The new Star Trek, which comes out this month has a gay character in it – but it’s not a newbie and it’s super low key.
CREDIT: paramount pictures
Sulu is apparently gay. Who knew? Apparently this is a known thing for some in ST world, but Sulu is like properly coming out in this new film. Although it’s not a big song a dance moment.
Sulu, who was originally played by George Takei, himself gay in real life, is now portrayed by John Cho – and in the new movie is shown with his same-sex partner and his daughter.
Speaking about his character’s sexuality Cho said,
“I liked the approach, which was not to make a big thing out it, which is where I hope we are going as a species, to not politicise one’s personal orientations,” said Cho.
The candidate, who if successful, will become the unelected leader of the UK, called the laws “divisive” and “absurd” in 2013 and maintained in an interview this morning on ITV that marriage was, “a Christian service that was for men and women who wanted to commit in the eyes of God”.
During her interview Leadsom said,
“I believe the love of same-sex couples is as every bit as valuable that of opposite sex couples – absolutely committed to that. But nevertheless, my own view actually, is that marriage in the biblical sense is very clearly from the many many Christians who wrote to me on this subject – in their opinion – can only be between a man and a woman.”
She said that she would have preferred for civil partnerships to be made available to both gay and heterosexual couples.
She continued,
“I think we’ve muddled the terms of marriage, civil partnership, church etc. I would have liked that to have been clarified.I didn’t really like the legislation – that was the problem. But I absolutely support gay marriage.”
The presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump has now flip flopped on his HB2 stance, insinuating to Fox news that White House directives shouldn’t protect tiny parts of the population and that civil protections should be left to individual states.
HB2 bans all LGBT+ right ordinances in North Carolina.
In March North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a law which would allow business owners to discriminate against LGBT people on the grounds of religious belief.
The law also requires trans people to use the public toilet that aligns with the gender that is on their birth certificate.
Previously Trump had said that the law was unnecessary, but has seemingly u-turned after President Obama recently issued directives which called upon public schools to allow trans students to use the toilets they were most comfortable using.
Trump told Fox News,
‘Well, it’s not fine. ‘I would generally speaking leave it to the states to decide. Obama’s getting into a very tricky territory. We have to protect everybody … but this is such a tiny part of our population. I would really leave it up to the states.
A starfield of musicians have teamed together to release an emotional single in memory of those who died at the homophobic attack at Pulse nightclub last month.
A whole host of stars including Adam Lambert, RuPaul, Britney and P!nk have joined together to release a touching single called “Hands” with the proceeds going to the Equality Florida Pulse Victims’ Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.
Last month 49 victims were massacred when a lone gunman walked into the Pulse nightclub at 2:00AM and started shooting into the crowded club. Over 50 people were also injured in the attack, which is the single most deadly gun attack in American history.
“Hands,” is a musical tribute to the 49 victims of the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The track features Mary J Blige, Jason Derulo, Britney Spears, Tyler Glenn, Selena Gomez, Halsey, Ty Herndon, Imagine Dragons, Juanes, Adam Lambert, Mary Lambert, Jennifer Lopez, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Kacey Musgraves, MNEK, Alex Newell, P!nk, Prince Royce, Nate Ruess, RuPaul, Troye Sivan, Jussie Smollett, Gwen Stefani, and Meghan Trainor.
A mother and her civil partner given life sentences for the murder of Liam Fox, Rachel’s two-year-old son.
Rachel Fee and her civil partner Nyomi handed life sentences in prison after being found guilty of the murder of Liam Fee, the two-year-old son of Rachel.
The toddler died from blunt force trauma which caused his heart to rupture. The court heard that he also suffered numerous injuries including bone fractures.
Rachel Fee, 31 and Nyomi Fee, 29 denied that they had murdered Liam, but were found guilty after a seven week trial at the High Court in Livingston, Fife, Scotland.
Rachel Fee was sentenced to 23 and a half years in prison and Nyomi Fee was sentenced to 24 years.
Passing sentence judge Lord Burns told the pair that they had, “subjected to a prolonged course of violent behaviour” on Liam.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the court the women were guilty of “unyielding, heartless cruelty”.
Rachel Fee’s defender Mark Stewart QC maintained that Ms. Fee maintained she was innocent of Liam’s murder whilst Brian McConnachie QC, defending Rachel Fee said that Ms. Fee thought there had been a “miscarriage of justice”.
We thought you did and we’ve got the medicated remedy right here. Thanks to the magic of the internet (and what a strangely magically beast it is) we’ve got a sneaky peak from a deleted scene where Mr Affleck takes a shower – and well he’s completely naked and all we can say… BUNS. Hurrah.
The Kings were under our control and had just twenty minutes to answer the fans questions with #AskYearsAndYears.
CREDIT: PR Supplied
Olly, Mikey and Emre certainly didn’t hold back from answering the most difficult of your questions…
Eggs hard boiled or soft boiled? Chinese or Pizza? Dog or Cat?… If you’re still reading it was, “Poached”, “Chinese” and “Otter”.
Fear not though, it wasn’t all food and animal questions… apart from the Dinosaur or Unicorn question where strangely “Dinosaurs” won out.
There was some talk of the music industry greats where they preferred “Beyoncé to marry and Ri Ri to party with”.
They’d give Harry Styles an “11” out of 10, whilst judging their own fame at around a “7.3”.
Knowing if someone likes it crusty or not is a very important question in any relationship and YearsAndYears are certainly a fan of “Crusts”.We’re talking sandwiches dear!
On top of this they’re also a fan of the “unibrow”.
Ageing could be a problem for the boys as when asked about the return of Twin Peaks they were, “mixed about it. Love Twin Peaks but don’t want to see the cast looking old.” Then again if they could be anyone for a day it would be “Bruce Willis” and he has to be about 180 by now right?
Seeking advice on gym tips for their larger fans, the lads said to, “screw exercise and pass the potato chips”. Words we all like to hear, but, when talking about hot beverages they also say to “forget about the sugar, take a spoonful of me.” Not quite sure they’d t in the mug but maybe we could spoon elsewhere?
Finally the best and slightly disturbing question of the #Ask session enquired as to the cute Disney nickname they gave their dick. (Turns out, it was a slightly couldn’t be bothered to get up “Dopey”.)
Figures released by PHE today show that in total there were 434,456 sexually transmitted infections reported in England in 2015. Well over 10 per cent of those (54, 275) were from gay and bisexual men. The greatest impact age group for those presenting sexual transmitted infections is within the 25 and under age bracket.
The increase of 54,275 gay and bisexual men reporting sexual transmitted infections represents a 10 per cent increase on 2014’s statistics.
Overall there was a small decrease, around three per cent, in reports for the entire population, but gay and bisexual men bucked that trend.
Dr Gwenda Hughes, head of STI surveillance at PHE said,
“The new statistics show STI rates are still very high among gay men and young adults.
“We need to do more to raise awareness about STIs and how they can be prevented, especially the effectiveness of using condoms. We recommend that anyone having sex with a new or casual partner uses condoms and tests regularly for HIV and STIs. It is also vital to ensure there is easy access to STI testing and treatment services that meet the needs of local populations.”
The PHE have reiterated their advice for sexually active men, suggesting,
Consistent and correct use of condoms can significantly reduce risk of infection and regular testing for HIV and STIs is essential for good sexual health.
Anyone under 25 who is sexually active should be screened for chlamydia annually, and on change of sexual partner. Gay and bisexual men should test annually for HIV and STIs and every 3 months if having condomless sex with new or casual partners.
MP Stephen Crabb has said that any suggestion that he supports so-called gay cures or that he is homophobic is a “complete fabrication”. He also called the idea of gay cures reprensible.
Speaking on the Radio 4 show, Today, the MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire said, “I don’t believe that being gay is a sin” and idea of “gay cure” is “reprehensible”
As a member of Parliament Stephen Crabb has voted against every piece of legalisation that would protect or equalise the rights of gay and lesbians in the UK.
In 2007 Crabb voted against the Equalities Act (Sexual Orientation) which protects gay people from discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities, services, education and public functions because of their sexuality.
Crabb has stood by his voting decisions by saying, “It wasn’t a clear-cut vote for me, but I don’t regret any vote I’ve taken.”
Last week THEGAYUK emailed each of the five candidates for assurances that if they got into power that gay rights and LGBT equalities would not be eroded or rolled back.
As the Conservative leadership battle continues today, Michael Gove became the first candidate to answer calls to allay fears that rights and equalities for the LGBT+ community could be eroded with a new leadership.
David Cameron‘s coalition government with the Liberal Democrats was famed for ushering a new era of acceptance from the Tories. Gay marriage was secured and the Tories’ checkered history was somewhat restored.
Today, four days on, only Michael Gove’s office has responded.
Spokesman for Michael Gove said,
“There is no question of LGBTQ+ rights being reduced in any way if Michael becomes Conservative leader. He is proud to have voted in favour of equal marriage and will continue to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights at home and abroad.”
THEGAYUK’s editor Jake Hook said,
“I’m very pleased that Michael Gove has given his assurance to the community that he’d continue to stand up for our rights. However I’m incredibly concerned that none of the other candidates have responded to a community that has long suffered at the hands of past Conservative governments”
![Gage Skidmore [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/www.thegayuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Ben_Affleck_by_Gage_Skidmore-673x1024.jpg?resize=673%2C1024 "WATCH | Ben Affleck's deleted naked scene 10")
