THEGAYUK

Day: 3 November 2015

  • The Great British Gay Icon 2015

    We asked our readers to nominate and then vote on their favourite British gay icons. We had over 70 names nominated and then voted on by thousands of readers, giving us the 2015 Great British Gay Icon.

    Of course this opens up the debate about who and what makes a great icon, but looking at the top 50, it’s clear that icons, are inspirational individuals who have changed and shaped the lives of thousands of LGBT people in the UK.

    # 1 Stephen Fry

    An incredible man for which the honour of Greatest British Gay Icon has been bestowed. Actor, writer, activist and all round genius. Beloved by all.

    # 2 Alan Turing OBE

    The gay scientist who created the machine that would end the Second World War, two to four years earlier saving millions of lives. He was recently posthumously pardoned for “gross indecency” charges laid against him because he was gay. Being gay at the time was illegal in the UK.

    # 3 Sir Ian McKellen

    Sir Ian  has worked tirelessly on activism and is part of the reason why we have pride in the UK. Recently, his show Vicious with Sir Derek Jacobi became one of the first shows on ITV to show a same-sex marriage.

    #4 Freddie Mercury

    View image | gettyimages.com

    One of the world’s most visible icons of all time. He told us it was okay to Break Free. He died from AIDS related complications in 1991 at the height of the AIDS crisis.

    # 5 Princess Diana

    Princess Diana was the first prominent public figure to be photographed with a man who had AIDS at a time where there was much fear from the general public about it. She was the patron of the National AIDS Trust until her death in 1997. She was also known to be great friends with Freddie Mercury.

    #6 Tom Daley

    Became a hero to a legion of fans when he came out via YouTube in December 2013.

    #7 Will Young

    Young’s coming out was a national affair, a day after he won the first ever Pop Idol in the UK. Over a decade later he’s still releasing music and filling theatres with his concerts.

    #8 Jennifer Saunders

    Is the genius that brought us Absolutely Fabulous, universally quoted by gay men. Glass of Champagne for Lulu.

    #9 Geri Halliwell

    One fifth of the world’s most famous girl group – although her eye for the camp and kitsch has seen Halliwell become a firm favourite with the gay community.

    #10 Annie Lennox OBE

    Warrior, singer, writer and activist Annie Lennox has been the soundtrack to our lives. Hailed as a icon of the 80s music scene and is famed for her work on HIV awareness.

    #11  Russell Tovey

    Actor

    #12 Joanna Lumley OBE

    Actor and activist

    #13 Russell T. Davies

    Writer and script writer

    #14 Alexander McQueen CBE (1969 – 2010)

    Clothing designer

    #15 Ben Cohen

    Sporting personality and activist

    #16 Paul O’Grady MBE

    TV personality and former Drag Queen (Lily Savage)

    #17 Sue Perkins

    TV Personality/Presenter

    #18 Kenneth Williams (1926 – 1988)

    Actor

    #19 Jimmy Sommerville

    Musician

    #20 Cilla Black OBE (1943 – 2015)

    TV Personality / Singer

    #21 Kim Cattrall

    Actor

    #22 David Bowie

    Singer

    #23 Pet Shop Boys

    Singers

    #24 Mika

    Singer

    #25 Julie Walters

    Actor

    #26 Julian Clary

    Comedian / Novelist

    #27 Sam Smith

    Singer

    #28 Dusty Springfield OBE (1939 – 1999)

    Singer

    #29 Alan Carr

    TV Personality / Comedian

    #30 Sir Patrick Stewart

    Actor

    #31 Noel Coward (1899 – 1973)

    Playwrite/Composer/Director/Actor

    #32 Kate Bush

    Singer

    #33 Gareth Thomas

    Sports Personality / Writer

    #34 Katie Hopkins

    Writer/ TV Personality

    #35 Dame Joan Collins

    Actor

    #36 David Beckham

    Sports Personality

    #37 Peter Tatchell

    Activist

    #38 Sharon Osborne

    TV Personality

    #39 Boy George

    Singer

    #40 Marilyn

    Singer

    #41 Dame Maggie Smith

    Actor

    #42 Dame Judi Dench

    Actor

    #43 George Michael

    Singer

    #44 Quentin Crisp

    Writer

    #45 Queen Mother

    Royalty

    #46 Sir Elton John

    Singer

    #47 Andy Bell

    Singer

    #48 Lord Michael Cashman CBE

    Actor / Lord

    #49 Tony Blair

    Politician and former Prime Minster of UK

    #50 David Cameron

    Prime Minister

  • INTERVIEW: Rebecca Root On Her First Times

    INTERVIEW: Rebecca Root On Her First Times

    Boy Meets Girl star Rebecca Root answers our first time questions…

    What’s your first memory?

    WONDERING WHY I HAD A PENIS.

    What happened the first time you kissed someone?

    I BLUSHED FURIOUSLY (I WAS ONLY ABOUT 6).

    When was the first time you got drunk?

    ABOUT 1984.

    What happened the first time your heart broke?

    I CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED AND ALL THAT TEENAGER CARRY ON.

    What was your first job?

    WORKING IN A GARDEN CENTRE WATERING THE BEDS AND WEEDING FOR £1.00 AN HOUR. IT WAS 1982 OR SO. I WAS ABOUT 13.

    What was your first car?

    I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR.

    What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

    DRINK SOME WATER.

    What was your very first lover’s tiff?

    I HAVE NO IDEA THERE’VE BEEN SO MANY.

    Where was your first holiday?

    1ST I CAN REMEMBER IS DEVON SOMEWHERE. PROBABLY AGED 5 IN 1974.

  • THEATRE REVIEW: The Bodyguard UK TOUR

    Based on the 1992 film of the same name and starring Alexandra Burke and Stuart Reid, The Bodyguard is the story of a pop diva, Rachel Marron, who receives threats from a stalker, leading her managers to employ Frank Farmer, former Secret Service agent and the best bodyguard in the business.

    (more…)

  • RECIPE | Italian Chestnut Soup

    Serves 2 (as a main meal, or 4 as a starter) | Prep 5 mins | Cook 25 mins

    Wean yourself into accepting that Christmas is coming and get into the winter warming mood with this hunky hearty, earthy soup. Based on a traditional peasant meal from Italy but “jujd” up with some classic Christmas flavour; chestnuts, sage and rosemary.

     

    For those carnivores out there refusing to eat a meal without meat, you could add some chopped smoked bacon at the same time as the shallots. You can make this a day in advance up to point 6 in the recipe, and then re-heat and continue as required

     

    CHICKPEAS – 165g of chickpeas will provide you with the following of your recommended daily intake; 84% manganese (bone production, collagen & skin integrity, blood sugar control and protection against free radical damage), 70% folate (protection from heart disease, can reduce depression, and helps maintain brain function), 64% copper (essential for immune system), 49% fibre ( fantastic digestive support in this dish), 39% phosphorous, and 22% zinc. (SOURCE: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=58 )

     

    CHESTNUTS – These relatively low in calorie nuts have an unusual nutritional content. 100g of chestnuts will provide 72% of your vitamin C DRI. Like chickpeas, they are also rich in folates (15% DRI per 100g). Also a great source of potassium, which helps counteract sodium and lowers blood pressure / heart rate. 100G will also give you 100% vitamin B1 (thiamine) DRI, which maintains muscle tone in the digestive tract and aids secretion of hydrochloric acid, a process essential for complete digestion of food particles. (SOURCE: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/chestnuts.html )

    Ingredient.

    1 ½ cans chickpeas (I use one full can and one of the half cans you can get), drained

    200g cooked chestnuts

    100ml white wine

    4 sage leaves

    3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

    2 shallots, finely sliced

    2 garlic cloves, smashed

    1-2 rosemary sprig (dependant on how much you like rosemary!)

    Parmesan / Pecorino Romano cheese- a good, heavy grating of

     

    Method.

    1. Heat the oil in a deep sauce-pan, and over a medium to low heat let the smashed garlic, whole rosemary sprig and sage leaves sizzle slightly in the pan for a few minutes.
    2. Add the shallots and continue to cook for another few minutes until translucent.
    3. Add the wine and let it bubble out for a minute.
    4. Add the chickpeas and top the pan up with hot water so the chickpeas are just about covered.
    5. Bring to the boil and then transfer half of the soup into a blender, food processor, or use a hand blender in a jug. Blitz until smooth and return to the pan.
    6. Mix together to combine and now add your chestnuts. Keep the heat simmering the soup for the next 10-15 minutes.
    7. Remove rosemary sprig. Grate in your parmesan or pecorino romano cheese. You’ll want quite a bit but reserve some for sprinkling on top once in bowls. Serve.