Out Bristol Issue 9

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Out Bristol

Scene / Community / Whats On / Listings

Lesbian

Inside Exclusive Bristol Bisons win bid to host Union Cup in 2013 in the city.

Gay Bisexual Trans Community Pride Special Issue 9

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Inside: Issue 9

Feature: Bisons Bid Check out this Out Bristol exclusive, Bristol has been honoured with the news that it will be the host for the 2013 Union Cup. This is the Gay European Union tournament.

Lifestyle: Fashion A/W Launches at Mr.Porter

Lifestyle: Film - Buffering - House of Boys

Lifestyle: Music Texas have announced platinum selling, Brit-nominated singer songwriter Nerina Pallot as special guest for their summer concert at Westonbirt Arboretum as part of Forestry Commission Live Music 2011.

Lifestyle: Art This month’s pages are dedicated to the Bristol Bear Bars new exhibition.

The Bristol Bear Bar continues to raise the bench mark again this month by presenting “blokes” a highly expressive collection of work by a local South West Artist.

Inside: Issue 9 Development: Youth

Community: Manchester Pride 21 years and still going strong check out the latest from Manchester Pride.

Focusing on the provision of Youth services to the LGBT community here is your chance to have YOUR say.

Development: Mental Health Have your say on the changes that effect you.

Community: Charity in Focus

Politics: Commentary Homophobic bullying is rife in schools across England and Wales. A study by Stonewall found that almost two-thirds of LGBT pupils suffered from homophobic bullying at school.

Listings Check out the listings and whats on guide for all the up to date information of what is happening in the LGBT city.

Contact

Out Bristol

To comment on any articles or if you wish to write for the magazine please contact editor@outbristol.co.uk or to advertise advertising@outbristol.co.uk

Feature: Bisons Bid On behalf of the Bristol Bisons RFC, I am delighted to present our bid to host the fifth Union Cup in Bristol in 2013. My first experience of playing international gay rugby was the Union Cup in Montpellier in 2005. It was such an amazing experience that reaffirmed my passion for rugby and made the Union Cup one of my favourite events to attend. The Bisons are ready to host such a prestigious tournament and take it to the next level.

Six years on, the team players and supporters have made a name for themselves locally and nationally. The Bisons took part in the 2011 Union Cup in Amsterdam with support from all in our amazing region of the UK. We have decided to build on this legacy by applying to host the 2013 Union Cup in Bristol the biggest city in the South West of England.

Bristol has more rugby clubs than any other part of the UK; both rugby league and rugby union is played in the city. The bid is backed by GRFU, RFU, Bristol City Council and many more partners.

Mike Sanidas Bristol Bisons Chairman The 2013 Union Cup The Bristol Bisons’ concept: A Union Cup for the future which is accessible for all.

We would be delighted to welcome all gay and gay friendly European teams to Bristol in 2013.

Bristol is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a rich and diverse array of attractions, ranging from the world famous Clifton suspension bridge, the SS Great Britain to the street art of Banksy and the brand new M-Shed museum opened in June this year. It is also a friendly place with a thriving gay village. In a recent poll, Bristol was named as the best city to live in England (onepoll.com). Bristol has world class rugby facilities, and is a destination with top hotels, arts, culture, shopping and night life, all within walking distance.

Transport to and from games and the airport will make Bristol Union Cup 2013 a hassle free experience for all. Bristol has all this to offer at a price tag significantly lower than any comparable city.

Feature: Bisons Bid

About The Bisons Bristol Bisons Rugby Football Club was established in 2005 after a group of friends attended the Bingham Cup that took place in London in the summer of 2004. This group was impressed by how the gay rugby fraternity brought together people from different countries and different walks of life. They felt it was important to share the spirit of gay rugby in Bristol. Once the sponsor was secured, posters promoting the team went out to the gay clubs and venues in Bristol. The team started training in early 2005.

Our aim is to promote rugby football union in South West England and provide a safe environment for everyone to get involved regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. Bristol Bisons have entered all four tournaments of the Union Cup. Following a quiet period for the club, a team of dedicated volunteers worked hard to re-launch the team in early 2010; the re- launch coincided with Pride Bristol in August 2010.

We have recently joined the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union and we are also a full member of IGRAB. Bristol Bisons is still a developing team but one which is going from strength to strength and the Union cup would raise the profile of gay rugby across the region and inspire potential and existing players across the UK and Europe.

The Bristol Bisons are fondly known as “the team in pink”. The Bisons embody the “spirit of the South West”, playing hard on and off the pitch, having won the 7’s tournament in 2009, and we were the 10’s runners up in 2011. We are always out there to party at tournaments – truly the last men standing. And in the true spirit of rugby we also supported other teams at the tournament by loaning them players when they didn’t have enough team players to field.

Feature: Bisons Bid

Bristol: welcome to the West Country We have secured the support of Bristol City Council, The LGBT Community, Destination Bristol, the Village Business and Residents Association (VBRA), the local community and the RFU. This would be the biggest rugby union event ever to be hosted in Bristol since hosting some of the 1999 World Cup matches. The tournament would take place using the same training facilities as earmarked for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup if Bristol is selected as one of the host cities for that tournament. We have also managed to secure competitively priced accommodation near Bristol Gay Village, ranging from £30 to £65 pounds per person per night. (PPPN) Bristol is a well connected hub for ease of travel within the UK, Ireland and from continental Europe with excellent road, rail and air links. As a region with more rugby clubs than any other part of the UK we live and breathe rugby- it’s not just a game to us it, it is us.

Feature: Bisons Bid The tournament structure The structure of the tournament will be in a similar fashion to previous Union Cups, running a 10’s and 15’s tournament side by side.

A Union Cup accessible for all, to make this happen individual players will be able to attend and play in a Barra team and for the first time, as part of the Union Cup, we hope to be able to run a women’s competition and, for those new to the game of rugby, some taster sessions to give people a fun and safe introduction to our wonderful sport.

The tournament venue Bristol Academy of Sport is the host venue for the entire tournament. This purpose built state of the art venue boasts professional sports facilities at this £18 million centre and has top level amenities, which include a 300 capacity seated covered stadium, multiple pitches, onsite beer tent, multiple changing rooms, ample onsite parking, easy motorway access, an onsite gym and a Physiotherapy Department. If needed one of the city’s major hospitals is just five minutes away.

Feature: Bisons Bid Transport To make sure you have a great time right from the word go, we will have our Bristol Bisons team of volunteers at both Bristol Airport and Bristol Temple Meads train station to make sure you all get to where you need to be with ease. Coaches will run from the Gay Village to the Bristol Academy of Sport venue for players and supporters. Travel to and from Gay Village and Game is included in registration fee.

Provisional Social Calendar for Bristol Union Cup The Welcome Party: Thursday Evening After travelling to our city we will welcome you with a traditional British Buffet at one of Bristol’s Oldest Pubs in Bristol's Gay Village giving you a chance to meet up and chat to old friends and new.

The Opening Party: Thursday Evening After the welcome party you will have the chance to carry on at the opening party at Flamingos super club. Spread over three levels, Flamingos boasts four bars, two main arenas, each with its own style of music and unique atmosphere, two chill out areas, two smoking areas, and entertainment, DJ's and drinks offers to beat all others.

Friday Evening Having had a chance to get to know Bristol and play the first games of the tournament, we are you promising you a great night. Each team will have their own Home Bar with your team flag proudly displayed outside. The evening will give you time to catch up with each other in your Home Bar, visit each other in each other’s Home Bars and for the closing of this evening OMG will be hosting the Friday night opening party in their club which boasts two dance floors and one of the longest bars in the city, so no need to wait a long time for your drinks.

Closing Party After the final games are played the fun does not stop there, as in true Bristol style we will close the street and have a great party in the heart of the Gay Village where the whole community can come and celebrate with you. There will be a marquee and BBQ so you can eat, drink and party the night away surrounded by your Home Bars and the club after, if you are still standing. Sunday For those of you still in the city or waiting to catch flights or trains home we will be having a good old Sunday Lunch for you to attend to wind down the weekend nicely.

Feature: Bisons Bid Quotes from supporters Cllr Barbara Janke Leader of Bristol City Council. “ Bringing the Union Cup to Bristol would mean so much to so many people in the city, a city which is ready, willing and excited to host such a tournament. As we are all aware, sport has an incredible power to unite people and communities alike and I feel that hosting the Union Cup her e in Bristol will act not only to strengthen the city’s offer, but also that of the game.”

Alex Smith Village Spartans RUFC& Bingham Cup 2012 Chair I would like to add our support to the Bristol Bisons bid to host the Union Cup. Your bid offers a great tournament in one of the UK’s best cities, alongside excellent rugby facilities. As one of the founder members of IGRAB, and celebrating our 12th year, we believe that the Union Cup should be hosted by up and coming clubs. Bringing the Union Cup to Bristol in 2013 fits with that view and we look forward to the positive benefits that will be generated.

John Hallett Managing Director Destination Bristol “ The opportunity to host the 2013 Union Cup represents another important opportunity for Bristol and its gay community to greet visitors from the UK and overseas to enjoy the city, to experience the welcome that is assured and participate in what would be an exciting and well planned tournament.”

Successes on the Pitch – Making a Mark at this Year’s Union Cup The Bisons have recently returned from the 2011 Union Cup in Amsterdam where they showed how strong the club has become winning 4 out of 5 games in the 10s competition, including against Kings Cross Stealers RFC – Europe’s oldest and most established gay rugby club. The competition was tight and, having won every game up until that point by a clear margin, the team lost a hardfought game against Montpellier in the final of the 10s, but returned to Bristol proud to have achieved second place and, with the recent news of the successful bid, looking forward to welcoming the other teams in 2013.

For more information about our bid, please visit our website: http://bristolbisons4unioncup2013.co.uk

Lifestyle: Fashion

By Brad Palmer www.thefyiblog.com

Jimmy Choo X Mr Porter Today sees the launch of a new fashion film collaboration between Menswear super site, Mr Porter, and lust worthy shoe brand Jimmy Choo.

A while ago, I remember being ecstatic at the news of Jimmy Choos first sneaker range, only to find it was designed exclusively for women! Fast forward a bit and now we have a Jimmy Choo collection of our very own. Featuring everything from gorgeous formal shoes to some seriously jazzy loafers and to die for high tops, the range offers some seriously lust worthy footwear priced between £395 and £495, with a pair of Wellington boots thrown in at £255.

Lifestyle: Fashion

By Brad Palmer www.thefyiblog.com

A/W Launches at Mr.Porter It's that funny, transitional time of year again where it's still 'supposed' to be summer but yet the sales have started and a new season of coats, jumpers and other snugly items are flying onto rails, both in store and on line.

While Mr.Porter is just one of the many retailers to announce the arrival of it's Autumn/Winter collections this week, it's arguably one of the most exciting and lustful.

With more drops being added every Tuesday, some great pieces have already landed. Colour will continue to play a big role in our A/W wardrobes and these new in Jil Sander and Alexander McQueen pieces are really hitting the spot for me.

Jil Sander Ribbed Wool Sweater - £370.

Burberry Prorsum Leather Trimmed Pea Coat - £1,495.

Alexander McQueen Ribbon Trim Shirt - £255.

If you want to keep up to date with all the latest Mr. Porter arrivals then be sure to sign up to their style news emails by using the box at the bottom of the Mr. Porter page. Alternatively, if you fancy like treating yourself right now, then why not getting buying already? It's never to early to be thinking about next season!

Lifestyle: Film Buffering FILM: BUFFERING (18) DATE: SAT 9 JULY VENUE: WATERSHED TIME: 8.30pm PRICE: £7.20/£5.60 0117 9275100 Seb and Aaron have overspent and built up debts on their credit card. Aaron decides to take matters into his own hands and secretly films their sex life to broadcast online. The money pours in until he gets caught! Realising that the scheme could sort their financial problems, Seb agrees to allow things to continue until they are “back in the black”.

When their friend Jem arrives and suggests a third party might help them make even more cash, things start to get a little tricky....

“Winner of Best Script Festival del Sol 2011” Music by Nancy Nancy is a new pop singer/songwriter from Bristol Her sound is grinding guitar driven infectious pop, Kylie with Riffs This is her first year of performing, she has already supported Tinchy Stryder, The Hoosiers and Aggro Santos Having only recorded a few tracks she was approached by Bonne Idee ( Bristol Gay film makers, films include ‘Shank’ and ‘Release’) to write and perform in their newest film ‘Buffering’.

They worked together so well Nancy ended up writing the complete soundtrack for the film.

Nancy will be appearing at the Watershed with a free performance at the Watershed bar on Sat 9th July 10.30pm after the screening of the film Buffering.

Lifestyle: Film House of Boys Release Date: 22nd August 2011 Director: Jean Claude Schlim Cert: 18 Cast: Layke Anderson, Stephen Fry, Udo Kier, Steven Webb, Joanna Scanlan, Benn Northover Language: English It is 1984. Frank is a determined teenager who runs away from high school to find an alternative lifestyle in Amsterdam. He finds a home and a job at the House of Boys, a bar-cum-brothel run by a strict Madame (Udo Kier) who has an eye for what his punters crave. Frank works his way up from barman to on-stage dancer and falls in love with some of his housemates. The first intimations of what is described as 'the gay plague', casts a long shadow over Frank’s tight-knit group of friends. Yet despite the troubles that cloud the hopes and dreams of young Frank, his perseverance, along with support from a willing doctor (Stephen Fry), will carry him through.

‘House of Boys’ is a glamorous, colourful coming-of-age story that lifts the lid on an exciting world of sex and music, where deep passions suddenly turn into a struggle for courage.

Starring Layke Anderson (Re-Kill), Stephen Fry (Wilde), Udo Kier (Melancholia, Suspiria), Steven Webb (Bad Girls), Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It), Eleanor David (Pink Floyd The Wall) and Benn Northover Featuring music from Spandau Ballet, Soft Cell, Dangerous Muse, Jimmy Somerville, Roy Orbison and The The

Lifestyle: Music Texas have announced platinum-selling, Brit-nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot as special guest for their summer concert at Westonbirt Arboretum as part of Forestry Commission Live Music 2011.

Attentive students of the airwaves will already know Nerina Pallot’s name from over the past decade or more recently her song-writing credits for the likes of Kylie Minogue. Her acclaimed fourth album ‘The Year Of The Wolf’ produced entirely with Britpop guitar legend Bernard Butler, is released this month and includes the single ‘Put Your Hands Up’.

Since taking their name from the movie, ‘Paris Texas’, Texas became mainstays of the UK charts with a string of hits including ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’, ‘Say What You Want’, ‘Black Eyed Boy’, ‘In Our Lifetime’, ‘In Demand’, ‘Inner Smile’, ‘Getaway’, ‘Halo’, ‘Carnival Girl’ and ‘Summer Son’. Classic albums like ‘Southside’, ‘White On Blonde’ and ‘The Hush’ have ensured their presence among the multi-millionselling album elite while the song-writing duo of singer Sharleen Spiteri and bassist Johnny McElhone have won a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for their back catalogue.

Commenting on the show, Sharleen Spiteri for Texas said "I love forests, they are a national treasure. We can't wait to perform all our hits at Westonbirt Arboretum this summer”.

Forestry Commission Live Music encourages people to see their local forests in a new way and return again to explore the beautiful woodland environment and the recreational and leisure opportunities on offer.

Texas with special guest Nerina Pallot will be performing at: Westonbirt Arboretum, Nr Tetbury, Gloucestershire on Sunday 17th July Tickets £33.50 (subject to booking fee) are available from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music Info: www.texas.uk.com www.nerinapallot.com www.forestry.gov.uk/music

Lifestyle: Art

The Bristol Bear Bar Exhibition welcomes Gacho “Blokes�

Art exhibition in Bristol in the Bristol Bear Bar during July 2011 2 West Street, Old Market, Bristol www.bristolbearbar.co.uk Who is Gacho?

Gacho is a chap called Tim who was saved from British reserve and timidity through being conceived and nurtured in tropical conditions, and through an innate resistance to confinement and accepted norms, naturally drawing him to or attracting congenial soul mates and co-conspirators. . . . .

He was adequately and well loved by his parents, who nonetheless and like so many in his generation, could only dimly perceive and understand their offspring, in part due to the enormous changes occurring to us all, even in one life-time. Like the film director James Whale, and like many 'of his kind', he could fairly claim to be, "a giraffe born into a family of elephants".

Lifestyle: Art It has been his pleasure, pain and privilege to become a painter (via repeated pilgrimages and explorations in the realms of body,mind and spirit) . . and increasingly , and thankfully , a relatively fulfilled man of the same-sex affections variety. In part, the measure of his progress and ability can be seen in his art , which exhibits a development from exuberant and sensual landscapes in the manner of his artist forebears, through nostalgia for lost panoramas, to the hopes of enjoying loving manly fellowship inseparably entwined with his subject matter.

Development: Mental Health A series of consultations are taking place for service users to contribute to plans to modernise mental health services in Bristol.

Although the majority of LGBT people do not experience poor mental health, research suggests that some LGBT people are at higher risk of mental disorder.

And they report problems in their encounters with mental health professionals ranging from lack of empathy about sexual orientation and gender identity to incidents of homophobia and transphobia.* So please do your best to attend these events as this is a rare and real opportunity for LGBT issues in mental health services to be listened to in Bristol. *Mental health issues within lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) communities, (Department of Health) 2007, and Trans people’s health, (Department of Health) 2007.

NHS Bristol consultation events South On: 7th July, 9.30am-12.30pm At: The Southbank Centre, Dean Lane, Bedminster, BS3 1DB North On: 12th July, 9.30am-12.30pm At: BAWA Sports Centre, Southmead Rd, Filton, BS34 7RG East On: 18th July, 9.30am-12.30pm At: Rose Green Centre, Gordon Rd, Whitehall, BS5 7DR Service User only consultation events North On: 11th July, 10am-1pm At: The Greenway Centre, Doncaster Rd, Southmead, BS10 5BY South On: 22nd July, 10am-1pm At: The Southbank Centre, Dean Lane, Bedminster, BS3 1DB Central On: 27th July, 2pm-5pm OR 6pm-9pm At: Broadmead Baptist Church, Union St, Broadmead, BS1 3HY

For further information, please contact SURG on 07583173129

Development: Youth Welcome to the Bristol Youth Links. The Blog (below) has been set up to provide information about the Bristol Youth Links Review and to give you the opportunity to give feedback and ask questions.

What is Bristol Youth Links?

Bristol Youth Links (BYL) is the umbrella brand for a range of integrated services: Open access play activities for children and young people Open access, enjoyable and exciting structured positive activities that children and young people can do in their own time, including volunteering Information and personalised advice, guidance and support that enable young people to make informed decisions and choices about their lives Ways for children and young people to have their say in developing services so that they are accessible, attractive and relevant for them and their families These services are delivered at tier 1 and tier 2 alongside and complementing the formal education system and tier 3 and 4 services for all children and young people aged 8 – 19 (and for those up to 24 with additional needs).

These services contribute to building resilience and protective factors in their lives, help them to become more self-reliant and better able to manage their personal development, including their learning.

The Bristol Youth Links Strategy “A Toolkit for Life” was agreed by Bristol Children’s Trust in April 2010, following feedback from a range of stakeholders.

The DRAFT Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan now published below. Consultation period 1st June – 30th August 2011. Bristol Youth Links Commissioning Plan Summary Review of Baseline Standards Bristol City Council is also currently consulting on its baseline standards. All Bristol Youth Links Providers will be expected to comply with these baseline standards once agreed and these will be assessed as part of the pre-qualification for tendering. We therefore encourage you to contribute your views to this consultation by 21st July 2011.(http://www.citizenspace.com/bristol/neighbourhoods/generalreview-of-the-baseline-standards) Make sure you have your say on provision of services for LGBT people

http://bristolchildren.wordpress.com

Community: Manchester Pride This August Manchester Pride is ecstatic to welcome on-board a very special guest who has come from all the way Down Under...

Flying in all the way from Australia, Pam Ann will be on-board with Manchester Pride 2011, and she will no doubt help steer the event all the way to enjoying the most fabulous of 21st birthdays possible. Ann returns to Manchester Pride after an appearance last year, and will be both performing and taking part in the infamous parade (Saturday 28 August 2011).

Whilst it is unlikely that we’ll see any lifejackets under our seat cushions, the feisty air hostess is sure to put on a sharp-witted and endearingly camp performance for all who manage to see her.

Having now been voted UK’s Best Pride for the fifth year running (voted for by readers of the Pink Paper), the race is on for Pride to win the crown for its sixth time as what would possibly be the best 21st birthday gift possible.

Manchester Pride provides over seventy hours worth of entertainment and activities, which does not include the week-long Pride Fringe which precedes it. Complete with the endless amount of bars in Manchester’s ‘Gay Village’ (now including its very own G-A-Y), Pride’s three fantastic stages filled with live music performers and some brilliant and often themed club nights – Manchester Pride’s ‘Big Weekend’ is 100% party central.

Community: Manchester Pride Singer and Manchester Pride Patron Heather Peace said: “Manchester is always a thriving place to be, no matter what your sexuality, however over Pride Weekend this atmosphere absolutely explodes. Fellow patron and Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton agreed, “It is the mixture of celebration and feeling good in your own skin that creates such an exciting and lively Gay Village over the August Bank Holiday Weekend”.

Aside from it being such a fun festival to attend, Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend is also home to the biggest Gay Pride Parade in the U.K., and the only one of its kind that hosts a Vigil, run by The George House Trust (GHT) to commemorate those we have lost to HIV/AIDS. Many of those who attend the Vigil say it is their highlight of Manchester Pride’s festival.

Jackie Crozier, Manchester Pride festival director said: “The Vigil is an extremely heart-warming and intense experience. It is a serious time to remember and pay respect to those we have lost; if you visit Manchester Pride and do not see the Vigil, you are most definitely missing out.”

Manchester Pride’s takes place from August 26 – August 29, and Pride Fringe takes place the week beginning August 19. For more information see the Manchester Pride website on: www.manchesterpride.com

Workshop & show ~ Sunday 17 July 2011

r ee u q o s s ’ t ha W g n I e b t abou

queer?

10.30am to 4.30pm drama workshop 5.30pm performance All lesbian, g ay, take part in bisexual and transgende opportunity this exciting worksho r people are welcome p skills as we eto learn some improvisa . It’s a creative and fun to t nact our sto necessary. W ries for eachion and playback theatre e will finis other. N family and fr h with an informal perfoo experience iends – invit e them now rmance for !

Facilitators: Queer Playback Theatre Company ~ Arnet Donkin, Lorna Henry and Jane Hoy Cost: £15 or £10 low/unwaged Sign up or find out more: queerplayback@gmail.com Venue: Wild Goose Space, Mina Road, St Werburghs, Bristol BS2 9YP How to get there: Bus: no 5 from Broadmead and the Centre Train: Stapleton Road and Montpelier Stations, 20 minutes walk Refreshments: Tea & coffee provided, bring lunch

Community: Charity in Focus A collection of some of the biggest names in theatre, television and music have come together to help the Albert Kennedy Trust The first LBGT (Lesbian Bisexual Gay Transgender) TV charity campaign Several famous people have lent their faces to help the Albert Kennedy Trust - including Sir Ian McKellen, Paul O’Grady, Sue Perkins, Samantha Fox, Kieran Richardson and Andrew Hayden Smith. Going beyond the traditional charity association, the stars not only act as ambassadors but go one step further by putting themselves in the shoes of those that the charity seek to help.

Appearing in compromising and life-threatening situations, the celebrities have been filmed in chillingly-haunting scenarios that portray how their lives could have been. The Trust helps on average 1,500 young people per year but, as Sir Ian explains “It’s just depressing that twenty-five years on there is more need for the Albert Kennedy Trust than ever.”

In a world slow to change and reluctant to become a more accepting place, the Albert Kennedy Trust has produced a groundbreaking campaign to bring to light just how serious an issue homelessness and abandonment is for the LBGT community. Homelessness is a serious issue for many of the UK population, however, in the LBGT community there are further implications such as hate crime, unaccepting families and isolation, which can lead to victims sleeping rough, facing abuse and turning to prostitution, crime and drugs.

The AKT taps into various sections of society through the personalities – each representing a different section of popular culture and reaching out to their own audience segment. The campaign aims to use the power of the arts and somewhat ironically, the skills that the celebrities are famous for to help convey the positions that victims can be in and ultimately, to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Sue Perkins comments: “We live in a really fortunate corner of the world – we’re affluent and we’re lucky, and for people to still suffer because of the prejudice of some is unforgiveable.”

Complementing the film is a musical backdrop of the iconic Radiohead track ‘Creep’. This is covered by Scala and the Kolacny Brothers, in a hauntingly beautiful acoustic reworking, sung by a female choir and performed by a single piano.

This is the first time that this track has been licensed to appear in a commercial.

Together the result is an impactful campaign that asks people to reconsider

“what could have been?” The objective is to raise the awareness of the Albert Kennedy Trust, and ensure that vulnerable young people know where to turn for help and encourage more people to become mentors.

The film has been created by TBWA\London, with the help of host of Soho-based advertising production professionals – everyone involved donated their time for free.

Please see the following link for the advert: Find out more about how you can help the Albert Kennedy Trust by visiting http://www.akt.org.uk/ The charity was founded following the death of Albert Kennedy, a 17 year old who was the victim of a homophobic attack, ending in his tragic death falling from a multi-storey car park. Cath Hall, a heterosexual foster carer and founder of AKT, noticed that a lot of young LGBT people were being thrown out of home by their families and set up the charity to help to help to deal with the increasing issues.

Since it began in 1989, the Albert Kennedy Trust has provided help and support to disadvantaged Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals up to the age of 25, who have faced homophobic bullying, abuse and homelessness. The services offered, including mentoring, advice help lines, education and long term re-housing, ensuring that these individuals get back on track and fulfil their potential.

‘AKT NOW’ encourages you to donate £15, give 15 hours of your time or even better donate £15 on a monthly basis, all of which is driven through our website www.akt.org.uk Some real stories: “My brother told me he knew I was gay and would tell my parents. I thought they would try to kill me when they found out. I stood on the Tube platform and heard the train coming - I just wanted everything to be over. Then I thought to myself ‘why do I need to do this?’ I took a few steps back and then got on the train to go home. I knew I had to do something” “The day after a teacher ‘outed’ me in the classroom the bullying got worse. On the way home on the bus some older guys from school started to shout abuse at me then one of them knifed me. As I ran from the bus I was petrified of how my mum would react when she found out I was attacked for being gay” The Albert Kennedy Trust: www.akt.org.uk

Politics: Commentary Name:

Steve Hynd The traditional radical

Website: www.stevehynd.wordpress.com Twitter:

www.twitter.com/steve4319

School is far from being out Homophobic bullying is rife in schools across England and Wales. A study by Stonewall found that almost two-thirds of LGBT pupils suffered from homophobic bullying at school. Of those bullied, the report stated that 41% had been physically attacked while 17% had received death threats.

This problem is not evenly distributed across all schools. The problem is concentrated in schools who fail to actively tackle the problem. There are active positive steps that can be taken to reduce the risk LGBT pupils face.

For example a school could brief teachers to tackle the use of the word gay as a play ground insult. They could actively advertise confidential spaces for children to go to discuss their sexuality. They could actively train counselling and support staff about the impacts that homophobic bullying can have. They can put greater emphasis within the national curriculum on the diversity of people’s sexuality and gender identities. Sadly, these very basic steps are too often not being taken.

Politics: Commentary

The Stonewall report found that half of teachers fail to respond to homophobic language when they hear it. Just 7 percent of teachers respond every time they hear homophobic language. Seven in ten pupils have never been taught about lesbian and gay people, while 4 out 5 pupils believe they have no access to information regarding sexuality.

These results are deeply worrying and perhaps this can begin to explain why an LGBT pupil is 6 times more likely to commit suicide than their heterosexual counterpart. Any other issue skewing bullying and academic achievement figures would have been tackled by now, but this issue is continuously being swept under the carpet.

As a parent, or carer of a child, you can tackle this by directly raising with your local school what positive steps they are taking. Ask them if they have implemented all the recommendations suggested in Stonewall’s “School Report”. Remember that regardless of sexuality of your child, it is more likely to be happy and doing well in an open and accepting atmosphere.

Equally, you can contact you local authority and ask them what action they have taken. Brighton and Hove Council have recently adopted a suicide and discrimination strategy that directly looks to tackle homophobia in schools. This issue will continue to be ignored unless we all work to keep in on teachers and politician’s agenda.

Event Venue When Entry

The Whippers The Lounge Old Market 15th July 9pm till Late Free

Event Venue When Entry

Caberet with Fonda Cox The Retreat Old Market 17th July 8:30pm till Late Free

Event Venue When Entry

Decades Club 60s 70s 80s 90s The Retreat Old Market 16th July Midnight till 4 Free

Event Venue When Entry

Tim Newman art exhibition Bristol Bear Bar Old Market 11th July till 30th July Free

Event Events for Gay Bath Venue Mandalyns When 29th July 9pm till Late Entry £6 on the door Event Venue When Entry

Out Stories Workshop Cafe Kino 13th July 630-730pm Free

Event Venue When Entry

Diversity Crash Mansion Crash Mansion 14th July 10pm till 2am £5

Flamingos Saturday 16th July 2011 Pride city wide after party is being held at the above venues Pick up a ÂŁ10 wristband from these venues to gain access ÂŁ10 entry gains access to all three!

8pm till Late Free Entry

8pm till Late Free Entry

Palace Noon till 4am Free Entry

3pm till 6 am Free Entry

8pm till 4am Free Entry

8pm till 4am Free Entry

3pm till 6 am Free Entry 8pm till 130am Free Entry