HASTINGS & ROTHER RAINBOW ALLIANCE

Supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) communities in Hastings and Rother

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“Opening The Closet Door: A Celebration of LGBT Life Stories”

An LGBT Oral History event - 18th February 2012
HRRA are currently planning an exciting event to celebrate LGBT History month. This will take place on Saturday 18th February 2012, at Stade Hall, Hastings. Full details on this flyer.

Link to Facebook page for the event

This event will launch our new LGBT Life History Project and aims to encourage LGBT people to share their memories. The event will focus on developing an oral history of LGBT experience in Hastings and the surrounding area – there will be an opportunity to share stories and memorabilia and learn how to get involved with the project and learn oral history research and interview skills. We are planning a day of workshops, speakers, exhibitions, recordings and film, and an evening of live entertainment.
Following the event we will continue to record life histories, with the aim of publishing extracts online or in printed form. Recordings will be preserved under guidelines determined by HRRA, within the Public Record Office collection. This will help increase the presence of LGBT voices, currently under-represented within the archive’s collections.
If you would like more information or are interested in joining the Steering group email info@hrra.org.uk or phone 07505 819344.

HRRA 2011 AGM
Our 2011 AGM took place on 7 October 2011. Approximately 50 members attended and following the business elements we had three speakers who were all well received.
Jay Kramer - Deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council - Jay spoke about a number of areas including her opening of the HRRA organised 'Out and Proud' event and the effect that both that event and the earlier HRRA organised Equality Event where Peter Tatchell spoke had on the local council. This had indirectly led to the development of the Hastings and St Leonards Equality and Human Rights Charter. She also mentioned the flying of the rainbow flag over the Town Hall and that Hastings Borough Council has applied to be part of Stonewall's Workplace Equality Index.
James Scott - Rother Police Inspector - James spoke regarding how Rother Police are building links with the local LGB & T community and urged LGBT people to report crimes. He reiterated the point that he had made in our September Newsletter that PS Warren Downs was specifically appointed the LGBT point of contact for Rother and he could be contacted if anyone was unsure of contacting their local officers.
Julie Gilbert-King - Commander in East Sussex Fire Service - Julie Spoke about East Sussex Fire Service's position on the Stonewall Equality Index and then provided the meeting with her story of being an openly gay member of the Fire Service.

Out and Proud - From Closet to Community
A Celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans People as active citizens

This exciting HRRA event took place on 26 February 2011 at the Azur, Marine Pavilion, St Leonards on sea. The event was a great sucess with attendees and the stall holders alike. There were speakers, entertainment, free food, bar available, information stands and much more.
Over 300 attendees enjoyed the music and entertainment provided and visited the 25 Rainbow Flag Flying over Hastings Town Hall

Rainbow Flag Flying over Hastings Town Hall

community information stalls. The event was opened by the Mayor of Hastings, Kim Forward, and the Deputy Leader of the council, Jay Kramer also spoke about Hastings Borough Council's efforts to promote greater community cohesion.

The council also agreed to fly the Rainbow flag over the Town Hall to mark the occasion.

Cllr Kramer said: "The flag was a recognition of the council's commitment to ensuring that everyone knows Hastings
is a welcoming and safe place for the LGBT community living, working or visiting here."

HRRA Chair Les added: "It was a bit of a coup for us really and showed that the council is right behind what we are trying to do."

Sunday - Hastings and Rother Gay and Lesbian Social Group
Every Sunday this group meets at the Azur Bistro, Marina, St Leonards on sea (downstairs, sea level entrance) from 1pm. Snacks are available and a roast meal can be purchased for £5.95. Just turn up, or for more info call the Gay Helpline on 01424 444777.

Walking Group (HRRA Organised Event)
Walking Group Photo

Members Helen and Peggy have set up a walking group. The group meets on the third Sunday in each month and generally consists of a 3 - 6 mile walk followed by lunch at a pub. If you would like details of the walks or further information please contact walking@hrra.org.uk.
The first event took place on 16th January 2011 which was a sunny 4 1/2 mile walk around Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Walks are generally on the third Sunday in the month and previous walks have been in Icklesham, Battle, Hastings Country Park, Wilmington, among other locations.

Stables Theatre Visits
There is a regular group which meets at the Stables Theatre to see productions - a group ticket is available at £7.50 - depending upon the event - information from John initially by email: ruswat2@tiscali.co.uk for the following events:-
Further info available on the Stables website.

Lesbian Book Club (HRRA Organised Event)
We are reading books chosen by members from the whole range of lesbian literature – novels, thrillers, romance, biography, history etc. Contact us for details of how to join.

Any Gay Men Want to start a Bookclub/LGBT reading group?
Barbara and Helen have been running the very successful and enjoyable bookclub in Hastings for lesbians over the last year. If there are any gay men who would like to start a bookclub in East Sussex, contact Melanie Nicholls in the Community Services department at Lewes Library on melanie.nicholls@eastsussex.gov.uk (01273 336253).
East Sussex libraries have a wide range of LGBT books. Look on the eastsussex.gov.uk website, or contact Melanie with any comments or suggestions regarding LGBT provision.

Mailing List
To get a weekly update of events organised for the LGBT community you are welcome to join the Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hastings-Rainbow/ alternatively email Pam at hastingsrainbow@btinternet.com to join the group.

Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance is a Registered Charity (No 1134091)

Patron: Graham Norton

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