition of World War II dramas of a comeback, revived and conscience.” I “A pleasing romanticized, in this joyous anachronism.” I “Light and whimsical with enough bite to keep it interesting.” I “It's too close to Gossip Girl to feel adorable.” I “Highbrow campuscomedy from long-lost Whit Stillman is a flawed but frequently hilarious comeback.” historical escape via a story of everyone setting aside religious, CHARLIE CASANOVA colonial, and ethnic divides to Dir: Terry McMahon unite against the Nazis.” I “So-so, Stars: Emmett Scanlan, Leigh but it is driven by a mischievously Arnold, Valeria Bandino Plot: An upper class sociopath kills interesting idea: that Muslims and Jews have more in common than a working class girl in a hit and they normally allow.” I “For much run and uses a deck of playing of its runtime, the film is simply cards to determine his fate. there, decent for the most part, Word on net: “Charlie may be the but at no point immersive.” least appealing character I have ever seen in a movie.” I “Irish

BELOVED

Dir: Christophe Honoré Stars: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Ludivine Sagnier Plot: Musical follows two generations of women: Madeleine, a classy hooker in the 1960s, and

her daughter Vera, who falls for a gay American drummer.

Word on net: “Never really earns its sprawling timeline, eventually bogging down in too many developments and overstaying its welcome.” I “Has a natural charm

and contains a handful of jolly, competent and utterly forgettable pop melodies.” I “Director's most ambitious work, and his greatest misstep... a sprawling, overlong wisp of a film that seems to have gotten lost on its way to the big screen.”

coming-of-age flick.” I “A nuanced examination of female power and a fine feature debut.” I “I loved the fact that the male characters in the film are all at the mercy of these powerful women.”

ALSO OUT...

Vanessa Redgrave at the Duke of York’s. During the Brighton Festival the Duke’s will be showing three of her early films: MORGAN: A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT (Sun 6), CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (Sun 27th) and Blow Up (Sun 13).

OUTSIDE BET is set against the turbulent mid 1980s of money and privatisation: a life-long group of

SHE MONKEYS Dir: Lisa Aschan Stars: Mathilda Paradeiser, Linda Molin, Isabella Lindquist Plot: When Emma meets Cassandra, they initiate a relationship filled

with physical and psychological challenges. Emma does whatever it takes to master the rules of the game. Lines are crossed and the stakes get higher and higher.

Word on net: “Languidly paced, atmospheric and fascinating... always unpredictable and infused with a great sense of mystery and sexual tension.” I “A lovely combination of western, psychological thriller and a

friends find themselves at the bad end of a redundancy pay-out and invest their savings into a racehorse. Stars Jenny Agutter, Bob Hoskins and Lucy Drive.

If there's anyone, anywhere, who would possibly want to see another comic-book adaptation Joss Whedon's AVENGERS ASSEMBLE at least gives you about eight Marvel heroes for the price of one. A team of super humans help save the Earth from Loki and his army. Stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson.

Wes Anderson's MOONRISE KINGDOM is about two lovers who flee their New England hometown, and the local search party that sets out to find them. Cast includes Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel and Frances McDormand.

FILM C O M P E T I T I O N I Tim Burton's DARK SHADOWS

follows an imprisoned vampire who is set free and returns to his ancestral home, where his dysfunctional descendants are in need of his protection.

Unsurprisingly it stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, with support from Michelle Pfeiffer, Jonny Lee Miller and Christopher Lee. To win two tickets to the Odeon Brighton send the answer to the following question to Gscene Competition, 111 Western Road, Hove, BN3 1DD: Which vampire film starring Christopher Lee, and set in swinging Chelsea, had the tag line: ”The Count is back, with an eye for London's hotpants.”

APRIL COMPETITION: Edward VIII

GSCENE OUT & ABOUT 61

GEEK

SCENE

BY CRAIG STORRIE

COMICS TO MOVIES After 1998’s Blade burst onto the scene and defied all expectations, giving rise to the Marvel explosion, comic books have been the go-to medium for filmmakers. Almost every year since there has been a comic book movie in the release schedules. Some have been good (Ghost Rider), some have been bad (Wolverine); but to me, most have been amazing (The Dark Knight, Scott Pilgrim, X2 etc)! This year we geeks are going to be treated to possibly the three most outstanding films yet: the last of a breath-taking trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises; the first film in a new series featuring a much loved superhero, The Amazing Spider-Man; and the film that Marvel has been building to since the after the credits scene back in 2008’s Iron Man, The Avengers.

Thanks to the generous people at Gscene, I have been given permission to get my comic nerd hat on and list three stories you can pick up to get you in the mood for each of these awesome films. It goes without saying that the original stories are books that need to be read; but the following three tales will give you a taste of the upcoming films whilst also being a great starting point for people who want to get into the glorious world of comics.

BATMAN: KNIGHTFALL The Dark Knight Rises will see Batman go up against one of the strongest and smartest enemies from his rogue’s gallery, the power house known as Bane. Knightfall is Bane’s first appearance in the world of Batman and it’s a story that forever changes The Dark Knight. After releasing all of the inmates from Arkham Asylum (the place where Batman’s worst enemies reside) Bane sits back and lets Batman take them all down, slowly letting him become weaker. I won’t spoil what happens but it’s one of the most memorable scenes in the history of comics and shows just how deadly an opponent Bane truly is.

SPIDER-MAN: THE NIGHT GWEN STACEY DIED The Amazing Spider-Man will be an origin story that, whilst in a modern setting, has things that feature heavily in Peter Parker’s early years. The most important of these is Gwen Stacey, the first love of Spidey’s life. Now I know the title of the story gives away what ultimately happens, but how it comes about and what affect it has on Peter makes it a must read. It’s also a story that is constantly referenced and continues to drive Spider-Man just as much as the death of his uncle.

THE AVENGERS: KREE-SKRULL WAR Another story here from the Bronze Age of comics (1970s to mid 1980s) that has ongoing consequences. This story is notable for its cosmic scope and epicness; it has a huge amount of characters but always comes back to the core three Avengers and how it affects them and their outlooks. It features stunning art, memorable dialogue and the storytelling is second to none.

So go on, dive in!

RETRO GAMING For a change this month, I wanted to highlight something that is very close to my heart, retro gaming. Few pastimes in the world can conjure up the magical and warm feeling of playing a game that meant a lot to you as a kid. It could be whimsical nostalgia, but to me it’s something more. It’s my childhood and all the great memories that come from a simpler time, before responsibilities, taxes and bills.

With many older games readily available to download for a couple of quid, it’s a great time to be a lover of retro games. It makes me a very happy geek to know that newer or modern gamers can see what all the fuss was about and look back on where all of their favourite games or franchises came from.

Along with all the classic Nintendo and Sega titles that mean a hell of a lot to me, there is one game that still fills me with joy each time I play it. That sublime game is Street Fighter 2.

Released in the arcades back in 1991 and then on home consoles the following year, Street Fighter 2 redefined the fighting game genre before it was even really a genre.

Fighting games were mostly men fighting other men with one button moves that mostly ended with a punch or kick that was nothing special. There was just no flair! It didn’t feel that what you are inputting into the game was connecting and making an impact. When the first Street Fighter was released in the arcades it really wasn’t much different from things that had come before it, but it was a good starting point for what was to come.

When Street Fighter 2 burst onto the scene it was an instant hit and rightly so. Gone were the boring graphics and characters with no personality or style. Each character was their own person with ambition, drive and unique fighting styles. Yeah Ken and Ryu looked the same, but watch someone play these characters and it’s a completely different experience. Whilst Ken players are more offensive and forward, Ryu players are more reserved and patient. Plus it had the first ever playable strong female in a fighting game, good old Chun Li, who opened the doors for all the future female gaming characters. The story was interesting, the unplayable bosses were scary and you felt that you had actually accomplished something when you defeated that one character that you couldn’t get past.

The controls were perfect, using the six button combination of different strength punches and kicks first seen in its predecessor. Oh and the music is incredible! Add to this an addictive two player mode that plays like a dream and you have the perfect fighter. No fighting game since has brought so much content into the genre that has become commonplace.

Plus without it, we wouldn’t have the pinnacle of special moves: the hadouken, and that my friends would be a crying shame!

62 GSCENE OUT & ABOUT

DANCE

MUSIC

BY WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE It’s a month of festivals and fabulousness and a certain majestic birthday. But before we get distracted by candles and cake here’s the best May has to offer...

I First up is Human Woman’s selftitled album Human Woman on hfn. It’s like the summer of love is with us once more as the atmospheric synths and guitar demand you go with the flow.

Simply lovely.

I If it’s genius you’re after then check out Masterpiece mixed by Andrew Weatherall on Ministry Of Sound. Inspirational and one to treasure, Weatherall gives a masterclass in the art of listening and learning.

I Âme’s Live on Innervision conjures up a session so sublime it’ll get you in all sorts of saucy trouble if you play it in the right kind of company. Genre worries are banished, the tempo different and the result class.

I Worth an honourable mention is the cute as hell house of Marissa Guzman’s Joy Road Remixes on Juicy Lucy Records. With Kerri Chandler, Demarkus Lewis, Black Coffee and more on board you just know satisfaction is guaranteed.

I Get your head around the superb various artists delivering nowt but the best in right proper house on

Baker Street Recordings’ 5th Anniversary Album. It’s a celebration they so deserve and you’ll love being part of.

Finally our must haves. Yes with the cash you saved not buying MDNA, (sorry Madge but these tunes are indefensible), go get some decent stuff.

I One listen to Geddes presents Mulletover: The Story So Far 2004-2012 on Murmur and you’re on the dancefloor. A spot on celebration of British underground clubbing we truly adore.

I Deniz Kurtel & The Marcy All-Stars’ new album The Way We Live - The Singles on Wolf + Lamb is deep, intelligent and delightful.

I Our ‘blimey missus’ moment goes to Nôze’s Body Language Vol 11 mixed by Nôze on Get Physical.

On repeat since landing in our inbox, Nôze’s soundtrack of Love & Craziness has us smitten. This ain’t no summer standard club compilation, this is deep house and techno of the special kind.

Magnificent.

Catch Wildblood & Queenie at DSD, Wild Fruit, Disco Deviant, The Globe and Sirens. katewildblood.wordpress.com dj.beatport.com/wildbloodandqu eenie

WILDBLOOD & QUEENIE’S MAGNIFIQUE MAY

I DANIEL KYO Superstition (Daniel Kyo Total Remake) Basic Fingers Rocked the Disco Deviant party. Expect this sensation all summer long.

I THOMAS GANDEY The Organ Track (original mix) Southern Fried A tune as huge as Mr Gandey’s grin (and as sexy!)

I ELECTRONIC YOUTH I Wish (original mix) Trash Digital Angie Stone gets the deep house twist and the result is delightful.

I CIKO DJ We Had Disco (original mix) Rule 5 Disco-tech thumper that blows all the right horns.

I JAMIE JONES feat ART DEPT Our Time In Liberty Crosstown Rebels Achingly cool, achingly deep and achingly lovely.

I HARDSOUL feat CANDY DULFER Lust For Life Hardsoul Records Hands in the air wonder that will soundtrack any decent summer.

I PROK & FITCH Symphony (original mix) Stealth Records Local lovelies deliver yet again with a big room tech house heavyweight.

I JACEO Retro Bump (original mix) Maquina Records Acid house is back and it’s taking no bleeping prisoners.

I CHRIS COCO Holiday (Chris Coco Holiday House mix) Melodica Back to the roots of house, the vibe of house, for the love of house.

I SPIRITCHASER Yesterday’s Gone (club mix) Guess Records Made for the terrace, this beachside house sweetie will seduce you.

DJ PROFILE What makes for a good night out? Well the music has a lot to do with it of course, so this month Queen Josephine caught up with DJ Claire Fuller to talk dream gigs, the lovely things that tick her musical boxes and why she might not necessarily play your birthday request.

Where can we catch you playing?

I am currently working every other Wednesday in Legends Basement Club from 11pm–3am and every Friday night in Legends main bar 8–11pm How would you describe your style?

My style is mainly commercial dance/electro but I can adapt to almost any genre if required (except dubstep; if I wanted to listen to a noise like that I would put a tin can in my tumble dryer!).

What's your favourite tune of all time?

Shine On by Degrees Of Motion (12" original mix). Such a tune, and it brings back so many great memories.

Which tune always fills up your dance floor?

Show Me Love by Robin S. Everyone still seems to love hearing it, which isn’t bad for a tune that's 19-years-old!

What would be your ultimate dream gig?

That would have to be to DJ at the Brighton Big Beach Boutique 5 at the Amex Stadium this year. To play to a huge crowd and see their reaction to the music I play would be beyond amazing!

Song you wish you'd never played?

Hold You by Gyptian - it cleared the dance floor in 2 seconds flat! It was a birthday request so I gave it a try. Never again.

Guilty pleasure?

I hate to admit it but I love Steps and all their music. I started DJing at a cheesy pop night and learnt and taught all the dance moves to the customers, it was a massive success and kick started my career.

What's been your best ever gig?

My best ever gig was Pride 2011, I was asked to DJ in the main bar at Legends and the atmosphere was so uplifting and euphoric.

Tell us a secret!

I love all musical theatre. You can’t beat a good show tune to cheer you up on a cloudy day.

CURRENT FIVE TOP TUNES

I NICKI MINAJ Starships (Justin Sane mix) Young Money

Entertainment

I MADONNA Girl Gone Wild (Mike Leonelli mix) Interscope I JENNIFER LOPEZ Dance Again (Reidiculous club mix) Epic I GLORIA ESTEFAN Hotel Nacional (Thin Red Men club mix) Verve

Forecast I THE DOK v FARINA ft MICHELLE LILY & ADAM CLAY Feel Alright (Radio mix) Link Records Catch Claire every other Wednesday in Legends Basement Club, 11pm–3am and every Friday in Legends main bar 8–11pm.

Legends 31-34 Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1TR

GSCENE 63

SHOPPING

Aware shorts, £35; Calvin Klein swimming trunks, £29; Aware swimming trunks, £29 (Prowler, 112 St James' St, Brighton, 01273 683680)

WITH MICHAEL HOOTMAN

Cardome (47a St James’ St, Brighton, 01273 692916) have a selection of collectors porcelain figures from Cmielow available in store or online: Whippet figure £88, Greyhound £88, Fox £71 www.cardome.co.uk Moustache Clip bookmarks, £2.99 (Pen to Paper, 4 Sydney St, Brighton, 01273 676670) Belt made from recycled bike tyres, £24.95 (Eco Logic Cool, 46 Sydney St, 01273 606077)

Be the first to catapult all your pucks to your opponent's side. Pucket, £47, (Edited, 3 Gardner St, Brighton, editedbrighton.com)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (Eureka bluray/DVD). Despite being a Marxist and an atheist, Pasolini's account of Christ's birth and death is one of the finest biblical films. As he was to do with myths such as Oedipus and Medea, he marries a neo-realist sensibility with a painterly eye for landscape. Pasolini's Christ is a political firebrand, a revolutionary who is far removed from the hippy idealist popular in Hollywood films of the time. His Jesus promises discord and upheaval with brothers set against brothers, mothers against daughters. The amazing soundtrack ranges from Bach and Prokofiev to African music and Afro-American spirituals - hearing Odetta's Motherless Child will almost certainly have you searching her out on Spotify the second the film ends. Extras include a fascinating documentary in which Pasolini scouts locations in Israel but, finding them too industrialised, he decided to shoot the film in Italy.

ACCATTONE (Eureka blu-ray/DVD). Pasolini's first film (1961) is a look at a pimp and general ne'erdo-well living in the slums of Rome. He hangs around with his friends, gambles, drinks and generally forgets about his wife and child. But when Maddalena, the prostitute he pimps, is arrested his life starts to spiral out of control. It's obviously a gritty, Italian neo-realist drama. Except this is only a surface look at a tightly scripted, almost allegorical, film which mixes its documentary sensibility with a rough-hewn romanticism. Pasolini underlines this with a beautiful Bach soundtrack which should alert anyone to the fact that his early masterpiece is anything but mere reportage. The disc also includes Love Meetings, a series of interviews Pasolini conducted with Italians in which he asks them their views of love, sex and marriage.

Lego Notepad, £13.99, (England at Home, 59 Ship St, 01273 738270)

64 GSCENE

CRAIG’S THOUGHTS KEEP IT TOGETHER WHERE DO YOU FIT IN? ASKS CRAIG HANLON-SMITH ‘We’re all in this together’ could have potentially been a popularity winning swing towards support for the government. It appears to fit perfectly with the idea of working in a coalition alongside another political party not automatically a natural bedfellow. Furthermore the idea of asking we, the little people to take up our beds and walk, or at least shovels and dig, has that ring of war-time effort nostalgia not unlike a Horlicks commercial of yesteryear. The selling phrase of David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ idea may well have been adopted as a social responsibility rally cry across political and county borders, were it not for the tragically ironic decision of its creator Steve Hilton to abandon both ship and Captain, to flee for California in order to be with his real family. And as these days Horlicks has itself been relegated to retirement homes, laced with sleeping medication so that the staff might get on with their paperwork duties, ‘we’re all in this together’ remains a less than fully formed idea, a social sediment swilling around the bottom of a cracked tea-cup.

But all is not lost LGBT readers. While Dave may be missing a right hand man (and judging by the current flapping around the petrol pumps that’s putting it mildly), we the gay community of the world over can show Dave, Nick and every other Tom, Dick and Harriet Harman how it’s done. We’ve all been in this together for some time – whether we want to be or not.

“As a community we present a unified front, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender LGBT. Or is it presented as a unified descriptor upon our behalf – and is it appropriate?”

I was recently puzzled by an application form that although not completing myself, was asked to cast my eye over by an organisation I know well. Its authors were highly excited at their (overdue) development within the field of Equality & Diversity and the form included a whole section of its own on sexuality identification. The form read: ‘Please tick one of the following which best describes you: A: Gay, B: Lesbian, C: Bisexual, D: Person of transgender, E: Rather not say‘.

Resisting the urge not to comment that we may need to train frontline staff upon receiving an ‘E: Rather not say’ not to sound the alarm whilst punching the air and yelling “WE’VE GOT ONE!” I turned my quizzical gaze (no pun intended) to ‘D: Person of transgender’. Earlier upon the draft document I had scarcely noticed but now inspected intently the opening section which following ‘name, address and date of birth’ asked each applicant to gender identify with another tick: ‘A: Male. B: Female’.

Looking back at the sexuality identification list I politely enquired whether it would perhaps be more appropriate for the transgender option to be listed here. Blinking back at my suggestion as though I’d splashed a not insignificant amount of bleach onto their foreheads, I proceeded to explain that transgender and sexual orientation are not the same thing. “One might” I continued, “present oneself as a male to female person of transgender, and then live life as a lesbian woman.

Alternatively one might present oneself as female to male person of

transgender and ultimately live life as a gay-man”. I think at this point, had my now rocking audience had ample quantities of Prozac handy they would have taken the lot.

Paraphrasing the remainder of my impromptu presentation I politely explained that these examples were not to be considered mutually exclusive and indeed any series of gender-reassignment could result in a heterosexual or indeed bisexual lifestyle outcome. Any manner of such combinations does therefore identify gender and sexual orientation as two separate entities. In this case we are certainly not all in this together.

However, as a community we present a unified front, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender LGBT. Or is it presented as a unified descriptor upon our behalf – and is it appropriate? I once spoke with a bisexual gentleman who felt he didn’t fit into any particular branded community and was often not wholly comfortable in the company of gay or heterosexual men but felt that he had to run with one for a time and then with the other because that’s what our big and little society does – we have to go somewhere.

Why are we merged into these broad collective descriptors? Are we simply number crunching? In the advent of AIDS and Section 28 it was better for us all to be in this together as the larger number has a greater voice; clichés abound but united we stand. I can broadly say that when certain Brighton ‘gay’ establishments threw open their doors to hen-parties they lost my custom. I have no criticism of such decisions, as commercial undertakings ultimately there is a financial bottom line to consider and ‘times is ‘ard’; but I have little interest in spending social time around large numbers of drunk women carrying inflatable penises and bits of pizza in their teeth, who want to tell me how much they love me because I am gay but “isn’t it a shame about Ricky Martin – who’d have thought it ‘She Bangs! She Bangs!” Perhaps I should bugger off and accept my lot; the punishment for marching through our city centres once a year in hot-pants and a harness really is integration - we’ve asked for it and now we’ve got it and we run the thin line of reverse discrimination.

16/17 years ago I took a heterosexual very good friend of mine to The Father Redcap in Camberwell. I wanted him to belong to the world I had begun to inhabit. He got blind drunk and told the gentlemen in the toilets presenting as ladies that they were all freaks. Appropriately, despite my apologies, we were thrown out and our friendship began to tick until eventually our time ran out and we no longer knew one another. That still makes me feel sad – more so that I heard from another friend years later that he had said that we had grown apart because I had become too gay and only ever wanted to do gay things.

Whatever they might be.

As for the LGBT community; do people of transgender really find identification and support from people who are gay/lesbian and or bisexual? If the answer is yes then that truly is wonderful and we are living in a much better world than I care to give it credit. But I know gay men who are horrible to lesbians simply because they are lesbians... go figure. All in this together? Not yet anyway.

GSCENE 65

YOUNG

TRANS

PEOPLE’S VOICE

MATTERS

BY RYAN GINGELL (YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER)

BY STEPH SCOTT

MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING A TRANS GAY MAN

A UNITED FRONT

To most I’m an average 22-year-old guy. I like music, socialising, and funny movies (crikey it sounds like a lonely hearts ad!). But if I choose to tell you, you’ll know that I’m a transgender man. This small part of me has been one of the biggest struggles that I’ve faced.

I’ve been transitioning socially for about two and a half years and medically for around 16 months. For me, the medical side of my transition is minimal in comparison to being socially accepted, feeling safe and feeling supported.

For what seems like years I have been telling people and writing about the fact that trans people experience a lot of transphobia in places that claim to be LGBT friendly as well as those pubs and clubs that ‘cater’ for the LGBT community. Still it goes on and it is time to say enough is enough! If LGBT venues cannot police their own clientèle then it is time that they were forced to. Should any trans person allow themselves to be sexually assaulted because, in the words of security “what do you expect”? Any venue that fails to protect its patrons deserves to lose its licence or to be shut down completely.

Being seen as your gender is one of the most important things for a trans person, for me it was a recognition of my male identity by others, but living in Brighton has made it quite complex for me to be seen as male. I love the diversity of gender presentation here, but being surrounded by so many masculine women (and working in a predominantly lesbian pub) meant I faced, and sometimes still face, serious amounts of judgement about my gender. When I say judgements about my gender, I don’t just mean a question here or there about whether I’m a girl or boy, but rather having quite rude and abrupt comments made to me such as “That’s a boys name, you’re a girl” or “but you can’t be a boy – you look too feminine”.

Of course I take the time to educate people and inform them; I’ve worked in the trans community for nearly four years so I‘m very aware of the lack of education and ignorance that surrounds trans issues.

Yet, in my experience and other trans people’s experience, education doesn’t necessarily mean understanding what is appropriate and what is not.

“It exasperates me that my validity in society and as a man relies on my genitals” When I‘m open about being trans one of the first questions I get is “Do you have a penis?”. I’ve been asked this more times than I can count, by gay, bi, straight, old and young people. As much as I find it offensive and rude to be asked about what’s in my boxers, it intrigues me every time. I wonder what the fascination is with genitals, why people have this need to know. Unfortunately, nine times out of 10 it’s so they can define you as ‘real man’ or ‘fake man’. Penis = real man. This continues to boggle my mind as it’s such a small part of a person. It doesn’t define any other person who isn’t trans so why should it define me? Having or not having a penis doesn’t make me any more or less valid than the next person and it exasperates me that my validity in society and as a man relies on my genitals.

In order to combat this ideology I’ve been volunteering and working at Allsorts to help facilitate the drop-in and trans youth group, Transformers, a fantastic group providing support and a safe space for trans young people. The group runs on the last Wednesday of each month from 5-7pm.

For more info about Transformers please email: transformers@allsortsyouth.org.uk or go to www.allsortsyouth.org.uk

ALLSORTS YOUTH PROJECT Allsorts Youth Project supports young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) of their sexuality and/or gender.

Allsorts Youth Project, Young People's Centre, 69 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AE. Tel: 01273 721211 www.allsortsyouth.org.uk, www.facebook.com/allsortsyouth, twitter.com/allsortsyouth

As to the scum who commit these crimes, you need to be aware that trans people will not tolerate this. It is time that we and the decent LGB patrons helped the police to jail these people. To occupants of venues that see these assaults happening, it is your duty to report them and not just sit back and do nothing. Even if you don't feel able to intervene at least inform security, dial 999 and/or provide witness statements to the police. There is supposed to be strength in the unity of the LGBT communities, if you do nothing then the next time you need help who will be there for you? I am not calling for attacks on idiots who think that groping a trans person is allowed because they are trans. I am calling on you to protect your ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ who have been there in the forefront of the battle for equality every step of the way.

It is time that we all stood together in unity as we the trans communities have stood alongside you. For too long now LGBT has really meant LG with some tolerance of bi people, hello Stonewall, and with the T just being a nuisance, hello again Stonewall.

“For too long now LGBT has really meant LG with some tolerance of bi people, hello Stonewall, and with the T just being a nuisance, hello again Stonewall” For those of you bored with my rant, then I shall end this column with some very good news. On Tuesday March 27, Brighton & Hove Council voted in favour of a scrutiny panel to be set up in order to look at the way the council policies, or lack of, affects the trans communities of Brighton & Hove. This was as a result of a meeting held between members of these communities and the Green Party, the impassioned speech by Cllr Phelim MacCafferty and the tireless work behind the scene by Nick Douglas helped turn what was a hope into a reality without any objections. To get cross party support shows what can be done.

To everyone who played a part in this historic decision I would like to express my gratitude and hope the dialogue we have can be kept going not just for the trans communities but also for all disadvantaged groups throughout Brighton & Hove. Before I get accused of being a spokesperson for the Green Party I would like to say that I am not a member but someone who knows that working with them can help.

66 GSCENE

KEITH SHARPE

professed devout Anglican. He wrote a nasty piece in his local rag about his opposition to gay marriage. I was asked to comment on it for BBC South East.

THE REAL DEAL

He opines: “Marriage is not a term I wish to see hijacked in the false name of ‘equality’”. This is deliberately emotive and pejorative language. He constantly puts the word ‘gay’ in inverted commas and labels those opposed to his beliefs about marriage as “militant homosexuals”. This is a distortion. Many ordinary people believe in gay marriage because they believe in fairness and equal opportunity for all, and recent surveys show a majority in favour of the government’s proposals.

As many of you know, Changing Attitude Sussex organised a meeting in March at which Peter Tatchell was the keynote speaker. His talk on Equal Marriage was electrifying. Over 150 people turned up to hear him and to judge by the sustained and thunderous applause he received, if there were any opponents of gay marriage there, he won them over. I think people responded to the sheer sincerity and dedication of the man. He spoke very powerfully, very movingly and very eloquently on the subject, and held the audience spellbound. You could hear a pin drop. He displayed an extensive and profound knowledge of all the issues and implications involved.

The National Secular Society recently awarded him the Irwin Prize and named him ‘National Secularist of 2012’. For a national secularist of the year Peter makes a fantastic preacher! He argued forcefully and persuasively that love and compassion are at the heart of the matter and that they can only be promoted by fighting for social justice, equality and fairness for all.

Equal Marriage is a human right.

At times he sounded positively Christ-like in his concern for the safety, happiness and wellbeing of others. The man is a living embodiment of Christ’s injunction to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’.

His is a frugal, ascetic and selfsacrificial existence dedicated to making the world a better place for others. His home life has to be lived behind a secure reinforced door for his own personal safety. He is a workaholic, attempting to deal with an impossible number of cries for help from all over the world. He receives death threats on an almost daily basis and has been constantly subject to verbal attack and physical violence.

He has trod this hard path for over four decades, never wavering from his commitment to the struggle for human rights from his early days in the Gay Liberation Front (do you remember the gay ‘kiss-in’ at the Mary Whitehouse Festival of Light of which Cliff Richard was also, disgracefully, a luminary?) through to the current Equal Love campaign.

Although he spoke with such passion about love, about commitment to a lifelong partner and the importance of society recognising that samesex loving relationships are qualitatively identical to heterosexual unions, his main concern was to get the audience to appreciate the urgency of responding to the government consultation. Legislation will be influenced by the results of the consultation. You may be sure that the anti-gay organisations will be all geared up for it and we need to do the same. Simply google Equal Civil Marriage Consultation and you will get straight through to the page where you can fill in the form online. Please urge all your family and friends to do the same, whatever your views.

The day after Peter’s talk there was a media storm over remarks made

by Roger Gale, Conservative MP for Margate (Thanet North) and self

ROGER GALE MP

CAN YOU SPOT THE REAL CHRISTIAN? ASKS KEITH SHARPE, CHANGING ATTITUDE SUSSEX

Gale engages in cheap scaremongering. He says the Equalities Minister “will rewrite history and tradition to remove from the lexicon the words ‘husband and wife’”. He suggests that Shakespeare and Milton and the Holy Bible will be rewritten also in a fit of “almost Stalinist political correctness”. This is laughable rabble rousing nonsense.

His other scare tactic is to say that although the current consultation is only about civil marriage there will eventually be demands for the right for gay couples to marry in Catholic or Anglican churches. This too is nonsense. As Gale himself points out, the law allows divorcees to marry in church, but still many churches will not permit this. This has been the situation for decades and yet there has been no campaign to force all churches to remarry divorcees. The situation with gay marriage will be exactly the same.

“Marriage is not a term I wish to see hijacked in the false name of ‘equality’” Roger Gale, Conservative MP for Margate Indeed, Gale’s own marital situation puts him in the same position as a gay couple. He says “as a divorcee I may not marry in my own church” (Anglican). This is not true. Some Anglican priests would remarry him but he does not believe they are ‘real’ priests. The priests who would not marry him hold that marriage is a lifelong union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others, and that remarriage is adultery. Gale has taken advantage of a provision of the civil law which the section of the church he claims to believe in would not allow. This is exactly what gay people are asking for. Gale’s behaviour smacks of hypocrisy.

I have been reflecting on my encounters with these two men over this two day period. One is a convinced atheist who lives a life of self denial in order to make Christ’s teaching on love and compassion a reality for his fellow men and women, and who speaks with integrity and honour grounded in his own personal record of achievement. The other claims to be a Christian believer in ‘holy law’ which condemns both homosexuality and divorce. He is happy to stoop to tabloid style scaremongering to block gay rights while taking personal advantage for himself of the civil law on divorce even though he does not believe in it. ‘Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites!’ said Jesus. There is no doubt in my mind who is the more Christian of the two. What do you think?!

OPEN AND WELCOMING CHURCHES Changing Attitude Sussex is committed to telling the truth about Christian teaching on homosexuality, and works for the full inclusion of LGBT people in every province of the Anglican Communion and more widely in all Christian Churches. For more info please visit www.changingattitudesussex.com and www.thegaygospels.com

GSCENE 67

HOMELY

HOMILY

VRON’S

BY GLENN STEVENS

VOICE

HIV: ADDRESSING IT IN MIDDLE AGE

HIGH FIVE

Historically, safer sex and HIV+ awareness campaigns have visually been directed at people in the 18 to 40 age bracket. Although many of these campaigns no longer use buffed toned bodies, their target groups do not necessarily address the middle aged bracket of 55 plus.

Statistics taken from the 2010 Aids Conference in Vienna showed that the number of people over 50 had more than doubled, from 299 new cases in 2000 to 710 in 2007.

Despite the ongoing tribulations of our recession-hit life, the gay world is awash with all kinds of positive landmarks – much-needed signs of optimism in these volatile times. They show just how far we have moved on in the intervening years between the infamous Section 28 of Thatcher’s rule and the current controversy over gay marriage.

Here, for starters, are five reasons to be hopeful…

The report also highlighted the fact that many of those who had sought an HIV test were also being diagnosed late. This highlights the need that more must be done in targeting this age group with the safer sex message to the over fifties and to encourage sexually active men over fifty to seek regular testing for HIV. The simple fact remains that living with an HIV diagnoses significantly increases the ageing process and health related diseases. Starting a course of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) before your CD4 count drops below 350 has long been the recommended course of action. By being aware of your HIV status, other issues such as heart disease and male cancers can also be monitored. Historically it has been shown that men in general, regardless of their sexuality, are less likely to seek medical advice. During their twenties men believe themselves to be invincible, that they can smoke, drink, go clubbing and take drugs with no harmful effects to the body. For many men this ideology stays with them, particularly if they feel and look fit on the outside. However, many of the health problems that are related to middle to late age remain hidden and can be compounded by an HIV+ diagnoses and therefore should be regularly checked, with a six monthly HIV test.

“Many health problems related to middle to late age remain hidden and can be compounded by an HIV+ diagnoses and therefore should be regularly checked, with a six monthly HIV test” Heart disease remains the biggest killer among men over fifty, when combined with an HIV + diagnoses, the risks are increased, particularly as some HAART, including (abacavir/lamivudine) can also increase cholesterol levels. Taking a few simple steps, like stopping smoking, following a healthy diet and including exercise into your daily routine will significantly lower cholesterol and reduce the chances of a heart attack.

AIDS-defining malignancies, particularly Kaposi’s sarcoma was extremely prevalent during the AIDS epidemic, but with the introduction of HAART there has been a dramatic decline in the number of cases. However, there is still a high risk of people living with an HIV diagnosis who should be aware of other cancers that can be more prevalent. A report on one HIV website suggested that those living with an HIV diagnoses are more open to Hodgkin's disease, anal, lung, and testicular cancer. At present there is no hard evidence that taking a course of HAART helps delay the onset of these diseases, but with such positive results from KS studies, it would be difficult to dismiss the idea. This once again leads to the importance of bringing the message to middle age men to seek health advice and have regular HIV tests.

• Two female naval officers in a passionate embrace.

Front-page news in the Guardian (23.12.11), headlined: Women in love – Sailors share US navy’s first official gay kiss. This beautiful photo was dubbed “a groundbreaking meeting of same-sex lips” – a historic moment marking the end of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, under which gay service personnel were not allowed to be open about their sexuality.

• And - again in The Guardian, in its overseas pages (3.01.12) – Spain ready for first gay retirement home: as an act of rebellion against the homophobia of their generation, a group of elderly Spanish gay men plan to set up Spain’s first gay and lesbian retirement home. The man behind the scheme, Federico Armenteros, has already found a site for the retirement complex. Now he needs to find 120 like-minded people to sign up as members of a co-operative, to raise a bank mortgage. It’s an ambitious project, with some accommodation set aside for those who are HIV positive.

• Here in Britain, The Times featured a wedding fair for civil partners (12.03.12) at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It was attended by lesbians and gay men seeking ideas for their forthcoming commitment ceremonies (and most seemed to favour ‘wedding’ or ‘marriage’ rather than ‘civil partnership’). They browsed a wide array of merchandise: jewellery displays, cake stalls, wedding outfits. Among the 200 or so people present was a Christian teacher from Jamaica, who planned to marry her Muslim investment banker girlfriend, and was seen admiring some suits and waistcoats of champagne silk.

• Beginners: a movie based on the true story of how the father of the film’s director Mike Mills, proved, at 75, that it was never too late to come out of the closet. Christopher Plummer’s performance as the newly gay pensioner has been described as “jaw-dropping” (it’s certainly a far cry from Captain von Trapp singing Edelweiss in The Sound of Music). The role has won him a BAFTA award, and, at 82, Plummer is said to be the oldest winner to date (and you can take that either way!). It is a deeply personal, yet universal film, reflecting the stunted lives of gay men born before WWII who, like Mills’ father, felt compelled by the social mores of the time to hide their sexuality.

• And – hot from The Argus! – a new LGBT hate crimes hotline is being launched. Not long before this welcome piece of news, we learned of another ‘first’: two men were arrested after allegedly chanting homophobic abuse at Brighton fans during an Albion game in Southampton. With attacks in our city persisting, police and campaigners hope this new dedicated phone line will increase the reporting of incidents. It forms part of a new campaign to make Brighton & Hove the UK’s first zero-tolerance city for LGBT hate crime.

68 GSCENE

CHARLIE SAYS TRANSGLOBAL WE BRITISH SHOULD BE SO LUCKY SAYS CHARLIE BAUER PhD Of course I jumped at the chance of sabbatical ‘research’ leave for three months. (see Feb Gscene). In fact my generous colleagues at the university even gathered to wave me off as I left in the cab to Gatwick escorted by my head of department.

When they first told me that I would be based in Oban, dreams of beefy men in skirts and cockle-warming single-malts sprang fourth into my mind. Maybe I should have questioned why I would be away when all the important research meetings were taking place. Maybe I should have been more suspicious when my colleague pressed a couple of valium into my palm to ease the hour-long flight. Maybe I shouldn’t have been that surprised when I slept the entire flight so deeply that I never even took advantage of the complimentary booze.

When I woke up alone, 20 odd hours later, I was en-route to another Oban. Not the one on the Scottish mainland but the one on Stewart Island, the southern most inhabited island off the coast of New Zealand and the one heading straight into the Antarctic circle.

A note from my head of department was folded into my travelling suitcase. In it he stated that not only was it the furthest place away on the planet from Brighton but that the ticket at this point, was one way. He concluded with the interesting fact that if I were to go 10kms south towards the Arctic Ocean I would actually be closer to the UK – albeit on the other side of the world.

If ever there was a time in my life I myself felt truly stranded this was it, washed up without a pot to piss in at the end of the Earth, but to have to actually exist here, in these extreme climates was only for the hardy. And Ken looked far from hardy. But he soon put me right. As it turned out Ken could have easily headed to the other end of the country to the capital, Auckland, but opted instead to stay and exist in the frozen south, socialising only on rare trips out and meeting his lover every second weekend. He also used to converse via a transgender web site which had recently closed down. “All the traffic is in the North Island,” said Ken, “but why should I have to move just for that?”

Ken went on to tell me it’s also a country where everyone must now be represented. Where the Governmental Human Rights Commission delivers white papers and regular roundtables on the Trans and Intersex community with family members, academics and government agencies.

Where data is published and readily available. Being Mother Courage, I asked him where the homophobia and transphobia was, unable to believe it didn’t exist in any form.

I discovered that this is a country where Whakawahine (or 3rd gender) were and are recognised as integral members within the Samoan and Maori communities and their decedents. Where the Fa’afafine had sex with both men and women (but never with each other). In these communities there was no word for ‘homosexual’ and it was also in these close quarters that space was always provided for transgender people to live within the comfort and support of their Whanau - or extended family. Not only that, but traditionally trans people were given specific religious or sacred roles within these communities.

For a few stunned days I wandered around the island port. I’ve never seen seals close up, otters yes, but Crusoed in this way wasn’t something I’d actually packed for. A combination of the exchange rate and some cheap brandy saw off the balance on my plastic but I did manage to secure a berth on a fishing trawler to Invercargill on the mainland where I spent a couple of nights in the backpackers lodge, which is where I am writing this now.

“I discovered that this is a country where Whakawahine (or 3rd gender) were and are recognised as integral members within the Samoan and Maori communities and their decedents” It was at 3am on night one when, unable to sleep, I headed over to the 24/7 for chocolate and deep fried sausages, that I met the only trans person I’d seen since my arrival on the other side of the world.

It’s always difficult to make contact in places like this without freaking the bejesus out of anyone and let’s face it, everyone can actually look like a queer basher at 3am. I asked Ken, as I later found out he was called, if there were any gay bars in the area. He shook his head and began re-stacking shelves. I re-emphasised that I was English and only in town for the night. Eventually he loosened up and I asked him, in between the surfies coming in for skins and chocolate, how it was possible for him to exist at the end of the world in a macho fishing port as a trans person, without trying to sound patronising coming from the ‘developed’ and enlightened northern hemisphere.

Even now, on this other side of the world, Samoan pressure groups are still in the process of removing the traces of defunct colonial laws about the illegality of homosexuality and transgenderism from New Zealand’s historical records. And from where I’m standing, trans people remain a protected and cherished community free from the Victorian, Christian doctrines they were once expected to adopt.

It appears that trans people over here are not perceived as warriors even if they live alongside them. It seems to only be within our ‘western’ cultures that they have had to become warriors, donning war paint as they wander the bloody battlefields of our major cities.

That said, New Zealand is also where 20% of queer kids will attempt suicide before the age of 20, compared with 4% of straight ones. Where anti-trans ‘hatred’ is beginning to be stirred up by the likes of Rosemary McLeod who recently referred to trans parents as “Ego trippers” in The Dominion Post.

‘Ego trippers?‘ Well, really…

That said, just imagine if that somewhere within our constitution (if we had one) it stated that: ‘All human beings have the right to define and express their own gender identity.’

Would we ever see that in post-colonial Blighty?

I think not.

GSCENE 69

NETTY’S

QUEERYING

WORLD

QUEENIE

BY QUEEN JOSEPHINE

MOTHER NATURE’S WAYS

THE EARLY CLOTHING YEARS

Mother Nature can be a naughty old bitch. She makes men and women utterly different, then expects them to understand one another. She designs vast swathes of the animal kingdom to be sexually attracted to their own gender, a potential spanner in the works for procreation.

In addition to the two strict genders we recognise, she creates countless others, some of whom feel so markedly at odds with the bodies they’ve been allotted, they’re forced to undergo painful surgery to rectify matters. Mother Nature tricks us so often and indiscriminately that I beg the question, “Why do we all care so much about gender when Mother Nature doesn’t seem to give a stiff shit?”

May 1963. Born alive and kicking in Chipping Sodbury. After a couple of months my worried mother took me to the doctors due to a violent red rash she feared to be scarlet fever. Doctors diagnosed ‘prickly heat’ due to being wrapped in several pink blankets during the hottest summer on record. My mother feared her first born would catch a cold, I subliminally already hated pink and would commence a lifetime obsession with keeping warm.

“Why do we all care so much about gender when Mother Nature doesn’t seem to give a stiff shit?”

I think it’s because on some cellular level, our gender is our primordial calling card. From an early age a male toddler will become angry if he is called a girl, and girls know they are very different from boys. Many toddlers shun the opposite sex and revel in being themselves.

Gender dysphoria (wrong body for your gender) is very real and very serious, never to be confused with cultural anthropological pressures to conform. For instance, as a little girl I was desperate to become a boy and would stuff a sock into my knickers to affect a penis. Not a good look under a school dress. In reality I was trying to escape pathetic feminine stereotypes mapped out for me. I was a strong independent female, I didn’t need to change sex, I just didn’t know women like me existed, that we were normal, allowed. Psychologist Dr Daragh McDermott recommends children be raised not ‘gender-neutral’ but rather ‘stripped of stereotypes’, a rare freedom for infants.

Transsexuality is ridiculed by the press, ignorant readers find it titillating, bigots are disgusted. But it’s not about effeminate men having their tackle removed so they can pass as female, or butch lesbians abusing testosterone and aping men. The roughest, toughest, butchest woman I know happens to be a cock-hungry heterosexual ‘lady’ and blissfully happy that way. Call her a man and she’ll knock you out! Mother Nature made her so.

Deny a person’s gender whatever they feel it to be and they are set adrift, unable to navigate this life. After hero Alan Turin cracked the Enigma code (a major factor in winning World War II) he was convicted of the ‘crime’ of homosexuality and forced to take female hormones as a ‘cure’. He grew breasts, and tragically became so depressed he killed himself.

Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis was born with indeterminate gender. With amazing foresight her parents gave her a neutral name and allowed her to be whatever she would be.

In reflection I feel a person’s gender is the manifestation of their real sexual selves and may have little or nothing to do with the genitals they’re born with. I’m reminded of a verse by Roland Young: “And here’s the happy bounding flea – You cannot tell the he from she The sexes look alike you see But she can tell, and so can he.”

June 1967. Donated my first pair of trousers, outgrown by mum’s friend’s son – much less draughty than a skirt. Apparently I refused to change when Aunty Mabel came to visit.

August 1967. My first proper clothing memory. Mum got me two pairs of gingham shorts that I wore for the whole two weeks of our Norfolk holiday. Rejected skirts and dresses as much as possible after this.

September 1968. Started recreating various uniforms (Household Cavalry, police) by drawing buttons etc and sticking these onto my jumpers.

August 1968. Had a short hair-cut. Anything to stop the trauma of yanking out tangles in the morning (we’d moved to London along with Granny. She was a hair-brushing demon).

September 1968. Started school. Horrified to find out my football boots would be redundant as girls didn’t play footie. They played netball and not in their West Ham ‘replica’ kit either. Mortified.

December 1969. My main Xmas present was a Captain Scarlet outfit. Oh the joy!!!

Also got Action Man. Realised there was a marked difference between my presents and those of my little sister who seemed delighted with her Teeny-Tiny-Tears dolly and ballet shoes.

June 1970. Given Joe 90 pyjamas from the boy over the road.

Refused point blank to ever wear a nightie again.

November 1970. Went out to a ‘fayre’ with my Auntie Sue in a matching paisley shirt and tie (this was on elastic, though by then I was more than capable of doing up a real one) and was delighted to be called ‘sonny’ by a stall-holder. Aunty Sue started to prefer shopping with my sister. Had also started wearing my school blazer at the weekends as it looked like a suit jacket.

June 1972. Moved to the Hertfordshire countryside and fell in love with horses. Badgered poor parents to let me go horseriding – which also meant getting jodhpurs. Proper uniform at last! Even found a hacking jacket at a jumble sale.

September 1972. Started new school - the boys let me play football with them and a couple of girls liked horses. My rich fried Jane gave me a pair of hand-me–down black riding boots which I’d polish until I could see my tom-boy face in them. All was peachy until Fiona Langton (‘top-dog’ in my class) decided every girl must wear a midiskirt (skirts were either mini, midi or maxi back then) to her birthday party. It seemed my clothing outlook would have to change. Or would it?

To be continued (at some point).

70 GSCENE

SHARP WORDS OVER THE HILL DEL SHARP ON CRUISING TOWARDS MIDDLE AGE, RELUCTANTLY Sharp Words has to come out to her true identity. After many years of immaturity and fashion crises I have finally realised that I have been living as a twenty-three-year-old and have not been able to assign this being to my physical forty-something-year-old self. There, I’ve said it now and the relief is overwhelming. See, I just carried on and hoped nobody could tell. I wore the hi-tops and skinny jeans and when the old muffin top bounced out I just wore something a bit bigger.

I was happy that way and always very thrilled when asked for some ID when buying the odd bottle of wine at the Co-Op, (okay that happened more than a couple of years ago and the assistant did look like she may have cataracts); but no, it will never happen again to me now and I’m acutely aware that I’m more than twice the age of half the supermarket employees that I encounter.

I now know I’m getting on a bit because I hesitate on occasion before dressing in certain clothing and then my inner child petulantly urges me to put on the Muppet underwear anyway, with a snide observation that there’s no one else around who will actually see it.

I’m transitioning into middle age and the journey is not an easy one I can tell you. But I do try to at least slow down the inexorable move into who I really am.

With a vague worry about a brain tumour when I realised I couldn’t actually read properly any longer, I consulted my optometrist who concluded the examination by cheerfully telling me I’d just had too many birthdays and it was inevitable that at my age I wouldn’t be able to read books as clearly as I used to. Sad news indeed for someone whose contact lenses are already probably thicker than other peoples.

“It’s why I look forward to giving blood really. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be called a good girl and given squash and biscuits by a woman of a certain age in a nurses uniform a couple of times a year” I left glumly and squintingly dialled the number for the dental hygienist because hey don’t old cat’s teeth make you look older than you are? Next stop, I was on my back being cradled like a baby with my mouth open and having impossible questions to answer without sounding like I’d had several cans of Special Brew. There was some sound advice about not drinking quite as much red wine as well as instructions on how to brush my teeth. Yes, I’ve done it wrong for forty years and apparently still manage to mess it up despite twice a year guidance.

But it’s all rather comforting to have such an experience and I’m always glad to receive affectionate pats on the shoulder. It’s why I look forward to giving blood really. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be called a good girl and given squash and biscuits by a woman of a

certain age in a nurses uniform a couple of times a year. Some people pay for such things after all.

Next thing on my breathless trail of eternal youthfulness was to hot foot it to a chiropodist, which I’ve never done before. I wanted the youthful soft feet I used to have rather than the claw-like calloused unpretty yet functional things on the end of my legs.

Firstly I was given a supposedly relaxing footbath but it made me quake in trepidation as I didn’t quite believe the water was fresh and cleaned just for me. So I crouched over it, peering into to the bubbles suspiciously, looking for signs of stray skin or worse in the water before dipping in the feet and just not looking any more (it actually was clean so I could just have enjoyed it). I then submitted myself to assorted scraping, scratching and clipping to which I emitted rather inappropriate yelps, yips and giggles, which I could tell didn’t go down ever so well by the efficient professional glancing up at me.

Nevertheless, after my foot ‘treat’ I have to say they look rather smart.

Despite being verified as flat footed and deformed with bunions, they do look rather less haggard than they did, so I’ll certainly be going again as I’m just grateful they weren’t diagnosed as also being overly hairy (look, some growth on the toes is considered quite normal for certain mammals I have assured myself).

Going to the gym a lot has been instrumental so far in my hopeful body transformation, except that I haven’t actually noticed any difference in how I look although I’ve found I’m piling on the pounds at an alarming rate. I like to think it’s muscle rather than due to the fact I eat like a horse when I get home, thinking that it’s really quite alright to be wolfing cheese (it’s protein) and bread (I need carbs because I go to the gym). I’m always amazed as I puff and wheeze my way around the machines that some people can sit there texting away without a care in the world when there’s essential body changes to be made. Maybe they just don’t have a sofa at home?

Thankfully I don’t have any issues with gender identity; having to change everything because it feels right is of course a million miles from wanting to do what feels better with the only body I’ve got. But oh if only I could have appreciated being young when I was… although as the inner youngster snarls at me regularly “Who cares what anyone else thinks”.

GSCENE 71

BRIGHTON & SUSSEX

SEXUALITIES NETWORK

BY JANE FAE

SUCHI’S

WORLD

BY SUCHI CHATTERJEE

CHANGE

UPS AND DOWNS

As an activist, writer and researcher, I’ve had a lengthy love affair with the law – both reporting on it and studying aspects of it, including the laws on censorship, the laws on data and the laws on sex and sexuality. Recently my focus has been on issues often associated with transgender – and ‘change’ – such as the changing of names or the changing of gender. Organisations can make it challenging for individuals who are attempting to make such changes ‘official’. Meanwhile, this is one of those fascinating areas where English law has, for centuries, been mostly silent.

My depression has got a depression. I recently read an article in the news about a transgender child in America who has been excluded from the Girl Scouts. And she was excluded because she is transgender. To add insult to injury, when the child’s mother appealed to the Girl Scout’s chapter and won the right for her daughter to attend, the group then decided to disband to ensure she didn’t get to be a girl scout with one pious mother telling the press, “…the decision [is] 'extremely confusing' and almost dangerous situation for children [and] goes against what we believe.”

Dangerous? Since when?

In the UK there never has been such a thing as a legal name, or gender, although in the latter case, there has been a strong presumption linking official gender to birth certificate and biological ‘fact’. Name has mostly been a label that individuals may shift at will, providing they are not trying to defraud the system. Gender has often been used as a convenient categorisation. And what about ‘title’?

That’s interesting too, since mostly what you put in front of your name is another of those conventions that English society is so good at, but which is not exactly sanctioned in law.

All of the above have lately become much more interesting, because of growing fears around ‘identity fraud’. Not, as the popular press might have it, just calling yourself by another name, but the intentional theft of the rights and privileges due to a person (or entity) who is not you. Terrorism is one rationale for a growing list of government penalties put in place both on the perpetrators of such fraud and also, strangely, on the victims of it. Money laundering and international crime are others. Simple actions, such as changing your name on a bank account, (managed a decade or so back by a personal letter to the bank manager) now attracts all manner of bureaucratic requirement including marriage certificates, deed polls etc. This, despite the fact that while this paper trail may make banks feel virtuous, does nothing to enhance security. Behind the scenes, a new industry of deed poll providers has emerged, taking in over £1 million a year from its customers. And all institutions are just that bit pickier over small details like initials, title and the like.

Is this a personal crusade? Not exactly; more an area of fascination that I researched, which turned out to be far deeper and more interesting than at first sight and then – serendipity! – turned out also to be an area of concern to government and financial security services. I’ve now provided research on this subject to bodies as diverse as credit score agencies, the Cabinet Office and the Home Office. I’ve discovered intriguing facts, such as the declaration by an English judge in 1946 that a change in one’s baptismal name can never be recognised, as that was given by God. This area of ‘identity’ classification, regulation and prescription is certainly intriguing. Once a relatively simple issue, recent legislation on gender, immigration and banking security has caused such discussions to become increasingly complex.

Jane Fae, a feminist, independent journalist and academic, writes and campaigns on issues of individual liberty and sexual rights. You can read more about her work at: janefae.wordpress.com

BRIGHTON & SUSSEX SEXUALITIES NETWORK (BSSN) The BSSN is an inter-university research network aimed at supporting research and researchers who work on issues of human sexuality within the Universities of Brighton and Sussex and the wider Sussex area. We consist of community members and academics who have an interest in knowing about current sexualities research. Our organising committee, which is open to all, meets about twice a year. A sub-committee organises our annual conference. Anyone can come to these meetings to suggest and organise events www.it.bton.ac.uk/bssn

Now I’m the first person to hold up my hands and say I am extremely ignorant about issues that affect people who are transgender. I do have friends who are transgender but they are my friends first and foremost, they are not just a ‘sex’ they are people, men and women. End of matter. One of my friends, Molly, (names have been changed) is a lovely lady who to my amazement knows my cousin in Manchester because they are both active Trade Unionists. Imagine my surprise when my cousin sent me an excited Facebook message to tell me that she knew Molly who of course knew me! Small world or what?

So what is it with people and their petty, stupid prejudices that makes them think that they are the god of all things and go about dictating who can and who can't be in a girl scout group? It reminds me of those foul and sadly unforgettable days when people of colour were excluded from pubs and clubs and who were lucky if a landlady would give them the time of day much less rent a room to them.

“I do have friends who are transgender but they are friends first and foremost, they’re not just a ‘sex’, they are people” So here I am, sitting in my wheelchair thinking “Maybe I’ll invest in a brick wall, might as well bang my head against it whilst thinking about human nature and its many offensive idiosyncrasies.” I need, I think to go looking for happy stories, uplifting stories, stories in which we are the hero/heroines instead of the victims with only misery on our lips.

I am, in nutshell, sick to death of living in the Dark Ages. This is the 21st century for goodness sake! We should not be worrying about who is who and why they are who in the first place! A person is a person, and if they happen to be born the wrong sex, (it does happen you know!) well DEAL WITH IT! It’s SO not about you… okay I am beginning to preach here. She who shall be obeyed has just told me that I am getting that glazed, enraged expression on my face as I bang away on my keyboard.

In the end though, nature will choose who is transgender not the individual, and certainly not society, so to all you haters out there put that into your pipe and smoke it!

PS: my depression’s depression is much better now by the way!

72 GSCENE

HOW DO YOU LOOK AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH? When we think about Mental Health we usually think about being mentally ill, diagnosed conditions, stereotypes. Often the picture we conjure is negative or distressing and sometimes stigmatised and for many of us who are LGBT our mental health can be pathologised. At MindOut we have contact with about 500 LGBT people each year who have concerns about their mental health. Much of the work we do is talking to people about the help and support that they feel they need or want; helping them to have a voice and be heard and to challenge stigma and discrimination. Often people talk to us about how to look after themselves and for help to explore what they can do to feel better. Sometimes taking care of our mental health and well-being can be a challenge! Jason Saw, MindOut’s senior practitioner talks to some well-known friends and supporters of the project and asks “How do you look after your mental health?"

Lorraine Bowen Dolly Rocket (singer, (cabaret star) “Exercise entertainer) “I take my is the best! Swimming in depression and my dog the local pool or dancing out for a long walk. round the kitchen always Fresh air, a change of inspires creativity and scenery and the company keeps my brain from of a joyful soul always feeling stiff and stagnant puts things in a clearer …a sardine sandwich perspective. Find once a week is good too!” something, however small, to be grateful for each day. Blessings are there - all the time, Charlie Hides notice them. For example: Primark, glittery 6” (comedian/Youtuber) heels in for £12... JOY!" “A few winters ago I made a mix tape of all Zoe Lyons (comedian) the up tempo songs that “As a young adult I always cheer me up. suffered from really bad Whenever I have a 'blue panic attacks for about a day' I crank up the year. They were very volume and have a good frightening and totally crippling. It made me so dance around the living room. The neighbours don't much appreciate it but it always makes me aware of how important feel better.” it is to look after your mental health. Exercise really helps me now Dave Lynn (cabaret when I feel stressed - even having a good old star) “I've found in the dance in your own living room helps.” hard times that I have been through, friends are Stephanie Starlett really important; also (Miss Alternative allow time just for you.

Brighton/actor) “I think Learn to love and laughter and fun are understand yourself. I most definitely healing. also use the gym daily Finding inner strength and try to be as healthy as possible” and peace is the key to happiness and as Louise Christopher Green (Tina Hay says: ‘stress and C & Ida Barr) “My worry are just thoughts and we can change the turning point was finally way we think.” I have faith in the power of coming off antithought and in the power of Love” depressants after 18 years, starting running Miss Hope Springs regularly and meditating (comedy cabaret every day. Sounds tough chanteuse) “A good diet going maybe but the and good rest… I can’t rewards in terms of function without proper contentment and a lot of regular balanced meals joy are definitely worth (as you can see from my it." figure) and lots of sleep.

And I’m proponent of the power nap, to go with my power shoulders. Also Nicky Mitchell (musician/singer) “I refuse to think it is 'normal' to be mentally well adjusted a good long, unconditional hug can make all in this society. Bizarrely I have recently felt the difference in the world… we should all be suddenly optimistic and mentally positive. I hugging far more.”

have seized this bout of 'wellness' and am attempting to prolong its effects. Here are my rules, which you'll be pleased to know I often break: Bed before midnight, no computer in the bedroom, no refined white flour, sugar or booze. Plenty of good organic fresh fruit and veg. Exercise (which I am learning to love) and dance and sing at least once a day.”

Amy Lamé (broadcaster, writer, performer)“I have a partner who is a very good listener. She encourages me to say exactly what's on my mind, even if what I have to say is difficult, awkward or embarrassing! And I know she loves me, regardless. That DEFINITELY keeps me sane!”

Peter Tatchell (Human Rights activist, director, Peter Tatchell Foundation) “I was bashed around the head by Mugabe's henchmen in Brussels and by neo-Nazis in Moscow.

It's damaged my memory, concentration, balance and coordination. I still manage but I am slower and make more mistakes. One way I cope is by recognising that compared to human rights activists in Iran and Saudi Arabia I'm lucky. I haven't been jailed or tortured. Putting my injuries in perspective helps.”

If at times you find looking after your mental health and well-being a struggle or have difficulties coping with the stresses and strains life throws at you and feel a confidential chat with someone at MindOut might help, do give us a call on 01273 234 839 or email info@mindout.org.uk

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.

All MindOut services are free, confidential and non-judgemental.

• 24hr confidential answerphone: 01273 234839 • Email: info@mindout.org.uk • New website: www.mindout.org.uk

GSCENE 73

POSITIVE

VOICES

BY MICK SYKES

JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS It’s a luxury to be able to live in Brighton with Monopoly board mortgages and private landlords charging high rents unaffordable for many who are unemployed or on low incomes. Currently in the UK we are seeing the first effects of a newly introduced housing benefit cap, drastically reducing the amount of rent allowance for the under 35s. Already amongst some people living with HIV locally this housing cap is having a negative impact. It’s early days but there will be trouble ahead.

What does this mean if you are trans? Amongst many others, effectively the housing cap may now force a section of LGBT people out of their homes and place them unwillingly into shared accommodation or be forced into moving out of the city’s ‘safer’ areas or out of the city altogether. My view is that this directly challenges LGBT community safety.

“Sharing your home with a stranger whilst you are exploring your identity has the potential of forcing some back into the closet or having to lock the closet door for fear of hate crime” Sharing your home with a stranger whilst you are exploring your identity has the potential of forcing some back into the closet or having to lock the closet door for fear of hate crime. There are enough obstacles in the way just to be able to walk outdoors for some in our community. Surely everyone has the right to feel safe within the home? The right to freely express gender and or sexuality has been challenged here and it’s just not on.

Cities around the world act like a beacon to those who come to join an established LGBT community. There is something to be said about safety in numbers. Cities provide support networks for LGBT people. Simple.

Brighton & Hove City Council has a published Transgender Toolkit which states: ‘The term ‘transsexual’, originally coined in 1949, is not a good one as the condition has little to do with sexual orientation, so the term causes mush confusion in the mind of the general public’. (That’s the council’s typo, not mine). I’m sure if I were trans, under 35, and affected by the housing cap I too would be ‘mush’ confused if not a tad anxious about my future. Private landlords will often discriminate against the unemployed let alone trans people. It can take time to build relationships with any new neighbours; however harassment received from neighbours crops up time and time again as an ongoing issue from trans in the community. With these concerns in mind I would hope that the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Commission pick up on all the key needs and issues faced by trans people locally.

It’s sometimes hard to believe that Brighton & Hove may become the UK’s first zero tolerant city for LGBT hate crimes. It’s an admirable aim, a worthy challenge and one that gets my full support.

HEALTHY HOOPS It can be a challenge to access services at the best of times. Sexual health checks are often one of those things that are not always considered as a priority for some. The Claude Nicol Centre, Brighton’s sexual health clinic has some good news. After a successful visit of the clinic by a group of trans people they are now together looking at ways to further improve access and plan to pilot a trans clinic in Brighton. So it’s not all bad news.

74 GSCENE

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

76 GSCENE

MAY

CLASSIFIEDS CALL 01273 722457 BY 14TH MAY

2012

TO GUARANTEE ADVERT PLACEMENT

BUILDERS, ELECTRICIANS, HANDY MAN, PLUMBERS, A PLASTERERS, PAINTERS & DECORATORS, RUBBISH CLEARANCE

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01323 887789 01424 425123 07887 916325

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FREE QUOTES Call Laurence on

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PHIL HARRIS Carpentry, Joinery & Building Renovation Built-in furniture, Maintenance & General Building

Call Phil on

0793 1157822 philipbarryharris @hotmail.com

E L E Brighton C T Rbased ICAN For all your electrical requirements No jobs too small, rewire, phone points etc.

Reliable Friendly Service We can beat all other quotations £10Million Public Liability Insurance

Call Barry for free advice on

01273 624610 / 07889 730640 barry.butcher2@ntlworld.com

Electrical Mechanical Services

Mobile: 07792 386578 Tel: 01273 502462

MT CARPENTRY & BUILDING • LOFT CONVERSIONS • EXTENSIONS • BRICKWORK • PAINTWORK DECORATING • INSURANCE REPAIRS

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GSCENE 77

MAY

CLASSIFIEDS CALL 01273 722457 BY 14TH MAY

2012

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COUNSELLING, MASSAGE, TREATMENTS + HEALTH SERVICES

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ESCORTS + CHATLINES SEBASTIAN Saltdean In/Out Call Overnight

07003 755082 RUSSELL 48 (VTCT Qualified) Holistic Body Massage Aromatherapy • Swedish Massage Sports Massage • Reflexology Indian Head Massage • Hot Stones Waxing • Shaving • Pedicure Kemp Town seafront (opp Naturist Beach)

07887 973399

Gary Mobile Massage Therapist Level 3 VTCT Qualified

I am fully mobile so I am able to visit you in your own home.

I am also able to visit hotels

SUSSEX DIVE CLUB

• Swedish Body Massage • Aromatherapy Massage • Reflexology

TRY DIVE

07789 655102 www.thebrightonmobile massagecompany.com

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

£15

training courses & Gift certificates available

www.sussexdiving.co.uk

AN AD THIS SIZE COSTS £35 + VAT CALL

01273 722457

ADVERTISERS MAP HORE

HAM R

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12 BASEMENT CLUB (below Legends) 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 27 DANCETERIA @ The Font, Union St, www.aeonevents.co.uk

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G ESTATE AGENTS

37 JUSTIN LLOYD (Kemp Town) 118 St James’ St, 315612 38 JUSTIN LLOYD (City) 111 Western Rd, Hove, 315613 39 JUSTIN LLOYD (Hove) 176 Church Rd, Hove, 315614

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32 CARDOME 47a St James’ St, 692916 33 PROWLER 112 St James’ St, 683680 34 SPECS 22 Kensington Gardens, 676796 35 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 130 St James’ St, 682992 36 SUSSEX BEACON Charity Shop 83 George St, Hove

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1 AMSTERDAM 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 28 AVALON HOTEL 7 Upper Rock Gardens, 692344 48 COURTLANDS HOTEL 19-27 The Drive, Hove, 731055 29 GULLIVERS HOTEL 12a New Steine, 695415 T 30 COWARDS HOTEL 12 Upper Rock Gardens, 692677 12 LEGENDS HOTEL 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 31 NEW STEINE HOTEL 10/11 New Steine, 681546 49 QUEENS HOTEL 1/3 Kings Rd, 321222 22 VAVAVOOM 31 Old Steine, 603010

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19 8 ENVY (above Charles St Bar) 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 24 FUNKY FISH @ New Madeira Hotel 19-23 Marine Parade, 01273 698331 25 REBEL @ DIGITAL 187-193 Kings Road Arches www.aeonevents.co.uk 26 REVENGE 32-34 Old Steine, 606064

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1 A-BAR 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 2 AQUARIUM 6 Steine St, 605525 3 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 606064 4 BEDFORD TAVERN 30 Western St, 739495 5 BULLDOG TAVERN 31 St James’ St, 696996 6 BRIGHTON TAVERN 99-100 Gloucester Rd, 680365 7 CAMELFORD ARMS 30-31 Camelford St, 622386 8 CHARLES STREET BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 9 CHURCH STREET 112 Church St, 606864 10 DR BRIGHTONS 16 Kings Rd, 208113 11 GROSVENOR 16 Western St, 770712 12 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 13 LOOP 16 Marine Parade, 677944 14 MARINE TAVERN 13 Broad St, 681284 15 MARLBOROUGH 4 Princes St, 570028 16 POISON IVY 129 St James St 17 PROJECT 56 56 George St, 623399 18 QUEENS ARMS 7 George St, 696873 19 REGENCY TAVERN 32-34 Russell Sq, 325652 21 SUBLINE 129 St James St, 01273 624100 22 VAVAVOOM 31 Old Steine, 603010 23 ZONE 33 St James’ St, 682249

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1 A-BAR 11–12 Marine Parade, 688825 3 BAR REVENGE 7 Marine Parade, 606064 8 CHARLES ST BAR 8-9 Marine Parade, 624091 41 FISHERMAN’S REST 123-125 Kings Rd, 323888 12 LEGENDS BAR 31-34 Marine Parade, 624462 13 THE LOOP 16 Marine Parade, 677944

31 NEW STEINE BISTRO 12a New Steine, 681546

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46 BRIGHTON WOMEN’S CENTRE 72 High St, 698036 www.womenscentre.org.uk 43 BRIGHTON SAUNA 47 LUNCH POSITIVE 75 Grand Parade, 689966 Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, 44 TBS2 SAUNA 07846 464384 www.lunchpositive.org 84-86 Denmark Villas, Hove, 723733 MINDOUT Community Base, 113 Queens Rd G LEGAL & FINANCE 234839 www.mindout.org.uk 45 ENGLEHARTS SWITCHBOARD 49 Vallance Hall, Hove St, Hove, 204411 Community Base, 113 Queens Rd 204050 (5–11pm)

info@justinlloyd.co.uk

01273 692424 justinlloyd.co.uk

K e m p To w n / C it y / H ov e/

118 St James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1TH 111 Western Road, Hove BN3 1DD 178 Church Road, Hove BN3 2DJ

£535,000

Marine Parade, Brighton Magnificent two bedroom penthouse apartment on third and fourth floors (with lift) of a converted period building on Brighton seafront. Beautifully presented with uninterrupted panoramic sea views, sun terrace and balcony.

£335,000

£315,000

You can now browse our properties on Facebook Preston Park Ave, Brighton

Kingscote Way, Brighton

Well presented two bedroom lower ground floor garden flat situated opposite Preston Park.

Three bedroom flat on the second floor of a modern purpose built block. Balcony and lift.

£400,000 OIEO

£179,950

£165,000

Connaught Road, Hove

Lorna Road, Hove

Brunswick Square, Hove

Contemporary two double bedroom triplex apartment off Church Road in central Hove. Patio.

Delightful one bedroom flat on the first floor of a converted period house. Additional room.

One bedroom fourth floor flat situated in a Grade I listed house, moments from the seafront.