Keir Starmer LGBTQ+ News Sir Keir Starmer vows to ban trans ‘conversion therapy’ if he becomes PM Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, has vowed to push ahead with a ban on transgender ‘conversion therapy’ if Labour wins at the next general election. The Labour leader reiterated his party’s commitment to a ban on ‘all forms of conversion therapy’ at an LGBTQ+ event in Parliament , where By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Brighton Hove City Council News Brighton & Hove City Council proposes 4.99% Council Tax increase to “balance the budget” and “avoid effective bankruptcy” Proposals by Brighton & Hove City Council to “set a balanced budget” have been published. BHCC previously predicted an overspend of almost £15million this financial year, which, according to the council, has now been “brought under control”. Facing a budget gap of over £30million for next year, alon By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Books Lunch Positive to host book launch of ‘a finger in derek jarman’s mouth’ by Simon Maddrell, with Jonathan Blake, on Wednesday, March 6 Local HIV charity Lunch Positive is to host the book launch of a finger in derek jarman’s mouth by Simon Maddrell, with Jonathan Blake, on Wednesday, March 6 with doors at 6pm for 6.30pm start. At the event, Jonathan will host a reading by Simon from a finger in derek jarman’s mouth – poetry in […] By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Unit Still from Layla by Rob Baker Ashton Film BFI Flare announces films to open and close this year’s London LGBTQ+ Film Festival Lead Pic: LAYLA by Rob Baker Ashton The 38th edition of BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, which runs March 13 – 24 at BFI Southbank and on BFI Player, has announced its Opening Night Gala is the European premiere of Amrou Al-Kadhi‘s confident debut feature LAYLA, and its Closing Night Gala i By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News Nigel May to launch new podcast, A Gay Old Time – a celebration of beautiful queer communities A Gay Old Time, a new podcast hosted by Brighton-based Gaydio radio presenter Nigel May, is launching on Wednesday, January 31. A celebration of beautiful queer communities, A Gay Old Time sees Nigel interview people of all ages; people who have had to tread their own path to live their real truth, By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Fundraising News Gay Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas CBE to start this year’s Brighton Half Marathon – the main fundraising event for local HIV charity, the Sussex Beacon This year’s Brighton Half Marathon, the main fundraising event for local HIV charity the Sussex Beacon, which takes place on Brighton seafront on Sunday, February 25, will be started by gay Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas CBE, one of the most iconic and respected figures in world rugby. In 2009, Ga By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Pride Bigger, Bolder, Louder, Prouder: Leeds Pride to return in July Leeds Pride is to to return bigger, bolder, louder and prouder on Sunday, July 21 after the biggest-ever Pride parade last year, which saw over 167 businesses taking part throughout the day. Last year over 60,000 people took part to celebrate Pride in the city. This year, organisers promise the even By Graham Robson • 2 min read
News Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard to receive incredible £1,881 from funds raised by 2023 Santa Bus tour Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard will receive an incredible £1,881 from funds raised during the 2023 Santa Bus tour, it has been revealed. Brighton & Hove Buses, which organised the 20th annual fundraiser for 20 charities over 20 nights, said Switchboard’s share would come from total proceeds wort By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Health “You get what you pay for”. Terrence Higgins Trust responds to data showing sexual health services at ‘breaking point’ New data from the Local Government Association has shown that almost every council in England and Wales has seen a rise in gonorrhoea since 2017 while sexual health services face ‘unprecedented increases in demand’. With nearly three quarters (71%) of councils also seening increases in syphilis diag By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Music British newcomer Dan Aura launches new era with hook-driven new track, ‘Rewritten’ Rising British newcomer Dan Aura has embarked on an exciting new era for 2024 with new single, hook-driven triumph, Rewritten, released globally today (Friday, January 26). A lesson in pure pop mastery, the track builds from a harmonic piano riff into full production, clapping beats and impressive f By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Sport Trans swimmer Lia Thomas takes legal action against World Aquatics Lia Thomas, 25, a trans swimmer who rose to global prominence by becoming the first transgender athlete to win a NCAA college title, is taking legal action against World Aquatics. Thomas, who has not raced since 2022 following a rule change by the governing body, is taking legal action in a bid to c By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Musical Theatre Take a chance on a happy ending… Iconic pop band STEPS announces Here & Now musical to premiere in Birmingham in November Iconic UK pop band Steps has announced the world premiere of HERE & NOW, a brand-new musical using their iconic music, with an original book by Shaun Kitchener. HERE & NOW, which will open at The Alexandra, Birmingham for a limited engagement from 9 – 24 November 2024, will feature Steps’ most belov By Graham Robson • 2 min read
