THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • Hillingdon’s First Support Group For LGBT People With Mental Health Issues

    Hillingdon Mind has recently employed a dedicated LGBT project coordinator whose sole role is to develop a support service for LGBT adults with mental health problems in the borough of Hillingdon.

    Support services that are to launch in early November will consist of a social group meeting once a week, trips and other enriching activities decided by members on a quarterly basis. There will also be a mentoring and buddying system that will aim to support those most in need.

    “Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are more likely to suffer mental health problems due to social isolation and prejudice attached to those identities, if we add to it the stigma attached to mental health, we have a very vulnerable group. I am pleased that Hillingdon Mind recognises it.” – Lukasz, LGBT Project Coordinator

    The project is still in its infancy, but Lukasz is already receiving enquiries. If you would like more information you can contact him via mobile: 07415151185 or email: lgbt@hilligdonmind.org.uk or visit Hillingdon Mind’s website for more information: www.hilligdonmind.org.uk/lgbt

  • NEWS: Terrence Higgins Trust Launches Its First Ever Supper Club At Home

    For more than 10 years, the HIV and sexual health charity has hosted its annual Supper Club, a glamorous dine-off at which dozens of London’s top restaurants donate a private table for Terrence Higgins Trust supporters. Last year, around 500 guests took part in more than 40 dinner parties, with tables at Gauthier Soho, Galvin La Chapelle, and The Square. (more…)

  • Texan Gay Man Badly Beaten After App Hook Up

    A 24 year-old man from Springtown, Texas has ended up in hospital after a hook up on the MeetMe app went terribly wrong.

    Arron Keahey was beaten and brutalised by an 18-year-old suspect, after meeting up with him an hour after the two men struck up conversation on the MeetMe app.

    Keahey said to ABC News8 reporter Steve Stoler that he was ‘ambushed almost immediately’ after his arrival at the 18-year-old’s address saying,

    ‘He started getting all frustrated and talking all angrily,” Keahey said. “I don’t remember anything after that.’

    Police in North Texas are currently investigating the attack after Brice Johnson called 911 to say that he had ‘found Keahey outside his house in the trunk of a car.’

    The police later arrested and charged Johnson with aggravated assault, causing serious bodily injury and are treating it as a ‘possible hate crime,’ however as the victim doesn’t remember the attack and Johnson is also saying that he remembers very little about the incident.

    Keahey has broken facial bones, nerve damage and has lost some teeth. He will require corrective cosmetic surgery for his injuries.

     

    A spokesperson for the MeetMe app has said,

    ‘Safety is MeetMe’s top priority. To ensure that our 1 million daily users have a safe and enjoyable experience online, we employ a variety of human and technological filters that include real-time review of every image posted to the site and a zero-tolerance policy for interactions that violate our terms of service.

    ‘As this tragic incident illustrates, offline meetings can carry significant risk – which is why MeetMe prominently displays safety messages to every user of our mobile apps and logged-in users of our website see reminders at the bottom every screen about the dangers of meeting people they don’t know.

    ‘In addition, MeetMe created and operates the website www.socialsafety.org as a resource to help users and their families stay safe online and links to it from throughout MeetMe’s website and app.’

     

    To watch the news report click here.

  • Gay Couple To Join Channel 4’s Sex Box

    A gay couple take part in a sex experience in front of live studio audience for a Channel 4 progamme that aims to look at the sex lives of normal Britons.

    Three couples, which includes an engaged couple who were childhood sweethearts, a gay couple who have been together for 3 years and couple in their 20s.

    A spokesperson for Channel 4 said that the gay couple had wanted to take part in the show because it was a brilliant opportunity to show how ‘normal’ gay sex could be.

    Mariella Frostrup is to host the new show for Channel 4, which aims to reclaim sex from porn by ‘exploring how the ever-increasing consumption of pornography is distorting people’s expectations of sex and ultimately damaging the sex lives of Britons.’

    The show is to be recorded in front of a live studio audience, who like TV audiences will not see any sex or nudity.

    After each couples’ time in the box, they will talk with Frostrup and a panel of sexperts, which includes psychotherapist, broadcaster and author Phillip Hodson, sex, body language and relationship expert Tracey Cox and internationally syndicated sex columnist Dan Savage

    Sex Box presenter Mariella Frostrup said: “Ten years as the Observer’s Agony Aunt has given me plenty of insight into what an important role sex plays in our lives but also how difficult we find to talk openly about it to each other. The sex we see on screen, in magazines and increasingly online bears little relation to the real experiences of real people. I’m delighted to take part in this attempt to have a frank conversation about an essential element of all our lives. ”

    The actual Sex Box is a completely sound proofed box – however the walls are opaque, so audiences or the production crew will see little.

    Dan Savage said: “Many people have an easier time speaking honestly about sex with their friends – or with anonymous strangers online – than they do with their partners. But honest, fearless communication with the person (or persons!) with whom you actually have sex is central to creating successful long-term relationships. Sex is that important.”

    The show is to be broadcast on the 7th October.

    The Campaign for Real Sex Season starts on 30 September at 10pm with Porn on the Brain.

  • Anger As Two Men Handed ‘Gay Guys’ Receipt At North Yorkshire Pub

    Two men in North Yorkshire were accidentally handed a receipt that described the two as ‘Gay Guys’.

    A pub in North Yorkshire has had to apologise to Al Butler, 26, and a old school friend who were handed a receipt that described the two as ‘Gay Guys’ on stools – to indicate where the men were sitting, even though the two are straight.

    Judson’s Bar has apologised ‘unreservedly’ to the two men and the waitress who wrote the receipt has been ‘disciplined’.

    The two men went to Judson’s Bar for lunch. It was only after the food had been delivered that Mr Butler’s friend noticed the note.

    Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr. Butler said:

    ‘My friend spotted it first and said, “I think the manager’s misconstrued our lunch”
    ‘I obviously thought it was inappropriate. It took a while for it sink in. It was not insulting, it was just a shock.
    ‘I was surprised. I would not expect it anywhere else. It’s as equally unacceptable as racism.
    ‘It’s not a bad thing to be called gay – although I’m not and neither is my friend – but I think it’s prejudiced. It’s jumping to a conclusion without the need to do so.’

     

    The bar’s owner Peter Ward told The Press, Yorkshire,

    ‘We have apologised unreservedly. While it was completely wrong, I don’t feel it was prejudiced.
    ‘It was completely unprofessional and it is not what our business is about.

    ‘We understand why the two gentlemen concerned were offended and we have apologised to them unreservedly.

    ‘We have also disciplined the waitress concerned and put in place a procedure so it will not happen again. I would add that everyone is welcome at Judson’s.’

    A spokesperson from Stonewall said,

    ‘Incidents like this highlight the importance of staff training. Identifying customers by their perceived sexual orientation is unnecessary and could cause offence. It’s right that the bar should apologise to the customers for this inappropriate behaviour.’

  • Ride Out for Human Rights

    Mystery bicycle ride to landmarks of famous humanitarians & LGBTs

    If you enjoy cycling, join us for our Ride Out for Human Rights around London on Sunday 6 October, starting at 10.30am in central London – at Gays The Word 66 Marchmont Street, WC1n 1AB

    We’re inviting you to join our fun bike ride to 11 mystery landmarks associated with famous LGBTs and humanitarians.
    It’s not a race. The ride is not timed, so you can ride as fast or as slow as you wish.

    If you haven’t got your own bike, consider hiring one from the London blue bike hire scheme.
    Spread the word. Bring your friends and family.
    The Ride Out for Human Rights is a fundraiser for the for Peter Tatchell Foundation. The registration fee is £20. Find out more and register via our website.

    If you can’t join us, please consider a donation.

    We receive no government funding and rely entirely on your generous donations. Your support makes a big difference. It enables us to continue speaking out for human rights.

    Please feel free to forward this invitation to your friends. Ask them to join us.

  • ‘AIDS Ring’ Video By Pat Robertson Reinstated by YouTube

    Stonewall Bigot Nominee Pat Robertson has lost his battle to have a controversial AIDS remark removed from YouTube.

    The 83 year-old televangelist has lost his fight with YouTube to have a comment he made about gay men spreading AIDS with a ring which could cut and infect those who shook hands with someone wearing the ring in San Francisco, removed after the Google owned service re-instated the video.

    Robertson claimed the gay community had also passed several ‘draconian laws’ which prohibited people from discussing this particular affliction.’

    The video’s copyright owner the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) initially had the video removed, stating copyright infringement but when the clip reemerged with Robertson’s outrageous remarks removed Right Wing Watch (RRW) wrote,

    ‘…The episode reveals the lengths CBN will go to hide and censor the statements made by its own leader,’

    The video has now been reinstated after RWW said that the clip fell under a fair use clause – and seemingly YouTube agrees.

    Last week Stonewall released a list of nominees for its 8th Annual Awards, Pat Robertson has been nominated for a Bigot Of The Year Award.

  • Stephen Crohn Who Helped With AIDS Study Dies At 66.

    The man who’s natural resistance to AIDS helped further the study of the disease has died aged 66.

    Stephen Crohn has died aged 66 in New York City, the cause is being reported as suicide by his sister Amy Crohn Santagata who confirmed that he died on the 23rd August.

    In 1978 his boyfriend Jerry Greenwood was dying of a disease which hadn’t yet been named – and would eventually be one of the first gay men in the US to die of what would be later be named as AIDS.

    Mr. Crohn watched as dozens of his friends succumbed to this new disease which ravaged the gay community in the late 70s and well into the 80s. Yet, Mr. Crohn said that he had been as sexually active as his friends and had taken no special precautions.

    However, Mr. Crohn had a natural resistance to the disease and this led to deeper comprehension and learning about HIV – the virus which causes AIDS.

    He worked throughout his life to help doctors and scientists understand the virus and disease better.

    His resistance to AIDS made him somewhat of a celebrity, with the Independent naming him “The Man Who Can’t Catch AIDS” in an article in March 1996. His story was told in documentaries and interviews around the world.

    He was a freelance editor for Fodor’s Travel and an artist.

    Speaking to the New York Times Ms. Santagata said,

    “My brother saw all his friends around him dying, and he didn’t die,

    “He went through a tremendous amount of survivor guilt about that and said to himself, ‘There’s got to be a reason.’

    “He was quite extraordinary, and then also quite ordinary,” she said.

    To read more about Stephen Crohn life click here

  • Cher turned down Russian Olympics Sochi appearance

    The American superstar and gay icon has turned down opportunities linked with the Sochi Winter Olympics.

    In an interview with Macleans.ca the Believe singer said that she had been asked by an unnamed Russian oligarch to be an ambassador for the Olympics.”I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over.

    “I can’t name names but my friend called who is a big oligarch over there, and asked me if I’d like to be an ambassador for the Olympics and open the show. I immediately said no. I want to know why all of this gay hate just exploded over there. He said the Russian people don’t feel the way the government does.”

    Cher’s new album ‘Closer To The Truth’ is due to be released on October 14th 2013

  • Actor Stephen Fry Branded ‘Sick’ By Russian Politician

    The Russian Politician who was instrumental in creating Russia’s anti-gay law, banning the ‘promotion of non-traditional relationships’ to anyone under the age of 18 has branded the actor, writer and broadcaster Stephen Fry ‘Sick’ as the world’s attention is drawn to the furore over the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

    The world’s attention was drawn to the violations against Russia’s LGBT community last week when the QI presenter, Fry, wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister David Cameron, the International Olympic Committee’s president and Lord Coe.

    In the open letter Fry called for the Olympics to be banned or moved, stating:

    ‘An absolute ban on the Russian Winter Olympics of 2014 on Sochi is simply essential. Stage them elsewhere in Utah, Lillehammer, anywhere you like. At all costs Putin cannot be seen to have the approval of the civilised world.’

    Russian Politian Vitaly Milonov has hit back at Fry during an interview on BBC 5 Live insisting that homosexuality is a sin and that Fry was ‘sick’ over his suicide attempts last year.

    Mr Milonov said: “Who is this Stephen Fry? I know because he is sick person because he tried to commit suicide as far as I remember.”

    Speaking today, Mr Milonov when asked whether he was fighting a war against gay people said:

    ‘It is a shame and it is a sin but it is a personal choice. It is not normal but a person cannot be punished in Russia for being homosexual, or to live with a dog, with a horse, with a sheep, whatever.

    ‘Homosexuality is one of the sins for us and it means we should not teach our kids that sin is okay.’

    During an interview with BBC News over the weekend Stephen Fry called on athletes competing in the Sochi Winter Olympics to show a sign of solidarity with Russian LGBTs by crossing their arms across their chest.

    Read our live blogging from the LGBT Russia Protest which took place over the weekend in London.

  • Gay Icon Kylie To Replace Bisexual Jessie J

    She of gold hot pant wearing goodness is about to replace her of bold statement lycra leggings. Yes Jessie J is set to leave BBC’s The Voice.

    (more…)