THEGAYUK

Day: 9 June 2013

  • OPINION | Closets are for clothes

    “What have you done today to make you feel proud?” Heather Small

    Today I was able to kiss my partner in public and for that, I am proud. I am proud to live in a society where being part of the LGBT community is accepted and I am able to express my feelings for a member of the same sex openly without judgement.

    The Stonewall riot of 1969 in New York City inspired and motivated members of the LGBT community to fight for equality. The gay liberation movement encouraged people to accept and announce their sexuality and has influenced celebration for years to come in the form of Pride Parades.

    Since this time the LGBT community has grown and although the fight for equality still continues we are still further that we were over forty years ago. Although something simple such as showing my partner affection in public may seem small, it stems for years of struggle and fighting for recognition and acceptance.

    I have openly admitted to my parents that I was gay. At a New Year party my Mother looked at me and said,

    “So, I see your in a relationship on Facebook. Who is he?”

    For years I had been dancing and thought no one was watching. In theory, everyone had been watching and they were waiting for was for me to discuss the matter.

    “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” RuPaul

    Although my Nan still refers to my boyfriend as my ‘special friend’ I still know that I have support from my family and friends in terms of my sexuality. I am proud of them for being open minded and accepting.

    Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if my Mother had never questioned my relationship status. Would I have been strong enough to recognise that the closet is just for clothes?

     

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  • Denise Welch joins Mind to combat stigma

    Mind, the mental health charity, today announces that Denise Welch will join the organisation as an official ambassador. She will raise vital awareness, encouraging the one in four people who experience a mental health problem every year, to access support.

    Research shows one in five people who’ve experienced a mental health problem has sought help directly because they’ve been inspired by a celebrity sharing their story in the media. Denise will therefore play a pivotal role at the charity, sharing her experiences with the wider public and in turn reassuring many others that it’s ok to talk.

    The actress and Loose Women presenter first experienced post-natal depression, following the birth of her eldest son, then battled episodes of severe depression over 24 years. She now talks very openly about her process of recovery, the significant role loved ones play in helping her to stay well, and the urgent need to stamp out the stigma that continues to surround mental health problems.

    Denise Welch said:

    “Mind is a charity very close to my heart and I’m honoured to represent them and the great work they do. Depression and mental health problems don’t discriminate, they can affect anybody at any time and every week I hear from people in all walks of life who are facing experiences I’m all too familiar with.

    “No one should have to face a mental health problem alone and I hope, through my role at Mind, I can help people understand that help is here. It all starts with a conversation and I’m definitely not afraid to speak up.”

    Paul Farmer, CEO for Mind says:

    “When people in the public eye speak out, it inspires others to seek help. We are thrilled to have Denise’s support and know her honest and frank approach to mental health will spark many conversations across the country.

    “Following Stephen Fry’s disclosure last week, thousands of people contacted Mind through our Infoline and social media – the ripple effect will undoubtedly be felt long-term.”

  • COLUMN | We’re here, we’re queer and we might go shopping

    I’m at that age where I’ve become a bit jaded. Let’s just say I’m over 40, A.K.A. dead in gay years. I get the sensation that I’ve seen it all before and done it all; more than once.

    The thought of hanging about in a park all day whilst a lot of drunken people watch the latest celebrity boy bands whilst trying to get Grindr to work and buying cheap tat that’s had the word “gay” added to make it saleable, is my idea of hell.

    Thinking back though, this wasn’t always the case. It was the late 1980s and aged 18, I got on a coach laid on by the local gay bar from the Midlands town where I lived, and came down to London to attend Gay Pride. I was intrigued by what it would be like and had no idea what to expect, media coverage of such events being largely non-existent then. I wasn’t expecting what I saw.

    The huge throng of people was a sight to see. I’d also never seen so many gay people or even had any idea that they’re that many LGBT people in the whole of England. I’d also never seen men kissing in public or holding hands and thought that I’d landed on some strange planet where things were as they should be. There were many other things I hadn’t seen before: two women with their breasts pierced and chained together (Health and Safety hazard: one slip or trip and you’d lose a nipple), 30 men dressed as Wonder Woman charging along to the theme music from the show, drag queens in vertiginous heels and many many other weird and wonderful sights. The appeal wasn’t that alone though. There were also a huge amount of people just like me. Representatives from the emergency services, various social, political and career groups were all out and proud with a rallying cry of “We’re Here, We’re Queer and we’re Not Going Shopping”. I liked the more strident political side to it and the inventive banners as much as the comedic ones and the fripperies of the O.T.T. drag.

    For once, I actually didn’t really want to go shopping. I passed Fortnum and Mason’s without as much as a twitch. I was amazed that we were so public and that we passed so many London landmarks and also staggered that no one was throwing bricks, spouting venom or condemning us to hell-fire.

    The festival on the park afterwards had a drag tent which kept me amused, as well as some bad pop and a wealth of people watching opportunities. I felt strangely empowered as the fireworks went off with a bang (as they do) and the bus set off for home.

    It’s hard to remember our youth and more innocent joy at things we now take for granted so maybe I’ll try again. Well, I may have to pop in Fortnum and Mason’s first. One needs a good picnic and a comfy rug if sitting on a park at my age.