THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • When is International Non-Binary Day in 2021?

    When is International Non-Binary Day in 2021?

    International Non-Binary Day or #NonBinaryPeoplesDay as it became known in 2020, is an annual day to celebrate and bring visibility to people who are non-binary in the LGBT+ community. It is a relatively new awareness day in the LGBT+ calendar.

    In 2021 International Non-Binary Day takes place on Wednesday 14th July 2020 and is observed all over the world.

    When is Non Binary day in 2021
    gagnonm1993 / Pixabay

    The International Non-Binary day was first celebrated in 2012, making it one of the newest LGBT+ celebration or memorial days in the LGBT+ diary. It takes place on this day because it is, precisely midpoint from International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day.

    What are the colours of the Non-Binary flag?

    The Non Binary flag consist of 4 colours in horizontal stripes. Yellow, White Purple and Black.

    Can you buy non-binary jewellery or gifts?

    Yes, there are many stores which have gifts which have the non-binary colours assigned to them. Check out the amazing non-binary gift and jewellery range from our partner site, The Pride Shop.

    To find out other days in the LGBT+ calendar click here.

  • Christopher Biggins reveals what his career highlight is

    Christopher Biggins reveals what his career highlight is

    And it wasn’t that controversial appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

    Despite the fact that his appearance on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here was 13-years-ago, Christopher Biggins says that nothing has topped that experience.

    Speaking to celebrity event planner Liz Taylor, on her Events That Made Me podcast, star of the stage and screen, Biggins, has hailed his appearance on ITV’s flagship reality show, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, as the ‘highlight of his career’.

    The 71-year-old revealed that, despite having been cast in rich and varied roles during a career that spans four decades, he deems his trip to the Australian jungle to be the pinnacle of success.

    He told Liz, “You may be surprised for me to say to you, but probably the highlight of my career has been I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. It really is. Because, not only having won it, which was fantastic to win because it was the public voting for it. It changed my life in so many ways. It was a wonderful experience. The jungle, a lot of people either hate or they love. I loved it. It was fantastic.” 

    “It was 13 years ago and I’m still living off it. It was such a strong year and people still come up to me and say, ‘oh we loved it when this happened in the jungle’ and so that is very important to me.” 

    The revelation is perhaps even more unlikely given that during the discussion, which airs on July 15, 2020 at https://podfollow.com/etmm-liz-taylor, Biggins also speaks in detail of his friendship with author/actress Joan Collins and the doors this has opened for him, including an occasion where he was to keep watch for Frank Sinatra while he smoked a cigarette.

    Embed from Getty Images

    “There were stars everywhere. My table was me sitting next to Shakira Cain, sitting next to Frank Sinatra, sitting next to Barbara Davis (our hostess), sitting next to George Burns… and Dan Ackroyd. I thought to myself, if my mother could see me sitting one away from Frank Sinatra, I mean, I couldn’t believe it.”

    “At the end of dinner, he [Frank Sinatra] said for me to go out into the hallway. He wanted to have a cigarette and his wife didn’t like it, so I had to stand guard, and we had another fabulous discussion.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Of course, Biggins has had many features on TV, none more controversial than his appearance on the celebrity version of Big Brother.

    In 2016 his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother was cut short after a number of controversial statements. There were just 11 complaints to Ofcom following a comment he made about bisexual people.

    Since then his appearances on celebrity-based TV shows has wained. However, he did also perform in the Ab Fab movie in 2016.

  • Funeral fundraiser for victims of Terror attack reaches over £15,000

    Funeral fundraiser for victims of Terror attack reaches over £15,000

    The official fundraiser, created by Reading Pride to help the families of James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails who all sadly died after an attack in Reading has reached over £15,000.

    A fundraiser by Reading Pride on behalf of the victims of the incident in Forbury Park where three men sadly lost their lives nearly a month ago, has raised in excess of £15,000 to help with funeral costs and a permanent tribute. Over six hundred people have donated to the fundraiser, which at the time of publishing stood at £15,335.

    Permanent Tribute

    It is also hoped that the funds raised will go towards a permanent tribute to the three men in Forbury Gardens in Reading town centre, where the three were killed.

    The park has now reopened for reflection and tributes.

    The fundraiser page has a statement which reads,

    “With the tragic event within our community in Reading on Saturday 20th June 2020, we’re hoping to raise some money and funds to help support the families for funeral costs.

    “As well as a permanent tribute within Forbury Gardens, so everyone has a physical memento to remember the tragic loss of lives that have occurred.”

    Three died, multiple people were injured

    James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails were all enjoying an evening in Forbury Gardens when, according to witnesses at the park, their attacker approached them and others, with what has been described as a 5-inch knife.

    Terror suspect, Khairi Saadallah is accused of murdering James Furlong, 36, David Wails, 49, and Joe Ritchie-Bennett, 39, on the evening of 20th June in Forbury Gardens. Saadallah is also charged with the attempted murder of three other people. His trial is set for late November.

    To donate, click here

  • James Dreyfus hits out at journo who called ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’ too offensive

    The Gimme Gimme Gimme star slammed a MyLondon column after the writer called it “too offensive to be made today”.

    Gimme Gimme Gimme was a comedy released in the late 90s and early 00s and starred James Dreyfus and Kathy Burke. The show was written by Jonathan Harvey who also wrote the landmark film Beautiful Thing. The sitcom centred around a gay flatmate (Tom) and his flatmate Linda LaHughes, played by Kathy Burke. Undoubtedly its humour was what made it essential viewing for many LGBT+ people and helped it garner cult status during the early part of this century.

    However, it was criticised by Danielle Manning on MyLondon.news. Manning wrote that they were left giggling and cringing “in equal measure” as some of the jokes were “frankly be a bit offensive today” and stated that some of the “one-liners actually come off as offensive by today’s standards”.

    James however, took to twitter to thank Danielle for the compliments, but adding that criticising Gimme Gimme Gimme for its social commentary, “a bit like writing an essay on Scooby-Doo being ‘problematic’.

    It seemed as many of James’ followers agreed with his sentiments, saying that it was their goto program for a laugh. One fan added that the show was a “breakthrough show” saying it was “great to have some representation on tv”.

  • Joey Graceffa and his boyfriend Daniel Preda have split

    Joey Graceffa and his boyfriend Daniel Preda have split

    The pair shared in an emotional video that they’ve split and some fans can’t cope.

    YouTuber Joey Graceffa and his now ex-boyfriend, Daniel Preda have announced that they’ve officially split after being together for six years.

    In an incredibly emotional and revealing 14-minute video, which they called “We broke up” the pair discuss their break up, revealing that they actually broke up 3 months ago saying that neither of them had been happy for a while and that the lack of distractions had forced them to make some tough decisions about their relationship.

    Daniel admitted that they had been living apart and now had his own home and said the dismantling of six years together was extremely hard.

    The couple assured their fans that they had nothing but “love and admiration” for each other. “We want to stay in each other’s lives and be friends past this,” Joey added.

    Their fans were quick to console the couple, with many expressing how 2020 couldn’t get any worse.

    One user commented, “Me: 2020 can’t get any worse 2020: hold my virus, Parallel universe, hornets, more racism, world war 3” while another added, “2020: Kobe Died 2020: COVID-19 2020: Delays 2020: Hornets 2020: Racism 2020: THIS”

    Joey and Daniel confirmed their relationship in 2016, a year after Joey came out as gay on his YouTube channel.

  • Where can I buy LGBT inspired facemasks?

    Where can I buy LGBT inspired facemasks?

    Mandatory face coverings are going to become a thing across the UK – it’s already a requirement on public transport and in Scotland, you must wear a covering when shopping. As lockdown restrictions continue to be eased, and we’re all able to open up our social bubbles, it seems that face coverings are one of the ways we’re being told that can reduce coronavirus infections.

    Although it’s important to remember that wearing a face mask doesn’t necessarily stop you for catching the virus, but does help reduce the spread of the virus.

    With signals that Boris Johnson could be ordering a face-covering rule for the UK, we look at where you can buy an LGBT+ inspired face covering and supporting LGBT+ businesses while you’re at it.

    [totalpoll id=”120296″]

    If you want to keep it simple, our partner shop THE PRIDE SHOP has these simple rainbow face masks for just £4.00. A donation to The Pride Shop’s Pride Fund is made from each sale.

    Buy rainbow face masks.

    Then if you want to go handmade, The Pride Shop also has these gorgeous, handmade, Reusable Rainbow Face Masks by Made With Love By Jenny. They’re just £12.00 and they come with a Rainbow Holographic Keyring. Each one is unique, very much like the wearer. A donation to The Pride Foundation UK is made from each sale.

    Barcode, the well-known LGBT brand has come up with a variety of different designs and you can buy them from Fetch.

    There’s also this rainbow inspired Face mask by CODE 22.

    Then if you want to get a little more creative there are some fabulous designs over on Etsy, like these Marlon Brando or Linda LaHughes designs.

    What about a progress pride flag? This one is available on Redbubble

    The official Tom of Finland store has a variety of designs available including this Double Scorpio “Poppers” protective mask.

    Need emotional support? We’ve set up a special COVID-19 page with helpful resources.

  • The EU’s most anti-LGBT+ leader has been reelected in Poland

    The EU’s most anti-LGBT+ leader has been reelected in Poland

    In a blow to LGBT+ rights activists in Poland, Andrzej Duda from the far-right wing Law and Justice Party has won the presidential election. However, he only won the election with a tiny majority, with only 51.2 per cent of the votes.

    Duda ran an electoral campaign which heavily vilified the LGBT+ community, calling it a “destructive” force.

    flag of poland
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

    The tiny majority is the tightest win Poland has ever had. Rafal Trzaskowski, the current major of Warsaw, who runs on a liberal platform narrowly lost with 48.8 per cent of the vote.

    During Duda’s campaign, he signed one of the most anti-LGBT charters in the EU against what he calls the “LGBT Ideology”, which he said was “more destructive than communist indoctrination”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    The charter defends the “institution of marriage” which means that there is no acceptance of gay marriage.

    He’ll also refuses to accept allowing gay couples to adopt children.

    Poland has the worst LGBT+ rights for any EU country

    Poland’s lags way behind its fellow EU countries when it comes to LGBT+ rights according to Rainbow-Europe.org. It has just a 15.8 per cent approval rating, compared to Malta which sits at the top with nearly 90 per cent approval. Neighbouring countries to Poland, Lituania, Belarus, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all fall well below 50 per cent on the scale.

  • Reddit just purged a lot of subreddits that criticised trans people

    Reddit just purged a lot of subreddits that criticised trans people

    Reddit has purged a huge amount of forums recently. Yesterday it banned numerous subreddits, many of which were gender critical, trans-exclusionary or part of an anti-transgender movement.

    Reddit is one of the largest forum websites in the world. It has hundreds of thousands of pages dedicated to thousands of topics, with millions of users.

    As part of an ongoing clean up of its website, Reddit banned numerous forums yesterday (10th July), which homed thousands of threads of conversations with regards to the validity of transgender identities and gender expression.

    Here’s the list of subreddits that were banned that Reddit said had broken its guidelines on “promoting hate”.

    r/ItsAFetish
    r/TrueLesbians
    r/GCDebatesQT
    r/ActualWomen
    r/TERFIsASlur
    r/GenderCriticalGuys
    r/GenderCritLesbians
    r/LGBDropTheT
    r/TrollGC
    r/ActuallyNotLesbians
    r/ThisNeverHappens
    r/BecauseTrans
    r/CisPrivilegeIsALie
    r/TransgenderKids
    r/GenderCriticalTheory
    r/GC_WoC
    r/GenderCynicalCritical
    r/ThereAreTwoGenders

    The ban included LGB specific reddits. Some of the LGB groups think that the T should be dropped from the LGBT+ acronym, very much like the Get the L out campaign which disrupted Pride In London in 2018 or the LGB Alliance on Twitter.

    • r/LGBDropTheT
    • r/TrueLesbians
    • r/GetTheLOut
    • r/UncensoredLGBT
    • r/gendercritlesbians were all part of the ban.

    Detrans is a forum that was initially banned for around an hour but was later reinstated. Its purpose is to give those people who detransition a forum to talk about their lives and journies.

    A week ago, Reddit made headlines after it deleted dozens of forums for hate speech.

    It is thought that Reddit has now deleted around 2000 of its forums.

  • This London Gay Sauna has announced post-lockdown opening date

    This London Gay Sauna has announced post-lockdown opening date

    One of the UK’s busiest gay bathhouses has announced its plans to open for the first time since non-essential businesses were ordered to close by the UK’s government.

    As the UK’s businesses start, slowly to come back to life, after 100 days of lockdown due to the Coronavirus, many customers are eager for some businesses to re-open, particularly in the LGBT+ sector. One of the last business types to reopen is the sauna.

    Now, Pleasuredrome in London has given fans of the gay sauna hope, by announcing it is planning to reopen and welcome back patrons by the middle of summer.

    In a statement sent via its mailing list, Pleasuredrome, one of the UK’s busiest gay bathhouses announced its plans to reopen in August – although no specific date was given. We will, of course, update if a specific date is published. The sauna closed back on March 17th.

    The pledge to reopen was made after the UK’s government said it was further relaxing restrictions on yet more businesses including swimming pools and gyms. These lifted restrictions only apply in England as the devolved administration in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are setting their own timetable for reopenings.

    From the 13th July close contact services such as spas and massage parlours will be allowed open in England.

    From the 25th July sport facilities and venues will be allowed to open, “subject to evidence closer to the time”

    Many businesses in England have returned, albeit will COVID-secure restrictions including physical distancing measures and limiting the number of people permitted in the building. Bars and pubs were allowed to reopen last weekend, however, nightclubs are still not permitted to open.

  • People have been considering what a Joe Exotic presidency might have looked like

    People have been considering what a Joe Exotic presidency might have looked like

    There was a point where Tiger King star Joe Exotic was running for the presidency in the US… Now people have been wondering what that might have looked like if he had actually won.

    In 2016 Joe ran a presidential campaign as an independent candidate in Colorado and received 962 votes.

    So taking to his official Twitter account, his husband, Dillon asked Joe’s fans, what they thought Joe’s first act as president would have been… the answers were hilarious.

    https://twitter.com/joe_exotic/status/1278101897254178824

    Unsurprisingly there’s was running theme in the imaginings of his fans and many of the responses centred around one person.

    Carole Baskin’s name was brought up quite a lot in the thread of ideas of a Joe Exotic presidency would have looked like.

    https://twitter.com/theHolyToast5/status/1278829533462921217
    https://twitter.com/LiamCol69357714/status/1278106529200320514

    During the Netflix documentary series, Tiger King, the feud between Carole Baskin and Joe Exotic was a central theme and Joe’s dislike for the big-cat rights activist was pretty intense.

    However, people did have other suggestions for a Joe Exotic presidency, one person suggested that the White House lawns could be turned in an animal enclosure, while another suggested that the “USA would never financially recover from it”.

  • Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita become dads for the first time

    Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita become dads for the first time

    The Modern Family star and his husband have just welcomed their first child into the world.

    The 44-year-old actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita (34) confirmed that they have become fathers to a child they have called, Beckett Mercer Ferguson-Mikita.

    Embed from Getty Images

    “The new parents are overjoyed and excited for this new journey as a family of three,” Ferguson’s representative told People. 

    Jesse and Justin got married way back in 2013 in Manhattan.

    Beckett was born on the 7th July.

    Congrats!