THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Laurence fox is getting sued after paedophiles tweets

    Laurence fox is getting sued after paedophiles tweets

    One of the people to be called a paedophile by Laurence Fox on Sunday evening, has announced on social media that he has engaged the services of a lawyer to sue Laurence Fox for defamation.

    Simon Blake, who is the deputy chair of one of the UK’s largest LGBT+ charities, Stonewall, said, “I detest racism. Challenging it is important to me, but I will choose my words more carefully in future. I want to be the best ally I can to people impacted by racism

    “Whilst I regret the unnecessary language I used, which is not in line with the way I like to conduct myself, I feel strongly about this issue. In response Mr Fox seriously defamed me and I have instructed Mark Lewis from Patron Law to sue for defamation.”.

    https://twitter.com/Simonablake/status/1313144756713730048

    “Language is powerful”

    In a defense of his words, Fox wrote, “Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia. Here endeth the lesson”.

    He also added, “If the game nowadays is to throw baseless insults and accusations about, then we should all be free to participate.

    Having said that, I have deleted the tweets posted yesterday, in response to being repeatedly, continuously and falsely smeared as a racist, as they just serve as a distraction to the important work that needs to be done.

    https://twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1313040345127702528/photo/1
  • BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Munroe Bergdorf

    BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Munroe Bergdorf

    October 5th Munroe Bergdorf.

    Today’s black LGBT+ icon is Munroe Bergdorf. Munroe is a model and activist who has walked catwalks at London and New York Fashion Week. As an activist, she is outspoken on racism and transphobia.

    Follow Warwickshire Pride on Twitter or Facebook

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  • Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    Royal Vauxhall Tavern backs G-A-Y’s legal challenge to 10 PM curfew

    One of London’s longest-running LGBT+ pubs, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) has backed G-A-Y’s Jeremy Joseph in his quest to legally challenge the controversial restrictions placed on the hospitality sector across the UK, which the government has said is a “necessary measure” to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

    In a message of solidarity, the RVT’s CEO James Lindsay echoed Jeremy Joseph’s comments that the 10 PM curfew “made no sense” adding, “not only us it another massive blow to us as a business, but it also puts our customers at more risk” as the 10 PM kick out means that hundreds of pub and restaurant-goers are forced out into the street at the same time.

    No science to back up the curfew

    four women chatting while sitting on bench
    Photo by ELEVATE on Pexels.com

    They added, “We totally support Jeremy Joseph and the action he has taken with the NTIA (Night Times Industries Association) to hold Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock account for this dangerous and shortsighted action that seems designed to blame the night time industry for increased numbers of Covid-19 cases when there is no science to back it up.”

    Adding her voice, London’s night czar Amy Lamé wrote on social media, “Another weekend of London’s struggling hospitality businesses closing early due to the Govt’s arbitrary curfew. When will @10DowningStreet realise they are part of the SOLUTION, not the problem? @SadiqKhan and I are calling for an urgent review + financial support

  • Laurence Fox deletes tweets after calling people paedophiles on Twitter

    Actor turned politician Laurence Fox has deleted a number of tweets calling people, including the deputy chair of a very well known LGBT+ charity, a soap star and a drag queen paedophiles.

    The actor who made a splash in the Netflix hit, White Lines, went on the attack yesterday and tweeted numerous accusations of paedophilia to people who accused him of being a racist.

    The uproar happened after Fox hit out at Sainsbury’s announcement that shoppers who didn’t want to shop with an inclusive retailer should “shop elsewhere” he claimed that they were promoting “racial segregation and discrimination”.

    Tweets now deleted

    http://gty.im/521922066

    The Tweets have now been deleted, but not before users of Twitter called on the Metropolitan Police to investigate Fox for his Tweets and many users suggesting that the actor should be sued for libel.

    Fox also took aim at a RuPaul Drag Race UK star after she called Fox a “racist” and “snowflake”.

    “Language is powerful”

    Explaining why he wrote the Tweet Fox said, “Language is powerful. To accuse someone of racism without any evidence whatsoever to back up that accusation is a deep slander. It carries the same stigma and reputation destroying harm as accusing someone of paedophilia. Here endeth the lesson”.

    https://twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1312805848935170049

    Actor Charlie Condou, Tweeted, “I’m not sure what point Laurence Fox is making by calling gay people paedophiles but I don’t think it’s going to end well”

    Fox is in the process of starting a new political party, which is thought to be named, Reclaim, but has not been formally announced.

  • G-A-Y has launched a legal challenge to the 10 PM Coronavirus curfew

    G-A-Y has launched a legal challenge to the 10 PM Coronavirus curfew

    Jeremy Joseph who owns the G-A-Y brand has launched a legal challenge to the government’s controversial 10 PM curfew, arguing that it not put forward any scienciftic evidence to show that the new restrictions would work.

    Closures at 10 PM have meant that businesses in the hospitality industry, which are now forced to close, on the dot, at 10 PM have suffered a terrible financial loss. Already numerous LGBT+ bars have had to indefinitely suspend their business or close permanently due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

    The curfew is supposed to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among patrons of venues across the UK, except since its introduction on the 24th September, scenes of overcrowding on streets and public transport have been witnessed across the country as bars and restaurants “kick out” at the exact same time.

    “No sense”

    Speaking to Sky News this morning, Jeremy Joseph said he was launching a judicial review of the new restrictions, saying that the new policy made “no sense” and did the opposite of protecting people.

    He said, “The government has failed to show why the 10 pm curfew was put in place and has published no scientific evidence to substantiate its implementation.”

    He added that he thought that the hospitality industry had been “thrown under a bus” and they hadn’t done anything to protect businesses.

    Striking a balance

    G-A-Y had introduced its “Covid-secure” screening and systems back in July. It included screens around the payment and ordering areas and perspex bubbles for people to sit and drink.

    Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary has defended the measure saying that it was a “necessary measure”.

    A government spokesperson said, “Our measures strike a balance between saving lives by protecting our NHS and the most vulnerable and minimising the wider impact on the economy and schools.

    “The latest data suggests a considerable rise in the infection rate following people socialising in hospitality venues serving alcohol in recent weeks, so we have taken immediate action to cut the transmission rate and save lives and will keep all measures under constant review.

    “The 10pm closure allows people to continue to socialise while reducing the risk of failing to socially distance.”

  • BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Justin Fashanu

    BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Justin Fashanu

    October 4th Justin Fashanu

    Who’s today’s black LGBT+ icon? It’s Justin Fashanu. Justin was the first professional footballer to be openly gay.

    Follow Warwickshire Pride on Twitter or Facebook

    Check out all the icons here

  • Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Football Homophobes convicted after shouting abuse at a match

    Four men have been convicted of a Public Order Act offence after an investigation by the Metropolitan Police and slapped with a £200 fine and are banned from attending future football matches.

    The men were found to have shouted homophobic comments and actions at a West Ham Match in early 2020.

    Police investigated reports of several men shouting homophobic comments or making homophobic actions towards visiting supporters at the West Ham v Brighton & Hove Albion game on 1 February 2020.

    Two men were arrested during the fixture at the London Stadium on the day of the game.

    Thomas Hill, 25 of Slough and Samuel Marshall, 21 of Hornchurch appeared on 3 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court. They pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and were each fined £200 plus costs.

    The investigation continued and two other men were summonsed.

    On 30 September at Thames Magistrates’ Court, Damian Critten, 24, of Rainham and Jack Wood, 25 of London both pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. They were each fined £120 and given three-year football banning orders.

    Chief Inspector Chris Green of Met Operations said, “This investigation and these convictions show that we will not tolerate homophobic behaviour or hate crime at football matches and more broadly in our city.

    “If you have information about people committing these type of despicable offences, please share that information with police. These offenders may happen to support the same football team as you, but they do not deserve your support.”

  • BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Lady Phyll

    BLACK HISTORY MONTH | LGBT+ Icons: Lady Phyll

    October 3rd Lady Phyll

    Today’s black LGBT+ icon is an absolute pioneering powerhouse. It’s Lady Phyll from UK Black Pride. She is a force to be reckoned with and has increased visibility for queer, trans and intersex people of colour (QTIPOC) in the UK and beyond.

    Follow Warwickshire Pride on Twitter or Facebook

    Check out all the icons here

  • Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury’s has told bigots that they can shop elsewhere

    Sainsbury‘s has a long history of speaking out on social issues, including and during Pride season, but for Black History Month, it’s gone a step further, by telling anyone who doesn’t support their inclusive approach can “shop elsewhere”.

    The retail giant has swapped out its Pride logo and replaced it with an equally colourful logo for Black History Month. Black History Month runs in the UK for the whole of October. In the US and around the globe October is actually LGBT+ History Month.

    Posting on social media, Sainsbury’s wrote a thread to communicate how inclusive and diverse they are aiming to be as a company, saying,

    “We are proud to celebrate Black History Month together with our Black colleagues, customers and communities and we ill not tolerate racism.

    “We proudly represent and serve our diverse society and anyone who does not want to shop with an inclusive retailer is welcome to shop elsewhere.”

    Of course, the thread attracted a wide range of comments. Many people took issue with the tone of the retailer’s message, with one writing “How bloody rude! As a long time customer and a loyal customer, I find your tone extremely offensive”

    Another added, “You have just lost my custom”

    Another moaned, “Many thanks for the offensive tweet. I will certainly take your advice and shop elsewhere in future. I would also recommend anyone who like their personal freedoms and does not wish to be preached at by some jumped up shopkeeper to do the same. Bye Bye Sainsbury.”

    Others asked when “white history month” was. An argument which is often heard when talking about the importance of the pride movement.

    “Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views”

    However many people praised Sainsbury’s stance with one confirmed their devotion to the retailer saying “I shop at Sainsbury’s anyway but this just confirms my choice.”

    Writer, speaker and Young Women’s Trust ambassador, Toni Tone said, “So happy to see Sainsbury’s speaking up for what’s right. Anyone offended by this post clearly harbours racist views.”

    https://twitter.com/t0nit0ne/status/1312324744478429184
  • G-A-Y Owner blasts ‘senseless, no logic’ 10 PM curfew

    G-A-Y Owner blasts ‘senseless, no logic’ 10 PM curfew

    The owner of one of the UK’s largest LGBT+ bar and club brands, G-A-Y, has blasted the government over its introduction of the 10 PM curfew, which sees most hospitality venues forced to close at the same time, across the country, in order to curb new cases of Coronavirus.

    Jeremy Joseph took to social media to say that the government’s decision to force all bars and restaurants to close at 10 PM was poorly thought out as it forced thousands of customers on to the streets of cities across the UK at the exact same time, just when the government has been stressing how important it is for people to socially distance themselves.

    He wrote, “On 24th September, the Government imposed a poorly thought 10 pm curfew on the hospitality industry. The curfew makes no sense, as we’ve seen it pushes people out into the streets in large numbers at the same time & packs them into public transport.”

    The 10 PM curfew, which was introduced on the 24th September, has added immense pressure to an already vulnerable sector, which, this year, has had to largely remain closed or trade with ever-increasing restrictions, making it near impossible for many venues to continue to trade. Last week, one LGBT+ bar in Cardiff said it would be closed indefinitely, while there have been reports of permanent closures in other parts of the UK.

    ‘Hospitality is the government’s scapegoat’

    Free-Photos / Pixabay

    Joseph said that he felt that the hospitality sector had been made into a “scapegoat” and added that there was no sense or logic to the curfew.

    He added, “Like so many other bars, pubs & restaurants, G-A-Y has done everything it can to make our venues Covid safe. The Government is forcing us to close Covid safe venues with no justification. It makes no sense!

    “The hospitality industry is being made a scapegoat. There is no sense or logic to this curfew & no publicly available scientific data that supports the curfew.

    “Today, G-A-Y has taken the first step to challenging the government and to stand-up to Matt Hancock and Boris Johnson.”

  • TODAY IN GAY | Priest comes out as gay and is fired immediately by the Vatican

    TODAY IN GAY | Priest comes out as gay and is fired immediately by the Vatican

    Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa, who was 43 at the time, was fired by Vatican officials after coming out as gay and as having a partner. He had been a priest who worked in the Vatican’s doctrinal arm since 2003. He announced his sexuality in an interview with the Italian paper Corriere della Sera.

    Charamsa held a press conference with his Spanish partner to announce his partnership and sexuality. Answering on why the Vatican decided to remove Charamsa from his post said that its decision was nothing to do with his coming out, but that giving an interview and planning a news conference was “grave and irresponsible”.

    Speaking about the Church’s views on homosexuality and how the Church treats gay people he said their views were “inhuman”

    Speaking about his treatment Charamsa said, “It’s time for the Church to open its eyes about gay Catholics and to understand that the solution it proposes to them – total abstinence from a life of love – is inhuman.”

    In a statement about Charamsa’s announcement, the Vatican said,

    “Msgr. Charamsa will certainly be unable to continue to carry out his previous work in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Pontifical universities, while the other aspects of his situation shall remain the competence of his diocesan Ordinary [local bishop].”

    For all gay priests

    Embed from Getty Images

    Charamsa “dedicated” his coming out to all gay priests, adding, “I wish them happiness even if I know that most of them will not have the courage to make the gesture I have made today.”