Nice idea, but maybe the 'great' was pushing it. Out of the estimated 40,000 LGBT residents in Brighton a mere 76(ish) actually turned up - a great shame really. Anyway, for those that didn't go - that'll be quite a few - this was a debate at the Old Market in Hove, broadcast live on BBC Southern Counties.

The Panel consisted of David Panter (boss of Brighton & Hove City Council), Paul Curtis (Chief Superintendent of Brighton Sussex Police), Tom Scanlon (Acting Director of Public Health) and Ben Summerskill (the new Chief Executive of Stonewall). The evening was presided over by a very capable Neil Pringle.

So how did the Panel fare? Pretty well really. Dame Margot was on hand to lighten or enlighted the moment, which was lucky since very few searching questions were put to the panel, which was disappointing. As with all these things, the people who attended had an axe to grind. It would have been nice, and indeed right, if there were a few more compliments... however, I'm told, this is not how it works. So, the Lesbians feel that they're sidelined despite wanting special dispensation for IVF treatment (and appearing to all come from Australasia), the 'freedom flag' became a huge issue (why - it needs sorting on a whole different scale - did anyone see the straight establishments flying it just to grab Pink Pounds?), the Police aren't doing their job (I beg to differ) and there were some more sensible discussions about HIV combination therapy - although the answer to provision of therapy is down to money - surprise, surprise.

This was a good evening and really should have been better attended. It's events like these that really have a chance of moving things forward, so it was disappointing that the turn-out wasn't higher. Next year, next year.