LGBTQ+ News Get intimate with the gays of Odesa, Ukraine Elska, a project dedicated to exploring the world and its men through a queer perspective, has shifted its focus on Odesa, the beautiful Ukrainian city on the Black Sea. Inside, readers can follow Elska author and photographer Liam Campbell as he shares intimate photography of the men he met there a By Graham Robson • 3 min read
International News Kyiv stages first Pride rally since Russia launched full-scale invasion more than two years ago Several hundred LGBTQ+ activists and allies, including Ukrainian soldiers, marched in central Kyiv on June 16 to demand the government grant them more rights as they took part in the first Pride march in the Ukrainian capital since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than two years ago. Pro By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Film Marriage equality in Ukraine explored in new documentary shot by Ukrainian LGBTQ+ activists during the war A new documentary, Marriage (In)equality in Ukraine, shot during the Russia-Ukraine war is now available to view online. The film has been created by director and queer activist Yuriy Dvizhon, NGO WA Sphere and Kharkiv Pride under financial support of the European Union, the National Democratic Inst By Graham Robson • 3 min read
News Ukrainian refugee joins Brighton & Hove Buses following recruitment drive Following a change in government legislation that resulted in Ukrainian refugees receiving immediate settlement status and the opportunity to work in the UK straight away, Volodymyr Syrotiuk has become the first to join Brighton & Hove Buses as a bus driver. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Books The Coast is Queer to return to Brighton in October The festival brings together an exciting lineup of nationally and internationally acclaimed queer writers, poets, performers and activists in a three-day festival of accessible, lively in-conversation events, workshops, films and discussions celebrating LGBTQ+ lives and writing. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Music Soraya Vivian records official Kyiv Pride anthem, COLOURS OF LOVE Soraya Vivian, a singer who has made it big performing for super club brands Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel, has recorded the official Kyiv Pride anthem, COLOURS OF LOVE, which will be released on Friday, July 28 via DEEVU Records. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
International News Photos released after community centre that has become a lifeline for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians is broken into and vandalised Since February 2022, Insight, a feminist organisation that provides medical care, legal aid, and psychosocial services to queer community members, has housed hundreds of people in three emergency shelters and distributed more than 25,000 emergency aid parcels. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
In The South Art installation depicting the suffering of the people of Ukraine arrives in Brighton & Hove An art installation depicting the suffering of the people of Ukraine has arrived in Brighton & Hove, standing in Valley Gardens, close to the Mazda Fountain, from 15 – 31 May 2023. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Arts Brighton artist Jamie McCartney creates bomb-shaped vending machine for Ukraine The renowned Brighton artist was invited to Ukraine, shortly after the invasion began, to give a talk in Lviv on the Mission of Culture During Crisis. What he saw shocked him, and he created this artwork to help. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts Elska shares intimate photography and stories of the men of Ukraine Inside readers can get up close and personal with a cross section of beautiful people from a beautiful country. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Arts The first Ukraine International Film Festival to launch at Latest Musicbar in Brighton on January 18 “World class films made by world class Ukrainian filmmakers. Ukraine has a world class cultural history which it will not lose!” By Graham Robson • 3 min read
In The South Recruitment open days for Ukrainian refugees at Brighton & Hove and Metrobus Brighton & Hove and Metrobus are working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions to support Ukrainian refugees into gainful employment. By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Arts Birmingham shortlisted to host Eurovision 2023 The BBC has now confirmed the outcome of the first stage of the Host City bidding process for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in the UK in 2023. Birmingham, alongside six other cities By Catherine Muxworthy • 1 min read
LGBTQ+ News Interview with Oksana Dobroskok, coordinator of LGBTQ+ shelters in Kyiv, Dnipro, and Chernivtsi Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, most non-governmental organisations have reformatted their activities. The Alliance.Global NGO was not left out of the new challenges, and as of today the organisation has three shelters for LGBTQ+ people and their family members who we By Graham Robson • 9 min read
Treasure Island Media Fundraising News Treasure Island Media launches charity merchandise to benefit gay Ukrainian soldiers Designed in battle, the clothing bears a secret symbol used by gay Ukrainian troops to identify each other on the front line By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Features & Longread Gay soldier in Ukraine: “If I am captured, they will torture me” Less than a month ago, Viktor Pylypenko lived a peaceful life raising awareness of gay rights issues in Ukraine. Now he’s on the front line of a war, dodging Russian forces who may be out to capture and kill him. By Graham Robson • 3 min read
Arts Todrick Hall unveils empowering ‘Queen’ music video Powerhouse entertainer Todrick Hall has unveiled the blockbuster visuals for Queen – an empowering anthem about self-acceptance and unapologetically celebrating your individuality By Graham Robson • 2 min read
Community News Cabaret at Affinity Bar Brighton raises £1,200+ for Ukraine Cabaret stars and the community came together at Affinity Bar in Brighton last night to raise funds and collect essential items for the people of Ukraine. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Arts NETTA to headline InterPride’s ‘Silence to Solidarity’ Global Concert on Saturday, March 19 The concert is to support the needs of global LGBTQ+ communities and queer activists in Ukraine By Graham Robson • 2 min read
International News InterPride’s Silence to Solidarity Global Concert to support needs of global LGBTQ+ community and queer activists in Ukraine To support the needs of global LGBTQ+ communities and queer activists in Ukraine, InterPride will be hosting the Silence to Solidarity Global Virtual Concert on Saturday, March 19 from 7pm By Graham Robson • 2 min read
In The South Brighton & Hove City Council group leaders release joint statement following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “As a City of Sanctuary we stand ready to offer our support.” By Graham Robson • 1 min read