Papers 1

	What the Papers say - or not!

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		Papers 1

What's this page about?

We send out many Press releases every year to both the gay and straight press. Understandably, not all of these are printed, but sometimes it is disappointing when the press do not choose to highlight issues that we feel are important.

For that reason, we are opening these pages, where you can keep in touch with these important issues.

Playreading Report

Our rehearsed playreading of "So Long Sleeping Beauty" was well received last night (16th November). The performances of Rita Taylor and Ian Douglas were much enjoyed and appreciated. We thank them for their support and hard work.

Irish actress Isobel Mahon, the play's author, travelled by plane, train, bus and taxi to be with us!

There was a discussion, of the issues raised by the play, in which Isobel took part, and the problems facing Pride in Canterbury were also debated.

We were very pleased that representatives of Relate and the NHS attended and are interested in working with us.

No one from Canterbury City Council attended and we received no apologies from them.

Dancing to Who's Tune?

How much Equality do we really have?

When a talented, established, out and outrageous, male entertainer performs on "Strictly Come Dancing", sings a love song about a woman and finishes the number cuddling the female dancers, it shows that we still have a long, long way to go.

Ned Sherrin

We were sad to learn of the death of Ned Sherrin, who sent us a note of support when we were setting up Pride in Canterbury.

Some of the many tributes that have been paid to him are;

"He was today's Noel Coward and was one of the great men of the entertainment industry. He will be missed by so many people." ( His manager Deke Arlon.)

" He sparkled and made us all smile and laugh. And for all his fame he was considerate and kind. He will be hugely missed." ( Mark Damazer, controller of Radio 4.)

"Ned Sherrin, one of the best-loved broadcasters in Britain, died last night and the gaiety of the nation has been diminished." (Evening Standard Editorial.)

Our favourite Ned Sherrin story was one that he told against himself, about an incident when he was appearing in "Side by Side by Sondheim" on Broadway:

"Coming out of the stage door on 44th Street one night I fell arse-over-tip into the gutter. Two emerging playgoers - in retrospect vicious queens - looked down on me in contempt. The one said to the other, "Funnier than anything she did on the stage!"

Thankyou Ned.

Relevant Comment

"Is our society broken? I think it is. We are in a phase of our culture where the fragmentation of society is far more obvious. It's not just families, it is different ethnic communities and

economic groups. We talk about access and equality the whole time, but in practice we all seem to live very segregated lives."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in an interview in the Daily Telegraph, September 15th 2007.

At Pride in Canterbury, our message to both those in power and to the LGBT community has been that talk without action is useless. It is encouraging to know that the Archbishop

agrees with us.

Something for everyone in the area to consider.

Legendary Gay Artist Maisie Trollette Saves Margate's Second Gay Ball

Last year's Gay Ball at the Winter Gardens Margate was heralded as a great success, in spite of the failure of many of the local men to turn out to support it.

The event run this year by different organisers proved to be a different story, with a poor attendance by both men and women. This was partly dueto the rise in ticket prices from last year's £10, to £15 if purchased beforehand, and £18 if bought on the door.

A lack of any significant publicityfor the event must also be blamed. Where were the adverts in the gay magazines and papers, many of which will happily publish articles about LGBT events without a charge.

Where was the message that the Gay Ball was an opportunity for the community to get together, let their hair down- or put it up- express their inner selves and just have fun? This website would have happily publicised the Ball, but we were not sent the details.

Last year a letter from a Thanet resident was published in the local press, praising the Gay Ball. The writer was not there this year. We wonder if he, and many other locals knew that the event was taking place. Was the Ball previewed in the local press?

We believe that such events as the Gay Ball are vital in bringing the LGBT commmunity together and giving them a sense of belonging and commitment. We were not happy that the raffle held at the Ball raised no money for LGBT charities and organisations. Such events in Brighton raise thousands of pounds every year, that are needed by their community.

But, enough of the negative stuff.

The evening was saved by the legendary gay performer David Raven, in his role as Maisie Trollette. His professionalism, talent, and wicked sense of humour, brought the evening magically to life. His friendliness and willingness to pose for photos with enthusiastic fans, illustrated why he is so loved on the scene. He and the popular Chrissie du Cann, returning to the event for a second year, more than made up for some uninspiring and inappropriate choices of music from the DJ during the evening.

We spoke to several people at the end of the evening and there is clearly a desire to make the Ball a successful annual event for all the LGBT community and their straight friends. If that is to happen, much more thought must be given to next year's event and lessons must be learned.

LET'S GO FOR THIRD TIME LUCKY!

Sundowners Bar Margate

At a time when there doesn't seem to be much happening to raise our spirits, we are pleased to report that Sundowners is going from strength to strength.

There is always a good atmosphere in this bar and customers receive a friendly welcome from the bar staff, owners and customers. There is regular entertainment and you can get Gscene magazine. This is the community centre we need. (The Police Community Consultation Forum is meeting there this Tuesday April 3rd.) We recommend Sundowners to all LGBT visitors to Margate. Why not check it out?

A Guide for LGBT Students?

A feature in the Observer recently reproduced an article from the New York Times newspaper. Headed "New Guide to Help Gays Select a College" it stated:

" The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students profiles 100 of the country's best campuses for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, and it arrives at a time when gay students are more vocal and visible...............

For many gay students the guide is a sign of how progressive many American campuses have become and proves that students do not necessarily have to go to a big city university to feel comfortable."

The detailed article finishes up " When people feel included they can focus on learning. When they feel isolated and marginalised they can't. What LGBT students want is what everyone else wants when they go to college: They want to feel like they belong."

A thought-provoking article. We wonder how many students would come to Canterbury if there was a "Guide to Gay-Friendly University Cities" and we are certain that many students, after studying in Canterbury, take their talents and energies elsewhere, because of the lack of a thriving LGBT scene in the City.

Success of Canterbury's Talk for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans History Month

"The Green Carnation", the talk given by Jeff Fendall MA for Pride in Canterbury, to celebrate LGBT History month, was well attended and well received, and those present, an encouraging mixture of the LGBT community and Straights, were taken by Jeff on a detailed and informative journey, not just through Oscar's life, but through LGBT history from ancient times to the present day. We have been around a long time! The talk was specially prepared for us and Jeff had certainly researched his subject. Our grateful thanks to him.

After the talk, Jeff, his wife Moti and a good number of the audience, made their way to the Canterbury Tales bar, for a relaxing, social end to a most successful evening.

For details of our next talk, see the Events Diary.

Bye Bye to the Bad Times

(Homophobia in the Local Press continued.)

Our friendly local paper, The Whitstable Times, did a small feature about the Pride in Canterbury Awards, but while they printed no comments from the local recipients of our "Men of the Year Award", they couldn't resist quoting more of Homophobe of the Year Steve Regan's puerile attempts at humour and attacks at what we are trying to do. An email from us to Whitstable Times Editor John Nurden, who is after all responsible for the rubbish that is printed in this would be "Sun", brought a reply saying that he could not agree with our complaint. His columnists are employed because of their outrageous views (his words) and he respects their religous views. He also sheltered behind the decision of the ineffectual Press Complaints Commission,

We had said that until last week we had not bought the Whitstable Times since Steve Regan's attacks were first printed and would now not do so again.

Mr Nurden said that he hoped our contributiuons would continue. Not while his employees try to turn us into laughing stocks we won't! Does he really expects us to finance his rag's attacks on our community. We'll save our pennies - and our self -respect!

Strong Message to all Bigots

(Not everyone gets away with it.)

Gay Times and other LGBT publications have printed the story of a Brighton Conservative councillor, who said that all gay men are paedophiles and has been forced to quit after his party officials distanced themselves from him.

Brighton Magistrates Court found Peter Willows guilty of a Public Order offence on December 12th. He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs. His comments were made in May 2006 at a civic ceremony in Brighton Pavillion, in front of out Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Elgood and GScene magazine editor James Ledward.

James Ledward said "Willows was being inflammatory before this. He had criticised Brighton Pride and the decision to fly rainbow flags from Council buildings. He was inciting hatred against gay people. This sends out a strong message to all bigots"

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Celebrated

As you might have seen on our events page, February is LGBT History month and to celebrate this Pride in Canterbury has organised a talk, "The Green Carnation -Before and After Oscar Wilde", by Jeff Fendall on Thursday February 15th.

Jeff was awarded a distinction by the University of Kent for his Master's thesis on Oscar Wilde. He is a member of the Oscar Wilde Society, and has given several talks to them and others, as well as contributing articles to their bi-annual publication "The Wildean".

Do you know what was the Order of Chaeron, and why it was connected to "The Sacred Band"? Who on earth was Simeon Solomon? Or Josephine Butler? What became of Oscar Wilde's niece? How does Andre Gide fit in? What was E2200?

These questions will be answered in Jeff's talk, which will focus on the history of the LGBT community in Britain, and on many of the characters and happenings that led through to the imprisonment at hard labour of Oscar Wilde in 1895, and the legacy of that momentous event: the extraordinary devotion of Robert Ross; Wilde's sons and grandson; 20th Century writers and artists; leading through to 1967 and the present day.

A talk not to be missed!

See events page for more details and for information about other LGBT events throughout the country visit www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk

Homophobia in the Whitstable Times ( Part Two)

As you may know from this website (Press Page 2) the Whitstable Times has this year featured several homophobic items attacking the LGBT community and Canterbury's Gay Pride Days. We lodged a complaint with the Press Complaints Commission, specifically about two of Steve Regan's columns, but our complaint was rejected.

The Commission stated, "Although it understood the complainant's concern that the articles had been offensive to the LGBT community, the Commission made clear that - given that no named or identifiable individuals had been referred to in a prejudicial or pejorative manner in the articles - no breach of Clause 12 (Discrimination) could be established in this instance."

So it seems that the Press can offend us as much as they like as long as they don't mention our names! This confirms our suspicion that the LGBT community is the only minority group considered by some to be fair game, in the knowledge that they can safely attack us without fear of penalties.

We sent a press release out about this, but are unaware that any of the straight press took the matter up. The gay magazine GScene (now available from Saxby's Bar), ran an article, which is good in that it draws attention to the unacceptable homophobic route that the Times has for some reason decided to take, but it unfortunately does not present a welcoming picture of the area for LGBTs thinking of visiting, or moving to, the area.

To read the GScene article click on www.prideincanterbury.org.uk/pics

Has Steve Regan heard the last of this? Watch this space!

UNISON

For the follow-up to our previous Unison story see Press Page 2.

Welcome Message

After the announcement that there will be no Canterbury Gay Pride Day next year, we were pleased and heartened to receive the following email from Councillor Julia Seath :

"I'm disappointed and sad that there won't be a festival next year, but completely understand the reasons. You have produced two great events, which were thoroughly enjoyable and unmissable and achieved much to raise awareness and encourage the LGBT community to be their own people, comfortable in themselves and welcomed and accepted for the many and varied gifts and talents they undoubtedly contribute to our district.

Good luck in your endeavours.

Julia."

Julia has given much active support, both to Pride in Canterbury and to the two Gay Pride Days in the City. We send her our grateful thanks.

No don't Stop our Carnivals!

Article in Gazette

An article appeared in the Canterbury Gazette about complaints from local residents about the volume of music at two events in the Dane John Gardens, one of which was Canterbury Gay Pride. We have received the following two responses.

Re : "Dane John residents: We'll see you in court" article in the Gazette - October 5th edition.

Many of the residents of houses adjoining the gardens and members of St Mildred's Area Community Society (SMACS) were I believe instrumental in the campaign to upgrade the gardens and re-install the bandstand. The result was a greatly improved facility for local residents. I would have thought it self evident that the presence of a bandstand suggested that music might be played - not just elitist music for the few but all types of music for all sections of the community, since the gardens are there to be enjoyed by all residents. They are not a private front garden for the few.

Obviously, the wishes of local residents must be taken into account and I believe the Council have done this by licensing events and altering the times permitted for music to between 11am and 7pm.

Mr Cameron (Spokesperson for SMACS) stated that two events, namely the "Party for Peace" and "Gay Pride" had resulted in unacceptable levels of noise - "all day thumping of music" was the term used. I cannot comment on the first event as I was not there but was present for the whole of the Gay Pride event. May I point out that the parade did not reach the gardens until just before 1pm and the music was finished by 6.15.pm, hardly "all day"! I would also deny that the music was unacceptably loud, indeed people sitting on the same side as the houses complained that it was not loud enough for them to hear properly.

This event was properly organised as a free community event for all who wished to attend. Stallholders included Kent County Council, Canterbury City Council, Kent County Libraries, Police and Fire Services, Social Services and the Health Promotion Services among many others. In accordance with Council requirements the organisers paid for Serco staff to be in attendance throughout the event to deal with litter. | feel that the highlighting of this event is grossly unfair and trust there was no ulterior motive in the complaints.

I have contacted Mr Cameron personally and offered to discuss any of these issues with him or with members of SMACS.

As I have suffered homophobic threats and abuse in the past in Canterbury I have asked for my name and address to be withheld.

Noise issues at Dane John following Gay Pride

In response to pressure from local residents regarding noise at this year's Canterbury Gay Pride and Make Poverty History festivals, the City Council have amended the licence of Dane John Gardens for public entertainment to an earlier 7pm close (from 8pm).

Canterbury Gay Pride made a formal response to the residents concern at the special licensing committee meeting and hoped that homophobia had not been behind some of the comments.

The City Council is keen to confirm that it welcomes future Gay Prides at this venue. Even though local residents cited this year's Gay Pride as being noisy, it finished at 6.15pm - only 15 minutes after the billed closure time and the Council did not consider the noise excessive. Gay Pride finished well before the allowed 8pm closure as per licence.

However although local residents views are always taken into account the City Council rightly stated that as the City Council and local tax payers have paid towards 1 million pound improvements to Dane John gardens to include amplified music from the bandstand it is a disproportionate response to local residents to stop public entertainment i.e.Canterbury Gay Pride in the park.

Council officers may be monitoring the noise levels at future events (I hope not at organisers cost).

The Council would like to see Canterbury Gay Pride next year but unfortunately there is not enough local voluntary support to make this happen.

See www.thanetpride.org for details of next year's Thanet Gay Pride, where there seems to be enough local support to make it happen.

Chris Weller

Canterbury Gay Pride