Nick Cassenbaum, the star of My Kind of Michael, which is currently playing at the Edinburgh Fringe festival has encountered a barrage of homophobic abuse on the streets of Edinburgh while trying to promote the show, which runs until the 26th August at the Summerhall.
The show is about Cassenbaum’s childhood hero, Michael Barrymore, who was an incredibly popular TV star until a tragic incident at his home in 2001 left a young man dead and the star came out about his bisexuality.
ABOVE: The lifesize cut out which has caused controversy as some passersby resort to homophobia on the streets of Edinburgh.
Unfortunately, the promotion has been met with “old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid” comments.
Speaking to THEGAYUK.com a spokesperson for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said, “No matter who you are or where you come from, you should feel at home at the Fringe. The Fringe Society have a zero-tolerance policy on harassment, abuse and bullying and we take the safety and welfare of all of our participants and audience members extremely seriously. We provide advice on all aspects of performing and taking part in the Fringe and would encourage anyone who has been affected by issues such as this to contact us.”
A show currently performing at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe festival has been rocked by persistent homophobic jeers and insults.
(C) Danny Braverman
Nick Cassenbaum, the star of My Kind of Michael, which is currently playing at the #Edinburgh Fringe festival has encountered a barrage of homophobic abuse on the streets of Edinburgh while trying to promote the show, which runs until the 26th August at the Summerhall.
The show is about Cassenbaum’s childhood hero, Michael Barrymore, who was an incredibly popular TV star until a tragic incident at his home in 2001 left a young man dead and the star came out about his bisexuality.
The show, My Kind of Michael, chronicles Cassenbaum’s childhood infatuation with the Strike it Lucky presenter and how he was inspired by Barrymore to take to the stage himself.
As part of the promotion for the show, a life-size cut out of Michael Barrymore has been used on Edinburgh’s streets.
Speaking about the abuse, Cassenbaumn said, “After all this time I thought people may be prepared to accept him as a brilliant ‘working class boy made good’ entertainer, but it’s become apparent that not only do some people hold strong views about him but that they are prepared to use blatantly homophobic language to make their point.
“Old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid is alive and well at the Edinburgh Fringe”
Cassenbaum then shared some of the abuse that the show and indeed Michael Barrymore (who is not part of the lineup) has endured,
‘He’s as bent as a ten-bob note. He killed a man. He raped a man. He’s a pervert’
‘He raped a man and drowned him’
‘He’s alwight in the back hole’
‘Get that murdering pervert away from me’ (referring to a cardboard cutout of Barrymore)
Others have apparently accused him of being known for preying on young boys, said Cassenbaum.
Cassenbaum continued, “I have been flyering for this show for two weeks now and this type of language has shocked and surprised me. Especially at a ‘liberal’ arts festival that is known for controversial and cutting-edge productions.
“Barrymore has had to put up with this for nearly 20 years now. I want to make it clear that he was never charged for anything, yet people treat him as if he is a perverted murderer and child molester, tarring him with the same brush as those convicted following Operation Yewtree.
“It seems that old-fashioned homophobia and trial by tabloid is alive and well at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Essex Police admitted wrongful arrest – and never charged
Stuart Lubbock, 31 was found dead at the star’s Essex home in March 2001. In June 2001 Police arrested Barrymore, his partner and another man in connection to Lubbock’s death but no charges were brought forward. The same three men were arrested again in 2007 but the case was dropped again after three months. No one was charged.
Essex Police admitted the arrest was unlawful and that the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to suspect that Mr Barrymore was guilty.
In 2009 the IPCC found multiple failings with the original police investigation.
Speaking to THEGAYUK a spokesperson for Edinburgh Council said, “Hate crime is not tolerated and we would urge anyone who has been a victim of or has witnessed hate crime to report it to the Police“.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society told THEGAYUK.com “No matter who you are or where you come from, you should feel at home at the Fringe. The Fringe Society have a zero-tolerance policy on harassment, abuse and bullying and we take the safety and welfare of all of our participants and audience members extremely seriously. We provide advice on all aspects of performing and taking part in the Fringe and would encourage anyone who has been affected by issues such as this to contact us.
Talk about a fall from grace. Kevin Spacey’s latest movie, Billionaire Boys Club has officially bombed, hard. It opened in just 10 theatres in the US and took a grand total of $126.
In comparison before the allegations of sexual misconduct against the actor, Spacey’s previous bit hit, Baby Driver grossed over $20 m in its opening weekend.
His biggest movies to date are American Beauty ($130 m) A Bug’s Life ($162 m) and Superman Returns ($200 m).
The Billionaires Boys Club was actually started in December 2015, well before the allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled against the actor by Star Trek Discovery actor Anthony Rapp. The film officially wrapped in early 2016. The film is set in the 1980s and is based on a true story about young men, who happen to be rich AF, getting caught up in a Ponzi scheme. It also stars Ansel Elgort, Taron Egerton and Emma Roberts.
However the film, according to Box Office Mojo, has made over a $1m in other territories with Russia ($419,000) being its biggest market, followed by the Ukraine ($318,000).
The iconic singer, Aretha Franklin has passed away at the age of 76.
This is a developing story.
The icon Aretha Franklin has reportedly died, she was 76-years-old. It was reported a few days ago that she was “gravely ill”. The cause of her death is reportedly advanced pancreatic cancer.
The singer who rose to fame during the 60s has had an enduring career that lasted well into her 70s. She is most famous for singing, “Respect”, “Say A Little Prayer” and “Natural Woman”.
In 1976 she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
In the 1980s she sang “Knew You Were Waiting For Me” with the late George Michael.
Franklin wipes a tear after being given the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 9, 2005, at the White House. She is seated between fellow recipients Robert Conquest (left) and Alan Greenspan.
In 2011 she showed her commitment to same-sex marriage by singing at the wedding of two men, Bill White and Bryan Eure.
Franklin’s first album was recorded and released in 1956, but it wasn’t until 1967 that she enjoyed a chart success with the album, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You. Her first number 1 single in the US was “Respect”. Her last charted song was “Rolling In The Deep” which was released in 2014, which got to number 47 in the US R&B Chart.
Actor, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman has shared a beautiful photo to celebrate his boyfriend’s birthday. The couple have recently celebrated their third year together. In the cute IG message Jeffrey, wrote to Andrew, “I think you’re a brilliant genius, and you’re also very handsome and I love you. Happy Birthday Andrew Jack”
I think you’re a brilliant genius, and you’re also very handsome and I love you. Happy Birthday Andrew Jack ? #xoJBC
Jeffrey is currently starring in the fourth series of the Amazon Prime show, UNReal as a character called Jay. His boyfriend, Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and creative director.
Jeffrey also has an upcoming guest star role in the new series of American Horror Story, Apocalypse and earlier in 2018 he was a guest judge in RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Been exploring the world with this guy for three years today. Happy anniversary @jeffreybchapman I love you ♥️☀️?
An anonymous writer (we don’t know the gender, so we’ll use neutral pronouns) on Quora wrote that their husband accidentally “sharted” in front of them and now they just don’t feel attracted to the man anymore. That was the question and well the internet did not take too kindly.
The general gist was that this person needs to get over it or divorce their husband, mainly for the husband’s sake.
It, Shit Happens
Colleen McFee, a palliative nurse said, “I’m saddened that you would even stoop this low. This is your husband & do remember, he is human. A human being is a human being & yes, shit happens!” She then invited the original poster to join her during one of her shifts, before adding, “If you no longer feel attraction for your husband, simply because he “accidentally sharted”, then you may NEVER have been that in love with him in the first place”.
Most touching moment can come from illness
Another user, Molly Maloney recounted the most touching moment between a couple when the woman in the couple had severe stomach flu. “She was stuck on the toilet with a bucket on her lap. Eventually her body decided it was all-systems-go and she wretched so hard in all directions that she passed out and toppled onto the floor. And that’s where her husband found her when he came home from work that evening. There she was, naked, covered in a smattering of every kind of bodily fluid, unconscious in a limp pile on the floor and with a busted lip to boot. Without so much as a word about it, he scooped her up, sponged her off, put her in clean jammies, and put her to bed. And yep, that’s disgusting. And that’s love.
It could happen to you
Penny Ladiner warned, “As they say, shit happens. Sometimes an innocent little fart turns into something more… tangible. Hasn’t it ever happened to you? If not, perhaps one day it will, through no fault of your own”.
Love does see what disgusts us
Paula Bass wrote, “My husband has witnessed me give birth to four children. He still finds me attractive. He has seen my doctor elbows deep in my abdominal cavity. He still finds me attractive. He gave me an enema when I was in excruciating pain from constipation following my last C-section. He still finds me attractive. I have gained and lost over 100 pounds over the course of our marriage. He has ALWAYS found me attractive, even when I found myself disgusting.
“If love was solely based on attraction we’d ALL be screwed.”
Why did you marry him?
Perhaps it was Robert who put it best, “Why did you marry your husband? Did you think that he doesn’t have normal bowel functions? That he may not develop a serious illness which may cause him to bleed, vomit, shit, stink? What were your marriage vows about?
If you are not “attracted” to him any more, then it may be best for you to leave him. For him, anyway.
If you liked getting rimmed your day is about to get even better.
(C) BIGSTOCK
Does your boyfriend have 10 pleasure settings and the stamina to go for an hour – with a 90 day standby time? If he does we want to meet him. If he doesn’t or you don’t have a BF then we’d like you to meet ORA (2). The oral sex – sex toy.
The toy, which is from the upmarket Swedish intimate toy manufacturer LELO, describes the toy as “better than real” and “thrilling”. We’re interested – very interested.
Although the website describes it as perfect for “clitoral stimulation” we’re betting this will feel just as good on your boy booty bean.
So now you don’t need a man to give you a good licking. You can even give the BF the night off while you go to town on yourself.
After 10 successful years of annual LGBTQI+ cross art event, GFEST – Gayise FESTival is calling upon organisers to create and hold their own events.
The theme for GFEST 2018 is ‘Socially EQUAL’, and events should run from Monday 12 November to Saturday 24 November.
GFEST – Gaywise FESTival® (known as GFEST) is recognised as an annual LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex +) cross-art celebration. Over the last 10 years, the festival has presented LGBTQI+ films, music, performances, art exhibitions, interdisciplinary art, poetry, book reading, workshops, participatory events, debates, etc. events each November.
GFEST producer arts charity Wise Thoughts is inviting community and arts groups, local museums, local authorities or libraries etc. to join and share awesome LGBTQI+ arts and stories from all over the world, as this year’s festival events. GFEST 2018 events, wherever they will take place, now can be added to the events list and promoted on the GFEST website.
The festival has been endorsed by all three Mayors of London, many celebrities, ministers, and cross-party MPs.
Niranjan Kamatkar FRSA, artistic director of GFEST said, “We want to reach out to audiences that we couldn’t in the past, and where there is a greater need to promote the LGBTQI+ cultural issues. To help ensure this we are changing the format from this year. We will include more web-based events and podcast etc. and we can also present a recommended programme, acts and films list from next year”.
He added, “If you have got it, flaunt it! Young or old, fresh or established, show the world that real talent always shines the best! GFEST events value and promote diverse talent from diverse art forms and promote artistic excellence. Celebrating diversity continues to endorse LGBTQI+ equal rights and reduces possible discrimination. GFEST ethos is to develop cultural and social equality for and amongst diverse LGBTQI+ people from all age groups, including people from different religious or/and cultural backgrounds. The festival actively supports individual creative abilities and participation in the society.”
If you are interested in organising your own event please visit and list the event details: https://gaywisefestival.org.uk/submissions/
As Madonna, the undisputed QUEEN OF POP turns 60 this week, we look at her top 10, most played songs on YouTube.
Madonna is one of the best selling artists of all time. In fact, she’s the only female singer, according to Wikipedia, to have sold over 200 million records.
In the past year alone Madonna has racked up a whopping 570 million streams on YouTube – which is 1.6. million streams a day – 66,000 of those are from fans here in the UK.
So which are the most streamed videos/songs on Madonna’s own channel? Here they are ranked by popularity
Well, deep diving into YouTube’s analytics, Madonna’s most hardcore fans aren’t in the UK, not even in the US – no, apparently they can’t get enough of the Material Girl in Mexico, followed by Chile, followed by Brazil. The UK came sixth, after the French and followed by USA.
Hollywood legend Tab Hunter died from heart failure and was also living with prostate cancer at the time of his death.
TAB HUNTER on the left
The 1950/60’s heartthrob Tab Hunter died from heart failure. His death certificate, published by TMZ also shows that the actor was also living with prostate cancer.
According to the document, Tab Hunter died cardiogenic shock, which is where the blood can’t be pumped fast enough to deal with the body’s requirements.
Tab Hunter died last month, just three days before his 87th birthday.
“For young people coming to terms with their sexuality today, all I can say is, be true to yourself. Geraldine Page once told me, (The press loved her. They hated my guts.) ‘If people don’t like you, that’s their bad taste.’ I needed to hear that, and I’d like to pass that on to all of you. Just remember… If people don’t like you, that’s their bad taste.”
Tab Hunter didn’t come out as gay until later in his life. He came out in 2005 when he released his autobiography Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star (2005)
A 49-year-old man has been left with life-changing injuries after being attacked hours after Pride in London on the 8th July He was struck in the back, the impact from which broke his spine.
He was walking along Greek Street at around 1:30 AM on Sunday morning towards Tottenham Court Road, where he planned to catch a bus home.
He also had his mobile phone stolen.
The victim was able to make his way to Stratford Underground Station where he was given medical treatment by officers before being taken to the hospital. He was found to have suffered a broken back and continues to receive treatment.
Details from the Metropolitan Police suggest that “offensive language heard by the victim shortly before the assault” so it is being treated as a hate crime.
Detectives have carried out extensive CCTV enquiries to identify the suspect(s).
They would like to hear anyone who witnessed the assault which happened following Pride in London. The area would have been busy at the time. Officers would also like to speak with anyone who helped him off the tube at Stratford.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Community Safety Unit at Westminster via 101.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.
