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
LGBTQ+ News Froot.tv announces premiere of Dating Unlocked on Valentine’s Day With February being the month of love, Froot.tv has announced the perfect accompaniment to your night of romance with all-new programming centred around love, lust, and platonic love. On the big day itself, Froot.tv is premiering the all-new second season of Dating Unlocked, with a new crop of lover By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Astrid Palmer, LGBTQ+ domestic violence advocate at Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard, attends House of Commons reception to celebrate fund which supports projects that provide a safety net for survivors of domestic abuse A Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard expert recently attended a parliamentary reception to celebrate a fund which supports projects that provide a safety net for survivors of domestic abuse. Astrid Palmer, an LGBTQ+ specialist, independent domestic violence advocate, was among guests invited to the By Graham Robson • 2 min read
LGBTQ+ News He’s Got Your Back! Joe Lycett to headline National Student Pride He’s Got Your Back! Comedian and television presenter Joe Lycett will headline the National Student Pride main stage on Saturday, February 24. In conversation with Suzi Ruffell, Lycett will discuss his life and career in an interview in partnership with Attitude at National Student Pride, which is t By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Film Peccadillo Pictures announces new film releases – from sex influencers in Argentina, to finding love in French borstals! Peccadillo Pictures has prepared a thought-provoking, life-affirming journey through LGBTQ+ communities with a series of new film releases. You can follow sex influencers from Argentina, find love in French borstals, and get ready for a happy ending to a popular gay short film collection. These are By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Exhibitions The Queer Beach: a mixed-media exhibition at Brighton’s Jubilee Library, curated by Socially Engaged Art Salon The Queer Beach, a mixed-media exhibition curated by Socially Engaged Art Salon (SEAS), which explores the strong connection between queer people and culture and the seaside, is to show in Brighton’s Jubilee Library foyer gallery from Monday, January 29 – Sunday, February 11. The exhibition, which c By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Community News Proud Studios CIC and Trans Pride Brighton & Hove launch new collaboration celebrating inaugural Trans+ History Week Beyond the Binary – The Spectrum Of Trans Joy is a group portrait project celebrating the inaugural Trans+ History Week, which is to take place May 6-12, capturing authentic joy, empowering the transgender community by promoting social cohesion, community spirit, and visibility. In the realm of soci By Graham Robson • 1 min read
News ‘Blackstage Talks: Breaking Moulds’: in-person event at The Common Press to discuss issues facing the pole dancing industry and how to do better as a community Blackstage, founded by pro pole artist, instructor, activist, Leila Davis, will launch Blackstage Talks – an in-person event to discuss issues facing the pole industry and how to do better as a community – on Saturday, February 10 at queer bookshop The Common Press, London. Blackstage Talks: Breakin By Graham Robson • 2 min read
News Pipeline fundraiser for trans charity the Clare Project on February 3 On Saturday, February 3 Brighton’s iconic punk venue Pipeline will host three genre bending artists, performing in aid of Brighton trans charity, the Clare Project. Opening the event is Suzie from the Tanning Salon, bringing fun and punchy hyper-pop tinged punk, then it’s Veles the Menace – biotech By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Brighton Hove City Council News Brighton & Hove City Council joins other city councils to call for continuation of Household Support Fund Brighton & Hove City Council has joined four other councils across the country to lobby the government for urgent confirmation that Household Support will continue past March 31. Together with Lambeth Council, Plymouth City Council, Southampton City Council and Bristol City Council, the council has By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Woody Cook Community News Woody Cook confirmed as Brighton Half Marathon Youth Race starter for 2024 race DJ and presenter Woody Cook is to start the Youth Race, part of this year’s Brighton Half Marathon, which returns on Sunday, February 25. On starting the Youth Race, a one-mile course designed for junior runners aged 7-17 located on Hove Prom, Woody said: “I have run the Brighton Half Marathon many By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Business News Kemptown coffee shop owner set to become the first tenant of newly renovated Temple at Black Rock Kemptown coffee shop owner Philip Cundall is set to become the first tenant of the newly renovated Temple at Black Rock and is delighted to be opening his second coffee shop in the city. Philip has run Portland in Kemptown for the past six years and is now taking on the lease of this historic […] By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Film Runs in the Family, starring trans actor Gabe Gabriel, nominated for top award at 35th GLAAD Media Awards Giant Films and Fae Pictures has announced its father-son queer road trip drama, Runs in the Family, has been nominated for Outstanding Film – Streaming or TV at the 35th GLAAD Media Awards which will take place on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles. Ian Gabriel (Ludik, Four Corners) and Gabe Gabriel (No By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Sport Trans golfer Hailey Davidson takes another step towards realising her dream of competing on the LPGA after winning NXXT Women’s Classic Hailey Davidson, 30, a trans golfer has taken another step towards realising her dream of competing on the LPGA after winning the NXXT Women’s Classic at the Mission Inn Resort and Club. Originally from Scotland but now based in Florida, Davidson played on the men’s team at Wilmington University, be By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Exhibitions Photographer Ming de Nasty launches exhibition SEE ME, which aims to change stereotypes around older LGBTQ+ people living in Shropshire Photographer Ming de Nasty has launched SEE ME, an exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, which aims to change stereotypes around older LGBTQ+ people living in Shropshire. Ming, 61, who has been a professional photographer for over 35 years, worked with 14 locals, who spoke about how LGBTQ By Graham Robson • 1 min read
