THEGAYUK

Day: 26 June 2018

  • Here’s what some businesses in Soho are doing to celebrate pride

    Here’s what some businesses in Soho are doing to celebrate pride

    From 6th – 8th July, London’s Soho will be awash with all things bright and beautiful in the world-famous celebration of Pride. Every year, local business join the revelry to show their ongoing support of the gay community and this time around is no exception.

    BLADE

    Soho salon Blade Hairclubbing® is nodding to Pride both through the styling team and through a special offering from the resident mixology wizard Stroo Despot-Olofsson.

    Revellers will be able to enjoy the limited edition Rainbow Maker – a rainbow-coloured flight of top-shelf liqueurs with a craft lager chaser. A heady line-up of Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Green Chartreuse, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Walcher Biostilla Deluxe Organic Amaretto and De Kuyper XO Cherry Brandy is rounded off with a refreshing chaser of Harviestoun Schiehallion Craft Lager and will be available from now until 8th July.

    Those looking to up the ante style-wise can then go for a Pride Glitz; Blade’s top stylists will make sure that guests are Pride-ready by applying glitter to your roots, hairline or parting, ensuring that everyone leaves ready to join the party, sprinkled with sparkle and full of rainbow spirit – quite literally!

    HIPCHIPS

    This Pride, Soho favourite HIPCHIPS – which is based right on the Pride March route on 49 Old Compton Street – will be offering visitors to the parlour a chance to Pimp for Pride. All partyers will have the chance to pimp up the usual dip options, adding a touch more glitz and glamour in honour of Pride In London. HIPCHIPS will also be serving some pink bubbly to help visitors to the parlour get in the mood for revelry in the most fabulous way possible. All offerings available throughout the first week of July.

    The Pride In London Pop Up Shop

    Selling all manner of goodies and pride merch Pride In London’s pop up shop is now open at 72 Old Compton Street. Teeming with pride ideas the store also doubles up as a community centre for LGBT+ with plenty of activities to keep you entertained and informed. Don’t fret if you can’t make it into London you can always do your shopping online with THEGAYSHOP.co.uk, the official online merchant for Pride In London.

  • Here’s which Drag Race queen reigns supreme in the music charts

    Ahead of the RuPaul’s Drag Race finale this week (already!?!) here are the queens who have had the most successful music careers since leaving the show.

    via GIPHY

    Leave Drag Race – release a single. So many queens have trodden this path after starring in RuPaul’s Drag Race, but not all are successful! But for those who are, the spoils can be great. The head queen herself, RuPaul has released a whopping 11 albums, but which of her gals has had the most successful music career outside the show?

    Streaming service Deezer has released the most streamed DQs from the show and here they are

      1. Adore Delano
      2. Alaska Thunderf*ck
      3. Trixie Mattel
      4. Jinkx Monsoon
      5. Bob the Drag Queen

    via GIPHY

    Adore Delano, whose career all started in music, having already starred in American Idol, has released three albums since her time on the show.

    Her song, “I Adore You” tops the chart as the most listened to song.

    via GIPHY

    Since the beginning of season 10 of RPDR, RuPaul has also had a bump in streams. The most listened to tracks from Ru are:

    1. American (feat. The Cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 10)
    2. Kitty Girl (feat. The Cast of Rupaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Season 3)
    3. Sissy That Walk
    4. Call Me Mother
    5. Read U Wrote U (Ellis Miah Mix) [feat. The Cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Season 2]

    YASSSS!

  • 7 way being tech savvy can make you way more employable

    7 way being tech savvy can make you way more employable

    Could being more tech savvy be the key to a better job?

    6689062 / Pixabay

    Sukh Ryatt, Managing Director at leading intranet software supplier, Oak, tells us how being mindful of our digital footprint could be the key.

    What’s your dream job? A lawyer, an artist, a web developer? Whatever your chosen career path might be, did you know that having a sound understanding of digital markets, and tech-based skillsets can make you a more desirable candidate?

    The fact is that employers are desperately seeking individuals with technical skills outside of their specialisation. Digital skills have become transitional, so much so that every industry requires employees to be ‘tech savvy’ just to understand day to day business operations. If you’re still not convinced, read on to find out exactly how technical understanding makes you more employable, regardless of industry.

    1. Make your CV stand out

    via GIPHY

    Including digital skills on your resume will make you stand out, ahead of your non-techy competition. Think you don’t have any digital skills? Think again. Are you computer-literate? Can you use Microsoft Office? If the answer is yes, then you have the digital skills necessary for 99% of jobs. The key to writing a top-class CV is to identify the skills you have and apply them to the role you’re applying for. For example, if you kept a successful blog through Uni, you’ll have good copywriting skills and a comprehensive understanding of site management tools, which instantly makes you a more desirable candidate.

    2. Digital presence = your opportunity

    Almost every company in the UK has some form of digital presence. Regardless of whether it’s an active social media account, a thematic blog, or simply a brochure site, the digital world is roaring with opportunity. Employers are looking to create dynamic workforces, who can contribute more to business operations, and having digital know-how is key.

    3. Be critical

    Every company will be interested to gain feedback about their digital footprint. Make yourself familiar with the company’s online campaigns, prior to interviews and be sure to comment on what you think they’re doing well on and how they could improve. Being critical will highlight your analytical skills, which is vital for any business to thrive.

    4. Businesses want to stay ahead of the game

    The UK is leading the European market when it comes to tech skills and we want it to stay that way. Businesses want to ensure that their employees are well versed in digital aspects to stay ahead of the competition, so they are actively seeking team members who are up to date with the latest technologies, so their business can thrive.

    5. Climb the ladder quicker

    via GIPHY

    The bottom line is that all employers will expect their staff to be computer literate, with Millennial business operations relying on technology for everything from conference calls, to documenting sales figures. Regardless of the sector, you’re entering in to, having technical understanding will widen your career options and can significantly increase your rate of progression.

    6. Exceed expectations

    via GIPHY

    Transitioning your technical knowledge to the workplace will help you to work more efficiently, freeing up more time to get involved in other projects, that you enjoy working on. Technology has the power to change workplace standards – think flexible working hours and remote days. Not only can you improve your work-life balance, you’ll impress your employers, especially when they see how productive you are.

    7. Trust the stats

    A study conducted by universitiesuk.ac.uk reported that 63% of skill shortage vacancies are a result of candidates lacking technical, practical, or job-specific skills. In fact, it’s said that your chances of employment increased by 25% with the relevant tech abilities and your salary will be an average of 10% higher than your non-technical friends.

    With numbers on side, it’s clear that tech skills are increasingly important to land the career of your dreams. So, embrace your inner geek, nail that interview and fall in love with your new career prospects!

  • THEATRE REVIEW | Wicked, Victoria Apollo Theatre

    ★★★★☆ | Wicked, Victoria Apollo Theatre

    Wicked Theatre review,

    55 million people can’t be wrong, which is why Wicked is one of the world’s most successful musicals. Wicked is going into its 12th year in London and it’s still fresh, timely and defying expectations.

    The story is believed, by many, to be the prequel to L Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz, however, its creator has actually suggested that the story is more of an alternate universe, Gregory Maguire, who wrote the novel on which this musical is based, says it’s a “re-imagining” of the same world – and the action takes place before, during and after the original story.

    Wicked takes you behind The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz story to find out about the two witches featured in the original story, “Wicked Witch”, Elphaba (you know the one – green and gets the bucket of water) – played by Alice Fearn and the “Good Witch”, Glinda (you know, the one that arrives by bubble) played by Sophie Evans.

    After meeting and becoming roommates at Shiz University, (think Harry Potter meets Clueless) the two witches form a love/hate relationship. They decide to make their way to meet the great and powerful Oz, where they discover that something incredibly sinister is being pushed onto the citizens of Oz.

    What follows is a moving story of overcoming discrimination, learning to trust and believe in yourself and two strong women changing the world for the better.

    I have just two criticisms. Although the central relationship is about two women, which makes a wonderful change from the heteronormativity of most musicals – boy girls, girl sings to boy, boy and girl fall in love – the end – I couldn’t help but notice that when it came to the massive, impressive ensemble pieces, the dancing was still male on female, which is a shame. Watch any TV show, (a particular shoutout to Netflix) now and if there’s a school dance or a group scene you’ll always see a nod towards its LGBT+ audience, but not Wicked – which, based on musical theatre’s huge gay fan base, is a missed opportunity.

    The second is the finale. It’s such a disappointment.

    It’s not the way in which the story wraps up, it’s just there’s no finishing song, no reprise of any of the show’s standout hits of which there are four main songs, ‘Popular’, ‘I’m Not That Girl’, ‘For Good’ and of course, the hit ‘Defying Gravity’. To summaries two hours and 45 minutes of stratospheric vocals, incredible costumery and feel-good, sparkling story-telling, the audience is delivered a sub-2-minute song with a walk down.

    Shame really, it deserves much better.

    Book tickets for Wicked in London and for the Tour here.

  • This man is wanted in connection to a homophobic verbal assault in Southend

    This man is wanted in connection to a homophobic verbal assault in Southend

    Investigators are seeking this man in connection to a homophobic verbal assault on two men on a train in Southend.

    The British Transport Police are looking for a man in connection to an alleged homophobic hate crime against two men aboard a train in Southend, Essex, on the 7th May.

    British Transport Police report that at around 7.40pm, a man approached two men and verbally assaulted them with homophobic comments as he sat next to them. He then continued to mock them by rubbing one of the victim’s thighs and making offensive remarks about gay people.

    The victims then left their seats and got off the train at Chalkwell because they felt unsafe.

    Detective Sergeant Hayley Whyte said, “Everyone has the right to travel without fear or intimidation and nobody should be subjected to offensive or homophobic language. I am keen to speak to anyone who was on the service and saw this incident.”

    Officers would like to speak to the men in these images as they believe they may be able to help them with their enquiries.

    Text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40, quoting 380 of 1 June, if they look familiar or you have any information that could help our investigation. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

  • Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Man sought after homophobic abuse at London train station

    Investigators from British Transport Police are looking for this man in connection to a homophobic hate crime at London’s Bank station.

    On April 13th a man starting to shout homophobic abuse at two men waiting for a Northern Line train at Bank station in central London.

    The two victims moved to a different part of the platform and boarded the next train. However, the man continued to verbally abuse them, according to British Transport Police.

    Officers believe the man shown in this CCTV image may have information which could help them investigate.
    If you know who he is, get in touch by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 187 of 14/04/2018. Alternatively, ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.