THEGAYUK

Author: Lewis Fellows

  • DVD REVIEW | Gayby

    ★★★★ | Gayby

    I had some reservations about Gayby. A lot of these ‘gay films’ are usually clichéd drivel, almost always, an unlikely relationship sparks and then it’s just an hour of plot-holes and bad acting.

    Jenn, a yoga instructor, and Matt, a comic book store worker, are best friends from college who are now single and in their 30’s. In agreement with a pact they made in their youth, the two decide to have a baby (“Gayby”) together, even though Jenn is straight and Matt is gay. Jenn’s grandmother set her up with a trust fund for if she ever had a child, so Jenn is confident that she and Matt will have the finances to have one. However, Jenn states that she wants to have a baby through natural conception, so the two begin awkwardly having sex.

    Gayby was something very different indeed. I found it to be relentlessly charming in every way, with just the perfect amount of drama peppered in. Superbly written and directed by relative newcomer Jonathon Lisecki, It had something that all these other films are missing… A great script.

    The awkwardness of the “Attempted Conception” scenes was genius, with just the perfect combination of one liners, curious glances and the various montages of penetration were just divinely cringe worthy.Possibly the stand out performance of the film is that of Jenn Harris. Harris plays the quintessential fag hag (Jen) to the devastatingly handsome Matthew Wilkas (Matt). Harris brings a depressive vibe into a relatively overused character, which is surprisingly, a breath of fresh air.

    Although it’s the supporting characters that steal the show, both fag and hag have terrifically bitchy henchmen as it were, the ‘femme-bear’ “Nelson” and the incredibly bitchy “Jamie” (Jack Ferver)

    By far the highlight of the film is the fabulous wannabe bear, Nelson, played brilliantly by writer and director Lisecki. The character of Nelson wasn’t particularly appealing to me at the beginning, then suddenly; the character soon manifests as the star of the show. Clearly, Lisecki gave himself some of the best lines, yet you don’t really mind, seeing as he pulls them off in the most gorgeously sarcastic manner.

    Gayby’s plot isn’t really anything special; it is essentially a romantic comedy in disguise.

    It’s the characters that make the film stand out. They are multidimensional and most importantly they’re ‘real’.

    Uncompromisingly jovial, I would certainly recommend Gayby to anyone; it has buckets of charm, something that I find to be a rarity in gay cinema.

    BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON | BUY IT ON iTunes

  • 7 Things A Gay Boy Should Not Do On A First Date

    CREDIT: © oneinchpunch Depositphotos
    CREDIT: © oneinchpunch Depositphotos

    Dates can be really awkward, so next time you’re on one, do yourself a favour and leave these little gems out of the conversation.

    (more…)

  • INTERVIEW | Peter Tatchell

    INTERVIEW | Peter Tatchell

    Speaking to Peter Tatchell it began to dawn on me quite how influential he really is.

    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen
    CREDIT: Monty McKinnen

    A staunch figure within the LGBT community, Peter Tatchell has been campaigning for LGBT equality since 1969. A lot has changed in the 44 years that Tatchell has truly, tirelessly fought for gay rights. I ask if he expected such progress back when he started out.

    “I knew it would be a challenge and expected it would take at least 50 years to get LGBT equality,” he claims, nonchalantly.

    “It seems to have been achieved in just under 50 years. So I was a bit of a pessimist.” He laughs.

    “Obviously the next big thing for us is the battle for equal marriage. After that, some serious tidying up of other legislation is needed. Especially regarding the equality laws. For example the government still gives exemptions to religious organisations, allowing them to discriminate.”

    He pauses for a moment, then somewhat dramatically states,

    “That’s. Not. Right.”

    Over recent months, it has become quite clear that the gay community are somewhat divided on the issue. The exemption of religious institutions has caused outrage for some, yet others don’t seem to care about the issue. I ask why he thinks this is the case.

    “As much as admire Stonewall, I find their stance on equal marriage to be deeply problematic. For many years they opposed equal marriage, arguing that civil partnerships were enough. “

    I ask if he thinks Stonewall’s views have “rubbed off” on the community.

    “They only changed their minds, because of a mass rebellion by their members. Even now, Stonewall does not support equal civil partnerships for heterosexual couples.”

    I ask if this particularly bothers him.

    “Absolutely, they (Stonewall) claim that it’s up to straight people to fight that issue. Which I find very strange because in all the campaigns for LGBT equality, Stonewall appealed for straight support!”

    I can’t help but snigger at the obvious irony that he has pointed out.

    “Yet now, when many straight people want support from the LGBT community regarding equality in heterosexual civil partnerships, Stonewall are refusing to give it. The whole thing reeks of self-obsession and selfishness and frankly it’s doing the LGBT community a lot of harm, especially in the eyes of the public.”

    Whilst on the subject of inequality, I can’t resist hearing his views on the cartoonish Nigel Farage and UKIP.

    He seems to have been expecting it and his answer was quintessentially Tatchell-esque.

    Concise, adroit and beautifully acerbic

    “UKIP is the new nasty party. They’re staunchly opposed to equal marriage, claiming that same-sex couples only deserves Civil Partnerships, and what makes it somewhat worse, is that they exploiting this issue to win over disaffected Tories. Nigel Farage, whatever his intentions, is manipulating homophobia, for political advantage.”

    Tatchell can’t hide the disgust in his voice.

    “UKIP are in an alliance with several extremist right wing organisations, within the European parliament which all stand accused of racism and homophobia. There may be some members of UKIP who are not racist or homophobic, although the party as a whole attracts a whole host of deeply prejudiced supporters.

    I mention their rather shocking result in the recent by-election, to which he immedietly replies:

    “The LGBT community and liberal heterosexuals should most definitely give UKIP a wide birth and we cannot afford to become complacent.”

    Tatchell is perhaps best known for his various campaigns. I ask if he has anything planned and it would seem Tatchell is showing no signs of stopping.

    “I shall be continuing a longstanding liaison with the commonwealth to overturn the criminalization of homosexuality by more than 40 of the 54 member states. I don’t feel they are doing enough to challenge the homophobic witch-hunt in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda.”

    Judging by the shocking Ugandan campaigns such as ‘Kill the Gays’; it doesn’t seem that they are making much progress.

    Tatchell continues:

    “I am also working toward producing an MTV style video against homophobia in Football. We’re aiming to have it shown in schools and Football clubs. We are also looking to feature it on various sports channels. It has been a long time project of mine. However we are in need of some major corporate backing.”

    Tensions have also been rising between the LGBT and Muslim communities respectively. This is an issue Peter aims to solve with his newest campaign “Gays and Muslims UNITE – Fight OR Hate”

    Its primary focus is to build bridges to support LGBT Muslims and also to fight far right organisations such as EDL or The BNP.

    Tatchell is also working to ensure that straight civil partnerships become a viable option for heterosexuals. He claims that:

    “I am strongly behind the Amendment to allow heterosexual civil partnerships. This bill is about equality, which must include straight equality.”

    Peter reminds me that despite the somewhat landslide victory in favour of marriage equality, we’re not in the clear yet and should definitely not become complacent. He strongly encourages the community to lobby the House of Lords in order to show support. Tatchell adds that he is:

    “Unsure about the Lords vote, however I’m optimistic.”

    Finally, I ask him

    “Have you anything to add?”

    “Same Sex marriage is an unstoppable global trend. Across the world it is becoming an issue. We are winning although there is still a long way to go. I cannot help but find the global progress we are making utterly inspiring.”

    He smiles

    “It’s fantastic to think that countries as diverse as South Africa, Argentina and Uruguay now have same-sex marriage ahead of Britain”

    To find out more about Peter’s work and his upcoming projects, go and check out his websitewww.petertatchellfoundation.org and be sure to subscribe for regular updates.

  • COLUMN | Smoking Is A Problem For Me

    I have an addictive personality, and smoking is the “in” thing at the moment.

    That being said, it’s not something I’m overly keen to stop. Whenever the graphic quit smoking ads appear on television, I will do everything in my power to try and ignore them; ironically I usually do this by getting a cigarette.

    I enjoy smoking. It satisfies me, relaxes me and allows me to think straight. Also it could kill me. Yet I tend to conveniently that aspect every time I fiddle around in my pocket, looking for a Zippo.

    Smoking has always been glamorous. I remember vividly watching Sunset Boulevard as a child and watching Gloria Swanson chicly draw back on her cigarette, held tightly between the most fantastic cigarette holder I had ever seen. To this day, I scroll through the wasteland of the internet, desperately trying to find one. I’m yet to find ‘the one’. (It’s the one in the picture above, should any of you find one and let me know. I’d be forever in your debt.)

    My fellow TGUK columnist Chris Bridges wrote a column a few weeks ago, which summed up my exact feeling toward cigarettes perfectly.

    “I fetishize cigarettes. I love the smell of fresh tobacco, the blueness of the smoke in sunlight and the look and feel of them. I love antique smoking paraphernalia. I had hypnotherapy and lit up as I left the office. I can tell you exactly what each nicotine replacement product on the market tastes and feels like. I start to fret if I have less than 60 cigarettes in the house and used to keep a backup pack in my locker at work. I’ve smoked in lots of places I shouldn’t have and braved wind, rain and ice storms to go outside at work for one. I think I may be a hopeless case.”

    If memory serves me correctly, a few months ago Chris and I actually vowed to quit and perhaps document our progress and help each other out. As of yet, silence has ensued from the both of us.

    Smoking is terribly anti-social. Having to awkwardly excuse yourself from a party or bar then meandering outside into the cold just to get one’s fix, is dreadfully monotonous Although I have come to find a sense of community with fellow smokers, we’re a dying breed… (Literally)

    I have tried various alternatives. I find all of them insufferable. The gum is essentially regular, less minty gum with a different packet. The patches make me twitchy and the new kid on the block “E-Cigarettes are utterly vile. They taste as if you’re licking a well-used ashtray and made me cough and splutter like somebody who just realised they ate a cheesecake made of asbestos.

    I hate smoking yet I have no desire to quit. I know that eventually I will have to, either because of a demanding boyfriend, an intervention or through the eventual exile of all smokers, an exile being led by a growing army of self-righteous past smokers who have recently quit and feel it’s their duty to preach about the benefits of being clean-lunged. Preach all you want, just don’t ram it down my throat, I need my throat clear for all the smoke. *Complete bastard smirk*

  • Rylan Speaks Out Over Scherzinger’s Comments On Jonathan Ross Show

    Rylan Speaks Out Over Scherzinger’s Comments On Jonathan Ross Show

    Rylan and Scherzinger – Claws Out!

    (more…)

  • INTERVIEW | Matt Flint Lord Of The Dance

    Matt Flint is the UK’s favourite dancer. He won the second and last series of the BBC’s So You Think You Can Dance programme, wowing millions of viewers and the judges with his Billy Elliot inspired story.

    This month, Matt will be hosting at the ‘Move It’ event at London Olympia between the 8th and 10th of March, so you had better get your ballet pumps on now if you want to meet him in person.

    TGUK: So! Where are you from, Matt?

    Matt: I’m from Scarborough in Yorkshire (laughing) but it feels like I’m from London. I’ve lived here more than I lived in Scarborough now. I moved to London when I was 16, I’m 31 now so I’m getting to the halfway point
    TGUK: Oh my goodness me! So where did you train?

    Matt: I went to a college called Lane Theatre Arts. It’s a theatre college and I went there at 16 getting ready to face the Big Bad World.
    TGUK: So what was your first dance job?

    Matt: Well whilst at Lanes I dabbled in some things, but my biggest gig when I left was when I went on tour with ‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’. For their UK tour. I was a spatula in that.
    TGUK: That’s terribly camp! Undoubtedly that’s a defining moment in your career?

    Matt: (laughs) Yes! Oh God, some of them you try and forget about. I’ve had more than a few of them in my life, definitely. Well you just find yourself in a costume, you’re like “What am I doing?” I mean I remember once about 8 years ago I was out of work and I was doing a little promotion gig as a banana, I thought what the f**k am I doing (laughing)

    Being dressed as a banana was a low point, but luckily a lot of my jobs have been quite high profile. I’ve been lucky
    TGUK: Yeah, any major choreographers that you’d like to work with, or any individuals or troops in particular?

    Matt: I’ve worked with most of them, actually one who I’ve not worked with Wade Robson, He’s an American, he’s based in L.A and he’s brilliant! I’ve worked a lot with Matthew Born quite a lot; we worked on “The Nutcracker” and a couple of other shows. I toured America, Asia and Australia with him for a year and a half

    TGUK: How does it feel to be Britain’s favourite dancer? It’s a bit of a mantle isn’t it?

    Matt: It’s a funny feeling actually. I’m gutted that it’s over. But then having the titles to keep forever is kind of cool.
    TGUK: Nobody is going to steal your crown! Was it a good experience though

    Matt: That process was just phenomenal to be honest as a dancer there’s no other thing in the world where you get challenged, quite as much. The pressure is really on. To be put on that kind of platform, to be tested like that you can’t beat it really. I mean it’s a bit of a phenomenon really when you’ve got these reality TV shows because it’s an instant gauge. You can see what the audience are thinking of you instantly, not only are they voting for you but like if you go onto Twitter or something like that immediately after you can see what they were saying.
    TGUK – Did that kind of surprise you, or shock you? Or were you kind of prepared for that?

    Matt: Well what I will say, is I did the competition when I was 29. I think if I’d have done it a 19 I’d have handled things very differently. I think I was wise to it to know that if you’re going to be on a reality show and take the good stuff, you’re going to take the bad stuff as well. Because there’s always going to be people sat at home on their computer saying “He was really sh**”.
    TGUK: Tell me, there’s a whole host of reality TV shows your doors could be opened to. If you had your pick of them, which one would you like to do next?

    Matt: I choreograph for Strictly Come Dancing, and that’s probably the one I’d have picked anyway! I got asked to do Britain’s Got Talent to start submitting troops and stuff. They don’t really appeal to me too much. I don’t think there’s room in the market for them.

    TGUK: So you know, obviously there are a lot of gays in dancing. You’re not gay yourself are you?

    Matt: No I’m straight. But the dance world has always been very gay. I think it’s changed a little bit in recent years. I mean I think first of all it’s not acceptable really for a young lad. Well it wasn’t anyway a few years ago. Because it’s quite a feminine thing really. Dance is just a massive way of expressing yourself. Gay people love to express themselves (laughing) although if you go into musical theater’s nowadays it’s kind of like 50/50 I reckon
    TGUK: Do you think that something like Billy Elliot has kind of helped that because he’s not gay. Do you think something like that kind of paved the way for kind of 12 year old boys to think actually I could do this?

    Matt: Yeah I think so. I also think that shows like So You Think You Can Dance help. For example the amount of messages I got when I was on it from young lads saying “You’ve really given me confidence!” says a lot about the industry now.
    TGUK: So tell us a little bit about “Move It” and what it entails for you. What are you going to be doing?

    Matt: I’ve been involved in move it every year for the last 8 years and this year I’m going to be presenting the main stage. It’s going to be hosting the event basically. I’ve presented the Olympics; I worked on the gymnastics so I’ve had a bit of experience with it
    TGUK: How do you find the presenting? Are you comfortable presenting or do you prefer keeping the dance shoes on?

    Matt: I find it like harder. The dancing is second nature becomes naturally. I have to work to get a result in presenting, for example, The Olympics, I had to really research everything about the sport and what was going on elsewhere. Whereas I think Move It will be a lot easier because I’m introducing acts, and know about already its installed in me it’s going to be a lot more easier than the Olympics I think
    TGUK: There’s some good names on the bill for the Move It. Is there any particular one that you’re really looking forward to kind of getting to know a bit better or watch?

    Matt: Yeah Darcy Bussell’s there it’s going to be great for the classic world.

    I love Move It. For me it’s a fantastic kind of 2 days where everyone comes together. Like 22,000 people come. Like every genre, every age. If you’re a dancer you kind of have to be there.

    There you have it! Catch Matt, Kimberley Wyatt and Darcey Bussell at MOVE IT 2013, search google for MOVE IT 2013

  • FILM REVIEW | Gayby

    ★★★★ | Gayby

    I had some reservations about Gayby. A lot of these ‘gay films’ are usually clichéd drivel, almost always, an unlikely relationship sparks and then it’s just an hour of plot-holes and bad acting.

    Jenn, a yoga instructor, and Matt, a comic book store worker, are best friends from college who are now single and in their 30’s. In agreement with a pact they made in their youth, the two decide to have a baby (“Gayby”) together, even though Jenn is straight and Matt is gay. Jenn’s grandmother set her up with a trust fund for if she ever had a child, so Jenn is confident that she and Matt will have the finances to have one. However, Jenn states that she wants to have a baby through natural conception, so the two begin awkwardly having sex.

    Gayby was something very different indeed. I found it to be relentlessly charming in every way, with just the perfect amount of drama peppered in. Superbly written and directed by relative newcomer Jonathon Lisecki, It had something that all these other films are missing… A great script.

    The awkwardness of the “Attempted Conception” scenes was genius, with just the perfect combination of one liners, curious glances and the various montages of penetration were just divinely cringe worthy.Possibly the stand out performance of the film is that of Jenn Harris. Harris plays the quintessential fag hag (Jen) to the devastatingly handsome Matthew Wilkas (Matt). Harris brings a depressive vibe into a relatively overused character, which is surprisingly, a breath of fresh air.

    Although it’s the supporting characters that steal the show, both fag and hag have terrifically bitchy henchmen as it were, the ‘femme-bear’ “Nelson” and the incredibly bitchy “Jamie” (Jack Ferver)

    By far the highlight of the film is the fabulous wannabe bear, Nelson, played brilliantly by writer and director Lisecki. The character of Nelson wasn’t particularly appealing to me at the beginning, then suddenly; the character soon manifests as the star of the show. Clearly Lisecki gave himself some of the best lines, yet you don’t really mind, seeing as he pulls them off in the most gorgeously sarcastic manner.

    Gayby’s plot isn’t really anything special; it is essentially a romantic comedy in disguise.

    It’s the characters that make the film stand out. They are multidimensional and most importantly they’re ‘real’.

    Uncompromisingly jovial, I would certainly recommend Gayby to anyone; it has buckets of charm, something that I find to be a rarity in gay cinema.
    BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON | BUY IT ON iTunes

  • INTERVIEW: Zoe Lyons

    Ladies and Gentlemen and everything in between I give to you the sensationally funny Zoe Lyons. The award winning, cigar smoking, television regular comedian is about to begin a “Pop-up tour” and who knows, she may be coming to a town near-ish you! (more…)

  • COLUMN | F**K The Guys

    Most people in a position of power seem to be putting out a certain message at the moment and that message is “F**k the gays” and I for one, am sick of it.

    Unless you’ve been living in a sort of media blackout, you won’t be at all surprised that most of us aren’t over keen on Suzanne Moore.

    In her most recent Guardian article, she implied that pretty much every gay guy was into rushed toilet cubicle sex and that we’re all terribly misogynistic. I find this a repugnant generalisation of gay men, and since when did liking cock more make you Anti-Woman? Piss off Suzanne. Also judging by some recent tweets, SHE KNOWS that she will piss all of us, which Is obviously her aim, and with controversy comes publicity, so good on you Suzanne, you’re getting your opinion out, no matter how vile and unnecessary it is. I’m going to quote a tweet of hers:

    “I’m quite old fashioned when it comes to queers” Nice one Suze.

    Obliviously, earlier this week, there was the big “debate” in which a group of decent people and their adulterous bigoted colleagues would get together, to decide whether gay people would be allowed the most coveted privilege that is of course marriage. I found this whole “debate” to be unnecessary, rushed and most of all patronising. There is no need for a debate, not when the subject being debated is essentially a human right.

    Apparently, my pals the “religious” people are up in arms about the whole thing!

    “We couldn’t possibly marry these beasts in our houses of worship and molestation!” They cry from their steeples… That’s how I imagine it anyway.

    Religion has nothing at all to do with marriage. Religious protection is the big issue, in which “churchies” are absolutely horrified at the thought of marrying us lot! Not that most of us even want to get married in a Church anyway, or a Mosque that’s for sure. Many are refusing to hold ceremonies there, and quite rightly in my opinion, at the end of the day, those churches are only big enough for one sexual deviant (The Priest)

    I couldn’t give a glancing f**k whether or not the Church is bothered by Equal Marriage, because marriage is ultimately about love, and not Religion.

    Another angle that these homophobes are using is that of teachers.

    (Before I enter my tirade, I would like to say I have all the respect in the world for teachers, they do a fantastic job, most of them anyway)

    A teacher is supposed to teach. They teach all different subjects, English, Religion, Science, Maths, Languages etc. Teachers are supposed to inspire tomorrow’s generation, nurture their minds and along with the child’s parents, mould them into the adult they will eventually become. So if that teacher is against equality and won’t even mention it in their classroom, then in my eyes, they shouldn’t be a teacher at all. The one example that keeps being thrown up is :

    “What if a Muslim teacher is refusing to teach children about equality, will they be suspended?”

    The answer, unfortunately is no. Which I see as rather ironic, seeing as Muslims are also facing a degree of inequality at the moment, so surely they should sympathise.

    I don’t know where the next few days are heading in terms of gay rights, but what I do know, is if they don’t go our way, I’m leaving this country for somewhere warmer and more accepting.

  • Support The London Bid For 2018 Gay Games

    Last week, Sport London hosted an event at Portcullis house, in attendance were press, politicians and members of the LGBT community, they came together to discuss the 2018 Gay Games.

    (more…)

  • COLUMN | Homophobia In Hollywood?

    It’s the age old question.

    So the at the Globes last week, Jodie Foster “came out”… Can’t say I, or indeed anybody was surprised. In fact, I’d have been more surprised if she had arrived with a man.

    Don’t get me wrong, it WAS very brave. I wouldn’t come out with Tommy Lee Jones in the front, giving me the critical burning gaze that he gave everybody that night. Now… don’t turn on me here, but I found her coming out really uncomfortable. She won the Cecil B De Mille award and she certainly deserved it more than anybody else that night, but was there any need for her to do it? Saying it in perhaps a magazine interview or on Ellen or something would have been great! The perfect platform to confirm everybody’s suspicions!

    Yet at the same time it was undeniably genius, she didn’t quite SAY it, but she couldn’t have implied it any heavier if she had walked on stage with a strap-on wildly flailing around beneath her stunning gown. She did have this incredibly blunt yet delicate way of putting it across, which I admire her for no end I just feel it could have been better suited elsewhere. Maybe it’s just me, perhaps Foster used to spotlight to get an important message across, I just never really got it.

    Recently Rupert Everett advised gay actors to stay in the closet. Personally I’m not a fan of Rupert Everett; I think he tries too hard. Everett, instead of encouraging young Hollywood to stay in hiding, should have encouraged them to be open about their sexuality, instead of putting them off. Everett said this because “Gay men aren’t being cast in straight roles”. Yes they are Rupert; you’re not because you’ve been creating negative press like this for a while. Other actors are getting the roles you want, not because they are straight, but because they are better actors than you. Sorry, you probably prefer to be called a “Thespian” or something equally as pretentious.

    On the other hand, Hollywood is homophobic. In the sense that if you have made a career from portraying drag queens in movies or flaming homosexuals you’re not going to be the first choice for the next Die Hard movie. It makes sense. There are plenty of roles in Hollywood movies for gay men, not necessarily the macho roles, but there ARE opportunities out there. Hollywood is brimming with gay actors playing a varied mix of characters, for example Neil Patrick Harris, Ian McKellen, Denis O’Hare, Victor Garber and Zachery Quinto, all of which are well known, in the public eye, OUT and all have played undeniably straight roles in popular films and shows.

    So is Hollywood homophobic?

    Only to the moaning and bitter. I’m looking at you Rupert.