THEGAYUK

Day: 26 June 2017

  • 10 things every couple that is getting married needs to do (before the big day)

    Mental health campaigner Daniel Browne has compiled a “must do” list for couples who are planning to get married…

    top tips for planning a wedding

    Getting married should be the happiest, most wonderful time of your life. Sadly, it’s often the most stressful time of one’s life. It doesn’t need to be that way, though. If you’re due to get married, I’m here to help with my top 10 tips for banishing pre-wedding stress.

    Banish tech

    If you’ve been busy with planning your wedding, take some time out for yourself and your fiancé. Put your phones out of sight, turn off the television and all other technology distractions. Put on some music, pour yourself a large glass of wine and enjoy some quiet time with your partner. Allowing yourself that time to switch off and relax will bring huge benefits to your life.

    And breathe

    This isn’t as boring as it may sound. Try this… Sit quietly and take a deep breath in for a count of four. Then exhale for a count of four. Repeat this exercise for two minutes and take notice of how it begins to make you feel. I recommend making breathing exercises a part of your daily routine to keep stress at bay.

    Don’t forget sexy time

    It’s something enjoyable and the release of endorphins when in the throes of passion will put a huge smile on your face. If you’re not really up for sex, try my first tip and see if that to set the scene for an explosive, stress busting bonk.

    Go for a jog

    The previous tip may have covered that slightly, but sexercise isn’t the only stress busting activity you can indulge in. Getting regular exercise is key in reducing stress levels. Even just a twenty-minute walk each day can help, but if you’re feeling more energetic, get out there and pound the streets or join a gym class. You could even put on some music and dance like nobody is watching, which is surely one of the most fun things to do. If you’re not up for much exercise, make it a social occasion and exercise while catching up with friends. Which leads me to my next tip…

    Go out with friends

    When planning a wedding, it can be too easy to fall out of the loop with those closest to you. So set aside some time and make an effort to catch up with family and friends. You could involve them in your wedding planning, but I suggest putting the planning to one side and having a proper catch up with people. It’s sure to be a boost to your mood and a massive stress reducer.

    Bubble bath

    Sit back and relax. You deserve it. You could even invite your fiancé to join you.

    Dear Diary…

    It’s a good way of documenting your life and important events, but it can also help you to make sense of your thoughts and feelings. If you can understand your thoughts and the stress you feel, you can begin to work through it and come out the other side.

    Sleep

    Making sure you get your eight hours of sleep each night will help you to feel energised for your wedding planning. It may be tempted to stay up until the early hours of the morning sorting things for your wedding, but that just results in you feeling awful the next day and not able to function properly. You must take care of yourself.

    Make a list

    Wedding planning is exactly that; a plan. Be sure to schedule your time wisely in order to make sure you have time for all of the other tips in this guide. Set yourself targets and deadlines, and only spend so many hours each day on the wedding planning. There are only so many hours in a day and you don’t need to spend them all planning your wedding.

    Don’t overload

    It’s ok to ask for help and to delegate certain tasks to other people. Yes, you’re fabulous and can take on the world if you put your mind to it, but organising a wedding takes a lot of time and effort. You’re not Superman and don’t need masses of stress at what is supposed to be the most amazing time of your life. Don’t be afraid to ask your support network for help.

  • Conservatives sign a deal with anti-LGBT DUP

    Theresa May’s Government has signed a deal with the anti-LGBT Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

    An agreement between the two parties will mean that the DUP‘s 10 ministers will support the Conservative minority Government. However, the deal falls short of a formal coalition.

    The Conservatives failed to achieve an overall majority in the recent General Election, securing 318 seats. A party needs 326 seats in order to have a majority in the UK. A deal with the DUP could ensure an extra 10 votes.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Conservatives have said it will find an extra £1.5 billion in funding for Northern Ireland as part of the agreement.

    Speaking about the partnership, the DUP’s leader, Arlene Foster said she was, “delighted that we have reached this agreement, which I think works, obviously, for national stability.”

    The DUP has a long history as an anti-gay party. Its founder, the Rev Ian Paisley spearheaded the Save Ulster from Sodomy in the 1970s, which was opposed to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland, in fact, Northern Ireland was the last country within the UK to decriminalise homosexuality, which it did so in 1982. Paisley’s son, Ian Paisley Jr said that he was “repulsed” by homosexuality.

    More recently the struggle to achieve marriage equality was stalled for the LGBT+ community in Northern Ireland. The same-sex marriage bill has been voted upon four times in Northern Ireland. Each time equality for NI’s LGBT community has been frustrated by the DUP. It is the only part of the UK which does not provide same-sex marriage to its citizens.

    The DUP has said that it is not homophobic but holds traditional views when it comes to marriage.

    Taking to Twitter, the leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn said that the deal was not done in the national interest, but in the interest of the PM and the Conservatives own “political survival”.