JULY 2020 CONTENTS GSCENE magazine D www.gscene.com T @gscene F GScene.Brighton PUBLISHER Gscene Magazine CIC TEL 01273 749 947 EDITORIAL [email protected] ADS+ARTWORK [email protected] GUEST EDITOR Sam Hall TRANS PRIDE BY SHARON KILGANNON TRANS PRIDE BY EDITORIAL TEAM Jaq Bayles, Rory Finn, Sam Hall, Graham Robson ARTS EDITOR Michael Hootman SUB EDITOR Graham Robson DESIGN Michèle Allardyce FEATURES FRONT COVER 22 FIGHTING FOR BREATH MODEL Yvy DeLuca Guest editor Sam Hall looks at how the pandemic and the death of F yvyworld I yvyworld/?hl=en George Floyd collided to point up inequalities and injustices worldwide Ywww.youtube.com/channel/UCIJN0N3R MlT5OB6baV07I4A 24 RACE AND GENDER EXPRESSION T yvyworld?lang=en Sam Hall chats to psychotherapeutic counsellor, Ellis Johnson D www.yvyworld.com PHOTOGRAPHER Jack Hancock 25 HUNGRY FOR RECOGNITION I @hancock_jack Lili Hornyai assesses the current battle for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary CONTRIBUTORS 26 ACCESS NO AREAS Simon Adams, Steve Ashfield, Morris Rebecca Claridge-Bowler looks at life as a disabled trans person Bright, Jo Bourne, Nick Boston, Brian Butler, Rebecca Claridge-Bowler, Alix 27 A HOMELESS HOMECOMING Coe, Billie Gold, Paula Goodwin, Jules Jazmin Louise Katrel recounts two days when she was alone and scared Guaitamacchi, Chris Gull, Richard Jeneway, Craig Hanlon-Smith, Samuel 28 THE PIN-DROP MOMENT Hall, Lili Hornyai, Frances Hubbard, Gray Hutchins from the Clare Project talks to Jaq Bayles Jazmin Louise Katrel, Laurie 29 MAKING DO IN LOCKDOWN Lavender, Enzo Marra, Mx Tyler Moore- Alix Coe, trans fitness coach, looks at how people adapt exercise regimes Austen, Eric Page, Gary Pargeter, Maria Rosamojo, Emma Rylands, Gay 29 A LETTER TO WOULD-BE VEGANS Socrates, Michael Steinhage, Glenn Vince advocates for animal rights Stevens, Netty Wendt, Persia West, NEWS Roger Wheeler, Kate Wildblood, 30 COUNTING US IN Stephen Wrench Vic Valentine of Scottish Trans Alliance examines upcoming UK census 3 News PHOTOGRAPHERS 31 TAINTED BEAUTY Creag Aaro, Steven Chantrey, Nick Author Yvy DeLuca chats about her new book to Jules Guaitamacchi ARTS Ford, Sharon Kilgannon, Jack Lynn, Manel Ortega, Simon Pepper 32 THE FRUITING TIME OF LIFE 56 Classical Notes Persia West on the wisdom that comes with the years of experience 57 Art Matters 33 A VERY QUEER COUPLE Maria Rosamojo recounts a relationship that transcends boundaries 57 All That Jazz 34 LGB AND T ARE NATURAL BEDFELLOWS 58 Films Paula Goodwin on how the communities fit together 59 Page’s Pages 35 DUNGEONS, DRAGONS & DISABILITIES © GSCENE 2020 Mx Tyler Moore-Austen looks at how gaming got gay and inclusive All work appearing in Gscene Ltd is copyright. It REGULARS is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated 36 THE TNBI COMMUNITY 54 Turn Back The Pages on the page concerned. No part of this publication Sam Hall asks Steph Scott how things have changed in Brighton may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or 62 Craig’s Thoughts other retrieval system, transmitted in any form or 37 DIFFERENTLY DIFFERENT by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the Dirk Hemmings decries the portrayal of trans people 63 Homely Homily prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. 38 SAY NO TO DISCRIMINATION The appearance of any person or any organisation 63 Roger’s Ruminations in Gscene is not to be construed as an implication Emma Rylands says some ‘feminists’ are killing feminism of the sexual orientation or political persuasion of 64 Billies’s Golden Hour such persons or organisations. 40 THE BEAUTY OF TRANS BODIES Jules Guaitamacchi talks to Samo, a trans rights activist and artist 64 Stuff & Things 41 BEYOND LIVE 65 Laurie’s Allotment The Instagram Live stream series that celebrates trans lives worldwide 66 Twisted Gilded Ghetto 42 RENÉE RICHARDS - GAME, SET & MATCH The right to compete as a trans woman isn’t new says Steve Ashfield INFORMATION 44 SHINING JEWEL Ruby Whitcombe talks about discovering her transgender identity 66 Classifieds 45 SCENE FROM THE SOFA 67 Services Directory Graham Robson chats to LGBTQ+ performers and creatives... 68 Advertisers’ Map 60 MARLBOROUGH PRODUCTIONS A new chapter for Brighton’s queer cultural innovators... DAILY NEWS UPDATES ON 3 WWW.GSCENE.COM ) PRIDE PLANS ONLINE SPECTACULAR #WESTANDTOGETHER #BLACKLIVESMATTER TO CELEBRATE 30TH YEAR ) At the beginning of Pride Month, Stephen Bailey and Zoe Lyons to host We Are FABULOSO!, Brighton & Hove Pride’s Summer Brighton & Hove Pride released a statement pledging its support for the Digital Festival on Friday, July 31, Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2020. BAME community through its #WeStandTogether campaign. procession highlighting the amazing work of our essential The statement was as follows: community groups and charities. We should understand that without black lives there would be no Pride, it was Brighton & Hove Pride has hosted some of the world’s BAME activists on the frontline of the biggest artists, including Britney Spears, Kylie, Pet Shop Stonewall Riots 51 years ago and now is Boys, Grace Jones and many more, and viewers will be it our turn to be there for them. taken on a virtual tour of the Pride Festival in Preston Park site to drop in at all the stages and tents to sample the Like millions of people across the world, atmosphere and flavour of this jewel in the LGBTQ+ we have been horrified to see the crown as well as looking at highlights from years gone by. violence and racism perpetrated by those in positions of power against George ) Brighton & Hove Pride has announced comedians Live audiences via Zoom will provide colour and atmosphere Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other members and broadcasters Stephen Bailey and Zoe Lyons will for most segments and anyone can apply to be on screen of the BAME community. host We Are FABULOSO, Brighton & Hove Pride’s at www.brighton-pride.org/audience-wanted/ live from a purpose-built studio on More than ever we need to step up and Digital Festival With an extensive schedule of events centred around the , with pre-records from Stephen and be counted, saying nothing is just not Saturday August 1 original Pride weekend, there will also be a host of online Zoe for the on , , and the good enough. Just not being racist is not Warm-Up Show Friday July 31 warm-up events and house parties to get you ready and in on , , . All enough, we need to be proactively anti- Highlights Show Sunday August 2 2020 the mood for the main We Are FABULOSO! digital festival. shows will be streamed on the Brighton & Hove Pride racist, to advocate, amplify and learn All the entertainment will be free to view so viewers website, YouTube, Twitch and other platforms TBA. what it means to be anti-racist. across the world should start planning their Pride parties Stephen Bailey is a cocktail of now. Whether from the comfort of your own homes or Pride has always promoted diversity and class, caring and comedy, with gathering a group of friends in the garden; as lockdown inclusion of all communities and focusing the most flamboyant umbrella to restrictions are relaxed, it is hoped that some bars will be on some of the appalling hate crime top it all off. He is a comedian, able to stream the festival live on big screens too. A full statistics and calling out transphobia, presenter, television personality schedule will be released nearer the time so viewers can biphobia, racism and homophobia. and writer, whose friendly and plan their day. open brand of gossipy humour Paul Kemp, director of Brighton Pride, has made him one of the UK’s said: “Brighton & Hove Pride is such STEPHEN BAILEY most exciting up-and-coming an important community fundraiser for comedy acts and an in-demand talent for all things our LGBTQ+ groups and to not have a showbiz/entertainment. Currently, he is the narrator of ITV Pride event this year really affects our Be's Ferne McCann: First Time Mum, the host of Takeshi's ability to raise these essential funds Castle on Comedy Central, and has done loads of other PAUL KEMP and could seriously jeopardise the telly including The Apprentice: You’re Fired, Live At The future of some groups. We really hope everyone gets Our #WeStandTogether campaign Apollo, Mastermind, Coronation Street and Good Morning behind this fundraising effort. Brighton & Hove Pride is a continues to be a call to action for all in Britain… but he still cannot get on Strictly. time to come together to celebrate and embrace diversity the LGBTQ+ community and our allies to Zoe Lyons has been a regular on and inclusion in our great city, and just because we are stand up to discrimination. the comedy circuit for many not able to meet in person doesn’t mean we can’t support “The ultimate tragedy is not the years and runs and hosts the and celebrate our fantastic LGBTQ+ communities.” oppression and cruelty by the bad people popular night at Bent Double Brighton & Hove Pride’s sole ethos is to promote respect but the silence over that by the good Brighton Komedia. As well as within our community and support local charities and people.” Dr Martin Luther King Jr. many regular radio appearances, causes through fundraising. In the past six years it has her television appearances The BAME community are an integral and raised over £920,000 for neighbouring charities, projects include Have I Got News for vital part of our Pride celebrations and and community groups, distributed through the Brighton ZOE LYONS You, Celebrity Masterchef and urgent action is needed to overhaul a Rainbow Fund and Pride Social Impact Fund.