LGBTQ Choirs Brighton’s LGBTQ+ choir, the Rainbow Chorus, has a new accompanist! The Rainbow Chorus has announced it has found a new accompanist for its choirs to replace Mojca Monte Amali who stepped down after 12 years and received a heartfelt send-off at the chorus’ recent Winter Concert. The new accompanist is Olly Parr, who is an accomplished pianist, singer, organist, and By Graham Robson • 1 min read
HIV Equalities Minister, Stuart Andrew MP, visits Brighton for National HIV Testing Week to show how quick and easy it is to get tested Lead pic: Minister for Equalities, Stuart Andrew MP, visits Jubilee Library’s HIV and STI test vending machines Today (Tuesday, February 6), Minister for Equalities, Stuart Andrew MP, visited Terrence Higgins Trust in Brighton to show how easy it is to test for HIV and see the city’s world-leading H By Graham Robson • 4 min read
Community News Across Rainbows announces closure of LGBTQ+ Independent Domestic Violence and Abuse outreach service Aross Rainbows, which offers talks and workshops for LGBTQ+ communities in Sussex, has come to the decision to close its LGBTQ+ Independent Domestic Violence and Abuse (IDVA) service, which will include the weekly drop-in and the six week course. In statement, Across Rainbows said: “We are a small i By Contributor • 1 min read
Dave Pop! LGBTQ+ News Seaside Sauce! Brighton & Hove to celebrate LGBT+ History Month with inclusive and educational events Today is the start of LGBT+ History Month, taking place every February in the UK. To celebrate LGBTQ+ lives in their full diversity, Brighton & Hove City Council will be flying the inclusive rainbow flags from Hove Town Hall, Brighton Town Hall and at Jubilee Library. LGBT+ History Month provides ed By Graham Robson • 5 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
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
Features & Longread A Salty-Sweet History: Brighton’s queer seaside by Alf Le Flohic Studies have shown that spending time by the sea is good for our sense of wellbeing. The vast expanse of water, with little else, is emotionally restorative. When combined with sunshine, relaxation, and friends, the enduring popularity of the seaside is obvious. The sense of freedom associated with By Alf Le Flohic • 5 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
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
Community News Switchboard welcomes five new trustees – and invites TNBI people to join them Brighton & Hove LGBTQ+ Switchboard has welcomed five new trustees to its Board and is inviting people from trans, non-binary and intersex (TNBI) communities to join them. The new trustees and their role: Lucy Cryan (she/her) is a chartered accountant focussed on forensic accountancy and financial ri By Graham Robson • 2 min read
