Seagull Weekly Briefing 26/07

Good morning, and welcome to the Brighton Seagull's Weekly Briefing. Are you all having a 'brat summer'? I don't really know what that means but our editor keeps going on about it. "Seagull is brat", does that mean anything to you? She keeps talking about making the logo green or something. I don't get it. Anyway.

Queer co-operative at risk of closing due to owing thousands in electricity bills

The Seagull can confirm that The Queery is at risk of imminent closure.

Following the volunteer-run co-operative's annual general meeting yesterday, organisers confirmed that they are £7,500 in arrears on their electricity bill due to 'a really expensive tariff'.

Having failed to get help from the Ombudsman, organisers have said if they are not able to raise the money in five days, their power will be cut off and they will have to close.

Organisers have said they are allowed to use £3,000 from grants to go towards it, but they do not have enough to cover the full amount.

They've asked people who want to help to promote The Queery merchandise online, and to donate to a GoFundMe.

English Collective of Prostitutes petiton council to decriminalise sex work

The English Collective of Prostitutes (ECP) is asking the council to prioritise the safety of sex workers in Brighton and Hove, and to push for national decriminalisation.

The group, a national organisation of sex workers fighting for the 'decriminalisation of sex work, for safety, for rights and for economic alternatives so that women can leave prostitution if they choose', are aiming to get at least 1,250 signatures: petitions that gain more than 1250 signatures can be submitted to be debated at a council meeting.

Sex work is legal in the UK, however soliciting, owning or managing a brothel, pimping and advertising sexual services are illegal. It is also illegal for sex workers to work together.

The ECP said:

Prostitution in the UK is increasing because poverty is increasing due to deliberate government policies of austerity cuts and the cost-of-living increase. Most sex workers are mothers working to support families.

Migrant women, disabled women, trans women and women of colour disproportionately experience violence and are overly criminalised.

Prostitution could be reduced by providing viable economic alternatives and affordable housing, free childcare, living wage benefits, a universal guaranteed income, and pay equity.

The organisation is calling on the council to:

• Issue a statement in support of local sex workers.
• Provide additional resources to sex workers to enable people to more easily leave sex work if they choose, including priority for council housing and cash payments for those in need.
• Explore all possible actions the council could take to support current sex workers.

They've also asked the council to call on the government to decriminalise group sex work, expunge related records, grant amnesty for reporting violence, end poverty-increasing policies, and offer economic alternatives for leaving sex work.

🖋 News in Brief 🖋

• Trans Pride Brighton, Europe's first and largest trans pride event, took place at the weekend! The protest march was made up of 40,000 people, the highest numbers in the event's eleven year history.
• The Co-op in St George's Road, Kemptown, is closing next month until October for major renovations.
• Families who live in BN2 5 can apply for a free bus pass for any child attending Longhill High School—the funding is coming from the council's home to school transport budget.

What's happening? More than 80 people have signed a petition calling on the council to draw up guidelines with residents and businesses for outdoor events.

Why? The petition says that residents and businesses are 'not being sufficiently consulted to input into commercial and community events'.

Which areas does this cover? Valley Gardens, Preston Park, Kemp Town, Madeira Drive, Hove Lawns and Hove Park.

What input do residents and businesses want to have? The petition says that residents' rights, needs and safety need to be upheld, and implies past events have taken place in unsuitable locations.

What will the guidelines cover? Among other things:

• Notification of events
• Event duration
• Noise levels
• Compensation
• Damage limitation

What events have there been in the above areas? Most recently, part of Valley Gardens was home to Brighton Central Park, a closed off area for watching football games, raves, and screening Glastonbury.

Not enjoyed by residents? Not entirely. This petition comes following the news that the grass outside St Peter's Church, where the event took place, will not be replaced until the autumn.

What can I do if I agree with the petition? Sign it here!