THEGAYUK

Author: News Desk

  • EUROVISION 2013 | Album out now

    Get ready for the Eurovision madness to hit the airwaves with the 2013 double album

    With more key changes than even Simon Cowell could handle, the Eurovision 2013 album is available to buy from all good digtial and physical retailers.

    With 39 songs, this year’s double album is a whopper.

    This year’s Eurovision will be held in the Swedish town of Malmo and will be broadcast on BBC on the 18th May

    Viewers and professional juries in 39 participating countries will vote.

    Viewers and professional juries each have a 50 percent stake in the outcome. The professional juries will feature six members in each country. The televoting window will be opened after all the songs have been performed.

    The running order of the represented countries in the Final will be determined by draw, right after each of the two Semi-Finals.

    Purchase the album from Amazon

  • RIP | Viva Forever to close in June

    West End Musical Viva Forever is set to close at the end of June

    In a statement from the producers of Viva Forever:

    Producer Judy Craymer announced that VIVA FOREVER! the new musical, inspired by the songs of the Spice Girls, has posted closing notice at the Piccadilly Theatre for 29 June, 2013. Anyone wanting to join in the fun is urged to book tickets now and get down to the Piccadilly Theatre in the next eight weeks for a fabulous, feel-good night out.

    In a press statement issued this morning, Ms CRAYMER, said

    “It is with a heavy heart that we’ve had to make this very difficult decision to post closing notices for this original show which is blessed with one of the most brilliant casts currently on the West End stage. We set out to create a contemporary story that truly reflects our time; to take a satirical look at the underbelly of a TV Talent show and the chaos that ensues for a mother, her daughter and their friends, a theatrical event to embrace all generations both on and off the stage. Testament to that achievement is the standing ovation at every performance from an audience of families and friends all enjoying a great night out. The show has evolved since we first opened and is now brighter, lighter and funnier, but despite the wonderful audiences and extremely positive feedback we just can’t make it work. I’m so proud of everyone involved in this production. VIVA FOREVER! may be taking it’s leave for now in the West End but the legacy of Spice Girls will never fade.”

    Writer Jennifer Saunders added:

    “It is disappointing the show is to close. I am particularly sad for the cast and crew that have worked so hard to produce a wonderful show.”

    The Spice Girls said

    “We want to thank the cast and all the fans for their support, and although Viva Forever won’t continue in the West End we are thrilled that the thousands of people who came to the show had as much fun as we did.”

    VIVA FOREVER! is a feel-good musical comedy with a book by Jennifer Saunders inspired by the music of the SPICE GIRLS. Charting the trials and tribulations of wannabe girlband Eternity, the musical tells an original story as it hurls the audience headfirst into the final rounds of TV talent show Starmaker, where a panel of fame vultures passes judgment on our wannabe heroines while desperately clinging to the limelight themselves.

    VIVA FOREVER! is directed by Paul Garrington and choreographed by Lynne Page. The production is designed by Peter McKintosh, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Bobby Aitken and musical orchestration by Martin Koch.

    VIVA FOREVER! is produced by Judy Craymer in association with the Spice Girls, Simon Fuller and Universal Music.

    Tickets for VIVA FOREVER! are available until 29 June 2013

  • Gay Vices Survey Results

    This month we’ve been discussing Vices on TheGayUK and at the beginning of the month we invited readers to take a survey to reveal what the gay community vices were.

    In our snapshot survey, porn topped the list of vices of gay men of the United Kingdom, with 42.4% of those polled owning up to viewing porn at least a few times a week (30%), watching it on a daily basis (28%), and over a quarter admitting to watching the bad boy stuff a few times a day.
    Other vices topping the list were Drinking 34% Sex 32% and Smoking 19%.

    Only 1.7% of people revealed that gambling was their vice.

     

    In order (respondents could choose more than 1 vice):

    Porn 42.4%

    Drinking 33.9%

    Sex 32.2%

    Smoking 18.6%

    Chocolate 16.9%

    Working 15.3%

    Drugs 11.9%

    Shopping 11.9%

    Fast Food 10.2%

    Cruising 5.1%

    Adultery 3.4%

    Gambling 1.7%
    Just over half said that they would consider giving up their vice, with 50% of all respondents saying that their addiction wasn’t a problem for them.

    Is the gay community actively looking for help or booking into the Priory any day soon – don’t bet on it, only 13.6% said that they had sought any kind of professional help in dealing with their vice or addiction.

    59.3% of those questioned said that they had been addicted for over 10 years – and openly discussed their issues with their peers (66.1%)

    If you need to talk to someone with anything that concerns you call the London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 or visithttp://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Addictions/Pages/Introduction.aspx for more details.

  • Gay Movie Looking For Crowd Funding

    In order to raise money to film the ‘Vignettes’ they are crowd funding – using a company called ‘Indiegogo’.

    It’s a relatively new way of raising money to produce independent work and you can donate at the following link:

    http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/four-play-movie-the-vignettes.

    There are a series of perks available upon donation. It’s not simply giving over money.

    A target has been set at £2000 – but this is the bare minimum the ‘Vignettes’ can be produced with.

    The aim is to overshoot this target.

    The best way for these campaigns to work is by having continual activity in the funding. Whilst massive donations are greatly appreciated – they definitely are – having a constant amount of smaller donations raises awareness of the campaign.

    The campaign ends on the 17th of May and then the ‘Vignettes’ shoot the weekend of the 18th and 19th of May.

    You can also follow on Twitter @FourPlayMovie

    And like the official Facebook page:Facebook.com/FourPlayMovie

  • Stolen Soho Bombing Victims’ Plaque Replaced

    Stolen Soho Bombing Victims’ Plaque Replaced

    The missing original plaque dedicated to the three victims of the Soho nail bomb attack in April 1999 has been replaced ahead of memorial event tomorrow evening.

     

    We reported yesterday that the plaque dedicated to the memory of Andrea Dykes, John Little and Nick Moore had gone missing from St. Anne’s Gardens in Soho, London ahead of the memorial event planned for the 30th April – which will be the 14th anniversary of the attack.

    The nail bomb, which went off on the 30th April 1999 in the Admiral Duncan was aimed at the gay community in Soho. It was the 3rd of three attacks planned and orchestrated by David Copeland who is currently serving six concurrent life sentences and in 2007 the High Court ruled that he must serve 50 years.

    A replacement plaque has been ordered and will be on display at tomorrow’s memorial event held in Soho.

    Cllr Ed Argar, Westminster City Council cabinet member for city management, said:

    “I find it appalling that anyone would steal the memorial plaque remembering those who died and were injured in the horrific Soho bombing of 1999.

    “We have moved swiftly to get a replacement memorial delivered and installed ahead of the 14th anniversary of the Soho bombings tomorrow (Tuesday 30th April), having been alerted to its removal, and we hope it will be in place later today.”

    The new plaque has cost £260, with half being paid by Westminster City Council and 17-24-30.org paying the other.

    The replacement plaque will be installed this afternoon and reads:

    Andrea Dykes D.O.B 30-11-1971

    John Light D.O.B 27-04-1967

    Nick Moore D.O.B 24-05-1967

    Deceased 30-04-1999 in the Admiral Duncan Bombing

    Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil

  • Soho Bombing Victims’ Plaque Missing

    The original Soho Bomb memorial plaque has gone missing according to Mark Healey, the founder of the anti-hate campaign 17-24-30.org, from its position in St. Anne’s Gardens in Soho, London.

    Soho Nail Bombing Victim Plague

    The memorial remembers the three victims who lost their lives in the blast which ripped through the popular Soho pub, the Admiral Duncan in April 1999, killing Andrea Dykes, John Light and Nick Moore.

    The Soho nail bomb was the 3rd of three attacks planned and orchestrated by David Copeland. He planted the other two bombs in Brixton (17th April 1999) and Brick Lane (24th April 1999).

    He is currently serving six concurrent life sentences and in 2007 the High Court ruled that he must serve 50 years.

    In a statement from 17-24-30 the organisers of the Act Of Remembrance which is to take place on the 30th April have said that, ’17-24-30 have agreed to help cover the costs so that it can be ordered straight away and hopefully in place ready for the service on Tuesday 30th April – marking the 14th anniversary of the attacks.’

    The new plaque will cost £260 and it is hoped that it will be delivered and installed before Tuesday’s service.

  • Simon Cowell’s New Boy Anttix

    Simon Cowell’s New Boy Anttix

    Introducing Simon Cowell’s new lad: Anttix

    New kid on the block, Anttix is preparing to storm the charts like some kind of music bad ass with his song ‘Tornado’ which you can listen to here:http://www.videos.thegayuk.com/anttix Is it any cop?

    TheGayUK jury is out on this one, but the chorus is a catchy one.
    Easy on the eye — Check

    T-shirt that looks like he’s been pebbledashed with 100s and 1000s — Check

    Catchy chorus — Check

    Doing every gay pride going —- Check
    Oh ok then… here’s another picture

    Anttix

    The new single is out 26th May 2013
    http://www.officialanttix.com

  • Reports Of Homophobic Crime Drop In London from 2012 to 2013

    Figures released by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), the UK’s biggest police force, show that reports of crimes that are perceived as homophobic, either ‘by the victim or any other person’ are down 12.7% in the last 12 months.

    In total 1,103 homophobic crimes were reported to the MPS in the 12 months up to March 2013, whilst the year before 1,264 crimes were reported.

    Of the 32 boroughs policed by the MPS, 12 reported an increase in reported homophobic crimes, with Enfield observing the biggest increase in reports. Nineteen boroughs had lower reportages and Ealing had exactly the same number of reports as the previous year.

    An Enfield Council Spokesperson said:

    “Enfield Council works closely with the police and the local community to deal with hate crime against the LGBT community and works tirelessly to create an environment where people affected by homophobic hate crime feel confident enough to report what has happened to them in a supportive environment.

    “While the number of homophobic crimes reported in Enfield this year remains extremely low, thanks to our extensive work with the police in this area, we have seen a significant increase in confidence amongst the LGBT community and consequently the number of reports of homophobic hate crime have increased.

    “Enfield Safer and Stronger Communities Board have a number of initiatives in place to engage with and support the LGBT community including our hate crime strategy, Enfield Council also funds the LGBT Network to help provide support for the community work it does and we have run a number of successful initiatives to improve tolerance and community cohesion amongst all our communities.”

    Overall crime is down in London by 6% and the MPS Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “Crime is down by 6%. This includes some excellent performance across London, with serious youth violence down by 28%, gun crime down 20%. Robberies are down by over 10% and 1000 gang members are in prison or under judicial restriction.

    “These are very significant numbers that have been achieved against a backdrop of substantial operational challenges to the Metropolitan Police such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the London Olympics and Paralympic Games. All of this has been done whilst also saving money.

    “I hope the people of London will be proud of the Met’s achievements.”

    You can take a look at your borough’s crime rates at:http://www.met.police.uk/crimefigures

  • James Franco In Bed Selfie With Keegan Allen

    Thank Liza For Instagram… Sometimes we can’t believe the gay coming out of that platform, we love it!

    (more…)

  • France Becomes 14th Nation To Legalise Gay Marriage

    France’s Government passes same-sex marriage in final vote in Parliament.

    France is ready to become the 14th nation on earth to legalise same-sex marriage after the National Assembly passed the bill in a vote.

    331 voted in favour, while 225 voted against – giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry.

    Pinknews are reporting that the final step in making marriage equality law in France is for the president, Francois Hollande to sign the bill.

    President Hollande as already given his formal approval.

    The revelation follows the news that New Zealand voted in favour of marriage equality last week.

    However there has been much tension in France surrounding the issue of gay marriage with one major organisation, La Manif Pour Tous (Demo For All), coordinating mass rallies in the French capital, Paris.

    Indeed, tensions where so high during voting that “legions” of police were assembled outside the National Assembly with water cannons.

    In January over 340,000 people took to the streets of Paris to demonstrate against the bill.

    A less successful attempt was orchestrated by La Manif Pour Tous in London in Trafalgar Square last month.

    A number of high profile homophobic attacks have also been reported in the last few weeks. On April 6th a gay couple were beaten in Paris and last weekend a young gay dancer, Raphaël Leclerc was beaten in Nice.

  • Touching Tribute From A 7-Year Old Pupil Of Trans Teacher Lucy Meadows

    Nearly 100 Teachers, union members and students joined forces on Saturday to march in memory of Lucy Meadows, a trans teacher from Accrington in the United Kingdom, who was found dead in her home in March.

    Miss Meadows was thrust into the media spotlight after a letter to parents from the head teacher of St. Mary Magdalene’s Primary School, where she was working, regarding her transition was sent to the press in December.

    A day later the Daily Mail published a column by Richard Littlejohn that was headlined:

    “He’s not only in the wrong body… he’s in the wrong job”

    A petition, which called for the resignation of Richard Littlejohn because of the article, garnered over 200,000 signatures in less than a week and a vigil held outside theDaily Mail offices in London in memory of Miss. Meadows attracted over two hundred people.

    Daisy Moreton, a 7-year-old student at St. Mary Magdalene’s attended the event on Saturday and according to the Manchester Evening News carried a handwritten poem that she had composed for her late teacher.

    The poem read: “Makes you happy/ in high spirits/ smiles/ said kind things./ Made us feel good/ ever helpful/ always nice/ delightful/ one of a kind/ wonderful teacher/ scientist.”

    Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, organiser Debs Gwynn, the North West National Union of Teachers Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender representative, said:

    “This rally was called for two reasons – to allow the local community to show support and solidarity for what happened and to raise the issue of transphobia more widely.

    “I have been talking to parents and pupils today and the kids were supportive of Lucy. And they are devastated that their teacher is now dead.”

    She added:

    “It was a great success, lots of people spoke at the end and they were keen to stress that they were there to support Lucy, her family and her colleagues.

    An inquest into Miss. Meadows death has been opened and adjourned.