THEGAYUK

Day: 22 September 2014

  • Gay Artists Shane+Adrian To Open Exhibition Inspired By Amy Winehouse

    TODAY contemporary Irish artists Adrian+Shane announce their first London showcase at ‘When I Walk In Your Shoes’ exhibition with pieces inspired by the late singer Amy Winehouse. Opening at London Westbank Gallery from 25th to 30th September, proceeds from inspired artworks sold will go directly to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

    Hailing from Drogheda in Ireland, Adrian+Shane are two artists who have been working together as one since 1998. They will be making their London debut, following a successful 16 year career showcasing works in Ireland and across the world. Using paint, collage, stencils, photos and video to create colourful pop art, their works are loaded with fresh and well-targeted social commentary.
    Adrian+Shane will proudly be contributing exclusive pieces towards an artistic celebration of Amy Winehouse, along with 20 other artists including Dita Von Teese, Pure Evil and Scroobius Pip, who have been hand-picked and curated by Henry Hate, Amy’s tattooist and friend. The show ‘When I Walk In Your Shoes’ is named after the first verse of Amy Winehouse’s song ‘Help Yourself’ and the catalogue will feature quotes of walking in someone else’s shoes from the exhibiting artists.

    Pieces by Adrian+Shane will include ‘HEART’ constructed from Converse trainers, as well as 3 original and unique paintings inspired by Amy Winehouse entitled ‘PIN UP’, made using acrylic, spray paint and screen print on paper.

    Adrian+Shane commented, “Amy Winehouse is more than a musician; everything from her sound, fashion choices and lifestyle made an impact on an entire generation. Her iconic status makes her the perfect muse for this exhibition and is a wonderful way to raise money for charity in her honour. We’re immensely excited to be a part of this show and can’t imagine a more inspiring way to mark our debut on the London art scene.”

    Following a private viewing on 25th September supported by Converse, ‘When I Walk In Your Shoes’ opens to the general public on Friday 26th September, offering fans the chance to join cutting edge artists in paying tribute to a colourful and unique musical talent in the heart of London. All proceeds raised from the sale of Amy inspired and Converse pieces will go to the Foundation.
    ADRIAN+SHANE will be showcasing pieces in ‘When I Walk In Your Shoes’ open to public from 26th – 30th September 2014 at London Westbank Gallery 133-137 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2R.

  • Liam Payne insists it not him having “WERID” gay sex on Twitter

    One Direction star Liam Payne has strongly denied that a video showing two men having sex is NOT him.

    The twittersphere is alive with rumours about One Direction’s Liam Payne’s sexuality, after a Vine video was uploaded which alleged that one of the men in the video was Liam Payne.

    Payne has strongly denied this claims, by tweeting, some have called offensively, ”Wow, as if people think that weird photo going around is actually me,’ he wrote. ‘I think I’d rather tweet a full frontal than have people look at that.’

    After a number of people calling him out on his use of the word ‘weird’ Payne was forced to add, ”I’m 100% not homophobic,’ Payne tweeted. ‘But I’m also 100% not gay so when somebody says I am I’m gunna say I’m not which does not make me a homophobe.’

  • OPINION | Why we need to take Yulia Volkova’s Anti-Gay Comments Seriouslydan

    If the word hypocrite was to apply to one person in the world right now, I would have to apply it to Russian fake lesbian t.A.T.u singer Yulia Volkova.

    By now I’m sure everyone has heard about Volkova making anti-gay comments, saying that she would not support her son if he was gay and banging on about gay people not being real men. It’s got us all talking about t.A.T.u again, long after they slipped from relevance, but whether it’s another marketing ploy or not I believe that we need to take Yulia Volkova’s comments seriously and consider the damage her words could do.

    I have to admit to genuinely being annoyed by Volkova coming out publicly as a homophobe, particularly when she used lesbianism to gain exposure for her band and to make money. I believe her comments to be dangerous. Russia is now well known around the world for being an anti-gay country that is seemingly going backwards in time towards the dark ages rather than progressing with the majority of other countries on Earth. Whether people here in the UK take Volkova’s comments seriously or not, there is potential for those comments to be inflammatory and lead to a rise in anti-gay feeling, not just in Russia but in other European countries where t.A.T.u remain popular.

    Another thing that annoyed me about Volkova’s comments was the fact that she used supposedly having gay friends in an attempt to demonstrate that she is not a homophobe. Sadly this is something that is all too common. I have lost count of the amount of times that someone has said “I have loads of gay friends, but…” before then going on to make a homophobic statement. These people need to understand that having gay friends doesn’t mean that they can’t possibly be homophobic in any way.

    Something else that Yulia Volkova is guilty of is reinforcing a stereotype. Apparently, two women together (i.e. lesbians) is more aesthetically pleasing than two men together (i.e. “fags”). Of course, all lesbians are hot and purely exist for the titillation of heterosexual men, but gay guys and the thought of two men having sex is vomit inducing. How disgusting. I hope you detect the sarcasm there, but it’s outrageous that there are people in the world who genuinely think like that. It’s that reinforcement of stereotypes that t.A.T.u built their whole career on.

    In 2002 t.A.T.u released All The Things She Said. It was a massive hit around the world and quite rightly too (let’s not forget what a brilliant song it is), but it played on lesbianism and the idea that being lesbian is hot or en vogue. The two members cavorted around in the rain, wearing school girl outfits (jailbait, anyone?) and kissing passionately. Lots of us were fooled by the act and believed they were genuine lesbian pop stars. The gay community championed them and the band rose to fame, while no doubt making a lot of money on the way. Then came the revelation that they are not really lesbians and it was just a marketing ploy. I went off t.A.T.u at that point, despite being excited by their music. Using or exploiting sexuality for fame or financial gain simply isn’t cool, and I chose to no longer be a part of t.A.T.u’s machine.

    Even when it was revealed that t.A.T.u are not really lesbians, the members spoke out in support of the gay community. Volkova’s recent comments have shown her true opinions, though, and demonstrated that her previous support of gay people was as fake as her lesbianism.

    I’m quite aware that t.A.T.u as a band are no longer taken seriously, but I do feel we should take Yulia Volkova’s anti-gay comments seriously. She is a public figure in a notoriously homophobic country. There will be people who agree with her comments or who will change their views to match hers. That is a dangerous thing and we should be concerned, despite how ridiculous this woman obviously is. But to end on a positive, at least we gays are “better than murderers, thieves, or drug addicts”. There’s clearly hope for us yet.

     

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  • Dan Osborne Show Off His Beanstalk In Liverpool For Panto Season

    The festive season made an early appearance in Liverpool today as an all-star cast officially launched the biggest panto in town, Jack and the Beanstalk at the Epstein Theatre.

    LHK Productions return to the Epstein Theatre this Christmas with one of the world’s favourite fairy tales from Thu 11 Dec 2014 – Sun 4 Jan 2015 for an incredible 49 shows. As always the show promises to deliver the incredible fun of traditional pantomime with a fresh twist that made the acclaimed Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Aladdin such huge, runaway successes.

    LHK are renowned for bringing top stars to the stage in all of their productions and 2014 is no exception, in what promises to be the greatest celebrity cast yet.

    Certain to get hearts fluttering right across Liverpool, ITV’s Towie and Splash star Dan Osborne is set to tread the boards for the very first time as he makes his panto debut as leading man Jack. Also coming to panto for the very first time is the Fairy Godmother of Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Thelma Madine – swapping the needle and thread for a magic wand and donning a fabulous frock of her own when she stars as the Fairy.

    After entertaining audiences at last year’s panto as the Magic Mirror, Celebrity hairdresser and beauty guru Herbert of Liverpool makes a welcome return as the voice of the Giant. Brookside’s Suzanne Collins returns to the Liverpool stage as Mrs Fleshcreep and Grease is the Word’s Alison Crawford returns to the Epstein as Jill completing this year’s glamorous, star-studded cast.

    This gigantic production promises a whole host of Christmas fun in another magical show at the Epstein Theatre. With magic beans in abundance, a beanstalk reaching the heavens, golden geese and hungry giants, this show really is too big to miss. Jack and the Beanstalk is the perfect family treat and runs from Thu 11 Dec 2014 – Sun 4 Jan 2015.

    Performance details:
    Jack and The Beanstalk
    Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, Hanover St, Liverpool L1 3DZ
    Thursday 11th December 2014 – Sunday 4th January 2015
    Tickets from £12.50
    Performance times vary, please check with Theatre Box Office.

    To book call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)

    Or via TicketQuarter: To book call 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk