A year after Bangor’s only gay venue, The Three Crowns burnt down the new management of The White Lion hope to give the LGBT community a safe space in North Wales. (more…)
Author: News Desk
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Did X Factor Steve Brookstein Use 7/7 To Remind People Of His Heyday?
Steve Brookstein who won X FACTOR back in 2004 has taken to Twitter to remind people that he once had an album out on the 10th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings.
The former X Factor star, Steve Brookstein, 46, who once wished HIV on openly gay columnist Dan Wootton, has taken to Twitter to say he was “oblivious” to the atrocities of 7/7 in 2005 after celebrating his number 1 album, Heart and Soul.
The tweet to the singer’s 16,000 followers has been retweeted 171 times and has received a Twitter backlash again the self-described “black sheep of the x-factor family.” The seemingly self-obsessed remark caused the singer’s name to trend on the social network.
Woodywizz called Brookstein’s tweet “vacuous”.
In 2005, four suicide bombers rocked the UK’s capital in July 2005, killing 52 in the worst terrorist attacks on the capital. It was the worst act of terrorism in the UK since the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie.
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Naked Streaking For Tigers Makes A Comeback
Naked streaking across London Zoo is back… and it’s for Tigers…
This is the kind of story we love. People getting naked for a cause. Hurrah.
The Zoological Society of London an international conservation charity, is looking for men and women to get naked and streak through the heart of London Zoo to bring awareness and raise money for the endangered tiger. Over the last two years, the streak has raised a whopping £115K. The funds go towards helping ZSL’s work for wildlife and conservation projects.
Ali Corbett, Challenge Events Manager, at ZSL, said: “We can’t wait to welcome racy runners to ZSL London Zoo for the only official streak in London!
“Over the past two years the risqué run has raised more than £115k for tiger conservation, and we’re hoping this year we can inspire courageous cat-lovers to bare all and help us raise even more funds to continue our work for wildlife.”
The 300 places available are being pounced on fast, sign up at www.zsl.org/streak
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Fundraising Evening Raises Emergency Funding For HIV Patients
Over £1,000 has been raised to provide emergency nonclinical support for members of the Bloomsbury Patient Network at a Robert Grace Trust fundraising evening.
For the last five years donations from the charity have provided support for patients of the Bloomsbury Clinic – one of the largest HIV clinics in Europe.
The £1,100 raised will support patients in need at times of crisis and to help them engage in their care. Some items that have been purchased in the past include groceries, powdered milk for babies, school uniforms, beds, mattresses, fridges, cookers and hostel accommodation. The fund also subsidises travel and child care so that patients can attend the Bloomsbury Network’s events.
Christopher Sandford, Patient Representative at the Bloomsbury Clinic, said,
“The emergency fund is designed to help people when they have no-one else to turn to in times of crisis. If someone cannot afford to eat, or has nowhere to live, or can’t send their children to school, can’t afford the fares to attend the clinic, then you can’t expect people to take their medication effectively and stay healthy.
“We are grateful to the Robert Grace Trust for their continued support of our work. So many people’s lives have been filled with hope thanks to the fund.”
Attendees enjoyed wine and nibbles as the speakers – Patricia Pearson, Chair of the Robert Grace Trust; Dr Laura Waters, Consultant Physician at the Bloomsbury Clinic; and Christopher Sandford – discussed recent developments in HIV treatment and the difference the emergency fund has made.
Sean, a patient who volunteered at the fundraiser, said:
“I just wanted to say how moved and proud I was listening to the presentations. When I think back to that first year of diagnosis there was so much to adjust to and joining the Bloomsbury Network has meant everything to me in terms of keeping me healthy, stable and supported. That is thanks to the incredible work that the Patient Representative Team does, building a supportive welcoming community. It is truly one of my favourite places to be. I was so moved listening to the stories from the emergency fund and so inspired by the idea of how the patient representatives are empowering so many people and transforming lives, including mine.”
The Bloomsbury Patient Network, run by three patient representatives, offers peer support for people to live positively with their HIV diagnosis. They offer a range of social, educational and motivational events thought the year.
Robert Grace was a South-African architect and a patient of the Bloomsbury Clinic. The Trust was founded in his memory after he passed away in 1987 to provide emergency support for patients and carers.
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Powerhouse Gay ICON Angie Brown Wows Warwickshire Pride
Powerhouse vocalist Angie Brown brought the house, well the field down, at yesterday’s Pride event in Warwickshire.
The Pride which is in its third year, saw thousands of people coming together to celebrate LGBT diversity in Leamington Spa, with the message of “Drop The Label”. The headliner Angie Brown took to the stage to sing hit songs to a cheering crowd, including Why Waste Your Time. At one point jumping off the stage and joining the dancing spectators on the grass.
One pride goer, James Newington, said: “She was just incredible. Love her, she’s such a gay icon.”
Thousands of people turned up to the Pump Room Gardens in Warwickshire in the sunshine and enjoyed over 7 hours of entertainment.
The Pride’s organiser, Dan Browne praised the volunteers and team who helped to put on the event and promiser of a big and better pride in 2016.
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ISLE OF MAN is Still Holding Out On Same-Sex Marriage Rights
Despite a huge shift of opinion across the UK and Ireland, the Isle of Man is still holding out on its LGBT+ population.
The Isle of Man’s, Chief Minister has signalled that laws surrounding same-sex marriage are to change, but how long will same-sex couples have to wait?
Situated in the northern Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is home to around 85,000 people and is a Crown Dependency, allowing it to make its own laws over domestic matters and with regards to same-sex marriage.
The Chief Minister, Alan Bell has signalled his support for same-sex marriage, however, the island still remains one of the few places that have not equalised the laws with regards to same-sex marriage. Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey authorities have continued to block progress in equality for the LGBT community. Mr Bell announced his intention to repeal the law that bars same-sex marriage on the island.
In the past Mr Bell has spoken out at the inequality for LGBTs on the Island. Speaking out about how one couple was forced out of their rented home by their landlord because of their sexuality he said,
“I am extremely disappointed that this type of ugly, out-dated prejudice survives after all the work that has been done over the past 20 years or so to make the island a more tolerant place”
Consultation on the Isle of Man’s Equality Bill 2015 ended in November.
Speaking to 3FM the Chief Minister said,
“I believe in same-sex marriage.” Mr Bell added “equality and human rights must prevail.”
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2015: Half Year In Review, The top stories on THEGAYUK so Far
As we’ve just passed the half way point of 2015 we look back at the most-read stories on TheGayUK from January 2015 to June 2015 end.
Top Read content on TheGayUK overall:
1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
2) Eleven Facts About Judge Rinder
3) Gay Films On Netflix
4) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
5) Hot Gay Actors Under 40
6) Top 10 Best Israeli Gay Films
7) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
8) 8 Naked Boybands
9) Do You Have A Gay Name, Christopher Voted Gayest Name
10) Interview with The OvertonesTop Read content on TheGayUK overall:
1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
2) Eleven Facts About Judge Rinder
3) Gay Films On Netflix
4) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
5) Hot Gay Actors Under 40
6) Top 10 Best Israeli Gay Films
7) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
8) 8 Naked Boybands
9) Do You Have A Gay Name, Christopher Voted Gayest Name
10) Interview with The OvertonesTop Celebrity story
1) Benedict Cumberbatch Marries Judge Rinder and his husband
2) Louis Tomlinson’s Penis Breaks The Internet
3) X FACTOR’s Johnny Robinson Drops New Single – As A Woman
4) Interview with The Overtones
5) Michelle Visage “Most Vain Because I’m A Drag Queen”
6) Katie Hopkins Not A Gay Icon – The Overtones Rage Over The Thought
7) Jeremy Jackson Naked Pictures Emerge
8) Interview with Bianca Del Rio
9) Big Brother’s Joel Admits He Could Make Out With Aaron
10) Did Rhianna OUT Cristiano Ronaldo?Top Advice Stories:
1) Top 6 Best Gay Apps
2) Three Of The Best Teeth Whitening
3) SEX ADVICE: Can We Use Fruit And Veg In Bed?
4) Five Top Tips To Keep Your Man Bush Under Control
5) Why Do I Have Erections In The Morning – 5 Things Guys Should Know
6) 10 Ways To Make Your Semen Taste Better
7) How To Massage Your Prostate
8) How To Last Longer In Bed
9) Feed Your Penis – Eat these to keep your man bits healthy
10) Want a stronger penis? Drink more coffeeTop World News Stories
1) Another Man Thrown To His Death By ISIS For Being Gay
2) Three Men Accused Of Being Gay Executed In Iraq
3) When Bradley Cooper Had His (Gay) Cherry Taken
4) Frameline Festival Has The Gayest Promo Ever
5) Bearded Queen Wows Crowd On America’s Got Talent
6) ISIS Fighters Hug Two Gay Men Before Stoning Them To Death
7) Chris Hemsworth Massive Penis Is Everything
8) Twin 10-Year-Olds Abby And Sarah Sing Amazing Sam Smith Medley
9) We Do Not Like Gays Living Here – Vile Welcome Note To Gay Couple
10) Westboro Baptist Church To Picket Barry Manilow ConcertPages views were up 65.20% and Unique views were up 54.59% from the same period in 2014. Mobile usage increased 97.8% in the same period, tablets 84.5% and a modest 10.6% growth on people visiting the website on their desktops. Access to TheGayUK via mobile devices accounted for 65.3% of all traffic.
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Hot Gay or Bi Actors Under 40
There’s a new breed of actors out there who aren’t afraid to be out in Hollywood and beyond… (more…)
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XFACTOR Wagner PLUGS Hair Transplant at PRIDE EVENT
Last night the crowds at Warwickshire Pride were subjected to a hair plug and face lift sales pitch from past X FACTOR contestant Wagner.
The former X FACTOR star received a number of boos from the audience at Warwickshire Pride as he plugged his hair plugs after singing a short set, throwing in a sales pitch for a non-surgical face-lift to the waiting crowd.
The 58-year-old, wild-haired former PE teacher joked that the UK’s weather had knocked a “few tiles’ from his roof and that he had enlisted the help from a hair clinic to ensure that his famous long locks remained intact. He also proceeded to bring up two members of a beauty clinic who he said performed non-surgical face lifts.
Wagner wears the t-shirt emblazoned with the logo of the hair clinic he claims helps him maintain his famous hair do.
One Pride-goer remarked,
“it was disgusting, he turned up performed for 20 minutes, tried to hock hair transplants and face lifts, the crowd weren’t very supportive. It felt like a live TV Ad!”
Wagner, who usually wows audience with his outrageous costumes wore a simple white t-shirt baring the name of the hair clinic, joked with the crowd and sang a line from the Pussycat Doll’s hit, Don’t You Wish Your Boyfriend Was Hot Like Me.
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INTERVIEW | Sir Ian and Sir Derek… Will they say I DO?
The new 6 part series returns viewers back into the boisterous world of Freddie Thornhill (played by Ian McKellen) and Stuart Bixby (played by Derek Jacobi) as we follow more of their adventures and mishaps.
The loving (and bickering) couple of over 50 years soon discover it’s all change amongst their close circle of friends. Violet (played by Frances de la Tour) has married a mystery man who now seems to have gone AWOL. Ash (played by Iwan Rheon) is all loved up with new girlfriend Jess (played by guest star Georgia King). And ditzy Penelope (played by Marcia Warren) and no nonsense Mason (played by Philip Voss) continue to be baffled by everyone around them.
We catch up with Sirs Ian and Derek to talk about changing perceptions of gay people on TV and saying I Love You to another man.
TGUK: Was it a very easy decision for you to come back for a second series?
IM: Yes, although I can’t remember how it happened, really! There was talk about it and you wonder, “Oh, do I want to get on with something else?”, but then the moment arrives and it was so obvious that we had to do it. No question. If there was a third series, I expect we’d be ready to say “yes” again. It’s a very fun show to do.TGUK: What difference does it make to film in front of a live studio audience?
IM: With the live audience, and all the actors acting out to the audience a little bit, there’s something rather theatrical about it.TGUK: How would you describe the tone of Vicious?
IM: It’s deliberately old-fashioned as part of the joke. It reminds you very much of sitcoms like I Love Lucy.
Our writer Gary JaneB knows the tradition of sitcoms very well. He has been involved in Will & Grace, which is one of the later versions of that. So yes, it’s old fashioned and it’s meant to be.It’s about some old people for a start, so isn’t that rather suitable? But on the other hand, the fun of it is that the characters you’ve got in this are not characters you normally see in a standard sitcom.
Two of them are gay, there is a woman whose juices are still flowing, and a young man who loves hanging around with gay men, although he’s straight himself. These are original ideas, so in that sense it’s actually not old fashioned at all.TGUK: What reaction did you have from the first series?
IM: Very good and in my experience, I think the audience is quite young, but also middle aged and older people – gay and straight people too. I think it’s quite wide ranging and it’s a family show. There are people who absolutely adore it with a passion.TGUK: Do you think Vicious can change homophobic stereotypes?
IM: For Freddie and Stuart to say, “I love you” to each other, which they do quite seriously is a complete breakthrough. But I don’t think you know at the time if something’s really breaking through. It’s only years later and you look back and say “That broke though the walls”.It’s not the prime function of Vicious to change the world. Our first duty is to make people chuckle, giggle and laugh out loud. And tune in because they’ve enjoyed it and want more next week.
But there are those of us to whom it’s important that we know there’s something a bit subversive going on that is perhaps changing people’s attitudes a little bit. Or at least recognising that attitudes are changing around the world.TGUK: What difference does it make to you as an actor, to film in front of a live studio audience?
DJ: Well, it’s the first time Ian and I have done it, and I think at first we weren’t sure who to play to: the audience, or the camera?But I think we have solved that now, and the answer is a bit of both.
It’s lovely to have the audience there. We are aware that they have to sit there for three hours.
It’s a bit of a marathon for the studio audience but they have been very, very good and stayed and responded wonderfully, we’ve been very lucky.
TGUK: Is that an extra pressure, to keep them entertained as well as making a show?
DJ: Yes, it is really. It’s a combination of that fear that you get at the theatre, as well as the thought of millions who are watching at home through the camera.Fortunately, though, we are allowed to make mistakes, and sometimes the mistakes are better than the show!
The audience feels part of the creativity of the evening when we say, “You know how you laughed the first time? We have to do it again, so please laugh again”.
And thankfully they do.
TGUK: Was it an easy decision to come back for a second series?
DJ: Oh yes, completely easy, I loved doing the first series. Right from the moment they first phoned me to tell me the idea for the sitcom a few years ago I loved it.
Neither Ian or I had done sitcom before and nobody had to talk us into it. We both wanted to do it.And this is one step beyond comedy; this is farcical.
TGUK: Are there any funny scenes that stand out for you from this series, that you can tell us about?
DJ: Well, there is one where we go to the gym and look absolutely ridiculous. And another scene in the ballroom where we are even more so.I had this beautiful sequinned waistcoat, it was very lovely, and Ian comes on in a costume from CATS with a huge tail and looks wonderful.
We leave the house a little more open in this series also.
TGUK: Do you think Freddie and Stuart will ever marry?
DJ: That will certainly be an option for them now that the law has changed. We’ll have to see!Certainly there is talk of weddings in this series but I won’t say anymore than that. Whether anything actually takes place you’ll have to wait and see.
Funnily enough when the series goes out in America on the PBS channel, it goes out on a Sunday night, the same night that Last Tango in Halifax goes out. So at 8 o’clock I am married to Anne Reid, and at 10 o’clock I am nearly married to Ian McKellen, which is nice.
TGUK: Would you like a wedding to happen between them, to normalise gay marriage on television?
DJ: Yes, it would be a very potent symbol. Marriage is not for all couples, and I’m not married, but for Freddie and Stuart I think that could potentially be very important, and it would also be a symbol of progress made.The immediate image that comes to mind when you talk about a wedding is, dare, I say, not a suit but a dress.
That is getting better because homosexuality is now so much part of everybody’s lives.
But this sitcom is not just about being gay, it’s about age, it’s about relationships.
It’s about friendship and it is about acceptance and devotion.So whether they do or don’t, there is still a good message at its heart.
