A new book, which is set to be released in November, sheds a light on LGBT life the city of Brighton and Hove, and how equalities legislation was experienced on the ground in the New Labour era (1997-2010) by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

Even though equalities initiatives affected the lives of LGBT people, there are many people who still felt marginalised and excluded. For although Brighton was feted by many as the gay capital of the UK, it did not fulfil this ideal for all LGBT people.

The book draws on the voices of LGBT people who lived, worked and socialised in the city, using information gathered as part of the award-winning Count Me in Too project which ran from 2005 to 2010. It charts the development of this innovative project in which LGBT people worked with service providers to gather, analyse and present evidence that would promote positive change for LGBT people.

Ordinary in Brighton? is co-written by Dr Kath Browne, the lead researcher on the project and Reader in Human Geography at the a University of Brighton, with LGBT activist Leela Bakshi.

Members of the public are invited to the book launch where people who connected with the project will speak about the book. The launch is on 23 November at the Friends Meeting House in Ship Street, Brighton, starting at 3pm. Extracts can be read on the publisher’s website.