Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 3h

Day 16 of Black History Story.
Ted Brown (he/him) is a UK activist who helped organise early Pride and spent decades pushing for Black queer visibility, media accountability and safer services for LGBTQ+ people. #BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 1d

Day 15 of Black History Story.
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy (she/her) fought for trans liberation for 50+ years, from Stonewall to House of GG and TGIJP.
This October Switchboard shares Black History Stories.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 4

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 2d

National Hate Crime Awareness Week, 11–18 October

This year’s focus is on anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime. We at Switchboard stand with Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community.

Report to Sussex Police online or via 101, or visit www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2025/re....
#NationalHCAW #BrightonAndHove #LGBTQ

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 2d

Day 14 of Black History Story.

Skin (she/her) turned rock stages into spaces for truth. From Brixton to Glastonbury, she’s shown what authenticity sounds like, who it makes room for.

In October Switchboard shares staff-nominated Black History Stories
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 2d

Day 13 of Black History Story.

AFLO. the poet (she/they) uses spoken word to challenge racism, centre healing and build community in Brighton. Art as action. Voice as change.

This October Switchboard shares staff nominated Black History Stories.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 2d

Yesterday was Day 12 of Black History Story.
James Baldwin turned language into action, calling out racism, homophobia and silence. His voice still asks us to face what we fear.
This October Switchboard shares staff-nominated Black History Stories.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 5d

Day 11 of Black History Story. Marc Thompson has spent 30+ years fighting HIV stigma and building visibility for Black queer men. Through Prepster and Blackout UK, he turns advocacy into action, and action into change.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 5d

It’s World Mental Health Day.
Caring for our mental health - and for each other - shouldn’t happen only once a year.
If it feels heavy, reach out. You’re not alone in this.

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 6d

Day 10 of Black History Story. Hope Powell (she/her) redefined leadership in football, becoming the first woman and first Black coach of an England team. She pairs results with responsibility, pushing inclusion across the game. #BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 6d

Day 9 of Black History Story. Monica Roberts (she/her) changed the way media speaks about trans people. Through her blog TransGriot, she gave Black trans women the visibility and dignity they deserved.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 8d

Day 8 of Black History Story. Munroe Bergdorf (she/her) stands at the intersection of trans and racial justice. Her voice challenges inequality with honesty and hope, turning visibility into lasting change.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 9d

Day 11 of Black History Story. Brighton’s Suchitra ‘Suchi’ Dorothy Chatterjee turns art into activism and community into care. Through creativity and courage, she builds spaces where every voice matters.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 10d

Day 6 of Black History Story. Audre Lorde taught that silence never protects. A Black lesbian feminist who spoke truth to power, she showed how language, poetry and anger can be tools for change.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

4 3

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 10d

Day 5 of Black History Story. MNEK stands proud as a Black queer artist reshaping pop. His voice, his lyrics, his visibility, all push the industry toward real inclusion.
#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

3 4

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 11d

Day 4 of Black History Story. Kaia Allen-Bevan is a Brighton-based racial justice advocate and YouthTheGap founder. Her work centres equity in education and lifts young Black voices, turning protest energy into daily practice. #BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

3 4

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 12d

All through October, Switchboard is highlighting Black History Stories nominated by our staff. Each day we share the life and legacy of someone whose impact should be remembered beyond this month.

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 12d

Their reign reminds us that drag is also about resistance, heritage, and creating new ways for communities to see themselves.

Today, we celebrate their artistry, their courage, and the space they have opened for Black voices in drag.

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 12d

They challenge stereotypes, shift expectations, and show drag as something bigger than imitation - drag as liberation.

By standing firm in their truth, King Molasses gives visibility to Black performers who might otherwise remain unseen.

1 1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 12d

As a non-binary Black performer with Nigerian roots, they have carved out space where drag kings are rarely recognised.

In a scene that often overlooks kings in favour of queens, King Molasses insists that Black artistry and drag in all its forms deserve the spotlight.

1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 12d

Day 3 of Black History Story: King Molasses puts Black drag kings centre stage.

King Molasses (@kingmolasses) made history by winning King of Drag Season 1. But their impact goes far beyond a crown.

#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth

1 3 3

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 13d

✨ Meet local organisations including The Clare Project, Lunch Positive, MindOut, BLAGSS, The Sussex Beacon, Switchboard, and many more!

☕ Enjoy a friendly space to connect, learn, and celebrate community.
💜 All welcome!

#LGBTQCommunity #Over50s #Brighton #AgeingWellFestival #YouBelong
2/2

1

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 13d

🌈 LGBTQ+ 50+ Services Showcase 🌈

Are you LGBTQ+ and over 50? Come and discover local support, services, and social opportunities across Brighton & Hove!

📅 Wednesday 8th October
🕚 11am–1pm
📍 Community Base Conference Room, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG
1/2

Poster for the “LGBTQ+ 50+ Services Showcase”. A stylish older person with short white hair, red lipstick, sunglasses, and a bright red leather jacket leans on a post. Text reads: “Discover local support, services, and social opportunities for LGBTQ+ people over 50. Wednesday 8th October, 11am–1pm, Community Base Conference Room, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG. All welcome.” Logos of Switchboard and the Brighton & Hove Ageing Well Festival are at the bottom.

Graphic with the heading “Exhibitors include…”. Logos displayed are: The Clare Project, Rainbow Chorus, Lunch Positive, BLAGSS (Brighton LGBTQ+ Sports Society), The Sussex Beacon, and Switchboard services (Older People, International Rainbow Inclusion Service, Grief Project). Text at the bottom reads “…and …”.

Graphic with logos of more exhibitors: Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Conversation Over Borders, Older & Out, The Village Metropolitan Community Church, MindOut (LGBTQ mental health service), and Switchboard services (Dementia Support, Domestic Abuse, Trans, non-binary and intersex Social Prescribing). Text at the bottom reads “…plus more to be announced soon!”.

Poster titled “LGBTQ+ 50+ Services Showcase”. Details: Wednesday 8th October, 11am–1pm, Community Base Conference Room, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG. Invitation text reads: “Are you an LGBTQ+ organisation that serves the over 50 community in Brighton & Hove? Please get in touch. We’d love you to have a table at the event and bring some members to connect with others and all the providers there.” At the bottom is an email icon with the contact: chris.baker@switchboard.org.uk
.

1 2 3

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 13d

Lady Phyll, co-founder of UK Black Pride, a fearless voice for Black LGBTQ+ lives.

She created spaces of joy and visibility, reminding us that courage and persistence opens doors for others to feel seen & celebrated.

Our campaign celebrates those whose impact should be remembered beyond the month.

3 5

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 14d

We wanted to showcase Bert’s unwavering dedication to Black history, so we are proud to begin our Black History Story campaign with his legacy.

#BlackHistoryStory #BHM2025 #BlackHistoryMonth
8/8

1 2

Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard @lgbtswitchboard.bsky.social · 14d

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to community history and racial equality, Bert was awarded an MBE and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Brighton.

Bert and his wife, Shirley, are well-known in the community.
7/8

1