THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Joe McElderry wins The Jump

    After a mountain of physically demanding winter sports, Joe McElderry has lifted the gold in Channel 4’s The Jump.

    With the Russian winter Olympics upon us it seemed a fitting time for C4 to throw celebrities into the world of winter sports. Joe McElderry competed against other celebrities such as Sinitta and Steve Redgrave to come out on top.

    It seems these ‘mock’ Olympians were having a lot more fun together with Sinnitta tweeting: ‘@DonalMacIntyre one of my happiest moments- you,me + @joemcelderry91. Flying down the mountain laughing + screaming like kids!’

    Though like all competitive sports there are always some knocks as Joe McElderry tweeted: ‘Now its time to take my bruised legs up to the jump’, but despite the pain he still managed to win the show, ‘Wow wow wow what a night!!! Buzzzing!!!!!!!’

  • Joe McElderry in The Jump finals

    Well done that lad, Joe McElderry – he’s a bit of winner him… And tonight he goes head to head Donal MacIntyre to be crowned the best Jumper (not knitted)

    With two more celebrities pulling out because of injuries just former X Factor Winner Joe McElderry and investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre will complete in tonight’s final episode of The Jump on Channel 4.

    Joe McElderry entered the competion last week after Henry Conway was eliminated because of an injury to his wrist.

    Last night viewers watched as Anthea Turner and Ritchie Neville leave the competition. After failing to achieve a long enough Jump Turner said:

    ‘It was my best jump, fabulous. I’m finishing it on a personal best. My highlight has got to be The Jump and facing all those fears.’

    Tune into The Jump tonight at 9pm on Channel 4

  • It’s Raining Men Enters Into Official UK Single’s Chart

    The Weather Girl’s camp classic, It’s Raining Men has entered the charts at number 31 after a Facebook campaign.

    (more…)

  • PHE warns of Shigella Dysentery rise in gay and bisexual men

    A new campaign to warn gay and bisexual men about the risk of Shigella dysentery is being launched today by Public Health England (PHE) in partnership with Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), as new figures show a surge in cases likely to have been sexually-acquired over the past 12 months.

    * Shingella is a serious gut infection
    * Can cause prolonged diarrhoea and stomach cramps
    * Can be caught through Oral sex and Rimming

    In the UK, Shigella flexneri usually affects similar numbers of men and women and is linked with overseas travel, but 2013 data show an excess of more than 200 cases of the infection in men with no or unknown travel history, compared to women. London is most affected.

    GUT INFECTION
    Shigella is a serious gut infection causing severe, prolonged diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Among gay and bisexual men, Shigella is usually passed on through the faecal-oral route during sex, either directly or via unwashed hands – only a tiny amount of bacteria can spread the infection.

    Symptoms often develop around 1-3 days after sex, including:
    · Frequent and explosive diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours
    · Stomach cramps
    · Feeling feverish with flu like symptoms
    · Some people report vomiting
    · Feeling weak and tired (accompanying the gastrointestinal symptoms)
    Men experiencing Shigella symptoms are advised to visit their GP or a clinic, specifically mentioning Shigella and requesting a stool sample test. The infection is treatable with antibiotics. Risk of infection can be reduced by avoiding oral contact with faeces during sex and washing hands thoroughly and showering after sex.

    Interviews with gay and bisexual men who caught the infection through sex found links to high numbers of partners, often met anonymously online or at sex parties. For many, using drugs, such as mephedrone, methamphetamine (crystal meth), ketamine and GBL, before or during sex led to lowered inhibitions and riskier sex. Worryingly, one in three men using these drugs had injected them (known as ‘slamming’). Most of the men interviewed had not heard of Shigella before and thought they had food poisoning.

    CAUSES OF SHIGELLA
    One of the men interviewed, who got Shigella through anal-oral sex (‘rimming’), said: “Getting Shigella was the lowest point in my life. I suffered uncontrollable bloody diarrhoea with severe stomach cramps. The ferocity of symptoms and dehydration headaches made me think I was going to die. Initially I blamed it on a bad curry and held off visiting my GP for a week, but really wish I had gone straight away. Although it was treatable with antibiotics, the illness cost me a fortune as I had to take six weeks off work on statutory sick pay.”
    As part of the awareness campaign, posters and leaflets are being distributed in nightclubs, saunas and other gay venues, plus sexual health clinics, highlighting the symptoms of Shigella, how it is transmitted and how to avoid it.

    ON THE RISE
    Dr Gwenda Hughes, PHE head of STI surveillance, said: “Shigella is on the rise, so it is vital gay and bisexual men know about it and how to avoid getting it. We’re also seeing increasing HIV and gonorrhoea diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the UK – indeed, most of the men with Shigella had been diagnosed with other STIs including HIV. This is a reminder how important it is to use a condom when having sex with casual and new partners.”

    Cary James, Head of Health Improvement at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “Although on paper the number of documented cases of Shigella are quite small, the concern is that not all cases are being reported. Men with symptoms who haven’t heard of Shigella before might assume it’s a particularly bad case of food poisoning. However, the infection can be dangerous, even more so if you’re already living with HIV or Hep C. We would urge anyone who is experiencing symptoms, or who’s concerned they may have been at risk, to call our free helpline THT Direct or visit www.tht.org.uk/shigella.”

    Dr Hughes continued: “The Shigella awareness campaign is part of a broader commitment to helping improve the health of gay and bisexual men, including exploring the links between health and drug use. The level of injecting drug use is a particular concern as we know that this puts men at greatly increased risk of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis C”
    Individuals worried about Shigella or their drug use can find out more on the Terrence Higgins Trust website – including finding a local service to visit for further advice. www.tht.org.uk/shigella

  • Kylie Moves Into The Blue Release Date Forward

    Due to excessive demand for the Red Bloodied Beauty, the Into The Blue release date has been pushed forward.

    Kylie Minogue’s new single Into The Blue is due to be released on the 9th March and the album will be released on the 17th.

    Her new album Kiss Me Once, is the first record since working with her new management team Roc Nation.

    Kylie released the artwork for Kiss Me Once last week

    Watch the official lyric video for Into The Blue here

  • Ben Summerskill to step down as CEO of Stonewall

    Stonewall today announced that Ben Summerskill OBE is to step down as Chief Executive of the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity after eleven years at the helm.

    His time as Chief Executive saw a dramatic change in the legal landscape for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain. During his tenure he led successful campaigns to secure legal equality for gay people in Britain, including the repeal of Section 28, goods and services protections, civil partnerships and marriage equality.

    Ben’s tenure also saw a transformation of the charity itself, taking it from one with just 20 staff, an annual income of £1.3 million, to an effective campaigning organisation of 75 full time staff with annual income of excess of £4.2 million, with improved governance and financial integrity including substantially augmented reserves in line with charity best practice.

    Paying tribute to his time as Chief Executive, Stonewall Chair Jacqueline Davies said: ‘In the last decade, under Ben’s direction, Stonewall has become a hugely influential campaigning body that has played a key role in achieving legal equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Britain – from the repeal of Section 28 to the recent same-sex marriage bill.

    ‘Britain is now a beacon of equality around the world and we are incredibly proud of Stonewall’s contribution to this. Ben’s own commitment has been extraordinary. He has worked tirelessly to achieve equality at home, at school and at work – and we are enormously grateful to him.

    ‘We remain all too aware that Stonewall’s work is by no means complete. The whole organisation remains more determined than ever to fight for full equality for gay, lesbian and bisexual people in all areas of life – both in the UK and internationally.’
    Ben Summerskill said: ‘I’ve had a wonderful 11 years at Stonewall. As a charity, it comprises a constellation of staff and volunteers who, working together, have achieved remarkable things. The fact that Stonewall’s Workplace Programme now engages the employers of ten million people and one in three local authorities in Britain now works with us to tackle homophobic bullying in schools is testament to some of the fantastic teamwork I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with.’
    The Stonewall Board today also announces that current Deputy Chief Executive Ruth Hunt will be appointed as Acting Chief Executive while the Board recruits into the role. In recent months, Ben has worked with Ruth to ensure the organisation transitions smoothly and remains focused on its key priorities.

    Ruth Hunt said: ‘The Stonewall team is working hard to achieve equality for gay people in education, the media and in the workplace.’

    ‘As a leadership team, our priority will be to maintain the momentum Ben has built up over the last 11 years so that we continue to see significant progress in these areas. I’ve worked side-by-side with Ben over the last eight years, and will be delighted and honoured to step into the role of Acting Chief Executive.’

  • Joan Rivers thinks the Kardashian kind needs waxing

    Oh my… gay icon Joan Rivers proves she’ll go after anyone – including a 6-month-old Kardashian.

    We love that JR will literally say anything – but tis a brave lady who takes on the Kardashian-West clan.

    In her latest standup routine the amazing 80-year-old Rivers said that the six-month-old, North, was ‘Ugly’ and ‘in a desperately need of a waxing’ according to gossip site RadarOnline.

    Joan Rivers returns to the UK this autumn in her new show.

    Kim took to Twitter writing, after pictures of her baby were aired on The Ellen DeGeneres Show last week

    ‘Do people really think I would wax my daughters eyebrows so young? Come on, I’d wait until she’s at least 2 1/2!
    ‘I’m kidding!!! Its pretty sick for people to insinuate that I would wax my daughters eyebrows. They are thick, natural and amazing!’

  • Falcon Porn Studio Removes Condoms Digitally

    In a controversial new move, Falcon Studios has digitally removed condoms from its actors.

    The porn studio, which up until now has been steadfastly condom only, has digitally removed condoms from one of it’s latest releases Calfornia Dreamin’ 1.

    In a press release posted by Joe My Blog, Falcon said:

    ‘Legendary gay film producer Falcon Studios has decided to use some decidedly new tech to compete with bareback studios. For it’s latest release, California Dreamin’, the San Francisco-based studio used advanced Photoshop techniques to remove condoms from the final film. While the film itself was shot using condoms, the final result appears as condomless.

    The move comes in response to two trends in the industry. Porn studios are facing increasing financial pressures from consumers who want to see films without condoms and state regulatory agencies that have fined adult film producers for going without.

    In an interview with the consumer-facing blog, GPB, director Tony Dimarco described it as,

    “a throwback to the classic, pre-condom Falcon poolside movies from the 70′s and 80′s.”

    “Falcon itself has used condoms in all its features since the late 80s.’

    So what do you think? Hot or Not? Does it increase the desire for gay people to have bareback sex?

  • NEWS: Brand New Networking Site For Gay Muscle Men

    If you’re a fan of the muscles, then you’re going to love this all new networking site for gay muscle men.

    (more…)

  • Cheshire’s fire service among top LGBT employers

    Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is celebrating after once again making it into Stonewall’s annual list of the UK’s top 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) friendly employers.

    After making the Top100 of the Workplace Equality Index for the first time in 2013, the Service increased its ranking by 20 places, achieving the 25th slot and placing it in the top quarter of organisations.

    Deputy Chair of the Fire Authority, Cllr Stef Nelson said: “Making the Top100 for a second year is something we are incredibly proud of. It demonstrates that the culture of the fire and rescue service is changing for the better. We are totally committed to getting the most out of every single member of staff and developing an inclusive working environment where our staff feel valued regardless of their background or sexual orientation”.

    Stonewall is a national organisation that works to achieve equality for lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. The Index has been running for ten years and is seen as the definitive benchmark for gay-friendly employers.

    Nearly 400 organisations entered the 2014 Index, including some of the UK’s (and the world’s) largest and most successful firms. The Service was the joint-highest scoring organisation based solely in the North West.

    The Workplace Equality Index provides an audit for workplace culture and ranks the top employers for LGBT staff through a 25-question evidenced assessment, focussed on the approach and mechanisms for supporting LGBT employees, customers and communities.

    Chief Fire Office Paul Hancock, who is the senior sponsor of the Service’s LGBT staff network, added: “I am delighted that our organisation has again improved its placing in Stonewall’s Top 100 this year. It reflects the hard work invested by our staff and volunteers, not only in ensuring that our people can perform at their best and be themselves, but also so that LGBT people across Cheshire know that we are here to support them. Our aim is always to deliver an excellent fire and rescue service and to do that we need people from every background.”

    Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has an active LGBT employee network group, Firepride, which has once again been accredited as a ‘Star Performing Network’. This means that it has been recognised as ‘making an invaluable contribution to the experience of LGBT staff in the organisation and beyond’.

  • THEGAYUK teams up with Gaydio to bring you live radio

    THEGAYUK have teamed up with the world’s best loved gay radio station Gaydio to bring you live radio to your favourite magazine.

    We promised exciting changes for 2014 to bring you a bigger, better, brighter TGUK and what a start to the year it’s been. We’ve kicked off with Issue 1 of THEGAYUK Tradigital Magazine, available from Apple and Android Newsstands and for ONLY £1.49. Then if releasing an affordable magazine wasn’t enough, we are now pleased to announce that THEGAYUK has teamed up with Gaydio to bring you the best of the ‘gay-waves’ across the UK.

    To listen to the Beat-Of-Gay-UK just click on the Gaydio Listen Live tab on the right hand side to open. Don’t miss your favourite programmes including the Chris and Emma Breakfast show – Weekdays at 7am – 10am. Phil Marriott Sun – Thu from 6pm and Kieron Richardson Sundays 4pm – 6pm. You can see the full line up here: uk.gaydio.co.uk/on-air/