DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON
17
www.gscene.com
Alix Coe & Jason Walker raise £1,840+ for Allsorts Youth Project “I feel as though if there was a similar service available to me as a young person, that the earlier parts of my life would have been so much easier to live through and understand. With this kind of support I think that I would have made so many different choices and fought so fewer battles by myself.”
What does IDENTITY mean to you? ) The Identity Project, a new LGBTQ+ community photography project from Chris Jepson, explores what it means to identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community today and challenges the stereotypes of perceived identity.
CHRIS JEPSON
From religious to secular, young to old, performer to military, the project is a series of black & white portraits presenting the diverse faces of LGBTQ+ people from myriad walks of life across the globe, challenging stereotypes, reframing assumptions and dispelling the myths of perceived identity. Chris Jepson said: “All families have disagreements and moments of discord, and the rainbow family is no exception, but I’m hoping this project will show that our rich diversity is our greatest strength. “Throughout recent history we’ve been persecuted and legislated against but in times of need we step up for each other. In the early days of the Aids crisis in New York it was lesbians who rallied around gay men in their hour of need and when the trans community was under attack it was the rest of the LGB community that stepped up and said ‘No, Transphobia is not ok’. “As our hard fought for rights are being eroded, it is essential that we come together as a community.”
) Alix Coe and Jason Walker raised over £1,841 for Allsorts Youth Project last month, which includes Gift Aid and a contribution from Jason’s employer. Alix and Jason were to run the Brighton Marathon together in April 2020 to raise money for Allsorts but, as the marathon was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, they ran the distance virtually between September 30 and October 11 instead. Alix said: “I completed my first halfmarathon in Brighton in February 2018, which was also my first-ever serious run. “Having been a volunteer at Allsorts for just a few months, I’ve seen first-hand just how much great work they do, and I’m really grateful to them for giving me the opportunity to be a part of it.
Jason added: “Running has increased my self confidence, and helps alleviate my depression and anxiety. “As a trans athlete, running also makes me feel less dysphoric. Nowadays, some running clubs include a nonbinary option when entering events, so runners like me feel more included and represented. “I hope my and Alix’s efforts will inspire more trans athletes!" D To donate, visit: https:// uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlixCoe D For more info on Allsorts: www.allsortsyouth.org.uk
THT Brighton reopens its doors
D To find out more and participate, visit www.theidentityproject.co.uk
Open Letters to Queer Britain ) Queer Britain, a charity working to establish the UK’s first-ever national LGBTQ+ museum, is working in partnership with Levi’s and The Post Office, inviting members of LGBTQ+ communities and allies to write an open letter, which will live in Queer Britain’s collection and will record and preserve valuable accounts of what it means to be LGBTQ+ in Britain today. Each letter will be a valuable asset helping build a narrative that truly represents the diversity, resilience and beauty of the UK’s LGBTQ+ people. After the campaign, the letters will be studied by historians at Goldsmith’s and Kent State universities as part of Queer Britain’s joint research project, Queer Pandemic. They may also be used in books and exhibitions. Queer Britain said: “Throughout history, the experiences of LGBTQ+ people have been erased, overlooked or marginalised. We want future generations to see themselves. History does not live in dusty archives, it's alive in us all in the here and now." To send your letter, write Freepost OPEN LETTERS TO QUEER BRITAIN on the front of your envelope. No need to include a stamp, postage is FREE. D For more info, visit: www.postoffice.co.uk/open-letters-to-queer-britain
) Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Brighton’s clinic reopened last month, offering rapid HIV and syphilis tests (results same day) and screening for the most common STIs: gonorrhoea and chlamydia (results in two weeks).
THT Brighton say: “Testing is available for anyone who is black African or from a BME community, anyone from the LGBTQ+ community including any men who have sex with men, and sex workers.”
To make the clinic Covid-secure you must book an appointment by calling 01273 764200 or 07741 322487. THT Brighton usually have appointments for the same day.
THT Brighton is based at 61 Ship St, Brighton BN1 1AE. D For more info, visit: www.tht.org.uk
