THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Austin Armacost just tweeted a “chubby” picture and the internet dragged him for it

    Reality star Austin Armacost just tweeted a picture of him with no six pack or bulge – and the internet is not sorry for him.

    The normally buff Austin Armacost appeared a little less ripped yesterday when he posted a picture of himself whilst on a boat, wearing only swimming shorts. In the post, the Celebrity Big Brother star captioned that he “loved” his body, despite not having a six-pack, bulging biceps and being “a little chubby”.

    Well, the internet reacted and they weren’t showing the love for Austin or the post, with some suggesting that the post was damaging to his more impressionable fan base.

    The post was liked over 4,000 times, but some felt his post just didn’t hit home just right.

     

    During his time in Celebrity Big Brother, Austin made an impact with his muscular body and choice of clothing – or lack of!

    Austin enjoying his time in the Big Brother house. He’s known for his skimpy and figure hugging attire – and spent much of his time in the BB house in various states of undress.

     

  • France picks AIDS drama ‘120 Beats Per Minute’ for Oscar bid

    France has selected Robin Campillo’s “120 Beats Per Minute”, this year’s Grand Prix winner at the Cannes Film Festival, as its submission in the best foreign-language film category of the Oscars.

    A tribute to direct-action group ACT UP, Campillo’s new feature is a deeply moving drama about gay activists striving to live life to the fullest… (more…)

  • What time does Worcestershire Pride 2017 start?

    2017 marks the very first Worcestershire Pride… Here are the start times and locations of everything that’s happening over the weekend.

    What time does Worcestershire Pride 2017 start?

    On the 23rd September, Worcester will play host to Worcestershire Pride 2017 – there will also be an LGBT+ Arts Festival in the run-up to the day. The pride event itself starts at midday.

    Is there a Parade for Worcestershire Pride

    This is no parade for Worcestershire Pride – all the activities take place at The Fountains and Copenhagen Street Car Park, South Quay, Worcester until 8 PM. A statement from the organisers of the event said,

    “On September 23rd, 2017, we’ll be running the first Worcestershire Pride event down by the riverfront in Worcester. We’re also running an LGBT+ Arts Festival in the run-up to the main day event and various fundraisers to unite the community whilst raising community funds for Worcestershire Pride”.

    What’s available at Worcestershire Pride?

    On the day there will be a dance tent, a family area, market stalls and a main stage. Local bar, Browns at the Quay, are providing bar services for the day, With Worcester’s premier gay bar, The Flag, Providing a second bar and club tent.

    Fortis Living is providing a family fun area for those bringing youngsters with them. The University of Worcester has given funding so that we can also provide a “quiet” tent for those in our community who may need to to take a break from the crowds and noise due to mental health issues, being on the autistic spectrum or those with guide dogs who need to rest and have some water.

    Who’s performing at Worcestershire Pride?

    Live entertainment from our main stage on the day from 12 noon until 8 PM.

    Hosted by local legends, Their Royal Highness: Princx and Ginny “Fancy a Slice” Lemon (as seen on this year’s X Factor)

    We have live performances from Zara Sykes, Beth Prior, Nth Cave, Elea Calvet, Jenna Davinci, Wymsical Theatre, Stuart Woolfenden, Reigns, Dan Brown, George Howes, Yshee Black, Whoofy Powder, Roosa & Jared.

    With X Factor alumni, Freddy Parker headlining the day.

    Does it cost anything to go to Worcestershire Pride?

    Worchestershire Pride is completely free to attend, although if you want to donate, you are, of course, welcome to do so! You can find out more about Worcestershire Pride at their website.

  • 11 things that guarantee you won’t get a second date with the man of your dreams

    It’s a blooming minefield.

    So you’re out on a hot sizzling date with Bob from accounts  (probably not called Bob and he probably doesn’t work in accounts). He’s the man of your dreams. He’s the one you dream about, to quote from a Whitney song.

    So in order to nab yourself a second date here’s eleven things you should definitely NOT do…

    Choose a restaurant for your first date

    The best plan is to leave him wanting more. Drinks after work is a great option. Choose somewhere central to you both and somewhere public. The problem with dinner is that it’s long. If you suddenly realise halfway through your garlic bread starter that you’ve absolutely nothing in common with the fella in front of you – the reach to your chocolate sundae pud will feel as long as Cher’s career. Drinks mean you can make an escape after one if you need to – or extend if you’re loving it.

    Drinks mean you can make an escape after one if you need to – or extend if you’re loving it.

    Arrive late

    Nothing is more annoying than someone arrives late. It’s disrespectful and could be a sign of being controlling. Obviously sometimes running late can’t be helped if that’s the case send him a quick text to say you’ll be there ASAP.

    Keeping your phone on and checking Insta/Grindr/Texts/Snapchat

    Leave the phone alone. There’s a real-life person sitting in front of you who wants to get to know you better.

    Editor of THEGAYUK.com Jake Hook admitted, “I once went on a date with a guy who spent 45 minutes of our 1-hour lunch date on the phone ‘doing business deals’ in the other 15 minutes he told me that he had just undergone treatment for syphilis and texted someone else 10 times. He actually called later that day, to say he wanted to meet again… Needless to say, he was the catch I let slip away.”

    Call him a DILF

    You know what if the guy that sitting opposite you is a few years older than you, it’s probably not okay to call him a “Daddy” or DILF. Unless of course, he’s made it known that he wants that kind of relationship with you.

    And while we’re on Daddy issues

    Bestselling Bonkbuster author Rebecca Chance suggests not talking about your Daddy issues… On a first date, she advises, “Don’t talk about the terrible relationship you had with you Dad” and then, “talking about your therapy due to the above” is also a one-way ticket to dumpsville.

    Hinting that your ex-had a big penis

    Rebecca Chance, says talking about your ex, is a no-no… Especially talking about the size of his appendage. It will make him think that you’re not trustworthy. Keep it vague, keep it breezy. Remember there are always two sides to every story – yours is just one of them.

    Bitching about your ex

    For the same reasons for talking about his penis size. People looking for a relationship aren’t looking for a bitchy, hung-up-on-ex boyfriend. Clean your slate and start each relationship afresh.

    Get political

    They say there are three things you should stay clear of in conversation, Sex, Politics and religion, which, let’s face it is the only things worth talking about, however writer Matt Porter relives, “had a date once with someone and ended up as a debate about Brexit! Although even simply declaring an interest in Britain First would be enough to push me over the edge”.

    Also, probs best not to talk about religion. Wait till the second or third…

    Drink more than two drinks

    It’s best not to be a complete drunk on your first date. Keep it classy.

    Interrupting him

    For god sakes let the man talk. Remember conversation is a two-way street.

    Having the sex talk can help form trust, a bond and ultimately lead to great sex between the two of you.

    To sex or not to sex

    Is this a booty call or no? It’s likely that you’re aware of what kind of date this is, but if it’s a sex date, there’s a couple of rules. 1) If you’re going back to yours – make sure it’s tidy and smells nice. 2) Make sure you have lube and condoms to hand – even on your person… Check out our list of 9 things every guy needs in his bedside drawer. 3) Have the sex health chat upfront and talk about what you like and what you don’t. Talking about that kind of stuff can help form trust, a bond and ultimately lead to great sex between the two of you.

  • Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    There has been a shocking surge in homophobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    Homophobic bullying doubles in Manchester schools in two years

    A report released by Liberal Democrat, John Leech shows a shocking increase in homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools. Nearly 700 incidents were recorded in the last six years. John Leech called the increase “upsetting”.

    The report also highlights that there were just 8 reports of homophobic bullying in 2010/11 to 160 in 2015/16.

    The former Manchester MP of ten years submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) enquiry to every high school in the city and has said it is “depressingly clear” that homophobic and transphobic bullying is here to stay.

    Of the 42 high schools in Manchester, 36 responded to the legal request. Mr Leech also raised concerns at the number of schools who had reported zero incidents in the last five years, saying that schools may be too worried to come forward with the real numbers.

    Of the 25 schools that did respond, a worrying trend showed incidents doubling in the last two years, from 76 in 2012-13 to a staggering 160 in 2015-16.

    Reports of bullying ranged from name-calling to physical assault.

    John Leech, who led the successful campaign to pardon war hero Alan Turing, said: “Bullying of any kind is completely unacceptable but to still have homophobia and transphobia rife in Manchester’s schools is deplorable.

    “I have fought for LGBTQ+ rights my whole life and these numbers are really, really upsetting to see.”

    Leech designed the Bill and led the campaign to pardon Alan Turing, whom he said was a “hero”, and whose conviction for homosexuality he slammed as “utterly disgusting and ultimately just embarrassing”. He went on to secure the pardon for the 50,000+ other men convicted of similar offences and led the campaign to outlaw homophobic chanting at football matches.

    Now Mr Leech has turned his attention to what appears to be a concerning spike and consistent rise in teenage bullying. In 2010-11 there were just 8 reports but continued to rise steadily to 160 in 2015-16.

    The reports highlights the staggering increase in the number of reports of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s secondary schools.

    The information for the year 2016-17 only covers until January but there were already 134 incidents making it set to be the worst year yet. In total there were 666 reported incidents of homophobic and transphobic bullying in Manchester’s high schools from 2010-17.

    But that doesn’t cover the full story. 17 schools either refused to answer the FOI Request or reported zero incidents – something Mr Leech raises significant doubt over: “Whilst this is concerning, it is much better that schools are transparent with their reports. Schools that came back with 0 reports can only be misleading in what is clearly a worrying trend across the city. We have to be realistic about the issue here and sweeping it under the carpet helps no one.”

    In an emotional speech at the Liberal Democrats conference in Bournemouth the former MP added: “We have absolutely no right to claim we live in a decent society when this kind of behaviour is still rife in our schools.”

    Mr Leech pledged to work with schools, LGBTQ+ groups and local communities to further promote equal rights and said that he would commit himself and his party to “virtually anything” to tackle the growing problem in Manchester’s schools.

  • Could your commute be making you ill?

    Scientists have discovered the cocktail of germs and bacteria being picked up by people on Britain’s public transport every day.

    Could your commute be making you ill?

    Millions could be leaving themselves open to skin infections, respiratory infections and even food poisoning.

    A test of surfaces touched daily by commuters and tourists on London’s tube system was commissioned by Coldzyme to highlight the number of germs and bacteria we come into contact with every day.

    A commuter used the Tube wearing a white glove and touched surfaces such as chip and pins pads on ticket machines, handrails on escalators and stairs and grab-handles in tube carriages.

    Dr Jacob Malone, joint group leader at the university for East Anglia and the John Innes Centre then analysed the glove and found a mixture of bacteria and fungi.

    Among the bugs found were bacteria from the Staphylococcus species, including S. aureus – which can cause skin infections, respiratory infections such as sinusitis and food poisoning.

    Bacteria from the Pseudomonas species was also identified, including P. aeruginosa, which is a common, opportunistic pathogen.

    While it’s not generally a threat to healthy people, it can cause infections in those whose immune systems are weakened or compromised in some way.

    There were also some other proteobacterial species such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, of which some can cause diseases such as food poisoning, although many do not do this.

    Several different fungi, which are spread by spores floating around in the air and on surfaces, were also found.

    Dr Jacob Malone, said: “The range of bacterial species we isolated was quite large, with many different species, and many shapes, sizes and colours of colonies present.

    “The bacterial colonies we see on the plates only represent a tiny subset of the different species that were likely to be present in each case, as the vast majority of bacterial species cannot be grown up in the lab.

    “What we found was totally normal for any set of surfaces that come into contact with people daily.

    “The whole world is teeming with bacteria and fungi, and this is a normal and healthy situation.

    “Only a small fraction of the bacteria in any environment are dangerous, and even then, only in specific situations.

    “Obviously, people should exercise proper care and attention, and I would not recommend eating food that has dropped on the subway floor or licking the furniture, but there is no particular cause for alarm.”

    A spokesman for Coldzyme added: “As we go about our day-to-day lives, we come into contact with a host of germs and bacteria, particularly in public spaces such as the transport network or our work places.

    “Whether it’s a bacteria that can cause an infection or sickness bug or a simple cold virus, any one of them has the potential to leave to feeling at least a little under the weather.

    “Protecting yourself as much as possible from the harmful germs and bacteria is the best defence, by doing things such as wearing gloves, covering your mouth and nose when your sneeze and washing your hands regularly.

    by Gemma Francis

  • Brilliant… Then we’re all good then… W1A makes a return

    The brilliant comedy, W1A has returned for the third series – and we’re loving it.

    It turns out that there was film in the camera after all, therefore W1A is set to return to BBC Two for a third series of the award-winning comedy written and directed by John Morton.

    This is the year in which the BBC’s Royal Charter is up for renewal. The charter renewal process gives the BBC an opportunity to question everything it does and ask the question whether there is any point to doing any of it anymore. At the heart of this process is the charter renewal group, chaired by Head of Values Ian Fletcher (played by Hugh Bonneville).

    Working alongside Ian in order to help him reset the dial for everyone in the corporation and shine a new light on that dial, or at least shine the old light but with a new bulb so nobody can be in any doubt where the dial is or have any excuse for not being able to read what it says are Anna Rampton, Director of Better (played by Sarah Parish); Simon Harwood, Director of Strategic Governance (played by Jason Watkins); Siobhan Sharpe, Joint CEO of FUN Media (played by Jessica Hynes); David Wilkes, Commissioning Editor Primetime Factuality (played by Rufus Jones); Izzy Gould, Development Executive (played by Ophelia Lovibond); Will Humphries, Assistant to Ian Fletcher (played by Hugh Skinner); Lucy Freeman, Head of Inclusivity (played by Nina Sosanya); Neil Read, Current Head of News and Current Affairs (played by David Westhead) and Tracey Pritchard, Senior Communications Officer (played by Monica Dolan).

    W1A is on Monday nights, 10 PM on BBC 2

  • Brazil just ruled that being gay is a disease

    A court in Brazil has ruled that gay cure therapy is legal

    Despite having one of the largest LGBT+ prides in the world, a court in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, has ruled that homosexuality is a disease and that so-called “gay cure” therapy is legal.

    Judge Waldemar Claudio de Carvalho ruled that homosexuality can be treated as a disease and that conversion therapy as a means of curing it, is legal. The ruling has caused widespread condemnation and concern amongst LGBT+ people and their allies.

    The judge overruled a 1999 resolution which outlawed therapists from treating homosexuality.

    The appeal on that resolution was put forward by an evangelical Christian, Rozangela Justino, who was banned from practising after offering conversion therapies.

    A number of high-profile organisations and people have rallied against the ruling saying that they will appeal the decision. Toni Reis, who heads the National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Alliance, said the ruling was a step in the wrong direction plans to appeal at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

    Brazil’s psychology council says it would appeal the injunction also.

    Speaking to the Guardian, David Miranda, a gay councillor in Rio de Janeiro said,

    “This decision is a big regression to the progressive conquests that the LBGT community had in recent decades”.

    Brazil also has one of the highest crime and murder rates against LGBT+ people in the world. In 2016 it was recorded that one LGBT+ person was killed every day in Brazil.

     

     

  • TV star, Brandon Flynn comes out

    13 Reasons Why actor, Brandon Flynn has come out in an emotional Instagram post.

    The actor, who is most notable for his character, Justin Foley in the hit Netflix series, 13 Reason Why just came out in an Instagram post aimed at those who are against same-sex marriage in Australia. The Australian actor, who is 23,  was spurred on to come out following the No vote campaigns currently active in Australia.

    One such message was a “vote no” message which was written in the sky. Although the star didn’t specifically mention whether he identified as gay or bisexual, he did include himself within the LGBT+ community in his passionate message.

    He wrote,

    “Just saw the “vote no” message in the sky, looming over Sydney.

    “Thank you for raising money and hiring on a plane to write your lack of support amongst the clouds. I hope your hate and lack of understanding fades, just like those words will.

    Brandon Flynn talked passionately about the stigma that many in the LGBT+ community faces.

    He continued,

    “Too many of my friends have been kicked out of their homes, kept in the closet, beat up, killed, ridiculed by church and state, institutionalized… and you are scared that if we vote YES, you won’t be able to show your hate for Us. Fu*k that.

    “We’ve been scared sh*tless our whole lives thanks to all the stigmas that surround Us, stigmas that were set in place by the same kind of people who flew that plane over Sydney.

    “We’ve fought, we’ve come out bravely even in our fear, and you wrote a message in the sky because you’re scared. Equality takes courage, it worries me that too many people in this world lack the balls to stand up for what is right.

    Brandon isn’t the first gay cast member from 13 Reasons Why – his co-star Tommy Dorfman also came out as gay.

    You can catch up with 13 Reasons Why on Netflix now.

  • ADVICE | My penis has started to curve is this normal?

    Has your penis started to bend or curve at a strange angle? Is intercourse getting painful?

    ADVICE | My penis has started to curve is this normal?

    A small percentage of men find that their penises will start to bend or curve,  Jackie Hall, Health at Hand operations manager at AXA PPP healthcare gives us some insight into the condition known as Peyronie’s disease.

    About 5 percent of men over the age of 50 will develop a condition of the penis called Peyronie’s disease. This is a benign but potentially emotionally upsetting condition in which scar tissue develops on the shaft of the penis sometimes resulting in a penile bend noticeable with erections.

    This can lead to sexual dysfunction with in some cases the affected man avoiding a sexual relationship altogether.

    A proportion of affected men will find erections and intercourse too painful although others will simply notice a lump on the shaft of the penis or a minor painless penile bend which does not cause too much trouble.

    Unfortunately there are no really effective cures for this condition, however, we recommend visiting a GP for a more detailed assessment.

  • French and Saunders make a BBC return

    French and Saunders are reuniting…

    To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their show, Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French are reuniting for a Christmas special. Their last series aired just over a decade ago in 2007. The first series aired in 1987.

    Speaking to the Mirror, Dawn French said,

    “There’s some Handmaid’s Tale in there. We had fun with some of the costumes.”

    Fans can also expect to see a parody of drunken reality TV shows, with French admitting that she was quite shocked by some of the behaviours of some of the contestants and cast in those type of shows.

    It is expected that the show will air on BBC 1 on Christmas Day.