THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • BBC 2 George Michael announces George Michael specials

    BBC Radio 2 is to broadcast two-part documentary of George Michael.

    BBC Radio 2 to broadcast two-part documentary ‘Up Close With George Michael’

    *George Michael ‘Symphonica’ concert highlights to be broadcast on BBC One

    BBC Radio 2 and BBC One will broadcast world-exclusive programming featuring George Michael, one of the UK’s best-loved musicians, giving the behind-the-scenes story of his critically acclaimed orchestral tour, ‘Symphonica’, as well as the highlights of a special charity performance he gave during the tour.

    The documentary will also broadcast a rare interview with the Outside singer, which will air on Tuesday 18th March and the 25th March.

    The documentary was recorded in October 2011, shortly before George contracted pneumonia, which forced a delay to the tour.

    George Michael says: “I’m delighted the BBC is broadcasting the Symphonica concert, which was recorded at the Opera Garnier in Paris, a stunning setting in which to perform a gig dedicated to a charity that’s so close to my heart. It was a magical night, so I’m thrilled that fans will get the chance to experience it, as well as hearing the behind-the-scenes story on Radio 2.”

    George Michael’s concert will be broadcast on BBC1 – date to be confirmed.

  • Founder of Westboro Baptist Church, Fred Phelps, on “Death Bed”

    Fred Phelps, the co-founder of hate group Westboro Baptist Church is reportedly on his ‘death bed’ according to sources.

    According to Phelps’s son Nate Phelps who left the hate church in 1976, Fred Phelps the founder of Westboro Baptist Church is on ‘the edge of death’.

    In a Facebook post yesterday Mr. Phelp’s son said:

    ‘I’m not sure how I feel about this,
    ‘Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made.
    ‘I feel sad for all the hurt he’s caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved.
    ‘And I’m bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members… from seeing him, and saying their good-byes.’

    WBC is known for its outrageous remarks and funeral pickets especially when it comes to homosexuality.
    The group were particularly critical of Matthew Shepherd, spurring the movie The Laramie Project into production.

    The Church is also infamous for its GodHatesFags website.

  • ‘Gay Icon’ Clarissa Dickson Wright Dies Aged 66

    The last of the Two Fat Ladies has died at the age of 66.

    Clarrissa Dickson Wright has died her agent has confirmed. The TV chef and co-host of Two Fat Ladies died on Saturday afternoon at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

    ‘Loved dearly by her friends and many fans all over the world, Clarissa was utterly non-PC and fought for what she believed in, always, with no thought to her own personal cost,” read a statement from her agent.
    ‘Her fun and laughter, extraordinary learning and intelligence, will be missed always, by so many of us.
    ‘In recent years, she often said, ‘I’ve had a fantastic life and I’ve done everything I could have wanted to do and more’.
    ‘During her time in hospital, she was endlessly touched and impressed by the care of the doctors, nurses and support staff, aware of the pressure under which they worked and the fact that sometimes their work was not as valued as it should have been.’
    Her co-host Jennifer Paterson died in August 1999. After Paterson’s death Ms. Dickson-Wright decided not to continue the show.
    In an interview with Philly.com in 1998, Dickson-Wright and Paterson talked about how they were very happy with their gay supporters, saying:
    ‘We’re gay icons,’ she says with glee, as if this is the best thing that’s ever happened to her. “We’re like Judy Garland and Bette Davis.
    Clarissa takes the stoic approach. ‘`The pink pounds [her reference to gay dollars] are a strong buying factor,’ she says.

  • Tom Daley Gets The Google Maps Treatment

    Google we love you…

    Google has added a picture of Tom Daley to its Maps – and gives users an opportunity to look around the diving board at 2012 LondonAquatic Centre.

    The shoot was done by idealinsight.co.uk, who have made a virtual tour of the Olympic venue. A statement on their website said:

    ‘The purpose of the project was to showcase the London Aquatics Centre’s incredible facilities to prospective customers and the general public in an interactive, engaging and stimulating way!

    Viewing the Google virtual tour brings the centre to life to help inspire visits and enables those who are simply curious to explore a famous London Olympic venue that saw world records literally smashed out of the water!’

  • COWELL: James Arthur Should Have Shut Up

    Simon Cowell has his claws out for past winners, Sam and James Arthur

    So it’s been announced that Simon Cowell and Cheryl will be returning to XFactor this year and Mr Cowell is wasting no time reminding people why they love him in the first place. He’s a complete bitch! Well done that man.

    First he had a swipe at Sam Bailey, he doesn’t hold out much hope for success it seems after it was reported in the Metro he said:

    Sam, we will wait and see,

    ‘She will have a very successful debut album. (Is she) going to be as good as the final year we did? No. That was a very special year. I would love to find another Olly Murs or something similar to Olly.’

    But it was on James Arthur he truly vented saying:

    ‘I think James, unfortunately, has had so many issues with what he has done publicly – which is a real issue with me. Somebody should have told him to shut up and just put the records out.’

    Last year James Arthur caused controversy after using an anti-gay slur in a rap he recorded in retaliation to a diss he received from an online troll.

     

  • Polari Salon Returns To Southbank On 17th March

    Paul Burston’s Polari Literary Salon returns on Monday 17th March.

    On the 17th March, Paul Burston’s Polari Literary Salon returns to the Southbank Centre in London and will have readings from leading gay and lesbian authors Maureen Duffy, Angela Clerkin, Andrew Asibong, Nicolas Collins and Carl Stanley.

    Maureen Duffy heads the bill. A leading lesbian author and poet, her many novels include the classic The Microcosm.

    Her latest, In Times Like These, is a fable that puts politics to its ultimate test. Jill Gardiner describes it as ‘a pacy, exciting read, centered around an out-lesbian MP and her artist girlfriend, whose well-established relationship is very much of our times.’

    Paul Burston’s celebrated Polari salon provides a platform for new and emerging LGBT literary talent and showcases the very best in queer writing.

    Weston Pavilion at Royal Festival Hall

    At the end of 2013, Time Out announced that it was to cut the LGBT Listings pages from its printed edition in London – the section was edited by Paul Burston.

  • Game Of Throne Actor Kristian Nairn Comes Out As Gay

    Game Of Thrones Actor Kristian Nairns Comes Out As Gay

    • Actor says he’s never tried to hide his sexuality
    • Has tried in the past to lead interviewers into asking him about being gay
    • Stars in the HBO drama Game Of Thrones

    The actor who plays the gentle giant Hador in the Game Of Thrones series has come out as gay in an interview on the Game of Thrones fan site winteriscoming.net.

    The 38-year-old said:

    ‘Well, in all honesty, when you talk about ‘the gay community’, you are talking about my community.

    ‘I am aware of it yeah, and I think it’s really lovely.

    ‘There’s not a day that I don’t get a few messages, but 99 per cent or more are super sweet and nothing smutty at all.’

    Nairn has never tried to hide his sexuality and has in fact try to lead interviewers to ask him.

    ‘I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, because it’s not something you just blurt out.

    ‘I’ve tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail.’

  • Gay Men Who Have Been Assaulted In Soho Asked To Contact Police

    Detectives in Ealing are appealing to members of the male gay community, who have been befriended in the Soho area of London and then assaulted or robbed either nearby or outside of central London, to contact them.

    • Gay Males are being targeted and the robbed in the Soho area in London
    • Men have been robbed and or assaulted
    • Police urge gay males who have had this done to them to come forward.

    Acting Detective Inspector Nick Doherty said: “If you have been a victim to this type of crime and it has previously gone unreported, I urge you to come forward and tell police. I believe they may be victims within the gay community who have been targeted and subjected to these attacks and I am determined to bring the person responsible to justice”

    If you are or know of anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime, please contact Ealing CID on 020 8721 7050 / 07824 598 361 or 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Please quote reference 2505191/13.

    All calls are treated confidentially and with the utmost sensitivity.

  • Telecoms Giant Orange Pulls Adverts From Anti-Gay Ugandan Tabloid

    A subsidiary of telecoms giant Orange has pulled advertising from Red Pepper, a tabloid newspaper in Uganda.

    It has been reported that a subsidiary of Orange has pulled its advertising from Red Pepper, a tabloid which controversially published a list of ‘Uganda’s 200 top homos’ in Uganda – after new laws which make homosexual acts illegal were introduced in February.

    Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the law in February 2014

    Red Pepper came under heavy international criticism after publishing a list of known homosexuals calling for them to be hunted down.

    Over 77,000 signatures were collected on a petitioning site. Orange announced the cut with Red Pepper via Twitter

    “We commend Orange for their leadership in reaction to the Anti-Homosexuality Law” said Andre Banks, Executive Director and co-founder of All Out, an international organization building the global movement for gay rights.

    “Orange’s decision to withdraw their advertising and to explicitly support their LGBT employees should ring alarm bells for Ugandan politicians and business people about the impact this law could have on the national economy”.

    The anti-homosexual law states:

    Life imprisonment for gay sex, including oral sex
    Life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality”, including sex with a minor or while HIV-positive
    Life imprisonment for living in a same-sex marriage
    Seven years for “attempting to commit homosexuality”
    Between five and seven years in jail or a $40,700 (£24,500) fine or both for the promotion of homosexuality
    Businesses or non-governmental organisations found guilty of the promotion of homosexuality would have their certificates of registration cancelled and directors could face seven years in jail.

  • Man celebrates amazing 13 STONE weight loss

    A gay man from Manchester is celebrating a whopping 13 stone in weight loss after pioneering surgery.

    • At his heaviest Gareth weighed 30 STONE
    • Tried surviving on PEANUT BUTTER and MILKSHAKES diets
    • Lost 13 stone with gastric bypass

    Gareth Roberts, 36, is celebrating with his partner after managing to lose over 13 stones in weight after undergoing a gastric bypass.

    Gareth, who grew up in Wythenshawe, Manchester, but now lives in Baroda, an Indian city between Mumbai and Delhi, said: “The surgery has completely changed my life for the better and opened up so many new things to me.

    “My partner Marco is an engineer who had the opportunity to go and work in India – before the operation, I never would have had the confidence to even contemplate going to live over there. But now we are enjoying a whole new life together there.”

    The 36-year-old added: “Health-wise I knew it was only a matter of time before my weight started to catch up with me.

    “I already had raised blood pressure and my weight was affecting my mobility as well as putting strain on my joints – I knew it wasn’t going to be long before things got worse. But now I am feeling fitter and more active than I ever have in my life.”

    Gareth underwent his procedure in 2011 at Spire Manchester in Whalley Range, one of five hospitals which make up the Spire Weight Loss Surgery (SWLS) specialist bariatric surgery network.

    Gareth had struggled with his weight since childhood, and admits over the years the problem had escalated to the point where he had lost control over what and how much he was eating.
    He said: “I used to live in an open plan apartment and I’d be sitting in the living room, next to the kitchen, and almost hear the food calling to me in my head. If I knew there was a multi-pack of crisps in the cupboard you could guarantee they’d be gone by the end of the night.”

    Over the past 20 years he had made numerous attempts to shed the excess pounds in all manner of different ways, surviving on diets consisting of everything from milkshakes to peanut butter.
    He did once lost five stone through a slimming club but would always end up piling the weight back on, and more.

    Gareth remembered: “There would be a sense of camaraderie at the clubs, but you’d often also encourage each other to be bad. You’d congratulate each other on being good all week and losing 3lbs so then you’d tell yourself you deserved a treat that night – and put on all that you’d lost again anyway.”
    The former manager in social care, who now volunteers with a charity in India, said the bypass procedure carried out by Mr Alan Li, one of Spire Weight Loss Surgery’s expert surgeons, was now giving him confidence with food for the first time since he was a child.

    “This is one of the major benefits for me,” Gareth said.

    “The surgery has given me a tool to not only lose the weight, but to alleviate the fear that always lived in me whenever I lost some weight that I was going to pile it all back on again. Having the operation is a life-changing decision, but it brings life-changing results.”

    He praised Spire Weight Loss Surgery and its team of specialist nurses, expert surgeons and helpful dieticians for their advice and support over the past two years.

    “I had such a positive experience with Spire Weight Loss Surgery – they were so supportive from the very start and still are today, two years on. I’ve always felt like they were there for you and you could ask them anything. It’s a very friendly, nurturing environment.”

    And he said he was feeling the difference in all areas of his life.
    Gareth said: “I can actually move and breathe now – I can run up the stairs without gasping for breath!

    “My partner is quite active – he enjoys things like mountain hiking and going on roller coasters which I just couldn’t physically do before because of my size. I was missing out on so many things – you try to pretend it doesn’t matter, but it does.

    “That’s not me any more. I’m so much physically fitter – after all I’m no longer dragging another person around with me! I enjoy swimming and walking and I work out at the gym. I’m also happy to fly back regularly to Manchester to visit friends and family on my own – something I would have dreaded before I lost the weight.

    “After years of dieting, I finally feel like I’ve got control back over food and over my life.”

    For more information about Spire Weight Loss Surgery, please call 0800 142 2200 or email weightloss@spirehealthcare.com or go to www.spirewlsurgery.com.

  • TOWIE’s Dan Osborne Shows Flesh

    If you’re a lover of Dan Osborne, you’re going to love these.

    OMG and all that good stuff… Dan Osborne has stripped off (again) but we’re not complaining. He’s showing his rather above average assets

    Dan is currently starring in the new series of TOWIE on ITV2.