Television Trans activist Laverne Cox dedicates Masked Singer US appearance to “all of us. Every woman out there.” Actress and LGBTQ+ activist Laverne Cox, who was the first trans person to appear on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine, was revealed as ‘Chess Piece’ after the lighting up the stage during the Barbie Week episode of The Masked Singer US. The trans activist, who pulled the wool over the panellists By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Screenshot Film “Don’t miss this night if you’re into film and queers!” Deborah Espect curates programme of short films for Margate Pride Deborah Espect, Festival Director of FilmPride, which is Brighton & Hove Pride’s Official Queer Film Festival, has curated a programme of short queer films for Margate Pride. Deborah will also be speaking at the event, which takes place on Thursday, November 28 at Tom Thumb Theatre, 2A Eastern Espla By Graham Robson • 4 min read
Transgender News Trans charity Mermaids cleared of misconduct An inquiry into Mermaids has found that while the trans youth charity was mismanaged, there was no evidence of misconduct. The two-year Charity Commission investigation cleared the charity of misconduct – but concluded there had been mismanagement amid a failure to adapt as it grew ‘considerably in By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community News Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton to run Chemsex Awareness training Terrence Higgins Trust Brighton is to run Chemsex Awareness (online via Teams) on Thursday, October 31 from 10am. This training focuses on understanding sexualised drug use between men who have sex with men and how to support people engaging in chemsex. This half-day session will cover: What chemsex By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Military and LGBTQ+ charities join forces to urge Prime Minister to increase cap for those affected by UK military’s ‘gay ban’ Military and LGBTQ+ charities have joined forces to urge Keir Starmer to properly fund compensation for victims of the UK military’s ‘gay ban’, which existed until 2000 and saw personnel imprisoned, bullied and assaulted for revealing their sexuality. A letter signed by over 20 of the UK’s largest L By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community Statement from Chris Gull, Chair of the Brighton Rainbow Fund The Brighton Rainbow Fund remains a vital and unique institution that has been instrumental in advancing many essential services in our city. The dedicated staff at The Ledward Centre continue their important work, and Brighton Pride, under Paul Kemp’s leadership, maintains its crucial community fun By Scene Editorial Team • 3 min read
Community News (Yule Be) Home For Christmas: Actually Gay Men’s Chorus Christmas shows to raise funds for Sussex Beacon Join Actually Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC) at St Mary’s Church in Kemptown for two magical evenings filled with laughter, beautiful harmonies, and Christmas cheer that will leave you with memories to cherish. On Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21, you’ll be serenaded with seasonal songs, and e By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Shawn Mendes appears to address gay rumours in preview performance of new song, The Mountain Shawn Mendes appears to have addressed gay rumours in a preview performance of his new song The Mountain. Although the official track has not yet been released, the 26-year-old played the number for his fans at a recent concert date. ‘Some days, I have a change of heart. You can say what you need to By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Finnish version of The Traitors postponed after murder of Janne Puhakka, the country’s first openly gay ice hockey player The Finnish version of The Traitors, called Petolliset, has been postponed after 29-year-old Janne Puhakka, was killed after being allegedly shot by his ex-partner, Rolf Nordmo, 66, in the city of Espoo, Finland. Nordmo reportedly confessed to the murder after he and Puhakka, who was the country’s f By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Georgian trans activist left with concussion after being hit with a brick, just one month after the killing of another trans woman A suspect has been arrested after Nata Talikishvili, a trans activist in Georgia, was left with concussion after being hit with a brick in Tbilisi on October 20, just a month after the killing of another trans woman, Kesaria Abramidze, reflecting the worsening climate for LGBTQ+ rights in the countr By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News More than 50 people detained after Russian authorities raid two gay bars in Moscow More than 50 people have been detained in Moscow after two gay bars experienced heavy police raids in the Russian capital on October 11. Photos and videos of these raids were posted on two pro-Russia telegram channels, with one of the posts showing masked police officers storming into the central cl By Graham Robson • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Homophobic language heard by 78% of primary school pupils, new research finds The majority (78%) of primary school children across the UK hear homophobic language, according to new research from LGBTQ+ youth charity Just Like Us in conjunction with VotesforSchools. In a survey of 31,875 pupils across the UK, including 4,307 primary school pupils aged 9 to 11, the results show By Graham Robson • 4 min read
