THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Met Police are reaching out to sex workers to combat violent attacks against the community

    The Metropolitan Police have launched a campaign to reach out to sex workers in London who are victims of violence.

    (C) BIGSTOCK / DEPOSITPHOTOS

    On the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is today encouraging those who work in the industry and find themselves victims of crime to have the confidence to report to police.

    “Increased risk of violence and abuse”

    Commander Richard Smith, the Met’s lead on Safeguarding, said, “We are supporting this positive day of action and recognition; working to reduce the violence experienced by sex workers is something we do all year round. By the very nature of sex work, those engaged in the activity are at increased risk of violence and abuse and are often reluctant to report such matters to the police. We understand the barriers, fears and reluctance that sex workers might face when they consider reporting abuse, but we take all allegations of this nature extremely seriously and will investigate them fully. We are seeking to increase sex-workers’ confidence to report allegations to the police and seek advice from the wide range of support agencies operating across London.”

    The MPS has a senior Lead Responsible Officer (LRO) at Superintendent level responsible for developing a coordinated response to reduce the risk and harm faced by sex-workers & the associated impacts on local communities.

    Commander Smith, adds, “No one, regardless of their profession, should be the victim of any form of violence or abuse, and we will continue to support ending violence against those working in the sex trade. Our primary focus will always be to protect vulnerable individuals from harm, regardless of their circumstances.

    “Dealing with sex work presents some considerable and complex challenges and requires police to work closely with local communities and both statutory and voluntary partners. Alongside our commitment to protect vulnerable people from harm, we recognise the adverse impact that prostitution can cause to local communities. We will take appropriate action when it is necessary and proportionate to do so to keep all members of London’s communities safe. We also actively pursue individuals who control & coerce others to enter or remain in prostitution and who profit from trafficking and exploitation. The police response to sex work in London has evolved significantly and we maintain strong working relationships with a number of support agencies including National Ugly Mugs (NUM).”

    60 to 80 crimes every month

    Dr Raven Bowen, CEO of National Ugly Mugs (NUM) states, “Since 2012, NUM has been a formalised mechanism for sex workers to report crimes perpetrated against them. Through our scheme, sex workers either share this information anonymously with others, or go forward to provide full reports to police and proceed through the criminal justice system in pursuit of justice.

    “We receive between 60 and 80 reports of crime by sex workers every month, more than one every day; however, less than 10% access police for support due to the combined effects of continued criminalisation, stigma and harmful social policies. We aim to shape services to be more responsive to the needs of sex workers.

    Dr Bowen adds: “NUM and MPS collaborate around shared goals of increasing sex workers’ access to justice and reducing the rates of victimisation. This year, NUM has launched our #IDEVASW memorial card (available on our website) that holds the names of 182 sex workers who have been murdered since 1990. Unfortunately, this week we added yet another name to this list. We urge your acknowledgement of the valuable lives of sex workers, and ask your commitment towards activities that reduce predatory violence and increase rights, entitlements and protections for these valuable members of our communities.”

  • Gay bar security staff sacked after asking customers for money to free event

    Gay bar security staff sacked after asking customers for money to free event

    Security staff at a bar in Birmingham have been dismissed after it was revealed that they were asking for money from patrons before allowing them to enter the premises.

    Missing Bar in Birmingham has fired their on door security team after it was revealed that the bouncers were demanding money from patrons before allowing them to enter the building, even though the venue itself does not charge an entrance fee.

    The bar’s management offered an apology to its customers and told patrons that the security staff were dismissed “on the spot” and the money collected was donated to charity.

    Patrons of the bar were quick to congratulate the bar’s owners on their swift decision making and resolving the issue quickly.

    Taking to Facebook Missing bar wrote,

    “AN APOLOGY
    “We were made aware that our door security team were asking customers to pay an entrance fee last night.

    “We have never charged for entry at Missing and never will.

    “Both of the security team were dismissed on the spot and any money they collected will be donated to charity”.

    One user who was asked to give money to the door staff on Thursday night last week did say that the bouncers had made it clear that the money “was non-obligatory”.

    One Facebook fan said that the behaviour from the door staff was “shocking”. Another added that it was good that the bar hadn’t taken the side of the bouncers, while another agreed saying, “I totally agree with this from past issues with their bouncers”.

     

  • LGBT Charity calendar banned from Facebook for “sexual activity” despite none

    LGBT Charity calendar banned from Facebook for “sexual activity” despite none

    Facebook’s over-eager censorship tools have caused the Naked Rugby Players page to be banned from Facebook.

    One of the UK’s top 5 charity calendars, has been banned from the social media giant, Facebook. The owners of the Naked Rugby Players charity calendar were banned this morning (16th December) and given the explanation that the picture uploaded to the platform contained genitals, sexual activity, explicit language or female nipples, despite the picture cleverly hiding every player’s genitals.

    The Naked Rugby Players calendar is a national calendar which aims to raise money for cancer charity, Balls To Cancer and LGBT+ inclusive rugby as well as bring awareness to testicle cancer and LGBT sports.

    However, the “offending” picture that was uploaded does not contain genitals, female nipples, sexual activity or sexually explicit language.

    In an explanation, Facebook told the page’s owners that the post went against their community standards and banned the page from commenting or posting for 24 hours.

    However, in a cruel double standard, Facebook hasn’t decided to delete other user’s content. Kim Kardashian-West’s page, which has over 27 million fans has dozens of naked women, which displays at least one fully naked frontal picture of a woman.

    The calendar’s Creative Director, Jake Hook said, “We take a huge amount of time on photo shoot days to ensure that everybody is comfortable and making absolutely 100 per cent sure that nobody’s genitals are on show. In fact, it is in our agreement with the clubs that take part that we make sure that no one’s genitals will be visible.

    “Facebook’s ban is obviously disappointing. We are so proud of this calendar and the message that it gives. Be proud of your body, be proud of your sexuality and be comfortable in your own skin”.

    Facebook’s Sexual Purge

    Facebook has come under fire recently for its brand new community standard’s policy. The policy which is named the “sexual solicitation” policy has been branded as “horrifying” by critics and it could adversely effect LGBT+ users on the platform.

    The policy could potentially ban gay, bisexual and transgender users from discussing whether they are top or bottoms on the site as it seeks to ban “sexual hints such as (the) mention of sexual roles, positions or fetish scenarios”.

    The platform says it is now “drawing a line” when any conversation leads to a “sexual encounter between adults”.

     

    Support the players

    If you’d like to support the players and buy the 2019 calendar you can visit their website where they are offering free shipping on calendars.

  • Students singing ‘fagg*t’ from Fairytale Of New York is disturbing

    A  video of students at a Birmingham university singing along to ‘Fairytale of New York’, but only knowing the lines including the homophobic slur “faggot” has gone viral.

    The video which was captured by Georgia Walshe shows how, as she describes, a “upper-class, homophobic, racist” group of “Tory” students singing along to the Christmas classic, ‘Fairytale of New York’, however the only words they know is the line proceeding the homophobic insult “faggot” – to which they sing at the top of their voices.

    The video has been retweeted over 500 times and “liked” over 3700 times.

    The song was being played at a party at which Walshe did not attend but could hear throughout the student halls. She made the video to demonstrate the level of noise past midnight when the Christmas hit started to play.

    Writing on Twitter, Walshe wrote, “As soon as I heard what song was on I knew straight away when they were gna [sic] get louder – absolute tories”

    In the evergreen Christmas-hit, Kirsty MacColl sings the line “You scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy faggot.” The line causes a debate every year about whether the slur should be removed or censored from the song as some people in the LGBT+ community find it very problematic.

    The video which Walshe shared has now gone viral.

    Speaking to Gay Star News Walshe said, “I just don’t associate with these people, they’re not my type of people. I don’t know them by name.

    “I’ve met a lot of those lot in the first few weeks [from freshers parties]. I’ve heard them sing along and use the ‘N’ word in songs.

    “When I heard Fairytale of New York come on, I knew what I was going to hear. It’s part of their entitled homophobic bigotry.”

    Number 1 Christmas Song

    The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York” has been crowned the best Christmas song of all time.

    However, the song crowned number one contains a homophobic slur and is found problematic by some. Every year a debate rages about whether the song should have the word “faggot” bleeped or silenced when it is broadcast publicly.

    Topping Mariah’s “All I Want For Christmas” and WHAM!’s “Last Christmas”, “Fairytale of New York” has been crowned the nation’s favourite Christmas song.

    It also managed to top Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas“, which took the fourth spot.

    In 2007, BBC’s Radio 1 in the UK, censored the offending word, but soon reinstated it after a public backlash.

     

  • 2021 Census will include questions about gender and sexuality

    The UK’s 2021 census will include questions to help determine the size of Britain’s LGBT+ community.

    ellisedelacruz / Pixabay

    The digital first 2021 Census will help shape public services to meet the needs of the LGBT+ community in the years to come, as plans set out in a government white paper today show.

    The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has recommended a new voluntary question on sexual orientation for those aged 16 and over. In addition to the usual question on being male or female for all ages, there will also be a voluntary question on gender identity in England and Wales for those aged over 16.

    It was always the intention of ONS that these questions would be voluntary.

    The data gathered from these questions will make it easier to monitor inequalities under the anti-discrimination duties of the Equality Act 2010 and to directly plan public services and support for these groups.

    “Stand Up and Be Counted”

    National Statistician, John Pullinger, said: “The Census is for everyone; it gives us all the opportunity to stand up and be counted in democratic debate and policy decisions.

    “We have designed it with people at its heart and we consulted widely to ensure it meets the needs of society. Unlike previous Censuses, it will be digital first which will make it easier to complete electronically, with help available for those who need it.”

    The date for the digital-first census has been confirmed as 21 March 2021, subject to parliamentary approval.

    Information gathered by ONS will ensure vital public services can be targeted into communities and groups where they are needed, in 2021 and beyond.  

    ONS is transforming the way it collects, processes and shares data and the next census is part of a wider drive towards making more use of data already held and moving surveys online.

    In line with previous censuses, ONS will hold a census rehearsal in October 2019 and is currently reviewing which local authority areas will be included.

    For more information, see the white paper which has been laid today in Parliament.

    How many LGBT people are there in the UK?

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    The number of people who identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual is a hotly debated subject, with no clear answer, but here will look at all the available stats.

    There has long been a widely-held belief that around 10 per cent of the population is gay, lesbian or bisexual or who identify as non-heterosexual. This is probably the most accurate of all the figures – as more and more people feel comfortable to come out about their sexuality.

    The ONS (Office of National Statistics) says that in a survey of people in the United Kingdom it found that 1.5 per cent of people identified as LGB. This result was arrived at by extrapolation of data collected. However, these statistics were disputed for not being accurate or showing the full picture.

    By their estimations, this would mean that there are only 990,300 LGB people in the UK.

  • BBC announces its first LGBT+ correspondent for BBC News

    The BBC has announced that it has hired its first LGBT+ Correspondent for its news service.

    Ben Hunte has been appointed the BBC’s first LGBT+ correspondent for BBC News, a role which he’ll start in the New Year.

    This newly created role will report on the stories, issues and debates surrounding sexuality and gender and focus on providing insight and analysis on matters affecting the LGBT community in the UK.

    Ben played a key part during the coverage of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season and presented his own series of LGBT-themed programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra called “The Ben Hunte Interviews”. He interviewed a range of high profile guests including Paul O’Grady and Stephen K Amos. This year Ben also became the presenter of BBC What’s New?, the BBC’s first TV programme and digital service for children in Africa.

    Ben Hunte said, “I’m delighted to be taking on this important new role for BBC News and I am looking forward to finding and telling stories from the LGBT community.”

    Richard Burgess, UK News Editor for BBC News, said, “BBC News has a rich heritage of covering issues and debates from the LGBT community. This year we announced our first gender and identity correspondent, Megha Mohan, and I’m thrilled that Ben will be taking up this dedicated role which aims to strengthen our offering of LGBT stories and original journalism across the BBC”.

    Ben Hunte graduated from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus with a degree in Neuroscience, before studying TV Journalism at City University of London.

    The BBC isn’t the first mainstream news company to hire a specific LGBT+ correspondent for their coverage. In 2017 the Evening Standard hired Amy Ashenden, but the role was short lived and Amy moved to PinkNews.

  • James McVey shows off shocking jungle weight loss

    James McVey shows off shocking jungle weight loss

    Spending time in the Celebrity Jungle will take its toll.

    James McVey who recently starred in 2018’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here showed off his shocking weight loss. During his time in the jungle, James who was already lean, lost 5kgs (0.7 stone).

    The Vamps’ guitarist shared a candid shot with his 1.1 million followers on Instagram, of him in his hotel room shortly after leaving the jungle looking incredibly skinny. He joked that he needed pizza and ice-cream.

    He captioned the photo “This was taken as soon as I got to the hotel after leaving camp. The jungle took 5kg from me and gave me awful facial hair. Here’s to pizza and cake…”

    Fans were quick to worry about the star, with many warning that he was looking “too thin”, “starved” and to look after himself.

    The photo was liked by 111,000 people.

    James lost out on winning this series, which was won by Football legend Harry Redknapp. John Barrowman came in third place, while Emily Atack narrowly missed out on being crowned the jungle queen.

     

     

  • Here’s what your family are likely to fall out over this Christmas

    Millions of families will be feuding this Christmas – over what to watch on the TV, it has emerged.

    RobinHiggins / Pixabay

    A study of 2,000 families revealed tempers are most likely to run high over which TV special or film to watch after Christmas dinner.

    Similarly, who does the washing up after the feast is another topic likely to cause rifts on December 25th.

    Other arguments will which blow up over the Christmas period will involve who gets which bedroom to stay in, who gets to host the family and who sits where around the table on the big day.

    Steve Reid CEO of sleep technology company Simba, which commissioned the research, said: “Lots of factors can raise tensions at Christmas time.”

    “Whether it’s the pandemonium of having everyone under one roof, packed social calendars, losing the amount of quality sleep we get, or stress about the big day fraying our nerves, each can keep us from being our usual calm, well-rested selves.”

    The study also found three in 10 Brits believe they will have an argument with their loved ones at least once a day over their Christmas stay.

    Thankfully a Christmas argument is rarely a long-standing affair with 44 per cent of the bust-ups fizzling out in less than 10 minutes.

    And over a third think Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a festive feud between friends and family.

    Tempers are likely to be frayed for two in five Brits, who regularly spend their Christmas away from home at someone else’s house.

    Of these, 40 per cent said their sleeping arrangement was usually uncertain, and only 48 per cent thought they were guaranteed a comfy bed on their stay.

    Two-thirds of Brits spending Christmas away from home said their sleep suffers over this period, and 36 per cent thinks this leads them to become more irritable.

    Despite this extra discomfort, a third of Brits would much rather be an invited guest over Christmas – rather than overseeing the festivities as the host of their own gathering.

    One in seven think having to appear to be in a good mood all the time is the worst thing about Christmas, and one in eight believe the season is marred by the lack of sleep they are able to get.

    The average Brit will get just six hours of sleep on Christmas Eve when anticipation is at its height, and one in 10 manage just three or four hours of slumber.

    Reid added: “These findings show that it’s natural to feel both ecstatic and exhausted at the prospect of Christmas.

     

    THE 12 FEUDS OF CHRISTMAS

    1. What film or TV show to watch

    2. Who washes up

    3. The temperature of the heating

    4. What time to open presents

    5. How much alcohol to drink

    6. How long to spend at each relatives house

    7. People arriving late

    8. How much to spend on each person

    9. What time to eat Christmas dinner

    10. Staying off phones at the dinner table

    11. Who won the board game

    12. Political conversations, such as Brexit

     

    TOP 10 CAUSES OF A SLEEPLESS NIGHT AT CHRISTMAS

    1. Overindulgence

    2. Stressing about preparation

    3. Drinking too much

    4. Excitement causing me to stay awake

    5. Wrapping presents late

    6. Waiting for children to sleep in order to put presents out

    7. Staying at a relative’s house

    8. Heartburn and indigestion

    9. Children waking up throughout the night

    10. Having guests stay over

     

    HOPE BASTINE’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR KEEPING THE PEACE THIS CHRISTMAS

    PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

    1. Be prepared: Reduce tension on the big day by getting yourself organised ahead of the time. Christmas Day is loaded with expectation, from the presents to the food to the company, and you can do yourself a favour by ensuring you are calm and organised, whatever role you aim to play in the festivities.

    2. Everything in moderation: Christmas is a time to unwind and let go of some of the pressures which have built up over the year. It’s a time to catch up with others and fill our social calendars, but this can come at a cost to our health. Rich food and drink can be enjoyable in the short-term, but over an entire season of goodwill all that excess can have an effect on our health, our mood, and our sleep.

    3. Consider your wellbeing: Christmas is a disruption of routine. Gym sessions are replaced with staff parties, salads are swapped for roast dinners and a sensible bedtime is traded for late-night movies. It’s important in this hectic time to remember the essentials, to make time for yourself and to ensure you get good rest.

    4. Set realistic expectations of others: Everyone wants their Christmas to be perfect, but the faults and foibles of your family are never more apparent than when gathered around a table together. Grumbles are likely to rise when all those personalities, who might not see each other for the rest of the year, are forced into close proximity, stuffed with turkey and marinated in Bucks Fizz. In moments like this it’s important to take a breather and, keep some perspective, and remember that Christmas is supposed to be fun!

    5. Be proactive in tough spots: Just as the festive season is a great time to catch up, it is also an equally good time for prying relatives to have a nosy in your business. Expect and pre-empt these questions. Changed jobs? Moved homes? Broken up with a partner? Try to identify subjects of conversation which are likely to come up which might be mishandled and lead to tension, and consider ways to limit the damage they could do ahead of time. Be proactive, not reactive to tough or uncomfortable conversations.

  • Your new gay read is here, just in time for Christmas

    A new season of Boystown is released

    “Your wait is over,” BOYSTOWN creator Jake Biondi told fans of his series. “It’s been ten months since the release of Season Eight and I think you’ll find Season Nine to be worth the wait.”

    BOYSTOWN Season Nine was officially released on December 14, ten months to the day after the debut of the previous instalment.  “Season Eight was appropriately released on Valentine’s Day.

    The ninth book is a very special one and a Christmastime release seemed appropriate,” Biondi told BOYSTOWN readers. “The events of the ninth book take place during the holiday season, so the timing is perfect.”

    “I decided to mix things up a bit in Season Nine,” Biondi explained.

    “While the twists and turns that fans have come to expect from the series are absolutely present, the ninth book employs some different story-telling techniques and explores some of the characters’ relationships in a deeper way. And the ending? Well, it will blow readers away!”

    Available on Amazon

  • These straight guys are giving each other advice on taking it up the butt and it’s very very enlightening

    These straight guys are giving each other advice on taking it up the butt and it’s very very enlightening

    The article contains NSFW content. Click here to continue and agree that you are over the age of 18.

    Pages: 1 2

  • Former Real Housewives star: “A gay son is a curse”

    A former Real Housewives star launched a vile attack on gay people via social media.

    Jim Marchese who starred in season 6 of Real Housewives of New Jersey launched a vile attack on the gay community saying that he thought that a gay son was a “curse” and robbed a family of its “heritage”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Marchese, who starred alongside his wife, Amber in season six of Real Housewives of New Jersey published his tirade on Twitter to support Kevin Hart, who stepped down last week as the host of next year’s Oscars after historic homophobic tweets emerged.

    Taking to Twitter, in front of his 197,000 followers, Marchese wrote,

    “So true NO STRAIGHT MALE wants his son to be gay. A gay son is a curse that takes away your #family traditions #heritage #lgtbiq is a parents nightmare that destroys families,” Jim tweeted. “Ruins holidays like #Christmas #KevinHart we support you! #LiberalismIsAMentalDisorder.”

    He then went on to suggest that Europe was “importing Muslim men” because the LGBT+ community had caused a population growth “crisis”.

    He then dug further to say that being gay was an act of “sexual deviance” and that no one was born gay – likening it to a “choice like being vegan”.

    via GIPHY

     

    Jim and his wife Amber decided to leave the Real Housewives of New Jersey in 2015.