THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Scotland becomes first country in the UK to approve PrEP on the NHS

    Scotland has become the first country in the UK to approve the use of PrEP on the NHS.

    © marcbruxel Depositphotos

    NHS Scotland will become the first health service in the UK to prescribe PrEP after the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) announced that PrEP, the HIV prevention drug, has been deemed a cost-effective treatment to prevent the transmission of HIV. This means that gay and bisexual men will be able to access the drugs, for free, on the Scottish NHS.

    Ian Howley, CEO of GMFA – the gay men’s health charity said,

    “GMFA welcomes the news that PrEP will become available to those who are most at risk on the NHS in Scotland. Over the past year we have seen statistics that proves PrEP works and is helping in the fight against HIV. In some cases, GUM clinics have seen a 40% drop in new HIV infections. PrEP is the tool that we have been waiting for and I am delighted that gay and bisexual men in Scotland can now access PrEP free on the NHS.”

    Meanwhile, NHS England has decided on running a three-year trial following legal battles in 2016. GMFA today called upon NHS England is drop its trial and follow in the footsteps of its Scottish sister service.

    Ian continues;

    “This decision now calls into question as to why NHS England can not make PrEP available to all that need it and still insist on a three-year trial. We are now calling on NHS England to follow the footsteps of Scotland and provide PrEP to those who are at a higher risk. 

    “Every gay and bisexual man living in the entire UK deserves the right to access PrEP for free on the NHS. It’s time this became a reality. Too many gay and bisexual men are becoming HIV-positive and we now have a tool that can prevent new infections.”

     “We congratulate the PrEP4Scotland Coalition, HIV Scotland, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, Waverley Care, and National AIDS Trust, on their hard work in getting PrEP available to all those who need it in Scotland.”

  • Austin Armacost has a handful

    Normally we’re so used to seeing Austin Armacost’s behind… today he gave us a full frontal.

    Celebrity Big Brother star Austin Armacost has treated his fans to a full frontal, something we’re sure Instagram is going to ban any second. The star, got naked next to a picture of the iconic Amanda Lepore in the Velvet Hotel, in the heart of Manchester, UK.

    To see the image click here (NSFW)

  • Overwhelming majority of gay and bisexual men disaprove of MSM terminlogy

    The rising use of the MSM or Men Who Have Sex With Men terminology has been largely decried by the gay and bisexual male community.

    THEGAYUK recently undertook a survey to ask readers who identify as gay, bisexual and male what they thought of the term “Men Who Have Sex With Men” or the initialism MSM. The term’s use has become more and more prevalent by health organisations, pharmaceutical companies, educational establishments and other specialists when talking about health or sexual issues to do with gay and bisexual men.

    The results were unequivocal. 80 percent of those surveyed said that their preferred term when grouping gay and bisexual men was simply, the usage of “gay and bisexual men”. It was the number one preference by a landslide.

    Only 13 percent of those who took part in the poll replied that MSM was their preferred term. Even less popular was the term Queer men.

    Only 7 percent said that was the preferred terminology.

    When we delved into why MSM was so unpopular. Forty-four percent of those who took part in the poll thought it was “too clinical” whilst 31 percent thought that the terminology added to gay and bisexual erasure. Sixteen percent were keen to point out that organisations wishing to communicate with heterosexuals or non-LGBT people wouldn’t use the terms “men who have sex with women” or “women who have sex with men”.

    Just under 10 percent thought that the term negated other struggles of LGBT people.

    Editor in Chief of THEGAYUK, Jake Hook said,

    “I was told, by one pharmaceutical company that the words “gay” and “bisexual” weren’t reaching all the clients that they were hoping to reach – that “MSM” was more inclusive and less alienating.

    “Well, If a man who is having sex with men, but doesn’t want to label himself as gay or bisexual, I doubt that he’ll gladly attach MSM as a label to himself. I’d argue that MSM actually is alienating those who have come out as gay or bisexual. It’s clunky, it’s purely sexual and it’s already a messaging service from Microsoft.”

     

  • Edward Enninful announced as Vogue’s editor

    Edward Enninful has been announced as Vogue’s first gay male editor.

    Following the departure of Alexandra Schulman the British edition of Vogue, fashion king, Edward Enninful has placed in the top job, making him the first openly gay male editor of the British Condé Nast title.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BPiAgMPBx5t/?taken-by=edward_enninful

    Alexandra Schulman stepped down from her role as Editor in Chief in January after 25 years of editing the title. She was the longest serving editor of the title.

    Ghanian-born Edward moved to London at a young age and grew up in Ladbroke Grove, London. He started his magazine career as the Fashion Director of i-D Magazine when he was just 19. He was there for 20 years. He then worked for W magazine. He has also worked for Italian Vogue and American Vogue under the leadership of Anna Wintour. He also starred in the 2009 hit documentary, The September Issue.

    He was made an OBE for services to diversity in the fashion industry in 2016.

    Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of Condé Nast International, said of the appointment,

    “By virtue of his talent and experience, Edward is supremely prepared to assume the responsibility of British Vogue.”

     

  • Suicides in men with HIV are twice the rate of general population

    Suicides in men with HIV are twice the rate of general population

    A shocking study has found that men living with HIV are more likely to commit suicide than those living without.

    CREDIT: tashatuvango-bigstock

    Around two per cent of men living with HIV are known to commit suicide, this figure is twice as high as seen in the general population. Suicide was most likely to happen within the first year following diagnosis. 

    The new data came from a fifteen-year study of almost 90,000 people diagnosed with HIV in England and Wales, with comparison against the general population. Sara Croxford of Public Health England presented the findings to the British HIV Association conference in Liverpool yesterday.

    Sara Croxford of Public Health England presented the findings to the British HIV Association conference in Liverpool and said,

    “Our findings highlight the need for a reduction in the stigma surrounding HIV, improvements in psychosocial support and routine screening for depression and drug and alcohol misuse, particularly at the time of diagnosis.” 

    Matthew Hodson, Executive Director of NAM aidsmap said,

    “It’s 2017, we have had effective treatment for HIV for over 20 years. By now, nobody should be dying as a result of HIV infection.

    “The shocking data presented at the BHIVA conference demonstrates the importance of testing. Late diagnosis accounts for the majority of HIV related deaths. The data also forcefully shows that there is still much work to be done to challenge the stigma that surrounds an HIV diagnosis.

    “It’s urgent that people know that with treatment someone can have a normal life expectancy. Both people living with HIV and those who are not living with the virus need to know that an undetectable viral load on treatment means that you will not pass the infection on to your sexual partners.

    “More needs to be done to support people disclosing,

    “The viral closet only creates an environment where misinformation and fear flourish. HIV stigma discourages people from accessing testing and honest conversations about what it means to be living with HIV now. HIV stigma is killing people. It must end.”

    By the end of 2012, deaths had been recorded in 6% of the cohort (5302 people), representing an all-cause mortality rate of 118 per 10,000 person years. The death rate was six times greater in people with HIV than in the general population. Delays in testing, linkage to care, and treatment were the major factors that contributed to this increased mortality.

    The most important cause of death was AIDS-defining illnesses (58%), almost always in individuals who were diagnosed very late. Over half of those who died of AIDS had never attended HIV clinical care or had never taken HIV treatment.

    Other causes of death included cancers (8%), cardiovascular disease or stroke (8%), infections (8%), liver disease (5%), substance misuse (3%) and suicide (2%).

    Looking into the 96 deaths from suicide in more detail, 91 occurred in men, with similar rates in gay and heterosexual men. Rates were elevated in injecting drug users, compared to other groups.

    Women’s suicide rates were not higher than those in the general population.

  • Manchester to become first UK city to officially record same-sex domestic abuse reports

    Greater Manchester police will be making history from today as it becomes the first city to officially record domestic abuse reports within the LGBT community.

    Following work between Greater Manchester Police, support service Independent Choices, LGBT Foundation and specialist trainers, code “D66” has been used in GMP’s City of Manchester division since June 2016 to record reports of domestic abuse in the LGBT community.

    Over 100 incidents have been logged in the pilot area since then and from today, Monday 10th April, officers in all areas of Greater Manchester will use the code.

    Since June, police and partners have had extra training to increase their understanding of the different needs of people who find themselves in domestic abuse situations. 

    No other police force in the UK has recorded this information before and it’s hoped that its introduction will add to Greater Manchester’s current work to capture trends and patterns and ultimately tackle the issue and support victims in the most effective way possible.

    Detective Chief Inspector Myra Ball from GMP said,

    “This is a huge step forward in tackling domestic abuse specifically within the LGBT community here in Greater Manchester, and shows our commitment to supporting all victims of domestic abuse in the best way possible, for them.

    “Over the six month pilot in just one area of Greater Manchester we logged over 150 incidents of LGBT domestic abuse. This code will help us to identify and monitor LGBT domestic abuse incidents, which in turn will help us shape any processes needed to tackle it.

    “Across the multiagency partnership we have identified the lack of monitoring in this respect and the partnership has funded a specialist LGBT IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Adviser) at Independent Choices. We are also continuing our work on a national level with the national LGBT domestic abuse helpline at Galop to better understand the issues surrounding domestic abuse in the LGBT community and encourage victims and friends and family of victims to report the issue and have the confidence to come forward.”

    Nik Noone, CEO of Galop said,

    “Domestic abuse does not discriminate, and neither should the reporting of domestic abuse. The GMP’s D66 code will not only help break down barriers to reporting, we hope it will encourage other police forces across the country to roll out similar initiatives. Galop will be working hard to support this key development for LGBT survivors.”

    People in Greater Manchester are encouraged to get comfortable talking about domestic abuse in all its forms – including coercion and control – thanks to the ‘Sitting Right With You’ campaign. The campaign gets people thinking differently about domestic abuse and encourages victims or concerned friends and family to take that first step towards help and support.

  • So just what is the best thing about dating Harry Styles?

    So just what is the best thing about dating Harry Styles?

    Recently on the BBC Radio 1 breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, whilst promoting his debut single, ‘Sign Of The Times’, Harry Styles revealed the best thing about dating him.

    CREDIT: One Direction / YouTube

    Apparently it’s his four nipples!

    “Best trait I don’t know, it’s weird to pick your best, shall we go with the nipples thing? Still got them, managed to keep them. Maybe I just hide them in limited edition albums, like golden tickets. I’ll hold onto them.”

    We must admit that seeing any part of Harry Styles is always the best part of our day also.

    He also mentioned about his upcoming album.

    “I think we wrote about 70 songs. We did 50 songs and ideas in Jamaica and that’s including like little ideas… full songs, I say there are 30 songs probably. I just wanted to not be somewhere that I’d get distracted. It was 360 of writing, you’d go home for dinner, write at the house then go back to the studio. I liked being away from everything and doing it like that.”

    well we can’t wait to hear it and see the cover shots!

  • Stefano Gabbana is really not happy that people are unhappy about his Trump support

    Boo Hoo.

    Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

    One of the world’s richest gay men, Stefano Gabbana has thrown a hissy fit after people made their disappointment known when he showed love for Melania Trump on his Instagram account. He actually told them to “go to hell”.

    It all happened when the fashion designer posted a picture of the first lady, Melania Trump and captioned the picture,

    “#DGWoman BEAUTIFUL ❤❤❤❤❤ #melaniatrump Thank you ??❤❤❤ #madeinitaly?? Thanks to all those who appreciate our work ❤”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BSdXASklYuT/?taken-by=stefanogabbana

    Many of his followers criticised him for his Trump support, to which he curtly wrote, “vai a cagare,” which means “go to hell” in Italian.

    One commenter wrote,

    “The LGBT community have been fighting so hard against these people for their rights. How can you. Unfollow, boycott.” 

    Meanwhile, a number of other high-profile designers have point flat refused to dress the first lady, including Tom Ford and Marc Jacob.

  • Want to see Chris Pratt’s morning wood?

    Oh yes you do…

    It looks as though Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence had a blast filming Passengers, but there was one particular scene that caught our attention… Yep, that moment, Chris Pratt was showing off his morning wood.

    My my my.

    Check out the screengrabs on the next page.

  • Barry Manilow finally comes out as gay

    Barry Manilow has come out as gay, nearly 40 years after striking up a relationship with his male manager.

    Barry Manilow comes out as gay
    CREDIT: S Buckey (C) Depositphotos

    Singer-songwriter, Barry Manilow has come out as gay at the age of 73, two years after it was reported that he married his longtime partner, Garry. The pair reportedly married in 2014, in Palm Springs, however, at the time, the “Mandy” singer’s publicist refused to answer speculation on the reports.

    The singer, who made his name along with Bette Midler in the gay bathhouses of New York City, has never spoken about his sexuality before, but he did tell The Daily Telegraph in 2012, that he wasn’t dating anyone and that he was happily single, despite the fact he was actually with his boyfriend manager.

    It seems as though he’s actually been with his partner for nearly 40 years after they met in 1978, whom he describes as “the smartest person” he’s ever met and “a great guy”. Garry is also Barry’s manager.

    He said that he kept his sexuality secret for so many years for fear of disappointing his fans, although as the People Magazine article notes, it was an “open secret to some in his long-devoted, mostly female fan base”.

    Anyway, THEGAYUK wishes Barry a Happy Coming Out day!

     

     

  • Who wore it better, Marcus Collins or Todrick Hall?

    Soooo, have you been seeing Todrick Hall’s latest pictures of him in his Kinky Boot‘s drag?

    Wowzers.

    You may remember that Marcus Collins starred in the UK version of Kinky Boots last year, well, US star, Todrick Hall is now starring in the US version and he looks pretty darn amazing.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BRJuYtGhqrs/?taken-by=todrick&hl=en

    The US singer, has been playing the role of Lola in Kinky Boots since November 2016. The musical was written by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein.

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/-6liy6H5ll/

     

    What is certain, both lads know how to serve up good face. Just gorgeous!