Greens select nine LGBT candidates for Brighton and Hove City Council elections

 

"It speaks volumes about Green values that we are standing so many LGBT council candidates for the elections in the LGBT ‘capital' of the United Kingdom.

LGBT Voice will be heard: (l to r) candidates Phelim Mac Cafferty, Mike Jones,  Stephen Watson and Steph Powell.

Steph is contesting Queen’s Park ward with Geoffrey Bowden (not pictured).

Phelim Mac Cafferty, Chair of National LGBT Greens commented: “I’m delighted that the Green Party has selected nine LGBT candidates to fight for the Green Party at the council elections.

“It speaks volumes about Green values that we are standing so many LGBT council candidates for the elections in the LGBT ‘capital’ of the United Kingdom.

“The Green Party in Brighton and Hove has a proud history of standing up for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people.

“We’re passionate about the safety, health and quality of life in our city for the LGBT communities.

“And our track record on Brighton and Hove City Council says as much: we campaigned for and won an Equalities Impact Assessment on the annual budget.

“Greens protected local control of budgeting in policing and defend the role of Police Community Support Officers.

“Our Councillors work closely with organisations such as Survivors’ Network and RISE to keep sexual and domestic violence on the agenda.

“All of this compliments our ongoing work on LGBT History month, World AIDS Day and Trans remembrance day.

Phelim concluded: “After the historic victory of Caroline Lucas MP in May last year, we hope we continue to inspire LGBT people to see the importance of a Green vote in city council elections on May 5th this year.”

Candidates in Green-held seats or ones that could swing to the Greens.

Standing in Queen Park’s Ward:

Geoffrey Bowden is a journalist and community activist living in Kemptown who runs a Brighton-based health and social care communications company. Geoffrey also has a track record of activism in the lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) community having been a volunteer for Pride in Brighton & Hove, the Albert Kennedy Trust, which is dedicated to supporting homeless LGBT teenagers and Voices from Care, a charity that helps former residents of care homes.

Steph Powell has 15 years’ professional experience in retail management, recruitment, and career development. She works for a youth careers service in Brighton, assisting vulnerable 16 -19 olds with their career and work choices- especially those who are not yet in education, employment or training (NEETs). Steph is active in the campaign to save Brighton youth careers’ services from central government cuts.

Standing in Brunswick and Adelaide Ward:

Phelim Mac Cafferty is the Green Party national spokesman on LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans) rights; in this role he collaborates regularly with human rights campaigners across the world and has helped pioneer campaigns against bigotry in sport. He is well known in Brighton and Hove for his work against hate crimes and prejudice, and each year he co-organises Brighton ‘s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Standing in Preston Park Ward:

Mike Jones has worked for the NHS since 1992, he is a health adviser and counsellor at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Before joining the health service he was an advocate and support worker for homeless people and those suffering from mental illness. As an NHS worker, Mike is opposed to government plans for a major reorganisation, believing the NHS needs a period of consolidation and stability rather than more upheaval. He is worried that the proposed NHS reforms and cuts to services could badly affect our most vulnerable residents.

Other LGBT Green candidates standing in Brighton and Hove include Anthea Ballam, Central Hove ward; Dave Walsh, North Portslade; Stephen Watson, South Portslade; Martin Ashby, Hangleton and Knoll; and Stuart Hay, Rottingdean Coastal

Pic: Steve George http://www.stevegeorgephotography.co.uk/

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green party press office on 01273 766 670.

 

News

To top