THEGAYUK

Day: 14 May 2014

  • TODAY IN GAY: Mäedchen In Uniform

    TODAY IN GAY: Mäedchen In Uniform

    The first feature film with an openly pro-lesbian storyline debuts at The Capitol Cinema in Berlin.

    According to Wikipedia:
    The film had some impact in the Berlin lesbian clubs, but was largely eclipsed by the ongoing cult success of Der blaue Engel (1930). The film did however generate large amounts of fan-mail to the stars from all over Germany and was considered a success throughout much of Europe. The goodnight kiss Thiele received from Wieck was especially popular: one distributor even asked for more footage of other kisses like it to splice into prints of the film.

    From its premiere at the Capitol cinema in Berlin until 1934 the film is said to have grossed some RM6,000,000. Despite the collective nature of the filming for which cast and crew received only a quarter of the normal wage, none saw a share of the 6,000,000 marks and Thiele later hinted that the profits had been mostly retained by the producers.

  • OPINION | Rise Like A Mockingjay

    Has Austria given the world a new symbol of hope? Like, I don’t know, Katniss Everdeen? I too felt like raising my three middle fingers in support of Conchita Wurst.

    Like most of the world, I am sure you were in awe at Austria’s entry of the Eurovision Song Contest. It sent shivers as well as butterflies through one’s body. The powerful voice of Conchita filled our ears with delicious harmony, as well as lyrically astounding us.

    There is one thing about her journey that struck me sideways. Despite criticism and idiocy from close-minded bigots, Conchita triggers thoughts of a familiar struggle that, at one point in every gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender’s life, they have gone through and therefore can relate to. For those Hunger Games fanatics and acquaintances, this struggle resonates Katniss’s turmoil when defending her own kind who had been, for seventy five years, ostracised, marginalised and made to live their lives as sacrificial, by the Capitol. The Capitol has a lot to answer for, as they do not want to change, in fact what they want to do is to boycott and silence these protests.

    Is that ringing any bells?

    What were Russia, Belarus and Ukraine trying to do during the Eurovision week?

    I will leave that rhetorical. As I can hear the pennies dropping in your minds.

    Watching the Final was mesmerising and ethereal. I was expecting Conchita’s dress to turn in to ‘Flame’ and her nodding to, a Cinna like person, in the audience as confirmation of the rebellious movement. What really got me were the fire-like wings behind her, on the screen, as Conchita Wurst beautifully bursts in to the last Rise Like A Phoenix chorus.

    The victory was not just about the song and the artist, but it was another triumph for LGBT community’s voice being heard and expressed. It makes me wonder if this same song was played five years ago, would it have had the same effect? Or was it the fact that the world’s views have strengthened in relation to LGBT rights?

    2014 has been a year of so many firsts:
    29th March: Gay Weddings, making it a live broadcast for all to see and celebrate with the happy couple. United Nations advances its stand on Gay Rights with Bollywood style music video depicting a welcoming of a homosexual couple to one’s family.
    Conchita Wurst creates a storm within East Europe and the World with her sheer confidence and ambition. Where to end? This is the beginning.

    As many countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, have views that are eerily intensifying, there is a pleasing air of acceptance around the communities in the Western Culture where it feels okay to hold a hand or kiss someone of the same sex, or even to tell your Mum or Dad who you really are.

    Thank you Conchita Wurst for the emancipation of LGBT presence. We all raise our three fingers to you.

    Keep that Bird Rising!

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • Gay Penguins Become Best Fathers At Zoo

    In a Wildlife park in Kent two male penguins have become surrogate fathers.

    Two male Humboldt Penguins called Kermit and Jumbs at Wingham Wildlife Park have been made surrogate parents for an egg, which has just hatched. The egg was abandoned by the mother.

    Head of birds and mammals at the park Becky Johnson explained: ‘It was a shame to see the hetrosexual pair leave their egg, largely because the male deserted his share of the duties.’

    ALSO READ: Top 10 gay animals

    Park owner Tony Binskin said ‘These two have so far proven to be the best penguin parents we have had. But we have had to bring in two new males to keep the balance of the group.

    ‘We are still very much starting our breeding efforts with this species, and this is only our second year, but having such good surrogate parents available should we need them is a huge bonus for us.

    ‘Being brought up by individuals of the same species always has a better outcome for animals being reared. While we will intervene and hand rear animals if necessary, it is something we prefer to avoid.’

  • OPINION | Meet The Next Generation Of The BNP

    It’s scary, very scary, what happens when you get a bunch of 13-18 year olds and fill their heads with British National Party rubbish.

    We want, we want, we want, never gets – didn’t your mother tell you?

    I’m sitting here, not sure whether to laugh or to shudder in fear – as the British National Party (BNP) releases a video on to its YouTube page with several young people spouting about who they feel is to blame for the downturn of the UK’s moral compass and their demands for the future of this country.

    So who is to blame? Well, us militant homosexuals are given a mention (high five), the media, bankers, businesses and I think My Little Pony had a mention somewhere.

    At the end of the ill-edited, terribly lit video, with a soundtrack that would make Han Zimmer cry into his hands, a youngster, we’ll call him Marvin, looks deadpan into camera and like a BNP Zombie says, ‘This is not a request, this is a demand… We are BNP Youth.’

    And if you’re wondering what exactly what was said about the LGBT+ community, the one in the pink says (we’ll call her Chelsea), ‘The militant homosexuals who push for gay marriage and gay adoption in order to destroy the traditional family unit.’

    Then the one in the black top and festive flower in the her hair pipes up (We’ll call her Edwina):

    ‘We want the promotion of the traditional family and our core Christian values.’

    I can’t help think that these children, yes they are children, have been done a complete disservice by their parents, their political education and the BNP. This video will forever be a monument to their beliefs – and in an ever changing and more progressive society, these kids are already looking like dinosaurs.

    In a time where nothing can be deleted from the omnipotent internet, I wonder what these children will think, when they look back on this, as they get a little more worldly wise in 5, 10, 15 years.

    This video is called, BNP Youth- Fight Back, but I’m not sure they really know who they’re fighting. It seems like everyone as far as I can tell. This is a political party, it seems, hell bent on isolating itself into the nether regions of this country, demanding not to be taken seriously – and I say, good – stay there.

    It seems the BNP have a new generation… My advice – don’t feed them after midnight and keep away from water.

    Interestingly, comments have been turned off for the video on YouTube – but you can leave your thoughts and comments below – play nicely now…

     

    Opinions expressed in this article may not reflect those of THEGAYUK, its management or editorial teams. If you’d like to comment or write a comment, opinion or blog piece, please click here.

  • We Want To Work With Dustin Lance Black

    This guy ooozes style and panache. (we love that word) (more…)