Gay UK News

Landslide for Same Sex Marriage Bill

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:46:11 +0000

MPs have again voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. Moments ago the Bill passed its Third Reading vote in the House of Commons by 366 votes to 161 – a majority of 205. The Bill will extend the legal form of marriage to lesbian, gay…

Bill passes Third Reading by 366 votes to 161

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: ‘This evening’s vote shows MPs are on the public’s side, as poll after poll shows a clear majority of people in Britain support equal marriage. Now that the Bill has cleared the Commons without any of the wrecking amendments tabled by opponents, we hope peers will show the same respect to public attitudes.

‘Sadly in recent weeks several peers have expressed deeply unpleasant views about gay people. Stonewall expects one of our toughest fights yet ahead of us. We’ll continue to work tirelessly every day to help secure this final modest measure of legislative equality.’

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill passed its Second Reading with a majority of 225 votes on 5 February. MPs rejected a wrecking amendment - by 375 votes to 70 - during the Bill’s Report Stage in the House of Commons on 20 May.

For more information about Stonewall’s campaign for equal marriage visit www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage

Widespread LGBT Discrimination

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:41 +0000

A survey produced by Gallup Europe for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (May 17th) has revealed that almost half (47%) of the Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual community in Europe has been personally discriminated against or harassed on the grounds of their…

The survey was the EU’s largest LGBT hate crime and discrimination survey ever conducted with responses from over 93,000 LGBT people from all 27 EU Member States, plus Croatia which is about to join.

One in five LGBT respondents said they felt discriminated against in employment or when looking for work. Worse still, 2 out of 3 (67%) had hid or disguised being LGBT at school for fear of being bullied. A quarter said they had been attacked or threatened with violence in the last five years, with most of those thinking it was due to being perceived as LGBT.

Commenting on the survey, London LibDem MEP Sarah Ludford, who is Vice President of UK Liberal Democrats' LGBT+, said: “While a number of European countries are advancing on matters like same-sex marriage and adoption, there are absolutely no grounds for complacency. This survey is indeed a big reality check for policymakers on International Day Against Homophobia in showing the shocking levels of prejudice, discrimination, bullying and attacks against LGBT people in Europe.”

“The fact that almost half of LGBT respondents felt discriminated against in some way on the grounds of their sexuality is concerning enough, but the extent of violence and intimidation the LGBT community continues to suffer is horrendous.”

“We need to ensure LGBT discrimination across the whole of Europe becomes socially unacceptable and to create a culture in which those who bear the brunt of prejudice feel confident that their complaints will be taken seriously.”

I Need A Hero

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:53:51 +0000

The London Gay Men's Chorus are performing a comic-book style show to celebrate the activists who blazed a trail, the inspirational icons, the people close to and admired by the LGBT community and the many gay people who’ve quietly contributed to the world. The show, called HEROES, will be given…

Heroes celebrated during the evening include pop icons David Bowie and Pet Shop Boys, activists Harvey Milk and Peter Tatchell and those who campaigned for civil partnerships and equal marriage. Repertoire featured in the show ranges from hit songs by Take That and Erasure to choral works by Mendelssohn as well as several spectacularly choreographed numbers, including a "Drag Diva" medley, celebrating the drag queens who threw the first punch at the Stonewall riots. The heroes featured in the performance have all been nominated by members of the 200 strong chorus.

John D Carrion, Chair of the London Gay Men's Chorus says, "HEROES celebrates the people that give us hope in our daily lives and the extraordinary feats of human beings. Whether your hero is a politician, a religious figure, a family member or someone in between, our show pays musical homage to those who inspire us."

Simon Sharp, Artistic Director of the London Gay Men's Chorus says, "The programme is a wonderful compilation of music that really celebrates heroism in its many forms. From the sublime to the majestic, the everyday to the truly extraordinary, songs by Noel Coward, David Bowie and Andy Bell - to name a few - reflect the significant impact that such icons continue to have in our society."

Kaleidoscope Trust Elect New Chair

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:13:02 +0000

Dr Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat from 2008 until 2011, has been elected as chair of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) human rights charity The Kaleidoscope Trust.

Dr Sen is currently Deputy Director of the Institute of Public Affairs at the London School of Economics. She was previously Director of the Asia-Pacific Programme at Amnesty International and taught Gender and Development at the Development Studies Institute of the London School of Economics.

“Equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people is one of the major human rights challenges of our time,” Dr Sen Said. “Homosexuality is still illegal in 79 countries and in five states homosexual acts are punishable by death. So there are few more important challenges than helping raise awareness of the discrimination, victimisation and violence that continue to make life a misery for hundreds of thousands of LGBT people across the globe every day.”

Kaleidoscope Trust Executive Director Lance Price added: “Purna has been a committed member of our board of trustees for over a year and I am delighted that she was elected unanimously to be our new Chair. She brings a depth of experience of human rights work which will prove invaluable to the Kaleidoscope Trust at a time when LGBT issues are rising up the international agenda and respect for LGBT rights is increasingly seen as a bell-weather for a country’s wider commitment to social justice.”

Take an LGBT tour of New England

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:29:33 +0000

With its liberal attitudes, rich arts and culture and many fine dining opportunities, New England is among the most welcoming destinations in the US for gay visitors. Same-sex marriage is legally recognised in five of the six New England states; gay-friendly accommodation is easy to find; and there are a…

Fight Homophobia With Eurovision

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:21:51 +0000

Stonewall is calling on its supporters to raise funds to tackle homophobia worldwide by staging fundraising parties during the Eurovision Song Contest on 18 May. The charity has launched party packs to help supporters have fun while raising money – and TV star Graham Norton has contributed his own cocktail…

The 58th Eurovision Song Contest takes place in Malmö, Sweden, and Stonewall hopes its ‘We Are All One’ theme will encourage people to support the millions of lesbian, gay and bisexual people worldwide who live in countries where it’s illegal to be gay.

Stonewall Director of Fundraising Catherine Bosworth said: ‘Stonewall is campaigning hard in Britain for equal marriage, the last step towards full legal equality. Britain is a beacon for equality worldwide, but in nearly 80 countries it’s illegal to be gay. In some, gay people can even be executed just because of the way they were born.

‘Eurovision brings 39 countries together this year, some of which have bad records on gay equality. We hope that even as Eurovision fans have a great time, they can support our work to help hundreds of millions of gay people worldwide look forward to a better future.’

Stonewall works with grassroots campaigners in countries worldwide to support their work to gain equal rights for lesbian, gay and bisexual people. In the last few months the charity has provided support to groups from Croatia, Slovakia, Greece, Uganda, Russia and the Ukraine.

Photo: Ireland entrant Ryan Dolan

Dyke March London is back for 2013

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:10:08 +0000

After the success of last year's first dyke march in over two decades, Dyke March London is back in 2013 for its second year! Dyke March London will take place on 22nd June 2013, meeting in Berkeley Square at 3pm. The march will part-follow in the footsteps of one of…

Dyke March London takes inspiration from the history of the Dyke Marches in North America. This year's march also takes some playful inspiration from Wonder Woman - the logo is the Wonder Woman logo upside down!.

Dyke March London is about dykes. The group support dyke visibility and celebrate love and passion for women and all dykes. Dyke March London is for everyone: dykes, queers, bisexuals, transwomen and allies. This is a grassroots, non-commercial, anti-racist, community-centred, accessible, inclusive event: they welcome all folk who want to support dykes to march.

Website: www.dykemarchlondon.org

Bonnie Tyler chosen as UK Eurovision entry

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:11:45 +0000

Legend Bonnie Tyler will represent us in this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

She will perform the song the ballad "Believe In Me" at the event in Malmo, Sweden in May.

“I am truly honored and delighted to be able to represent my country at Eurovision, and especially with such a fabulous song," Tyler, who was born in Wales, said. "I promise to give this everything that I've got for the U.K.!”

"The United Kingdom has long been holding out for a Eurovision hero, and now the wait could be over," the BBC said in announcing Tyler as the U.K. candidate for the 58th annual Eurovision contest.

Last year Engelbert Humperdinck came in 25th out of 26 finalists in 2012.

The Eurovision Song Contest final will be broadcast live on BBC One with commentary by Graham Norton.

Check out the song below:

UK Launch for Short LGBT Film Series

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:49:24 +0000

THE DEVOTION PROJECT is a series of award-winning short documentary films bringing together six lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ) couples to explore their experience of love, commitment and family. Launching this week in the UK – after a successful string of free screenings in partnership with LGBT History…

THE DEVOTION PROJECT is the brainchild of New York filmmaker Antony Osso, who is part of a new generation of filmmakers. His DIY approach, which included locating and casting the couples, fundraising, producing, directing and creating a social media campaign along with a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, is becoming the “new normal” among filmmakers intent on getting their work made and seen.

As Antony Osso says: “Making these films has been a complete joy for me. The reasons I made the films are many, but fundamentally, I made them to counterbalance so many of the representations of LGBT people in the media as struggling, conflicted, second-class citizens. We’re so much more than that.”

"With these films, I hope that we can broaden the landscape for LGBTQ teens, so that they can see the potential for fulfilling adult lives and relationships. The goal has always been for the films to be online, free of charge, for everyone to have access to them."

Osso’s ongoing goals for THE DEVOTION PROJECT in the UK and US include outreach to educational projects, LGBTQ youth groups, further festival screenings, and the potential for broadcast. Projects and individuals can also set up screening events with support from a new UK-wide Ambassador, Neil Young, who has over 15 years experience working for the LGBT community in London.

As Osso says: “Seeing people react to the films at screenings has only made me determined to distribute the films as widely as possible. They make a difference.”

Sue Sanders (Founder, LGBT History Month): “Given the shocking lack of images of LGBTQ family life in mainstream media, THE DEVOTION PROJECT films are a breath of fresh air because they show queer people loving and thriving. Watch these brilliant short films, screen them and share them with your favourite people – I cannot recommend them highly enough”.

Watch all of The Devotion Project FilmsHERE

Gay Rugby Stars Take On World Championship

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:06:50 +0000

London’s gay and inclusive rugby team, the Kings Cross Steelers, are preparing to take on the world’s best gay rugby clubs in Sydney in 2014’s international championships, the Bingham Cup. The West Ham-based team, who are currently the European champions, are hoping to hit the top spot in next year’s…

The team are staging a variety show at London’s Heaven club on 19 April to raise money to help them achieve their international goal. Among the acts will be Divalicious, the team’s renowned drag act, along with top cabaret act La Voix and upcoming boyband Class A. Tickets are on sale now at www.1night.org, with proceeds helping to provide coaching, physiotherapy and equipment for the team.

Steelers Chairman Tim Sullivan said: ‘We take our game seriously, knowing that few rugby teams in this country have a chance to compete at an international level. It’s a huge honour to have a chance to represent our city, our country and the game of rugby with all the courage, pride and hard work that demands. On and off the pitch Steelers have a great sense of humour too, and we can’t wait to put that on show for our supporters at Heaven in April.’

The Kings Cross Steelers are the world’s oldest gay rugby union club, and have competed at an international level for nearly 20 years. The team play in the Essex League, and are currently gay rugby union's European champions. They hope to retain that title in next month’s Union Cup tournament in Bristol, having won the 2011 Union Cup in Amsterdam. The Steelers welcome men of all sexual orientations and levels of sporting experience who want to learn and play rugby union, and currently have 80 players in three teams.

EU Refuses Cypriot Funding Change Despite Gay Ban

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:39:27 +0000

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement Štefan Füle refused a Conservative MEP’s request to suspend human rights funding to the Turkish Cypriot community following slow progress on the repeal of the ban on homosexuality in the northern part of Cyprus.

The current law on homosexuality in the northern part of the island dates back to British colonial times and has never been repealed or amended, in spite of the fact that homosexuality is no longer illegal in Turkey or the Republic of Cyprus.

Marina Yannakoudakis, who is a member of the European Parliament’s High-Level Contact Group for Relations with the Turkish Cypriot Community, has been lobbying Turkish Cypriot leader Dr. Derviş Eroğlu to repeal the ban. Last month she wrote to the Commissioner calling on him to put more pressure on the north of the island including by withholding assistance to the Turkish Cypriot Community in the field of human rights.

EU-funded experts have been involved in preparing a draft of a law which includes an abrogation of articles 171-174 thereby repealing the ban on homosexuality. The draft has been ready since October last year but has not yet been set before the legislature.

The London MEP said: “I welcome the EU’s efforts to fund amendments to this outdated and discriminatory law, but the Turkish Cypriot Community needs to realise that EU taxpayers – to say nothing of the north’s LGBT community – deserve deeds not words.

“To ensure that EU aid is used effectively in the northern part of Cyprus, the Commission must ensure progress. And if this means withholding assistance then so be it.”

Commissioner Füle in his reply to Mrs. Yannakoudakis said that he “will obviously continue underlining the importance of urgently repealing the criminalisation of homosexuality” but rejected the Conservative MEPs proposal to stop aid saying that it “would deprive Turkish Cypriots, who are EU citizens, of a concrete token of our European solidarity.”

TLA Releasing Acquires Five Dances

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:15:05 +0000

TLA Releasing has acquired UK, US and French-speaking Europe rights for Alan Brown’s (Private Romeo) contemporary drama Five Dances and will release the film in selected theatres this spring with a DVD and VOD release to follow in Q3 2013. Collaborating with internationally renowned choreographer Jonah Bokaer, writer-director Brown…

Brown and his long-time cinematographer Derek McKane capture the exhilaration and emotional turmoil of a dance company, and all of Chip's poignant firsts with the result being the director’s most dynamic film to date.

Derek Curl, TLA Releasing President, who brokered the deal with Wide, said of the acquisition: “Fives Dances is a stunning and assured piece of filmmaking which we are thrilled to be bringing to theatres, DVD and VOD. Alan Brown has made an original, moving and modern film which we are sure will speak to our core audience and far beyond.”

Brown added: “I am pleased to be partnering once again with TLA Releasing. My new film is unique in its cross-genre appeal, and I know that TLA Releasing is as excited as I am about reaching new audiences, and exploring innovative release opportunities.”

Will UEFA Act on Homophobia?

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:08:49 +0000

UK based LGBT voluntary group JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) have called on FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) asking the anti-racism organisation to take a stand against UEFA and demand answers from them as to why they have been reluctant in the past 12 months to even begin an…

JBG? are aware that both FARE and LGBT sports organisation EGLSF (European Gay and Lesbian Sports Federation) are working in partnership at times with UEFA, in the case of FARE they have received “considerable financial support in recent years” from UEFA, and both groups are “partners of the UEFA football and social responsibility portfolio, an action party funded by the European Commission (DG Justice)” and there may be a reluctance for both to shy away from putting any pressure on UEFA, but we believe that as 2 of the big players in sports fight against discrimination FARE and EGLSF need to apply pressure those in authority at UEFA.

Remind them of their own 5-point action plan against homophobia which formed pages of the UEFA 2006 Guide for Clubs, produced as part of the 2nd Unite Against Racism Conference in Barcelona, and of their obligation to an LGBT community, also that UEFA have a duty to take any form of homophobia seriously.

Founder of JBG?- Lindsay England, stated, ” I was extremely disappointed that when the comments from Mr Mourinho were given out no investigation was ever made by UEFA, likewise FARE were not seen to take any action or question UEFA about the situation which a is particularly sad silence from all.“

UEFA were contacted by JBG? and French counter parts Paris Foot Gay who wrote an open letter to UEFA, but rather than inform of any procedure they may follow UEFA replied, “ We have priorities and this is not one.”

Midlands 'Coming Out' Play on way to Dublin

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Theatre company FRED has announced that its forthcoming production of a new play from the pen of Jonathan ap Emrys, The Lasting Sense of Sudden, has been selected to be a festival production at the 10th annual International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. The company will travel to Dublin in May…

The Lasting Sense of Sudden, which has been developed with the generous support of Birmingham LGBT’s SHOUT Festival, will premier in Birmingham in March as part of a double bill of one-act plays. These will be performed under the title of Generations by FRED at the Custard Factory Theatre. Jonathan’s play, developed from the real words of real people, is a bitter sweet exploration of coming out, gaining acceptance, and learning to accept oneself in the twenty-first century.

FRED, which was only established in late 2012 by its artistic director, Robert F. Ball, is excited to be taking its second full-scale production overseas. Robert says: “This announcement is a great boost for us as a new company, and a real vote of confidence in Jonathan’s work as a new playwright.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of SHOUT and, of course, the members of the LGBTQ community across the West Midlands who shared their stories and experiences with us so generously. We’ve taken their stories and used them as the basis for Jonathan’s play which is funny, sad, infuriating, moving, a lot of things. Most of all, though, it is going to be a superb piece of theatre that I am proud to be taking to an international audience.”

Jonathan ap Emrys says: “I'm thrilled that the festival has seen the play's potential and I'm looking forward to seeing it performed to an international audience."

Betty White Rules the World

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:34:41 +0000

Betty White’s Birthday turned 91 on January 17, 2013, and author Mike Pingel is celebrated her Brithday with the release of his newest book, Betty White Rules the World” book The Ultimate (and Unauthorized) Guide to Television's Grande Dame.

The book is a funny, heartfelt and a loving tribute to America’s Sweetheart, Betty White Rules the World looks at her extraordinary entertainment career, her beloved characters and her love of animals and is sprinkled with funny “what-ifs.”

At the tender young age of 90, Betty White is going strong with two TV series and two new books! She has given us priceless moments to escape from this crazy world with laughter. No other actress has the buzz that Betty has—from constant reruns of “The Golden Girls” to “Hot In Cleveland” and "Off Their Rockers" to the Facebook campaign landing her a hosting gig on “Saturday Night Live,” Betty White has never been more beloved. In her spare time, Betty selflessly helps vulnerable and endangered animals. Now, take a look at her storied television career and her impact on the industry and let's see where she goes from here.

Betty White Rules the World is the must-have book about television’s must-have Grande Dame written by Mike Pingel, the 70s TV fanboy. Having penned books as Channel Surfing: Charlie’s Angels, Channel Surfing: Wonder Woman and The Brady Bunch: Super Groovy After all these Years! He currently lives in Los Angeles and stalks Betty White daily.

“Betty White is a down-to-earth sweet woman.” - Actor, Sean Fairs
“She is very funny and very real” – Actor, Dick Van Patten
“Betty appeals to everybody.” - Betty White’s Fan Club President, Kay Daly
“I want to be Betty White when I grow up.” - Artist, Glen Hanson

Buy "Betty White Rules the World - The Ultimate (and Unauthorized) Guide to Television's Grande Dame"

Same Sex Marriage Bill Majority

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:27:29 +0000

MPs have voted by a majority of 225 in favour of the new Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. The Bill will extend the legal form of marriage to lesbian, gay and bisexual people and permit religious denominations to celebrate such marriages should they wish.

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: "As the last piece of the legislative jigsaw providing equality for gay people in Britain, this is a truly historic step forward. We’re absolutely delighted that MPs have demonstrated so overwhelmingly that they’re in touch with the twenty-first century.

"We anticipate, as always, a tough battle in the House of Lords. Happily, the size of the Commons majority seen tonight – much larger than for most normal Government business – will make it very difficult for peers to suggest that the Bill should be rejected."

"Most people in Britain support equal marriage and will be delighted that we’re now a step closer to it. We’re grateful to the thousands of Stonewall supporters, many of them straight, who played a big part by contacting their MPs in support."

LGBTory, the Conservative Party’s affiliated LGBT group, welcomes the progress towards equality in the House of Commons this evening. MPs voted in favour of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill and it will now proceed to Committee Stage.

Matthew Sephton, LGBTory Chairman commented: “We are delighted, after months of work, that history has been made today with the progression of the bill led by a Conservative Prime Minister, to allow same sex couples to marry."

"It is disappointing that a significant number of Conservative MPs opposed the bill at this stage. There has been a well-funded campaign of propaganda and misinformation by those opposing equality that has left many struggling to understand the true facts of this simple legislation."

"We will continue to counter these lies and hope more MPs will be able to support the bill at its next vote”.

What do you think about the result? Add your comments below.

Gay Marriage Vote Today

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:12:34 +0000

MPs will get the chance to vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill for the first time today, Tuesday 5 February. Three senior Conservatives have made a late appeal to their party to drop any opposition to plans to allow gay marriage in England and Wales. Chancellor George Osborne,…

Some Tories say the move will harm their 2015 general election prospects.

How Will The Voting Go?

The majority of the 57 Liberal Democrat MPs are expected to back the plans.
The majority of Labour MPs are also expected to vote in favour, although around 20 may vote against or abstain
The Conservative Party is expected to split three ways

Outside the Westminster bubble there is much broader support. Liz Bramley, The Co-operative’s Head of Engagement & Diversity commented, “The Co-operative’s values of equity, equality and social responsibility are part of our heritage, and drive our vision of building a better society. We were therefore delighted to have an opportunity to respond to the government’s consultation on the issue of equal civil marriage (England and Wales), and we submitted an online response in support of the proposals. We not only recognise and embrace the diversity of our employee populations; we are continually working to create and maintain inclusive team cultures which harness the diverse talents and experiences of our colleagues in a common endeavour to serve customers in the diverse communities where we trade.”

Around The World

In July 2010 Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage. Mexico City had been the only place in the region where same-sex marriage was allowed previously.

In June 2012 Denmark became the 11th country to approve same-sex marriage - 23 years after it became the first country in the world to recognise gay civil partnerships.

Gaydar and Grindr HIV Advert Protests

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:07:08 +0000

An advert that appeared on Grindr and Gaydar and other dating sites and apps over the weekend has been removed following protests on Facebook and via Twitter. The advert, under the heading ‘Got the cool gene?’, promoted a test that could determine whether an individual had a genetic mutation which…

Hodson adds, “It’s true that some people are less vulnerable to HIV than others, because of a specific gene mutation. However, even if you do have this mutation, it only offers partial protection - it does not guarantee that you will not become infected. Using condoms and lube is a much better method of prevention than a test that tells you that you may be less likely to catch HIV than someone else. I am delighted that Grindr and Gaydar have both removed this advert.”

The responsibility of gay dating websites and apps for the health of their users, and in particular their impact on sexual health, has been hotly debated over the last few years. The latest issue of the sex and health magazine, FS, looks at the impact that recent technology has on sexual health. It’s clear that technology has changed the way that many gay men meet new sexual partners and young gay men are now most likely to explore their sexuality for the first time with men that they meet online or via an app.

The changing face of gay dating presents both challenges and opportunities for HIV prevention. Because many gay men now meet away from the scene, some of the traditional ways of reaching gay men with safer sex messages may now be less effective. However gay men are able to access a wide range of sexual health materials online, GMFA’s sexual health information site at www.gmfa.org.uk/sex receives hundreds of thousands of visitors from gay men each year. Many dating sites actively seek to provide their users with health information, and sites such as Gaydar and Manhunt are a part of a scheme which enables men who have been diagnosed with an STI to alert their recent sexual partners.

You can read the ‘Tech Sex’ feature in the latest issue of FS magazine, alongside other health related articles for gay men, including an interview by HIV-positive activist, Kristian Johns, with his HIV-negative partner, exploring the challenges that their sero-discordancy raises. FS magazine is available for free in gay venues and GUM clinics in London, or can be viewed at www.fsmag.org.uk. FS magazine is now also available to download on your iPhone, iPad or Android device for free. Visit www.gmfa.org.uk/fsapp of search for ‘FS magazine UK’ in iTunes and Google Play.

Gays Support Equal Marriage Too

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 17:33:45 +0000

A new YouGov poll commissioned for Stonewall shows nine in ten (91%) of Britain’s 3.7 million lesbian, gay and bisexual people support equal marriage. YouGov polled 2,092 lesbian, gay and bisexual people in England, Scotland and Wales between 5 and 22 October 2012 and also found support rises to 96…

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: "Some regrettably shrill anti-gay campaigners have taken to suggesting gay people aren’t really that bothered about equal marriage. We now know just how important this reform is for millions of people in this country."

"Added to other polls showing overwhelming support for equal marriage from gay and straight people alike, this exposes the hollowness of one of the main claims made by anti-equality campaigners."

In December an Ipsos MORI poll showed 73 per cent of all people in Britain think gay people should be able to marry. Similarly, a YouGov poll for Stonewall’s Living Together report last year found 71 per cent of all people in Britain support government plans to introduce equal marriage, rising to over 80 per cent of people aged 18-50.

MPs will vote on equal marriage on the 5 February 2013 when the House of Commons considers the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.

The First Lady Of Fitness Is Back

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:17:15 +0000

New DVD Release 4th March 2013: "I love doing yoga in the morning to wake up my body and again at night to unwind from the day." Jane Fonda Stretch into Spring... The original fitness guru and Academy Award winner Jane Fonda returns with a new release from her best-selling…

As a keen advocate of keeping fit and healthy in later life, Fonda wants to show you that exercise doesn't need to be scary, painful or too demanding and can leave you stronger, leaner and feeling younger. Yoga is a great way to enhance your energy, build strength, increase flexibility and lose weight.

Am/pm Yoga for Beginners includes a series of three morning (AM) workouts designed to help you feel rejuvenated and energised and two evening (PM) workouts that will help you relax, unwind and relieve tension and stress. Routines include exercises to improve your core muscles, increase stability and boost your energy. The DVD includes bonus 5-minute stability and posture exercises to improve your balance, plus custom workout and music-only options.

Workouts: Abs & Back (AM): Strengthen and tighten your core to increase stability and support of your lower back Energy (AM): Increase your energy and get ready for the day with light stretches and basic yoga poses Strength (AM): Engage your entire body with yoga and traditional weight training routines Mobility (PM): Grab a sturdy chair and get ready to release all the stress from your active day Relaxation (PM): Relax and feel the tension release by gently stretching your core, shoulders, hips, back and legs

Buy: Jane Fonda AM/PM Yoga on DVD

Proud2Be Nominated for Diversity Awards

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:02:23 +0000

Proud2Be Project has been nominated for the Community Organisation Award at The National Diversity Awards. The ceremony celebrates some of the excellent and inspiring achievements of positive role models and community organisations from across the UK. The awards aim to recognise nominees in their respective ﬁelds of diversity including age,…

Proud2Be is a social enterprise that was set up in June 2011 to help encourage and support all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to be proud of who they are. The project hosts a video campaign featuring Stephen Fry and last years Lifetime Achiever Award winner Peter Tatchell and hosts its own LGBT radio show. It also facilitates social groups and workshops and will be launching Totnes Pride on Saturday 14th September 2013.

Project founders Mat and Jon Price said: "We are thrilled that Proud2Be has been nominated for a National Diversity Award. We have spent the last year working on the project at our home in Devon and for our work to be acknowledged by such a fantastic initiative is an absolute honour"

The National Diversity Awards 2013 in association with Microsoft will be held at The Queens Hotel, Leeds on September 20th.

Britain’s most inspirational people will come together to honour the rich tapestry of our nation, recognising individuals and groups from grass roots communities who have contributed to creating a more diverse and inclusive society.

Big Brother host Brian Dowling and CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell will be hosting this year’s event. The awards have also gained support from a number of celebrities including Stephen Fry, Beverley Knight and Ade Adepitan - and the Likes of Paralympic champion Jody Cundy, and Journalist Amal Fashanu were amongst last year’s attendees.

The largest diversity awards ceremony of its kind has generated great sponsors such as the co-operative Group, Sky, The Open University and Price Waterhouse Coopers. Theresa McHenry, of Microsoft UK, said ‘The National Diversity Awards are a wonderful way to recognise the extraordinary contribution of real people to our communities. It’s a delight to be able to support this fantastic celebration of local heroes.’

Amongst last year’s winners was gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who scooped up The Lifetime Achiever Award; Trade Union activist Zita Holbourne who was awarded the positive role Model for Race and The Anthony Walker foundation, a charity established following the tragic murder of its namesake in a racially motivated attack. The National Diversity Awards received an astonishing amount of nominations for last year’s event.

Paul Sesay, Chief Executive of The National Diversity Awards said, ‘if ever there was a time to celebrate and elevate the truly staggering diversity of talent the UK has to oﬀer – it is now’

‘I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year’.

Nominations are now open and close July 19th 2013 - so don’t miss out on your chance to get involved!

To nominate Proud2Be Project visit: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk

Support Equal Marriage? Contact Your MP

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:38:14 +0000

As the Government finally publishes its Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill to introduce equal marriage, Stonewall has urged supporters in England and Wales to write to their MPs calling on them to support the measure when it is debated on 5 February. In December, an Ipsos MORI poll found 73…

A YouGov poll for Stonewall’s Living Together report last year also showed a clear majority of people in Britain support equal marriage, including three in five people of faith and over 80 per cent of people under the age of 50. Stonewall’s campaign website at www.stonewall.org.uk/marriage gives supporters a range of resources to help them campaign for equality.

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said "Sadly the minority of people who oppose equal marriage consistently use mistruths and smears to argue against it. Supporters of this modest measure mustn’t let a vocal minority block equality. People must write to, tweet, email or call their MPs to ask them for their support before the Bill’s Second Reading debate on 5 February. We need straight people with lesbian or gay friends or relatives to stand up for their rights too. Equality benefits everyone, which is why we need every supporter to press MPs to vote for it. Our message is simple. Speak now, or forever hold your peace."

John Wadham, General Counsel at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, added, “We welcome the government’s decision to introduce legislation to extend the right to marriage to same sex couples. We agree that couples who wish to marry should be permitted to marry in church if their church also wishes to marry them.”

Co-Op is most Gay Friendly

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:51:36 +0000

The UK’s largest mutual retailer The Co-operative has ranked as one of the best workplaces in the UK for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) employees.

The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index which grades private and public sector organisations across the UK on how well they are doing in their support of lesbian, gay and bisexual matters has just announced that The Co-operative is the 3rd best organisation to work for in the UK, and for the fourth consecutive year they are the only retailer in the Top 100. The Co-operative’s inclusive LGBT employee network Respect, with over 1200 employee members, has also been awarded Stonewalls ‘Star Performer Network Group’ recognition for the third consecutive year.

This is the first year that a retailer has entered the top 10 of the index.

Paul Flowers, Chair of The Co-operative Banking Group, Deputy Chair of The Co-operative Group and Senior Sponsor for the Respect network commented, “Being an inclusive employer, it is important that we ensure all of our employees have an equally positive experience whilst at work. The Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is highly thought of and being a part of the index for the last seven years has shown how we as an employer have made many positive changes within the workplace. We look forward to working further with Stonewall to identify those areas we can improve on and to further enhance the workplace experience for our employees. Cracking the top ten for the first time is a superb achievement that demonstrates The Co-operative is a great place to work. Well done to everyone involved including our Employee Engagement and Diversity team, HR People Services, Procurement teams and the Respect network Steering Group.”

Liz Bramley, Head of Employee Engagement and Diversity commented, “The 2013 Stonewall Workplace Equality Index has been one of the strongest to date. To improve eight places on our 2012 ranking is a brilliant achievement and a real testament to the hard work of so many teams and individuals throughout the business. As in previous years, we are competing not only against private businesses across the UK but public sector bodies as well such as individual police forces, universities, charities and NHS Trusts, with more and more entering each year. This success could not have been achieved without the collaborative efforts and the huge level of senior sponsorship and support we receive for our work.”

Thomas Anderson and Victoria Cowley, Co-chairs of the Respect LGBT employee network added, "We have been amazed by the support we have witnessed from Senior Leaders from all business areas in championing the Respect network. Their commitment to ensuring The Co-operative is a business that really values our employees differences and where all employees can come to work, perform to the best of our abilities and have an equally positive experience should reassure us all that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or/and transgender at The Co-operative should not be a barrier to our career progression and enjoyment in our roles. Thank you to the hundreds of employees that have supported the Respect network all over the UK in the last twelve months and contributed to our success in the index. To be awarded the ‘Star Performer Network Group’ for the third consecutive year is a fantastic start to the year.”

The news follows a very busy 2012 where The Co-operative supported over 20 LGBT events all over the UK including sponsoring Manchester and Cardiff Pride’s as well as supporting many LGBT charities and community groups. It has just been announced that The Co-operative will be sponsoring Student Pride 2013 in Brighton that takes places between 1 – 3 March.

Making Dickie Happy shows in West End

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 15:00:34 +0000

The brittle, brilliant world of England's literary and social elite is ingeniously depicted in this breezy, quick-witted re-staging which concerns a young Noel Coward and his boyfriend Tono, a young Lord Louis "Dickie" Mountbatten and Agatha Christie. First staged in 2004 at North London's Rosemary Branch Theatre, it now descends…

Writer Jeremy Kingston imagines what would have happened had the three, who in reality all holidayed at a hotel on Burgh Island off the Devon coast at various times, been brought together over one weekend. The weekend is, of course, fictitious, the people real. The trio find themselves at the hotel together. The First World War has ended but remains a vital memory. Three of the characters have been in the Navy (and two of them still are); a fourth fought in the trenches; and even Noel Coward served in the Army, though not for very long. The tale is a fascinating look at relationships, marriages, engagements, promises, hellos and goodbyes.

Agatha Christie is a little older than the men, married and the mother of a small daughter. At this early stage in her career she has written a couple of Hercule Poirot novels, The Mysterious Affair at Styles and Murder on the Links, and a volume of Poirot stories, Poirot Investigates, first serialised in the newspaper The Sketch.

'Dickie' Mountbatten is on the fringe of numerous royal families but only on the fringe. His carefully nurtured friendship with the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), has already helped his social profile, and he has recently accompanied the Prince on a successful tour of India.

Noel Coward was 19 when his first play, I'll Leave it to You, was produced in the West End, followed by a second, The Young Idea, and a revue, London Calling! (1923). Through these, he became a minor celebrity but real success lay ahead.

Robert Gillespie is mainly associated with new writing as a director. He contributed to seventeen productions at the King's Head Theatre, most of them world premieres and directed the production of Making Dickie Happy at the Rosemary Branch Theatre (2004). He also directed a biting re-write of the Oedipus story, Oedipus at the Crossroads (2003) by Jeremy Kingston and Sex, Death and a Baked Swan (2005), a play about female gladiators by Debbie Cook, both of which saw first light at the Rosemary Branch Theatre. He has contributed shows to six Dublin Theatre Festivals and worked in Israel on, amongst other plays, Frayn's Noises Off (1980) at the Cameri Theatre, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Robert is probably best known as a TV sit-com actor, and starred as Dudley Rush, a part written for him by Brian Cooke, in five series of Keep it in the Family for Thames Television. He's also been in everything from Likely Lads to Dad's Army, Rising Damp and Porridge and he appeared as Gilbert Herring in Bonjour La Classe. Recently, he featured in Cardboard Citizens' striking production of their WWII epic - Mincemeat.

As a writer Robert contributed to TV's That Was The Week That Was; especially A Consumer's Guide To Religion (performed by David Frost) which provoked fulminating clergyman and questions in the House. Latterly, he has performed in his own two-hander My Heart (about death and gods) and directed Love, Question Mark, his piece about the myth of monogamy.

Jeremy Kingston was born in London and brought up in various Home Counties before returning to London where he worked as a credit clerk, a sculpture model at the Royal Academy, a barristers' junior clerk, secretary to John Lehmann on the London Magazine, and had his first play No Concern of Mine, with Alan Dobie and John Fraser in the leads, produced at the Westminster Theatre. Signs of the Times, starring Kenneth More and Liza Goddard, was produced at the Vaudeville. Robert Gillespie directed his Oedipus at the Crossroads at the King's Head, and directed the first production of Making Dickie Happy at the Rosemary Branch. Jeremy has written scripts for Desmond Morris on Granada TV, a novel, two children's books and in 2008 his first collection of poems, On the Lookout (Hearing Eye). He was the theatre critic on Punch for ten years and since 1985 has been one of the theatre critics on The Times.

Tristan Bates Theatre, 1a Tower Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9NP
5 to 30 March 2013 at 7.30pm (Tue to Sat) and mats at 3.30pm (Sun)
020 7240 6283
www.tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
boxoffice@tristanbatestheatre.co.uk
£14 (£10 concs)

New Lesbian Relationships Essential Guide Published

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:53:35 +0000

There are around 3 million lesbian and bisexual women in the UK, according to national statistics. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, bisexual, lesbian or trans, monogamous or polyamorous, Lesbian Relationships: The Essential Guide is for you. Packed with practical tips and techniques, it will help you make the most…

Inside, you’ll find information about the two types of desire, how to raise sexual energy through ‘Orgasmic Meditation’ and tantra, anatomy and health, self-esteem, body image, dating and communication, fantasy and seduction, and how to stimulate your erotic imagination.

The book covers pregnancy and parenting, which explains the pros and cons of donor conception, surrogacy and adoption for single women and those in a relationship. Plus a comprehensive resource guide featuring lesbian literature, erotica, female-friendly sex boutiques, websites, magazines, educational salons, support organisations, and sex-positive festivals and events around the UK.

Nicci Talbot is a freelance journalist, copywriter and author specialising in sex & relationships, health & wellbeing. She edits RUDE magazine, an online resource for better sex, relationships and health and is training to be a certified sex coach at SexCoachU.

> Buy Lesbian Relationships: The Essential Guide

Nigeria Gay Marriage Ban Bill Condemned

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:03:28 +0000

The international community and human rights activists are calling for Nigeria to reconsider the bill prohibiting same-sex marriage.

But Nigerian Senate President David Mark has maintained that the bill prohibiting same-sex marriage would be passed. According to a statement issued by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary Paul Mumeh, the Senate President told the Catholic faithful and guests at a recent civic reception in honour of John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan in Abuja that despite the pressure from some quarters, the law banning same-sex marriage will be enacted.

Mark was quoted by Mumeh to have said: “ We will not compromise on this. I want to invite you all to join the crusade of decency in our society. There are many good values we can copy from other societies but certainly not this one (same-sex marriage).

“We have to prove to the rest of the world, who are advocates of this unnatural way, that we Nigerians promote and respect sanity, morality and humanity. Every individual is a product of the union of a man and woman.”

An overwhelming number of religious and socio-cultural groups across Nigeria has been unequivocal in their opposition to same-sex marriage which some foreign countries are openly urging Nigeria to accept.

Such opponents include Christian denominations as well as Muslim groups all of which have voiced their rejection of the pressure from some sections of the international community for Nigeria to change its stance. Among them is the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh who has repeatedly opposed the move, saying same-sex marriage is not biblical and therefore unacceptable.

However, Nigerian Humanist human rights activist Leo Igwe, who is a supporter of the UK gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust, said: “The statements made by David Mark that the ban on same sex marriage was irrevocable are reprehensible. They are a clear demonstration of homophobia and show a lack of appreciation of the humane moral values of the contemporary world. He has used the civic reception of John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan to fan the flames of hatred and persecution of a sexual minority and to promote his skewed sense of decency. They are inconsistent with the constitutional role of a Senate President. They are also another clear indication of how the Senate and the church in Nigeria are working together in prosecuting a crusade against gay people.

Instead of supporting the ban on same sex marriage, the Senate and the Government of Nigeria as a whole should make a commitment to promoting and protecting the universal human rights of everyone, whatever their race, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, even when such commitment conflicts with the teachings of religion.”

New DVD Competition

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:57:27 +0000

In our Jan/Feb competition you have the chance to win 3 brilliant new movies on DVD thanks to the generous folk at TLA Releasing. In 'The Men Next Door', director Rob Williams returns with a new romantic comedy about finding love a little too close to home. The Men Next Door is…

Gaydio Expands on to DAB

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:51:43 +0000

On Monday 7 January 2013 at 7am, Gaydio took over operation of the two digital radio licences (on London and Sussex Coast multiplexes) formerly operated by QSoft as Gaydar Radio. The enlarged broadcast area and inherited audience makes it the largest gay radio station in the world.

Chris Holliday and Emma Goswell (‘Chris and Emma at Breakfast’) were the first voices on the newly expanded service, which now identifies as ‘Gaydio, the Beat of Gay UK’.

Programme Director of Gaydio, Toby Whitehouse said, ‘Taking over these licences is a terrific opportunity for us. Gaydar had a large and loyal audience and we’re working hard to deliver a service that people will love.’

Gaydio can also be heard online at gaydio.co.uk and via apps on the Android and iOS platforms; and through through the Gaydar and Gaydargirls websites.

UK "Kill The Gays" Preacher Warned Against US Entry

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:45:33 +0000

The homophobic Christian owner of a coffee shop in St Neots near Cambridge in the UK was warned today that he might face being banned from entering the US because of his hateful rhetoric towards homosexuals. Paul Shinners, owner of Cornerstone in St Neots and head of an organisation called…

On reading the Freethinker report, Commissioner Nathan wrote the following letter to Shinners: “I note your purposeful quest in supporting the Ugandan ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill’. It just strikes me as horrific that someone who purports to be a man of God would openly incite such violence on foreign soil. You ought to know better.

“Mr Shinners, with all due respect, your support and call for passage of legislation that would kill people marks you as an accessory to the potential genocide that is likely to follow, not to mention the inciting of the current persecution that is already occurring.

“Gay people in Uganda are being persecuted, assaulted and tortured as we speak because of this rhetoric that you so freely hurl in your discourse and unfortunately in the name of Christianity. I do not believe that most Christians think in this fundamentalist way and most would be shocked at how you tout the name of Jesus with such vitriol and violent intent.

“Mr Shinners, you are free to practice your religion and to preach to your heart's content. No one will ever dispute that nor take that away from you. However you are not free to preach harm and violence against others and that is what you have done and are continuing to do …

“You have no right to preach about legislation that is against basic human rights standards and decency as expected of a British citizen either in his own country or around the globe.”

She added: “I plan to explore with UK Justice Dept. whether or not there is legislation similar to the US Alien Tort Act, under which we are currently suing Pastor Scott Lively in the US for his purposeful persecution of Ugandans on African soil, when he preached calling for their demise.

“In essence you have done the same. Your name will also be submitted to the list of unwelcome gay haters in the USA, to join the likes of David Bahati, Martin Ssempa and others and I believe you may find that you will not be allowed travel privileges into the USA in the future.

“To go to another country to tell them to kill people based on their sexuality is not what God wants by anyone's religious standards and you have taken it too far. I hope that you will find it in your heart to look at what you have done and to issue an apology to the LGBTI community of Uganda as well as to provide a written retraction of your support for the Bill. If you do I would be glad to publish it in a prominent publication. In the meantime this letter to you sir, will be made public.”

– Melanie Nathan, Commissioner, Marin Human Rights Commission, California, USA. Private Courts Inc.

George Broadhead, of the UK gay Humanist charity, the Pink Triangle Trust, said he was appalled that a Christian charity in the UK, which claims to have been established “to love the Father, love one another, love our neighbour, and even to love our enemy” should be a hub of hatred towards gay people. Cornerstone even published a poster ahead of the Uganda event, which pictured Shinners among the event's leading hate-mongers”.

Broadhead added: “It is even more appalling that a UK-based organisation should attempt, through the direct efforts of its owner to interfere with the democratic processes of a foreign country”.

Gaydar Quits Radio Business

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 16:33:14 +0000

Gaydar Radio's owner QSoft is to stop the popular radio station on the 7th January, blaming the cost of digital investment. The DAB licence will transfer to Gaydio, a move that should enable QSoft to focus on its core business interests which includes the Gaydar.co.uk and GaydarGirls.com dating sites, mobile…

As a result of the transfer, GaydarRadio will cease broadcasting from its Twickenham base and all programming will be controlled by Gaydio from its Manchester operation. GaydarRadio currently reaches 750,000 listeners per month (RAJAR/IPSOS MORI) through its DAB licences for the London and Sussex areas, mobile apps and online sites. As part of the agreement between Gaydio and QSoft Consulting, the Gaydar dating brand will continue to be supported by on air editorial programming and advertising support.

The combined GaydarRadio and Gaydio radio licences will create the single biggest radio station for the UK LGBT community which also enjoys a strong mainstream following, attracted by its high energy dance music and lifestyle programming.

GaydarRadio began broadcasting in 2001 as an internet only radio station before winning its DAB licences. The station has won numerous industry awards including Sony Radio Academy and Arqiva awards.

Gaydio began broadcasting with a part time licences in 2006, before winning a full time FM and licences in 2008. Gaydio began broadcasting on air and online on a full time basis in June 2010 and is the UK’s first FM gay radio station, attracting approximately 100,000 listeners per month.

Trevor Martin, CEO of QSoft Consulting, said: “Everyone associated with GaydarRadio should be immensely proud of what the station has achieved. The station has devoted an extraordinary amount of time to help social causes within the LGBT community as well as supporting talent within the music industry. The transfer of the DAB licences to Gaydio will ensure that the time and money invested in GaydarRadio will continue to live on and be supported in an appropriate way, with the support of the Gaydio FM licence. The challenges of the DAB radio sector have been well documented and were increasingly holding QSoft Consulting back from investing in its core dating business, which continues to expand in the UK and internationally.”

Toby Whitehouse, station director and co-founder of Gaydio, stated: “This is great news for the UK’s LGBT community as this will create a unified and stronger programming opportunity on the FM, DAB and online broadcasting platforms. Gaydio and GaydarRadio have shared many similarities in terms of the programming mix and our dedication to promoting LGBT causes. We are really excited to be the forging the biggest LGBT media outlet in the UK.”

Lady Gaga Raises LGBT Youth Homelessness

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 19:33:54 +0000

Virgin Mobile USA has announced that it is extending its award-winning relationship with Lady Gaga, and will be presenting her 2013 Born This Way Ball tour in North America. Through the partnership, Virgin Mobile will educate concert-goers on the issue of youth homelessness, calling on fans to step up to…

One lucky fan selected at each show will have a $5,000 donation made to a local youth homeless shelter on his or her behalf – and then have the opportunity to increase the donation by spreading the word socially or volunteering for the cause. This fan will also get a special surprise from Mother Monster herself.

Virgin Mobile will also be giving fans a variety of ways to get involved in helping raise money to make a difference. Fans at the shows will be encouraged to tweet pictures of themselves, and for every tweet Virgin Mobile USA will donate $1 to a local youth homeless shelter. In support of the Canadian tour stops, Virgin Mobile Canada will be motivating fans to donate to Re*Generation via a text-to-donate program.

“We’re excited to be extending our partnership with Virgin Mobile after all of the success we’ve had together in the past, and all of the lives we were able to change,” said Troy Carter, manager for Lady Gaga. “We look forward to continuing to make a difference together.”

“There’s nothing stronger than the bond Lady Gaga has with her fans,” said Ron Faris, head of brand marketing at Virgin Mobile USA. “Every day, she inspires her fans to express themselves in new ways – to do more –and to always think of those less fortunate than themselves. It’s an ethos we share deeply at Virgin Mobile. And when we think of all the unique and crazy ways we use smartphones to connect fans to the things they love most (both on and off this tour), we’ll look to Lady Gaga as our model of inspiration.”

To take these smartphone social experiences to the next level, Virgin Mobile will be partnering with Samsung Mobile and their Galaxy line of handsets.

Virgin Mobile will also be working with Lady Gaga’s social network for fans, www.littlemonsters.com, to provide ways for them to get involved and donate to Re*Generation even if they aren’t attending the shows.

For more information about Re*Generation and how you can get involved, please visit www.virginmobilelive.com in the US or www.virginmobile.ca/regen in Canada.

Trinidad PM Promises to End LGBT Discrimination

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:27:00 +0000

In a letter to the Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs Kamla Persad-Bisessar, has said she wants to ‘put an end to all discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation’. She said that her government’s Gender Policy, currently under discussion in Cabinet,…

Mrs Persad Bisessar said she agreed that ‘stigmatisation of homosexuality in Trinidad and Tobago is a matter which must be addressed on the grounds of human rights and dignity to which every individual is entitled under international law.’

A Trinidad newspaper published her letter, which was written in August, this week and a spokesman for the Prime Minister said it was ‘self-explanatory’.

Lance Price, Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, met Mrs Persad-Bisessar in Port of Spain earlier this year. He then wrote to her urging her to remove from the statute books those pieces of legislation that discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Lance Price said: ‘The Prime Minister’s letter to me is the clearest statement ever given by a Caribbean leader of the need to get rid of laws that undermine the basic human rights of LGBT people. I was delighted to read her unequivocal opposition to discrimination in any form against people because of how they were born. What she says indicates a position of strong moral leadership on this issue. We applaud her for what she has said and look forward with great interest to seeing the new Gender Policy when it is published.’

BBC Portrayal of Lesbian and Gays Report Out

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 12:30:50 +0000

The BBC has published a new snapshot of the views of audiences and experts on the portrayal of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in UK programming. It confirms that the vast majority of audiences are comfortable with the depiction of lesbian, gay and bisexual people on radio, TV and online. …

The report into the portrayal of lesbian, gay and bisexual people on the BBC fulfils a commitment to keep the topic on the agenda, two years on from landmark research in 2010. This research, along with the updated review, can be accessed here: bbc.co.uk/diversity/audiences/lgb-consultation.html

The BBC’s own independently run audience reaction panel (called Pulse) will now be used to track all audiences’ views on this over time, to help programme makers understand and meet their expectations.

Acting director general Tim Davie, chair of the BBC Working Group which commissioned the review, said: “The BBC has a fundamental obligation to serve all its audiences. In fact, it’s one of the BBC’s public purposes to reflect the diversity of UK life. I’m proud to have led this work for three years, and this review underlines our commitment and sets a direction for the work to continue.”

In two parts, it includes a survey of the opinions of around 3,500 people on the Pulse panel, including more than 500 people who identified themselves as lesbian, gay and bisexual, as well as an in-depth consultation of individuals and members of expert organisations including Stonewall, actors’ union Equity and the Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

The review’s findings are broadly consistent with the 2010 research, and will provide a robust benchmark to track future changes. The BBC has committed to re-running the audience survey in a year’s time.

A separate stream of work has looked at the representation of transgender people, and the BBC has just launched the Trans Comedy Award – a partnership between the BBC Writersroom and Trans Comedy to encourage a more positive portrayal of trans people in mainstream comedy. Details on the Trans Comedy Award can be found here: bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/transcomedy-award

First National HIV Testing Week Success

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:17:01 +0000

Thousands more gay men have been tested for HIV, after more than 55 sexual health clinics and organisations from across England participated in the country’s first ever National HIV Testing Week. The week, which ran from 23rd – 30th November, was launched by Terrence Higgins Trust and coordinated through HIV…

HIV Prevention England commissioned a number of regional organisations to promote the campaign in their local communities during the week, resulting in over 800 additional hours of HIV testing events across England. Some of the week’s successes included:

· A home sampling service launched by GMFA saw more than 200 home HIV sampling kits posted out to gay men in London. Kits, with which men post saliva samples to a lab and receive a result within two working days, are available through www.gmfa.org.uk/thinkHIV.

· In Leeds, Yorkshire MESMAC worked with local clinicians and sexual health nurses to provide 56 hours of community testing during the week. This resulted in 111 additional HIV tests being given in the city, compared with five tests during the same period last year.

· Terrence Higgins Trust’s centre in Brighton extended its clinic opening hours throughout the week, testing an extra 51 local people for HIV.

The initiative also received high-profile support from Mayor of London Boris Johnson, NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh, actor Stephen Fry, and singer Annie Lennox

Paul Ward, Deputy Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We are thrilled with how successful the week has been, and the great response we had from clinics and community organisations. As a result of increased testing activities during the week, thousands more gay men across England now know their HIV status. Whether you’re positive or negative, knowing your status is the first step in being able to protect yourself and your partners from infection.

“National HIV Testing Week is a great annual reminder for gay men to test. However, not everyone’s sex life is the same, and some men will need to test more regularly than others. We hope the message of the week, of how important testing is to both individual and public health, will last all year round.”

As part of HPE’s Think HIV campaign, the partnership is encouraging gay men to visit www.thinkHIV.org.uk and complete a short survey about their sex life, to receive personalised advice about how regularly they should be testing for HIV. Those participating in the survey will also be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad Mini.

Lobby your MP on Gay Marriage

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:02:00 +0000

Following the government statement on equal marriage, LGBTory, the Conservative Party’s affiliated LGBT group, has welcomed the news by launching an online tool to make it easy for people to lobby their Member of Parliament on the subject.

Earlier this year, LGBTory Chairman, Matthew Sephton, urged people not to be complacent and to write to their representatives to request they support the legalisation of same-sex marriage. At the time, he pointed out that the anti-equal marriage campaign was being extremely vocal in their opposition and mobilising letter-writing campaigns to Parliamentarians, particularly through religious groups, against same-sex marriage.

Speaking on the subject today, Matthew said he is “delighted” with the Equalities Minister, Maria Miller’s statement and says it is more important than ever that we lobby our MPs to ensure as many as possible support legislation for equal marriage.

Matthew said: “The government’s proposals are a fantastic step forward in LGBT equality, but we must ensure they get as much support as possible in Parliament, across the Parties. The fact is there are MPs on all sides of the House who have differing opinions on equal marriage. We must therefore leave them in no doubt, as opinion polls have consistently shown, that this is a measure supported by a big majority of the public and so we have made this as easy as possible for people to do.”

He continued: “To help you write to your MP we have setup a simple email system on our website. Once you enter your postcode you will be taken to a page that tells you which way we believe your MP intends to vote. You then have an opportunity to compose a short email to them giving your view. We’ve added some notes we hope are helpful, but your email will have the most impact in your own words. The final push is here so let each of us play our part in making history for LGBT people in Britain.”

To email your MP, simply click on www.lgbtory.co.uk/write-your-mp

Getting Closer to Gay Marriage

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:34:06 +0000

Under plans set out by Culture Secretary Maria Miller in the House of Commons, LGBT couples are set to be allowed to marry. Legislation allowing same-sex marriage will be brought forward next year following a consultation. Prime Minister David Cameron has promised a change in the law in England and Wales by…

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill told us, "We’re delighted about the government’s statement today and welcome the promise to legislate for equal marriage as warmly as on the three previous occasions that this announcement has been made. We’re particularly pleased that ministers have been persuaded to extend their original proposal in order to permit same-sex marriages for those religious denominations that wish to hold them. This is an important matter of religious freedom. While we fully respect the point of view of those who oppose the government’s plans, our advice to them remains that if you don’t approve of same-sex marriage, then just make sure you don’t get married to someone of the same sex."

However plans to legalise same-sex marriage have divided the Conservative party and may prove harder than first thought.

David Cameron has said he does not want gay couples to be excluded from a "great institution".

Sing and Dance with Kylie on Wii

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 12:10:51 +0000

We were delighted to be at the launch of the new 'Kylie Sing & Dance' at EMI on Friday 7th December. This year is Kylie’s 25th in music and she now has her first fully dedicated video game! The Nintendo Wii game features 26 of Kylie Minogue’s globally recognised smash…

We met choreographer Bazz Robson at the launch to find out more about the game. "I am a massive Kylie fan so working on this project was a dream come true" explained Bazz. "We used green screen capture technology to record the dance moves".

Bazz appears in the game, along with one of Kylie's actual dancers, as a guide to the moves. All of Kylie's iconic dance moves are in there and you'll be spinning around in no time.

Buy Kylie Sing and Dance

The game, sure to be a massive hit over Christmas and New Year with two player singing mode and four player dance mode, was developed by Tubby Games and published by Koch Media, some of who you can see trying the game below!

Win Kylie Sing and Dance

Gay Footballers Need a Hero

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:25:59 +0000

Positive comments from Manchester United’s Anders Lindegaard and Gareth Southgate suggesting that the football world needs a gay hero, have been welcomed by The Gay Football Supporters’ Network (GFSN). The GFSN is constantly working to create an atmosphere in football which is welcoming for people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual…

Chris Basiurski, chair of the GFSN says: “The GFSN is working to create an atmosphere in football that would allow a footballer to come out if they wanted to, free from any form of discrimination or abuse. We would never presume to ask someone to come out, that is a personal decision for each LGB&T individual to take. We also do not assume that any player who did come out would become an automatic hero or role model. Any player would be under enormous pressure, both in terms of media coverage and the response by fans and players on the pitch. Front page headlines for footballers are not always good news.

In particular we find Martin Samuel’s comments in the Daily Mail regarding Joey Barton today unhelpful as they distract from the more important message of trying to create a positive atmosphere in football for LGB&T people. It does nothing to address the very real experiences of homophobia we see in football on a regular basis. We welcome Joey Barton’s positive contribution to the debate in the past and hope he is not discouraged from supporting the LGB&T community in the future.

We are proud of the work we are doing at grassroots level with our league, the only one of its kind in the world. It has many LGB&T football heroes.”

So where are the gay football players? Come on, we need a hero!

Elton John & 'Glee' star Naya join 2cellos

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:04:17 +0000

Elton John and 'Glee' actress Naya Riveria are amongst the amazing collaborations on the brand new album In2ition by 2CELLOS released through Sony Music on 4 March 2013. They're also joined by Lang Lang, Sky Ferreira, Steve Vai and Zuccero on this unique album with a classical twist. Croatian duo…

Other exciting collaborations include songstress and model, Sky Ferreira teaming up on a hauntingly beautiful cover of Nancy Sinatra's 'Bang Bang'. Critically-acclaimed pianist Lang Lang features on 'Clocks' by Coldplay, while Steve Vai adds some extra rock 'n' roll vibes to AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell'. Rihanna's 'We Found Love', 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police, The Prodigy's 'Voodoo People' and many more make up this stunning collection of unique interpretations. For the first time the duo have composed their own song 'Orient Express', which also features on the album.

Having played cello since childhood and studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser have performed all over the world showcasing their unique cello abilities to an audience of both classical and pop fans across the globe. Their self-titled debut album gained high praise, and a series of gigs including London's iTunes Festival in 2011 had crowds speechless in awe of their unique talent.

In2ition is produced by award-winning Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd/Aerosmith/Kiss) and is released through Sony Music on 4 March 2013.

See 2CELLOS live

London's Bush Hall on 19 March 2013

Birmingham's Glee Club on 20 March 2013

Is Your Sexual Preference Racist?

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 18:02:20 +0000

When it comes down to it, most gay guys have a physical type that they prefer. There’s nothing wrong with that, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll only ever play around with people who fit your criteria, or that you think there’s something wrong with people who aren’t your…

Scott Roberts, author of the Sexual Racism feature says, “Rejection is always a difficult thing to deal with, regardless of whether it is racially based or because you are 5ft 7. Seeing ‘no Blacks, no Asians’ displayed on a profile would sadden me, but it’s nothing compared with getting those remarks back in a direct message. Rejection is always worse when you are not expecting it.”

Sexual racism isn’t just about white guys discriminating against Black guys, it can work the other way too. Godwyns, a gay Nigerian living in London, says, “The opposition I face amongst fellow gay Blacks for going out with a white man... would be termed racism if my [white] partner's friends and family did the same”

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, who publish FS magazine adds, “Despite the prejudice that most gay men encounter in our lives at one point or other, members of our community can still display both prejudice and insensitivity towards other gay men. We see this not just in the attitudes which some people are willing to publish about Black and other ethnic groups, but also in attitudes towards people who don’t fit pre-conceived notions of masculinity. When we face so many challenges from outside of our community, it’s shaming that people continue to inflict damage on each other.”

Sexual racism may have a greater impact than just hurting people’s feelings. Feelings of low self-esteem can lead to men not being able to take control of the sex that they have, or not being able to ask for what they want sexually, which can result in men not insisting on condom use. “We also frequently see blanket sexual rejection of people living with HIV,” Matthew continues. “Frankly, as a sexual strategy, rejecting people who are open about their HIV status just isn’t very effective. People with diagnosed HIV are likely to be on treatment, which means that they will be less infectious than men who have not been diagnosed, and who would not be able to disclose. And if men living with HIV face rejection when they disclose their status, then it may discourage them from disclosing in the future.”

You can read the sexual racism feature in the latest issue of FS magazine, alongside other health related articles for gay men, including an in-depth feature on HIV testing. FS magazine is available for free in gay venues and GUM clinics in London, or can be viewed at www.fsmag.org.uk. FS magazine is now also available to download on your iPhone, iPad or Android device for free. Visit www.gmfa.org.uk/fsapp of search for ‘FS magazine UK’ in iTunes and Google Play.

Charity Reading of Rock Hudson Play

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:36:01 +0000

On Sunday 9th December, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust will present a unique and intimate stage reading of ‘Rock and Doris and Elizabeth’, the latest play by Tracy-Ann Oberman. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman, Frances Barber, Jonathan Hyde and James Lance, the radio play was first broadcast on BBC…

Genevieve Edwards, Director of Fundraising, said: “It is hugely generous of Tracy-Ann to stage this special night in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust. It may be the last event in our World AIDS Day calendar this year, but it will also be one of the most spellbinding. ‘Rock and Doris and Elizabeth’ received rave reviews when it was broadcast, and for the reading to take place in a theatre gives a rare chance to see how the actors work. It’s all for a good cause too, with the money raised helping to fund services for people living with and affected by HIV in the UK.”

‘Rock and Doris and Elizabeth’ will take place on Sunday 9th December at The Hampstead Theatre, Eton Avenue, London NW3 3EU. The stage reading will begin at 7.30pm, with a drinks reception from 8.30pm – 9.30pm.

Tickets are £35 each, and are available from the Hampstead Theatre box office on (020) 7722 9301, or www.hampsteadtheatre.com

Record Number of HIV Diagnoses in Gay Men

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:17:04 +0000

Timed to coincide with England’s first ever National HIV Testing Week, new figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) report that 3,010 gay and bisexual men were diagnosed with HIV in 2011, the highest annual figure since the start of the epidemic. Terrence Higgins Trust says regular testing…

Paul Ward, Deputy Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It may sound strange, but – to drive HIV infections down – we need first to see new diagnoses come up. Currently it’s estimated that there are 25,000 people with undiagnosed HIV in this country, a large proportion of them gay men. It is these undiagnosed infections that are driving the UK’s epidemic, as someone who is tested and on treatment is far less likely to pass the virus on than someone who is unaware of their status.

“We have started to see a renewed emphasis on testing across the gay scene, with venue owners and other gay businesses joining the fight. Sustained momentum on this is vital, and community initiatives like National HIV Testing Week can also hammer home the message that gay and bi men should be testing for HIV at least once every year. Each of us has a basic responsibility to know our HIV status, and to do everything we can to protect ourselves and our partners from infection.”

National HIV Testing Week runs from 23rd – 30th November. It is being co-ordinated by Terrence Higgins Trust through HIV Prevention England, a partnership of community organisations funded by the Department of Health to carry out national HIV prevention work in England among communities at an increased risk of infection. For further information, visit www.tht.org.uk/HIVtestingweek

Dita Von Teese Launches Burlesque Cosmetic Range

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:10:20 +0000

ArtDeco cosmetics have launched their third collection with starlet Dita Von Teese. Following on from the success of Dita's Classics and Fall Favourites collections, ArtDeco have collaborated with the burlesque performer on a third range in time for the festive season. The Golden Vintage collection incorporates classic hues such as…

The collection includes beautiful ceramic nail lacquers, a subtle blusher, seductive false lashes, a glamorous eyelights compact, plus gorgeous lipsticks and lip lacquers to achieve the sophisticated yet playful look Dita is so well known for. Prices start from £5.50.

The ArtDeco Dita Von Teese Golden Vintage collection is available from today at Debenhams and www.debenhams.com

'In The Mirror, A Monster' Book Launch

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 09:57:25 +0000

Gay Author Marten Weber is holding a book launch for his LGBT novel “In The Mirror, A Monster” Dog Horn Publishing presents a dramatized reading of best selling LGBT author Marten Weber's latest novel "In the Mirror, A Monster" at Woolfson & Tay on Friday, 21st December at 7pm. This…

Yorkshire born hotelier Tim and Tim, his husband of three decades, have a relationship founded on unwavering trust and unshakeable love. However, as the narrative progresses the foundations of their relationship begin to unravel, as they and the B&B’s other long-term guests pry into the secrets of their two newest and intriguing lodgers: a pair of handsome young Slovaks who appear to all to be a gay couple.

As a result of the inquisitive character cast – encompassing many races, nationalities and sexualities – in the end not a single stone of the old B&B is left in its original place.

With a keen ear for dialectical nuances and a vivid, humorous style, Marten Weber offers a truly compelling read.

As an author who disdains bigots, fanatics and labels – even benign ones such as ‘gay,’ ‘straight’ and ‘sugar-free’ – Marten endeavors to promote multiculturalism and tolerance through powerful literature. He believes that regardless of race or gender each individual should be gay for a year of their life and that free champagne should be available in economy class. He has spent most of his life travelling the world and doesn’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of countries he has lived in but can discuss them all readily in several languages. An evening with Marten will be as captivating as his fiction.

Weber won a 2011 Rainbow Award in the category "Best LGBT Historical Novel" for his well-received portrait of Casanova's gay brother “Benedetto Casanova”.

Weber is an openly gay man who lives a romantic live with his husband in Europe and Asia. He has published two story collections (“Hoppa” and “A Stranger in Triva”); a comic novella telling us about America’s first gay wedding (“The Unbelievably Curious Case of Jeremiah Hudgejaw”); his acclaimed 2010 debut novel “Shayno”, the story of a erotically charged and ultimately doomed friendship across the gay-straight divide; and his award-winning book “Benedetto Casanova.” Weber's recent 2012 novel BODENSEE was a best seller ranked #1 on Americans Amazon.com's Kindle books.

Marten Weber is now a vocal gay activism voice on Huffington Post. His column has created many conversations with in the gay community.

LONDON

Event: Marten Weber “In The Mirror, A Monster” Book Launch and Author Reading
When: Friday 21 Dec 2012.
Time: 7pm
Where: Woolfson & Tay - Bermondsey's Independent Local Bookshop, Café, Gallery Bermondsey Square, London SE1

LEEDS

When: Monday 17 Dec 2012
Time: 7pm
Where: Empire, 24-32 Bridge End, Leeds LS1

MANCHESTER

When: Tuesday 18th Dec 2012
Time: 8pm
Where: Taurus, Canal Street M1

Please book online www.woolfsonandtay.com/martenweber.html or call 0207 4079316

John McCullough wins 2012 Polari Prize

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:14:20 +0000

The Frost Fairs by poet John McCullough has been named winner of the Polari First Book Prize 2012 at an event at the Southbank Centre tonight. This year, for the first time, the winner received a cheque for £1000, courtesy of Square Peg Media. Paul Burston, chair of the judges,…

The Polari Prize is for a first book which explores the LGBT experience and is open to any work of poetry, prose, fiction or non-fiction published in the UK in English within the twelve months of the deadline for submissions (this year 1st February, 2012). Self-published works in both print and digital formats are eligible for submission.

The five shortlisted books were:

The Frost Fairs by John McCullogh (Salt)
Becoming Nancy by Terry Ronald (Transworld)
Exit Through The Wound by North Morgan (Limehouse Books)
Ey Up and Away by Vicky Ryder (Wandering Star Press)
Modern Love by Max Wallis (Flap)

The judges for the 2012 prize were:

Paul Burston (Chair of Judges), author, journalist and host of Polari
Rachel Holmes, author and former Head of Literature at the Southbank
Suzi Feay, literary critic
Joe Storey-Scott, books buyer
Bidisha, writer, critic and broadcaster

Princes William and Harry Support Fight Against HIV

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:54:37 +0000

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have sent a message of support to HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust to mark its 30th anniversary. The message, which can be viewed in full here speaks of the need for a renewed focus among their generation…

Photographer John Swannell has donated a print of the young princes with their mother to Terrence Higgins Trust, which will be included as a lot at its 30th Anniversary Auction at Christie’s on 21st March 2013.

Terry Higgins died of an AIDS-related illness on 4th July 1982 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. He was 37 years old. That same year, three of his closest friends founded the Terry Higgins Trust, using Terry’s name in the hope of humanising and personalising AIDS in a very public way. From that first meeting in a small flat in East London, Terrence Higgins Trust has grown to become the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity, with services across England, Scotland and Wales.

New 'Growing Up Gay' Book Out

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:40:21 +0000

Born This Way: Real Stories of Growing Up Gay is a new collection of adorable childhood photographs accompanied by sweet, funny, and at times heartbreaking personal stories of those who grew up LGBTQ. Based on the popular blog of the same name, Born This Way is a celebration of growing…

Among the diverse entries are contributions from the first openly gay Congress member, Barney Frank; Village Voice columnist Michael Musto; Erasure’s Andy Bell; actor/drag performers Miss Coco Peru and Jackie Beat, Peru; Grammy-nominated singer Sia Furler; and blogger/TV personality Perez Hilton, among others. Born This Way is available for excerpt, feature, or review.

Buy Online - Save over £3

Ugandan Parliament Face ‘kill the gays’ Vote

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:31:48 +0000

Gay rights activists in Uganda have warned that the notorious bill that includes the death penalty for so-called ‘aggravated homosexuality’ is likely to be debated by MPs on Friday. The ‘Anti-Homosexuality Bill’ remains on the parliamentary agenda despite worldwide condemnation from political leaders, human rights organisations and the United…

Kaleidoscope’s Deputy Executive Director, Harjeet Johal, is in Uganda to witness the proceedings. He said: “It is clear to me that people here expect this pernicious piece of legislation to be passed. The fear on the faces of the brave men and women who have stood up publicly against this threat to their rights and freedoms is painful to behold. I feel like a shackled spectator to an awful tragedy. But while we can condemn this evil bill from the safety of our own countries, the LGBTI community here cannot escape its consequences.”

Johal will also be present on the first day of the trial of David Cecil, the British theatre producer charged with staging a play with a gay storyline without permission. Mr. Cecil faces up to two years in jail if convicted. The play, ‘The River and the Mountain’ was performed in two theatres in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, earlier this year. Mr. Cecil said the play was “not politically motivated” and neither promoted homosexuality nor criticized the government.

Latest Update

A committee of Ugandan MPs has endorsed the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill but dropped the death penalty provision, an MP has told the BBC.

MP Medard Segona said "substantial amendments" had been made to the bill but said he was not allowed to reveal further details. Mr Segona, who is on the Legal and Parliamentary committee of Uganda's parliament, told the BBC: "I can confirm it has been dropped."

The bill, tabled by MP David Bahati, proposes longer jail terms for homosexual acts, including a life sentence in certain circumstances.

In its original form, those convicted of "aggravated homosexuality" - defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a "serial offender" - faced the death penalty. Such offences would now be punished with life imprisonment, it is understood.

Boris Backs HIV Testing as THT Reaches 30

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 16:17:54 +0000

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is backing a major HIV testing campaign in the run up to World AIDS Day on 1 December. HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, which marks its 30th anniversary with a reception at City Hall on 19th November, has launched England's…

Gay men and Africans remain the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK, with around 1 in 20 people from both groups infected with the virus. That number rises to one in seven among men on the London gay scene. A quarter of people with HIV in the UK remain untested and unaware they have the virus.

Terrence Higgins Trust, which is co-ordinating National HIV Testing Week as part of HIV Prevention England's Think HIV campaign, is marking 30 years at the forefront of campaigning on HIV and sexual health with a reception at City Hall, attended by Annie Lennox, the Deputy Mayor for London Victoria Borwick and other community activists, including people living with HIV.

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Terrence Higgins Trust was founded by a handful of people in a flat in London 30 years ago. Today we provide services for thousands of people every year and London remains at the centre of the HIV epidemic in the UK.

'We are delighted that the Mayor and his Ambassador are backing our campaign to encourage more Londoners to get tested and to drive down rates of HIV in the capital. We are determined to work together with the Mayor’s Office and local councils, to strengthen the capital’s response to HIV.'

Deputy Mayor for London Victoria Borwick commented: 'Terrence Higgins Trust continues to play a key role in educating people so they can protect themselves against HIV, as well as providing advice and support to people living with and affected by HIV. I hope this year's campaign for World AIDS Day will encourage anyone with concerns to seek out advice and get tested.'

'Final 7' For X Factor Live Tour

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:06:00 +0000

You've watched them in your living room, voted for your favourite on your phone, clapped along to their performances on the tap to clap app, now you have the chance to see the final seven stars of The X Factor perform live as they embark on The X Factor 2013…

On being told they were part of the tour Union J said "We cannot wait to go on The X Factor Live Tour and meet all the fans and thank them personally for all their support".

James Arthur said "A year ago I was busking in the street and playing in my local pub so knowing that next year I'll be performing at arenas is totally mind blowing, I can't wait".

The X Factor Live Tour has been one of the biggest selling arena tours in the UK for the last eight years, with more than 2 million people seeing the live show.

Tickets are on sale now, priced at £32.50 (plus booking & transaction fees), and are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.

Gay Superheroes Need Your Help

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:54:14 +0000

Ever wondered why there aren’t more GLBT superheroes in the movies? Then check out ‘Real Heroes’, a comedy about B-string superheroes who go on a reality show in hopes of hitting the big time. It features a pair of out gay sidekicks, a teen superhero going through her first…

The campaign features a hilarious series of videos featuring Keith and the cast of ‘Real Heroes’ as they beg and plead for generous backers to support the project. There are also webisodes featuring gay sidekicks Kid Krypton and Comet Boy.

You can watch the main campaign video by heading over to http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1790635802/real-heroes-fighting-for-truth-justice-and-screent

For more information about ‘Real Heroes’ check out the official website www.realsuperheroesla.com and follow the movie on Twitter www.twitter.com/RealHeroesMovie

England’s first National HIV Testing Week

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:09:04 +0000

This November, HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust will launch England’s first ever National HIV Testing Week. The week, which will run from 23rd – 30th November, is being co-ordinated through HIV Prevention England (HPE), a partnership of community organisations funded by the Department of Health to carry…

In the UK, gay men are one of the groups most disproportionately affected by HIV. However, one in four gay men with HIV currently remains undiagnosed and therefore at risk of serious health problems. Someone who is diagnosed late, after a point at which they should have started treatment, is nine times more likely to die within a year of receiving their diagnosis than someone who tests in good time. In addition, undiagnosed HIV is a key factor driving the epidemic among gay men, with the majority of onward transmission coming from men who are unaware that they have the infection.

Paul Ward, Deputy Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “National HIV Testing Week gives us a great opportunity to remind men of the importance of regular testing. Terrence Higgins Trust recommends that sexually active gay and bi men test for HIV at least once a year, and more regularly if they have a high number of partners. However, at present less than a quarter of men take an annual test. If the gay community can drive that figure upwards by testing more often, we will see a reduction in undiagnosed HIV, which in turn will begin to put the brakes on the spread of infection.

“We believe it is within our grasp to halt the spread of HIV, but solving this lies just as much with the gay community as it does with the Government. That’s why we need the whole community – venues, gay businesses, and every one of us – to get behind this new initiative and turn a spotlight on HIV testing, not just during testing week but all year round.”

Think HIV will be promoted via adverts in gay media, posters in gay venues, and on bus adverts in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Luton. A number of regional organisations across England will also be commissioned through HPE to promote the campaign in their local communities.

National HIV Testing Week will run from Friday 23rd – Friday 30th November 2012. It is planned that the week will be an annual event.

Saint Petersburg’s Side by Side LGBT Film Festival in Full Swing

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:57:33 +0000

Side by Side LGBT Film Festival opened on 25th October, 2012 with a full house, setting the tone of the proceeding festival days which have also seen heavy turnouts to all events. Opening the festival was the Chilean film Young and Wild and director Marialy Rivas joined the audience in…

Over the course of 5 days, 11 screenings and 6 interactive discussions have taken place. Generating a great deal of interest was the discussion after the film Call Me Kuchu focusing on homophobic laws in Russia and Uganda. Participants included Stosh Jovan an activist from Ugandan, Robert Bierdron, Member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Igor Kochetkov, Chairmen of Russian LGBT Network and Stephanie Kulayev, a human rights activist from the anti-discrimination centre Memorial. The similarities between Uganda and Russia were striking. “When I was watching the film and I sometimes didn’t understand in which country I am,” comments Kochetkov, “the arguments of opponents against LGBT are so similar. I think this is linked to the fact of the problem of homophobia. It is clear that our struggle is for the right to life.”

Director Sara Broos (Sweden) presented her film For You Naked which traces the story of Lars, a famous Swedish artist, and Junior, a dancer from Brazil and the development of their relationship and the attempt to find a common language between each other. She states: "Usually in films about homosexuality there is an opinion, the point of view of the author. But in my film, I do not give a comment, I'm just telling a love story. It is unusual for such films.” Generating equally lively interest was the Q & A with Mette Aakerholm Gardell (Sweden) director of the film Not a Man in Sight. "I'm glad that between me and the audience mutual understanding was reached, said Mette: “The last show was one of the most successful in the history of my movie. The opportunity to show this film was very important for me because of the situation in which LGBT people are now in Russia."

Within the framework of the festival a new campaign has been launched: “Stop Homophobia in Russia!” The first of three campaign advertisements has been launched and audience members are being invited to record short video addresses as to why they are against homophobia. These addresses will be uploaded and circulated through the internet.

In the next five days there is still much more to come: a collection of Russian LGBT films and a discussion on the (in)visibility of LGBT in the arts and cinema in Russia, a debate on the pros and cons of outing closeted homophobic politicians and Q & As with Michiel van Erp director of the highly acclaimed documentary I am a Woman Now and Lucy Mulloy director of the awarding feature film Una Noche.

To date the festival has attracted already over one thousand visitors.

Fresh Boost for Gay Students and Jobseekers

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 21:23:31 +0000

Stonewall has released the eighth edition of Starting Out, Britain’s lesbian, gay and bisexual Careers Guide both online and in print. Starting Out– supported by Credit Suisse – features profiles of 425 employers from sectors including banking, defence, retail and local government. All the employers listed are members of Stonewall’s…

Stonewall is holding a launch event tonight– supported by Square Peg Media – which will be attended by students from across Britain along with representatives from employers featured in Starting Out.

15,000 copies of Starting Out are being distributed to students’ unions, university career services, employment agencies and university lesbian and gay societies and sixth forms across Britain. Job seekers can also access an interactive Starting Out online, which includes current jobs vacancies from Stonewall’s jobs site Proud Employers – helping jobseekers quickly identify the opportunities they are interested in.

Starting Out is available online at www.startingoutguide.org.uk

Free copies are also available by contacting Stonewall’s freephone InfoLine: 08000 50 20 20.

Leona in Ariella Couture at G.A.Y

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:32:52 +0000

Leona Lewis looked every bit as chic as her performance last Saturday on X-Factor - this time wearing a pink Ariella Couture 'Maria' evening gown for her performance at her G.A.Y gig at Heaven. Leona took to Twitter on Sunday morning: 'Morning tweeps! Had a top night last night at…

The superstar added chunky jewellery to her chic gown, which had provocation cutaway panels, teamed with a pair of silver high heels.

Carolynne Poole, who beccame embroiled in a row last week after her mentor Gary Barlow stormed off stage was at Leona's gig rather than staying in to watch X-Factor. Fellow X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan also stopped by the club after performing on the show on Saturday night to support her friend, meeting up backstage to have a good catch up.

Call for Police Commissioner candidates to Tackle Hate Crime

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:21:58 +0000

Stonewall has launched a campaign calling on candidates for Police and Crime Commissioner posts across England and Wales to promise to tackle anti-gay hate crimes. The charity has launched a straightforward website explaining what the new Commissioners mean for lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and encouraging gay people to vote…

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: ‘Too often gay people are subjected to violence or public humiliation just because of the way they were born, and too often they worry the police won’t do anything about it. No citizen should feel unprotected in the face of harassment or intimidation. It’s absolutely essential that gay people engage with Police and Crime Commissioners and have their say on 15 November.’

Stonewall’s information about Police and Crime Commissioner elections is available atwww.stonewall.org.uk/policeelections

HIV Helpline Funding Cut But Stays Open

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:27:43 +0000

A national telephone helpline run by HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is to remain open, although with a reduction in opening hours, following the loss of Government funding. Earlier this year, the Government announced it would cease funding all specialist sexual health helplines, and instead begin the…

Genevieve Edwards, Director of Fundraising, said: “No charity is immune from the recession, but Terrence Higgins Trust is committed to providing the best possible service for the thousands of people each year who depend on us for support and advice around HIV and sexual health. THT Direct has an important role to play in this, and we are determined to raise the money to ensure the helpline stays open.

“With Government budgets under continued pressure, the support of our donors has never been more important. Front-line services like THT Direct can make all the difference to someone in dire need, but its continuation now depends entirely on the funds our supporters raise, whether through individual donations, sponsored challenges or fundraising events. Later this year, on World AIDS Day, our staff and volunteers across the UK will be out there fundraising like never before; we urge you to get involved in whatever way you can.”

THT Direct is a free telephone helpline established in 2001. Its trained advisers provide emotional support to those worried about their sexual health, or who have concerns about living with HIV. They also help callers access local services across the UK, whether provided by Terrence Higgins trust or another organisation. Topics covered include:

• HIV testing, STI screening and accessing PEP

• Benefits or housing

• Problems at work or discrimination in any part of your life

• Prosecutions for transmission of HIV

• Reproduction, puberty and contraception

Gay Milk Causes Problems in Russia

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:52:08 +0000

Authorities in Russia are investigating a milk brand, owned by Pepsi Co, after an anti-gay group accused it of promoting homosexuality to children. The milk label has a milkman and a cow with purple spots under a rainbow. The People's Council, a nationalist Orthodox organization, claims the label on Vesyoly…

It is not the first knee-jerk reaction since the Russian anti-gay propaganda law was passed in November, similar to the repealed 'Section 28' in the UK. It follows calls for the closure of all gay clubs in Moscow as part of the drive to ban the promotion of homosexuality. Moscow has about ten gay or gay-friendly bars and clubs, including the 12 Volt bar and Body & Soul (Chance), the city’s oldest gay club.

The People’s Council said in a statement that homosexuality is “a grave sin” and that it was seeking to close gay clubs that “entice fragile members of society into the gay community.”

Gay Olympian Joins LGBT Games in Nepal

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:33:12 +0000

An openly gay Olympian, Greg Louganis, was the guest of honour for South Asia's First LGBTI sport festival. In what is a ‘first’ for South Asia, Nepal will be hosting a LGBTI sports festival at the Dasharath Rangashala stadium and the National Theater Hall in Kathmandu from October 12 to 14 this…

Greg Louganis, a diver from the United States who won two gold medals in diving in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics will be participating in the festival as a guest of honour According to sources at the American Embassy, Louganis has expressed his great happiness at being invited to participate in the event and to be able to contribute to the noble cause of empowering sexual and gender minorities in Nepal. Greg Louganis is openly gay. After he tested positive for HIV in 1988, he recounted his story in a best-selling autobiography Breaking the Surface co-written with Eric Marcus. The book spent five weeks at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list. In a 1995 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Louganis spoke publicly for the first time about being gay and HIV-positive. His story was recounted in the 1996 Showtime movie Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story with Mario Lopez playing the lead and Louganis narrating.

Greg also produced a video diary called Looking To the Light, which picked up where Breaking the Surface left off. In the years since his diagnosis was made public Louganis has been an outspoken HIV awareness advocate. He has worked frequently with the Human Rights Campaign to defend the civil liberties of the LGBT community and people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

There will be a parallel human rights seminar and LGBTI film festival too.

Find out more: http://www.bds.org.np

Belgrade Pride ban harms Serbia's EU bid

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:43:43 +0000

Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford has condemned the banning of Belgrade Pride for the second year running. Serbia’s Interior Ministry announced today that they would ban this year’s Pride, claiming concerns over public safety following threats of violence and intimidation from some…

“The Serbian authorities should not cave in to extremist homophobic bullies. On the contrary, they have a duty to ensure that Belgrade Pride goes ahead and that participants are protected from violence or harassment."

"Brussels, and especially MEPs, are watching this closely. Serbia's EU accession process will get seriously derailed unless real progress on equality and human rights is visibly achieved. Today is not a good one in that respect.”

Geri Halliwell Singin' In The Rain For Children In Need

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:36:54 +0000

On Thursday 25th October, the one and only Geri Halliwell will take to the stage along with cast members from the smash-hit musical Singin' in the Rain, for BBC Children in Need POP Goes the Musical. Geri says: "I've been a big supporter of BBC Children in Need for many…

The show-stopping celebrities involved in these series of unique curtain calls also include; the handsome Blue boys performing in Jersey Boys, as well as soul sensation Macy Gray who will be performing in Thriller Live alongside girl group of the moment, Stooshe.

Bookings can be made immediately for all of the following dates:

11th October 2012 - Jersey Boys - 'popping up' is Blue
25th October 2012 - Singin' in the Rain - 'popping up' is Geri Halliwell
15th November 2012 - Thriller Live - 'popping up' is Macy Gray and Stooshe

Tickets are available exclusively at www.lastminute.com/pudsey and cost £80. Each ticket includes: Top Price seat, signed programme, a Pudsey bear, complementary drink plus access to a VIP after show reception hosted by Pudsey with the chance of an appearance from the star(s) of the show. Buying a ticket is a fun way to support the charity as a minimum of £40 from each ticket will go directly to BBC Children in Need..

To find out more about BBC Children in Need POP Goes the Musical log on to www.bbc.co.uk/Pudsey

Snow White and the Seven Poofs Climax

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:12:05 +0000

Following last year’s sell out run and 2010 at Leicester Square Theatre, Snow White and her Seven Poofs are back for another Christmas of rude flirty fun and frolics. This pop-powered drag panto is suitable for adults only and stars 2008 Drag Idol winner Tanya Hyde, who is returning to…

Mrs Moore was asked to join The Dolly Mixtures cabaret group in 2001, performing all over London before forming duo M&M with Mille Turner in 2003, highlights of which include performing in Hyde Park as part of Gay Pride. In 2007 Mrs Moore launched her own solo career with MMTV (Mrs More Transvision), and more recently MMTV (Mrs Moore the Voice... of a Thousand Fags). In addition, Mrs Moore joined the award winning theatre troupe The Drama Queens, where her roles included Mrs Lovett, Judy Garland and Marlene Dietreich.

Simon Gross has been producer for SG Productions for last ten years. As a producer Simon’s theatre work includes Sinderfella for Above the Stag Theatre Victoria in 2008 and then for the Leicester Square Theatre in 2009, and Snow White and the Seven Poofs, again for the Leicester Square Theatre in 2010. Simon is also director of SG Productions, which prides it on taking quality theatre into the community. His many television credits include: On the Road with Maureen Rees and Noel’s House Party for the BBC, Channel 4’s What the Butler Saw, Louie Spence’s Show Business and Trinny And Susannah Uncovered. Simon was last seen on the Vanessa Show for Channel Five weekdays as a regular Sofa Surfer.

THE GREEN CARNATION CABARET VENUE, GREEK STREET, LONDON, W1D 4DD
Opening on 4th December-6 th January 2013

Tickets are £18.50 - Buy Online Here
Box office number-0844 477 1000

On The (Board) Game

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:14:19 +0000

The gay scene is great. Lots of hot guys and girls, drinking and carousing throughout the night. But the gay scene isn't always the best place to meet new people and, let's face it, there's more to gay life than just boozing and cruising. If you fancy meeting other lesbians,…

As well as the two new groups, HERO also hosts Positive 21, a weekly Monday evening support group for gay and bisexual men living with HIV. All of HERO's social groups are supported by a grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation to provide social spaces for LGB&T people beyond the scene. All LGB&T people are welcome and attendance is free of charge. If you are interested in joining any of the groups, Michael.Flaherty@gmfa.org.uk

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, the gay men's sexual health organisation which is also part of HERO, said, “The gay scene isn't for everyone and I know that lots of LGB&T people want to find new ways of meeting and socialising. We asked members of the LGB&T communities what kind of activities they wanted to do, and Board Games evenings and Book Groups came near the top of the list. We’re making a commitment to provide a welcoming space for all members of our communities - where everyone is able to be themselves, make new friends and enjoy themselves. We've got plans for a range of other social groups coming up in the next couple of months, so watch this space.”

HERO is the Health Equality and Rights Organisation, an LGB&T health and human rights charity that incorporates GMFA, which provides sexual health related interventions for gay men.

First Openly Gay African Politician in UK

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:03:33 +0000

The Kaleidoscope Trust is pleased to announce that the second lecture in Kaleidoscope’s Leadership Forum series, will given by David Kuria Mbote, the first openly gay black person in Africa to run for national office outside South Africa. Mbote, who is a candidate for the Kenyan Senate in next year’s…

Mbote comes from Kiambu, a county bordering Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. His campaign for a Senate seat is being fought in a traditionally conservative community where to be openly gay has meant the risk of becoming a social outcast. But he believes he is meeting a demand for a new kind of leadership and that by fighting a grassroots campaign he can succeed in a political system that has been marked by corruption and violence.

“My sole mission will be to serve the people,” he said. Mbote says he aims to change the game of politics – campaigning with social media and committing himself to good governance in order to effect positive social change. If elected, he says his main priority would be the removal of structural barriers to HIV prevention, treatment and care. He is expected to describe the challenges of fighting an election in a country where many people reject homosexuality on the basis of religion.

Lance Price, Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, said: "David is an inspirational and very brave man who is willing to stand up and be counted on a continent where for generations gay people have been forced to keep their heads down or risk physical attack or worse. I met David during a visit to Kenya earlier this year and was impressed by his desire to enter public life not just as an LGBT person but as somebody who believes the people of his country deserve better than the politics they have had to endure for so long. When he announced that he would be standing for the Senate in next year's elections the Kaleidoscope Trust had no hesitation in inviting him to London so he can explain his mission to fight a grassroots campaign for justice and fairness. Anybody who hears him speak will understand that the image so often painted of African politics as corrupt and intolerant fails to tell the full story."

David Kuria Mbote will be in London for a week and will be holding a series of meetings with human rights organisations, HIV groups and members of the Kenyan community in the UK.

The lecture will take place on 17th October in the Gustave Tuck lecture theatre at University College London at 7.30pm. Place at the lecture can be reserved by emaiing info@kaleidoscopetrust.com

Lola Lasagne and others prepare for first Drag Roast

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:57:46 +0000

Lola Lasagne prepares to play dirty, as more names confirmed for London’s first ever Drag Roast Drag stars Dave Lynn, Sandra, and Titti La Camp will be narrowing their eyes and sharpening their tongues this month, after being confirmed as ‘roasters’ at London’s first ever Drag Roast, organised by QX magazine…

Asked if she was nervous at the prospect of her roasting, Sandra said: “I’m renowned for being an absolute slag so I know they’ll be telling stories about my adventures on Hampstead Heath. I have no secrets at all, so I’m not that worried really. Mind you, I know plenty of things about them all, and believe me I can play dirty too. It’ll all be in good jest of course, and raising lots of money for THT along the way. I can’t wait!”

Roaster Titti La Camp said: “The only problem I see on the night will be having to leave out tales from over the years because there are so many to share. Sandra was famously up on Hampstead Heath on the night of the great storm in 1987, with trees uprooting and crashing all around her. The night is going to be a scream, and – in the words of Bette Midler – mud will be flung tonight, and all for a great cause!”

The Drag Roast will take place on Thursday 11th October at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (372 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY). Doors open at 7.00pm, and the performance starts at 8.30pm. Tickets cost £10 each, all of which will be donated to Terrence Higgins Trust.

For further information, and to buy your ticket, please visit www.rvt.org.uk/event/drag-roast.

AIDS Activist Launches New Social Networking Site for HIV+ Men

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:08:11 +0000

“Positively Sexy Guys.” That’s the tag line that’s meant to attract a host of members to the Web’s newest HIV-positive social networking site, Volttage.com. But sexy, HIV+ men aren’t the only things that separate this site from others - its creation is meant to combat stigma and to create a…

Volttage.com is also different from other sites with sexual content because it does not ask members to divulge their HIV status though it is clear that the site is for HIV+ men and their supporters.

“We take the stance that everyone should assume their partner is HIV positive and proceed accordingly,” explains Mackenroth. “Asking someone their status is rather pointless, as people may not know or even lie about it to avoid rejection. We encourage members to be out and proud but we understand that the stigma can be prohibitive so members control all of their own content. I hope that the sense of community will help members ‘come out’ about their status over time.”

With free profiles on Volttage.com, members will have the opportunity to communicate with like individuals. Volttage.com will include desktop and mobile versions of the site and use geo-location, to help members find similar individuals nearby. A staff physician, New York-based Dr. Frank Spinelli, will answer frequently asked health questions and update monthly blogs.

To learn more about Volttage.com, please visit www.volttage.com. For more information about Jack Mackenroth, please visit: www.jackmackenroth.com.

Jockey Jamie Has The X Factor

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 09:01:05 +0000

Most jockeys who hang up their riding boots retire to work in a racing yard or offer their tips as a pundit. However, one former Flat jockey, Jamie Hamblett, has his sights firmly set on singing stardom after his band made it through to the live finals on the X…

Jamie, who lives in horse racing's HQ, Newmarket, is a former apprentice jockey to Sir Michael Stoute and continues to ride out for John Gosden, the current leading flat trainer of 2012. The riding may have to go on hold though - in less than a week the band has picked up 130,000 Twitter followers and a host of well-wishers from the racing world who are already touting the lads as the hottest new boy band - One Direction - watch out!

See how Jamie and the rest of Union J get on by tuning into X Factor on ITV1 at 8pm this Saturday 6th October.

Interested in horseracing in Britain, visit: www.lovetheraces.com

Tell Your Sex Partners about STIs via Web

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:07:21 +0000

GMFA launched their online partner notification service just over a year ago. The service allows gay men who have been diagnosed in key GU clinics to access a website, which can send messages to recent sexual partners via text, email or messages on gay dating websites. Since the launch of…

The most frequently notified infection has been gonorrhoea. Drug resistant gonorrhoea is becoming a serious issue for gay men in the UK and around the world, so rapid diagnosis and treatment is more crucial now than ever. “Gonorrhoea, as well as other STIs, can increase the likelihood of HIV being transmitted,” added Hodson. “HIV positive men with gonorrhoea are more infectious and HIV negative men with gonorrhoea are more vulnerable to HIV infection. Getting gonorrhoea diagnosed and treated promptly will also help to reduce new HIV infections.”

The Sexual Health Messaging Service is funded by a grant from the Elton John AIDS Foundation. If you are diagnosed at a participating clinic you will be given a unique code, which you can use to access the website. From there you can enter any contact information that you have for your recent partners: mobile phone numbers, email or a profile name from a participating dating website. They will then be automatically sent a message, alerting them to the fact that they should get themselves checked out. The messages can be anonymous if you prefer, although if you put your name to it the recipient is more likely to take action.

For more information on the Sexual Health Messaging Service, including details about how to opt in on Gaydar, Recon and Fitlads, visit www.gmfa.org.uk/shms. For more information on STIs visit www.gmfa.org.uk/stis

Hong Kong App Marks the Pink Dollar

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:06:02 +0000

A new app that connects gay-friendly businesses with customers has launched in Hong Kong. Initially the app will only be available on iPhones. An Android version is planned (maybe Windows Phone and Blackberry to follow?). The app was created by Britain Paul Ramscar, who now lives in Hong Kong.

"It's not just an app, there is a bigger cause here," Paul commented. "Having lived in Europe, the culture was very open. You can be open, be free, walking around holding hands, there are no problems. In Hong Kong you can't really do that."

Find out more on the Pink Dollar website: http://www.pinkdollarinc.com and Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pinkdollarapp

George Michael Cancels Australia Tour

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:49:50 +0000

George Michael has cancelled his tour of Australia due to "major anxiety". It has been brought on by his recent battle with severe pneumonia, he announced on his website. Tickets for his Australian concerts will be refunded. The website statement, shown below in full, detail his reasons.

"I have today announced the cancellation of the shows in Australia which breaks my heart. By way of explanation all I can say at this time is that since last year's illness I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience. They recommended complete rest and the type of post traumatic counselling which is available in cases like mine but I'm afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself. Unfortunately I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be and although I was right to believe that the shows would bring me great happiness and that my voice would recover completely (I truly think that some of my recent performances have been my best ever) I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December.
All that's left for me to do is apologise to my wonderful Australian fan base and to promise faithfully that as soon as I completed these shows here in the UK I will receive the treatment which is so long overdue."

Law Change Allows Erasure of Historic Gay Sex Convictions

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:50:54 +0000

From today men with historic convictions for consensual gay sex can apply to have them disregarded, as the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 comes into force. Stonewall lobbied hard to achieve cross-party support for amendments to Part 4 of the Act to increase the number of historic offences that can…

Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill said: ‘From today thousands of men who’ve been burdened with homophobic convictions can clear their names, and Stonewall stands ready to help them. We never forget that the equality we enjoy today came too late for many. By correcting these historic injustices we can start to bring closure to a very sad period of this country’s history.’

Stonewall’s step-by-step guide to deleting historic convictions is available at www.stonewall.org.uk/oldconvictions or from Stonewall’s Information Service on 08000 50 20 20. Stonewall Chief Executive Ben Summerskill gave evidence to the Public Bill Committee considering the Protection of Freedoms Bill on 24 March 2011, and the charity lobbied the Home Secretary to increase the Act’s scope to repeal more historic offences.

Candidate Prays Someone Else Gets Archbishop Job

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:26:20 +0000

Confusion continues over who will succeed Dr Rowan Williams as the leader of the Anglican church. Williams will step down in December after 10 years in the post. The Church has come close to splitting over the issues including ordination of gay clergy and women bishops. One of the more…

Meanwhile, the most senior member of the commission, Dr Barry Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, has said he would be prepared to appoint Britain’s first homosexual bishop.

Officials commented that the work of choosing a successor could go on throughout the autumn.

World's Only LGBT Football League Celebrates 10th Anniversary

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:18:49 +0000

The GFSN National League, the league hosted by the Gay Football Supporters’ Network has celebrated it tenth anniversary with a series of league games across the country. The league, which is the world’s only national league catering for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) community started in 2002, with…

The league is aimed at the LGBT community but is welcome to all, regardless of age, gender, ethnic bakground or sexual orientation. It focuses as much on the social aspect of the game as well as being played in a competitive spirit and seeks to provide a safe and tolerant environment for all to play, but especially those previously disenfranchised from the game due to their sexuality. The League is also seen as a stepping stone for clubs to enter the mainstream FA leagues, with two of its teams, London Titans FC and Saltire Thistle FC (of Glasgow) both joining their local county FA and SFA leagues respectively.

The Gay Football Supporters’ Network, which hosts the league, provides a social network for LGBT football supporters and is actively involved in the campaign to tackle homophobia in football, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2014.

Chair of the GFSN, Chris Basiurski says: “We are thrilled at having reached this important milestone. The GFSN National League was founded at a time when it was largely assumed that LGBT people were not interested or welcome in football and we are justifiably proud that we have helped to break this stereotype and provide a place for so many to enjoy the game. Over the years the GFSN National League has expanded from a handful of clubs to being a truly national league, unique in the world and we hope to continue to grow and provide a safe, tolerant and fun atmosphere for members of the LGBT community to enjoy the game we all love so much.”

The sixteen teams competing in this eleventh season are:

Birmingham Blaze FC
GFC Brighton & Hove
Bristol Panthers FC
Cardiff Dragons FC
Hotscots FC (based in Edinburgh)
Leicester Wildecats FC
Leftfooters FC (based in London)
London Falcons FC
London Titans FC
Mersey Marauders FC
Newcastle Panthers FC
Nottingham Ball Bois FC
Saltire Thistle FC (based in Glasgow)
Trowbridge Tigers FC
Wolverhampton Harts FC
Yorkshire Terriers FC

Gay Brazilian Man Wins 'Maternity' Leave

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 17:55:24 +0000

A man in Brazil has been granted a four-month "maternity" leave for a child he and his civil partner adopted. Lucimar da Silva has been allowed to take four months off work rather than five-day paternity leave. Brazil's social security agency has agreed with the men that it would be…

Welcome to La La Land

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:44:16 +0000

Banker turned recording artist, singer, songwriter and activist, Sir Ivan has released his latest single ‘La La Land’.He collaborated with producers Russell Ali, Jason Evigan and lyricist Josh Skinner and worked with music video directors Dylan Trussel and David Dinetz – to "record and create a vibrant world" where all…

To show just how much he's gunning for the community, he is also a major supporter and donor to the Trevor Project, the leading US organisation providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBT youth.

Find out more about this colourful man at sirivan.com

UK Black Pride 2012 Gets Stonewall Backing

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:52:29 +0000

UK Black Pride, the biggest celebration of African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab LGBT people in Europe, is proud to announce that Stonewall is its main event sponsor in 2012. Stonewall has spent more than 20 years fighting for the rights of all lesbian, gay and bisexual people, from equalising the…

Laura Doughty, Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive, said: 'Stonewall is delighted to once again support UK Black Pride as its main sponsor. Research we will be publishing at UK Black Pride shows that BME people who are gay all too often face increased difficulties when accessing Britain's public services. This country is rightly seen worldwide as a beacon for equality, which is why events like UK Black Pride - which celebrate diversity and showcase role models for young people - continue to be so important.'

Phyllis Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride Director, said: 'We're thrilled that Stonewall is continuing its amazing support for our community-led event. The technical and financial help Stonewall has gifted us will to ensure that we put on a strong event to focus on the specific needs of African, Asian, Caribbean and Arab LGBT people as well as to celebrate our many achievements. UK Black Pride is an inclusive event for all people. I encourage everyone to join this Pride celebration!"

The seventh UK Black Pride festival will take place on Saturday 18 August at the Ministry of Sound, London. The event's theme is: 'Together we are strong!' and it is set to repeat the success of previous years where headline acts have included Jessie J, Ms Dynamite and Beverley Knight. Alongside the main stage and dance areas, there will be four licensed bars, a cocktail bar, VIP area, world food, education and welfare workshops, community stalls, prizes and much more.

Tickets are on sale at www.ukblackpride.org.uk so buy now and don't miss out!

As a not-for-profit community-led group, UK Black Pride is led by a team of dedicated LGBT volunteers who have helped to deliver an award winning event that won the Pink Paper Readers' Award for 'Best Black Minority Ethnic Organisation' and the Stonewall Community Award in 2011.

For more information about the event follow UK Black Pride on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.ukblackpride.org.uk or email: info@ukblackpride.org.uk

Man Cured of HIV Remains HIV-Free

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 08:43:46 +0000

A man reported to be cured of HIV has appeared at the International AIDS Conference in Washington. Timothy Brown, known as "the Berlin Patient," was HIV positive and also had leukemia in 2007. Doctors in Germany cleared his immune system with chemotherapy and radiation. They also gave him two rounds…

“The transplant procedure that Timothy Ray Brown went through was complicated and life-threatening, and would only be used in extreme circumstances. It’s not the ‘cure’ we’re looking for. However, it does tell us that eradication of HIV cells is possible, and the importance of that can not be under-estimated. Until a functional cure is found, consistent condom use remains the best way to protect yourself and your partners from HIV.”

The German scientists are hesitant to call this a cure for HIV. They believe Brown's situation was not typical and his treatment is not a practical option for most patients.

Donated Olympic Torch to help Fight Homophobia

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:14:07 +0000

Oldham Olympic Torch Bearer Jason Bromley who carried the torch in the relay in Buxton on June 29th this year, has kindly donated his torch to Pink Triangle Theatre. "Being a co-founder of the company and being passionate about the work we do, also taking into consideration that Pink Triangle…

The incredible feedback collected from all of the schools in Essex, and from the Anti-Bullying conference held at Mahdlo andarranged by Hulme Grammar School which we performed at just before we left for the south, is available on the website: http://www.pinktriangletheatre.co.uk/?page_id=16

Paul Burgess, Originator of Pink Triangle Theatre and Jasons 'husband said; "This tour of Essex primary schools was a big thing for PTT, we had to change the show a little to make it more suitable, and we were totally thrilled that Thurrock localauthority were taking this opportunity to educate young people about issues all too often left out of the classroom. We are already penned in to return to Essex for work in more schools,and are all delighted to have the Olympic Torch as one of our tools."

Elton John Meets Homophobic Attack Victims in Ukraine

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 17:06:06 +0000

Elton John has called for an end to homophobic violence in Ukraine and said a controversial proposed law that would ban ‘propaganda’ about homosexuality should be dropped. Speaking during a concert in the centre of the capital last night, Elton John said, “It should never be a crime to be…

This week the Ukrainian parliament is due to debate a proposed law – number 8711 - that would make all public discussion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) rights illegal. The United Nations has condemned the new law saying it would amount to state-promoted discrimination against LGBT people and would violate a large number of rights protected under treaties signed by Ukraine.

Elton John was joined backstage by Lance Price, Executive Director of the international LGBT human rights organisation, the Kaleidoscope Trust.

Lance Price said: ‘Next weekend London will host the ‘World Pride’ parade in Central London. But while we celebrate our rights we cannot forget that that those very same rights are being denied to gay people all over the world. No fewer than 78 countries criminalise homosexuality. In five of them the maximum penalty is death. It is sad that Ukraine, which was the first former Soviet republic to decriminalise homosexuality should now be threatening to imprison gay people again.’

The organisers of the Kiev pride parade warmly welcomed Elton John’s decision to speak out. Taras Karasiichuk, chairman of the organising committee, said: “If the proposed law 8711 is passed it would be illegal for Elton John to stand on a stage and speak up for gay rights. This legislation would deprive LGBT people of the human rights that everybody should be entitled to. It would leave us open to more violence and attacks.”

Taras Karasiichuk was himself a victim of a homophobic attack close to his home last week, which left him with a broken jaw.

Proud2Be Project at World Pride

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:57:24 +0000

The Proud2Be Project is set to march at WorldPride in London next week and they want you to join them. WorldPride 2012 promises to be the biggest LGBT event ever and the project will be walking in the parade to celebrate it's one-year anniversary. The twins told us, "We are…

The identical twins felt inspired to start the video campaign as they both felt there wasn't enough positive and encouraging messages in society directed towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. Since then the video campaign has gone from strength to strength and has attracted the attention of high profile figure Stephen Fry who has shown his support by recording his own Proud2Be video and sharing it with his 4.1 million twitter followers.

Other high profile Proud2Be supporters include Peter Tatchell, Michael Cashman MEP, Nigel Evans MP and Fox from Channel 4's 'My Transsexual Summer'. With support from the Princes Trust, the project will not only be running the video campaign, but also running workshops, social groups and creating documentaries and exhibitions.

WorldPride takes place in London on Saturday July 7th 2012. Whether you identify as LGBT or you are a friend, parent, co-worker or educator of someone who does, the Proud2Be Project invites you to be part in the celebration. To let them know you are coming or to find out more about the project, head to http://proud2beproject.org/

Friendly Match after Footballer's Homophobic Tweet

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 16:41:01 +0000

In February a Walsall FC defender Tweeted homophobic abuse to life long supporter Kevin Paddock via the social network site Twitter and was subsequently fined £1200 by the FA. In conjunction with the GFSN, Kevin has now decided to set up national football matches to take place between Supporters trusts…

Says GFSN Chair, Chris Basiurski: “While Kevin’s experience highlights the difficulties LGBT football fans face, we are really pleased that he has been able to turn it into something altogether more constructive. With all eyes on the potential for racism and homophobia at the Euros in Ukraine and Poland, it is good to remember that we still need to do a great deal of work here at home and this game highlights that. We are sure it will be a bit success and congratulate Kevin on his efforts”

The match was played at 3pm on Saturday 9th June at Sutton Coldfield Town FC.

2012 is Co-Op Pride!

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:34:20 +0000

This year The Co-operative are supporting a huge fifteen lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride events across the UK. Liz Bramley, The Co-operative's Head of Engagement & Diversity commented, "The level of support The Co-operative is showing the LGBT community all over the UK this year is unprecedented. The pride…

Thomas Anderson, Co-Chair of The Co-operative’s award winning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employee network Respect commented, “The support The Co-operative is showing to so many LGBT communities this summer is truly amazing to see and it really sets us apart from lots of other businesses. We are sponsoring lots of Community, Youth and Family Zones at many of the events and this support is aligned with The Co-operative’s values. As well as showing our support of LGBT pride events The Co-operative also supports lots of LGBT charities and organisations throughout the year including Lunch Positive in Brighton and the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF). In the last three years The Co-operative has supported over 30 UK pride events. Anyone can join us in our parade entries - everyone is welcome."

Victoria Cowley, Co-Chair of the Respect network added, “The Respect network looks forward to working in collaboration with the regional Co-operative membership teams to make our involvement at the events a massive success. I hope lots of employees and members, and their friends and family, join us for what is shaping up to be a great summer that is going to be lots of fun. Let's be loud and proud together."

Vauxhall Gay Sports Day Returns on 27 August

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 16:44:17 +0000

Have your dreams of becoming an Olympian been dashed? If you are still sitting by the phone, beginning to suspect that the selectors won’t call after all, don’t despair, sporting triumph could yet be yours! Sandwiched between the closing ceremony of the Olympics and the opening ceremony of the Paralympics,…

Matthew Hodson, Head of Programmes at GMFA, commented: “I’m hoping that this year’s Sports Day will give us the opportunity to celebrate a record medal haul from the actual Olympics but if Team GB doesn’t triumph for any reason… well the Sports Day can cheer us all up again. This year we reckon we’re going to have our biggest Sports Day ever, so expectmore fun, frolics and frivolity, and plenty of surprises.”

Each team of five collects sponsorship for the event, with a minimum of £500 expected for each team. There will be three trophies: one for the winning team, one for the team that raises the most money and one for the team with the best outfits.

The money raised will go towards helping GMFA carry out its vital work to improve gay men’s health, including HIV prevention and sexual health, support for gay men living with HIV and self-defence. Money will also go to two organisations that help look after the local Vauxhall community - VauxhallCity Farm, a working farm that volunteers transformed from a derelict piece of land back in the 70s, and The Friends of Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, which helps maintain the land where Sports Day takes place.

Matthew adds: “Sports Day is all about fun, celebration and giving back to the community. We’re expecting regular teams from previous years as well as plenty of new faces, all competing for glory. So whether you want to show off your sporting prowess, your finest fancy dress, or just to cheer from the sidelines, we hope to see you there.”

Places for teams are strictly limited, so entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. To make sure your team enters the event, please register as soon as possible at www.gmfa.org.uk/sportsday.

The event will start at 1pm on 27 August in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens (formerly Spring Gardens), (behind the Royal Vauxhall Tavern).

Gay Events on Mykonos Island

editor@boscombe.info (137) — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:41:22 +0000

The XLSior international gay dance festival comes back for the 4th year to Mykonos on August 22 - 26 2012. The annual Elysium big party will be on September 1st. Do not miss the new Gay film festival that will take place on Mykonos in June & September also. XLSIOR…

▶ Thursday 23/08 (night) : Party TBA

▶ Friday 24/08 : MATINEE

▶ Saturday 25/08 : XLSIOR MAIN Party @ Cavo Paradiso with DJ PETER RAUHOFER (the Best Gay DJ in the World) & NALAYA BROWN

▶ Sunday 26/08 (day) : WE Party @ Elysium Hotel

▶ Sunday 26/08 (night) : BEYOND After-Hours

Find out more: http://www.mykonos-accommodation.com

UK's first music festival for the LGBT community

Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:58 +0000

KUSHKAMP is the newest concept for gay guys and girls after an outdoor pursuit, boasting to be the first music festival exclusively for gay people. Organisers are striving to create something original that is rebellious to the unwritten guide for gay events; there are no drag queens, no sequins or…

Attractions at the festival include a circus tent that will be transformed in to an outdoor nightclub, just a few minutes walk from your pop-up dwellings for the weekend. If you've ever had to take maybe your nephew, niece, younger brother or sister to a play center and got jealous you weren't allowed to play along, then the festival has loads of inflatables including a bouncy castle, twister and some mega slides!

So, pull your tent out, put your shades on and find the most outrageous pair of shorts you have, you're going to a festival.

More info and tickets are available on the KUSHKAMP website.

KUSHKAMP takes place at Willow Farm, Loughton, Essex between Friday 13th July and Monday 16th July 2012. http://www.kushkamp.co.uk

Creative Campaign for Pride London

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:03:45 +0000

In the wake of President Obama’s landmark commentary about equality for LGBT and gay marriage, Pride London has proudly launched its new campaign for World Pride 2012 – “Today London, Tomorrow the World”. In line with the campaign, Pride London has revealed a brand new website on www.pridelondon.org - to…

“This campaign and the new look and feel of our communications fully supports Pride London’s mission. Pride London is after all a ‘massive celebration of equality and diversity, through which the country and the world is inspired and empowered to take action against the discrimination of the LGBT community’.

I’m thrilled that we are taking a vocal, inspiring and empowering stance thisyear and can’t wait to work with our partners and the media to create a huge impact from this year’s event.

We are already working with the UK’s LGBT media and bloggers, as well as a totally global network of LGBT platforms – spanning media, pride organisations, charities and business networks across the world, in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Germany and France just to name a few countries.

We’re also working with networks in the 41 Commonwealth nations to bring hope to our LGBT brothers and sisters who live there.

Social networking is also something that is really big for us this year in spreading our message of hope – we urge everyone to become a friend or follow Pride London on facebook and on twitter and share it with their friends across the world. This way, we can gain critical mass and achieve our World Pride objectives.” – Uwern Jong, Director of Communications, Pride London.

Kerry Katona to Sing at Bournemouth Pride

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:54:33 +0000

Bourne Free Pride Festival, Bournemouth's gay pride event, is on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15th July 2012. The theme this year is ‘Royalty’ to celebrate the Queens Jubilee. Kerry Katona has been announced as one of the headline acts for July 14. The singer and TV personality will kick start…

Bourne Free's Got Talent continues at DYMK with auditions on the 7th May, Semi Final on the 4th June and Final on the 5th June. The winner gets to perform on the main stage at Bourne Free.

Find out more about gay life in Bournemouth and book a hotel for the event.

Catholic Church Slammed Over Gay Marriage Opposition

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:28:55 +0000

The Pope’s representative in Britain has urged Roman Catholic leaders to form a united front with their Muslim and Jewish counterparts to oppose gay marriage. Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Apostolic Nuncio, has called for closer co-operation with other faiths as well as Christian denominations to put pressure on the Government…

Prague Pride Prevails Over Political Problems

tom@pureglowmedia.com (reporter) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:16:53 +0000

Last year the first ever Prague Pride was organized amid political controversy, when Czech president Václav Klaus openly criticized having a Pride event in the capital of the Czech Republic. In spite of his statements the first Prague Pride was an overwhelming success, with more than 25,000 visitors. The event…

The highlight of the festival will be the parade through the city centre and the consecutive concert at Střelecký Island on Saturday the 18th of August. The route of the Parade will take the participants from the famous Wenceslav square to the beautiful Střelekcy Island, where a concert will be held with many local and international stars.

“We want to show the Czech society as well as visitors from abroad that we will continue to put Prague on the map as Central and Eastern Europe’s capital of diversity and as one of Europe's main LGBT travel destinations.“ the director of the festival Czeslaw Walek says. By giving Prague Pride 2012 his auspices, the mayor of Prague acknowledges the significance of its LGBT community, with Prague Pride becoming a tradition in Europe’s LGBT summer season.

No Regrets at Archbishop Stand Down

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:07:22 +0000

The UK gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has no regrets at the news that Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is to stand down. PTT Secretary George Broadhead said: “The appointment of Dr Rowan Williams ten years ago was welcomed by some LGBT activists, notably Christian…

Williams has beenat the heart of the debate over gay marriage and in February 2012 he said that the law has no right to legalise same-sex marriage. ‘If it is said that a failure to legalise assisted suicide – or same-sex marriage – perpetuates stigma or marginalisation for some people, the reply must be, I believe, that issues like stigma and marginalisation have to be addressed at the level of culture rather than law,’ he said.

Mr Broadhead concluded: “It is obvious that hostility towards LGBT sexual relationships and rights emanates largely from the three main religions – Anglican, Roman Catholic and Islam – and nothing had changed for the better in the Anglican Church under the leadership of Rowan Williams. I understand that the present Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, is tipped to replace Williams and if this happens it will be a clear case of going from the frying pan into the fire.”

Church's Bizarre Gay Marriage Condemnation

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 13:08:19 +0000

The gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has slammed Cardinal Keith O’Brien’s condemnation of gay marriage as totally predictable and bizarre. Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the leader of the Catholic Church in Scotland, has said the plans for gay marriage are a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human…

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Sh*t Gay Guys Say in new Video

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:51:57 +0000

An online video, produced by GMFA, the gay men’s health charity, is encouraging gay men to think about the assumptions that they make about their sexual partner’s HIV status. Riffing on a theme that has taken off online over the past couple of months, GMFA produced ‘Sh*t gay guys say…

Viewers of the video are invited to give feedback on the impact that the video had on them. Initial findings suggest that two-thirds of viewers were inspired to think about the assumptions that they make about their sexual partner’s HIV status and a majority of viewers were moved to consider who has the responsibility for safer sex and to think about the likelihood of disclosure of HIV status.

Matthew adds, “HIV is a serious issue. We produced this video to see whether or not we could reach people using viral marketing techniques. We’re keen to see if this video gets seen and shared, to find out what people think about the approach, and whether or not it brings new visitors to our site.”

GMFA’s Sex and Sexual Health website is atwww.gmfa.org.uk/sex.

Awesome Women of Twitter launch community blog

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:57:39 +0000

The Awesome Women of Twitter, better known as ‘AWOT’, has announced the launch of its new community blog, Team AWOT. In its first fortnight it has published a number of notable stories, including two anonymous posts about rape (following the Unilad debacle), a story about street harassment and an account…

“Twitter has become a platform for people to share their experiences, and the blog is an extension of that. No subject will ever be taboo and our anonymous posters are using the community to shed light on topics that are rarely talked about. It’s important for women to be able to talk about the things that they’ve done or the things that have happened to them. AWOT is a chance to voice your opinions to an audience who’s really listening.”

AWOT, which started at the end of 2011, made headlines in December when the bar that was to host its first social gathering reneged its booking on the grounds that holding a feminist meeting in its establishment would be inappropriate. They have since found a new home at Liberty Lounge in Spitalfields, and will have their next gathering on 8^th March. All women are welcome to attend. You can find the new community blog here.

Premier League Clubs Sign Anti-homophobia Charter

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:26:34 +0000

The Gay Football Supporters’ Network has welcomed the Premier League Clubs signing the Government’s Charter Against Homophobia & Transphobia In Sport this weeek. Whilst many amateur and Football League teams have already signed and supported the Charter, the GCSN are encouraged to see participation from the members of the world’s…

As representatives of many thousands of LGBT football fans across the UK, the GFSN will be contacting each club to see how they can help them implement anti-homophobia policies both on and off the pitch, in line with the aspirations of the Charter. They will be closely monitoring their ongoing progress to ensure this is not just a symbolic gesture.

Gay Hate Leaflet Muslims Convicted

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:46:16 +0000

Three Muslim men from Derby have become the first people to be found guilty inciting hatred on the grounds of sexuality after distributing leaflets suggesting violent ways to kill gay people. In the landmark case the jury at Derby crown court ruled that Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed had breached…

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: ‘We’re satisfied to see these extremists convicted for distributing offensive and inflammatory leaflets that suggested gay people should be burnt or stoned to death. This case vindicates Stonewall’s long fight to secure specific legal protection for gay people against incitement to hatred. Witnesses told the court they felt threatened and deeply fearful in their own homes. People from all communities will feel safer knowing that the law now makes it harder to stir up hatred and violence against gay people.’

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 came into force in 2010 has made it an offence to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Ban Attempt on Civil Partnerships on Religious Premises Fails

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:26:15 +0000

Early this afternoon a motion was successfully defeated in the House of Lords which would have banned the celebration of civil partnerships in religious premises. The ‘wrecking motion’ was introduced by Conservative peer Baroness O’Cathain. It would have meant that the ‘Alli amendment’ that Stonewall secured to the 2010 Equality…

‘Today’s debate reminds us that there are still vocal opponents of equality for the 3.7 million people in this country who happen to be gay. We trust that Baroness O’Cathain and her supporters will now have a little more free time during which to celebrate the second most important festival in the Christian calendar.’

The ‘Alli amendment’, section 202 of the new Equality Act, is entirely permissive. Contrary to claims made by opponents of equality during today’s debate, it will only apply to denominations such as the Quakers, the Unitarians and Liberal Judaism which have chosen to host civil partnership ceremonies. The first ceremonies are expected to take place early in the new year.

David Cameron urged to back Obama on Gay Rights

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:18:46 +0000

The Kaleidoscope Trust has called on David Cameron to back a new global initiative to combat human rights abuses against LGBT people launched by President Obama. The US government strategy to protect the rights of gay and lesbian people around the world and combat the criminalisation of homosexuality was set…

“For the first time America now has a government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT people abroad backed by a new Global Equality Fund. David Cameron has spoken up in defence of equality for gay and lesbian people at home and abroad, but Britain lags behind when it comes to action and practical support.

“The Prime Minister said he wants Britain to be a global beacon for reform of gay and lesbian rights. We strongly applaud that. Now is the time for him to demonstrate that commitment in practise by strengthening the government’s response in line with that of the United Sates.”

Britain should:

- Establish a specific FCO unit to coordinate the defence of LGBT rights as a foreign policy priority;

- Direct British embassies, high commissions and other agencies abroad to use all means available to combat the criminalisation of homosexuality and promote the protection of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from persecution;

- Contribute financially to the international effort in support of civil society groups advocating the recognition of LGBT rights as part of a comprehensive human rights policy.

The full text of Hillary Clinton’s speech can be found on our website: http://www.kaleidoscopetrust.com/features-letter-hillary-clinton.php

Announcing the new initiative, she said, “This morning, back in Washington, President Obama put into place the first U.S. Government strategy dedicated to combating human rights abuses against LGBT persons abroad. Building on efforts already underway at the State Department and across the government, the President has directed all U.S. Government agencies engaged overseas to combat the criminalization of LGBT status and conduct, to enhance efforts to protect vulnerable LGBT refugees and asylum seekers, to ensure that our foreign assistance promotes the protection of LGBT rights, to enlist international organizations in the fight against discrimination, and to respond swiftly to abuses against LGBT persons.

“I am also pleased to announce that we are launching a new Global Equality Fund that will support the work of civil society organizations working on these issues around the world. This fund will help them record facts so they can target their advocacy, learn how to use the law as a tool, manage their budgets, train their staffs, and forge partnerships with women’s organizations and other human rights groups. We have committed more than $3 million to start this fund, and we have hope that others will join us in supporting it.”

Act Now Against Russian Anti-Gay Laws

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:56:19 +0000

The Kaleidoscope Trust is urging people to join an international campaign against laws that trample on the basic human rights of LGBT people in Russia. St Petersburg is only the latest place to propose a law that bans the promotion of ‘gay propaganda’, a move led by the governing United…

Lance Price, Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, said, “When the promotion of homosexuality in schools was banned in Britain under Clause 28 it scarred our country until it was finally removed. The legal prohibitions in Russia go much further and are an even bigger threat. We have already raised the case in person with the Foreign Office and urged the government to use its influence and the UK's chairmanship of the Council of Europe to raise the St Petersburg case at every opportunity. We are now asking all our supporters to join an international letter writing campaign.

"Politicians in all corners of the world like to attack LGBT people to win popularity. Sadly they will only stop when their own people prove to them that that it doesn't work, and that will take time. But we can take action now to demonstrate that our rights are as valid as everybody else's and these legal challenges are a vital step."

Supporters can:

- Ask the European Court of Human Rights to give priority treatment in the case of “Bayev vs Russia (67667/09)”. Make sure you mark, the case and the number in your communication.

- Ask the UN Human Rights Committee to give priority treatment in the case of “Fedotova vs Russia (1932/2010)”. Make sure you mark, the case and the number in your communication.

- Ask your Foreign Secretary or Minister of Foreign Affairs to raise the threat to LGBT human rights with their Russian Counterparts

- If you are an EU citizen, ask Catherine Ashton, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, to inform Russia that anti-gay laws are unacceptable from a trading partner of the EU

- Ask the Council of Europe’s General Secretary to remind Russia of its obligation to honour the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms that it ratified

List of contact details if you want to take any action listed above

European Court of Human Rights
By email: http://appform.echr.coe.int/echrrequest/request.aspx?lang=gb
By phone: +33 3 88 41 20 18
By fax: +33 3 88 41 27 30
By post: European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe, 67075 Strasbourg, France

UN Human Rights Committee
By email: InfoDesk@ohchr.org
By phone: +41 22 917 92 20
By post: Palais Wilson, 52 rue des Pâquis, CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland

Thorbjorn Jagland, Council of Europe General Secretary
By email: COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
By phone: +32 2 584 11 11
By post: European External Action Service, 1046 Brussels, Belgium

Rt. Hon William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary
Online: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/contact-us
By phone: 020 7008 1500
By post: FCO, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH

Baroness Catherine Ashton, Vice President of the European Commission, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
By email: COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
By phone: +32 2 584 11 11
By post: European External Action Service, 1046 Brussels, Belgium

A sample letter can be found here: http://www.gayrussia.eu/en/campaigns/model_letters.php

UK Pressure on Russian 'Section 28'

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:07:35 +0000

The Russian city of St Petersburg has proposed a law that bans the promotion of ‘gay propaganda’, a move led by the governing United Russia party. It has been condemned by LGBT rights organisations across the world. The law would see people or organisations fined up to £1,000 for the…

The FCO stated, ‘The message of this law, that homosexuality is unacceptable, let alone in any way similar to a crime like paedophilia, is wrong. It goes against European and Russian commitments to human rights, including the guarantee of non-discrimination set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lance Price, Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, said, ‘International pressure on the authorities is working and the intervention of the FCO is greatly welcomed. Consideration of the bill in the St Petersburg legislature has now been delayed by a week. We hope that our government, in conjunction with others around the world, will maintain the pressure to ensure that this pernicious legislation, which is already in force in two parts of the Russian federation, goes no further. It's scope is much wider that Britain's notorious section 28 and would have a massive impact on the rights of LGBT people.’

Protest at Anti-Gay Law in Russia

editor@gayuknews.com (Staff Writer) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:39:58 +0000

The legal committee of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly has introduced a draft law prohibiting the so-called propaganda of 'sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and paedophilia to minors'. The UK gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has expressed their concerns over the latest anti-gay legislation proposed in Russia.…

Broadhead continued, "As the LGBT organization Coming Out, Russia points out, the Assembly has chosen to ignore the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention for Human Rights, the Council of Europe recommendations and other decrees by international organizations of which Russia is a member.”

Reacting to the plea for help from Coming Out Russia, the PTT has sent a letter of protest to Yakovenko Alexander Vladimirovich, the Russian Ambassador in the UK.