THEGAYUK

Tag: Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan is London’s Major. Here’s the latest news from the gay community surrounding Sadiq Khan.

  • Calls to stop saying “commit suicide” as it’s outdated

    Calls to stop saying “commit suicide” as it’s outdated

    A letter signed by Stephen Fry, Will Young and Sadiq Khan and 127 others is urging journalists to stop using the phrase “commit suicide”.

    The letter which was signed by 130 celebs, authors, politicians and community leaders is calling on journalists to stop using the terms “commit suicide” when writing about suicide.

    Along with Stephen Fry, Will Young and Sadiq Khan, Fearne Cotton, Ed Balls and DJ Lauren Laverne have signed the letter urging media outlets to “portray suicide in ways which reflect our modern understanding of this phenomenon.”

    The letter was released on 10th September, which is the World Suicide Prevention Day.

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The letter calls for alternatives to be used, such as “died by suicide” as “committing suicide” suggests that suicide is “either a sin or a crime, or both.” Suicide has not been a crime in the UK since 1961. The letter also suggests that “committing suicide” also implies, “that to take one’s own life is a selfish, cowardly, criminal or irreligious act, rather than the manifestation of extreme mental distress and unbearable pain.

    Each year over 6000 people in the UK die when they take their own lives – and worldwide this number is a shocking 800,000 people per year.

    Reaching out to editors the letter states, “The language and images we see and hear in the media naturally shape our understanding and view of the world. This is why journalism will always be so important – we are influenced by the kinds of stories you choose to cover, the language you use in those stories, and the images that are chosen to illustrate them. This places an enormous burden of responsibility on editors, reporters, photographers, sub-editors, producers, presenters and all of the other people engaged in bringing us news, editorial and comment”.

    THEGAYUK.com has updated its style guide and adopting the suggestion by TalkingSuicide.co.uk to change the language it uses and will no longer use the term “commit suicide”.

    The Samaritans is available 24 a day on telephone number 116 123 if you are having suicidal thoughts, suffering from depression or anxiety or just need to talk.

  • Sadiq Khan plans to make London’s toilets gender neutral

    Plans to turn public toilets into gender-neutral spaces were unveiled this week, by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

    London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has plans to turn the capital’s toilets into gender-neutral spaces, a move that he hopes will reflect the capital’s incredible diversity. Advocates of gender-neutral spaces see the policy helping trans and non-binary people feel more comfortable.

    Sadiq’s “London Plan” will call on building planners and developers to include more gender-neutral toilets in places like leisure centres, shopping malls and cinemas, in a bid to reflect London’s diverse population.

    Gender-neutral toilets are usually toilets in separate cubicles, with a shared hand washing and drying area. Doors and walls of each cubicle are floor to ceiling length. These spaces could house baby changing facilities and have better access for people with disabilities.

    “We need a range of toilets to reflect diversity”

    Mr Khan said, “I have vowed to be a Mayor for all Londoners so I am determined to ensure that everyone has the ability to enjoy our great city to its fullest.

    “Toilets are a vital public service and can help to shape the experience of the capital for those who live here and for those visiting.

    “We need a range of toilets that reflect the incredible diversity of this city – giving people the confidence to move around London with dignity.”

    Guidelines

    The guidelines are only advisory for planners, however, many councils have adopted the ideas.

    The Mayor’s plans also call for management, surveillance and cleaning procedures to be agreed at the planning stage. It also calls for the installation of free drinking fountains.

    There are many businesses and public spaces that have already adopted gender-neutral facilities, the Barbican Centre, as well as Channel 4’s headquarters, have non-gendered toilet areas.

  • London Mayor Sadiq Khan backs Uber’s ban

    Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has backed Transport for London’s decision not to renew Uber’s operating license suggesting Uber did not “play by the rules”.

    In a statement regarding TfL’s decision Mayor Sadiq Khan said,

    “I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service.

    However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers. Providing an innovative service must not be at the expense of customer safety and security.

    “I fully support TfL’s decision – it would be wrong if TfL continued to license Uber if there is any way that this could pose a threat to Londoners’ safety and security.

    “Any operator of private hire services in London needs to play by the rules”.

     

    The blow to the Saudi backed Uber could potentially mean the loss of tens of thousands of jobs across London as well affecting over 3.5 million passengers who use the service.

  • 2016 A Year In Review

    2016 has been a year that will go down in history as one of the most seismic of all time. From the election of Donald Trump to the UK voting to leave the EU, from the Pulse nightclub massacre to the continued persecution of gay men by ISIS.

    There have been many stories that have and will continue to impact the gay community for decades to come. Here’s are just some of the top stories from the past 12 months.

    January

    David Bowie dies. The year starts with the unexpected death of David Bowie. 2016 would go down as one of the most shocking years for celebrity deaths.

    Milo Yiannopoulos is unverified by Twitter. The controversial right-wing commentator is unverified by Twitter. He would later be kicked off the platform altogether in a move many praised but other criticised Twitter for kerbing freedom of speech.

    ISIS executes 15-year-old boy. He was murdered for an alleged affair with an ISIS officer. The officer was spared the death sentence.

    Actor Charlie Carver comes out as gay. He came out via a moving Instagram post.

    MP David Mundell comes out as gay. The Government got its first openly gay serving minister.

     

    February

    British LGBT Awards gets a bashing on Twitter. The motives behind the awards were questioned by some after a number of “strange” choices for nominees were revealed including YouTuber Zoella, and Zayn for being allies.

    George Shelley comes out but didn’t want to be labelled as gay or bisexual.

    Dustin Lance Black and Sam Smith get into a Twitter spat after texting with Tom Daley.

    Marcus Feehily admits hiding his sexuality was like a “big secret” during his time in Westlife.

     

    March

    Olly Murs says he’s a bit gay and gets slammed by Neil Armin from Clean Bandits.

    The owner of AXM dies. Haydn Pope died after a battle with Cancer. He was 49.

    James Franco opens up about his sexuality and says he’s gay up to a point.

    Tony Warren, writer of Coronation Street dies he was aged 79 and one of the UK’s most visible and openly gay TV writers.

     

    April

    The world is rocked by the deaths of  Prince, Victoria Wood, David Gest and Denise Robertson .

    John Barrowman accidentally flashes his husband’s penis, the internet explodes in wonder.

    Sam Smith and Harry Styles on the UK’s rich list.

     

    May

    David Walliams criticised for “acting gay” during his judging of Britain’s Got Talent.

    Prince Harry tweaks a man’s nipple – breaks the internet.

    London gets a new Mayor and the gay community questions if he’s gay-friendly.

    Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that gay people can be changed with outrageous and creepy Disney-like animation.

    ISIS throw gay man to death claiming it was to “cleanse his sins”.

    TV Star Colton Haynes comes out as gay, all pretty casual to be honest.

     

    June

    UK votes to leave EU. The world is shocked by the result. Hate crimes rocket after the results.

    Anti-gay rights MPs stand for Tory leadership after David Cameron resigns as PM.

    49 clubbers are massacred at a gay club in Orlando the worst single gun attack on American soil.

    London stands still in the memory of those murdered and wounded in Orlando attack at Pride in London. A video message from David Cameron was booed and jeered at the Pride.

    Cliff Richard says he’ll take his sexuality to the grave in a rather candid interview.

     

    July

    An attack in Manchester’s gay village shocks the community and leaves a man on life support.

    Marriage proposal on Big Brother makes UK TV history.

    Town council refuses to fly Rainbow Flag for pride.

    Prince Harry gets HIV test live on social media.

     

    August

    Four men executed by ISIS for being gay.

    Homophobic killer murders a man, moments after sex when he was most vulnerable.

     

     

    September

    Alexis Arquette dies.

    Gay Royal… The first member of the extended Royal Family comes out as gay.

    Jehovah’s Witnesses distribute leaflets telling gay people to control their urges.

     

    October

    Bratavio makes it into the X Factor and gets vile homophobic backlash on Twitter.

    Simon Cowell slammed for asking if Rylan likes the “backdoor”.

    Clothing retailer gets a taste of reality after “real men” advert goes viral for all the wrong reasons.

    Pete Burns dies, 57.

     

    November

    Donald Trump elected as President of the USA. The homophobic language on social media soars in the days before and after the US election.

    The month of celebrity nude leaks including Ben Cohen, Sam Callahan, Shayne Ward, Joel Dommett, Jake Quickenden.

    Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t confirm or deny the rumours that he’s gay after seemingly coming out in an argument.

    People worry for the mental health of songwriter and producer for RuPaul’s Drag Race, Lucian Piane.

    Milo Yiannopoulous is slayed by the internet after appearing on Channel 4 news.

    People get very het up over a question on the Loose Women Facebook page.

    Saara Aalto announces her engagement to her girlfriend.

    Serial killer Stephen Port found guilty of the murders of four men he met via gay dating apps.

     

    December

    People think that Matt Terry and Freddy Parker are an item.

    Shaving your pubes could leave you susceptible to getting an STI.

    Man accused of being gay executed in Aleppo.

    PC Gordon Semple’s murderer, Stefano Brizzi sentenced to life for his murder.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Khan’s “Night Tzar” under pressure after calling George Osborne a C**T

    Khan’s “Night Tzar” under pressure after calling George Osborne a C**T

    Amy Lamé is under pressure to put her political leanings to one side after a number of Tweets she sent before her appointment as London’s “Night Tzar” criticise Tory politicians.

    George Osborne
    CREDIT: HM Treasury

    Earlier this month the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan appointed Amy Lamé as a figurehead in supporting London’s 24-hour economy. However, she has come under pressure to put her politics to one side after a number of offensive Tweets to numerous Tory politicians were unearthed.

    Leaders of Conservative-run boroughs in London are calling on Amy Lamé to show bipartisanship after she described Conservative MSP Ruth Davidson as ” Tory scum” during the Stonewall Awards, and called former Chancellor, George Osbourne a “c**t”.

    Amy Lame and Ruth Davidson
    CREDIT: Twitter

    In a Tweet sent in 2015, Amy said,

    “I could say that @George_Osborne is a c***. but he has neither the warmth not the depth. #tampontax”

    In a letter to Amy, leaders of six boroughs, Westminster, Wandsworth, Bexley, Kensington & Chelsea, Hillingdon and Kingston councils, which are all Conservative-led, pointed out that the new Night Czar had made her political leanings “very clear”.

    They wrote:

    “We are therefore writing to seek reassurance that you will approach your important new role in a bipartisan way and work constructively with Conservative councils.

    “We ask that you put your political bias to one side and set out how you will work with all councils to promote and protect Greater London’s night time economy.”

    According to the Evening Standard, a City Hall spokesman said,

    “We are confident that Amy will have an excellent relationship with councillors from all political parties.”

  • Is London’s New Mayor Sadiq Khan Gay Friendly?

    London has a new Mayor in the form of Sadiq Khan. We find out what his pro-gay credentials are.

    Is Sadiq Khan gay friendly?

    Winning over 1.3 million votes Sadiq Khan has become London’s new mayor. He took nearly 57% of the votes. So we’ve decided to look at just how LGBTI friendly Sadiq is.

    Voting as an MP.

    Sadiq Khan is the MP for Tooting in London. During his term in office he has, according to theyworkforyou.com,  “almost always voted for equal gay rights.”

    In 2007 he voted Yes on the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation), in 2013 he voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry – but was absent for its third reading.

    In 2014, he voted to “enable the courts to deal with proceedings for the divorce of, or annulment of the marriage of, a same-sex couple” and in 2015 he voted to make “same-sex marriage available to armed forces personnel outside the UK.”

    9/10

    NEXT :HIS INTERACTION WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • There’s A Sadiq Khan LGBT Fundraiser For His Mayoral Campaign

    For £50 you can party with Labour London Mayoral Candidate Sadiq Khan… and get a T-Shirt!

    In an effort to raise money for Mr. Khan’s London Mayoral campaign, the Labour party are selling tickets to an “LGBT Fundraiser”.

    For £50 you can get standard entry and a Sadiq T-shirt, however if you book now you can get a knock down entry for £15.

    The party is due to take place at the RVT and will be hosted by Amy Lame and will joined by a former Cover star for THEGAYUK Asifa Lahore.
    A statement from the website reads,

    “To help raise a bit of money for Sadiq Khan’s Mayoral campaign we are throwing him a big old LGBTQ+ party at the historic Royal Vauxhall Tavern on 2nd March hosted by the indomitable Amy Lamé.”

    According to the site, the MP for Tooting will be in attendance as well as other “labour guest apperances”.

    Sadiq has always voted for equal gay rights according to TheyWorkForYou.com, but was absent for a vote on the same-sex marriage bill, (third reading).

    The London Mayoral elections will take place on 5th May. Zac Goldsmith MP is standing as the Conversative candidate.