THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Sir Ian McKellen Helps Raise £25,000 For Homophobia Film

    Sir Ian McKellen helps London South Bank University graduate Rhys Chapman, raise over £25,000 to produce a short film to highlight homophobia in football.

    In September Rhys launched a campaign on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter to raise the production budget for the project, and this was given a boost when Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen agreed to lend his iconic voice to the pilot film.

    Within just two months Rhys had raised the money he needed through public donations on Kickstarter, even attracting support on social media from other celebrities including Stephen Fry and Alan Carr. In another Hollywood tie-in, The Kevin Spacey Foundation also made a generous contribution to the funding total.

    Rhys’ short film – entitled Wonderkid, will follow a young professional football player coming to terms with his sexuality and searching for acceptance in a hyper masculine environment. The film will aim to challenge the perceptions of athletes and highlight the pressure they face living up to the identity society has created for them.

    Rhys said, ‘It’s an honour to receive support from such influential and admirable individuals. Without their backing and the knowledge I received at LSBU, my vision would not have come to life so soon and I am truly grateful.’

  • As New HIV Infections Soar, Hollyoaks Plans To Tackle With Postive Storyline

    One of the UK’s most cutting edge TV soaps, Hollyoaks, is to tackle the rising numbers of gay men who are newly infected by HIV.

    Keiron Richardson is set to make history when his character, Ste Hay, on Hollyoaks becomes the first HIV positive gay man in a British soap, in an attempt by the production company to tackle sexual health issues in gay men.

    On Monday new figures from PHE (Public Health England) revealed that new HIV infections amongst MSM (men who have sex with men) continue to buck the downward infection trend.

    Shockingly nine gay or bisexual men are infected with HIV everyday in the United Kingdom.

    Will Harris, Head of Media at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, ‘We always say that a well-researched, well-told storyline in a national soap is worth any number of health campaigns, especially for a stigmatised condition like HIV. It’s important because currently whole generations of young gay men are entering adulthood without the confidence they need to negotiate healthy sex and relationships.’

    Executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said, ‘We have wanted to tell this story for a long time and while HIV can affect anyone, infection rates in young gay men remain too high and to ignore that is to do the gay audience a disservice. Hollyoaks is in a unique position to be able to talk directly to millions of young viewers and if the safe-sex message is not coming through education we can help with that both on screen and through multi-platform support.

    ‘2015 is Hollyoaks’ 20th year and to make that our “year of safe sex” felt right for a show built upon telling rites of passage stories. With Ste’s HIV and other stories for our teenage characters we will explore the many implications of unprotected sex and hope to encourage thoughtful debate amongst our audience.’

    This isn’t the first time that Hollyoaks have reached out to gay audiences with hard hitting storylines. In January the programme in its 19th year wrote about male rape in a crueling storyline which saw John Paul McQueen assaulted by Finn O’Connor.

  • Jake Quickenden to enter The Jungle

    Jake Quickenden, who’s appeared on the X Factor show twice now, will be entering the Australian outback tonight in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

    The surprise entrance will be made with ex-conservative MP Edwina Currie, joining the host of celebrities at base camp who’ve already battled with nature for the last four days. So will the jungle prove scarier than facing Simon Cowell?

    Jake and Edwina will no doubt help to boost the numbers of the camp after Gemma Collins, TOWIE, walked on Wednesday after struggling with camp life and today Craig Charles has decided to leave camp following news of his brother’s death, reported in the Mirror.

    You can catch the arrival of Jake and Edwina tonight on ITV.

  • Here It Is: The Johnny Carter And Ben Mitchell Kiss

    After weeks of will they? won’t they?, is he?, isn’t he?, Ben Mitchell and Johnny Carter finally share a smooch.

    CREDIT: (C) BBC - Photographer: Kieron McCarron
    CREDIT: (C) BBC – Photographer: Kieron McCarron

    (more…)

  • Country Singer Ty Herndon Comes Out As Gay

    Ty Herndon a Country singer from Mississippi in the USA has come out as gay.

    (more…)

  • American Airlines Soars With Perfect Score On LGBT Rights

    American Airlines has been honoured once again by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) with the highest possible rating in the prestigious 2015 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). In 2002 with the launch of the Corporate Equality Index, American was the first airline to achieve the CEI’s perfect score, and one of only a handful of corporations to do so every year from the start.

    The CEI is a nationally recognised benchmark that holds a mirror up to America’s top workplaces and their inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees and their allies. Companies like American that earn the top CEI score of 100 percent also are named the “Best Places to Work” in the U.S.

    ‘We believe our commitment to inclusion and diversity is second to none,’ said Cindy Fiedelman, American’s vice president – People & Diversity. ‘Achieving the highest mark from the Human Rights Campaign is a matter of pride and purpose for us, especially as we work to integrate two global airlines in 2015.’

    This summer, American and US Airways aligned their workforce policies to ensure the airlines’ longstanding commitment to their LGBT workforce, and united their LGBT employee resource groups. The Gay Lesbian Employees of American (GLEAM), founded 20 years ago, has now joined forces with US Airways’ Spectrum – under a new and larger organisation called Pride. Employees will continue to champion American’s LGBT travellers, as well as advocate for diversity, equality and respect within the airline as they have for decades.

    The Human Rights Campaign is dedicated to promoting and ensuring public understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues through innovative education and communication strategies. A complete list of Corporate Equality Index ratings is available at www.hrc.org.

    For more information on American’s commitment to diversity, visit aa.com/diversity.

  • Katie Hopkins, Gay Icon Wannabe, Blasted For Fat Jokes About Gemma Collins

    Katie Hopkins is well known for her snarky remarks and quips, however the gay icon wannabe has gotten herself into hot water after blasting I’m A Celebrity’s Gemma Collins for being fat.

    Katie Hopkins has made no secret about wanting to be a gay icon along the likes of Madonna, Kylie or Bette Midler, however after a tirade of abuse aimed at Gemma Collins in I’m A Celebrity, her cause might be sullied somewhat.

    Taking to Twitter numerous times, Katie has tried to stake her claim as a gay icon, however that stake is looking more and more unlikely after hundreds of Gemma Collins fans have shown their outrage of the ex Apprentice’s fat jibes and trolling comments. One of Katie’s tweets earlier in the year outlines her potential credentials of being a gay icon saying, ‘…ambition is to be a gay icon, Hence I wear tan tights with silver shoes (not working x).’

    Gemma Collins, who made her name in the reality TV series, The Only Way Is Essex, has publicly battled with her weight for years. She entered the Jungle on Sunday evening, but walked from the show after deciding that ‘ jungle life is not for her’.

    Jake Hook, co- founder of TheGayUK said, ‘The idea that Katie wants to be a “gay icon” whatever that might mean is ridiculous, those people who have found a place in the collective LGBT community’s heart like Madonna, or Bette, have got there because their positivity towards the LGBT community and strong anti-bullying stances, not latching on to old clichés of what gay men would want from their “gay icons,” or the clear bullying that Katie is so prolific in.’

    Speaking to TheGayUK about Gemma’s departure from the Jungle, leading celebrity life coach Sloan Sheridan Williams said, ‘In terms of public perception, it may appear Gemma Collins has not done herself any favours with such a swift departure from the jungle, but as a therapist I cannot say I am surprised as there are obviously deep seated reasons behind her behaviour which I think warrant compassion rather than judgement.

    ‘An educated commentary on her with relevance to why she left, her naivety or any other general form of discussion and constructive advice on how to overcome her issues that goes with the very nature of being in the public eye is acceptable, but these constant attacks on Gemma’s weight are no doubt having a further damaging effect on her and teenagers everywhere and exacerbating a generation that is already obsessed with weight and body image.

    ‘I would have liked to have seen Katie Hopkins to draw on the fact she is a mother and not open the floodgates to more media attention on weight issues and focus on the heart of the matter which is that Gemma let her fears get the better of her. Gemma had a moment of weakness, she wanted comfort over proving herself to be the next Bear Grylls. That’s all.’

  • Is this the song that will destroy Christmas?

    Television X has announced the launch of the festive single by TVXbabes in a bid to hit the No.1 in the UK music charts this Christmas.

    The original song called ‘Coming For Christmas’ is described as a ‘high-energy, fun and poptastic Christmas contender’ for the coverted number one slot for Christmas day.

    The single, will be officially launched on 1st December with the unveiling of the full video on 27th November on the TVXbabes You Tube channel.

    Artists that currently have their sights set on gaining an elusive Christmas Number 1 slot include: Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, John Lewis’s Real Love, the X Factor winner and Iron Maiden.

    Sneak a peak at the teaser video here

  • Eight Artworks Stolen From Winter Pride

    Eight artworks by the artists Jane Moore and Eleanor Pearce were stolen over the weekend at the annual Winter Pride.

    The artworks were stolen off the exhibition wall of the ‘John Sizzle and A Man to Pet Cabaret Room’ (Great Gallery upstairs) at Tobacco Dock, in London, during the Winter Pride Art Awards 2014.

    Three men were seen removing the artworks between 2am and 3am.

    Winter Pride has given a description of the men: one man dressed in all black, the other man was aged between 30-45, 5’9″ bald with thick rimmed glasses.

    Simon Tarrant the organiser of the event said,

    ‘The artists are devastated,

    ‘Please help us recover these artworks, we just want to get them back to Jane and Eleanor.’

    Anyone with information should contact Simon on the email: info@simontarrant.com

  • UK Leaflet: The Judgement Of God on Homosexualism Reveals Itself In AIDS

    An Anti-gay and abortion leaflet has left residents in Ely, Cambridge shocked and outraged.

    The leaflet which is titled Works of Darkness has been put through the doors of houses in Ely.

    Cambridgeshire Police have been notified.

    The leaflet contains paragraphs on fornication, contraception, euthanasia, homosexualism/lesbianism and divorce.

    For homosexuality, it reads: ‘Homosexuality is not inborn, it is a development disorder, a traumatised condition arising out of a dysfunctional family, or it is a lifestyle choice.

    ‘It is utterly opposed to the law of God and to nature, and should in no way be condoned or promoted.

    ‘Also, the adoption of children by gays and lesbians constitutes a form of child abuse. The judgement of God on homosexualism reveals itself in the AIDS/HIV virus.”

    According to Ely-News.co.uk one resident said, “I came home to find this vulgar, offensive thing on my doormat.

    ‘I find it extremely disturbing and I have reported it to the police. Whoever is responsible for delivering them needs to be dealt with immediately’

    Another resident said: I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I think whoever is responsible for these leaflets should be prosecuted by the police.’

    This is one of a number of leaflets that have been delivered to residents around the UK. In August residents in Brighton were outraged when similar hateful leaflets were delivered through their doors.

    A Spokeswoman for Cambridgeshire Police said, ‘Leaflets of a homophobic nature were distributed in Cambridge earlier this year. Additionally, similar material has been distributed in other areas of the county and indeed, the country.

    ‘Whilst it is acknowledged that many recipients will be offended by the leaflet’s content, Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights gives individuals the right to Freedom of Expression – the right to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideals without interference by public authority. This includes opinions which may offend, irritate, shock or disturb.

    ‘While the material being distributed earlier this week will in many cases offend, irritate, shock or disturb, the content, context and actions of the male concerned fall short of any criminality at this time.

    ‘We will however continue to monitor the situation both locally and nationally. Anyone who is approached or receives any of this literature should contact police by calling 101.’

  • Sam Strike Quits EastEnders

    Sam Strike Quits EastEnders

    Sad news, sad news, Sam Strike, the man behind the Square’s only out gay male character is to quit the soap after just one year in the role.

    (C) BBC - Photographer: Jack Barnes
    (C) BBC – Photographer: Jack Barnes

    Known to all EastEnders‘ fans as Johnny Carter, Sam Strike has decided to break from the show saying,

    ‘Thanks for all the love this year guys. Means the world. Decided to bow out. Couldn’t have done it without you all. Thanks @bbceastenders.’

    ‘And of course tremendous love to my Carter family. True love.’

    In January Sam Strike and Danny Dyer made headlines after their emotional scene together, with Johnny Carter coming out in one of EastEnder’s most memorable gay moments and Danny Dyer telling bigots where they could stick their opinions.

    It’s not known exactly when Strike will leave the soap, but suggestions are that he’ll be out by 2015.

    Next week Johnny’s storyline sees him sharing a sneaky romance with Ben Mitchell, however the day ends up with a good old fashion brawl – so we’ll have to see if Sam does get his guy.