THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • LGBT groups forced to suspend AIDS education in Cameroon

    LGBT rights groups in Cameroon are being forced to suspend Aids education programmes because fears of educator’s safety.

    AllAfrica.com is reporting that Aids education programmes have been halted by LGBT organisations in Cameroon “until their international partners help them to improve security so activists won’t be killed while trying to curb the spread of HIV among LGBT people there.”

    Writing on 76Crimes.com Colin Stewart stated the announcement had come a week after the body of slain journalist and activist Eric Lembembe was discovered by police in Cameroon.

    “We need protection,” said Dominique Menoga, president of Lembembe’s anti-AIDS group, the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (Camfaids) in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

    In a statement to donors, LGBT organisations said that the climate of homophobia has ‘intensified and now has reached a critical point.’

    The decision was announced by a coalition of anti-aids and pro-gay-rights groups, on the 22nd July to USAID, Care Cameroon; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the Cameroon National Association for Family Welfare (CAMNAFAW), which provide funding for HIV education programs for LGBT people in Cameroon.

    The Statement can be read below:

    In this memorandum, the associations supporting the LGBTI community of Cameroon announce the creation of a coalition that speaks for them with a unified voice.

    The purpose of this coalition is to communicate as one with development partners, regional authorities and international organizations about strategic issues facing Cameroonian organizations.

    In the fight for the rights of sexual minorities in Cameroon, the long-decried climate of homophobia has intensified and now has reached a critical point.

    The pursuit of our various missions (prevention of STIs / HIV, medical care, advocacy for rights, support of people imprisoned for their sexual orientation and / or gender identity) requires a minimum level of security, institutional support and financial support.

    At present, the high level of insecurity in Cameroon has unfortunately led to the murder of Eric Lembembe Ohena of CAMFAIDS. We also note that serious threats have been made against the locations and members of our organizations, to the point where continuing our current work unchanged would be dangerous.

    For this reason, we are asking you for additional financial and institutional support to ensure:

    A plan for securing our organizations, officers and members (the costs of around-the-clock guards for our center, insurance, and purchase of surveillance equipment).
    Creation of an emergency fund to defend our organizations and activists.
    Establishment of a common activity center in Yaoundé where maximum security can be provided.
    Because of the dangers of the current situation, in cities of Yaoundé and Douala we are forced to suspend immediately the projects we have with USAID through Care Cameroon and with the Global Fund through CAMNAFAW. Minimal services will continue to be provided to our clients.

    We reject a partnership that reduces our associations to simply a labor force that must work in precarious, dangerous conditions.

    Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people living in Cameroon face legal challenges, both male and female same-sex sexuality activity is illegal. People found guilty can be imprisoned for 5 years and fined 20,000 to 200,000 francs (£26.26 – £262.58)

    The national average yearly income per person in Cameroon is just £758.71

    It is estimated that in 2011 there were 550,000 peole living with HIV and 34,000 deaths due to AIDS.

  • Kerry Katona to play gay icon in new musical

    Kerry Katona is set to play gay icon Marilyn Monroe in a new musical about the blonde bombshell.

    The new musical about the life of the Some Like It Hot actress is due to open with Atomic Kitten singer turned reality star Kerry Katona.

    The news was broken by Norma Jeane: The Musical’s Twtter feed, which announced:

    “Its official Kerry Katona ‪@KerryKatona7 will be Marilyn Monroe in ‘Norma Jeane The Musical”

    The show’s writer Belvedere Pashun, who previously wrote Wag – The Musical said of Katona:

    “I needed an actor of huge talent, personality and experience – Kerry was at the top of my list.

    This show will change the shape of people’s perceptions of Marilyn Monroe, and we expect to announce a new star of drama on stage and screen with Kerry’s performance.”
    Kerry said:

    ‘I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity to play one of the world’s biggest female icons and can’t wait to get to work. A successful career in drama has always been a main goal of mine and this role is a challenge but one I’m going to grab with both hands.’

    The show is due to open sometime after the end of September 2013.

    Marilyn Monroe was voted a gay icon by the writers of TheGayUK in May

  • Court appearance delayed for gay tourists arrested for “gay prop”

    The Russian LGBT Network (RLGBTN) have announced that up to four gay Dutch tourists have been arrested and detained by police.

    Writing on their Facebook wall, the RLGBTN stated that four Dutch nationals had been detained by police under charges of gay propaganda.

    In a statement the network said:
    Four Dutch citizens are accused of spreading “propaganda of non-traditional relationships among the under-aged” (that is, gay propaganda). 20th and 21st of July on the campsite called “Frigate”, a cultural event was held under the title “Youth for Human Rights Camp”. In its program there was included the performance of Kris van der Veen from Dutch LGBT-Groningen,http://www.lgbtgroningen.nl/. In addition, there were shown shots of a documentary telling about the Human Rights situation in Russia.
    On the 21st of July police officers and representatives of the Russian Federal Migration Service arrived at the campsite, questioned the participants and stated that the article 6.21.3 (“propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among the under-aged, spread by citizen of a foreign country”) was violated because in the video material there were interviews of under-aged people.
    The Dutch said that the testimony written in the protocole don’t reflect reality but they were anyway forced to sign in because, as police officers said, “that’s how Russia works”.
    The Russian LGBT Network and a Muurmansk-based LGBT organization “Maksimum” give judicial aid to the accused and provide them with information. The General Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and international Human Rights organizations are kept informed about the situation.

    The court hearing will be held today at 14.30.
    The court hearing which was due for day (Monday 22nd July) it has been delayed.
    The Russian LGBT Network provides legal assistance.”

    The official and legal definition of ‘homosexual propaganda’ is currently unclear, however reports are emerging of arrests for kissing, holding hands, wearing or using rainbows.

    The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also updated its advice for gay people travelling to Russia. On their website the DoFA states:

     

    “Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation. Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”

  • Three tourists arrested in Russia for “gay propaganda”

    The Russian LGBT Network (RLGBTN) have announced that three Dutch tourist have been arrested and detained by police.

    Writing on their Facebook wall, the RLGBTN stated that three Dutch nationals had been detained by police under charges of gay propaganda.

    In a statement the network said:

    “At the moment they were released from the police station. Police compiled reports on the violation of rules of stay in the territory of Russia and the violation of the law of the “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations among minors.”

    Court hearing will be at 9 a.m. (Moscow time) 22 July 2013.

    The Russian LGBT Network provides legal assistance.”

    The official and legal definition of ‘homosexual propaganda’ is currently unclear, however reports are emerging of arrests for kissing, holding hands, wearing or using rainbows.

    The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also updated its advice for gay people travelling to Russia. On their website the DoFA states,

    “Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation. Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”

  • THEATRE | As Is Reopens In London After 25 Years

    The first London production since the 1987 UK premiere of William M. Hoffman’s ‘As Is’ opens at the Finborough Theatre for a four week limited season on Tuesday, 6 August 2013 directed by Andrew Keates.

    New York City, 1985.

    Rich, a young writer who is beginning to find success, is breaking up with his longtime lover, Saul, a professional photographer. However Rich’s idyll with his new lover is short-lived when he learns that he has contracted the terrifying new disease AIDS and returns to Saul for sanctuary as he awaits its slow and awful progress.

    In a mosaic of brilliantly conceived short scenes, some profoundly moving, some brightly humorous, As Is captures the pathos of Rich’s relationship with friends and family, the cold impersonality of the doctors and nurses who care for him and the widely diverse aspects of New York’s gay community. A heartbreaking and unsparing examination of a deeply felt human relationship shattered by a mindless, destructive disease.

    Blending humour, poignance and brilliant theatricality, As Is was a revolutionary and groundbreaking play of its time, and is still sadly urgently relevant as the number of gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with HIV in the UK reached an “all-time high” in 2011, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

    Finborough Theatre, 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED

    Box Office 0844 847 1652 Book online atwww.finboroughtheatre.co.uk

    Tuesday, 6 August – Saturday, 31 August 2013

    Tuesday to Saturday Evenings at 7.30pm. Sunday Matinees at 3.00pm. Saturday matinees at 3.00pm (from the second week of the run).

    Prices for Weeks One and Two (6–18 August 2013) – Tickets £14, £11 concessions, except Tuesday Evenings £11 all seats, and Saturday evenings £14 all seats. Previews (6 and 7 August) £9 all seats.

    £6 tickets for Under 30’s for performances from Tuesday to Sunday of the first week when booked online only.

    £10 tickets for residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on Saturday,

    10 August 2013 when booked online.

  • Westboro Baptist Church criticises Queen for Royal Assent on gay marriage

    Westboro Baptist Church criticises Queen for Royal Assent on gay marriage

    Anti-gay and homophobic church group Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) has tweeted a picture depicting Her Majesty calling her ‘Queen of fags’.

    Wesboro Baptist Church
    CREDIT: Wesboro Baptist Church

     

    Tweeting from @WBCSigns, the infamous American church group have called HM Elizabeth II the ‘Queen Of Fags’ and published a picture of the Queen with a pink triangle on her forehead to attack her Royal Assent on same-sex marriage in the UK last Wednesday.

    The accompanying text read:

    “In honor of Elizabeth II giving same sex marriage the royal nod last week, we dedicate this picket to her”

    The Queen gave her royal stamp of approval last Wednesday making same-sex marriage officially legal in the UK.

  • Mark Wahlberg wasn’t as sexy as Graham Norton hoped

    Graham Norton tells TV Magazine that the Hollywood A-Lister Mark Wahlberg wasn’t as sexy as he hoped.

    Speaking to TV Magazine, Graham Norton talked about having an apparently drunken 42-year-old Wahlberg on his show was not exactly what he expected.

    Norton remarked that he used to have a crush on Wahlberg, but didn’t find the moment that the Boogie Nights actor sat on his lap and tweeked his nipple enjoyable.

    ‘I once had a photo of him where a dog’s pulling down his underwear and, if someone had told me then that one day he’d sit on my knee and pinch my nipple, my head would’ve exploded.

    ‘I guess I’m not really that into crushes any more. That’s a sign of being 50 – I’ve stopped noticing people!’

  • Queerly Out Opens A New Night In London’s Escape Bar

    QueerlyOut presents new club night QueerlyPOP every Tuesday from 9-3am at Escape Bar Soho. Hosted by KLUBKIDS star Jason Prince and DJ Matt Unique , they present London’s best pop music and Karaoke entertainment.

    (more…)

  • Gay tourists in Russia could be jailed or deported

    A warning for gay travellers and tourists thinking about venturing to Russia this year might need to rethink their plans after Russia passes anti-gay law.

    The new bill, now fully in effect could find openly gay visitors, detained for up to fourteen days, if found to be promoting homosexuality, although it is unclear what constitutes promotion.

    The new bill, now fully in effect could find openly gay visitors, detained for up to fourteen days, if found to be promoting homosexuality, although it is unclear what constitutes promotion.

    Skift.com has written:

    The law also contains a provision permitting the government to arrest and detain gay, or pro-gay, foreigners for up to 14 days before they would then be expelled from the country. That provision ought to send chills to anyone gay, lesbians, bisexual or transgender who is planning to attend or participate in the Winter Olympics.

    The International Olympic Committee released a statement calling for the acceptance of all athletes due to attend Russia’s winter Olympics.

    The International Olympic Committee is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation,” the statement said. “The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardize this principle.”

    The official and legal definition of ‘homosexual propaganda’ is currently unclear, however reports are emerging of arrests for kissing, holding hands, wearing or using rainbows.

    The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has also updated its advice for gay people travelling to Russia. On their website the DoFA states:

    “Homosexuality was illegal in the USSR up until 1993 when it was decriminalised. However, a federal law has recently been approved that prohibits the promotion of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism in the Russian Federation. Fines can now be imposed on those who provide information about the homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities to minors. According to the legislation, public displays of affection or activities regarded as counter to the law may also lead to fines, arrests and deportations.”

    Actress Tilda Swinton was recently seen in front of the Kremlin holding a rainbow flag with a statement that read:

    “In solidarity. From Russia with love.”

  • Matt Fishel releases When Boy Meets Boy

    Matt Fishel releases 6th single, When Boy Meets Boy and celebrates with one of best music videos we’ve seen in a long time.

    Not many people can say they include Stephen Fry as a fan of their artistry, but openly gay singer-songwriter Matt Fishel, can. Speaking about Fishel’s music Stephen Fry said:

    “Gloriously gay, sweetly romantic, wonderful touching music”

    Now if that’s not a call to action, we’re not sure what is.

    And what can we say… We completely agree!

    When Boy Meets Boy is released worldwide on iTunes and Amazon as a 3-track single, including an exclusive remix from Dutch DJ/Producer Matt Pop (RuPaul, Almighty Records).

    The original music video for the song is a short animation film directed and animated by Joe Phillips, who also created the beautiful artwork for Matt’s album. This new video is a fun ‘boy meets boy’ love story between Matt and the mysterious, super-cute skateboarder Marcus… with a superhero twist!

    Matt has crafted his own unique style of songwriting and production, with themes of sexuality, education, love and lust running through his work. However, his songs and lyrics deal openly with the joys, pains and experiences of growing up as a gay teenager and young man, setting him apart from other artists.

  • Zachary Quinto And Jonathan Groff Call It A Day

    Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton reports that Hollywood A-Lister and his boyfriend, Jonathan Groff have split.

    Writing on PerezHilton.com, Perez wrote:

    ‘It has been confirmed to us exclusively that lovebirds Zachary Quinto and Jonathan Groff are no longer seeking snuggle-time in each other’s arms. Sources have come forward to share that the pair have recently split, after nearly a year of being longingly in love.

    But here’s where things take a turn for the worst…

    Our source adds that things did “not end well” between Zach and Jon, making things far from amiable between them.’

     

    Zachary Quinto, is most famous for his role as Spock in the latest Star Trek movies as well as starring in the hit fantasy drama Heroes.

    Quinto, 36, came out as gay in in October 2011.