THEGAYUK

Author: Matt Peake

  • Channel 4 Unreported World: Jamaica’s Underground Gays

    Tonight on Channel 4 at 7:30pm is another episode in the Unreported World series. This time it focuses on the Underground gays of Jamaica.

    The documentary follows a group of young gay and transgender men and women who are forced underground and are currently living in a gully due to being ostracised by their friends and family.

    We see the heartbreaking ordeals that they have to deal with on a daily basis including unprovoked abuse from a local councillor and stones being thrown at them by passersby. However the documentary also shows how this group lives; through prostitution to donations made by a lovely lady called Yvonne from Dwayne’s House.

    To find out more information about Dwayne’s House, please click here: http://www.dwayneshouse.info/

    As many people know Jamaica is a country that is very proud and holds traditional Christian values and unfortunately this is an area where the repugnant homophobia comes from.

    Furthermore Jamaica has a very rich musical history with dancehall originating in the country, yet it is even through this music that you hear blatant homophobia as in this track by Buju Banton entitled Boom Bye Bye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIUZlzd37sI

    If you’d like to see a preview of the documentary, please click here: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/unreported-world/videos/all/jamaicas-underground-gays

    Channel 4’s Unreported World: Jamaica’s Underground Gays is on at 7.30PM

  • Sandi and Debbie Toksvig To Re-New Vows At Southbank Centre

    Ever since the legalisation of same-sex activity 47 years ago, gay men and women across England and Wales have been waiting for this day. Now on the 29th March 2014 – a day that thousands of gay men and women across England and Wales will never forget – is the arrival of gay marriage.

    I imagine that there will be thousands of celebrations throughout England and Wales from small hamlets to major cities to celebrate such an important legal milestone. Within London there will be many special events and the LGMC (London Gay Men’s Chorus) will be part of one at the Southbank Centre where you can expect camp classics and beautiful harmonies as well as innovative choreography.

    The LGMC will be performing at the Southbank Centre to celebrate the renewing of vows by Sandi and Debbie Toksvig. Sandi Toksvig has said ‘This is a joyous occasion which Debbie and I look forward to celebrating with old and new friends. It is a public statement of pride in our love and thanks to all those who have campaigned for equality over many years’. They will also be joined by The Fourth Choir, Sharon D Clarke and keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman on the Royal Festival Hall Organ. According to the Guardian, the event will kick-off the Southbank Centre’s Festival of Love, which will culminate in a mass wedding at the end of August.

    The tickets are free so check out the website here: Southbank Centre

    Do also check out this link for another very exciting Channel 4 event ‘Our Gay Wedding: The Musical’ at 10pm on Monday 31st March: You Tube